Darrell Issa

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 1954, the ``Armed Forces Naturalization Act of 2003,'' a bill that helps the families of non-citizen military personnel killed in combat gain what their loved ones died defending--the rights and freedoms of Americans. Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base in my Congressional district is home to over 50,000 Marines. Many of these Marines were deployed to liberate Iraq from Saddam Hussein's oppressive regime. While many have returned to their families, some were not as fortunate. One of the Marines that died in Iraq was a non-citizen stationed at Camp Pendleton. I was told that he would receive posthumous citizenship--under current law, a strictly honorary award. Posthumous citizenship is a hollow benefit for a fallen hero if his spouse and children are subsequently asked to leave the country he died defending. Existing immigration and naturalization law permits the President to award posthumous citizenship to non-citizens killed in any military hostility, but denies immigration benefits for their spouse and children. H.R. 1954 will honor the sacrifice of fallen heroes by allowing their spouses and children to enjoy the benefits and freedoms of the country they were fighting to defend, and would have eventually gained had their loved one not perished. There are nearly 38,000 non-U.S. citizens serving in our nation's armed forces. These men and women are called upon to protect this nation. I want them to know that when they make the ultimate sacrifice for America their family will not face a cruel and unnecessary legal sanction. H.R. 1954 will allow surviving family members of military personnel, killed in defense of our freedom, to enjoy a real benefit from a posthumous grant of citizenship. I thank you for the opportunity to speak on this bill. I urge all my colleagues to vote in favor of this legislation.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to talk about at an FCC decision that will have dire consequences for the telecommunications industry. In February, I submitted an op-ed to Roll Call for their annual Telecommunications and Technology issue prior to the FCC vote on the Section 251 Unbundling Obligations of Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers. In the article, I reserved hope that the FCC would render a decision that could provide regulatory certainty to a sector that is in desperate need of stability. If not, I stated that Congress should step in and remedy this issue. The FCC did not provide regulatory certainty when they voted, and three months later, they have yet to publish their decision. This decision, whatever it looks like in final form, will lead to litigation, assuring this issue will not be resolved for many years . . . unless Congress acts swiftly. Without regulatory certainty, the telecom industry, CLECs and ILECs alike, will continue to experience employee layoffs, cuts in capital expenditures, and little investment and growth. The FCC had an opportunity to ensure regulatory certainty in the telecom marketplace, but failed. Congress must provide this much needed certainty, and it must do it soon.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Bonsall, CA, community leader Dwight Thompson who passed away on May 13 at the age of 57 after a battle with cancer. He will be missed. Thomas Jefferson once wrote, ``Give to every citizen, personally, a part in the administration of the public affairs.'' Dwight, however, wasn't one to wait for someone to give him a role in public affairs. In the arena of public service and civic involvement he had a virtue that is, unfortunately, too rare: initiative. A teacher who retired early and moved to Bonsall 14 years ago, Dwight served on the Bonsall School Board from 1990 to 2002. He also took on active roles with the Fallbrook Healthcare District Board and the Bonsall Chamber of Commerce. Last September Dwight organized a picnic in honor of local firefighters, rescue workers, and law enforcement personnel which I attended. This event was one of the many ways that Dwight would say thank you to his neighbors and strengthen community pride in Bonsall. My fondest memories of Dwight were observing his enthusiasm and optimistic approach to challenges. When we agreed on a community need, no one worked harder than Dwight to do what was needed. On the occasions when we disagreed, he always took a constructive approach to find common ground and, above all, the best solution for the community. Dwight Thompson is survived by his wife Beverly, four children, and four grandchildren. My prayers are with them. Dwight Thompson's legacy in Bonsall and the lives he touched with his generosity, public service, and care for others lives on in the community he helped build and the hearts of those who knew him. A model citizen and loyal friend, Dwight used his freedom as an American to participate in the administration of public affairs simply because he had a gift to share and a genuine concern for others.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 128 I was inadvertently detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Chairman, I have listened carefully to the statements of the supporters of this amendment and I apologize for having to say that I have never seen more profoundly misguided statements. As a Californian, I am acutely aware of how we got into problems in California, how this bill, at least partially will get us out, and how the substitution would do nothing but leave us with the problem we are in. There is no question, California's problems came from misguided laws that led to market manipulation, no question at all, companies took advantage of it. But also the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power took advantage of it, and at least this law as it is written will cause some control over that public power. Right now, we cannot get a penny back from the manipulation that went on with public power. Additionally, there is no question in my mind that California will continue to have problems unless we have a functional transmission system. Today, we do not. Without the kind of reforms that this provides, we will not have it. Please vote down the substitution.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my concern about the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in Taiwan. Despite the World Health Organization's categorization of the disease as ``a worldwide health threat,'' it has refused to help Taiwan during this time of need. What the WHO has failed to realize is that ``worldwide health threats'' do not remain neatly behind political borders. Taiwan may not yet be a member of the WHO or a recognized independent state by some countries, but that does not make SARS any less of a threat to the Taiwanese people. This crisis underlines the need for Taiwan to be granted observer status in the WHO, much like their status in the World Trade Organization. Global health risks must be addressed wherever they may occur and regardless of the political environments surrounding them. We should not expose the Taiwanese people to unnecessary health risks simply because their status in some intergovernmental organizations is uncertain. I urge my colleagues to remain outspoken in their support of Taiwan's bid to gain observer status in the WHO so that dangerous diseases like SARS may be battled wherever they occur.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, today the Vista National Little League celebrates its 50th season of serving the boys and girls of the Vista area. There will be a Golden Glove Gala to celebrate this special occasion. The efforts of the many volunteers that have contributed countless hours to the success of the league deserve special recognition. During the past fifty years, approximately 20,000 children have played baseball with the Vista National Little League. Little League baseball gives children the opportunity to learn about discipline, teamwork, respect, dedication, responsibility, competition, character, and sportsmanship. Little League baseball provides positive influences for children and promotes lifelong friendships. Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of the Vista National Little League's 50th anniversary, I would like to personally recognize the work of those who have served as coaches, team parents, board members, snack bar workers, and field maintenance managers.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, today the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce will proudly host the official grand opening of their new offices. There will be a ribbon cutting and reception to commence this special occasion. I want to ask special recognition for the efforts of Mr. David Nydegger the Chief Executive Officer of the chamber for his hard work in making the new offices a reality. The Oceanside Chamber Mission Statement reads ``To promote a strong business climate throughout the City of Oceanside, serve as leader and advocate for the business community, enhance the economic stability of the city and act as a collective voice for business concerns.'' I believe that the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce has been successful in achieving the goals stated in its mission statement. Since its doors opened in 1896, the chamber has effectively promoted local business and been a valuable resource to the Oceanside business community. Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of the chamber's grand opening, I would like to personally recognize the work of the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the businesses and citizens of Oceanside.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, today I join my many colleagues in mourning the loss of the seven courageous men and women on board the space shuttle Columbia. This is indeed a tragic loss, for the families of these seven astronauts, and for our Nation. These men and women committed their lives to the pursuit of knowledge and, in that pursuit, they made the ultimate sacrifice. For their courage and self-sacrifice they will be forever remembered as heroes. While the Columbia tragedy demonstrated the risks involved in manned space travel, it also reminds us that NASA has had an excellent performance record over the past four decades. The courageous and talented men and women of NASA have made discoveries in space that have profoundly improved our lives on earth. Our exploration of space, our pursuit of knowledge must go on. As the families of the Columbia seven have stated, we cannot look back, we must press forward with our exploration of new territories. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to be here today, remembering these fallen heroes. I am grateful for the resolve of our astronauts, our President, and Americans everywhere to remember the past while looking to the future. I urge my colleagues to unequivocally support this resolution.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 141, a bill authorizing the Office of Management and Budget to adopt a new econometric model for calculating the 7(a) Guaranteed Loan Program's subsidy rate. The subsidy rate for the 7(a) program has not accurately reflected the actual performance of these loan portfolios since the passage of the Credit Reform Act in 1990. The continuous over statement of the subsidy rate resulted in the Small Business Administration cutting back both the amount of loans and the maximum loan size under its highly effective Section 7(a) loan program. The SBA has reduced the maximum 7(a) loan size they can guarantee from $1 million to $500,000. The 7(a) loan program is a vital source for nearly $11 billion of new capital for small businesses every year. Passage of S. 141 and the adoption of the new econometric model will enable the SBA to boost 7(a) lending authority from $4.8 billion to $8.2 billion for Fiscal Year 2003. This model will reduce the 7(a) credit subsidy rate, and should prevent any further economic damage from cuts to the largest federal assistance program for small businesses. Mr. Speaker, as we look to small businesses to restore economic growth, we must allow the Office of Management and Budget to modernize its credit subsidy calculation model. I thank you for the opportunity to speak and urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to introduce our guest chaplain, Senior Pastor Barry Cook, of the Ambassador Family Church in Oceanside, California. Pastor Barry Cook was born in Salisbury, North Carolina. He attended Logos Christian College and has a doctorate in Ministry, Christian Leadership, and Church Growth. Dr. Cook has been a full-time minister for almost 20 years. Pastor Cook is joined today by his wife Terri, whom he has been married to for 13 years. He is also joined by his daughter, Joy, who is a fourth grader at Vista Christian School. After opening its doors seven years ago, Ambassador Family Church has quickly grown to approximately 800 attending members. Pastor Cook has been very active in outreach efforts to the community through local food and clothing distribution, financial recovery seminars, leadership classes and marriage and family counseling. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chaplain Coughlin for his invitation to Pastor Cook to offer the invocation. I would also like to thank the Cooks for traveling to our Nation's capital to be with us today.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the occasion of the city of Vista, California's 40th Birthday. I am a long-time resident and also have the distinct honor of representing the citizens of Vista in Congress. Forty years ago Vista was a small agricultural community located in northern San Diego County. The residents felt that the community was being neglected due to its isolation from downtown San Diego. In order for the community to grow and expand, the residents of Vista knew that they would have to unite and incorporate as a city. On January 28, 1963, the citizens of Vista voted to incorporate. The Vistans made the right decision and since its incorporation, Vista has experienced an enormous amount of growth and change. Today, Vista is a community of nearly 90,000 residents. The people of Vista have always had a strong sense of tradition, family-values, and a value for diversity. For these reasons I chose Vista as the place to raise my family and the ideal place to grow my business. Vista is a community that has successfully linked culture, education, and commerce. Vista hosts a variety of community events year-round and enjoys an award winning public school system. Vista's business-friendly reputation and centralized location between Southern California's trade centers makes it attractive to businesses. Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of the city of Vista's 40th year of incorporation, I would like to personally thank all the citizens and community leaders that have molded Vista into the community it is today. I wish the citizens of Vista good fortune and continued success in the future.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Rancho Buena Vista High School band and pageantry, an award winning group that was selected from a pool of hundreds of high school bands throughout the United States and abroad to participate in the 114th Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. Rancho Buena Vista High School located in Vista, California, has developed an instrumental music program that is one of the best in Southern California. The marching band, The Rhythm of the Ranch, and pageantry received top awards in the 2001 competitive season by winning the distinction of Grand Champion at the Etiwanda Field Tournament, Lester Oaks Field Tournament and the Savanna High School Field Tournament. The Rancho Buena Vista Drum Line also won the top award and was named Grand Champion in the spring 2001 Drums Across California Competition. The Rancho Buena Vista High School band and pageantry was one of only 24 bands chosen to participate in this world famous parade. The Tournament of Roses Parade is seen each New Year's Day by approximately one million spectators, a domestic television audience of 80 million viewers, and an international audience of over 350 million people. The Rhythm of the Ranch band members raised the money to participate in the Rose Bowl Parade through extensive fundraising efforts. One of the marching band and pageantry's proudest accomplishments was being featured in an educational video produced by Warner Brothers Publications that was released and premiered at the school in January 2002. The video, Here Comes the Marching Band, was shown in conjunction with a fundraising dinner and the money raised was used to fund the parade trip and cover the costs of new uniforms and equipment. Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of the Rancho Buena Vista High School band and pageantry's participation in the Tournament of Roses Parade, I would like to congratulate them for their demonstration of excellence in music and performance. I wish them continued success in the future.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Rick Windbigler the 2002 President of the Fallbrook, California Chamber of Commerce. Rick Windbigler is an exceptional community leader, business leader and model citizen of Fallbrook. Mr. Windbigler has provided leadership by working on programs of importance to Fallbrook and San Diego County with local, county, state and federal officials. His work on the Gavilan Fire Victims Fund, Keep Fallbrook Clean and Green, Valley Center Mexican fruit-fly emergency and Christmas programs with the Marine Corps are all examples his outstanding leadership skills. In addition to his leadership he has been a model of personal involvement. Rick has assisted in such community projects as the redecoration of the chamber's office, placing flags on Main Street, Avocado Festival logistics, volunteering during Holiday celebrations and attending hundreds of events to represent the Fallbrook Chamber and its members. Rick has demonstrated his community leadership in many successful chamber programs which has resulted in an increase in chamber membership. Under Rick's leadership the Fallbrook Chamber experienced a year of record breaking fundraising with successful events such as the Honorary Mayor Race and Golf Tournament, record attendance at the Avocado Festival, SunDowners, Friendly Village Forums and Christmas Parade. Mr. Speaker, I would like to personally thank Mr. Windbigler for his service to the people of Fallbrook and wish him good fortune in the future.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, I rise tonight to remember the life and work of former Congressman Wayne Owens. I did not know Wayne when he was a member of this body: I met him two years ago when he came to my office asking me to support the Middle East peace process. Wayne's tireless commitment to Middle East peace, his willingness to reach across party lines, to go anywhere, and to talk to anyone, has been a source of inspiration to all who believe that Arabs and Israelis will one day live together in peace and security. He was a study in moderation and tolerance, a compassionate man who believed that all people deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. Wayne was also a true patriot. He loved his country and he believed that our values of freedom, prosperity, and tolerance should be shared with the entire world, particularly the Middle East. But what makes this moment most painful for me is that Wayne Owens was my friend. He was a true champion of peace, and he lived and died serving humanity. He will be missed dearly.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to share some news about our former colleague Ron Packard. On October 30, President Bush signed into law H.R. 4794, which designated the United States Postal Service located at 1895 Avenida Del Oro in Oceanside, California, as the Ronald C. Packard Post Office Building. I believe that naming this post office in honor of Mr. Packard's service and leadership is a fitting tribute to a dedicated public servant. The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) has joined the President and Congress in recognizing Ron's career by awarding Mr. Packard the first annual Gloria McClellan Public Service Award. The award, which will be presented annually, honors the local elected leader that best exemplifies Gloria McClellan's commitment and dedication to service. As the Mayor of my hometown, I can personally attest to the contributions Gloria McClellan has made to the community and the San Diego region. The San Diego Association of Governments serves as a forum for decisionmaking on transportation, land use, the economy, environment, and criminal justice. Earlier this year the SANDAG Board of Directors, composed of mayors, council members, and supervisors from each of the San Diego region's 19 local governments, established an award to honor the 29-year public service legacy of Vista Mayor Gloria McClellan. With over 30 years of public service, Mr. Packard was the perfect candidate to receive the Gloria McClellan Public Service Award. Ron Packard has been active in local civic and business affairs and his leadership brought him to the forefront of regional issues. Ron Packard's legacy as a public servant is characterized by hard work, honesty, leadership and patriotism. Representative Packard began his public service in the United States Navy, which he entered upon graduation from dental school in 1957. Ron was elected to his first public post in 1962 and held various local government positions until he was elected to Congress on November 2, 1982. During Ron's 18 years on Capitol Hill he always made it a priority to support local projects that were important to his constituents. Mr. Speaker, I commend SANDAG for establishing this award to honor Mayor Gloria McClellan's public service. I also join SANDAG in congratulating my friend, Ron Packard, for his faithful public service to the people of California and on winning this prestigious award.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the time for debate on this resolution be extended for 2 hours to be equally divided between the majority and minority.

Mr. ISSA

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

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the remaining time. Mr. Speaker, as I close, I would like to thank the gentleman from New Jersey. This has been, in fact, a long debate. It has been spirited at times, but, in fact, it has always lived up to the gravity of what we are considering, and we owe that in no small part to the gentleman from New Jersey. The gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) has empowered me to close, and I take that as a very unusual thing for a freshman and something that is pretty important for somebody who not only supports this resolution but who supports this resolution often to the dismay of other Arab Americans. My family emigrated from the Middle East, one side of my family emigrated from the Middle East, and I bear an Arab surname, and so for me and I think for many people who are going to support this resolution tomorrow, this has to be a special case. We are not pushing an 11-year or 12-year war to the brink of a final military conflict lightly. I would call the Speaker's attentions to these advertisements that came out of Baghdad September 11 and a year after September 11 as just another example of what is different about Saddam Hussein's regime. After September 11, both as a member of the Committee on International Relations and I believe as one of the Members of this body whose ancestry goes back to the Middle East, I was visited by not just one but every single ambassador from the Middle East represented in this country. In every case they expressed their horror, their sympathy and distanced themselves from the terrible events of September 11; and they did so in private, not intending to do it for the camera, but so that I would understand. And I am sure they visited virtually every other Member so they would understand that that is not what the Arab people are about, that is not what Arab society, one of the great societies that helped create the world as we know it today, is about. It is not what the Iraqi people are about, and to put out propaganda in the Baghdad press talking about September 11 being Allah's revenge, in fact, says it all about this regime. Saddam Hussein and his party and his almost 30-year rule has been all about killing and violence and hatred. He is not alone, but he is in a league of his own. And as we close for tonight and we move into tomorrow's short debates of 1 hour and final passage probably by midday, I hope that all of us will remember that this is not about Arab people, not in this country and not anywhere in the world. The need to empower the President to take this action, should it become necessary, is all about the uniqueness of this administration of Saddam Hussein and the actions he has taken in the past, he takes in the present, and we are quite certain that if that regime is not changed or replaced, he will take in the future. I say as one Arab American to the many Arab Americans and Muslim Americans in this country and perhaps to the Arabs around the world, America and particularly my community in America has absolutely no hatred and no willingness to participate in anything that is adverse to the Arab people. But we do have to insist that the kind of tyranny that has gone on in Iraq for so many decades must in fact stop, either by Saddam Hussein living up to his obligations under the U.N. resolutions or his being driven from power and an Arab leader who will respect the rule of law and who will provide the kind of fairness for his own people can be found.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to yield 40 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne), and ask that he may control that time.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 7 minutes to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach), a member of the Committee on International Relations, in fact, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific and a man who has great insight into this region. (Mr. LEACH asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, in order to have the dialogue stay focused, I think we need to periodically look at the threat. We have no doubt in this body. Speakers on both sides of the aisle have repeated the need to deal with someone who has used mustard gas and other agents against his own people. There is no question in this body about the war crimes committed by this dictator. But when we talk about the threat not being imminent, I just want to read from an unclassified document something for us all to focus on as we again talk about do we or do we not empower the President to deal with all the cards in his hand, not missing the one of potential military action. ``Mustard gas, potential agents based on best estimates, 200 metric tons; sarin gas, 200 metric tons; VX, up to 200 metric tons; and anthrax, at least 8,500 liters. That is 2,245 gallons, but it could be as much as 10-fold that, 22,457 gallons of anthrax. We all know in this body all too well what an almost infinitesimal amount in an envelope can do. I hope that we will think about this as we talk about whether or not to empower the President to have all the full force of our military at his disposal in negotiations. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. McCrery). (Mr. McCRERY asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman and hope it will always be the norm on the Committee on International Relations.