Mike Honda

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Thank you, John. As a returned Peace Corps volunteer, I rise to recognize the work of the Peace Corps on its 50th anniversary. The Peace Corps has played an instrumental role in establishing prosperous foreign relations while fostering cross-cultural understandings. Countries from all over the globe celebrate the contributions of the Peace Corps and look forward with anticipation to its continued growth. In representing the Ethiopian Caucus here, I was in Ethiopia a couple of years ago and traveled extensively through Ethiopia during the 8 days I was there. I ran across some folks in the upper part of Ethiopia, and we talked about the Peace Corps. Immediately, a lot of the young people there brightened up, and asked, Do you know Garamendi? It was at that moment I remembered that our colleague Garamendi had served in Ethiopia. What struck me the most were the memories of people and the fact that we touched them in their youth. The influence that we had on the young people in the different countries had stayed with them, and they have become leaders in their own right in the countries in which we served. The same happened in El Salvador. I'm sure the same happened in Somalia where our other colleagues had served their time. The Peace Corps provides a unique opportunity for volunteers to help some of the most impoverished people in the world, work that changes their global perspectives. I had met another person at Stanford University. He was a visiting scholar. He was not much more than 5-foot 1-inch, articulate in English and Spanish, who said that he was an aberration of statistical probability. In saying that, he meant that he was a young boy in the mountains of Peru and that it was a Peace Corps volunteer who had touched his life, who had allowed him to learn more about himself and his country, which pushed him to learn English. Because of the Peace Corps volunteers, he was able to go to school. His name was Alejandro Toledo. He became the President of Peru. Now he is a visiting scholar and is also looking at running again and perhaps serving his country. He not only serves his country; he serves all people of this world by the fact that he was able to express the idea that he was probably an aberration of statistical probability and that he had attained a position on the global stage, a leadership position, because of Peace Corps volunteers. This story is replicated over and over again with the over 195,000 volunteers who have served. Yet I just want to pay special attention to Sargent Shriver, the person who made the selfless commitment and took the visionary leadership in creating a pioneering organization that provided opportunities for young people and that provided them opportunities to grow in themselves. Filling Sargent Shriver's shoes will always be difficult. President Clinton was right when he said that never has America had a stronger warrior for peace and against poverty than Sargent Shriver. Sargent Shriver, himself, said it best when he said that the Peace Corps represents some, if not all, of the best virtues of this society. It stands for everything that America has ever stood for. It stands for everything we believe in and hope to achieve in this world. So I want to thank my colleague for putting this together. I want to thank my friend Mr. Petri, on the other side of the aisle, for his friendship. We say ``the other side of the aisle,'' but I think that the aisle does not exist with our relationships and with our commonality within the Peace Corps. The Peace Corps allowed me to grow up. The Peace Corps allowed me to believe in myself. The Peace Corps was responsible for my being here today to be able to speak fervently and hopefully convincingly in encouraging other young people to serve this country through the Peace Corps. It will be 2 years that you will never ever regret--years I would never exchange for 10 years of regular life in this country. I thank you.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Chair, I rise against this amendment and to express my strong support for the Department of Education's proposed federal student aid funding rules for postsecondary education programs that prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation. The program includes a loan repayment rate measure to assess how effectively program attendees repay the student loans they borrow; debt to earnings measures that assess the relationship between the student loan debt of program completers and their earnings; and a stringent performance threshold for each of the three measures. I strongly support these ``Gainful Employment Rules'' because they protect students from fraud, which has adversely impacted the minority student population. These rules were a response to the Department of Education's recent investigation findings that some for-profit institutions were promising students' job placement upon completion of their programs and not following through on their commitment. Consequently, students who enrolled in these schools were unable to pay off student loans because they were never placed in the jobs they were promised and could not find employment. According to the Institute for College Access and Success, the student default rate at for-profit colleges is the highest at 25 percent in comparison to private non-profit schools at 7.6 percent, and public schools at 10.8 percent respectively. Not surprisingly, nearly one in five students who attend for-profits default on their loans within 3 years. Students seeking an education are completely unaware of the dire long term implications of loan default including the inability to receive credit to rent an apartment; buy a car or home; or receive future loans for postsecondary education. Moreover, evidence has shown that some programs tend to overcharge students for an education that can be acquired at a much lower cost at a private non-profit or public institution. Despite this increased federal assistance, tuition at for-profit institutions continues to far outpace other schools. Attendance at a two-year for-profit institution costs more than five times as much as a community college, forcing students to take out more loans, including risky private loans. The percent of bachelor's degree recipients from for-profit institutions who carry debt in excess of $30,000 is more than four times that of their peers at public institutions. I am especially troubled by the fact that low-income and minority students are increasingly concentrated in for-profit institutions. Approximately one out of every four African-American, Latino, and low- income students start their post-secondary education at a for-profit institution. According to a study by the Education Trust, for-profit institutions represent about 9 percent of all student enrollments, but 16 percent of black students and 24 percent of Pell Grant recipients attend these schools. Four-year, for-profit institutions have an average graduation rate of 22 percent, while public institutions have a rate of 55 percent and private institutions 65 percent. For black and Hispanic students, the graduation rates are similarly low at for- profits--16 percent and 28 percent, respectively--far below the rates for such students at public and non-profit colleges. In the 2008-2009 school year, the federal government invested $4.31 billion in grant aid at for-profit institutions, quadruple what it had invested just a decade earlier. With this level of public investment, the Department of Education has a fiduciary responsibility to make sure that its investment is being administered correctly and that the for- profits are delivering on the commitment they make to their students. The Department's ``Gainful Employment Rules'' will accomplish these goals, and I support their adoption.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Madam Chair, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. HONDA. Madam Chair, just a word against the amendment. The amendment really actually reduces the House of Representatives' budget by $1.5 million, which will bring the total reduction to $82 million from fiscal year 2010. The gentleman purports that this amendment cuts energy reduction programs when in actuality that is not what his amendment does. He makes a general cut that will affect office budgets and the services of the House. So I just want to be clear on this. It is a shortsighted strategy to handicap the legislative branch of government by reducing our own staffs here. We are an equal branch of government and must effectively serve our own constituents. Not only is the gentleman's amendment flawed, but the motive of his amendment is flawed. Energy reduction programs save the government and taxpayers money. For example, the House has installed nearly 13,000 energy saving compact fluorescent light bulbs, or CFLs, throughout the House complex, saving more than 1.1 million kilowatt hours annually. This project has already saved taxpayers up to now $446,000 and is projected to produce an annual savings of $178,000 annually into the future. So we are getting a return on our investments. Furthermore, consolidating Member office computer services has dramatically saved energy and taxpayer money. This project has already saved taxpayers over $1 million and is projected to save nearly $800,000 annually, returning back to us a return on investment. All told, energy reduction programs for the House have already saved taxpayers $3.2 million and is projected to save nearly $9 million annually once it is completed. While I know that cuts are needed, Madam Chair, I would prefer if the Congress focused its time on policies that actually accomplished deficit reduction. Now, if the gentleman wants to cut energy funding and we're looking at our budget, it's really the Architect of the Capitol's budget. So there is a misfocus on the target. But if the gentleman wants to really cut energy funding, he should join this side of the aisle and call for the end of the Big Oil subsidies. Let's stop the message amendments and work towards real deficit reduction.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. HONDA. I rise in support of this amendment. I am opposed to this continuing resolution and to the Republicans' ``no jobs'' agenda. Mr. Chairman, the American people want a recovery that supports jobs. Republicans have controlled the House for 41 days and have brought up zero bills to create jobs. These mindless cuts mean 1 million job cuts: no jobs for nurses, no jobs for teachers, no jobs for police, no jobs for firefighters, no jobs for manufacturing, and no jobs for small businesses. Even worse than what the Republicans are doing to American workers is what they are doing to America's children. This bill will cut funding for education programs by over $10 billion, or 16 percent, which is the largest education cut in history. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, IDEA, State grants will be slashed by $557 million, shifting to States and local districts the costs of educating 324,000 students with disabilities, therefore increasing local tax burdens and killing over 7,000 education jobs. Pell Grants. Pell Grants will be cut by $5.6 billion, making it more difficult for low- and middle-income families to pay for college. These cuts would eliminate or reduce aid for almost 1.5 million students. Head Start. Head Start would be cut by over $1 billion, leading to the elimination of enrollment slots for 127,000 poor children and the potential loss of over 14,000 jobs. No one who votes for this bill could ever have the audacity to say they care about our children. Republicans are wearing their hearts on their sleeves a day after Valentine's Day, but they don't care about children. They don't care about working middle class families, and they don't care to follow the rules of the road. Instead, Republicans want to make you pay. They want to make you pay for Big Oil's $1 billion subsidies, make you pay for higher drug prices, make you pay taxes to start your small business, make you pay for CEO salaries, and make you and your children go it alone. So, Mr. Chairman, in closing, I oppose this bill. Republicans want you to keep paying for their war and tax cuts for the ultra-rich while they cut jobs, services, and schools. This is not fiscal discipline. This is fiscal insanity. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, during rollcall vote No. 22 on H.R. 54, the button did not record my ``no'' vote as the gavel fell.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in fervent opposition to this reckless effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act and put insurance companies back in charge of our healthcare system, rather than patients and their doctors. The Affordable Care Act, landmark healthcare reform legislation enacted just last year, makes health care more affordable by immediately providing small businesses with a tax credit to provide insurance coverage, and in 2014, by providing tax credits to those who need help buying insurance--representing the largest middle class tax cut for health care in history. Once the Affordable Care Act is fully implemented, Americans will have access to affordable health coverage in a new competitive private health insurance market through state exchanges. Many critical benefits have already gone into effect, including bans on the worst insurance company abuses and coverage options for many Americans who have previously been locked out of the insurance market because of a preexisting condition. Indeed, millions of American families and businesses are already feeling the positive effects of the Affordable Care Act, and many more will benefit as the final provisions are phased in over the next few years. The bill under consideration today, the Patients' Rights Repeal Act (H.R. 2), would completely eliminate the Affordable Care Act with no consideration for the wellbeing of the millions of Americans for whom it will improve healthcare. H.R. 2 was expedited for a vote without taking the testimony from a single witness or holding a single hearing on the issue, and there was no committee consideration of the bill, in direct contrast to the campaign rhetoric espoused by the new Republican majority. Opponents of the Affordable Care Act have used questionable arguments to validate their repeal efforts, including claims that it would inflate the national debt. In truth, the Affordable Care Act helps to reduce the national debt by minimizing waste, fraud, and abuse in the health care system and preventing the rampant growth of health care costs. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, repealing the law would increase the deficit by $230 billion over the next decade and over $1 trillion in the following decade. Now, that is a difficult pill to swallow, with long-lasting effects on our nation's fiscal health. Repeal of the Affordable Care Act has direct consequences to the diverse congressional district that I am proud to represent, California's 15th district. The Patients' Rights Repeal Act would: Increase the number of my constituents without health insurance by 17,000 individuals; Allow insurance companies to deny coverage to as many as 307,000 individuals, including up to 40,000 children, with pre-existing conditions; Rescind consumer protections for 484,000 individuals who have health insurance through their employer or the market for private insurance; Eliminate health care tax credits for up to 14,900 small businesses and 86,000 families; Increase prescription drug costs for 8,000 seniors who hit the Part D drug ``donut hole'' and deny new preventive care benefits to 76,000 seniors; Increase the costs of early retiree coverage for up to 7,600 early retirees; Eliminate new health care coverage options for 2,900 uninsured young adults; and Increase the costs to hospitals of providing uncompensated care by $113 million annually. Furthermore, as Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), I am proud of CAPAC's partnership efforts through the Tri-Caucus and with community advocacy groups to ensure that the Affordable Care Act benefits all of our communities, including the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community--roughly one in five of whom are uninsured. For instance, the Affordable Care Act helps to address traditional AAPI health disparities in vaccinations, cancer screenings, and infant mortality rates through increased access to preventative care services. Further, new federal regulations on data collection, disaggregation, and oversampling on certain minority populations will help to identify and ensure comprehensive coverage of all AAPI health disparities. These hard-fought benefits for our communities would be completely eliminated if Republicans were to succeed in enacting H.R. 2. Mr. Speaker, for these reasons, I continue to support the Affordable Care Act, as it is vital to the wellbeing of every community in our nation. I urge my colleagues to stand against this reckless repeal of critical healthcare reform and vote against the Patients' Rights Repeal Act.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 32, honoring our colleague, Representative Gabrielle Giffords, and those killed and injured in a senseless shooting during a Congress on Your Corner event in Tucson, Arizona. Our colleague Gabby was doing her job to serve the constituents of the 8th Congressional District of Arizona, those who were killed and wounded were there to participate in the democratic process we hold dear. As the nation mourns with the victims' families, we learn about these innocent Americans whose lives were cut short by this unspeakable crime against our democracy and our humanity. Dorothy Morris, age 76, known to her friends as ``Dot,'' was a retired homemaker and secretary who lived with her husband of 50 years, George, at a retirement community just north of Tucson. When the shots rang out, George, a former Marine and retired airline pilot, threw himself on his wife in an attempt to shield her from the bullets. George survived after suffering two gunshot wounds; Dorothy did not. Judge John Roll, age 63, was the chief judge of Arizona's Federal district court. Appointed to the Federal bench in 1991 by President George H.W. Bush, Judge Roll was a widely respected jurist by his colleagues. Known for this deep Catholic faith, it is reported that Judge Roll was simply stopping by the event to say hello to his friend, Gabby, after morning mass. Judge Roll is survived by his wife, Maureen, their three sons, and five grandchildren. Phyllis Schneck, age 79, a widow and retired homemaker, was a native of Rutherford, New Jersey, where she would return during the hot Tucson summers. Phyllis is known by her three children, seven grandchildren, and great-granddaughter as a talented cook, and she spent much of her retirement volunteering at her church. According to her daughter, Phyllis was a registered Republican who was not involved in politics, but Representative Giffords was ``the first person she really took a liking to.'' Dorwin Stoddard, age 76, was a Tucson native and leader in his church. Dorwin attended the event with his wife Mavy, a high school classmate who he reunited with and married after both their former spouses passed away. After seeing Mavy shot and wounded, Dorwin threw himself on her and shielded her from the spray of bullets. As Dorwin's stepdaughter noted, ``What a way to go, as the hero, he lived that kind of a life.'' Gabe Zimmerman, age 30, was the Director of Community Outreach for Representative Giffords. Oftentimes the face of Representative Giffords's office to her constituents, as one of his colleagues said, ``Gabe helped people for a living.'' Gabe was engaged to be married with a wedding date set for 2012. The youngest victim, Madam Speaker, was Christina Taylor Green, age 9, a third grade student at Mesa Verde Elementary School. Christina had recently been elected to the student council and was inspired into politics by President Obama's 2008 campaign. A neighbor brought Christina to the event to meet her Congresswoman. Born on the fateful day of September 11, 2001, Christina was taken from her parents and this nation on January 8, 2011. Madam Speaker, today, with the passage of House Resolution 32, the People's House mourns with family and with the nation for these innocent lives cut short. During these trying times for our nation, I am reminded of what Senator Robert F. Kennedy once said in his remarks to the Cleveland City Club just months before he was assassinated. ``A sniper is only a coward, not a hero; and an uncontrolled, uncontrollable mob is only the voice of madness, not the voice of the people. ``Whenever any American's life is taken by another American unnecessarily--whether it is done in the name of the law or in the defiance of law, by one man or a gang, in cold blood or in passion, in an attack of violence or in response to violence--whenever we tear at the fabric of life which another man has painfully and clumsily woven for himself and his children, the whole nation is degraded.'' Now is a time for reflection. My prayers and condolences are with the fallen victims' families and with those, including Gabby, who are making their way along the long road to recovery from the injuries they suffered. May our nation honor the loss of innocent lives with greater peace and understanding.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, on Friday, January 7th, I was unavoidably detained on account of official business in California and was not present for three rollcall votes on that day. Had I been present I would have voted: ``Nay'' on rollcall No. 9 on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 26; ``nay'' on rollcall No. 10 on passage of H. Res. 26, rule providing for consideration of H.R. 2, Patients Rights Repeal Act, H. Res. 9, Instructing certain committees to report legislation replacing the Affordable Care Act, and H. Res. 27, Session/Fitzpatrick Clean up Resolution; and ``nay'' on rollcall No. 11 on passage of H. Res. 27, Session/Fitzpatrick Clean up Resolution.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. ``No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in consequence of appropriations made by law; and a regular statement and account of the receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from time to time.''

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Chairman, a point of parliamentary procedure.

Mr. HONDA. Now that the process has started, would the gentleman from Washington's original question about parliamentary procedure be in order at this time?

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, I regret that illness prevents me from casting my vote in favor of H.R. 5116 today, but I would like to express my strong support for H.R 5116, America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010, for the record. I commend Chairman Bart Gordon and the other members of the Science and Technology Committee, on which I am proud to have once served, for the hard work and thoughtful consideration that went into this bill. The America COMPETES Act of 2007 significantly bolstered American innovation, the most fundamental hope for sustainable economic growth and competitiveness in the United States and a critical driver of the economy in my Silicon Valley district. It helped drive new research and its commercialization, encouraged the creation of a more dynamic business environment, and made improvements to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education that are important for our nation's long term economic health. It is critical that we sustain proper support for scientific research and STEM education, or our ability to compete in the global economy will be put in jeopardy. As the Business Roundtable noted in its Roadmap for Growth, a new report released last week, investing in scientific research and math and science education will create sustained, long-term economic competiveness and growth. That is why I am proud to support H.R. 5116, which authorizes those much needed investments. Although the Senate's amendment to H.R. 5116 is a significantly trimmed down version of the House bill, it maintains the key principles of investment and innovation, ensuring America remains competitive in the 21st century global economy. I am pleased that the bill includes provisions to ensure coordination of federal STEM education activities by elevating an existing committee under the National Science and Technology (NSTC). Providing this coordinating mechanism for the federal STEM education programs is long overdue. According to the Academic Competitiveness Council's (ACC) report, in 2006 the U.S. sponsored 105 STEM education programs at more than a dozen different federal agencies. These programs devoted approximately $3.12 billion to STEM education activities spanning pre- kindergarten through postgraduate education and outreach. The report notes that many of these agencies do not share information or work collaboratively on similar programs, demonstrating a need for better coordination. The STEM education coordination provisions of this bill are similar to those included in my own bill, the Enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education (E-STEM) Act, H.R. 2710. Both bills seek to ensure that the various agencies involved in STEM education efforts are aware of what is being done and what has already been done elsewhere so agencies can strategically invest in programs and activities. Again, I congratulate the Science and Technology Committee and Chairman Gordon for their work on this bill. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation to ensure that our nation leads the world in innovation and science and technology.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, as the chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I rise in support of House Resolution 1377 and to pay tribute to my dear friend and mentor, Norman Yoshio Mineta. Throughout his career, Norm, a distinguished former Member of this House, has broken through many glass ceilings, not just for himself, but also for the rest of us. Norm was the first Asian American mayor of a major city, the first Asian American to hold a Presidential Cabinet position, trusted by both Democratic and Republican administrations. Norm has dedicated and continues to dedicate much of his energy toward the building of the infrastructure needed for the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities to grow and thrive to what they are today. When I think of Norm's legacy in our community, Mr. Speaker, I am reminded of the poem, ``Footprints in the Sand.'' The poem's last line reads: ``During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.'' Norm was one of the first in our community to see a light at the end of our path, a path cleared by so many greats before him, and to lead us forward. As with many movements, at times we stumbled and wanted nothing more than to forget the past and bury our heads in shame. But Norm never let us stop from moving forward on our path to claim our rights as Americans. In good times, Norm marched beside us. When times were tough, Norm carried us, strengthened only by his vision of the possible and his undying patriotism and loyalty to this country. Norm had a hand in establishing and strengthening so many of our community's key national organizations and, hence, deepened those footprints. These span from policy advocacy coalitions like the National Health Council of Asian Pacific Americans, to voter engagement organizations like APIA Vote, to organizations and fellowship programs that develop the future leaders of our community, such as the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies, to the National Japanese American Memorial Foundation and the Japanese American Citizens League, to establishing the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, which I chair today. Some of the national accomplishments, because he is so connected to our communities, Mr. Speaker, it is easy to forget what a major player Norm has been on a national level. During his 20 years in Congress, Norm rose to the chairmanship of the House Transportation Committee, where he authored the landmark Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991. And Norm was instrumental in the passage of H.R. 442, the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which provided an official government apology and redress for Japanese Americans interned during World War II, people like Norm, and the late Congressman Bob Matsui, his wife, Congresswoman Doris Matsui and myself. In his last year in office, President Clinton appointed Norm Secretary of the Commerce Department, making him the first Asian American to hold a Cabinet post. The following year, when President George W. Bush was organizing his Cabinet, he searched the country for the most qualified person on transportation issues and a leader who could put the interests of the country above party politics. President Bush found that leader in Norm and appointed him Secretary of Transportation. Norm served as Secretary of Transportation from 2001 to 2006, the longest serving Secretary in the history of the Department. How fortunate our country was, Mr. Speaker, to have had a tested, experienced leader like Norm Mineta at the helm of the Transportation Department during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Norm issued a historic order to ground all civilian air travel on that fateful day and had the skill to get the thousands of planes back up in the air and the passengers safely home to their families. What impresses me most about Norm's leadership as Secretary of Transportation after the attacks, and perhaps what many do not know, is his strong opposition to racial and religious profiling. Having grown up in a time when Norm and his family were led away from their homes by rifles and bayonets and interned in Wyoming solely because of their ancestry, he refused to allow the same injustices to happen to innocent Muslim and Arab Americans. From his time in local government as mayor of San Jose, to his years in Congress rising to the chairman of the House Transportation Committee, to his leadership as Secretary of Commerce for President Clinton and Secretary of Transportation for President Bush, Norm has remained rooted in social justice and love of country. In 1980, Mr. Speaker, with the help of Norm Mineta, Congress established the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians. This commission was charged with the duty of examining executive order 9066, which led to the internment of over 120,000 American citizens during World War II. Three years later, in 1983, the commission issued its findings in the book ``Personal Justice Denied,'' concluding that the internment was based on racial prejudice, war hysteria and a failure of political leadership. Let me repeat, Mr. Speaker, a failure of political leadership. Throughout his long and distinguished service to our Nation, Norm Mineta has committed himself to making sure that our country never has a failure in political leadership like it did 7 years ago. Every time I step into the well of this House, I'm reminded of the example Norm set for me and for others throughout his life in public service. It is telling that during this heated political climate, both Republican and Democrats can come together to honor a man whose service supersedes party affiliation. I thank Norm for his years of friendship and mentorship. I thank his family, his wife, Deni, his two sons, David and Stuart, his stepsons, Robert and Mark, his grandchildren, and his sister, Etsu, and four other brothers and sisters for giving Norm a life outside of work. And we know that Norm still has many years of advocacy and leadership still in him. Mr. Speaker, I want to also thank Chairman Brady and the House leadership for bringing this resolution to the floor. And before I ask my colleagues to support this passage, and before I yield back the balance of my time, I just want to make it clear that this is not a memorial resolution. This is a resolution to recognize a man and his work while he's still alive and appreciated. And I know that, quite frankly, he's not prepared to accommodate a memorial. And so with that, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues, the leadership, for this opportunity to be able to recognize and honor an American first, a man who understands that ethnicity is important, nationality is important, our flag is important. But most of all, our allegiance to the Constitution is utmost. For that I thank you.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the DREAM Act.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of Ba Van Le, a pioneer in the Vietnamese American community and a prominent entrepreneur, beloved by family and friends. Born on December 26, 1932, Ba Van Le was raised in the An Giang Province of Southern Vietnam. In Vietnam, he was a successful businessman who owned a thriving sugar cane refinery in Saigon that earned him the nickname ``The Sugar King.'' Following the Vietnam War, Ba, his wife Hanh and their three oldest children fled Vietnam in search of new beginnings. Like many Vietnamese, Ba and his family settled at a refugee camp in Malaysia. Over a year later, Ba and the rest of the Le family arrived in the United States, staying briefly in Clovis, New Mexico and Monterey, California before settling in San Jose, California. In 1981, Ba, along with his sons Chieu and Henry, began operating a mobile lunch truck in downtown San Jose. With newfound success, the business expanded to a permanent Vietnamese sandwich shop, becoming the very first store location of what would evolve into the family's chain restaurant, Lee's Sandwiches. Ba was a prime example of the American entrepreneurial spirit. With the suggestion of his grandson to incorporate business ideas from American fast food chains, Ba and his family expanded their food menu and opened 30 locations in Northern and Southern California, Texas, Arizona, and Oklahoma. With hard work and perseverance, both he and his family have played a major role in popularizing the Vietnamese sandwich, banh mi, and other Vietnamese food in mainstream American food consciousness. Not only did Ba establish a thriving restaurant specializing in Vietnamese cuisine, he and his family's small business became the first chain restaurant to serve the needs of the Vietnamese American community. Madam Speaker, Ba Van Le's innovative spirit and cross-cultural achievements will be remembered for years to come. It is my hope that his legacy will inspire fixture generations to find creative ways to serve the needs of the diverse Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. I offer my heartfelt condolences to the Le Family during this time of remembrance.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, as chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I urge my colleagues to support the DREAM Act this week. Failure to pass the DREAM Act would disproportionately impact the 1.5 million Asian students in our country. Hardworking and high-achieving students like Soo Ji Lim and Steve ``Shing Ma'' Li have overcome numerous barriers in their lives and are now on track to finish college. These students already contribute to our country, and we owe them a chance at the American Dream. We must act, and we must make the DREAM Act a reality for students like them. It is a good investment. Let's get a return on the investment.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 1055, a bill to grant the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, United States Army, in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II. The United States will forever be indebted to the Japanese Americans soldiers of the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, United States Army, for their bravery, valor, and dedication to the country. Though many of their families were unjustly incarcerated in internment camps after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese Americans still fought to prove their loyalty to the United States of America. More than 20,000 Japanese Americans enlisted in the U.S. Army, approximately 14,000 of whom served in the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. The Japanese American 442nd Regimental Combat Team, including the 100th Infantry Battalion, became the most decorated unit for its size and length of service in American military history. Among their numerous awards, the Japanese American soldiers of World War II earned 21 Medals of Honor, 52 Distinguished Service Crosses, 559 Silver Stars, 4,000 bronze stars, nine (9) Presidential Unit Citations, and 9,486 Purple Hearts. The 442nd saw the highest percent of casualties of any unit in the Army, earning it the nickname ``Purple Heart Battalion.'' Nisei men fought for the U.S. and its allies across Europe in many key battles. The 442nd waged eight major campaigns in France, Germany, and Italy. Most notably, the 442nd led a heroic drive into enemy lines to free the surviving 211 members of a Texas unit who were trapped by the Germans in the rescue of the Lost Battalion. The governor of Texas would later name them ``Honorary Texans'' for their actions. Additionally, the Japanese American soldiers liberated towns such as Bruyeres, Biffontaine, and Belvedere. They also freed Holocaust victims from one of the Dachau concentration camps in Germany. Japanese Americans also served with great distinction in the Pacific Theater in the U.S. Army's Military Intelligence Service, MIS. Through their command of the Japanese language, they greatly facilitated Allied war efforts and the MIS is credited with shortening the war in the Pacific by at least two years. As a Japanese American who spent part of my childhood in Amache internment camp in Colorado, I am humbled by the perseverance of these Nisei soldiers through the difficult struggle against racial prejudices and discrimination that they endured both during and after the war. Having valiantly fought to liberate the world from tyranny and oppression while their own families were imprisoned back home, the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service are true American heroes. The unrelenting patriotism of these veterans, now in their late 80s and early 90s, paved the way for reconciliation and redress, and the full racial integration of the Armed Forces thereafter. Once again, Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting S. 1055 to grant the congressional gold medal, collectively, to the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, in recognition of their patriotism and dedicated service during World War II.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, as a returned Peace Corps Volunteer, I rise in support of H.R. 4195, Authorization of the Peace Corps Commemorative Foundation to establish a commemorative work in the District of Columbia and its environs. I commend Representative Sam Farr and members of the Committee on Natural Resources for the hard work and thoughtful consideration that went into this bill. I am pleased this bill will authorize the Peace Corps Commemorative Foundation to establish a memorial that honors the Peace Corps and the instrumental role it plays in establishing prosperous foreign relation and cross-cultural understandings. Through the selfless service of men and women of this nation as Peace Corps Volunteers, the Corps' mission of world peace and friendship is realized around the world. Since President John F. Kennedy's call to service, almost 50 years ago, nearly 200,000 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in 139 host countries to train local people in technologies and issues including agriculture production, water quality improvement, basic education, AIDS education, information technology, and environmental preservation. With the recent devastations in Haiti and Chile, we are continuously reminded of the significance of community service and inspired by the valuable assistance the Peace Corps provide. My personal experience as a former Peace Corps Volunteer in El Salvador building schools and health clinics continues to inspire me to actively advocate for the expansion of this worthy and necessary organization. The experience meant much to me and marked the beginning of my lifelong commitment to public service. Most importantly, I returned to the United States with a deeper understanding of humanity and a personal commitment to speak on behalf of the marginalized and powerless. To that end, alongside of my colleagues, I requested $465 million for FY 2011 Peace Corps fund, allowing the Peace Corps to modernize its systems, optimize the number of Volunteers and staff in existing countries, strengthen recruiting and diversity efforts, continue to expand to new nations, and maximize safety and security training and compliance efforts. Although a lot has been achieved since the Peace Corps' inception, it is currently at half the size it was in 1966. I am greatly encouraged by President Obama's commitment to expand public service by building upon the Peace Corps and creating innovative programs that inspire Americans, from all walks of life, to bear the torch of peace and goodwill. Again, I congratulate the Committee on Natural Resources and Representative Sam Farr for their work on this bill and I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation to authorize the Peace Corps Commemorative Foundation to establish a commemorative work in the District of Columbia and its environs. In this time of world conflict and economic disparities I find hope in the work of the Peace Corps. Their mission is more vital than ever and my resolve to reinvigorate our Nation's greatest and most cost-efficient diplomatic tool is strengthened. Let us all pay tribute to the hard work, perseverance, determination, compassion, and idealism of the Peace Corps and past and current Peace Corps Volunteers around the world.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my support for H.R. 4347, ``The Department of the Interior Tribal Self-Governance Act.'' This legislation gets us much closer to fulfilling our special nation-to- nation relationship with Native American people and tribes in our country. H.R. 4347 includes critical amendments to the Indian Self- Determination and Education Assistance Act that essentially allow for greater self-governance by Indian tribes; it directs the Secretaries of the Departments of the Interior and Health and Human Services to implement criteria that make it possible for more tribes to learn about and eventually enter into self-governance compacts or agreements to administer whole programs currently performed by the Federal Government. In addition to enhancing their sovereignty, this legislation has the potential to significantly improve the effectiveness of social, education, and health programs because leaders within specific Indian Tribes are often in the best position to determine the needs of their communities. Additionally, as suggested by a 2004 report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), Indian tribes that participated in self-governance agreements often experienced greater growth in employment levels from 1990 to 2000 compared to those that had either lower or no participation in these programs. I have been an ardent supporter of tribal sovereignty throughout my career as an elected official, and advocated to ensure that the Federal Government is accountable for exercising its full fiduciary responsibility. During my early career as an educator, I traveled through Indian Country doing educational research for Stanford University. Over the past 15 years serving in the California State Assembly and U.S. Congress, I have authored legislation and voted to support measures that respect and protect tribal sovereignty. As a member of the Congressional Native American Caucus since coming to Congress in 2001, I have been a strong supporter of full respect and recognition of tribal jurisdictions, for the expansion of tribal courts, the protection of Indian water and fishing rights, increased funding for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and key programs serving Indian Country. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I have fought to increase funding for vital self-governance programs and funding for programs serving Indian Country. Once again, Mr. Speaker, I am proud that the House of Representatives has taken a significant step in the right direction!

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the passing of an esteemed leader in the Ethiopian American community and prominent entrepreneur, beloved to family and friends. Born on March 31, 1962, Mr. Abebaw Merne Feki, affectionately known as ``Muna,'' was raised in the Bole-Kotebe neighborhood of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Following the American dream like many before him, he immigrated to America in 1991. Muna was a small business owner and entrepreneur at heart, buying a 7-Eleven in San Jose, California, which is home to a large Ethiopian community. Muna introduced Ethiopian products to the store, becoming the first ever franchise location to stock such merchandise. Recognizing the needs of the local community, his cultural infusion brought the business great success. To serve the large Ethiopian community in San Jose, Muna and his wife opened Zeni's Restaurant, offering authentic Ethiopian-style cuisine. Zeni's Restaurant remains immensely popular among both Ethiopians and non-Ethiopians, considered by many to be the best Ethiopian restaurant in the Bay Area. Not only did Muna establish a flourishing restaurant, he also created a warm and inclusive community environment for people of all backgrounds. Sharing his love of Ethiopian history and culture with all who entered, Muna made Zeni's Restaurant a central gathering point for the Ethiopian community in San Jose. Through such accomplishments he became an ambassador of the Ethiopian community. As a patron of his restaurant, Muna and I became friends. He spoke of Ethiopian life and culture, and the struggles of Ethiopian and Ethiopian Americans. As a result of his efforts, I was inspired to found and chair the Congressional Caucus on Ethiopia and Ethiopian Americans, which seeks to support and advance the interests of Ethiopian and Ethiopian Americans across our nation. I stand here today in great thanks for, and in high regard of, Muna's entrepreneurial talents and civic involvement. Muna's legacy will continue to serve generations of Ethiopian Americans. It is my hope that his legacy inspires others to support their own communities and educate others about the diverse history and traditions of their cultures. He will be missed greatly by the Silicon Valley community.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of the late Paul Leo Locatelli, S.J., former President of Santa Clara University, who dedicated his life to a vision of social respect and compassion. Born to Italian immigrant parents, Paul grew up in Boulder Creek, California, picking walnuts and crushing gapes for the family garden and wine. Paul's experience as a child of immigrants resonates with all of us. Paul's work ethic, focus on family and community, and deep faith are emblematic of immigrant families all across this country. The first in his family to attend college, Paul matriculated at Santa Clara University, where he went on to serve for over 35 years. Paul earned his bachelor's degree in accounting from SCU, a Doctorate in Business Administration from the University of Southern California, and a Master of Divinity from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley in 1974. That same year, Paul was ordained as a priest and began teaching accounting at Santa Clara University. He was a beloved teacher and was voted Outstanding Teacher of the Year. Paul's most prominent role was as President of Santa Clara University, a position he held for 20 years, the longest serving president in the school's history. After leaving the presidency to become Secretary of Higher Education for the Society of Jesus at the Vatican, Paul was named Chancellor of the University in 2009. As a teacher, I can personally attest that there is no greater compliment than being asked to replicate one's work on such a large scale. As President of Santa Clara University, Paul's persona profoundly affected the curricula of his students, promoting a diverse student body and encouraging his students to understand the world through different perspectives and life experiences. Paul was committed to having graduates of Santa Clara leave the university having excelled in the three C's: competence, conscience, and compassion. Paul's devotion to his students led to the most successful campaign year of Santa Clara University's history, raising the University's endowment by over $600 million during his tenure. Kicking off the campaign, Paul told his students and faculty, ``Ten years from now, because of our high aspirations and this campaign, Santa Clara University will be known around the world for educating moral, responsible, global citizens-- leaders who will change the world by finding better ways to overcome ignorance and prejudice, to alleviate poverty and hunger, and to end divisions that are caused by religion, national origins, or languages.'' The success of the campaign propelled Santa Clara University into the top tier of our Nation's universities. Paul began several initiatives with the new endowment to create the world leaders that he envisioned. First, he focused on students' scholarships, advocating that all students deserve the right to a higher education. Second, he expanded the University's facilities and resources. And third, Paul saw several new programs to fruition. Paul focused not only on Santa Clara University as an institution, but also on individual students and projects, solidifying a personal feeling of community within the University. In 2007, Paul supported a group of students in an international solar-house competition that was seemingly too massive a project for the small University. The team placed third in the competition, garnering worldwide recognition and introducing a new legacy of solar and renewable projects on campus. After the competition, Paul did not stop in his commitment to the team of students. When they graduated, Paul served on the board of directors for their start-up company Valence Energy, providing mentorship and guidance to the students long after their college days. Paul served on numerous boards, spreading his visionary leadership widely into the community. Among these, he worked with the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, Catholic Relief Services, the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, and the Bill Hannon Foundation. Paul's love and gift of teaching was perhaps only exceeded by the example he set as a humble priest. Throughout his life he remained true to the Jesuit's core principles of faith and not only understood, but lived the movement known as Liberation Theology. At his core, Paul was a Christian. With every inch of his being, he lived the great commandment to ``Love your neighbor as yourself.'' He was selflessly devoted to the mission he vowed to undertake, and died in service to others. Father Paul Locatelli was, simply put, the most Christ-like person that I have come to know. Paul was one our Valley's most respected leaders of heart and compassion, and a devoted student of history. On the evening of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks, Paul showed courage and wisdom when speaking about the need to guard ourselves against the temptation to turn against those who may look like the terrorists. Drawing on the internment of Japanese Americans after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Paul cautioned, ``Whatever the race or ideology or professed religion of the terrorists who committed these awful actions today, we are called not to yield to stereotyping and scapegoating people who by accident of birth or history may seem to be like the guilty.'' Father Paul Locatelli will be deeply missed by the Santa Clara University family as well as the larger Silicon Valley community. His commitment to competence, conscience, and compassion has made a permanent impact on us all, and his efforts have afforded many students of Santa Clara University opportunities that would have been otherwise unavailable to them. Paul once said, ``. . . we must understand ourselves as citizens of a global community whose decisions shape the world for better or worse.'' There is no doubt that as a direct result of Paul's life, our world has been shaped for the better. My condolences are with the Locatelli family, and he is in my thoughts and prayers. I will miss you, Paul, and I will try to live according to your example.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, the High-Performance Building Congressional Caucus Coalition has designated June 13-19 as ``High-Performance Building Week.'' During this week, we are recognizing the importance of energy efficient building design, with the goal of driving our country toward a more sustainable future. Buildings throughout our nation are responsible for over 39 percent of our annual carbon emissions, and for 12 percent of the potable water consumption as well as over 70 percent of the electricity use in the United States. The dramatic energy consumption of our buildings is damaging in the long run, and it is imperative that we make energy efficiency part and parcel of the building and operations of our places of work and shelter. As a Californian, I recognize the importance of sound energy policy and environmental protection. California stands as a leader in these fields, having a range of accomplishments related to our environment and energy independence. The city of San Jose has already begun the process of retrofitting and meeting green building standards with its Green Vision program. Universities throughout the state have installed solar systems to power their electricity needs. Students from high schools and universities in my district have formed recycling initiatives, built solar cars and houses for competitions, and held eco-friendly fundraising fashion shows; each of these steps may seem small but is a critical part of a bigger national stride. The efforts of Californians are echoed by many in the House of Representatives. I was privileged to be a part of establishing the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition in order to deal with problems including that of the built environment. We feel it is essential that the House gives priority to consideration of energy and environmental issues, and applaud resolutions like H. Res. 1407, supporting the ideals of ``High-Performance Building Week,'' which focuses attention on all aspects of high-performance buildings, including the role they play in reducing impact of humans on our climate. In addition to creating more energy-efficient buildings, we also need to address the efficiency of the electronics inside our homes. Our household electronics consume a massive amount of energy--the power to run them cost Americans $80 billion last year, but that is a small number compared to the projected $200 billion in electricity they will consume by 2030 unless something changes. We need to consider the potential for integrated smart electronics that will both heal the energy wounds we have created as well as provide a cost-effective solution for consumers. In April, I introduced the Smart Electronics Act, H.R. 5070, to help green the electronics industry by providing the private sector with reliable standards and incentives and by educating and empowering consumers to make smarter and more efficient choices-- all of which help cool the planet and keep Silicon Valley innovative. Once again, Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I commemorate the progress we are making toward a sustainably responsible future. Focusing on creating energy-efficient building envelopes as well as smarter electronics inside homes inspires our communities to work toward the next generation of energy independence and environmental justice.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of an outstanding citizen and community advocate, John Delloro. Delloro was the National President of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) and spent nearly twenty years of his life devoted to supporting and serving working people. He carried a powerful message with a powerful voice. As a child, Delloro's mother was a nurse who had to work long hours. He took on additional responsibilities and cared for his brother as his mother worked night shifts every day. He knew firsthand the need for labor rights and drew from his personal experiences to inspire others. After graduating from the University of California, Los Angeles, with a Bachelors degree in Psychology and Masters in Asian American studies, Delloro began working with the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance. His first labor movement position was organizing hotel workers in Las Vegas, Nevada. From there, he went on to organize clerical and healthcare workers in Los Angeles. John showed that he was capable at not only be an effective organizer, but able to build important coalitions and partnerships. In 2003, he was promoted to the Southwest Area Manager of SEIU 1000, the largest state workers union in the country at that time, with close to 100,000 members. In 2006, John was hired as the first executive director of the Dolores Huerta Labor Institute, which works to expand labor studies curriculum for over 130,000 students within the Los Angeles Community College District. Delloro believed that it was not enough to only help mobilize workers, but it was also important to teach students the importance of labor rights. Under his leadership, the program grew stronger and expanded to all nine campuses. John continued his role as an educator as an Asian American studies professor at UCLA. There, he motivated and mentored hundreds of students in the ways of advocacy and community organizing. Delloro also authored Breaking Ground, Breaking Silence: a report from the first National Asian Pacific American Workers' Rights Hearing and was the 2009 recipient of Asian Pacific Americans for Progress Unsung Hero. As National President of the APALA, Delloro was instrumental in helping to convene the first National Asian Pacific American Workers' Rights Hearing in Washington, DC. This hearing was important to help raise awareness among lawmakers and the public the critical needs of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) laborers. As Chair of the Congressional Asian American Caucus, I know firsthand the important work that the APALA has done in the community. Delloro has helped APALA raise awareness on AAPI worker's rights issues at the congressional level and nationally by holding several workers' rights hearings. CAPAC and APALA's relationship will continue to strengthen and CAPAC's relationship continues to strengthen as both the caucus and organization moves forward has helped APALA and CAPAC build a stronger relationship. John Delloro's dedication and commitment runs deep. He was a nationally recognized union leader, teacher, and mentor. His leadership was visionary and will continue to inspire many others to continue this cause. Madam Speaker, I ask my fellow members to join me in remembering John Delloro. He touched the lives of many and paved the way for many others to rise up. His work toward equality through organizing is an inspiration to us all.