Ciro Rodriguez

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman Frank and my friend Congressman Hinojosa for bringing forth this important legislation and making it a priority for the American people. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1982, the Rural Housing and Economic Development Improvement Act of 2007, a bill that would implement an assistance program to support economic and housing development in rural areas. This act would provide assistance to Indian tribes, State housing finance agencies, State community or development agencies, local nonprofit organizations and community development corporations. According to the Texas Low Income Housing Information Service, in Texas alone, more than one million people have lived in public housing over the past 60 years. In Texas and throughout the country, the majority of families living in public housing have very low income and have no alternative to public housing. My Congressional District is very rural, and housing in these very low-income communities remains a top concern. This act would allow sustainable low income housing and improve the economic standard of our working-class families in Texas. I ask all my colleagues to join me in supporting those in need of assistance by voting for this bill.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 483, to recognize the anniversary of Big Bend National Park. Sixty-three years ago the State of Texas bestowed the 800,000 acres of pristine desert and mountain terrain that now make up the Big Bend National Park upon the United States of America. Big Bend began as a small State park, but in 1942, just following the Great Depression, Texas purchased 600,000 acres of land from private landowners at the price of $1.5 million. The cost was high at the time, but Texas donated the land to the Federal Government for the establishment of a national park. With that gesture, the State of Texas provided the Nation and its citizens with a majestic national park that has been enjoyed for over a half a century so far. This resolution pays tribute not only to the picturesque landscape of the park itself, but to those who made it possible to preserve this land for generations to come. Everett Ewing Townsend, known as the father of Big Bend National Park, was the champion of this effort. In 1894 Townsend traveled to the Chisos Mountains and later recalled that the breathtaking southern view from the mountains made him ``see God as he had never seen Him before.'' He vowed to preserve the region in some way, and 63 years later we can see that he has made good on his promise. His efforts, first in the State Legislature and later as the Commissioner of the national park, provided the United States with an unspoiled tract of land that has since been enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of visitors. Big Bend National Park, encompassing the region where the Chihuahuan Desert intersects with the Chisos Mountains features a distinct landscape. The park is surrounded on the south by the mighty Rio Grande. The outer boundary is marked by the area where the flow of the river shifts from southeast to northeast, forming the giant bend after which the park is named. With river, mountain and desert all in one, Big Bend National Park could easily be considered three parks in one. However, west Texas is fortunate to have such a diverse environment preserved within the boundaries of one awe-inspiring park. The establishment of Big Bend National Park in 1944 allowed the vast expanse of land to be conserved. At the same time, it protected the rich history of the region. Native people have inhabited the area for thousands of years, and in more recent years diverse groups of people have traversed the Big Bend. In the past century and a half Spanish explorers, Comanche Indians, Mexican settlers and American ranchers have all traveled through or lived within the park's terrain. Thus, this important resolution recognizes the 63rd anniversary of the establishment of Big Bend National Park and the people who made their way through the region well before then. H. Res. 483 also honors the National Park Service for their work in the Big Bend. It is important that we recognize Big Bend National Park's contributions to our Nation as well as the contribution that the park's founders and staff have made to the land since then.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Presa Community Center on 30 years of outstanding service to the Southside community of San Antonio. In 30 years, the Presa Community Center has grown from a small collaborative effort between five local churches able to lend a hand to a few needy families to an organization with the ability to help hundreds of people daily. The Presa Community Center has successfully developed multi-faceted programs for our community, including educational enrichment programs for students, emergency food and clothing assistance for families, free tax preparation through the Volunteer Income Tax Program, and many senior programs like coordinated transportation to medical appointments, activities and food assistance, just to name a few. Just in the past year, Presa Community Center has developed three innovative programs to provide additional services to the community of South San Antonio. One is Project Drive to Live which takes court officials directly into the classrooms with senior and junior high students to address underage drinking and driving under the influence. The second program is designed to keep fourth through sixth grade students in school by building a support network for children and their parents with volunteer mentors and staff. The third program brings the services of the Presa Community Center directly into the community by teaming up trained volunteers with families in need to help locate available resources and become financially stable. The successes of the Presa Community Center are a result of effective partnership with many community organizations and local governments including United Way, University of Incarnate Word, Presa Real, San Antonio Independent School District, Alamo Area Council of Governments, Warm Spring Rehabilitation Hospital, and San Antonio City and Bexar County officials. Congratulations to the Presa Community Center and all of the partners that have been vital to the development of this community resource. As a resident of South San Antonio, I would like to thank the Presa Community Center, its partner organizations, and all the hard working staff for their 30 years of dedication to the community and I look forward to many more years of continued work in our community.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Let me take this opportunity, first of all, to congratulate the chairman, Congressman Price, on this particular piece of legislation. Let me also share with you, as a member of this particular subcommittee, of this particular committee, we had some 22 hearings. The gentleman speaks about the importance of being able to see, in terms of transparency. We had 22 hearings. That is much more than in the previous time. We had an opportunity, also, to visit the border. We went through Arizona all the way down to San Diego. We had a chance to look in terms of the border and the type of technology that is required in order to safeguard our border, not to mention the fact that we also looked at the different types of fences that are being utilized. And there is no doubt that there is a need there, especially in the areas in Arizona and elsewhere where we visited, where there is a need for blocking vehicles from coming in. I was really impressed with the type of technology that is already there. And I am impressed that the bill will also provide additional resources to allow additional technology throughout the entire border. This bill is a bill that authorizes direct Federal funds to also help law enforcement officers on the border. I represent 700 miles along the Texas/Mexico border. I have probably the largest district that comprises those 700 miles along the border. And we have a tremendous amount of resources and need in that area in order to safeguard the community as well as provide good security. One of the things that we provide is the Stone Garden project. That allows resources to be able to be utilized by the sheriffs and by the local law enforcement officers to help out, and all the other communities to be able to participate with the Federal officers to be able to make things happen on the border. Let me just share a few examples. We get complaints from some of my communities that are very small, right on the Mexican border, that might have three to six policemen. One little car accident or one item can get them all engaged in that one activity while the local taxpayer has to carry the burden. The Federal Government has the responsibility, and this bill allows that opportunity to do that. To us, homeland security is important. Homeland security is key. This bill has no earmarks. In the past, I have been informed that it has had very few earmarks. And so it is something that is critical and important. We felt that we needed to provide additional resources to some of those communities. There is also a need for us to provide those resources on not only the south, but on the northern border, also. The bill provides grants to hire, train and equip local law enforcement officials in these communities. There is also some reimbursement for individuals that are caught, undocumented individuals on the border, whether they be trafficking with drugs or with human smuggling, which is also an area that we need to continue to work on. This bill allows that opportunity for us to begin to fill those gaps. There is no doubt that we have not made the investment. This bill begins to provide that investment that is needed to protect our borders. The reimbursement of county and city law enforcement agencies for costs also associated with detaining, housing and transporting individuals who have entered the country illegally is essential because my border community, the local taxpayer, has to carry that burden. This Federal Government has a responsibility. So I share with my individual friends on the other side and say that it is important for us to pass this piece of legislation. I think it provides good resources for our communities throughout. It also provides funding for the construction and maintenance and operation of detention facilities that are essential. As you well know, in some cases, sometimes we will find some 80 illegals coming in through Arizona, and you pick up a large number of individuals. So you have to have the number of staff required in order to process them and in order to bring them through. We also provide the resources that are needed to begin to enhance the technology that is being utilized in order to make that happen. What is also important to note is we also need to begin to see what is more cost effective when it comes to the border in terms of the technology. There has been a lot of talk about the fence. The reality is that a border patrolman will tell you that the fence allows you 1 or 2 more minutes just to be able to do that.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Not on this amendment. I spoke on one of the other amendments.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I rise today, and I want to indicate how important this bill, H.R. 2638, is to the entire country as a whole. This bill has particular significance for any American concerned about promoting the necessary and difficult objective of protecting our homeland. As a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, it has been a pleasure for me to work with the chairman and the leadership on adding language and enhancing the quality of this bill and strengthening the general provisions of it. As a Member who represents a district that goes from both the Texas to the Mexico border, I'm distinctly aware of challenges that confront law enforcement officers charged with upholding criminal laws such as the drug and human trafficking. In recognition of this inherent danger represented to the law enforcement officials, also to private landowners along the border, and elected officials concerned about the border issues and statutory requirements imposed on the Department of Homeland Security to erect, also, the fence barriers that span 370 miles along the southwestern borders. I was also pleased to dialogue with the chairman on these issues and making sure that we go about them in the right way. The first objective that I want to just briefly mention and talk briefly about is the fact that our border communities need additional resources. This bill begins to provide those resources. Our law enforcement on the cities, as well as the sheriffs that are unanimously in favor of doing what they can to protect our borders and to protect our communities need help, and they need help drastically. This bill begins to provide this assistance. I wanted to, again, reemphasize the fact that this bill is an essential bill that allows us to be able to protect this country in a way that we should. I know the other side has talked about the bureaucracy and the fact that we haven't responded appropriately, and I agree with them. We haven't, and that's why we have added some additional resources. That's why we also had 22 hearings of which I can tell you, because I have been here prior to this, and we had not had hearings the way we've had now to hold the agencies accountable. No one knows that better than myself. I just had a community in Eagle Pass that went through a tornado that killed seven people, also hit the Mexican side, killing three, and the difficulty that I had in getting FEMA to respond and the administration to respond. So I understand the incompetency that exists within this administration and the fact that we've had difficulty in getting them to respond to our needs. But the bottom line is that when we're hit with floods, when we're hit with drought, when we're hit with tornados and other, we have to be able to have the resources necessary for them to be able to do that. And so when we were hit in Eagle Pass, I remember distinctly going through there. I also went over on the Mexican side, and I deliberately went over there also because I know that they had been hit harder. And I also went back because I know that the Mexicans, especially from the state of Coahuila, had come to help us during Katrina. They sent their support there in San Antonio, helping to feed some 20,000 that had come to San Antonio from Katrina, and I know that they had been extremely helpful. But we have got to make sure that FEMA has the resources and that they are also held accountable. I know that we are going to continue to have additional hearings in order to make that happen. I also want to personally thank our leader for helping us with the Stonegarden project. I would like to yield to the gentleman from North Carolina.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I want to thank Chairman Price. I know that you also provided some guidance as we went to New Orleans and visited New Orleans and got an opportunity to see still the devastation and the fact that we haven't done enough there, and I want to personally thank you for the leadership in that area. We not only went there, but you also took the committee along the border to look at the fences that are out there, the barriers for cars and those things that are important.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Madam Speaker, sixty-three years ago, on June 12, 1944, Big Bend National Park was established in southwest Texas along the Rio Grande River. The scenic national park encompasses more than 800,000 acres of pristine desert and mountain terrain. Known as ``Texas' Gift to the Nation,'' Big Bend began as a modestly- sized State park, but its area was expanded greatly by the state before being awarded to the Nation. After Congress passed legislation allowing for the acquisition of land in the region to establish the park the state of Texas purchased approximately 600,000 acres of land from private owners, at a cost of $1.5 million, in 1942. The purchase of such a vast expanse of land at such a high price in the midst of the Great Depression was an incredible feat for the State of Texas. Despite the cost, the State donated the land to the Federal Government for the establishment of the national park. With that gesture Texas provided the nation with a majestic national park that has been enjoyed for over a half a century so far. Big Bend National Park has a rich history. For thousands of years it was traversed by and inhabited by native peoples. For the past century and a half it has also seen Spanish prospectors; Comanche Indians; Mexican settlers; and Anglo-American farmers, ranchers and miners. Everett Ewing Townsend, the ``Father'' of Big Bend National Park, was the champion of adding Big Bend to the National Parks Service's purview and is most responsible for the preservation of this region where the Chihuahuan Desert intersects with the Chisos Mountains and the flow of the mighty Rio Grande River shifts from southeast to northeast forming the bend after which the park is named. Sixty-three years ago Everett Townsend's efforts provided the United States with an unspoiled tract of land that has since been enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of visitors. In its first year, Big Bend National Park recorded 1,409 visitors, but today it receives over 300,000 visitors a year. Today, I recognize Big Bend National Park on its 63rd anniversary and thank the National Park Service for preserving this region for future generations.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, today I rise in support of this piece of legislation. This bill has particular significance for all Americans concerned about promoting the necessary and difficult objectives of protecting our homeland. As a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, it has been a pleasure for me to work with Chairman Price on adding language and enhancements that will make the bill stronger and generally more effective. As a Member who represents a district that comprises 700 miles along the Texas-Mexico border, I am distinctly aware of the challenges that confront frontline law enforcement officers charged with upholding criminal laws such as drug and human trafficking. In recognition of these inherent dangers presented to law enforcement officials, also to private landowners as well as elected officials concerned about border issues, and the statutory requirements imposed by the Department of Homeland Security to erect a fencing barrier that spans 370 miles along the southwestern border, I was pleased to work with the chairman, who was working with me on these two distinct issues. My first and most important objective that I would like to address is regarding homeland security grants that would hopefully help the border cities and the law enforcement personnel that are on the border such as the police and the sheriff, the first responders, for stemming the tide of drug and human trafficking along our border. Chairman Price was instrumental in working with me and helping us to obtain $15 million for funding for Operation Stonegarden, a program that this administration failed to seek funding for and which had previously been funded in 2006. Operation Stonegarden began as a successful pilot program in 2005 and helped 14 border States on these issues. The initiative gave the States the flexibility that the Department grants provided to enhance coordination among not only the States but local community and Federal law enforcement agencies that are drastically needed. This pilot program resulted in an estimated 214 State, local, and tribal agencies working 36,755 man-days on various public safety as well as border security operations on the border. The budgetary constraints imposed on the committee precluded more funding in this area, but the bill language sends a clear message that programs such as Stonegarden are viable and will serve as a funding aid to the law enforcement communities along the border. Stonegarden did not receive funding last year. The funding assists local authorities with operational costs and equipment purchases that contribute to border security. The funds are intended to be used for operations involving both narcotics and human trafficking. The second objective regarding the fencing and the barriers that are necessary, I want to thank the chairman also for working with us in making sure we provide these types of barriers in an appropriate manner. I believe that the bill reported by the full committee and under consideration by the full House represents the most viable approach that can be utilized. I want to thank the chairman for allowing us to be able to present this bill. And as you well know, Mr. Chairman, this is a bill that is critical, an area that we have been lacking in this country where the administration has failed to provide the appropriate resources on the border. So I want to thank the chairman for allowing us to do that. Amendment Offered by Mr. King of Iowa

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. I want to thank my friend and colleague from San Antonio, Congressman Charlie Gonzalez, for taking this opportunity tonight for us to recognize those soldiers that have served our country and that have been immigrants and are noncitizens of this country. I want to personally thank him for allowing this opportunity for us to be able to do that. There are approximately 69,300 foreign-born men and women who serve in the United States Armed Forces, roughly 5 percent of the total active duty force. Of those 43 percent, which is 29,800, are not U.S. citizens. I repeat, of those that are serving our country, of those 69,000, 43 percent, or 29,800, are non-U.S. citizens. The Pentagon says more than 100 immigrant soldiers have died in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan in the last 5 years. I want to repeat that again, that over 100 immigrant soldiers have died both in the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. This evening, I join my colleagues in paying tribute and recognizing the service of these men and women who, out of the desire to become citizens of the United States, enlist and fight proudly and bravely for our country. They display the ultimate symbol of patriotism and of commitment to defending a dream that we all share. The service and sacrifice of these brave immigrants is often lost in our debate over immigration reform. That is why I am here this evening to share the story of immigrant soldiers from the 23rd Congressional District. The story and life of the soldier is of great significance to the State of Texas and the Nation. Earlier this year, Texas State Representative Chente Quintanilla of Texas introduced a resolution to the Texas House of Representatives paying tribute to the life of Sergeant Israel Devora Garcia. Sergeant Garcia of Clint, Texas, died in Iraq on April 1, 2006, at the age of 23. Sergeant Garcia was attached to the Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, based in Baumholder, Germany, and was serving his second tour of duty in Iraq. He was mortally wounded while conducting a dismounted patrol in Baghdad. He was born in Zacatecas, Mexico. Sergeant Garcia came to the United States at the age of 6 and graduated in 2001 from Clint High School in Texas, where he was an honor student. Although he completed all of his required courses ahead of schedule and was told that he only needed to attend school part-time, he insisted on attending a full day and, in his spare time, helped tutor other kids. Drawn to the military at an early age, Sergeant Garcia spent 4 years in the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps and demonstrated a notable capacity for leadership. In addition to winning first and second place medals during week-long camps at Ft. Bliss, Texas, he attained the rank of major and served in the executive office of these units. Family and friends will forever remember Sergeant Garcia for his cheerful nature, his great zest for life and his strong desire to help others. In his leisure time, he enjoyed playing the guitar with friends, and he had a special passion for soccer. After fulfilling his commitment to the Army, Sergeant Garcia's plan was to study law enforcement at Texas A&M University and hopefully apply for the FBI in the Border Patrol. Sergeant Garcia earned United States citizenship shortly before he died, and he was officially proclaimed a citizen at the cemetery in Clint, Texas. Notwithstanding the dangerous nature of his mission, this courageous soldier performed his mission with dedication and professionalism. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. Through his unfaltering devotion to duty, honor and his country, Sergeant Israel Devora Garcia embodied the highest ideals of the United States Armed Forces, and his valiant efforts in the memorable sacrifice are deserving of honor by every American. Sergeant Garcia is survived by his mother and his father, Frances and Lorenzo Sandoval; his sister, Rosa Sandoval; and his brothers, Adrian Sandoval and Lorenzo Sandoval, Jr. Sergeant Garcia's story may not seem like that of other veterans, but this represents part of the American history that has too often been overlooked. His story, like the stories my colleagues are sharing tonight, are stories of immigrants in this country. This evening we share those stories of individuals that are out there giving their all. More notably, the American public must understand and recognize that noncitizens have served and have died for our country, not only during the Iraq and Afghanistan war, but during every single war during this country's struggle. I take this opportunity to once again thank Charlie Gonzalez for allowing us to have this opportunity.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, Iraq must be held responsible. No one can be forced to have a democracy; they must want to themselves. The Iraqi government must meet the security, political and economic benchmarks that they have set for themselves. I would think that every Member of this Congress would want to hold the Iraqi Government accountable for the promises it has made earlier this year. On our supplemental, the bill fully funds the troops for the next 2 to 3 months, ensuring that they have everything they need to conduct their mission. The bill includes additional funding to include improve military readiness above the President's request. The bill includes additional $1.8 billion for veterans' health care above the President's request. The bill also includes additional funding for the troops above what the President has requested. It is time for us to hold the Iraqi government responsible and ask them to come up to the plate as we have done ourselves.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank you for this time and for your willingness to work with me on issues that are important to my district and to the State and the country as a whole. As you know, I represent one of the longest stretches of the southern border with Mexico, my congressional district, the 23rd. Eleven counties in my district are on the Mexican border, and a variety of others are 20 miles away from the Mexican border. As I travel throughout my district, one of the most common concerns is the lack of resources rural law enforcement officers have on the border. These departments often have just a few officers on the entire force, and they have to handle the same drug cases and human smuggling cases that large cities do. Except processing these cases in small communities means taking half or, in some cases, all of the staff in those particular communities. I had planned to offer an amendment that would have provided necessary additional resources for the border to local police departments as well as the sheriff's departments to hire and equip and train additional officers. I have withdrawn that amendment with the hopes of being able to work with the chairman and this committee to bring this critical aid to our local law enforcement on the Mexican border. Mr. Chairman, once again, I thank you; and I would ask for your help and your assistance.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, for the last 4 months, we have taken control of the House, and we have headed in the right direction, bringing back necessary oversight of this administration and producing positive results for the American people, especially as it dealt with the special interest groups. We got off on a quick start, passing six bills during our first 100 hours that will make college and prescription drugs more affordable and will expand economic opportunities for millions of Americans who have not received a pay raise in the last 9 years. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to indicate to you that we will continue to do that. We also passed the budget for 2007 that should have been done last year, striking out all earmarks and adding additional money for our veterans, $3.6 billion. I am pleased to also announce that we passed a supplemental that added additional money for our veterans, an additional $1.8 billion for our war veterans. Unfortunately, the President has vetoed this piece of legislation. We are going to continue to push forward in making sure that we have oversight over these committees.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise here today to pay tribute to a great educator: Mr. Paul Vranish, Superintendent for Tomillo Independent School District. The Texas Education Agency named Mr. Vranish the Communities in Schools Superintendent of the Year. Mr. Vranish became the Superintendent of Tomillo ISD in June 2002. He was recognized for his part in his ``Parent Chats'' program which encourages better communication between the community and the school district. Along with increasing dialogue between the district officials and the public, Mr. Vranish has also worked to bring his students and community the information and technology they need to excel in the world by providing increased computer access and free high-speed internet access to Tomillo, a small Texas town near the Mexico border. Mr. Varnish is a dedicated educator who has done much to provide a quality education for his students and community. I wish to congratulate Mr. Vranish for receiving the Communities in Schools Superintendent of the Year from the Texas Education Agency.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and recognize the accomplishments of The Film School of San Antonio, a magnet program on the campus of Harlandale High School in the Harlandale Independent School District of San Antonio, Texas. Utilizing a rigorous, sequential and customized curriculum, the Film School of San Antonio provides first hand experience in the collaborative arts of filmmaking, screenwriting, animation and drama. Additionally, the film school prepares students for job opportunities, scholarships and college admissions. With a strong foundation in media, students also compete in national contests and film festivals. The Film School of San Antonio and its students have earned a wealth of awards and accolades. In 2005, the program received an Emmy nomination for their film ``La Corrida,'' a documentary on the plight of illegal immigrants in ``No Mans Land'' just north of the U.S./ Mexican border. In 2006, the program's student produced film Mocha, made history when it won a non-student category Emmy Award. This is the first high school to be able to claim this achievement in Texas. Most recently, the school was invited by the Sundance Institute to attend the internationally recognized Sundance Film Festival to meet and network with Producers and Directors. The famous actor and filmmaker Orson Welles once said that, ``A film is never really good unless the camera is an eye in the head of a poet.'' The students at the Film School of San Antonio are poets that through film find their expression. Through their engagement with the program and the assistance of their dedicated teachers, the students at the Film School of San Antonio are able to give their poetic visions a reality. I extend my most sincere congratulations to the program director George F. Ozuna; the school instructors: Pete Barcenez, Dagoberto Patlan, Daniel Garcia and Sharon Shuler; the school's students: Briana Baiz, Mercedes Casarez, Krysten Casias, Samuel Garcia, Michael Levine, Felix Perez and Raul Servin; and their families. Their work is inspiring. I am proud of their success and hope that film continues to bring them much personal satisfaction. Van Junior Senior High School, Van, WV, February 22, 2007. Congressman Nick Rahall, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC. Congressman Rahall: We are the Senior Civics class of Van Jr/Sr High School in Boone County, West Virginia. We watched President Bush's State of the Union Address and the Democratic Response. We are writing to you to discuss our concerns within the government today. Our Civics class consists of all male students, who (if the draft is enabled) would be sent to fight for a cause we don't understand. Our primary concern is the war in Iraq. We are in favor of fighting terrorism, but America went into Iraq under false pretenses. We now know that Iraq had nothing to do with the attack on 9/11. We believe that the reason we went to Iraq is to gain a stronghold on the oil fields. We are trading blood for oil. We have strong feeling that America should have never invaded Iraq because our presence there is breeding more terrorism around the world. We are giving terrorists a common foe to retaliate against. We are incubating more hatred from other terrorists and now giving them a reason to unite hence the statement, ``The enemy of my enemy is my ally''. We highly oppose the sending of 2l,000 more soldiers to Iraq. Instead, we must start bringing soldiers home, because who is going to protect us while our soldiers are fighting overseas? Some soldiers are serving their third tour of duty against their will, compliments of the Backdoor Draft. America should have never gone further than Afghanistan. We have forgotten about Osama Bin Laden in our rush to topple Saddam Hussein. All we are doing right now is debating while our soldiers are loosing their lives. Let us quit talking and do something! Young lives and futures depend on your actions. Please take into consideration the lives you can save instead of destroy. Another of our concerns is the way our economy is being affected by the war. Just think of what 2.9 trillion dollars could have done for this nation. Then look at this figure, oil companies are making an annual profit of 39.5 billion dollars while many people in this nation are suffering in poverty. They are suffering because in today's society one cannot support a family on the minimum wage of $5.15 an hour. Only three percent of Americans today are financially well off. The outsourcing of good paying American jobs is causing our unemployment rate to rise. If this trend continues, poverty will become more common and our society will become even more unstable. The money spent on the Iraq war has put a tremendous amount of pressure on the recipients of Social Security. Many older Americans have to choose between medication and food because they cannot afford both. Add to this the fact that thousands of Americans still do not have any health insurance. America has become greedy and corrupt. When did America stop caring about the common people? The Civics Class of Van High School wants the voice of the common man to be heard in Washington, D.C. We are the future of this great nation and our representatives must consider this while debating the course our country will take, not only in Iraq, but also at home. Sincerely, The Senior Civics Class of Van Jr.-Sr. High School: Justin Gent, Christopher Boulet, Robert Burnett, Joshua Cook, Jason Hoosier, Matthew Kuhn, Terry Legg, Gregory O'Dell, Jonathan Simms, Robert Valle, Scott White, Kasey Whitman.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Madam Speaker, tonight we will be highlighting the courage and honor of our Hispanic World War II veterans. But before we begin tonight, I would like to take this moment to honor the victims of the unbelievable tragedy at Virginia Tech University. We have only just begun to hear the incredible stories of the heroism and tragedy, and begun to learn the names and faces of those who died and those whose survived, but whose lives will forever be changed. Today we have also seen how remarkable and how resilient they are. To the Virginia Tech University community, the students, the staff, the family members and the loved ones who are suffering today, please know that you are in our prayers and thoughts tonight. I ask for a brief moment of silence. General Leave

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of my Special Order tonight.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise this evening, joined by my colleagues, to honor and pay respect and tribute to the contributions of the Latino and Hispanic soldiers who served so valiantly during World War II. World War II was a major turning point for the United States Latinos, changing the world views of an entire generation. Approximately half a million Hispanics served in the Armed Forces during World War II. Unfortunately, many Latino soldiers who returned home found the same discrimination they had left behind, a system that held Latinos to a lower status. Latinos and Latinas who worked in military installations and in other jobs previously denied them also questioned the status quo. Understanding the importance of getting an education to better adapt after their tour of duty, many veterans used the GI bill to earn college degrees. In the years following World War II, those men and women made astonishing civil rights advancements for their people through school desegregation, in voting rights, and in basic civil rights. Powerful organizations grew out of this era, including the American GI Forum founded by Dr. Hector Garcia of Corpus Christi in 1948 to advocate for veterans' rights. Another organization that came out of the World War II generation of Latinos was the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund in 1968. This came about after Mexican American World War II veterans, including people such as Pete Tijerina; Gregory Luna, a Senator from Texas; Ed Idar and Albert Armendariz, among others, found that their clients, mostly low-income Mexican Americans, were being denied justice in the legal system. For Puerto Ricans, World War II brought new questions in which the United States came to appreciate Puerto Rico's military importance in the Caribbean. The United States maintained that it needed to keep its sovereign power over the islands for reasons of national security, and World War II strengthened that position. However, over 53,000 Puerto Ricans served within the United States military with dignity. Soldiers from the island, serving in the 65th Infantry Regiment, participated in combat in the European theater in Germany and central Europe. World War II was also the first conflict in which women other than nurses were allowed to serve in the United States Armed Forces. However, when the United States entered World War II, Puerto Rican nurses volunteered for service, but were not accepted into the Army or the Navy Nurse Corps, and it was not until 1944 that the Army Nurse Corps decided to activate and recruit Puerto Rican nurses so the Army hospitals would not have to deal with language barriers. Sadly, Madam Speaker, the stories of these men and women have been virtually untold either in the mass media or in the scholarly writings, and that is why my colleagues and I are here this evening to begin sharing the stories of the Hispanic and Latino World War II veterans, so all Americans can learn about and appreciate their contributions. Within our own body of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus I am proud to honor, to recognize the service of four of our own who have served the military with dignity: Chairman Silvestre Reyes, Chairman Solomon Ortiz, the Honorable John Salazar, and the honorable chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Joe Baca. Chairman Joe Baca, who represents the 43rd District of California, was drafted in 1966 and served in the Army as a paratrooper with both the 101st and the 82nd Airborne Divisions from 1966 through 1968. I want to take this opportunity to yield to our chairman, and I thank him for being here tonight.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Madam Speaker, let me take this opportunity also to congratulate Congressman Baca not only as chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus but for his service to his country, and he continues to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. I thank Congressman Baca. Let me take this opportunity also to just share with you that also I mentioned earlier Chairman Sylvestre Reyes, who also served in the military, now chairman of the Intelligence Committee, who represents the 16th District of Texas. He is a Vietnam combat veteran, and he was stationed in Marble Mountain in DaNang, and he served as a helicopter crew chief within the 282nd Combat Assault Helicopter Company from March 1967 to April 1968. I know that he was unable to be here tonight, but I know that he also cherishes and recognizes those individuals who served our country. Let me take this opportunity to recognize a friend from San Antonio, Texas, which represents a community that has multitude and is known as Military U.S.A., San Antonio, because of the support that we have for our military with Lackland Air Force Base, Randolph Air Force Base, Fort Sam Houston, Brooks that used to be here, and the military support and all the families there, Congressman Charlie Gonzalez.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Congressman Charlie Gonzalez, I want to personally thank you tonight for bringing the story of Judge Machado, a great leader in San Antonio. I also want to thank you for your comments as you regressed and talked a little bit in terms of the deficit. You have talked in eloquence, and I couldn't help but remember your dad, Henry B. Gonzalez, as he spoke in this House about the important issues that confront us. I know that previous groups had talked about the deficit, knowing full well that this particular administration went into office with a surplus, one of the largest surpluses in recorded history. Now we find ourselves without that surplus and find ourselves in an $8.9 trillion debt. That being said, let me also take this opportunity to mention a little bit about some of our own veterans here on the House, Chairman Solomon Ortiz, who sits on the Armed Services Committee, represents the 27th District of Texas. As a result of his father's death at the age of 16, Chairman Ortiz dropped out of school to find a job to assist his mother in paying the family bills. Shortly thereafter, Chairman Ortiz joined the Army, because, as he put it, it was the one place that would give him free room and board and let me send my check back home to my mother. It was in the Army that Mr. Ortiz, Solomon, ever conscious of the needs for an education, got his GED. He received his basic training at Fort Hood, Texas, and was sent overseas to France for his tour of duty. He later found himself reassigned to the 61st Military Police Company, Criminal Investigation Office, a move that would color much of his future professional life. He remained as an investigator for the duration of his tour of duty, receiving his advanced military police training at Fort Gordon, Georgia. Congressman John Salazar, who represents the Third District of Colorado, graduated from Centauri High School in La Jara, Colorado. In 1973 he joined the Army. After serving in Heidelberg, Germany, Salazar received an honorable military discharge in 1976. Congressman Salazar is proud to be a veteran and proud to be both the son and father of men who have served. The Salazar family is honored to have served our country. Congressman Salazar tells a story of his father, a veteran of World War II, requesting to be buried in his uniform. Today's generation of Hispanics and Latino American soldiers look to the brave men and women, veterans, who fought before them, as true inspiration. In the State of Texas alone, there are 197,173 World War II veterans who have fought so bravely and honorably to defend our beloved country. According to the 2000 census, the VA reported and recognized Texas as having 14,871,550 civilian population over the age of 18 and a total veteran civilian population of over 1.7 million. Within the 23rd Congressional District, which is the district that I represent, a district that is one of the largest in the country that stretches from San Antonio to El Paso through Eagle Pass and the border, has some 700 miles of the border with Mexico. I represent the VA reports in their county estimates and projections of living veterans report, that as of September 30, 2006, there are currently 53,012 living veterans within the 23rd Congressional District. Therefore, my colleagues, I stand today, this evening, in honor of the extraordinary service these men and women should be recognized for what they do. In so recognizing their efforts, we also need to recognize them in terms of what we provide them with. Before I do that, let me take this opportunity to also tell a story of my father-in-law. Daniel Sanchez Pena was born on January 11, 1919, as the youngest son of Manuel Pena and Catarina Sanchez Pena in Las Colonias of Karnes County, Texas. He grew up in his parents' ranchito doing all the types of farm chores that kids do in a farm. He only went to the second grade in school. He learned to play the guitar at 14 and played at community and farmhouse dances around the community. He would use his skills while in the Army to entertain himself and his fellow soldiers. To this day, he still enjoys, at 87, playing the guitar there at home. Daniel Sanchez Pena was registered on the 16th day of October, 1940. He reported to the Local Board No. 1 in Karnes County, Texas, at the courthouse, on March 25, 1942. This was part of the 35th precinct of what is referred to as the Robstown, Texas, ward. At the age of 23, in June of 1942, he was at the headquarters of the Armed Forces Replacement Training Center in Fort Knox, Kentucky, Company A, for training. Being a farm boy, he was an expert shooter and got excellent points for marksmanship. He still talks about the beautiful mountains in Kentucky that he recalls and the green valleys. After training, he was sent to New York to board the ship and go overseas. This was a real adventure to Daniel. Daniel had never traveled far from his home, much less across the Atlantic Ocean. He still talks about the amazement of seeing the dolphins and the whales and other large fish that he saw. He recalls how seasick they were and how at night, how he looked on that floating city of lights. Coming from a small town, that seemed like a large city. He served in the U.S. Army for 3 years. He was a rifleman in the infantry. He remembers crawling in the sand, freezing in the snow, climbing the steep mountains and the high mountains in Italy and forever marching, dodging bullets and digging fox holes. He saw his friends from Karnes County, a young man at that point that he talks about, and always remembers him, who was killed in front of him. To this day, he still remembers that specific incident when that occurred. He recalls the many tragedies of the war for both soldiers and civilians. He remembers having to hold his plate of food so that they would not be stolen by the starving civilians and children who appeared around the camps when they went through both Africa and into Italy. He often wondered why he got out alive. Truly, he experienced every emotion known to man, from profound sorrow to wondrous awe. Only in the last 2 to 3 years has he started to talk about these experiences. As he talks about his experiences, he remembers parts of the comments and the language, the Italian language that he picked up and some of the words. He returned from service in 1945, receiving the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four bronze service stars, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Honorable Service Lapel Button for World War II. He married Dora Mansanalez in September of 1947, another young lady who lived at another farm adjoining their farm. His father had seven children, three girls and four boys. Two of the boys, Roberto and Guillermo, my brother-in-laws, served in the Army. Carolina, his daughter, is my wife. And so I mention Daniel Pena because he is typical of a lot of the veterans, a lot of Hispanic veterans who have served our country, who never spoke of the war until now as he reaches 87 years of age he begins to talk about those incidents. Let me also take this opportunity, Madam Speaker, as featured by Gebe Martinez, a longtime journalist in Washington. I would like to share with you a story which she featured of a soldier from my own 23rd District of Texas, Nick Arzola. Nick Arzola was defined as a skinny kid from Del Rio, Texas; service in World War II was the pride of his life. He never forgot the precise time he left New York for the war, 5 p.m. on October 7, 1943. Arzola went through the choppy seas, pitched in his ship so violently that he was sick for the entire 18 days' voyage to Scotland. On land, he went from cooking on a gas stove on the battlefront to moving grenades and bombs at a munitions depot. Arzola was a proud American from Del Rio, even if he was considered the only Mexican with a bunch of Yankees, as he used to say. He was good natured despite the stereotype. His war buddies first thought he looked Filipino. Then, they called him Pancho Villa and they called him Casanova, according to the tales. When he returned to Texas after the war, he traveled a road that would later be named for Cleto Rodriguez, the first Hispanic to receive the Medal of Honor for his bravery in the battle in Manila. Nick opened a barbershop in Del Rio and painted signs freehand, including billboards for rising Texas politicians such as Lloyd Bentsen. A veteran, he never missed an election and rounded up voters to take part in freedom as he campaigned. Until he died in 2005, he was part of the uniformed honor guard at the funeral of Del Rio's war veterans, one where to this day you have a large number of veterans there in Del Rio that continue to volunteer as their veterans pass away and do the honors of burying them. Nick Arzola's story may not seem unlike that of other veterans, but this is a representation of part of America's history that has too often been forgotten. His story, like the stories many colleagues have shared, have not been told. Nick never missed an election and rounded up votes as he worked and will continue to do so. So I want to take this opportunity to also mention, as I have a few minutes left, we talked the last few weeks about the situation that we find ourselves with as PBS has a 14-hour program on World War II that will be released in September. There has been a great deal of concern about the lack of Hispanic participation in that particular program. We have had meetings with Ken Burns and others and have been pleased that we have been able to make some inroads. There is still a lot of work to be done. I do want to mention that I am also concerned that within our own population we don't know the history of the role that Mexican Americans and Hispanics have played, not only in World War II but throughout all the wars. I want to mention a group of Mexicans, these are truly Mexicans from Mexico that played a very significant role in World War II in defense of the United States and that was referred to as Escuadron 201, the Aztec Eagles, as they were called. The 201 Escuadron was a group of 300 Mexicans that were trained in the United States and fought on behalf of the United States, with some 38 Mexican pilots that were trained in this country. On December 8, 1941, the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Mexico severed its ties with Germany, Italy, and Japan. And in May 1942, the Nazis also sank a Mexican tanker, and Mexico declared war against the Axis powers. During that time, Mexico participated in the war, and one group was the Escuadron 201. This group of 300 individuals that were Mexicans were trained in this country. The 201 successfully participated in the Allied efforts to bomb Luzon and Formosa, known as Taiwan now, to attempt to push the Japanese out of the island. Assigned to the 58th Fighter Group of the United States Fifth Air Force, the Aztec Eagles, as they were called, were also used in ground support efforts after the aerial threat from Japan weakened. During those ground assignments, the men of the squadron saw firsthand the fearlessness and war mentality of the Japanese soldiers. Japanese soldiers were often captured after trying to come into the U.S. military campsites for food, as they recalled during the stories. Several of these soldiers such as Captain Reynaldo Gallardo and others continue to remember their efforts. I want to mention, on Veterans Day Carlos Faustinos, a former member of the Escuadron 201, always is proud of flying not only Old Glory but the Mexican flag, because he, as a Mexican, fought on behalf of the United States against the Japanese. He was also known for being able to down six Japanese Zeros, which basically makes him an ace, and was able to get credit and receive La Cruz de Honor, the Cross of Honor, which is equivalent to the U.S. Medal of Honor award in this country. Very few Americans know of the 201 Escuadron. Very few of them know of the Aztec Eagles, these Mexicans who fought with the U.S. troops as troopers and fought over the sea in the Pacific. They continue to engage and continue to meet, and I know the G.I. Forum has recently honored their efforts, but much more needs to be done. Let me take this opportunity in closing to indicate that as we honor our troops, it is not just sufficient for us to honor them with our words. We have to honor them with our acts. And that is why I am extremely proud to announce that this legislation has put more money for our veterans service than any other in history. I am glad that the budget for 2008 has $6.6 billion, and I know that the House of Representatives will be voting on that. That $6.6 billion is the resources that are essentially needed at this present time to help. And for 2007, I am also proud to say that we were able to take that particular piece of legislation that should have been passed last year, that was passed by this Congress, the concurrent resolution, and that we added to that bill after we struck all the line items that were placed on that bill the previous year by the previous Congress, we struck every single line item, and we added $3.6 billion for the VA. So I am pleased not only that we did that, but I am also pleased to announce that the supplemental that the President will hopefully eventually sign has an additional $1.7 billion for our troops for health care. That is the way to honor our troops not only with our words but with our deeds.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Madam Speaker, thank you for allowing me to be here at this time.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Madam Speaker, I am proud to rise today to recognize and celebrate the 80th birthday of Cesar E. Chavez. Cesar Chavez was born in Yuma, Arizona, and grew up in migrant labor camps, into the poverty of the migrant worker's life. He became an historical figure who embodied humility and extraordinary strength during his peaceful struggle towards social justice. He was an individual who represented the ones who had less and had no representation whatsoever. He dedicated his entire life to tirelessly championing the rights of the farm laborers; and along with him was Dolores Huerta, also founder of the United Farm Workers union, fighting for better wages and conditions for those individuals that pick our fruit and feed our Nation. Cesar Chavez has been an extraordinary icon in my home State of Texas. In San Antonio, we honor his legacy during the annual Cesar Chavez march to recognize those individuals that labor picking up our food. Additionally, we cannot travel anywhere in the United States without seeing a town or street named after this amazing individual. We in San Antonio, Texas, have Cesar Chavez Boulevard as well as others throughout the country. I hope that his legacy will continue to remain, and I rise today to encourage my colleagues, urging the President and the Congress to establish a national holiday for Cesar Chavez and encourage them to support H. Res. 76.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the subject of my Special Order tonight.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a former social worker serving in the United States Congress, and I rise to honor the work of professional social workers across the country and throughout the world. I would like to join my colleagues in the National Association of Social Workers in recognizing March as National Professional Social Work Month and today as World Social Work Day. Today we have the opportunity to acknowledge the important contributions that social workers make in our community and throughout this country. Today the House overwhelmingly passed H. Res. 266 to recognize the goals and ideals of National Professional Social Work Month and World Social Work Day. This legislation offered the Congress a valuable occasion to support professionals who have helped individuals, families, and communities resolve complicated issues and make significant choices. My experience as a social worker had a profound influence on my decision to enter public life. I could see that many of the challenges facing my clients and those that I worked with had stemmed from the decisions being made at the public policy level. Serving in Congress allows me to be able to continue to help my clients in a broader capacity. Social work as a profession is a commitment to not only addressing the individual needs of clients, but also in creating a just system. As a Member of Congress, I work every day to create a just system for the American people. This year, the theme of National Professional Social Work Month is ``Hope and Health.'' This theme allows us to highlight the considerable involvement of social workers in the health profession. Social workers often work cooperatively with doctors, nurses and other medical professionals to ensure that their clients receive the highest quality care. Care and attention provided by social workers begins when the client enters the health care profession and does not end until he or she has recovered. When dealing with health care, social workers will most often act as counselors and therapists. In that capacity, they must help the client and his or her family understand the diagnosis, the illnesses, and the emotions involved. In addition, social workers provide much-needed advice and support regarding the difficult health care decisions that clients must make. In fact, professional social workers provide more mental health care than psychologists, psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses combined, making them the largest provider of mental health services in this country. These services are also extended to our Nation's veterans. Professional social workers provide counseling, substance abuse treatment, crisis intervention and other services to veterans and their families. At a time when our Nation is involved in wars both in Iraq and Afghanistan, it is important that our returning soldiers have access to the compassionate care that social workers provide. The Department of Veterans Affairs employs over 4,400 social workers to assist American veterans, including those returning from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleagues for joining me in support of H. Res. 266 yesterday and for honoring and paying their respect to our country's professional social workers and the services they provide. I want to take this opportunity also to indicate that as a former social worker, I had the opportunity not only to teach 11 years in the School of Social Work, but also serve as a caseworker for heroin addicts for about 3 years, where I had the opportunity to serve directly with individuals that also had substance abuse, including adolescent substance abuse. I also had the privilege of working in the community mental health area, where I had an enjoyable practice and enjoyed working with individuals. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank all the social workers throughout this country for the services they provide.