Silvestre Reyes

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, as you know, infectious diseases are needlessly killing millions of people every year and cost the global community billions in healthcare costs and lost revenue. Diseases such as Tuberculosis (TB) are on the rise around the world, and due to their infectious properties, are threatening the health and welfare of Americans. TB cannot be stopped at our national borders and the only way to eliminate TB here at home is to control it abroad. In fact, according to the National Intelligence Council, new and reemerging infectious diseases will pose a rising global health threat and will complicate U.S. and global security over the next twenty years. We must take action to address these dangers now. I feel strongly that Congress should make a significant investment in low-cost, high-impact programs like TB control. Mr. Speaker for just $20 to $100 invested in a quality TB program, a life can be saved. This is one of the most cost-effective health interventions available today. In FY2001, Congress provided $60 million for international TB control, a solid step towards addressing this killer. More must be done this year. Fifteen million people in the U.S. are infected with the TB bacteria, and nearly two million people perish world-wide each year. In addition, eight million people are afflicted with this disease annually and every second of every day, someone in the world is infected with the disease. TB is the biggest killer of people with AIDS, and TB rates have skyrocketed in sub-Saharan Africa due to the AIDS/TB co-epidemics. Direct Observed Therapy treatment or ``Dots'' is one of the most cost- effective ways to prolong and improve the lives of people with HIV. As we increase resources for HIV and AIDS, it makes sense to increase funding for TB control as well. If we do not act promptly, new deadly drug-resistant strains of TB and rising HIV rates will make TB very difficult or impossible to control. I have asked that we provide $200 million in the FY2002 foreign aid budget for the international TB control program. Mr. Speaker, as a member of Congress from a international borer city, I know the importance of combining TB at our borders. Now is the time to combat tuberculosis and eradicate this horrible disease before it begins more impacting our population.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 116, a resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a Peace Officers Memorial Day should be established to honor law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. This resolution also calls upon the citizens of the United States to commemorate and pay homage to these officers with appropriate ceremonies of appreciation and remembrance as well as respect for the sacrifices they have made while protecting and serving our communities and our country. As someone who spent twenty six and a half years as a law enforcement officer, I realize how important it is to recognize the men and women who stand in the line of fire everyday and protect our cities and our neighborhoods. The establishment of a Peace Officers Memorial Day will ensure that everyone in this country recognizes the service given to us by our law enforcement community. Most of us can imagine such a day to include the flying of flags of tribute; the attendance of memorial services for fallen officers; the embraces given by family members, some to comfort and some to express gratitude; many will offer their thanks in knowing that our streets are safer since they are being watched by men and women brave enough to carry the badge of a law enforcement officer. The time has come to declare such a day of commemoration. Twenty-two police officers from my district of El Paso, Texas who were killed in the line of duty will be remembered at the El Paso Police Memorial Service to be held on Wednesday, May 16, 2001. The dates of their service range from the late 19th century to the present. Proud public servants such as Assistant City Marshal Thomas Mode who was killed on July 11, 1883 while answering a report of disturbing the peace; Officer Newton Stewart who died on February 17, 1900 during a jailbreak; Officer William Paschall who was killed by suspected burglars on the night of December 4, 1914; Detective Guillermo Sanchez, a two-year veteran of the El Paso Police Department and father-to-be who was killed by burglars on December 14, 1957; and Officers Arthur Lavender and Roger Hamilton who both died in traffic accidents respectively in 1966 and 1970. These officers will forever be remembered within the El Paso law enforcement community. These men served their community proudly, and I ask that they receive the recognition and respect they deserve by granting them a national day of remembrance. Finally, I am reminded of one of the most honored monuments that rests in our Nation's capital. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, which has inscribed on its marble walls the names of more than 14,000 officers who have been killed in the line of duty, dating back to the first known death in 1794, contains an inscription that captures the spirit of all who are blessed upon seeing this Memorial. It reads: ``In Valor, There is Hope.'' May that hope live on forever, and continue along with the memory of every officer etched on that wall.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, as Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, I am committed to building on the success of growing Latino voter turnout by working with my colleagues to achieve meaningful election reform before the 2002 elections. The 2000 presidential election has brought long overdue attention to the need to overhaul our country's election procedures and provide resources that will ensure we have accurate elections. Central to these efforts must be the protection of each citizen's ability to freely exercise his or her right to vote. Throughout our nation's history, expansion of the right to vote has been a struggle, and it is a struggle that continues to this day. The glare of media coverage, caused by the closest presidential election of our time, exposed voting irregularities that have long been ignored all across the country, not just in Florida. Numerous legislative proposals have been introduced in this Congress to address election reform, and I believe it is encouraging to see that so many members are making this a priority. While there are about a dozen different bills, they also share many similarities. It is clear that based on the proposals we have seen so far, we need to move toward establishing a new elections body that will be charged with distributing grants to local election authorities for modernizing voting procedures and providing incentives to voting machine manufacturers to improve their equipment and invest in research and development. In order to gain useful knowledge necessary for the effective modernization of our voting system, a study will need to be conducted of voting irregularities in the 2000 election and of flaws in our voting system in general. As we chart our way through these various reforms, which coincide with another upcoming round of redistricting, the significance of minority representation is going to be greater than ever. Where necessary, we must be prepared to reaffirm support for, and strengthen, the provisions of the Voting Rights Act and National Voter Registration Act that protect minority representation and bilingual elections services. The problems facing the integrity of our elections fall into two broad categories: (1) logistical challenges, and (2) barriers to voter turnout. There are three main logistical problems prevalent in the process of running elections. First, local election boards are typically underfunded. As a result, counties are unable to replace antiquated voting machines. The punchcard ballots made infamous by the Florida recount are used by about one third of voters. Replacing them all with a more reliable system will be a costly, though certainly worthwhile investment. Second, there is a shortage of adequately trained staff to respond in a timely and professional manner to voters' questions about absentee voting, their registration status, polling place locations and other concerns. On election day itself, many polling places open late, are not open long enough or lack polling place workers who are adequately trained, further causing delays, confusion and the disenfranchisement of voters. In particular, there is a lack of bilingual staff who are able to help voters who face a language barrier at the polls. Third, polling place access is an extremely important logistical issue, and is not always directly related to funding. Every polling place should be easily accessible and in safe, familiar locations that are easy for residents to find. The most troubling obstacle to fair elections is voter suppression, which is aimed almost exclusively at minorities. Unfortunately, such tactics are prevalent across the country and not only targeted against African-American voters. The practice of placing so-called security guards, or volunteers in clothing that resemble uniforms, at polling places has been used to intimidate Latino voters in past elections. The use of misleading radio broadcasts or other means to confuse minority voters about their polling place location is another tactic employed to keep down minority turnout. First-time voters, such as newly naturalized citizens, many of whom are Latino, are particularly susceptible to confusion about the voting process, especially because relatively less, if any, election information is provided in Spanish. In response, state and county governments must be spurred to pro- actively prevent voter suppression in heavily minority precincts. To ensure smoother elections, there needs to be greater investment and attention in such precincts to ensure appropriate staffing levels and training, equipment, polling place site selection, and education campaigns. We will need to consider ways of enhancing the enforcement of existing laws that punish voter intimidation and implement new or stronger penalties where necessary. We should also consider expanding the scope of such efforts to include more passive forms of voter suppression, such as the withholding of assistance and information to voters might prevent them from voting. For example, there have been many accounts of polling place workers refusing to allow voters the right to a provisional ballot, a right that was expanded under the 1993 National Voter Registration Act. A final obstacle to voter turnout relates to the maintenance of voter registration rolls, which must be considerably improved. Latino voters have experienced problems with getting on the rolls in the first place and then later being purged from them. The problem with getting on the rolls is related to problems with voter registration. Voter registration forms have been rejected for arbitrary reasons, such as being filled out with the wrong color ink, and during the most recent election, there were reports from Florida of Latinos who had registered but whose names did not appear on the rolls and were therefore barred from voting. The other side of the voter roll problem is when legitimate names are purged. In a number of states, voters are purged from the voter rolls if they do not vote in every presidential election or a set number of elections within a certain amount of time. Requiring voters to re- register if they happen to miss an election, or else risk being ineligible to vote in a subsequent election, is just another barrier to voting. I will be working with my colleagues in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to press for increased funding of election boards; promote voter participation through national legislative and educational efforts; and monitor existing voter protections, especially the 1975 and 1992 amendments to the Voting Rights Act which protect language minority groups and require bilingual services. Voting is a hard-won right that should not be a struggle for minorities in every election. In addition to empowering minority citizens about their rights as voters, we can also make considerable progress toward improving the way we run and monitor elections, making them as easy and convenient for minority voters as they already are in so many affluent and pre-dominantly white precincts. In the Latino community, we often say su voto es su voz--your vote is your voice. We must ensure that we take the necessary steps to ensure that the voices of all voters are heard.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1727, the Fallen Hero Survivor Benefit Fairness Act. This bill would allow a necessary extension of tax free benefits to the survivors of law enforcement and public safety officers killed in the line of duty before December 31, 1996. This bill provides all families of deceased public safety officers the opportunity to receive an exclusion from the income accumulated from any survivor annuity granted on account of the death of a public safety officer killed in the line of duty. This legislation will help the families who have endured the loss of their safety officer family member. Currently, 1.2 million men and women serve as firefighters or emergency medical technicians. Every year, our country can expect to lose over 100 men and women who bravely provide our communities with these essential public safety services. In 1999, the strong line held by our police and law enforcement agencies thinned by 134 officers killed in the line of duty. Many of these individuals left behind mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters, wives, husbands, sons and daughters to carry out legacies and lives without their beloved peace officers and safety officials. The families of our deceased public safety officers deserve to continue their lives as free from unnecessary obligation as possible. Law enforcement officers, their family and friends living in my district of El Paso, Texas will soon hold the El Paso Police Memorial Service in remembrance of police officers killed in the line of duty. This service will be held tomorrow, and will honor officers who have served El Paso and El Paso County from the late 19th century to the present. Officers of all description will be honored, such as Detective Charles Heinrich who died from a gunshot would to the head in 1985, two years after being shot by a perpetrator; Detective Norman Montion who was killed during a massive gunfight in October of 1989; and Officer Ernesto Serna, a Persian Gulf war veteran working off duty security who was fatally shot in November of 1991. They all served proudly and honorably in the face of danger. With the passage of this bill, their families may enjoy compensation without burdensome taxation. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1727 allows our country to lend assistance to families who have faced loss for the sake of public safety. We should approve this legislation as a tribute to the service of public safety officers, the lives that they save and protect, and the families who survive them.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 39.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 91, a resolution recognizing the importance of increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders, and supporting programs for greater research and improved treatment of autism and improved training and support for individuals with autism and those who care for them. I commend my colleague from New Jersey, Mr. Smith, for introducing this resolution. We owe a debt of gratitude to national organizations such as the Autism Society of America, Cure Autism Now, Unlocking Autism, and others that have done a tremendous job with limited resources in their efforts to help parents and relatives of individuals with autism disorders. These groups have long been involved in research as well as in the development of improved treatments for autism. Their local affiliates, like the Southwest Chapter of the Autism Society in El Paso, are a beacon of hope for many families that have few places to turn to for help. I personally want to thank the Southwest Chapter in my district for providing help and networking for local families that are often overwhelmed by dealing with autism disorders. It is time for Congress to step up to the plate and provide more tools for these families, and to provide the necessary resources for education and increased research. H. Con. Res. 91 is about helping families. For those of you who have a member of the family with autism, and for those of you assisting these families, this resolution is a signal that we in Congress understand the need to tackle autism disorders head on and work together to find better ways to treat autism, to expand federal research, to improve access to a community- based education and support services, and ultimately, to find a cure. Mr. Speaker, I once again want to thank Congressman Smith for introducing this resolution, and I urge all of my colleagues to vote in support of this important effort.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran), my friend and colleague, for yielding me this time this afternoon. As we stand here this afternoon and pay tribute to a great American, I want us to reflect on what a great and good friend Norm Sisisky was to all of us. I cannot help but think that when we talk about America's greatest generation, we talk about people like Norm Sisisky. We talk about people that were not afraid to stand up for this country, were not afraid to stand up for the things that were important to all of us as Americans. I also think about Norm's wit and his humor, which could either cut one down or brighten one's day, depending on what his mood was and what was being discussed. I can remember one of the first things that I talked to Norm about, or he talked to me about, was early on in my first term when the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter), another good friend and colleague who is present today, came in and got me to commit to the B-2 bomber. Little did I know that it was a choice between the B-2 bomber and another aircraft carrier. Well, it was not too hard to determine what side Norm Sisisky was on, and he came to me and asked for support. I said, well, I am sorry, but I already committed to the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter). So he reminded me that there are things that we have to look at in balance, there are things that we have to do as Members of Congress that are important, and there are things and consequences if we do not support the United States Navy or certainly, if we support the Air Force at the expense of the United States Navy. That is the kind of colleague and friend that he was. He did not hold anything against you. He always was gentle in the way that only he could be in bringing you along as a new Member of Congress. I always enjoyed and felt reassured when I went into the hearing room and looked up on the top row and there was Norm Sisisky. There was an individual that one could go to for advice, one could go to for counsel, and the great institutional memory that he had about the things that are important as we sit as members of the Committee on Armed Services. We never know when our time is going to be up; and certainly for us, it is a great loss. It is a situation that we hope we never have to face, but we must face as Members of this body. I am haunted by a question that I was asked here on the floor by one of the young people in the Close Up Foundation who asked, do you ever have Members of Congress die in office? All too often we do. I am just in my third term, and we have stood in this House too many times paying tribute to our colleagues, too many times giving our condolences to their families; but that is what life is about. That is what Norm Sisisky was about. He was about doing the right thing. He was about being a good friend and certainly being a great American. We as a country, I think, can be proud to have the Norm Sisiskys. Certainly his wife and his four sons and his grandkids that I know he loved dearly, because he always talked about them, and we as a country have suffered a great loss, but the legacy of Norm Sisisky is a legacy of those that sit on that top row in the Committee on Armed Services that offer the advice and the counsel and the reassurance that things are going to be okay. I know we are going to be fine, but we are still going to have to come to terms with the realization that this is a great loss of a great American for our country. So I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. I thank Norm Sisisky for his counsel, his friendship and, most of all, sharing his humor with us.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize a proud and distinguished individual from my district of El Paso, Texas who passed away earlier this month. Mr. Francisco Camargo Torres was a longtime resident of El Paso and was a devoted member of the Catholic Church. When the time came for our young men and women to answer the call of duty during World War II, Mr. Torres proudly offered service to his country as a member of the U.S. Army Air Corps. Mr. Torres returned home a hero with several decorations including the American Defense Ribbon, the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, the European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal and four Overseas Bars. Mr. Torres leaves a proud and honorable legacy for his family, friends, and for his nation to admire. The service he offered to his country is one that we, as a nation, recognize as the greatest sacrifice for the survival of freedom and liberty. Mr. Torres fought against the enemies of the United States and did so with distinction. Upon his return home, Mr. Torres worked for and retired from the Southern Pacific Railroad. He returned to his community and worked to ensure its growth and prosperity. Mr. Torres is survived by his wife Roselia V. Torres, his sons Jose Francisco, Victor, Rosendo, Armando, and Jaime, daughter Lilia Maria Carter, 16 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, individuals such as Mr. Torres chose to fight for the freedom of their country and returned to help build its future. The Torres family can rest assured that posterity is well served by Mr. Torres' accomplished life. Mr. Torres was laid to rest in Fort Bliss National Cemetery and his legacy and blessings to the city of El Paso and the family survived by him will never be forgotten. I honor this veteran and citizen of my district and offer my most sincere condolences to his family.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, as an original cosponsor and strong supporter of H.R. 811, the Veterans Hospital Emergency Repair Act, I am pleased that this bill is being considered today. Like any large organization, the Department of Veterans Affairs has many facilities which, as they age, require periodic repairs to assure that patients are cared for in an appropriate, safe, accessible setting. Our Nation's veterans need to be assured that their care will not be jeopardized because funds are not available to make necessary and appropriate emergency repairs. This bill will provide that assurance. I thank Chairman Smith and our Ranking Democratic Member Mr. Evans, as well as the Chairman and Ranking Democratic Member of the Subcommittee on Health, Mr. Moran and Mr. Filner for this timely bill. I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans), for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, as an original cosponsor and strong supporter of H.R. 801, the Veterans Opportunities Act of 2001, I am pleased that we are considering this bill today. H.R. 801 contains a number of important provisions advanced by Members from both sides of the aisle, as the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Hayworth) stated a few minutes ago. I want to acknowledge, first and foremost, the cooperation of the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) and the ranking member, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans), as well as the subcommittee chairman, the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Hayworth), in bringing this bill to the floor in its present form. The bill will improve educational benefits, transitional assistance for separating servicemembers, and outreach to veterans and their families. I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Doyle) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell), my colleagues, for their tireless advocacy for improved outreach to veterans and their families. The bill also provides benefits for the increased cost of funerals, automobile and housing adaptations for severely disabled veterans, and it will stop eroding these benefits as the costs they are intended to cover increase year by year. The burial-related benefits increases proposed by this bill were last changed, Mr. Speaker, in 1973. Because when benefit levels are not indexed to reflect the increased cost of the items that they are intended to pay for, veterans receive less value as each year goes by. The longer the time, the greatest the loss. By indexing these benefits to changes in the cost of living, their purchasing power will be retained. I particularly want to discuss the insurance provisions of this bill. I am very pleased that the bill incorporates my request to make the beginning of fiscal year 2001 the effective date for the increase in the maximum amount of Servicemembers Group Life Insurance from $200,000 to $250,000 for those who lose their lives during the performance of military duties. As a Vietnam veteran, I know the dangers of combat. Recent events have shown that even military training exercises and more routine duty can result in the loss of life to our servicemembers. As I stated during the subcommittee hearing, I was particularly concerned that those who lost their lives in the terrorist attack on the USS Cole as well as those such as Specialist Rafael Olvera Rodriguez, an El Paso native who died in the Blackhawk helicopter crash over Hawaii, ensure that they all qualify for increased maximum benefits. Since the Cole attack, others performing official duties have died in North Carolina, Georgia, and Kuwait. Two National Coast Guardsmen died after an accident while on patrol just this past weekend, and just yesterday two pilots died when their Army plane crashed in Germany and two Air Force planes disappeared over Scotland with apparent loss of life. The effective date of October 1, 2000 is intended to provide the maximum benefit of $250,000 for SGLI insured members, such as those who have lost their lives in performance of duty and who were insured for the maximum benefit at the time of their deaths. I know that the families of these military-insured members will appreciate this benefit. I also support the provision allowing family members to be covered under the SGLI program. This is a needed improvement. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I support the provision of excluding family farms and ranches from net worth determination for pension purposes. Mr. Speaker, I was born on a family farm and I know the value of family farms. There are a number of small family farms today in my district. We should not ask veterans to give up their family farms in order to receive veterans' benefits that they have earned. I today want to urge all Members to support this bill. It is a generous bill that pays back the debt that this country owes its men and women in uniform.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a great American. Mr. Franklin G. Smith passed away Wednesday, March 14, 2001 in El Paso, Texas. He has been a resident of El Paso since 1971. Mr. Smith was born in Pueblo, Colorado. He attended Pueblo Junior College, obtained his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Arizona, and performed graduate work at the University of Arizona. He served with honor in the United States Army from 1944-1946. I would like to express my heartfelt sorrow to his lovely wife, Mary Pauline Smith of El Paso, and his daughter Alison Diane Olson and grand daughter Amber Marie Olson. Mr. Smith was a 42-year veteran of the National Park Service and was the first superintendent of the Chamizal National Memorial in my district. He had a distinguished career which began in 1948 as a Seasonal Park Archeologist at Mesa Verde. From there he worked as a Seasonal Park Naturalist for four summers at the Grand Canyon; Tumacacori National Monument, Arizona; and Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico. He then served as an Assistant to the Chief of Archeology here in Washington and as a Regional Museum Curator in the Southwest Regional Office in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Mr. Smith also served as the Superintendent of Fort Davis National Historic Site in Ft. Davis, Texas and, finally, as the Superintendent of Chamizal National Memorial until 1990. He was awarded the Department of Interior Distinguished Service Award for 40 years of service. Mr. Smith was a great lover of history, music, and museums and was responsible for the development of the nationally recognized Border Folk Festival and the Siglo del Oro Spanish Drama Festival that takes place at the Chamizal National Memorial every year. Mr. Smith was a Fellow of the Company of Military Historians, corresponding member of the Hispanic Society of America, member of the American Association of Museums and a member of the El Paso County Historical Society (where he received a distinguished service award). He was a respected military historian and loved nothing better than to perform military music for others. Mr. Smith possessed a true love of nature, culture and history and devoted the majority of his life to the preservation, protection and interpretation of our national heritage. He was a symbol of the mission of the National Park Service and influenced, guided, educated and inspired countless numbers of students to become National Park Service rangers. His true love was his beautiful wife, Mary Pauline whom he met while working at the Grand Canyon in Arizona. I want to again express my sincere sympathy for her loss. We will truly miss the first Superintendent of the Chamizal National Memorial, Mr. Franklin G. Smith.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the recent decisions by President Bush to renege on a campaign promise to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by power plants. The President in the last week and a half has also rescinded a strict new standard for arsenic levels in drinking water, suspended new cleanup requirements for mining companies, and threatening to challenge a logging ban on nearly 60 million acres of national forest land. Americans want to have the environment dealt with in a responsible way, and this way does not include cutting the acceptable level of arsenic in our drinking water from 10 parts per billion to 50 parts per billion. A responsible way to deal with the environment does not include allowing electric utilities to decide not to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide. I am concerned that unilateral decisions are being made without thought about the long-term consequences that these decisions will have on our environment and the health of our people. The United States-Mexico border suffers disproportionately from pollution. For example, my district of El Paso, Texas is an air- quality, non-attainment area and experiences huge problems with emissions from power plants and other airborne pollutants. If there is one thing that we cannot afford to do at this juncture in our history, it is to begin relaxing environmental standards in our country without taking into consideration the long-term effects of these actions. I urge the administration and my colleagues in Congress to act in a more responsible manner when it comes to environmental policy and the development of legislation that may have dire long-term consequences.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) for yielding me this time this afternoon. Madam Speaker, I rise today to encourage my colleagues to support a very important resolution. This resolution recognizes the importance of combatting tuberculosis commonly referred to as TB, on a worldwide basis and acknowledges the severe impact that TB has on minority populations in the United States. As I speak this afternoon, I want my colleagues to focus on these four statistics: someone in the world is infected with TB every second of every day; someone in the world dies of TB every 15 seconds; TB kills 2 million people every year; and TB rates are substantially higher for minorities in the United States. I introduced this resolution with the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Rodriguez), my friend and colleague, because the problem of tuberculosis, which many people think of as a disease of the past that has largely been eradicated, is again posing a serious threat to the health and security of our Nation. We must exert maximum effort to combat this disease on a global scale. Madam Speaker, tuberculosis is a horrible disease that is preventable and treatable; yet one-third of the world's population is infected with the TB bacteria, including between 10 million and 15 million people in the United States. Every second of every day, a person somewhere in the world is infected with TB. Every second of every day, additionally, someone in the world dies of TB. This treatable disease will kill more people this year than any other time in our history. Furthermore, TB rates are substantially higher for minorities in the United States, with African Americans suffering from this disease at a rate that is eight times greater than that of Caucasians; Latinos at a rate that is six times greater than Caucasians; Native Americans at a rate of five times greater; and Asians at a rate of nearly 15 times greater. Everything possible needs to be done to stop this disease in its tracks. I am greatly concerned with the TB infection rates along the U.S.-Mexico border as well. Texas and California have TB rates above the national average. Madam Speaker, TB is emerging in the United States as an unavoidable by-product of increased international travel, commerce, and migration. It is necessary to control TB in developing countries if we are going to control it here within our own borders in the United States. We need to eradicate TB just as we have eradicated smallpox. Madam Speaker, we need to substantially increase the investment in international tuberculosis control within the foreign aid budget for fiscal year 2002. We need to recognize the importance of supporting and expanding domestic efforts to eliminate TB in the United States, and we all need to work together to put an end to the worldwide TB epidemic. I ask my colleagues to support H. Res. 67. The World Health Organization has designated this coming Saturday as World TB Day, and I cannot think of a more appropriate way to bring attention to this terrible disease this year than the passage of this resolution. Finally, I would like to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), my good friend, and the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Ballenger), also my good friend, and their staffs for their work on the Committee on International Relations and for their help in managing this bill. I would also like to thank all of my colleagues who cosponsored this important legislation and who I am sure will keep up the fight to eradicate tuberculosis on a worldwide basis.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel) for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, it has been said that those that refuse to learn from history are doomed to repeat their mistakes. I want to say that I support a fair, reasonable and affordable tax cut; but I cannot support this proposal because we have had no hearings; there is no budget; and there have been no opportunities for us to express our shortcomings with this proposal. I want to also illustrate that if we are using the Texas model, and this is where history comes in, and President Bush has said over and over again he is using the Texas model, I want to point out that a Democrat and a Republican State Senator have said the following: Senator Chris Harris, Republican, said, we made tax cuts because we thought we had this huge surplus. I might have voted a little differently on all of these tax cuts had I realized that we were only funding 23 months of these programs. A Democratic Senator said, we should have taken a harder look at the tax cuts. We did not look down the road and so now we find ourselves, as a result of these budget priorities, in a difficult hole. This is what has happened to Texas because of two enormous tax cuts that then-Governor Bush proposed. When he was asked about this on the campaign trail, then-Governor Bush said, I hope I am not here to deal with it. Well, guess what? Texas is dealing with this hole today, a deficit that is as red as my tie. It is important that we not repeat the mistakes of the past. I think it is more important that we realize that we must have a sensible, affordable tax cut proposal and not my way or the highway proposal. I hope we do not repeat history again.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Madam Speaker, it is with sadness that we remember the 21 National Guard members recently killed in the Saturday, March 3, plane crash. Eighteen members of the Virginia Air National Guard's 203d Red Horse Unit and 3 members of the Florida Air National Guard perished when the C-23 Sherpa plane in which they were traveling crashed in Unadilla, Georgia while en route from Hurlbert Field, Fort Walton Beach, Florida to Oceana Naval Air Station, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Bad weather may have contributed to the crash, which left the plane in a plowed field, slippery with thick mud. The 203d is a rapid response construction unit capable of constructing runways and other critical facilities and has spent time in Kuwait and other remote locations in the Middle East in recent years. Having just completed 2 weeks of annual training, working in ditches and laying water, sewer and electrical lines in Florida, these Guard members were returning home to their families and civilian jobs. We cannot forget the tremendous contribution that the National Guard makes to this country. These citizen soldiers contribute to society in many ways. Both in civilian professions such as firefighter, small business owner or attorney and in the National Guard, contributing weekends and forfeiting vacations to participate in annual training, National Guard members are prepared and willing to serve this country when and where needed. Let us not forget these admirable young men who served their country honorably. They will be remembered for their sacrifice.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) for yielding me the time and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon). Mr. Speaker, it is with a great sense of loss that I rise to remember the 28 U.S. soldiers who sacrificed their lives on the evening of February 25, 1991 when a Scud missile hit and destroyed the converted warehouse where they were housed. These men and women, most from the 14th Quartermaster Detachment, an Army Reserve unit from Greensburg, Pennsylvania, had answered the call and were serving their Nation when and where they were needed. Although our air defenders tried valiantly to use the Patriot system to protect our soldiers and our allies during the Gulf War, that system was simply not designed for missile defense. Since then, however, we have made great strides in the Patriot program and are nearly ready to deploy the advanced Patriot system called PAC-3. The PAC-3 system is proven to engage and destroy ballistic missiles like Scuds. If this missile system had been in our inventory 10 years ago, it could have prevented this Scud missile tragedy. Mr. Speaker, while we still have a long way to go to ensure the safety, both here and abroad, from short-range ballistic missiles like Scuds and from the expanding threat of longer-range ballistic missiles like the No Dong missile. I believe we must continue to field the PAC-3 system throughout the Patriot force as quickly as possible. We must continue our support for programs like THAAD, MEADS, and our Navy theater missile defense program. While in war-time, no system guarantees security. This, I find, would be one of the best tributes to these 28 U.S. soldiers that we would never run that risk again, simply by paying tribute to them through prudent and careful exercising of deployment of the PAC-3 system.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, this week is National Catholic School Week and I want to spend a few moments commending the Catholic schools in my home district of El Paso, Texas and in other parts of our country for a job well done. There are many Catholic Schools in my district including Cathedral High School and Loretto Academy; Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Blessed Sacrament, Father Yermo, Holy Trinity, Our Lady of the Assumption, Our Lady of the Valley, St. Joseph's, St. Patrick's, Saint Pius the X, St. Raphael's, and St. Michael's. I know each and every one of these schools contributes greatly to the fabric of the educational system in El Paso, and I am proud of the efforts of all of the priests, nuns, teachers and other support staff in these schools. They work tirelessly to improve the lives of our children. Our Catholic schools continue to show exemplarily results in education. They share, with other Catholic schools across the nation, a long-standing tradition of excellence. The catholic schools in El Paso continue to show steadfast commitment to teaching and spiritually guiding young men and women as they prepare for higher education and for life's many challenges. Catholic schools continue to exhibit strong leadership, a clear vision and sense of mission that is shared by the schools, students, parents, and alumni. In El Paso, our Catholic schools have exhibited high quality teaching and have provided a safe environment for learning. Spirituality, as a guiding principal, should be emulated across our country. The values that are instilled at our Catholic schools are fundamental values that are central and important to the functioning of society as a whole. Daily school prayer, religion classes, and school Mass emphasize God's central role in our lives. As a Catholic myself, God and reverence are personally and centrally important to me and I appreciate the commitment that our Catholic schools make in insuring that our students will have faith and prayer in their lives. I cannot overstate how important faith in God is to overall success and happiness in life. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I wish to acknowledge Archbishop Armando X. Ochoa of the Archdiocese of El Paso for his strong leadership and dedication. He continues to support the mission of our Catholic schools in educating our youth. I urge all my colleagues to join with me and commend all of the people across the country who make the catholic schools so successful.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an individual who has served his country during a time of war and within the Department of Veterans Affairs during a time of peace. After entering the military at the age of 17, Mr. Paul G. Farmer of Spray, North Carolina served the majority of his military career in Europe before serving in Viet Nam in 1967 and 1968. He retired after 21 years of service to be with his wife shortly after she was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Yet, Mr. Farmer did not let his retirement from the military end his service to his country. Paul Farmer began a long and successful career with the Department of Veterans' Affairs on December 5, 1989, but it was not until 1995 that Paul arrived in my district of El Paso, Texas with a new and inventive assignment. Paul was to implement a joint initiative between the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans' Affairs that was designed to evaluate medical disabilities for active duty personnel prior to their discharge or retirement from service, a program that became very successful. Anyone who had the pleasure to work with Paul knew that he maintained an open door policy in his office to all area veterans. Paul initiated several community outreach programs and worked to achieve compensation and medical benefits for numerous veterans in the El Paso and Southern New Mexico area. Mr. Speaker, Paul Farmer has dedicated his career to the safety and security of his country and has further dedicated his professional life to ensure that United States Armed Service veterans are given the utmost respect and service a grateful nation should, by honor, bestow upon them. I ask that we recognize this individual, thank him for his years of dedicated service, and wish him Godspeed in his retirement.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Concurrent Resolution 14, which would permit the use of the Capitol Rotunda for ceremonies commemorating the Days of Remembrance of the victims of the Holocaust. Holocaust Remembrance Days are specially designated periods of time during which victims of the Holocaust are cherished and remembered. Further, these days serve as reminders to all citizens that the evils of bigotry, hate, and indifference are very real, and continue to pose serious threats. Yet, it is in the remembrance of the Holocaust and the commemoration of those who perished that we overcome these evils and symbolize a voice that speaks for the very essence of humanity. I can think of no better place than the Rotunda of the United States Capitol to capture the appropriate elements of reverence and dignity necessary for the remembrance of the victims of this tragedy. And it is with such remembrance that we allow individuals to be educated about the Holocaust so that future generations will know the horrors of violent indifference. The United States Capitol has stood as a symbol for freedom and liberty, a symbol that brilliantly reflects the positive aspects of this country. The Capitol may once again serve as such a symbol, and at this time may reflect the inspiration that has allowed the survivors of the Holocaust and the friends and family of survivors to truly survive, and will also join the battle against the greatest enemy to the remembrance of the victims of the Holocaust, silence. Mr. Speaker, indifference is not neutral and is not unspoken. Indifference has a voice in the present and in the past. And as we move sixty years beyond the Holocaust, our obligation in honoring those who perished will live on and be fulfilled by telling their grim but inspirational story from the hall of our government reserved for the highest tribute, the Capitol Rotunda.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, last week we lost an icon in American life. I, like all of my colleagues here, can reflect back on just exactly what Henry B. meant, not just to me and to my family, but to Texans and the Hispanic community at large. We had the privilege of hosting a retirement dinner for him when he retired a couple of years ago, and I can tell you, everyone that attended that retirement dinner, which was, by the way, televised on C- SPAN later on, commented on the fact that Henry B., while a legend, was an individual that had the common man's touch. It has been said that to truly make a difference in your lifetime, you have to have the ability to walk among kings but never lose the common man's touch, and Henry B. had that common man's touch. He fought for the things that were important for all of us. A lot of us here today are here because we stood on Henry B.'s shoulders. A lot of us here recognize that we would not be here had Henry B. not been a pathfinder, had not been an individual that opened the road for the rest of us. While on the one hand it is a sad time to lose a man, a legend, a Texan, an American, truly a hero for all ages and for all this world, on the other hand it is also a time to celebrate his contributions, celebrate what he means to each and every one of us. And let us never forget that as long as he lives in our hearts, he lives in this world. So to my good friend and colleague, Charlie Gonzalez, as long as all of us have Henry B. in our hearts, he will never die.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 1761, the Lower Rio Grande Valley Water Resources Conservation and Improvement Act of 1999. I am a cosponsor of the House companion bill. This legislation will allow for both the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture to work with state and local governments to make improvements to irrigation canals and pipelines; to build and install flow control structures in irrigation canals; and to begin the use of water meters in irrigation canals. These measures will result in water savings for the entire Valley region, from El Paso to Brownsville. The Rio Grande Valley of Texas which stretches from El Paso to Brownsville serves as the boundary between Mexico and the United States. It also has served as a major source of water supply for the region. The area includes the border cities of Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, Willacy, Jim Hogg, Zapata, Webb, Maverick, Val Verde, Kinney, Terrell, Brewster, Presidio, Jeff Davis, Hudspeth, and El Paso. These border cities are in danger of diminishing their water supplies. This bill is a stepping stone for these cities and counties to reinvent their water supply in order to ensure that future generations that reside in these areas are assured water for the future. Both the United States and Mexico must work together to implement these programs. Binational cooperation is the key in facilitating a successful and effective water conservation program. In addition to binational cooperation, it is important to assure that tribal concerns, tribal rights and American Indian sovereignty issues have been addressed during the implementation of this legislation. Any legislation that impacts tribal lands and resources in any way must include tribal consultation on a government to government basis. The authors of this bill should be commended for authorizing the development of an on-farm education program to implement state-of-the- art water application and conservation techniques. Education is the first step in facilitating the process to take appropriate steps in conserving water for future generations. As a result, education programs will be implemented in collaboration with the International Boundary and Water Commission. State, local, and tribal governments recognize the need to preserve and revitalize their water supplies; however, the federal government will need to assist these entities. Therefore, this bill authorizes $65,200,000 for cost sharing. The federal share will be 60 percent. Non-federal share is suggested to be 40 percent with no more than 30 percent paid by the state with the provision that the remainder of the non-federal share may include in-kind payment. Further study is needed to evaluate the water supply for future generations. The bill authorizes additional study by the Departments of Interior and Agriculture on alternative water supply options. The study would include water reuse options and emphasizes conservation. Its evaluation will be funded by the federal government at 50 percent with the remainder deriving from non-federal dollars. The water supply in the border region is in danger of running well below the amount that can provide for the people residing in these areas. This is a serious and on-going concern in my District of El Paso, Texas and other areas along the United States/Mexico border that needs to be addressed. S. 1761 will help our border communities renew their water supplies. Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage my colleagues to support the passage of this important legislation.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 1880. This bill, the ``Health Care Fairness Act'' will improve the health of minority populations including Hispanics, African Americans, Native Americans, Alaska Natives and Asian-Americans. I am a cosponsor of H.R. 3250, the House companion to S. 1880. Mr. Speaker, as you know, minority communities suffer disproportionately from many health problems and have higher mortality rates than whites for many treatable health conditions. They also continue to suffer from inequities in the U.S. health care system. The legislation that is on the House floor today will increase federal commitment to biomedical research on minority health and will improve health related data collection on minorities. This legislation will implement demonstration projects that address bias in the health care system that adversely impact minority populations and will establish pilot projects in medical schools to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities. This bill will also make grants available for the development of health care education curriculum and for continuing health education professional development. Another important aspect of this bill is that it will elevate the Office of Minority Health to a Center of Research on Minority Health at NIH. The Center will conduct and support basic and clinical research, training, the dissemination of health information, and other programs with respect to minority health. Mr. Speaker, more needs to be done in our country to address the disparities in healthcare for minorities. The Health Care Fairness Act is a step in the right direction and I urge my colleagues to support this important piece of legislation.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time and thank him for his leadership, as well as the gentleman from South Carolina (Chairman Spence), at this terrible tragic time for our country. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 631, honoring the crew of the U.S.S. Cole and extending our sympathy to their families and their loved ones. My wife, Carolina, and I attended the memorial service held this morning for the brave sailors who have lost their lives in this tragic and despicable act of terrorism. All of our thoughts and our prayers are with them and their family members as they persevere under these very difficult times. My thoughts this morning, on a gray and somewhat drizzly midmorning ceremony, were that we simply do not do enough for our men and women in uniform and for their families. It is truly unfortunate that it takes the loss of fine American men and women like these sailors to remind us again of the dangers and sacrifices that the men and women of our armed forces face each and every day. However, at the memorial service this morning, it was also reminded that we sometimes forget the everyday sacrifices that the families and the loved ones of our service members make each and every time their husbands, wives, sons, and daughters deploy. We simply do not do enough for our men and women in uniform and their families. I am moved by their strength under these difficult circumstances and a difficult time and their commitment to the importance of their loved ones' mission and service to their country. In return for that strength, we can only offer them our prayers and our guarantees that our country will not stop until we find the individuals responsible for this horrific act of senseless violence and bring them to justice. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I fervently believe we do not do enough for our men and women in uniform and for their families.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I am proud of a high school in my district that continues to show exemplarily results in education. Cathedral High School has a long standing tradition of excellence in El Paso, Texas. The school never falters in its steadfast commitment to teaching and to spiritually guiding young men as they prepare for higher education and for life's many challenges. Through the vision and dedicated efforts of Bishop Anthony Schuler, the Rev. Robert O'Loughran, and Mr. William Fryer, the Christian Brothers established Cathedral High School in September of 1925. Cathedral High School has withstood the trials of the Great Depression, four wars, changing economic, political, and social conditions and has come out with ever increasing strength. Over 4,300 young men have graduated from Cathedral since 1927. It is a school that is emulated by other schools across the city, state, and even the nation. Over 95% of the Cathedral's students go on to colleges and universities. The staff of Cathedral High School, both the Christian Brothers and the lay faculty, who's commitment and dedication play an integral part in the Cathedral educational experience, should be commended. Their efforts have contributed to the long-term viability of the school. While accepting students of all faiths, as a Roman Catholic school, Cathedral's curriculum instills the Catholic heritage and stresses reverence for God, concern for others and personal responsibility. As much as any other aspect of the school, the spiritual emphasis at Cathedral fosters an atmosphere of brotherhood and caring and builds the foundation for life-long friendships. Spirituality, as a guiding principal, should be emulated across our nation. The values that are instilled at Cathedral are fundamental values that are central and important to the functioning of society as a whole. Daily school prayer, religion classes, and school Mass emphasize God's central role in our lives. As a Catholic myself, God and reverence are personally important to me and I appreciate the commitment that Cathedral makes in insuring that our students will have faith and prayer in their lives. I cannot overstate how important faith in God is to overall success and happiness in life. Cathedral has continually exhibited strong leadership; a clear vision and sense of mission that is shared by and connected with the school, students, parents, and alumni; high quality teaching; and a safe environment for learning. Cathedral has continually been a pillar of excellence in El Paso. I applaud the role that Cathedral High School plays in the fabric of our culturally diverse community and I wish the school continued success in their next 75 years of teaching excellence in the city of El Paso. Go Fighting Irish!

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the three veterans bills that we are addressing today. As many of you know, we recently lost several service members as a result of a despicable terrorist act in Yemen. Those sailors, our service members, gave their lives . . . made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Unfortunately, as we get caught up in our day-to-day lives we often forget that there are men and women in distant lands and dangerous situations doing a lot of heavy lifting for us and this country. Its important that we pause occasionally and remember that our freedom, our wealth and our peace of mind is the direct result of service members such as the sailors on the USS Cole. This year, there has been considerable debate and discussion about keeping promises to our veterans and their families. I think that these bills help to put an end to any doubt about our commitment to our veterans. In my district of El Paso, Texas, I represent almost seventy thousand veterans and family members. I've seen some of the procedural difficulties that veterans and their family members must endure. And, I can talk to you in great detail about how these bills will help to improve the quality of life for our veterans. In my view, this legislation is not about keeping promises or mending fences. I think of it simply as an imperative for the nation. This is legislation that this body must pass because it is the right thing to do for those who have committed so much of themselves to our country. I sincerely appreciate the work that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle put into these bills. Because of their hard work, we have three meaningful veterans bills. The Veterans Benefit Act, the Claims Assistance Act and the Veterans and Health Care Improvement Act each provide important improvements or enhancements to the existing veterans programs. I urge each of you to support passage of each of these veterans bills.