Bob Filner

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I would yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee). (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, in closing, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., used to say we have come a long way with regard to civil rights, but we have a long way to go. I would just ask my ranking member from Indiana not to think that any institution in this country, even at a time when we are nominating the first African American of a major political party for President, that discrimination and racism has been cleansed from the American body politic. It exists, it is real, and we have to commit ourselves to continually fighting against it. That is why this resolution is so important. It reminds us of those who took on the struggle when it was so blatant and so urgent. But that struggle is not over, and we have to recommit ourselves to ending racism and discrimination in any form. General Leave

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in strong support of House Resolution 1291, which comes to us courtesy of Mr. Rodriguez from Texas. I just want to point out that what we are doing here is expressing the gratitude for the contributions of the American GI Forum as it celebrates its 60th anniversary. We all know that the GI Bill of 1944 made an immense impact on the lives of returning veterans by guaranteeing educational, medical, housing, and other basic benefits. Though this legislation was groundbreaking, it takes much more than words on paper to ensure that institutional goals are implemented. One man who understood this was Army Major Hector Garcia, who realized that the disparate treatment and denial of benefits to many Hispanic veterans must be ended. To carry out this purpose, he inspired to rally around him a group of fellow veterans who formed the American GI Forum. Their motto is, ``Education is our Freedom and Freedom Should be Everybody's Business.'' The ideals which they stand for, equal education opportunities, equal economic opportunities, equal justice under the law, and equal political opportunities are ingrained in the fabric of American values. Since its inception, branches around the country have reached milestones in veterans' issues, in education, and civil rights. Knowing the effects of unequal treatment, Army Major Garcia devoted himself to standing up for the isolated Hispanic members of our veteran community. We are happy to honor the organization he founded. We look forward to working with them for the common good and welfare of veterans for many years to come. The broad-ranging and comprehensive initiatives which the GI Forum has undertaken over the last 60 years include the cofounding of SER- Jobs for Progress, Incorporated, a top-10 national Hispanic nonprofit organization, and the National Veterans Outreach Program, which is designed to assist military veterans in securing affordable housing and provides counseling and employment assistance services. It is not the years though, however, that the GI Forum has existed, but how much it has accomplished that indicates their impact and why we are honoring them today. Leaders of the forum, from Army Major Garcia, on to the current president, Antonio Gil Morales, have an irrepressible spirit and a dynamic energy, using their benefit for the benefit of others. Today, the GI Forum continues to challenge disparate policies on behalf of Hispanic veterans by challenging barriers and enhancing understanding. For their support of all veterans, specifically Hispanic veterans, and their leadership in being a beacon of hope and an avenue of involvement for returning veterans and ordinary citizens aspiring to improve conditions within their communities, we take the occasion of the 60th anniversary of their founding to recognize the GI Forum with this resolution as evidence of the high esteem in which it's held by all its members. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to offer my support for the bill to name the VA Medical Center in Miami, Florida, after Bruce W. Carter. I have a biography, but I never knew Mr. Carter and I'm sure Ms. Ros- Lehtinen knows him best or knows his record the best. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my support of H.R. 4918, a bill to name the VA Medical Center in Miami, Florida, after Bruce W. Carter. For his actions during Operation Idaho Canyon in the Quang Tri Province of the Republic of Vietnam in 1969, PFC Bruce W. Carter was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 1971. The citation reads, in part: Pfc. Carter and his fellow marines were pinned down by vicious crossfire when, with complete disregard for his safety, he stood in full view of the North Vietnamese Army soldiers to deliver a devastating volume of fire at their positions. The accuracy and aggressiveness of his attack caused several enemy casualties and forced the remainder of the soldiers to retreat from the immediate area. Shouting directions to the marines around him, Pfc. Carter then commenced leading them from the path of the rapidly approaching brush fire when he observed a hostile grenade land between him and his companions. Fully aware of the probable consequences of his action but determined to protect the men following him, he unhesitatingly threw himself over the grenade, absorbing the full effects of its detonation with his body. Pfc. Carter's indomitable courage, inspiring initiative and selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country. H.R. 4918, which would designate the VA Medical Center in Miami, Florida, as the ``Bruce W. Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center'' honors the service and sacrifice of this Marine Corps hero. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I also thank the gentlewoman from Florida for telling us so eloquently about Mr. Carter. General Leave

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 4918.

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4918) to name the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Miami, Florida, as the ``Bruce W. Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center''.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today to offer my support of H.R. 4289, a bill to name the VA outpatient clinic in Ponce, Puerto Rico, after Euripides Rubio. The Congressional Medal of Honor, Mr. Speaker, is the highest military decoration for bravery beyond the call of duty and action in the face of enemy attack. Euripides Rubio was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously. His citation reads as follows: ``For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Captain Rubio, Infantry, was serving as communications officer, 1st Battalion, when a numerically superior enemy force launched a massive attack against the battalion defense position. Intense enemy machinegun fire raked the area while mortar rounds and rifle grenades exploded within the perimeter. Leaving the relative safety of his post, Captain Rubio received two serious wounds as he braved the withering fire to go to the area of most intense action where he distributed ammunition, re- established positions, and rendered aid to the wounded. Disregarding the painful wounds, he unhesitatingly assumed command when a rifle company commander was medically evacuated. Captain Rubio was wounded a third time as he selflessly exposed himself to the devastating enemy fire to move among his men to encourage them to fight with renewed effort. While aiding the evacuation of wounded personnel, he noted that a smoke grenade which was intended to mark the Viet Cong position for air strikes had fallen dangerously close to the friendly lines. ``Captain Rubio ran to reposition the grenade but was immediately struck to his knees by enemy fire. Despite his several wounds, Captain Rubio scooped up the grenade, ran through the deadly hail of fire to within 20 meters of the enemy position, and hurled the already smoking grenade into the midst of the enemy before he fell for the final time. Using the repositioned grenade as a marker, friendly air strikes were directed to destroy the hostile positions. Captain Rubio's singularly heroic act turned the tide of the battle, and his extraordinary leadership and valor were a magnificent inspiration to his men. His remarkable bravery and selfless concern for his men are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on Captain Rubio and the United States Army.'' In the words of the veterans' groups who support this legislation, ``Captain Euripides Rubio's selfless and courageous actions, which earned him the Congressional Medal of Honor, reflect the highest ideals of the United States Army and serve as an inspiration for the people of Puerto Rico, soldiers and civilians alike.'' Today, by passing H.R. 4289, which would designate the outpatient clinic in Ponce, Puerto Rico, as the ``Euripides Rubio Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic,'' we honor the bravery and sacrifice of Captain Rubio. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 4289.

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to approve H.R. 4289. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to unanimously support the bill. I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4264) to name the Department of Veterans Affairs spinal cord injury center in Tampa, Florida, as the ``Michael Bilirakis Department of Veterans Affairs Spinal Cord Injury Center''.

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 4264.

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. I'm prepared to close and would reserve my time.

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my support of H.R. 2245, a bill to name the VA Outpatient Clinic in Wenatchee, Washington, after Elwood ``Bud'' Link. Mr. Link, along with his comrades from the Cashmere Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1045, was the driving force in getting a VA clinic built in North Central Washington. A veteran of World War II, Link worked tirelessly to bring accessible health care to his rural community. And according to the Northwest Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, ``Bud may not be the highest ranking veteran in the community or the one with the most medals. But if you ask us, no one stood taller than him in the veteran community and naming the [clinic] after him will inspire us all to greater heights.'' In a newspaper article on the opening of the clinic, Mr. Link's widow stated that the message of Link's work for veterans was ``if you want to get something done, get a group behind you and go for it.'' Mr. Link did just that, and today, the veterans of rural Washington have a veterans' health care facility. So today we not only honor the work of Elwood ``Bud'' Link, we also, in a very real sense, recognize the efforts of all of our veterans who work tirelessly day after day to ensure that their comrades get the health care benefits that they earned in service to our Nation. Mr. Speaker, everywhere I go across the Nation I find leaders like Bud Link who don't just care about their own benefits, their own next appointment with the VA, but all the veterans, and they work in their community to make sure that we as a Congress respond to those needs. And I hope that we continue to respond to them. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 2245.

Mr. FILNER. I urge my colleagues to unanimously support this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. I urge my colleagues to join our committee unanimously to support House Resolution 1231.

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on House Resolution 1231.

Mr. FILNER. I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1231) supporting the goals and ideals of Vietnam Veterans Day and calling on the American people to recognize such a day.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, we are debating House Resolution 1098, although the ranking member spent all of his time on a bill called S. 1315 which earlier passed the full Senate by a vote of 96-1. Would 96 Senators support a bill that cuts nearly $1 billion in special monthly pension benefits for elderly veterans? No, because that's not what S. 1315 does. And in fact, the leader of the minority party, Senator John McCain, voted in favor of this bill; and he said, I certainly believe that we should compensate not only the thousands and thousands of veterans who get the money from the bill but the Filipinos for their brave service to our Nation. But we are on House Resolution 1098 to honor the Year of the American Veteran. I will tell the Speaker that in the last year and a half of a Democratically led Congress, about $17 billion of new money came into the VA system to help the health care of our veterans. That is real contribution to health care. That is real contribution to mental health that we need to deal with. We have thousands and thousands, even though the Department of Defense refuses to admit it, of young men and women coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan with traumatic brain injury and PTSD, post- traumatic stress disorder. These require months and months, if not years and years, if not decades, of treatment from a grateful Nation for their service. We have put the money in that will begin to do that job. Of course, our committee has to continue with oversight over bureaucracies that tend to respond rather slowly. But in our Resolution 1098, in our budget which meets the veterans' groups so-called independent budget, which is put together by them, and for the first time in the history of the independent budget for 2 years in a row we exceeded their budget from this Democratic Congress. So the Year of the American Veteran is not just words. It's budget dollars, it's commitment, it's programs, it's support for our brave veterans, like I said, whether from this war or earlier wars. So, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to unanimously support House Resolution 1098. I would also ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this resolution.

Mr. FILNER. I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I'm prepared to close, and I will reserve the balance of my time.