Bob Filner

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 515, I was in my congressional district on official business. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye''. Amendment 12 Offered by Mr. Green of Wisconsin

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 516, I was in my congressional district on official business. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no''.

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 512, I was in my Congressional District on official business. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.'' Amendment No. 5 Offered by Sessions

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 517, I was in my Congressional District on official business. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.'' Stated against:

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 518, I was in my Congressional District on official business. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.'' Amendment No. 17 Offered by Mr. Ose

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 521, I was in my Congressional District on official business. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 522, I was in my Congressional District on official business. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 523, I was in my congressional district on official business. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 524, I was in my Congressional District on official business. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 526, I was in my congressional district on official business. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 525, I was in my congressional district on official business. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.'' Stated against:

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I want to take the time to recognize Rabbi Moshe Levin, the spiritual leader of Congregation Ner Tamid in the Sunset, San Francisco. Rabbi Levin is being honored by the Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice for his contributions to worker justice and worker rights. Rabbi Levin came from San Francisco to San Diego, where he served as the Senior Rabbi of Congregation Beth El in La Jolla for 15 years. Two years ago, he was named Rabbi Emeritus of that prestigious congregation, and began commuting to San Francisco to serve the people of Ner Tamid. Rabbi Levin was ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, the central pillar of Conservative Judaism in the United States. He served as an Air Force chaplain for the first 2 years of his rabbinical career, and was stationed in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. His pulpit experience spanned 30 years, including 2 years on the Island of Curacao in the Dutch West Indies. Rabbi Levin was born in Brooklyn, NY, graduated from Brooklyn College and spent 2 years at Jerusalem's Hebrew University, majoring in economics and philosophy, and studying the Bible with the famed Nehama Leibowitz and archeology with Yigal Yadin. At the Jewish Theological Seminary, Rabbi Levin was privileged to study with such giants of the last century as Abraham Joshua Heschel and Chancellor Louis Finkelstein. Over the course of his career, Rabbi Moshe Levin has been active in Zionist causes, social action projects, interfaith activities, as well as furthering the creative continuity of American Jewish life. He is a founding member of the Palestinian-Jewish Dialogue of San Diego, which has been featured in the Christian Science Monitor, and has served on numerous boards, most recently the American Jewish Committee and the Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice. In 1992, he was named Civil Libertarian of the Year by the San Diego and Imperial Chapters of the ACLU. Rabbi Levin's writings include: the Ethical Orgins of Kashrut, Near- Eastern Birthrights and the Eassau Jacob Narrative, Sexuality in Jewish Law and Tradition, and the Rabbinate for the 21st Century. It is a privilege to honor Rabbi Moshe Levin.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I want to take this opportunity to recognize and congratulate Pastor Willie E. Manley of the Greater Life Baptist Church of San Diego, California as he is honored by the Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice for his advocacy for worker rights and worker justice. He was born in Stephens, Arkansas, and has presided over the Greater Life Baptist Church for over 30 years. Pastor Manley has contributed to the community by spending several years in the offices of both the City Council and Congressional offices in San Diego. He has ably led the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for several terms. Pastor Manley has served in numerous leadership roles with the Baptist Ministers Union and the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance. He is a very strong advocate for voter registration and education in his community. On many civic and safety matters, many residents in the San Diego community without fail call on Pastor Manley for answers and solutions. Pastor Manley was recently honored with the very prestigious Ambassador of Peace Award that is given to an individual that has promoted goodwill among all peoples without respect to one's race, creed, color, religion, or national origin. He has traveled extensively across the United States and around the world promoting spiritual and religious harmony. As part of his worldwide missionary travels, Pastor Manley ministered before large embracing crowds in West and South Africa. Pastor Manley also points to his trip to the Holy Land as the fulfillment of a life-long dream. A dynamic leader and a willing servant to his community, I am proud to honor Pastor Willie E. Manley and congratulate him for his outstanding work in support of his church, his community, and his country.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 502, I was in my Congressional District on official business. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall Vote No. 503, I was in my Congressional District on official business. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 504, I was in my Congressional District on official business. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 505, I was in my Congressional District on official business. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I want to take this opportunity to recognize and congratulate Linda Arreola for being honored by the Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice for lending her strong voice to worker justice and worker rights. Linda is the Assistant Director of the Office for Social Ministry in the Catholic Diocese of San Diego. In this office, she assists the direction and coordination of ministries involving issues such as the sanctity of life, immigration, worker justice, human trafficking, political responsibility and advocacy. Ms. Arreola is a member of the United States Catholic Conference Bishops' Working Group on Human Trafficking. She has also worked in other ministries in the Diocese including the Diocesan Institute for Adult Education and Ministry Formation, Hispanic Affairs and the Office for Hispanic Evangelization. She has been a member of St. Anthony of Padua in National City since 1983, where she served as director of religious education, catechist and youth minister. Ms. Arreola is a native of San Diego and has lived in National City for 33 years, having graduated from Sweetwater Union High School. She also attended San Diego State University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Arts in French. Linda is also an instructor in the San Diego Diocesan Institute and volunteers as a Puente Project mentor at Southwestern College. Congratulations to Ms. Linda Arreola for her commitment in working to make our community a better place.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 506, I was in my Congressional District on official business. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 508, I was in my Congressional District on official business. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 507, I was in my Congressional District on official business. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 509, I was in my Congressional District on official business. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I want to take this opportunity to recognize and congratulate Mary Grillo, the Secretary- Treasurer of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 2028 who is being honored by the Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice for her many years of dedicated service in advocating for worker justice and dignity for employees in work places throughout San Diego County. Mary started out as a Wellesley College student interning for SEIU in Boston and at an early age saw firsthand the injustice that many workers face. After several years of work with the International Union, Mary came to work as an organizer in San Diego in 1987. At the time, SEIU Local 102 was a 1,600-member union on decline, but after teaming up with Eliseo Medina, Mary helped to transform Local 102 into the second largest union and one of the most powerfully political unions in San Diego County: SEIU, Local 2028. Since 1996, Mary has served as executive Director of SEIU Local 2028, representing over 14,000 workers in many different jobs--ranging from janitor to librarian, racetrack program seller to registered nurse, housekeeper to code enforcement officer. In addition, she has acted as spokesperson for not only the workers she represents, but also for all working people in San Diego County. Mary has led the effort to increase wages and benefits for immigrant and low-wage workers, has worked to expand health care coverage to the County's 650,000 uninsured workers, and has helped to create good jobs in the region. In local 2028, Mary has worked tirelessly to bring together this large and diverse organization based on the principle of justice for all. And as an important mark of all leaders, Mary has found and developed many leaders who lead their co-workers in organizing and building economic strength in their industries. Congratulations to Mary Grillo for her work in fighting for justice for the workers of San Diego County.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4794, the bipartisan bill to amend the Tijuana River Valley Estuary and Beach Sewage Cleanup Act of 2000. The House and Senate passed this bill four years ago in an effort to resolve an enormous health problem in my district. Fifty million gallons of raw sewage flow through the Tijuana River from Mexico into San Diego beaches everyday. Most Americans cannot imagine the environmental and health impacts caused by this problem. Eleven years ago, the San Diego city council declared a state of emergency in the Tijuana River Valley because of sewage from Mexico flowing over the border and spoiling our beaches and waterways. Every two weeks since then, the city council has continued to declare a state of emergency. I worked with my colleagues to establish a bipartisan plan for a public-private partnership to solve this problem, but the crisis continues. And four years after the signing of the bill nothing has been done. The International Boundary and Water Commission has failed to take the steps necessary to build the wastewater treatment plant that Congress authorized and that families in San Diego deserve. The IBWC has a new Commissioner who, I believe, recognizes the responsibility that the IBWC has been given from Congress: To end the flow of raw sewage into southern California. That is why I have joined my Congressional colleagues from San Diego in offering this bill to continue the authorization for this project, so we can make sure that this environmental nightmare comes to an end.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to recognize and congratulate Roger Cazares upon the occasion of his retirement as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee (MAAC) Project, a multi-purpose social service agency (with a successful 39 year history of serving various communities throughout San Diego County. After graduating from San Diego State University with a Political Science Degree, Roger headed to the MAAC Project. Thirty years later, he leaves MAAC as one of the most successful social service agencies in the country with 400 employees, an annual operating budget of over $16 million and over $100 million in assets. Under Roger Cazares' leadership MAAC Project has become an agency that serves over 35,000 individuals per year and staffs 35 sites bringing to its constituents empowering social services, health components, a state of arts charter school, technology centers, economic development, and affordable housing. Roger is a man with a vision that has empowered his staff at the MAAC Project to serve as many people as possible and not be afraid to expand to new services. Roger's legacy at the agency includes creating new leaders by mentoring a younger generation and inspiring them to believe in their potential. The growth that the MAAC Project has seen under Roger's tenure includes an increase in the agency's North San Diego County Head Start Child Development schools center sites from 4 to 17. Enrollment at these centers went up from 400 to 1,100 children, directly impacting parental participation and involvement in those children's lives. Thanks to Roger's direction MAAC established two residential care facilities for recovering drug and alcohol dependent individuals housed at Casa de Milagros, for women, and Casa Nosotros, for men. Roger Cazares ensured MAAC's summer employment for over 1,000 South Bay youth annually, in cooperation with the Private Industry Council. The MAAC also provided English as a second language and government classes to over 12,000 adults in San Diego County through the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986 for 5 years. Roger has made an impact in the community not only by augmenting social services that local government provides but also by becoming involved in the Housing Crisis that San Diego County faces. Roger Cazares created the agency's Housing and Community Development Department in 1991 that has developed more than 1,000 rental units of affordable housing and 12 single family homes, developed, a community development strategy specifically targeting the residents of MAAC's apartment communities, and recently expanded the department to include a property management component. Under Mr. Cazares' leadership, MAAC Project has grown to be one of the premier affordable housing developers in the, region. Roger Cazares also has left his footprint in the education arena by providing leadership and harnessing his national network for support to fund and open MAAC Community Charter School in Chula Vista. The Charter School is a first class operation that offers hope and opportunity for our deserving youth. Roger's contributions to the community go beyond the MAAC Project. He was president of the National City Chamber of Commerce from 1994-1995; he served on the National Council of La Raza Board of Directors and Executive Committee for six years. Roger has received a multitude of awards for his community service such as the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Business Leadership Award, Hispanic Heritage Local Heroes Award presented by KPBS & Union Bank of California, the United Way Ben Polak Community Service Award, the UCSD Excellence in Community Service Award, recipient of Reconocimiento OHTLI Community Service Award presented by the Mexican Government. Roger is joined in celebrating his accomplishments by his wife and lifelong partner of 30 years, Norma Cazares; their daughters Leticia and Nicole; and their son Javier. My best wishes go to my friend Roger Cazares, a visionary, an activist, a great leader, and a good man.