Solomon Ortiz

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Madam Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2586, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002. I want to specifically address the provisions in the Act relating to military readiness. First, I would like to express my appreciation to the Readiness Subcommittee leadership and to my colleagues, on both the subcommittee and the full committee, for the manner in which the readiness provisions of H.R. 2586 were developed this session. I want to express my personal thanks to my friend and colleague, Curt Weldon, for the extraordinary steps he took while serving as chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee to focus attention on the critical readiness issues facing our military and the Nation. While we may differ on some policy and program objectives, we on the subcommittee were able to get a better appreciation of the challenges our military personnel and dedicated civilian employees 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 the pace. Accepting the budget realities we are facing, the readiness provisions in the bill reflect some of the steps I believe are necessary, with the dollars available, to make their tasks easier. It does not provide all that is needed. 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. I regret that we are unable to do more about the deplorable facilities our personnel must use to train and to maintain equipment. There is an immediate need for the administration and the Congress to scrub the budget to address this serious budget shortfall. I am very concerned that what was thought to be a certain commitment of additional funds for defense could turn out to be a hollow promise. Madam Chairman, I want to make it very clear that I believe that the readiness policy provisions in H.R. 2586 represent a step in the right direction. We denied several policy modifications requested by the Department that would do harm to overall readiness. It is the dollar shortfall that raises my concern. I hope that as we continue with the passage of this bill and go into conference with the Senate, we will continue to search for opportunities to increase the resources available for the readiness accounts. We cannot afford to fail in this endeavor. I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting H.R. 2586.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I stand in strong support of this resolution. There is no question that we are strongly united. I have been in this House for almost 20 years, and I have not seen so much unity, not only among the House Members, but throughout this great country. We have to realize that 2 days ago, the dreams and hopes of many young men and women and people of this country were destroyed by the acts of these terrorists. I had a chance to go visit the Pentagon yesterday. I could see the civilian agencies locally, nationally, our military working and singing from the same page. It is distressing to see that many families lost their fathers, mothers, uncles and many families. The best thing I can say to those terrorists is do not mess with the U.S.A. God bless America. I rise in support of the resolution, the first step this Congress will take to exact retribution for the act of war committed upon this nation, striking at the heart of our financial and military centers and taking dead aim at our political center. Let Congress' message ring very loud to those responsible for this act of war: we recognize it as such--and the people's representatives respond in kind. We have been hit hard, and we have lost family, friends, children, mothers, fathers, and many dreams died. We lost our innocence to a large degree; and the number of people we lost exceeds the casualties of Pearl Harbor. This resolution respects the Constitutional power to declare war, the most awesome responsibility given to Congress. Since we have yet to discover definitive proof of all those responsible--including nations which gave Osama bin Laden safe harbor-- we must give the administration the authority to pursue these international criminals until we have the information we need to declare war. I have seen the morale of the emergency workers at the Pentagon and seen the looks of grim determination on the faces of those who work there every day. They are now helping clean up the mess and recover the bodies of their comrades in arms. Their morale is very high The morale of the nation is very high. This is a hard decision for Congress to make--usually. Today the decision is not so difficult. These terrorists brought their destruction to bear inside our borders. As the Ranking Democrat on the Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee, let me offer my advice to my colleagues. We must not telegraph our punches. Here's what that means: we don't tell the enemy how we will conduct our campaign, nor what kind of force to expect. It will be swift, overwhelming and deadly, but let that be all we tell bin Laden and his bunch. Let us give our military the money they need and send them to do what they do best: fight and win wars. Our armed services have some of the most talented people in the nation, capable of doing whatever mission we need done. Most importantly, let them utilize the element of surprise, which, as we all know is a brutally effective part of the arsenal. Finally, a word to the people who perpetrated this act of war. I want to explain to you why your efforts to damage our nation--or undermine our democracy--are futile. We are a nation of laws, not people. It is our ideas and our commitment to liberties and democracy that bind us together under our Constitution. Washington is not where the power is; that power lies with the people of this nation. Nothing illustrates that better than on Tuesday when the House Call Center redirected all incoming House calls to our district offices, scattered across the country when we evacuated. Our meeting place here in this building is where we come to do the people's business, but we are temporary employees of the people who elect us. If a member of our government is lost, another is elected. Our power is in the people who populate this nation, and the ideas that bind us together. Your power is in hate and wealth. We will win. The last thing you will see is the mighty power of the United States military. May God--and Allah--have mercy on your soul, and on all who harbor you.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 339, on September 13, 2001, I was unable to record my vote. At the time I was at the Pentagon surveying the damage and encouraging the rescue workers. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution. We need to take proper action. Mr. Speaker, with a heavy heart, I rise today and offer my condolences and prayers to the families of the victims killed in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. Our nation has faced an unspeakable evil that will forever color how we live our lives and conduct our policy. Our world has always been a dangerous place, and it will continue to be so. After leaving this historical building yesterday, I wasn't altogether sure we would see it again. This building, representative of our freedom and democracy, is a very large target for those who oppose our country. It will continue to be a target. Of course, if that fact can change how we work here, then the terrorists win. It is for us to set the example of getting back to work, condemning this act of war and horror, and hunt and return for justice the person or people who did this. If there is a nation involved, we will judge them as part of the effort and attack with the vengeance of the strongest nation on the face of the earth. Our sacrifices throughout the 20th Century meant that--largely-- Americans had no fear of attack on our nation. Pearl Harbor pierced that fearlessness for a moment, and September 11's Trade Towers- Pentagon attack differs only in that Pearl Harbor was a military base and that it was attacked by a nation on which we could declare war. We knew who they were and where to find them. This situation teaches us that the price of freedom today will be borne by the everyday patriot who goes to work in a high-profile place as they stand on the front lines of danger. The front lines of danger today are banks, industry, borders, monuments and government buildings, in addition to our military bases. And it is our duty to stand bravely on those lines and put the possibility of danger in the back of our minds. If we are guided by the danger of where we are, the terrorists have succeeded in striking fear and terror in our hearts, and they can win in our minds what they could never win on a field of battle. Yesterday, our democracy was damaged, and today it evolves to remain supreme. We lost no freedoms for the moment, but this nation not only has a strong military, we have enormous resolve and the pioneer spirit that settled a continent, explored space and leads the world in the global economy. It is easy to see why there are those who despise us; but they despise us for the very thing that makes us great: our spirit and our fortitude for freedom. This is a call for this century and this generation. Nothing has really moved you to think about what this country means to you, how fragile our liberties are? Then let this moment in history move you. Let it move you to a greater understanding of our nation and our constitutionally-protected liberties, let it move you to appreciate those liberties, let it take us to a deeper understanding of who we are as a country. We are many people from many countries in a single nation. We are from every corner of the planet, yet we share the liberties of this nation. This tragic attack killed men women and children from nations throughout the world, and the response upon the criminals should be a world-wide response. We have many different ideas that divide us on policy, but that is the meaning of America, many people, many ideas, but one spirit. Let no enemy misunderstand when these many people speak with one loud, angry voice: we will find you and we will punish you. We are stronger than you and more powerful than you and we have more moral courage than you because we value life. Even when you attack innocents, Americans will always fight back, and we have evidence that this place could well have been spared for the heroic efforts of some of the victims on the plane in Pennsylvania. Let this moment move Americans to bear the burden of going to work on behalf of our nation with the fearlessness of our soldiers on a battlefield. Let it move each American to remember these immortal words from the foundations of our nation, ``Don't tread on me.'' America is a powerful force with which to be reckoned. We will find the responsible party. We resolve to find who did this--we punish our enemies. We will do this in memory of every victim of this terrorist act, and we will do it on behalf of the liberties for which the victims of this attack died in a battle they did not anticipate. We should express a special appreciation of the firefighters and law enforcement officers who gave their lives in the effort to save civilians in the rubble of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Law enforcement officers and fire fighters have a tremendously painful job to do and they are ready exhausted. Please say a prayer tonight for the injured and unaccounted for here and in New York, pray for the victims' families involved in this murderous attack, pray for the people who are helping them find their loved ones, and pray for our nation, that we exercise good judgment in our quest to make someone take responsibility for this.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the community of Brownsville, Texas, for reminding our children about the values we cherish by commencing ``Violence Prevention Week'' as the new school year begins. Each year, parents, students and educational professionals begin the school with more trepidation than we ever did, for today the worst-case scenario is not that our children will get in a fight, but that they will be a victim of gun violence. Here in Texas, we know that if the central component of these tragedies were merely the existence of guns, the level of school violence we see today would have always been so. It is much more: the responsibility that family teaches (including gun safety and proper storage); the faith and tolerance taught by family, churches, synagogues and mosques; the entertainment our children see; and the everyday examples of behavior to which young people are exposed. In short, it is many things. Our society at large is far less to blame for the incidents of violence we have seen in communities across the country than are the individual families and communities whose job it is to be a good example every day. We should teach responsibility, emphasize faith, and offer age-appropriate entertainment and examples of behavior to children. Brownsville is taking an important step in speaking to the issue of school violence by planning Violence Prevention Week, sponsored by the Brownsville Independent School District, the local law enforcement agencies, the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce and the local church community. Events throughout the week include: a formal proclamation and efforts to bring up the subject around the dinner table, essay contests to make the subject pertinent to students, a ``Violence Prevention Fair'' at a local mall, school addresses by Dana Scott, sister of Rachel Scott, was killed at Columbine, and the incorporation of topics relating to violence prevention into the school curriculum. Events will culminate in a LIFE (Laborers in Fields of Education) breakfast for educators and community leaders on Saturday, Sept. 8. The guest speaker will be Darrell Scott, father of Rachel Scott, whose story of refusing to deny her faith at her killer's request inspired millions around the world.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I had the privilege of knowing Floyd Spence for about 20 years. He was my good friend. Just like my good friend, the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt), says, he had a great sense of humor. I can remember when one day he said, You know, I have more spare parts than a used car dealer. He was a great gentleman. I loved him. My family loved him, and Debbie, who nourished him when he had the double lung transplant. When we would see Floyd, as the gentleman said, we would ask, ``You have a new suit?'' And he would say, ``No, it is secondhand used.'' This was the kind of guy he was. We loved him. To Debbie and his sons: We are going to miss this great American. Mr. Speaker, like my colleagues, I rise with a heavy heart today as we pay tribute to a friend, a colleague, and a stalwart for our nation's armed services and the country. Floyd Spence and I were friends for as long as I have been in Congress. In addition to his zeal and dedication on behalf of his constituents in his beloved South Carolina, I admired his outlook on life. Floyd was determined to squeeze every drop of life he could from his time on this earth--and he succeeded. From the double lung transplant to the kidney transplant, Floyd said he had more spare parts than a used car dealer. What was amazing was that he survived all this for so long. He had an amazing ability to recover from deadly afflictions. He was supremely dedicated to his duty to South Carolina, to our armed services, and to the United States of America. I know this because I traveled with Floyd to places on every part of this planet to inspect our military bases. Wherever we went, he insisted we talk to enlisted men, not just the generals. Our nation has lost a great hero. I have lost my friend, mi amigo. I offer Debbie and his children--David, Zack, Benjamin and Caldwell-- my deepest condolences for their loss. Floyd loved his family so very much. It was Debbie, when Floyd had the double lung transplant and was at his lowest, who gave him the support and encouragement he needed, and nursed him back to health. Floyd had a stubborn resolution to live, to enjoy life. He knew his time was one day at a time--he told me that each day was extra icing on the cake of his life. The antirejection medicine he took greatly diminished his ability to ward off simple infections. I will miss that giant of a man with a laugh he was quick to share. The camaraderie often noted as now missing in the House of Representatives had led our critics, and ourselves, leads people to say that we lack either bi-partisanship or simple human trust. But because of my friendships with so many of my Republican colleagues, most notably my friend Floyd Spence, I know the trust we engender here is real and it works on behalf of the American people. We may disagree on the issues of the day, but we are united in our belief that close bi-partisan relationships serve all of us and the American people we represent. I will miss you, Floyd. I thank the gentleman from South Carolina for speeding our consideration of this resolution today.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank the Committee again and the staff for their very diligent work.

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentleman's help, and I yield to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Hobson).

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Chairman, I thank the ranking member, the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Mollohan) for yielding me this time. I would like to enter into a colloquy at this point with the Chairman of the subcommittee, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh). After testifying last spring, Mr. Chairman, the subcommittee has been very helpful in finding creative solutions to the challenges faced by a multitude of veterans living in the Rio Grande Valley. I know the limitations on our spending this year, and I applaud the gentleman's work. I appreciate language in the VA-HUD report to this bill that directs the VA to work with the Defense Department to share resources to serve our veterans, our active duty military, military retirees, and their dependents. The language directs the VA and DOD to submit a plan to the Committee for three demonstration sites through which to integrate health care resources and reduce the burden on veterans. I would like to propose that a hospital in South Texas, which is at the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, be considered as a prospective site for just such a demonstration to help our veterans. I know that the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Hobson), my good friend, has actually traveled to South Texas and looked at the facility with this in mind. There is room in the hospital and open beds that could be used to tend to the specialty care and the needs of our veterans. I am grateful for a recent meeting with Veterans Secretary Anthony Principi in which we had a very good discussion about the needs of South Texas veterans. The Secretary was very engaged and helpful with suggestions. Secretary Principi agreed to have his experts at the VA study the prospect of having one of these demonstration sites at the Naval Air Station Hospital at Corpus Christi. I am very appreciative. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh).

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to share my pride today in the beautiful South Texas city of Brownsville which was chosen by the National Civic League and Allstate Insurance Company as an ``All American City.'' Brownsville was one of 10 municipalities named All American Cities. This is a recognition for civic excellence honoring communities where citizens, government, businesses, non-profits and others demonstrate successful partnerships to resolve critical challenges before the community. Brownsville is a great example of this dynamic. Brownsville's unique location ``On the Border by the Sea,'' with its multi-cultural, historical and natural resources, is a good look at what America will be, and should be, over the next decades. It is a friendly city, populated by smart, visionary people which borders both the Gulf of Mexico and Mexico itself. Brownsville's rich history includes: Karankawa Indians, Spanish explorers, vaqueros (Mexican cowboys), ranchers, soldiers, prospectors and present day captains of business and industry. The City of Brownsville was incorporated in 1853, taking its name from Fort Brown Post Commander Major Jacob Brown. But of all the natural resources, easily the most valuable, most often-cited natural treasure is the people of Brownsville themselves. The nicest people I know live in the Rio Grande Valley. The life is easy, but the work is hard. So often, the border area is seen by both the United States and Mexico as a separate region, a place unto itself. But the people there find ways to deal with the challenges that face them . . . the challenge of finding the water the community needs, keeping up with the rapidly-growing population, and supporting infrastructure for the international trade that flows across the U.S.- Mexico border. This bi-cultural city, which is big, but not too big, is a family oriented place of beauty. The unique plants and wildlife, resacas, proximity to the beach and to the neighboring country of Mexico, all bring tourists to this area of the country in droves. This leading border city whose people come together when the mission or purpose calls is most deserving of this award. All the people who participated in the award process are to be commended. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the community of Brownsville on this outstanding achievement.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague from Texas for organizing this Special Order to bring the attention of the House of Representatives to the state of health care--or lack thereof--along the Southwest Border of the United States. I represent a South Texas district that abuts the international border with Mexico. This part of the country is unique in so many ways, including the health needs and rampant poverty. Currently, the greatest health need in my district is the need for a comprehensive response to the rampant spread of tuberculosis in South Texas and elsewhere along the Southwest Border. Just today, the Centers for Disease Control announced that the rate of tuberculosis cases in Brownsville, Texas, is nearly five times the national rate. At least one doctor in the South Texas area has told me that there is a particularly frightening multiple-drug resistant form of tuberculosis that antibiotics just won't kill. I am told that this is spreading fast and is a nightmare for public health officials. It's an enormous problem. Cross-border dwellers, according to the medial community, are not good about following up on medical care and often do not finish drug therapies such as antibiotics. If you only take a little bit of antibiotics, it only takes care of a little bit of the problem and leaves the tuberculosis strong enough to come back again another day. I supported a resolution in the House that recognizes the importance of substantially increasing United States investment in international tuberculosis control in the Fiscal year 2002 foreign aid budget, which is what it will take to deal with the problem. This resolution also recognizes the importance of supporting and expanding domestic efforts to eliminate tuberculosis in the United States and calls on local, national and world leaders, including the President, to commit to putting an end to the worldwide tuberculosis epidemic. But as we all know, resolutions have no affect of law; they are merely words on paper on which all of us can agree. But the most fundamental job of Congress is to determine spending priorities, and we will not move forward on finding solutions to this problem without the full attention of Congress and other public policymakers. Our migration patterns, be they associated with economic circumstances, immigration between countries or just travel between countries, have made this challenge more significant. Today it is only tuberculosis, but that may not be the case tomorrow. This portends a real crisis for health care along the border if other simple or chronic diseases become resistant to medicine we have used so far to eradicate them. Another unique problem to the border and South Texas is the issue of safe water to drink. Often the people who are low-income and who live in the colonias, the unincorporated neighborhoods that have sprung up around municipalities, have no running water to drink. Generally, they will drink unsafe, unhealthy water and they get sick from it. These are the people least likely to have any kind of health insurance and are usually not even aware of programs like Medicaid that provide the most basic help for them. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay special tribute to two great women who have gone to great lengths to ensure that the patients who need medications for tuberculosis get them: Dr. Elena Marin of Su Clinica Familiar and Paula Gomez, the Executive Director of the Brownsville Community Health Center. They have been an excellent source of information to me and other Members of Congress who share an interest in matters relating to health care, and I am enormously grateful to them for their service to South Texas and the nation. I join my colleague Ciro Rodriguez in support of the ``Healthy Solutions for America's Hardworking Families'' agenda. No agenda can fix everything, but it takes steps to address some of the most egregious gaps in our nation's effort to help new immigrants and those who have lived here for a while along the U.S.-Mexico border. I thank my colleague from Texas, the Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Task Force on Health, for his diligence in bringing these matters before the House of Representatives.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Chairman, I stand up to support the Skeleton amendment to H.R. 2216, the supplemental appropriations Bill. I think that this amendment is a very responsible amendment. We know that when we go and visit the training areas and the different camps, we know that the planes they fly are older than the pilots that fly those planes; and what happened during the past several years is that we have not kept up with the maintenance. The military, and the Army alone, has a shortfall of $483 million. If we cannot buy at least new planes now, I think that the responsible thing to do is to have sufficient money so that we can buy parts for these planes, so that we can maintain. Time is running late, my friends. If we do not come with a responsible supplemental, the training stops, no tanks will be running, no planes will be flying; and I think that this is a very responsible amendment. Therefore, I support the Skelton amendment.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 154 which honors our commitment to the Army National Guard combat units deployed in support of Army operations in Bosnia. I have a special appreciation for this resolution today on two levels. As the Ranking Democrat on the House Military Readiness Subcommittee, issues of how to supplement the everyday personnel needs of our troops is a vital issue for us. Through the citizen soldiers of the National Guard, we are able to keep an all-volunteer force, which is as it should be in a free democratic Nation, and we have moved into the history-making realm by introducing National Guard troops into active component combat forces, as well as multinational forces. On another level, for Texas, the knowledge that the 49th ``Lone Star'' Texas National Guard Armored Division in Bosnia was ushering in a new era of the composition of active-duty military personnel has made patriots in the state extremely proud. However inevitable it was, with over half of the Army's strength in the Guard and reserves, the decision nevertheless opened a new era for the population of our armed forces. When the decision was announced, the 49th ``Lone Star'' National Guard Armored Division received an amazing number of calls from the active components offering help in training. The easy relationship between these comrades in arms is the foundation for the success of the mission and for future successes in deployments. It also debunks the theory that there is a rivalry between the active components and the Guard or reserves. South Texas has a proud tradition of military and military support. This mission of the 49th ``Lone Star'' Division was no different. All elements of the 49th ``Lone Star'' Division were deployed through the Port of Corpus Christi, which was designated as a strategic sealift seaport in 1998. South Texas watched this history happening from the front row. We supported the 49th at the outset of their mission, we applauded them at its conclusion, and we recognized the historic nature of the deployments of the Guard and reserves to front lines of our country's military deployments overseas. South Texas support the National Guard and the reserves, we understand their commitment to our national security, and we thank them for their service to our nation. We honor their sacrifice, realize their critical importance to the country and we support providing the necessary resources to ensure their continued readiness condition. I thank my colleagues for their work on this resolution.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Ina Singer, an American patriot and dedicated public servant, who retires on May 30, 2001, from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). I first met Ina in 1969 when she came to the Coastal Bend of Texas after a hurricane. She was detailed to the Corpus Christi-Robstown, Texas, area to set up temporary housing for people who lost homes in the hurricane. It was the beginning of a long and beautiful friendship and professional relationship. Ina is widely recognized as one of the best managers in the federal government. She is leaving the Directorship of Multifamily Housing in Baltimore, after a long and distinguished career in public service. Ina is a smart, tough motivator of people, and she has applied her considerable talents to improving public housing in the mid-Atlantic area since 1969. Prior to her present position, Ina has held the following positions with HUD: Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multi-family Housing, Director of the Housing Management Division in the Baltimore Office, and a variety of positions in the mid-Atlantic area that provided her with a foundation of understanding asset management and property disposition, the staples of the work HUD does. She is an extraordinary leader who motivates people and gets the job done. High performance ratings have followed Ina throughout her career at HUD, and her team consistently exceeds their goals. She is one of the ``go-to'' people at HUD when trouble pops up. She has been detailed all over the country to deal with troubled offices. Ina has taken her no-nonsense attitude about the disposition of taxpayers' money and applied that to programs at HUD. Anybody can say yes, but Ina is the rare government creature who is unafraid to say ``no'' to people who would be bad partners or who would sell bad property. In her current position, she expanded her responsibility from the Chesapeake Bay area to include other Maryland counties and the District of Columbia, forming valuable community partnerships and creating a virtual office in the greater Maryland-District of Columbia area. In addition to all the work she does for HUD, she also gives of her time to national roles she views as important to furthering the mission at the Department. In 1990, Ina was awarded HUD's Distinguished Service Award for consistently going above and beyond the call of duty. She leaves HUD with the respect of her colleagues both locally and nationally. Ina has a beautiful family: her husband Jon, and their children Meredith and Michael. I ask my colleagues to join me today in paying tribute to Ina Singer as she completes a distinguished lifetime of service to the United States as a tremendous steward of the public trust.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to three schools in South Texas which are beating the odds in today's public education system by harnessing the strength and awareness of the student population. At a time when our resources are terribly over-burdened, the following South Texas schools are being recognized by the ``Set A Good Example'' competition sponsored by the Concerned Businessmen of America: Landrum Elementary in San Benito (2nd place nationally), Harlingen High School (2nd place nationally), and Rio Hondo Elementary (top ten honors). These awards, launched in 1982, recognize schools which have student- oriented programs to influence their peers in a positive way by emphasizing the simple human moral values such as honesty, trustworthiness, responsibility, competence and fairness. The Concerned Businessmen of America is a not-for-profit charitable educational organization which offers successful business strategies and programs to combat social ills and problems that face young people. At a time when parents and community leaders are watching our young people with new eyes, wondering what is going on inside their minds and what motivates them, this recognition is concrete proof that the South Texas community is paying attention to our young people. Educators, counselors, parents, business people, and most importantly, students themselves, are working together to ward off the problems that have plagued other schools and other young people. The winning ingredient here is the active involvement of the students; the best messenger for young people is other young people. We have enormous challenges before us in education and with regard to the public policy in our public schools. There will never be one single answer to preparing young people to withstand the complex social issues that our children encounter each day. But the best way to prepare our children to deal with the society in which we live is to teach them, from very early on, simple moral guidelines to apply to their lives. The ``Set a Good Example'' program follows up as encouragement and reinforcement to these lessons. I ask my colleagues to join me in commending Landrum Elementary in San Benito, Harlingen High School, and Rio Hondo Elementary for their efforts to be part of a solution, which is the first step to solving the problem. I thank the young people in these schools for leading the way to better grades and healthier attitudes.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, This week Taiwanese Americans all over the nation celebrate ``Taiwanese-American Heritage Week.'' The week of May 13-May 20 honors the diverse contributions of over 500,000 Taiwanese- Americans in the United States. These Americans have contributed significantly to our social fabric, making notable contributions as doctors, scientists, small business professionals, entertainers, human rights activists, public servants and captains of business and industry. It is important to recognize the achievements of Taiwanese-Americans in the United States. This week also gives us the opportunity to celebrate the success of democracy in Taiwan. Since the lifting of martial law in 1987, Taiwan has made consistent strides toward becoming an open, democratic society where freedoms are respected and the will of the people is observed. To the credit of the many Taiwanese-Americans who fought to bring democratic principles back to the island, Taiwan is now a vibrant democratic member of the international community. The March 18, 2000, election of opposition leader Chen Shui-bian as president, and Annette Lu as vice-president, represents the crowning achievement of the struggle of the people of Taiwan for full-fledged democracy and freedom. As we all know, in a democracy, it is the elections won by opposition parties that dictate the peaceful nature of the change of power. While the future of a democratic Taiwan is promising, many challenges remain. Gaining worldwide recognition of the legitimacy of Taiwan's govennnent is paramount. With all that Taiwanese and Taiwanese- Americans have accomplished, there is still much more work to be done before Taiwan's status and global contributions are properly appreciated. We remain confident that Taiwan will meet their challenges and continue to play a productive role in the international community. Taiwan and the United States share a common commitment to the ideals of democracy, freedom and human rights. The 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, which forms the official basis for friendship and cooperation between the United States and Taiwan provides a strong foundation for the bond between the people of both countries. That bond is made stronger each day by the Taiwanese-American community. I ask my colleagues to Join me in paying tribute to the Taiwanese- American community for their strength, commitment and contributions during Taiwanese-American Heritage Week.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution and join Americans across the country today in honoring those officers who have died or who were disabled in the line of duty. South Texans appreciate those men and women who walk that thin blue line every day. As a former law enforcement officer, I have an intimate understanding of situations that can turn dangerous or deadly in a moment. The men and women who police our communities walk that line that separates the good guys from the bad guys. The work we ask our police officers to do is dangerous, dirty duty. What people do not understand very often is that it is the inherent risk of what we might have to do that makes law enforcement so dangerous. We see the best and worst of our fellow human beings. It is not our job to judge them. That task is reserved judge and jury. Our job is merely to treat everyone equally. Enforcing the law is a hard job. When people do something wrong, their first instinct is to find fault with the person who catches them. So being the guardian of our laws is never a simple endeavor. But in the end, it is the enormous satisfaction of protecting our neighborhoods and families that makes walking that line worth all the danger and criticism. It is the laughter of safe children, or the gratitude of someone whose life or property we protect, that makes doing this job enormously satisfying. There are several South Texans who will be honored this week. Officers who made the supreme sacrifice include: Enrique L. Carrizalez, Alfred Walter Basler, David Rucker, Susan Lynn Rodriguez, Richardo Guillermo Salinas, Joseph Moon, Juan Prieto, Dan Bock, Roy Smith, John Sartain, and Ruben Almanza. These people are examples of the message set forth by Jesus Christ in John 15:13: ``Greater love hath no one than this: than to lay down one's life for his friends.'' Let us not forget the sacrifice made on our behalf right here in this building; our own Capitol Police Officers Chestnut and Gibson died defending Members of Congress and the public who populate this building. The House of Representatives joins families and communities across the nation to remember those members of the force who are no longer with us, who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. For the sacrifices to ensure the rule of law, the officers we honor today and their families have the eternal gratitude of a grateful nation. While today we remember and reflect on the last full measure of devotion of these brave peace officers, let us do better than that by remembering their sacrifice and respecting the danger our officers face each and every day on our behalf every other day of the year.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a unique patriot and beloved sports figure in Texas, and the nation, Luis M. Rendon. He will be honored this Saturday, May 12, in Laredo by the International Latin Hall of Fame, a sports hall of fame focusing primarily on athletes of Hispanic origin, into which he was inducted several years ago. He underwent an operation for colon cancer recently, and the Hall of Fame is putting on a party for him to welcome him home. Luis Rendon is an amazing man who has had a lifelong love affair with sports, particularly baseball. He was a professional baseball umpire for 40 years. The International Latin Hall of Fame began in Laredo over 30 years ago. Each year, only a very few athletes are inducted. Luis Rendon is the first and only umpire inducted into this sports hall of fame. As a professional umpire, Luis traveled all over the country, and all over the world. He has officiated at games in England, France, Germany, Mexico, as well as the United States. His services are still in demand, and he volunteers to teach umpires of Little League baseball. As a veteran myself, I am an enormous fan of Luis Rendon, who has served this nation in uniform in three of the major wars fought by the United States in the 20th Century. He was drafted to serve in World War II and dropped out of school to go fight in the war. He would later serve in Korea and Vietnam before retiring in 1967 after 20 years of service in the United States Army. Knowing the importance of an education and of setting an example for his children and others, Luis eventually got his GED, later obtaining an associate degree at what is now Laredo Community College at age 50. He has always been intellectually curious. He is extremely proud of being a Mason, and was recently given an award for teaching other Masons. He is wholly dedicated to the game of baseball and is a walking encyclopedia of baseball rules and trivia. He is a stickler for those rules and has always been committed to those rules. His philosophy is: if a rule is in the book, it is part of the game; if not, then it is not part of the game. Balls that hit birds or get stuck in the roof of a dome get no special consideration since those situations are not noted in the rules he so reveres. I ask my colleagues to join me today in commending Luis Rendon for the gift of his lifetime to the game of baseball and to the young people in Texas, and elsewhere, he has taught about life through baseball.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a pioneer and a patriot, Corine Ybarra, whose work was part of the massive effort on the part of the United States Government to thwart the problems we anticipated with conversions in our national computer systems at the dawn of the year 2000. I ask my colleagues to join me in commending the work of Corine Ybarra, who was the recipient of a Small Business Administration (SBA) medal crafted to honor efforts associated with Y2K, the President's Council on Year 2000 Conversion. Mrs. Ybarra has consistently exhibited the qualities of a professional throughout the course of her career in computer technology. She began as an intern 30 years ago in Houston with the United States Small Business Administration. She was then transferred to Dallas and eventually relocated for the final time back to Harlingen. As a result of consistently pursuing her education, Mrs. Ybarra's responsibilities, as well as her position gradually expanded. She met the challenges associated with her responsibilities with the tenacity and professionalism we are celebrating today. Eventually, Mrs. Ybarra realized the goal of her professional pursuit--she became a computer specialist. She sought such a position because she knew it was central to our economy and our government . . . it was eventually central to the efforts of SBA's preparation for Y2K. She overcame the challenge of Y2K with grace, poise and success. Mrs. Corine C. Ybarra is not only a pioneer for the field of computer technology but a model citizen for us all. Through her efforts she creates a pleasant and productive working environment. I ask the House of Representatives to join me today in commending Corine Ybarra for her outstanding contribution to the stability of our business community.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the service of the Honorable Judge Reynaldo G. Garza, a patriot from South Texas who has served our community and our country for 40 years on the federal bench. This weekend, Judge Garza will be honored for his nearly half- century of service. Judge Garza practiced law in Brownsville before enlisting in the United States Air Force during World War II. He resumed his law practice after the war and was appointed to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas in 1961 by the late President John F. Kennedy. He was the first Hispanic jurist to be appointed to the federal bench in South Texas. By 1974 he was the Chief Judge for the Southern District of Texas. Just five years later, President Jimmy Carter appointed him to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Judge Garza's deep devotion to education has always been a common thread running throughout his life and service. In front of young audiences, he recalls what his father told his children on his death bed. His father told them he did not leave them wealth, but he did leave with a good education, something that no one could ever take away. Judge Garza has also said many times, ``I do not worry about an educated man in my court for he knows how to take care of himself. I do worry about the uneducated one who is the victim of unscrupulous people who are always trying to take advantage.'' Judge Garza sought political office twice before becoming a Federal Judge. In 1941 he was elected to the School Board of the Brownsville Independent School District, and in 1947, he was elected City Commissioner of the City of Brownsville. He served on the Texas Education Standards Committee and the Committee of Twenty-Five on Education Beyond the High School, which resulted in the creation of the Coordinating Board of Colleges and Universities. He also served as a member of the Select Committee on Higher Education. His interest in international affairs is evident by his service on the Latin-American Relations Committee of the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce, and on the Valley Chamber of Commerce. He is also one of the original members of the International Good Neighbor Council. He is an active member of our community, serving as President of the Brownsville Rotary Club, director of the United Fund of Brownsville, treasurer of the Cameron County Child Welfare Board, and a member of the Advisory Board of the Rio Grande Council of the Boy Scouts of America. This talented jurist has a talented family. He and his lovely wife Bertha have five children: Reynaldo Jr., David, Ygnacio, Bertha Elizondo and Monica. They are attorneys, accountants, teachers and public servants. Judge Garza's family is a reflection of his work ethic and love of country. I ask the Members of the United States House of Representatives to join me today in commending Judge Reynaldo G. Garza, a pioneer in our community, as we commemorate his 40 years of service in our federal judiciary.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend a soldier, patriot ant exceptional leader, Colonel Thomas M. (``Mitch'' Dockens, the Commander of the Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD), who will receive the prestigious 13th annual John W. Macy, Jr. Award co-sponsored by the Secretary of the Army and the Army Civilian Personnel Alumni Association. This award recognizes excellence in the leadership of civilians and accomplishment of mission through the civilian work force. Col. Dockens' exceptional leadership of the CCAD work force is recognized for the period of July 15, 1999, through December 31, 2000; but his excellence and leadership will always be recognized and appreciated in South Texas where his good works are legendary. Col. Dockens has been an extraordinary leader of the United States Army's only depot-level rotary wing (helicopter) repair facility in the world. Col. Mitch Dockens is a uniquely qualified officer to lead a civilian workforce. He knows how to bring people together; he can speak to management and labor, and is respected by both. He knows how to produce the best product for the fighting men and women at the best price for the U.S. taxpayer. The mutual respect he has fostered at CCAD is the secret weapon of this one-of-a-kind asset in the United States Army. He and his lovely wife Lynne, who treats the base as extended family, have reinforced the morale at CCAD. The Corpus Christi Army Depot, with 2,654 civilian employees, is the largest industrial employer in South Texas and is responsible for the repair, overhaul and maintenance of a wide variety of rotary wing aircraft and related engines and components for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and friendly foreign nations. Let me give you one example of Col. Dockens' leadership. Last year, when defective transmission gears threatened the CH-47 and Apache helicopter's flight safety, the Army looked to the private sector to inspect and replace the defective parts. However, the Army found no private sector firm capable of completing the work within the Army's established time frames. The potential contractors had too much commercial work that they were contractually obligated to complete before they could address the Army's safety issue. With the fleets grounded, CCAD was the only available repair source able to meet the Army's time frames. In fact, CCAD completed the work on the Apache helicopter fleet before the potential private sector source said it could even begin the repair. The award Col. Dockens will receive is named for John W. Macy, Jr., a distinguished public official who served four presidents and led the efforts to recognize outstanding individuals in the Army in the field of civilian personnel management. Col. Dockens' first assignment was the 18th Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg. As he moved up through the ranks in the Army, he commanded a host of operations before coming to CCAD. Just prior to his service at CCAD, he attended the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, PA, and served as Chief, Material Readiness Division, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics. His awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, (5th Leaf, the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service, Overseas Ribbon, Saudi Arabia Kuwait Liberation Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, NATO Medal. He is a Senior Army Aviator and is Airborne and Air Assault qualified. Col. Dockens was named the Macy award winner on April 13, 2001, and will receive the award in an official presentation from Acting Secretary of the Army, Dr. Joseph Westphal, at a Pentagon ceremony on Thursday, May 3, 2001. 1 ask my colleagues to join me in commending this military leader of a civilian workforce and honor him for his work and his outstanding leadership.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran), for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, someone once said that if you want to see the future or to see what is ahead of you, you need to get on the shoulders of a giant. Norm Sisisky was a giant of a man. I came to know him very, very well. We were elected both in 1982, sworn into office in 1983, and for 19 years Norm and I sat next to each other. There was nobody that would look out for the needs of the military, the men and women in uniform, like Norm did. We had the privilege of traveling together, working together, and he was a constant source of inspiration and humor at our hearings. The consummate businessman, he could figure quickly what the hidden costs were to the taxpayers in any plan that came before the committee, to the point that Chairman Dellums named him the ``big kahuna,'' and most of us remember that in the committee when something was getting a little serious, we always knew that the ``big kahuna'' was around. He was dedicated to Virginia, to the Navy, and to the betterment of our fighting men and women. He was always looking after his military bases in Virginia. We are going to miss a good friend. I would like to take this opportunity to offer condolences to all of his family and to just tell them that we are praying for them. God bless America and Norm Sisisky.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Su Clinica Familia (Spanish for ``your family clinic''), a comprehensive primary health care service center in the Rio Grande Valley, on their 30th anniversary of operation in South Texas, and I ask my colleagues to join me in the observation of this important milestone. Su Clinica's work over the years has provided the only medical care available to so many migrant workers and low-income families in the Valley over the past three decades. On the anniversary of their 30th year in service to South Texas, we are breaking ground on April 6th to celebrate the new dimension of their work: academia. Su Clinica is now a major principal partner with the Regional Academic Health Center (RAHC), and they will be the primary training ground for RAHC. This will be a new direction for them in which they will recruit, train, and retain doctors and health care professionals, all in the Rio Grande Valley. Su Clinica burst onto the South Texas community health scene in 1971 to improve the health for families in Cameron and Willacy Counties in South Texas. Su Clinica was the dream of a group of generous patrons, the Archdiocese of Brownsville and other charity groups, all who wanted to see health care available to migrant and seasonal farm workers. I have particular, personal appreciation for Su Clinica Familia. As a former migrant worker, I have a unique perspective of what it is like to be unable to afford health care. I have vivid memories from my childhood about the health of my family. We had no health insurance, and thankfully we were relatively healthy. But when one of us was sick, my father would gather us up, no matter what the time of day, to pray for whoever was sick. That was our health insurance. I still advocate that people pray for their loved ones when they are sick, but no one should be without basic health care today. Su Clinica's unique health care services increase the self-worth of the people treated there. That self-worth is evident in the faces of the people who walk out of the clinic. The resulting longevity of their lives makes for happier families and healthier South Texans. I have long had a working relationship with this leader in health care in the Rio Grande Valley. There is an enormous population in South Texas that have no access to health care, and Su Clinica has gone a long way toward decreasing that overall number. From seeking the causes of anencephaly along the border in the early 1990s, to working together today to stem the epidemic of rampant, drug resistant tuberculosis along the border, our relationship has been strong and productive. The new direction in becoming the primary training ground for young doctors and health professionals is a natural outgrowth of Su Clinica's three decades of work for our community. I ask my colleagues to join me today in congratulating Su Clinica Familia for their longevity and success in bringing health care to low- income South Texans, at a time and in a place where the quality of health care has international repercussions.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall Nos. 14 and 15, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on both votes.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I wish today to commend the 2000 ``Mr. Amigo,'' Jorge Muniz, chosen recently by the Mr. Amigo Association of Brownsville, TX, and Matamoros, Tamaulipas, in Mexico. Each year the Mr. Amigo Association honors a Mexican citizen with the title of ``Mr. Amigo,'' and that person acts as a goodwill ambassador between our two countries. Their selection honors a man or woman who has made a lasting contribution during the previous year to international solidarity and goodwill. ``Mr. Amigo'' presides over the annual Charro Days Festival. The Charro Days Festival is a pre-Lenten event, much like Mardi Gras in New Orleans, held in Brownsville and Matamoros. Charro Days festivities last for several days; this year they will be February 23- 27 and will include parades and appearances by Mr. Muniz. Charro Days is an opportunity to enjoy the unique border culture of the Rio Grande Valley area. As Mr. Amigo 2000, Muniz will head the international parade of Brownsville Charro Days and Matamoros Fiestas Mexicanas festivities. During Charro Days, South Texans celebrate the food, music, dances, and traditions of both the United States and Mexico. The United States- Mexican border has a unique, blended history of cowboys, bandits, lawmen, farmers, fishermen, oil riggers, soldiers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and teachers. The border has its own language and customs. On both sides of the border, there is a deep sense of history, much of which the border has seen from the front row. We have seen war and peace; we have known prosperity and bad times. Charro Days is a time for all of us to reflect on our rich history, to remember our past and to celebrate our future. The Mr. Amigo Award began in 1964 as an annual tribute to an outstanding Mexican citizen. The 2000 Mr. Amigo, Mr. Muniz, is a singer and TV host. The selection of Jorge Muniz, cohost of the weekly music TV show ``Al fin de semana,'' comes almost 10 years after his father, another Mexican singer, Marco Antonio Muniz, also served as Mr. Amigo. The realization that he followed his father with this honor was quite emotional for him. He has recorded 12 albums over a 20-year span in the music and entertainment industry. Affectionately known as ``Coque,'' Mr. Muniz is one of the most liked and recognized personalities not only in Mexico but the rest of the continent. During his career he has shared the stage with well-known personalities such as: Marco Antonio Muniz (his father), Cecilia Gallardo, and Alberto Vasquez. His theater credits also include projects with legends like Lucha Villa, Maria Victoria, and the late Paco Stanley. I urge my colleagues to join me in commending Jorge Muniz, the 2000 Mr. Amigo, as well as the cities of Brownsville and Matamoros, for their dedication to international goodwill between the United States and Mexico.