Silvestre Reyes

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. I appreciate he does not have a lot of time, and in 3\1/2\ minutes I cannot tell my colleagues the frustration of working in this body. The reason I rise in strong opposition to this bill, among many, is the information that we hear here about one agency being able to open trunks and the other agency not being able to open trunks. To suggest that a collective bargaining contract leads to corruption is ridiculous. I patrolled our border for more than 26 years with the Border Patrol and also served as an inspector at our ports of entry for 4 years. I know what the men and women of our borders are asked to do on a daily basis. I know the dedication they pour into their work each and every day to keep our communities safe. I do not understand how this body can vote on a bill which will send many of our customs inspectors home to their families with less pay and will take away their current negotiating rights. I do not understand how we can be so hypocritical as to ask our inspectors to do more but give up their rights while serving as a first line of defense on our borders. I think I do understand how we work in this House but I do not agree with it. The reason that our borders and our fight against drugs does not work is because too often in this House we make it a political issue. I make it a practice to act in the best interest of our border and do not politicize the needs of our border. I am a cosponsor of the bill offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter), which increases our Border Patrol presence and gives our agents more flexibility while doing their jobs because it is the right thing to do. He is a cosponsor of my bill to separate the enforcement functions of the INS and create a new agency, again because it is the right thing to do. It serves the needs of our communities, not the needs of our political agendas. I stand here today deeply disturbed with this body, because the legislation that is pending before us has nothing to do with the border, it has nothing to do with fighting drugs; it has everything to do with politics. When are we going to act in the best interest of our border communities and pass legislation which addresses the needs of our drug enforcement agencies? We should not use the issue to push political agendas. If this bill is designed to make some Members look bad and choose between much- needed personnel and technology and the rights of our agents and inspectors who enforce our narcotics and immigration laws, then shame on us for politicizing the security and the integrity of our borders and misusing the trust and faith placed in us by our communities. No one in this body today should fall into this trap. I refuse to compromise the security of our Nation and the rights of our hard working and dedicated agents and inspectors. We all owe it to our men and women who stand on the border of this great country, keeping our families and our communities safe, and ask nothing in return except the fundamental right of fair treatment. I ask all my colleagues, based on 26\1/2\ years of experience in fighting drugs, in fighting illegal immigration on our borders, to oppose this bill. There were no hearings held. This is a mishmash and a missed opportunity to do what is right.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3039, the Veterans Transitional Housing Opportunities Act of 1998, and ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks. This bill will provide a much needed boost to improving the availability of safe and secure homes for our Veterans. I am proud to join the Chairman and Ranking member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee as a co-sponsor of this important bill, which will provide a much needed boost to the pool of housing for our homeless veterans. In America, where there is so much prosperity, it is a tragedy that so many of our citizens are homeless, day after day, night after night, looking for shelter. Moreover, it is disturbing that one third of our nation's homeless are men and women who admirably served our country as veterans. This legislation reaffirms our commitment to our veterans wherever they are, to provide them safe and secure shelter. By authorizing $100 million in loan guarantees for the development of transitional housing, and by providing for support and counseling. I am proud to state that the Veterans' Affairs Committee has sought to bring these homeless veterans hope and independence. A home is the foundation of our country, and this legislation will bring our homeless veterans out from the cold. Moreover, this legislation is good policy as it provides for partnerships with local communities to provide this housing. By requiring local and community involvement, we can ensure that the specialized needs of our nation's veterans are secured across the country. As we take up this important legislation, we recommit ourselves to improving the lives of our nation's veterans. Today I stand with my colleagues on the Veterans Committee and the entire House in strongly supporting this bill. This legislation will truly begin to bring our dedicated and courageous veterans home. I encourage its unanimous passage. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time. Mr. Chairman, I rise tonight in support of this bill. I want to thank both the gentleman from South Carolina (Chairman Spence) and the ranking member, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton), for their hard work to produce the best budget possible in this time of ever- increasing defense budgets. Although I believe the committee produced a good bill under the circumstances, I also believe this Nation is not providing enough for national defense. If we continue on the course set out in the balanced budget agreement, the national security of this Nation will be jeopardized. This is the 14th straight year of real declines in the defense budget. The fiscal year 1999 defense budget request represents the lowest real level of U.S. spending since before the Korean War. Although I do not endorse a $400 billion budget like those of the 1980s, I do believe that this budget and the ones planned for the next 5 years are critically insufficient to maintain a strong military with a decent quality of life for the personnel and high-tech weapons needed to protect our country and defeat any enemy. Not only is the funding level too low, but the size of our force is insufficient for all of the missions they are being required to accomplish. As an example, Army deployments have increased 300 percent since 1989. The Army is currently funded at 488,000 soldiers. The budget request only provided for 480,000. How can we expect the Army to handle an increase of 300 percent with these continued decreases in the end strength? At a time when the Army deployments are the highest in history, I believe it is ill-advised to endorse decreasing the end strength of our Army. Our Army is losing outstanding young men and women, both enlisted and officers, because they are away from home far too often. When they are home, they are required to work long hours and not spend quality time with their families. Because of the strain and the pressure, many choose to end marriages or, as an alternative, to save marriages by leaving the service. Our soldiers should not be forced to make such unacceptable choices. It appears that the United States military operations throughout the world are not decreasing. As such, reducing the end strength of the Army can only exacerbate this problem. I am one of those many current and former soldiers who believes that the Army should be maintained at a minimum level of 500,000. Of course, this strength level also requires an increase in the Department of Defense budget. I also want to remind this Congress of our duty to protect our military personnel. Although the Cold War has ended, new and different threats have emerged. It is our duty to ensure that the weapons systems to protect our soldiers in the field are sufficiently funded. One of the greatest current and future threats is from weapons of mass destruction delivered on short- and medium-range ballistic and cruise missiles. Countries throughout the world are working feverishly to develop or procure the technology to deliver these types of weapons. We talk about our concerns with North Korea, Iran, Iraq, and Libya, but what about other countries? India's actions last week should serve as a wake-up call that there are other nations to watch and that countries may be closer to obtaining the technology than we are aware of. We must continue to support theater missile defense programs to ensure that we deploy systems to defend against these threats as soon as possible. I believe that my colleagues should support this bill before us, but I also urge this Congress and the administration to work together and increase the budget for the Department of Defense.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I rise in opposition to House Resolution 622. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich).

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, as many know, I have opposed this bill at every turn. On October 7, 1997, the House passed H.R. 629, in spite of overwhelming opposition by the residents of Hudspeth County, Presidio County, Jeff Davis County and others in West Texas. I respect my colleagues that are on the other side of this issue. I respect the fact that they have strong opinions about the necessity of our State and Vermont and Maine to have a site where nuclear waste can be stored. However, this issue is about fairness. This issue is about understanding that a life in Sierra Blanca, Texas, is worth the same as a life in Rockwall, in Houston, and in any other part of this great country of ours. I believe that this site threatens the health and safety of our citizens, our citizens that live in Sierra Blanca, Texas. In spite of the designation of ``low level,'' this dump would accept intensely radioactive materials, as my colleague the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett) has stated. The community of Sierra Blanca already has one of the largest sewage sludge projects in the country. The proposed dump site is also at risk in this particular area of Texas from earthquakes. According to the 1993 license application for Sierra Blanca, it is part of the most tectonically active area within the State of Texas. This radioactive site would effectively threaten the water supply of about 3 million people by threatening the Rio Grande River. I also believe that this bill violates the 1983 La Paz Agreement with Mexico. This bill directs the governments of the United States and Mexico to adopt appropriate measures to prevent, reduce and eliminate sources of pollution within a 60 mile radius of the border. The State of Texas asserts that they just merely must inform the Government of Mexico on actions of this type. I disagree, the Mexican government disagrees, and in fact last week the Mexican Congress in a strongly- worded message passed a resolution taking an official position against the site of this nuclear dump. During the debate on H.R. 629, the House agreed to an amendment offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett) that makes Congressional approval conditional and will be granted only for so long as no low level radioactive waste is brought into Texas from any other State other than Maine or Vermont. As introduced, H.R. 629 did not include that stipulation. This compact was promoted to the Texas legislature as a way to restrict out-of-state waste to those other than those two New England states. I strongly believe and those that support our position, which is the right position, believe that the Doggett amendment should remain as part of this legislation. When the Senate considered this bill, it also included the Doggett language in the bill. I strongly support this language, and urge the conferees in the strongest possible way to leave this language in the conference bill. The Senate has also unanimously agreed to an amendment which gives local residents and businesses the right to challenge the compact if they can prove discrimination on the basis of race. This area that has been selected is predominately Hispanic. Eighty-two percent of the residents of Sierra Blanca, Texas, are Hispanic. Therefore, this is a vital and important component in the legislation. Much of the local community believes that there has been discrimination, I believe that there has been discrimination, and the Senate amendment gives the local community a chance to prove its case in court. Again, in closing, I strongly urge the conferees to preserve the language and think of the people of Sierra Blanca, Texas, and let us not make decisions on where we locate radioactive dumps on the basis of political impotence. I think it would send a very strong and clear message to the community of Sierra Blanca, Texas, to west Texas, and those that ultimately are going to rely on the Rio Grande River as their main water source that this body, that the House and the Senate, care about the future of this area and this region of the country. For that reason, I strongly recommend that if we are going to pass this kind of legislation, that it be with the Doggett amendments.

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5\1/2\ minutes to my good friend, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett).

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have remaining?

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to my good friend, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hinojosa).

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time. I rise today to ask all of my colleagues to carefully look at what this bill states. This legislation asks that all Members work personally to mobilize all members of local communities in fighting drugs and that the House will pass legislation to provide the necessary resources to protect children and communities from the dangers of drug addiction and drug-related violence. I find it hard to imagine that anyone in this House would disagree with the intent of this legislation, and I find it hard to imagine that anyone would argue with the importance that this message sends. Let me say this: It is time for this Congress to act in a bipartisan manner and pass meaningful legislation to keep our communities free from drugs and give our children the opportunity to live and learn in a drug-free environment. We have all heard the staggering facts. More than 50 percent of high school seniors have experimented with drugs. The most likely cause of death for a 16-year-old is alcohol related. America's demand for drugs each year is estimated at 5 billion. We as a Nation have an obligation to do something about all of this. We as a Congress have an obligation to do something about this specific issue. We as parents have a duty to address and correct this serious problem. Congress has before it an aggressive, comprehensive drug legislative strategy. The Office of National Drug Control Policy or, as we know it, ONDCP, unveiled the 1998 National Drug Control Strategy in February of this year. For the first time the 1998 National Drug Control Strategy set specific performance objectives for antidrug programs. Under the national drug strategy, for each year over the next 10 years antidrug programs will be held accountable for meeting specific performance goals. This is a bipartisan, aggressive, comprehensive plan which will drastically reduce illegal drug use in our country. Allow me to stress the fact that this plan reflects a bipartisan consensus on drug control policy. As a former border patrol chief who lived and worked on the border, I know the importance of cooperation when combatting drug trafficking. There should never be an ``us'' versus ``them'' mentality when we are trying to help keep our kids alive. I urge all my colleagues to vote for this legislation and to take its message to heart: Pass meaningful legislation to keep our streets free from illegal drugs. I have introduced legislation which will increase the number of Customs and INS inspectors along our borders. This increase in manpower will provide us with another tool to combat drug traffickers and their relentless flood of narcotics into our Nation. This legislation will also provide technology to allow us to detect illegal narcotics and prevent those shipments from entering our communities and poisoning our children. I urge all of my colleagues to act in a responsible, bipartisan manner and support the ONDCP plan and support this legislation that will keep drugs off of our streets and away from our kids.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2829. As a former law enforcement officer for 26 years, I know firsthand how our men and women that are peace officers put their lives on the line every day. They courageously defend our borders, our States, our cities, and our neighborhoods. The well-being of our Nation's peace officers should therefore be the highest priority for all of us. As a Border Patrol chief, my officers confronted numerous criminals who were armed and often dangerous. Bulletproof vests provided my officers with additional protection from firearms and reduced injuries and saved lives. Nonetheless, today many of our Nation's police and sheriff's departments are without this vital piece of equipment. The Justice Department estimates that 150,000 officers nationwide do not have access to these vests. Some communities simply cannot afford them. This, in my mind, is simply unacceptable. In my opinion, every officer should be provided with a vest. This bill will address this goal. I am personally grateful for this legislation that will authorize $25 million in grant money to help pay for the purchase of bulletproof vests. As we celebrate this week, National Police Week, let us remember those officers who died in the line of duty by honoring their memory and unanimously passing this legislation. Let us give our officers this important protection. Therefore, I strongly support this bill, and ask this Congress to unanimously support its passage.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support for House Resolution 422, which honors law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. As a member of the Border Patrol for 26 years, I know the dedication of our nation's men and women of law enforcement. In defending our nation's borders, the agents I supervised were faced with numerous risks and dangers. With our War on Drugs, I saw how criminals became increasingly sophisticated and dangerous. Every day our officers face these dangers and do an outstanding job to protect and secure our communities. Unfortunately, however, there is a heavy price to be paid for this security. We honor during National Police Week those officers who were killed in the line of duty. These officers deserve our highest respect as they made the ultimate sacrifice as public servants for our well being. With this resolution we honor the memory of these officers for their service to our communities. We express our gratitude and offer our condolences to their families. As we celebrate National Police Week, let us remember that their sacrifices can not and must not ever be taken for granted or forgotten. I strongly support and encourage the passage of this bill.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for arranging this special order today to focus on the plight of the Department of Defense (DoD) and its ever declining budget. This is the 14th straight year that DoD funding has decreased. Readiness is suffering because DoD does not have enough funds to train its soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines. Readiness is suffering because military personnel are leaving the force because they are away from their families too often and when they are home, their quality of life is declining. If the force is not ready, it cannot protect this nation. Bedsies readiness concerns, the force also cannot protect the nation if its equipment is not the best in the world. The planned budgets do not provide sufficiently to upgrade the military's equipment. How can we send these young men and women to battle without the best equipment? The Army in particular is suffering greatly under the current and future budget plans. The Army is doing much more with much less. Since the end of the Cold War, the size of the force has shrunk by 300,000. At the same time, however, Army deployments have increased by 300%. Sixty percent of the forces committed to the multiple operations across the world is Army. Even so, the Army receives less than one fourth of DoD's funding. The Army simply does not have the funding necessary to complete all of the missions being required of it. Due to insufficient budgets planned for the future, the Army is being forced to make cuts that are unacceptable and it is being forced to make these cuts in ways that do not make sense. Just today, I was in a meeting concerning civilian cuts to Army training posts. We were told that cuts have to be made because--bottom line--the budget is too low. At the same time, the Army is looking at ways to privatize some of its activities. The Army is supposed to study which jobs can be outsourced and maintain the personnel for the jobs which cannot be outsourced. Due to budgetary constraints, however, the Army is cutting in a haphazard manner--losing many of those civilians who really may be essential to Army activities. The vast decline in the national security budget is requiring these cuts to be made in ways that do not make sense. We are eating our seed corn. The average age of a DoD civilian is now close to 50 years old. Within five years, it would seem that all those with experience and knowledge will make it to retirement and leave. This will leave our defense department without individuals with any institutional knowledge. I urge the President and my colleagues in Congress to increase the defense budget. As a Vietnam veteran, I understand the need for quality equipment. I understand the need for high morale in soldiers. As a former civil servant, I understand the importance of civil servants to running an agency and the need for high morale among their ranks to operate well. If the defense budget is not increased in the outyears, the military's equipment will be insufficient and the personnel--both uniformed and civilian--will continue to be demoralized. And--we will no longer be able to claim to be the best and strongest military in the world. Without our strong military, we would not be the country that we are today. Remember that we could actually have lost several wars this century and we could all be speaking German.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, beginning tomorrow, April 24 through April 26, the city of El Paso, Texas, will host the El Paso Quadricentennial Festival. This festival is an international celebration, bringing together representatives from Spain, Mexico and other nations around the world to join in celebrating the 400th anniversary of the expedition of the Spanish explorer, Don Juan de Onate, through the Southwest. His exploration began in January of 1598, when he and 400 other men and women traveled from Mexico through the present day El Paso, Texas. After numerous hardships during their journey, the expedition arrived along the banks of the Rio Grande River in April of 1598. In gratitude for surviving their difficult travel and finding water along the Rio Grande, they observed a feast and celebrated with local Indians. This historical event is considered the first Thanksgiving, which occurred 22 years before the pilgrims landed at Plymouth, Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, it is important for our Nation to recognize this 400th anniversary. I am proud that El Paso is hosting this International Commemoration, as it enhances our country's understanding of the extensive influence of the Spanish language and culture on our heritage and origins of this Nation.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Madam Speaker, I appreciate this opportunity to speak in support of this important bill which will provide our troops better protection from ballistic missile threats. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this bill, and I am pleased that this issue is finally getting the attention of the full House of Representatives. Fort Bliss, which is located in my district, trains all the soldiers who provide air and missile defense for our military. Also, and perhaps most importantly for the purposes of this bill, most of the Patriot batteries are located at Fort Bliss. As such, the increased funds for PAC-3 technologies will directly affect our soldiers. The Fort Bliss air defenders will be using these technologies to better defend our military and our allies. Our soldiers at Fort Bliss are pleased that we are working to provide the resources necessary to move PAC-3 into the field as effectively and as quickly as possible. The bill includes $15 million to accelerate completion of the PAC-3 remote launch capability. This technology will allow the Patriot soldiers to place their missiles and launchers further out in front of the radar and the battery, which in turn expands the battle space. This will allow each Patriot unit to defend a larger area. Second, the bill provides $41 million to allow for an increased rate of production for PAC-3. This will move PAC-3 missiles out into the field more rapidly so that every Patriot unit will have the PAC-3 capability. At the beginning of the Gulf War conflict, our Patriot soldiers had only three PAC-2 missiles, missiles that were capable of defending against other ballistic missiles. Not only were there few PAC-2 missiles, but PAC-2 could only achieve missile kill against the incoming ballistic missile and not kill the actual warhead. As a result, some diverted incoming missiles caused collateral damage in civilian areas. PAC-3 will have hit-to-kill capability, eliminating the fear of hitting other areas and destroying offensive missiles and their warheads which could include weapons of mass destruction. The funds we provide today will equip our Patriot units more quickly with this technology. Third, the bill provides $40 million for tests of PAC-3 and Navy Area. Our air defenders will feel more comfortable knowing that these technologies have been sufficiently tested with live fire tests against longer range missiles. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spence), the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton), the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon), the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Pickett) and the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt) for their bipartisan work to get this bill to the House floor today. I strongly urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation in a bipartisan manner.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow, the second annual U.S.-Mexico Border Conference will be held on Capitol Hill. The purpose of this conference is to familiarize Members of Congress and their staff with the unique changes facing the U.S.-Mexico border. Speakers from the border area will address issues under consideration by Congress that directly affected the southwest border, including infrastructure and economic development, education and the workforce, immigration and drug trafficking, health and the environment. The luncheon keynote speaker will be Ambassador of Mexico to the United States Jesus Reyes-Heroles. During this 1-day event, you will hear about the effects of immigration policy, problems with illegal drugs, dislocated workers, the economy of both sides of the border, and the strain on our border infrastructure due to issues in NAFTA, and health care will also be discussed. I hope that you will join me and the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce as we explore the needs of our 2,000-mile border with Mexico and discuss serious policy issues concerning the U.S.-Mexican border. I urge my colleagues to come and spend 1 day learning about the U.S.- Mexican border.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time. I come this afternoon before this House as a voice of experience and as a voice of experience on two fronts: First, as a former veteran that served in Vietnam, and to tell my colleagues that the resolution that we are considering this afternoon can have devastating impact on our troops. There was nothing that was more devastating to our morale in Vietnam than to have the kind of turmoil and the kinds of arguments during that unfortunate era for our country than to engage in the kinds of dialogue unfortunately that we are engaged in this afternoon all over again. The other point of experience that I raise this afternoon for my colleagues is one of the experience of having been in Bosnia in January and seeing the results of the presence of American troops having a very positive impact on the ability of that region to celebrate peace. I urge my colleagues to vote against resolution 227.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, this morning I stand here proudly and would like to welcome a group of young people from El Paso, Texas. This is a group of singers that is called the Lamplighters, that sings a positive message about life. This group was formed in 1987 at Henderson middle school through the vision of Mr. Jim Marshall and the support of the principal, Mr. Ralph Chavis. The Lamplighters are a group that is made up of 40 middle school students ages 11 to 15, and they are sitting in the gallery to my left. They are here getting a firsthand look at democracy in action. The Lamplighters sing a collection of 25 songs that include themes such as biculturalism, success, friendship, search for the truth, believing in themselves and understanding God. Their mission is to light up life with positive themes through song, a goal they always accomplish with every performance, such as this morning performing for the Texas delegation. Today I welcome the Lamplighters to Washington, D.C., where I am pleased they are here, and I know that they will experience firsthand and appreciate the excitement of democracy in action. Welcome.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tribute to Richard C. White, former Congressman for the 16th District of Texas. Congressman White passed away last Wednesday, February 18, in El Paso, Texas. It is with deep sorrow and condolences to his family that we mark the passing of this dear friend, exceptional leader and fine human being. During his 74 years of life, he exemplified the highest attributes that all of us here in Congress and back in our respective districts respect and admire, the attributes of leadership, vision, integrity, humility and public service. Early in his life, Richard White showed a concern and a commitment to his community and his country. He entered military service as a marine in World War II and saw action in the Pacific theater. While fighting in the battles of Bougainville, Guam and Iwo Jima, he was wounded in action, and his service to his country was marked with honor and high decoration, receiving the Purple Heart. Upon returning to the States, this veteran began advocating as an outstanding lawyer for the people of El Paso. In 1949, he heeded the call for even greater community service. Congressman White launched the beginning of a distinguished career as a public servant. He served first in the Texas Legislature from 1955 to 1958. In the beginning, he worked hard to improve the quality of life along the border. Focusing on health care and environmental issues, he established a nursing school at the University of Texas at El Paso and created the Hueco Tanks State Park. As a native Texan and a third generation El Pasoan, Congressman White remained close to his roots. After his successful terms in the State House, he returned to El Paso. He practiced law for a short time and served as a chairman of the El Paso Democratic Party prior to announcing his candidacy for the U.S. Congress in 1964. Richard White then served in this body from 1965 to 1983. I know that during his years here in Washington he built many friendships. Many of you were his colleagues and remember his strong advocacy on behalf of his district and the well-being of this Nation. His work on the Committee on Armed Services reflected his strong commitment to national security, and this was reflected in his unwavering support for El Paso's Fort Bliss Army Post, and in the drafting of the reorganization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff language. In addition, he brought the needs of El Paso and the border to the forefront of Congress as he created the Chamizal Border Highway and the Chamizal National Memorial. In addition, he served with distinction in the Interior and Insular Affairs Committees, the Post Office and Civil Service Committee, and the Science and Technology Committee. Congressman White was a true citizen-legislator. During his 18 years representing El Paso, he served with distinction and determination. Moreover, his accomplishments were marked by a reputation as a person of the highest character and for always conducting himself as a gentleman. Despite having attained seniority and earning the respect and admiration of his peers, he nevertheless left this Congress to return to his family in El Paso. The proud father of 7 children, he was devoted to spending more time with them. Nonetheless, seeing the need to always contribute towards the betterment of El Paso and the citizens of El Paso, he remained active in numerous community affairs and lent his support to the 16th District as a mentor and a civic leader. I can personally say that Congressman White was a long time friend to me and to my family. He inspired us with his leadership, and I appreciated his many insights and willingness to offer his continued assistance on behalf of our community. Congressman White leaves an enormous legacy of concern for his constituents and a commitment to doing everything in his power to help those whom he served. Richard White personified the meaning of honorable public service. He made the most of his life by touching the lives of those around him. As Congressman, legislator, attorney, friend, citizen, husband and father, he led a life of dignity and unselfish commitment. He worked hard. As we mourn his passing, let us all remember that his many accomplishments will be a benchmark for those of us here in Washington today. Mr. Speaker and fellow Members of Congress, I will soon introduce legislation to name the El Paso Federal Office Building in his honor. I will ask for your support in this endeavor as a permanent monument to his proud record of public service and fierce drive to help his community and to work for the greater good of this Nation. I thank you, and I want to wish his wife, Katherine and all his children well, and God bless the White family.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my good friend, the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Snyder).

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Bonior), my friend and colleague.

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and, Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Watts) for yielding this time to me. Mr. Speaker, I am honored today to rise in support of this important resolution which honors the U.S. military personnel who were held as prisoners of war during the Vietnam conflict. I am equally honored to serve in this House with my good friend, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sam Johnson) and another colleague, Mr. Peterson, who is also being honored in this resolution. Acknowledging the courage and sacrifice of this Nation's POWs and reinforcing the commitment to continuing to press for a final accounting of those servicemen who remain missing in action is very appropriate, and I am pleased that we are considering this resolution on this 25th anniversary of the release of many of Vietnam's POWs. As a Vietnam veteran myself, I understand the horror of that war and the great sacrifices that were made by my comrades in arms from throughout this Nation, but I, like most in this body and in this country, can never understand the nightmare experienced by our POWs. While we are all subject to terrible living conditions, missing loved ones, fear of losing our lives to the Vietcong hostile fire, we were, however, the fortunate ones. The POWs and the MIAs had so much more to deal with. They were routinely subjected to brutal mistreatment, including beatings, torture, starvation, the denial of medical attention. That they were also kept apart for many, many years from seeing another American was an added hardship. Let us not forget their families. Their families suffered equally, and families today suffer not knowing the final outcome of those men and women missing in action. Many loved ones do not know the fate of their soldiers still living today. I think that we should reflect today on the sacrifice of these families. We also should acknowledge the continued suffering of the families of those, as I mentioned, who are missing in action. We must continue to seek information about these missing men for the families and because the United States military is loathe to leave behind any of its soldiers, sailors, airmen or Marines. We in the House of Representatives must help the families in the military continue seeking information about these 2,000 service members who remain unaccounted for. It has been said many times, all gave some and some gave all, as well as blessed are the peacekeepers. Blessed truly are our POWs and MIAs. I stand here in the people's House saying, God bless our POWs, our MIAs and everyone whose lives they have touched. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my colleague, the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Boswell). (Mr. BOSWELL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding to me. I rise to pay tribute to my good friend and colleague, Congressman Ron Dellums. Like many of my colleagues, I was saddened to learn that Ron was leaving us, especially when I realized that he was leaving us so soon. I want everyone to know that I respect Ron and that I consider him a pioneer, I consider him a mentor and I consider him a friend. I consider Ron Dellums a pioneer because he came to this House as a Representative at a time when there were very few minorities in Congress. He led the way for African-Americans, he pioneered the way for women, for Hispanics and other minorities. He did not shy away from issues of importance to these groups and others. He boldly stood on this floor and in the committee and passionately debated matters of grave concern to this Nation and to the world. In so doing, he raised issues that others would rather ignore, but he knew that they must be brought and discussed here in this body. I consider Ron Dellums a mentor because from the day I joined the House Committee on National Security he always was available to answer any questions and provide guidance to those of us that were new to the committee. He was quick to share his expertise and to mentor new Members. For that I really appreciate your friendship. Ron Dellums took time to bring the freshmen members of the committee together on many different occasions about many different issues, and he shared his knowledge of the process, of the experience, and he took time to guide us through a very nasty mine field of the authorization process, and we really appreciate that, Ron. I consider Ron Dellums a friend, first and foremost, because I could always come to him to ask advice. I could always count on him for lending some sort of rationalization and levity to sometimes a cantankerous atmosphere. I think that, Ron, you, more than other Members of this institution, realize that you have always been an integral and an important part of a process that is as real and vital as America itself. I want to wish you all the best and know that in the next chapter of your life you will continue to make a significant impact on the lives of many others. I want to end by telling you, my good friend, vaya con Dios, mi amigo, mi hermano, go with God, my friend and my brother. God bless.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize Stan and Jetta Roberts as the Northeast El Paso Family of the Year for 1997. Since first arriving in El Paso more than 42 years ago, Stan and Jetta have contributed to the development of the El Paso community in every imaginable way. The Roberts are members of the 7th Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where they have worshiped and prayed with their four children Mike, Jetta Lynn, Beverly, and Stan and their seven grandchildren. After 28 years in the Army, Stan decided to serve his county and his community in another way--he and his father organized, with others, the Northeast El Paso Civic Association to work toward the improvement of the Northeast area and the city of El Paso. In addition to being a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Local 8919, Stan is a member of the Cooties a life member of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 187, American Legion, Association of the United States Army, NAUS, Moose Lodge No. 554, American Association of Retired Persons, and the Northeast El Paso Civic Association. Stan was recently re-elected to his fourth term on the El Paso City Council, and has been the alternate mayor protemp for the past 2 years. Throughout their lives, Jetta has always been supportive of Stan's endeavors throughout his Army career and civilian life. Jetta has been Stan's campaign manager for the last three elections. Jetta is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Woman's Auxiliary, life member of the Disabled American Veterans Women's Auxiliary, and is currently serving her second term as El Paso representative on the Texas Silver- Haired Legislature in Austin, TX and is an alternate on the National Silver-Haired Legislature in Washington, DC. Jetta was the Relief Society president for 5 years and was also an employment specialist for 2 years helping people on welfare find jobs. The outstanding accomplishments of both Stan and Jetta Roberts have been many and they are both committed to helping and serving their community whenever they can. I've had the opportunity to work with both Stan and Jetta while trying to improve our communities. We can all learn from the sacrifices they have made to benefit others and both shine as bright as our star on the mountain.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize Jimmy K. Melver as the Northeast El Pasoan of the Year for 1996. Jimmy has served El Paso with unmatched dedication and desire while asking for nothing in return. Jimmy is the current Chairman of the Board of the American Heart Association and was the past Development Chairman and Outstanding Regional Volunteer of the Year for West Texas. He has served the Boy Scouts of America for more than 28 years and is the current Chairman of the Troop Committee of Troop 222. Jimmy has been a member of the Highland Presbyterian Church for more than 35 years. He currently serves the church in his capacity as co- music leader for Sunday School and Chairman of the 40th Anniversary celebration. He currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Northgate Optimist Club. His involvement in the community includes service to Andress High School as the past President of the Band Booster Club. He is also a Life Member of the Texas Parent Teacher Association. I would like to thank Jimmy Melver for his years of dedication and service to El Paso. We can all learn a great deal from Jimmy and the sacrifices he has made to improve his community. He is typical of what El Paso has become known for in the Southwest, individuals that work long, hard, and unselfish hours on behalf of this community for no other reason than to create a community where everyone can feel welcome. He shines as bright as the star on our mountain.

Mr. REYES

Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize the James L. Gamble family as the Northeast El Paso Family of the Year for 1996. Jim and Flo Gamble moved to El Paso in 1967 and have served the El Paso community with unmatched dedication ever since. Although Jim Gamble, Sr., passed away last year, the family has not relented in their pursuit of improving El Paso and the lives of all El Pasoans. The Gambles have been members of Highland Presbyterian Church for more than 20 years. Jim Gamble, Sr., was a ruling Elder of the Session and chairman of the Worship Committee, which oversees worship services, communion, and supervises the positions of organist and music director. Flo Gamble is employed as secretary of Highland Presbyterian Church and teaches Sunday School to Junior High Youth. Jim Gamble, Sr., served his country in the U.S. Army for 20 years. After his retirement from the Army, he worked for 14 years for the Federal Bureau of Prisons as physician's assistant at La Tuna Federal Correctional Facility until he retired again to turn his attention to community and civic pursuits with a goal of helping children and young people. He joined the Northgate Optimist Club and served as president, vice president, member of the board of directors, and secretary- treasurer. He was also active in the probe by Providence Memorial Hospital to bring medical facilities to Northeast El Paso. JIm was an ex-president of the Northeast Democratic Party and helped to raise funds for the Reach for a Star Program. Jim Gamble, Jr., is the current president of the Northgate Optimist Club and has been nominated by his club for Lt. Governor of his district. He works in every area of the club functions, especially with the Reach for a Star Program and the Thanksgiving Dinner for young military men who are away from their families during the holidays. Jim Gamble, Jr., is also a member of the Highland Presbyterian Church and is currently serving as an Elder and works with the Fellowship Committee. I am proud to recognize the entire Gamble family as the Northeast El Paso Family of the Year for 1996. On behalf of all El Pasoans, I would like to commend the Gambles for providing leadership and dedication in our community. They are shining beacons of hospitality and vitality, shining as bright as our star on the mountain.