Anna Eshoo

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Federal Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Compliance Act of 1997. This legislation would strengthen current law that requires information technology purchased by Federal agencies to be accessible to their employees with disabilities. It also would continue the existing expectation that States receiving Federal funds for disability programs meet accessibility guidelines in their information technology acquisitions. There are approximately 145,000 Federal employees with disabilities, and they comprise 7.5 percent of the Federal work force. While they are employed in a variety of agencies, most of them work in the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans' Affairs, and the Department of Agriculture. We can be proud that the Federal Government is offering solid employment opportunities to so many people with disabilities and taking advantage of the talents, insights, and knowledge that they have to share. Information technology has played a large role in opening jobs in the Federal Government and elsewhere to people with disabilities. For example, an estimated 43 percent of employed people who are blind or visually impaired use computers to write. However, information technology can also shut the door to employment for people with disabilities if isn't accessible to them. Web sites with heavy graphics content, for instance, may not be designed to be compatible with software commonly used by people who are blind or visually impaired to read information on computer screens. So it is imperative to Federal employees with disabilities for Federal agencies to purchase information technology that gives them a chance to do their jobs instead of cutting them off from full participation in the work force. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act was designed to achieve this goal. It calls on Federal agencies to follow guidelines established by the General Services Administration and the Department of Education to ensure that their information technology is accessible to people with disabilities. Unfortunately, section 508 contains no enforcement mechanism, and many Federal agencies are not in compliance with the guidelines. The Federal Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Compliance Act of 1997 would add teeth to section 508 by establishing a way to enforce agency compliance with the guidelines. It asks the Office of Management and Budget [OMB] to develop uniform procedures for Federal agencies to use each year to certify whether or not they are in compliance with section 508 guidelines. OMB also is given authority to review agency compliance statements and assist agencies in making their information technology systems accessible to their employees with disabilities. Additionally, the legislation addresses another problem related to section 508 guidelines. The Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act Amendments of 1994 contain a mechanism to encourage States to follow section 508 guidelines as a condition for receiving Federal funding for disability related projects. However, this law is expected to expire in a few years. My legislation takes the language from the Technology Act and inserts it into the Rehabilitation Act as one of the expectations for States to meet in exchange for vocational rehabilitation funding from the Federal Government. Mr. Speaker, this legislation will help make the Federal Government a better workplace for people with disabilities. I urge my colleagues to join me in this effort by supporting the Federal Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Compliance Act of 1997.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Eugenia Chen, a dedicated young leader who is being honored as an inductee into the San Mateo County Women's Hall of Fame. Eugenia Chen is an exemplary student who has taken the most rigorous academic program at Mills High School, achieving first place in her class of 327 students and being honored as a National Merit semi- finalist. She serves her school and her fellow students as student body president, is an accomplished musician playing both piano and flute, and was chosen most valuable player in tennis and badminton. Eugenia has been chosen National Youth Ambassador for the Organization for Chinese-Americans and will travel across the country, representing Chinese-American youth. She was elected Supreme Court Justice at last summer's Girls' State, and is serving as an intern with the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors. She is an extraordinary student and athlete, and gives generously of her time to her community. Eugenia Chen is an outstanding citizen and I salute her for her remarkable contributions and commitment to our community. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring and congratulating her on being inducted into the San Mateo County Women's Hall of Fame.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Margaret Taylor, an extraordinary, dedicated community leader who is being honored as an inductee into the San Mateo County Women's Hall of Fame. Margaret Taylor, as the director of San Mateo County's Health Services Agency, has distinguished herself as a regional and statewide leader in health care. She has ably guided the department to prepare for the future of healthcare delivery well into the 21st century. Margaret Taylor is the very first woman ever appointed head of a San Mateo County government department. She consistently sets the highest of standards and goals, and turns them into reality. Margaret Taylor is the first chairperson and founding member of the Health Plan of San Mateo, a model, countywide managed care program for 52,000 Medi-Cal beneficiaries. She also is co-chairperson of the executive committee of Nuestro Canto de Salud, a joint project between El Concilio and Health Services, responsible for $2 million in health education and health care grants. As an executive board member and past president of the County Health Executives Association of California, she works with all of California's county health directors to develop public health policy for elected officials. Additionally, she is a board member of the San Mateo County Hospital Consortium, the Association of Bay Area Health Officials, and the California Association of Public Hospitals. Margaret Taylor is deeply concerned about the health needs of women. She has developed prenatal care programs and created conferences on breast cancer and cancer education. She is an executive committee member of the California Women's Health Council, the first advisory group to the State Department of Health Services on all women's health issues. Margaret Taylor joined with the San Mateo Rotary Club in developing a health professions mentorship project for young women and minorities, and has developed many partnerships with community organizations to enable them to enhance the care of those they serve. Her work with the Hispanic Concilio resulted in the award of a prestigious Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant. Margaret Taylor is a woman of vision, and because of her public service, tens of thousands of people's lives have been bettered. Mr. Speaker, Margaret Taylor is an outstanding citizen, a long-time colleague, and my trusted friend. I salute her for her remarkable contributions and commitment to our community and our country and I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring and congratulating her on being inducted into the San Mateo County Women's Hall of Fame.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Joanne Ron Gilbert, a dedicated community leader who is being honored as an inductee into the San Mateo County Women's Hall of Fame. Joanne Ron Gilbert is an educator who specializes in at risk students. According to her nomination, she ``has received no formal awards, but is recognized by those who know her as someone who has transformed lives.'' Transferred from Detroit to San Mateo County in 1984, newly divorced with a teenaged son, her job was soon eliminated. She worked out a homesharing plan to provide her son with a secure environment, returned to school to earn a teaching credential, got a full-time teaching job, and developed a private tutoring practice. She also managed to volunteer as a landlord-tenant dispute mediator, coordinate events for the Jazz for the Homeless Program, and worked in local political campaigns. As a member of the county Human Relations Commission, she developed the first and only County Hate Crimes Conference. In 1992, finally able to buy her own condominium and seeing her son enter law school, she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. During her battle with this disease, which left her voiceless and unable to work for 3 months, she maintained correspondence with her students, providing them with support and counsel. Back at work since February 1995, she is taking classes in alternative dispute resolution and educational therapy. Mr. Speaker, Joanne Ron Gilbert is an outstanding citizen and I salute her for her remarkable contributions and commitment to our community. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring and congratulating her on being inducted into the San Mateo County Women's Hall of Fame.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lillian Hecker Freed, a dedicated community leader who is being honored as an inductee into the San Mateo County Women's Hall of Fame. Lillian Hecker Freed has been a champion for those less fortunate and a political activist since she was a teenager. She became her employer's first female departmental supervisor in the 1950's, and was a leader in her company, encouraging and assisting other women. She was a peace activist during the Vietnam war and led union opposition to racial discrimination in San Francisco. Lillian Hecker Freed is now 80 years of age, and gives generously of her time and talents to the San Mateo Central Labor Council, the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, the Contra Costa Hills Conservation Club, the Peace Action Association, the Talmalpais Conservation Club, and the California Alpine Club. She is president of the Federation of Retired Union Members and continues her valiant fight for social justice. Mr. Speaker, Lillian Hecker Freed is an outstanding citizen and I salute her for her remarkable contributions and commitment to our community. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring and congratulating her on being inducted into the San Mateo County Women's Hall of Fame.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to announce the introduction of the Amateur Radio Volunteer Services Act of 1997. Similar to a unanimously accepted amendment I offered last year to the FCC reauthorization bill in the Commerce Committee, this bill would help protect the personal liability of volunteer amateur radio operators while performing duties on behalf of the Federal Government. Amateur radio operators are self-regulated, with volunteer operators monitoring the airwaves for violations and administering licensing exams. This volunteer corps saves countless hours of staff time and resources for the Federal Communications Commission [FCC]; however, because they are not Federal employees, they put their personal assets at risk in the event of actions taken against them as a result of their volunteer service to the Government. It is simply unfair that these volunteers who are saving the Government time and resources should have to risk their personal assets in carrying out their service. The Amateur Radio Volunteer Services Act would classify those individuals donating their time and expertise to maintaining the quality of the amateur radio airwaves as Federal employees only for the purpose of actions taken against them in the performance of their duties as self-regulators. This action will ensure the continued viability of the amateur radio community and continue to save the FCC and the Federal Government time and money that would otherwise need to be expended. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I urge my colleagues to support this worthy legislation.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lynda Burton, a dedicated community leader who is being honored as an inductee into the San Mateo County Women's Hall of Fame. Lynda Burton has served the community as an attorney at the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County since 1981, representing low-income clients in family law, domestic violence, landlord-tenant, and consumer protection cases. She has made important contributions to the County Task force on Violence Against Women, the Family Law Center, Sor Juana Inez, and the Center for Domestic Violence Protection. She gives generously of her time to Planned Parenthood and is a strong supporter of human rights in Latin America. She participated in the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing and has brought the news of this and many other important meetings to the Spanish speaking women of San Mateo County. She is an exemplary public servant, dedicated to making our legal system accessible and effective for the poor and disadvantaged. Mr. Speaker, Lynda Burton is an outstanding citizen and I salute her for her remarkable contributions and commitment to our community. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring and congratulating her on being inducted into the San Mateo County Women's Hall of Fame.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Carolyn Nobles, a dedicated community leader who is being honored as an inductee into the San Mateo County Women's Hall of Fame. Carolyn Nobles has energetically and generously served her community for many years. She recently organized an effort to raise $120,000 to build a playground in the North Fair Oaks community, and was a founding member of the Probe Auxiliary, which raised $100,000 to benefit children's programs in Redwood City. She was a founding member of Friends of Redwood City and Redwood City's Citizens against Racism, which sponsors scholarships for minority students attending Canada College. She has been honored by the Sierra Club, Soroptimists International, the Volunteer Center, the Junior League, the California State Assembly, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, and the Save San Francisco Bay Association. Mr. Speaker, Carolyn Nobles is an outstanding citizen and I salute her for her remarkable contributions and commitment to our community. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring and congratulating her on being inducted into the San Mateo County Women's Hall of Fame.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Maryann Medina, a dedicated community leader who is being honored as an inductee into the San Mateo County Women's Hall of Fame. Maryann Medina, one of the few Latina women working for the San Francisco Post Office in 1966, recognized the importance of lending a helping hand and became the first woman president of the Latin American Postal Workers. While continuing to work full time, she earned her AA degree in 1981 and a BS degree in public administration in 1985. In 1989, she was elected Western region coordinator of the APWU Post Office Women for Equal Rights. She organized her union's Childcare Committee and worked for a 24-hour childcare facility for postal workers. She joined Toastmaster International, became a public speaker, and attended the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995, and she now makes frequent public presentations about the conference. She is a member of the Soroptimists and volunteers as a facilitator in the Women's Financial Information Program. Mr. Speaker, Maryann Medina is an outstanding citizen and I salute her for her remarkable contributions and commitment to our community. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring and congratulating her on being inducted into the San Mateo County Women's Hall of Fame.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Francisca De Castro Guevarra, a dedicated community leader who is being honored as an inductee into the San Mateo County Women's Hall of Fame. Francisca De Castro Guevarra was born in San Francisco and is the daughter of Filipino immigrants. She has been an exemplary community volunteer for the past 28 years. She left her banking career in 1969 to join the Volunteer Center where she has been instrumental in broadening the focus of service to groups and regions that had not previously been served. In 1990, she organized the bay area's first Volunteer Center Conference on Cultural Diversity and Voluntarism, which has served as a model for many subsequent conferences throughout the bay area. She has been tireless in her efforts to involve youth in voluntarism and service, and conducted a management training session for representatives of 18 European countries at the 1996 Volunteurope Conference in Rome. Mr. Speaker, Francisca De Castro Guevarra is an outstanding citizen and I salute her for her remarkable contributions and commitment to our community. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring and congratulating her on being inducted into the San Mateo County Women's Hall of Fame.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Bonnie Miller, a dedicated community leader who is being honored as an inductee into the San Mateo County Women's Hall of Fame. Bonnie Miller, a member of the board of directors of the Fair Oaks Community Center, conducted several fundraising efforts which resulted in the group being able to provide food for many people who would otherwise have gone without. She organized her community to make the Taft School a drug-free zone, and was a founding member of a coalition which developed the Taft/Healthy Start Family Center in 1995. She is the owner of a small business and has been active in the Women's Financial Information Program, a 7-week course that was designed to help women conquer their fear of finances. She has raised seven children and received the Unsung Hero Award from the Redwood City Interservice Club and the Sequoia Award for Outstanding Volunteerism. Mr. Speaker, Bonnie Miller is an outstanding citizen and I salute her for her remarkable contributions and commitment to our community. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring and congratulating her on being inducted into the San Mateo County Women's Hall of Fame.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jessica Frank, a dedicated youth leader who is being honored as an inductee into the San Mateo County Women's Hall of Fame. Jessica Frank is a recipient of the National Council of Teachers of English Writing Award and has won accolades from her teachers for her creativity and determination. She has volunteered as a teacher's aide with emotionally disturbed third and fourth graders, has tutored a runaway youth who speaks English as a second language, and is a member of Moving On Racial Equality. Jessica has created projects that combine community service and social justice for her 400-member church youth organization and helped renovate an elementary school in a low-income area in San Francisco. She has organized and conducted a workshop on homelessness and spent last summer tutoring on a Navajo reservation. She is an inventive and committed community volunteer who gives generously of her time and talents to help others. Jessica Frank is outstanding citizen and I salute her for her remarkable contributions and commitment to our community. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring and congratulating her on being inducted into the San Mateo County Women's Hall of Fame.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to introduce a concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress that the United States will continue its leadership in the United Nations by honoring the financial obligations to that institution. Everyone agrees that United Nations is in need of reform. In fact, Joseph Connor, the Undersecretary for Administration and Management, announced yesterday that the U.N. budget will come in under its estimated 1998 budget, and the 1997 budget was a cut from the previous year. But, if the United States continues to be a global deadbeat, the United Nations will lose its ability to carry out missions important to American foreign policy, such as promoting human rights, controlling the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, spreading democracy, and preventing global conflicts. The United States was a founding member of the United Nations. Throughout its half century of existence, through times of war and peace, the United Nations has stood as a pillar of stability. That is why Republicans and Democrats alike have supported not only its existence but American financial obligations. Now 61 percent of arrears to the United Nations are owed by the most powerful Nation on Earth. This is wrong. We can't allow short-term thinking in Congress to jeopardize our long-term security. Please join me in sending a strong message to the world that the United States will lead and the United States will keep its word.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, according to the Congressional Management Foundation, it costs our Nation's taxpayers approximately $280,000 to fly House Members to Washington each week when the Congress is in session. In the past, there has been a busy floor schedule and Members have been working in order to earn their keep. Today is Thursday, March 6, and it may be the 105th Congress but so far, I think, it is the pretend Congress: Pretend we are meeting, pretend we are legislating, pretend we are busy, pretend we are working. This is not a source of pride to me, nor can it be to so many of my colleagues. All the American people want is to have their country work, and it cannot work if we do not work. We passed the armored car reciprocity amendments, we sent best wishes to the people of Nicaragua, and we even mustered a handful of Members to come to the floor to listen to the President of Chile, but nothing is being done about campaign finance reform, health care for our Nation's children, and so many other things. Mr. Speaker, let us stop wasting the taxpayers' dollars. Let us get down to business. Let us go to work for our great Nation.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of House Joint Resolution 36, which provides for the release of U.S. contributions to international family planning programs. For over 30 years America has been a supporter of international family planning. These programs have improved the health of millions of women and children, eased the environmental impact of rapid population growth, and prevented millions of unwanted pregnancies. But in the past 2 years, Congress has withheld, cut or placed arbitrary restrictions on these programs. Approximately 4 million women, who do not have access to modern contraception, medical advice or prenatal care, will have an unwanted or dangerous pregnancy, resulting in nearly 2 million more abortions or miscarriages. Funding restrictions only add to these numbers. Unless we vote today to release the funds already appropriated, we will create even greater obstacles to common sense family planning. If this resolution is defeated there will be an increase in maternal death, there will be an increase in abortions, and there will be an increase in malnutrition. The support of the United States for international family planning has helped families space out the birth of their children and has increased the odds that there will be enough food and other essentials to be shared among all family members. We've enabled women to bear children when they are physically strong and can breast-feed normally-- increasing child survival by as much as 20 percent. These funds have not sponsored or supported abortion. For 20 years, the U.S. Agency for International Development has prevented any money distributed by the Federal Government from being used to perform abortions or motivate anyone to have one. This is current law, and nothing in this resolution will change it. Mr. Speaker, for three decades Republications and Democrats, pro-life and pro-choice, have supported a significant American role in international family planning. I urge my colleagues to reaffirm that support today by voting in favor of House Joint Resolution 36.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Reconstructive Breast Surgery Benefits Act of 1997 to guarantee that insurance companies cover the cost of reconstructive breast surgery that results from mastectomies for which coverage is already provided. In addition, the legislation would secure insurance coverage for all stages of reconstructive breast surgery performed on a nondiseased breast to establish symmetry with the diseased one when reconstructive surgery on the diseased breast is performed. In 1995, an estimated 182,000 American women were diagnosed with breast cancer, and 85,000 of them underwent a mastectomy as part of their treatment. Reconstructive breast surgery often is an integral part of the mental and physical recovery of women who undergo this traumatic, disfiguring procedure. Unfortunately, insurance companies don't always see it that way. Even though many of them are willing to pay for mastectomies, they sometimes balk at covering breast reconstruction. This legislation would put an end to this shortsighted practice and guarantee that women with breast cancer are not victimized twice--first by the disease, then by their insurance companies. According to the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons [ASPRS], a significant number of women with breast cancer must undergo mastectomy or amputation of a breast in order to treat their disease appropriately. The two most common types of reconstruction-- tissue expansion followed by an implant insertion and flap surgery--can restore the breast mound to a natural shape. Most breast reconstruction requires a series of procedures that may include an operation on the opposite breast for symmetry. Even though studies show that fear of losing a breast is a leading reason why many women do not participate in early breast cancer detection programs, many general surgeons don't even present reconstruction as an option for mastectomy candidates. Unfortunately, many women are unaware that reconstruction is an option following mastectomy, and they put off testing and/or treatment for breast cancer until it is too late. A recent ASPRS survey--with an error range of 1.9 percent--indicates that 84 percent of respondents had up to 10 patients who were denied insurance coverage for breast reconstruction of the amputated breast. Of those surgeons who support State legislation to address this problem and reported denied coverage, the top three procedures denied most often were symmetry surgery on a nondiseased breast, revision of breast reconstruction, and nipple areola reconstruction. The top five States of residence of those patients reporting denied coverage are Florida, California, Texas, Pennsylvania, and New York. California and Florida also are among the 13 States that have passed laws requiring breast reconstruction coverage after mastectomy. However, State laws alone, such as the California and Florida laws, do not provide adequate protection for women because States do not have jurisdiction over interstate insurance policies provided by large companies under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act [ERISA]. As a result, even women in States that have attempted to address this issue are still at risk of being denied coverage for reconstructive surgery. The Reconstructive Breast Surgery Benefits Act would amend the Public Health Service Act and ERISA to do the following: require health insurance companies that provide coverage for mastectomies to cover reconstructive breast surgery that results from those mastectomies, including surgery to establish symmetry between breasts; prohibit insurance companies from denying coverage for breast reconstruction resulting from mastectomies on the basis that the coverage is for cosmetic surgery; prohibit insurance companies from denying a woman eligibility or continued eligibility for coverage solely to avoid providing payment for breast reconstruction; prohibit insurance companies from providing monetary payments or rebates to women to encourage such women to accept less than the minimum protections available under this act; prohibit insurance companies from penalizing an attending care provider because such care provider gave care to an individual participant or beneficiary in accordance with this act; and prohibit insurance companies from providing incentives to an attending care provider to induce such care provider to give care to an individual participant or beneficiary in a manner inconsistent with this act. On the other hand, the Reconstructive Breast Surgery Benefits Act would not: Require a woman to undergo reconstructive breast surgery; apply to any insurance company that does not offer benefits for mastectomies; prevent an insurance company from imposing reasonable deductibles, coinsurance, or other cost-sharing in relation to reconstructive breast surgery benefits; prevent insurance companies from negotiating the level and type of reimbursement with a care provider for care given in accordance with this act; and preempt State laws that require coverage for reconstructive breast surgery at least equal to the level of coverage provided in this act. Mr. Speaker, women who have breast cancer suffer enough without having to worry about whether or not their insurance companies will cover reconstructive surgery. I urge my colleagues in helping to give these women peace of mind and the coverage they need by supporting the Reconstructive Breast Surgery Benefits Act.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to renew my drive to help parents save for their children's higher education by introducing the Higher Education Accumulation Program [HEAP] Act of 1997. This initiative, which I also introduced in the prior two Congresses, establishes special IRA-like savings accounts so that parents are motivated to save for their children's higher education. There is no greater investment that families can make in their future than giving their children a chance to pursue higher education. Unfortunately, tuition increases have made college unaffordable for so many families. As a result, families are being forced to go deeper into debt or tap into their life savings in order to give their children a chance to prepare themselves for the 21st century. Under my initiative, parents can deposit up to $5,000 per year tax deferred in a HEAP account for their child's college or other higher education. Only one child can be the beneficiary of each HEAP accounts. While multiple HEAP accounts could be established by a family, parents would be limited to a maximum tax deferment of $15,000 per year. Married parents filing separate returns would be limited to $2,500 in deferments per account, up to a maximum of $7,500. With a HEAP account, one-tenth of any amount withdrawn for educational expenses--including tuition, fees, books, supplies, meals, and lodging--at eligible institutions would be included in the gross income of the beneficiary for tax purposes each year over a 10-year period. If a person withdrew money from a HEAP account for purposes other than paying for higher education, that money would be subject to a 10-percent penalty on top of the income tax rate that would apply at the time of withdrawal. According to the Government Accounting Office [GAO], tuition at 4- year public colleges and universities--where two-thirds of U.S. college students attend classes--has increased 234 percent over the past 15 years. In contrast, median household income rose only 82 percent and the cost of consumer goods rose just 74 percent in the same period. GAO also has found that increases in grant aid have not kept up with tuition increases at 4-year public colleges. As a result, families are relying more on loans and personal finances to pay for school. For example, in fiscal year 1980, the average student loan was $518; in fiscal year 1995, it rose to $2,417, an increase of 367 percent. The U.S. Department of Education reports that for the 1994-95 academic year, annual undergraduate charges for tuition, room, and board were estimated to be $5,962 at public colleges and $16,222 at private colleges. Between 1980 and 1994, college tuition, room, and board at public institutions increased from 10 to 14 percent of median family income--for families with children 6 to 17 years old. At private institutions, these costs increased from 23 to 41 percent of median family income between 1979 and 1993. Mr. Speaker, making higher education more affordable for more families must be a top priority for the 105th Congress. I urge my colleagues to join me in this effort to provide a much-needed helping hand to American families.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, on March 29 and March 30 I missed rollcall vote Nos. 104 through 110. I was absent from this chamber due to a death in the family. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: ``Yes'' on rollcall No. 104--amendment by Mr. Dingell to the health insurance reform bill (H.R. 3103); ``Yes'' on rollcall No. 105--motion by Mr. Pallone to recommit the health insurance reform bill (H.R. 3103); ``No'' on rollcall No. 106--final passage of health insurance reform bill (H.R. 3103); ``No'' on rollcall No. 107--conference report on the farm bill (H.R. 2854); ``No'' on rollcall No. 108--rule to consider product liability conference report (H. Res. 394); ``Yes'' on rollcall No. 109--Journal vote; ``No'' on rollcall No. 110--product liability conference report (H.R. 956)

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, in an era of increasing interdependence, no one nation alone can solve problems that cross national borders. That's why the United Nations [U.N.] was founded 50 years ago. In the last half of this century, the U.N. continues to address international social and economic problems such a terrorism, nuclear proliferation, the spread of disease, environmental degradation, and illicit drug trafficking. The United Nations is essential: the U.N.'s work benefits the United States and advances America's foreign policy. As the only international organization seeking to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war. U.N. peacekeepers and human rights monitors have helped build democratic forms of government and prevented regional and global conflicts. In an era of stringent domestic budgets, it makes sense to work through the United Nations to solve transnational problems. The United Nations is an investment in the future of our children and the children of the world. Making the United Nations more efficient: The United Nations has begun to implement internal reforms as the organization prepares for the next century, and yes, there is much that remains to be done. However we, as members of the United Nations, cannot seek reform when we have refused to meet our financial obligations. As U.N. Ambassador Madeleine Albright recently stated, ``To achieve reform, you have to be a builder, not a destroyer; you have to embrace change, but you also have to understand that change does not occur without cost.'' Our continued commitment: Our concerned constituents are sending personal checks to the United Nations to demonstrate their concern about our financial obligations to the United Nations. These Americans believe the U.N.'s goals are being hindered by the $1 billion in back dues the United States has withheld. In fact, a recent poll conducted by the U.N. Association indicates that fully 64 percent of Americans believe the Congress should allocate enough resources to pay our dues in full and on schedule. That's why I'm introducing a concurrent resolution recognizing the important of the United Nations and calling on the United States to meet our financial obligations in a full, timely, and consistent manner. Paying our dues and supporting the ongoing reform efforts will help the United Nations to effectively and efficiently meet the challenges of the 21st century. I urge my colleagues to support this important measure.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Arthur Jay Faro, an outstanding health administrator and a respected citizen, on the occasion of the celebration of his 32 years of dedicated service to the Sequoia Hospital District and our community. Mr. Faro, a graduate of the University of Vermont and recipient of a Masters in Business Administration from George Washington University, began his career with Sequoia Hospital in 1964 as Director of Personnel and Services and became Chief Executive in 1989. Since that time he has served with the diligence and distinction that have marked all his years at Sequoia. His unparalleled leadership and consensus-building skills were critical to seeing Sequoia Hospital and the Sequoia Hospital District through its growth in size and reputation, through some of its most difficult decisions, including the most recent one to save the hospital by affiliating with Catholic Healthcare West. Mr. Faro currently serves as a member of the Sequoia Health Services Board of Directors. He has served as a member and director of many professional organizations, including the Hospital Consortium of San Mateo County, the American College of Health Care Executives and the West Bay Hospital Conference. He currently serves on the Board of the American Heart Association (San Mateo Chapter) and the Heart Association California Affiliate, the Redwood City Chamber of Commerce, the Sequoia Hospital Employees Credit Union and the Advisory Board of Bay Area Bank. He has served in the past as an advisor or director of the Committee for Radiology Technologist Education, the Sequoia Union High School District, the Sequoia YMCA, and the Sequoia Chapter of the American Red Cross. He also served honorably in our Nation's Armed Forces. Art Faro is a licensed commercial pilot, a certified scuba diver, and an ardent photographer, jogger, bicyclist, backpacker and traveler. Mr. Speaker, Art Faro has been an extraordinary leader in San Mateo County and has given important public service to his community and the Sequoia Hospital District. I've been privileged to work closely with him and I'm proud to call him my friend. I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting Art Faro as he retires from Sequoia Hospital and wish him well as he embarks on new chapters in life.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, the conference report before the House today includes many provisions worthy of support. Funding for the Federal Emergency Management Administration [FEMA] is much better than the House-passed level. The Americorps Program will continue to provide civic minded young women and men the opportunity to help their communities and earn money for their college education. Even the Environmental Protection Agency [EPA], the target of endless Republican attacks, is funded at a level that will allow the agency to fulfill its mission. In addition, this conference report contains three health-related provisions that deserve the strong support of every Member of the House. The year-long fight to ensure parity for mental health benefits has been successful. New mothers will no longer have to worry about being forced from the hospital by insurance companies placing costs over care. And the children of veterans exposed to agent orange will get the benefits they deserve to help treat spina bifida. Because of these provisions and the improved funding levels, I will support this conference report; yet I must point out that this report also contains a provision I strongly disagree with and which fails the good public policy test. I am referring to language included by the conferees prohibiting the space agency from consolidating NASA research aircraft from centers east of the Mississippi, leaving only one facility subject to this ill-conceived proposal--NASA-Ames, located in the 14th District of California which I represent. The numbers are clear. The NASA inspector general's final audit report states that the consolidation plan would mean nonrecurring costs of $11.3 million and annual savings of $218,049, resulting in a payback period of 52 years. If the cost of money--discount rate--is factored in, NASA will never recover its financial investment in aircraft consolidation. Mr. Speaker, over the past several months I have worked with several of my colleagues, Democrats and Republicans, House and Senate, in opposition to NASA's consolidation plan. As I stand here today, it is only NASA Ames, which lies West of the Mississippi, that remains subject to the consolidation. I want my constituents to know that I continue to believe the consolidation is a bad plan and I will continue to press this case both with the Congress and the administration.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support the Transportation appropriations bill before the House today. In particular, I want to highlight the inclusion of $27.5 million in funding for the Tasman Light Rail extension and the BART Airport Extension projects. This funding is just the latest step forward for these two projects and wish to acknowledge the leadership of Chairman Wolf and Congressman Coleman for their continued support. Both BART and Tasman enjoy broad support. And while there are detractors, I believe the transit authority has made an honest effort to address concerns raised along the way. This latest appropriation is a validation of the value to the bay area that these projects represent. Earlier this year, the Tasman project finalized its full funding grant agreement with the Federal Transit Authority. With the Federal Government committed as a full partner in this project, there should not be any derailments along the way to completion. With many major Silicon Valley employers located along the new route, the Tasman project's value to the region is apparent to anyone who has toured the site. Every effort has been by local authorities to ensure that the scarce funds available for the light rail extension will be put to the greatest use and provide the greatest benefit to the community. As a supporter of both the Tasman and BART projects since coming to Congress almost 4 years ago, it is gratifying to have my colleagues recognize the value of these efforts and support the funding necessary to make them a reality.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member of our committee for yielding time to me. Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind our colleague, the gentleman from California [Mr. Bilbray], that because the Republican leadership delayed consideration of this bill past the Wednesday deadline, that our great State of California, the greatest State in the Union, has lost almost $42 million to improve the safety of the drinking water for our 31 million citizens. Mr. Speaker, there are many that begin their remarks with, and I remember a famous politician that said, ``There you go again.'' There goes the Congress again. We had a darned good bill that was a bipartisan bill, worked up and worked out over a period of time by the members of the Committee on Commerce. I was proud that the Committee on Commerce rose above what I thought were election year politics to craft a workable solution to a very, very important problem in our country. That was then, and this is now. Here is a list. Here is a list of the pork. We are mixing pork with water. Here is the list. These are some of the most vulnerable Republican freshmen in the House of Representatives. Now there is a rush to mix pork with water. It is being taken out of the revolving fund, the capitalization grants for States, $725 million, and we have mixed the pork in with it. Where are the reformers in the Congress to rush to this floor? Where are the reformers in the Congress coming to the floor and saying, ``This does not belong in this bill''? It is placing at risk one of the most important issues in our Nation. Every American should be able to travel anyplace in this country and rely on safe drinking water. Instead, this has been bollixed up with pork. So this is not a safe drinking water bill. Now because of the Speaker and the Republican leadership, they have turned it into a safe reelection bill. I urge my colleagues to vote against it. This is not what the bill should be.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Olympic athletes and coaches from California's 14th Congressional District. Two schools in the 14th District, both with outstanding academic reputations, have an unusually high number of students participating in the games this year. Castilleja School is a college preparatory school serving girls and young women in grades 6 through 12. Its students are known for their aptitude and achievements, and now for their athletic accomplishments. Although it is a small school, Castilleja has three alumni in the Olympics. These distinguished athletes are Amy Chow, Laura Korholtz, and Katy McCandless. Stanford University is one of the most distinguished private universities in our country. Stanford has demonstrated how multitalented its students truly are. Forty-nine Stanford students, alumni, and coaches are participating in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. These distinguished athletes and coaches are Jennifer Azzi, Nich Bravin, Ray Carey, Amy Chow, Domonique Dawes, Janet Evans, Scott Fortune, Catherine Fox, Chryste Gaines, Kurt Grote, Barbara Fontana- Harris, Julie Foudy, A.J. Hinch, Joe Hudepohl, Lisa Jacob, Regina Jacobs, Skip Kenney, Kristin Klein, Mike Lambert, Jeremy Laster, Jair Lynch, Rick McNair, Bev Oden, Dave Popjoy, Sherry Posthumus, Richard Quick, Nancy Reno, Jeff Rouse, Katy Steding, Kent Steffes, Fred Sturm, Jenny Thompson, Zoran Tulum, Tara VanDerveer, Erica Wheeler, Wolf Wigo, Jessica Amey, Elin Austevoll, Gus Envela, Claudia Franco, Andrew Gooding, Ted Huang, Eddie Parenti, Sean Pickering, Gabrielle Rose, Brady Sih, Dave Strang, Andrew Vlahov, and Robert Weir. In addition, there are three remarkable Olympic athletes who reside in my district: Josh Davis, Mary Harvey, and Heather Simmons-Carrasco. These Olympians have distinguished themselves in swimming, soccer, and synchronized swimming, respectively and I am exceedingly proud that these athletes call the 14th Congressional District home. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting these remarkable athletes whose determination, prowess, and incredible performances inspire us all. These Olympians who have excelled in both academics and athletics are role models to our Nation and to the world.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the House passed a welfare reform proposal that I believe will not achieve its stated purpose of breaking the cycle of poverty and return people to the workforce. I voted against the bill because it sacrifices the legitimate needs of legal immigrants, those trying to reenter the workforce, and children who through no fault of their own are in the need of assistance. I support reforming the welfare system and I have voted for reforms such as those included in the bipartisan proposal by Congressmen Tanner and Castle. That proposal would have achieved real reform while keeping children fed and out of poverty, and providing the necessary funding for people to move from welfare into the work force. In short, the Tanner-Castle legislation represented responsible reform. The conference report did not. This is billed as ``welfare reform.'' It is a scale back of benefits. It hurts children who have no control over their economic circumstances. It fails on the issue of legal immigrants who have played by the rules we established for living in the United States. In abdicating this responsibility, the Federal Government places a heavy financial burden on local governments. In California alone, additional costs of as much as $10 billion could burden counties over the next 6 years. Finally, the level of financial commitment that States must meet is inadequate to address the job which is being promised. The Tanner- Castle proposal guaranteed an 85 percent maintenance of effort by states. In other words, States must spend at least 85 percent of what they spent in 1994 on welfare programs and yet the conference report allows States to spend only 75 percent on their 1994 welfare budgets. The Congressional Budget Office has stated that under this bill states will have to provide additional services without additional money. Welfare recipients may find new job training opportunities, but at what cost? Less food? Less child care? These are the choices with which Congress has burdened our local governments by passing this bill. I could not, in good conscience, support a phony reform bill that so clearly fails to provide the resources needed to move individuals from welfare to work. It hurts the innocent--the children--and my Faith, not a party nor a President nor political winds, gives me the foundation on which I cast my vote.