Zoe Lofgren

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would note that the other tax measures referred to by the prior speaker were indeed passed, but they were passed before I was here. Both the prior speaker and I are freshmen Members of the House of Representatives. Accordingly, I was not here in Congress to observe the hearings and to study those measures, nor were any of the freshmen Members. This may in fact be a good thing to do, or it may not be. The point I am making is that this measure received no scrutiny by the Committee on the Judiciary. It was introduced on March 26 of this year. The Committee on the Judiciary held no hearings, and held no markup. So I do not think it is the right process, frankly. I am one who always likes to achieve sensible, easy, streamlining. The problem here is that we do the not know if that is what this is in this case. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Oregon [Mr. DeFazio].

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California [Mr. Martinez].

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to point out that when I began my statement this afternoon, I indicated that I was not going to object only because of the need here at the end of the session to move along, noting that the process is dreadful. I am a member of the subcommittee chaired by the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Gekas], and I know that we could have sorted through issues such as those raised by my colleague form California that are broad and potentially national in scope. I certainly would be willing to do that. But as I am hearing more and more, I am seeing that what in fact may be a sensible, small exception, has raised questions about a nationwide scheme. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Oregon [Mr. DeFazio].

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas, Ms. Sheila Jackson-Lee, a member of the committee.

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Maggie Kildee on the occasion of her impending retirement from the County of Ventura Board of Supervisors. Supervisor Kildee is a native of California and a graduate of the University of Redlands with a B.A. in education. She received her M.A. degree in public administration from California Lutheran University. Before her election to the Board of Supervisors, she was a teacher and an administrator with the Pleasant Valley School District. First elected to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors in November 1980, Supervisor Kildee was one of the first two women elected to the Board and in 1982 served as its first woman chairperson. Supervisor Maggie Kildee's leadership contributed to a number of important developments within Ventura County. Her various programs included the County's Greenbelt Agreements between cities, the first- in-the-state Agricultural Lands Preservation Program, the Ventura County Council on Economic Vitality, and the ``Beyond the Year 2000 Committee''. She also served as the chair for numerous committees such as the Ventura County Medical Center Oversight Committee, the Ventura County Jail Ad-Hoc Committee, and the Ventura County Waste Commission. As the end of her term draws near, I would like to extend my gratitude and appreciation to Maggie Kildee for her dedication to both the County of Ventura, CA, and the Board of Supervisors.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, as Members of Congress we are often called upon to enact sweeping legislation that will have a substantial impact on millions of people. However, I think most of us realize that many times we can take smaller, more limited actions that will have an enormous effect on the lives of only a few. Often, it is these actions that are most fulfilling and most meaningful. Today, I am hopeful that the House will pass legislation that exemplifies such an endeavor, and which also honors a man whose bravery saved the lives of American servicemen, and cost him dearly in his service to our country. This bill, H.R. 1087, will secure the immigration status of Major Nguyen Quy An by allowing him to apply for U.S. citizenship without waiting an additional 5 years. However, in actuality I believe it is we who would be honored by the naturalization of this courageous man. Major An is a genuine hero who, as a pilot in South Vietnam's elite ``King Bee'' helicopter group, flew numerous combat missions in support of U.S. troops during the Vietnam war. In one particularly notable act of heroism, he risked his own life in order to save the lives of four American servicemen. On January 17, 1969, he led a combined American- South Vietnamese flight to insert American Special Forces troops deep into an enemy-held, sniper-infested jungle along the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos. After one of the U.S. Army helicopters in the flight was hit by enemy fire, Major An maneuvered his ship to a position next to his American comrades and led them to a clearing in the jungle. With complete disregard for his own safety, and under incessant, intense enemy fire, he landed his helicopter next to the crippled American ship and waited for the four crew members to make their way to him. Major An was cited for the Silver Star and the U.S. Government awarded him the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism in combat for his courage in this incident. He later lost his arms when he was severely burned after his helicopter was downed in a similar U.S. cobat rescue mission. Our Government, recognizing the heroism and service that he has given to the United States, granted Major An ``humanitarian parole'' so that he and his daughter could come to the United States in 1994. They were granted a 1-year extension of their humanitarian visas last December, but H.R. 1087 would allow Major An to quickly become an American citizen, and to promptly file for his daughter to become a permanent U.S. resident. A similar bill has been introduced in the Senate by Senator Bennett Johnston and has been cosponsored by former Senator Dole, as well as Senators Bennett, Hatfield, Nickles, Shelby, Specter, Brown, and Inouye. It is my understanding that the Senate is prepared to pass our bill quickly once we send it to them. Without passage of this bill, Major An will not be able to resolve his immigration status and could ultimately be forced to return to Vietnam where he would face an uncertain future. Even if he is allowed to remain here, the uncertainty of his status prevents him from obtaining employment, and creates terrible concern and anguish for him and his daughter. Private bills are certainly an extreme measure, and should be given close scrutiny. However, in this case, I believe a private bill is clearly warranted. The Immigration and Naturalization Service has found that, other than enactment of this bill, Major An and his daughter have no other options. The House Judiciary Committee unanimously approved this measure by voice vote. This country owes Major An a debt of gratitude. He is a decorated war veteran who risked his own life to save the lives of four American servicemen, and lost his arms during a U.S. combat mission. The least that our country can do to honor his service to America is to secure his place here in America, and to help him to quickly become a citizen of his adopted country. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill. The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read the third time, and passed. The title was amended so as to read: ``A bill for the relief of Nguyen Quy An.'' A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, a number of comments have been made, and accurately made, in the course of this debate. The gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. Watt] pointed out that the committee process was truncated midway and this bill brought directly to the floor, and that is the truth. There have been comments made that prevention and treatment is the most effective tool against drugs in America, and I think that it is clear that is true. Our own Governor Wilson's administration released a report last year showing that treatment and prevention efforts were massively more successful in fighting drugs than just pure law enforcement. However, that does not mean that we should not pass this bill today, and I highly recommend it. I agree with the speakers who said that sentencing for crack and powdered cocaine should be equalized. I agree with that. But that is also not about this bill. Unfortunately, speed and methamphetamine is an equal opportunity drug. You will find it being manufactured in suburban and rural areas all across California. It is a very dangerous drug, not only to the users, but to neighborhoods. In my own district, I can recall just a short while ago a lab bursting and exploding into flames, posing threats not only from the scourge of drugs but also to firefighters and police officers and neighbors from the conflagration that ensued. A lot of people in America do not realize that this bill deals very severely with the precursor drugs that are used by those who would make methamphetamines illegally for sale to the young and others in our communities. What is that? Well, I sometimes have allergies, especially in the spring, and I must confess I take Sudafed and the generic equivalent with some frequency when that happens, and I like to buy it in the little bottle so I do not have to struggle with the little bubble caps. After this bill is enacted into law we are all going to have to struggle with the little bubble caps, because one of the things we are going to do is to make it harder to buy the precursor chemicals so that people cannot manufacture this drug. That is going to involve some inconvenience for consumers across this country, including myself, and I think it is a small price to pay in order to take effective efforts against this drug. As I said at the opening of this discussion, we have many principled Members on our side who have spoken quite eloquently on the issue of mandatory minimum sentencing. I know each one of these individuals well. I know that perhaps even more than those of us who may not represent areas that have been targeted for drug sales, they and their constituents know the heavy price paid by those who are involved in drugs and how terrible the dealing of drugs is. I again respect that the issue over mandatory minimum sentences really says nothing about their concern to fight drugs. I urge that we pass this bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, there is not a single Member of this Chamber who does not detest the evil of illegal drugs. Parents bury children killed by other children, locked into a deadly cycle of drugs and guns and gangs and violence. Fathers and mothers abandon children because they are driven mad by their addiction. Entire neighborhoods are laid waste. Every single Member of this Congress wants to stop this national sickness. So, we all support being tough on drug trafficking that is killing our young, destroying families, and damaging society. Most of us will support this bill. We will support it because we know that methamphetimine is dangerous and growing fast in cities, suburbs, and towns all across America. But, Mr. Speaker, there are some among us who take principled exception to one feature of the bill, the imposition of mandatory minimum penalties. Some of them will speak against those penalties, and some of them may even vote against the bill. I urge all of us to listen to their position carefully and to resist the temptation to engage in cheap theatrical politics, as if this principled opposition to mandatory minimum penalties were evidence of some kind of softness of drugs. On the contrary, Mr. Speaker, those who will speak against mandatory minimums will do so because they have seen firsthand the impact in their own communities, and they believe that the impact of this bill is futile as to mandatory minimums. With that, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for this bill, but to listen respectfully to the views of those who object to one of its features. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Scott], a member of the committee.

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. Watt], a member of the committee.

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the President of the United States is all our President, just as Reagan was my President and Bush was my President. He is my President, not your President. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Cummings].

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from California [Mr. Fazio], a member who has a long history of fighting methamphetamines and an author of a companion bill, H.R. 3908.

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas, Ms. Sheila Jackson-Lee, a distinguished member of our committee. (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from California [Ms. Waters], a respected member of the Committee on the Judiciary. (Ms. WATERS asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the bill. This bill strikes at one of the most cynical crimes in America, fraud against older Americans. The unscrupulous crooks who run the schemes that this bill aims at has stolen the life savings of scores of honest, hard-working older Americans. They have driven thousands of others deep into debt. These con artists have turned years that ought to be spent in well-earned hours of enjoyment into hellish nightmares. Unfortunately, many of these schemes operate not only across State lines, but even across international boundaries. Often only the Federal Government has the resources and the jurisdictions to stop a given fraud scheme and punish its perpetrators. This bill gives the Federal Government a few additional tools to go after those who prey on our parents, grandparents and other older Americans. It allows for criminal forfeiture of property used in such schemes, enhances penalties in cases of telemarketing fraud aimed at persons over 55 years of age, and directs the Sentencing Commission to increase sentencing in cases where criminals operate from foreign countries to evade prosecution. Mr. Speaker, this is a modest bill, but an important bipartisan blow against crime. I congratulate the chairman for working with us on this measure, and I urge my colleagues to vote for it. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Texas [Ms. Jackson-Lee], a distinguished member of the committee.

Ms. LOFGREN. I again urge passage of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 2 minutes. Mr. Speaker, I just want to say something briefly. I strongly believe that we ought to pass this bill, but I did want to say something about my colleague the gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. Watt], because, as he mentioned, it cannot be a popular position to stand up and speak what you think the Constitution calls out for. I disagree with him on the conclusion that he has reached and as the chairman has pointed out in this case, the presumption of innocence ends when the conviction is obtained under due process of law. I take the view of the gentleman from Florida [Mr. McCollum]. I do think the recidivism rate among child molesters is the highest of any crime. I frankly would prefer life sentences for those who would prey upon children in this way, but until that happens in every State, we are going to have to deal with people who have been released from prison and who still pose threats to children. So I did want to say that but also to note that the gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. Watt], although I do not agree with him on this issue, has certainly shown integrity in standing up for what he believes the Constitution requires. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Texas [Mrs. Jackson-Lee], a distinguished member of the Committee on the Judiciary. (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. Watt], a distinguished member of the Committee on the Judiciary.

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I support this legislation, which strengthens and improves the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act. The Jacob Wetterling Act, enacted as part of the 1994 crime bill, requires states to enact laws to register and track criminals who are the most violent, the most horrible and the least likely to be rehabilitated--criminals who attack children and who are sexually violent predators. Since the enactment of Jacob Wetterling, states have made great progress in building effective tracking systems. To make sure that these criminals are tracked however, this legislation does three important things: First, it creates a nationwide system that will help state and local law enforcement track offenders as they move from state to state; Second, while most States have established or are about to establish tracking systems, this legislation will ensure that there is no place-- no one state--where sexual predators can hide and not register. This system will track all offenders even if a specific state does not track such criminals. Finally, this legislation ensures that the most serious predators will be registered with law enforcement officials for the rest of their lives. This legislation works by requiring all offenders to verify their addresses on a regular basis by returning verification cards with their fingerprints and a recent photograph. A nationwide warning will be issued whenever an offender fails to verify his address or when an offender cannot be located. There are also tough penalties for offenders who deliberately fail to register. I am pleased that we have worked in a bipartisan fashion to protect our Nation's children from sexual predators, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, this vote today regrettably has more to do with politics than it has to do with medicine or what families need. We know that the 30-second ads are running throughout the country--the hit pieces and mailers are going forward. It is a political issue for this Congress, but it is a real life issue for families that need this procedure. I saw Viki Wilson, my friend, yesterday. I was friends with her mother-in-law, Suzy, for 20 years, and I remember April 8, 1994 when they lost their daughter, Abigail. Abigail was a much-wanted child. They had two baby showers for her. The nursery was garnished with pink ribbons, but they found out in the eighth month that Abigail's brain had formed outside of the cranium and there was no way that Abigail could survive. They sought medical help to see whether some medical procedure could be done to cure the defect in Abigail. They wanted her to live. But instead, their doctor advised that this procedure should be used so that Viki's uterus would not burst, so that they might have an opportunity to have another child, which they wanted to do. I remember the tears and the prayers of the friends of the Wilson family at that time. They needed friendship. They needed the Lord's help and guidance. They did not need the Congress of the United States to be involved in political wedge issues. This is about politics. Although I disagree with the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Hyde], the chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary, I do respect him. He has announced publicly that his goal is to have a constitutional amendment to preclude all abortions in America. I do not agree with him, but I respect his honesty in saying that. This is the first step toward that. It is about politics, and I hope that the American people understand that. In closing, I got a call from my late mother's very best friend, a devout Catholic who goes to Mass every single morning, and she told me that the priest had asked her to distribute cards against this procedure and she refused to do so.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I did talk to the gentlewoman about my friends, the Wilsons, and the real truth, not the rhetoric, not the misinformation, and the comment is that good Catholics and good Christians do not want to hurt good mothers. If we could keep that in our minds, put aside the politics, I think we would do a far more decent job here today.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the bill. As the gentleman from Illinois has mentioned, this bill would provide honorary citizenship to Mother Theresa and that is a symbolic gesture, it does not provide for voting, citizenship and the like, but it is an honor that I feel ought to be conferred upon Mother Theresa. I would note that this measure has come up late in this Congress, but the Committee on the Judiciary did consider it last week and on voice vote did unanimously approve the measure. As the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Flanagan] has indicated, there have only been three other occasions when honorary citizenship has been conferred by the United States, and they are all amazing people, Winston Churchill, Raoul Wallenberg, and William Penn. Certainly Mother Theresa belongs in this group of honored citizens of the world. I note that Mother Theresa was actually born in Yugoslavia, of Albanian parents. She has received an honor from India, the Jewel of India, as well as the Nobel Peace Prize, and the Order of the British Empire. Adding honorary U.S. citizenship would add our country's honor to her which she so richly deserves. I would note, as my colleague from Illinois has, that what she has done in her life deserves the admiration of all of us here in the United States and all around the world. Like many here in America when she fell ill a short while ago, I offered up a small prayer that she might be left here with us a little while longer to continue her good works. We do not know how long the Lord will see fit to leave her with us, but I hope that this bill bestowing honorary citizenship does pass in time for her to know that we call her our own as well. She embodies all the things that we believe is best for our country: hope, and reaching out to those in need. I thank the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Flanagan] for introducing the bill.