Solomon Ortiz

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, as everybody knows, the Gulf Coast has been battered by numerous hurricanes this summer, including Dolly, Gustav and, this past weekend, Ike. Let us keep those affected by these storms, as well as our local and State officials, our brave search and rescue workers and our first responders, in our thoughts and prayers. On behalf of my colleagues, many who are back home, serving their constituents during this time of need, please join me in observing a moment of silence for those who lost their lives all along the Gulf Coast in these storms.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Madam Speaker, today we mark the seventh anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and remember the thousands of innocent men, women and children who lost their lives on that day, and we extend our sympathies to their families, friends, and loved ones. We also honor the heroic service, actions, and sacrifices of those first responders, law enforcement personnel, volunteers, and others who aided the innocent victims, in many cases sacrificed their own lives. My personal experiences that day are vivid: going to a press conference in the Capitol at 9:30, moving fast to get out of the building when we saw the reports of smoke at the Pentagon. I went to the Pentagon two days later to thank the emergency workers and was touched by their resolve and strength to rescue their fellow citizens. Over the last seven years, our Nation worked tirelessly to improve our Nation's security and to protect our people. We thank our men and women who serve in the military and put their lives on the line every day to ensure that we never have to relive those tragic events ever again.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Alma Ortiz, a teacher of U.S. government and economics at Homer Hanna High School in Brownsville, TX. Ms. Ortiz was selected to the House Fellows Program here in Washington, D.C., which provides an opportunity for teachers to learn more about government and improve their knowledge of Congress. Only twelve participants were selected from around the country. Those teachers will then take their experiences and apply them to their lesson plans back home. It is dedicated teachers like Ms. Ortiz who will ensure our students have a better understanding of government. She already has made a positive impact on her students, fellow teachers, and school administrators with her work ethic and enthusiasm. It is important for our students to be engaged in the civic process. They are our future leaders and a key understanding of government, as well as an appreciation for history, is important for their success. I congratulate Ms. Alma Ortiz on all her accomplishments.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 562, had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3221, the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act. This bill provides a long-awaited helping hand to many of our hard- working citizens, and I commend Chairman Barney Frank and my House colleagues for diligently working with the Senate and the administration to craft a bill that helps individuals and neighborhoods struggling with foreclosure, in addition to ensuring that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac remain on solid footing. Owning one's own home is the epitome of the American Dream. Unfortunately, too many people have found themselves struggling after becoming trapped in complicated, poorly-explained mortgages with exploding interest rates. Already, I have received a call from a homeowner hoping this bill will help him refinance into a mortgage that won't eat up the bulk of his income. With gas prices rising, food prices rising, and wages stagnant, most homeowners just don't have the money to cover a mortgage payment that jumps by 30 or 50 percent. According to the Center for Responsible Lending, one in 35 Texas homeowners could face foreclosure in the next 2 years--almost 1,400 of them in my district. While this bill won't help all those homeowners, it will help many. By providing an avenue for people to remain in their homes, paying an affordable mortgage, we help not only those individuals, but the neighborhoods that would otherwise be left to deal with abandoned and vacant homes. As too many neighborhoods and cities are discovering, this housing crisis affects more people than just those who lose their homes. It affects their neighbors, whose property values are in decline as their neighborhoods empty out. It affects cities that must provide services yet are losing property tax revenues. Cities and towns are on the frontlines of this crisis, and this bill gives them an important tool to help neighborhoods recover, by allowing them to purchase and rehabilitate foreclosed homes and resell them at cost. I applaud all my colleagues in the House for passing this important legislation.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. Ricardo Sanchez of Corpus Christi, TX on his retirement from the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority. Ricardo has been an excellent public servant for the Coastal Bend and has dedicated his professional career to improve the transportation infrastructure of South Texas. Ricardo has over 27 years of professional and managerial experience in public transportation. He started his career in public transportation with Houston Metro in 1983 and moved to the Corpus Christi RTA in 1986 to serve as Assistant to the General Manager. During his tenure with the Corpus Christi RTA, Ricardo worked in varying and extensive capacities serving as Assistant to the General Manager for Contracts and Procurement; Director of Contracts and Materials Management; Director of Maintenance Services, and Director of Special Projects. In May 2004, Ricardo was selected by the RTA Board of Directors to serve as Interim General Manager for the agency and later hired as the agency's General Manager. Ricardo has been a productive member of the community, serving in numerous leadership posts such as Board Member of the National Archives and Historical Foundation of the American GI Forum, Vice-Chair of the Corpus Christi Arts and Cultural Commission, and President of the Houston Chapter Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans. Ricardo and his wife, Carmen, have three wonderful daughters--Yliana, Marisa, Teresa--and have one grandchild, Andrea. I congratulate Ricardo on his retirement and wish him and his family the best of luck during the next chapter of his life.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1291, which celebrates the 60th anniversary of one of our country's most prominent veterans and civil rights organizations--the American GI Forum. Originally founded to assist Hispanic World War II veterans fight discrimination from the VA, the American GI Forum now advocates for numerous additional causes, including voting rights, job training, and better access to education. This bill is special to me because it also commends the American GI Forum's founder, Dr. Hector P. Garcia, who hails from my hometown of Corpus Christi, TX. Dr. Garcia, himself a distinguished veteran, was one of the early leaders of the Hispanic civil rights movement. Dr. Garcia served as an alternate ambassador to the United Nations in 1967, was appointed to the United States Commission on Civil Rights in 1968, and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom--the Nation's highest civilian honor--in 1984. Dr. Garcia grew up in South Texas and hitchhiked 30 miles a day to go to school. He enrolled into the University of Texas Medical School which accepted only one Mexican-American student per year. In addition to helping Hispanic veterans, Dr. Garcia also led the fight against ending discrimination against Hispanic students and brought attention to the poor conditions of migrant workers. From working with Presidents on civil rights issues to providing medical services to those who couldn't pay, Dr. Garcia dedicated his life to bettering the lives of all. His legacy, through the American GI Forum, will always live on. I congratulate the members of the American GI Forum for all their work as a beacon of hope for all veterans and citizens aspiring to improve the lives of those in their community.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Calallen High School Wildcats for winning the 2008 Texas State 4A Baseball Championship. The Wildcats' title marked their third of this decade. Calallen culminated their impressive run with a win over the Waxahachie Indians 11-1, a margin so large that the game ended in the fifth inning due to a ten run mercy rule. Catcher Patrick Frasier was named MVP, after going two for three with four RBI and two runs. This win, however, represents the efforts of the entire team, which was made up of Matt Garza, Derek Hagy, Aaron Alaniz, Logan Verrett, Jeramie Marek, Bryden McClure, Brett Bell, Jake Huddleston, Kris Guerrero, Dustin Vaughan, Hunter Whetsel, Skyler Hoelscher, Patrick Frasier, Dustin Marrou, Travis Neslony, Will Reynolds, Tyler Denman, Roland Resendez, Jordan John, Dillon Denman, Chad Vanaman, Parker Dorsey, Collin Simpson, Adam Hoelscher, Richard Montemayor, Nick Ginn, Rick Salazar, and Robert Zastryzny, as well as Head Coach Steve Chapman and Assistant Coaches Joe Luis Lopez and Rudy Salinas. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Coach Chapman and the team, as well as the parents, teachers, and student boosters who worked so hard to propel their team to a historic season. I especially want to congratulate the seniors on their graduation and best wishes on their future plans. Playing for a high school team is always a rewarding experience--one that provides enduring lessons in teamwork and responsibility. These student athletes will carry the lessons they learned, both on the diamond and in the classroom, for the rest of their lives.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment offered by my good friend from Oklahoma (Mr. Boren). You know, the Canadian ambassador to the United States and some oil companies have expressed concern about the application of section 526 to petroleum derived from oil sands. North American oil sands are vital to United States oil supplies. Oil sands represent approximately 5 percent of the total U.S. oil supply and are mixed in with fuel derived from other sources. This amendment addresses the concerns that have been raised, while preserving the overall intent of section 526. Section 526 establishes a positive goal for future alternative fuels greenhouse gas emissions. This amendment clarifies section 526 while retaining the standards it sets for greenhouse gas emissions. This amendment would simply provide an exception to section 526 by exempting contracts for generally available fuels that are not predominantly produced from nonconventional petroleum sources, thereby addressing the uncertainty regarding the presence of fuel from oil sands mixed with fuel from other sources in existing commercial processes. And my friends, all I can say is there's always a first time. I'd like to compliment my friend for coming up with this amendment, and I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 5658, the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009. The bill before us today reflects our concern about the continuing decline in the readiness posture of our Armed Forces. And I would like to thank the ranking member of my subcommittee, Mr. Forbes from Virginia, for his help in bringing together this excellent bill. He played a very key role and was very instrumental in putting the readiness and military construction bill together. I would like to say thank you for a great job. Also, Chairman Skelton. And my good friend who is going to be retiring soon. Duncan, you and I have gone through a lot. Thank you for all the work that you've done, and we hope to continue on. More than 6 years of continuous combat operations have strained readiness. This strain is manifesting itself in more aspects of our military forces. The bill authorizes $143 million for operation and maintenance. To address the readiness shortfalls in equipment, training, and maintenance, we have added $932 million to the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, National Guard, and Reserve operations and maintenance accounts. In addition, we have added funds for Army training, pre-positioned stocks, and aircraft maintenance in our authorization of the fiscal year 2009 supplemental. In response to the Defense Department's increasing reliance on contractor services, this bill requires a comprehensive analysis of what constitutes an ``inherently governmental function.'' It requires the Office of Management and Budget to develop a single definition that may be used consistently by all Federal agencies. The bill includes provisions to address civilians deployed in combat zones. It gives DOD authority to extend the waiver of limitations on premium pay. It also asks for a thorough review of the medical policies and treatment procedures for civilians deployed to support military operations. To address depot workloads following equipment reset, the bill requires the Department of Defense to contract for an independent assessment of the depot capability that will be needed in the future. The bill takes several actions related to energy and environmental policy. It authorizes $80 million for energy conservation projects and updates installation energy reporting requirements. For military construction, base realignment, and closure and family housing in fiscal year 2009, the bill authorizes more than $24 billion. The bill includes several provisions related to BRAC. In the time since the 2005 BRAC Commission reported its recommendations, we have seen costs increase almost 50 percent and the savings have declined. If a future administration were to request a new round of closures, the BRAC process will need to be dramatically different. As such, this year's bill repeals the BRAC Commission and the process that arrived at the 2005 decisions. At the same time, we remain steadfast to completing the 2005 BRAC round on time, by September, 2011, and have fully funded the administration's request. To address our alarm at finding our troops in run-drown and broken barracks, the bill directs that $500 million in the fiscal year 2009 supplemental be used to arrest the declining state of military facilities. The bill also does many good things for South Texas, which I represent. I am pleased that the replacement of the main production facility at Corpus Christi Army Depot was authorized. Corpus Christi Army Depot is the cornerstone of aviation readiness for the Department of Defense. It is vital that the current outdated facility be replaced so that dedicated employees of Corpus Christi Army Depot can continue to deliver products to the military in the most efficient and timely manner. I support H.R. 5658, and I am proud of what this bill does to restore strength to our military. This is a very responsible bill. However, I'm disappointed that our committee adopted an amendment to provide the Department of Defense funding for the southwest border wall. I hope that in the future, defense funding will not be used to build walls. That said, this is a good bill. The chairman of the full committee and the ranking member have done an outstanding job. Randy Forbes, thank you for your dedication and your input.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. L. Nathan Winters of Harlingen, TX, for receiving the Award of Distinction from the Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas. Mr. Winters has been a valuable member of our community and is known for his hard work and dedication to the Girl Scouts and numerous nonprofit organizations. When serving on the board of directors he was instrumental in acquiring Camp Bayview to serve girls all over South Texas. He also served as president of the Girl Scouts Tip of Texas Council, which later merged with the Paisano Council. Not only is Mr. Winters dedicated to the advancement of the Girl Scouts, but he is also a remarkable husband, father, and grandfather. The Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas serves more than 9,200 members in the 4-county area, including girls in low-income public schools, housing authorities, the Texas Migrant Council, and Boys and Girls Clubs. We are now in an era where more women serve as leaders in our government, corporate board rooms, and communities. The Girl Scouts of America have done extraordinary work in molding young women into positions where they go on to achieve great things. Their mission is to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who--as women, leaders, sisters, and mothers--will make the world a better place. I commend the good work done by the Girl Scouts of America, and the Girls Scouts of Greater South Texas Council for awarding Mr. L. Nathan Winters their Award of Distinction.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 209, I was meeting with the Chief of Staff of the Army, Gen. Casey. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.'' Ms. WATERS, Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 209, I was called off the floor for an emergency telephone call. I was unaware that a vote was taking place. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my sincere congratulations to the Government of the Republic of China, Taiwan, for celebrating the 120th anniversary of the Twin Oaks Estates. Built in 1888 by Mr. Gardiner Greene Hubbard, founder of the National Geographic Society, the estate has served the Taiwanese Government in the United States since 1937. Twin Oaks Estates has been instrumental in allowing the people of Taiwan to establish a dynamic and mutually beneficial relationship between our two countries. The people of Taiwan continue to be our partners in economic matters, democracy, and the pursuit of peace. I look forward to continue working with the Government of Taiwan and congratulate them again on the 120th anniversary of the Twin Oak Estates.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Chairman, this budget is a commitment to restoring fiscal responsibility while providing for programs that boost economic growth, create new jobs, and provide tax relief to millions of middle- class families. When the President presented the last budget proposal of his administration last month, he cemented his legacy of fiscal irresponsibility. Since January 2001, a $5.6 trillion 10-year surplus has been converted into record deficits and mounting debt. The budget, which will outline Congressional spending for the next fiscal year, rejects the President's original proposal of cutting Medicare/Medicaid, key education programs, and the COPS law enforcement agency grant programs. In contrast to the Administration's budget proposal, this budget passed by the House reaches a balance by FY 2012. It ensures that, under the adopted pay-as-you-go principles, any new spending is offset and does not add to the deficit. With over 20 million middle-class American families facing the burden of paying the Alternative Minimum Tax, AMT, we have included fiscally responsible legislation that will provide a one-year `patch' and provide AMT relief to those families. This is a budget that defends our Nation and provides for our Nation's veterans and wounded heroes. It increases veterans funding for FY 2009 by $3.6 billion above current levels and $38 billion over the next 5 years. Our budget also allows the Department of Veterans Affairs to treat 5.8 million patients in 2009 and rejects the $2.3 billion in health care fee increases imposed by the President's budget proposal. The budget also prioritizes resources to restore military readiness that has been worn down by repeated deployments and more than 6 years of war. As chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee, I am fully aware of the need to restore the strength of our military and protect our country from future attacks. Despite the President's insistence on not expanding children's health insurance program, CHIP, this budget includes a reserve fund to provide up to $50 billion for CHIP. The President's budget proposal also cuts Medicaid by $94 billion over 10 years and a whopping $479 billion from Medicare over the same period. That is unacceptable and Congress rejects those cuts. I urge all my colleagues to support this fiscally responsible budget that properly funds our nation's priorities.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Nueces County, TX, Commissioner Chuck Cazales on winning the 2008 Walter B. Jones Memorial Award for Excellence in Local Government. This award recognizes those public officials all around the country who promote and protect our vital coastal resources. The Texas Coastal Bend is a unique area that provides our citizens with a sense of pride. The natural beauty and beaches in Nueces County contribute to the economy of our communities and offer recreational opportunities and tourism. For 6 years, Commissioner Cazales has served with distinction on the Nueces County Commissioners' Court. Among his priorities is to protect our coastal communities and resources so that future generations may enjoy them. Last year, I was pleased he joined me at a field hearing on beach erosion with the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans. Commissioner Cazales has always advocated for increased coastal zone management programs and his testimony at the hearing was integral to its success. The award, named after the late Congressman Walter B. Jones of North Carolina, provides the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration with the authority to honor those dedicated to helping the Nation maintain healthy coastal and ocean resources and balance the needs of these resources with human use. I served with both Congressman Jones and his son, Walter Jones, and know their strong dedication to coastal welfare. This prestigious award is a testament to Commissioner Cazales's service to the Gulf Coast and South Texas. I am confident that he will continue to inspire positive change in the field of coastal management, and can think of no one else more deserving of this award.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Madam Speaker, I wish today to commend the 2007 ``Mr. Amigo,'' Angelica Vale, chosen recently by the Mr. Amigo Association of Brownsville, TX, and Matamoros, Tamaulipas, in Mexico. Ms. Vale has achieved popularity on both sides of the border for her television, film, and theater work. The Mr. Amigo Award began in 1964 as an annual tribute to an outstanding Mexican citizen who has made a lasting contribution during the previous year to international solidarity and goodwill. ``Mr. Amigo'' acts as an ambassador between our two countries and presides over the annual Charro Days festival. The Charro Days festival, held in Brownsville and Matamoros, is an opportunity to enjoy the unique border culture of the Rio Grande Valley area. A Lenten event, much like Mardi Gras in New Orleans, the festival was organized in 1937 by the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce to recognize Mexican culture and was named in honor of the charros, ``dashing Mexican gentlemen cowboys.'' The festival includes parades complete with floats, as well as street dances, a rodeo, mariachi and marimba concerts, and ballet folklorico performances by school students. This year's Charro Days festivities will be held February 28 through March 2 and will include appearances by Ms. Vale. An actress since a child, Ms. Vale has received acclaim for her roles in films and television shows. She recently starred in the Mexican show La Fea Mas Bella, which inspired the popular American show, Ugly Betty. She has also been named one of People En Espanol's ``50 Most Beautiful Women.'' This is the second time in the history of the Mr. Amigo Award that a parent and child have received such recognition. Ms. Vale's mother, singer Angelica Maria, received the award in 1996. The United States-Mexican border has a unique, blended history of cowboys, bandits, lawmen, farmers, fishermen, oil riggers, soldiers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and teachers. The Charro Days festival reflects that deep sense of shared history and experiences, which is needed now more than ever. It is a time for all of us to not only remember our past, but to celebrate our future. The Charro Days festival and the Mr. Amigo Award unite sister cities on both sides of the border and send a message that we are neighbors, and friends that trust, understand, and respect each other. We share a language, customs, and experiences unique to our communities, and during Charro Days we take time to celebrate our distinctive culture. I urge my colleagues to join me in commending Angelica Vale, the 2007 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. Madam Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 16th anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy, when on February 25-26, 1992, the town of Khojaly in the Nagorno Karabagh region of Azerbaijan was brutally attacked by Armenian forces. The town of Khojaly, which was home to 7,000 people, was completely destroyed; a total of 613 people were killed, of which 106 were women and 83 were children, and 56 of whom are purported to have been killed with extreme cruelty and torture. Additionally, 1275 were taken hostage, 150 went missing; 487 people became disabled (76 of whom are teenagers); 8 families were wiped out; 25 children lost both of their parents, and 130 children lost one of their parents. The Khojaly massacre was not an isolated incident. In fact, the level of brutality and the atrocities committed at Khojaly set a pattern of destruction that Armenian troops would adhere to for the remainder of the Nagorno-Karabakh War. No one has been prosecuted for the crimes committed in Khojaly and, unfortunately, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict still remains. On January 21, 2008, Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov noted in the Wall Street Journal that it has been almost 14 years since the Armenia-Azerbaijan war ended in a Russian-mediated ceasefire, but Armenian troops remain on Azerbaijan's territory. Minister Mammadyarov opined: ``The so-called Minsk process, an OSCE- led effort to find a peaceful, negotiated settlement to this conflict, has been helpful in providing the framework for dialogue between Azerbaijan and Armenia. It also gives an international dimension to this conflict. But we need to urgently conclude this process. Maintaining the status quo is just too costly.'' Foreign Minister Mammadyarov contends that diplomacy is Azerbaijan's preferred solution. The resolution of this issue would not only improve bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, it could also improve Armenia's relationship with Turkey. The resolution of the conflict would ensure regional security and economic growth. As Azerbaijan looks forward, it is also important to look back. While not forgetting the past, Azerbaijan is ready to resolve the conflict and move into the future.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to one of my most trusted staff members, my Chief of Staff, Fernando P. ``Nando'' Gomez, Jr. After working in Congress for 7 years, the past 2 as my chief of staff, Nando will be joining the private sector. Nando's dedication to and interest in public service has led him from the small town of Gregory, TX, to the corridors of two Capitols. During his senior year at the University of Texas in 1994, he began working for the Texas House Speaker James E. ``Pete'' Laney. Nando worked for Speaker Laney for nearly 5 years and was appointed the House reading clerk during the 74th and 75th Legislative Sessions. He then moved to Washington, DC in 1998 and worked for Congressman Martin Frost, serving as legislative assistant and then as legislative director. He joined my staff in 2005 and rose from Legislative Director to Chief of Staff. Words cannot begin to describe what Nando has meant to me, my staff, and the people of the 27th district of Texas. I have relied on Nando for his professionalism, work ethic, and friendship. He takes pride in his work, which is especially personal to him because he was born and raised in the district I represent. For him, it has not just been about serving as my chief of staff--it is about advocating for the issues of his hometown, his family, and his roots. Nando has also taken an active role with local youth. He serves in Big Brothers/Big Sisters Mentor program, where he has had the honor of serving as big brother to his little brother, Franklin, for nearly 5 years. Nando is an avid sports fan whose allegiances lie with the Texas Longhorns, Houston Astros, San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Cowboys. Though I bid Nando a sad farewell from my office, it will certainly not be a good bye. I look forward to seeing him around the Capitol when he comes up to catch up with old friends. Nando remains a trusted member of my family, and I will always seek his counsel on matters political and personal. I wish him, his wife Kristy and son Dominic the best of luck during the new phase of his life.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of HR 4137, the College Opportunity and Affordability Act. A college education continues to be a great path to prosperity. But more and more, high college prices and other obstacles are putting a college degree further out of reach for our students. In addition to rising tuition, students and their families face a complex federal student aid application process and student loan industry. The legislation will streamline the application process for financial aid, will allow for students to better manage textbook costs, and increase college aid and support programs for veterans and military families. Many college students--including 37 percent of Hispanic students-- receive Pell Grants each year, and this bill will now allow students to receive these vital grants year round. It also increases authorization levels for the TRIO program to $400 million and GEAR UP program to $950 million, both of which prepare low- income and first-generation students with the challenges for college. Many students find themselves in financial troubles because they are not aware of the rising costs or the details of the loans they take out. This legislation will hold student loan lenders more accountable for any potentially predatory actions, but students and their families will now have more information about all the options and costs to attend college. Though we have passed this important piece of legislation, we are by no means done with higher education issues. The President's budget cut funding to Hispanic-serving institutions, and I will work with my colleagues to ensure those institutions receive proper funding. All students deserve to have as many resources as we can provide to them to better themselves and their positions in life.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Amanda Tavares of Robstown, TX, for her hard work in successfully completing the Congressional page program. Amanda has been a shining example of the potential and leadership skills those selected for this selective honor entail. Amanda, who hails from my hometown, has taken full advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn firsthand how Congress works while gaining valuable experience about the legislative process. She excelled in the challenging environment of the Capitol, got to know new and interesting people, and attend the prestigious House Page School with some of the country's brightest young minds. Prior to her time in Washington, DC, Amanda was involved in numerous activities at her school and church. She has served as a mentor, tutor, and missionary to an orphanage in Reynosa, Mexico. In addition, she has done home improvement work with the Nehemiah project of World Changers in Norfolk, VA. Amanda's sparkling personality and engaging demeanor have been appreciated by my office and her fellow pages. The people whom a page meets here will be the movers and shakers in the country for the rest of their life. Washington, DC, is an exciting place and every page who leaves the program tells us the experience profoundly changed their life. Amanda has shared that sentiment and I have no doubt that her time as page will influence her goals. As Amanda heads back to Texas, I am sure that she will take many of the lessons learned here and apply to her all life and activities. I am proud of hard work and accomplishments, despite being so far from her home and her family. I wish her the best of luck when she returns to school, and know she will use her experiences here to go on and do great things.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to one of my most trusted staff members, my Chief of Staff, Fernando P. ``Nando'' Gomez, Jr. After working in Congress for 7 years, the past 2 as my chief of staff, Nando will be joining the private sector. Nando's dedication to and interest in public service has led him from the small town of Gregory, TX, to the corridors of two Capitols. During his senior year at the University of Texas in 1994, he began working for the Texas House Speaker James E. ``Pete'' Laney. Nando worked for Speaker Laney for nearly 5 years and was appointed the House reading clerk during the 74th and 75th Legislative Sessions. He then moved to Washington, DC, in 2001 and worked for Congressman Martin Frost, serving as legislative assistant and then as legislative director. He joined my staff in 2005 and rose from legislative director to chief of staff. Words cannot begin to describe what Nando has meant to me, my staff, and the people of the 27th District of Texas. I have relied on Nando for his professionalism, work ethic, and friendship. He takes pride in his work, which is especially personal to him because he was born and raised in the district I represent. For him, it has not just been about serving as my chief of staff--it is about advocating for the issues of his hometown, his family, and his roots. Nando has also taken an active role with local youth. He serves in Brothers/Big Sisters Mentor program, where he has had the honor of serving as big brother to his little brother, Franklin, for nearly 5 years. Nando is an avid sports fan whose allegiances lie with the Texas Longhorns, Houston Astros, San Antonio Spurs, and the Dallas Cowboys. Though I bid Nando a sad farewell from my office, it will certainly not be a good-bye. I look forward to seeing him around the Capitol when he comes up to catch up with old friends. Nando remains a trusted member of my family, and I will always seek his counsel on matters political and personal. I wish him, his wife Kristy and son Dominic the best of luck during the new phase of his life.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Madam Speaker, this month Capitol Hill saw the departure of constitutional aficionado and political guru Cathy Travis--who recently retired after serving the House for 25 years, the last 18 as my communications director and senior advisor. Cathy's dedication to and interest in public service has led her from Jonesboro, AR, to the corridors of the Capitol. Politics always fascinated her, and after graduation from Arkansas State University she went to work for former Congressman Bill Alexander (D-AR) as a press assistant. She then served in various capacities for the House Floor staff. After serving in the Chief Deputy Majority Whip's office for 6 months, she came to work for me. Words cannot begin to describe what Cathy has meant to me, my staff, and the people of the 27th district of Texas. For 18 years, I have relied on Cathy for her professionalism, work ethic, and friendship. She has been a wonderful and effective spokeswoman for the issues of south Texas, and reporters always expressed their gratitude for her guidance and assistance. Whether through her infectious laugh or her candid advice, Cathy always left a resounding impression on those she met and worked with. Members, staff, and reporters always took time out of their busy schedules to catch up with her and share some friendly chisme. During her last few weeks in my office, numerous people stopped to wish her best of luck and congratulate her on her retirement. Cathy will now dedicate her energy to writing and marketing her books. Her first book, Constitution Translated for Kids, has received numerous accolades and will soon be published in Spanish. In the book, the original text of the Constitution is paired side-by-side with a kid-friendly interpretation to pique interest and stimulate further discussion of American liberties. Though I bid Cathy a sad farewell from my office, it will certainly not be a goodbye. I look forward to seeing her around the Capitol when she comes up to catch up with old friends. Cathy remains a trusted member of my family, and I will always seek her counsel on matters political and personal. I wish her the best of luck during the new phase of her life.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor three constituents from South Texas: Heather Blakemore, Rene Hernandez, and Sue Stachowiak. The three have been awarded the District Award of Merit from the Boy Scouts of America, and it is the highest award bestowed upon volunteers in a district that symbolizes their exceptional and noteworthy service to youth in the Boy Scouts of America. Heather's involvement with scouting began as an assistant tiger cub den leader in Pack 59 for her son, Jess. Since then she has served as den leader, assistant den leader, pack committee member, and assistant scoutmaster. She has also served as the Mistress of ceremonies for the District Recognition Dinner for 2 years and Mistress of ceremonies for the Council Banquet for 1 year. Rene's scouting career began as a den leader for his son, Rene, in Pack 25. Since then he has served as Webelos den leader and cubmaster. In 4 years, Rene has served on Cub Scout Day Camp staff, Cub Adventure weekend staff, Pinewood Derby staff, Scoutorama staff, and the district training team. He has also served as a unit commissioner and assistant district commissioner, the round-up staff, and participated in multiple Scoutreach recruitments initiatives the last 4 years. Sue has been involved in scouting for 7 years, beginning with serving as assistant tiger cub den leader in Pack 5 for her oldest son. Since then she has served as den leader, assistant den leader, Webelos den leader, assistant Webelos den leader, assistant cubmaster, assistant scoutmaster, and troop committee member. The Boy Scouts of America continue their tradition of providing quality programs for boys and young men. I am proud of all three parents for taking an active role in lives of our youth. These parents serve as shining examples of love and duty in our communities.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Ray Alexander on his retirement from KRGV television station in Weslaco, TX. His dedication to providing and bringing the news to the Rio Grande Valley has been an invaluable service. Mr. Alexander has served as general manager for KRGV for 26 years. During his time at the television station, KRGV has become a leader in both national and local news, covering the most important stories and issues of the Valley community. The station has been honored with several regional Edward R. Murrow awards, one National Edward R. Murrow award and an Emmy award. The station has also received the Texas Association of Broadcasters Bonner McClain Award. The tremendous responsibility of managing a TV station has not stopped Mr. Alexander from serving in civic affairs. He has served in leadership positions for both the National Association of Broadcasters and Texas Association of Broadcasters. He won two of the Texas Association of Broadcasters' most prestigious awards--``Broadcaster of the Year'' in 1988 and the ``Pioneer of the Year'' in 2002. Mr. Alexander has also gained prominence for his community and charitable work. He has dedicated much of his time to the South Texas Chapter of the United Way; the McAllen, TX chapter of the Boys and Girls Club; and won the Easter Seals Society Rio Grande Valley Chapter ``Humanitarian of the Year'' in 2001. As the area continues to grow and face new challenges, it is important to always have dedicated journalists to better inform our citizens. I have had a great working relationship with Mr. Alexander and KRGV throughout my congressional career. As Mr. Alexander moves on, I look forward to working with KRGV in the future in keeping our community abreast of the important issues. There is no doubt that Mr. Alexander will continue to be an inspirational leader in south Texas. I wish him and his family the best as he moves on to another fulfilling chapter in his life.

Mr. ORTIZ

Mr. ORTIZ. Madam Speaker, due to personal medical reasons, I was unable to vote during the following roll call votes. Had I been present, I would have voted as indicated below. Rollcall No. 1163: ``yea.'' Rollcall No. 1164: ``yea.'' Rollcall No. 1165: ``yea.'' Rollcall No. 1166: ``yea.'' Rollcall No. 1167: ``yea.'' Rollcall No. 1168: ``yea.'' Rollcall No. 1169: ``yea.'' Rollcall No. 1170: ``yea.'' Rollcall No. 1171: ``yea.'' Rollcall No. 1172: ``yea.'' Rollcall No. 1173: ``yea.''