Rubén Hinojosa

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my good friend, the senior Senator from the great State of Texas, who on Thursday, February 28, will be named the ``Border Texan of the Year.'' Every year, the people of Hidalgo County, Texas, whom I represent, hold an annual Borderfest. This is a wonderful time where the diversity, culture, music and food of the region are celebrated and enjoyed. The highlight of the festival is the presentation of the Border Texan of the Year Award. I am very pleased that this year's recipient is a man of such distinction, whom I admire and respect and with whom I have enjoyed working with in the United States Congress. Senator Gramm has served the State of Texas with distinction both as a member of the House and as a United States Senator since 1978. He will truly be missed in Washington once he leaves us at the end of this year, but I am confident that his service to Texas will not be ending. I have had the pleasure of knowing Senator Gramm for many years, and we have collaborated across party lines to improve conditions throughout our state and especially in my South Texas region on such projects as transportation and infrastructure, including improving our bridges and roads. Senator Gramm and I have jointly introduced legislation to vastly improve the efficiency of the U.S. Customs Service along the U.S./ Mexico border, thus increasing the flow of goods and services between the two countries. The residents of South Texas experience daily the long lines at our border crossings. Despite heroic sacrifices by Customs personnel, who work long hours and enormous amounts of overtime, there are just not enough people to make our southern border work efficiently. Before Senator Gramm leaves the U.S. Senate, I am hopeful that we can win our fight to bring much-needed resources to our southern border. Infrastructure is vital for economic growth and prosperity and Senator Gramm has recognized this and has worked hard to improve border infrastructure. His dedication to secure highway funding and particularly his efforts to help secure a Presidential permit for the construction of the new Anzalduas International Bridge is greatly appreciated by all border Texans. As Senator Gramm leaves the Senate, I wish him much success in his future endeavors.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 35, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of a wonderful program that has helped and encouraged young people in my District and all over this country to complete their education. I am speaking of the TRIO Program. In the 15th Congressional District, we are plagued with high drop out rates among our youth. In fact, the recent figures published by the U.S. Census Bureau show that 78% of Texans do not have a college degree. This is a tremendous waste of human capital and talent, and we must continue to find innovative ways to tap into this underdeveloped potential. One program that is making inroads into this problem is the TRIO program. TRIO is made up of several programs including Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math Science, Talent Search, and Student Support Services. These programs promote educational excellence in at-risk students through mentoring, counseling, and support. The goal is to make sure that these students stay in school so they can complete their education and become part of the American dream. I especially want to bring to your attention the work that is being done by the TRIO programs run by the University of Texas Pan American, Texas A&M Kingsville, South Texas Community College, and Coastal Bend Community College. These dedicated schools in my District are committed to seeing that every student has the opportunity to receive a higher education. February 23, 2002 has been designated National TRIO Day. I urge my colleagues to take this opportunity to visit their local TRIO programs and encourage these students and the teachers and counselors who are dedicated to their success.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the work that the Hispanic Engineer National Achievement Awards Corporation (HENAAC) is doing to enlighten the Hispanic community and nation about the achievements of Hispanics in science and technology in order to motivate Hispanic students to pursue careers in science and technology. American students lag behind their counterparts in other developed countries like Japan in the areas of science and math. If America is to hold its technological advantage in an ever complex world, we must close this gap and improve our children's achievements in math and science. In October, HENAAC will hold its annual conference to honor outstanding Hispanics in nine categories. In addition to the conference, HENAAC, in conjunction with the University of Texas-Pan American in my Congressional district, will also sponsor four special events as part of the International Science and Technology Week. The Hispanic Science and Technology EXPO Day at UT Pan American will bring students, parents, educators and the community together to learn about the importance of science and technology and give students information on career opportunities in engineering, science and math. Thousands of pre-college students will be able to participate in the hands-on interactive workshops, presentations and expositions. Hispanic Science and Technology Educator Day will recognize teachers throughout South Texas and give them opportunities to improve their skills. In addition to International Science and Technology Week, HENAAC also sponsors student scholarships and a Hall of Fame traveling exhibit. On February 19, 2002, the University of Texas-Pan American will have a kick-off to encourage students, parents and teachers to participate in the upcoming events. I want to commend HENAAC and the University of Texas-Pan American for their commitment to educating the next generation of Hispanic scientists, mathematicians and engineers.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I regret that I was attending a funeral and was unable to return in time for votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcalls 6 and 7.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I regret that I was unavoidably detained in my Congressional District. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcalls 2, 3, and 4.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express concerns over the introduction of H.R. 3206, the Home Ownership Expansion and Opportunities Act of 2001. The legislation would allow Ginnie Mae to alter its current role from guaranteeing federally backed mortgage securities to guaranteeing federal and conventional mortgage securities. In short, this legislation transforms this entity into a full functioning Government Sponsored Enterprise. While I am not necessarily opposed to the creation of an additional Government Sponsored Enterprise, I am opposed to the creation of an entity that draws from Federal capital and is not subject to government guidelines and goals geared toward increasing home ownership and improving the American economy. This legislation would allow Ginnie Mae to operate with equal flexibility and larger security than current Government Sponsored Enterprises in the housing mortgage market, including Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. However, it would not require that Ginnie Mae meet the housing goals established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. These goals are designed to ensure that every American can and one day will be able to achieve the dream of home ownership. Therefore, it is unclear how this legislation would help consumers or expand homeownership opportunities for minorities, low- to moderate- income families, and other traditionally underserved markets. The legislation that expands the role and scope of Ginnie Mae does not make them subject to mandatory affordable housing goals, borrower income caps, or limit their business to first time buyers. These ideals have made organizations like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac an attractive and worthy government sponsored enterprise and prompted them to create new ways to expand the number of first-time borrowers or break down barriers to homeownership. What this legislation does is make this government entity function like a private corporation, allowing Ginnie Mae to guarantee loans not just to people who need the extra help, but also to those who can and should be using the private market. Under these rules, I see no need to provide federal support for an organization that will perform a function in the housing market that can be executed by a private banking organization. Mr. Speaker, our nation's housing finance system is the model of the world. We should be concentrating our resources, time and effort in closing the gap of homeownership rates between minority families and the larger homeownership rate. We have the tools necessary to improve ownership numbers; let's use what we have to successfully meet our laudable goals.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 1762, a bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish fixed interest rates for student and parent borrowers, to extend current law with respect to special allowances for lenders, and for other purposes. This legislation proposes to settle the annual issue of student loan interest rate. The issue was temporarily resolved in 1998. S. 1762 incorporates a permanent compromise agreed to by postsecondary student financial aid associations, student groups and lender organizations. Under the bill's provisions, the current variable interest rate formulas for Federal Family Education Loan Program education loans will remain in place until 2006, when the formula for borrowers will revert permanently to fixed rates of 6.8 percent for student borrowers and 7.9 percent for parent borrowers. The only way many Hispanic students can enter postsecondary education and complete their degrees is through the availability to grants and loans. This bill is very important to all Hispanic students nationwide and especially for my state of Texas. I appreciate the support of the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation, the Texas Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, and the Association of Texas Lenders for Education for their support. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Ranking Member Miller and Chairman McKeon of the 21st Century Competitiveness Subcommittee, for helping to bring the legislation before the House. I also want to fully recognize our Senate colleagues for all their work on this critical issue. I urge all my colleagues in the House to support this bill.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the conference report on H.R. 1, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. First, I want to congratulate the gentleman from Ohio (Chairman Boehner) and the ranking member, the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller) for their responsible leadership in holding our bipartisan coalition together and for crucial support for individual members' concerns regarding the policy and resource allocation and recommendations. It was an honor for me to work with all the members of Committee on Education and the Workforce. I also congratulate Senator Kennedy and Senator Gregg for their valuable contribution and I thank President Bush and his administration. I also wish to recognize the extremely important support of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus led by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Reyes) in fighting for provisions very important to the Hispanic community. There are many positive features to commend in the conference agreement, and I wish to mention just a few of them. This bill will give many disadvantaged students a great opportunity to excel and to reach as high as they can dream. The conference agreement protects the principle of public funds for public schools. There are many, many things, and there is not enough time to thank everyone and to mention all of these things in the provision, but I urge my colleagues to vote for this bill. It was an honor for me to work with all the members of the Education Committee. I also congratulate Senator Kennedy and Senator Gregg for their valuable contribution and I thank President Bush and his administration. I also wish to recognize the extremely important support of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, lead by Chairman Reyes in fighting for provisions very important to the Hispanic Community. There are many positive features to commend in the conference agreement and I wish to mention a few of them. The bill will provide local flexibility, with accountability for reaching performance goals and formulas that target funds to schools with the greatest needs. This bill will give many disadvantaged students a great opportunity to excel and to reach as high as they can dream. The conference agreement protects the principal of public funds for public schools. Program authorization and funding will be provided for school construction and modernization as well as for funding for separate federal after-school and violence prevention programs. Civil rights protections are still included and teacher quality programs will be increased in funding authority by forty percent. I am very pleased that the Bilingual and Immigrant Education programs will be protected and expanded and that program accountability and funding for teacher-training will be increased. Hispanic parents will find some previously established barriers removed and will find it easier to participate in school improvement committees. Migrant students will be provided additional resources and both bilingual and migrant students will be assisted in program enhancement with the continuation of national information clearinghouse for research and evaluation. The Department of Education will assist the states in the interstate electronic transfer of crucial migrant records. Time does not permit me to point out other positive provisions. However, I do want to encourage the members of the Appropriations Committees in both chambers to accept the recommendations of the authorizing committees and to fully fund these programs. Reform without resources is meaningless. I urge all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to help us pass this bipartisan conference report on H.R. 1.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Federal Reserve cut short- term interest rates for the eleventh time in as many months. However, the U.S. economy continues to grow weaker. Last month the Nation's unemployment rate hit a 6-year high of 5.7 percent. Industry production appears to be at its weakest level in 20 years. Factories are operating at the lowest levels of capacity since 1983. These statistics translate into Americans losing jobs, and with them the means to obtain health care, food and shelter. The Latino community for example is the fastest growing segment of the workforce, but is one of the most vulnerable, as many Latino workers are concentrated in low- wage industries with unsteady work. Mr. Speaker, it is good, commonsense public policy to stimulate the economy by putting money in the hands of people who need it most and who will spend it immediately. This action increases the demand for goods and services, which is the only way to get our Nation's business, all of the businesses, investing, producing, and hiring again. Congress must pass a stimulus package that helps the unemployed, not only the wealthy.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of an economic stimulus package that will benefit the growing number of unemployed and uninsured Americans and will thus be truly stimulative, while also fiscally and socially responsible. As a long-time businessman, I can tell you that an economic recession results from a lack of demand for the goods and services that businesses produce. Our Nation is not suffering from a recession because businesses lack available workers, technology or equipment, but because they lack demand for their products. However, the House has passed an economic stimulus bill composed largely of tax cuts and payments from large corporations that would do nothing to increase demand for their products and would have no stimulative effect in the near future. If we are to stimulate the economy and end the recession, Congress must pass an economic stimulus bill that creates new jobs and provides assistance to unemployed workers. In doing so, we not only provide assistance to those in need, but we truly stimulate the economy by putting money into the hands of those people who are most likely to spend it immediately. This approach increases demand for goods and services, causing businesses to employ more workers and invest in more capital. Mr. Speaker, some of the cash-rich multinational corporations that would receive billions of dollars from the House-passed economic stimulus bill have publicly stated that they have no plans to increase the amount they invest in plants, in workers and in new products. Writing large checks to these corporations does not stimulate the economy. However, I can assure you that there are many vital projects in Congressional districts such as mine that are ready to be funded and would create badly needed jobs now. This kind of real economic stimulus would greatly improve the economy, the infrastructure and quality of life for countless Americans. Additionally, there are large numbers of unemployed workers who are anxious to enter the labor market and to earn money that they can spend on basic needs right now, providing an immediate stimulus to the economy. Let us look at this employment chart. As you can see, Mr. Speaker, Hidalgo County, which is in my South Texas Congressional district, has seen its unemployment rate decrease substantially in recent years from the nearly 20 percent rate of unemployment in the past. However, even during the 10 year period of prosperity, from 1990 to the year 2000, and during the same period of lowest national unemployment, Hidalgo County's unemployment rate did not fall into a single digit. Let us look at this Hidalgo County population growth chart. As the recession deepens and the population continues to explode, as shown in this chart, thousands of workers are likely to join the tens of thousands who are already desperately looking for jobs. These people constitute a potential source of economic stimulus should they be brought into the workforce to earn and spend their money. If we do not reverse the course that the House of Representatives has taken, the exploding population and high unemployment rate in counties such as Hidalgo County will stretch available resources. If thousands of unemployed workers do not receive assistance, they will lack the basic necessities to receive health care, to send their children to school and to obtain housing and transportation. This situation only spirals downward to make it even more difficult for a large segment of the population to enter the workforce and fully contribute to the Nation's economy. Congress has a chance to do something meaningful for the economy and the people of this Nation. Our economy is in recession because of insufficient demand. Creating jobs by funding needed projects and providing assistance to unemployed workers puts money in the pockets of people who will put it back into the economy immediately, stimulating demand and giving the economy an immediate boost. However, writing a $1 billion check to a multinational corporation with over $8 billion in unused cash on its books does not increase demand, it does not stimulate the economy, and it is not fiscally responsible. In fact, firms that are faced with reduced demand for their products will lay off workers, regardless of how much cash they have. In closing, Mr. Speaker, funding for any stimulus package will now come directly from the Social Security trust fund. Therefore, the stakes are incredibly high. We must pass the most socially and fiscally responsible economic stimulus possible. We must ensure that every dollar we spend goes to those who need it most, and to those who will most quickly and efficiently put it back into the economy.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 277. I am very pleased to see that we are recognizing the important contributions of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. As a former businessman from the lower Rio Grande Valley in south Texas, I can personally attest to the invaluable assistance that the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce provides for the Hispanic business community. The rapid growth of the Latino population has made our community a more crucial part of the American economy than ever before. The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has provided the vision and the leadership to promote a spirit of entrepreneurship and an ethic of competitiveness in the Hispanic business community. It has also served as an effective advocate by communicating the community's concerns in the greater business and political arena. I want to thank the Hispanic Chamber for all of the hard work it has put into achieving economic progress for our community, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution. In south Texas, we are members of the Texas Association of Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, and we have had lots of meetings and we have had lots of successful gatherings, and so that is why I am here to show our support for this group.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I regret that I was unavoidably detained this morning. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall 451. In addition I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall No. 448, but was also unavoidably detained.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my growing concern for the decaying state of our Nation's economy. Yesterday, leading economists confirmed what 7 million laid-off workers already know: our Nation is in a recession for the first time this decade. If we are to truly address this country's growing economic crunch, any economic stimulus legislation passed by Congress must include more than corporate tax breaks for large and already profitable companies. A responsible stimulus package that would benefit every American must include provisions that will invest in American workers, assist small and medium businesses, and foster fiscal responsibility. These ends can be achieved by creating a bill that combines tax relief with critical funding for ready-to-go construction projects, including airport security and school modernization. This is the only way to ensure that workers are put to work and businesses stay in business. Mr. Speaker, I ask that this body make a pledge to act responsibly in the coming days and work with the Senate to address this Nation's difficult economic times, not just to use this recession as an excuse for the passage of an even larger number of tax cuts.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3009, the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act. For years, Latin American countries have struggled to strengthen their economies to ensure a better quality of life for their people. I have visited many of these countries and know firsthand the progress that has been made and the work that still needs to be done. Since the inception of the APTA in 1981, Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador have worked hard to reduce their narcotics trade and to move workers into nondrug-related industries. Because of APTA, they have increased their exports to the U.S.A. by almost 80 percent and have created an estimated 140,000 jobs in their region. This trade, however, has not been one-sided. The U.S.A. has benefited by becoming the largest exporter to the APTA countries. Two-way trade has doubled since 1991. This increase in exports has expanded job opportunities in the U.S.A. Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador are on the front lines in our war against narcotics, and we need to do everything we can to help them win this war. By extending this act for another 5 years, we will encourage democracy, free enterprise and economic security in the region. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to the Istook amendment. Mr. Chairman, I would urge my colleagues to oppose Mr. Istook's amendment to impede the implementation of the Executive order to ``Improve Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency.'' The Executive order is about fairness. Individuals with limited English proficiency should not be blocked from accessing vital services paid for by their, and their families', tax dollars. The Executive order simply gives guidance on how the Federal Government and Federal Government contractors can comply with existing civil rights law that bars discrimination based on national origin. Until this Executive order was issued, existing civil rights law to protect limited English proficient persons went largely ignored. The Executive order is reasonable, flexible, and accommodating to small contractors and government agencies. It recognizes that only critical services, directly affecting health and livelihoods, are required to be translated. Implementing the Executive order makes sense. Imagine what would happen if someone with weak English skills who has a communicable disease, like small pox or tuberculosis, is unable to understand the advise of health professionals. A public health hazard could ensue, harming many more people. Mr. Chairman, I hope my colleagues will join me in opposing the Istook amendment.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1992, the Internet Equity and Education Act of 2001. First I want to thank Chairman Boehner and Subcommittee Chairman McKeon for supporting and guiding our Committee efforts on this bill. I certainly want to recognize and congratulate my friend and colleague who authored the bill, Johnny Isakson. This bill will help to expand access to higher education for many Americans who may or may not be able to attend a postsecondary institution for a variety of reasons. By supporting this effort we will encourage non-traditional students to use technology, and give potential students greater access to information on the availability of postsecondary education programs. I have listened carefully to the comments on both sides of the aisle regarding the issues on the potential risks to the quality of instruction and to maintaining a certain level of fiscal integrity for student financial aid. There were some incisive issues raised on incentive compensation as well as in the accreditation arena. My own criticisms included the lack of minority participation in the on-going Department of Education study on distance education. In this regard, the Committee leadership has agreed with my request for a study by the General Accounting Office to focus on aspects of the bill and the status of distance education among Minority Serving Institutions. We want the results of the study to supplement the findings of the Department of Education study on these issues. I have a deep respect for Mr. Miller and the members of our Committee who offered strong views on the pertinent issues in the bill. While not all amendments were accepted, a certain number were included in order to strengthen the bill. These issues should be revisited during the pending higher education reauthorization. We can also reasonably argue that if we monitor the provisions in this bill, we will have much better information to guide us during the reauthorization. I know that the author of the legislation wants to increase distance learning opportunities for many who have been overlooked and I join him in his effort. I urge all my colleagues in the House to support this bill.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of H. Con. Res. 90 which will authorize the reprinting and updating of a publication entitled, ``Hispanic Americans in Congress.'' Hispanics and Hispanic Americans have played a fundamental role in U.S. history. From the early Spanish explorers, to the founding of the oldest city in the U.S. in St. Augustine, Florida, Hispanics have been a part of our history from its earliest beginnings. The first Hispanic Members of Congress were elected from Florida, New Mexico, and California in the early 19th century. My home State of Texas elected its first Hispanic Representative in 1961, when it sent our friend, Henry B. Gonzalez, to Washington. Today, there are 21 Hispanic Members of Congress representing seven States, two territories, and coming from all walks of life. Hispanics still remain under-represented in Congress. The 2000 Census figures show that Hispanics are now the largest minority group comprising 12.5 percent of the population, yet they make up only 4.8 percent of Congress. If Hispanic representation is to grow, we need young Hispanics to run for public office. This publication will teach Hispanic students that no matter their background, they, too, can serve this country by becoming Members of Congress. I believe the most important gift we can give our children is to inspire them to reach beyond themselves and dream as big as they can dream. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution that will help give rise to the next generation of Hispanic leaders.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to remember the life of Anna Maria Arias who passed away on Monday, October 1. Many will miss her and mourn her passing. Anna Maria was the Founder, Publisher and Editor of Latina Style Magazine. Latina Style embodies the life and spirit of the Hispanic woman. Anna Maria will best be remembered for her relentless pursuit of access to education and capital for Hispanic women. In this pursuit, Anna Maria initiated the prestigious ``Latina Style 50.'' The ``Latina Style 50'' honors and showcases the top 50 American companies that promote a healthy working environment for Latina professionals. Each year, the magazine issues a special report listing the 50 best companies for Latinas to work for in the United States. Beyond the ``Latina Style 50,'' the magazine is recognized for its Business Series, a one-day free seminar, conducted across the country. This Business Series was launched in 1998 with the full endorsement of the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Minority Business Development Agency, the Women Business Centers and the regional Hispanic Chambers of Commerce. The Series is the most extensive Latina business-owner development program in the nation and is a success because of Anna Maria's vision and dedication. During this difficult loss, the magazine is committed more than ever to carry out the hopes and dreams, and entrepreneurial spirit of this very talented young woman. Mr. Speaker, Anna Maria Arias was a person who lived an accomplished life. She deeply cared for people and wanted only the best for them. I was proud to have called her my friend. Her memory will live on in the hearts and minds of the people whom she touched. I would like to extend my deepest sympathy and warmest regards to her husband, Robert E. Bard, and their families at this time of remembrance. My thoughts and prayers are with them.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month. Indeed, our Hispanic language, culture and history is recognized and appreciated worldwide by millions of people. I am pleased that the President has again designated September 15 through October 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Month. Today, Hispanics make up the largest and fastest growing minority group in the country. We have produced scholars, entrepreneurs, scientists, musicians, philosophers, and Nobel Prize laureates. Approximately 500 years ago, our ancestors led the way in the great rediscovery of the Americas, including the ground we now know as the United States of America. Today, however, my remarks will focus on the education of Hispanic Americans. Our education history parallels the development of the public schools and the treatment of other minority groups in our educational system. Because time does not permit, I will only go back a few years to make my point regarding the treatment of Hispanics in our society. Twenty- four years before the renowned Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision, the League of United Latin American Citizens filed class action suits on behalf of Hispanic children who were the victims of discrimination of public schools. I, myself, would have been forced to walk to a segregated school far from my home if not for the resolve of my brother, a Korean war hero, who demanded that the nearby white elementary school accept me and my brothers. In the rest of the country, all through the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, the education of Hispanic children was dependent on decisions made by our judicial system. Finally, in 1965 Congress began to respond to decades of inaction with the creation of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The ESEA has helped to galvanize local and national civil rights and educational organizations to rally and support Hispanic students in public schools. Throughout the years we have enjoyed the support of the National Council of LaRaza, the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Education Fund, the National Association of Bilingual Education, as well as hundreds of other organizations who monitor the treatment of Hispanic children and young adults in our Nation's educational system. In 1965, our low-income Hispanic children were finally targeted for special assistance in local schools. Hispanics were included in the title I population for economic reasons. However, it was not until the mid-1990s that limited English proficient children were identified as being in need of academic programs to improve their academic achievement. Today, title I, as it is commonly known, serves more Hispanic children than any other ethnic group in the country. The fight is by no means won. Even today, we are concerned that because of funding, the pending Elementary and Secondary Education Act reauthorization will not allow the full participation of all children and limited-English proficient children. In addition, critical programs that help limited English migrant children, such as the National Bilingual Education Act, have been slated for drastic policy and administrative changes by the administration and are severely underfunded. Yet, Hispanics continue to have the highest dropout rates in the Nation. Exacerbating this problem is the acute shortage of qualified teachers teaching in their major of study. The Department of Education has indicated that we need an additional 50,000 new qualified bilingual teachers now. This is important because by 2025, one in every four public school students is projected to be Hispanic. Students who have post secondary aspirations face limited, but significant choices in selecting colleges and universities. Sixty percent of all Hispanics in higher education are enrolled in Hispanic- serving colleges and universities, better known as HSIs. These institutions produce most of the baccalaureate and graduate degrees from Hispanics nationwide. Mr. Speaker, we in the Hispanic Congressional Caucus are committed for increasing educational opportunities for Hispanic students. The conferees on the education bill have received our suggestions for improving the ESEA so it responds directly to our concerns. We will continue to advocate for Pell Grants, for GEAR UP, for TRIO, more funding for Head Start, and Hispanic-serving institutions, and all of the exemplary programs that enhance equal educational opportunities for our children, youth and adults. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I am asking my colleagues for their support in joining with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to write a new and more positive history and heritage for Hispanics in our Nation using education as our cornerstone. Let our legacy be not only assisting Hispanic children, youth and adults to avail themselves of educational opportunities, but in helping to create the future leaders of this great country. Hispanics have contributed a large share of medals of honor winners in defending America. Mr. Speaker, I invite all of my colleagues to join me in ensuring that those lives lost for our great country are honored through new educational opportunities for millions of our children.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2646, the Farm Security Act of 2001. First, I would like to thank the gentleman from Texas (Chairman Combest) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Stenholm), the ranking member, for their hard work and dedication in bringing this legislation to the floor today. This bill not only benefits farmers and ranchers across the country, but the American consumers as well. It is the most balanced and fair farm bill that could be produced for all of the agricultural interests involved. My congressional District, the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas has been in a stressed economic situation due to droughts for the past 6 years. Farm families have squeezed budgets to the limit to keep from being pushed to failure. Farm incomes have declined because of plummeting commodity prices while production costs continue to rise, and the rural economy has suffered. The support in my District for H.R. 2646 comes from all sectors of the agricultural community including the producers of commodity crops, livestock, fruits and vegetables, as well as their lenders, equipment dealers, manufacturers and service companies. It is imperative that we pass H.R. 2646 today in order for the legislative process to continue. This bipartisan bill provides the structure for U.S. agriculture to provide the safest, most reliable food and fiber supply in the world. It will ensure that U.S. ag remains competitive in foreign markets. The 2002 farm bill delivers a comprehensive package that will propel U.S. agriculture into a dependable and productive future. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Madam Speaker, the people in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas are facing what looks to be one of the worst drought years of all time. After 6 years of record low rainfall levels this summer, for the first time in recorded history, the once mighty Rio Grande River stopped flowing completely before it reached the Gulf of Mexico. The region's two reservoirs are currently at less than one-third of capacity, with no relief in sight. Today, several of my South Texas colleagues and I have introduced the Lower Rio Grande Valley Water Resources Conservation and Improvement Act of 2001. Our legislation will help provide badly needed water relief to the farmers, ranchers, and communities of South Texas. This legislation incorporates modern technologies into our water management system to conserve and maximize our limited water resources. Much remains to be done. However, the legislation that we are introducing today will provide a valuable first step; and I hope that all my colleagues will join me in supporting it.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution. War has been declared on this country. Today we must answer. Without warning or provocation on September 11, a deliberate attack was launched, using hijacked planes with innocent American civilians to kill other innocent American civilians and military personnel. Unlike the terrorists who attacked the innocent, our response will be against the guilty. The U.S. Constitution carefully divides the power to wage war between Congress and the President. I am confident that the resolution before us today strikes the appropriate balance between the President and Congress. It gives the President flexibility as Commander in Chief to conduct military operations as he sees fit, but it also requires the President to consult and report to Congress. It retains the important 60-day limit on military action without further congressional approval. Make no mistake, this Congress and the American people are committed to seeing this war through to the end. We realize that we are in for a long fight, but Congress needs to take seriously its responsibility to authorize the continued use of force and not give up its rights to the President. Our Founding Fathers created this separation of powers for an important reason, and their ideals have served us well for the last 230 years. Today, we join together in a day of mourning and remembrance for those we have lost. We pledge our best effort to hunt down those responsible. We owe no less to those whose blood has been shed again for the cause of freedom. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution. Yesterday our shores, our security, and our sense of ourselves as a Nation suffered a heinous cowardly attack, a blatant act of war that demands a like response. Innocent American men, women, and children in civilian airplanes were used and converted into the deadly missiles that destroyed thousands of people in our most important centers of military and economic enterprise. The terror of those moments cannot cow us. They must only serve to steel and solidify our resolve. From the stretches of the Rio Grande to the reaches of the Great Lakes, from the shorelines in the Pacific to every skyscraper on our eastern shore, compassionate and disciplined American men and women will do what is necessary, search for our survivors in the rubble at the New York World Trade Center and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., care for our wounded, volunteer to donate blood, reach out and comfort the grieving, ensure our school children of their safety, and do our Nation's business in State and Federal Government buildings, in banks, in the fields, and in factories. The quiet determination of American resolve will grow. The message and the action must be clear. America is a Nation of law, and the lawless terrorists behind this attack on our Nation must be punished and brought to their knees. America is a Nation of peace, but peace will be defended from those who make war. We have the intelligence, the technology and the will to pursue our enemies and put an end to their illusions of invulnerability. We will find them.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, I would like to engage my friend, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh), in a colloquy regarding funding for Hispanic- Serving Institutions, known as HSI's, under the National Science Foundation Education and Human Resources Program. There are over 200 HSI's throughout this country that are enrolling an ever-increasing number of Hispanic college students. Hispanics are now the second largest minority in the United States. Many of these students are the first generation Americans in their family to attend colleges or universities. We need to encourage them to complete their education and to enter fields like math, science and engineering, where our country is experiencing a severe shortage. The National Science Foundation is charged with the responsibility of improving math, science and engineering education across the country. To do this, NSF provides several competitive grant programs for which schools can apply to train teachers, students and improve the quality of their math, science, engineering and technology programs. Past authorization language has required the NSF to target under-represented populations. However, to date, Hispanic-Serving Institutions have received less than 2 percent of the grant funding available. Mr. Chairman, does the appropriations subcommittee chairman agree that the NSF should be targeting under-represented populations such as the HSIs?