Grace Napolitano

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Chairman, I also rise in strong support of this very important amendment offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner). This amendment provides critical funding to immediately begin moving the radioactive material called the uranium tailings pile from the banks of the Colorado River to an environmentally safe location.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, in the last few months and years, a series of tragic events has made it clear that there are serious shortcomings in our gun laws that must be addressed. The U.S. Senate, after lengthy consideration, finally passed a bipartisan measure that would begin to close loopholes that have too often resulted in guns getting into the wrong hands by allowing vendors at gun shows and flea markets to sell firearms without conducting background checks. The Senate is to be applauded for this action. The Senate had the courage to pass a bill that dealt with the issue of juvenile justice and gun violence in a sensible and thoughtful manner. In the House, that same courage appeared to be lacking in too many of our colleagues. As a mother of five and grandmother of thirteen, I empathize with the families who lost children in Littleton, Colorado and with the thousands of other families across this nation who have seen violent crime rob them of their loved ones. These are losses that can never be forgotten and that leave a lasting void no one can fill. Unfortunately, the American people were the big losers in the debate on the House floor over gun safety last month. Hours of floor debate over three days and nights produced nothing that can comfort those who have already lost a family member to gun violence and provided no real meaningful measures to ensure the future safety of our children. The fight for sensible gun control is not over. Those of us who believe in closing gun loopholes will continue our efforts. Three months ago, I spoke to many members of Family and Friends of Murder Victims assembled in Rose Hills Memorial Park to honor their slain loved ones during Victims Rights Week. I pledged to them that I would work to ensure we establish laws and programs that help prevent the additional loss of innocent lives and to strengthen victims' rights. I intend to keep that pledge. Let us look at the facts: In the five years that the Brady Bill has been in effect, requiring a three business-day waiting period for a gun purchase, more than 400,000 illegal gun sales, two-thirds of which involved either convicted felons or people with a current felony indictment, were blocked. This is clear evidence that this law works and that we are on the right path. However, we still have far to go. Studies show that one in four gun murders are committed by people aged 18 to 20. Furthermore, about two- thirds of all homicides involve the use of a gun. Also consider that domestic violence often turns into homicide in many instances where guns are readily available, and that law enforcement officials support gun safety because it saves police officers' lives. These facts demand our immediate attention. It is no wonder that a recent Pew Research survey found that 65% of the nation believes gun control is more important than the right to bear arms. Similarly, a Gallup Poll shows that 79% of Americans support mandatory registration of all firearms. I wholeheartedly support a rational gun safety policy to close loopholes that have allowed too many individuals to skirt laws designed to prevent guns from getting into the wrong hands--often the hands of felons or minors. We should strengthen the Brady law and fight for new gun safety measures that include: a three business-day waiting period to complete background checks on people buying guns at gun shows and flea markets-- just like sales at retail outlets; banning the import of large-capacity ammunitions clips; raising the national age of handgun ownership from 18 to 21; gun safety locks to accompany all new firearm sales; and preventing serious juvenile felons from ever owning guns. We can achieve all of this if the members of the House have the will and the American people make it clear to their representatives that they demand action on gun safety. Let us stop the delay. Let us pass meaningful gun safety legislation.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in praise of Mr. Donald R. Powell, a distinguished public servant in my 34th Congressional District in California, who is retiring as City Manager of Santa Fe Springs, California after an illustrious career spanning 33 years of service. Don Powell's stellar performance in local government has made him a recognized leader in the field of public administration. He is the recipient of numerous awards and commendations including the prestigious Mark E. Keane Award for Managerial Excellence, which was presented to him last year by the International City/County Management Association. Don Powell also served our nation as a Captain in the United States Air Force, during which time he received a commendation for operational improvements to the Bangkok Aerial Mail Terminal. Don is graduate of Whittier College and holds a masters degree in International Public Administration from the University of Southern California. Don Powell's career with the City of Santa Fe Springs began in 1966 as an Administrative Intern. His outstanding service was recognized as he rose through the administrative ranks to take the helm as City Manager in which he has excelled for the past nineteen years. Don's vision, tenacity, skill and managerial excellence helped transform a small town dominated by oil fields and smoke stack industries into one of the most vibrant and prosperous contemporary business communities in Southern California. He was able to achieve this tremendous example of suburban renewal while carefully balancing fiscal responsibility with a deeply abiding respect for the rich historical and cultural heritage of the city. I have known Don Powell for over thirteen years, since my own service as a City Councilmember and Mayor of the neighboring city of Norwalk, California which borders Santa Fe Springs to the south. I have greatly admired Don Powell's professionalism and unsurpassed level of personal commitment to the City of Santa Fe Springs, neighboring cities in Los Angeles County, the State of California and to the profession of public service. Don Powell leaves a legacy rich in the beautification and prosperity he so skillfully guided on behalf of a grateful and well-served community. His immense contributions to the transformation and maturing of Santa Fe Springs, an All American City, has nurtured a strong sense of civic pride among its residents. The City of Santa Fe Springs will surely miss the outstanding work of City Manager Donald R. Powell. On behalf of the many business and residential citizens, Mayor Albert L. Sharp, Mayor Pro-Tempore George S. Minnehan, Jr., Councilman Louis Gonzalez, Councilman Ronald S. Kernes, Councilwoman Betty Putnam, Councilwoman-Emeritus Betty Wilson, and the entire City staff, I extend heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Don Powell for his exemplary service, and further extend best wishes to Don and his wonderful wife Jackie Powell for every continued happiness, great health and success in the years ahead. It gives me great pleasure to pay tribute to a superb public servant and fine American citizen Don Powell on the floor of the House of Representatives in Washington. Thanks for everything Don.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, last month the United States Senate courageously passed the juvenile justice bill that would begin to close loopholes that too often have resulted in guns getting into the wrong hands. I am very deeply disappointed that this House was unable to demonstrate similar courage last week. Instead of standing up for what is right, sensible, and what the American people want, the leadership of this House pandered to the narrow interests of the gun lobby and did not even give us the opportunity to vote on the bill passed in our Senate. Instead, they presented us with two separate bills designed to kill gun safety measures in this House. The American people deserve a better Congress than that. They deserve a Congress that places more importance on human life, more importance on our children's sense of safety in their classroom, and on the parents' peace of mind, instead of pandering to the fringe interests of the gun lobby. Mr. Speaker, I have been a Member of this House barely more than 6 months. When I came here my mission was to serve my district and the American people and to do everything within my power to ensure their safety. Our Constitution and the Congress' primarily focus has always included the protection of our citizens safety. Last week's vote betrayed that intent, and even worse, was a great disservice to the American people. Several Members on the other side of the debate raised concerns about upholding the Constitution's Second Amendment, the right to bear arms. Of course I and others support upholding the Constitution. However, I totally disagree with those who contend that requiring a 3-day background check on firearms buyers at gun shows or that requiring child safety locks on all gun sales is an infringement on peoples second amendment rights. What a bunch of horsefeathers. These modest gun safety measures do not prevent responsible citizens from owning guns. They simply ensure that guns do not end up in the hands of criminals likely to purchase them without adequate background checks and then misuse them. Let us look at the known facts. In the 5 years the Brady bill has been in operation, that is the one that requires the 3-business-day waiting period for gun purchase, more than 400,000 illegal gun sales, two-thirds of which involve either convicted felons or people with a current felony indictment, were blocked. This is clear evidence that this law works and we are on the right path. However, we still have much work to do. Vice President Gore recently told the U.S. Conference of Mayors in New Orleans that a new government study show that about two-thirds of all homicides involve the use of a handgun. Also, consider that domestic violence often turns into homicide in many instances where guns are readily available, and that law enforcement officials support gun safety because it saves police officers' lives. It is no wonder that a recent Pew Research survey found that 65 percent of this Nation believes gun control is more important than the right to bear arms. This battle for sensible gun control is not over. Those of us who believe in closing gun loopholes will continue to fight to tighten our laws and ask for their enforcement. Two months ago I spoke to hundreds of members of families and friends of murdered victims assembled in Rose Hills Memorial Park to honor their slain loved ones during victims' rights week. I pledged to them that I would work to ensure that we establish laws and programs that will prevent the additional loss of innocent lives, and to strengthen victims' rights. I intend to keep that pledge. I intend to serve the American people and not special interests. I also intend to uphold the Constitution. Therefore, I proudly pledge to continue to fight and support reasonable gun safety legislation on behalf of America's children and our families.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Chairman, it takes me back to California days, and I am very, very happy to stand here in support of this amendment with my colleague from California. Understand that, in California, we have taken very, very many steps to try to control the proliferation of guns amongst our children, and we have not been able to successfully deal with the young people who are able to acquire these guns and be able to use them indiscriminately, whether they are on drugs or whether they are doing the drive-bys in the areas where we have the least control. Now, under this law, any person who is an adjudicated juvenile delinquent may possess firearms when they become adults. This will prevent those juveniles from being able to legally obtain and be licensed to carry a gun. This is a very necessary item to the Brady bill, and we may want to call it the juvenile Brady. And I believe that all of us should support this bill to be able to allow our law enforcement officers to have one more tool to keep guns away from violent individuals, whether they be juveniles or adults.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the McCarthy- Roukema amendment to plug gun show sales.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Madam Speaker, I would like to certainly call upon all my colleagues to join us in bringing the issue of school construction and modernization up for debate this year. In my home State of California, we are facing a very critical and potential crisis in providing adequate school facilities for our children. With the number of students increasing in grades K through 12 by about 270,000 during the next 5 years, California will need 10,000, 10,000, new classrooms. That is six new classrooms each day for the next 5 years. In addition to building new classrooms, more than two-thirds of existing school buildings are in desperate need of repair. State and local resources are currently only covering half of these construction costs and modernization needs. We, therefore, all of us, owe it to our children from throughout the United States to address this issue right here in Washington. The children of my State who are the future of California and the children of other States are depending on us to take action to build and renovate our schools.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, as a Californian, I am fully aware of the impact of the high technology industry has had on my state's economic well-being and the prosperity of our people. California is, after all, the proud home of high-technology--the industry responsible for revitalizing the California economy, ensuring our position as the premier exporting state in the nation, and creating tens of thousands of high-wage jobs for our burgeoning population. High-tech jobs are well-paying jobs--approximately 73 percent higher than other private sector jobs. This means that, on average, high-tech pays a $49,500 annual salary while other jobs pay $28,500. The most recent data on California's high-tech industry indicate that California ranks first in high-tech employment (about 785,000 jobs) and second in high-tech wages. Moreover, by 1997, 61 percent of all California exports were high-tech products. In the context of a competitive global economy, America's high-tech products are in growing demand. As a result, America has a huge high- tech goods trade surplus with the European Union, Canada, and Brazil. In 1996, the high-tech industry exported $150 billion in goods making it the nation's leading exporter ahead of transportation equipment and chemicals. In this decade our high-tech exports grew a phenomenal 96 percent. Our high-tech companies' innovations and business acumen are truly the envy of the world. The New Democrat Coalition's High-Tech Week is a perfect opportunity to put into perspective both our triumphs and our challenges. There is no doubt that the twin engines of technology and trade propel this economy. The U.S. computer industry serves as a good example of American innovation and leadership. Many of our most successful companies started out as small entrepreneurial ventures with little cash, lots of enthusiasm, vision, hard work and real commitment. Those are the qualities that make me proud to be an American and a Californian. However, today we are at a crossroads. We approach a new millennium with a workforce that lacks the skills to take advantage of the boundless opportunities that the high-tech industry has to offer. The concerns I hear from both educators and high-tech business people about the lack of skilled workers are serious. This is an ominous situation that deserves our serious attention. The American Electronics Association is absolutely correct when it states ``the technology industry cannot be sustained without workers with solid training in science and math.'' It is a national embarrassment that American students do not compete well with high school students from other countries. For example, U.S. high school seniors ranked 19th in math and 16th in science in standardized tests among 21 countries. When it comes to cultivating qualified workers for high-tech jobs, California, like many other high-tech oriented states, lags behind many of our foreign competitors. Although there has been some progress, California and other states continue to struggle with creating a solid and educated high-tech workforce. The key is developing core competencies in technical areas such as math, science, and the use of technology. Without fundamental change, I am concerned about the continued vitality of our high-tech industry and its ability to attract an educated high-tech workforce. In California and throughout the U.S., the high-tech industry continues to experience a shortage of qualified workers. How long can we rely on other countries to fill our job vacancies without harming our own competitiveness? Right now, foreign nationals receive nearly half of all doctoral degrees and a third of all masters degrees awarded by U.S. universities. I believe that we--educators, business people and political leaders-- must come up with a new educational agenda and the will to implement it. Our educational system, from kindergarten to the college level must encourage Americans to study math and sciences so that they can have access to the abundance of high-paying job opportunities in the high- tech industry. It is alarming that despite all the opportunities available to people with degrees in math, engineering and physics, colleges are graduating fewer and fewer American students with these majors. In fact, high-tech degrees from American institutions have actually decreased 5 percent from 1990-1996. Although California colleges and universities conferred the most high-tech degrees, they also had had one of the steepest declines, awarding 1,600 fewer degrees in 1996 than in 1990. Our economic security demands that we find solutions to this crisis. A world class, K-12 public school educational system is not beyond our grasp. What has eluded us is national commitment. We tend to talk about educational excellence but have been unwilling to provide the funds that are critical to this objective. And we have failed to rally parents and business as true partners in what must be a coordinated and creative national effort. The 106th Congress has an obligation and an opportunity to make ``educational excellence'' one of its highest priorities. This means we need to assure that we have qualified teachers in our classrooms, that students meet basic competencies and that attention is given to the evolving needs of the high-tech industry. Our children and our grandchildren will be the true beneficiaries of this legacy if we are bold enough to meet the challenge.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall Nos. 147, 148, and 149, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``Yes'' on each vote.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues on both sides of the fence for bringing this today to this floor. I especially want to thank my colleague, the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Carrie Meek), for authoring House Resolution 156, which commends the Reverend Jesse Jackson for his wonderful and great work in securing the release of our brave servicemen, Staff Sergeant Andrew Ramirez, Staff Sergeant Christopher Stone, and Specialist Steven Gonzales. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this resolution and honored to have the opportunity to address the Nation about it today. Reverend Jesse Jackson has once again proven himself a man of great ability, of great compassion and of great faith. His mission to Yugoslavia brought relief and joy to the families of these three servicemen and to all Americans who prayed for their freedom. Our Nation owes Jesse Jackson a great debt of gratitude. His skillful diplomacy in this case, as well as his other successful missions to free hostages and prisoners throughout the years, serves to remind us of Reverend Jackson's steadfast dedication to peace and freedom. With regard to Staff Sergeant Steven Ramirez, I am especially thankful to Reverend Jackson for his courageous mission and am proud to join the Nation in honoring this exemplary American today.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, it is with a great sense of honor, compassion and resolve that I rise to speak on the floor of our United States House of Representatives on behalf of the 1.5 million Armenian victims of the 1915 genocide. As a member of the Congressional Armenian Caucus, I am deeply honored to represent a large Armenian community located in the city of Montebello in my 34th Congressional District. Together with my colleagues, I share a heartfelt compassion for the tremendous suffering visited upon the Armenian populations as a result of the systematic and deliberate campaign of genocide by the rulers of the Ottoman Turkish Empire during the period of 1915 to 1923. Let no succeeding generation forget these unspeakable atrocities, nor seek to deny the terrible truth of its occurrence. The United States Archives are replete with material documenting the Ottoman Turkish government's premeditated exterminations, including the executions of the Armenian leadership in Istanbul and other Armenian centers, and the male population conscripted into the Ottoman Army. The surviving women, children and elderly were sent on horrific death marches through the Syrian Desert and subjected to rape, torture and mutilation along the way. Mr. Speaker, the Armenian-American communities throughout the United States, as well as all people of goodwill, stand firm in our resolve not to let the world forget the Armenian genocide of 1915. In solidarity with the countless victims of the Jewish Holocaust, the Cambodian genocide and the present massacres being committed in Kosovo, we must continually recognize these crimes against humanity and reaffirm the American people's commitment to steadfastly oppose the use of genocide anywhere in the world. It is altogether fitting that on this last anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915 in this 20th century, and in recognition of the atrocities being committed in the Balkans today, to restate from this same floor of the House, the truly memorable words of our late colleague, the Honorable Les Aspin, then chairman of the House Armed Services Committee on April 28, 1992: We look back in order to memorialize those who died under Ottoman rule, to restate that they shall not have died unmourned and unnoticed, to shout that millions of us, Armenians and non-Armenians alike, will never forget. We look forward to declare that this must never happen again, that the deaths of one and a half million people must serve as a perpetual warning to the world, alerting us to the threat of evil and uniting us to combat anyone who might again think of committing wholesale murder. Mr. Speaker, in remembrance of those Armenian leaders executed during the genocide of 1915, I am honored to recognize some of the outstanding Armenian-American leaders of today, who have contributed so much to the betterment of our nation, our beloved state of California and our communities in the 34th Congressional District. In particular, I wish to honor the Most Reverend Archbishop Lapajian, and the Reverend Babouchian, Pastor of the Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Cathedral in Montebello, California for their faithful spiritual guidance. And, it is appropriate to recognize two former Armenian-American elected officials who made an enormous contribution to the State of California and the communities of the 34th Congressional District, the Honorable George Deukmejian, who served as a Member of the State Assembly, state Senator, Attorney General and Governor of California; and the Honorable Walter J. Karabian, who served as Majority Leader of the California State Assembly. Their exemplary service has been a beacon of hope to all that wish to realize the American dream of opportunity and success. In addition, I am pleased to recognize the service of the Honorable Tom Malkasian, City Treasurer of the city of Montebello, and member of the board of the Armenian Mesrobian School. I have also recently had the privilege to visit several worthy leaders and institutions of the Armenian community in my district including Raffi Chalian, President of the Armenian National Committee; David Ghoogasian, Principal of the Armenian Mesrobian School; Anita Haddad, Co-Chairwoman of the Armenian Relief Society; Manouk Zeitounian, leader of the Homenetmen Athletics and Boy Scouts; Joseph Gharibian, Member of the Board of Representatives of the Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Cathedral; and most significantly, Lucy Der Minassian, Co-Chairwoman of the Armenian Relief Society, and herself a survior of the Armenian genocide of 1915. Mr. Speaker, in closing let every American stand with our Armenian brothers and sisters noting this anniversary throughout the world, together with the victims of torture and genocide whenever and wherever it occurs, to honor their precious memory, in compassion for their terrible suffering, and with unflinching resolve to never, never forget.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, and I will not object, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) for an explanation of the concurrent resolution.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, under my reservation of objection, I yield to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Bonior).

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, further reserving the right to object, I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hastert) and everybody involved. It was a joint effort. It was not just my doing. So I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) for his support and really fast-tracking it. House Concurrent Resolution 83 expresses the sentiment not only of the United States Congress, but of the American people that we support our three brave young men being held prisoner in Yugoslavia: U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Andrew Ramirez, Staff Sergeant Christopher Stone, and Specialist Steven M. Gonzales. Their patriotism, their bravery, and their service to our country is both humbling and inspiring. These courageous men went to Europe prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for the noble causes of peace and freedom. Now that their own freedom is at stake, the United States, its Congress, and the American people stand firmly in solidarity with them and their families in calling for their release. I thank all my colleagues for joining me in supporting these brave soldiers of ours and praying for their speedy return to freedom. And God bless all our servicemen throughout the world. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues today to support the campaign finance reform and the filing of this discharge petition. I am proud that my signature will be among the 218 needed to bring H.R. 417, the bipartisan campaign finance reform measure offered by the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Meehan) and the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays), and other measures as well, to the floor for a vote. For me as a new Member of this House, this is a truly defining issue. The money chase must end so we, as servants of the people, can spend our time doing the people's business. I believe that it is what our constituents want from us. It is certainly what I would prefer to do. Nine out of 10 Americans support campaign reform. Let them know we are listening to them. Now is the time to move forward. No more delays, no more bickering, no more excuses, just let us vote.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 86, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, one of the most important keys to success to Americans is our education. That is why it is one of the top concerns in the Latino community and a high priority in the Unified Democratic Agenda. We heard our youth requires increased literacy and more education plus enhanced technological skills. My District in southeastern Los Angeles County is absolutely no stranger to high dropout rates, and I discussed this with all of my school districts. These students leave school and are unable to be good, productive citizens in our area. There are many types of approaches that the people in my district have come up with to fight the dropout rate and improve education. However, this does not mean that we in Congress and the Federal Government do not have a responsibility to work with them. There are many types of approaches to fight these dropout rates that we hope to be able to, together, fight for. That is why we need to have more teachers, school modernization, funding for alternative programs that help keep our next generations of Americans in school. Mr. Speaker, one of the most important keys to success in America is education. That is why education is one of the top concerns in the Latino community and a high priority in the Unified Democratic Agenda. To succeed in today's economy, our youth require increased literacy, more education and enhanced technological skills. But our schools are overcrowded and need to be equipped with the latest technology; teachers need better training; and we need to address the unacceptably high Latino drop-out rate. Thirty percent of Latinos 16 to 24 years old have dropped-out of school. The number for African Americans is 13 percent and for non- Hispanic whites it is 7 percent. Among Latinos with limited English proficiency, about 50 percent have dropped out. My district, in southeastern Los Angeles County, is unfortunately no stranger to high drop-out rates. Just a few weeks ago, I was discussing this very issue with an administrator at Bell Gardens High School, which serves the East Los Angeles and Montebello communities in my district. At Bell Gardens High School, they have another problem in addition to the traditional drop-out rate as we know it. They have a very high transiency rate--about 30 percent. These are students who leave school and then come back several months or a year later. Their education is interrupted and they have difficulty readjusting to the educational program, which makes them even more likely to leave school again. Local teachers and school officials have been tackling the drop-out and transiency problems in multiple approaches. One is to increase parent involvement in their children's education, so that the learning experience at school is reinforced at home. Another approach is to improve libraries. There seems to be a correlation between the size and quality of libraries and the ability to capture students' interest and keep them engaged in the educational process. A third approach is the Pathways program, which gears students toward a specific career path. This program has been successful at making high school education more relevant to the lives of students who might otherwise not see the necessity of staying in school. When they can link each of their classes to a future job, school suddenly becomes a much higher priority for them. For those students who are living adult lives, either because they are parents themselves or they have to work full-time hours to support their parents and siblings, Bell Gardens High School has implemented ``alternative programs.'' These are flexible educational programs designed to fit the schedules and demands of these students' lives. These are the types of approaches that people in my district have come up with to fight the drop-out rate and improve education. Let us not mislead ourselves into thinking that all the solutions to our schools' problems can be found here in Washington. Excellent ideas are developed in the local schools in our districts. However, this does not mean that there is no role for Congress and the federal government. It is our responsibility, as servants of the people, to ensure that local schools have the resources they need so that special programs, such as those at Bell Gardens High School, succeed. That is why we need to fight for more teachers, school modernization, and funding for alternative programs that help keep our next generation of Americans in school.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, last Friday, Labor Secretary Alexis Herman and my colleague Xavier Becerra joined me for a rally and press conference at Los Angeles County+USC Medical Center to unveil the nationwide internet petition calling for a Patients' Bill of Rights. Based on the enthusiasm of the large crowd that morning, my guess is that this is going to be a popular petition across my State and our Nation. And there is good reason for it to be popular. The petition, at www.familiesusa.org calls for a meaningful Patients' Bill of Rights--A Patients' Bill of Rights that guarantees: access to specialists, choice of health coverage, by offering an alternative to HMO's of that is all an employer can provide. access to emergency care whenever and wherever it is needed, the right of patients to hold their HMO accountable, protection for providers who advocate for patients, and, access to approved clinical trials when no other treatment is available. The importance of guaranteeing these rights cannot be overstated. Passage of a meaningful Patients' Bill of Rights will save lives. Last Friday we heard the stories of two victims of HMO practices, Nick Enriquez and Serenity Silen. Both were children who deserved much better care than they received. The story of Serenity's father's battle with his HMO to save his daughter's life epitomizes why we need a meaningful Patients' Bill of Rights. Serenity was diagnosed with leukemia, but only after having been misdiagnosed four times because HMO's were not willing to pay for the cost of full medical diagnostic tests, such as a complete blood count. After about 2 months, Serenity's father had to take her out of his HMO's network to finally get a proper diagnosis. But it did not end there, when Serenity returned to the HMO for treatment, she received substandard care. At one point, when Serenity went into remission, she could have been given a bone-marrow transplant that would have increased her chances of survival. Instead, the HMO said a transplant procedure was ``expensive'' and only reserved as a last-ditch effort. But this delay jeopardized any future transplant, and fatally endangered Serenity's life. After an exhausting struggle with the HMO, Serenity's father found a hospital outside of the HMO network that could provide proper care for her. But it was too late. Because of their focus on cost instead of care, the HMO created a time delay that resulted in irreversible damage to Serenity's health and caused her premature death. We cannot let this type of practice continue. Health care decisions belong back in the hands of patients and doctors, not insurance company administrators who are only watching the bottom line. Serenity's father said it best. ``Children deserve to live.'' No child should ever have to go through what Serenity experienced. Let us, together, do something about this. Let us bring compassion back to health care. Let us put patients first. Let us pass a meaningful Patients' Bill of Rights.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues to carry a message that we do need to invest in our future and not squander our resources on ill-conceived tax cuts. We have heard it before and we are going to continue hearing it, the recession of the early 1990s has been replaced with a record-breaking strong economy. Years of budget deficits have finally been replaced with a surplus. Now we need to determine what is the most responsible thing to do in these good economic times. Should we do what any prudent family would do when times are good, namely, pay down our debt and invest in our future, or should we spend away our surplus on massive tax cuts that mostly benefit those that do not need it, the wealthy? Before I think of what we go through, I do not think it is very hard. The answer is very clear. That is why I support my party's policy of paying down the national debt and investing in America's future. Let us dedicate the 62 percent we have talked about of the surplus towards safeguarding Social Security and 15 percent towards Medicare. This would ensure that Americans have access to Social Security benefits until at least the year 2055 and access to Medicare benefits until at least the year 2020. While we work to safeguard Social Security and Medicare, let us also start getting serious about paying down the national debt. Public debt is now the highest it has ever been at $3.7 trillion, that is with a ``t'', and it is soaking up billions of tax dollars that could otherwise be used towards further strengthening Social Security, Medicare, investing in our schools and infrastructure and expanding health care services. In 1998, 14 percent of our government spending went into paying the interest on our national debt. That comes to $3,644 for every family in America, $3,644. That is more money than was spent on the entire Medicare program. The money spent on the interest payments on the national debt did not reduce the debt itself by one cent. It certainly did nothing to improve our health care, our schools, our drinking water, or to help small businesses succeed. Let us stop wasting money on the national debt's interest payments. Now that we have overcome a history of budget deficits, it is time to use that economic strength we have built towards finally paying off the national debt. In addition, we have put an end to wasteful spending by looking at how we do the furtherance of cutting the national debt. It is good for Americans because it would lead to a reduction in interest rates. Now get this, a 2 percent dip in interest rates would cut home mortgages, the rates in home mortgages significantly. A family currently making monthly payments on a $150,000 home with a 30-year fixed income mortgage at 8 percent is paying $844 a month. If their interest rate drop to 6 percent, that monthly payment would be cut to $689, a savings of $155 a month. That is better than any tax cut the other side is proposing. Now for college students, a 2 percent reduction in the interest rate would cut typical 10-year student loans for a 4-year public college by $4,263. That is an 8.5 percent reduction. For small business, a 2 percent interest rate could reduce a 5-year start-up loan on $200,000 by $11,280 over the life of the loan. These are very real and significant savings that demonstrate how paying off the national debt can help working families. The President has proposed a budget that will cut the debt, reducing it to $1.3 trillion. That would be the lowest national debt in proportion to GDP since 1916. I hope that my colleagues will join me in supporting our President's plan. Common-sense fiscal discipline transformed the budget deficit into a surplus. Let us resist the temptation to spend our current surplus on tax cuts that will leave us ill-prepared to tackle the challenge of extending the life of Social Security and Medicare and reducing the national debt. Just because the days of deficits are behind us does not mean that fiscal responsibility is obsolete. We need to continue on the course of maintaining a strong and healthy economy that will benefit all Americans, especially our children and future generations.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I am here today to make the case for an accurate year 2000 census. We must do what we can to avoid a repetition of the 1990 census, which was the least accurate U.S. census this century. In 1990, over 800,000 Californians were not counted. Subsequent studies by the Census Bureau found that 17,153 individuals in my own district went uncounted. The 1990 census is also known for having done a poor job of counting minorities. This deficiency was also reflected in my district, where 63 percent of those not counted were Hispanic. What good is a census if it doesn't count everyone? We need an accurate census so that federal funds and congressional seats can be fairly distributed among and within the states. When I was Mayor of the City of Norwalk, it was blatantly clear how vitally important census figures were in determining my city's access to much- needed federal dollars. Communities in my direct, my state and around the nation, depend on an accurate census to provide them with the dollars they deserve to support important education, health and infrastructure programs. Therefore I supported, and continue to support, the use of modern statistical methods to produce the most accurate census possible. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court took the position that these modern methods cannot be used for the reapportionment of congressional seats among the states--a decision that will likely leave California without all the representation it deserves. But the Supreme Court decision did affirm that these methods can be used in determining how to draw district lines and distribute federal funds. I hope that we will be able to use modern statistical methods for those purposes. I know that many of my colleagues on the other side oppose the use of modern methods for any purpose, and I am saddened that they lack a commitment to producing the most accurate census possible. If we are not going to be able to use the best methods recommended by our Census Bureau, then let us move quickly to ensure that the people who conduct the head count, using old and out-dated methods will, at the very least, have some of the tools needed to conduct a successful count. This is going to be the largest peacetime mobilization in U.S. history--500,000 people will be hired all across the country for temporary positions to count our population wherever they may be found. To ensure that their effort is a success, these census workers must be familiar with the areas in which they will be working. This will help minimize the expected undercount. Therefore, I am strongly urging the President to sign a waiver, authorized by the 1978 Civil Service Reform Act, to allow the use of a supplemental, bipartisan political referral system to fill the approximately 500,000 temporary decennial census positions across the nation. This will allow for local input into who is chosen to run the census. It will ensure that familiarity with the local area and the great diversity of our communities are critical factors taken into consideration when hiring qualified people to conduct our census. Both Presidents Carter and Bush signed such waivers for the 1980 and 1990 Censuses. This approach was determined to be a very effective method in attracting qualified applicants accustomed to dealing with the public. With a waiver, Members of Congress, as well as a host of state and local officials will be able to recommend individuals in their communities that are thoroughly familiar with the territory they will survey, including hard to reach populations. And, of critical importance, they will possess the sensitivity to deal effectively with local populations, inclusive of ethnic and racial minorities, who may be suspicious of unknown government workers coming into their communities. The 2000 Census is fast upon us and unfortunately the Supreme Court has already tied one hand behind our backs, making an accurate count all but impossible. We in Congress must not further hamper the Census Bureau in conducting the best and fairest possible count. I strongly urge the President to sign the waiver as soon as possible and for Congress to allow the Census Bureau to use the most modern statistical methods for determining how to disperse federal funding and draw district boundaries within states

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. Speaker, this is a very important issue for California, and I am sure Members understand that California has been through floods, fire, and earthquakes in the last 5 years that have necessitated the heavy assistance from FEMA that comes in reactively. We certainly endorse the thrust of this H.R. 818, and commend both sides for the effort they are putting into working effectively to help small businesses be able to be proactive in an area that is of vital concern to the whole Nation, not just California. This would enable my small businesses to be able to move some of their infrastructure to where the damage, whether it is a fire or flood, will be less devastating, and in earthquakes, be able to assist a small business survive the rock and rolling that happens in an earthquake in California by being able to strap down their most important pieces of equipment, so they are not damaged. So it is very essential for us, and I would hope that it would be a slightly larger amount than $15 million a year for 5 years. I think California alone would be able to use that amount, but the effort is what counts. I am sure that both sides will understand, and small business will thank their representatives for being able to understand how important this piece of legislation will be. I heartily ask both sides to consider that this bill will be a very highly proactive small business bill, because it will be small business that will benefit from it.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, we have all heard about the need to dedicate the 62 percent of the surplus over the next 15 years to saving Social Security and then, of course, the 15 percent to saving Medicare, which cannot be understated. However, in addition to that, we need to recognize that simply securing the solvency of Social Security and Medicare is not enough. We also need to address the structure and quality of Social Security and Medicare programs. We need to discuss covering prescription drugs, a difficult issue because of the cost involved, yet vital for so many seniors in America. We need to address the earnings test so that seniors who work to supplement their pensions are not penalized by cuts in their Social Security benefits. We also need to talk about improving service so that individuals do not get lost in a bureaucratic cobweb that leaves them frustrated and without the benefits they deserve. We have already agreed to dedicate the 62 percent of the surplus for Social Security in order to fully protect America's retirement security, but I urge my colleagues on the other side to take the next step and join us in resolving the entire Medicare issue.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I am bringing up the rear, I take it. I am sure we have all heard the extensive dissertation on the surplus, and we will continue to hear it as the days move forward. There is a crisis looming over our Nation. The Medicare trust fund is currently projected to run out within the next 3 years. However, the Nation is also receiving a great windfall. We have heard about it. This current budget deficit is over, and we now have a projected surplus, and the economists, as was just told by the gentleman from Texas, has forecast to run for the next 15 years. We must use a portion of this windfall to stave off the looming crisis. Let us commit to dedicating 15 percent of the surplus over the next 15 years to saving Medicare, saving and protecting Medicare, not offering meaningless tax cuts that are not going to prove any long-term benefit for our children and grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, this proposal will extend the life of the Medicare program to the year 2020. I am pleased that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have agreed with us to use 62 percent of the budget surplus to protect Social Security, and now I hope they will also join us in protecting Medicare. It is a critical component of our retirement security, and I just do not mean ours. I mean the senior range, but there are people who will be currently in the area, in that age area, that are going to be necessitating those services, that are going to be looking for assistance in their retirement. Saving Social Security alone is not enough to help our seniors cover all the costs and expenses they may have to face. That is why we need to use that 15 percent of the surplus to protect Medicare rather than spend it on these meaningless tax cuts that most citizens do not want, and they tend to favor the rich plus do nothing to strengthen our economy over the long term. In a 10 percent across-the-board tax cut plan the average working individual making between $20,000 to $30,000 would only see their taxes cut by $146 a year, while those making $200,000 would get $12,874 in tax cuts. This is not only not equitable, it is not fair, and it is also not a responsible way to spend the surplus. Why do we need to save Medicare? Well, dedicating this 15 percent of this surplus to saving Medicare is the moral and responsible thing to do. If people have spent years paying into the system, the least we can do is ensure, making sure it is there for the time when they need it. According to a CBS/New York Times poll taken recently, the last couple of weeks, 64 percent of our Americans said they believe the surplus should be used for protecting Social Security and Medicare. While we strengthen Medicare, we can also get serious about paying our national debt. Reducing our national debt will cut the amount we spend on interest payments every year by the millions of dollars. Last year, the government spent $3,644 for every American family to pay interest on our national debt. That is 14 percent of government spending dedicated to retiring our debt, more than was spent on the entire Medicare program that year. As we pay off the national debt, we stop wasting millions on interest payments. This money that we save can then be reinvested in Medicare so we can strengthen it further beyond the year 2020. In conclusion, I am asking all of us in Congress to commit to saving both Medicare as well as Social Security. We must unite and dedicate that 15 percent surplus towards Medicare and 62 percent towards safeguarding Social Security. At the same time paying down that national debt is the responsible thing to do, it is what America wants, it is what America needs, and it is what America deserves.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Yes, very much so. As a matter of fact, recently one constituent told me, and he was a doctor, that they have been told that they must have something like 15 patient visits a day at 15, 20 minutes apiece. You really cannot provide the kind of care, especially in the specialist area like a heart doctor. To me it just indicates that these people are being put under pressure to move on to the next customer. It is like it is an assembly line. We cannot treat human beings that way. We need to ensure that those doctors and those plans that are not for profit, that we provide them with the assistance that is necessary to be able to render a service and increase their ability to do it at a local level where there is no HMO, even a for-profit. Unfortunately, that is not happening. I think a lot of people are being disheartened.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. I thank the gentleman for the opportunity.