Solomon Ortiz

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, during a time of global conflict, it is especially important moment to recognize and thank our true friends and allies around the world. Joining us in our commitment to freedom, democracy, human rights and economic opportunity, Taiwan has been a steadfast friend to the United States for over 50 years. This is a difficult and threatening time among the world of nations. Taiwan is an important cornerstone in securing a free, stable and prosperous Asia. Immediately after September 11, 2001, Taiwan became one of the first countries to come to our aid in the campaign against terrorism. President Chen, Shui-bian lost no time in condemning this brutal act and its perpetrators. Since then, Taiwan has reaffirmed its commitment to us in many forms, including intelligence gathering, increased airport security, and laws that keep laundered money out of the hands of terrorists. Taiwan has also provided generous assistance for the rebuilding of Iraq and Afghanistan. Recently, both Houses of Congress have passed by large margins, legislation that supports our friendship and commitments to Taiwan and endorses its desire for a wider international role, specifically in the World Health Organization and the United Nations. Let us continue, through words and deeds, our heartfelt support for this special friend on its 92nd National Day celebration. I offer our friends in Taiwan my own personal best wishes, and I offer good wishes to Taiwan on behalf of Texas.

Mr. ORTIZ

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

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

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleague from Maryland (Mr. Bartlett) in support of this resolution and urge my colleagues to support it as well. Fort Detrick is one of the most important lines of defense should we ever be attacked with a chemical or biological weapon. Since 1969, it has been our Nation's lead laboratory for the medical aspects of biological warfare defense. The September 11 attacks used civilian airplanes as weapons of mass destruction; but it raises the specter of a terrorist attack that would use a chemical, biological, or nuclear weapon against us. I hope such an attack never occurs; but if it does, the men and women of Fort Detrick are devoted to improving the ways to quickly detect the use of chemical or biological weapons, halt the spread of chemical and biological agents as quickly as possible, and treat the victims of the attack. But the mission of Fort Detrick goes beyond just protecting against chemical or biological attack. Fort Detrick has played a leading role in protecting our Nation and other nations against all types of infectious diseases. They helped identify the West Nile Virus several summers ago, and they created a vaccine in the 1980s that probably saved the lives of thousands of Argentinians from an agricultural virus. Fort Detrick has been a world leader in research of microbiology, biochemistry, botany, and other scientific disciplines that are necessary to understanding how to detect and treat lethal viruses. Fort Detrick also serves as home to one of the two campuses of the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health. This NIH campus is internationally recognized for its contribution to cancer and AIDS research. The mission of Fort Detrick goes beyond research as well. Since 1974, all medical logistical support of global military operations is planned and managed by Fort Detrick. This is an extremely important mission as our troops are flung worldwide in the global war on terrorism. And as my good friend, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Bartlett), mentioned, the Army's 1108th Signal Brigade at Fort Detrick provides strategic communications support to the White House and the joint chiefs. This is just a symbol of the accomplishments and missions of Fort Detrick, not an inventory of what they do. They do a great job. Mr. Speaker, I commend and congratulate my good friend, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Bartlett), for bringing this resolution to the floor.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, the Center for Civic Education of Los Angeles, California, is a leader in promoting civic education in the United States, and promoting democracy throughout the world. They regularly contribute to civic understanding in the United States through a presence in each Congressional District. Their excellence in teaching citizens to appreciate and participate in their government took an international approach seven years ago through annual ``Leaders Seminars'' in the Center's Civitas Exchange Program. I am proud that the 2003 Civitas Exchange Program Leaders Seminar was co-hosted by the Federal Electoral Institute (IFE) of our friend and neighbor, Mexico. IFE is an autonomous agency of the Mexican federal government responsible for organizing federal elections and promoting civic education. From September 25-30, 2003 the Center held the seventh annual Leaders Seminar of its Civitas Exchange Program in Mexico City, Mexico, providing an international forum on civic responsibility in maintaining democratic principals in government. IFE and the Center for Civic Education have forged a partnership to adapt Project Citizen, a civic education program for middle school students, for use throughout the Mexican school system. At the Leaders Seminar, Mexican students who have studied democratic practices and principles (through the work of IFE and the Center) analyzed national and community problems for more than 150 delegates from some 34 countries and 30 states of the United States. A remarkable number of entities cooperate to make the Civitas Exchange Program a leading cooperative project of civic education organizations in the United States and emerging and established democracies throughout the world. The Civitas Exchange Program is administered by the Center for Civic Education and funded by the U.S. Department of Education under the Education for Democracy Act approved by the United States Congress. International assistance comes from the U.S. Department of State and the Agency for International Development (AID). The Center for Civic Education centers their mission on Thomas Jefferson's philosophy on the safekeeping of democracy: ``I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of society but the people themselves.'' For all the work the Center for Civic Education does--domestically and internationally--to better prepare our children to participate in the democratic life of our nation, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending this organization for their work to make this country--and the world in which we live--a better place for the generations that will follow us.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the motion by the gentleman from Texas, to permanently raise the hazard pay for all members of the U.S. military and family separation pay for those they left behind. As a former soldier, as a member of the House Armed Services Committee, as an American, as a human being . . . I am appalled at the insensitivity of the administration in not adequately providing hazard pay for our soldiers at a time when our mission in Iraq is not yet accomplished. Nor, more importantly, is our mission in the larger war on terror. I very much understand the dynamic that led us to this place--this nation simply cannot afford the cost to our Nation to wage a worldwide war, and raise taxes on our children through tax cuts now. Our economic policy has become folly in the 21st Century. But that is a topic for another debate--today my colleague from Texas, Mr. Edwards, offers a very important matter for the House to consider. Today conferees are meeting on the Defense Authorization bill and I join my colleague from Texas in urging the conferees to permanently increase hazard pay for our military personnel fighting our wars overseas--and to permanently increase family separation pay. The administration should be ashamed. This Congress should be ashamed, too, if we do not support the motion by my Texas colleague and follow this issue to the end of the process. For if we only instruct our conferees, yet do not actually change the policy, we will not have done the job. Mr. Speaker, any member of this chamber would be hard-pressed to find anyone in this nation who disagreed with the prospect of increasing the pay of our soldiers currently dodging bullets in Iraq--and always in danger in Afghanistan and elsewhere. We would also be hard-pressed to find anybody who disagreed with the prospect of offering a supplement to the families of military personnel, who are making do on less salary and are all alone in raising their children and conducting the business of the household--while their loved one is fighting a war we sent them to fight. We all knew a war would be expensive. The cost of a war is high in the blood of Americans, in the loss to the family income of Reserve and Guard troops called to service, and most directly, in the actual expense of building and maintaining equipment and prosecuting the war. We send young people to war from this branch of government. Let us not abandon them on combat pay. Let us not abandon their families as they live their lives as best they can without their loved ones, and without the salary their loved one brings to the family if they are in the Guard or Reserve.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Congressional Black Caucus to oppose H.R. 2210, which the leadership in the House of Representatives will bring to the floor this week. Since the beginning of the program, Head Start has provided the foundation for low-income working families. Upon this foundation, thousands of adults throughout South Texas have overcome tremendous obstacles to break the cycle of family poverty and become productive citizens. Without the solid base provided by Head Start, the children and families in the 21st Century will have a much harder time trying to get a start on education, nutrition habits, and other simple health care and educational needs. In South Texas, we have a long and successful relationship with Head Start. In my district alone, Head Start serves nearly 4,000 kids from birth to 5 years old. Tonight, I want to share with you stories from people who have used this program so our colleagues will understand precisely what we will be taking away from the children of Texas and other states around the nation if the House passes H.R. 2210. Cynthia del Angelo--She and her twin sister attended Head Start in 1973. They both own their own daycare centers now. Her mother received all of her education through Head Start, and is now an Education Coordinator. Her father is currently an area manager of a Head Start center. Her husband is a restaurant manager. They both feel that Head Start contributed to their success by instilling in them the confidence that they could achieve anything. Jose Carrizales--Attended Head Start in 1965 in a small, rural community. Changed him from a shy, skeptical boy into a secure, loving kid with self-confidence. Later, having become a parent of a Head Start child, he was elected President of the Parent Committee, where the leadership skills he gained led him to a 6-year employment as the District Office Manager for Congressman Solomon Ortiz. He now is the Director of Family Services for Head Start in South Texas. Maricela Vasquez Vitt--Former Head Start student now teaches elementary school in Los Fresnos, Texas. Head Start allowed her to learn English before she started school, and form a strong educational foundation. Jo Ann Garcia--She and her sister are both Head Start students and are now Registered Nurses. Jo Ann has worked with cancer patients in a major hospital and as Director for a Home Health Provider, and says that neither one is as rewarding for her as working with Head Start kids. These are the everyday people who have been profoundly affected by the good works of Head Start. These are the sorts of people in the future who will be without similar services and without the foundation now provided by Head Start.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the trade agreements before us, the Chile/Singapore agreements. As a Democrat, I often find myself opposing long-time friends on matters of trade, and that never comes easily. But the reason I support this agreement is I know free trade simply works through strategic agreements like this one. I have seen the unemployment rate in south Texas and my State of Texas decline through the 1990s. Coming from a poor district like the district that I represent, to see unemployment go down from 15, 17 percent to 9 percent after the agreement that we had with Mexico tells us one thing, that these agreements work. Now we are not speculating about the benefits of free trade. We have seen them at work in our community. This economy churns mightily, and the more free trade we have, the more opportunities that there are for this Nation to advance our economy. By strengthening trade and investment relations between two partners with similar economies, both nations benefit from this agreement. This agreement streamlines the operation of major industries within our countries, the United States, Singapore, and Chile. It allows our companies greater efficiency and flexibility by cutting processing costs for some technology products and medical devices in Singapore and the United States. Benefits like this will foster greater economic growth between these countries. The FTA formalizes our work together on labor, environmental and domestic enforcement issues. And in Singapore, clearly, these trade agreements strengthens our economic opportunity with our military partner in the war on terrorism. I have seen what Singapore has done to help us with our military. They built a pier to the cost of anywhere from 40 to $50 million so that our vessels could berth, so they could refuel, so that our young sailors could have R&R in Singapore. This strengthens the United States' presence in east and south Asia, with Singapore as a base. Singapore serves as a regional center for many American multinational corporations. This will be the first transcontinental trade agreement across the Asia-Pacific to the nation whose United States trade exceeds all our current trading partners, which is the second largest Asian investor in the United States after Japan and which hosts over 1,300 United States corporations and 15,000 Americans. With Chile, we have the same. As great a country that we are, can you imagine that we only have four trading agreements with the rest of the world? And what I have seen when I travel through these countries is that other countries seem to be eating our lunch. We cannot afford to do that. I ask my friends on both sides of the aisle to please support these free trade agreements with Chile and Singapore. It will benefit our country and the lives of many of our people.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, in Texas we say, ``If it ain't broke, don't fix it.'' I oppose H.R. 2210. Head Start is one of the greatest programs this government has produced. It is highly successful; and it is by no means broke . . . so this action by the House is unwarranted. If we pass this bill today, we will be denying hundreds of thousands of little kids from poor homes a solid foundation from which to begin their lives. Since the beginning of the program, Head Start has provided the foundation for low-income working families. Upon this foundation, thousands of adults throughout South Texas have overcome tremendous obstacles to break the cycle of family poverty and become productive citizens. Without the foundation of Head Start, the children and families in the 21st century will have a much harder time trying to get a start on education, nutrition habits, and other basic health care needs. In South Texas, we have a long and successful relationship with Head Start. In my district alone, Head Start serves nearly 4,000 kids from birth to 5 years old. Head Start offers several unique opportunities and programs to South Texas; including transportation, parent training, Diabetes and obesity education, general nutrition information, and services for immunizations, counseling and dental health. Their whole- family approach to these services vastly improves the health and education in South Texas. By providing transportation to the program facilities, the South Texas Head Start helps parents who are too impoverished to have their own transportation from smaller towns to the Head Start facilities. By training parents through English courses, promoting GEDs, increasing literacy, and offering job referral services, parents learn to be self- sufficient for themselves, their kids and their community. One of the more valuable offerings of the local Head Start is the Diabetes and obesity education. The Hispanic population suffers from diabetes at two times the rate of whites. Of Hispanic 2\1/2\ to 3 year- old kids, 50 percent will likely be diagnosed with diabetes within their lifetime, according to a recent CDC study. Losing weight, of course, can prevent diabetes, along with exercising and following a sensible diet, all of which Head Start teaches local families. Through providing nutrition information to parents and kids with a focus on healthy eating and balanced meals, kids will develop healthier habits and break the cycle of obesity and diabetes. By offering a comprehensive immunization record for kids to get the appropriate shots, Head Start helps prevents increase in spread of disease along the international border, where disease is often rampant. Dental services through Head Start educate parents and kids in proper dental hygiene and about how nutrition affects oral health. Through counseling services, Head Start serves the many kids with severe emotional problems, who come from difficult backgrounds. Head Start works with professionals, parents and kids to improve the emotional well-being of the kids before they start school. That's the overview of Head Start in South Texas; but let me share with you stories from people who have used this program and precisely what we will be taking away from the children of Texas and other states around the Nation. Jaime Reyna--28-year-old with a Master's Degree in pediatric physical therapy, fondly recalls learning, not just numbers, colors and how to read, but also how to build self- esteem through social interactions with other kids. Victor Sauceda--Honors graduate and varsity football player from Texas A&M University-Kingsville, is currently a football, basketball, and track coach who will travel to Reno, Nevada next spring to take a shot at the NFL. He attributes his outgoing leadership style to the encouragement and interaction he had from his Head Start teachers and peers. Lizandro Garcia--4th-year student at University of Texas- Brownsville, is earning his Master's degree in accounting while holding a steady job as the Accounts Payable Supervisor. He says that thanks to the teaching he received at Head Start, teaching him to always be your best, strive higher and never settle for second best, he has been able to succeed in life. Antonio Guerra--Principal of Elma Barrera Elementary School in Santa Rosa, Texas, says that even though he didn't understand the importance of being in Head Start as a child, he does remember that the people were friendly, smart and caring. He came from a low-income single parent home, where the things other kids take for granted weren't always affordable, but where education was a high priority. Head Start provided him with the educational foundation to improve his future. Melissa Duran--Attended Head Start in the early 70s, went to college and worked as a Head Start teacher for a couple of years after graduation. She received her Child Development credentials through the Head Start program, and now has owned her own two Day Care Centers for 11 years. Pat Gomez--Parent of three boys who went through Head Start. The program gave them the opportunity to gain self- esteem and confidence in themselves. They are all successfully employed. One is a dentist. Ms. Davis--Single mother of one son who went through Head Start. Because of the one-on-one attention her son received, he changed from being shy and withdrawn to an outgoing young man who is now a successful lawyer. Ida Gonzalez--Raised by her grandmother who spoke very little English. She specifically remembers learning how to brush her teeth, jump rope, eat healthy food and was prepared enough academically to stay ahead of her peers in the Gifted and Talented Program once she entered school. Her love of learning motivated her to become a teacher and child advocate. Jessika Perez--Former Head Start student who is currently beginning her senior year at Texas A&M University where she received full scholarship for all four years. She has spent summers working at California State University with NASA researchers, and plans to start her own Engineering Firm after graduating with her Masters Degree in Civil Engineering. This is only a small sample of what this House is ready to end if we pass H.R. 2210.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, due to business in my district, I was unable to vote during rollcall vote No. 396. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 230, commending the cities chosen as All America Cities; and I thank my friend, Robin Hayes of North Carolina, for introducing the resolution to officially commend the winners of this competition in the House of Representatives. I join my colleagues in commending the City of Corpus Christi and other winners for the recent accomplishment of being recognized by the National Civic League as an All-America City. As a resident of Corpus Christi, I can wholeheartedly endorse the concept that Corpus Christ represents all the best in an American city. Corpus Christi is a place where the pace is easy and the people are the best there is. It is peaceful and beautiful with beaches, military bases, and a vibrant business community. Corpus Christi's presentation included our Juvenile Assessment Center (an organization that helps decrease juvenile crime), Forward Corpus Christi (an economic development organization), the Air Quality Group (Corpus Christi is the only major city in Texas to meet state and federal air quality standards), and a local Junior ROTC team. One of the central components of our community is our military complex. We often say South Texas is ``Navy Country.'' Four separate bases are incorporated in the Corpus Christi area: an army base and three naval bases. The military presence in the area contributes 20 percent to our local economy. Corpus Christi conveyed this pride in our military, and demonstrated the importance of our military community, by incorporating the nationally recognized efforts of the Flour Bluff Navy Jr. ROTC into the presentation. It was the solemn and excellent presentation of the Jr. ROTC, which has won seven national titles for excellence, and which led the way for the city to win the recognition by the National Civil League as an All- America City. Corpus Christi is the only city in Texas to receive this distinct honor this year. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me and the other co-sponsors of this resolution, all of whom are proud to live in an All-America City, in commending Corpus Christi and the other nine cities honored by the National Civic League.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the City of Corpus Christi for the recent accomplishment of being recognized by the National Civic League as an All-America City. As a resident of Corpus Christi, I can wholeheartedly endorse the concept that Corpus Christi represents all the best in an American city. Corpus Christi is a place where the pace is easy and the people are the best there is. It is peaceful and beautiful with beaches, military bases, high rises and a vibrant business community. Corpus Christi's presentation included our Juvenile Assessment Center (an organization that helps decrease juvenile crime), Forward Corpus Christi (an economic development organization), the Air Quality Group (Corpus Christi is the only major city in Texas to meet state and federal air quality standards), and a local Junior ROTC team. One of the central components of our community is our military complex. We often say South Texas is ``Navy Country.'' Four separate bases are incorporated in the Corpus Christi area: an army base and three naval bases. The military presence in the area contributes 20% to our local economy. Corpus Christi conveyed this pride in our military, and demonstrated the importance of our military community, by incorporating the nationally recognized efforts of the Flour Bluff Navy Jr. ROTC into the presentation. It was the solemn and excellent presentation of the Jr. ROTC, which has won seven national titles for excellence, and which led the way for the city to win the recognition by the National Civic League as an All- America City. Corpus Christi is the only city in Texas to receive this distinct honor this year. I thank my friend, Robin Hayes of North Carolina, for introducing the resolution to officially commend the winners of this competition in the House of Representatives. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me and the other co-sponsors of this resolution, all of whom are proud to live in an All-America City, in commending Corpus Christi and the other nine cities honored by the National Civic League.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Chairman, I rise this evening in support of our men and women in the Armed Services. For many weeks now, we have all declared our gratefulness to these warriors and their families of the sacrifices they have made on behalf of our Nation. Besides their incredible efforts in fighting the War on Terrorism, these patriots and their families have had to learn to live without their fathers or mothers or spouses present on a daily basis because of numerous, long, and dangerous deployments, or even worse, if their loved one has paid the ultimate sacrifice. I, myself, have had more than my share of families in my district that have paid this price. I have traveled extensively to our military facilities and have observed the substandard housing we force our military personnel and families to live in. We must address this situation. We are all grateful for these sacrifices, but how will we show this gratefulness? Will we support the Ranking Member in his effort to scale back the tax cuts by a mere 5 percent for those who make over a million dollars a year, so we can restore funding and adequately house our forces? Even though we are cutting military construction spending by $1.5 billion from last year's funding, we can still do the right thing at this time by voting for the Previous Question. We must support the Ranking Member's efforts and truly show our gratitude to our troops.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, due to unforeseen weather conditions, my flight back to Washington, DC, was unavoidably delayed and I was therefore not able to make it in time for rollcall votes. Had I been present I would have voted: No: 276--``yes''; No. 277--``yes''; and No. 278--``yes.''

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, due to business in my district, I was unable to vote during the following rollcall votes. Had I been present I would have voted: No. 244--``no''; No. 245--``no''; No. 246--``yes''; No. 247--``yes''; No. 248--``yes.''

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained due to official business as a member of an official Congressional delegation traveling to North Korea and was not present for the following rollcall votes. Had I been present, I would have voted as indicated below. Rollcall No. 227--``yes''; 228--``yes''; 229--``yes.''

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained due to official business as a member of an official Congressional delegation traveling to North Korea and was not present for the following rollcall votes. Had I been present, I would have voted as indicated below. Rollcall No. 230--``nay''; rollcall No. 231--``nay''; rollcall No. 232--``yea''.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 1588, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004. I want to specifically address the provisions of the act relating to military readiness. First, I thank my colleagues on the subcommittee and the full committee for the manner in which they participated in the business of the subcommittee this session. I also want to express my appreciation to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hefley) for his leadership and example in developing the readiness portion of the fiscal year 2004 National Defense Authorization Act. We were on an accelerated pace this session, and there were many issues that we were unable to address. Additionally, this authorization act is based on a peacetime bill request from the administration that did not address many of the known reconstitution or post-conflict requirements. Our dedicated military and civilian personnel continue to do their part in protecting the security of this great Nation. We are obligated to do our part. Mr. Chairman, while I am concerned that this act does not provide all that I would like to see in the direct readiness accounts, I am more distressed over the process. First, there were issues that should have been addressed in the Subcommittee on Readiness that were presented during the full committee mark. I speak especially about the environmental provisions and the civilian personnel provisions that were inserted in the chairman's mark. Most troubling to me are the broad changes dismantling the safeguards in the civilian personnel system. Many of the changes are based on the homeland security model that has not been implemented yet. This bill would extend these experimental rollbacks to the more than 700,000 Department of Defense civilian employees who performed tremendously during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, a performance that we acknowledge. There is no doubt in my mind that additional changes are needed to the civilian personnel management system, but that does not include wholesale removal of safeguards that ensure access and fair treatment for those dedicated civilian personnel who, like their military colleagues, also serve. Second, for the first time in my long tenure here in the House and on the Committee on Armed Services, I am concerned about the partisan nature of the committee and its deliberations during the mark. We have debated many contentious issues in the past, and I see no reason why I should believe that the future will be different, but I trust that in the future we will remember that the legislative process is a consultative process in which compromise among the parties is key to crafting some policy that would have a lasting effect and that it can only take place in an environment where mutual respect and bipartisanship is the norm. Mr. Chairman, I support this act and will vote for it. On balance, it is not a bad start. It contains a lot of things that I am convinced are needed to permit the Department of Defense to perform its national security mission, but I do not want us to forget that significant work still needs to be done. I urge Members to support this bill.

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Chairman, this is an amendment that we have dealt with on a yearly basis, and on a yearly basis the Department of Defense tells us that they do not support this amendment. We have to be realistic. I was in law enforcement like my friend here. When one is in law enforcement, one is trained to do a certain mission, a certain skill. The military people who serve in the military, I think there was a group of very senior members who went to Iraq and some of the complaints of our troops there were we were not supposed to be police officers, we were trained to kill. And that is what they do. So by putting troops on the border, this is not going to alleviate matters any. We need to put people who are trained to do a certain job, a certain skill to deal with people, and this is why we have the border patrol. If my colleagues feel by adding more border patrol officers on the border this is going to help, why not give them the money to do that? They are trained exactly. We have a training center where we pay millions of dollars to operate to train them adequately. Why do we not do that? We have 120-or-some thousand more troops stationed around the world. Can my colleagues imagine what this is going to do to our readiness by giving them a different mission to train on a different skill? This is absurd. I think that we need to do something, but putting troops on the border is not going to answer the problem that we have. I think that we should focus and put our energy on people that are trained to do the job, and I urge my friends to defeat this amendment.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to another fallen soldier who gave the last full measure of devotion to his nation while serving in Iraq: Army Sgt. Joe Garza of Robstown, Texas. Robstown, my hometown also, is the biggest little town in Texas and we all felt this loss deeply. Army 1st Sgt. Joe Garza, 43, died on April 28 in Baghdad while serving in the war with Iraq. He was a role model for young people growing up in Robstown, serving even as a surrogate father to others in his family and his community. He enjoyed his family and his friends. He made them laugh, and played games with them. He left Robstown and Texas to make a life in the military, where he served honorably in Ft. Stewart, Georgia. So the memories of Joe in Robstown were as a student, a classmate, a son and a Cotton Picker, the mascot of Robstown High School. The memories of Sgt. Garza in Robstown were that he was a good man that fought for justice all of his life. His service in the military was just one more step in this lifelong philosophy. He wanted to bring justice to the world. We find some level of comfort knowing he died bringing peace to the people of Iraq. We also know that our way of life in the United States and the free world is possible because of our military and those who comprise it-- men like Sgt. Joe Garza. Sgt. Garza is survived by--and lives on in the minds of--his family: his wife of 24 years, Mary Garza, their children, Joe, Jr., John Paul, and Myra Ann, and his mother, Enes Garza, of Robstown. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in commending the life and service of Sgt. Joe Garza, and in expressing the condolences of the House of Representatives to his family.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker I rise to commend the Texas Legislators who staked their political careers on demanding the legislature cease work on a national Republican Party map that would override voters' choices in Congress, re-mapping the state by congressional district just one year after a federal court did the job for them. Redistricting is a serious constitutional matter; it is not a childish ``do-over'' when it does not meet your partisan whims. I appreciate the leadership of Jim Solis (D-Brownsville), Rene Oliveira (D-Brownsville), Jaime Capelo (D-Corpus Christi), and Juan Escobar (D- Kingsville) and thank them for their unique patriotism. They are doing a very hard thing and the good people of South Texas appreciate their position. In a democracy, voters should choose their representatives; representatives should never choose voters. Drawing congressional district lines is an exercise that is mandated once a decade by our constitution. We did this last year; a federal court drew new lines for Congressional districts, and each member of this body from Texas ran in those districts and won elections. To redistrict again, one year later, is unconscionable. These members of the Texas State Legislature have done an incredibly courageous thing by leaving the state to force the House Republicans to abandon their plans to gerrymander the state of Texas' in Washington's Republican-driven redistricting effort. This effort is part of a national effort across the country, with Colorado also being a target of national meddling in the business of State Legislatures. I commend these legislators, particularly my South Texas friends, who have the commitment and bravery to take the politically dangerous position of leaving the state Capitol in the midst of the session, a highly extraordinary move borne of a highly extraordinary national political grab. By denying the quorum, they are protecting the rights guaranteed to Texans in the Constitution. These legislators are being criticized for their actions, yet it is the national Republican leadership that put these events in motion and they are the ones who can end it so Texans can get back to the urgent business of balancing our budget, reforming insurance rates, re- financing education reform, and economic development around the state. Were it not for high-level, unapologetic tinkering in the state's business, the state legislators would now be working on the issues upon which they were elected to pursue. As it is, the only members now hard at work on substantive budgetary matters are the Democrats working out of Oklahoma trying to persuade the national republican leadership to pull the redistricting bill so they can proceed. The legislators are fighting for open participation in government and redistricting, which is precisely the vision our forefathers had when they founded this country. I commend the political courage of the legislators who staked their careers on the principle of democratic process and one person-one vote.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend the young people at Incarnate Word Academy, IWA, in Corpus Christi, TX, for their understanding and concern about international events and their concern for U.S. troops still stationed overseas fighting the war on terror. These young people appreciate the military service of those in Iraq and Afghanistan--and elsewhere--and they are showing that concern in a substantive way. They have raised money to buy calling cards so the men and women in uniform can call their homes and families. I am particularly proud of these young people since they are from my congressional district. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I know how important these amenities are for our troops stationed overseas. First of all, this saves our troops and their families' money on telephone bills. Secondly, it demonstrates to those wearing our uniforms overseas that people understand their sacrifice and want to help in ways that they can. IWA could help in this way, and so they have. I want to thank Sister Camelia Hertlihy, IWA's Elementary Principal; Mr. Adolfo Garza, IWA's Middle School Principal; Ms. Suzanne Coleman, IWA's High School Principal; IWA Student Council Representatives; and the Patriotic Committees from each school level for their hard work to make this happen. On Friday, they will present a check to Captain Paula Hinger, the Commanding Officer of the Corpus Christi Naval Air Station to formalize their gift of the heart to our warriors. I ask my colleagues to join me in commending these young people and the school officials for their generosity and for remembering the difficult service our military offers the United States of America.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an amazing public servant who will be retiring shortly. For 11 years, Port Aransas City Manager Tom Brooks has served his community by showing how smart development, a park system, and eco-tourism can be forces for the local economy. Tom Brooks is the force who--through his smile, friendliness and force of personality--negotiated his way through a host of operations that brought success to his city, Port A, as it is commonly called in South Texas. From the beginning of his service, Tom sought out elements of economic growth, showing his steady hand by holding firmly to goals outlined in Vision 2000, a city planning guide. His service to Port A covers a 100% of park development in Port A including: a community park, paradise pond, birding facilities and Charlie's Pasture. Of all his accomplishments, the Charlie's Pasture project is a point of pride for Tom and the city he served so well. Charlie's Pasture will be situated upon 1,500 acres of tidal flats, but it includes uplands with trees and a beach area on the bayside. Tom's vision for Charlie's Pasture includes all species: local residents, South Texas tourists and wildlife. Habitat for the endangered Piping Plover and threatened Snowy Plover birds will be protected here. The Pasture will be ideal for bird watching, fishing and hiking. Beyond Port A, Tom's careful financial stewardship of the town leaves it in a fiscally advantageous place. At the state, federal and Coastal Bend level, Tom leaves Port A with a reputation for finding common ground with economic and environmental concerns. At the federal level, Tom can take pride in helping shape the Coastal Management Plan and the Dune Protection Act, both important legislative components to barrier island development. His service will be marked by maintaining growth without sacrificing the environment. His direct approach gets things done for his community. An open door office policy and quick thinking made him a great city manager and a unique public official. Through his hard work Tom has earned this retirement. I ask my colleagues to join me today in commending Tom Brooks for his tremendous accomplishments during his service to Port A.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise with pride today to recognize an outstanding Navy Junior ROTC from Corpus Christi, Texas, in my congressional district. The Flour Bluff High School's Navy Junior ROTC is easily the very best in the country, having won the national title among all Navy Junior ROTC programs in the country for the past seven years. So they are used to being known as the ``best of the best.'' This week, they made their domination of Junior ROTC competitions complete by winning competitions against units from every branch of the service. For the first time, both the armed and unarmed drill teams from Flour Bluff won the all-service competition against teams from all other military branches. The 33 students from the Coastal Bend of Texas who won the competition of 4,000 students on 155 teams were simply spectacular at the All Service Grand National Championship competition in Daytona Beach, Fla. Both young women and men have competed for the championship--and both have won. The young women of Junior ROTC won the national title in 2000. The following year, the young men took the championship. But this year, they accomplished a new goal by both taking home the championship. They are judged on drills, precision marching, personal appearance and their knowledge regarding current events. While these are exceptional young people who are outstanding young leaders, they have a visionary example of leadership in their unit Commander, Armando Solis. Commander Solis has nurtured these teenagers through seven consecutive titles for the Flour Bluff High School Navy Junior ROTC. It is largely through his dedicated guidance that Flour Bluff's Navy Junior ROTC has been extremely successful in their national competitions. I am particularly proud of these young people under Commander Solis' guidance. ROTC is a feeder program for tomorrow's officer corps, and there are a number of people who are serving us in uniform today who came through this particular program, and from Junior ROTC programs across the nation. I ask my colleagues to join me today in commending the Flour Bluff High School's Navy Junior ROTC for their excellence.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, nearly all of our lives have been touched by suicide at some point, be it a family member, neighbor or friend. It represents the darkest moment in a life, and inevitably touches many other lives with sadness and curiosity. Suicide is a mental health issue that crosses racial boundaries and deeply affects every community in the United States. The Hispanic community is no exception. As in most communities, Hispanics find suicide a difficult topic to broach. The stigma still attached to mental health issues makes asking for help difficult; but the most overwhelming problem for most Hispanics is access to care that will benefit them. In 2000, 18% of Hispanic females aged 12-17 were considered at risk for suicide, compared to 16% of white females and 8% of Hispanic males. Only 32 percent of Hispanic female youths at risk for suicide receive mental health treatment, according to the 2000 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse. In 1997, the Attorney General reported a national survey of high school students showed that Hispanic adolescents reported more suicide attempts proportionally than both whites and blacks. Among Hispanic Americans with a mental disorder, fewer than 1 in 11 contact mental health specialists, while fewer than 1 in 5 contact general health care providers. The figure is even worse among Hispanic immigrants with mental disorders where fewer than 1 in 20 use services from mental health specialists, while fewer than 1 in 10 use services from general health care providers. Many times access to mental health services can be difficult for individuals in Hispanic communities, due to language barriers, which keep them from accessing the critical assistance they need to cope with their illness. Mr. Speaker, suicide is a serious problem among Hispanics, and other Americans. I want to thank Congresswoman Napolitano and Congressman Murphy for organizing the Mental Health Caucus to bring members together to shine light on the dark topic of suicide. I also thank the gentlewoman from Brownsville, Texas for organizing this special order to draw attention to this important subject.