Doug Ose

Mr. OSE

Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate the achievements of Hispanic Americans during Hispanic Heritage Month, I stand to recognize a group of individuals, known as the Braceros, for their incredible contributions to our great nation during World War II. September 29th marked the Day of the Bracero. These brave men registered to leave their wives and children behind in their country of origin and homes, while they came to the United States as the ``soldiers of the fields.'' The Braceros wore no uniform and received no medals, but today I rise to honor the Braceros just as I salute our World War II veterans, living and deceased, for their contributions to a safer world and democracy. This is merely a partial list of the hundreds of Braceros whose families live in my district: Antonio Silva; Jesus Fernandez; Julian Paras Aguilera; Jesus Sanchez Beltran; Amador Palafox Bustos; Exiquio Contreras Parra; Leonides Gomez; Arturo Venegas, Sr.; Jose Luis Figueroa Tamayo Jose Negrete Sanchez; Jose Dolores Magana Areas; Jose Ramirez Barajas; J. Jesus Torres Salas; Sr. Gutierrez; Alejandrino Arellano; Sr. Magana; Pedro de Luna; Roberto Mauzo; Jose F. Ramirez; Rodolfo Martinez Castillo; Modesto Martinez Rosas Ramon Barraza; Carlos Rodriguez; Julian Paras; Jose Guadalupe Ruiz Aguilar; Ruben Cortez Luna; Jose Isabel Viorato; Antonio Hernandez; Joaquin Mendez Mendez; Jesus Torres Salas Rodolfo Castaneda; Juan Reyes Garcia; Rodrigo Izquierdo; Jose Diaz; Conrado Cardenas; Lazaro Gonzalo; Martin Perez; Celedonio Perez; Jose Lua; Cecilio Santillana; Sotero Cervantes; Flores Timoteo; Juan Rico; Francisco Mariscal; Manuel Nava; Jesus Macias; Ruben Jarillo; Juan Rico; Juan Baes; Manuel Briceno; Arturo Romero Barajas; Jose Sanchez Rodriguez; Gonzalo Castaneda; Honorio Ramirez; Antonio Gutierrez; etc. World War II forced our nation to shift the economy. Throughout the war, upwards of 13 million men served in our nation, roughly one-tenth of the total population. While our servicemen were fighting across the oceans, millions more were working constant shifts in the factories to support the war effort. This resulted in a severe labor shortage in concentrated areas, such as agriculture. In an effort to minimize this loss of labor, the United States and Mexico entered into a bilateral agreement in August 1942 to provide contracted labor. These guest workers, known as Braceros, (a derivative of ``brazo'' literally meaning ``arm'') were recruited and hired to work in the fields and on the railroads across the United States. The first 1,500 Braceros to enter the United States arrived in California to work in the sugar beet fields outside of Stockton on September 29, 1942, where they worked until December 24th of that same year. Over the course of the next twenty-two years, as many as five million Braceros had participated in the program, supporting our critical infrastructure. Some of them would travel back and forth from the United States to Mexico over a century, each time leaving their wives and children behind again. Jesus Sanchez Beltran was a Bracero from Jalisco, Mexico, until the program ended. There were six in his family that he left behind to work in the California agriculture. His wife and children would only see him three months out of the year. Jesus' story reflects the sacrifice of all the Braceros. It was through their hard work that our nation was able to effectively sustain our agricultural economy as well as expand and maintain our railroads, resulting in a safe, reliable and effective means of transporting our food, medicine, troops and other supplies for the war. In 1964, the last Braceros fulfilled their contracts and the program came to an end. However, their contributions and the contributions of their descendants still last today. The President of the United States has called upon public officials, educators, librarians, and all the people of the Unites States to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies, activities and programs. May we honor their contributions and recognize the Braceros for their place in American history.

Mr. OSE

Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. When I came to Congress, I came to Congress to lower taxes. I came to Congress to lower taxes because it benefits the Americans who pay taxes, and this bill goes a significant distance towards reinforcing that message. But even if you are still inclined to vote against this bill, let me remind you that the tax rates we are setting as we deliberate on this legislation are minimums. In other words, it is a minimum rate. Now, if you are uncomfortable with paying that minimum rate, I would encourage you to take your hard-earned cash and make a charitable contribution to the point where you are comfortable with your tax rate. And then you can turn around to your constituents as a role model and say, look what I did. You have the opportunity, through the charitable provisions in the Tax Code, to pay as much as you wish to the United States Federal Government. We are trying to minimize it. That is what this debate is about.

Mr. OSE

Mr. OSE. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to reluctantly voice my opposition to H.R. 2028, the Pledge Protection Act. As a cosponsor of the original legislation, I am disheartened to see changes that have removed necessary civil rights protections. In the course of a Committee mark up, the original Pledge Protection Act was stripped and rewritten to exclude the Supreme Court from jurisdiction from hearing cases surrounding the Pledge of Allegiance. I strongly believe that if a citizen of the United States has a grievance of a federal nature, that individual deserves his or her day in federal court. By removing the Supreme Court from jurisdiction to hear Pledge cases, the Pledge Protection Act effectively removed a citizen's day in federal court. As such, I can not support this legislation in its current form.

Mr. OSE

Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, because the bill as introduced was drastically changed in committee, I ask unanimous consent to have my name removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 2028.

Mr. OSE

Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2449) to establish a commission to commemorate the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War, as amended.

Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Government Reform, I am pleased that the House is considering H.R. 2449. This legislation, introduced by the distinguished gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Baker) creates a commission to commemorate the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War. I rise in strong support of this bill. Mr. Speaker, perhaps no event shaped the U.S. more than the Civil War. The Civil War was produced by the economic, cultural, and political rivalry between the agrarian South and the industrial North. Though the war was long and dreadful, its outcome preserved the Nation. From South Carolina's secession on December 20, 1860, to General Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox on April 9, 1865, the Civil War set the course for the next century of this Nation's development. Mr. Speaker, the Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission will ensure a suitable national observance of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. It promises to be inclusive and appropriately recognizes the perspectives and impacts of all people affected by the Civil War. Specifically, the commission will plan, develop, and carry out programs and activities appropriate to commemorate the Civil War. The commission will annually report to Congress on its work, and by December 30, 2015, the commission will provide to Congress a final report detailing the activities, findings, and recommendations of the commission. Mr. Speaker, the creation of a Civil War Commission at this point in American history makes it difficult to overlook the similarities between America's current conflict and the war our Nation endured nearly a century and a half ago. In both cases, an immense tragedy forced this Nation to rise up and defend the liberty and freedom of our Union. However, our current enemy is not ourselves, but terrorist extremists who hate American freedom. While Americans were split and hostile on the two sides of the Civil War, today our great Nation remains united behind our servicemen and servicewomen who sacrifice everything to protect our Nation from terror. Mr. Speaker, this commission will provide an exciting and somber look back at perhaps the most important event in our Nation's history. I thank the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Baker) for his thorough efforts to commemorate the Civil War. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Baker).

Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I want to join my friend from Illinois in his remarks, and I too urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 2449. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. OSE

Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2528) to establish the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain 400th Commemorative Commission, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself of such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2528, a bill that creates another important congressional commission. This measure, introduced by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Hinchey), establishes the Hudson- Fulton-Champlain 400th Commemoration Commission. Mr. Speaker, many outside of the northeast may be unfamiliar with the honorees of the commission, Henry Hudson, Robert Fulton, Samuel de Champlain. But this commemoration aims to raise awareness of their pioneering contributions. In 1609, Henry Hudson of England was the first European to sail up the river that would later bear his name. That same year, French explorer Samuel de Champlain was the first European to come across the lake that is named after him. Nearly 200 years later, in 1807, Robert Fulton navigated the Hudson River from the city of New York to Albany aboard the steamboat Clermont. This voyage successfully inaugurated steam navigation, and is one of the most important events in the history of navigation. These three events that occurred on these significant waterways greatly contributed to western expansion across the New World. I know the distinguished Members from New York, New Jersey and Vermont strongly support the establishment of this commission, and as a student of history, I am pleased to join them today in favor of passage of H.R. 2528. I want to congratulate the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Hinchey) for advancing this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. OSE

Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 489) supporting the goals and ideals of National Preparedness Month.

Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 489.

Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. As Election Day nears, many Americans are understandably nervous about terrorism. Each day brings news of terror warnings at home, terror attacks or other developments abroad and ways the entire world has changed since the international war on terror began. Literally, we can be overwhelmed by the constant bombardment of these frightening updates. Indeed, since September 11, our Nation has profoundly changed. Homeland security immediately became America's greatest priority. First responders, military personnel and law enforcement officials have vigilantly defended our homeland against further terrorist attacks. Meanwhile, many Americans want to help shoulder some of the burden in protecting the United States. They may, unfortunately, believe that they can do little more than worry. This resolution intends to increase awareness about how Americans can better prepare themselves and our Nation for terrorist attacks and other emergencies. Mr. Speaker, this is September, the month in which our Nation was brutally attacked. Consequently, the Departments of Homeland Security and Education, the American Red Cross and dozens of national organizations have joined together to appropriately designate this month as National Preparedness Month. I join with the distinguished chairman of the House Select Committee on Homeland Security, the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox) to support the critical goals of National Preparedness Month. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox) for introducing House Concurrent Resolution 489, and I look forward to his words on the resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox), the chairman of the Select Committee on Homeland Security and the sponsor of House Concurrent Resolution 489.

Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the adoption of House Concurrent Resolution 489, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. OSE

Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 772) supporting the goals and ideals of National Long-Term Care Residents' Rights Week and recognizing the importance to the Nation of residents of long-term care facilities, including senior citizens and individuals living with disabilities.

Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this resolution supports the goals and ideals of National Long-Term Care Residents' Rights Week. Many Americans may not be aware that dozens of national, State and local organizations observe National Long-Term Care Residents' Rights Week during the first week of October. As we approach that time, I am pleased that the House is considering this resolution. As the U.S. population grows older, long-term care facilities become increasingly important resources for more American families. These homes provide invaluable services by helping people with the day-to-day care of their elderly loved ones. Nearly 2 million Americans today live in assisted living homes. These people are our parents, our grandparents, our great grandparents, our mentors, neighbors and friends. They have lived full lives, but they have much more living to do. We should always value and respect their dignity as that transpires. I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman) for his efforts on House Resolution 772, and I urge its adoption. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues support the passage of this important legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. OSE

Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res 473) expressing the sense of Congress that the President should designate September 11 as a national day of voluntary service, charity, and compassion, as amended.

Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 473.

Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, in September 2002 President Bush declared the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks as Patriot Day. The President said September 11 should be a national time for prayer and remembrance for the heroes America lost on that fateful, Earth- shattering day. Accordingly, House Concurrent Resolution 473 states that it is appropriate to annually observe Patriot Day on September 11. I join with my colleagues in urging strong support of this meaningful resolution. Mr. Speaker, the resolution before us takes the call for remembrance a step forward. It urges people to commemorate the day with voluntary acts of compassion towards loved ones, neighbors and others. These actions can have great effects on our communities all year long. With little question, September 11, 2001, ushered in a new era in American history. This is a period in which we need to be vigilant, aware, unafraid, and appreciative of our freedoms. But because countless Americans have embraced the sentiment of this resolution in the past 3 years, this new era can be one of not just security and freedom but compassion and charity as well. I congratulate the gentleman from New York (Mr. King), my distinguished colleague, who will speak in a minute, for his work to move forward House Concurrent Resolution 473. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.