Ed Pastor

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. The second question I have is do you expect to have further votes tonight, for those of us who will not attend this secret session and we won't know when it's finished?

Mr. PASTOR. As I understand the situation, we are going to secure the Chamber, and in securing the Chamber, I think it means that from the Cloakroom, the people who work the Cloakroom who usually tell us when the Chamber will be cleared, how are they going to communicate that we can come back in for the secret session?

Mr. PASTOR. I withdraw my reservation of objection, Madam Speaker.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. I thank my chairman, John Olver, for recognizing me. First of all, I want to congratulate Chairman Olver and Ranking Member Knollenberg for the fine work they have done on this bill. It is quite an accomplishment. If you look at last year, we were not able to conference the bill and here we are talking about a bill that has been conferenced with the Senate. Both the chairman and the ranking member have talked about some of the programs that have been given additional funding, but I would like to talk about a few that this bill starts a new initiative. One is a program that the railroad administrator spoke to us about at one of our hearings, and that is the ability of the Federal Railroad Administration being able to provide grants to have intercity connection by rail. And in Arizona, it is a program that we are looking forward to see implemented. As you may know, Arizona is growing very quickly, and the two metro areas, the Phoenix metro area and the Tucson metro area, in a very short time are going to be growing into each other, and there is a great need to connect them because the freeway that connects them today is no longer efficient. So by applying for these grants, hopefully we will be able to connect 90 percent of the Arizona population with a rail. With the possibility of that connection, then there is a possibility that Arizona may be connected with Amtrak. So it is an initiative that this conference bill brings forward that those of us in Arizona are very happy to see implemented, especially in this city-to-city rail connection. For those of us who were local elected officials, I am very happy to report that CDBG is in this bill and will receive additional money, so local officials can use these monies to develop the social infrastructure that is needed in many of our locations that do not have the economic development activity that other parts of the city has. The other initiative I want to talk about is one that you will begin to see cooperation with the Federal Transit Authority and HUD. As the transit lines are being developed, there are initiatives in this bill that will encourage the development of affordable housing and development of small businesses along the transit line. This is something that, again, those of us who have transit lines that are being developed, that with these initiatives we can develop affordable housing, because many of the people who will be on the transit lines are people that will be going to work and in many cases need to have the affordable housing that the transit line will bring it. I congratulate both the chairman and the ranking member for this fine bill, and I ask for its passage.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. J. Eugene Grigsby, a talented and multi-faceted artist who has been instrumental in highlighting the importance of combining art with culture and history as a means of expression. As such, he is considered by many as ``one of America's leading artistic minds and recognized internationally as an artistic voice for the African American community.'' It was in keeping with this distinction that he was recently honored by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation at its Celebration of Leadership for the Visual and Performing Arts. From his early days as a young art teacher in 1946 at Phoenix's segregated Carver High School, Dr. Grigsby has concentrated on conveying to his students the importance of incorporating their personal being and heritage in their works--a message he continued to demonstrate as he rose to become Professor Emeritus of Art at Arizona State University. As an internationally respected artist himself, who has mastered a number of mediums including oils, acrylics and lithographs, his works are noted for their ability to capture the spirit and dignity of his African and African-American subjects in scenes depicting their daily life. A pioneer in today's promotion of multi-cultural art, Dr. Grigsby led the way to contemporary art instruction that goes beyond work in the studio by including the study of history and how man has chosen to express himself in differing environments. It is within this context that his celebrated book, Art and Ethnics: Background for Teaching Youth in a Pluralistic Society, has provided educators with valuable insights into art education and will continue to impact the study of art well into the future. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend, honor and thank Dr. Grigsby, one of the great American artists, for his continued service and contributions to the world of art and academic communities.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to applaud and congratulate my good friend, Chairman Rahall for his efforts to bring this legislation to the House floor. He has worked over many years to reform the mining law and because of his persistence, we have a better chance of finally securing reform than we ever have. Reform is long overdue. I am supporting this legislation, but I wish to continue to work with the chairman and follow the actions of the Senate to make sure final legislation does not inadvertently create a system that makes our domestic industry unable to compete in the world marketplace. Mining has a long and colorful history in the State of Arizona and it provides great benefit to the State's economy. I believe we can have reform and also preserve a healthy industry. I know the chairman shares that objective, and again I applaud him and his staff for making this issue a priority.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 986, I was at a meeting away from my office and unable to return on time. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Madam Speaker, on rollcall Nos. 961, 962, and 963, I missed voting due to an airline delay. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on all three.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about a proposal that would be impacted by the repeal of the Internal Revenue Service, IRS, program to collect unpaid taxes. The Disability Preference Program for Tax Collection Contracts is an initiative championed by the Senator from Nebraska, Ben Nelson. It would give an incentive to private third- party collection companies to hire people with severe disabilities and give them high-paying jobs. The Disability Preference Program is worth supporting even under the assumption that the IRS contracting law should later be repealed. A closer look at the Disability Preference Program and the repeal of current IRS contracting law clearly shows that the two are not mutually exclusive. Until such time as a repeal is passed, workers with disabilities (including service disabled veterans) employed by contractors are gaining valuable vocational training and work experience on-the-job. Disabled veterans and other disabled workers would most likely ``retain employment'' with the contractor through reassignment to another project within the company if the IRS contract were to expire or be terminated. Private sector collection contractors strive to lower attrition and training costs by reassigning exiting staff as projects are gained and lost. In addition, employees assigned to the IRS contract work at the private collection contractor must pass the same level of scrutiny and background checks as IRS employees, and undergo IRS-approved project training and testing. Therefore, contractor employees will be the ``best available applicants for job opportunities with the IRS'' when the IRS hires internal collectors to do the work before or after repeal. Under the Disability Preference Program, disabled workers would receive valuable training, certification, and job experience to seek gainful employment at private sector or government offices performing telephone collection work, and therefore would be much ``better qualified and prepared to continue a career'' in the collection industry than they otherwise would have been if the program was not available. Although even for a temporary time period, use of this employment initiative will provide a much needed demonstration to government contracting entities that similar contracting requirements should be used to provide good job opportunities for disabled veterans and other persons with disabilities. I strongly support enactment of the Disability Preference Program for Tax Collection Contracts.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Madam Speaker. It is with great pleasure that I rise today to congratulate the Phoenix Mercury on becoming the 2007 winner of the Women's National Basketball Association Championship on September 16, 2007, in the final game of a five-game series that Phoenix won by an impressive 108-92 score. This is the first championship for the Phoenix Mercury, and the first title won by a road team in the league's history. The event also places the Mercury Coach, Paul Westhead, in the unique position of being the first coach to ever lead a team to a championship in both the National Basketball Association and the WNBA courts. The WNBA started 11 years ago. Since that time, its fan base has continued to grow each year as more and more sports enthusiasts have become appreciative of the athletic talents of women. This year's victory game, in which the Mercury posted a 73.3 shooting percentage in the first quarter, clearly shows that women have rightfully earned a spot in the limelight of this sport. The magic events of the September 16th game created an impressive run of records that are truly deserving of recognition. Therefore, I am very proud of to have sponsored this resolution honoring the Phoenix Mercury, a superb team that has combined hard-work, sportsmanship, raw talent, and a will to win into a modern day success story--a success that was aided by great coaching and a strong front office organization led by owner Robert Sarver. I am most certainly wishing them all the best as they continue to bring outstanding basketball in the future to fans worldwide. As Coach Westhead recently quoted when referencing this victory and which serves as a thoughtful reminder to all walks of life, ``Isn't it amazing how much can be accomplished when no one cares who gets the credit?''

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 935, I was detained at my office. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Madam Chairman, I thank the chairman for yielding time. And since this is his first bill as chairman, I congratulate him on doing an excellent job, and I also thank the ranking member. Madam Chairman, this bill addresses two of the most basic and very important aspects of every American citizen's life: transportation and housing. Unfortunately, the President's budget proposed severe funding reductions for transportation which could not be realistically sustained without negative impacts on the Nation's economy. The budget's proposal in housing would have cuts that harm those most in need, including the disabled and the elderly. I am proud to say that, based on extensive hearings, this bill rejects those short-sighted proposals in a fair and measured manner and balances national priorities with fiscal realities. One of the most difficult issues discussed this year involved the long-term health of the Highway Trust Fund. Because the resolution of the Highway Trust Fund requires the cooperation of the administration and the authorizers, the problem could not be solved solely by appropriators. But this bill grants all parties a reasonable starting point for the resolution of this problem. With regard to aviation, the committee found itself challenged with the Federal Aviation Administration's authorization about to expire at the same time with the severe air traffic congestion which requires an entirely new approach in technology. The committee has responded to this situation in a very deliberate manner geared to ensure an open path to future solutions as we look forward to the passage of the FAA reauthorization bill in the coming months. On the issue of housing assistance, the committee has rejected the President's proposal to substantially reduce much-needed housing options for the economically disadvantaged, disabled and senior citizens. While we, regretfully, do not have the resources to fully address all the needs of these people, today's bill aims to leverage funding in a way that stretches Federal dollars to the maximum extent possible. This is a fiscally sound bill. It employs none of the financial gimmicks to distort Federal investment. I am proud of this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support its passage.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Chairman, the program in the Department of Energy is geared to get minority students into a pathway of math and science. I did not write the program. All I did was act as a facilitator between the community college system and the Department of Energy. There is an agreement. The agreement was signed 3 years ago between the Department of Energy and the Maricopa County community colleges. In that agreement, DOE has filled out the requirements of the program that the community colleges have had to adhere to, it is an agreement between the Department of Energy and the community college system. All I did was facilitated between the community college and the Department of Energy, and I would ask my colleagues to reject this amendment, because the program assists minority students to achieve a college education. It's an initiative that the President has put forward, and the Department of Energy has taken on the initiative. This agreement is between the community college system and the Department of Energy.

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Chairman, as the sponsor of this program, as my colleague from Arizona has told you, it has been in existence for a number of years and has in the past received Federal funding. With the Federal funding, we have expanded this program to all of the community colleges in the Maricopa County Community College System. My colleague asked the question why in DOE and why the Office of the Administrator? Four or 5 years ago, the Department of Energy, through the Secretary then, it was decided that the Department of Energy was going to get involved in the educational programs dealing with historically black colleges and also with Spanish-serving institutions. It was to ensure that there would be a stream of people into math and science programs. As you know, our President has a number of times emphasized and has began initiatives through the Department of Energy that would help recruit students into the math and science classes. So when the Secretary of Energy made that commitment, knowing that that program was available to colleges and universities, a presentation was made to the Department of Energy whether this program, ACE, would be one that they had an interest in. In one of the hearings ACE was brought up. So the Department of Energy with the board and administrators of the Maricopa County Community College System began negotiating and set up this program. The intent is to serve minority students that are enrolled in schools throughout Maricopa county, to assist them in a path of math and science. It is in cooperation with the community colleges, because MCCG is encouraging these students to go through the community college system and then take them to the university. As this program was presented to me 3 years ago by the Maricopa County community colleges and was presented to the Department of Energy, because of the many success stories and it is a program that needs to continue. The reason it is in DOE is because that is where the program is and that is where the moneys are allocated for this type of program.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Hinchey amendment. In Arizona, which is one of the fastest-growing States, we, as a growing State, have enough energy and power to meet the power needs of our State. But what has happened is that since California has a moratorium on building generating plants, the tendency is to have power plants be built in Arizona to generate power and then power lines to be taken into California. Very recently, about 1\1/2\ months ago, the Arizona State Corporation Commission, which has the responsibility for siting the power lines, rejected, and it was an issue of local control in that the power lines that were being proposed would have endangered the wildlife. There were problems with the enhancement features of our land. The issue for me is local control; so that is why I support the Hinchey amendment.

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Chairman, Joel Hefley was a dear friend of mine. We worked together on the Ethics Committee. I have to tell you, Joel and I would talk about his 1 percent across-the-board cuts. While the Republicans were in the majority, they failed. They failed because Republicans and Democrats knew that in this particular bill, Energy and Water, you had the chairman and the vice chairman working in cooperation with Republicans and Democrats looking at the priorities and developing a bill that would invest in the infrastructure of America. As you know, Mr. Chairman, for many years the investment in infrastructure has either been static, and in many cases has been declining. Hearing after hearing after hearing, we had businessmen, barge owners, operators, grain operators coming to the committee and saying you need to invest more money in the infrastructure of America because it is the commerce that the Mississippi River handles. It is the commerce that comes into our harbors. It is the commerce that is driving America and making it a productive country. And so when you have the business community, elected officials coming to you and telling you that there is a decline in the investment in infrastructure, it is the Subcommittee on Energy and Water that begins to respond to that need. As an example, in Brunswick, Georgia, the request came that we need to deepen the harbor so that the harbor can allow more ships to come in and be able to continue that driving engine, commerce. In Sacramento, California, we have had untold numbers of public officials come to tell us you need to invest in flood control because we are this close to being over our heads in water. Again, an investment in infrastructure. In Kentucky we had a Congressman in our markup in to ask why is it that my particular flood control project, an investment in infrastructure, is not being considered in an earmark. We are being threatened by not having this flood control structure. Again, an investment in infrastructure to protect our communities. We had people from New York and New Jersey: we need to deepen the harbor. We have to make sure that the ships coming from overseas not only have secured cargo, but that we have cargo coming in so that the commerce can continue to develop. Oakland Harbor, Los Angeles Harbor, Long Beach Harbor, Galveston, Corpus Christi, New Orleans. The New Orleans elected officials came and said we need development of flood control structures in New Orleans in order to protect if there is another hurricane. But the one that impressed me the most was the people along the Mississippi. They said grain, coal, a number of products go up and down the Mississippi. It is the blood line of commerce for this country. And the problem we have is that our locks are not working properly. So in this bill we are investing in improving, and in some cases bringing in new locks, so that from the most northern point of this country to the most southern point of this country along the Mississippi River, we can have commerce, so grain can be moved, coal can be moved, so this country can be competitive on a global basis. So I tell you, Mr. Chairman, this work, the Energy and Water Subcommittee bill that is before us, it deals with infrastructure development. A 1 percent cut would begin to deny many of these improvements that we have, improvements that the American public have asked us to do because they know it is a sound investment. They want to make sure that commerce continues. They want to make sure that they're protected. And as Joel Hefley would probably tell me, Ed, I couldn't do it in the majority, I probably won't do it in the minority, because the American people think that 1 percent is not the proper way to go, because I would like to have that money that belongs to me to be invested in order that we protect our communities and ensure that we have commerce.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to congratulate Bruce Heiden for receiving the 2006 Harry S. Baker Distinguished Service Award for Cotton. This award, presented by the National Cotton Council, is given annually to an individual who has provided extraordinary service, leadership, and dedication to the U.S. cotton industry. Mr. Heiden exemplifies all of these qualities. When talking about agriculture, Mr. Heiden says it's not just an occupation, but a way of life. Born in Buckeye, Arizona, Mr. Heiden grew up watching his father work on his cotton farm. After graduating from high school, he chose to continue his family legacy and began working on the farm full time. After his father's death in the 1970's, he took over the family business--H Four Farms, which produces cotton, wheat, and alfalfa, and the Heiden Land and Cattle Company, a cattle feeding business. Today, he handles the management and operations of the two companies, with his four children. In addition to growing his successful family business, Mr. Heiden has been a leader in the agriculture industry not only in the Southwest, but in our Nation. As a former National Cotton Council President and Chairman, Mr. Heiden oversaw the successful drafting and passage of the 1990 farm law, helped expand funding for the trade, and directed a significant expansion in program activities and funding for Cotton Council International. For his efforts, Mr. Heiden was named the 1990 Progressive Farmer Magazine ``Man of the Year'' in Southwest agriculture and was inducted into the National Cotton Hall of Fame in 1996. Madam Speaker, I am honored to recognize Bruce Heiden for being a recipient of this award and to thank him for his leadership and dedication to our Nation's agriculture.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution. Madam Speaker, I am proud that under our Speaker's leadership, Congress today is voicing the will of the American people in opposition to the Administration's deployment of more U.S. military personnel to Iraq. Voters made it clear in November that they do not support the administration's current strategy. It is time that Congress act to bring U.S. policy in line with reality. I opposed the initial resolution authorizing the President to invade Iraq, because I felt that the administration had failed to exhaust diplomatic remedies and allow the U.N. weapons inspectors to finish their job. Since the invasion, however, I have supported funding the war effort to ensure that our troops on the ground have the equipment and support that they needed. But increasing troop levels and failing to question the President's policy is a disservice to our courageous men and women in uniform. We cannot keep asking them to put their lives on the line every day for objectives that have become increasingly unclear. The President declared ``mission accomplished'' in May 2003, and in a sense he was right. Saddam Hussein and Iraqi weapons of mass destruction are no longer a threat to our nation. The Iraqi people have held free elections and drafted a constitution. The violence we see in Iraq today is based in sectarian conflict--it has become a civil war. The outcome depends not on the American will to stay in the fight, but on the will of the Iraqi people to forge their own future. We cannot do it for them. Troop surges in the past have not worked. No number of American troops in Iraq can fix what is essentially a political problem. The only surge I support is a surge of diplomacy. It is time to bring our brave young men and women home from Iraq. Their job there is done, and their skills and dedication can be better used on the real fronts of the war on terrorism, both domestic and abroad.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to proudly bring to your attention the 80th birthday of a fellow Arizonan who is one of the most respected leaders in my home State and city--Mr. Calvin C. Goode. Calvin Goode is celebrating his 80th birthday this month and, therefore, it is the perfect time to pay tribute to this well-revered public servant who is best known for dedicating 22 years of his life as a Phoenix City Councilman. He has been equally dedicated to the promotion of education and the advancement of civil rights and continues to stand up to injustice, even in his retirement. Goode's family came to Arizona to work in the agricultural fields when he was an infant, and he remembers picking cotton as a boy. Calvin graduated from eighth grade in Gila Bend and then moved to Prescott to attend high school. When he was a junior, he was diagnosed with a heart condition and was expected to live only a year. He moved to Phoenix for his health, where he enrolled in Carver High School, the only high school in Arizona built exclusively for African American students. Upon graduating from Carver High in 1945, he attended Phoenix College for two years, and went on to Arizona State University where he earned a business degree in 1949. He later earned a Master's degree in education at ASU. Goode recalls his earlier years as a time when African Americans were not allowed to eat in many restaurants, housing was restricted to certain areas, and jobs were limited. Under these conditions, Goode returned to Carver High as the school accountant. When Phoenix schools were integrated in 1954, Carver High was closed, but Goode continued working in the Phoenix Union High School District for a total of 30 years. During those years, he also ran a tax accounting business-- Calvin Goode and Associates--which began with people coming to his home and receiving help over the kitchen table. He kept prices low to help those who needed it. In 1960, Calvin married Georgie, a school teacher. Together they raised three sons, Vernon, Jerald and Randolph--a family which has now grown to include six grandchildren. During these years, he served on the local school board and chaired the Phoenix LEAP Commission to improve education and job training opportunities. In 1971, Goode was persuaded to run for a seat on the Phoenix City Council. With strong community support, the soft-spoken Goode was elected and came to serve a total of 11 terms--a record 22 years. As a councilman, Goode became the ``Conscience of the Council,'' using his voice to raise questions and push for support to neglected parts of the community. In honor of those efforts, the Phoenix Municipal Building bears his name. Although retired, Goode continues to serve his community. He is president of the Phoenix Elementary School Board and worked on the transition committee for Governor Janet Napolitano. He is active with his local neighborhood improvement association and the Booker T. Washington Child Development Center. Goode is also helping bring back his high school alma mater as the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center, which will showcase the achievements of African Americans in Phoenix and Arizona. These represent only a handful of the achievements that have earned him the Phoenix Urban League's Most Distinguished Citizen Award and the Black Heritage Celebration Griot Award, which is given to people who perpetuate the African storytelling tradition. Further recognition has resulted in the Calvin C. Goode Lifetime Achievement Award which is given annually at the Phoenix Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast to recognize individuals who have made Phoenix a better place to live. Madam Speaker, there is no doubt Calvin C. Goode is an exemplary leader and a profoundly committed individual who is a true role model for the Nation. He has effected change that has improved the lives and broken down barriers for many Arizonans. Therefore, I am pleased to pay tribute to my friend Calvin C. Goode, and I know my colleagues will join me in wishing him continued success.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to congratulate Bishop Henry Barnwell for receiving the Calvin C. Goode Lifetime Achievement award during the 21st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards Breakfast in Phoenix. This award, named after Phoenix City Councilman Calvin C. Goode, recognizes an exceptional individual who has made Phoenix a better place through a lifelong dedication to promoting social and economic justice, defending civil rights, and enhancing the dignity of all people. Bishop Barnwell exemplifies all of these qualities. Bishop Barnwell is the retired pastor of the First New Life Missionary Baptist Church, a position he held for over 40 years. As pastor, he was an advocate for human and civil rights and the less fortunate. He mentored and was a role model for other men in his parish, urging them to help those in need. Bishop Barnwell also led the effort to declare Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday a State holiday. Even before this occurred, I remember Bishop Barnwell bringing us together to celebrate Dr. King's birthday at Phoenix's Patriot Square Park. Bishop Barnwell continues to be an active member in many Phoenix community organizations. For example, he serves on the Boards of the Phoenix Opportunities Industrialization Center, OIC, and St. Mary's Food Bank. He is also a member of the Mayor's Human Relations Commission, the Maricopa County branch of the NAACP, and the Sheriffs Religious Advisory Committee of Maricopa County. Bishop Barnwell will add the Calvin C. Goode Lifetime Achievement award to a long list of local, state, and national recognitions, including Arizona Pastor of the Year, 1989, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Ageless Hero Award, and Honorary Citizen of Tucson, AZ. Born and raised in Florida, Bishop Barnwell first arrived in Phoenix to attend Grand Canyon College and the Arizona College of the Bible. In 1954, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, from which he retired after 20 years of service. Bishop Barnwell is the devoted husband of Sheila Yvonne Barnwell; he is a proud father and grandfather. Madam Speaker, I am honored to recognize Bishop Barnwell for this award and to thank him for his enduring commitment to improving the lives of Arizona's citizens.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to congratulate Ms. Rebekah Friend for her appointment as the new executive director of the Arizona AFL-CIO. In this capacity she will manage the day-to-day operations of the organization. Through this appointment, Ms. Friend is once again making history in Arizona's labor movement by being the first woman appointed to this position. Previously, she was the first female president of the Arizona AFL-CIO chapter. Ms. Friend began her labor career in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers over 25 years ago. During her time as president of the Arizona AFL-CIO, Ms. Friend led numerous initiatives aimed at advancing the working conditions of Arizona's workers, such as improving unemployment insurance and worker's compensation for union members. Additionally, Ms. Friend has worked arduously to raise awareness of the plight of immigrant workers. During this past election season, she also chaired the Minimum Wage Coalition, which successfully helped pass proposition 202 to increase Arizona's minimum wage. Apart from her work at the Arizona AFL-CIO, Ms. Friend has also served in official capacities with the Arizona Consumer Council, Arizona Citizen Action, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, Southern Poverty Law Center, Habitat for Humanity, and Emerge Arizona. She was the YWCA's 2004 Woman of the Year and was presented with a lifetime achievement award by the Arizona Democratic Party in 2002. Madam Speaker, I am honored to recognize Ms. Rebekah Friend for her recent appointment and to express my gratitude for her determination in fighting for the rights of all of Arizona's workers.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to congratulate Dr. Rene Diaz-Lefebvre, Professor of Psychology at Glendale Community College in Glendale, Arizona, for his selection as this year's Arizona Professor of the Year. Sponsored by The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and administered by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), the Professors of the Year awards recognize professors for their influence on teaching and their outstanding commitment to teaching undergraduate students. Dr. Diaz-Lefebvre is the first Latino from Arizona and one of eight community college professors to win this award, one of the most prestigious and competitive in the Nation. A fifth generation Arizonan, Dr. Diaz-Lefebvre was born in South Tucson, in a low-income housing project known as La Reforma. Encouraged by his family, who taught him that la educacion abre puertas (education opens doors), Dr. Diaz-Lefebvre was in the first graduating class of Pima Community College in 1972. He went on to receive his Bachelor's degree in Humanistic Psychology from the University of Redlands, his Master's degree in Guidance and Counseling from California State University, San Bernardino, and his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Union Graduate School. Dr. Diaz-Lefebvre has been a leader in applying cognitive psychology research to innovative ways of helping students learn and assessing that learning. He has pioneered the Multiple Intelligences/Learning for Understanding (MI/LfU) method of teaching, learning, and assessment, which takes into account the differences in students' learning abilities and offers as many approaches to learning as possible, such as role playing, creative writing, and computer simulations. Dr. Diaz- Lefebvre has received numerous awards and recognitions for his work on MI/LfU and is frequently asked to speak at conferences regarding his innovative approach to teaching. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Dr. Diaz-Lefebvre for receiving this prestigious award, and to express my gratitude for his innovation and determination in teaching our next generation of leaders. It is with great pleasure that I congratulate Dr. Diaz- Lefebvre today for this award, which duly recognizes his important work.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall Nos. 483, 484, 485, and 486, I missed voting due to my beeper malfunction. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, at the hearing that we had in Phoenix, Arizona, I asked a question of the panel which included the election director from Maricopa County, the largest county; the election director from Apache County; the president from the Intertribal Council of Arizona; the Secretary of State, Jan Brewer, who was the Republican running for the election; the county attorney, Andrew Thomas, who ran on an anti-immigrant; and also the president of the League of Women Voters. When the question was asked whether in the history of Arizona voting had there been one instance of voter fraud that was directly linked to an undocumented person, the response was zero. The question then was asked, since we have had the Proposition 200 which requires an ID when you register and now when you go to the polls where, as correctly has been stated, that thousands of people have now registered, the question was asked, what have you done to show that there has been voter fraud, attempted or perpetuated by an undocumented? And the answer again was zero. And possibly, the county attorney said that he might have a case where he may indict 10 people. So if you look at the situation, you would find that the response of the people on the panel was that Proposition 200 came about because of a perceived problem of undocumented people being able to vote. So this is built on the conception that you may have fraud in the future. The Intertribal Council President Rafael Bear said it would injure the voting and suppress voting among Native Americans. The League of Women Voters came out against the proposition because of the suppression of the vote. The election director of Maricopa County said it wasn't needed, that in the past they didn't have the fraud that everybody was perceiving. So as Chairman Dreier said, this is a solution that is looking for a problem.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to proudly pay tribute to an Arizonan who has exemplified the meanings of leadership, commitment to community, social justice and integrity. He is a highly- regarded leader not only in Arizona, but nationally, and someone whom I am proud to call my friend--Mr. Ronnie Lopez. For more than 30 years, Ronnie Lopez has been a leader in various community and political endeavors that have improved the quality of life for Arizona's residents. For his work, he will be entered into the Valle Del Sol Hall of Fame during the 16th Annual Profiles of Success Hispanic Leadership Awards Celebration on September 8, 2006, in Phoenix, Arizona. Born in Miami, Arizona, Ronnie and his two brothers were raised by a single parent, Mrs. Vera Lopez, after the death of his father. Ronnie married his high school sweetheart, Angie, and together they headed to Phoenix in the late 1960's to pursue higher education ;cmd new opportunities. They have two outstanding sons, Paul and Marcos, and Paul and his wife Elizabeth are expecting a daughter in December, another point of pride for Ronnie as a first-time grandfather. Ronnie served in the administration of Arizona Governor Bruce Babbitt for ten years, ultimately serving as his Chief of Staff. Ronnie had the honor of twice administering the oath of office to Babbitt: when then Attorney General Bruce Babbitt succeeded to the governorship in 1979 and again in 1993 when Babbitt became the Secretary of Interior. He has served and continues to serve on numerous boards and commissions, including Bank of America, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, Friends of Sky Harbor Advisory Board, and the Governor's Commission on the September 11th Memorial. Most recently, Ronnie served as the co-chair of the 2006 City of Phoenix Bond Committee the work of which voters approved in March 2006. Ronnie also is the former presiding Justice of the Peace of the West Phoenix Precinct in Maricopa County. Ronnie also led the establishment of community based organizations like Valle del Sol, Inc., and Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc., two of the Valley's leading non-profit Hispanic advocacy organizations. He also has served on numerous political campaigns and sits on the National Democratic Business Council. Among his many accolades, in the year 2000, he was listed as one of the ``Most Influential Hispanics'' by Hispanic Business Magazine. Mr. Speaker, as you can surmise, Ronnie Lopez, a Miami Vandal, has exhibited a tireless and visionary commitment to making Arizona a better place to live for all people. He is an exemplary leader and a profoundly committed individual who is a true role model for the nation. Therefore, I am pleased to pay tribute to my friend Ronnie Lopez, and I know my colleagues will join me in thanking him and wishing him great success.