Solomon Ortiz

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend two very special groups of students in South Texas from two extraordinary schools: Landrum Elementary School in San Benito, Texas, and Oliviera Middle School in Brownsville, Texas. Competing with over 10,600 schools from all across the nation, this group of students from Texas entered and won honors in the ``Set A Good Example'' competition, a contest sponsored by the Concerned Businessmen's Association of America. The ``Set A Good Example'' campaign rewards students for their concern and participation in programs that highlight the dangers and detrimental effects of crime, violence, and illegal drugs. The Oliviera Middle School and Landrum Elementary School groups formulated and created projects emphasizing good moral guidelines. Their projects celebrated common sense and understanding the importance of being honest, trustworthy, competent, honorable and industrious. The project also condemned violence, murder, and illicit drug use. At a time when our young people face the adverse challenges of crime and violence, I applaud their efforts that highlight personal moral integrity and commitment to social action. I am very proud of these students, but I know they did not do this alone. I commend their parents, their teachers, their friends and their school staff for supporting and encouraging them in this proud undertaking. At a time when our national conversation has centered on underlying causes of youth violence in the aftermath of several high- profile school shootings, I am proud to offer these young people as examples for others. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in applauding these students from Oliviera Middle School and Landrum Elementary School. They strive for the moral integrity that all Americans, young and old, should emulate.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in observing the 30th anniversary of the Expanded Nutrition Program. On Monday, I will be with the Expanded Nutrition Program of the Texas Agricultural Extension Service at Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi to celebrate this all- important anniversary. We are all fortunate enough to know how very important, how very fundamental, nutrition is to each of us. Each one of us, for better or worse, is a product of what we began to eat when we were younger. I am so very proud of the work South Texans have done to learn more about nutrition. I am so grateful for the vision in association with the Expanded Nutrition Program (ENP) in Texas. ENP has been providing nutrition education to poor families and children since 1968, and it is easily one of our most productive programs. ENP teaches an assortment of things all of us need in order to be productive, healthy citizens: life skills, self-sufficiency, better health and nutrition, careful budgeting, commitment, responsibility and personal success. All in all, ENP leads the way to a healthier way of life. Better still, EPN saves us money; each dollar spent on ENP is $10 saved on health care costs. ENP teaches lessons about food and nutrition in a supportive environment. The ``Kids in the Kitchen'' program provides leadership development for young people who need esteem or leadership skills. Young people who help prepare family meals learn valuable lessons about sharing workload and responsibility. Through the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, Texans have learned about basic nutrition, managing a food budget, food safety and food preparation. Women who are returning to work can learn to prepare quick and easy, yet nutritious, meals to ease the family's adjustment to the change. Positive, productive activities may reduce the chance of risky behavior. I want to ask all my colleagues to join me today in observing the 30th anniversary of the Expanded Nutrition Program.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Madam Chairman, I oppose the amendment. I think that the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Traficant) has made some good points about terrorism, but this is something that Immigration and Customs can do. I rise in opposition to the amendment at this time.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Skelton amendment to the defense authorization bill, an amendment this House should pass for many reasons. The gentleman's amendment strips the present language out of the bill which prohibits funds being expended in Yugoslavia after September 30, 1999. The current language in the bill does not reflect the best that this country and this Congress can offer in our defense policy bill. The House Committee on Armed Services struggled long and hard to get this bill to the floor. It is generally an outstanding bill, a very good bill. But this language will garner a presidential veto, and our purpose here is to pass a bill that the President will sign, as well as safeguard our troops and the security interests of the United States of America. Leaving the restrictive language on Yugoslavia in this bill puts its passage in jeopardy, and that is bad enough. But worse, it puts our troops in jeopardy, those young men and women fighting for the strategic interests of the United States. Mr. Chairman, we cannot try to run this conflict, this war, like we run a regular business. We cannot do that. We are dealing with a man who is a vicious killer. Soldiers in the field, I do not think will appreciate it if we do not support this amendment. Lastly, we would be terribly ill-advised to include this language in our bill because it sends a mixed message to Milosevic, the latest hate-monger of the 20th century. The very last person to whom we want to provide aid and comfort is Milosevic, a devoted enemy of peace in Central Europe. I urge my friends and colleagues to support this amendment. Mr. Chairman, the Government of the Republic of China announced on June 7 that it would provide a grant aid equivalent to about US$300 million to help the Kosovar refugees. The aid will consist of emergency support for food, shelters, medical care, and education for the refugees. In addition, short term accommodations will be provided for some of the refugees in Taiwan. Most important of all, Taipei will support the rehabilitation of the Kosovar area in coordination with other international agencies. Taipei's offer of help drew a favorable response from our State Department and I think Taiwan's plan to assist Kosovar refugees and Macedonia is praiseworthy and demonstrates Taiwan's commitment to play a helpful role in the international community. President Lee Teng-hui of the Republic of China on Taiwan should be commended for his willingness to commit his country's resources to help other countries in need. President Lee's aid initiative to the Kosovar refugees is yet another demonstration of the Republic of China's support of U.S. policies in the Balkans. Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States, Washington, DC, June 9, 1999. Hon. Solomon Ortiz, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Congressman Ortiz: As we are all eagerly awaiting a peaceful resolution of the Kosovo conflict, I am writing today to direct your attention to my country's efforts to aid the huge numbers of Kosovar refugees currently residing in other countries. As a member of the world community committed to protecting and promoting human rights, the Republic of China on Taiwan is deeply concerned about the plight of the Kosovars and hopes to contribute to the reconstruction of their war-torn land. To that end, President Lee Teng-hui announced on June 7, 1999 that our country will grant U.S. $300 million in an aid package to the Kosovars. The aid package will consist of the following: 1. Emergency support for food, shelters, medical care, and education, etc. for Kosovar refugees living in exile in neighboring countries. 2. Short-term accommodations for some of Kosovar refugees in Taiwan, with opportunities of job training to enable them to be better equipped for the restoration of their homeland upon their return. 3. Support for the restoration of Kosovo in coordination with international long-term recovery programs once a peace plan is implemented. We earnestly hope that our aid will contribute to the promotion of the peace plan for Kosovo and that all the refugees will be able to return safely to their homes as soon as possible. In this regard, we hope that we may rely on your continued support and friendship as we seek to fulfill our obligations as a responsible member of the international community. With best regards, Sincerely yours, Stephen S. F. Chen, Representative.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. Chairman, I would like to echo what my good friend, the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter) just stated, for the leadership provided to this committee by our chairman and our good friend, the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spence), and, of course, the ranking member, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton), and the rest of the subcommittee chairmen and committee chairmen for the leadership they have given to us. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 1401, the defense authorization bill for Fiscal Year 2000. The committee and particularly the Subcommittee on Military Readiness had a very challenging assignment this session. We not only spent time here gathering information, but we had the opportunity of visiting our forces in the field, both here in the United States and in Europe, witnessing firsthand readiness as seen by those brave soldiers, sailors, and airmen who shoulder the responsibility of carrying out our military strategy. For their effort, we can all be proud. It is personally satisfying to see that some improvements are being made in the readiness posture of the total force, but I do not believe that any of us would agree that we are out of the woods yet. The readiness of the first-to-deploy forces comes at a price of reduced support for deploying future forces and for vital infrastructure support. I remain concerned that the Department's budget is built on assumptions about savings from efficiencies, outsourcing, and privatization activities that have not materialized in the past and probably would not in the future. Migration of critical maintenance dollars remains a problem. I will say to my colleagues that this is a good bill. The committee has worked hard. We can be proud of our soldiers who are stationed all around the world. I ask my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, because of official business in my District (27th Congressional District of Texas) I was absent for rollcall votes 147-154. If I had been present for these votes, I would have voted as indicated below. Rollcall No.--Vote: 147--``yes''; 148--``yes''; 149--``yes''; 150-- ``yes''; 151--``Present''; 152--``no''; 153--``no''; and 154--``no''.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 146, I was unavoidably detained by official business in my district. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 145, I was unavoidably detained by official business in my district. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great American warrior, Captain Donald E. Peters, of the United States Navy. Captain Peters will end his 30 year career with the Navy on May 28, 1999, a career that has included a host of commands. Most notably for South Texas, one of those commands included the Mine Warfare Center of Excellence at Naval Station Ingleside (NSI) on the Bay of Corpus Christi. I was always taken with Captain Peters' style of leadership; his philosophy seemed to be: ``Shut up and do it.'' He led by example. He became involved, and stayed involved, in all the things that affected Naval Station Ingleside's mission or the sailors there. Captain Peters' most significant accomplishment at NSI was the leadership he showed in effort and innovation, an accomplishment that won a presidential tribute for NSI. NSI was recognized with the annual Commander in Chief's Installation Excellence Award in 1997. The base was chosen from among 135 installations world-wide, and was selected from among 11 semi-finalists. It was innovation in the following areas that attracted the award: leadership, retention of personnel, equal employment opportunity, community relations, energy conservation, pollution prevention, food service excellence and recreational activities. Captain Peters' service and leadership was pivotal in the development of NSI. In 1992, NSI began with 500 sailors. By the end of 1996, just prior to this award, it had over 4,000 personnel, making it one of the Navy's fastest growing military facilities. Continuing that trend, by next year, NSI will have around 5,000 military and civilian employees at the base. In 1995, Captain Peters streamlined the base's administrative staff from nine department to five departments. The move made operations more efficient and responsive to the needs of the sailors. Military organizations tend to note efficient models of success, and NSI's administrative operations were rapidly adopted Navy-wide for emulation at similar-sized installations. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in paying tribute to a lifetime of service by Captain Donald E. Peters, a real American patriot and hero.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, for many years now, I have joined my colleagues in congratulating the leaders of the Republic of China (ROC) on their National Day, on associated anniversaries, and other special occasions. Today I congratulate President Lee Teng-hui on completing 3 years in office. President Lee is an energetic man who is moving forward on a number of diplomatic fronts to engage Taiwan as an emerging democracy and economic Pacific power. In the years ahead, I hope that Taiwan will continue to enjoy its prosperity and freedom.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, Texas is known for many things--among them is an embarrassment of riches in the Southern Judicial District of Texas. In South Texas, we have two judicial giants in the Rio Grande Valley for whom citizens throughout the area have asked that the new federal courthouse in Brownsville be named. Judge Reynaldo Garza was appointed to the federal bench by President John F. Kennedy in 1961 and Judge Filemon Vela was appointed to the federal bench by President Jimmy Carter in 1980. Both of these men have become legends in the South Texas area by virtue of their commitment to education and community. Each have shown their respective dedication to the betterment of the next generation of South Texans by working actively with schools and young people. Judge Vela has focused on the young people who have made mistakes or erred, by working with the Esperanza Home for Boys, heading activities to keep young people in school called ``Enrich Your Life, Complete Your Studies,'' being part of the Texas Business and Education Coalition, and working with the Texas Young Lawyers Association Dropout Prevention and Literacy Committee. Judge Garza has served on the Brownsville Independent School Board, and turned his attention to the cause of higher education by serving on the Texas Education Standards Committee, the Coordinating Board of Colleges and Universities, and the Select Committee on Higher Education. He is revered for a story he relates about his father, while dying, who told the Judge and his siblings that while he did not leave them with wealth, he left them with the gift of education, one which no one can ever take away. Both these legends have schools named in their honor. When construction began on the federal courthouse, all across the Valley, people wondered whose name would grace the courthouse upon completion. I was moved at the number of letters that came to my office relating personal stories about one or the other and advocating naming the courthouse after either Judge Vela or Judge Garza. After reading all the heart-felt expressions on behalf of both judges, and listening to people who sought me out while I was in the District, I realized how rich we were in judicial talent and thought that the only way to satisfy the concerns of all South Texans was to name this courthouse after both judges. This name is a reflection of the will of those people whose interests will be served in the new courthouse, and of those people for whom justice will be dispensed there.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to shine the light on a performance later this week on the west side of the Capitol. I would like to invite all of you and your staff to hear the Robstown High School Band from my hometown of Robstown, TX. Many of you have heard me talk about my hometown. Robstown is the biggest little town in Texas. Robstown has given the community, the state and the nation much of which they can be proud. Some prominent politicians at the local, the state and the national level hail from this big little town. Robstown has thrilled us with their state baseball titles. The Cottonpickers baseball team is consistently underrated by the opposition from the bigger, more affluent school districts. This week, however, Robstown High School sends its band to entertain us on the lower west terrace of the U.S. Capitol on April 23 from 1:30 to 2:15. The 120 young people in the band will be in the area on an educational trip during which they will see the museums and monuments Washington has to offer. I hope all my colleagues will join me in welcoming the Robstown High School band to the U.S. Capitol.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 472, and in support of the Maloney substitute. We are charged with the awesome responsibility of counting the American people as accurately as we can so we can divide up the resources and representation of their government. This is a complex matter that must be concluded in one year. As we speak here, the Census Bureau is planning their year-long mission, hour-by-hour, in order to count 120 million addresses and 275 million people. The most important concept that this bill contains, including the local governments in the effort to ensure a fair and accurate count, is a laudable one. It is the local governments who are the closest to the people we all represent, and it is the local and state governments which have the most to lose. But it is also the local and state governments which have spoken up loudly about the bill we are considering here today as we look for the middle ground on which we can conduct our constitutional responsibility of overseeing the decennial census. Including the local governments in the preparation of the census is not a novel idea invented by the proponents of this bill; the Census Bureau is already consulting with local governments to assess the number of addresses in each jurisdiction. Counting the addresses is nearly 90 percent complete. The requirement in this bill to set aside 9 weeks after the field work is complete to check the count of local addresses a second time is a needless waste of precious time in this endeavor. I do not believe that anyone in this chamber wants to waste resources in discharging our responsibility--but I do think that a provision of this nature does prevent the Census Bureau from utilizing the very best contemporary science we have, modern statistical methods. The results of not using modern methods would carry us backward a decade, recreating all the same mistakes we made in the 1990 census, missing millions of Americans and counting millions more twice. The Mahoney substitute allows the Census Bureau to use their own design to integrate the local governments in the operational plan. This will allow science to help us and provide a much more accurate count. My home state of Texas lost $1 billion in federal funds as a result of the 1990 census undercount. It is estimated that a faulty census with a similar undercount will now cost Texas $2.18 billion. The mayor of Brownsville, TX, has urged me to support statistical sampling to ensure an accurate count, as has the Nueces County Judge; their correspondence is attached for inclusion in the record. Those who do not learn from history are bound to repeat it. Let us learn from history. Brownsville, TX, March 17, 1999. Hon. Solomon Ortiz, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Representative Ortiz: The 1990 census resulted in an undercount of eight million Americans. As a result the State of Texas was denied approximately $1 billion in Federal funds. No other part of the country was more affected by this situation than perhaps California. In the case of Texas, the South Texas region which has a population that is largely Hispanic and a large concentration of families with income below poverty level, probably felt the brunt of the impact. It is my understanding that in preparation for the 2000 census the House Government Oversight Committee, which you form part of, is presently considering legislation to require post-census local review instead of a statistical sampling method to arrive at an accurate census count. Our position is that the proposed legislation--H.R. 472, the Local Census Quality Check Act--while well intentioned, will prevent the Census Bureau from utilizing effective scientific methods for population counting, and may once more result in large undercounts. This unfortunately will impact once more the states with the larger population and larger concentrations of minority groups--e.g., Texas and California. I therefore urge you to oppose passage of H.R. 472. I am certain that allowing the use of statistical samplings will result in the most accurate and timely census possible. This is after all, I am sure, what we are all interested in. Thank you. Sincerely, Henry Gonzalez, Mayor of Brownsville.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to General Johnnie Edward Wilson, who, on April 26, is retiring from the United States Army after more than 37 years on active duty and has served this country with honor and dignity. General Wilson is an exceptional leader, a ``soldier's soldier.'' Having started his career as a private, he understands soldiering, leadership, and selfless service. He is known on Capitol Hill for his dedication and integrity. As the Army's senior logistician for the past 3 years, he has tackled the tough issues in technology, acquisition and logistics while consistently focused on proper care for his personnel. Thanks to the efforts of patriots like General Wilson, the United States Army enters the new millennium as a strong, proud fighting force. This outstanding American deserves the praise and thanks of a grateful nation. Born on February 4, 1944, General Wilson was raised in Lorain, Ohio, and entered the Army in August 1961 as an enlisted soldier, attaining the rank of staff sergeant before attending Officer Candidate School (OCS). After completing OSC in 1967, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Ordnance Corps. He was awarded a bachelor of science degree in logistics management from the Florida Institute of Technology. His military education includes completion of the Ordnance Officer Basic and Advanced Course, the Army Command and General Staff College, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. General Wilson held a wide variety of important command and staff positions culminating in his current assignment as the commanding general, U.S. Army Material Command. Other key assignments include: deputy chief of staff for logistics, Department of the Army, Pentagon; chief of staff, U.S. Army Material Command; commanding general, Ordnance Center and School, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland; deputy commanding general, 21st Theater Army Area Command, U.S. Army Europe and 7th Army; commander, 13th Support Command, Fort Hood, Texas, and, commander, Division Support Command, 1st Armored Division, U.S. Army, Europe. General Wilson served with distinction at every level of command. He commanded three times at the company level--a maintenance company in the 82nd Airborne Division as a first lieutenant, followed by command of a supply and services company in Vietnam with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, and a maintenance company with the 1st Armored Division in Europe. At the lieutenant colonel level, General Wilson commanded the 709th maintenance Battalion, 9th Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Washington, which converted and became the Army's first Main Support Battalion. General Wilson commanded twice at the colonel level, serving as the Division Support Command commander of the 1st Armored Division followed by command of the 13th Support Command at Fort Hood, Texas. General Wilson next served as the deputy commanding general, 21st Theater Army Area Command, the Army's largest and most diverse logistics unit. Based on his wide experience with leading soldiers, General Wilson was selected to command the Ordnance Center and School responsible for training thousands of soldiers, NCOs and officer every year. Following this successful assignment, General Wilson served as the chief of staff, AMC, where he was responsible for resource and personnel management for a workforce with over 80,000 military and civilian members. From 1964 to 1996, General Wilson served as the deputy chief of staff for logistics, Department of the Army, where he was responsible for worldwide logistics. General Wilson's awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Bronze Star Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), Meritorious Service Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Special Forces Tab, Master Parachutist Badge, and the Army Staff Identification Badge. General Wilson is married to the former Helen McGhee of Elyria, Ohio, and they have three children: Johnnie E. Jr., Charlene, and Scott, and five grandchildren. Please join me in commending the service of General Johnnie Wilson this month upon the occasion of his retirement.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding young man, Mathew Silvino Roman, who has distinguished himself by achieving the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. He will be recognized for this honor in May. I am proud to join the chorus of Mathew's family and friends in congratulating him on attaining this high honor. The Boy Scouts really do teach lessons in life and build a foundation for responsible citizenship. This achievement gives young men a solid start on college and adulthood. Mathew has a sense of adventure, perhaps the most telling legacy of the Boy Scouts in America. His activities show him to be a leader and a young man who knows what is important in life. He has even added the ``Ad Altari Dei'' Medal to his vast collection; it is the Catholic Church's religion medal in scouting. Mathew is a young scientist, with a flare for musical talent. He has consistently made outstanding grades throughout his school years, including his current advanced classes. This is a young man dedicated to the finest tradition of citizenship, faith, service, scholarship, and talent. Please join me in commending this new Eagle Scout.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 975, a bill which will control the amount of foreign steel imports entering the United States. The U.S. steel industry is the foundation of many of the economic development engines across the country. While our economy is buzzing, we are in a position to get back in the steel business after the steel industry's downturn in the 1980's. People all over the world want quality steel ``made-in-the-USA.'' This bill is our attempt to revitalize the steel industry and provide a level playing field for our steel producers. The steel industries in other countries get subsidies for their products. In doing so, several countries have taken advantage of the NAFTA rules to wreck havoc on our steel market. As a supporter and advocate of NAFTA, let me say as clearly as I can: free trade does not mean cheating. Free trade means fair trade. We are the world leader on economic and trade issues, and therefore must speak up when there is an injustice. Flooding a market with underpriced materials is unjust. As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I want to remind the House that steel is the base product that we use in our war-fighting equipment, as well as a host of our domestic transportation system needs. It is the steel industry that has made the United States what we are today, and it is the basis for much of the prosperity we currently enjoy. In my South Texas district, there is one steel plant currently operating, providing economic development in the area. There is a prospective plant in the works in another part of my district, so the need for a quality product is out there, but Congress must support those who are in the business of making steel. When other countries break the rules for fair trade policies, it is our job, our right, and our responsibility to speak up and demand that the rule-breaking end. NAFTA, the hot economy and smart economic policy enacted in 1993, have brought the United States to the front of the class when it comes to matters of trade. If we do not act to highlight these illegal practices and reverse them, we will see others get the impression they can get away with similar practices. Free trade does not mean cheating. The United States and the House of Representatives will not allow it. Please join me in supporting H.R. 975.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a member of the House Committee on Armed Services to oppose the rule allowing the House to consider House Resolution 42 regarding Kosovo. I want to say this in the strongest possible terms, considering this vote today is so ill-timed as to adversely affect the peace negotiations ongoing in the Balkans. It has taken us so long to build the coalition that we have been able to build in that part of the world, and we understand this. This Congress says they have the obligation to ensure that the diplomats in the region exhaust all possible means in their negotiations. Like the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton), I wish that we had been able to debate this issue in the committee before it came to the House floor to see what the needs are, how many troops, the equipment. So I think that it has all been done in good faith but it is ill-timed. We also have a unique responsibility in this situation, as we do in most global spots. We are the world's only remaining superpower. We have more and better military might than any other country in the world. If we are indeed the only remaining superpower, then that status brings certain obligations and responsibilities. This is why I say, let us discuss it further. I just got back from Bosnia 4 days ago. The morale of our troops is high and, not only that, they believe in the mission that they are conducting in that part of the world. They said for the first time we have seen young children play in the parks, play in the streets, go to school. So please help us defeat this rule.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the 1998 ``Mr. Amigo,'' Jorge Ortiz de Pinedo, chosen recently by the Mr. Amigo Association of Brownsville, Texas, 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. Brownsville and Matamoros hold an annual Charro Days Festival, a pre- Lenten festival, much like Marti Gras in New Orleans. Charro Days festivities will last for several days; this year they will be February 25-28. There will be parades and appearances by Ortiz, who, incidently, is not related to me, and who is an international actor, producer and director. Charro Days is an opportunity to enjoy the unique border culture of the Rio Grande Valley area. During Charro Days, South Texas celebrate the food, music, dances and traditions of both the United States and Mexico. The U.S.-Mexican border has a unique, blended history of cowboys, bandits, 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. Ortiz, the 1998 Mr. Amigo, is widely known in Mexican-Latin American entertainment circles. He has performed in 75 theater productions, 23 feature films, 24 soap operas, nine comedies, and a host of other theater events and productions. He has directed hundreds of productions for Televista and produced over 35 theater events. The Mr. Amigo Award was conceived in 1964 as a annual tribute to an outstanding Mexican citizen. Each year, the Mr. Amigo selection highlights a man or woman who has made a lasting contribution to international solidarity and goodwill. I urge my colleagues to join me in commending Jorge Ortiz de Pinedo, the 1998 Mr. Amigo, as well as the cities of Brownsville and Matamoros, for their dedication to international goodwill between the United States and Mexico.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, this afternoon I was unavoidably detained and was not here for rollcall vote No. 18, S. Con. Res. 7, honoring the life and legacy of King Hussein. I would like to enter for the Record, that should I have been present for the floor vote I would have voted ``yes'' on agreeing to this resolution.

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, King Hussein was a man who personified the dignity of public service. He will be sorely missed as a world leader and diplomat for world peace. Leading up to several months before his passing King Hussein was still leading the charge to bring peaceful stability to the Middle East. I would like to extend my sincere sympathy to the King's family. I know that his son will carry on his legacy.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I will be voting against the four articles of impeachment, and I request that my colleagues vote against it, and that we start the healing process for our country. Mr. Speaker, throughout this whole unseemly matter of impeaching a President who lied about deplorable conduct, I have clung to the dignity of the instruction of the Constitution to guide my actions. I re-examined all the evidence offered to the House: the Referral from the Office of Independent Counsel (OIC), the President's taped testimony, the reams of evidence in support of the OIC Referral, testimony (limited though it was) before the Judiciary Committee, and the Committee's deliberations. As the equivalent of a judicial and legislative grand juror in this process, evaluating this evidence carefully, and privately, is consistent with my constitutional role. As a Member of the House of Representatives in the U.S. Congress, I am acutely aware that our actions today represent half the precedent in our entire history with regard to the sacred duty associated with impeachment, as this is but the second time in U.S. history that the full House has been asked to act on articles of impeachment. Our constitutional process is not one that can be suspended or taken lightly. Once begun, it must be completed. This process began when the OIC referred its findings to the House. I voted earlier this year to have the Judiciary Committee conduct a hearing to discover if these offenses were indeed, as the OIC alleges, sufficient for impeachment of a President. I agreed with Judiciary Committee Chairman Henry Hyde who, when he spoke of impeachment in September, said that if the effort to impeach President Clinton were not bi-partisan then it would be ultimately unsuccessful. That is where we are now. The effort has been unsuccessful. As the rough equivalent of a grand juror, I exercised the real strength of the United States grand juror: the common sense to let prudence guide my actions. What the President did was immoral, first the behavior then the lie. But this is not a vote on morality; it is setting dangerous new constitutional precedent in a partisan setting. Grand jurors in our judicial system today have to exercise good judgment about stopping a bad case when the evidence is not there to fortify it legally. In our role today, we have the added weight of exercising good constitutional, democratic, and political common sense. Our country's Founders put the impeachment clause in our governing document for a very specific reason, to have a democratic mechanism for the removal of a President who has grievously injured the country. President Clinton certainly injured the national trust, as does any public official when they lie; but he has not injured the U.S. Constitution, our democracy, our government, or any political movement in our country. His actions were outrageous. His lies about it were disheartening and alarming. But his behavior itself, even when compounded with lies under oath, was not impeachable. We should take a lesson from this long and difficult drama. No lie from a public official is acceptable. It is all the more appalling when it is the chief executive, under oath, about an affair in the White House. Those who seek the public trust of the presidency must be ever vigilant to conduct themselves truthfully. Those who seek the presidency should be on notice that the rules are forever changed: the impeachment bar has been lowered and can be invoked far easier than our Founders intended. Those in Congress must be a careful watchdog of executive behavior, and today's vote is a strong message that this body will not shy from our duty, but we are not willing to let impeachment become a partisan endeavor. I hope this exercise, while difficult and unnecessary, shows the world the ultimate strength of the U.S. Constitution and the innate common sense of the American people in the world's most sophisticated democracy. I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing these articles of impeachment.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, anytime young Americans are carrying out our foreign policy with parts of our national security apparatus, Congress should stand in support of them, of the Commander in Chief and of the policy they propound. If anyone disagrees with the policy, it is their duty to speak up in this democracy. As a member of the National Security Committee, I know what sort of threat is posed by Saddam Hussein's arsenal of terror of the biological, chemical and nuclear sort. He has exploited our biggest weakness, a lack of committed, long-standing allies in the Gulf region. It is important to note the recent diplomatic breakthrough in the Middle East at Gaza, which no doubt reinforced in the minds of our Arab and Jewish friends the good will intended to Gulf states on the part of the United States. Also, it is of tremendous importance to note that the uniformed services, who have been openly critical of President Clinton and this Administration from time to time, have spoken in unison and with passion about the timing and the need for the strikes at this time. Just as the United States took strong action against terrorism in the embassy bombings in the midst of Congress' impeachment activities, we again move forward unaffected by a domestic partisan squabble in the Congress. I support the President, the troops and the policy of a long-term commitment to the disarming of the terrorist nation that has been a thorn in the world's flesh for nearly a decade. I commend the President for moving forward on U.S. policy around the world when military events dictate.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak about and to congratulate a great teacher in my Congressional District, Linda Bushell. Linda Bushell, now an assistant principal at Martin Middle School in Corpus Christi, Texas, is being recognized for her work with students when she taught history at Baker Middle School from 1990-May 1998. She is being named to the All-USA Teacher Team, a representative of all outstanding teachers who daily work to open kids' minds and advance their knowledge. Nineteen individuals and one team of four, were selected from 649 nominees. These exceptional teachers are being honored for making a difference. They inspire us not only as working professionals but also as citizens. Their extraordinary talent to connect with students and their ability to make learning fun enables them to reach out to kids and help them expand their horizons with special programs. Linda Bushell is one of four teachers who began the Community Connection program in Corpus Christi, Texas, a program to give at risk students an up-close look at why academics are relevant to real-world success. In this program Baker Middle School students volunteer at museums, hospitals, or other community sites, and observe professionals as well as hear them speak about what they do on a daily basis. These volunteer opportunities help inspire kids to be more than they believe they can be or do. For example, one young woman after volunteering at an office in the Nueces County courthouse stated happily, ``I can really be a lawyer. Women can be lawyers.'' The program gives students self-confidence and gives them a view of the real world outside of what they daily experience in school. Once again, I congratulate Linda Bushell for the superb job she does in the education arena for students in South Texas. We are fortunate to have teachers like you teaching our children. You deserve this recognition for you have given your heart and much hard worked hours for our students. Keep up the work.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring a leading Hispanic in the entertainment industry, Diane Medina, the Director of Diversity Programs for the Walt Disney Company. Next month, Diane will be honored by the Latino Entertainment Media Institute's Community Excellence Award. The Latino Entertainment Media Institute is a non-profit organization which follows and speaks to the issue of Hispanics in the entertainment industry. Their theme this year is: ``Investing in our Image.'' Diane Medina is uniquely qualified for this award. Her entire life she has worked to bring Hispanics into the entertainment industry across a wide swath of opportunities that currently exist. She was born and raised in Southern California, where she has worked in the industry for over 25 years. She worked at ABC in Human Resources and diversity, moving to the Walt Disney Company after they bought ABC. Walt Disney knew a good thing when they saw it. Diane has immersed herself in the non-profits associated with the industry which advocate a larger inclusion of Hispanics in Hollywood. She sits on boards for the following non-profits dealing with issues pertaining to Hispanics in the entertainment industry: the Imagen Foundation, Nosotros, Latino Entrtainment Media Institute, National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts, Hispanic Academy of Media Arts and Sciences, the National Council of La Raza (host of the Alma Awards), and many others. Just last month during Hispanic Heritage Month events, Diane and I discussed the direction of one of the non profits with whom we both have worked, and, as always, I was impressed with her passion and her commitment to the prospect of including Hispanics in the entertainment industry at all levels, from on-camera talent, to behind-the-camera talent, to the business suites of the studios. Diane and I share a common philosophy about how to accomplish our goal of getting more Hispanics in the entertainment industry. We both believe that if you appeal to the better angels of those you are trying to convince, you get more done. My grandfather used to tell me that you get more flies with honey than with vinegar. Diane knows, from her position inside the industry, that if the Hispanic presence is to change, so, too, must the voices doing the presentation. We are both persuaded that the very best way to increase that presence is to approach both the industry and the community with reasoned voices. I ask my colleagues to join me in commending Diane for her role in increasing the number of Hispanics throughout the industry, and for being a role model for those who aspire to be part of the entertainment industry.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to explain why it is particularly painful for me to be here in Washington DC today, as opposed to the event on my schedule for today in Texas. I was to speak to an elementary school in the Los Fresnos Consolidated Independent School District. Villareal Elementary is a school which has, for the last three years running, scored an exemplary rating from the Texas Education Agency's Texas Academic Achievement Scores (TAAS) test. These tests in Texas gauge our children's progress in learning, as well as the progress by school boards to incorporate various teaching techniques into the curriculum. The first year I went there, I urged them to do well on their TAAS tests, telling them if they did well, I would come back to urge them on for the next year. They did well, and I went back the next year. It has become a matter of habit for us now, Villareal Elementary scoring high on their TAAS, and their local congressman coming back to shout bravo for their efforts. Perhaps it will be helpful to explain why this school district does so well academically. This is a school district with a creative and energetic leader, Dr. Eliseo Ruiz, the superintendent of LFCISD, who attributes the high academic achievements to ``purposely setting some very high goals.'' Dr. Ruiz was named one of 10 ``exemplary superintendents'' in Texas, and the school district itself ranked fourth in the state in the education of Hispanics, according to research by Texas A&M University. According to Dr. Ruiz, the stars began to line up for the school district about four years ago when they began aligning curriculum, establishing timelines and monitoring benchmarks. He insists that a greater parental involvement was the key to the schools' collective success. Each school requires a parents' fair at the beginning of the year, followed by various keynote speakers to parents about how to work with children in learning responsibility. Once again, we have an example of what really works in our nation's schools . . . parental involvement from the beginning to the end. While Congress labors mightily today to complete our work for the year, be aware of the fact that there is a school which very much wanted their congressman to see them today. For the Record, their congressman wants very much to see them today; they never fail to move me and inspire me.