Bob Filner

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, recently the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff stated that, ``we remain committed to maintaining quality personnel, and recruiters from all Services have stated the Montgomery GI bill is the best recruitment tool they have.'' I have had the great pleasure of serving on the Veterans' Affairs Committee with the Honorable G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery, the principal author and sponsor of the newest GI bill. It is no surprise that the Department of Defense's latest evaluation of the Montgomery GI bill strongly supports this program's continuation. Sonny designed the new GI bill with great care and after extensive hearings which included more than 200 witnesses. Because of his careful attention to program structure, the Montgomery GI bill has been uniquely successful and has fulfilled all of its intended purposes. As noted in a recent report, the percentage of new recruits choosing to enroll in the GI bill has risen from 50 percent at the program's inception in 1985 to a remarkable 95 percent in fiscal year 1995. Since the implementation of the Montgomery GI bill, more than 2 million active-duty recruits have elected to participate in the program--vividly demonstrating the attractiveness of this GI bill to the young people entering the Armed Forces. Further, Mr. Speaker, the Department of Defense notes that the percentage of GI bill participants who are using their benefits following military service continues to rise, from 40 percent in 1991 to 46 percent at the end of 1993. This is a promising and important trend, but we must continue to watch these numbers closely. We all want these men and women, who earn their education benefits through honorable military service, to make full use of their GI bill education assistance. Regarding the adequacy of the Montgomery GI bill benefit as a recruitment incentive, the Department of Defense noted that during fiscal year 1995 all services met their recruiting objectives. Some 96 percent of new recruits were high school diploma graduates, 71 percent had above-average scores on the aptitude tests administered to new recruits, and fewer than 1 percent were in the lowest acceptable aptitude category. In spite of these impressive statistics, the Department of Defense cautions, ``With recent recruiting successes, current basic benefits appear to be adequate as an enlistment incentive. However, if college costs, especially tuition and fees, continue to rise significantly above inflation, the offset provided by the Montgomery GI bill benefits will require close monitoring to keep the program competitive.'' I urge my colleagues to pay close attention to this serious concern raised by the Department of Defense. Sonny Montgomery has struggled to keep the GI bill basic benefit competitive, and I hope to ensure that the program that carries his name is maintained and strengthened in the 105th Congress. I know Sonny would want me to emphasize that the first and primary purpose of the Montgomery GI bill is to assist in the readjustment of members of the Armed Forces to civilian life. The Department of Defense reports that total cost--tuition, fees, room and board--for a 4-year education rose 31 percent between 1985 and 1993. During the same time period, average tuition and fees at 4-year institutions increased 43 percent. Because of these increases in the cost of education, the GI bill benefit covered only 39 percent of the total costs and 70 percent of tuition and fees in 1993-94. The men and women who volunteer and honorably serve our Nation through military service more than earn their educational assistance benefits--and they deserve a benefit level that will significantly assist them in their efforts to pursue further education. In the early years of the program, enrollment rates differed somewhat based on demographic groups such as gender, race/ethnicity, or education level. In fiscal year 1995, however, there were virtually no differences in enrollment rates among demographic groups, clearly demonstrating the broad appeal of the Montgomery GI bill. Preliminary numbers show that, although there is little difference in the GI bill enrollment rates based on aptitude levels, the usage rates differ dramatically. The young people with the highest scores on aptitude tests are far more likely to use their GI bill benefits than those whose scores were in the average to below-average range. this early information is a useful warning that special efforts may be necessary to ensure that all GI bill participants take advantage of their earned benefits. There is little difference in usage rates among the race/ethnicity groups. Usage rates by gender differ more than do enrollment rates with male usage below female usage, and married veterans use their benefits at a lower rate than their single counterparts. The next Department of Defense report to Congress on the Montgomery GI bill, due in 1998, will include more veterans who have passed their time limit for benefit usage. Consequently, we will then have a more accurate idea of usage trends. Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind my colleagues that the Montgomery GI bill was enacted in 1984 in spite of powerful opposition. Because Sonny Montgomery and his supporters were tenacious and committed they prevailed and won a long, hard battle. America's best and brightest young women and men have the opportunity to earn education assistance benefits through honorable military service. I want to thank Sonny Montgomery and all those who participated in and supported this remarkable effort and hope we continue to support it in the future.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman. I wish all of us, the gentleman, Mr. Hunter, and Mr. Bilbray, myself our colleagues, would be working together for the economic development of our region. This amendment does not help any. It does not even apply to the funds that my amendment addressed. The funds are not from this act. It is not a railroad project of the United States. I asked for loan guarantees for a private sector venture. The private sector is not going to invest $75 million in a railroad that has banditry problems, that has other problems. This is a private sector venture that will transform the economy of San Diego. They are going to make the studies. Let us trust the private sector on that side of the aisle. This is what the project is all about, opening the economy, opening the port of San Diego. The private sector will make those studies. They are not going to invest that money if it is unsafe. So I would say to the gentleman from California [Mr. Hunter] let us get serious, let us solve the economic problems of San Diego and not just demagogue on this issue of immigration. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. FILNER. I thank the gentleman for his amendment, Mr. Chairman, because as I read it, it would simply replicate at the State level the procedure that is followed by the Federal Government to require cost comparisons before a contract could be given to private entities. The gentleman's amendment will ensure the prudent use of taxpayer moneys by requiring cost comparisons when in-house expertise is available. State governments frequently have trained competent public employees. Having State workers perform design and engineering work on highway projects will often save taxpayers' money because the job can be done quicker and cheaper. This amendment is a major step toward protecting the American taxpayer and ensures their tax dollars will be well spent. Too often private contractors are given sweetheart contracts in return for financial and political support. The best interests of the American people are not served. This practice is egregious when the result is the displacement or underutilization of public workers. I think this amendment sets politics aside and brings back into focus the interests of American taxpayers.

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman, and I thank my colleague from along the border with me, the gentleman from California [Mr. Hunter], for raising the concerns he has, and he has been the leader of this House in getting control of the border, and we have a lot to thank him for, and we have worked together to do that. I would not offer this amendment, Mr. Hunter, and he knows that, if I thought this would worsen that situation. I believe that the economic development on both sides of the border is the key for us getting control of that border, and this is a cooperative venture between two nations that would actually raise the quality of life for working people in my district, in the gentleman's district, in Mexico, and, in fact, in many communities around our region. This is what we should be doing. Yes, let us study the possible effects on the drug trade; yes, let us study the possible consequences of banditry, but let us not be scared off. I mean I see the gentleman from California [Mr. Dornan] standing beside the gentleman. He can tell us that if Americans were scared off in making this country economically beneficial by threats of banditry or by letting a few people scare us off from making economic gains, then we would not be the country we are today. That is what this railroad is all about. Let us make the economic development of this border area really work, and I look forward to working with the gentleman to do that. I did not quite get the amendment he thought about offering. If it is in conjunction with mine, let us do it. If it is in place of mine, I prefer that we try to get the funding in place.

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, if the gentleman will continue to yield, that would then meet the objection of the distinguished subcommittee chairman in that there would be competition for these funds. We are assured that because of the amount of work that has been done on this line and the support from the local governments and the studies that have been made, that this would be a top priority.

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate my colleague from San Diego and the northern part of our county's support for the project. We have searched, as you know, for 2 years now for other kinds, for the funding to get this started. You said this is not the way. I would ask my friend if there was any other way, let us do it. This is the only way, this is a cost-effective way. This leverages 20 times what the appropriation is. I cannot think of a better way to get private-sector funding into it.

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. FILNER. This goes into the generic program authorized by law and would have to be applied for for the loan guarantee and would not be given unless all the due diligence was done by the railroad administration.

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, the gentleman knows nothing about what?

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, I know this is a debatable issue. I just want to make sure that my colleagues understand, this program has been used before in the past. It has never, a loan has never not been repaid in this program. The authorization is in the generic act--90 percent of the line is not in Mr. Hunter's district. It is shared between our two districts and between two nations, in fact, Mexico and the United States. So with those corrections, I understand the gentleman's opposition.

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to introduce an amendment that is absolutely critical to the economic development of the city of San Diego and its surrounding communities. In effect, what my amendment does is add $490,000 to the section 511 railroad loan guarantee program in order to leverage approximately $10 million in private sector loan guarantees that are necessary to reestablish the San Diego and Arizona Eastern Railroad. I repeat this is a loan guarantee which leverages 20 times that amount of private sector funding. Now, the lack of a direct rail link to the East is hampering the real growth potential of the San Diego economy. Currently, San Diego's few commercial rail shipments must first make a several hundred mile detour. Ships which would otherwise use the port of San Diego are therefore forced to go elsewhere in search of faster rail routes to inland markets. As a result, our communities lost out on business opportunities, and our port suffers from serious underuse. Reestablishment of the San Diego & Arizona Eastern Railroad is on the top of everyone's priority list in San Diego and enjoys wide bipartisan support. The city of San Diego, the county board of supervisors, the San Diego Association of Governments, the Port of San Diego, the Greater San Diego Chamber of Commerce, and the San Diego Economic Development Corporation, all of whom's leadership comes from the other side of the aisle, I might point out, all of these organizations agree that reestablishing this rail link is the area's highest priority for economic development. Many of our Nation's regional and shortline railroads, like the San Diego & Arizona Eastern, find it difficult to obtain private financing for railline improvements because of short-term and high interest rates. Government assistance in the form of loan guarantees often becomes the only viable means to rehabilitate these vital links to our transportation infrastructure. I believe that the section 511 program, because it is not a grant program, because it is not even a loan program but a loan guarantee to leverage private sector loans, is precisely the type of public-private partnership this Congress ought to encourage. Last year the chairman of the transportation appropriations subcommittee, the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Wolf] joined me and several of my colleagues in a colloquy in support of this very program. If the gentleman will remember, in that colloquy that we had 1 year ago he stated that, and I quote: I concur that these loan guarantees have proven to be reliable and can be a cost-effective and wise use of Federal transportation dollars. I am going to quote the gentleman: I can assure you that I am sensitive to the needs of our regional shortline railroads, and I will certainly consider funding the 511 guarantee program, if it is brought before a House-Senate conference. Unfortunately, this important program did not receive any funding in 1996. And although a bipartisan group of Members joined me in writing to the Subcommittee on Transportation urging that funds be appropriated for this program, it is not proposed for funding in 1997. Mr. Chairman, the economy of San Diego cannot wait for another year. Because the appropriation subcommittee has not recommended funding for this section 511 program, I offer this amendment to directly fund it. I do so with the knowledge that San Diego interests will apply for a loan, private interests will apply for a loan to reestablish this railroad. I have the support of the Regional Railroads of America in this effort. Further, it is our understanding that this request is within the necessary budget authority and outlays. What I am addressing here, Mr. Chairman, is the absolute critical importance of the rehabilitation of this railroad to our community. It is critically important that we fund this line. We can get this train up and running with a modest $490,000 investment, a $490,000 loan guarantee which, as I said before, leverages 20 times that amount in private sector loans. I hope the distinguished chairman of the subcommittee will remain consistent to his view stated last year that these loan guarantees are a reliable, cost-effective and wise use of our Federal transportation dollars. I hope that my colleagues can support this investment in economic growth in southern California.

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. FILNER. I wish the gentleman would work with me to find the method to get this project going.

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, I withdraw my reservation of objection.

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, reserving the right to object, I ask the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Wolf], would that still give me the chance to offer an amendment at page 23?

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great friend and community leader who passed away last month, Myrtle O. Faucette. Those of us in the educational community know that Myrtle always worked to make life better for everyone, especially children. Myrtle followed her father into the field of education and became a teacher and administrator in the San Diego Unified School District for more than 35 years. She served as a resource teacher and music teacher before being appointed an administrator. She was principal at Knox Elementary School for a decade before being disabled in 1995. A 37-year resident of San Diego County, Myrtle was born in Greensboro, NC, the oldest of four children born to C.R.A. Cunningham, retired registrar of North Carolina A&T College, and the late Ida M. Cunningham. Myrtle distinguished herself academically as a valedictorian of her high school class. She earned a degree in education at North Carolina A&T, graduating summa cum laude in 1956. Later she received an M.A. in education from United States International University. She moved to San Diego in 1959 after her marriage to Paul M. Faucette. She worked closely with San Diego's Administrators Association, the Association of Black Educators, and Delta Kappa Gamma, a professional organization of women educators. She was on the board of education of St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral and represented San Diego City schools at conferences throughout the state. Myrtle served as president of the San Diego Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. An accomplished musician, she often played piano at various community functions. She resided in the Spring Valley area of California's 50th Congressional District. She was indeed a guiding light to all that came to know her in a long and illustrious career. My thoughts and prayers go out to her loving husband Paul, to her family and friends, and to the community she served.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a friend, labor leader, and dedicated government employee who passed away this month-- Dick Stultz. Dick Stultz dedicated his life to the service of our country. Dick was born in Philadelphia, PA. He joined the Marine Corps in 1952, and retired after 30 years of honorable service. In addition to his military service, Dick worked for 25 years with the U.S. Border Patrol coordinating communications with field agents. During his service with the Border Patrol, Dick became involved in the National Border Patrol Council Local 1613, where he served as first vice president for 3 years, and as president for a year and a half. A strong advocate for field agents, Dick was highly successful in dispute resolution, and was considered a guardian angel by many of the agents he represented. It was his good working relationship with both agents and management that earned him a commendation from the U.S. Border Patrol for his warm personal style and can-do spirit. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Veronica, and his family.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great community leader who passed away last week--Darlene Carol Calvert. Ms. Calvert dedicated her life to community service. She was active in the Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego and in its Women's Federation and Project Freedom of Religion. She was coordinator of the Religious Rights Task Force and advisor for Planned Parenthood at her church. She served as founder and chairwoman of the San Diego chapter of the Religious Coalition for Abortion Rights and as a member of the board of directors of the Coalition for Reproductive Choice. As a woman who had been stricken with polio at the age of 15, she committed herself to ensuring that others in similar situations could enjoy a rewarding and independent life. She was an appointee to the County Committee for Persons with Disabilities, and she lobbied for access to facilities and services for disabled persons. With a power wheelchair, arm braces and a ventilator to provide oxygen, she lived as independently in San Diego as her health would permit--and she worked at The Access Center, a nonprofit agency that provides services for the disabled, representing her clients in their efforts to also live independently. Despite being told often that she would never finish college or be employed, she received a bachelor's degree in social work and a master's degree in counseling from San Diego State University. She was employed in social work and chemical dependency counseling, first at Episcopal Community Services and then at the California Youth Authority. She joined The Access Center in 1993 and coordinated a program to buy adaptive equipment for people with severe disabilities. She was honored with several awards, including the Gallantry Award by the Easter Seal Society, the Unsung Unitarian of the Year Award, the Woman of the Year Award by the Coalition for Reproductive Choice, and the Freedom of Religion Award by the Religious Coalition for Abortion Rights. But of all the awards, the most significant was the respect and admiration of her friends, family, and community for her community involvement, her passionate advocacy for the disabled, and her desire to make the world a better place for all people with disabilities. We seldom find a person as dedicated and brave as Ms. Calvert--those who touch us with their perseverance and optimism. My thoughts and prayers go out to her partner, Chris Shelly, to her family, and to her friends in the disabled community and in the San Diego community at large. She will be missed.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, our Nation's veterans are getting a raw deal. Last week the Republican budget conference approved a veterans budget $573 million below that recommended by President Clinton. Now the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education of the Committee on Appropriations has recommended that the funding level recommended by President Clinton for veterans' employment services provided for disabled veterans outreach program specialists and local veterans employment representatives be cut by almost $12 million. As a result, 28,000 fewer veterans; that is, 28,000 fewer veterans, will be placed in jobs than proposed in the President's budget. Additionally, the Republicans have recommended that the transition assistance program be terminated October 1. This successful program has trained hundreds of thousands of men and women leaving our Armed Forces to find, and to find quickly, good permanent civilian jobs. Mr. Speaker, the Republicans are anxious to spend billions of dollars on a dubious son of star wars program but are unwilling to provide the $2 million necessary to help veterans earn a living in their civilian communities. Let us hope the Committee on Appropriations restores this money. Veterans deserve more than hollow promises.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, today is a time to convey the respect and gratitude of the San Diego veterans community and the employees of the Department of Veterans' Affairs for the efforts and accomplishments of Patrick Nappi, Director of the Department of Veterans' Affairs Regional Office in San Diego. During the past 5 years, veterans in San Diego, Riverside, and Imperial Counties have experienced in Mr. Nappi a friend and advocate, who was working for them at the San Diego Regional Office. Mr. Nappi established close working relationships with the State and county and with local and national veterans service organizations. These relationships have been based on a genuine mutual respect and a concern for the needs of veterans and their dependents. Mr. Nappi also worked closely with local military bases to establish a program of support and training for service personnel preparing for discharge or release from active duty. These transition assistance programs have provided timely information on VA benefits and programs to thousands of veterans. Working under the guidance of Mr. Nappi, the San Diego Department of Veterans' Affairs Regional Office has endeavored to put into action the philosophy of former Administrator of Veterans' Affairs, Omar Bradley, when he said: ``We are dealing with veterans, not procedures; with their problems, not ours.'' This philosophy has led to new and more efficient lines of communication between the Department of Veterans' Affairs and our veterans and their advocates. Mr. Nappi's commitment to community relations is a particular strength. Among his most successful cooperative efforts was the work with the Navy League and the Serviceman's YMCA. In partnership with the United Veterans Council of San Diego and the Vietnam Veterans of San Diego, the VA was also involved with Project Stand Down, which has met the needs of hundreds of homeless veterans. Mr. Nappi was actively involved in job placement services with the California Employment Development Department, opening an outbased EDD office in the San Diego VA Regional Office to place veterans in jobs and to assist others in filing for benefits. Mr. Nappi has led by example, taking a personal interest in veterans. He has demonstrated the sincerity of his concern by becoming involved in individual cases brought to his attention. His efforts deserve our respect, not because every person got the decision they wanted, but because when he promised a timely resolution of the claim, he remained personally involved until a final decision was made and communicated to the veteran. Recognizing his talents and commitments, the Veterans Benefits Administration has selected Mr. Nappi to become the Area Director over 13 VA regional offices in the North Central United States. Mr. Nappi leaves us a legacy of innovative and valuable initiatives and accomplishments that have increased the level and quality of service provided to southern California's veterans. He strives to keep our promise to our veterans, so eloquently stated by President Abraham Lincoln in 1865: ``To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and his widows, and his orphans.'' We will miss him very much, but we congratulate him and wish him well in his new position.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join Senator Barbara Boxer in introducing legislation to improve our transportation infrastructure along the United States border with Mexico. The border area has become a popular campaign stop for those who publicly attack decades of Federal neglect along the border, but who propose few solutions to the problem. Senator Boxer and I have a solution. This bill would provide critical Federal funding for border improvements without affecting Federal highway assistance to our border States. It will keep our border cities and States from having to absorb the costs of building the roads, bridges, railroads, and highways needed to implement Federal trade policy. The $500 million border infrastructure fund which would be established by our legislation would pay for construction and improvements to the area infrastructure. Our bill would also authorize a Federal loan program to reopen what we in San Diego call the jobs train--the San Diego & Arizona Eastern Railroad. With direct rail connections to the east, the Port of San Diego can become the center of commercial activity and we can transform the economy of this entire region. American investment in roads, highways, airports, seaports, and railroads have been responsible for creating the most advanced and efficient economy in the history of the world. Business leaders and elected officials remain united in the belief that improving our transportation infrastructure is the key to growing our economy. When Congress approved NAFTA, we all knew that ensuring its success would require that all parties provide the necessary infrastructure to facilitate the flow of trade. We believed that inherent in the passage of this agreement was a commitment to build, repair, and maintain the physical infrastructure needed to implement the agreement; like State Route 905 and the jobs train in San Diego. Although this has not been the case, and the physical needs of the trade treaty still have not been addressed, this bill will make sure that the Federal Government meets this commitment. As a result of the passage of NAFTA, our country is now taking in increased custom duties, merchandise fees, and revenues from other commerce-related activities. Our proposal would direct that those funds, collected as a result of our increased trade, be reinvested into the roads, bridges, railways, harbors, and airports that support that trade. My own district has two unfunded NAFTA mandates that our local communities alone cannot address: completion of State Route 905 and revitalization of the San Diego & Arizona Eastern rail line, the jobs train. State Route 905 serves as the only link connecting the Nation's second busiest southern commercial border crossing to the National Interstate Highway System. This road, however, is currently a four-lane city street. It was not intended to carry the additional border traffic that will soon be coming. And it was never intended to be a tool to implement international trade policy. I know this is also the case in numerous other border crossing communities. The jobs train rehabilitation would revitalize San Diego's rail link to the eastbound rail lines. Repairing and improving this now abandoned railroad would provide direct access to eastern markets for trade arriving through the Port of San Diego and the United States-Mexico border crossing. Our cities and States undergo a constant struggle to build and maintain their own infrastructure. They do not have sufficient funds to single-handedly complete projects which support Federal trade policy. Not funding these projects is the worst kind of unfunded mandate. The Federal Government must meet its responsibility. I encourage my colleagues to join me in this effort to provide this vital infrastructure to help our Nation take full advantage of the new global market.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, this evening we have heard many moving words about bringing America together, about justice for all. I want to speak about bringing justice to another group of people. Today, Congress, after waiting for 50 years, has an opportunity to restore to Filipino World War II Veterans the respect and honor they so richly deserve. Today, Representative Benjamin Gilman, the distinguished chairman of the House International Relations Committee, joins me in introducing a resolution in the House of Representatives to recognize the brave service of these veterans and their contributions to the victory of the United States in World War II. Joining us as original cosponsors are a representative number of Members from both sides of the aisle, including Representative Bob Stump, the chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, and Representative G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery, the ranking Democratic member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, who support recognition for the Filipino World War II Veterans. Senators Inouye and Akaka are also introducing this concurrent resolution in the Senate. Many more Representatives have also joined us as cosponsors of H.R. 1136, the Filipino Veterans Equity Act. It is truly hard to believe that soon after World War II ended--the war in which Filipino soldiers died defending the American flag in the epic battles of Bataan and Corregidor and through four long years of enemy occupation--the 79th Congress in 1946 voted to rescind the benefits and recognition that were promised to these soldiers. It is even harder to believe that Filipino World War II veterans have been kept waiting for over 50 years for the recognition they deserve. Many have already died, and in 15 years, there will no longer be any of these veterans alive. The bullets in World War II did not ask if their target was an American or Filipino soldier. Both Filipino soldiers from the United States mainland fought side-by-side against a common enemy. We must act now to redress the wrongs these Filipino veterans have suffered. This concurrent resolution will finally recognize the contribution of the brave Filipino World War II veterans. I urge my colleagues to join with Representative Gilman and me to correct this injustice.