Lucille Roybal-Allard

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this bill. Mr. Chairman, the cuts contained in the Republican VA-HUD appropriations bill are devastating for working American families. For example, the community development financial institution fund, which helps communities and individuals empower themselves, will be defunded. The CDFI fund was created because residents and entrepreneurs from low and moderate income communities unfairly experience barriers in obtaining credit. Many do not qualify for loans to purchase a home or start a business because they lack conventional credit histories. As a result, individuals and communities cannot achieve economic prosperity and self-reliance. CDFI fund resources leverage private sector funds and provide assistance and training to community development financial institutions. The CDFI fund is a powerful tool that creates jobs, restores hope, and provides a better way of life for those desiring a piece of the American dream. Only last year the CDFI received the near unanimous support of Democrats and Republicans. Vote ``no'' on the VA-HUD appropriations bill.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, the $7 billion cut from HUD's 1996 budget will decimate Federal housing programs when housing needs are at their worst, particularly among families with children. In 1993 alone, 5.6 million family households were in need of housing. And, every night, 600,000 households are homeless. These proposed cuts will cause much needless pain and suffering. A $700 million cut in public housing authority operating budgets will result in increased rents and deterioration of public housing. These, cuts will also reduce existing housing levels for the elderly, the disabled, and persons with AIDS. Finally, these cuts prevent distressed communities from leveraging private investment for economic development to improve life in these areas. This Republican proposal is fused with fact and fiction. The fiction is that these cuts are necessary in order to reduce the Federal deficit, and that all of us must share the pain. The fact is there will be no pain sharing. The rich will get richer and the poor Americans will pay the price.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Madam Speaker, the Republican leadership has misled Americans with their proposal to reform Medicare. ``Reform'' means to ``make something better'' not ``make it worse.'' The Republicans' idea of reform is to dismantle Medicare and limit choice by herding seniors into private managed care, requiring seniors to pay more in out-of-pocket expenses, while receiving less in vital health care services. Seniors have more health needs. It is very unlikely HMO's will enroll seniors without raising premiums or restricting hospital stays, medical testing, and prescriptions. Paying more to receive less services is not making the system better. Also, instead of using the Medicare savings to improve the health care system, the Republican reformers will take $270 billion from Medicare to pay for a $245 billion tax cut for the wealthy. The goal of the Republican Medicare plan is clear: Raid Medicare and put our Nation's seniors at risk to pay for tax breaks that make the wealthy more healthy.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose the Republican conference report that pays for a $245 billion tax cut for the wealthiest Americans, by slashing services and incentives for the elderly, the young, and the working poor. Our Nation's greatness is not measured by improving the living standards of just the wealthy but of all Americans. This budget cuts investments in health care, child nutrition, and work incentives. First, Medicaid that mainly serves poor seniors, disabled, and children, is capped at 4 percent. This is simply insufficient to offset the rapid growth of the needy and rising health care costs. Second, it cuts nutrition programs in a way that threatens the health of children and, eventually, the health of our economy. Hungry children cannot learn and grow into productive working adults. Third, proposed cuts in the earned income tax credit [EITC] will weaken an important incentive for people to work. President Reagan called the EITC ``the best job-creation measure to come out of Congress.'' These misguided cuts to benefit the wealthy are indefensible. I urge my colleagues to reject the Republican budget conference agreement.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the 1995 Central American Resource Center's [CARECEN] honorees: Joe R. Hicks, Inquilinos Unidos, R. Samuel Paz, and the law firm of Loeb & Loeb. Joe R. Hicks is the executive director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Los Angeles. CARECEN is honoring Mr. Hicks for his leadership in the struggle against prejudice and inequality, and for building bridges among the diverse racial and religious groups in our community. Inquilinos Unidos--United Tenants--is being honored for helping organize low-income tenants in the immigrant community, and for empowering them to improve their living conditions. R. Samuel Paz, a distinguished Los Angeles civil rights attorney, is honored today for his courageous defense of and advocacy for civil and human rights of immigrants and all victims of oppression and injustice. The final honoree, Loeb & Loeb, a full service international law firm of 200 attorneys, is being honored for its dedication to public interest and the betterment of our society, and for its generous pro bono legal service to CARECEN. Again, I congratulate these honorees and I join CARECEN in expressing my gratitude for their role in improving the quality of life for the people of the city of Los Angeles.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Chairman, I rise to denounce the Republican plan to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy by destroying Medicaid: our country's ultimate health care safety net. To fund their $340 billion tax cut for the wealthiest Americans, Republicans intend to slash the Medicaid benefits of 32 million Americans, 65 percent of whom are children and the elderly. Tragically, their proposals ignore the human costs. Republicans say they are increasing the Medicaid budget by 4 percent. What they do not say is that this meager increase is insufficient to offset the rapid growth of the elderly, the young, and the alarming rise of health care costs. Under their proposal, the youngest Americans will suffer grievously. During 1988 to 1991, poor children receiving medicaid coverage increased from 54.3 to 63.6 percent. This trend is projected to continue upward into the 21st century. At present, Medicaid offsets the loss of private health coverage during economic downturns, giving millions of children coverage when parents are laid off. The Republicans budget proposal, however, makes no allowances for coverage during economic decline. Therefore, when parents lose their jobs children will suffer without health coverage. Without sufficient Medicaid funding, more than 3.7 million senior citizens currently receiving health services from Medicaid will also suffer. In my district families like Forest and Ruth Haver are concerned about their health care future. The Havers, in their eighties, living on a fixed income, are worried that the cuts will make them unable to afford the health problems which have left Ruth homebound. Steve, their only child and a local fire captain, is willing to do all he can financially. He also worries whether that will be enough if his parents' benefits are cut. The Medicaid safety net is vital to the health of older women, for it is women who bear the brunt of Republican cuts. Consider that: Women are 75 [[Page H5140]] percent of all nursing home residents aged 65 and older and are more likely than men to have chronic disabling conditions; and, that women 75 or older have an average annual income of only $9,170--one-third the annual cost of most nursing homes. To cap Medicaid spending at 4 percent, Republicans will leave millions of children, low-income elderly, and particularly women, without critical health services. We must not sacrifice our Nation's children, seniors, and families to benefit the wealthy. I urge the defeat of the Republican budget resolution.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the Young Ambassadors Program for facilitating and promoting cultural and racial understanding between the United States and Japan. In 1990, the first delegation of Los Angeles area students and community leaders initiated the program with a visit to Japan. The Sixth Young Ambassador delegation will travel to Japan between April 6 and 14, 1995. The Young Ambassadors Program was founded by Sanrio Co., Ltd., a Japanese company specializing in small gift items. Mr. Shintaro Tsuji, president of Sanrio Co., Ltd. and his son, Kunihiko, Tsuji, president of Sanrio Communications, Inc. have been instrumental in supporting and nurturing the program. The delegation is composed of eight high school students. Reflecting the rich diversity of the Los Angeles area, the students include immigrants from Eritrea, El Salvador, and Korea. American-born African- American, Mexican-American, white and multiracial students are also in the delegation. Over the past 5 years, more than 23 different ethnicities have been represented in the program. Current delegates include: Shameka Allen, Granada Hills High School, Er-Gene Kahng, Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies, Tony C. Marshall, Jr., Washington High School, Yvonne Olivarez, Dorsey High School, Oscar Sosa, Eagle Rock High School, Daniel Tekleab, Venice High School, Domikian Ware, Hamilton High School, and Sharon Williams, Monrovia High School. The sharing of perceptions through candid discussion is a major feature of the program. These young leaders are provided an extraordinary opportunity to spend more than a week meeting with community leaders to learn more about challenges they face. This provides a great opportunity for modeling and building long-term relationships. For many who leave their neighborhoods for the very first time, it is a remarkable opportunity to broaden their cultural horizons. I salute the Young Ambassadors Program for providing a life-changing, positive experience for young people. I also salute Mr. Shintaro Tsuji and Mr. Kunihiko Tsuji for their thoughtful concern and action on behalf of our mutual communities.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Mink substitute to H.R. 4. Mr. Chairman, this substitute provides a realistic framework for creating a positive and lasting reform that promotes self-sufficiency and the elimination of poverty through job training and supportive services, not simply through the reduction of AFDC rolls at any human cost. As compared to the punitive approach of the Republican bill, the Mink substitute is compassionate and recognizes that all people have human and civil rights, especially the 68 percent of AFDC recipients across this country who are children. The Mink substitute helps to move families out of the perpetual cycle of poverty by providing opportunities to gain permanent employment with sufficient security and advancement. The Mink substitute distinguishes itself from other welfare reform proposals through its realism and its sensitivity to human need. Mr. Chairman, it deserves the support of every Member of Congress who values promoting long-term economic self-sufficiency for American families over a quick-fix approach based solely on reducing the assistance to the neediest in our society. Support the Mink substitute for meaningful and effective welfare reform.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Chairman, H.R. 1158, in its current form, includes a number of harmful rescissions that specifically target the most vulnerable segments of our Nation's population. These proposed rescissions disproportionately affect seniors and the disabled, among others, but barely touch the billions of dollars annually allocated for corporate subsidies. My amendment attempts to bring balance to the rescission package by restoring $37 million in funding for fiscal year 1995 to implement one of the most important supportive services programs administered by HUD: The Congregate Housing Services Program. The Congregate Housing Services Program has successfully prevented or delayed the institutionalization of thousands of frail seniors and persons with disabilities by providing vital, nonmedical services. These services include meals, transportation, and personalized assistance to bathe and dress, get in and out of bed, and to access wheelchairs. The program also funds the retrofitting of individual dwelling units and the renovation of facilities for supportive services that enhance independent living. The $37 million to be restored by this amendment would provide services to over 8,200 elderly and handicapped persons throughout the country. would be offset by an equivalent reduction in NASA's Civilian Science, Aeronautics, and technology development research programs that are specifically designed to aid U.S. commercial aircraft firms. These systems-oriented research programs to maintain commercial airline sales should be a private, rather than a public responsibility. Think tanks ranging from the Cato Institute to the progressive policy institute have agreed that government-sponsored research programs should be basic and primary, not industry-specific. Furthermore, the Congressional Budget Office has targeted the NASA programs for possible elimination in its March 1995 report entitled ``Reducing the Deficit: Spending and Revenue Options.'' The congregate Housing Services Program is strongly supported by housing advocates throughout the Nation, as well as the American Association of Retired Persons because it improves the quality of life for the most needy of older and disabled Americans and facilitates independent living. The average elderly program recipient is a frail, older woman in her mid seventies, living alone with an income of less than $10,000 a year. The Congregate Housing Services Program is a proven, cost-effective mechanism to fund these important supportive services for seniors and the disabled. The benefits of congregate housing services for recipients receiving home care is only 25 percent of the average cost of institutional care. Congregate housing is a real lifeline for many elderly and disabled tenants trying to avoid unnecessary confinement in expensive institutions such as nursing homes. Without congregate housing services, many elderly and disabled persons could end up in institutions like nursing homes because many have no families and can't take adequate care of themselves. Mr. Chairman, I urge an ``aye'' vote on the Roybal-Allard amendment.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Absolutely, because in the long run I guess it is going to cost society much, much more.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Absolutely. If you talk to teachers throughout this country, they will tell you when children go to school hungry, not only do they not learn, but they are much more susceptible to disease and, therefore, the cost of health care is also increased.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, Americans want streamlined and efficient government, but they also expect Congress to be fair and responsible. They did not ask us to achieve these goals at all costs, especially if it means Republicans claim their proposals to cut crucial nutrition programs are aimed at bureaucrats, but the real victims of these deadly cuts are the children of America. The pain and suffering of childhood hunger can be seen in each of our 50 States. Children who pass out on the school playground because of hunger; Children who have learned the heartbreaking skill of stretching one packet of cheese flavoring for three meals of macaroni and cheese; and Children who literally sob from the pain of stomach cramps because they have not eaten since the previous day. These scenarios are not grossly exaggerated fictional accounts concocted to illustrate my point. They are actual examples of childhood hunger in this country recently documented in the Los Angeles Times of children without the benefit of nutrition programs. These tragic scenarios will become more frequent and more severe if Republican proposals to block grant vital nutrition programs are approved. For they will limit the money that will be available to feed our children. Scientific evidence reveals that children are far more susceptible to the harmful effects of nutrient deprivation than previously known and, according to physicians, results in lifelong damage. Once physical growth and cognitive development have been impaired, the damage is often irreversible. The highly effective WIC and the national school lunch programs protect children from the physical and mental ravages caused by hunger. As a direct result of Federal nutrition programs, growth stunting has declined by 65 percent according to the USDA. The General Accounting Office reports that the WIC program saves $3.50 in special education and Medicaid costs for every prenatal $1 it spends. In my home State of California, almost 2\1/2\ million children participate in these nutrition programs. The future of these and other children is now endangered by the irresponsible and heartless cuts proposed by the Republican majority. Teachers in the Los Angeles Unified School District, as in school districts throughout this country, support the school breakfast and school lunch program. They know first-hand that children who are well-nourished are more alert, more attentive and more eager to learn as contrasted with hungry children who are listless and can barely raise their heads from their desks. While children will be the first victims of the Republicans' callous and ill-conceived program cuts, all Americans will ultimately pay the price when our young people cannot fulfill their academic potential and cannot grow into productive workers. As a result, our Nation will no longer be a global competitor. To deny food to our children is a betrayal of our values and our future as the richest Nation on Earth. It is imperative that we maintain this safety net of nutrition for America's Children. How can we in good conscience afford to do less?

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, as we struggle to find a balance between human needs and the desire to address the abuses and ineffectiveness of the current welfare system, we must not forget the major beneficiaries of welfare--children. Any plan that does not adequately address the needs of children is destined to raise the misery of childhood hunger, homelessness, and disease to a magnitude we have never before witnessed in this country. In my home State of California, 69 percent of current AFDC recipients are children who depend on welfare as a safety net to survive. Children throughout this country will be virtually abandoned under H.R. 4, the Republicans' welfare reform bill. In the subcommittee, the Republican majority refused to assure child care for mothers who got to work, refused to assure the safety of children in foster care, and refused to preserve SSI benefits for certain medically disabled children. And they are even threatening child nutrition programs. It is reprehensible to leave our children, our future work force, physically and intellectually weakened by denying them nutrition, shelter, and health care. This will only negate our goal of building a more self-reliant America.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I declare my strong opposition to H.R. 728. This Republican proposal effectively dismantles the highly successful COPS program and the innovative prevention programs that have been praised by law enforcement agencies throughout the country. The misguided block grant funding called for in H.R. 728 repeats the mistakes of history by returning to the ineffective use of block grants that were the subject of major abuse and scandal in our recent past. Let us not forget the shameful instances of taxpayer money used to buy private cars, airplanes, and even an armored tank under the former block grant program L.E.A.A. H.R. 728 opens the door once again for abuse, while doing nothing to guarantee enhanced public safety. It does not guarantee one single new police officer on our streets or the implementation of one additional prevention program. I am particularly concerned that under H.R. 728 communities will lose $2.5 billion that would have put more community police officers on the street and would have provided for the additional implementation of crucial prevention programs. It is significant that the National Association of Counties, whose members would receive the grants, opposes H.R. 728 and supports the President's 1994 crime bill with a balanced approach of funding for both law enforcement and prevention programs. Those who argue that prevention programs are useless fail to understand the complex causes of crime. They fail to understand that in communities across our Nation, criminal activity occurs primarily where opportunity and hope do not exist. Supporters of H.R. 728 argue that the prevention programs it repeals are useless fluff and a waste of public funds. They are dead wrong. In the 1980's communities in my district received Federal and State funds specifically for crime prevention efforts aimed at reducing heavy gang activity. Programs were initiated to provide at-risk youths with positive alternatives to gangs. For students, after-school programs including sports, study skill clinics, and mentoring were offered. For those out of school with no job prospects and clearly the most vulnerable to violent gang participation; programs were offered in basic education, job skills, and self esteem. These programs not only helped lower crime, but nearly eliminated gang activity in the east Los Angeles community. Ironically, when the gang activity dropped to such a low level the funds for prevention programs were misguidedly shifted to a different community. Almost instantaneously, gang violence increased dramatically and has been rising steadily ever since. Prevention programs work. They work because they give alternatives to individuals who have few options and they work because they give hope to individuals who have none. If we are to win our struggle against violence and crime in our country, we must have more police on our streets and effective programs that give positive alternatives to crime and provide individuals with hope and opportunity for a better life. The Republican leadership calls H.R. 728 the taking back our streets act. What this bill takes back, however, is not our streets, but our chance to create safe streets all across America. Police, parents, and public officials nationwide have proven that community policing and prevention programs are our best hope for eliminating crime in our country. To make this hope a reality, we must oppose H.R. 728.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. I thank the gentleman for yielding. The question I have is, understanding the necessity and the urgency to get the work done, would it be possible to have the work continue from 2 o'clock on, but to wait until at least 5 o'clock and bunch the votes so that those of us who are on the west coast can at least be here for the votes?

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support the President's decision to raise the minimum wage. This bold action is an important step in helping to make the American dream a reality for millions of hard-working Americans. Far too many Americans are working fulltime, only to face the cruel reality that they do not earn enough to support their families. Today, the minimum wage is worth 27 percent less than it was in 1979. To allow the devaluation of reward for honest work to continue without positive adjustment is a travesty which demeans the worker and the value of work he or she performs. This devaluation has added countless individuals to the welfare rolls--individuals who would prefer to work, if only they could support their families by doing so. I endorse the President's decision to recognize the American worker in this manner. The increase is justified. Workers have earned it time and again through the honest sweat of their brow. We must no longer allow their honest efforts to go unnoticed or unrewarded.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Jackson-Lee/Clay amendment to H.R. 5 which will help ensure that the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act will not apply to, among other things, laws and regulations necessary to protect American children against the tragedy of hunger and homelessness. In cities and rural areas throughout our Nation, millions of American men, women, and children go to sleep on our streets cold and hungry and without hope. It is estimated that twelve million children under age 18--one in five--go hungry each day. On any given night in Los Angeles County, there are up to 84,000 homeless people and, more tragically, 9,000 are children. Chronic hunger and homelessness are among the greatest threats facing our Nation's children. At a time when they are in greatest need of adequate nutrition and shelter, hungry and homeless children are likely to have their physical and emotional growth and educational development permanently limited. If we doom the chance of American children to become productive workers by failing to invest in them and protect them now, we forge a dubious future for this Nation. Since the 1970's, the Federal Government has recognized that it must play a major role in addressing homelessness and hunger for families and their children. We have recognized that we have a moral obligation of the highest order as the greatest democracy in the world to protect the most vulnerable members of our society--our children. Existing programs to supplement the nutritional needs of children are critically important to maintaining a safety net for children and their families. At a time when we should be mounting an unrelenting attack on poverty in America, H.R. 5 threatens a massive retreat from the war on hunger and homelessness. The conditions of hunger and homelessness, and its resultant human suffering, are growing and pervasive problems that will only be exacerbated by the procedural barriers imposed by H.R. 5 and other provisions of the Republican contract with America. Those who argue that the problem can be addressed through charitable groups are turning a deaf ear to the warnings of organizations such as Catholic Charities, one of the largest in the country, that clearly state they cannot shoulder this responsibility on their own. We must not be so short sighted in our efforts to bring the Federal deficit under control to abandon our children and leave them without adequate nutrition or housing. While the road to a total solution for hunger and homelessness is a long and difficult one, our responsibility as Members of Congress is clear: We must continue to protect American children from hunger and homelessness. The Jackson-Lee/Clay amendment is an important step in that direction.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Vento amendment to H.R. 5 which will ensure that the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act will not apply to laws and regulations that involve life- threatening public health and safety measures. The amendment clearly recognizes the Federal Government's steadfast responsibility in protecting the health and safety of the American public. If we ignore this responsibility, the result will be devastating. If the act passes without the Vento amendment, landfills, incinerators, hazardous waste dumps, toxic waste storage facilities, and manufacturers could pollute our air and our water unchecked by oversight of the Federal Government. This rampant pollution will have a severe negative impact on the health of the American public. Children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable to diseases caused by environmental pollution. Many respiratory diseases and several forms of cancer are directly attributable to environmental causes. These polluting facilities are disproportionately likely to be located in low-income and minority communities. Currently, dust from a concrete recycling plant in the city of Huntington Park in my district is polluting that community's air and water. Both the local rate of respiratory infection and of asthma in children have risen alarmingly since the plant began operation. The citizens of that community are now turning to the government for assistance and protection against this threat to their health. The industry assumption is that people living in these communities are politically weak and so consumed by the daily grind of making a living that they will not have the resources to organize against these facilities, as people in upper income communities tend to do. Unfortunately, this assumption is firmly grounded in the reality of many communities throughout our country. The Federal Government must not abandon its role in protecting the health of all Americans, particularly the most vulnerable in our country. As Representatives of our respective communities, we have a clear obligation to protect the health and safety of the American people. If we abandon it now, we may cause damage to future generations before our mistake can be corrected. I urge the passage of the Vento amendment.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Chairman, I was unavoidably detained during rollcall No. 64. Had I been present I would have voted ``aye.'' amendments offered by mr. clay

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding this time to me. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Jackson-Lee amendment. Medicaid is the Nation's safety net for our children and families throughout this country. One-half of all Medicaid recipients are children and three-fourths of Medicaid recipients are mothers of children who depend on Medicaid for important health services such as prenatal care. Mr. Chairman, in 1994, Medicaid helped meet the medical care needs of an estimated 34 million men, women, and children in this country. Protecting Medicaid is critical to low-income people in this country because without it they would be unable to receive necessary and critical health care. Mr. Chairman, I ask my colleagues to support the Jackson-Lee amendment.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Chairman, on any given night there are 9,000 hungry and homeless children in California. I rise in strong support of the Jackson-Lee/Clay amendments.