Bob Filner

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, and colleagues, I rise today to salute a great American, Mr. Robert Tobias, the retiring president of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU). Mr. Tobias' career at NTEU spans thirty busy years including the last sixteen as the union's president. As he led the fight on behalf of federal employees, he became a leading authority on these issues. In doing so he vastly expanded NTEU's influence in the halls of Congress and in the White House. His accomplishments and memberships are an impressive collection of who's who and where's where. His memberships include President Clinton's National Partnership Council, the Executive Committee of the Internal Revenue Service, the American Arbitration Association board of directors and the Federal Salary Council that advises the President of the United States. He is the co-founder of the Federal Employee Education and Assistance fund and in 1996 was appointed by the President to the Federal Salary Council. While this is an impressive listing of Mr. Tobias' commitments and involvements, I believe his lasting legacy will be the great contributions he helped achieve on behalf of America's federal employees. Developing the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), restructuring the IRS, protecting the Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan, advocating the closure of the pay gap for federal employees, reforming the Hatch Act, securing the right to initiate midterm bargaining and to engage in informational picketing are all significant achievements with long lasting effects. These actions will continue to directly impact America's working people and their families and the people they serve for years and years to come. The impact of these actions cannot be overstated. Like many of his friends, I will miss Mr. Tobias' visionary leadership, his strong support and his hard work at NTEU. The union, its membership, the vast federal workforce and indeed this Congress are all the better for his stewardship at NTEU. I thank Robert Tobias for his dedication and his efforts on behalf of America's federal employees and wish him the very best of luck.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take my 5 minutes at this time.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I believe I have discovered the meaning of compassionate conservatism, at least as defined by the congressional Republicans. It is conservative to cut funding for the critical needs of our Nation's veterans, and it is compassionate to use that money for pork projects for congressional people in exchange for their votes. At least that is the definition implied by the VA-HUD-Independent Agencies appropriations bill which was crafted by the Republican majority in its subcommittee earlier this week. As the Washington Post reported yesterday, this pending bill is chock full of pork, 215 provisions funding a host of projects and activities that have little or nothing to do with veterans or housing, or the other concerns that this bill is supposed to address. Madam Speaker, the gentleman just before me spoke of returning the surplus to people. What we are doing here is returning that surplus in pork projects to the majority Congresspeople. As one who has joined our veterans throughout the Nation in advocating for the past many months for additional funding in the veterans budget, I am frustrated, appalled, shocked, and angry at this turn of events. Our veterans must wait for months to see a doctor, but we fund the pork project of a machine aimed at growing plants in space. A Virginia doctor in Kentucky was authorized to provide care for only 35 of the 500 veterans suffering from Hepatitis C, a disease that is often fatal, but we fund the pork project of ship bottom painting. Last year we fought to pass legislation to provide health care for Persian Gulf veterans suffering from undiagnosed illnesses. We now have no funding to absorb these additional veterans in VA medical facilities, but we are funding the pork project of research into windstorms. One-third of our homeless are veterans who served their Nation. We need services to help them get off the streets and back into productive lives. But instead, Madam Speaker, we fund a pork project for studying the impact of temperatures on living organisms. We are discharging veterans every day who are Alzheimer's patients, but we fund three separate pork projects worth $11.5 million in the district of our Speaker of the House. Some of these projects may be worthy, especially in the abstract. But then Congress should fund them openly and honestly and above board. Sneaking them into a bill that should include $2 billion more for veterans just to keep the services we are providing today afloat is dishonest, it is an insult to the men and women who served our Nation in battle. Is that what compassionate conservatism is all about: We cut veterans, but we hand out pork? Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to reject this bill next week, and adequately fund the health needs of our Nation's veterans. I yield back whatever rationality exists in this House.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller).

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, this amendment that I offer today is really life and death protection for the 25 million people who get their water from the Colorado River. This is an emergency, Mr. Chairman. We have heard about emergencies in appropriations bills. People are drinking poisoned water. The water is poisoned by radioactive wastes leaching from an abandoned mine waste pile that is located only 750 feet from the Colorado River. This deadly waste pile, abandoned by the Atlas Corporation, sits in the Moab Valley of southeastern Utah. The Colorado River, flowing south past the site, provides water for 7 percent, Mr. Chairman, 7 percent of the United States population, including Las Vegas, Phoenix, the entire Los Angeles area and the city I represent, San Diego. My amendment would provide the Department of Energy $50 million, perhaps a third of the money needed, to begin moving the contaminated pile away from the Colorado River. Moving this pile is the most reliable way to save the growing population of California, Arizona, and Nevada from having the highly contaminated waste leak into the water supply for the next 270 years, almost 3 centuries, Mr. Chairman, during which time, many people would likely die from various diseases and maladies caused by drinking water laced with radioactivity and chemical contaminants from the uranium pile. The money is appropriated by my amendment to begin the first phases of moving the pile, and it is offset by cutting a program that already has $4 billion in the budget; $4 billion offset by a simple $50 million. This is money that will save American lives. The Department of Energy must step in to save innocent people because the NRC, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which has jurisdiction over moving the site, has proven it is simply not up to the task. The NRC's own report states that Atlas' plan to cap the radioactive pile is environmentally acceptable, and I quote their expression, ``environmentally acceptable,'' Mr. Chairman. Is it environmentally acceptable to cover 10.5 million tons of uranium mill waste with rock and sand where the river can reach it during floods in spring and cause a health crisis. With the pile only 10 to 20 feet above the underground aquifer, highly concentrated ammonia will continue to seep into the groundwater. By contrast, when the Department of Energy has been involved with all of the other contaminated sites along the Colorado River, it moved, not just capped, sites with uranium concentration levels of less than 2 milligrams per liter. I say this is an emergency because the uranium concentration levels at Moab receive 26 milligrams per liter, 13 times what has already been considered a problem. Mr. Chairman, I heard the earlier colloquy between the gentleman from California (Chairman Packard) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Cannon) calling for a study of this situation. We are passed the time for a study. We know what must be done. We must move jurisdiction of the pile to the Department of Energy and move this pile. It is a matter of life and death.

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

Mr. FILNER. I yield to the gentleman from California.

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Napolitano).

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Napolitano).

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I would simply say that notwithstanding the emergency nature of this situation, and notwithstanding the life and death matters of which we are involved, I understand the chairman will insist on his point of order. I am sorry that these technicalities will be insisted upon, but I acknowledge that the point of order will be sustained. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw the amendment.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, colleagues I rise today in support of the action taken earlier today by Vice President Al Gore on behalf of our Nation's veterans. The Vice President has announced that the administration will seek an additional $1 billion fully paid for to ensure our Nation can continue to provide quality and timely health care for our veterans. America's veterans and many Members of Congress have been speaking out loudly in the past months for an increase in the veterans budget for fiscal year 2000. I am pleased and proud that the administration has heard our call. The Vice President's action is a vital step toward keeping the promise that was made to our veterans when they joined the Armed Forces and made their promise to serve their country. We will begin to meet the long-term care needs of our aging veterans. We will begin to lower the waiting times for our medical appointments that veterans have to endure now. Mr. Speaker, after years of flat line budgets, this action is sorely needed. I salute this move taken by the Vice President this morning.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, although I am not opposed, I ask unanimous consent to claim the 5 minutes in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Georgia (Ms. McKinney).

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I again want to thank certainly the gentleman from California (Mr. Bilbray) and his staff for working with me and my staff in preparing this comprehensive amendment. The gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) and the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson) have been very supportive. Also, I want to acknowledge the experts on the Clean Water Act and these issues as they relate to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster), the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Borski), and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert) for their support of this approach. Again, it is a win-win situation. We are going to save taxpayers' money. We have an environmentally sustainable solution that is being applied. It allows Mexico to make use of reclaimed sewage water for its agriculture and commercial purposes. It solves the problem that has been with us for 50 years. Mr. Chairman, I ask my colleagues in the Congress to support this approach and finally close out a problem that too many of us have suffered with too long. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 3 minutes. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), the chairman of the committee, and the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson), the ranking member, for working with us to have this amendment in order and to support it. And of course I want to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Bilbray), my colleague, for being the chief sponsor of this amendment. The two of us have been knee deep, literally, in this problem for probably 50 years between us; he when he started as a city council member and the mayor of Imperial Beach, California; myself since I was a city council member in San Diego. The two of us in local government have worked very hard to deal with an issue that few people in this House could face, and that is 50 million gallons a day of raw sewage flowing through their districts. This occurs because Mexico simply does not have the facilities to treat this sewage. We are in the process of solving that. Because of timing, because of the processes of budgeting, we are in an interesting and unique situation. We have a chance, with this House's support, to have a bipartisan, binational environmental-friendly, taxpayer-friendly solution, finally, to a problem that has plagued us for nearly 5 decades. What we want this House to go on record to do with this amendment is to approve in concept an innovative public-private partnership that says, we can treat this raw sewage originating in Mexico in Mexico with the highest standards to which we would be accustomed to in this country, with an environmentally-sound process which would be paid for up front by the private sector, and which would provide a comprehensive solution, finally, to this problem. This is a rare opportunity where an innovative solution can be considered. It is not in the box of thinking of the traditional bureaucracies. They have had some trouble studying this to the degree that we would have liked, and so this Congress we are asking to go on record to approve the concept of studying this innovative public- private partnership, environmentally-friendly approach. Mr. Chairman, it is time for this problem in Southern California, in southern San Diego which crosses the borders of not only Mexico, the districts of Mr. Bilbray and myself, to solve this problem. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, I thank the very distinguished gentlewoman from Georgia (Ms. McKinney) for yielding me this time. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of a Part B amendment sponsored by the gentleman from San Diego, California (Mr. Bilbray) and myself that would encourage a common sense, innovative, public-private solution to the problem of international sewage along the border between the United States and Mexico, a problem that has been plaguing us for over 5 decades. I thank the Committee on Rules for making this amendment in order. I thank the distinguished gentleman from New York (Chairman Gilman) for his support of this approach, which will be very good for our area and California. Just to describe the situation we face, briefly, let me quote one of the officials of the environmental Surfrider Foundation. He said, ``I'm surfing in sewage.'' He put it a little less delicately, and it is not a very genteel situation in my district when sewage washes up on the beach, flows down our rivers and canyons, and fouls the water where our children should be able to swim worry free. A solution to not surfing in sewage? Build enough sewage treatment to handle the problem. That is what our amendment puts the Congress on record supporting. It says we want to pursue a plan that can easily treat 50 million gallons of sewage per day, not the 25 million gallons that is provided for in the present plan being pursued by EPA at this moment. The plan makes even more sense when we know that the Mexican sewage will be reclaimed and reused by industrial and agricultural users in Mexico to help cover the cost. So all the hazardous and unhealthy sewage that now flows into our ocean without proper treatment will be cleaned; and much of it will be reused before it ever gets to the ocean. We owe that to our surfers and certainly to our children. This solution that Congress will go on record if it supports this is good for our environment, good to our taxpayers. It is a true win-win situation. I urge support of the Bilbray-Filner amendment.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak of an urgent need that is addressed by House Concurrent Resolution 134, a resolution which we call the ``In Memory Day'' resolution introduced earlier this month. When passed, this resolution will affirm that Congress supports the goals and ideas of what we have been calling ``In Memory Day,'' which is the third Monday of April. Though the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a deeply moving reminder of many courageous Americans who gave their lives for their country, it includes only the names of those who died from combat wounds. Many other brave veterans have died as a result of their service in Vietnam, but their causes of death do not fit within the criteria established by the Department of Defense for inscribing their names on the Memorial. By observing ``In Memory Day,'' we will honor these patriotic Americans and remember their sacrifice. Veterans whose deaths were hastened by exposure to Agent Orange, for example, count among the casualties of Vietnam, but their names are not inscribed on the Memorial. Veterans who have taken their own lives as a result of the deep psychological wounds from their service are not included either, but their deaths are fundamentally tied to their experiences in Vietnam. These veterans and their families deserve recognition and support. This year, last April 19, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund held its first ``In Memory Day'' to commemorate these people who died but whose deaths do not merit inscription on the Wall. From this year forward, the ``In Memory Day'' event will be observed each year at the Wall, along with Memorial Day and Veterans Day, as one of the official ceremonies of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. Names of fallen comrades will be added to the ``In Memory Honor Roll'' each year, just as the names of those who died as a result of combat in Vietnam are added to the famous memorial at the Wall. Many returning heroes came back from Vietnam with their health shattered, both physically and mentally. They were wounded by their time in Vietnam, and they deserve our gratitude and recognition. I urge my colleagues to support House Concurrent Resolution 134.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, as ranking Democrat on the Subcommittee on Benefits, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2280, the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 1999. As the gentleman from New York (Mr. Quinn), the chairman of the subcommittee just indicated, we worked closely together on development of this measure, which includes provisions of bills introduced by Members from both sides of the aisle. This is the way the legislative process ought to work, and the real winners are America's veterans. The bill, as amended, includes many important provisions. Under this measure, the national cemetery system would be expanded and much needed burial space provided. Construction of the World War II memorial, as we have heard, would be expedited and certain members of the Selected Reserve would be permanently eligible for VA home loans. I am particularly pleased that the legislation reauthorizes and increases funding for the Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program. Although this provision does not increase the program funding as much or as quickly as it would under the bill I introduced, H.R. 1484, it is a very, very satisfactory compromise. The graduated funding increase included in this bill will enable the Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service to effectively administer the program, and the increased funding will give thousands of homeless veterans the assistance they need to reenter employment. Let me also take a minute to thank the chairman of the Committee on Small Business, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Talent), and the ranking Democrat on that committee, the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez), for bringing a later bill on the floor today, H.R. 1568, the Veterans' Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Act of 1999. The gentleman from Missouri has worked hard to craft this excellent bill, which is similar to H.R. 366, the Veterans' Entrepreneurship and Promotion Act, which I have introduced in the last two Congresses. H.R. 1568, which we will consider later, deserves the full support of all Members of our House. In closing, the bill under consideration, H.R. 2280, is an excellent bill that will enhance the lives of millions and millions of veterans and their families. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 1999.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Maryland for yielding me this time. Mr. Chairman, I want to speak to one provision of H.R. 1802, a provision introduced as H.R. 26, which, for the Record, was originally sponsored by the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), chairman of the Committee on International Relations. I thank the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. Johnson) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cardin) for taking this legislation, broadening it, and fitting it into this bill today. The provision I am speaking of allows Filipino World War II veterans, and others currently on SSI and living in the United States, to return to the Philippines if they wish to do so, taking a portion of their SSI with them. When many Filipino World War II veterans immigrated to the United States, they thought they would get full veterans benefits once they arrived here to allow them to live in dignity. However, they were denied these benefits, and many are living alone and in poverty today, unable to bring their families here with them to the United States. So this legislation will allow those who wish to return to the Philippines to be with their loved ones in their final days to do so. This is a humanitarian gesture and one which finally recognizes these soldiers as true veterans. It will also save us money. It is possible that as much as $30 million a year could be saved. As many of my colleagues know, during World War II, the military forces of the Commonwealth of the Philippines served in our Armed Forces by Executive Order of the President of the United States. With their vital participation so crucial to the outcome of this war, one would assume that the United States would be grateful to their Filipino comrades. So it is hard to believe that, soon after the war ended, the 79th Congress voted to take away those benefits and recognition that Filipino World War II veterans were promised earlier. Over 50 years have passed since that action took place, 50 long years in which Filipino veterans and their sons and daughters have been waiting for justice. Two hundred nine cosponsors of last year's Filipino Veterans Equity Act, again introduced by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), have asked our colleagues to correct these injustice that veterans have endured. This bill is a significant step on behalf of many of these brave colleagues who served side by side with the forces from the United States. Let us join together in this bipartisan effort to correct this monumental injustice. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1802.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, as the juvenile crime bill has worked its way to the House floor, we have lost sight of something crucial. Following the tragic armed assault by two troubled students on classmates at Columbine High School, the citizens of this nation cried out for policy to stop the killing, a policy that will protect our children from gun violence. There are many concerns that need to be addressed. We need to take action on media violence, to develop programs that build children's confidence and self-esteem, to help parents develop the tools they need to better raise their children. But before our work in any of these areas can be effective, we must face one irrefutable fact: our young people are able to act on their anger and frustration and rage because it is so easy for them to get their hands on a gun. As a result of this--and the ease with which criminals can buy guns--we are losing on average 13 children and teenagers every single day. The vast majority of Americans understand this. In a CNN-Gallup poll taken just this week, 87 percent of Americans said they support legislation to close the loopholes in the law that put guns in the hands of children and criminals. Americans favor laws that: Close the loophole that allows people to buy guns at gun shows and flea markets without background checks; close the loophole that fails to hold gun owners responsible for keeping loaded firearms out of the reach of children; close the loophole that allows children of any age to purchase or possess assault weapons; close the loophole that allows the import of ammunition clips holding more than 10 rounds; and close the loophole that allows juveniles under 21 to purchase handguns. This is the bare bones legislation that Americans are demanding. The bill passed last month by the Senate would close most of these loopholes. Now it is up to us to approve the Senate gun package as written or to strengthen it. We must seize the opportunity to close loopholes in the law and save children and their families from the horror and pain of gun violence. But what are we doing instead? We are ignoring the American public and playing games with the lives of our children. The bills we have before us this week not only water down the Senate's proposal, but they actually create new loopholes, like a new definition for gun shows and changing the time allotted for background checks. These bills were not designed to quell the understandable fears of American parents. They were designed to satisfy a small, vocal minority in this country--the gun lobby. Mr. Chairman, I call on my colleagues today to stop playing politics with the lives of our children. You'll never satisfy the gun lobby. They care more about their guns and winning the argument than they do about protecting the lives of our precious children. I am not suggesting that closing these loopholes will stop all gun violence. What I am saying is that this is a small, but significant, first step to reigning in the violence that is killing our children and destroying our families. I ask that you join me in a vote for the future of America. Please reject the weak measures before you and vote for meaningful laws that will restrict access to guns and keep our children safe.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the rule and the bill, AIR 21, the Aviation Improvement Act for the 21st century. As a member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and a Member whose district is just minutes from our international border with Mexico, I know that the path to the 21st century is about more than just ground transportation on America's roads, rails and bridges. And as a Member whose district is also on the Pacific Rim, I know that today the path to the 21st century is also very much about the aviation system in our Nation's airways. Because of that, I firmly believe that this legislation is more than a transportation bill and more than an aviation bill. Like its sister bill TEA 21, this legislation is a job creator, a winged engine for the Nation's trading economy and a critical tool for the economic development of my own Congressional District. The enhanced aviation infrastructure and updated air traffic control system that this provides will improve our ability to more efficiently and effectively move people and goods. By removing delays caused by an aging and crumbling infrastructure and an inadequate air traffic control system, we will be better able to continue to grow the economy and shrink our global community. Despite arguments to the contrary, this legislation is also about fiscal responsibility and accountability. We Americans are taxed when we fly. We are told that those taxes will go to fund our aviation infrastructure. What we are not told is that in reality our tax dollars are allowed to accumulate vast balances that are used by bureaucrats in a classic Washington shell game of hide-the-budget deficit. Americans pay aviation taxes for aviation infrastructure. It is time we instill some discipline into the Federal budget and spend these funds for their intended purpose. This bill will finally restore the trust the American people place in this account. I believe AIR 21's increased investment in our aviation infrastructure is desperately needed at this time. America's investment in its transportation infrastructure has helped create the strongest economy in the history of the world. It invigorates the Nation's productive power, creates new jobs and raises revenues. This investment in transportation today boosts the economy and creates jobs today, tomorrow, and for years to come. Madam Speaker, I will vote for my constituents' job interests and for the Nation's economic interests today and vote for this critical legislation. I urge my colleagues to support this rule and to support this bill.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Madam Chairman, I rise in opposition to the Traficant amendment. Mr. Chairman, I rise to oppose the Amendment by the gentleman from Ohio. I do want to commend my colleague from Ohio for his dedication and tenacity in fighting drugs. Every member of this body, I am sure, shares his commitment to ending this scourge on our society. But, while we share the same goals, we do have a difference in opinion on how to eradicate drug smuggling and drug abuse. The District I represent sits on the Mexican border. One of the crossings in my District is the busiest border crossing in the entire world! So, I have personal experience with the border and all the opportunities and challenges associated with border crossings. There is no question that we must gain better control of our borders. There have been Herculean efforts by the Immigration and Naturalization Service, the Customs Service, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and many other government agencies, including state and local agencies. All these agencies are to be commended for their efforts and dedication to controlling our borders and ending the illegal crossing of narcotics and narcotics smugglers. And, though much remains to be done, I have serious and grave reservations about this proposal to literally arm the border. Yes, we need to better control the border, but placing armed military personnel on our borders, who are trained to fight and win wars by killing people, is not the answer. The United States military is the best equipped, best trained, most disciplined, and most efficient in the world. Our military can win any war that the American people choose to fight. But, the brave men and women serving in our Armed Forces win those wars by killing people. As repulsive and unforgiving as killing is, it is the way wars are won. With people who are trained to kill other people patrolling our own border, I fear for the safety of our own citizens--not from intent, but from accident. I also want to remind everyone that Mexico is a friendly country. They have made no attempts at invasion since the Alamo. Accordingly, I believe this proposal could do serious damage to a relationship that is fragile, at best. Mr. Chairman, we must find new and innovative methods for stopping illegal drugs from coming into our country and killing our people. But I do not believe arming the Mexican-American border with the United States military is the best way. I call on my colleagues to not limit themselves to old and easy ideas for ending this scourge of deadly drugs. Let us think beyond the conventional solutions of greater force and move toward new proposals.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 30th anniversary of Dr. Howard Carey's commitment to the Neighborhood House Association and to his role as president and chief executive officer since 1972. Dr. Carey brings more than 35 years of experience in the field of social work, from both administrative and program perspectives to this leadership position. Serving more than 300,000 San Diego residents, Neighborhood House is one of the largest nonprofit organizations in San Diego, a multipurpose social welfare agency whose goal is to improve the quality of life of the people served. Since Dr. Carey assumed leadership, Neighborhood House has grown from a budget of $400,000 and a staff of 35 to its current budget of $50 million with a staff of 800. Its multitude of services to strengthen families and to assist them in becoming self-sufficient include not only the two for which it is best known, Head Start, which reaches 6,500 preschoolers in 70 centers and its food bank program which collects and distributes 12 million pounds of food annually, but also housing, counseling, adult day care, emergency food and shelter and inner city youth enrichment program, employment training centers, health services for the mentally ill and elderly, and a senior citizen service center. Dr. Carey's motto, ``being a good neighbor,'' is emulated by the extended families of employees at Neighborhood House and reaches from the Mexican border to the northern reaches of San Diego County. His legacy is one of excellence. A professional in the best sense of this word, he is a man of honor, strength and determination. He is dedicated to service and to making life better for his neighbors who are in need. Dr. Carey is a native of Lexington, Mississippi, a graduate of Atlanta's Morehouse College, and holds graduate degrees from Atlanta University and United States International University. He became enchanted with San Diego during his 4 years of military service with the United States Navy and returned with his wife, the former Yvonne Arnold of Newnan, Georgia, a graduate of Spelman College. Dr. Carey and his wife are the parents of two adult children who are themselves graduates of Morehouse and Spelman. One would think that his service to the community through his work at the Neighborhood House would fill his days entirely but Dr. Carey's service extends to leadership and participation in many community organizations and local activities. He is chairman of the board of Neighborhood National Bank, a San Diego-based community bank which spurs development in inner city neighborhoods. He was a founding member of Union Bank of California's Community Advisory Board to advise bank managers on the financial needs of low-income and underserved communities. He has held policy-making and advisory positions at the Neighborhood Development Bank, San Diego Unified School District, United Way, the Minority Relations Committee, the Black Leadership Council, former San Diego Mayor Maureen O'Connor's Black Advisory Committee, a Congressional Black Affairs Subcommittee, the Black-Jewish Dialogue, the National Conference of Christians and Jews, the Coalition for Equity and San Diego County's Child Care Task Force. Professionally he has contributed as a professor at San Diego State University, as a lecturer at the University of California, San Diego, and at National University of San Diego and as instructor for Wooster College in Ohio and at San Diego Community College. His further professional associations include charter membership in LEAD, the National Association of Social Workers, the National Association of Black Social Workers; a founding member of the San Diego Chapter of Alpha Pi Phi Fraternity, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Alpha Kappa Delta, Morehouse College Alumni Association, San Diego Dialogue and the National Conference of Social Welfare. As impressive as this list is, it does not do justice to Dr. Carey. It is his passion for service that leads him into these activities. He knows that extraordinary measures are sometimes needed to strengthen communities and families, and he is always willing to go that extra mile. Because Dr. Carey and the work of Neighborhood House reaches deep into the hearts and minds of his neighbors and changes lives, his contributions to our community are far-reaching, long-lasting and immeasurable. I sincerely appreciate this opportunity to honor Dr. Carey and his many contributions to San Diego during the past 3 decades.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I rise today to recognize Mary Grillo, as she is honored by the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO, with its Leadership Award. Mary helped rebuild a small local union over the last ten years to become one of the largest, most visible and powerful unions in San Diego, the Service Employees International Local 2028. Her efforts have created a new and strong force in San Diego's labor and political landscape. Mary has been an enormous inspiration, particularly to those unions who represent women, Latinos, African Americans and Asian constituencies. She has fought the County of San Diego's Executive Bonus plan, forced the County to make changes and won a new and improved contract for thousands of county employees. She also won a big victory in the convalescent home industry. Her work has been an inspiration and example for others and have produced one of the largest delegations to the Labor to Neighbor. This vital program educates and involves union members and their families in the campaign to protect jobs and the future of working people in San Diego and Imperial Counties. My congratulations go to Mary Grillo for these significant contributions. I can personally attest to Mary's dedication and commitment and believe her to be highly deserving of the San Diego- Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO Leadership Award.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I rise today to congratulate Rabbi Dr. Aaron S. Gold on his retirement after serving the Rabbinate for 50 years, and for his dedication and service to the San Diego community. Rabbi Gold has been a spiritual and community leader to many individuals in San Diego--and I would like to take a moment to honor him and his accomplishments. Rabbi Gold was born in Poland and came to America during the depression years, prior to World War II. He graduated from Wisconsin State College with Highest Honors in the English and Speech Departments. He later received his M.A. from Columbia University where he studied Education for Marriage and Family Life, and later completed his Ph.D in Family Education. Rabbi Gold came to San Diego in 1974, and immediately became an active community leader. He was invited to join the boards of the United Jewish Federation, Jewish Community Relations Council and the Bureau of Jewish Education. He is particularly known for his work in promoting spiritual harmony and understanding among all religions, and has been active with the National Conference of Christians and Jews and the Ecumenical Council. He has also appeared on a number of radio and television shows to promote interfaith activities. His initiation of a joint Thanksgiving Service with the San Carlos United Methodist Church was so successful that it became the annual Thanksgiving service for the Tifereth and many churches of the Navajo Interfaith Association--he is lovingly called ``our Rabbi'' by the members of the San Carlos United Methodist Church. His ecumenical efforts have been recognized with a number of plaques and citations. Rabbi Gold has also reached out to the youth in our community by helping establish the Coalition for the Jewish Youth for San Diego, San Diego Jewish Academy and the Community High School of Jewish Studies. He also served as the President of the San Diego Rabbinical Association for two years, and he and his wife Jeanne were Rabbinic Couple for Jewish Encounter weekend in the San Diego area, where they helped 1,000 couples enhance theirs and their childrens' lives. In addition to his many contributions to the San Diego community, he has served our country as the Chaplain for Suffolk County Air Force Base in Long Island; Cancer patients in Long Island; the Boy Scouts Councils in Wisconsin, Long Island, Philadelphia, and Pennsylvania; and Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. Rabbi Gold has had an amazing life and an incredible career. He has touched the lives of many people and has served our country well. I congratulate Rabbi Gold on all of his accomplishments and wish him the best in his retirement.