Ruben Gallego

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Chairman, the DREAMers in this country are deeply patriotic. For many, America is the only country they have ever known. It is the country they love and call home. Many want nothing more than the chance to serve the United States in uniform. The Brooks amendment cruelly seeks to deny these talented young people that opportunity. It would strike my amendment encouraging the Secretary of Defense to use his authority under existing law to enable DACA recipients to enlist. If we approve this amendment, we leave the deeply unjust status quo unchanged. Right now, in America, DREAMers can be drafted into the military, but they can't sign up to serve in the military force they choose. That is simply unacceptable. These young people are Americans in every respect, except on paper. I fought in Iraq, and I know what really matters on the battlefield isn't whether you have the right papers; it is whether you have the heart to fight, patriotism for your country, and the right character. Mr. Chairman, for the good of our country, I hope we will defeat this deeply misguided Brooks amendment.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1075. I would like to begin by thanking my good friend, Congressman Grijalva, and the gentleman from Wisconsin for yielding their time and for authoring this important legislation. Governor Raul Castro was a trailblazing figure in Arizona history, and renaming the city of Douglas port of entry in his honor is a fitting tribute to all that he did for our State and its people. Mr. Speaker, Governor Castro was the first Mexican American Governor of our fine State. He also served as Ambassador to Argentina, Bolivia, and El Salvador. Governor Castro paved the way for a new generation of politically active Latinos and immigrants who followed in his footsteps and fought to make their voices heard. He played an important role in the history of Arizona and of the Latino rights movement, and we will be forever indebted to him for his work on behalf of our community. Governor Castro devoted his entire life to public service. He saw that Latinos in Arizona needed a voice, and he accepted that challenge. He worked tirelessly to encourage Hispanics to get involved and participate in our democracy. Mr. Speaker, Governor Castro is an inspiration to Arizonans and Latinos in public service throughout this country. I want to thank, again, Congressman Grijalva for his tremendous work on this legislation, and I urge its passage.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Speaker, a college education should be accessible to all Americans. Currently, 40 million Americans have student loans, with an average balance of $29,000. This impacts our entire economy, as it prevents young people from buying homes, starting a family, and even buying a car. Mr. Speaker, we provide a high school education for all students because we recognize the advantages for our children and our society of having a good education. But a high school education is no longer enough if you want to get a good-paying job. A college education is necessary and essential in today's society in order to move ahead. It is an essential step to getting a good-paying job and joining the middle class. Mr. Speaker, we are stacking the deck against our young people. The cost of higher education is through the roof, and student loans are weighing on our youth at one of the most vulnerable points in their lives. Mr. Speaker, our parents and grandparents didn't have to take on this level of debt just to get an education. It is our responsibility to ensure that future generations have the same opportunities that our parents and grandparents had to access higher education without the burdensome student loan debt that we now carry.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Speaker, today, in America, 48 children and young people will be shot, and seven will die. Today, in America, 45 people will be injured in gun-related accidents, and 55 will take their own lives with guns. Yet, today, in America, zero new Federal gun laws will be debated here in this body. This is unacceptable. Yet we know smart gun laws work. We know background checks keep guns out of the hands of terrorists, criminals, and the mentally ill. We know banning assault rifles and high-capacity magazines protects police officers and the communities they serve. Mr. Speaker, after the Newtown shootings claimed the lives of 20 innocent children, President Obama asked the Nation whether we were prepared to admit that we are powerless in the face of the carnage caused by guns. That is not an admission I am ready to make. This isn't a problem we can ignore. Mr. Speaker, instead of politics as usual, let's come together to prevent dangerous guns from reaching dangerous people.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Speaker, today, veterans who are disabled can get their Federal student loan debt discharged. But, unfortunately, the Department of Education reports discharged debt to the IRS, where it is considered as income for Federal and possible State tax purposes. In many instances, having Federal student loan debt discharged results in a substantial tax liability. That is why I am introducing the Veterans Education Tax Security Act--the VETS Act. This bill will ensure that disabled veterans, deceased veterans, and deceased members of the Armed Forces are not financially penalized when their Federal student loan debts are lawfully discharged. As veterans ourselves, Congressman Zinke and I both understand the importance of putting politics aside to support our soldiers and veterans who have risked their whole lives and their families to defend our country. They, or their families, should not be penalized when Federal student loans are forgiven because of death or disability. I thank Congressman Zinke for his support on this issue and look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to champion fairness for our veterans.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Speaker, today, Americans are working more and earning less. The cost of college is rising, young people are in debt, and America's infrastructure is in decay. Mr. Speaker, the Republican budget, however, does nothing to help struggling Americans. It gives tax breaks to the wealthy, ends the Medicare guarantee, makes it harder for Americans to buy a home, and cuts funding for education. Our military leaders even testified that the Republican budget will put the lives of our men and women in uniform at risk. Mr. Speaker, this is outrageous. The American people elected us. We owe it to them to pass a budget that addresses their needs, keeps them safe, and gives them the best opportunity possible to live the American Dream. Let's focus on creating good-paying jobs, providing universal pre-K, and restoring food stamp programs that have helped many American families through these tough times. Let's ensure that our military has the resources they need to make sure that they can fight the fight that America wants. Democrats will keep standing with the American people and do the job that we were elected to do on their behalf.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Speaker, there are only 16 days left until the Department of Homeland Security runs out of money. How did we find ourselves in this situation? Unfortunately, my Republican colleagues decided to play political games with our national security. They decided to pass a DHS funding bill they knew the Senate would not approve and the President would not sign. They decided deporting DREAMers and the parents of American children was more important than funding the Department that helps protect the American people. Thankfully, there is an easy solution to this manufactured crisis. The Republican leadership could bring up a clean bill this afternoon, and it would pass with strong bipartisan support. Mr. Speaker, our most critical responsibility as Members of Congress is to ensure that the men and women charged with protecting our Nation have the resources to do their jobs. It is time for the Republican leadership to stop playing games and start living up to this basic obligation by bringing a clean DHS funding bill to the floor.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Speaker, as he begins the transition to civilian life, I rise today to salute Lieutenant Colonel Allen Kirksey for his distinguished military career and years of dedicated service to our nation. Lt. Colonel Kirksey most recently served as the Wing Chief of Staff in Phoenix, Arizona, a position he has held since June of 2013. He began his military career in the United States Air Force from 1979 to 1983, during which time he completed two operational assignments with the 92nd Bomb Wing and the 435th Tactical Air Wing. He enlisted in the Arizona Air National Guard in 1984 as a drill status guardsman Combat Crew Communications Specialist. In 1998, he assumed command of the 161st Security Forces Squadron. Lt. Colonel Kirksey has deployed as the Wing Senior Intelligence Officer in support of Operation Desert Shield, Deny Flight, Phoenix Scorpion, and Southern Watch. In 2001, as the Security Forces Commander, he was mobilized in support of Operation Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom and was designated as the 201st Mission Support Squadron Detachment Commander. In 2005, he served as the 161st Deputy Mission Support Commander, and in 2006 he assumed command of the 161st Logistics Readiness Squadron. In 2010, as the Logistics Readiness Squadron Commander, he was mobilized in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation New Dawn. Throughout his years of service, Lt. Col. Kirksey has won numerous awards and distinctions, including the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal, twice. In addition, he was named the Arizona National Guard Diversity Champion in 2008 and the National Guard Diversity Award Winner--Air National Guard Individual Category in 2011. Incredibly, on top of his outstanding service in uniform, Lt. Colonel Kirksey also volunteers over 100 hours each year at Phoenix-area schools and is a motivational speaker in the community. In 2014, he was awarded the City of Phoenix Calvin Goode Lifetime Achievement award in recognition of his outstanding leadership and dedication to civil rights. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Lieutenant Colonel Allen Kirksey and thank him for his many years of exceptional service.