Ciro Rodriguez

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor an inspiring and beloved man, Cesar Estrada Chavez. Today we honor him in anticipation of his birthday next week, and I ask the Members of the House of Representatives to join us in paying respect to a man who brought dignity to men, women and children who have continued to struggle in the fields. In January Cesar Chavez was bestowed one of the greatest honors when he was inducted into the U.S. Department of Labor's Hall of Fame. This honor is solely reserved for Americans whose contributions to the field of labor have enhanced the quality of lives of millions. Not only did he enhance the lives of millions, but he touched us deeply with his compassion and commitment to La Causa. La Causa, the cause of the poor; La Causa, the cause of nonviolence; La Causa, representing those who do not have representation. As my colleagues may know, Cesar Chavez rose from a fruit and vegetable picker to be the head of the United Farm Workers of America. From the beginning, Cesar Chavez instilled in the UFW the principles of nonviolence as practiced by Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. When the United Farm Workers began the strike in the 1960's to protest the treatment of farm workers, the strikers took a pledge of nonviolence. Many of my colleagues may remember the 25-day fast conducted by Cesar Chavez which reaffirmed the United Farm Workers' commitment to nonviolence. For those of us who lived through those years, those troubling years, in that time period, we heard of the great odds Chavez faced, and we recognized, a lot of us were involved directly in his efforts, as he led a successful 5-year strike boycott. Through this boycott Chavez was able to forge a national support coalition of unions, church groups, students, minorities and consumers. By the end of the boycott, everyone knew the chant that unified the group: ``Si se puede,'' yes, we can, and it was a chant of encouragement, pride and dignity. Although we knew him for his advocacy on behalf of farm workers, he was influential in various other areas. He helped communities to mobilize by assisting them with voter registration drives and insisting that minority communities had a right to an education, had a right to have access to a quality education. Many of us today look to Cesar Chavez for inspiration, even here in the Halls of Congress. Those of us who continue this fight do so in order to give voices to the voiceless and dignity that is deserved by all laborers who, no matter what their work, will recognize their work and recognize them with dignity. Throughout the country, like in San Antonio, there will be celebrations. I know in San Antonio Jamie Martinez, a labor leader, will be conducting a parade and a march in his honor, not only in his honor but on his causes and the importance of his cause. Americans have seen few leaders such as Cesar Chavez. To honor his work and deeds I ask that you join myself and 56 other colleagues in supporting H.J. Res. 22 to make his birthday a national holiday. To all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, I tell them tonight: ``Si se puede.'' Together, yes, we can.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, it is long time past that the Congress needs to act and act quickly on managed care. Individuals and families are increasingly apprehensive about how they will be treated when they are sick. A survey last year found that an astonishing 80 percent of Americans believe that their quality of care is often compromised by their insurance plan to save money, and too often their beliefs are well founded. The Patient Bill of Rights introduced by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell) and Senator Kennedy last Congress would have ended these particular problems, but we had some difficulties and were not able to pass a particular piece of legislation. The managed care plan needs to be passed and we need to look at it this year and not allow it to continue. Managed care reform is needed by all Americans, especially those in minority communities. Let me just highlight one area of concern, access to specialists. The need for specialists is critical for individuals who suffer chronic illnesses. Diabetes, for example, is a disease rampant among a lot of individuals but specifically disproportionately hits Hispanic populations. Many do not know that it is a truly treatable disease and that one needs to have access to specialists in order to be able to treat some of those items. I do not know if everyone recognizes it, but diabetes is a treatable disease. It is something that can be prevented. With some recent studies, we can identify some of the problems early in life, but we let it go. One of the greatest causes of this particular disease is blindness and loss of limbs. According to the Center for Disease Control and prevention, every year approximately 16 million people suffer from diabetes alone. Of these, 1.2 million alone are Mexican Americans. We see the same problem with cervical cancer. Hispanic women especially are disproportionately affected by the disease that is completely preventable also, yet there is limited access to the proper specialists in this area. We all recognize the growing population of elderly in this country and the need to look at coming up with some appropriate managed care systems. Without adequate care and medical supervision, diabetes and those with cervical cancer suffer grave consequences. It is a shame because these illnesses can be treated and prevented. Too often today, managed care is mismanaged care. Decisions on health care should be made by doctors and their patients, and not the insurance company or their accountants or those individuals that are looking at the profit margins. We appeal to the Republicans, and we appealed last year and this year we again appeal to the Republicans, to allow us to go back to the constituency and allow us to do the changes that need to take place. The Republicans will say that the Congress passed managed care reform last year. I would ask, what have we had? No real reform, but it is a simple truth. The fact is that we need reform and it needs to happen now. What we passed here on the House floor was only the fleeting shadow of real reform. Real reform would have included guaranteed access to needed health care specialists and, as I mentioned before, access to emergency room services, continuity of care protection and access to a meaningful and timely appeals process, both internally and externally. We should take a page out of the book of the Texas State legislature. At the State legislature in Texas we passed managed care reform legislation that addressed the real needs of Texans. There was a scare that this reform would drive up insurance rates. In fact, insurance rates were raised a modest $2.00. Contrary to popular belief, the HMO liability law has not flooded the courthouse with new lawsuits. It has actually diverted lawsuits and saved money by using an independent review process and solving problems before they go to the Court. About half of the cases in Texas that are reviewed have led to partial or complete overturns of the HMO decisions. Now it is time for us to pass real managed care reform. It is up to us to come to the plate. It is up to us to make sure that those individuals have access to health care the way they should. It is up to us to make sure that they can see the doctor that they choose to see and not who they want to send them to. It is up to us to make sure that we have a system that is responsive and addresses the needs of those individuals that are hard-hit. For too long we have waited and we have recognized the problem of the HMOs and the fact that they have not been responsive at all. So it is time for us to come to that point.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to introduce legislation today that will recognize one of the unique sounds sweeping across the Nation today--Tejano music. All across America the sounds of tejano have become the music of choice. From deep in the heart of south Texas to the Great Plains, from the east coast to the west coast, the pulsating rhythms of a loud drumbeat, a bajo-sexto guitar and an ubiquitous accordian are taking over the Nation to the beat of Tejano. During the last several years Tejano artists have captured a large percentage of the Latin music market and continue to rise in popularity. From the legendary Selena to the incomparable Little Joe the sweet sounds of Tejano continue to climb the American music charts with one hit after another. The sound of Tejano is the sound of a people. For those of us in south Texas, Tejano is the tradition and history of the people's thoughts, feelings and aspirations. Tejano is more than just the high energy mix of Rock 'n Roll, Country, Jazz and Rhythm & Blues, it is the music of our people that helps move us and express our emotions. This week, the city of San Antonio--known as the Tejano capitol of the world--will be host to the 19th Annual Tejano Music Awards. The awards presentation will take place on Saturday, March 20, 1999, at the Alamodome in San Antonio and pay tribute to the best and brightest in the Tejano music industry. A testament to the success of Tejano music and this annual awards show is the more than 40,000 people expected to attend the event this year. The Annual Tejano Music Awards, which began in 1980 with an enthusiastic 1,300 in attendance, is now one of our Nation's premier and fastest growing musical celebration. Today, I offer up this resolution to commemorate the 19th Annual Tejano Music Awards and the spirit and history behind the music that will be celebrated and honored this week in San Antonio.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the academic decathlon team members, coaches, and parents at Burbank High School in my hometown, San Antonio, Texas. At the state Academic Decathlon competition for medium-size schools, Burbank placed third among 225 Texas high schools. This great accomplishment reflects the hard work and countless hours of preparation by students and school officials alike. These students have demonstrated exceptional time management skills, self-discipline, and determination. They stayed focused on their priorities and set high standards for themselves. The City of San Antonio is proud of all nine members who received 14 individual medals in addition to the third-place team medal. Included in the team award was a gold medallion and a $250 scholarship for each team member. I would like to thank the coaches and parents of these diligent students for all their efforts in making this accomplishment possible. These students have been successful because of their hard work and support from family and teachers. They are paving the way to a bright and exciting future.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express support for H.R. 4, and I will vote in favor of this legislation. We certainly should not fail to explore the possibilities of protecting the United States from missile attack from enemies across the globe. But, we must also make a realistic assessment of the threats we face and consider how we can best use our resources. While the threat of a hostile missile attack exists, the far greater threat comes from terrorism, whether domestic or international, and whether sponsored by rogue individuals, organizations or states. The weapons of mass destruction I most fear are not intercontinental ballistic missiles traveling through the stratosphere, but those coming across our land and sea ports and delivered by an aerosol can, suitcase or panel truck. To protect against such asymmetrical threats we must devote appropriate resources to Customs, the Immigration and Naturalization Service, and even the Coast Guard. These agencies are our nation's first line of defense along our borders and major ports of entry. More personnel and better technology are needed if we want to defend against terrorists trying to smuggle into the United States weapons of mass destruction. We want more commerce with our neighbors and international trading partners, yet we do not provide adequate resources to the very agencies tasked with managing the trade. Just this week federal authorities, including the INS, arrested 15 people on charges of operating an immigration fraud ring that helped members of an alleged Iranian terrorist group enter the United States illegally. Several years ago, a cargo ship owned by a Chinese shipping company and destined for the United States was boarded off the California coast and a cache of firearms was discovered. With current resources and technology are we able to stop an illegal weapons or known dangerous persons from entering the United States? The administration has included in its budget $10.5 billion for fiscal years 1999 through 2005 for national missile defense. I say in addition to this money we devote more resources to those dedicated individuals on our nation's borders and ports of entry who manage our international trade and face potential threats everyday.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my concern over language utilized in H. Con. Res. 24. Although I supported the resolution, I feel that Congress did not have an adequate opportunity to more fully discuss all unilateral declarations by any party to the Middle East peace process, including those by the United States. I believe that final status issues should be subject to good faith negotiations by both sides.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I apologize if I have offended anybody.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Chairman, if I have offended anybody, I apologize. But as a member of this Congress, I recognize the fact that politics is played within the House floor, and I recognize that this particular resolution does undermine the administration's efforts at this point in time. As a Member representing a community of more than 42,000 active duty service members and nearly 6,000 reservists and guard members, I do not take this issue lightly because the lives of those service members may be put in harm's way. I deplore the timing of this resolution. This resolution is being set up for failure. At least 2,000 people have been killed and 400,000 displaced in the Balkans region. The United States clearly has a vested interest in peace in the region. Kosovo and the Balkans fall in between two allies, Greece and Turkey. The Balkans' historical role in Europe has been critical. We all recognize that we also have in jeopardy Macedonia, Montenegro, Northern Greece, Albania, as well as Turkey, and the possibility of this particular situation going out of its boundaries. Our interests are humanitarian, economic and military, and also an interest as it deals with the leadership of this country and the fact that we have not only an obligation but a duty to make sure that peace is obtained. By playing politics with sensitive peace negotiations that are set to resume March 15, the House of Representatives could jeopardize peace in the region. Failure to achieve peace now in Kosovo could cause significant instability in the already volatile region. Secretary of State Albright stressed this point yesterday before the House Committee on International Relations saying that a new outbreak of fighting in Kosovo could expand into regional hostilities that could cause massive suffering, displace tens of thousands of people, undermine stability throughout South Central Europe, and directly affect key allies. If we can secure peace, if we can end the slaughter, we have the duty to do so. If we can join our NATO friends and allies by providing those 4,000 troops as part of the large NATO force, then we have the duty to do so. The failure to obtain peace now could put greater numbers of potential U.S. and European troops in danger if broader hostilities break out. Our Nation's modest personnel but crucial political investments in the Kosovo peace process is essential to achieving peace. Without the U.S. involvement, peace is unlikely. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. I also want to add, Mr. Chairman, that this is very different from Bosnia, and it is very different from Bosnia in the sense that in Bosnia we took the lead. Here only 14 percent of the troops will be from the United States. Europe is taking the lead, and we have an obligation and a duty, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words and oppose the Fowler amendment in favor of the Turner amendment. Mr. Chairman, why are we debating this issue at this point in time? We all recognize that it is political; politics that could come back to haunt us. One of the biggest problems we have in Congress is the fact that we have an obligation and a duty. The only reason to debate this resolution today is to undercut the administration at the critical time of our negotiations. It is more than irony that some of those pushing for consideration of this resolution today fully intend to oppose the resolution. This is an exercise in rhetoric. Point of Order

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand here today. The only rights our youngsters have, the only privileges they have are those rights and privileges we as adults choose to give them. We have no greater calling than to provide the very best for our children. Our children rely on us, not only for building bridges and roads, but also to invest in the needs of our public schools. Through our public school systems, we provide these needs that ensure our children are able to learn, live and succeed in a safe educational environment. Last year, we helped our children by hiring more teachers and reducing our class sizes. Now, our teachers will be able to focus on the basics such as reading and writing at early ages. So we have taken the initial steps, but we need to do more, and we can do more. We all know that the environment where our children learn plays a direct role in education and has a direct impact on how they are educated. We want our children to succeed in a modern economy. We must provide them with the classrooms, the facilities that will enable them to succeed in the 21st century. At the beginning of this school year, I visited Burbank High School in San Antonio, Texas to survey the conditions of the school and how we expected our students and teachers to function on a daily basis. Although I was surprised by the conditions of the school that was built in the 1930s, I was not shocked that Burbank is just one of more than over 4,000 schools in Texas that are in need of repair and necessary upgrades. Burbank High School suffered from traditional maintenance problems, such as the need for new electrical outlets, and if anyone lives in an older home, they recognize the fact that we are not able to put in any of the new types of appliances unless we upgrade the system in our homes. Our schools are in the same condition. We also recognize the importance that beyond immediate electrical outlets and those kinds of things, old radiators for heating, and especially now when we see the snow and the cold out there, that there are some areas that have needs of both having air-conditioning and heating that is important for our kids. We also recognize the importance of new modern facilities. Burbank High School was built at a time before the Internet, at a time before cable television, at a time before modern air-conditioning. Nearly one- third of the schools nationwide fit this same profile, which means our children are not being taught in the environment that will prepare them for the 21st century. The school construction proposal that the Democrats proposed last year was and is the only solution to problems that schools such as Burbank High School experience at this point in time. Last year, the majority party of the House of Representatives missed the opportunity to provide bricks and mortar for our schools, and instead opted for a proposal such as block grants and vouchers that erode our public school system. We must help our crumbling schools by helping States and local school districts afford this cost of modernizing our buildings as quickly as possible and not come up with proposals but prove only to hamper our existing situation. The new Congress we hope will afford us the opportunity to do the right thing and put some additional monies in construction. Mr. Speaker, I just want to add that a lot of people do not recognize what one of the largest populations, the baby boomers in the 1950s, the individuals that fought in World War II and in Korea recognize, and that is that they were there to make sure that those youngsters which are ourselves, at least myself, and I am a baby boomer, to make sure that we were provided with that access to education. As we turn this century, we have what we call the baby echo, the youngsters of the baby boomers, our kids. We want to make sure we stand up to the plate to make sure we provide them with the adequate resources that are needed so that they can compete in the 21st century. It is not only important for them, but it is important for us as a country. Again, I will close by indicating to my colleagues that the only rights and privileges our youngsters have are those rights and opportunities that we as adults provide them with. Let us stand up to the plate and make sure that we pass this proposal through.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton).

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Sheila Jackson-Lee), and I now want to yield to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney).

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, we all know that Texas lost an estimated $934 million since 1990, or about $1,922 in federal aid for each of the persons who was not counted. In my particular district, the 28th Congressional District, we lost approximately $40 million from an estimated 20,714 people that were not counted. I take pleasure now in recognizing the gentleman from the city of San Antonio, Texas (Mr. Gonzalez).

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gonzalez) for his remarks. I know Texas has been hard hit and we all recognize the loss in Texas. We have been shortchanged. With the 2000 census upon us, we recognize the importance of assuring that we get a good, accurate count. Let me recognize my fellow Congressman also from Texas (Mr. Hinojosa).

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hinojosa) for his remarks. I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Farr).

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, every 10 years, we take a national census to count the number of people in this country. The 1990 census was the most expensive in the history of the United States. It was also the worst. The 1990 census missed an estimated 4.7 million people, 1.58 percent of the total population. Some undercount is expected. What makes it wrong is the undercount of minorities and the inner city population is way out of proportion to the national average. For minorities, the undercount was nearly tripled. The census missed 4.4 percent of the African-American population and 4.9 percent of the Hispanic population. Those individuals that were missed were also poor. We need to have a more accurate census, one that does not leave minorities and poor and inner city populations behind. The census data is used to draw, not only electoral districts, but also to determine distribution of local and Federal program dollars and to plan public works projects. Without accurate census information, minorities and the poor do not receive equal political representation or distribution of government resources. State and local governments with missed populations lose millions of dollars in Federal aid. The Supreme Court has allowed for the Census Bureau to use sampling data for redistricting and Federal funds distribution. The Census Bureau has found such a solution to be appropriate. Yet, we find that, on the other side, the Republicans in Congress are trying to block this process. Sampling is a simple way of being able to get a more accurate census from available information that exists. Everyone says that they want a more accurate count. But as we can see, what we really need to look at is to make sure that everyone gets counted but, at the same time, look at the disparities that exist within that and go with it, with the scientific recommendations, and that is to provide some degree of sampling. We must let the Census Bureau do its job and use the method that is most accurate and that avoids unfair undercount in this country. I want to take this opportunity to just mention to you some specific statistics on the study that was done in Texas. Texas lost almost $1 billion in Federal aid because of the 1990 census. I will continue to mention some additional data for my colleagues as I go on, but I want to take this opportunity to yield to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Blagojevich).

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman is right.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, as we speak hundreds of our fine young men and women from our bases in San Antonio and across this nation are en route to he Persian Gulf to defend our nations's national interests. How can we assemble here today to debate impeachment at this time? How dare we undermine the authority of the President while our brave soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines are in harm's way? Today is a sad day for this country and this House of Representatives. Like many Americans, I cannot believe that this is happening, that we are in fact here debating whether to impeach our president for lying about a personal matter. The debate is not whether President Clinton committed wrongdoing; he has admitted as much. The question is whether the Congress should exercise its constitutional authority to overturn two popular, democratic elections. * * * whether we should set in motion the process of removing the President for ``high crimes and misdemeanors.'' However much we may dislike what the President has done, his action were private; they had nothing to do with his role as President. Indeed, the Supreme Court, in ruling that the civil litigation against the President could continue, reasoned that he should be treated like any other private citizen. What the President did was not a high crime or misdemeanor. None of his actions created a constitutional crises, they did not threaten the separation of powers, nor did they represent a corruption of the political process. Those on the other side of the aisle say this is not about sex, but it is all about sex. That is the context of the allegations; that is the subject of the alleged perjury. It makes all the difference in the world Indeed, it seems to me and many others that this debate is merely the culmination of any effort that began when President Clinton took office--to undermine his authority as President and to saddle him with the baggage of constant investigation and insinuation. Those who have pursued the President have turned justice on its head. We have been investigating the person, not the crime. The House's actions today undermine the Constitution; they undermine the balance of power that has protected us for more than 200 years. Those who are so fervent in seeking to get the President have lost perspective. Not all crimes or misdeeds deserve impeachment. We must distinguish between those actions which threaten our constitutional system of government and other acts of wrongdoing. Our Founding Fathers chose the words--high crimes and misdemeanors-- carefully and after long debate. They did not want the president impeached for any crimes, only high crimes. They did not want the Congress to have the authority to impeach the president for personal defects and shortcomings or even for horribly inappropriate personal conduct. And they certainly did not want him impeached for partisan gain. High crimes are those that impact the functioning of the republic, like treason or bribery. Lying, or even perjury, about a personal affair, simply does not rise to the level of a high crime as envisioned in the Constitution. His conduct, wrong as it was, did not put the nation in danger nor did it corrupt the political process. Just because it does not amount to a high crime does not mean that it is right--only that it does not meet the high threshold set forth by our Founding Fathers in the Constitution for impeachment. And that is the question before us. Many have argued that the President should not be above the law; he's not. He has been sued and investigated for 6 years. He has been pursued and chased. And he will be subject to legal action after the leaves office. Our Presidents are not perfect individuals. There will always be some fault we can find, and if we proceed with impeaching this president, we will have opened the door in the future to the disruption of our political system and the balance of power.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, on September 18, 1998, National Prisoner of War/Missing In Action Recognition Day, our nation finally honored one of the few remaining heroes and survivors of the Bataan Death March. During the graduation of new air men and women from basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Retired Army Air Corps World War II veteran Tech. Sgt. Joseph Lajzer was awarded the Purple Heart and POW medals for injuries sustained more than 56 years ago in the jungles of the Philippines. Joseph Lajzer volunteered for the Army in 1941 at the age of twenty. He was trained as a tanker and his unit, B Company of the 192d Tank Battalion, was sent to Clark Field in the Philippines. Not long after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese attacked and landed in the Philippines. After many days of intense fighting and desperately short of medical supplies, food, and ammunition, Mr. Lajzer's unit was captured on April 8, 1942. The following day the tragic Battan Death March began. The horrors of the six day march defy any description. Nearly 650 American soldiers along with thousands of Filipino soldiers died during the march. For the next three and one half years, Lajzer endured unspeakable pestilence, starvation, and brutality while in captivity. Joseph Lajzer was finally liberated on September 6, 1945, but had to endure additional months in military hospitals recovering from injuries inflicted by his Japanese captors. Tech. Sgt. Lajzer's services to our nation didn't end after his release. He went on to serve for a total of 25 years, retiring from the United States Air Force in 1966. In spite of his extraordinary service in uniform, Lajzer was never formally recognized. He waited patiently for more than twenty years while administrative and other delays prevented the award of the Purple Heart and the POW medals to this deserving American. Finally, on September 18, 1998, our nation recognized and honored Tech. Sgt. Lajzer. A Soldier by an Unknown Author at Bataan/Corregidor A soldier is a nobody, we hear lots of people say. He is the outcast of the world and always in the way. We admit there are bad ones from the Army to the Marines, but the majority you will find, the most worthy ever seen. Most people condemn the soldier when he stops to take a drink or two, but does a soldier condemn you, when you stop to take a few. Now don't scorn the soldier but clasp him by the hand, for the uniform he wears means protection to our land. The government picks its soldier from the million far and wide, so please place him as your equal good buddies side by side. When a soldier goes to battle you cheer him on the way, you say he is a hero when in the ground he lay. But the hardest battle of the soldier is in the time of peace, when all mock and scorn him and treat him like a beast. With these few lines we close sir, we hope we don't offend but when you meet a soldier just treat him like a friend.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, this past weekend we in central and south Texas experienced extraordinary rain storms which dropped record amounts of rain in only a matter of hours. Some areas received nearly two feet of water in roughly 24 hours. Our normally calm rivers bursted over their banks, turning into a racing wall of water. Even now, communities in my district find themselves under water. Roads, houses, farms and ranches have turned into lakes. Devastation is everywhere. Homes have been torn from their foundations. While lending a helping hand to others, one rescue worker and her husband watched in horror as their house floated down what was once a street. Many communities have no drinking water, and thousands are only now beginning to return to their homes. For many, all their worldly possessions are gone. Lives lost, businesses flooded, livestock killed, and people's prime investment, their homes, destroyed--that is the legacy of the floods of 1998. The counties I represent include some of the hardest hit areas: Comal, Guadalupe, Bexar and Wilson Counties have not seen this level of destruction in more than a generation or more. In some areas, the Guadalupe River, normally 150 feet wide, stretches three miles across. It may take days or weeks to add up the value of lost property, but we know today already that some have experienced the greatest loss. At least 17 persons have died as a result of these storms, and a number of children remain missing and are feared lost. For the record, I have attached a list of these fatalities. Mr. Speaker, our hearts and prayers go out to these families at this tragic time. I spent yesterday visiting flood-damaged communities. While the destruction was truly heart-wrenching, I was impressed with the professionalism exhibited by city leaders, law enforcement and emergency service crews. I admired neighborly spirit of the many volunteers who came out to help. In response to this crisis, people from all walks of life came together to battle the water and save lives. The next few days will be critical as the rebuilding begins. I know that, despite the challenges, the people of Texas will pull together and overcome.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 559, a bill which is long overdue. This bill represents one step for Congress to correct an injustice against some of our nation's veterans. By designating this rare lung disease as a service-connected illness, we can open the door to just compensation for those veterans with unexplained illnesses brought about from their service to our nation. Radiation exposure is common among our troops. As we have seen in the aftermath of the Gulf War, thousands of our veterans continue to languish with unexplained illnesses which the DOD and VA are unable to designate as compensable diseases. Even with evidence that these illnesses could come from nowhere else but military service, our government has dropped the ball. Mr. Speaker, passage of H.R. 559 will bring relief to the hundreds of veterans who suffer from this disease. On top of that, H.R. 559 should help usher in broader legislation to compensate the thousands of veterans who suffer from illnesses caused by exposure to radiation while in the service.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, as we face the 21st century, our education is our best national defense. Education must function as a means to prepare our children for the 21st century and the global economy. To help meet this goal, we must aim to strengthen our public schools that serve the majority of our children. Reducing class size should be our first priority. Putting those teachers in the classroom should be our first priority. This will allow teachers to focus on basics such as reading and writing in the early ages. We also need to look to modernize our classrooms. Across this country, we need to assure that our classrooms are well-equipped to meet the technology of the 21st century. We have to assure that our youngsters will have a fresh start to be able to compete in the global economy. Our schools are crumbling across this country. We need to invest in our children and in the future of this country as our national defense depends on it. Our level of education will determine our national defense. Let us also focus on providing our children the assistance that they need.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to be joining the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Green) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Frost) in this special order today. We honor not only a colleague, we honor an American hero. It is my honor to offer this tribute on my behalf, on behalf of the San Antonians and the constituents of the 20th Congressional District and the behalf of Texas and the Nation. Congressman Henry B. Gonzalez deserves our praise and has earned our respect and admiration. His story is one that has inspired generations and will likely inspire many more. We all know Henry B. In San Antonio, all you have to say is Henry B., and everyone knows who he is. The Honorable Henry B. Gonzalez of the 20th Congressional District. His name and his face are known in every household in San Antonio. In my family, my father would always call him El Compadre Gonzalez. He was our compadre because we admired him. We respected him, and we knew he had us and our neighbors in his thoughts and his actions. He was like one of our households. He was also known and we also recognize Congressman Gonzalez as the first Hispanic from Texas elected to this body. In those days, in San Antonio, it was very much smaller than it is today, and the 20th Congressional District included the entire city of San Antonio. Let me tell my colleagues that, in those days, as a Mexican-American, to be elected out of San Antonio was an extraordinary action. Those were the days when we were required to have a poll tax and had to pay in order to participate in the elections. Henry B. Gonzalez was an extraordinary man. We know him as the man who stands his ground, who does not shy away from dispute, who holds fast to his values. In so many ways Congressman Gonzalez's life represents the American dream. His parents were immigrants from Mexico who fled the violence in the 1911 revolution in Mexico. He worked hard and obtained a college degree and, as my colleagues recall, it is even difficult now for Hispanics to be able to get a degree. At that time, it was more extraordinary because he did it so many years ago. Henry B. helped his father and his business and then turned to public service as a probation officer and then as a deputy director of the San Antonio Housing Authority. His passion for the poor and his passion for fighting for equity, his fierce sense of justice became his landmark. In the early 1950s, Henry B. made a name for himself in San Antonio as a city councilman, then as a State Senator. In the Texas Senate, he is known as holding the longest filibuster in Texas history, a record that still stands. His career reflects his passion for civil rights, his fight for the American ideals of equal justice for all. He fought against segregation in the 1950s and helped lead the struggle to pass civil rights laws in the 1960s. He even dared to oppose the now discredited House Committee on Un- American Activities. As a distinguished member and then chairman of the Committee on Banking and Financial Services, Henry B. made his mark as a champion of the less fortunate and crusader against corruption. The 71 bills he managed as chair included legislation to protect depositors and punish those who sought to cheat the system. We could list the amount of legislation of his accomplishments, but it would take hours. Our Congressman Henry B. Gonzalez represents more than just a list of achievements. He represents those values that we espouse and cherish but rarely realize ourselves. Henry B. stands for honesty and independence and he embodies the passion for his constituents. My colleagues, take note, Congressman Gonzalez has served more than 37 years in this House, and I will tell my colleagues why, because he believes and he stood for those beliefs. He spoke his mind even when it was unpopular to do so. He stood by his constituents even when he faced great challenges. As a song from Frank Sinatra goes, he did it his way. Henry B. boasts one other great accomplishment, and we should take note of this. He and his wife Bertha will be celebrating their 58th wedding anniversary next month. They are blessed with 8 children, more than 20 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren. I look forward to working next year with Charlie Gonzalez when he joins us as a representative of the 20th Congressional District. Compadre Gonzalez, I am honored to serve in this great House with you. We will miss you, and I know that we will not forget you. You will be in our minds. I want to take this opportunity to quote a couple of items from the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ortiz) as he has given me a couple of things to say. One of the items that he mentions is he remembers Henry B. Gonzalez, both not only in terms of as we recognize him tonight, but as a lifetime of service to this country. We must admire a man who hails soft and punches a fellow in his face in a restaurant because he has called him a Communist. Henry B. tells it like it is. He has been a bur on the saddle of the Presidents that have gone before us. He has occasionally annoyed his colleagues with his never-give-up attitude. He is much loved. He has been much loved throughout his career by his constituents friends and those of us who have had the privilege of serving with him. Congressman Ortiz continues by saying I remember a friend telling me that she was a little girl whose mother worked with Henry B. on his first campaign, and she recalled the raw excitement about the campaigns that Henry B. used to have, and elated about the victory. She was also so proud when she and her mother was invited to Washington to see him sworn in. She did not make it, and she said she still had little, was a little angry because they were not able to attend. But she recalls she came up here to Washington in the 1980s at a dinner one night and talks about the fact that, as she went up to Congressman Ortiz, he asked her, you know, who would you like to meet, the President of the United States, the Speaker of the House, a movie star. Well she just said and looked, I would just want to meet Henry Gonzalez. She finally got to meet Henry. And as she recalls, she had tears in her eyes. With that, I just want to just indicate, Congressman Gonzalez, you have been a role model to me and for many others I know. I admire you for your integrity, your convictions, your strong work ethic, your dedication to your constituents. Thank you for your service and your dedication. Muchas gracias.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I would like to support H.R. 4567 with enthusiasm. This bill on its surface aims to improve veterans heatlh and correct serious deficiencies in our home health reimbursement system. Unfortunately, at least in the home health area, the bill falls woefully short of its stated goal. For veterans this is the first effort to implement VA-Medicare subvention, which has been sought by veteran's service organizations for years. This legislation would allow veterans who are covered by Medicare to receive treatment at VA facilities. I support subvention and am a co-sponsor of legislation to bring this overdue option to veterans. We own our veterans quality health--for this reason I will vote for this bill today. However, this bill falls FAR short of addressing the real need of our communities that rely so heavily on the home health care industry. Home health fills a much needed void for my for my community where very few hospitals exist and nursing home have been closed. How can we expect our elderly Medicare beneficiaries in rural communities to survive when a handful of home health agencies are closing everyday? I have no idea how my constituents are expected to survive. Many of the Medicare beneficiaries that utilize home health have already been told they will not longer receive care and have been left to the hands to fate. This bill fails to address the pressing problems created by the faulty interim payment system (IPS) and further address the failure of the Health Care Financing Administration to recognize the need in rural communities for such care. HR 4567 fails to recognize two key provisions: the need for retroactivity, and the automatic 15 percent reduction scheduled for this year. It is a shame that we are not able to bring a bill to the floor that addresses the heart of the home health crisis--access to health care for our elderly. The Republican leadership has failed our elderly by not recognizing that more needs to be done and that it needs to be done now. Our only hope is that REAL changes will be made in the conference version of this bill. If not, we will all surely go home from this session hanging our heads low, knowing that we have not really solved the matter. Instead we have pretended to acknowledge it and then walked away.