Silvestre Reyes

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to my colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ortiz).

Mr. REYES. Mr. Chairman, I will defer, I will close. I am the last speaker on this segment.

Mr. REYES. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, this is often one of the issues that gets contentious on the floor of Congress, and it is a lot like eating an ice cream sundae. It looks good. It feels good eating it, but it is not good for us and a lot of times people recommend against it. Part of this effort is not one of wanting to sound tough on drugs. Like my colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ortiz), I fought the war on drugs. I had 26\1/2\ years working the border with the United States Border Patrol, so I know what is involved. That is why I emphatically asked my colleagues let us fund the INS, let us fund Border Patrol. Let us give them the right equipment. Let us give Customs the necessary personnel, the necessary technology to do the kind of professional job that my colleague, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Traficant) is concerned about. If, in fact, this issue is about fighting terrorism; if, in fact, we are concerned about the ability of this country to monitor and control the borders, it is not a Republican or a Democratic issue. It is an issue that has to be dealt fairly. It is an issue that has to be dealt even-handledly, and it is one that has got to be done strategically. We cannot impose marshal law on communities along the border simply because they happened to live there, people happen to live there. It is imperative that we provide the same kinds of protection to residents along the border like Brownsville, El Paso, Nogales, and the San Diego area that the same citizens in Ohio and other parts of this great country have. It is an issue of fairness. It is an issue of working smart to protect this country, but doing it professionally by funding INS Border Patrol and Customs.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Madam Speaker, I strongly support this bill. As someone who spent twenty-six and a half years in law enforcement, it is important that we recognize our men and women who stand in the line of fire and protect our cities and communities from crime. These individuals are on the front lines every day maintaining the peace and providing public safety for all Americans. From our borders to our inner cities, in rural areas and along our coasts, these men and women defend and protect our children, friends, neighbors and family. We owe them a huge debt of gratitude. As of late, we have watched with horror as violent and dangerous incidents have taken place around the country and caused concern for all Americans. With multiple shooting at our schools, community centers, in the workplace, and in every part of the country, we have tragically seen innocent victims injured and killed from gunfire. It is our men and women of law enforcement who step into these dangerous situations and restore the peace, deal with victims and do their best to apprehend those responsible. Each year, however, we know that some of our local, state, and federal officers are wounded and some make the ultimate sacrifice for our benefit. We can never take their sacrifices for granted, and should never forget their service to our country. I therefore am proud to support this resolution which designates today as National Peace Officers Memorial Day honoring those peace officers killed in the line of duty. I therefore support this bill, and ask my colleagues to vote for its passage. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I am in strong support of this bill. With over 60,000 military retirees and veterans in my district including thousands of Vietnam veterans, I am proud to be a co-sponsor of this bill and support its passage today on the House floor. The 25th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War is a time for all Americans to reflect on the incredible sacrifices made by our men and women in preserving liberty in Southeast Asia. All of our Vietnam veterans are heroes for their incredible courage and bravery. They fought for freedom in a far away land, inserting themselves in the name of liberty in a conflict which had already raged for decades. They withstood the ravages of jungle warfare, and endured the onslaught of extremely deadly and indiscriminate weaponry. Furthermore, those who returned back home faced a nation which was divided over our involvement in Vietnam, and for too many, the injuries they sustained and the sacrifices they made were taken for granted. While we have an extremely meaningful and powerful memorial to our nation's veterans who perished in Vietnam here in Washington, D.C. with the Vietnam Wall, there has been a significant absence of a symbol of recognition of those Vietnam veterans who died after the war as a direct result of their service. These men and women deserve to be recognized for their service, and I am proud that this bill authorizes the placement of a plaque within the site of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall to honor those veterans who died after their service in the Vietnam War as a direct result of that service. These American soldiers left their families, friends, and lives to defend another people in another land and their service should never be forgotten. As someone who serves on the House Veterans Affairs Committee, I salute all of our Vietnam Veterans and am proud to co-sponsor this legislation.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the War Against Methamphetamine Act introduced by my colleague the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert). We have all heard the staggering numbers related to meth labs across the country. The most troubling figure, in my mind, is the number of children that have been found at the lab seizure sites, 1,252 children at the sites. This legislation increases penalties related to amphetamine and creates new and additional penalties for the production of these dangerous drugs. This bill also establishes a national center that would be created in conjunction and coordination with the Drug Enforcement Agency, the L.A. Clearinghouse, and the El Paso Intelligence Center, which is, by the way, located in my district. The National Center will collect, analyze, and distribute all seizure information sent in by law enforcement officials across the country. This National Center will allow law enforcement officials across the country to instantly access vital information on these kinds of seizures. I urge all my colleagues to cosponsor this bill and support our local law enforcement.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 228. This bill recognizes and honors the sacrifice of our Vietnam-era veterans, their families, and those who are still unaccounted for and remain missing. It is important for our nation to never forget the service of these military personnel. Over 3.5 million U.S. military personnel served in the Republic of Vietnam and Southeast Asia, and millions more served around the world during the Vietnam era. As a Vietnam Veteran, I am proud of the service of these men and women. I saw first hand their incredible commitment and unwavering dedication to our national defense and American ideals. After a quarter of a century since the end of the Vietnam War, it is important for all Americans to reflect on the incredible sacrifices made by these veterans who stood up to communism in Southeast Asia and around the world. Our Vietnam-era veterans are heroes for their incredible courage and bravery both here in the United States and while deployed overseas. They fought for freedom during a time when public support for their efforts was divided. They returned to a nation that unfortunately did not welcome them back with the gratitude they deserved. This was after they had withstood some of the most vicious and difficult combat conditions imaginable. The effects of these circumstances on the lives of our Vietnam-era veterans and their families can never be fully measured. Therefore, let us never forget the honorable service of our Vietnam- era veterans, and the heavy price paid by their friends and families. Their sacrifice paved the way for the freedom and security we enjoy today, and no American should take for granted their willingness to serve in support of our national security and to turn back the tide of totalitarianism. This resolution serves as a strong reminder of our gratitude to our Vietnam-era Veterans and to our soldiers currently deployed around the world. It sends a message that we will never forget the memory of those who paid the ultimate price for the cause of freedom, and maintains our commitment to those who remain unaccounted for and are still missing. Let this bill strengthen our resolve on behalf of our Vietnam-era veterans and their families, and serve as an expression of our appreciation and gratitude. As someone who serves on the House Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs Committees, I salute our Vietnam-era Veterans and am proud to co-sponsor this legislation.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this bill. Gun violence is a growing concern of the public. We have watched with horror as gun related incidents have taken place around the country. With multiple shooting at our schools, community centers, in the workplace, and in every part of the country, we have tragically seen innocent victims injured and killed from gunfire. While some of these have been isolated incidents with a variety of circumstances, it is wake up call that more must be done to stem gun violence and deter those who would freely carry weapons and use them to commit acts of violence. In response, Project Exile has established itself as an excellent initiative to address this problem, having originated in Virginia and now being replicated around the country, and specifically in my state of Texas. Project Exile, establishes five year minimum mandatory sentences for carrying or using a gun during the commission of a crime. It also establishes greater coordination between state and federal prosecutors, so that prosecutors can more readily access the heavier sentences available under the federal sentencing guidelines. As a consequence, Project Exile works because it brings together all of law enforcement-- local, state and federal law--to focus on the illegal use of guns along with stiff sentencing. As someone who spent over 26\1/2\ years in law enforcement, I can tell you that the threat from gun violence requires this kind of coordinated approach from law enforcement and the community. Since the Texas Exile program was initiated at the beginning of this year, we have already seen positive results from this approach. The Safe Streets and Neighborhoods Act which we are considering today, provides an important incentive to other states to replicate Project Exile for their state residents. By providing $100 million dollars in incentive grants to those states implementing Project Exile through this bill, we establish a national initiative to aggressively prosecute and sentence gun offenders. In conclusion, with passage of this bill I am convinced that we put criminals around the nation on notice that if they use a gun during the commission of a crime they will face extremely aggressive prosecution and lengthy sentences without parole upon conviction. In this way we can reduce violent crime not only in Virginia and Texas, but around the country. I therefore support this bill, and ask my colleagues to vote for its passage.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, today and tomorrow I, along with my colleagues that represent districts along the border, are cohosting the Fourth Annual U.S./Mexico Border Conference. Each year we bring together leaders on both sides of the U.S./Mexico border to look at the problems that exist along our border, to develop solutions, and to convey these solutions to policymakers of our Nation. The border today looks much how the rest of the Nation will look in 20 years. We are a young, growing, dynamic population that is facing problems and experiencing unique issues that perhaps the rest of the Nation needs to focus on. If our problems are not addressed now in the border region, we run the risk of impacting the entire Nation as well as affecting the critical tourism and trade relationship between the United States and Mexico. At the conference, we are focusing on four major areas: education and the workforce, health and environment, economic development and infrastructure, and border security. I urge my colleagues to join me and our other colleagues in learning more about the border and provide the direction and leadership that is needed.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak about a special group of students who are here in Washington this week. They are young people from my district who live in Colonias. These are communities on the southwest border without water, electricity, roads, education, and very poor health services. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, we have thousands of Americans living in these third-world conditions along our southern border. With today's unprecedented prosperity, this is an unbelievable tragedy. Therefore, it is important to hear their stories. They will be providing testimony today from 3:45 to 5:30 in the Cannon Room 340. I ask my colleagues to listen with me and to commit to provide resources to make Colonias a safe and secure place to call home. I want to recognize these students from my district. They are Alicia Contreras, Ubaldo Fernandez, Chris Herrera, Janet Dunbar, and Gilbert Vasquez. We owe these students the amount of resources to provide them the hope and opportunity that all of us as Americans deserve.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time. I rise in strong support of this bill. With over 60,000 military retirees and veterans in my district, which includes thousands of Korean War veterans, I am proud to be a cosponsor of this bill and to speak in support of its passage today. The 50th anniversary of the Korean War is a time for all Americans to reflect on the incredible sacrifices made by our men and women in preserving liberty on the Korean peninsula. Mr. Speaker, our Korean War veterans are America's heroes for their incredible courage and bravery. They fought for freedom under some of the harshest combat conditions imaginable. Last December I had the opportunity to visit our troops stationed in Korea. I saw firsthand the rough terrain and cold and cruel climate that our Korean veterans endured and which our troops today continue to bear in defense of peace along the 38th Parallel. Looking back on these sacrifices, none of us should ever forget the honorable service of our Korean War veterans, nor should we forget the sacrifices made by their families. As the Korean War memorial in Washington, D.C. reflects, freedom is not free. No one knows that better than our Korean War veterans. Millions of American soldiers left their families, friends, and their lives to defend the people of a faraway land, far from the United States. They are part of our American legacy that has always been ready to take up arms whenever necessary to protect our national security and turn back the attacks of totalitarianism. When we stand and take stock of the freedom and security that our Nation enjoys today, let us never take for granted the contributions and patriotism of our Korean War veterans. This 50th anniversary commemoration should, therefore, serve as a strong reminder of our gratitude to our Korean War veterans and to our soldiers currently deployed around the world serving proudly on behalf of this country. It honors the memory of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of freedom and recognizes our continuing commitment to those who remain unaccounted and still missing. Let us with this resolution begin a year of remembrance and recognition.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 33, H.J. Res. 86, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I too rise in strong support of House Resolution 409 honoring the Catholic Schools of America for their invaluable contribution to the education of our children. I understand it is the first time such a resolution has been before the House. I would like to join my House colleagues in extolling the virtues of Catholic educational institutions that have provided consistently excellent alternatives to our public school system--even though I am a product of our public schools. I am proud to represent and participate in a Catholic society as rich in culture and heritage as El Paso's. Many products of the Catholic education system can be found at all levels of society today, including Sister Elizabeth Anne Swartz, Superintendent of the Diocese Schools in El Paso, whom I would like to commend for the fine job she is doing. I would also like to take a moment to congratulate Bishop Armando X. Ochoa on the great job he is doing, too! In my district, there are 13 Diocese schools which support 4,607 students and 300 educators. Most Diocese schools posted enrollment increases this year. One school, Father Yermo Elementary School, is celebrating its 40th year. Another, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, is celebrating its 81st year. Last Saturday night, I was privileged to attend an event recognizing the supporters of Catholic education in El Paso. The organizers of this year's ``Supporters of Catholic Education in the El Paso Diocese,'' or SEED, Awards were: Marissa Alvarado; Elvia Borrego; Sr. Kathleen Corbett, SL; Debra Fraire; Bobbie Hernandez; the Honorable Sue Kurita; Manny Lopez; Carmen Montes; Bertha Schachtsneider; Sr. Elizabeth Anne Swartz, SSND; Olga Torres; Alfred Torres; and Luis Villalobos. I congratulate each and every one of them for all the hard work they put into making this event a great success. I would also like to recognize the members of the Diocesan Board of Education: Sister Elizabeth Anne Swartz, SSND, Superintendent; Manny Lopez, President; Adriana Sierra-Loya, Vice-President; Marie Doyle; the Honorable Martha ``Sue'' Kurita; Robert Lopez; Rev. Marcus McFadin; Mary Alice Szostek; Rev. Msgr. Francis J. Smith; and Luis Villalobos. I would like to congratulate the winners of the 2000 SEED awards. From Blessed Sacrament, Best Faculty/Staff; Juanita Reyes; Best Benefactor/Supporter: Elena Aguirre; Best Volunteer: Kathy Cortez; and Best Alumni: James Towle. From Cathedral High School, Best Faculty/ Staff; Luz Ulrickson; Best Benefactor/Supporter: Adrian Martinez; Best Volunteer: Menira De La Fuente; and Best Alumni: Jaime Rivera. From Father Yermo Elementary, Best Faculty/Staff: Rose Chavez. From Father Yermo High School, Best Faculty/Staff: Alfredo Palacio; Best Benefactor/Supporter: Yadro Lizardo; Best Volunteer: Mary Lou Vega; and Best Alumni: Gladys Saucedo. From Holy Trinity, Best Faculty/Staff: Alena VanHouten; Best Benefactor/Supporter: Mark Smith; Best Volunteer; Jude Hicks; and Best Alumni: Carlos Sanchez. From Loretto And on one final note, as a representative of a largely Catholic district, I, too, am concerned about the controversy surrounding the selection of a new House Chaplain. The House has never had a Catholic Chaplain. Although a bipartisan committee gave Catholic candidate Timothy O'Brien the majority of ``first'' rankings, the House leadership was unfortunately under no obligation to follow their rankings. Instead, the House leadership conducted a final round of interviews of the three finalists. The Leadership made their decision based upon these interviews, with House minority leader Dick Gephardt voting for Mr. O'Brien and Speaker Hastert and Majority Leader Armey recommending Charles Wright. I believe this controversy exists, at least in part, because everyone was not clear on how the selection process would work from the outset. Many of my Democratic colleagues and I felt that if the committee had a clear consensus on a candidate, as they did on Father O'Brien, then the leadership would naturally follow. Others argue that the bipartisan committee only functioned to screen candidates, leaving the final determination to the leadership. I bear no ill-tidings toward Reverend Wright; but I believe we have missed an opportunity here, which is unfortunate.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee) for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I also rise in strong support of this resolution this morning. It is also my understanding that this is the first time that such a resolution has come before the House. I was privileged and honored to have been at a function last Saturday night where we recognized the supporters of Catholic education for the El Paso area. It is important to note, and I agree and want to associate myself with the comments of all of the comments this morning in extolling the virtues of Catholic education. Mr. Speaker, I should say that, although I am a product of public schools, I deeply appreciate the value of a Catholic education, especially in a community like El Paso which services predominantly 80 percent of the Hispanics in that area. I want to congratulate Bishop Armando Ochoa for the great job that they are doing. In El Paso there are 13 schools with 4,600 students employing about 300 educators. The oldest, which was honored on Saturday night, is Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which is celebrating its 81st year. The Father Yermo School is celebrating its 40th year in education. I think it is important that we understand that the products of Catholic education are serving throughout the country in different capacities, both in private and public service. The superintendent of the Diocese of Catholic Schools is Sister Elizabeth Schwartz and she, with some degree of regret, did mention to me about the issue in terms of having missed an opportunity to select a Catholic for the chaplain. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to speak on this important issue.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I tell my colleagues that I rise today in support of H. Res. 325 because I know personally the impact of diabetes, as both my mother and mother-in-law are diagnosed with it; and I have seen their daily struggles to manage this terrible disease. Mr. Speaker, one of the most difficult things that I have done in recent months is to keynote a breakfast that was sponsored by the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation where I heard personal testimony from young people that are affected by this terrible disease. Although there is currently no cure for diabetes, there are many effective treatments to head off diabetes-related complications such as blindness, kidney disease, amputations, heart disease, and other diseases that affect millions of people each and every day. But, Mr. Speaker, diabetes has an even more debilitating impact in the Hispanic community, as some of my colleagues have pointed out. For example, among individuals over 20 years of age, Mexican-Americans are twice as likely than non-Hispanic whites to have this terrible disease, and more than 21 percent of Hispanics over the age of 65 have been diagnosed with diabetes. These disproportionate numbers affect districts with significant Hispanic populations, such as mine in El Paso. This impact will only worsen because the Census Bureau projects that the Hispanic population in Texas will double over the course of the next 25 years. Thus, the future health of America will be affected substantially by our success in improving the health of racial and ethnic minorities. Research also provides the tools to improve access to community-based quality health care and the delivery of preventative and treatment services. The most important thing in my opinion that Congress can do for diabetes prevention and treatment is to prorate dollars to government health organizations for research and for treatment. I urge each of my colleagues to support H. Res. 325.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans) for yielding me this time. I also want to thank the gentleman from Arizona (Chairman Stump) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans), ranking member, for all the hard work and support that they have given our Nation's veterans. I, too, as the gentleman from Texas was concerned, am concerned about the reprioritization of the veterans' nursing homes. I appreciate the hard work and the reassurances from the gentleman from Florida (Chairman Stearns) that he will work with us to make sure that these homes are prioritized and we get an opportunity to provide these kinds of facilities for our veterans in States like Texas. Mr. Speaker, one of the biggest challenges that I see our committee having to deal with is the challenge of addressing the migration of the veterans to the Sunbelt States like Florida, Texas, and Arizona. As we work through this process in the coming year, in the next fiscal year, I hope that all of us are able to provide for all the Nations' veterans.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a special event taking place in my congressional district this week. El Paso's Jefferson High School is commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the school. As part of this week long commemoration, the Jefferson High School Ex-Student's Association is honoring today, Jefferson High School veterans and their families. Specifically, they are taking special notice of the service and sacrifice of twelve Jefferson High School graduates from the class of 1967. These twelve individuals represent the largest number of students from one high school to have graduated in the same year who died in the Vietnam War. These young people were in the prime of their lives, and whose contribution to the world can never be fully measured. Who knows what lives these individuals would have led, contributions they could have made, or accomplishments they could have attained? However, their service to this country in the name of freedom, serves as an inspiration for their classmates, fellow El Pasoans, and citizens across this nation. The mothers of these veterans are El Paso Gold Star Mothers. They follow a long tradition, going back seventy years to the founding of the American Gold Star Mothers. The Gold Star Mothers got their name from the practice of mothers of veterans displaying a gold star in their homes, as a symbol of their children who died fighting. Congress officially recognized this organization in 1929, and the members of this organization provide service to veterans, their families and communities. They contribute to developing and keeping alive the spirit of world service, assist veterans and their dependents in presenting claims to the Veterans' Administration, perpetuate the memory of those who died during war, teach lessons of patriotism and love of country, and inspire respect for the flag in the youth of America. The Gold Star Mothers of El Paso remind us of the never-ending bond between families. They remind us of the sacrifice that families of veterans make as they endure the fears and concerns of having loved ones overseas, and the loss from loved ones who never return. As Veterans Day memorials take place this week throughout the nation, the Jefferson High School commemoration is a special event honoring the incredible sacrifice and service of one community. The twelve Vietnam Veteran classmates of 1967, are part of a larger number of Jefferson High School veterans who served and risked their lives for American values and ideals. These men and women reflect an El Paso community which maintains a long history of distinguished military service with the presence of Fort Bliss. Our community of veterans includes those from World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf and other conflicts where American troops have stood against totalitarianism and threats to our national security. The Jefferson High School ceremony also reminds us of our young men and women who are currently deployed around the world. These fine soldiers are our nation's first line of defense and they protect our interests and allies whether they are in Bosnia, the Middle East, Korea, or Europe. The incredible freedom we enjoy in these times of prosperity is a direct consequence of the service of these brave men and women and the veterans who preceded them throughout this century. We should be grateful for their commitment and dedication and never take for granted the high price they and their families pay to defend our liberty. On this the fiftieth anniversary of Jefferson High School, let us remember the duty, honor, and sacrifice made by the graduates of this school, by their families, and the community that supports and honors them. Veterans Day asks all Americans to take stock in this nation's incredible opportunities and freedoms, and urges us to always remember our courageous veterans. God bless these veterans and their families.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee) and a very good friend of mine for yielding me the time. Mr. Speaker, let me begin by thanking my colleagues, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith) and the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson- Lee), the ranking member, for their help in bringing this bill to the floor today. Let me also thank my friend and colleague the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bachus) for his support here this afternoon, as well. This year is the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the United States Border Patrol. I had the privilege and the honor of being part of the U.S. Border Patrol for more than 26 years before I came to Congress. I joined the Border Patrol after my service in Vietnam. At the time that I joined, I was not fully aware of the historic past of the United States Border Patrol, whose motto today, as it was and always has been, is ``honor first'' and whose exemplary service through the years has proven that this motto is truly a way of life for its officers. Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record a document entitled ``The History of the United States Border Patrol.'' Border Patrol History From the time this nation was established until 1875 there was no legislation restricting immigration except the Alien Act of 1798 which provided the President with the authority to order the departure from the United States of any alien whom he deemed dangerous to the welfare of the country. This legislation was unpopular and it was not renewed when its two-year term expired. Between 1820 and 1880, more than ten million immigrants arrived in this country. The first restrictive legislation passed by Congress was the Act of March 3, 1875, which barred the immigration of convicts and of women for the purpose of prostitution. This Act was followed by the Immigration Statute of August 8, 1882, which barred the admission of idiots, lunatics, convicts, and persons likely to become a public charge. Also in 1882, the first Chinese exclusion law was adopted, and in 1885, the first Contract Labor Law was passed. These laws were designed to restrict the entry of certain undesirable aliens and the flood of Chinese and other large bodies of cheap labor being imported into the United States which was flooding and depressing the labor market. As the door was closed tighter by these progressively restrictive immigration laws, increasingly large numbers of Orientals and other inadmissible aliens resorted to illegal entry to gain admission, and the need for a border control force to prevent illegal entry evolved. As early as 1904, the Commissioner General of Immigration assigned a small group of mounted inspectors along the borders to prevent the smuggling and illegal entry of aliens. This token force of untrained officers, never totaling more than 76, was woefully inadequate to cope with the illegal entry problem. In addition, once the alien escaped the border area, he generally melted into the population undetected, as there were no officers available to search out and deport him. It was estimated that for every one hundred aliens apprehended at the borders, one thousand escaped detection. Because of increased and continuing illegal entry activity, a separate unit of mounted inspector was organized in March of 1914, to which was assigned additional men and equipment, such as boars, cars, etc. The unit's scope was described as general, and the officers operated without regard to district boundaries, thus avoiding any clash of authority among officers of the respective districts. It was stated, however, that the new system was not extensive enough to cope with the organized efforts of those engaged in the business of smuggling aliens, and that this contraband traffic and illegal entry of aliens could only be broken up by the formation of a border patrol that could devote all its efforts to the prevention of the illegal entry of aliens and to seek out, arrest, and deport all aliens in the United States illegally. It was stated that the only way to stop surreptitious entries was to make it certain that arrest and expulsion would follow. Because of travel restrictions and the assignment of troops along the borders during the World War I years of 1917-1918, immigration and illegal border activity were greatly reduced, but with the close of the war, smuggling and illegal entry accelerated rapidly. The Bureau of Immigration again resumed its efforts to close the borders between the ports of entry. The Commissioner General made strong recommendations in 1919, requesting funds for a patrol service to guard the borders and coastlines, stressing the need for a force that could devote all its energies to this important function. It was emphasized that large numbers of European and Chinese aliens who were smuggled in from Canada, Mexico, and Cuba were being apprehended. Reports in 1922 indicated there were 30,000 unemployed Chinese in Cuba, and more arriving regularly, who intended to enter the United States illegally. Smuggling from Cuba was prevalent, approaching alarming proportions. Prior to the enactment of the Immigration Act of 1917 there were so few immigration restrictions applicable to natives and citizens of Canada and Mexico there was little reason to enter illegally. Unlike the immigrants from overseas, they were not required to pay the head tax and they were not compelled to take the literacy test. Those who measured up to the relatively simple requirements of the law were free to enter in unlimited numbers. The Immigration Act of 1917, however, imposed the head tax of $8.00 on Canadians and Mexicans and, like other aliens, they were subjected to the reading test provided in the new law. These two provisions contributed significantly to widespread border violations and increases in smuggling. Between Fiscal Years 1922 and 1924 seaman desertions rose from 5,879 to 34,679. In Fiscal Year 1924 only 6,409 aliens were deported, but the small number of officers assigned to patrol the borders was insufficient to prevent many illegal entrants from escaping detection and reaching inland points. The volume of legal immigration soared from 141,132 in 1919 to 805,228 in 1921, and there was much concern lest an uncontrolled flood of immigration from the war-ravaged countries of Europe might descend on the United States. Because of this fear, there emerged the temporary Quota Act of 1921, which permitted the admission annually of 3% of the number of persons of each nationality in the United States according to the 1910 census. On May 26, 1924, Congress adopted a permanent quota law, which restricted immigration to approximately 150,000 quota immigrants a year. As additional restrictions were placed on immigration, more aliens resorted to illegal entry. Congress, aware that it was unrealistic to inspect applicants for admission at ports of entry, but at the same time leave long, wide-open stretches of unguarded border between the ports where inadmissible aliens could readily enter the United States, and realizing the need for a force that could devote all of its energies to the prevention of smuggling and illegal entry and the apprehension of aliens illegally in the United States, created the Border Patrol in the Department of Labor Appropriations Act of May 28, 1924. The Act provided for the expenditure of at least one million dollars for ``additional land-border patrol''. Since then, the Border Patrol has been an integral part and important enforcement arm of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. As there was no Civil Service register for immigration patrol inspectors, the initial force was selected from Civil Service registers for railway postal clerks and immigration inspectors. The hastily recruited small band of officers was given the responsibility of enforcing Section 8 of the Immigration Act of February 5, 1917 (39 Stat. 874:8 U.S.C.), which prohibited smuggling, harboring, concealing, or assisting an alien not duly admitted by an immigrant inspector or not lawfully entitled to enter or reside in the United States. Although the infant organization was charged with the responsibility of combating illegal entry and the highly organized and lucrative business of alien smuggling, the necessary authority to act was not provided in the statute under which the Patrol was established. During the first few months of operation, officers were further handicapped in the performance of their duties in that they were not uniformed and had nothing but their badges to distinguish them from other citizens. This situation gave smugglers, illegal entrant aliens, and others an excuse for ignoring their commands, thereby endangering the lives of the officers. This latter handicap was remedied in December 1924 when a Border Patrol uniform was adopted. The Border Patrol has since been known as the uniformed enforcement division of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Following creation of the Border Patrol, large-scale alien smuggling from Cuba to Florida and the Gulf Coast areas continued. In order to combat this difficult problem, Congress, in the Act of February 27, 1925 (43 Stat. 1049- 1050; 8 U.S.C. 110), provided funds for a ``coast and land border patrol'', and, in addition, realizing that Border Patrol officers lacked specific authority to act, authorized any designated employee of the Bureau of Immigration to execute any warrant or other process issued by any officer under any law regulating the admission, exclusion, or expulsion of aliens and, without warrant, (1) to arrest any alien who, in his presence or view, is entering or attempting to enter the United States in violation of any law or regulation made it pursuance of law regulating the admission of aliens, and to take such alien immediately for examination before an immigrant inspector or other official having authority to examine aliens as to their rights to admission to the United States, and (2) to board and search for aliens any vessel within the territorial waters of the United States, railway car, conveyance, or vehicle, in which he believes aliens are being brought into the United States. Officers operated under the provisions of this Act until it was amended by the Act of August 7, 1946 (60 Stat. 865; 8 U.S.C. 110), which continued the basic authorities with the following revisions: (1) Extended the power, without warrant, to arrest any alien in the United States in violation of any law or regulation made in pursuance of law regulating the admission, exclusion, or expulsion of aliens, and likely to escape before a warrant could be obtained for his arrest. (2) Reason to believe aliens were being brought into the United States in a conveyance was no longer necessary to board and search such conveyance; however, the search had to be made within a reasonable distance of an external boundary. (3) Added the power, without warrant, to make arrests for felonies committed and cognizable under any law of the United States regulating the admission, exclusion, or expulsion of aliens, if the person making the arrest has reason to believe that the person so arrested in guilty of such felony and if there is likelihood of the person escaping before a warrant can be obtained for his arrest. Approximately six years later, the Act of March 20, 1952, amended Section 8 of the Immigration Act of 1917 and title IV of the Act of February 27, 1925. The basic authorities in effect at the time of the new Act were retained with the following revisions and/or additions: (1) Transportation within the United States of known illegal entrant aliens was, for the first time, made an offense. (2) Employment and usual and normal practices incident to employment were deemed not to constitute harboring illegal aliens. (3) Arrests for harboring, smuggling, and transportation of illegal aliens were restricted to designated officers and employees of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, and all other officers whose duties were to enforce criminal laws. (4) Provision was made for officers to have access to private lands, but not dwellings, within 25 miles of any external boundary, for the purpose of patrolling the border to prevent the illegal entry of aliens. Some three months later, the Act of June 27, 1952 (66 Stat. 163), cited as the ``Immigration and Nationality Act'', also referred to as the McCarran-Walter Act, repealed and substantially reenacted most of the laws relating to immigration and nationality, including the authorities of immigration officers to act without warrant. The one significant addition to authority of officers was the provision which permitted boarding and searching of a conveyance for aliens to be performed anywhere in the United States, so long as the officer had reason to believe aliens were being brought into the United States in the vehicle being searched. The authorities contained in the Immigration and Nationality Act provide the basis for action by our officers today. The primary authority under which the Border Patrol operates stems from Section 103 of this Act (8 U.S.C. 1103), which states, in part, that the Attorney General shall ``. . . have the power and duty to control and guard the boundaries and borders of the United States against the illegal entry of aliens and shall, in his discretion, appoint for that purpose such number of employees of the Service as to him shall appear necessary and proper''. This authority has been delegated by him to the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization, and the Commissioner, in turn, has delegated, under 8 CFR 103.1, to the Deputy associate Commissioner, Domestic Control, the responsibility for all the Border Patrol activities of the Service. Further, in order to provide Border Patrol officers authority and protection when they encounter violators of customs laws incident to the performance of their normal duties, arrangements were made in 1955 for their designation as Customs Patrol Inspectors. This designation was updated on July 14, 1971, providing for delegation of authority to designate Border Patrol Agents as acting Customs Patrol Officers, without compensation. Basic authority to act under this designation lies in Title 19 U.S.C. 1581. The Border Patrol had an initial force of 450 officers assigned to the Florida and Gulf Coasts and the two land boundaries. Exhibit I shows appropriations, officer force, and numbers of deportable aliens and smugglers apprehended, Fiscal Year 1925 to Fiscal Year 1973, inclusive. During these years, the Border Patrol apprehended 7,061,853 deportable aliens and 40,463 smugglers of aliens. In addition, the Border Patrol works closely with other agencies and, incidental to their regular duties, its officers have apprehended tens of thousands of violators of other laws and seized smuggled contraband, liquor, and narcotics valued at millions of dollars. The Border Patrol has always been a flexible and mobile organization whose officers have high morale and an intense pride in their organization. When first organized, the entrance-on-duty salary was $1,680 per annum, as compared to $9,969 at the present time. Initially, the Border Patrol was under the supervision of the border district directors. However, starting January 1932, in order to obtain a greater degree of coordination and uniformity in operations and supervision, it was placed under the immediate control of two directors--one located at El Paso, Texas, for the Mexican border, and the other at Detroit, Michigan, for the Canadian border. This administrative alignment was terminated on June 1, 1933, and the Border Patrol reverted to its former plan of organization. When the regional concept was adopted on January 3, 1955, the Border Patrol continued to operate under the respective districts until October of that year. At that time, operational activities were placed under the immediate direction of the regional offices. This arrangement provided needed flexibility and better coordination of activities between the sectors, and facilitated the movement of officers and equipment to meet changing work-loads and conditions. In January 1930, hearings were held by the Committee on Immigration and Naturalization, House of Representatives, to consider merging of the Immigration and Customs Border Patrols so that the execution of the customs, immigration, prohibition, and other laws regulating or prohibiting the entry into the United States of persons and merchandise might be more effective. It was proposed by the Secretary of the Treasury that the unified Border Patrol be part of the Coast Guard and be charged with the duty of guarding the borders between the designated ports of entry to prevent the entry of persons and merchandise over the land and water boundaries. The proposed unified Border Patrol was to replace the Customs and Immigration Border Patrols on the Mexican and Canadian borders and complement of work of the Coast Guard on the maritime boundaries, thereby eliminating duplication of effort, concentrating responsibility for the protection of the borders, and bringing about a more effective coordination of work. The plan, however, did not get beyond the discussion stage. Upon repeal of the prohibition laws in 1933, liquor smuggling, for all practical purposes, ceased to exist. The number of customs patrol inspectors diminished thereafter and the organization was finally abolished on July 24, 1948. In 1935, the Border Patrol, realizing the need and value of radio communications in its work, began the installation and use of radios in vehicles and stations. This was the forerunner of the comprehensive and effective radio network we have today. As a continuing effort to improve its efficiency and effectiveness, the Border Patrol, in 1939, established a fingerprint unit in El Paso, Texas, for aliens apprehended in the three Mexican border districts. The unit provided rapid and positive identification of previously arrested aliens, and proved to be a very effective enforcement tool until it was unable to process the increasingly large number of fingerprints of aliens apprehended along the Mexican border. The unit had, as its maximum, seven employees, and personnel limitations made it impossible to expand the unit so it could keep pace with the increasing number of aliens apprehended by the Border Patrol in Mexican border districts. Because of its limitations, the unit was discontinued in 1953. Except for the initial year of its existence, the Border Patrol officer force, workload, and accomplishments remained fairly constant through fiscal year 1940 (see Exhibit I). During appropriation hearings for fiscal year 1941, the Secretary of Labor vigorously opposed a proposed reduction in the Border Patrol force, stating ``I think the Border Patrol is our most efficient and effective branch of the Service and whatever reductions are made in the Immigration Service should be at points other than the Border Patrol. It is the prevention of illegal entry that will reduce our work.'' On June 14, 1940, (Reorganization Plan No. V, 5 F.R. 2223; 5 U.S.C. 99, 1940 ed.) the Immigration and Naturalization Service was transferred from the Department of Labor to the Department of Justice. Because of the grave international situation that existed in 1940 and the belief that aliens who would be a threat to the best interests of the country would endeavor to enter the United States surreptitiously, Congress, on June 27, 1940, by deficiency appropriation, made available two million dollars for 712 additional Patrol officers, 57 auxiliary personnel, and the necessary equipment. This increased the force to 1,531 officers. During the war years, this force was used to provide tighter control of the borders, to man alien detention camps, guard diplomats, and to assist the military to guard the East Coast of the United States against the entry of Axis saboteurs. A Border Patrol unit was established in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1942, to guard the coastline and perform other Border Patrol duties in that area. This unit was deactivated in 1945. The first attempt to patrol the borders by air began in the summer of 1941 when three autogiros were obtained from the military and transferred to the Service. The first fixed-wing airplanes were used in 1945 after three surplus L-5 observation planes were obtained from the military. The radio-coordinated air-ground operations have developed into one of the Patrol's most effective tools. In 1942, after the beginning of World War II, the demand for labor accelerated rapidly. As farm laborers entered the military or found employment in the expanding war industry, an acute labor shortage was created in agriculture. Food production was considered vital to winning the war, and for the first time since World War I, it became necessary to recruit alien labor. An agreement with Mexico, affective August 4, 1942, provided for the importation of Mexican nationals. The first Mexican agricultural workers were admitted to El Paso, Texas, on September 27, 1942, under the Ninth Proviso of Section 3 of the Immigration Act of February 5, 1917. The continued shortage of domestic labor brought about the enactment of Public Law 45 on April 29, 1943, which provided for the importation of agricultural laborers. This law expired December 31, 1947, and from 1948 to June 30, 1951, Mexican laborers again were imported under the Ninth Proviso. On July 12, 1951, congress passed Public Law 78, and Mexican laborers were imported under this Act (see Exhibit II). Upon termination of Public Law 78 on December 31, 1964, the importation of Mexican laborers diminished drastically. In calendar year 1965, 20,284 Mexican agricultural laborers were imported under Section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. In addition, in fiscal year 1965, 15,377 British West Indians and 21,430 Canadian woodsmen and agricultural laborers were admitted under this Act. If the Canadian and British West Indian programs were eliminated, illegal entries would increase; however, the impact would not be as great on illegal alien activity as was brought about by the termination of Public Law 78. Statistics concerning the relationship between the importation of Mexican laborers and deportable aliens located reveal that as the number of contracted Mexican laborers declined, the number of deportable aliens apprehended increased. (See Exhibits I and

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, November 5, 1999, I was away on official business and missed rollcall votes 571, 572, and 573. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on the following: Rollcall vote No. 571, the Young Amendment to H.R. 3196; rollcall vote No. 572, final passage of H.R. 3196 (the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2000); and rollcall vote No. 573, H.R. 3075 (the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act).

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, on July 23 a U.S. Army reconnaissance plane on a counterdrug mission crashed in the jungles of Colombia. It killed all on board. There were five U.S. Army soldiers and two Colombian air crewmen on this aircraft. During this week, when we honor our Nation's veterans, I wanted to pay tribute to the five U.S. soldiers who died in that crash. These five individuals were husbands, a wife, parents, and children. They have paid the ultimate sacrifice for this Nation, and we must not forget what their families have sacrificed, as well. The five soldiers whom we honor tonight were part of a special military intelligence battalion, the 204th, which recently moved from Panama and Florida to Fort Bliss, which is located in my district. They were flying a reconnaissance mission over Colombia in a specially- equipped aircraft. The first soldier was Captain Jennifer Odom. The pilot of the ARL, the aircraft which crashed in Colombia was Captain Jennifer Odom. She was born in Frederick, Maryland, in 1970, and graduated from West Point in 1992. After graduating from flight school, Captain Odom spent 2 years in Stuttgart, Germany, flying senior ranking government officials and general officers throughout Europe. After completing her military intelligence training, she joined the 204th MI battalion as an executive officer of D company. She was scheduled to take command of D Company in August. Captain Odom was an experienced pilot, having flown well over 2,000 hours in military aircraft, including 300 hours as a pilot in command of this particular aircraft. She leaves her husband, Charles Odom, and her two children, Charles, age 15, and Daniel, age 11. The other officer on the aircraft was Captain Jose Anthony Santiago. Captain Santiago was born in New York City in 1962. He enlisted in the Army in 1984, and after 7 years, was commissioned as an air defense artillery officer. He later moved into military intelligence and excelled in every aspect of the job. In light of his accomplishment, the battalion commander selected Captain Santiago to command the Headquarters and Service Company of the 204th. During the past year, his company has done an excellent job in supporting six deployments in South America. Captain Santiago was also a senior army parachutist and a jump master. He is survived by his wife Cynthia and his two children, Christiana and Laura. Along with Captain Odom, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Thomas G. Moore was the second pilot in the aircraft. CW2 Moore was born in Englewood, California, in 1967. He joined the Army in 1988 after attending the U.S. Army Air Force Academy. After serving as a Bradley fighting vehicle commander during Desert Storm, CW2 Moore was selected for the warrant officer training program and attended army flight school. He served with the 204th MI battalion since 1996. CW2 Thomas Moore was married to Rebecca, and survived by two children, Matthew and Emily. The fourth soldier whom we honor tonight is specialist Timothy Bruce Cluff. Specialist Cluff was born in Mesa, Arizona. During high school he achieved the high range of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. In 1997, he enlisted in the Army, and it was apparent almost immediately that he would be an outstanding soldier. Specialist Cluff proved to be a highly skilled analyst and was selected as a mission supervisor based on his exemplary performance. This outstanding soldier is survived by his wife, Meggin, and his two young children, Maciah and Ryker. Meggin is also today expecting her third child. The last soldier was specialist Ray E. Krueger II. Specialist Krueger was born in Leavenworth, Kansas, and graduated from The Colony High School. Krueger was an outstanding soldier in many ways. For example, this young man not only excelled as a crew member in the aircraft, but he also scored the highest possible level on the Army's physical fitness test, and qualified as an expert with the M-16 rifle. Specialist Krueger leaves his wife, Briana Krueger, who was also assigned to the 204th MI battalion, and who recently has left the Army to return to civilian life. Tonight I want the husbands, wives, children, and parents of these brave soldiers to know that we in Congress are thinking of them, and we want to thank them for the sacrifices which they have made for this country. God bless each and every one of them: Captain Odom, Captain Santiago, Chief Warrant Officer Moore, Specialist Cluff, and Specialist Krueger. This country owes them all the gratitude, especially during this week when we celebrate and pay tribute to our veterans.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this bill authorizing the construction of a monument honoring those hard-working individuals who have served the nation's civil defense and emergency management programs. I personally understand their sacrifice and the sacrifice of the thousands of similar individuals who rise to the occasion when called upon by disaster. In my family, there are 16 firefighters. My cousins, uncles, and in-laws who have dedicated their lives to responding to emergencies have set a standard not met by many today. FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, has played a key role in assisting Americans in their time of need. Many of us can hardly imagine the emotional and physical devastation a natural disaster reaps upon a community. When we see a news story on television or in the paper, we might pause and feel sorry for the unknown victims who have had their lives ripped apart. But then we move on with our daily lives, never giving a second thought to what these poor individuals and families must go through after we have moved on. There are notable exceptions, of course: the most recent and continuing efforts to help North Carolina flood victims; the outpouring of assistance for the victims of the F-5 tornado that ripped through a small town in central Texas called Jarrell in 1997. We have memorials that honor a host of wars and conflicts and those men and women who sacrificed their lives for these world-changing events. But there are other individuals, our civil defense and emergency personnel, who make an equally large contribution. These honorable citizens deserve to be recognized, too, for the day-to-day ``battles'' for which they risk their lives. H.R. 348 proposes such a monument to be situated upon land owned by FEMA. I think it is appropriate and timely that we authorize this monument as we head into the 21st century. I therefore urge all my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.J. Res. 46 which honors Zachary Fisher as an honorary veteran. His lifetime support of our military and veterans clearly justifies naming him as an honorary veteran. When the United States entered World War II in 1941, Mr. Fisher was told he could not serve in the Armed Forces due to a serious knee injury sustained in a construction accident. Determined to do his part, Mr. Fisher used his expertise in construction to help the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers build coastal fortifications. His dedication to the Armed Services continued after the war. Over many decades, he lent his full support to the U.S. military and their families. Mr. Fisher established the Zachary and Elizabeth M. Fisher Armed Services Foundation to serve as a support agency for both military personnel and their families affected by service-related accidents. To date, hundreds of families from all branches of the armed services have benefited from this foundation's support. In addition, the Fisher Armed Services Foundation provides educational scholarship funds to Armed Services personnel and their families. Since 1987, more than 700 students have received scholarships of between $500 and $2,500, allowing them to pursue education opportunities which otherwise would not have been possible. Moreover, in 1990, Mr. Fisher established the Fisher House Program. Under this program he dedicated more than $15 million for the construction of temporary homes for the families of military personnel receiving care at major military treatment facilities and VA Medical Centers. The houses provide support for families as they serve as a ``home away from home.'' One of these houses is located in my district at Fort Bliss. The presence of a Fisher House in El Paso, and throughout military bases around the country, help ease the minds of America's finest and their families during times of illness. Mr. Fisher, as exemplified by these philanthropic efforts on behalf of our Nation's veteran's and military, established himself as one of our most dedicated patriots. Through these charitable acts, and numerous others in various civic and community efforts, he set a tremendous example for all Americans to follow. For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to honor Zachary Fisher by unanimously supporting H.J. Res. 46.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this important resolution. I would like to begin by recognizing the hard work of my colleagues, Chairman Dan Miller and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney. They have worked tirelessly on this issue, and I applaud their efforts on this extremely important issue. H. Con. Res. 193 expresses the support of Congress for activities to increase public participation in the decennial census. As we all know, in order to achieve a successful decennial census, the joint efforts of Federal, State, and local government and other interested parties and grassroots organizations must come together as partners. The Bureau of the Census has implemented a partnership program through which a comprehensive outreach, education, and motivation campaign is being carried out to encourage all segments of the population to participate in the upcoming census. As I have said many times, Texas has a lot at stake in the current debate over the year 2000 Census. The County of El Paso has a lot to lose if the 2000 Census is conducted the way the 1990 Census was conducted. In 1900, the census used a traditional head count and made about 26 million mistakes. It missed over 8 million people completely, double- counted over 4 million and put 13 million in the wrong places. And most of the undercount involved children, people of color and the urban and rural poor. The Census Bureau estimates that in Texas, the net undercount of residents in 1990 was over 486,000 individuals. The net undercount rate in Texas was .028, which represented the second most undercounted state in the nation. They were either out of town, tossed the form with the junk mail, did not trust the government, feared immigration or bill collection officials, lived in a neighborhood the census workers did not feel like checking. Whatever the reason, too many individuals were missed. Included in this are over 279,000 Caucasians, 83,300 blacks, 247,000 individuals of Hispanic origin, 8,500 Asian and Pacific Islanders and, over 1,875 American Indians. In addition, over 228,300 children were missed in Texas. Over 25,000 individuals were missed in El Paso alone, enough to fill half of the Sun Bowl. We were the 17th most undercounted district in the nation. The failure of the 1990 Census to accurately count the population in El Paso County seriously shortchanged the Federal funding that cities within my district should have received during the past decade. In effect, cities like El Paso, Anthony and Socorro were required to utilize funds for schools, roads, health facilities, housing, and other important services for people that were not counted by the census. The number of children missed in the 16th Congressional district would fill 22 schools staffed by 770 teachers. According to the Council of Great City Schools, every child not counted by the census means that some $650 in federal resources is lost each year by the school that must educate that child. This equals over $8 million lost in my Congressional district alone! We are not alone. The 1990 Census did the same thing nationwide. Two million of those missed in 1990 were children under the age of 18--half the net undercount although they were only about a quarter of the U.S. population in 1990. The 1990 Census affected minorities the most: 4.4 percent of blacks were missed, 5 percent of Hispanics, 12.2 percent of at least one tribe of Native Americans. This differential racial undercount must be addressed by the 2000 Census. This resolution is sending the right message at the right time--that public participation is necessary to ensure that everyone is counted, especially children, people of color and the urban and rural poor. Anything less is unacceptable.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I enter into the Congressional Record a request made by the Texas State Legislature asking that Members of Congress ensure that the critical infrastructure for the U.S. military defense strategy be maintained through the renewal of the withdrawal from public use of the McGregor Range land beyond 2001. Future military threats to the United States and its allies may come from technologically advanced rogue states that for the first time are armed with long-range missiles capable of delivering nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons to an increasingly wider range of countries. The U.S. military strategy requires flexible and strong armed forces that are well-trained, well-equipped, and ready to defend our nation's interests against these devastating weapons of mass destruction. Previous rounds of military base closures combined with the realignment of the Department of the Army force structure have established Fort Bliss as the Army's Air Defense Artillery Center of Excellence, thus making McGregor Range, which is a part of Fort Bliss, the nation's principal training facility for air defense systems. McGregor Range is inextricably linked to the advanced missile defense testing network that includes Fort Bliss and the White Sands Missile range, providing, verifying, and maintaining the highest level of missile defense testing for the Patriot, Avenger, Stinger, and other advanced missile defense systems. The McGregor Range comprises more than half of the Fort Bliss installation land area, and the range and its restricted airspace in conjunction with the White Sands Missile Range, is crucial to the development and testing of the Army Tactical Missile System and the Theater High Altitude Area Defense System. The high quality and unique training capabilities of the McGregor Range allow the verification of our military readiness in air-to-ground combat, including the Army's only opportunity to test the Patriot missile in live fire, tactical scenarios, as well as execute the ``Roving Sands'' joint training exercises held annually at Fort Bliss. The Military Lands Withdrawal Act of 1986 requires that the withdrawal from public use of all military land governed by the Army, including McGregor Range, must be terminated on November 6, 2001, unless such withdrawal is renewed by an Act of Congress. Mr. Speaker, in closing I would like to reiterate the importance of the McGregor Range land for the testing and training for Fort Bliss and the White Sands Missile Range. By being designated as the Army's Air Defense Artillery Center of Excellence, Fort Bliss has already received the status as an intricate part of the nations military defense systems. Tactical scenarios would not be possible without McGregor Range to conduct the projects. The Military Lands Withdrawal Act is necessary in order to continue these projects that ensure the prosperity of the nation's defense systems.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I enter into the Congressional Record a request made by the Texas State Legislature asking that Members of Congress provide funding for infrastructure improvements, more customs inspection lanes and customs officials, and a 24 hour customs operation at border crossing between Texas and Mexico. Bottlenecks at customs inspection lanes have contributed to traffic congestion at Texas-Mexico border crossing areas slowing the flow of commerce and detracting from the economic potential of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Smuggling of drugs inside truck parts and cargo containers compounds the problem, necessitating lengthy vehicle searches that put federal customs officials in a crossfire between their mandate to speed the movement of goods and their mandate to reduce the flow of illegal substances. At the state level, the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts has released a report titled Bordering the Future, recommending among other items that U.S. customs inspection facilities at major international border crossings stay open around the clock. At the federal level, the U.S. General Accounting Office is conducting a similar study of border commerce and NAFTA issues, and the U.S. Customs Service is working with a private trade entity to review and analyze the relationship between its inspector numbers and its inspection workload. Efficiency in the flow of NAFTA commerce requires two federal customs-related funding commitments: (1) improved infrastructure, including additional customs inspection lanes; and (2) a concurrent expansion in customs personnel and customs operating hours. Section 119 of the Federal Transportation Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), creating the Coordinated Border infrastructure program, serves as a funding source for border area infrastructure improvements and regulatory enhancements. Domestic profits and income increases in tandem with the exports and imports, generating federal revenue, some portion of which deserves channeling into the customs activity that supports increased international trade. Texas legislators and businesses, being close to the situation geographically, are acutely aware of the fixes and upgrades that require attention if NAFTA prosperity is truly to live up to the expectations of this state and nation.