Ed Pastor

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Chairman, it is with great reluctance that I am voting in favor of this bill. This supplemental left the Appropriations Committee with strong bi- partisan support after careful consideration and compromise by Members on both sides of the aisle. Then, the leadership presented us with a rule that adds four self-executing provisions which had not been subject to any debate by the Committee. All four of these additions are unrelated to the purpose of this supplemental, which was to meet immediate and critical funding shortfalls, most prominently those related to our military operations in support of the war on terrorism. Of the four unrelated new provisions, the most troublesome is language which in essence allows increases to the government's debt ceiling without formal consideration by all Members of the Congress. This approach to our nation's fiscal crisis, which will soon be putting us in deficit spending, is unconscionable and irresponsible. Perhaps most disturbing is that the language being introduced is so open-ended, it could be construed as meaning that we will no longer have the opportunity to review debt ceiling changes in the future. On the other hand, any further delay on passing the crucial funding provisions threatens the well-being of our courageous military forces who are currently dedicating themselves to our national defense in harsh and dangerous environments outside our borders. In addition, the measure provides much needed funding to crucial activities including: homeland security, Pell Grants, September 11th investigations, first responder health precautions, highway funding, the WIC program, and veterans' medical needs. Rather than hold these needs hostage to a partisan effort by the leadership to avoid putting itself on record over raising the debt ceiling, I am voting for this bill with the understanding that this is simply the first step in getting a bill approved and I remain hopeful this entire issue will be stripped from the legislation as it makes it way through the final process.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor John C. Lopez and Lopez Food, Inc. in celebrating their 10th Anniversary of service to their customers and community. Lopez Foods a ``state of the art'' meat processing plant, supplies all-beef hamburger patties, pork breakfast sausage and Canadian-style bacon to McDonald's and Walmart, Inc. The business was originally a subsidiary of Wilson Foods. John C. Lopez purchased the company in 1992, and in 1995 changed the name to Lopez Foods, Inc. That chance marked a new era in the company's relationship with its customers and community. Lopez, a 19 year veteran of the McDonald's System, used his experience to make the company more compatible with the McDonald's operation and management philosophies. With this approach, Lopez Foods became a top supplier to the world's restaurant leaders. The Lopez Foods mission is to establish the highest industry standards in food and employee safety, quality production, environmental protection and customer service. These great attributes have not only made Lopez Foods a successful company, but a place that the community can feel proud of. Mr. Speaker, there is no question that John C. Lopez and Lopez Foods, Inc. have done much not only to establish high industry standards on food production, but also his employee safety and customer service. For all of his hard work and dedication, I join in celebrating with family, friends, and the community 10 years of success for Lopez Foods, Inc. John, I wish you the best of luck, and much continued success to you and your family.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Madam Speaker, first of all, I thank the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Mrs. Wilson) for bringing this resolution to the floor. It is very important that we recognize the health needs of our community. I would tell the gentlewoman that I agree with her that education is very important. One of the problems that we have found in Arizona that, although many children are eligible for SCHIPs, there needs to be an outreach program. In Arizona we have found that the State legislature refuses to provide those monies that would go into those programs to make the families aware that SCHIPs is available and that their children probably qualify. I would also agree with the gentlewoman that we need to address the health needs of our society. I would ask the gentlewoman to join those of us who believe that the 43 million people in this society, even though they are employed, even though they are working but are not covered by health insurance, maybe this Congress will see fit to provide a universal health care program in which all Americans would be entitled to quality and affordable health care. During our district work periods, I have been visiting senior centers and also going door to door. They invite me in their homes or bring the prescriptions to the senior centers, and show me the number of medications that they have to take. Many times it is three or four medications that they take. They explain to me that the cost of the prescriptions are getting so high that they have to make difficult choices. Many times they are not taking the prescriptions as they should because they want to increase the number of days that the medication might be available to them. I also, in asking them how they feel this prescription drug benefit ought to be covered, the majority tell me, because they are familiar with Medicare, they would like to see Medicare be the vehicle to provide the prescription drug benefit. To them choice is not as important; to them the availability of the drugs, the cost of the drugs being lesser so they could afford them, and in a system that they are aware of and know how it works, they would prefer that. I thank the gentlewoman for agreeing that maybe the prescription drug benefit should be a Medicare program.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Chuck Huggins for the 30 years of service he has given to the State of Arizona. Chuck will be retiring as the Secretary-Treasurer of the Arizona AFL-CIO in May. He has served the people of Arizona well and his dedication and professionalism will be missed. Chuck knows the challenges and rewards of being a working man. He started as an Apprentice Electrician in 1964 and soon became a Journeyman Electrician in both the mining and construction industries. As an active member of Local 518 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, he began showing the skills and instincts necessary for leadership. But, in today's world, he knew that hard work was sometimes not enough. He realized that education was important, too. So he continued to educate himself in accounting and business management at Eastern Arizona College and the University of Houston. Chuck has pioneered innovative programs to help Arizona's workers be better prepared to meet the economic demands of our State. He has initiated training initiatives and re-training programs that have ensured that union members who have fallen behind due to no fault of their own can meet the challenges they may face in new work environments. He has served on the Governor's Workforce Development Committee, and is an active member of his church. Chuck believes the most effective way to build strong communities is through the organization of strong individuals. He has led the AFL-CIO members through many difficult years, when some believed that Unions were dead and they no longer spoke for the average working American. Chuck proved all this wrong and has shown his fellow Union members that they have a place at the table, they are a force, and they are the strength and backbone of our communities and society. Mr. Speaker, there is no question that Chuck will be missed by his fellow union members and all working people. But, even more, he will be missed by the people in Arizona. Chuck kept us honest because he was honest. He knew that a hard day's work rendered a hard earned reward. He knew that if you paid the price, you moved ahead. And he showed us all how to pay the price. Chuck, we all wish you health and happiness and give thanks for your showing us the way.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Chuck Huggins for the 30 years of service he has given to the State of Arizona. Chuck will be retiring as the Secretary-Treasurer of the Arizona AFL-CIO in May. He has served the people of Arizona well and his dedication and professionalism will be missed. Chuck knows the challenges and rewards of being a working man. He started as an Apprentice Electrician in 1964 and soon became a Journeyman Electrician in both the mining and construction industries. As an active member of Local 518 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, he began showing the skills and instincts necessary for leadership. But, in today's world, he knew that hard work was sometimes not enough. He realized that education was important too. So he continued to educate himself in accounting and business management at Eastern Arizona College and the University of Houston. Chuck has pioneered innovative programs to help Arizona's workers be better prepared to meet the economic demands of our State. He has initiated training initiatives and re-training programs that have ensured that union members who have fallen behind due to no fault of their own can meet the challenges they may face in new work environments. He has served on the Governor's Workforce Development Committee, and is an active member of his church. Chuck believes the most effective way to build strong communities is through the organization of strong individuals. He has led the AFL-CIO members through many difficult years, when some believed that Unions were dead and they no longer spoke for the average working American. Chuck proved all this wrong and has shown his fellow Union members that they have a place at the table, they are a force, and they are the strength and backbone of our communities and society. Mr. Speaker, there is no question that Chuck will be missed by his fellow union members and all working people. But, even more, he will be missed by the people of Arizona. Chuck kept us honest because he was honest. He knew that a hard day's work rendered a hard earned reward. He knew that if you paid the price, you moved ahead. And he showed us all how to pay the price. Chuck, we all wish you health and happiness and give thanks for your showing us the way.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Cibola High School in Yuma, Arizona, for its demonstrated record of outstanding student achievement. Because national statistics, gathered through the U.S. Census and educational surveys, have indicated high Hispanic drop-out rates at both the high school and college levels, I am especially pleased with the achievements of Cibola High School. Its student population is 75 percent Hispanic and Cibola has demonstrated that it is the success orientation of the school that impacts the success of the students. Cibola is not located in a wealthy school district and does not limit its student admissions to only the brightest or most successful students in the school district. As Jon Walk, Cibola's first and founding principal indicated when the school opened 11 years ago, ``(we) had the opportunity of a lifetime, the chance to establish the culture of a school.'' Fortunately for the children who attended Cibola over the years, Jon Walk, his teachers and his administrators established a culture of success and made it work. The results of that ``success culture'' are impressive: Daily attendance runs at 96 percent; 89 percent of the class of 2001 went on to college; the graduation rate is 86 percent; the drop out rate is only 2 percent; the class of 2001 was awarded a total of 2.5 million dollars in scholarship money. In addition, Cibola High School achieved an A+ School Award for 1996 and has produced 7 Flinn Scholars since 1995 with 3 of that 7 being in the Spring of 2001. How did they do it? The secrets to this outstanding success have evolved through caring, committed principals, teachers, administrators and staff. They evolved a system for making the students at Cibola High School believe in themselves, and be diligent about being the best they could be. Cibola promotes a culture of academic achievement that supports both students and teachers. My Cibola High School friends have shared the secrets of their success: Cibola is family and all members will be supported towards success. Freshmen are told they are preparing for college. The entire school builds a shared vision of success. Both teachers and students are supported to achieve their highest potential. It is a healthy environment with a lot of trust. Adults develop strong relationships with students. Positive attitudes and upbeat interactions are encouraged. Communication is emphasized. Each student has a 4 Year Plan. There are Freshmen Counseling Teams that work at getting to know each student. There are Senior Packets. Parents are encouraged to be engaged and active in their student's school life. Cibola sets high academic standards that are paired with appropriate resources. These are attitudes and formulas that can easily be replicated throughout our nation's schools. We need to see all of our children succeeding. With Cibola High School, we have a model that is working superbly and which emphasizes the interaction of its people as the key. Thank you Cibola High School for all you have done for the children of Yuma and for the guide you have provided for our nation. I work for the day that all of our nation's children will be given this same educational environment.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to oppose this legislation to extend last year's tax cut beyond 2010. Passage of this bill will only serve to further erode the Social Security Trust Fund and leave those who will be retiring in the next decade wondering if promises made will be kept. Almost a year ago, we passed an unfair tax cut which gave the top one percent of income earners almost 40 percent of the tax benefits. It was not right then, it is not right now, and it will not be right in 2011, when this legislation takes effect. The world changed on September 11. We are now fighting a war on terrorism which I strongly support. We now must provide additional funds for homeland security. I support this also. But within the last ten months, since the $1.35 trillion tax cut was passed, we have gone from a projected surplus of $5.6 trillion to deficit spending. Forty percent of the disappearing surplus, the greatest chunk, is attributed to the tax cut. I supported a tax cut, but not this one which did nothing, in my view, to stimulate the economy. It only served to make the wealthier among us better off. In my view, it would be unwise to make it permanent. Instead, I believe it would be more prudent to address the issues that many of my constituency are talking to me about every weekend when I am home in Arizona. Seniors are worried about where they will find the money to pay for their prescription drugs. Parents are trying to find the best schools for their children; schools that are not overcrowded, and that are not in disrepair, and that have the most modern equipment and qualified teachers. Young adults are searching for ways to afford college and they need Pell Grants and other means of financial support. While it appears the economy is on its way to recovering, unemployment continues to rise and people want to know that there are training opportunities out there if they don't have a job or if they should lose the one they do have. With the tremendous growth in Arizona, people are worried about affordable housing. These are the issues that are important to most Americans. Mr. Speaker, we all support tax cuts. We all believe that Americans should keep more of their hard earned money. But we also know that there are many needs out there is our country. I regret that I will not able to support this extension of last year's tax cut. Nor will I be able to support any further tax cuts that are being considered. New tax cuts or the extension of this tax cut means we will continue to raid Social Security and further neglect the people who are not among the top income earners in this country. I urge my colleagues to reject this unfair, unwise, and unjust legislation.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to pay tribute to an organization that recently marked its 10th anniversary of working to reduce the legal barriers to trade among nations in our hemisphere. The organization I proudly speak of is the National Law Center for Inter- American Free Trade, located in Tucson, Arizona. The organization was created by Dr. Boris Kozolchyk, a law professor at the University of Arizona and expert on free trade on April 1, 1992. Its purpose was to address and resolve the practical and legal obstacles that NAFTA would bring, as well as to develop the legal infrastructure necessary to facilitate the movement of goods, services and investment capital in the Western Hemisphere. The Center works closely with the James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona as an educational and research institution in such areas as banking, commercial credit, customs, electronic commerce, environment, intellectual property, labor and transportation. Free trade leads to economic well-being, enhances political stability, and promotes public accountability and the rule of law among the nations in our hemisphere, making the National Law Center for Inter-American Free Trade an important organization to our state and country. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring this outstanding institution.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mister Speaker, I rise today to mark the celebration of Maiola Coleman's life by her family, friends and her community on April 19, 2002, at Grace Temple in Tucson, Arizona. They have gathered to honor Maiola's 50 years as an agent of change in Tucson's and Pima County's African American Community with choirs, commemorative awards, and remembrances by those who have been touched by her generous spirit. The community members have chosen this public acclamation to acknowledge Maiola's many achievements on their behalf. Maiola Coleman is and has been a passionate and committed advocate of civil rights all of her life. Her mother, Tommie Thomas, was her mentor, teacher, and role model for community, grass roots activism on behalf of equal rights and equal opportunities. Maiola learned her lessons well and has honored her mother's teachings by living them and passing them on. Her childhood experiences helped focus her energies in working with youth and young adults, especially minority youth. Her work as a job developer, trainer, and employment counselor has enabled thousands of minority youth to pursue their dreams of upward mobility through education and good entry level jobs. She has created model programs with the Tucson Urban League and with the University of Arizona that have served as national models for successful minority educational retention programs and community collaborations for at-risk youth. In addition to her work with youth, Maiola is the ``go-to'' person for solutions to problems in the African American community. Maiola works diligently with elected officials, agency directors, private employers, community leaders, and the clergy to bring resources from every sector to bear on finding solutions to problems, whether the problem affects one person or the whole community. Maiola is able to engage multiple resources because she is a ``bridge builder'' who is constantly linking people and organizations to maximize their effectiveness. She has a wide range of personal contacts and friends who respect her work ``from the heart'' and who trust her community spirit to work for the greatest good for all. Her latest collaboration has been the Desert Waste Not Warehouse which is recycling computers into the households of the minority and low-income neighborhoods of Tucson and Pima County. This program is making a tremendous difference locally in the ``digital divide''. It, too, may serve as a national model. I applaud Maiola Coleman for all she has done for our community in Arizona District 2 to make civil rights a reality and to improve the living conditions of those in need. She has been given many awards and certificates of achievement. They are well deserved. We are proud of her spirit and her service. I thank Maiola for all that she has done to make our country better and stronger. I also thank her 3 children, Marcus, Stellvonne, Kimiro, and her 2 grandchildren, Kivone and Enai for encouraging and sustaining her as she shares her great gifts with the rest of us. Finally, I thank Maiola for being my friend and for sharing with me the vision of a just world.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the Pension Protection Act as it is being presented to the House of Representatives and in favor of the alternative plan being offered by Congressman Rangel and Congressman Miller. As we all know, the collapse and bankruptcy of the Enron Corporation left thousands of people without their retirement funds and wondering how they might make ends meet when they are no longer working. While the high ranking officials of the company were able to dump their stock in the last few days of the company's existence, the middle level and lower level workers, the people who had no idea of the financial disaster that lurked on the horizon, were locked out of selling their company stock and ended up losing most of if not all of their hard earned retirement funds. Accordingly, it is incumbent on us in Congress to address this issue and to take the necessary steps, no matter how difficult they may be, to ensure that this never happens again. I strongly support efforts to do so. However, Mr. Speaker, the bill we are voting on today does nothing to keep another ``Enron'' debacle from occurring today, or next month, or in years to come. The basic reforms that are needed are simply not there. True, this bill takes marginal actions, but these merely address the symptoms and not the core of the problems. This bill would allow a dangerous situation to develop by allowing the investment firm that manages a company's pension plan to advise the employees on investment decisions that they should make. This is a fundamental conflict of interest and the classic example of the fox guarding the hen house. The so-called Pension Protection Act also denies employees a voice on their own Pension Board. It is clear in the Enron scandal that the Enron Pension Trustees failed to take any actions at all to protect the savings of Enron employees. I believe it is critical that the Pension Board include some rank and file employees who have the interests of other employees at heart. Also, Mr. Speaker, the bill we are considering today leaves employees locked into company stock for long periods of time, whether it is in their best interest to be there or not. And, just like the case in the Enron situation, this bill does nothing to let employees know when executives are ``dumping'' company stock. But, I say to the employees of America, there is an alternative to this misguided legislation. Mr. Rangel and Mr. Miller are offering a substitute that addresses all these concerns and will take significant steps to ensure that your pension plans are safe and viable for your days of retirement. The substitute require that retirement plan participants be notified within three days when any significant sales of company stock by company executives occurs. Hopefully, the employees will then be able to make their own judgments as to the necessity to sell their own stock. The substitute also will no longer allow company executives to dump their stock while the employees are in a blackout period. In my mind, this was one of the most horrific examples of executive greed in the entire Enron scandal, and we must do whatever is necessary to ensure that this never occurs again. The substitute also provides for independent financial advice for employees when company stock is offered as an investment option. And, it gives employees a voice on their Pension Board. Mr. Speaker, I hear over and over again in this House the desire to allow individuals to have more control of their money, whether it be through massive tax cuts, or the creation of individual Social Security accounts, or other innumerable examples. Yet, this bill does not give employees any control over their money. It keeps control of their pensions in the hands of their employers. This is the perfect vehicle to finally give the people more control of their hard earned money. Let's take the responsible step and pass the Rangel-Miller Substitute and make sure that employees' retirement accounts are protected.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to pay tribute to two outstanding citizens who have improved the lives and education of youth in the Hispanic community. For their commitment and dedication, a new elementary school will be named in their honor in McKinney, Texas. I speak of Jose de Jesus and Maria Luisa Vega, whom I have the distinct honor of knowing and representing in Congress. Upon arriving in McKinney in 1950, the Vegas realized that most immigrant children had little opportunity to succeed in the public school systems. Work in the fields seemed a better alternative to the difficulties of integrating for these children. However, after visiting with parents from the community, the Vegas decided to build a school specially to assist the newly migrated children. Through various fund- raisers, local contributions and assistance from the parents, a school was built to help students learn and improve their English skills and provided tutoring on various other subjects. Mrs. Vega, who graduated from the National University of Mexico with a degree in medicine, also opened a clinic in the community and Mr. Vega served as a pastor in the local Episcopalian church. Years later, the Vegas moved for health reasons to Arizona, where Mrs. Vega taught high school for 22 years before retiring. Nonetheless, their contributions to the McKinney community have been far from forgotten as they continue to be honored and recognized for their work. For decades, Mr. and Mrs. Vega have educated and helped to provide our underprivileged children with the opportunity to obtain a basic education. They truly serve as a model and inspiration to educators throughout our nation.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as an original co-sponsor of this important legislation which will help to bring needed economic development opportunities to the Gila River Indian Community located in Phoenix. In recent months, there have been many inquiries to the Gila River Indian Community from potential tenants for purposes of creating establishment of business. These businesses will not only provide needed job opportunities, but also serve the consumers of Phoenix. However, one of the persistent questions of potential tenants concerns how lease disputes might be resolved. Many of the Community's commercial contracts provide for arbitration of disputes. They further provide that the agreement to arbitrate may be enforced in either Tribal or Federal Court. There exists, however, an unusual and troubling circumstance associated with this practice. Unfortunately, some tenants and their lenders are uncomfortable with the use of Tribal Courts, and Federal Courts generally lack jurisdiction over landlord- tenant disputes. This legislation is simply an attempt to make potential business developers and their lenders more comfortable with the method used to settle any disputes or disagreements. A similar arrangement is already in place with the Salt River Pima- Maricopa Indian Community, and it is my understanding that there has never been any Federal Court litigation filed since the statute was adopted almost 20 years ago. Still, the statute has provided assurances and peace of mind to the businesses who have located there. This legislation would virtually establish the same legal proceedings and options for the Gila River Indian Community. The Gila River Indian Community fully supports this legislation. Mr. Speaker, again, I wish to express my support for this legislation and ask my colleagues to vote for passage.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to recognize an outstanding individual who was recently recognized for his exemplary work and dedication to his community. On February 27, Mr. Richard G. Fimbres was honored by the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce as their ``Man of the Year.'' Mr. Fimbres' work throughout the community is evidenced by the time and energy he devotes to so many organizations throughout the City of Tucson and Pima County. The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the Knights of Columbus, the Tucson/Pima Arts Council, the Pima Youth Partnership, the United Way, and the Childrens Action Alliance are just a few of the entities he commits his energies to. He has helped raise funds for local youth programs, establish drug education and prevention programs, and raise scholarship funds for underprivileged students. He has also developed youth leadership training seminars and established a youth education program assisting children with their reading skills. He contributes to various local and state policy boards regarding important issues such as education, immigration and redistricting. Mr. Fimbres' standing as a community leader is evident by the respect and recognition he receives and for his countless hours of work on behalf of his community. Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in recognizing this outstanding citizen and role model whom I am also proud to call my friend.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate an outstanding member of the Tucson and Southern Arizona community. Mr. John L. Huerta. John has always served his community and his country with distinction, and although he has traveled extensively and held important positions at the national and state level, he has remained El Tucsonese at heart. On March 22, 2002, the University of Arizona Hispanic Alumni Association and the Concerned Media Professionals will gather to applaud and honor John for his many contributions to the cultural and educational vitality of the greater Tucson area. Today I join his family, friends and colleagues in expressing my sincere admiration for his many accomplishments. John was born in Tucson, Arizona, and graduated from Tucson High and the University of Arizona. While at the U of A, John co-founded the Los Universitarios, a social club for the university Hispanic community, which fostered many of today's innovative leaders in Tucson. After college, John worked as a Juvenile Probation officer and then joined a task force that was successful in bringing the ``War on Poverty'' programs to Tucson. John's effective leadership in these programs brought him to the attention of national leaders who encouraged him to relocate to Washington, DC, where he joined the staff of the Postmaster General as a Special Assistant. John's career in Washington, DC, moved upward through several positions in the Department of Health Education, and Welfare, including Assistant Director of the Office for Community Planning (Model Cities Program), Director of the Office for Community Development, and Director for the Office for Rural Development. In 1975, John decided to move closer to home. He relocated to Phoenix and became the Director of Arizona's largest agency, the Department of Economic Security, which had a yearly budget of half a billion dollars. Throughout his government service, John was an adept and respected leader. In 1978, John returned to Tucson and became involved in the private sector as a successful businessman. His skills with money soon lead to a position with the University of Arizona Development Office where he founded the Office of Minority Programs. This office, almost unique among all colleges and universities, raises funds to benefit Hispanic, African-American, and Asian American scholarship endowments as well as special emphasis programs. Under his guidance, the Hispanic Alumni endowment enjoys a market value of $1.7 million, the largest fund of its kind among all public universities, and the Black Alumni endowment is $500,000. Throughout his career, John has brought success to many community activities and is especially proud of his work with the Hispanic Alumni Board, Omega Delta Phi (the first Hispanic fraternity at the UofA) as a founder of the Tucson International Mariachi Conference, the Hispanic Professional Action Committee, the UA Hispanic Alumni, the Tucson Chapter of the America Israel Friendship League, and El Centro Cultural de las Americas. In addition to his many career and community activities, John has enjoyed a rich and rewarding family life. He and his wife Nancy, high school sweethearts who recently celebrated 50 wonderful years together, raised 6 accomplished children. Now he enjoys being tata to his talented grandchildren. I am proud to enter John L. Huerta's name into the official records of our nation. He represents an American life well-lived for his family, for his community and for his country.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this misguided attempt to stimulate our economy. Today, the House of Representatives leadership is lining unemployed Americans against a wall for another St. Valentine's Day Massacre. While pretending to pass an economic stimulus package, they are holding the unemployed hostage in hopes of passing larger tax breaks for wealthy individuals and large corporations. The Senate has passed legislation to extend Unemployment Compensation for the 1 million people who have exhausted their unemployment benefits since September 11. Yet, the House leadership has chosen to ignore the plight of these people, and the more than 2 million workers who will exhaust their benefits over the next 6 months, and attach a misguided ``economic stimulus'' package to the bill that will do nothing to stimulate the economy. I call on the House leadership to consider the clean bill passed by the Senate so we can help the 8 million people in America who are looking for jobs. According to sources, 11,000 people are exhausting their Unemployment Compensation each and every day. With Congressional District Work Period starting today, more than 120,000 Americans will have lost their benefits by the time we return to Washington on February 26. We should stop playing partisan politics with these people's lives. But, there are other serious problems with this ``stimulus package.'' Any more tax cuts would continue to erode the Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund by almost $80 billion. It is time to stop threatening our elderly just to make the 15 percent of wealthiest Americans even wealthier. Valentine's Day is a time for us to open our hearts and to give of ourselves. But this legislation will only serve to break the hearts of those unemployed Americans who need our help.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, President Bush recently delivered his budget proposals for Fiscal Year 2003 to Congress. I was hopeful that all Americans would be a part of the American dream, but he has woefully put almost 60 percent of us in jeopardy. The most pressing question in Washington this year is will we support a budget that makes the wealthiest 15 percent of Americans wealthier, or will we pursue policies that will keep 60 percent of the people from becoming worse off. I wholeheartedly support the President in his efforts to improve homeland security and to further strengthen our military. We have finally adjusted to the post cold war world, and after the terrorist attacks of September 11, we now have an even better understanding of the world and those who threaten us. I fully support the President's efforts to strengthen our military forces through modern equipment and facilities and highly trained and compensated personnel. I also applaud the President for his efforts to strengthen our security at home. The concept of ``Homeland Security'' holds special meaning to the people of our nation for the first time in more than 50 years. The images of that fateful day in September will haunt each of us for the rest of our lives. But we are a strong and proud people and we will not forsake our responsibilities to guard the privileges of freedom for which so many of our forefathers shed their own blood. We all support our President in his efforts to protect us and will go the extra mile to meet our security needs. Yet, we must not neglect the other principles that have made our nation the strongest and most productive in the history of civilization. We are a nation of over-achievers who strive to reach the top and to win. But, we are also a nation of compassion, kindness and giving and we have always been willing to reach down and help those who need assistance. I am fearful that the domestic side of President Bush's budget plan will neglect not only those who are least fortunate among us, but also a good many of us who are working to reach the top, but have yet to fulfill the dream. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) recently issued a report that said the single biggest factor in the elimination of the estimated $5.6 trillion surplus was last year's Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act which cut taxes by $1.35 trillion, most of which went to the wealthiest individuals and businesses. I strongly supported using this surplus to improve the lives of all Americans. I believed it best to divide the surplus into thirds, with one third for tax cuts, one third for additional funding on national priorities like education, Social Security, and infrastructure improvements, and one third toward eliminating the national debt. President Bush's tax cut was too much and, once hit by the recession and the attacks of September 11, it is clear that this huge tax cut has knocked our fiscal house into a heap of rubble. For the first time since 1997, the budget of the United States Government will experience a deficit. We must pay for the war on terrorism and we must protect the Homeland. But, we should not put domestic programs at jeopardy, go into further debt, and raid the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds in order to give the wealthiest Americans large tax cuts. In fact, even though last year's tax cuts are scheduled to expire in 2010, the President's new budget has proposed making these tax cuts permanent. This is estimated to cost an additional $675 billion over the next ten years. This means domestic programs will be cut by almost five percent below the levels necessary to maintain current services. This means that we will be using Social Security and Medicare funds to pay for these tax cuts. It means we will be forced to eliminate 28 elementary and secondary education programs. It means we will cut rural health care activities by 42 percent. It means we must freeze the Child Care and Development Fund. It means we must cut funds for critical repairs to public housing. It means our federal highway program will be cut a drastic 29 percent. In my view, the price we are being asked to pay for these huge tax cuts is too high. I do not believe it is in the best interest of our nation as a whole to return to deficit spending just so the wealthiest 15 percent of our people can become even wealthier. I am opposing the domestic portions of the President's budget and call on decision makers to join me in a common sense approach to meeting the priorities of America. We should continue to fight the war on terrorism. We should continue to protect the Homeland against attack. But we must not continue the ill-fated principles that drive us further and further into economic insecurity and debt. Let's be sure all Americans are given an opportunity to strive for the American dream.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands for yielding me this time. As my good friend, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest) and the ranking member of the subcommittee, has explained, there is a lot of history in the Tumacacori National Park; and what we are attempting to do is to extend the boundaries to approximately 310 acres. The reason we want to do this is that the park's general management plan calls for the acquisition of additional lands. We want to ensure that the support facilities, which are greatly needed, can be built on the site but will not detract from the historical mission. Also, we want to create a living museum, a living park; and so by acquiring the land, we will restore orchards that were utilized during the time that the Spanish were coming to this mission. There are two large properties now bordering the park. A 90-acre ranch lies to the south and east and this ranch contains the remains of the historic orchard and other mission-related cultivated lands. To the north and east, 220 acres of undeveloped land contain the remains of the mission fields and sites that now have many artifacts. The expansion of the park's boundary would allow the Park Service to further enhance the visitor's experience at Tumacacori by the replanted orchard and by adding a living history program. We also want to develop the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail that now exists on private land between Tumacacori and the town of Tubac. In this last appropriation bill, in the Department of the Interior appropriations, which was signed by the President recently, included was $1 million to construct administration and maintenance facilities at this park, removing these functions from the viewed historical areas. This is an important first step taken by this Congress toward preserving the history of this monumental place and these beautiful times. I ask the House to now take the next step by increasing the boundaries of the park. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a few minutes to pay tribute to the chairman of the committee, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen). He has assisted the people of Arizona in the many years that he has been chairman in the increase of monuments and increase of parks, and so I want to thank him for his support and his friendship.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to recognize the Argyro Lalos Scholarship Fund at Arizona State University (ASU), and the outstanding citizen it honors, Ms. Argyro Lalos of Phoenix, Arizona. Recently, the Lalos family, with the help of 20 contributors, endowed a scholarship fund on behalf of 93-year-old Yia Yia (ya-ya, which is ``grandmother'' in Greek), as she is affectionately known, to honor her lifelong respect for quality education. Each year, Ms. Lalos will help select a recipient of the award, which is in the amount of $500, from among the engineering students at ASU that apply. Engineering students are the focus because the Lalos family believes that Yia Yia would have excelled in this field had she been given the opportunity. Applicants are judged on academic standing and essays they write explaining obstacles they have overcome in achieving a higher education. Her desire to learn was prominent at an early age. Raised in Greece, she was pulled out of elementary school because of the perceived lack of value in educating young women in that society. Often sneaking to school and borrowing school books, she eventually taught herself how to read, while never receiving a formal education. She continues to be an avid reader of novels and biographies and reads the Greek newspapers daily. After World War II, Yia Yia came to America with her husband and worked as a seamstress while he worked at a dry cleaning and tailor shop. Achieving an education was stressed in the household and their goal was always to be able to provide their children the opportunity to receive a quality education. Throughout the years, with the money they saved, this goal was accomplished as Yia Yia's children and four grandchildren have all received a higher education. Having endured World War I, the flu epidemic of 1918, the economic depression of the 1930's, German occupation during World War II, and the Greek Civil War, the only heartache Argyro Lalos holds is over never having received a formal education. However, assisting today's students in overcoming the financial obstacles to higher education is a selfless way to give to others the opportunity she never had and therefore a fitting tribute to the much beloved matriarch of the Lalos family.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Sabo) for yielding me the time. I rise in support of this conference bill and ask my colleagues to support it. I also rise to congratulate the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers) and the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Sabo) for the excellent job they have done on this conference bill. I represent the border communities of Arizona, and we tried to balance the safety issues as well as the commerce issues, and this compromise that has been achieved in this bill allows us to protect the safety of our American citizens, especially those that live on the border. At the same time, we allow the implementation of the NAFTA agreement and will allow that commerce to continue and probably increase. I also want to thank both gentlemen for recognizing the needs of Arizona in terms of transportation infrastructure and public transportation needs. I have to tell you that they recognized and they funded important projects, and I want to thank them both for doing that. In Phoenix, which is the United States fifth largest community, they are assisting us in continuing the development of a light transit system, as well as a public transportation system. They funded the infrastructure for our growing and enlarging airports and helped other community transportation systems. Commerce is very important to Arizona, and one of the issues is the bridge over Hoover Dam, and that would allow the CANAMEX transportation corridor to be developed, and they recognize that, and they also fund it. I also want to thank the staff for working on this bill and bringing forth to us an excellent bill, and I ask for its support.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and pay tribute to the World Champion Arizona Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks dethroned the mighty New York Yankees in a thrilling Game 7 to claim the 2001 World Series Championship in what many are calling the most exciting Series in history. I am proud to say that I am a Diamondback fan, but also I am proud to say that their home, Bank One Ballpark, resides in the Second Congressional District of Arizona, of which I have the honor of representing. The Diamondbacks are the youngest expansion team to win a Major League Baseball World Series Championship, accomplishing this feat in only four years of existence. There was a tremendous amount of dedication and work by a great number of individuals toward reaching this goal and all involved should revel in this great accomplishment. And what is more important, these dedicated individuals came together to form a team--a championship team. First, let me commend all the owners, especially the Managing General Partner Jerry Colangelo. For over 30 years, Jerry has not only been dedicated to building championship teams in Arizona but is highly regarded for his commitment to improving his community. The Diamondback front office must be recognized as well. Rich Dozer, President of the club has supported the efforts of everyone associated with the Diamondbacks, and we would not be champions without him. I want to congratulate General Manager Joe Garagiola, Jr. for his work in assembling this championship team. His foresight in combining the unique talents of each player into a formidable contender, truly deserves recognition. I want to pay tribute to the man who steered the Diamondbacks to the pinnacle of baseball and became the first manager since 1961 to win the championship in his first year, Manager Bob Brenly. His coaching staff, Bob Melvin, Dwayne Murphy, Eddie Rodriguez, Glenn Sherlock, Chris Speier, and pitching coach Bob Welch, were all instrumental in the success experienced all year. My granddaughter's favorite Diamondback, the mascot D. Baxter the Bobcat, who keeps us all laughing, even when things might not be going our way. All these people have played an important role in bringing Arizona its first professional Championship and they each have staffs that have helped them every step of the way. The city of Phoenix, the surrounding communities, and the State of Arizona thank you all. But, Mr. Speaker, we will never forget Jay Bell crossing the plate in the bottom of the 9th Inning of Game 7, with the winning run. We will never forget Luis Gonzalez, after hitting 57 home runs during the season, dropping a bloop single over second base--one of his shortest hits of the year, but his longest hit in the hearts of Diamondback fans--to drive in that winning run. Who can forget Tony Womack's clutch hit to drive in the tying run. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the three Most Valuable Players. Craig Counsell was selected the MVP of the National League Championship Series. Craig's performance throughout the post season was outstanding. His clutch hitting and tenacious defense served as an inspiration to his fellow players and helped to propel the Diamondbacks to victory after victory. However, the Diamondback pitching tandem who garnered World Series MVP honors will go down in history as one of the greatest pitching combinations of all time. The names Johnson/Schilling will be synonymous with each other in baseball, just as Ruth/Gehrig and Koufax/ Drysdale. Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson are both masters of their craft who dominated pitching this year. They were first and second in the National League this year in both strikeouts and earned run average, and they set a record for combined strikeouts by teammates. Mr. Speaker, November 4, 2001 will be a day long remembered by Arizonans. It was a day in which we shared the joy and glory of a Diamondback victory and welcomed the first World Championship to Arizona. The City of Phoenix, the State of Arizona, and the whole country congratulate these World Champions on a job well done!

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to honor a group of true American heroes who are a source of great pride for Phoenix, Arizona and our country. The group of people I am speaking about are the Phoenix Fire Department's Urban Search and Rescue Team/Arizona Task Force-1. Sixty-three members of this 200-member team, also known as Phoenix Fire AZTF-1 traveled from Phoenix to New York City on Sept. 19 to offer their assistance to their fellow firefighters in New York and other rescuers helping in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 destruction of the World Trade Centers. The Phoenix team, which consists of rescue and technical specialists, doctors, paramedics, canine search specialists, logistics specialists, structural engineers, hazardous materials specialists, a chaplain and task force managers, was among the group of rescuers summoned to New York City by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist public safety officials. Although they knew a grim task was before them, they considered it to be an honor to be selected to help out in this time of national tragedy. Eagerly, they awaited to be called to duty in New York City and once they were called, they transported a cache that included 60,000 pounds of specialized equipment, making them fully self-sufficient upon arrival at the scene of the World Trade Center. Upon arrival, the Phoenix team tirelessly and passionately used their expertise to help other firefighters and public safety officials dig through the rubble for survivors and bodies of the victims. They remained focused on the task, knowing that some of the victims would be other firefighters, police officers or public safety officials. Surrounded by human tragedy, they steadfastly worked for a week assisting where they could. Personally, I was very moved when I visited the World Trade Center disaster site on Sept. 22 and ran into this team from my hometown. I was filled with pride to see them at work in New York, knowing that they were helping America, again, in its time of need. As you may know, AZTF-1 also was called to duty to Oklahoma City after the bombing in 1995. Most of us don't have dangerous jobs and will probably never face the devastation seen at the World Trade Center. But everyday, firefighters risk the greatest gift of all--their lives-- to save lives. They do it unhesitatingly and with a sense of duty. The incidents of Sept. 11 were very tragic, but the united effort by all firefighters and emergency service workers who came together on that horrible day will always be an example to all Americans that this country is at its strongest when we work together. I thank them for that lesson and with great pride, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Firefighters from Phoenix Fire Department's Urban Search and Rescue Team/Arizona Task Force-1.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to draw attention to one of my constituents, Mr. Frank Rivera, and his business, ATL, Inc., which recently was selected to receive the National Minority Service Firm of the Year Award by the U.S. Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Agency. Mr. Rivera was presented with this award in September during the 19th Annual National Minority Enterprise Development Week Conference. Mr. Rivera, President and CEO of ATL, Inc., was selected to receive this honor because of his achievements and the role he has played to further the progress of minority business development. This award is a great honor, as Mr. Rivera competed with 32 nominees from nine states. He then was selected from a pool of regional winners from around the country for the National Minority Service Firm of the Year Award. Minority Enterprise Development Week is an annual national celebration in recognition of the contributions made by minority businesses to the nation's economy. It is the largest federally- sponsored activity held on behalf of minority business development and attracts the participation of both public and private sector officials. To give you some background on Mr. Rivera, he was born in 1944 in a small mining community of Globe, Arizona. The community at that time was segregated with the Caucasian land owners living on one side of town and the Hispanic mine workers living on the other side. Frank's father worked hard in the copper mines and the local utility company so Frank could have better opportunities for his life. The senior Mr. Rivera wanted the young Mr. Rivera to have career options and knew that only an excellent education could provide his son with the opportunities he never had. Mr. Rivera's mother, a homemaker, instilled his religious roots and an appreciation for his Hispanic culture into her son and gave him his religious roots. In 1968, the young Mr. Rivera graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor's of Science degree in construction management. He would then go on to amass experience working for various construction firms. In March 1988, Mr. Rivera accepted a position at ATL, Inc., overseeing material testing and inspection for a light rail project with the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority. Upon completion of this assignment, Frank Rivera was offered the opportunity to purchase ATL, Inc. He marshaled his resources and in October of 1992, Frank and his partner David Hayes purchased ATL, Inc. Mr. Rivera had a vision for ATL, Inc. He wanted to make it the best materials testing and geotechnical-engineering consultant in the state. Under his direction, he took the $800,000 annual business and grew it into a multi-million dollar firm. ATL's annual sales now top $4 million and will exceed $5 million annually within the next two years. Since 1992, it has grown to employ 57 people and currently is seeking more qualified engineers and technicians. In addition to the success he has experience with ATL, Mr. Rivera has become a well-respected leader who has volunteered for numerous roles on various organizations. He is a Commissioner on the City of Phoenix Human Relations Commission and also Chairs its Business Development Committee. He is Chairman of the Associated Minority Contractors of America, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Chairs its Public Policy Committee. He also is a member of the Board of Directors of the Hispanic Contractors of America and the Valley of the Sun YMCA. In addition, he is a member of the Grand Canyon Minority Supplier Development Council, American Society of Professional Estimators, Society of American Military Engineers, American Welding Society, American Society for Nondestructive Testing and the Arizona State University Industry Advisory Council. As you can tell Mr. Speaker, this award bestowed on Mr. Rivera and his company was earned through hard work and is well deserved. I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating Mr. Frank Rivera and ATL, Inc.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to recognize a special individual who was honored for his leadership qualities and service to his community. On September 5th, Mr. Richard G. Fimbres was honored by his peers at the Annual Profiles of Success Hispanic Leadership Awards presentation in Phoenix, Arizona. This event, coordinated by Valle del Sol, a local non-profit community based organization, kicks off National Hispanic Heritage Month in Arizona and is now in it's twelfth year of honoring worthy individuals. Honored in the category of Exemplary Leadership, Mr. Fimbres, of Tucson, Arizona, was recognized for his work as a community leader. He serves as a board member of Pima Community College, which helped to raise funds for the Hispanic Student Endowment Fund, create the Amigos de Pima, and partnered with the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) to create and fund a year-round program to assist young students with their reading skills. He is dedicated to various organizations such as LULAC, the Metropolitan Education Commission, the Knights of Columbus, and the Tucson Pima Arts Council. He also devotes his time to serving on the State's Behavioral Health Planning Council, Arizona Supreme Courts Juvenile Detention Advisory Committee and the University of Arizona's Diversity Action Council. Mr. Fimbres' standing as a community leader is evident by his commitment to these organizations and countless hours of volunteer work throughout the community. Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in recognizing this outstanding citizen and community leader for his fine work and dedication.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to recognize a special individual who was honored for her leadership qualities and service to her community. On September 5th, Ms. Linda Mazon-Gutierrez was honored by her peers at the Annual Profiles of Success Hispanic Leadership Awards presentation in Phoenix, Arizona. This event, coordinated by Valle del Sol, a local non-profit community based organization, kicks off National Hispanic Heritage Month in Arizona and is now in its twelfth year of honoring worthy individuals. Honored in the category of Exemplary Leadership, Ms. Mazon-Gutierrez, of Tucson, Arizona, was recognized for her dedication to advancing the growth and development of the Hispanic community through her work in various national and community organizations. She is a long time health care official currently serving as the Intergovernmental Administrator for the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). In addition, she chairs the Board of Directors for the National Hispana Leadership Institute (NHLI) and is president of the Arizona Hispanic Women's Corporation. She is also a member of the Arizona Mexico Commission, the Arizona Children's Action Alliance Advisory Board, and the Tucson Chicanos Por La Causa Advisory Board. Through her dedicated work in these organizations she improves the lives of her fellow Arizonans and Latinos. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Ms. Linda Mazon-Gutierrez, who truly serves as a role model and inspiration to those dedicated to serving their community.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, Americans are now standing at the crossroads of history. We must rise to the challenge. Will we scurry back to where we came, or will we hold our heads high and proud and march forward to battle those who threaten our way of life? With this resolution, we have answered the question. We will answer senseless slaughter with the necessary aggression to bring about its end. We will answer wanton killing with the belief that we are right in our belief and our love for freedom. We will answer hatred with the determination to preserve humanity. It will be a long and difficult struggle. But with the passage of this resolution, let no one doubt our firmness in defending ourselves. We are a united Congress. We are a united government. We are a united people. We will succeed. I support this resolution and ask my colleagues to support it.