Anna Eshoo

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, according to the Los Angeles Times a Wisconsin couple gave $700,000 to GOPAC between 1985 and 1993. That is a lot of money. The cornerstone of Federal election law is disclosure, full disclosure. Within the past 5 years, GOPAC has raised more than $7 million. The American people should know where this money came from, did these donors get anything in return, and are there any conflicts of interest? Mr. Speaker, these are important questions, but we cannot get answers because GOPAC refuses to provide a list of its past contributors and how much they contributed. What we know is that many of GOPAC's current donors have issues pending before the Congress. In light of these potential conflicts of interest, an outside counsel should be appointed to investigate these matters. The time has come for the House of Representatives, especially the new majority, to live up to their own rhetoric and call for an outside counsel to investigate where GOPAC's money has come from and how it has been used. The American people deserve to know.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Walter H. Shorenstein on the occasion of his 80th birthday and to celebrate his exemplary life of extraordinary contributions to our community and our country. Walter Shorenstein began his career in real estate in 1946 after serving as a Major in the U.S. Air Force. Over the years, he has built the Shorenstein Co. into one of the oldest, largest and most well- respected privately owned real estate firms in the country, currently employing over 1,400 people. Beyond his business success, Walter Shorenstein is a valued adviser to Presidents, a philanthropist who has given both time and money for the benefit of others, a lecturer of note and an ardent supporter of education. He was appointed by President Clinton to the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National Service and served as senior adviser to Presidents Johnson and Carter. He serves as an adviser to the Democratic leadership of the House and Senate. He is Chair of the San Francisco UN50 Committee to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter in San Francisco. His numerous sponsorships, board memberships, and honors are a reflection of his dedication to art, culture, education, government, and philanthropy. Walter Shorenstein's life has been enriched by his family: Carole, renowned producer of Broadway shows, a son, Douglas, President of the Shorenstein Co., his grandchildren--Walter, Gracie, Brandon Jona, Sandra Joan and Daniella--have brought even more joy into his life. His lifelong partner in life, Phyllis, died in 1994, and their beloved and brilliant daughter, Joan, died in 1985. Mr. Speaker, Walter Shorenstein is an outstanding citizen and a national treasure, and I am privileged to call him my friend. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Walter Shorenstein for his incomparable generosity and tireless service to our Nation, and in saluting him on yet another milestone in his life--his 80th birthday.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to sponsor the Higher Education Accumulation Program [HEAP] Act of 1995. This legislation would allow parents to make tax deductible contributions to IRA-like savings accounts earmarked for their children's college or vocational education. Higher education has often become a matter of checkbooks as much as textbooks. When I first introduced HEAP last year, it was one of the few serious efforts attempting to help middle class families with climbing costs of higher education. I am pleased that my efforts put the issue on the radar screens of the Clinton administration and congressional Republicans. Last December, the President offered a tax deduction for college education and the GOP has reintroduced the American dream savings accounts. My bill will become part of the larger move in Congress to assist the middle class, promote higher education, and encourage greater savings by the American people. In short, this legislation makes a heap of good sense. A recent study by the investment management firm T. Rowe Price found that in 11 years it will cost over $71,000 for a child to earn a 4-year degree from a public college and more than $139,000 for a child to attend a private university. HEAP will help middle class families whose kids do not qualify for low-interest student loans or other Government- subsidized education aid to meet these costs. Parents need an alternative. They should not be asked to liquidate their retirement savings or mortgage their homes to pay for higher education, and HEAP provides that alternative. Parents and colleges are already well aware of this financing problem and are taking steps to address it. For example, a funding education committee was formed by the Kenyon College Alumni Council to explore cost projections for attending their school in the years ahead. Alumni, parents, faculty, and administration personnel spent over a year looking at costs, public policy issues, and financing ideas. They were shocked to discover that, assuming a moderate annual inflation rate, it will cost approximately $250,000 for students to obtain a 4-year degree if they enter Kenyon College in 2010. Mr. Speaker, Kenyon College, its alumni council, and its funding education committee deserve a great deal of credit for addressing this problem. In particular, I would like to commend Neal Mayer, immediate past president of Kenyon's Alumni Council, for bringing this matter to my attention and developing the concept incorporated in my legislation. Not only has the Kenyon Alumni Council helped draft this bill, but it is also spearheading a grassroots drive to generate support for HEAP among various college parents, alumni, and officials across the country. I hope that many of my colleagues will soon hear from these HEAP supporters and cosponsor this important legislation. $5,000 per child each year in a college savings account with a maximum allowable deduction of $15,000 per year. When money is withdrawn from a HEAP account for education purposes, one-tenth of that amount would be included in the gross income of the beneficiary for tax purposes over a 10-year period. The legislation also includes a 10-percent penalty for money withdrawn from a HEAP account for purposes other than paying for higher education. Mr. Speaker, this legislation provides a HEAP of relief for middle class families who are often not eligible for low-interest student loans and other Government aid. By encouraging these families to save for their children, we help give future generations access to all the advantages of higher education. I urge my colleagues to support the HEAP Act and pay tribute to those who shaped this worthy legislation.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I was proud to vote for S. 2, the Congressional Accountability Act. Although I wholeheartedly support this long overdue legislation, I am disappointed that it did not include language that would prohibit Members of the House from using frequent flier miles accrued on official business for their personal use. When I first came to the House, I initiated a policy in my office on February 23, 1993, which said that all frequent flyer miles accrued on official business must be used in connection with official travel and not for personal use. Mr. Speaker, my office, and therefore the taxpayers, have realized significant savings from my travel on accrued frequent flier miles. We should pass legislation in the future that extends this reform to the House of Representatives. Until then, my office will keep this practice in effect.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Honorable Liz Kniss, outgoing mayor of the city of Palo Alto, CA, for her contributions to our community, particularly her extraordinary service as mayor during Palo Alto's centennial year of 1994. Mayor Kniss made it a priority to use Palo Alto's leadership in high technology to better serve her constituents. As a highly effective advocate of using cutting edge technology in city government, she was successful in making Palo Alto the first city in the Nation to be on the Internet and help its citizens to connect with the White House on the information superhighway. Liz Kniss knows the value of a strong, vital local economy and is an ardent promoter of the Palo Alto business community. During her tenure the city council passed the economic resources plan, a guide to making Palo Alto a place that will be attractive to businesses. Liz Kniss is a powerful advocate on behalf of children and families. And because of her leadership, a Family Resource Center has been introduced and is destined to become a reality under her persuasive guidance. It's been a privilege to work with Mayor Kniss and have the honor of representing her and the city she so ably serves. Mr. Speaker, Liz Kniss was an outstanding mayor of an outstanding city and continues to serve with distinction as a city councilmember. I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting her for her exemplary performance of her mayoral duties during Palo Alto's centennial year of 1994.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to insert the following insightful letter written by Mr. Harold S. Stein, Jr., into the Congressional Record. In my view, his words are instructive, timely and bear a timeliness to them as well. December 27, 1994. Hon. Anna Eshoo, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Congresswoman Eshoo: Our anger must not outpace our love. As desperate as these times may be, as fraught with fear our expectations, there is much that we can do to set things right. My concern is that in the process, through passion's flame, we violate the very principles we strive to serve. I suspect that these sentiments influenced the patriots who declared our independence, drafted our constitution, struggled to maintain the sovereignty and unity of the republic, and labored to give birth to and make viable the United Nations as a harbinger of world peace and order. In each era, in each instance of great social need, there has always been the probability that the pendulum of change would sweep to its opposite moment; that the dynamics of overturning one act of usurpation would lead to an opposite extreme, no less a tyranny. Today, Americans are an angry people, filled with frustration bordering on pure fury. It is evident in the streets and in the voting booth. It is voiced in our radio and television talk shows and printed in the Op-Eds. It fuels our movies, propels our music, and truncates our language into a handful of vicious epithets and slogans. It has caused us to resort to placing ill-fitting and simplistic labels on each other not to describe but rather mark who should be the targets of our next assault; surely a self-defeating strategy destined to fail as a solution and demean and make ignoble our ambitions. In short, our internecine wars between ethnic groups, political parties, social tiers, races, religions, and sexes has blinded us to the fact that we are citizens of one great nation, obligated to solve the grand alchemy of working together for a life of quality. We have taken the first steps by being dissatisfied with our present condition: our behavior toward each other and our environment is suspect. That is good. But in our rejection of the status quo and our demand for change, we must now pause and recognize that the ``ins'' and ``outs'', the ``haves'' and ``have-nots'', and the ``pros'' and ``cons'' are all from the same family. This is what is meant by healing. It is not giving in to bad social habits or maintaining failing systems and faulty priorities. It is rather making the changes with circumspection and sensitivity, recognizing and being alert to corrective moves that, like that pendulum, may swing too far to a new excess. Let us make 1995 a year in which we make a positive move towards achieving a quality of life for ourselves and our children. Let us with wisdom build a more noble world with an enthusiasm and energy born of love and not anger or hate. Sincerely yours, Harold S. Stein, Jr.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lydia Baldini Piombo, an outstanding citizen of the 14th Congressional District who passed away last November after 70 extraordinary years of life. She was a devoted wife and the mother of 5 loving children, and the proud grandmother of 10. She was married to Frank Piombo, one of California's most distinguished jurists, for a remarkable 47 years, and was a partner in all he did. In addition to her family, Lydia Piombo's other great love was St. Anthony's Padua Dining Room in Menlo Park, CA. Through St. Anthony's exemplary efforts to feed the hungry, Lydia Piombo touched the lives of literally thousands of people. She served on St. Anthony's board for 15 years, including a term as president, and guided the organization in its vital work with her intelligence, common sense, warmth, and always her wisdom. Our community has been enriched beyond measure because of her faithful devotion to serving those who were in need, alleviating their hunger of both the body and the spirit. Mr. Speaker, Lydia Baldini Piombo was a shining light amongst us, inspiring all who knew her or benefited from her care and concern. Her devotion to and understanding of humanity was unsurpassed as she lived each day embracing the belief that we are all God's children. She lives on through her children and grandchildren, through her devoted husband Frank, and all of us who were blessed to be part of her life. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to a noble woman who lived a life of purpose and extend our deepest sympathy to Frank Piombo, the Piombo children and grandchildren. Lydia Piombo's legacy is our community and our country have been immeasurably bettered as well.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Janet Parker Beck--an award-winning journalist for the San Mateo Times, book author, devoted mother, and caring wife--who passed away last month after an 11-week battle with cancer. Having been a friend and admirer of Ms. Beck for many years, I know that her untimely death at the young age of 41 is a tremendous loss for her family, the San Mateo County community, and our country. Ms. Beck was born and raised in San Mateo and began her journalism career at Crestmoor High School in San Bruno. After graduating from college--having served as editor for student publications at Skyline Community College and San Jose State University--she was hired by the Times. During her career at the newspaper, Ms. Beck covered medical issues and legal affairs, including a dozen death-penalty cases and more than 40 murder trials. Her writing was widely respected by both the subjects of her stories and her readers for its intellectual contents, integrity, compassion, and ability to convey complex situations in a simple manner. She also used her writing talents to author the book, ``Too good to Be True: The Story of Denise Redlick's Murder,'' which sold 70,000 copies. Ms. Beck earned over 50 awards for her journalistic achievements. Among the many accolades she received, Ms. Beck was named the California Press Women's Communicator of Achievement for 1994 and the National Federation of Press Women's first-runner-up for Communicator of Achievement for 1994. She also received the National Federation of Press Women's first place news writing award in 1986, 1987, and 1988. It was with a great source of pride that her award-filled career was capped off by being chosen to take her well earned place in the San Mateo County Women's Hall of Fame. In addition to her considerable professional accomplishments, Ms. Beck took tremendous pleasure from her family, especially her husband of 16 years, Jim, and their five-year-old daughter, Mandy. Her desk was a well-known gallery for her daughter Mandy's artwork and photographs, while Jim was her constant companion since they met at a YMCA dance in 1970. Mr. Speaker, Janet Parker Beck was one of the most remarkable individuals I have ever had the privilege to know and work with. Her passing is a great loss for her family and our community. I ask my colleagues to join me at this time in paying tribute to her and the life of purpose she led, and extend our deepest of sympathies to Jim and Mandy, to her colleagues and to her community. She made us a better people with her all-too-brief 41 years of life.