Bob Filner

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker on rollcall No. 470, I was conducting official business in my San Diego, California district. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 467, I was conducting official business in my San Diego, California district. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, the gentlewoman from California is a woman of courage, a woman of peace. We thank her for her leadership. I heard the gentleman from Illinois, the chairman, earlier worry about our status as a sovereign Nation if this motion passes. This is a motion which makes our sovereign Nation safer. In the 21st century, the wars against terrorism, those wars require and will require international cooperation. We cannot go it alone in the 21st century. We cannot go it alone in a war against terrorism. We must have the world community with us. We will be less safe if we do not pass this resolution. America will be less safe if we pass the resolution that the President wants. We dilute our war against terrorism, we increase the possibility of terrorists getting weapons of mass destruction. The al Qaeda I would think would be cheering the passage of the underlying resolution because the instability of the area, for example, in Pakistan would more likely give them a nuclear weapon. Let us work with the international community. Let us work with the United Nations. Let us follow the path of peace. Let us support the Lee amendment.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I rise today to express my support for the so-called concurrent receipt provision in the Senate Defense Authorization Act that would allow all disabled military retirees to receive both their military retired pay and their VA disability compensation. As we know, current law requires that the two are offset so, in effect, our disabled veterans are paying for their own disability! We must correct this unfair practice. I am extremely dismayed with the word we have been hearing that the Administration is threatening to veto this bill if this concurrent receipt provision is included. Thousands of our disabled veterans are being cheated out of the pensions and disability compensation they have earned and that are their due! I urge all members to, first, support concurrent receipt of military retired pay and VA disability compensation and, then, to contact the President and impress upon him the importance of this legislation. Disabled veterans did not hesitate when called to serve. Disabled veterans returned home with wounds they did not have when they were called to duty. It is imperative that we meet our obligation to these brave men and women who have given so much to our nation. Please do what is right and support concurrent receipt.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this resolution to grant unilateral authority to the President of the United States for a preemptive strike on Iraq. I cannot believe that the Members of this body are ceding our constitutional authority to this President. And they can give me all the fancy whereases and phrases, and put on the fig leafs, and write all the report language they want, but this is a blank check. This is a Gulf of Tonkin resolution. This is a violation not only of our Constitution but will lead to a violation of the United Nations Charter. Wake up, my colleagues. Why would anyone vote to do that? That is not our constitutional responsibility. And when we vote on this resolution, will America be more safe? No, I think America will be less safe. We will dilute the war against terrorism. The destabilization of the area will lead to the increased probability of terrorists getting nuclear weapons, say, in Pakistan. The al Qaeda are probably cheering the passage of this resolution. Now is their chance to get more weapons. We should not risk American lives. We should be working with the United Nations. We should get the inspectors in there. We should disarm Saddam Hussein. And if they cannot do their work, if the U.N. authorizes force, we will be a much stronger and efficient force working with the United Nations. Imminent threat. There is an imminent threat. I will tell my colleagues what the imminent threat is, it is our failing economy and the rising unemployment. It is kids not getting a quality education. It is 401(k)s that are down to zero. It is corporate theft. It is the obscene cost of prescription drugs. That is the imminent threat to America, Mr. Speaker. That is what we ought to be working on here. I have heard all my colleagues on the other side of this issue calling us appeasers, those who are going to vote against this resolution. We are wishful thinkers. We have our eyes closed. We sit on our hands. And, of course, that phrase, the risk of inaction is greater than the risk of action. No one on this side, Mr. Speaker, is suggesting inaction. Making peace is hard work. Just ask Martin Luther King, Jr. Ask Ghandi. Ask Norman Mandela. They were not appeasers. They were not inactive. They were peacemakers. And they changed the history of this world. So let us not hear talk of appeasement. Let us not hear talk that we favor inaction. We want action for peace in this world, and we want the United States to be part of that action. Finally, Mr. Speaker, there is a whiff of Vietnam in the air. I had a constituent call me and say, ``You know, if you enjoyed Vietnam, you are really going to love Iraq.'' The mail is running 10 to 1 against this war. Protests have already begun around the Nation and around the world. I say to the President, of course through the Speaker, that you came to office as a uniter, not a divider. Yet we are going round the road of division in this Nation. You can see it, you can smell it, you can hear it, and we are going to hear more. Let us not go down this road, Mr. President. Rethink this policy. A country divided over war is not a country that is going to make any progress. Let us have a rethinking of this resolution. Let us not vote for a preemptive unilateral strike. Let us work through the United Nations. Let us become a peacemaking Nation. Let us vote ``no'' on this resolution.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I see the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) leaving. He has thanked all the members of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. The gentleman from New York has been basically a de facto member of this committee for so long. He has been here for every piece of legislation and has supported our veterans. Not only is the Committee on International Relations going to miss him, but we are going to miss him very much when he retires. I thank the gentleman very so much on behalf of the Nation's veterans.

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman also for his leadership of the committee and thank the ranking member, the gentleman from Illinois, Mr. Evans. As we have listed all the bills we have passed and the Senate has not, it is very disheartening. Maybe we all need to march over there as a group. Anyway, whatever support the chairman needs for getting some action, I am sure all of us on both sides of the aisle would be willing to join him, because he has led us through this whole year in a very incredibly effective way. We need to finish this year with some positive legislation, so please call on us if we can help in any way. Mr. Speaker, clearly the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act is a very important piece of legislation. It is to make sure that our veterans who are receiving service-connected compensation benefits and their survivors who are receiving dependency and indemnity compensation do not fall further behind in their compensation. It will have the same percentage as the increase in benefits paid to Social Security beneficiaries. Mr. Speaker, we know that ever since September 11 we have been especially grateful to our veterans and our public safety officers for their contributions to this Nation, contributions that make it possible for us to live and work in our democracy; but certainly this is something that we have to follow through on, not only just as we recall September 11. When they have become disabled in their service to our Nation, it is our obligation to provide for these men and women when they have fulfilled their military duty. It is important and vital that we continue to provide incentives for new recruits to our Armed Forces. We must let young men and women know that they, too, will be noticed, their dedication will be provided for, and a grateful Nation will not forget them. The cost of housing, food, health care, all the basics of living are increasing, so an annual cost-of-living increase for our veterans is critically needed and one important way we can demonstrate our support and our thanks. Let us all vote for H.R. 4085. Mr. Speaker, I would like to add my thanks to the thanks of the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans) to Beth, Beth Kilker, who is retiring. She has served, of course, as the executive assistant for our Subcommittee on Benefits, has kept us all in line and has kept us all moving and kept us all in good humor. She knew when to make sure we got all our work done, and she rewarded us with chocolates, sometimes, or other benefits. Mr. Speaker, I would like to again thank Ms. Kilker for her service. I have heard the words ``dedicated'' and ``effective,'' and I think that summarizes it. She has worked for veterans in the years that she has been with our committee. All the veterans of our Nation can join in thanking her for her effective service. I thank Beth Kilker.

Mr. FILNER. I yield to the gentleman from New York.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to convey my support for H. Res. 522. A great debt is owed to the workers who came to our country during World War II, known as Braceros, when we were experiencing a labor shortage. We needed these workers in order to keep our agricultural and transportation sectors going. Indeed, we needed them in order to keep our entire country going. Without the work of these men and women on the railroads, we could not have transported the food and supplies needed at home and for the war effort. Without their labor in the fields, we would not have had an ample food supply here at home or for our soldiers. While long over due, this resolution is a token of our country's gratitude for the contributions these men and women made to our country. I am proud to support this resolution.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute Deborah Horwitz for her selection as the 2002 Colonel Irving Salomon Human Relations Award recipient and in recognition of her outstanding community and civic leadership. A native of Evanston, Illinois, Deborah received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana University and Master's Degree from Northwestern University. Deborah has devoted her life to her two passions: her family and the community. Deborah served as President of the San Diego Chapter of the American Jewish Committee (1988–91) and has actively participated on many national AJC training institutes, commissions and task forces. She currently serves on the Boards of AJC's Belfer Center for American Pluralism and AJC's Project Interchange. She has also been appointed as a National Vice President of the American Jewish Committee—the first San Diegan to hold this honored position. Deborah is also the Founder and former President of EdUCate!, a non- profit foundation supporting local public schools which is still being used as a model in other communities. In 1999, she was recognized for her support of public education and received the California Woman of the Year Award from the California State Legislature. In addition, Deborah was on the founding steering committee of the San Diego County United Jewish Federation Task Force on Jewish Continuity and, during her five years of service, assisted with the creation of several successful community-building projects. Deborah currently serves on the boards of the Lipinsky Institute for Judaic Studies at San Diego State University and the Northwestern University Alumni Club of San Diego. She is a founding member of the San Diego Women's Foundation, whose mission is to educate women about philanthropy and to improve the greater San Diego community through intelligent, focused giving. Deborah Horwitz exemplifies a true leader of our community. I offer my congratulations to her on the receipt of the prestigious 2002 Colonel Irving Salomon Human Relations Award.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a resolution that commends the entire Capitol Hill community for their courage and professionalism during the days and weeks following the release of anthrax on Capitol Hill. In particular, I want to acknowledge the Office of the Attending Physician and the health care professionals in his office who by their quick actions and early intervention prevented actual cases of anthrax within the Capitol Hill complex. They responded to and managed the largest bioterrorism event ever, providing direction locally that was used nationwide and even worldwide. It should be noted that the anthrax letter event proved to be the largest public health crisis in the United States since the smallpox outbreak in New York City in the 1940s. The incredible response by the Attending Physician and his staff as they evaluated and treated over 7,000 people ensured the continuity of two branches of government, the Congress and the Supreme Court. Mr. Speaker, I hope this bill we are introducing today can move quickly through the House and be passed before October 14, the 1-year anniversary of the anthrax letter arriving in Senator Daschle's office.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute Allen Shur on receiving the 2002 Johns ``Labor Leader of the Year'' Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the working women and men of our community. Allen was born in Los Angeles in May 1948. His father was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Allen lost both of his parents at a young age. Overcoming his loss, he graduated from high school in Los Angeles County. Then he attended college in southern California and became active in the labor and political movements of the late 60s and early 70s. Allen joined the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in 1967. He graduated from the then four-year IBEW/NECA Inside Apprenticeship program in 1971. Allen distinguished himself by his political involvement, which caught the attention of IBEW's membership. He served on the Executive Board of Local 569 and as a Labor Trustee. In 1995, the membership overwhelmingly elected him to the office of Business Manager, a position that he continues to hold. Allen has continued his support for organizing the electrical workers in San Diego and Imperial Counties, increasing Local 569's membership rolls each year. In addition, Allen has directed his staff to organize both workers and contractors, providing all workers in the electrical industry the union choice. Allen serves as the District I Vice President of the California Federation of Labor (AFL-CIO), Executive Board Member of the San Diego Labor Council, Vice President of the San Diego County Building and Construction Trades Council, and Secretary of the AFL-CIO Building Corporations. He also volunteers his time with Christmas in April and other community organizations. Allen Shur exemplifies the high values, standards, and principles of the late John S. Lyons. I offer my congratulations to him on his receipt of the 2002 ``Labor Leader of the Year Award.''

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute Michael D'Antuano on receiving the 2002 Johns ``Fellowship Award'' in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the working women and men of our community. Michael has over 25 years of construction industry experience and is recognized throughout the country for his skills in labor relations, collective bargaining and negotiations. He joined the Parson Corporation in 1975 as a labor advisor on the massive Alaska Pipeline program. Working with Arco and Sohlo on their oil and gas modular fabrication and construction projects, Michael was assigned to construction sites throughout Washington, Oregon, California and Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. In the late 1970s, he was assigned to Parson's headquarters in Pasadena, California, and assumed the administration of labor relations activities throughout the Untied States on major company projects, emphasizing labor/management cooperation and safe working environments and conditions for craftsmen. Michael was appointed the President of Parson Constructors, Inc. in April, 1994--the construction arm of The Parson Corporation. As President, he has been instrumental in establishing innovative approaches to labor/management relations. Parsons has negotiated and administered ground breaking Project Labor Agreements for major infrastructure and government programs throughout the country. Locally, the San Diego County Water Authority Emergency Storage Project is under construction with a project labor agreement negotiated and administered by Michael and his staff. He is on the Board of Directors of the North American Contractors Association (NACA) and serves on numerous labor/management committees across the nation. He is also a trustee for the Laborers International Union Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust and a Southern California Regional Board Member of the American Cancer Society (ACS). Michael D'Antuono exemplifies the high values, standards, and principles of the late John S. Lyons. I offer my congratulations to him on his receipt of the 2002 Johns ``Fellowship Award.''

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation (H.R. 5256) to rename the Southeastern Post Office, in San Diego, California, the ``Cesar E. Chavez Post Office.'' In San Diego, as well as across the Nation, the name Cesar Chavez symbolizes dignity, admiration, and devotion to equality and human rights. This man dedicated his life to ameliorating human rights in our country. In the 50s and 60s, when minorities were given little to no respect or rights, Cesar Chavez cleared the path for equality. In the early 50s, after fighting in World War II, Chavez began his involvement in battling racial and economic discrimination against Chicanos. His passion and commitment to this cause led him to serve as the national director of the Community Service Organization. But as his attention and personal interest focused on the poor working conditions of farm workers, he realized that his dream was to start an organization to aid these workers. Having been a farm worker himself, he was far too familiar with the inhumane working conditions farm workers were forced to endure. And in the early 60s, he founded the National Farm Workers Association. As the National Farm Workers Association started to gain support, he started organizing peaceful demonstrations to bring attention to the farm worker's conditions. His slogan, Si Se Puede!, Yes, We Can!, became known worldwide. National attention to the farm worker strikes came in 1968 when Senator Robert Kennedy visited Cesar Chavez in California after Chavez lead a 25 day fast. Kennedy was right when he called Cesar ``one of the heroic figures of our time.'' Cesar continued to organize boycotts and strikes around the world against table grape growers in California. His efforts paid off in the 70s when legislation to help agricultural workers was established. Cesar Chavez is remembered today for his continual efforts and dedication to justice and equality. As Cesar said, ``There are many reasons for why a man does what he does. To be himself he must be able to give it all. If a leader cannot give it all, he cannot expect his people to give anything.'' The people of San Diego thank Cesar Chavez for Always giving his all. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5256--legislation that recognizes such an honorable man!

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Elizabeth Moore-Stump, who has devoted 33 years of her life to public service. Elizabeth is the daughter of the late Elizabeth Thorton Moore and the late great world-boxing champion, Archie Moore. Elizabeth received her degree in Social Welfare at San Diego State University and used it to help her beloved city. In 1966, Elizabeth began her career in public service working for the State of California Department of Rehabilitation. Her professional career with the City of San Diego included the Regional Youth Employment Program (RYEP), Community Relations and Community Services departments, and culminated with her appointment in 1985 by the City Manager to the newly established Management Assistant position of Equal Opportunity Program Coordinator. Elizabeth left the City of San Diego in 1989 to join the San Diego Unified Port District and establish their first Equal Opportunity Management department. In 1999, she was appointed Senior Director of Administrative Services and the District Clerk. Besides working as a public servant for San Diego, Elizabeth has also devoted a lot of her time to various community activities. She served from 1976 to 1983 as a board member of the San Diego Urban League. Since 1987, she has been on the board of the Catholic Charities of San Diego, and starting in 1990 has been a member of the San Diego Police Department's Crisis Intervention Team. Beginning in 1998, Elizabeth has been a member of the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC). AMAC is a national aviation trade association established to promote equal opportunities in employment and contracting within the nation's airport system. After serving as AMAC's Secretary and Vice-Chair, she was elected President and Chairperson. Mr. Speaker, I know Elizabeth will continue to serve her community and I join Elizabeth's friends and family in thanking her for all that she has done for the City of San Diego.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 309, I missed this vote due to a medical appointment. Had I been present, I would have voted, ``Nay.''

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall no. 298, I was in my district on official business. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. mr. Speaker, on roll call No. 297, I was in my district on official business. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 284, I was traveling on official business. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 283, I was traveling on official business. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I rise today to protest the half-baked drug scheme that the GOP has jammed down Congress' throat. I find it a particular affront to our system of democracy that the Republicans blocked consideration of a plan that would easily cover all seniors. I join hundreds of my colleagues in opposing a GOP scheme that would force America's seniors and future seniors to rely on private insurance companies or HMOs for prescription drug coverage. GOP supporters of the scheme received hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from pharmaceutical companies and HMOs. America's seniors deserve affordable prescription drug coverage. They should not have to make the preposterous choice between prescription drugs and paying their rent. The Democratic bill--on which GOP leaders refused to allow a vote-- would have guaranteed voluntary prescription coverage for all Medicare beneficiaries. Medicare is available to the vast majority of people over 65. It would have a $25 monthly premium and a deductible of $100 per year. After that, beneficiaries would be responsible for just 20 percent of drug costs, with Medicare covering the remaining 80 percent. All costs would be covered after a beneficiary spent $2,000 out-of- pocket. The Republican bill guarantees no specific benefit and subsidizes insurance companies in the hope they will create private insurance plans. Many HMOs and private insurance would not want to offer coverage under the plan. Those that did would be able devise the coverage and set the premium. We should not be playing a shell game with something as important as our seniors' health and well-being. The Republican bill leaves our seniors out in the cold.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to briefly discuss this week's release by the General Accounting Office, the GAO, its study on actions needed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, that is, FERC, to confront challenges that impede effective oversight. That was the title of this GAO report. This report vindicates those of us who have been standing up for 2 years now to tell this body that FERC was simply not doing its job protecting California and the rest of the country, and this report vilifies those who doubted us for the last 2 years. In the conclusion of the report, we read that ``FERC is not adequately performing the oversight that is needed to ensure that prices produced by these markets are just and reasonable.'' Let me repeat that, ``FERC is not adequately performing the oversight that is needed to ensure that prices produced by these markets are just and reasonable.'' That means that illegal prices have been charged to electricity consumers all over this country, but specifically in California, and the report goes on to say, FERC has been simply not fulfilling its regulatory mandate. The GAO report says that FERC does not even know how to carry out its mandate to ensure that interstate wholesale natural gas and electricity prices are, as the law states, just and reasonable. If FERC does not know how to regulate power markets, who does? We need a change because we do not need a repeat of the inaction we saw from FERC in 2000 that has drained the California Treasury of almost $50 billion and has created a severe deficit in our State's budget this year. Two years ago, California and the hands-off treatment it received from FERC was the canary in the gold mine, if I may say so, that is exposing the glaring fissures in our so-called energy policy. The lack of action by FERC, or as it should be called the Federal Enron Rubber- Stamping Commission, hurt many everyday Americans in our State and throughout our Nation. FERC did not do its job in 2000. It did not do its job in 2001, and the GAO report says that FERC cannot do its job even now. My constituents in San Diego, California, and millions of other Californians lost billions during this crisis, and FERC reported no evidence of price-fixing. Now FERC says it is waiting for the regional transmission organizations, the RTOs, to provide front-line monitoring for new, unregulated power markets. The problem is, Mr. Speaker, that it may take several more years for these RTOs to form, and in a gross understatement the GAO report says, ``As the California crisis has made adequately clear, FERC simply cannot let the markets go unmonitored for this length of time.'' It is abundantly clear, Mr. Speaker, that there has been a lot of damage, and we need a fresh look, farther away from this administration, farther away from the FERC Commissioner, farther away from people tainted with association with Enron. We need to know how Enron and other members of the electricity cartel robbed California and eluded the oversight of the Federal Enron Rubber- Stamping Commission. This should lead, by the way, to every State in this country and other countries around the world to really questioning whether they should deregulate to the so-called private market electricity and other basic commodities that are necessary for our economic life. There is no public oversight, as the GAO report shows, of what the so-called private market will do. They will rob us blind as they did to us in California. That is why I continue to call for the Attorney General to name a special prosecutor to look into this whole case. My bill, H. Con. Res. 333, would make this request on behalf of our entire Congress. We must not have even the perception that the fox, that is, FERC, is guarding the hen house, that is, our electricity market. This Congress must demand that this situation end and appoint a special prosecutor and figure out what happened and how we are going to proceed from here.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. The majority means that the gentleman has the responsibility of setting the agenda and running this floor. As I understood what the gentleman just said, he does not have a majority on his side to raise the debt limit. I want to know, where is the responsibility for the governing party to do what is necessary for this Nation?

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, if I heard correctly, the gentleman is the majority leader of this body. Am I correct on that?

Mr. FILNER. I know the gentleman always does.