Robert Matsui

Mr. MATSUI

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Berkley).

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Frost).

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Smith).

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney).

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Sanchez).

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Clement).

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hinojosa).

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Minge).

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Wu).

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Stenholm), the ranking Democrat on the Committee on Agriculture. (Mr. STENHOLM asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Gephardt), the Democratic leader. (Mr. GEPHARDT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Lucas). (Mr. LUCAS of Kentucky asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rush). (Mr. RUSH asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from North Dakota (Mr. Pomeroy).

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps).

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Traficant). (Mr. TRAFICANT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I will be very brief. I just again would like to thank Members for the bipartisan atmosphere that occurs on the floor of the House, as it did in subcommittee and in the full committee. The fact that we have moved this bill in an expedited fashion certainly means that we should get it to the President in a timely fashion so that it will become law in the year 2000. Again, this is a much needed change in the social security system. I might just add, just so there is no misunderstanding, that this will have a $23 billion revenue loss out of the social security system over the next 10 years. But over the life of the social security system itself, because of the delayed credit, it will have no impact on the solvency of the social security system, so this has no impact on the social security system nor on the Medicare system. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel), the distinguished ranking Democrat on the Committee on Ways and Means. (Mr. RANGEL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

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

Mr. MATSUI

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York, the ranking Democrat, for yielding time to me. Mr. Speaker, Democrats favor relief on the marriage penalty. In fact, when the President spoke, more Democrats stood up quicker than the Republicans stood up during the State of the Union message. The President, in his budget that he gave us last week, has relief for the marriage penalty. In fact, Members on both sides of the aisle in a couple of hours will be able to vote on the substitute offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel), which will deal with the problem of the marriage penalty. The problem with this bill, talking about extreme, is that this bill really is not a marriage penalty relief bill. It is in name only. It is kind of like the Trojan horse. It does not really exist. The Republicans will have to admit, maybe they will not want to talk about it, but over half the relief in this bill of $182 billion, one-half of the bill of the gentleman from New York, $182 billion, that goes to people who do not even have a marriage penalty. So how can Members call this really a marriage penalty bill? There are a lot of problems with this bill, because we did not have a hearing, we did not have discussions. Nobody talked to the President or the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel) or any Democrat on this piece of legislation. It was just kind of put together at the last minute. All of a sudden, we are voting for it a week later on the floor of the House of Representatives. But bear in mind, this is unbelievable but it is true, somebody who makes $50,000 a year will get major relief from the marriage penalty of $149 a year, about $10 a month. But if you make $100,000 a year, you are going to get about $1,000 a month. That is what is extreme. It is not about the marriage penalty, this is about tax relief and redistribution to wealthy Americans. In addition, it is going to create a lot more complexity in the code, because people who make $50,000 then will have to file what is known as the alternative minimum tax. But the real problem with this bill is we have no budget. Because we have no budget, what is going to happen is these little tax bills that are moving through the House right now, $180 billion here, $200 billion there, all of a sudden it is going to affect our ability to fix Medicare and social security, the two most pressing problems in America today. It would be wonderful if the Republicans would have come to the floor today with a social security relief package, but they have spent most of their time playing the blame game. If we just had a bill to deal with social security first, because that is what we need to do. Social security and Medicare should be dealt with before we deal with tax provisions, because we are using, we are using the so-called budget surplus that may or may not be there. I urge a strong no vote on this extreme bill that is in name only called the marriage penalty, and vote for the substitute offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel), which really deals with the problems of average, middle-class Americans that are suffering from the marriage penalty.

Mr. MATSUI

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to the Mosaic Law Congregation of Sacramento. On February 25-27, 2000, the Mosaic Law Congregation will celebrate its 100th anniversary. As the Congregation members gather to celebrate, I ask all of my colleagues to join with me in saluting this monumental achievement. The humble beginnings of the congregation can be traced back to the early twentieth century. A small group of members from B'nai Israel formed Chevra Torat Moshe, or Mosaic Law Fellowship. Today, they have grown to become the oldest conservative synagogue in Sacramento. On February 27, 1900, Moses Wahrhaftig and seven other families organized the Mosaic Law Fellowship. Mr. Wahrhaftig, a Hebrew scholar, chose the name for the Congregation. In its early years, religious services were held in various private residences or public halls. Sacramento's rapid growth at the time brought an influx of many traditional Jews form the outlying areas, and the Congregation's membership grew. In 1915, the Mosaic Law Congregation hired Alfred Arndt as its first rabbi, and in 1917, the Congregation purchased its first synagogue at 1418 8th Street in downtown Sacramento. During the period from the 1920's until the 1940's, the Mosaic Law Congregation underwent several key expansions. The Congregation's first Hebrew school was established under Rabbi Ephrim Brosin. Also during his tenure, the Congregation's Ladies' Society became the Mosaic Law Sisterhood. As expansion continued, the Congregation moved into its next home in 1940 at 23rd and K Street. The next decade brought about a tumultuous time in the life of the Mosaic Law Congregation. They began to struggle with the question of whether to affiliate with the Orthodox movement or the emerging Conservative movement. Under the leadership of Rabbi Marvin Bornstein, the Congregation finally decided to become a part of the Conservative Movement by joining the United Synagogue of America. As the years went by, the Mosaic Law Congregation continued to prosper and expand. When it came time for another synagogue, the Congregation purchased a school building at 2300 Sierra Boulevard. Groundbreaking for this new expansion took place in February of 1971. This new place of worship led to the establishment of a Community School under the Bureau of Jewish Education. Women began to assume synagogue leadership roles as officers and board members. They were also extended pulpit honors for the first time. The Mosaic Law Congregation now had momentum to expand even further. Membership grew rapidly, and many new families with children filled the Congregation with youthful exuberance. Mosaic Law members served as leaders of the Jewish Federation and other Sacramento communal organizations. Construction of the Sanctuary and the Social Hall began in 1974 and was completed in time for the Congregation's 75th Anniversary Dinner. Mr. Speaker, as the exceptional people of the Mosaic Law Congregation of Sacramento gather to celebrate their centennial anniversary, I am honored to pay tribute to one of Sacramento's most outstanding organizations. Throughout its long and storied history, the Mosaic Law Congregation has continued to shine in service to both the Jewish community and the overall community of Sacramento. I ask all my colleagues to join with me in wishing the Congregation continued success in all its future endeavors.

Mr. MATSUI

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would first like to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Ose) for actually yielding time to me before he makes his remarks, and certainly I want to thank the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton), the chair of the committee, certainly the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman), the ranking member and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings) for putting this matter on the floor at this particular time. Before I begin my remarks, I would like to mention that the gentleman from California (Mr. Ose), the gentleman from California (Mr. Doolittle), and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Roybal-Allard) have cosponsored this legislation. We certainly appreciate the bipartisan effort on putting this on the floor. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in great sadness to pay tribute to a very distinguished leader, to one of the most outstanding public servants that I have known and to a true friend. On Sunday, November 7, the mayor of Sacramento, Joe Serna, lost his courageous battle with kidney cancer. As the Sacramento community mourns his loss, I ask all my colleagues to join with me in saluting his career and his efforts as one of the most extraordinary persons that I have ever known. Joe was only 60 years old when he passed on that November day. Joe was the son of immigrant farm workers from whom he learned the values and work ethics that exemplified his career. His sister said during the rosary service last week that when his mother brought Joe home, she put him in a crate because they could not afford a crib. From that kind of beginning, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in social science in government from Sacramento State College in 1966, and he received a higher degree at the University of California at Davis in political science. Always wanting to serve others, he entered, as the gentleman from Maryland said, the Peace Corps and worked in Guatemala as a community development coordinator and volunteer specializing in cooperatives and credit unions. Upon his return, he continued his service to others by becoming a teacher. He joined the faculty at Cal State University Sacramento; and in 1969, became a full professor in government. The energy he brought to life was transferred to his students in the classroom; and in 1991, he received the distinguished faculty award at Cal State University. Continuing his calling in public service, he was elected to the Sacramento City Council in 1981, reelected in 1985, and again in 1989. In 1992, he was elected mayor of Sacramento and was reelected by huge margins in 1996. He leaves a proud legacy of leadership and accomplishments. Most significantly, he worked throughout his career to revitalize Sacramento's downtown. He initiated the Sacramento Downtown Partnership Association, the Art in Public Places program, and the Thursday Night Market, all of which have made the downtown area a thriving gathering place for all Sacramentoans. As a result, in 1995 the mayor received the Economic Development Leadership Award from the National Council for Urban Economic Development. But his legacy was most proud in the area of public education. As the gentleman from Maryland had said earlier, in response to the erosion of our community's education system, Mayor Serna established the Mayor's Commission on Education and the City's Future, a coalition of business and civic leaders. The Mayor's Commission successfully led the recall of members of the board of trustees of the Sacramento City Unified School District and elected a new board. I am pleased to say that the achievement results since that time of our high school, middle school, and grammar school children have increased, which indicates that his efforts were not in vain but will help future generations of children in Sacramento. His education drive was one of many challenges that are identified under his leadership. For example, when the National Basketball Association Sacramento Kings threatened to leave Sacramento, he began negotiating with the Kings organization, members of the city council and community leaders to forge a role in keeping that basketball franchise in our community, not so much for the purpose of having a major sports franchise but because he knew that having a major sports franchise would create an enthusiasm in the community and bring all segments of our community together. When our military base closed, the Sacramento Army Depot and had 3,000 employees, Joe rather than curse the darkness, he lit a candle. He immediately sought businesses down in Los Angeles and actually brought up a high-tech industry and business that created 6,000 jobs for many people who were then on public assistance programs and now are gainfully employed. Over the past three decades, he served on numerous commissions, too many for me to mention today. But just as an example of his diverse leadership, he was co-trustee of the Crocker Art Museum. He was a member of the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Commission. He was on the Board of the Sacramento Employment and Training Agency, the Metropolitan Cable Television Commission, and the Air Quality Board of Sacramento County. But beyond his accomplishments, he was known simply as an elected official with a profound vision for the future and an energy to implement that vision. He knew how to build coalitions, ignite community involvement, and succeeded almost always in achieving his goals. Because of this vision, he leaves a proud legacy in Sacramento's downtown redevelopment area of growth, a stronger public school system, more jobs, more community police and certainly a higher quality of life. His parting has left a major void for all of us in Sacramento County, people of all walks of life. Four thousand people attended his service last week, people in business suits, and people that were dressed as ordinary citizens. I wish to extend on behalf of this institution our deepest sincerity and heartfelt wishes to Mayor Serna's wife Isabelle, his son Phillip and daughter Lisa and his mother Gerania. I, along with the City of Sacramento and the people of California, mourn with them. Mr. Speaker, the City of Sacramento has suffered tremendously from the loss of one of our most distinguished and visionary leaders as well as one of our best citizens. We will all miss him very much. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. MATSUI

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in great sadness to pay tribute to a very distinguished leader, to one of the most honorable public servants I know, and to a true friend. On Sunday, the mayor of Sacramento, and my good friend Joe Serna, lost his courageous battle with kidney cancer. As the community mourns his loss, I ask all my colleagues to join with me in saluting the career and efforts of this extraordinary person. Joe Serna was born in Stockton and raised in Lodi, California. He grew up the son of an immigrant farm worker, where he was taught the honorable values and hard work ethic that exemplified his career. It was here too that he began a storied and successful career, becoming a sheet metal worker at the age of 19. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in social science/government from Sacramento State College in 1966 and attended graduate school at UC, Davis, majoring in political science. Always wanting to serve others, Mayor Serna entered the Peace Corps in 1966, working in Guatemala as a Community Development volunteer specializing in cooperatives and credit unions. Upon his return to the States, he continued his service by pursuing one of the most noble of all professions--he became a teacher. He joined the faculty at CSU, Sacramento, in 1969 becoming a professor of government. Of course the energy he brought to life was quickly transferred to his students in the classroom, and in 1991 he received the Distinguished Faculty Award. Continuing his lifelong calling to public service, Joe Serna was first elected to the Sacramento City Council in 1981 and reelected in 1985 and 1989. He was then elected mayor of Sacramento in 1992 and again in 1996. As mayor, Joe Serna left a proud legacy of leadership and accomplishments. He worked throughout his career to revitalize Sacramento's downtown which included initiating the Sacramento Downtown Partnership Association, the ``Art in Public Places'' program, and the Thursday Night Market. Joe Serna was selected in 1995 by the National Council for Urban Economic Development to receive their annual Economic Development Leadership Award. He also established the Mayor's Commission on Our Children's Health and the Mayor's Commission on Education and the City's Future, which led to a new Sacramento City Unified School District Board of Trustees. As part of his active role in improving the Sacramento City School District, he founded the Mayor's Summer Reading Camp, a literacy program for below average scoring second and third grade students. Over the past three decades Mayor Serna was a member of numerous organizations including the Regional Transit Board of Directors and the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Commission. He was the Co-trustee of the Crocker Art Museum Association and an Advisory Board Member of Senior Gleaners, Inc. He also was a former Chair of the Sacramento City/County Sports Commission, member of the Board of the Sacramento Employment and Training Agency, member of the Sacramento Metropolitan Cable Television Commission and Sacramento Air Quality Management Board. From 1970 to 1975, he served as the Director of the United Farmworkers of America's Support Committee in Sacramento County. Mayor Serna also served as a two-time presidential appointed member of the Board of Directors of ``Freddie Mac.'' Mayor Serna was known as an elected official with profound vision for the future and the energy to implement that vision. He knew how to build coalitions, ignite community involvement, and succeed in achieving his goals. Because of this vision, he leaves a proud legacy in Sacramento of downtown revitalization and growth, a stronger public school system, more jobs, more community police, and a higher quality of life. What made Mayor Serna such a remarkable leader was his ability and willingness to listen to the community and make himself available to all voices that wanted to be heard. In an era when following the politically expedient route is commonplace, Mayor Serna was never afraid to fight for what he believed in if he knew it was the right thing to do. He never compromised his values and always brought a sense of honor and dignity to the Sacramento community. I thank him for his courage, for his kindness, and for the exceptional integrity he maintained throughout his career. Clearly, Mayor Serna leaves a new standard of leadership that we should all do well to follow. I would also like to extend my deepest and heartfelt sympathies to Mayor Serna's wife, Isabelle, his son Phillip, and his daughter, Lisa. I along with the city of Sacramento and the California community mourn with them. Mr. Speaker, the city of Sacramento has suffered a tremendous loss of one of its most distinguished and visionary leaders, as well as one of its best citizens. We will all miss him dearly.

Mr. MATSUI

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to Michael Ziegler and PRIDE Industries. On November 5, 1999, the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Sacramento is presenting their most prestigious Humanitarian Award to Mr. Ziegler. As friends and associates of Mr. Ziegler and the United Cerebral Palsy Association gather to celebrate, I ask all my colleagues to join me in saluting this special occasion. The United Cerebral Palsy Association's Humanitarian Award is given annually to ``individuals or organizations who have displayed a passion for life and a sincere desire to work toward enhancing the lives of others.'' Those who receive this award have fulfilled their passion and desire through extensive community involvement. As president and chief executive officer of PRIDE Industries, Michael Ziegler has exemplified that passion and desire. He has been the guiding force behind PRIDE Industries' mission to offer employment to an ever-expanding number of individuals with disabilities. While maintaining a successful business, Mr. Ziegler has been able to significantly increase the employment rate of handicapped people in the Sacramento area. Under the leadership of Michael Ziegler, PRIDE Industries has strived to meet four core values: mission, people, customers, and culture. Through their mission of creating good jobs for people with disabilities, they are working toward creating a challenging and rewarding environment. Energized by the fact that their efforts make a positive difference in the community, Mr. Ziegler is committed to establishing PRIDE Industries as a competitive and thriving company. The road to success for PRIDE Industries has spanned several areas. Over the years, it has gone from a non-profit organization to a government-funded agency and finally to a privately-funded corporation. Mr. Ziegler has enabled PRIDE Industries to become one of the fastest- growing private companies in Greater Sacramento with mostly disabled employees. As a result of increased demand for its manufacturing and service contracts, PRIDE Industries expects to add nearly 200 employees over the next 12 months. The company has service contracts in such areas as custodial work, groundskeeping, recycling, building maintenance, and various other service contracts for Air Force bases. In addition to service contracts, PRIDE Industries has thrived in electronic contract manufacturing. It makes printed circuit boards, assembles and repairs electronics products, and even manufactures its own brand of snowshoes. Mr. Ziegler has built PRIDE Industries into a thriving business recognized around the world for its success and direction. He has brought self respect and hope to many people with disabilities while maintaining and operating a successful business. Mr. Speaker, as the United Cerebral Palsy Association convenes to present Michael Ziegler with their Humanitarian Award, I am honored to pay tribute to one of Sacramento's most outstanding citizens. His contributions to disabled people and the community of Sacramento are commendable. I ask all of my colleagues to join with me in wishing Mr. Ziegler and PRIDE Industries continued success in all their future endeavors.