Silvestre Reyes

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues for their support of H.R. 4119, the Border Tunnel Prevention Act of 2012. I also would like to express my appreciation and thank my cosponsors, Congressman Quayle, who I understand is on his way here and we anticipate that he will be speaking on this, Congressman Chairman Dreier, and Congressman Thompson. I would, in particular, like to thank my good friend and colleague from Texas, Chairman Smith, for his support in bringing this legislation to the floor. I also would like to thank Senator Feinstein and Senator Kyl for their work on a bipartisan, bicameral piece of legislation on the Senate side, which is S. 1236, the companion to the Border Tunnel Prevention Act of 2012. The Border Tunnel Prevention Act of 2012 strengthens the 2006 Border Tunnel Prevention Act, which made it a crime to construct or finance an unauthorized tunnel or subterranean passage across an international border. This bill seeks to provide law enforcement officials with enhanced investigative tools and additional options for prosecuting crimes related to the construction and financing of cross-border tunnels. The Border Tunnel Prevention Act of 2012 would criminalize the attempt or conspiracy to use, construct, or finance a cross-border tunnel and also permits the forfeiture of bulk cash and merchandise smuggled into the United States through these illicit passageways. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Obama administration, Congress, Federal, State, local, and tribal law enforcement organizations, as well as ordinary Americans, the Southwest border is more secure than at any point in our Nation's history. Over the past several years, the Federal Government has dedicated unprecedented levels of personnel, technology, and resources towards border security. As a result, apprehensions today are down, and seizures of drugs, guns, and cash are up. Border cities are among the safest in the country, including El Paso, which for the second year is the safest city in America with a population of over half a million people. While the strengthening of security along the Southwest border has produced impressive results, it has also led those who want to harm our country to seek new ways to undermine our efforts. Enhancing the security of our borders on land, air, and sea has literally pushed drug cartels and transnational criminal organizations underground as they try to smuggle illicit drugs and people and other types of contraband, as my good friend and colleague from Puerto Rico mentioned, to include the potential for terrorists and weapons of mass destruction being smuggled into the United States. Over the last decade, drug cartels and transnational criminal organizations have been increasing both the use and complexity of cross-border tunnels. As was said earlier, approximately 154 tunnels have been discovered between Mexico and the United States since the 1990s, and more than 90 percent of those tunnels have been detected in this past decade. These cross-border tunnels are becoming more and more complex. I've got a picture to show, and I know that the chairman was mentioning the complexity of the construction. One such tunnel is the one that was discovered in November of 2011. It was over 600 yards long, and you can see, it's got a rail system built in. It's got sophisticated lighting, and even a system to introduce fresh air into the tunnel. No longer are these crude, handmade tunnels. These are sophisticated, well-engineered, and well-financed projects. So that is why it is imperative that this legislation be passed. We must give law enforcement officials the tools that they need to combat this growing threat to our national security and stop the flow of illicit drugs and other contraband into the United States. Accordingly, I am proud to be the author of this, along with Congressman Quayle, and I urge all my colleagues in Congress to pass this vital piece of bipartisan legislation so that we can move forward with helping to defeat the drug cartels and the transnational criminal organizations and, further, continue the path towards really securing our borders and protecting our communities. So with that, let me end by thanking, again, Chairman Smith and my good friend and colleague from Puerto Rico and urging my colleagues to support this critical and vital piece of legislation.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the ``Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act of 2012.'' While my Democratic colleagues and I are working to stimulate the economy and create jobs, protect and extend health care coverage, and promote affordable, high- quality education for all Americans, Tea Party Republicans have launched a radical, ideological, and partisan attack on American families. The ``Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act'' is yet another misguided attempt to eliminate critical support for middle- class Americans, seniors, veterans, and children in favor of Bush Administration policies that caused the recent economic recession. It is utterly and truly irresponsible to balance the budget on the backs of our seniors, veterans, children, and families. This bill is a joke. The Tea Party Republicans have proposed to reduce the deficit by slashing more than $300 billion dollars from programs on which millions of ordinary Americans rely. For example, this bill cuts over $33 billion dollars in funding for nutrition programs that help millions of hard-working Americans feed their families. I am appalled that my colleagues across the aisle are more concerned with cutting taxes for millionaires and billionaires than supporting programs which ensure that our nation's children have enough to eat. In addition, this extreme, hyper-partisan bill would eliminate the Social Services Block Grant program. This vital program provides much needed social services--including daycare and protective services, foster care and adoption services, and transportation and meals for elderly and disabled individuals--to roughly 23 million of the most vulnerable Americans. If that was not enough, this irresponsible piece of legislation would also slash funding for Medicaid, cut pension contributions for federal workers, and eliminate funding for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau--an office established to protect consumers engaged in financial transactions. Our nation's seniors, veterans, children, and families should not be forced to bear the burden of fiscal austerity measures while millionaires and billionaires are not asked to pay their fair share in taxes. I urge my colleagues to stand together in opposition to yet another right-wing attack on programs that have a significant impact on the residents of my district and millions of ordinary Americans. I remain committed to working with my colleagues to fight against fundamentally flawed bills like the ``Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act of 2012,'' and to support a budget proposal that creates jobs, expands health care coverage, and promotes access to affordable education.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support for H.R. 4133. I am a proud co-sponsor of the United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act which states it is the policy of the United States to aid Israel, specifically with the preservation of Israel's qualitative military edge amid rapid and uncertain regional political transformation and the development of advanced technology programs between the United States and Israel. The bill expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should equip Israel with the necessary military capabilities, in order to deter and defend itself against any threats; veto any one-sided anti-Israel resolutions at the United Nations Council; support Israel's right to self-defense; and promote peaceful negotiations between Israel and Palestine. Israel sets the example for the nations of the Middle East, as the only true democracy in that region. For the past 63 years, Israel has been a sanctuary of democracy and pluralism in a region dominated by authoritarian regimes. Israel is the only country in the Middle East with free elections, a free press, freedom of religion, protection for minority rights and other safeguards typical of a free society. The Middle East is experiencing rapid changes. These rapid changes bring hope for the expansion of democracy but also great challenges to the national security of the United States and our allies in the region, particularly Israel. H.R. 4133 reaffirms the United States commitment to Israel and the establishment of a peaceful relationship between Israel and Palestine. I urge my colleagues to vote for this bill, which expresses support for our strongest Middle Eastern ally and is a matter of national security for both Israel and the United States.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, during National Teacher Appreciation Week, I rise to honor our teachers. Teachers are at the heart of our community, and this week we commemorate the hard-working men and women who educate and inspire our children. As part of National Teacher Appreciation Week, I was asked by the National Education Association to name a teacher who had a significant impact on my education. My journalism and debate coach, Mr. Ralph Chavez, quickly came to mind. He was not only a teacher but a mentor, friend and counselor. He inspired me to push myself, and helped me become the person I am today. This week, I am proud to help recognize all of our dedicated teachers who, like Mr. Chavez, have educated and motivated their students. As a parent and grandparent, I am grateful for the contributions of all of our educators, and am particularly proud of the teachers in the El Paso community. As a Member of Congress, one of the best ways I can help make National Teacher Appreciation Week more meaningful is to continue working to provide our teachers with the resources they need to educate their students. Today's teachers face many challenges and deserve not only our recognition, but our full measure of support for their efforts. Education has always been one of my top priorities, and I will continue to fight for our teachers, our students, our school districts, and for parents who want their children to have the best education possible.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of hard working students and their families. Ensuring that all Americans have access to high quality education is one of my top priorities. I have worked to provide students with opportunities for higher education by fighting to strengthen financial aid, increase the maximum amount for Pell Grants, and lower student loan repayment interest rates. At a time when many Americans are struggling to make ends meet, we must do all we can to keep post-secondary education affordable. Accordingly, I urge my fellow Representatives to take action to prevent student loan interest rates from rising this summer. If we do nothing, the interest rate on need-based student loans will double this July and will increase student loan repayment costs by over $1,000 for more than seven million students. While my Republican colleagues have reversed their opinion on this issue and now claim to support our Nation's students--despite their continued support for the Ryan Budget, which slashes funding for education by 45 percent--they have put forward a misguided and radical bill that hurts low-income and middle-income families. Instead of ending tax subsidies for oil and gas companies, the Tea Party Republicans have proposed slashing billions of dollars in funding from vital health care programs for women and children, including childhood immunizations and cancer screening programs. The Republicans want you to believe that we must choose between supporting our students and providing vital health services to women and children. However, this is clearly not the case. My fellow Democrats and I have been fighting to expand health care coverage and promote affordable education for years. Since 2007, Democrats have lowered the cost of education by cutting the student loan interest rate in half, saving billions of dollars for millions of students while returning billions of dollars in bank subsidies to students in the form of higher Pell Grants, income-based repayment programs, and loan forgiveness for students entering public service. Unlike my Republican colleagues, I remain committed to creating jobs, expanding health care coverage, and promoting affordable, high quality education for all Americans. I urge my colleagues to do the same by voicing their opposition to the Republicans' damaging student loan proposal.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Chair, I rise today to strongly oppose the Republicans' budget proposal. I remain committed to creating jobs, expanding health care coverage, and promoting education, but this budget signals that the Republicans do not. In fact, this budget seems designed to have devastating effects on American families and businesses, and would dramatically damage our nation's improving economy. This legislation makes significant cuts to social programs and investments in education, destroys American jobs, and represents the latest in a series of Republican attacks on Medicare. Although our economy is recovering from years of misguided policies, many Americans are still struggling to make ends meet. Gas prices have skyrocketed in recent months. Quality health care and education are becoming more expensive for the average American. Families are fighting to save their homes from foreclosure and escape from under mountains of debt. Instead of focusing on these important issues, Mr. Ryan and the Tea Party have developed a budget that dramatically undermines the social safety net that so many Americans depend on. I believe that budgets are reflections of our values--and it is clear from this proposal that Mr. Ryan and the Tea Party do not possess the same values as ordinary Americans. By turning Medicare into a voucher program, this budget would effectively end Medicare as we know it, and shift thousands of dollars of health costs onto seniors. But gutting Medicare is not enough for the Republicans. The Ryan budget would also cut more than $1 trillion from Medicaid, and endanger health care coverage for over 60 million Americans, including low-income children, pregnant women, nursing home patients, and persons with disabilities. This budget also demonstrates the Republicans' lack of commitment to investing in America's youth. By proposing to cut funding for education by 45 percent, it is clear that the Republicans do not understand the importance of investing in education, and in science, technology, engineering, and math in particular, to ensure our nation's competitiveness in the global economy. At a time when states are drastically reducing their education budgets--including my home state, which recently cut funding for education by $5 billion--the Republicans' budget attacks critical initiatives ranging from extra reading and math help for low-income students to much-needed financial aid for college. If Mr. Ryan and the Tea Party get their way, in 2014 nearly 10 million students would see their Pell Grants fall by more than $1,000 dollars, and 200,000 children and their families would no longer be able to participate in Head Start. In my 16 years proudly representing the people of my district, this is by far the worst piece of legislation that I have seen. Mr. Ryan and the Tea Party have once again put forward a budget to benefit the wealthy and special interests groups at the expense of middle-class Americans, seniors, veterans, and children. While this budget provides huge tax cuts for the richest one percent of Americans, it does nothing to stimulate the economy nor create jobs, and would adversely impact the Hispanic community and the residents of my district. This budget yet again shows how out of touch the Republican Party is with the lives of ordinary Americans. Instead of focusing on creating jobs and putting Americans back to work, it extends the Bush tax cuts-- which I voted against and continue to oppose--for the wealthiest Americans, and provides millionaires and billionaires with an average tax cut of $150,000. To put this amount into perspective, $150,000 would pay for: one years' worth of savings for a senior in the Medicare prescription drug ``donut hole'' ($600); one school computer lab ($40,000); one year of medical care for a veteran returning home ($8,945); one grant for medical research on chronic diseases ($50,000); one tax credit to make a year of college more affordable ($2,500); one firefighter, police officer, or first responder kept on the job ($42,000); and one college student receiving the maximum Pell Grant ($5,550). In today's economic climate, we don't need more subsidies for big oil and bigger tax loopholes for hedge fund managers on Wall Street. Yet, the Republicans have put forward a budget that provides huge tax cuts and subsidies for the mega-rich and corporations, while utterly failing to support vital investments in education, job training, research and development, and our nation's crumbling infrastructure. For these reasons, I strongly urge my colleagues to oppose this ideological, radical budget, and stand firm in support of job creation, health care, and education for all Americans.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remind my colleagues of the critical importance of our strategic allies. While some in Congress say that the United States should focus our efforts to defend our nation on building walls and restricting entry at our borders, we must continue to address the global threat of terrorism through cooperation and coordination with our allies. While I am sure that most everyone would agree with the general concept that nations should work together to fight terrorism, I wanted to mention two countries to give my colleagues concrete examples of the critical importance of our alliances and the need to cultivate these relationships. Turkey has a key strategic position, controlling the Bosporus Straits and sharing a border with Syria, Iran and Iraq. A member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Turkey has been a strong ally to the United States and to all of Europe. Turkey has proven to be an important partner as US forces have left Iraq and regional tensions have increased as the situation in Syria continues to devolve and Iran pursues nuclear technologies. Turkey's importance to the US and the world will continue to increase in the future, and Turkey will be critical to maintaining peace and stability. At a time when the US and NATO continue to maintain a large military presence in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan is a valued partner. From providing critical access to Afghanistan to helping fight the flow of illegal drugs that fund Taliban insurgents, Azerbaijan has repeatedly proven their commitment to the fight against terrorism. As Azerbaijan continues to develop democratic institutions and a civil society, their contributions to regional and global security will increase even more. At a time when all of our alliances are being tested, the partnership between the United States and Azerbaijan remains strong. The world is a safer place for all when we combine our efforts to fight those criminals who seek to use terror as a means to achieve their goals. When we work together, we become more than the sum of our parts. I urge my colleagues to support our nation's efforts along with those of our allies like Turkey and Azerbaijan to secure and protect our citizens

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Today, I proudly stand and join with millions of Americans in remembering the life and legacy of one of our greatest civil rights pioneers in our Latino community, Cesar Chavez. An advocate for social justice, Cesar Chavez dedicated his life to giving voice to those who couldn't speak for themselves. Cesar Chavez advocated for strong health care for communities. He advocated for good-paying jobs from which people could lead the kinds of lives that our country cherishes and honors. Cesar Chavez was a Navy veteran who, perhaps, during World War II was disappointed in the way that segregation existed in the armed services; but it gave him the passion to go out and do the kind of work that today we celebrate: a legacy that was adopted by President Obama from the words of Cesar Chavez, who always thought, ``Si, se puede.'' Yes, we can. So, today, I proudly stand here and remind us that we have so much to be grateful for from those who have advocated in our respective communities--Cesar Chavez, Martin Luther King, and so many others.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the El Paso County's Commissioners Court who signed the following resolution. Whereas, a ``Super-Committee'' was formed and tasked to reduce $1.2 Trillion from our Nation's budget over the next 10 years, but failed at their mission; and, Whereas, the Department of Defense could endure budget cuts of $487 Billion throughout the next 10 years; and, Whereas, due to the failure of the ``Super-Committee'' there is an additional $600 Billion in potential budget cuts for deficit-reduction measures targeted towards the Department of Defense; and, Whereas, future budget reductions of this nature can potentially affect all branches of Defense with reduction of employment and could decrease the benefits that our troops and past veterans receive; and, Whereas, future reductions should raise concerns of National Security and the ability to defend our Country from future extremities; and, Whereas, the United States of America has fought for freedom since its creation and knows that freedom does not come easy and it definitely does not come without a price tag; and, Whereas, our Military's men and women are to be held at the upmost respect and honor for the service they provide to our Country and they should feel assured that they are a priority and the American people are behind them; and, Whereas, policies of this type have the ability to create an internal decrease in morale and the capability to deter future enlistments to our volunteer military; and, Whereas, recent developments of Russia and China vetoing a United Nations resolution aimed at ending Syria's violence should raise concerns that the United States should keep its military in full force and maintain their combat readiness for these potential adversaries and other; and, now, therefore, be it Resolved, that the El Paso County Judge and Commissioners Court hereby disagree with any future budget cuts that can affect National Security and Benefits provided to our Veterans that have defended our Nation from opposing threats and to all of our soldiers that continue to protect our Country's future and our children's future by placing their own lives in harm's way. Signed, this 13th day of February 2012. Commissioner Anna Perez Pct. 1 Commissioner Sergio Lewis Pct. 2 Commissioner Willie Gandara Pct. 3 Commissioner Daniel R. Haggerty Pct. 4 County Judge Veronica Escobar

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Women's History Month, I rise today to recognize women leaders and their many contributions to our community. Recently, we celebrated the significant advancement in girls' participation in sports as we commemorated the 25th annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day and the 40th anniversary of Title IX. Today, I want to recognize the incredible accomplishments of the University of Texas at El Paso's (UTEP) women's basketball team for winning the 2012 Conference USA Championship, and the 2012 Conference USA Regular Season Title for the second time in the past five years. These talented young women serve as positive role models for the El Paso community. I want to congratulate Keitha Adams for being named Conference USA Coach of the Year. This is the second time Coach Adams has been honored with this title, and her leadership helped the UTEP program win two Conference USA regular season titles in the last five years. I also want to congratulate Gloria Brown for winning Conference USA Sixth Player of the Year for a second-consecutive season, and El Paso's own Kayla Thornton, an Irvin High School graduate, was recognized as an All-Conference USA performer. These remarkable women not only strengthen themselves, their families and the El Paso community, but they serve as an inspiration to encourage schools and the El Paso community to increase opportunities for girls and women in sports. El Paso, Texas, has a rich history and is home to strong and passionate women who have played critical roles in making higher education a reality, promoting our small businesses, serving El Paso as public servants, safeguarding our community, and ensuring access to health care for children, families and seniors. Leaders like Dr. Diana Natalicio of the University of Texas at El Paso; Cindy Ramos-Davidson of the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Belen Robles, the first female president of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC); Dr. Blanca Enriquez, life-long educator and Associate Executive Director for Head Start; Rosa Guerrero, a pioneer educator, artist, renowned dancer, and humanitarian; and Suzie Azar, El Paso's first and only woman Mayor. These remarkable women, and many others, have made history in the border region, and we are blessed that they call El Paso home. Mr. Speaker, while women have achieved great success, we recognize women still face many challenges and there is still much work to be done. This month, I reaffirm my commitment to policies and initiatives that support more and better opportunities for women and girls.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, as our nation recognizes Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month, I rise to honor Sergeant First Class Victor Medina who was wounded in Iraq by an Improvised Explosive Device. Victor and his wife Roxana Delgado continue to work selflessly to provide encouragement and support for his fellow Wounded Warriors, even as they deal with the effects of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). SFC Victor Medina was wounded in the summer of 2009 by an explosive formed projectile while in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The blast left SFC Medina with TBI, and he spent nearly two months receiving care at the Department of Defense's Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany before returning home to El Paso, Texas. After 16 months of rehabilitation, SFC Medina still copes with lingering side effects. He continues to have problems with vision, hearing, balance, headaches, and speech; however, regardless of his symptoms SFC Medina's believes that `with or without injury we are all responsible for our actions and our future. Life is about decisions, and you can choose to stand up and make the best out of your life.' SFC Medina did just that. He chose not to be a victim; he chose to be a warrior. Since then, SFC Medina has been empowering and motivating others struggling with TBI to set their sights on a brighter future. SFC Medina along with his wife, Roxana Delgado, created a blog during his recovery to provide insight on the effects of TBI. The couple has written about their struggles and triumphs in dealing with the issue, and their blog eventually morphed into a Web site, www.tbiwarrior.com. The blog raises awareness and understanding of TBI and serves to empower survivors and caregivers through education and advocacy while providing resources to heal with hope. Each year approximately 1.7 million Americans experience TBI, and an estimated 3.2 million Americans are living with severe, long-term disabilities caused by it. TBI has been named the signature injury for troops wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq with an estimated 360,000 brain- injured men and women returning home from the battlefield. As we commemorate National Traumatic Brain Injury Month, it is my great honor to share Victor and Roxana's story for inclusion in the Congressional Record and to recognize their outstanding contributions to the Traumatic Brain Injury warrior community in El Paso, in the State of Texas, and throughout our nation. Brave service members like SFC Medina answer the call of duty and make tremendous sacrifices for our country. As a combat veteran myself, I salute all of our courageous men and women in the Armed Forces and the families who support them. For SFC Medina and other TBI warriors, TBI is not the end; it can be a new beginning.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I'm reminded of the Broadway play ``Chicago,'' when one of the acts is ``razzle dazzle them.'' With all due respect to my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, all the razzle and all the dazzle is not working here. There are conflicts in terms of the offsets that are being used in trying to offset money both in this bill and in other legislations, and I think that that's indicative of the kinds of issues that are being brought before the floor here. H.R. 7 takes $44 billion out of the pockets of millions of middle class American workers over the next 10 years by slashing existing pension benefits and cutting employer retirement contributions for new, current, and retiring Federal workers. That's according to the Congressional Budget Office--again, new, current, and retiring Federal workers. Over the weekend in my district, I heard from many Federal workers who are concerned about the kinds of proposals that are being brought forth to offset legislation by our colleagues on the other side of the aisle. The $44 billion that I just talked about is in addition to $60 billion that Federal workers are already contributing as a result of the existing 2-year pay freeze. Although House Republicans would force Federal workers to contribute more than $100 billion, given both proposals, toward deficit reduction--and now obviously transportation projects, and who knows how many times they're over-counting this--they have consistently refused to ask wealthy Americans to sacrifice even one penny toward these goals. I am opposed to this H.R. 7, I'm opposed to this rule, and I ask my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to stop attacking Federal workers.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Command Sergeant Major David Davenport as he departs Fort Bliss and the 1st Armored Division. His selection as the U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR) Command Sergeant Major will provide him with a new opportunity to influence the next generation of Army leaders. In his 27 years of Army service, Sergeant Major Davenport has held every enlisted leadership position from cavalry scout and tank commander to his current position as command sergeant major. Sergeant Major Davenport's career has taken him to Army installations across the United States and the world, and his assignment as Command Sergeant Major of the Future Forces Integration Directorate put him at the leading edge of the Army's top modernization initiative. During their time in El Paso, Sergeant Major Davenport and his wife Claudia have not only committed themselves to supporting soldiers and their families at Fort Bliss, but they also served as ambassadors representing the post in the El Paso community. From completing the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce Leadership Course to volunteering with many local organizations, Command Sergeant Major Davenport did not just live in El Paso; he made it his home. He worked with the civilian community to expand understanding of the changing mission of the post, and he helped enlisted soldiers and their families make important connections to the El Paso community. In his time at Fort Bliss, Command Sergeant Major Davenport demonstrated outstanding leadership both as a strong advocate for the Army and as a liaison working to build bridges between the post and the civilian community. His most important role has been as a tireless voice for Fort Bliss soldiers and his families. From ensuring that they have the resources they need to achieve their mission to caring for enlisted families as they deal with deployments and other challenges, his unwavering commitment to serving those who serve is a model for future Army leaders. As we say farewell to the Davenports and wish them well in their next assignment, I wanted to add my words of thanks and recognition for all that Dave and Claudia have done for our Army and our community. While we know the Army needs them in such a critical leadership position at USAREUR, we look forward to welcoming them back to El Paso in the future.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Madam Speaker, tonight the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on a Republican bill that attacks federal employees and aims to balance the budget on the backs of hard-working federal civil servants for political points. Republicans claim this bill freezes the salaries of Members of Congress, but what they fail to mention is that this bill would also freeze the pay of federal employees, including 10,000 civil servants in El Paso. Federal employees have already made significant sacrifices to help reduce the government's budget deficit. They are now enduring a two- year pay freeze that took effect in January 2011. Federal employees also face the possibility of layoffs and furloughs in coming years as automatic spending reductions mandated by the Budget Control Act of 2011 cut federal agency budgets. Republicans need to stop attacking federal employees. This pointless legislation only serves to distract from the real issue: helping revitalize the economy and create jobs. I will continue to stand with federal employees and their families. The Republican message is clear to our hard-working federal employees, over 12,000 in El Paso, who secure our border, care for our veterans, and protect our air and water--they would rather freeze the wages of middle class workers than raise taxes on the millionaires and billionaires. I want to reassure all federal employees in El Paso that I will continue to work hard against attacks that jeopardize their livelihood and ability to support their families.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of a truly American story of faith and service, a tradition that has served, educated, and upheld true values in my district of El Paso, Texas. During this Catholic Schools Week, I would like to congratulate the Sisters of Loretto celebrating their 200th Jubilee Year this April. On April 25, 1812, three frontier women, Sisters Mary Rhodes, Nancy Havern and Christina Stuart, with the help of their Catholic pastor, the Rev. Charles Nerinckx, came together to found the Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross, on Hardin's Creek in central Kentucky, marking the beginning of a uniquely American community of faith and service. Motivated by faith and charity, they were soon joined by many others, taking as their purpose the instruction of girls and young women of every faith and economic means, even welcoming enslaved persons. The Sisters of Loretto expanded the work of education westward, first by steamboat to Missouri and Louisiana, and then by wagon train to New Mexico, by mail-coach to Colorado, and by train to Texas, Arizona, and California, ultimately contributing to American education in more than 40 states. In the 20th century, they reached out to girls in Asia, South America, and Central America. Their members now serve throughout the United States, as well as in Europe, Guatemala, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Uganda, Ghana, and Pakistan. In their 200 years of work, the Sisters of Loretto and their colleagues have founded nearly 300 schools in the United States. The first Texas site of the Sisters of Loretto was established by Mother Praxedes in 1879 in El Paso County, and has educated thousands of El Paso and Juarez students through St. Joseph's Academy, Sacred Heart, St. Ignatius, Guardian Angel, Holy Family, Assumption, St. Mary's, St. Patrick's, Cathedral School, St. Joseph's School, and Loretto Academy. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank all of the educators and administrators who continue this important legacy. Having reached nearly one million people, the Loretto Community of Sisters continues to educate and foster values of faith, justice, community, and respect in students at Loretto Academy, to teach adult education and GED classes, to work as chaplains at Nazareth Hall Nursing Center, and to run a homeless center for women at the Villa Maria Shelter.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Like my friend and colleague from Washington, I, too, rise in support of this legislation, H.R. 3801, as a former Federal law enforcement officer, retired Border Patrol Agent and Border Patrol Chief who had the opportunity, as a cochair of the Border Caucus, to work very closely with Gabby Giffords. It's a real privilege to be able to support this piece of legislation which, as my colleague from Washington mentioned, has previously passed the House and, it's my understanding, has already passed Senate. So I urge all my colleagues to support it. I, too, would like to pay tribute to Gabby Giffords because not only did I get a chance to work with her on border issues as members of the Border Caucus, but also as members of the Interparliamentary Group, and wanted to make sure that we know that we're not counting out Gabby. I think those of us that know her, those of us that have had the privilege of working with her, understand that she is determined to make a full recovery. We all will miss her, but we certainly agree with the decision that she has made, along with her husband, Mark, and her family, that she needs to take some time to fully recover. So we haven't seen the last of Gabby Giffords, I believe. I think whatever the future holds for her, she has made this a better place because of her work, because of her thirst to seek out the facts. This piece of legislation is just one indicator of the work that she has done on behalf of not just her constituents and not just her State, but work done on behalf of our Nation to keep us safe, especially post- 9/11. So I hope today we have a unanimous vote of support for legislation that, yes, is needed, because I've been on the border with our Border Patrol Agents and ICE agents and have seen some of these ultralights that this legislation addresses, but more than that, because we have to continue the fight against these drug cartels and these drug trafficking organizations. So I urge all the Members to vote ``yes,'' and wish Gabby and her family well and am proud to have worked with her.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I'm proud to be here wearing this yellow ribbon to welcome home our troops from a job well done in Iraq. My thoughts go back to April of 1968 when I came back from Vietnam to a very different America, and I'm grateful that today our troops are coming back to a welcoming and thankful Nation. In that vein, as we sit here today and think about the holiday season, the majority of us will be fortunate enough to spend this time being surrounded by family and friends; but we should never forget that, at the same time during this holiday season, there are many among us who are homeless, who are hungry, who are out of a job and simply do not know where their next meal will come from. This should serve as an important reminder to all of us here as Members of Congress that we must work jointly in a bipartisan manner to address the critical issues of our time. It is simply unacceptable that partisan politics prevent us from working for what's best in this country.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Fiscal Year 2012 National Defense Authorization Act. This bill represents months of hard work by Members on both sides of the aisle. And I especially wanted to thank my friend and chairman, Mr. McKeon, and Ranking Member Smith, as well as my chairman, Roscoe Bartlett, for the inclusive work that was done in this legislation. It is important to note what this bill does not include. During conference negotiations, unnecessary provisions limiting the work of military chaplains were dropped. Now the bill will allow the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell to proceed so that troops who defend our values will have protections that they have fought to defend. Working with the White House, our committee achieved a final compromise on detainees that does not grant broad new authority for the detention of U.S. citizens and does not establish a new authority for indefinite detention of terrorists. The bill strikes a reasonable balance between protecting our Nation from terrorists like those who attacked our Nation on September the 11th and protecting our American values. It demonstrates that we do not need to sacrifice our civil liberties to be safe. Finally, I urge Members to support this legislation because it also includes a pay raise for our troops and provides funds for the care needed to recover from the wounds of war. The bill improves access to mental health care for members of the National Guard and Reserves, and the bill also expands and improves laws dealing with sexual assault and harassment. I ask all Members to vote for this very important piece of legislation.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the millions of people in this country, including the 55 million seniors, disabled workers, widows, and children currently receiving Social Security benefits that have their Social Security unnecessarily targeted as part of the debt reduction talks. Now, more than ever, we cannot jeopardize earned benefits of seniors who have worked so hard over their lifetime to retire with dignity. Every senior deserves dignity in their retirement. Every senior, no exceptions. For almost two-thirds of America's seniors, Social Security is the primary source of retirement income. Social Security is also a lifeline for workers who became disabled and for families who have lost a breadwinner. In the 16th District of Texas that I represent, over 98,000 El Pasoans receive Social Security benefits. They depend on these benefits to buy groceries, pay utility bills, and fill their gas tanks. As their Representative, I want to ensure that we uphold the decades- old promise to the American worker, in return for their years of hard work and contributions, that we ensure dignity in retirement, assistance of the disabled, and support for their surviving children.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. I want to thank my colleague for yielding and some time to speak on this very important issue here. Mr. Speaker, recently, the Department of Labor reported that the national unemployment rate fell to 8.6 percent in November, its lowest point in nearly 3 years. Coincidentally, in El Paso in the 16th District of Texas, the unemployment rate has also declined. This is very good news and very positive news for not just our respective districts but for our country. We have been told by economists that once our economy gets going and operating at full strength, it can literally drive the economies of the rest of the world. These positive signs make it evident that, in fact, our economy is moving forward and that we are on the road to recovery. However, as our economy continues to heal, we cannot afford to become complacent. Instead, we need to immediately pass legislation that will help create jobs and put more people back to work. First, I believe, Mr. Speaker, that we must pass the American Jobs Act. My district, as well as the districts of my colleagues, in talking to them here, would greatly benefit from the President's Jobs Act. For instance, El Paso would receive over $66 million to upgrade and modernize our schools to meet 21st-century needs. In addition, school districts in the El Paso region would receive funding to keep teachers from being laid off. For example, our largest school district, the El Paso Independent School District, would receive an estimated $45 million to keep teachers from being laid off and to perhaps hopefully continue to hire desperately needed teachers in our classrooms. These are smart investments on our part for the future which will also boost our economy in the immediate future. Second, we must extend unemployment benefits. I want to thank my colleague for highlighting this and make sure that we extend unemployment benefits to those that are in desperate need. In fact, these benefits are the only thing that stand between them and homelessness and going without. During this downturn, unemployment benefits have kept over 3 million people in food and clothing and the basic essentials. It has also served as a booster to our struggling economy. We must protect these families who are still struggling and help them by the Jobs Act to find a stable source of income. I have heard, like many other of my colleagues here, many stories from those in my district that have had difficulty in the last months and years in finding a job. So today we cannot and we must not turn our backs on the American people--the American people that need our help and need the passage of the American Jobs Act. They also need for us to step forward, stand with them, and pass the unemployment insurance. Rather than being distracted and being misled by our colleagues on the other side of the aisle, we must focus on our priority, which should be the creation of jobs, the passage of the unemployment insurance, and getting this economy going. So I pledge to my colleague and my colleagues here that we must continue to work together to create jobs not just for El Paso and not just for Texas, but for our country. And when we talk about the United States economy that literally drives all other economies, people around the world are waiting for us to work together to get this done. With that commitment, we can turn things around. We're seeing some very positive signs. We must continue to work for all the people that have sent us here to do that work. With that, I want to thank my colleague for yielding.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. I want to thank my good friend from New Mexico for yielding me time, as well as thanking Chairman Hastings from Washington and Ranking Member Rahall for their help in getting this legislation to the floor. I want to thank the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Lujan) for handling the bill on the Democratic side. I rise today in support of H.R. 1560, the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo blood quantum bill. This bill is crucial to the members of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo tribe, which is located in El Paso, my district, the 16th District of Texas. This will grant them the right to determine their own membership. It seeks to correct unjust legislation approved by Congress in 1987, which imposed a one-eighth blood quantum Federal requirement for tribe membership. This law singles out the Tigua; and if not amended, the tribe will lose their federally recognized status and the right to self-govern their community. The Tigua tribal community was established, as was stated by both the chairman and Mr. Lujan, in 1862 after the Pueblo Revolt against the Spanish colonization of the Americas, nearly a century before the Declaration of Independence, and more than 160 years before the annexation of Texas to the United States. This community represents a central part of our district's rich culture and our heritage. The Ysleta del Sur Pueblo has been an important part of the community's cultural heritage for nearly 330 years. The tribe is an inseparable part of our history, and it should be allowed to preserve its status as a sovereign nation for future generations. So I strongly urge all Members to support this bill.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 364, a resolution to name a meeting room in the Capitol Visitors Center after Gabriel Zimmerman, the only Congressional staff member killed while on duty. Gabe Zimmerman, a staff member for my friend and colleague Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, was one of six people killed in the January 8, 2011, attack in Tuscon, Arizona. The entire Capitol Hill community mourned the senseless deaths and the loss of one of our own. Those of us who serve in Congress know that the work we do to represent our constituents would not be possible without the support of our hard-working and dedicated staffs. Working early mornings and late nights, on weekends and federal holidays, these outstanding men and women bring energy and passion for public service. Gabe Zimmerman died while helping Congresswoman Giffords as she engaged in one of the most important functions of a Member of Congress, communicating with her constituents. It is fitting that the House of Representatives is today considering legislation to dedicate a space to the memory of Gabriel Zimmerman, a room where Members of Congress and our staff come together to represent the interests of the American people. In honor of Gabe Zimmerman and all Congressional staff including my own, I rise today to pay tribute to the men and women who dedicate themselves to public service.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of three outstanding individuals, Jacob Heydemann, Kathleen Staudt, and Sister Phyllis Nolan, who will be honored this weekend with the 2011 Border Heroes Award for their dedication to academic, social and humanitarian service to communities on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. Dr. Jacob Heydemann is an El Paso orthopedic surgeon who generously donates his services to clinics and hospitals in Ciudad Juarez and other parts of Mexico. Dr. Heydemann has been honored for his humanitarian work by the government of Mexico, and he is admired and respected by all of the borderland community. His efforts change lives for those in desperate need, provide critical health care access to the underserved, and inspire us all to give back to others. I also rise to recognize Dr. Kathleen Staudt, a political science professor at the University of Texas at El Paso. She founded the Center for Civic Engagement, which aims to foster collaborative leadership, civility and deepen democracy in the region through action-oriented learning, civic education, and active citizenship. She is also a faculty advisor for a number of student organizations at UTEP and is co-founder of the Women's Fund of El Paso. She has written or co- authored more than a dozen scholarly books and published over 80 journal articles in women's studies, borderlands, and political science. Her dedication to civic engagement and human rights serves as an inspiration to the El Paso community. I would also like to recognize the service of Sister Phyllis Nolan from the Daughters of Charity who will receive the 2011 ``Extraordinary Volunteer'' award. Sister Nolan is a volunteer intake specialist at Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center who visits the immigration detention center to interview detainees. She has touched countless lives by listening to their stories, and assisting immigrants in many ways as they go through the legal process. Sister Nolan's selfless service has given a voice for those who are seeking a better life. Individuals such as these are a true asset to our community and it is my privilege to represent them, and others like them.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Veterans Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act. This legislation is of great importance to my constituents and to veterans across the Nation. When our military forces are sent into harm's way, they know that our Nation is committed to caring for and compensating them and their families for the impacts that result of their service. For their sacrifice, we help to repay that debt with high quality care and fair compensation. Ensuring that compensation rates continue to keep pace with inflation is critical to meeting our obligations to those men and women who have given so much. Today, the House of Representatives will vote on a measure to increase compensation for veterans and their families, so that their income will cover the increased cost of food, housing, and other essentials. From Vietnam veterans still dealing with the effects of Agent Orange to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans impacted by traumatic brain injuries, the lives of our troops can be forever changed by their military service. When a servicemember's health or ability to work is impacted, we must provide them with benefits that are commensurate with the sacrifices they have made in defense of our Nation. Today's bill helps to improve those benefits, and it helps us meet the solemn obligation that we have to our veterans and their families. Next week, we will honor those who have served on Veterans Day. Today, I urge my colleagues to show veterans the respect that they have earned through their sacrifice and service. I urge my colleagues to vote in support of this important measure.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today for a very special occasion to congratulate all of the students who participated in the first annual Red Ribbon Poster Contest. I started the Red Ribbon Poster Contest in an effort to engage El Paso area students in this nationwide initiative. I encouraged students to join this effort by asking them to create and submit a poster incorporating ``Say No to Drugs, Say Yes to Life'' theme. More than 100 students from elementary, middle, and high schools submitted posters, and the winning posters are currently being displayed at El Paso's Main Public Library. Red Ribbon Week originated in 1988 for the purpose of honoring the life of DEA Agent Enrique ``Kiki'' Camarena, who was brutally tortured and killed by drug traffickers in Mexico 26 years ago. It is the largest advocacy effort in the nation for the prevention of drug use. By wearing a red ribbon during the week of October 23rd through the 31st, students, counselors, parents, teachers, and community leaders come together across the country to demonstrate their opposition to drugs and to promote a drug-free environment. Approximately 80 million people participate in Red Ribbon Week events each year. Red Ribbon Week is dedicated to help preserve Camarena's memory and further the cause for which he gave his life: the fight against drug violence and drug addiction. I was fortunate to personally know ``Kiki'' Camarena while I was serving in the Border Patrol. It is fitting that our nation remembers him by observing Red Ribbon Week each year. The El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC), located on Fort Bliss and operated by DEA, was dedicated to the memory of Agent Camarena. This year's Red Ribbon Week Poster Contest winners are: Jonathan Lopez of O'Donnell Elementary School, Yesenia Webb of St. Piux School, Yari Castro of Immanuel Christian School, Ashley Mercado of Edgemere Elementary School, Andrea Castaneda of Faith Christian Academy, Jose Galarza of Ysleta Middle School, Nicole Luna of Hanks High School, Christian Rodriguez of Hanks High School, Christian Caballero of Parkland High School. I would also like to include in the Record a list of all the students who participated in the Red Ribbon Poster Contest. Aaron Ordaz, Abatrice Moncayo, Abby Castillo, Adriana Escajeda, Aileen Velasquez, Aldo Yanez, Alec Warling, Alex Britton, Alexah Delgado, Alexander Hutsell, Aliyah Guerrero, Amber Ochoa, Amelia Gonzalez, Analiese Ramirez, Andrea Castaneda, Angel Rodriguez, Angeline Ashley Martinez, Annabelle Cordero, Annette Orquiz. Antonio Lopez Jr., Aparna Mangadu, Ariana Gonzalez, Ashley Clinton, Ashley De La Rosa, Ashley Hernandez, Ashley Mercado, Astryd Estrada, Athena Najar, Azul Saray Martinez, Bella Ozomaro, Brandon Tellez, Brendan Galindro, Briana Carranza, Brianna D. Sanchez, Brittney Baca, Bryan Arenivas, Casandra Atilano, Cesar O. Davila, Cheyenne Jones. Christian Caballero, Christian Rodriguez, Christopher Torres, D.J. Betancis, Daniela Tribaldos, Danielle Darbonnier, Dante Amato, Danya Navarrette, Darcy Hdz, Dariana Rubio, Dario Martinez, David Romero, David Samario, Destiny Avila, Devon Segovia, Diego Cardenas, Diego Samaniego, Eileen Matamoros-Horstman, Elizabeth Hernandez, Emilio I. Aguilar. Emily Feria, Fancie Loubet, Ghicel Nunez, Giseel Pulido, Hailey Swisher, Ines Figueroa, Isaac Ramirez, Isai Guerrer, Isaiah Gonzales, Isaiah Hernandez, Isaiah Orozco, Ivan Arenivas, Ivan Palomars, Jacob Gutierrez, Jacob Parker, Jacqueline Martinez, Jacqueline Olivas, Jacquelyn Garcia, Jade Zamora, Janeth Escajeda. Janice Mendoza, Jasmin Espinoza, Jasmine Tomlinson, Jayda Zamora, Jessica Gallegos, Jesus Sanchez, Jette Sagely, Joel Rangel, Jonathan Lopez, Jonathan Ortega, Jose Alberto Martinez, Jose Galarza, Joseline Avila, Joselyn Moreno, Joseph Gomez, Julian Robledo, Julianna Pluma, Julie Escalera, Julio Retana Rodriguez, Kara Reid. Katelyn Riffle, Katrina Jimenez, Kyler Z. Jones, Lazaro Flores, Lennon Romo, Liliana Barrientos, Lynelle N. Villa, Madison Routledge, Maria Cortez, Mark Usevitch, Marlene Gonzalez, Megan Custer, Melissa Carrera, Mia Olivas, Michelle Soto, Miguel Sotelo, Miguel Velazco, Milka Serrano, Monika Ortiz, Monique Ramos. Naomi Nava, Natalia Bustillos, Nathan Gandara, Nathaniel Lucero, Nicholas Salcedo, Nicole Luna, Noel Tamayo, Oscar Valladolid, Paolo Velazquez, Paulina Acosta Amaya, Phuumin Houser, Ravin Carico, Regina Perez, Robert Granados, Rosemary Vozza, Rudy Meraz, Ryan Rose, Sabreeyah Moody, Samantha A. Sanchez, Samantha Torres. Samuel Pardo Jr., Sarah Lovett, Selena Ogawa, Sergio Cox, Severa Swiger, Shayla Rey, Simone Gordon, Sophia McCray, Stephanie Siqueiros, Steven Felix, Toni Cobos, Trinity Cordero, Victoria Mendez, Yamilet Acevedo, Yari Castro, Yesenia Webb, Zianya Larios. Once again, I would like to congratulate this year's winners and thank all students and schools that participated in the Red Ribbon Poster Contest.