Solomon Ortiz

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, throughout this whole unseemly matter, I have tried desperately to cling to the dignity of the instruction of the Constitution to guide my actions. I have carefully weighed the evidence we have seen so far: the Referral from the Office of Independent Counsel (OIC), the President's taped testimony, and the reams of evidence in support of the OIC Referral. As a grand juror in this process, evaluating the evidence carefully, and privately, is consistent with my constitutional role. Today, the House allows the Judiciary Committee to move forward on the investigatory phase of the impeachment process. We are not voting on impeachment; that is the duty of the Senate. We are not quite yet to the actual grand jury phase of this process; we are at the point where Congress' prosecutors and investigators are asking to complete that part of the Constitutional obligation. My vote today is based on only what the OIC has referred to us. It is important to complete the process. We should be fair. We have yet to see witnesses deposed or cross-examined, nor weighed additional evidence. Today the House has a choice, to investigate only what the OIC referred to us and be finished by the end of the year, or to continue the steady drumbeat of those things already investigated by the FBI, the OIC and the Congress. There is no need for such a shotgun approach. Today's vote is in deference to the Constitution. No one will report this, but that Constitutional deference should be the single most important point made in analyzing Democratic votes on either plan to continue the investigation. The House vote to analyze, for those who wish to do that, is the next full House vote; that will speak to the actual question of impeachment. My votes today, for democratic alternative and in opposition to the Republican plan, are an indication that what we have received from OIC may be sufficient for the inquiry. Again, remember, this was not a vote on the question of impeachment, it is a vote for the HJC to proceed with the inquiry. The next possible action by the House will be any action we may take on actually referring articles of impeachment to the Senate. The final question of impeachment rests with the Senate.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, in recent years, the Republic of China on Taiwan has emerged as a major economic power in the world. Recent world economic events offer a special lesson in the power of democracies in global economic affairs. Their economic success is directly attributable to freely elected democratic leadership. These leaders understand that a strong economy is necessary for political reform. The fact that Taiwan has survived the latest Asian financial crisis relatively unscathed is the lesson in the power of democracy. From its one-party past, the Republic of China has grown into a more sophisticated democracy with a number of political parties. The Republic of China strongly supports individual freedom, human rights, and a dialogue with any other country in the world. Mr. Speaker, let us show our admiration of our friends in the Republic of China by congratulating them on their 87th National Day, October 10, 1998. At a time when it is even more apparent that the world's economies are interconnected, the United States can find an oasis of strong economic fundamentals in the Republic of China.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank these gentlemen for taking the time to honor a giant of Texas politics, Henry B. Gonzalez. To see the future, you must stand on the shoulders of giants. I, and many Texans elected after Henry Gonzalez was elected, have seen the future--and the future promises more Hispanics to Congress from Texas. This giant has been an inspiration for young men and women who aspire to excellence in public office. Young Henry Gonzalez, who learned business at his father's side, has spent virtually his entire life in public service. He is a maverick who, while recognizing the significance of being the first Hispanic elected to national office from Texas, respectfully declined to be labeled only as a Hispanic during his term of service. Realizing the importance of being part of the mainstream in the United States, he wanted only to be known as a legislator, and as a Texan. We remember him as both those things tonight, and we thank him for the lifetime of service he gave to our country. You must admire a man who hauls off and punches a fellow in the face in a restaurant because he called him a communist. Henry B.'s tell-it-like-it-is-style has been a burr under the saddle of presidents; he has occasionally annoyed his colleagues with a never- give-up-attitude; and he is much loved, and has been much lived, throughout his career by his constituents, friends and those of us who have been privileged to serve as his colleagues in this august body. I remember a friend telling me that she was a little girl whose mother worked in Henry B.'s first campaign and she recalled the raw excitement about the campaign, and the elation of the victory. She was so proud when she and her mother were invited to Washingon to see him sworn in. Well, she didn't make it and she said she's still a little mad at her mom for coming here without her. She came up here to work in Washington in the 1980s and at dinner one night, I asked her who she would like to meet--the President of the United States, the Speaker of the House, a movie star--Well, she wanted to meet Henry Gonzalez. She finally got to meet Henry Gonzalez, and she had tears in her eyes after they spoke. There is not a way to qualify your legacy, mi amigo. You served your country well and showed all of those who followed you the path to success. Thank you.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak about a great friend of mine who throughout his congressional career has been a strong and passionate leader whom I am personally proud to have served alongside of in the House of Representatives. He is a loyal patriot to his country and devoted husband and father to his family. No one can doubt his allegiance to the Marine Corps and no one can doubt his sincerity nor his passion to serve his country. I have had the privilege of traveling with him as members of the National Security Committee and throughout our travels have gotten to know him on a personal basis. His strong devotion to our country and military has been an inspiration to me. Every place we traveled, he was always interested in the issues of that country and how the United States could act on those issues and provide leadership. I wish him happiness and a long productive life in his retirement. We will greatly miss his presence in this House.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. You know, Esteban, even though I am from Texas, he is no stranger to my State. In fact, his daughter married a young man or two daughters from Texas, and he spent a lot of time in my State, and he has got a lot of friends not only in our great State of Texas, but in our small communities. He was there when our people were harvesting watermelons or corn or grain, and we spent a lot of time together. In fact he was my guest on several radio shows and television shows. And as I was coming here, some of the people found out some way, somehow that you were retiring, Esteban, and they wanted me to relate to you that Texas is still, I guess, your second home, and they would like for you to come back and visit with us. So you will be welcome any time. And I know that we travel to many places together as Members of Congress. Esteban was somebody that was always focused on the issues, and he was able to talk to dignitaries from other countries, and since he was an ambassador we felt that he was the only guy that was able to make sense on all the stuff that we are talking about. So, Esteban, I just wanted to let you know that my friends and your friends from South Texas relay a message to you: Come back to South Texas and visit with us soon.

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, Esteban Torres is not the sort of man we can say goodbye to as he retires from this body. He is really family, and we know we will see him again and again and again. Also, like family, he is hard to describe in simple terms. You are complex, my friend. You, as my good friend, David Dreier said, are an artist, a statesman, a friend of labor, an inspiration to young people, and an example of how far one can go in life and a role model to many of us. Esteban's father was sent back to Mexico when he was a very young man in Arizona. He has been through much in his life, and he has accomplished much in his life. Under his direction, the East Los Angeles Community Union grew into one of the largest anti-poverty agencies in the country. In 1976 President Carter appointed him Ambassador to the United Nations education, scientific and cultural organization, UNESCO, and later a Special Assistant to the President for Hispanic Affairs. Esteban and I came to Congress together as classmates in 1983, a few years back. As my colleagues know, we have watched the good and bad associated with this institution during our tenure. They have been decidedly that we have had some low moments, and there has been some moments of majesty that impressed the world. Together we have seen it all, and now Esteban has decided that he has simply seen enough. There are a host of stories about Esteban that I would love to share with all of you, but they are probably best remembered privately between us in the cloakroom. But one of my fondest memories is to see you on the floor, in the hallway or in the cloakroom with your scratch pad and a pencil drawing the things you saw on the front row of history. I still have one of your sketches, and I will treasure it for the rest of my life. In the first really big floor fight of my tenure I took to the floor in opposition to the use of turtle extruder devices, TEDS, in commercial shrimping. Esteban knew it was an important moment for me, and he sketched the action of what was happening on the floor. Especially for me he sketched it, and I think you remember that, Esteban. And I remember walking into the cloakroom in 1997 while the Iran- Contra hearings were going on. Democratic members were being accused of not paying appropriate attention to the daily testimony before the committee. So you sketched a view of many democratic members watching the testimony on our closed-circuit TV in the cloakroom. Thank you for capturing the moments of our lives of our service here on Capitol Hill. Your friendship is a friendship I will miss and I will always cherish since you are family, and we will not say goodbye. I will say good luck to you and Arcy, and I hope you will come back and continue to talk to us and make us laugh and continue to draw those beautiful sketches with stories about life, about those of us who serve in Congress. May God bless you, and I know that whatever you do, Esteban, God will bless you, and you will prosper and do well not only for you and your family but for your neighbors and your community. Godspeed and God bless you.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me today in recognizing Dr. J. Gilbert Leal, the president of Texas State Technical College (TSTC), where he has served for 20 years. Dr. Leal has proven his leadership in our community and in higher education. During his 20-year tenure, Dr. Leal has seen an enormous amount of growth on the physical campus itself, in the student population, and in the university budget. In 1969, when Dr. Leal joined the staff of TSTC, he began teaching in the educational and development programs under the Manpower Development Training Act. During his tenure as Migrant Counselor-Supervisor, his work with adult migrant education provided basic education to area migrant workers. It also shaped his thinking about the importance of adult education, particularly in the majority-Hispanic communities of South Texas. He was soon chosen to direct the Admissions and Records Department, a position he held for six years, until he was selected as campus president in 1978. Maintaining a positive working relationship with community business and industry is only one way Dr. Leal has followed the philosophy of TSTC to respond to the local unique educational and training needs. By capitalizing on education partnerships through a coordinated effort to utilize local, state, federal and private funds for continued growth at TSTC during the difficult years, Dr. Leal made it possible for the college to grow without creating an undue tax burden for area residents or students. In addition to his commitment to education and improving the standards by which we educate young people, he has shown his commitment to the community by chairing the Rural Health Scholarship Committee, serves on the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council Board of Directors and the Cameron County Workforce Council. He chaired the Valley Workforce Alliance, served on Task Force for Improving Quality Education in the Rio Grande Valley, as well as the Harlingen School Board of Trustees. I ask my colleagues today to join me in commending Dr. J. Gilbert Leal for the outstanding service he has given the South Texas community, educationally and otherwise. Also, I would like to thank Norma Leal, and their sons, Gilbert D. Michael, and Ricardo, for their generosity in sharing their husband and father with the community for so many years.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my good friend for yielding time to me. I rise in strong support of H.R. 3616, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999. Mr. Speaker, I want to specifically address the provisions in the act relating to military readiness. First, I would like to express my personal appreciation to the Subcommittee on Military Readiness leadership and to my colleagues on both sides of the aisles of the subcommittee and the full committee for the manner in which they conducted the business of the subcommittee this session. I want to express my appreciation to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Bateman) for his personal involvement, and the extra steps that he took in getting us to where we are today. We had the opportunity to see readiness through a different set of eyes, the eyes of the brave soldiers, sailors, and airmen who are entrusted with the awesome responsibility of carrying out our national military strategy. We heard them talk about the shortages of repair parts, the extra hours spent trying to maintain old equipment, and the shortage of critical personnel. While we in this body may differ on some policy and program objectives, we on the subcommittee were able to get a better appreciation of the challenges that these brave souls face in trying to do more with less. For their effort, we can all be proud. I personally remain concerned about how long they will be able to keep up with the pace. The readiness provisions in the bill reflect some of the steps I believe are necessary, with the dollars available, to make their task easier. It does not provide all that is needed under this bill. While I would be more pleased if the migration of O&M funds to other accounts did not take place, I am optimistic that the recent correspondence I have seen from the President indicates an interest in providing additional funds for the readiness accounts. Mr. Speaker, we have many, many problems. Retention has become a serious problem. As I talk to the men and women who serve, the first question they ask me is this: You know, when my father went in the military, he would get 60 percent of his pension. It has gone down to 50, and now to 40 percent. We have to do more to help our young men and women. The Air Force, they are 700 pilots short. I could go on and on and on. But with what we have to work with, I think that this is a good bill. I ask my colleagues to support it.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I am a member of the Committee on National Security, and I do not know how many of my colleagues have had a chance to look at the military report that came out just recently. A military report earlier this month found that the marines involved in the fatal shooting on the border were not adequately trained for anti-drug operations that place combat-ready troops amongst civilians. The report found that the mission appears to have been viewed at every level of Marine Corps command as more of a training opportunity than a real world deployment. The failure to appreciate the difference has tragic consequences. Mr. Chairman, I not only served in the military, I was in law enforcement for 14 years, and there is a difference being sheriff, with all due respect to my good friend, we both were sheriffs, in middle America than being a sheriff in a district that is very, very close to Mexico. We talk about drug trafficking, we talk about illegal aliens coming into this country. What have we done about consumption? If we do not have consumption, and it is not only the United States, other countries are beginning to experience, and at one point they were considering only as being transshipment points. But it has changed now. Now Columbia, Costa Rica and other countries are beginning to have problems with consumption as well. Mr. Chairman, this is something that we are going to have to work on together. So, I have a lot of respect for my good friend, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Traficant) but I do not think that the answer is putting troops on the border, even at the discretion of the Secretary of Defense. So at this time I would just ask my colleagues to look back and see what has happened. Read the military report and see what it says. The training, my colleagues, is totally different.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the many efforts to bring an oceans policy bill before the House of Representatives today. This is certainly an issue which is extremely important to the future of the United States and deserves our attention. As H.R. 3445, the Oceans Act of 1998, comes to the floor of the House of Representatives, I am concerned there has not been adequate debate on provisions rejected for inclusion in this legislation which would protect the objective and fair consideration of all interests in offshore resources. It is my desire that we would continue to work to bring a compromise bill on ocean policy to the floor of the House. This is an extremely important issue with far ranging effects which Congress should address thoroughly. Since we initially considered this issue in the Committee on Resources, I have not heard anyone say that we should not protect our oceans. We all are aware of the inimitable role our oceans play in our future and know we must insure the sustainability of oceanic resources. At the same time, these resources contribute daily to the economies of our communities and support a large segment of our population, both directly and indirectly. While we work to protect the future of these resources, we must insure we adequately protect the diverse interests we have in our oceans.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this motion to instruct conferees because of the grave drought situation affecting the farmers of south Texas and the difficulties they are facing with the Crop Insurance Program's coverage of their crop loss. My office has heard from farmers, bankers, and those in the farming industry who have experienced their fifth straight year of weather related crop losses. Assistance under the emergency status designation for Texas agriculture producers is definitely needed. I am here to voice the concerns of these farmers in Washington and urge that disaster assistance alleviating this situation be made available.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, because of a death in my family, I was absent for roll call votes 377, 378, and 379. If I had been present for these votes, I would have voted ``yes'' on all three.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my unconditional support for the extension of a Federal Charter to the American GI Forum, an organization founded and maintained by Dr. Hector Garcia of Corpus Christi, who was my personal hero and one of the most important Americans of our time. Dr. Garcia was a different breed of patriot and citizen. Long before the issue of civil rights was on anyone else's agenda, Dr. Hector Garcia recognized the need for equal rights for the citizens of the united States, particularly in our little corner of the world in South Texas. Rather than make the larger elements of society uncomfortable with a direct public assault on the status quo, Dr. Garcia began making quiet inroads into the system. He began his work by establishing the GI Forum, initially to help Hispanic war veterans get the veterans' benefits routinely denied to them. Dr. Garcia encouraged all of us to become involved. He articulated clearly why it was necessary for Hispanics to show an interest in the workings of our city, our community and our country. He underscored the basic workings of democracy, preaching his message about the strength of numbers, the necessity of registering to vote, and the power of voting. Today, Dr. Garcia's message is the political gospel to which we all adhere; and his pulpit was the GI Forum. While others fought the system, often unsuccessfully, Dr. Garcia worked within the system to open it up for everyone to participate. He amazed us all with his wisdom, foresight, and longevity. Dr. Garcia began fighting for the cause of civil rights in 1948--long before others joined that cause. He fought for basic, fundamental civil, human and individual rights. The seeds he planted all those years ago have grown into ideas whose roots are firmly planted in South Texas. Those seeds have produced today's leaders and laid the foundation for tomorrow's pioneers. As a veteran, I am particularly grateful to Dr. Garcia for his very special service, during conflict with the enemy, and within the bureaucracy. The American GI forum was originally intended to guide WWI and WWII veterans through the maze of bureaucracy to obtain their educational and medical benefits, and it grew into the highly acclaimed civil rights organization. The seeds of Dr. Garcia's inspiration and leadership have sprouted, and they will continue to grow and succeed, just as he planned. Dr. Garcia was a tremendously decent man, and his legacy to us is to treat each other decently as human beings. He embodied the Golden Rule: ``Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.'' There are a host of people in South Texas who received free medical care from him because they simply couldn't afford to pay him. We all appreciate his simple decency, and I commend the Veterans' Affairs Committee for their wisdom in granting a Federal Charter to the American GI Forum. It is a fitting legacy for both the American GI Forum and for the man who founded it.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, as a former law enforcement officer, I understand the pain and difficulty associated with the continuation of lives without fathers and husbands, brothers and friends. As I was a sheriff before coming to Congress, I keep up my contacts with other law enforcement types, both here and back in Texas. So I knew both officers who dies in the brief combat inside the doors of our Nation's Capitol, and my staff and I mourn their loss, along with their families, and their extended families here on Capitol Hill in the larger family of Congress. I know this: There is nothing that either of these officers would have wanted more than to fulfill their mission and be hailed by the institution they served, as well as their country, as heroes for democracy. That is an honor of the highest order. Those of us who walk these hallways each day understand the perils we face at the end of the 20th century. There is no grand military conflict consuming the world today. Yet the minds of some of our citizens are badly tormented, to the point that they believe they can only resolve that conflict by doing damage to their government. This man was not an enemy of the state * * * he was mentally disturbed. What was fundamentally different about him was that he carried a gun and apparently had no fear of being killed in an attempt to violate this sacred building. We cannot protect this building, nor the people who work here, from the evil in the minds of individuals who are unafraid to die and have the nerve to rush a security checkpoint with a gun. This is a democracy in pursuit of life, liberty and happiness. If we lock off elected officials from those they govern, our democracy will come out of this tragedy a little weaker. Democracy is not easy. It has never been easy. For those people who work for the Federal Government, this particular time in history is occasionally dangerous. We all know it. It was never more apparent than in 1995 when a fanatic blew up the Oklahoma City Federal building. It is part of our consciousness, but we know that if we let them dictate how we behave, the bad guys win. I won't stand for that. My colleagues in this hallowed hall won't stand for that. Officers Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson didn't stand for that, and they laid down their lives as they were trained to do to protect the civilians who inhabited the building at the moment the gunfight broke out. They gave the last full measure of devotion to their country and to this institution they were sworn to protect. My personal thanks today to the officers, and to their families, for standing firm on that thin blue line.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, because of official business in my District (27th Congressional District of Texas) I was absent for rollcall votes 288 to 309. If I had been present for these votes, I would have voted as follows: 288, no; 289, no; 290, no; 291, no; 292, yes; 293, yes; 294, yes; 295, yes; 296, no; 297, yes; 298, yes; 299, yes; 300, yes; 301, yes; 302, yes; 303, yes; 304, yes; 305, yes; 306, no; 307, no; 308, yes; 309, no; 310, no; and 311, no.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 270, acknowledging the importance of the Taiwanese leadership in the current Asian financial crisis, as well as the importance of the stability of the Taiwanese Strait. I consider myself a good friend of Taiwan, and I am proud of the relationship that my Congressional District has with the government of Taiwan. Mr. Speaker, we all know that international trade is the essence of prosperity in this new economic era. There is perhaps no country which offers more promise for the United States and my home state of Texas than Taiwan. I am proud of the role I have played in laying the foundation for our nation's relationship with Taiwan. It is my belief that the United States should embrace the people of Taiwan in matters of trade as the friends that they are.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding patriot, United States Coast Guard Captain Al Gaston. This guy got a rather odd start for one who serves in the Coast Guard . . . he was drafted by the U.S. Army. He served two tours in Vietnam, left the Army, went to college, then joined the Coast Guard. During Captain Gaston's command of Group and Air Station Corpus Christi, I have been impressed with his efficiency, his straightforwardness, and his extraordinary ability to exercise good judgment in any situation. He was thoughtful about keeping my office appraised of situations as they occurred with regard to matters of security. He oversaw Operation Gulf Shield, the largest multi-agency counter-drug operation in the history of the United States. As a former law enforcement officer myself, I am deeply aware of the price illegal drugs exact from our communities and our nation. Captain Gaston and I share a commitment to keeping drugs off the streets of our country. This native of Cuba, who emigrated here with his family in 1961, has carried out the policies of the United States in a professional manner; he is a true public servant. The Coastal Bend of South Texas will miss his commitment and integrity. He is dedicated to the principles of democracy. He is the sort of leader who shows respect for the men he commands. Captain Gaston leads by example. He worked incredibly hard, and with a cooperative spirit, with the agencies which formed Operation Gulf Shield. He is a talented diplomat and a dedicated family man. He is quick to give credit, wherever credit is due. He never fails to give out special awards to his men when they deserved it. Al Gaston is a man of high integrity and value. He goes the extra mile for his duty; and he does his job well. I hope all of you will join me in commending this outstanding public servant and dedicated Coastie.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to register my opposition to the Traficant amendment, by my friend from Ohio; and in support of the Reyes substitute which would better organize the scope of the military's role on the border. As a veteran and a former law enforcement officer, I understand the unique perspectives of those who strive to keep the peace on the border, and the views of those in this Congress who believe we should put military resources we already have in a place they are needed. However, putting our soldiers on the border is a very bad idea. For 50 years, the United States spent our money and our energy fighting a war against communism. In 1989, we saw the Berlin Wall finally come down. It would be a mistake of enormous proportions if we erected our own wall, in the form of our military, along our southern border. At a time when Mexico is our neighbor, friend and economic partner, it would be folly to station troops WHO ARE TRAINED TO KILL on the international border. There is a huge difference between law enforcement officers trained to police the civilian population and the military troops who are trained to kill the enemy. We are painfully aware that illegal immigrants and drugs are coming across the border. But the answer to that problem is to increase the Border Patrol staff along the border, not reinforce it with troops trained to shoot to kill. Already there have been two incidents along the border in which the military engaged. As a result, one young U.S. citizen has died at the hands of another in pursuit of an ambiguous mission. We cannot change that; but what we do here today may well prevent it from happening again. The reason I support trade treaties like NAFTA and GATT is that they address the economic foundations of this region by expanding economic and job opportunities. We are better served as a nation if we address the economic motivation behind the movement of illegal immigrants and drugs, as opposed to positioning U.S. troops to be our cops at a friendly international border. Parliamentary Inquiry

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. I rise in strong support of H.R. 3616, the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 1999. I want to specifically address the provisions in the Act relating to military readiness. First, I would like to express my personal appreciation to the Subcommittee on Readiness leadership and to my colleagues on both the subcommittee and the full committee for the manner in which they conducted the business of the subcommittee this session. I want to specifically thank the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spence), my chairman, and the ranking member, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton). Although the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Bateman) is not with us today, I want to express my appreciation for his personal involvement and the extraordinary steps that he took in getting us to where we are. We had the opportunity to see the readiness through a different set of eyes, the eyes of the brave soldiers, sailors and airmen who are entrusted with the awesome responsibility of carrying out our national military strategy. We heard them talk about the shortage of repair parts while we were conducting hearings throughout the continental United States, and the extra hours spent trying to maintain old equipment, and the shortage of critical personnel. While we in this body might differ on some policy and program objectives, we on the subcommittee were able to get a better appreciation of the challenges that these brave souls faced in trying to do more with less. For their effort we can all be proud. I personally remain concerned about how long they will be able to keep up the pace. The readiness provisions in the bill reflect some of the steps I believe are necessary with the dollars available to make their task easier. It does not provide all that is needed. I would be more pleased if the migration of O&M funds to other accounts did not take place. Much more could be used. I remain perplexed when I reflect on the impact that the resource shortages are having on every facet of our military. That includes the stability of our dedicated civilian employees who are also being asked to remain productive while at the same time the department appears to be trying to take away their jobs. Mr. Chairman, I share the comments that have often been repeated by our subcommittee members and other Members that readiness across the board is in bad shape, and we need to do something about it. At the same time, I believe that the readiness provisions represent a step in the right direction. I would hope that as we continue through the passage of this bill and go into conference with the Senate, that we will continue to search for opportunities to increase the resources available for the readiness accounts. I ask my colleagues to support this great bill.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 3809, the Drug Free Borders Act of 1998. I do so reluctantly, because this bill contains a significant funding increase for the Customs Service and their efforts to stop drugs from entering this country. Unfortunately, it does so at the expense of the men and women who are on the front line, the Customs agents themselves. Let me be clear, I fully support increasing funding for the Customs Service's counter-drug efforts. However, this bill would completely eliminate the worker rights and protections that I have supported and worked to protect throughout my service in the Congress. H.R. 3809 has the right idea, but unquestionably the wrong methods. The labor provisions of this bill void any and all collective bargaining agreements that have been crafted so carefully to keep Customs agents working at peak effectiveness. By allowing the unilateral suspension of these agreements, we jeopardize the morale of the very people we rely on to protect our children from drug smugglers and pushers. Mr. Speaker, I question the philosophy of this bill, which seems to increase the effort against drugs by punishing the people doing the work. I think this is a bad idea. Instead, we need to support our Customs agents, not demoralize them. Yes, increase funding. Yes, buy more equipment. Yes, put more agents along the border. But support these people. If we create an environment that demoralizes our Customs agents, how can we expect to attract and keep good agents? Again, I think the aim of this bill is good. But the way it treats the people on the front lines leaves me no alternative but to reluctantly oppose it. It is my hope that a new bill will come forward. A bill that contains the funding that Customs so desperately needs, but also supports the people who wear the uniform of the Customs Service.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding patriot, United States Coast Guard Commander Robert Walker Durfey, Jr. Today, in Corpus Christi, friends and colleagues will celebrate Commander Durfey's tenure, to date, in service to the United States. All of us wish him well as he continues his service in California. During Commander Durfey's tenure at Group and Air Station Corpus Christi as Deputy Group Commander and Air Station Executive Officer, I have become familiar with his efficiency and uncanny ability to exercise good judgment in delicate situations. He was thoughtful about keeping my office appraised of situations as they occurred with regard to matters of security. He played a pivotal role in Operation Gulf Shield, the largest multi-agency counter-drug operation in the history of the United States. As a former law enforcement officer myself, I am deeply aware of the price illegal drugs exact from our communities and our nation. Commander Durfey and I share a commitment to keeping drugs off the streets of our country. This warrior has been diligent and dignified in carrying out the policies of the United States; he is a true public servant. But that is not the entire reason the Coastal Bend of South Texas will miss him. He is just an outstanding human being. He is a devoted Christian with a beautiful family. He is decent and dedicated to the service, to his family, but most of all to his men. He is thoughtful of the sailors in the ranks, and deeply respectful of his superiors. He has the highest level of commitment and represents the height of integrity. If you are looking for an honest man, go meet Commander Durfey. He is always willing to go the extra mile for his duty; he is determined to do the job well. The Coast Guard is genetic with him. His father was Rear Admiral Robert Durfey (USCG, retired) and Commander Durfey readily admits to being in the Coast Guard ``all his bloomn' life.'' We will miss him in the Coastal Bend, but we can find great comfort that he will continue his quality service in northern California, which is familiar territory to him. He attended high school in Alameda and now returns with a vast amount of experience under his belt. While I cannot be at his ceremony today, I hope all of you will join me in commending this outstanding public servant and dedicated Coastie.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, the voters in Taiwan went to the polls two years ago to elect the first democratic head of state in Chinese history. Incumbent Lee Teng-hui received 54% of the vote, far outdistancing his three rivals and sending the world an unmistakable message that true democracy has arrived in the Republic of China. I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the people of Taiwan on their president's second anniversary in office. I was there to see him sworn into office, as part of the official United States delegation representing President Clinton, and it was an awesome sight. I offer my congratulations to President Lee for his unwavering determination to make his country one of Asia's liveliest democracies and the example how profitable a free and democratic Chinese society can be. President Lee's election victory in 1996 has thrust him onto the international stage and put him in the company of the world leaders. He has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his vision and his leadership in democratic and economic matters. His repeated attempts to reach out to Chinese leaders have won him worldwide praise. I ask my colleagues to join me today in offering our collective congratulations to President Lee for his tremendous international accomplishments.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, 152 years ago today, the first battle of the Mexican-American War was waged at Palo Alto, Texas, setting in motion a history which still fascinates and touches us today. When the war was over 2 years later, the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo changed the face of our nation and forever shaped our relationship with Mexico. The historical significance of this war and its aftermath was a defining one for the young nation of the United States; for the Republic of Mexico; and for the descendants of both countries who populate our communities today. The Mexican-American War has consistently been a major omission in U.S. history. That omission has a hidden cost. Because who we are is shaped by our history, we need to know that history. But it is not the past that shapes our future, it is today's new era of cooperation existing between the United States and Mexico. Since the days when the United States and Mexico met on the battlefield, their descendants have grown together as flowers upon their graves. Our cultures and traditions are intermingled, not by design, but by fate and circumstance. We understand that our futures are interwoven; we share an economic and cultural bond. The most important element of this shared bond is the North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The spirit of NAFTA has brought about a mutual frankness and a new-found respect for one another. All across the Southwest, our mutual histories and customs are mingled, and they are evident in our daily lives. Our commonalties are evident in the food we eat, the music we prefer, and the dual languages we speak. Economically, the outcome of the Mexican-American War immediately benefited the United States with the addition of the Southwest to the nation's territory. The Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo in 1848 was a turning point in our history. U.S. citizens in the rugged west joined the existing Mexican population, making the American Southwest a fascinating melting pot. This cultural blend produced some of the most enduring legacies of the American West: rodeos, cowboys, and the wild West. Today, our economic fortunes are profoundly bound together. NAFTA is making North America the largest, most prosperous, and most efficient free trade zone in the world. Let me note here that it was Mexican President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, in 1853, who first advocated the commemoration of those killed in the war and at the Battle of Palo Alto. So, it is fair to say that Mexico began the long process of making one-time adversaries into the friends and economic allies we are today. Our political debates today so often touch on sensitive subjects that engender misunderstandings. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in offering a message of hope and friendship to Mexico, based on where we have been, where we are now and where we hope to go.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and pay tribute to Lupita and Tony Ramirez, for being awarded the Governor's Volunteer Award for outstanding service. Mr. and Mrs. Ramirez were presented with this award on April 20, 1998, by Governor George W. Bush. For over 29 years, Mr. and Mrs. Ramirez have been helping others, contributing to a better way of living for the citizens of Harlingen, TX. They utilize their talents in the volunteer spirit for humanity. As true pioneer volunteers, Antonio and Lupita Ramirez began their volunteer activities in 1969. They realized that many poor citizens had no transportation to get to their doctor's appointments. In the same spirit, they rounded up twenty friends and turned their home, telephone, and cars into an information, referral and transportation center. They did not have money, but they had heart and determination. The group organized and became the Harlingen Community Committee. Under the direction of Mr. Ramirez as President, they progressed from the Ramirez' home into a building to one of Harlingen's parks. the Ramirez became a tireless advocate for the poor people. They aided in starting ``Su Clinica Familiar'' where medical services are available to our low-income people. Mr. Ramirez also helped found Amigos del Valle, which provides housing, transportation, and a hot meal for the elderly in the community. In 1971, because of high unemployment, they started employment training for the community. Another vital service to the people in need, the Ramirez added Adult Basic Education, teaching English, typing, bookkeeping, Spanish, citizenship, drivers ed, sewing, and upholstery. In 1974, the Ramirez incorporated the organization and persuaded the city of Harlingen to approve their information and referral and social service agency. All the while volunteers were running the office and providing transportation for those in need. By now, the Harlingen Community Committee had grown and changed their name to ``Harlingen Information and Social Service Organization,'' a multi-purpose center. In 1983, after a severe freeze, and while the State and Federal officials debated responsibility for bureaucratic bottlenecks, the Ramirez provided emergency help for many farm workers unemployed by the freeze. The Ramirez' quick response to this emergency made it easier for the families to receive the much needed help. For these efforts, Cameron County Officials and I recognized Antonio and Lupita Ramirez. On March 1, 1984, it was declared the ``Tony and Lupita Ramirez Day,'' in Cameron County, Texas. The Ramirez have received many awards and certificates of merit for their volunteer work from many civic groups and State and Federal officials. The Ramirez have continued to work as volunteers for over 29 years. Their efforts were made possible through the love and support of their five daughters and their families. Mr. and Mrs. Ramirez are very grateful to the foundations, church groups, and people who have made generous grants and donations to the organization. The grants and donations have made it possible for the Ramirez to continue serving the community. For the last 3 years they have provided nutritional and educational programs for the elderly, information and referral services, counseling, clothing distributions, and a food bank to the many people in need. All this could not have been done by the Ramirez had others not contributed to helping the needy. All this has been done without State or Federal funding, but through the assistance of those people who have believed in their work and exemplified the spirit of volunteerism. I ask my colleagues to join me in extending congratulations to Lupita and Antonio Ramirez for being honored with this special recognition.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to an officer of the law, David Maurice Lozano, of Harlingen, Texas. David is retiring from the U.S. Probation and Parole Department in Brownsville, Texas. As a former law enforcement officer myself, I know about the danger and difficulty of dealing with criminals and the havoc they create. Upholding the law is often a thankless task, yet it is critical to our society. David Lozano served in the United States Air Force after high school. After he got a degree in education at Southwest Texas State College in San Marcos, Texas, he worked as a special agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Later, he worked as a supervisor at the U.S. Social Security Administration in Harlingen. He spent the last 20 years working for the federal government at the U.S. Probation and Parole Department in Brownsville, most recently as a supervising probation officer. David has a distinguished body of work doing a hard job to make his community a safer place to live. As one terribly familiar with the various aspects of law enforcement, let me point out that Probation Officers have a difficult task in helping in the rehabilitation of those who have committed crimes against society, paid their debt and are trying to find their way outside the system. It is for those people like David, who can help difficult people re-enter our society, that we offer our gratitude today. I ask my distinguished colleagues to join me today in commending an outstanding patriot and American, David Maurice Lozano, as he leaves government service. Please remember him again on March 19, when he will formally celebrate his retirement in the Rio Grande Valley.