Rubén Hinojosa

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1790, entitled the Child Medication Safety Act. Later today, we will be considering a resolution. In fact, we just finished that resolution where we are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. So it is fitting that we consider this bill to reaffirm parents' rights on this day, and I thank the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kline) for bringing this legislation forward. One of the most difficult decisions for parents is choosing the best course of care for a child with mental health needs. Teachers and other school personnel often play a very important role in bringing problems to the attention of parents because children spend the majority of the day in the classroom. They help to identity children's mental health needs and behavioral problems and assist children and their families in overcoming these barriers toward academic achievement. Mental health professionals often work with teachers and other school personnel to help create classroom environments that best support children's mental health needs. The information that school personnel provide to the health care professionals about a child's behavior in the classroom is critical to an accurate diagnosis of a child's emotional disorder, learning disability, or other disability. However, the decision to medicate a child to treat mental health problems such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, better known as ADHD, belongs solely to the parents. It is a matter between the child, his or her parents, and qualified health and mental health care professionals. That is what this suspension bill today is aimed at achieving. I support this bill because it achieves this goal while especially recognizing the critical role of teachers and other school personnel in promoting positive child adjustment together with parents. Mr. Speaker, our intent here today is not to cause school administrators to become overly cautious or to discourage teachers in aiding parents in the identification of children with serious emotional disorders but to ensure that the decision to use medication to treat serious problem behavior remains with the family. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I was delighted to participate in the discussion and debate on this legislation. I want to urge my colleagues to support and vote for H.R. 1790, the Child Medication Safety Act. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to one of the most pre-eminent trailblazers in the Hispanic community--the recently departed former Congressman Edward Roybal from the great State of California. Recently, we celebrated the unveiling of the portrait of Romualdo Pacheco--the first Hispanic elected to this body from the State of California. The man we honor today, Congressman Edward Roybal was the second Hispanic Member of Congress, elected in 1962--over 80 years since Congressman Pacheco served. Congressman Roybal was a founding member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. He was also one of the founding members of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO) and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. He made sure that the voice of the barrio was heard loud and clear in our Nation's capital. His example looms large over all of the work we do today. Congressman Roybal wrote the first bilingual education law. He was a tireless champion for children and families whose first language was not English. He made a personal commitment to ensuring that language was no barrier to education, health services, voting rights, our court rooms and other areas vital to the community. He was a champion for elderly Americans. He served on the Select Committee on Aging and fiercely protected programs such as Meals on Wheels. As we prepare for the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act, his handiwork is evident, and his spirit lives on. After leaving Congress, he found new venues for his advocacy. In 1993, former Representative Roybal used his leftover campaign funds to found a non-profit research agency dedicated to improving the quality and effectiveness of health and human service delivery to older persons, now called the Edward R. Roybal Institute for Applied Gerontology at the California State University--Los Angeles campus. Here in the halls of Congress, his legacy continues. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus that he founded is now 21 members strong and poised for growth. His daughter, our friend and colleague, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, carries on the family tradition of service and great leadership. Lucille has earned the respect of Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle the same way her father did it during his many years of service in Washington. The best way we can honor Edward Roybal's memory is to continue the fight to improve the quality of life for our community--young and old, immigrant and native born, English speakers and speakers of other languages. To the Roybal family, I offer my heartfelt condolences and my pledge to continue the fight.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise to support H.R. 288, recognizing the 30th anniversary of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975, now known as the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, or by the acronym IDEA. I am proud to join our committee chairmen, chairman of the committee of the whole, Mr. Boehner, and the chairman of one of the subcommittees, Mr. Castle, as well as our ranking members, Mr. Miller and Ms. Woolsey, to commemorate this important occasion. I remember the hope that was ushered in with the passage of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975. As a member of the Texas State Board of Education at that time, I chaired the Committee on Special Populations which oversaw programs for migrant children, bilingual education programs for limited English proficient children, gifted and talented programs and programs for children with disabilities. In those days, it was a struggle to provide even basic access to schools for children with disabilities. We have come a long way. IDEA currently serves an estimated 269,000 infants and toddlers, as well as 679,000 preschoolers and 6 million children ages 6 to 21. There has been a dramatic reduction in the number of children with developmental disabilities who must live in State institutions away from their families. The number of children with disabilities who complete high school with standard diplomas has also grown significantly since the enactment of IDEA. Finally, the number of children with disabilities who enroll in college as freshmen has more than tripled since the enactment of IDEA 30 years ago. Although we have come a long way, we still have a way to go. The Federal Government's promise to schools across the country was to share 40 percent of the cost of providing free and appropriate public education to children with disabilities. Today, in 2005, we are only halfway there and seem to have lost our momentum. In 2004, IDEA reauthorization authorized full funding by the year 2011. Unfortunately, the President's fiscal year 2006 budget proposal for IDEA, part B, was $3.5 billion less than the authorized level for fiscal year 2006. The House fiscal year 2006 bill is about $3.9 billion less than the authorized level. Mr. Speaker, it seems to me that if we continue to increase IDEA funding at the same percentage as the increase between fiscal year 2005 and the 2006 House bill, we will never reach full funding. As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of this landmark education and civil rights act, let us redouble our commitment to keeping our congressional commitment and promise in 2004 to fully fund IDEA. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Madam Speaker, tomorrow the leadership of this House will bring up a budget reconciliation bill which makes cuts to Medicaid, food stamp programs for children, student loan aid programs that will force thousands of college students to leave school and prevent thousands more from even beginning higher education at the community college or university of their choice. At a time when we are importing scientists, engineers, doctors, nurses and other highly trained workers to keep our economy running, this House is going to siphon off student aid dollars to provide $70 billion of tax cuts for the rich. According to the Congressional Budget Office, there will be nearly $8 billion in new charges to students and families that will raise the cost of their college loans at a time when the cost of higher education is rising much faster than the rate of inflation. This reconciliation bill is not about controlling runaway Federal spending. It is about destroying our future for the short-term benefit of a privileged few. I urge my colleagues to oppose this shortsighted budget reconciliation bill.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the rule on H.R. 1461. It adds an anti-minority, anti-family provision that was not included in any of the sections of the legislation I supported in committee. The rule will prohibit nonprofit groups involved in voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities from receiving money from the affordable housing fund created by the bill. It will negatively impact good civic organizations in my district such as Amigos del Valle, National Council of La Raza, and Catholic and faith-based organizations. This rule is strongly opposed by large Latino groups, including NALEO, LULAC, NCLR, and others. The newly added provision is included in the manager's amendment and appears to be aimed at suppressing the civic engagement of low- and moderate-income and minority families. I respectfully urge that these provisions be removed before the amendment and bill come to the House floor for a vote. I will insert at this point in the Record two letters to Speaker Hastert. One is dated October 24, 2005, by NCLR, LULAC, and the League of United Latin American Citizens. The second letter is from the Jesuit Conference, and that letter is signed by the Reverend Bradley Schaeffer. October 24, 2005. Hon. Dennis Hastert, Speaker, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Speaker: It has come to our attention that the House Leadership has forged a compromise with members of the House Financial Services Committee regarding the Federal Housing Finance Reform Act of 2005 (H.R. 1461). The newly- added provision is included in the Manager's amendment and appears to be aimed at suppressing the civic engagement of low- and moderate-income and minority families. We urge that these provisions be removed before the amendment and bill come to the House floor for a vote. With strong bipartisan support, H.R. 1461 (Federal Housing Finance Reform Act of 2005) passed the House Financial Services Committee. The bill contained a measure that would create an affordable housing fund, potentially generating billions of dollars for development. As you know, with housing prices continuing to rise, many communities suffer from a lack of affordable rental and homeownership opportunities for hard-working families. Unfortunately, after passage, a compromise was struck between the House Leadership and the Financial Services committee that would preclude most nonprofits from accessing the funds. Many of the organizations that would be left out are uniquely positioned to develop the affordable housing needed in their communities. Specifically, nonprofit applicants would be restricted from participating in voter registration and many classic civic engagement activities in the twelve months before the time of application. In addition, the nonprofit applicants would be deemed ineligible if they are affiliated with an organization that engages in these activities. Notably, for-profit organizations would not have the same restrictions. As representatives of diverse Hispanic constituencies, we have the following concerns: Minority Voter Suppression. The Latino community has experienced a long history of voter suppression. Nonprofit community-based organizations have played a critical role in fighting against those who would limit the voice of Latinos. The groups often serve as the main point of contact in Hispanic communities and, in many cases, they are the only local organization addressing their social, civic, and educational needs. The proposed Manager's amendment to H.R. 1461 wi11 force these trusted community centers to choose between providing civic education and affordable housing. For-Profit Double Standard. Inexplicably, under this provision, for-profit developers would not face similar restrictions and would likely become the majority of fund recipients. Even for-profits with a dubious track record would be eligible to receive funds while public interest social service providers would not. We urge you to preserve the integrity of H.R. 1461 by fighting to remove the restrictions on nonprofits. Sincerely, National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials. National Council of La Raza. National Puerto Rican Coalition, Inc. League of United Latin American Citizens.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 758, legislation that will establish an interagency aerospace revitalization task force in order to develop a national strategy for workforce development in a field that is vital to our national security. I would like to commend the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers), my colleague from the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and all of the bill's cosponsors for bringing this forward. The aerospace industry is just one of the scientific and technical fields where our Nation is falling behind, and it is a critical one. The aerospace industry is at the heart of our military, space, air transport and information technology applications. In the year 2004, total employment at the aerospace industry fell to its lowest point in 50 years. Twenty-seven percent of the aerospace manufacturing workforce will become eligible for retirement by 2008. The sad fact is that we have neglected the pipeline that would prepare new workers for this industry. On international assessments, our students rank near the bottom of industrialized nations for math and science literacy. This task force is a good beginning; however, we need to do much more. It has been my privilege to work with the gentleman from Michigan to push for increased funding for math and science education. We must invest in these areas on a much larger scale if our Nation hopes to retain its global leadership in science, engineering and innovation. It is my hope that this task force on the aerospace industry will spark a much broader discussion about our Nation's future in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and will launch a groundswell of support for greater investment in that future. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 758. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis).

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 484, in recognition of National Runaway Prevention Month. I would like to commend the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Porter) for bringing it to the floor. The prevalence of runaway and homeless youth in our Nation is staggering, with studies suggesting that between 1.6 and 2.8 million young people live on the streets of the United States each year. Each year roughly 5,000 of these troubled young people die from assault, illness, and in some cases from suicide. In my home State of Texas, more than 100,000 young people ages 7 through 17 run away from home each year. It is literally a matter of life and death that we raise awareness and do everything in our power to prevent runaways. In the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the system of support for runaway and homeless youths is being stretched to the limit. This is especially true in Texas where many of the victims of these terrible storms have sought refuge. National Runaway Prevention Month is a time to encourage the development of community-based solutions to prevent runaway and homeless episodes among our Nation's youths. More importantly, it is a time to draw attention to the need for resources to combat this problem. During National Runaway Prevention Month, the National Runaway Switchboard and the National Network For Youth seek to raise community member awareness of the widespread nature of runaway situations and the importance of strengthening families and engaging their involvement in crisis intervention communities. In Texas, our hotline started in 1973 as Operation Peace of Mind after the devastating discovery of 27 young men, many runaways, who were brutally murdered. Today, our hotline operates 24 hours a day and provides critical services which include the following: Crisis intervention and counseling; information and referrals for callers seeking food, shelter and transportation home; confidential conference calls between youth and their families; and, yes, it provides a message service to promote communication between runaways and their families. Mr. Speaker, runaways are the Nation's most vulnerable youth. We must be united in helping them find a safe, healthy, and productive place where they can fulfill their potential. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. McCollum).

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to my good friend and colleague from the great State of Illinois (Mr. Davis).

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 494, had I been present, I would have voted ``yes''.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably delayed in meetings with my constituents. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on Roll Call 465, 466, and 467.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 428, had I been present, I would have voted ``no.'' Amendment No. 2 Offered by Mr. Flake

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I regret that I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 417, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 418, and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 419.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, on June 18, this nation lost a true patriot when James Jarrell ``Jake'' Pickle passed away. Congressman Jake Pickle was truly dedicated to his country, the state of Texas he loved so much, and to the constituents he served so dutifully. In 1942, young Jake Pickle began his public service by enlisting in the U.S. Navy and serving as a gunnery officer in World War II. After surviving three torpedo attacks he returned to Texas and with some fellow veterans established radio station KVET in Austin, Texas. As a protege of President Johnson, he came to the U.S. House of Representatives in the early 1960s looking to make a difference. He got his chance almost immediately. Bucking the trend of the times, and breaking with many from the Southern delegation, Congressman Pickle voted for the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and continued to remain a staunch advocate for civil rights and protections for minorities. He always said that this vote was the proudest moment of his career. In the early 1980s, as chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security, he worked to protect and strengthen Social Security from financial ruin. Recognizing the need to maintain America's technological edge and always mindful of the need to increase job opportunities for his constituents, he helped bring high-tech industries to Austin and worked to make the University of Texas, my alma mater and his, a cutting edge research institution. As I have traveled throughout my newly reconfigured district, I have heard numerous stories about Jake and the plastic pickles he used to hand out on the campaign trail. He loved the people of Texas, and was happiest when he was sitting at a local diner telling stories and listening to his constituents. I was very honored to represent my colleagues as part of the official Congressional delegation that was sent to Congressman Pickle's funeral. It is my hope that as the Representative for some of the communities Congressman Pickle proudly represented for 31 years I can continue advocating for the issues he cared for the most, and represent the people of the 15th Congressional District with the same honor, grace and dedication. I extend my sincere sympathy to Congressman Pickle's wife Beryl, his children, grandchildren, family and friends on their loss, but know that his memory will live on in the halls of Congress and in the communities of Texas.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 369, had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I was delayed in my district attending a very important Base Realignment and Closure Commission hearing of critical importance to my constituents. Had I been here, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcalls 363, 364, 368 and ``no'' on rollcalls 365, 366 and 367.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 342, I inadvertently voted ``yes'' (by mistake) I wanted to vote ``no''. Please show me voting ``no'' on the Herseth amendment. Amendment Offered by Ms. Hooley

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 329, had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.'' Amendment Offered by Mr. Beauprez

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment because if passed, this measure will place extreme financial and legal hardships on border and urban hospitals. Because this measure addresses emergency medical care, our hospitals and our doctors are bound by law and their medical oath to treat individuals who are in desperate need of medical attention. This measure cuts critical funding for our hospitals to cover emergency room care. Due to the high degree of cost associated with this type of care, this amendment will leave hospitals with a choice of two evils, bankruptcy or closing their doors to these communities. Either way, this measure results in a dramatic cut in access to health care facilities for all residents. This measure is irresponsible, impractical, and will destroy healthcare in American communities, especially in border states. Therefore, I respectfully ask my colleagues to vote no on this amendment and yes to safeguarding access to health care in all cities.

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 ``yes'' on Rollcall Nos. 241, 242, 246, 248 and 250. I would have voted ``no'' on Rollcall Nos. 243, 244, 245, 247, and 249.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I regret that I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall No. 234.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in opposition to the Blumenauer-Flake amendment to H.R. 2744. I have lots of respect for the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer), but I must speak up for our sugar producers and for jobs in South Texas. Nearly every year an anti-sugar-farmer amendment is offered to the agriculture appropriations bill, and almost every year the same misinformation is recklessly spread about sugar farmers. Before voting on the Blumenauer-Flake amendment to H.R. 2744, consider these facts: I repeat what the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Boyd) said earlier. All U.S. commodities covered under the 2002 farm bill receive loans from the Federal Government. Sugar is not receiving a special treatment. I represent lots of ag producers, and it is a fact that loan levels for sugar farmers have remained unchanged for 20 years. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the Blumenauer- Flake amendment to H.R. 2744. Sugar prices in the United States are low by world standards. Grocery shoppers in other developed countries pay 30 percent more for sugar than U.S. consumers. America already has one of the most open sugar markets in the world, importing sugar from 41 countries whether we need the sugar or not. As the world's fourth largest net sugar importer, we're the only major sugar-producing country that is a net importer. 146,000 Americans are employed by the U.S. sugar industry. A vote for the Blumenauer-Flake Amendment to H.R. 2744 is a vote against 146,000 hard-working farmers and workers in 19 States. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the Blumenauer- Flake Amendment to H.R. 2744 and save over 100,000 American jobs.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. I yield to the gentleman from Texas.