Grace Napolitano

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my friend and colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert), the subcommittee chairman and the sponsor of H.R. 2828, for his tireless work to keep the CALFED authorization moving forward, and also the gentleman from California (Chairman Pombo) for his unwavering support. As ranking member of the Subcommittee on Water and Power, I have had the privilege of working with the chairman on many water issues. His commitment to a fair and open legislative process is indeed very commendable. The State of California needs a more reliable water supply; we can all agree on that. We now face, like many other States, severe restrictions specifically on the use of the Colorado River, and we must reduce our water use to meet the terms of the Colorado River Compact. The gentleman from California (Chairman Calvert) and others on our committee are well aware of my strong support for water recycling, desalinization, and groundwater cleanup projects. With H.R. 2828, the gentleman from California (Chairman Calvert) has raised the importance of these projects to unprecedented levels. He deserves our combined thanks and our support for his commitment. Efficient water use, water recycling, ground water treatment, new storage, and desalinization projects are all critically important if we in Southern California are to succeed in our effort to cut back our use of the Colorado River. With increased emphasis on using water more efficiently, we can increase our available water supply by more than half a million acre feet of water per year, and we can do it cheaply and quickly. Mr. Speaker, by working together, we have taken a huge step forward towards authorizing the CALFED program. The gentlemen from California (Chairman Pombo) and (Chairman Calvert) and their staffs have cooperated with us fully, and we have together made many improvements to this legislation. I look forward to continuing our progress on CALFED as we move this bill towards the White House. I urge all of my Democratic and Republican colleagues to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lofgren).

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Dooley). (Mr. DOOLEY of California asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Baca).

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald).

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Tauscher).

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller).

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

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Southern California (Mr. Filner). (Mr. FILNER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Cardoza)

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, we have been going through trying to get reauthorization for CALFED for a number of years and have been unable to because of the differences of opinions from many areas of needs. I think it is time that we move forward and begin to work on getting this CALFED passed, which has had a lot of give on the side that we have been working on, and for that, I thank the chairman. We look forward to making sure that we continue to work on anything else that some of my colleagues might want on another venue, and I certainly would urge all my colleagues, Democrat and Republican, to vote for this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. No, I do not.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I certainly want to thank my good friend, the chairman of the subcommittee, the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert), for accommodating suggestions from minority staff and myself to improve this bill. In particular, I am very pleased that the language that was inserted earlier in the week to allow the use of Central Valley Project Restoration Fund for the Environmental Water Account purchases has been deleted. This revision would make it clear that the CVP Restoration Fund cannot be used inappropriately. I am very thankful and look forward to continuing to work on California's water projects, as well as other projects for the rest of the Nation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. NAPOLITANO

Mr. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 341, had I been present, I would have noted ``no.'' Amendment Offered by Mr. Smith of Michigan

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. I have heard all the rhetoric; and sitting 6 years on the Committee on Small Business, I cannot help but wonder. We talk about funding small business and the engine of our economy, which is the small business, and yet we do not put money behind it to make it work. We talk like we want to help small business; yet we put billions, billions with a ``b,'' into loans, into grants, into whatever for the airline industry. We cannot put in 79 lousy million into small 7(a) loan programs, that for every $33,000 loaned, they would create one new job. Talk about $79 million versus $12.5 billion that we can be able to have our economy move forward; yet we are scrabbling around and arguing about why we should not take this money and invest it in the source of job development that this country so dearly needs. Let me ask the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Manzullo) and the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez), do they really think that it is the time to cut small business when we most need it?

Ms. NAPOLITANO

Ms. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 218 and 219, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague and dear friend, the gentleman from California. I rise to honor, recognize, and celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and thank my friend for making us aware that all of us are immigrants to the United States and that we need to work together to be able to forge a better partnership for the betterment of the whole of the United States. I have the privilege of representing a large and diverse community of Asian Pacific Americans in my California 38th District. As part of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus leadership and a member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I extend my gratitude to the gentleman from California, chair of CAPAC, for organizing this Special Order and for bringing us together to recognize and celebrate this very special evening. This month, the members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus pay tribute to Asian Pacific Americans, especially, as we have heard, our great deceased friend, Patsy Takemoto Mink. We also have a great leader in the United States in Transportation Secretary Norm Mineta who has been a great friend to all of us and made a very heavy impact in transportation for the whole of the United States. The last day of this month is Memorial Day. I extend my appreciation to all Asian Pacific Americans who have died in combat and also to the more than 60,000 Asian Pacific Americans currently on active duty in the armed services. For over two centuries, Asian Pacific Americans have helped to strengthen and define America. In the 1700s, Filipino immigrants fled from Spanish oppression and settled in Louisiana. In the mid-1800s, Chinese immigrants were actively recruited to work on the transcontinental railroad, a vital line for early settlers in the West. In the face of discrimination, many Chinese and Japanese workers continued immigrating to Hawaii and California in the late 1800s to work long hours in agriculture long before other immigrants. Despite playing a critical role in the United States westward expansion, believe it or not, laws were passed to exclude Asians from citizenship. Today immigration policy is still fraught with some of the same systemic problems and hypocrisy early Asian Pacific immigrants encountered. Last week the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Gutierrez) introduced H.R. 4262, an immigration reform bill that addresses the needs of the immigrant community labor organizations and business groups. It fixes many of the systemic problems and honors the hard work of today's immigrants, all immigrants, including Asian Pacific Americans, provides better security for our country and gives the framework for managing future immigration. I have the highest regard for the determination and entrepreneurship and the spirit of these Asian Pacific immigrants. They have one of the highest levels of self-employment in the U.S. It is even higher than their American-born counterparts. America must pass an immigration policy that respects their hard work and the jobs that they bring to the United States. As a community, Asian Pacific Americans have never forgotten the struggles of those who came before us. The Tri-PAC which the Asian Pacific American Caucus, the Hispanic Caucus, and the Congressional Black Caucus have formed have been working together and will continue to work together to better the very, very hard issues that face our different communities. We have had the privilege to work with our friends in the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, CAPAC, to make the path smoother for those who come after us. The members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus look forward to continuing to work with CAPAC on improving minority health, increasing education resources, and working for real immigration reform for all those that need it in this great country of ours.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay homage and recognize our guest chaplain today, a gentleman who has been our pastor in our church for the last 12 years. He was born in the San Fernando Valley in California on March 20, 1954, the ninth out of 10 children to Roger and Helen Brennan of Van Nuys. He was born again through Sacrament of Baptism on April 18, 1954, celebrating this year 50 years as a Catholic. This June 21 he will be celebrating his 24 years as a priest. He graduated from St. John's Seminary College in 1976. He was ordained as a priest from St. John's Seminary Theologate in 1980 and is a priest in good standing with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. He served with Cardinal Roger Mahony at the old Cathedral Church of St. Vibiana for 5 years. His current assignment, we are sorry to see him go because he has brought our parish together and is adored by all of the children of the school and those that go to our church, will be assigned as pastor of Holy Trinity Church in San Pedro on July 1. We are very happy he was able to spend some time with us today and offer the blessings to the House. Mr. Speaker, I thank you very much for allowing Father Brennan to give the morning prayer, and I thank Father Brennan for the ability to be here and our resident chaplain for allowing him to be here.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I thank my gracious friend and colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), the ranking member on the committee, for yielding me time and thank the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton) for allowing this resolution to be brought to the floor and heard. Mr. Speaker, I am very, very concerned about this particular individual. His daughter came to my office not quite a year ago asking for us to take some action on behalf of her family. Yes, they are very worried. They are very concerned. Because they cannot be in contact with their family member, their father, they are not able to provide him any kind of assistance, so they are incommunicado and are not able to help this individual. This particular case is a clear case of a violation of human rights by the People's Republic of China. Dr. Wang, as you have heard, was held for 6 months before they actually filed charges against him. He was sentenced to life in prison on January 22, 2003, after, as you have heard, a very abrupt, half-day trial where he was not allowed time to prepare a defense, he was not allowed to cross-examine the government's witnesses, he was not allowed to call any witnesses of his own, nor was he allowed to provide his own defense. To date, there has been no evidence to link him to the crimes he was charged with, nor have they released him. It is no surprise that the United Nations working group has declared this detention illegal. I will include for the Record two articles that were printed on Dr. Wang. Today, while we go about our business of enjoying freedom and liberty in the United States, it is inconceivable to us that a person such as Dr. Wang would sit in a prison. He has not sent any communication to his family, he has been allowed no visitors, and he has been denied access to medical care. Our government must continue to put international pressure on China and many other countries to improve their human rights efforts. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues who cosigned this resolution and urge this House to sign up for human rights and human decency. Please vote ``yes'' on H. Con. Res. 326 and call on China to end its illegal detention of Dr. Wang. Mr. Speaker, I include the articles referred to earlier for the Record. [From Reuters News, Dec. 6, 2003] China Activist Plans Hunger Strike During Wen Trip Beijing.--A jailed Chinese dissident who spent years in the United States plans to stage a hunger strike to coincide with a trip by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to the United States, a U.S.-based rights group said on Saturday. Wang Bingzhang, who was handed a life sentence on terrorism and espionage charges by a Chinese court in February, aimed to protest against his solitary confinement at the Shaoguan prison in Guangdong province, the Worldrights group said. ``From solitary confinement, Dr. Wang is calling on the leaders of America to stand with him and to demand his unconditional release,'' it is said in a statement. Wen is due to meet with U.S. President George W. Bush early next week to discuss trade and issues related to Taiwan, which Beijing views as a renegade province, among others. Wang, a U.S. green card holder in his mid-50s said by family members to have renounced Chinese citizenship, was the first democracy activist charged by China with terrorism and espionage.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, it is with tremendous respect that I rise today to honor Father Jose Luis Ochoa, who is retiring from his post with the parish of St. Pius X in the City of Santa Fe Springs to return to Guadalajara, Mexico and work with the Guadalupe Missionaries. Throughout his career of service, Father Ochoa has spread faith and charity throughout many parts of the world. Father Jose Luis Ochoa was born in Mexico on December 5, 1940, the third child of seven children. In 1953 he entered the ``Diocesano de Mexico'' seminar. In 1956, he continued his schooling at the ``Seminario de Misiones'' with the Jesuits. Even during his vacations from the seminary, he would dedicate his time to travel outside of Mexico wherever there was a need for priests. On July 10, 1966, he was ordained at the chapel ``Seminario de Misiones'' and assigned as a missionary to Kenya, Africa. Upon his arrival in Nairobi, Kenya, Father Ochoa began to work as a vicar in the parish of Amakura. While there, he built a secondary school for girls to help instill in them the values of dignity and self-respect and help them reject exploitative and unhealthy practices. In 1975, he was assigned back to Mexico to serve as a Director to the Department of Promotions and Development. This work was a necessity for the ``Instituto de Misioneros de Guadalupe,'' and he worked with Bishops from different Archdioceses and became responsible for getting financial and vocational opportunities for the missions. After spending some time in Switzerland, Father Ochoa returned to Mexico once again in 1985 to help form a Seminary School in Guadalajara. While there, he also taught classes at a local school, helped construct a temple and a secondary school and started a food bank for the less fortunate. In January 1991, he departed to Los Angeles to be an administrator in charge of a home for Guadalupe Missionaries and was in charge of all missionary work. While in Los Angeles, he promoted the Integral System of New Evangelization program. From 1996 to 2004, he served in several parishes of the Archdioceses, with the permission of the Guadalupe Missionaries. His last assignment for the past four years was at St. Pius X in the City of Santa Fe Springs, where he brought great joy to the parishioners. I want to thank Father Ochoa for all he has done for my community and many communities throughout the world. I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing him good health and best wishes in his future endeavors.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Theresa Marcella (Palomares) Fuentes, affectionately known to all as Teddy. She was born on January 16, 1924 in Los Angeles to Robert F. & Bessie (Duarte) Palomares. A fifth generation native Californian, Theresa is a direct descendent of Don Ygnacio Palomares, original Spanish land grantee of the historic Rancho San Jose located furthest from San Gabriel Mission and encompassing the area that today includes Pomona, San Dimas, La Verne and adjacent areas. Teddy was educated in Los Angeles Catholic parochial schools, including St. Mary's Grammar School at 4th & Chicago in Boyle Heights, and later graduated from Catholic Girls High School. Immediately following graduation Theresa enlisted in the United States Navy Women's Auxiliary (WAVE's) Corps during the height of World War II, and was stationed in Washington, DC performing clerical duties for the Navy Department. Upon her Honorable Discharge from the Navy following the war, Theresa married her childhood sweetheart Robert H. ``Bob'' Fuentes, also a Los Angeles native. Together they had 10 children, Christina Marie, Roberta Theresa (married to James F. Buescher), Charles Patrick (married to Linda L. Unruh), Andrea Elizabeth (married to Robert C. Kunkel), Cecelia Catherine, Robert Henry III (married to Cynthia Vetter), Mary Carole (deceased), Christopher Francis, Joseph Aloysius (married to Amy D. Boothe), and Caroline Bernadette ``Buffy'' (deceased), and made their home in Norwalk and later Cerritos. A devoted homemaker and helpmate, Teddy immersed herself in the education and development of her children, amply demonstrating her talents as an accomplished artist and painter, expert seamstress, first-rate cook, as well as noted hostess in furtherance of her husband Bob's political career. After the untimely death of Bob Fuentes at age 50, Teddy took up the mantle of family matriarch and entered the workforce as a Sales Representative for Coca-Cola Bottling Company, retiring in 1991 after 14 highly successful years. Teddy Fuentes has made many outstanding contributions to church, civic and community endeavors, including service as Grand Regent of the Santa Teresita Court of the Catholic Daughters of America, and active memberships in the American Business Women's Association, Native Daughters of the Golden West, Past Grand Knights Association of the Knights of Columbus Council 3678, Gadabouts Senior Club, and Cerritos Senior Citizens. A world traveler par excellence, Teddy has traveled throughout the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East including several trips to Israel where she was baptized in the Jordan River, and Egypt where she rode camels at the pyramids and Sphinx. Theresa Marcella Palomares Fuentes celebrated her 80th birthday on January 16, 2004 together with her large family and numerous friends including her six grandchildren Jennifer Marie Hood, Holly Alana Hood, Ryan Anthony Kunkel, Lauren Elizabeth Kunkel, Laurel Frances Fuentes and Robert Henry Fuentes, IV. I take great pleasure in noting the wonderful life and achievements of Theresa Marcella Palomares Fuentes, extend sincere best wishes on the happy occasion of her 80th birthday and wish her continued happiness and good health.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to honor Richard A. Elbrecht on the occasion of his retirement from the California Department of Consumer Affairs, an agency with which Elbrecht has served the public since 1976. As the Supervising Attorney of the Legal Services Unit, he promoted and practiced the ideal that the law must be accessible to those whom it affects. Mr. Elbrecht graduated from Yale University in 1955 with a degree in economics and a focus on money, banking and the antitrust law. He also attended the University of Michigan Law School and earned his J.D., 1960. Mr. Elbrecht worked for Legal Aid, the National Consumer Law Center and in private practice in San Jose and Santa Cruz. But his greatest impact on the people of California was made during his years at the Department of Consumer Affairs where he constantly inspired his staff and co-workers through his intellect, enthusiasm and energy. He has created and maintained a work environment where excellence and innovation flourished. His unit provides a wide range of legal services, including legislative drafting, advocacy before administrative agencies, litigation and education. He has personally worked in a variety of areas of importance to consumers, including banking, electronic funds transfer, telecommunications, insurance, sales, warranties, credit and cable communications. He helped design and administer California's state quality awards program and has performed research on the application of computers and telecommunications to education. Through this work, Elbrecht has achieved many extraordinary accomplishments on behalf of California's consumers. He drafted the 1991 and 1992 rewrites of the California Small Claims Act and supervised coordination of the Small Claims Court Experimental Project, which led to numerous significant improvements to the small claims court process. He fundamentally reformed practices for selling hearing aids through his representation in People and Director v. Beltone Electronics Corp. He assisted policy makers in developing regulations of interest rates in retail installment sales. He played a key role in the conceptualization and enactment of the California Lemon Law, the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act and the Moore Universal Telephone Service Act. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Richard A. Elbrecht for his many years of service to California's consumers. His advocacy and hard work will be greatly missed, and we wish him much happiness and contentment in his retirement.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

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

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mrs. NAPOLITANO asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1732. This bill provides the Secretary of the Interior with authority to help finance a water recycling project to serve residents of Williamson County, Texas. As my colleagues know, these water recycling projects are becoming not only increasingly popular but necessary with communities who need reliable and cost-effective ways to firm up their community clean water supplies. It is unfortunate, however, that this administration refuses to understand and fund the potential of these projects. We will continue to press the administration to support these projects. H.R. 1732 is not controversial. I urge support for this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.