Lucille Roybal-Allard

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, March 8, 1996, Hispanas Organized for Political Equity [Hope] Education and Leadership Fund's Fifth Annual Symposium is taking place in California's 33d Congressional District in honor of the past and future accomplishments of Latinas. This year's theme, ``A Proud Past * * * A Powerful Tomorrow,'' is certainly appropriate. As Latinas, we are at a crossroads. Today, we are prouder than ever to be rooted in our cultural traditions. At the same time, we are breaking the glass ceiling and pioneering into areas our mothers never would have dreamed possible. Latinas own major businesses, serve as executives in our Nation's largest corporations, and are being elected to public office in increasing numbers throughout all levels of government. As our accomplishments grow, we continue to fulfill our rule as the nurturers and educators of our children. I am extremely optimistic about our future. In 25 years, it is estimated that Latinos will become the majority population group in California. Our new role tomorrow demands that Latinas continue to tackle new challenges and responsibilities today. HOPE will play a crucial role in preparing Latinas to lead California into the future. I salute the HOPE Education and Leadership Fund for their commitment to Latinas and our children and, in their honor, proclaim March 8, 1996, as Latina History Day.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the Republicans' welfare reform proposal. Welfare reform should promote self-sufficiency in a way that does not compromise human dignity and self-respect, the cornerstones of the American tradition. Tragically, the Republican proposal does little to promote self- sufficiency. It fails to provide specific resources for job training and placement which are necessary to help recipients become productive members of the work force. Yet it punishes those who, although willing, are unable to find work. The Republican plan violates the basic principles of human dignity and self respect. It punishes poor families, especially our children, by eliminating the guarantee of health services for poor families and denying critical health care to millions of women and children. In addition it allows States to deny benefits to innocent children who are born into families currently receiving assistance. Equally as tragic, the Republican bill eliminates our country's long- standing commitment of a guaranteed safety net for people living in poverty. In Los Angeles County alone, thousands of children will join the nearly half a million children who already live below the poverty line. And it eliminates the safety net for all Americans who experience economic hardship resulting from the loss of their jobs and who depend on this safety net to protect their family until they can find other employment. The Republican plan does not do what it claims. It does not encourage responsibility and self-sufficiency. It will not help people to help themselves and worse, it severely punishes the most vulnerable among us, our children. While we can all agree on the need for welfare reform, the American people do not want a plan which violates the basic American principles of fairness, human dignity, and self-respect; the Republican bill violates all of these.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this bill.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the VA-HUD appropriations conference report. Unfortunately, the conferees wasted their opportunity to improve this bill and once again present us with legislation that makes dangerous and unnecessary cuts to environmental and housing programs that protect American families and communities. For example, the bill cuts environmental program funds by 21 percent, crippling the EPA's ability to enforce laws which help ensure the safety of the water we drink and the air we breathe. The bill also cuts housing program funding by 21 percent, including cuts to many vital public housing programs and homeless services. The cuts in public housing operating and modernization funds, will significantly hamper the ability for housing providers to deliver safe housing for American families. Furthermore, by reducing the number of newly available section 8 housing vouchers, the bill increases the potential for increased homelessness among the thousands of families and children who are waiting for housing assistance. I urge my colleagues to reject this bill and the potential pain and suffering it will inflict on many American families. Vote ``no'' on the conference report.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the VA-HUD appropriations conference report. This bill makes dangerous and unnecessary cuts in programs protecting the health and welfare of our Nation. It decimates important environmental protection programs by cutting EPA funding by 21 percent--the largest targeted cut for any single Federal agency. It also slashes public housing programs by 21 percent and homeless programs by 27 percent, at a time when public housing needs are rising, not falling. The impact of these cuts will be felt in urban and rural areas throughout the Nation. For example, in Los Angeles County alone, reductions in the incremental section 8 housing program will deny rental assistance to 40,000 individuals and families currently on the county's waiting list. I urge my colleagues to reject the flawed funding priorities reflected in this bill by defeating the conference report.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California, [Ms. Pelosi]. (Ms. PELOSI asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Connecticut [Mrs. Kennelly].

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, how much time do we have remaining?

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California [Mr. Stark]. (Mr. STARK asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California [Mr. Matsui].

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Lewis].

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, today we are taking final action on a budget that forces us to abandon a vital American principle of fair play. Instead of pursuing the goal of ``shared sacrifice'', the majority rips gaping holes in key social safety net programs--imposing new burdens on children, seniors, and the poor, while granting a $245 billion tax break for the wealthy. This budget is grossly unfair because it takes $165 billion from Medicaid in order to eliminate the minimum tax on corporations. This could cause over 2 million seniors to lose their Medicaid coverage for long-term care. It is unfair because it enlarges corporate tax deductions, while taking away $82 billion from welfare, pushing over 1.2 million children into poverty and denying Federal benefits to elderly legal immigrants. And, it is unfair because it gives families earning $350,000 a $14,000 tax cut, while increasing taxes for low-income working Americans by cutting the EITC by $32 billion, affecting 60,000 working families in my district alone. I urge a ``NO'' note on this budget ``wreck-conciliation.''

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York [Mr. Rangel].

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Payne].

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to pay tribute to an outstanding member of the 33d Congressional District, Mark Belfortti. Mr. Belfortti's remarkable dedication to the community is exemplified by the time and expertise he gives to the Home Loan Counseling Center. This organization provides an invaluable service to our community by increasing the possibility of home ownership to members of the 33d Congressional District. The center has benefited from the countless hours of technical assistance volunteered by Mr. Belfortti, his help with homebuying fairs and empowerment seminars, and from his role as the center's liaison to many community associations. For his work, Mr. Belfortti has been named an honorary member of the Home Loan Counseling Center's Board of Directors. In addition to his involvement with the Home Loan Counseling Center, Mr. Belfortti has been actively involved with other nonprofit community service agencies that provide homeownership, economic development, and social services to help empower residents. With his help, organizations such as William Mead Homes, Operation Hope, Inc., Valley [[Page E 2204]] Economic Development Center, and the County and City of Los Angeles' Housing Department have been able to service the needs of the Spanish speaking residents in my district through his translation skills and his technical assistance. Mr. Speaker, Mark Belfortti's work exemplifies the commitment and dedication of all unsung heroes who give of their time selflessly to improve their community. Mr. Belfortti's involvement is invaluable for nonprofit organizations with scarce resources and for communities with critical needs. For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to join me in saluting Mark Belfortti for all his work.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 359.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, domestic violence is a crime that affects people [[Page E 2089]] in all communities, transcending economic, geographic, and racial lines. In fact, domestic violence is the greatest cause of injury to women in the United States. Today, a woman is battered every 13 seconds, compared to every 15 seconds a few years ago. Yet, the nature and seriousness of domestic violence as a crime is often ignored. To combat domestic violence, education is vital to helping battered women recognize the problem, and to changing society's attitude and perceptions. Only by raising the level of awareness and understanding about domestic violence can we overcome the shameful stigma and psychological barriers associated with this epidemic. As Chair of the Violence Against Women Task Force, I will cohost a reception with California State Senator Hilda Solis on November 3, 1995, in Los Angeles, to highlight organizations and individuals that work tirelessly against domestic violence. In particular, this year's reception will honor organizations in Los Angeles County that provide sanctuary to victims of domestic violence. Shelters play a critical role in helping women and children break the cycle of violence, and make the transition from victim to survivor. The honorees are: The Angel Step Inn; Chicana Service Action Center/East Los Angeles Center/ Free Spirit; Didl Hirsh-Via Avanta; Dominquez Family Shelter; El Monte Youth; Every Woman's Shelter/Center for the Pacific Asian Family; Glendale YWCA Shelter; Good Shepherd Shelter; Haven Hills; Haven House; House of Ruth; Jenesse Center; Oshon Village; Rainbow Services, Ltd.Sojourn; Su Casa Family Crisis & Support; Tamar House; Valley Oasis; Wings [Women in need Growing Strong]; Women's & Children's Crisis Shelter; Womenshelter; and 1736 Family Crisis Center. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I urge my colleagues to join me and Senator Solis in recognizing and congratulating these organizations that provide life-saving services to victims of domestic violence and help educate our communities about this terrible crime.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Chairman, the Republican budget is morally wrong. It does nothing to improve national living standards. Except for the very wealthy, it hurts the majority of hard-working Americans. Three areas illustrate my point. First, the Republican bill cuts taxes for the rich, but raises taxes on the poor. It cuts the earned income tax credit which helps keep 14 million low-paid working families earning $9,500 to $25,000 dollars a year out of poverty. The GOP tax plan will give families earning $350,000 dollars a year a $14,000 tax cut. While the struggling, lowest paid worker must lose an additional $300 to $324 annually. That is wrong. Second, the Republicans cut child and prenatal nutrition programs proven to be good national investments. For every $1 spent on prenatal nutrition, the WIC Program saves the American taxpayer $3.50 in special education and Medicaid expenses. To cut such programs is wrong. Finally, the Republican plan unbelievably repeals the Nursing Home Standards Act of 1987. This act was enacted as a direct response to congressional hearings which revealed widespread abuses in State and privately run nursing homes. Abuses resulting from unsanitary conditions, malnutrition, overmedication, neglect, sexual and physical abuse. Our current law has helped to eliminate these abuses and to improve the quality of life for nursing home seniors. If these standards are eliminated, Republicans condemn our seniors to suffer the horrible abuses of the past. That is wrong. Under the Republican budget reconciliation bill, the rich will be richer, but the living standard of our Nation will be made much poorer. The only good thing about the Republican budget is that it is so extreme and unfair that the President must veto it.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. A time when we focus on the tragedy of violence that exists in many homes and families throughout our country. As chair of the Violence Against Women Task Force, I sincerely thank Representative Connie Morella and Representative Nita Lowey for their assistance in this special order. I also thank my colleagues, male and female, from both sides of the aisle, who have joined me to bring attention to a crime that destroys lives and undermines the foundation of our country--the family. This is especially meaningful because domestic violence is not bound by geographic, racial, economic, or partisan lines. Domestic violence is a tragedy which affects people in all communities, both rich and poor, rural and urban, racially diverse or homogeneous. Although acts of domestic violence are overwhelmingly committed against women, this is not just a women's issue. The devastation of domestic violence extends well beyond the tragedy in the lives of these women. Domestic violence injures children, is a root cause of juvenile delinquency, a leading cause of homelessness and costs billions of dollars to this country in employee absenteeism and medical costs. Domestic violence affects all of us directly or indirectly and whether we know it or not. Although we have raised the level of awareness about domestic violence, we are failing to prevent or reduce it. Current statistics reveal domestic violence is at epidemic proportions. Today, a woman is battered every 13 seconds, compared to 15 seconds a few years ago and is still the single greatest cause of injury to women in the United States. Today, over half the marriages in our country involve at least one incident of battering. In 1993, 1 out of every 5 women in emergency rooms was there as a result of domestic violence--today that figure has risen to 1 in every 4 women. In my own county of Los Angeles, over 50 percent of the 911 calls are a result of domestic violence. Even more tragically, these calls are often made, not by the victim, but by the children of the victim. As an underreported crime, the actual number of women who experience such violence each year is unknown. Of the women who do report this violence, however, we know the battery is so severe that at least 4 million women a year require medical or police intervention. We also know the abuse ends in death for nearly 6,000 women a year. As part of the Remember My Name Project started by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, this poster memorializes the thousands of women who have died at the hands of their batterers. These women were our mothers, daughters, sisters, friends, and neighbors. These women did not have to die. Nor did Angelita Avita, a young woman from the L.A. area. Jose Salavarria, Angelita's common-law husband, was first arrested for battery in November 1994. He spent 20 days in jail and was required to attend 1 year of counseling. Angelita did everything possible to prevent the abuse. She left Jose and moved to a location unknown to him. When Jose repeatedly violated his parole and attempted to contact her, she notified the police. On one occasion, Jose even threatened her with a gun, which happened to be unloaded. For this offense, Jose was given more jail time and 2 years parole. On September 15, Jose again violated his parole and tracked Angelita down. He waited outside her house. This time his gun was loaded. When Angelita left for work Jose shot her. When she fell to the ground, he shot her three more times before turning the gun on himself. Angelita was killed at the young age of 35 by her common-law husband of more than 18 years, leaving behind their two teenage children. Tragically Angelita's story is all too common. But it is a story that does not have to be repeated. Domestic violence is preventable. We must therefore all work together to stop this devastating crime by making it a national priority, supporting violence prevention and treatment programs, and expanding and strengthening the legal rights of victims. We can break the cycle of family violence in this country. We cannot afford to fail the families of America. If we do we will all be losers in the end.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, to reform means to make things better. The Republicans Medicaid bill, under the guise of reform, is a hypocrisy that not only makes things worse, but violates many principles Republicans claim to represent. Republicans claim they support children yet they voted to deny poor children guaranteed health services. Republicans claim they protect unborn children yet they voted to revoke access to prenatal care for poor women. Even though, every dollar spent on prenatal care saves $3 in future health care costs. Republicans claim they want to help people get off welfare, yet they voted to deny health care coverage to women and their children during their first year of work even though one of the main reasons women leave work and go back on welfare is the lack of health coverage for their sick children. Under the guise of reform, Republicans are forcing women to choose between work and the health of their children, and they are unraveling the Nation's health safety net for the poor and the elderly. We must defeat the so-called Medicaid reform bill.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to your attention the retirement of Dr. Ruth Wu as the Dean of the School of Health and Human Services at California State University, Los Angeles. Dr. Wu has dedicated her whole career to the education of young people in health careers, particularly nursing. She is a person of great vision and was able to put in place changes in curriculum and program which allowed students to be prepared to meet the needs of a changing society. An example of her foresight is her dedication and commitment to the establishment of the Edward R. Roybal Institute for Applied Gerontology on the campus of Cal State L.A. Her hard work and perseverance in promoting the Gerontology Institute among the university faculty and administrators resulted in the development of a gerontology program which is multidisciplinary in scope and community based in practice. Dr. Wu has distinguished herself first in the clinical role as a public health nurse in California, New York, and Michigan (1946-57); then in the faculty role as a pediatric specialist at Henry Ford Community College, Michigan (1958-60), U.C.L.A. (1962-68) and Cal State L.A. (1971-95). Dr. Wu was initially appointed as a visiting associate professor to the Department of Nursing in 1971. Dr. Wu's expertise in curriculum development and her leadership skills were quickly recognized and she was appointed interim Department Chair 1992-93, and her permanent Department Chair and professor in 1993-94. Her contributions from that point on are primarily in her third area of distinguished service, that of administration. From 1972 to 1982, Dr. Wu served as the Department Chair of Nursing. During those years she offered outstanding leadership in curriculum development, developing at that time one of the most forward thinking nursing curriculums in the country. Her education partnerships with the establishment of the on-site R.N. transfer baccalaureate program offered at LAC-USC Medical Center. Dr. Wu's contributions to nursing have been recognized both nationally and statewide. In 1981, she became a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing, a very prestigious position. In 1987, she was awarded the Lulu Hassenplug outstanding nurse educator award by the California Nurses Association. Dr. Wu moved to the school offices in 1982-83, first as the acting Associate Dean of the School of Fine and Applied Arts. In 1983-84, she served as acting Dean of that school. In 1984-85, Dr. Wu became the founding dean of the new school of health and human services, and continued in that role until her retirement in 1995. The California State University, Los Angeles and its students are losing a great educator. I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating Dr. Ruth Wu for a most distinguished and memorable career. An example of her foresight is her dedication and commitment to the establishment of the Edward R. Roybal Institute for Applied Gerontology on the campus of Cal State L.A. Her hard work and perseverance.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, the House Committee on Banking and Financial Services cut $2.4 billion in banking and housing services for poor and moderate-income Americans. These draconian cuts eliminated the RTC and FDIC affordable housing programs, the FHA Mortgage Assignment Program, the Multifamily Property Disposition System, and neutralized the Community Redevelopment Agency, among others. Mr. Speaker, these cuts were not based on facts and insights from expert testimony or those impacted by those decisions. Why? Because not one public hearing was held regarding these programs. During the bill's markup, Mr. Speaker, Republicans and Democrats asked questions that could not be answered, forcing members to make decisions on communities and their housing needs with little understanding of their impact. With these cuts, Mr. Speaker, far too many will suffer before we all realize the painful consequences of the committee's actions. It is tragic Republicans have applied the same ignorance-is-bliss in determining key policy issues for America.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women was an opportunity for delegates from over 180 countries to take a step toward granting women equal rights in all aspects of life. One of the major points made at the conference was the importance of promoting programs which lead to women's economic and political empowerment. Our world today, is comprised of women who are breaking new ground in industry and the professions, and who are becoming integral members of labor forces everywhere. The conference created an environment where new understandings of women's roles in the workplace and in government were examined along with the difficulties that women continue to encounter throughout the world, such as the inability to own land, the inaccessibility of business loans, and the lack of child care. The diversity of the delegates experiences and backgrounds raised the world's level of consciousness about women's plight worldwide and provided humanity with a greater understanding of the economic and political condition of women. Through free discussion and open debate, the delegates came forward with recommendations promoting women's rights and equality for our world's governments to consider. The challenge for governments and policymakers throughout the world will now be to turn these recommendations into policies and laws that help insure that the women of today and our daughters and sisters of tomorrow will have the opportunity to realize their full potential, free from oppression and discrimination.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Chairman, the cuts in the Republican Labor- HHS-Education bill, that targets the national senior service corps' volunteer program, is a display of blatant arrogance toward the value and experience of our country's older Americans. As we place emphasis in ensuring that all people become productive and contributing members of our society, we must not forget those who have already contributed greatly to our Nation and will continue to do so, if we do not deny them the opportunity. Recent figures indicate that there are 13,000 senior volunteers and the numbers are growing. The retired and senior volunteer program helps hospitals nurture and care for children afflicted with a serious illness. In the foster grandparent program, the forgotten child benefits from the guidance and love of a senior. The senior companion program provides frail adults with assistance in daily activities helping them remain independent and in their communities. These programs allow seniors to play a role where their expertise, time, and attention fill many voids that the rest of our society neglects. It is a disgrace that Republicans will help destroy the spirit of senior volunteerism with these cuts. Instead of praising senior volunteers as a model of citizenship, Republicans are dismissing their contributions and treating them as if they have nothing to offer. Republicans are wrong. Seniors most certainly have much to offer. Those of us who highly value the worthwhile contributions of our seniors have yet another reason to vote against the Labor-HHS-Education bill.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, the Republican Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill cuts bilingual education programs by 75 percent. This massive cut penalizes and punishes children by robbing them of their constitutional right to equal educational opportunities. The primary objective of bilingual education is to teach children English while ensuring they do not fall behind in other basic subjects. Numerous studies have documented that many limited English proficient students simply cannot learn and compete in the classroom without these programs. As a result, the Republican plan will create a permanent underclass of poorly educated children who will be denied the opportunity to achieve their full potential. We as a country cannot maintain our competitiveness in an ever- growing, highly technical global economy unless we develop the talents and abilities of all our children. The virtual elimination of bilingual education programs works against our children and our national interests.