Ciro Rodriguez

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. RODRIGUEZ asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, the Great Blacks in Wax Museum is a unique education facility, well-deserving of the enormous support that it receives. The gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings), chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, a sponsor of the companion legislation here in the House, and Senator Mikulski are to be congratulated for their tireless efforts on behalf of this facility and this important piece of legislation. The museum expansion plans are ambitious, and I urge my colleagues to support S. 1233 to help them on their way. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in observance of Cover the Uninsured Week. Over 40 million people are walking the streets of America without the most basic of protections. A protection that you and I have, and one that has been afforded to our families. But for many working families, the prohibitive cost of health insurance puts it out of reach. And this can lead to tragic consequences. The uninsured are more likely to be in poor health, receive diagnoses too late, and use the emergency room for primary care. Research also shows that being uninsured has a financial cost too. After jobs loss, being uninsured and getting sick is the most common reason people file for bankruptcy. While the cost for solving the problem of the uninsured is high, the cost for ignoring this problem is even higher. In Texas, a huge budget deficit led to drastic cuts in the CHIP program and optional Medicaid benefits. While some restorations were made, those cuts will undo any gains that Texas has made in the fight to increase access to care. We must begin to thing of healthcare as an investment. It is an investment in our children, in our workforce and in creating a better quality of life that we all strive to achieve. Until we can guarantee coverage for all, then we must take measures to fill in the gaps. Earlier today we heard spirited debate about the merits of Association Health Plans and revisited the debate on medical malpractice reform. But the bills that we considered would do little to address the problem of the uninsured. In fact, the legislation could actually make people worse off as was the case with the Small Business Health Fairness Act, H.R. 4281. Under this plan, the CBO estimates that 80 percent of small businesses would see premium increases and as many as 100,000 of the sickest workers would lose coverage altogether. This is not the answer. Instead, I urge my colleagues to cosponsor three bills that if enacted could provide help to over half the uninsured. The Family Care Act will make it possible for the working parents of children who are enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP to also participate in the program. This bill will promote health for the entire family as people work their way up out of poverty. Second, The Medicare Early Access Act is designed to assist uninsured people who are 55 and over, but not yet eligible for Medicare. The bill would allow this pool to purchase Medicare for a premium and a tax credit to help defray the cost of the premium. Lastly, the Small Business health Insurance Promotion Act would provide tax credits to eligible small businesses, including the self- employed, to help secure affordable health insurance. This week, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation released data showing that Texas has the highest rate of uninsured working adults at 27 percent. These are the folks that are out there working hard and paying taxes, but don't make enough to provide for their own benefits. We must begin to tackle this problem by creating programs that will help small businesses offer health insurance to employees. I would like to thank the Members who have worked tirelessly to promote and improve upon these bills, especially Representative Dingell and Representative Rangel. This three-pronged approach will help increase access to health insurance. Again, I urge my colleagues to cosponsor these bills. Let's provide an answer to covering the uninsured.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. J.J. Amaro, a great friend who has distinguished himself as a civil and community leader. As a member of the San Antonio Water System Board of Trustees since 1994, Mr. Amaro has provided our local water supply company and the San Antonio community with outstanding service and dedication. He has been the voice of many who for too many years had no voice. During Mr. Amaro's decade of tenure, the San Antonio Water System has enjoyed an unparalleled period of innovation and has become a model for water systems across the country while maintaining low water rates for consumers. Mr. Amaro and the board created a 50-year master plan that was approved in 1998 to provide for San Antonio's steeply growing population. Importantly, he has worked with the board to bring water resources to people and neighborhoods long overlooked in our city's history. By implementing new technologies, the San Antonio Water System has developed premier water recycling programs as well as an aquifer storage and recovery system to protect this precious resource. In addition, he has helped SAWS protect the Edwards Aquifer--the principal source of our drinking water--by implementing regulations and purchasing 9,000 acres within the recharge zone. In recognition of these improvements, this utility has earned numerous awards for environmental excellence, quality engineering designs, and public education programs. While the San Antonio Water System has benefited immensely from Mr. Amaro's expertise, other organizations have also been fortunate to have his generous assistance. Mr. Amaro serves as a board member for the St. Peter/St. Joseph Children's Home and the United Negro College Fund. On May 12, 2004, colleagues, friends and family will gather together to recognize J.J. Amaro's leadership and numerous hours of community service on behalf of the people of San Antonio. It is a pleasure to recognize and thank Mr. Amaro for his many contributions and public service. I ask the Members of the House of Representatives to join me in honoring this gentleman on his retirement from the San Antonio Water System Board of Trustees and wish Mr. J.J. Amaro and his family all the best on this special day.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, it is always an honor to recognize outstanding children's organizations and their wonderful accomplishments. Today, I rise to honor the Texas Children's Choir from San Antonio, Texas for being the only American children's choir invited to perform at the commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of D-Day at Normandy. For the past 10 years, the Texas Children's Choir has provided military and civilian children an opportunity to showcase their musical talents. These children are among an elite number of choirs who have had the distinction of singing and inspiring audiences at the National Cathedral, the U.S. Capitol, Notre Dame, Disney World and Opryland. I am proud to have them represent both San Antonio and the nation at this momentous World War II anniversary. I would like to recognize the choir's director, Dr. Thomas Hardaway, for his leadership and commitment to teaching children music, discipline, and teamwork. Dr. Hardaway recognizes that children are America's most valuable resource and, as such, they must have guidance to develop their skills and learn the value of civic service. Most importantly, I would like to recognize the students of the Texas Children's Choir who have practiced diligently to obtain success. I am proud of their efforts, and I know they will continue to succeed in their future endeavors, including the lifelong pursuit of education and music. I ask my fellow Representatives to join me in recognizing the Texas Children's Choir and to thank the children and their families for the sacrifices they have made to travel to Normandy, France so as to honor our World War II veterans.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, let me take this opportunity also to rise on behalf of the Texas delegation and congratulate the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hinojosa) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett) on these efforts. Let me share with my colleagues that H.R. 4299, which designates the facility of the United States Post Office that will be located at 410 South Jackson Road in Edinburg, Texas, as the Dr. Miguel A. Nevarez Post Office Building, is fitting and proper. Let me just say that I had the opportunity to serve in the Texas House for 11 years in the higher education committee; and during that period of time, I had the opportunity to work with the doctor there, and there is no doubt that his tenacity, his perseverance, and his dedication were displayed. I also want to take this opportunity to congratulate him on the efforts not only at Pan Am but in higher education throughout Texas. During that period of time, we have found ourselves in Texas in the crossroads of lacking a lot of resources, and one way was to start capping enrollment and was to begin to expand the opportunities for south Texas; and I know Dr. Nevarez was there for us as a whole, making sure that those opportunities were there. When we started to sue the State of Texas during that time, he was there to make sure that we followed through; and the results of those efforts resulted in a piece of legislation that allowed opportunities for the expansion not only at Texas Pan Am but also the 4-year institution at Brownsfield, the 4-year institution at Downtown San Antonio, the 4-year institution at Corpus Christi, the 4-year institution at Laredo, the expansion at A&I in Kingsville and others. And he played a significant role in those efforts. So I rise today in support of the naming of the United States Post Office for Dr. Miguel Nevarez and to congratulate his service.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend and the chairman, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), and my colleague on the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Michaud), for his great leadership as the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Benefits. Mr. Speaker, 60 years ago this June, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law one of the most extensive veterans packages to date: the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the GI Bill of Rights. While our troops were fighting in World War II, the Department of Labor estimated that after the war 15 million men and women who had been serving in the Armed Services would be unemployed. To reduce the possibility of postwar depression, a series of programs for educating and training American troops were designed and recommended to Congress by the American Legion. Although some felt that the GI bill was too expensive and would lower standards in education, the Congress quickly passed the measure. Now the GI Bill of Rights is credited with contributing to the strong recovery of the United States post-World War II economy, and is recognized as one of the most successful domestic programs in the United States. The GI bill put higher education within the reach of millions of World War II veterans. Starved for students during World War II, college campuses were suddenly overcrowded. The percentage of college- aged men and women grew. Students who had previously been told they were not college material were able to rise to the academic challenge. And most important, the GI bill accelerated the number of college- educated Americans. In the last 60 years, more than 21 million veterans have been able to take advantage of the benefit included in the GI Bill of Rights. Another important provision of the GI bill was the billions of dollars provided to veterans to purchase homes and to start small businesses. These loans allowed the majority of Americans to transform from renters to homeowners, and the backbone of our economy, America's small businesses, prospered. The GI Bill of Rights has been amended several times through the years, but the goal has remained the same, providing our veterans with a variety of benefits. And for this we thank those who allowed and who had the vision to pass forth this particular piece of legislation. And we thank our veterans for their service.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ryan) for yielding me this time on this important resolution, and I thank the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moran) for deciding to do this, because it is extremely important. Mr. Speaker, for over 50 years America's Greatest Generation has been waiting for a memorial to call their own. Although we have many great monuments in our Nation's capital, we lacked a tribute to one of our country's most defining moments. It is with great honor that I stand before this body today to pay tribute to the more than 60 million veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces during World War II. Among them was my father-in-law, Daniel Pena, and many more, relatives and uncles and cousins. I also pay tribute to those Americans who supported the war effort in the home front. After 8 years of planning, 6 years of public discussion, 4 years of fund-raising and 3 years of construction, we can finally say America's Greatest Generation has won their final battle to have a national monument commemorating their many sacrifices. It is estimated that our country suffers the loss of more than 1,000 World War II veterans each day. Many of these veterans were new soldiers with very little fighting experience. Many of them were teenagers. All of them were heroes. During this time, Americans were willing to set aside their differences in order to defeat tyranny. The building of this national monument is another way for us to show America's Greatest Generation that their sacrifice was not done in vain. During Memorial Day weekend, the largest gathering of World War II veterans since 1954 is expected to visit our Nation's capital for the official dedication of the World War II Memorial. Similarly, veterans throughout the country will gather at their local VFWs and American Legion halls to pay respect to the local World War II veterans. As these gatherings occur, it is my hope that Congress continues to support all veterans by providing them with adequate health care and services. It is the least we can do for the Greatest Generation before us.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the celebration of the 25th birthday of Southwest General Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. In 1979 medical professionals and businessmen came together and realized the need for a hospital to serve one of the city's neediest sectors. The result was Southwest General on San Antonio's southwest side. To this day, Southwest General is the only hospital located in this growing and changing quadrant of San Antonio. A 319-bed facility, Southwest General Hospital offers all major hospital services including Perinatal/Women's Services, Psychiatric Services, Diabetic Education, and a Diabetes Wound Care Center. A recently completed Emergency Waiting Room expands upon those basic services and will allow the hospital to better serve its emergency room patients and their loved ones. In addition to providing general medical care, Southwest General Hospital serves as an invaluable resource to the community. I have worked with the hospital, the Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation, the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, and the Texas Department of Health to bring Breast Cancer Awareness Day to the Southside. It is through events like this that Southwest General Hospital makes an impact on the health of the people it serves. I would like to specially recognize Richard Gonzalez, CEO of Southwest General. Richard has worked tirelessly to ensure that each patient receives care with the dignity and respect they deserve when visiting Southwest General. He has assembled a great team that carries this message into every thing they do. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing this irreplaceable health care institution and wishing Southwest General Hospital a very happy birthday.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, today is Cinco de Mayo. We celebrate the tenacity and the perseverance of the untrained and outnumbered Mexican forces that successfully fought for independence against the sophisticated French Army of Maximilian in 1862. Across the Nation, we will be celebrating the turning points of this particular war as Mexican Americans in this country, and it is important for us to look at in this country the importance of this particular war to this country. The writings of Harry Carr in the 1930s talk about the fact that during that particular time in 1860, during our own Civil War in this country, Maximilian had gone into Mexico with the intent of not only taking Mexico but moving on to the north. We are pleased also to indicate for those of my colleagues in this country to also know that the one who won the battle in Puebla was a Texan, was Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin who came out of Goliad, Texas, and was able to be victorious there in that battle in Puebla. So as we celebrate the Cinco de Mayo, we are proud to have that interwoven with this country and Mexico.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, most Americans believe that our troops should be given the opportunity to provide the services that they are entitled to and as they battle we all recognize and we are extremely supportive of their efforts. But we also need to respect them when they come home. We know that the spouses also sacrifice. But this House has refused to keep the promise and provide the military retirees and their spouses with the retirement benefits that they earned in this country. Over 225,000 military spouses are currently paying the survivor benefit penalty and it eventually will be 1.2 million military retirees enrolled in this survivor benefit plan. Today we ask you to sign and we launched a discharge petition to force this House in a bipartisan way to reach out to end the survivor benefit penalty and change it so that our military individuals and spouses will be able to get that service that is needed. The survivors penalty hurts military widows. We need to do the right thing. Sign the discharge petition.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the state of Israel on the celebration of its 56th anniversary of independence. Born out of the ashes of the Holocaust, Israel has blossomed into a dynamic and successful democracy. I urge all of my colleagues to pause and recognize this grand achievement. Since their forced removal from the historic land of Israel by the Romans some 2,000 years ago, Jews have migrated the four corners of the earth. With the establishment of the modern state of Israel, Jews once again found sovereignty and self-rule in the land of their forefathers The United States has a special relationship with Israel and her people, and it is right that we do. Israel, like the United States, values liberty, individual expression, and freedom of religion, assembly and the press. It too is a land of immigrants from continents as diverse as Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. We share basic values of freedom, a love of life, and a concern for our citizens' well-being. Israel also is a land of great innovation, home to great advancements in biosciences, agriculture and computer sciences to name a few. Israel's military and our own share resources and work together to achieve advances in defense technology that benefit both nations. We all know that Israel finds itself beset by enemies sworn to its destruction, facing daily acts of terrorism. We in Congress stand firmly behind Israel's security. Israel is a reality, and it is here to stay. The sooner Israel's neighbors accept this basic point, the sooner we will see progress toward peace. Israel faces many great challenges, and solving them will take our active participation. The United States has a stake in the future of Israel and in the entire region, and we must not neglect our obligation to lead and the opportunity to respond. We should not dictate results, but should work always to create an environment that encourages dialogue. Today is a day of celebration, one that marks the great achievements of Israel and her citizens these past 56 years. Like our own independence, Israel's comes at great cost. We all look forward to the day when Israel will celebrate its independence in peace.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize U.S. Army Specialist Enrique Alvarado, a resident of the 28th district of Texas and, most importantly, a returning hero from Operation Iraqi Freedom. Specialist Alvarado grew up in Villa Coronado on San Antonio's Southside and graduated from Southside High School in 1993. In 1999, Specialist Alvarado enlisted in the US Army and was assigned as a Cavalry Scout in Iraq with the Scout Platoon of the 2nd Battalion 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division based in Fort Stewart, Georgia. In Operation Iraqi Freedom, Alvarado served courageously with his fellow soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division who, along with its supporting units, was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, the division defeated or destroyed four Republican Guard Divisions, one Iraqi Regular Army Division, three Special Republican Guard Brigades, and thousands of paramilitary forces. Individually, Specialist Alvarado received an Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) for his service in Iraqi Freedom and a Certificate for Order of the Golden Spur. Specialist Alvarado has also been nominated for the prestigious Soldiers Medal for rescuing a fellow soldier in Iraq. Specialist Alvarado now resides in San Antonio and serves in the Garrison Headquarters at Fort Sam Houston. He has been happily married for six years and has three children. Specialist Alvarado served and continues to serve our country valiantly. Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to recognize him today.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch for her efforts to motivate and encourage youth across the country. I am especially proud of her work with the U.S. Army's Yo Soy El Army Tour. Born and raised in Laredo, Texas, LTC Kickbusch overcame the challenges of poverty to become the highest-ranking Hispanic woman in the Combat Support Field of the United States Army. LTC Kickbusch earned many decorations during her service, including the Legion of Merit, the National Defense Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (four times), and the Army Achievement Medal (twice). In 1996, LTC Kickbusch retired from the U.S. Army after 22 years of service. She moved to San Antonio and founded Educational Achievement Services, Inc. (EAS). Through EAS, LTC Kickbusch has realized her dream of impacting others and serves as a motivational speaker to audiences ranging from corporations like IBM to children living in some of the roughest neighborhoods in the country. LTC Kickbusch encourages all of her audiences to perform to the best of their abilities, give back to their families and communities, and to never give up hope. LTC Kickbusch also promotes among her corporate clients the value diversity brings to the workplace. Her ability to connect to audiences and deliver these important messages has earned LTC Kickbusch numerous awards, such as the Latina Leadership Excellence Award from the US Army and Hispanic Magazine and the 2002 Women at their Best Award from Saturn and Glamour. Recently, Hispanic Business named LTC Kickbusch in their list of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics in America. For the past three years, LTC Kickbusch has traveled the country speaking to youth through the Yo Soy El Army National Motivational Youth Tour. This program reaches out to Hispanic youth who face many of the challenges encountered by LTC Kickbusch growing up in Laredo. LTC Kickbusch offers them a positive role model who can identify with the everyday struggles these young people face. She offers a message that promotes leadership, determination, and integrity. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent such a hard-working, dedicated individual as LTC Kickbusch. The immeasurable impact she has made on our nation's youth deserves the highest praise.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to today to acknowledge today, April 22, as Earth Day 2004. It is a day for Americans to recognize our responsibility to protect our environment and enhance our quality of life. Our air, water, land and other natural resources sustain human life, and it is our duty as stewards of this planet to safeguard these resources for us and for future generations. With the growth of eco-tourism, environmental protection and economic growth can both advance together. Protecting sensitive land not only preserves our natural heritage but enhances the value of surrounding areas and our quality of life. In South Texas I have helped protect numerous natural resources that grace this region. I secured funding to expand the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refugee and the Texas World Birding Center in Roma, Texas, and I continue to lead and support efforts to complete the Missions Trail in San Antonio and the Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail. In addition, I have supported legislation such as the Yellowstone Protection Act and the National Forest Roadless Area Conservation Act to protect our precious national lands. Protecting these valuable resources is important, contributes to a healthy ecosystem, and provides enjoyment and recreation to hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. I encourage every Texan to take a moment today to appreciate the natural beauty of our state and also to consider taking actions that can decrease pollution. Simple actions such as recycling, car-pooling, and turning off the television when no one is watching can contribute to large pollution reductions. Working with the entire community, individuals can help reduce pollution in Texas. Decreasing pollution levels can improve the lives of Texans and all Americans by reducing the number of pollution induced illnesses, such as asthma and cancer. Put simply, lowering pollution saves lives and increases economic productivity. As a nation, we are moving in the right direction. Pollution levels have greatly decreased since the first Earth Day in 1970, and we continue to achieve greater pollution control. I will continue fighting to reduce pollution and to protect our natural resources while building for a bright economic future. I believe that environmentalists and businesses can unite to develop strategies that can respect our health, ecosystem, and promote economic growth, and I look forward to achieving that goal.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 3550, the Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users. Today, we have a historic opportunity to reinvest in our Nation's infrastructure and promote sound economic development policy. Highways make traveling the distances of our great State of Texas feasible and affordable. These roads traverse our lands, connect people together, and allow them to travel quickly and efficiently. They facilitate the transfer of commerce and enable the delivery of goods across state lines, and the construction and maintenance of these roads are an important source of employment for Texas residents. While highways perform valuable services, they are merely an afterthought for the average person. However without timely maintenance and construction, highways may become unsafe and overly congested. Current economic problems have delayed critical maintenance and expansion projects causing increased congestion, air pollution, and accidents. The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that $375 billion is needed for highway and transit improvements. NAFTA has brought numerous new economic and trade benefits to South Texas and the Nation; however, this increased trade is straining our current transportation infrastructure and causing an increase in air pollution and chemical runoff. Funds for transportation projects are urgently needed to offset and improve the many longstanding transportation and infrastructure needs of San Antonio and South Texas. I firmly believe that South Texas should not have to bear the burden of increased international trade traffic alone. If we do not invest in the region now, the flow of international trade will be negatively impacted in the future. Last April, I had the opportunity to speak before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and testified on the pressing transportation needs in South Texas. I would like to take a moment to thank the Chairman and Ranking Member and their staff for their leadership and understanding of the complexity of our Nation's transportation problems. As I mentioned a moment ago, South Texas has many outstanding needs that will impact the Nation if not addressed in the very near future. I am pleased that the Committee included six projects for which I had submitted requests. The legislation authorizes $4 million for Mission Trails Packages 4 and 5, which would complete a project that is vital to the revitalization of the South Side of San Antonio. The Mission Trails project is a transportation enhancement project that upon completion will be approximately 12 miles of picturesque, tree lined hike and bike trails, improved well-lit roadways, and rest areas for people to enjoy. An additional $4 million authorization level was included for the Anzalduas Bridge Connector Road in Hidalgo County and $3 million for the Hidalgo County Loop. These projects are integral towards improving our Nation's gateway to trade and alleviating congestion in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. I would like to thank Congressman Lloyd Doggett for his steadfast support and work on these projects. A $6 million authorization level was also included for construction of KellyUSA's 36th Street Extension Road. I would like to thank Congressman Charlie Gonzalez for his role in supporting this project. The 36th Street Extension Road is a critical component of the KellyUSA base conversion plan which includes new gateways and an expanded road access system. As a former military base, Kelly was originally built as a closed access facility. The 36th Street Extension Road will provide a new southern access point and expand community and commercial truck access to the facility. I am pleased that the bill contained a $4 million authorization level for planning, design and engineering along the I-35 corridor in central Texas. These funds will support an ongoing multi-modal transportation project to improve the Austin-San Antonio corridor. Lastly, I would like to thank the Committee for including language to authorize $4.5 million for the Arkansas Avenue railroad grade separation project in Laredo to improve public safety and overall mobility by connecting north and south Laredo. The project will also alleviate congestion along major trade corridors and allow traffic to flow in the event of an emergency or evacuation. I also strongly support critical funding for the VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority that was championed by Congressman Gonzalez. A $7 million authorization level was included for VIA to purchase new buses to replace the aging bus fleet and paratransit vans as well as upgrade their bus maintenance facility. VIA provides critical services to the greater San Antonio area and I thank them for all that they do. As you know, funding for the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) expired in 2003. I fully supported the House Transportation Committee's original reauthorization bill, which authorized a $375 billion level, and I'm disappointed that the President's veto threat of this jobs bill ultimately reduced the amount to $275 billion. I hope that Americans understand that this means fewer jobs in an already stagnant job market. For every $1 billion invested in federal highway and transit spending, 47,500 jobs--over half of which are in the construction industry--are created or sustained. This is a jobs bill--it is about investment in our communities and our economy. Mr. Chairman, while I believe we should continue to push for additional funds, we must also face the harsh economic reality that recent tax cuts and a skyrocketing deficit have left us with less money to invest in our infrastructure. This bill that we have before us today is a start, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 3550. Let's start reinvesting in our Nation.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as we honor Cesar Chavez on the anniversary of his 77th birthday, and ask the Members of the House to join us in paying respects to a man who brought awareness of labor injustices to national light. His efforts made a path for all those who came after him, so that they would be able to continue his fight for justice. Cesar Chavez grew up in the fruit and vegetable fields, working the land with his own hands from dawn to dusk. He knew the injustices that faced labor workers on a daily basis, and understood the need for change. From those fields, Chavez rose to be the head of the United Farm Workers of America (UFW) instilling in the UFW the principles of non- violence practiced by Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. When the UFW began striking in the 1960's, to protest the treatment of farm workers, the strikers took a pledge of non-violence, determined not to detract from the message of improved labor conditions. For those of us who lived through this tumultuous time period, we heard of the great odds Chavez faced as he led a successful five-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 famous inspirational chant ``Si se puede!'' -- `Yes we can'. The chant unified diverse groups by encouraging them to become active participants, by taking pride in with what is just and fair while all along preserving the dignity of their efforts. Chavez also spoke out in other areas and helped communities to mobilize by assisting them with voter registration drives and insisting that minority communities had just as much a right to have equitable access to educational opportunities. To this day Chavez's legacy lives on. His influence can be seen in the legislation that comes to this very floor. Legislation that aims to provide for our children's education, improve healthcare in our community, and ensure our civil rights and liberties are respected. We must also continue the fight to ensure that in today's world, the rights of workers are still protected. Whether it's working in the fields, in the kitchens, or in our factories, the blue-collar worker is an invaluable resource to America and to the American economy. It is important that these workers be treated with the respect and dignity that they deserve and that all the rights afforded to those working in air conditioned offices is also extended to those working in the sun heated fields and the like. America has seen few leaders like Chavez. He is in a rare group of people who made their life mission count. His life and his deeds have left a lasting imprint on American history. We can only hope to continue to fulfill his vision as we walk through the halls of Congress to create a better tomorrow for the Hispanic community and all Americans.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to express my strong opposition to the Republican budget resolution for fiscal year 2005 and my support for the Democratic substitute. I would like to thank the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt) for his leadership on developing a realistic budget plan for our Nation. Given the state of our economy and the skyrocketing deficit, now is not the time to engage in more irresponsible tax cuts for the wealthy, but this is what has dominated the Republican leadership agenda from the get-go. The Democratic alternative that we are debating now instead chooses to invest in our Nation, not cut $2.2 billion from the Medicaid and SCHIP programs. The Democratic alternative that we are debating would create jobs and spur economic growth and not underfund the Small Business Administration. The Democratic alternative honors our veterans by providing the full committee-recommended levels of $33.2 billion for 2005. This is in stark contrast to the Republican plan which shortchanges our veterans by adding enrollment fees and by increasing copayments. Our plan invests in the very institutions that make our country great, small businesses, health care and the educational system, and invests appropriate funding into our defense system and homeland security. I would like to take a moment now and focus on how the Republican budget also impacts the Hispanic community. Hispanic families across the Nation join the millions of other Americans who are growing increasingly concerned and are demanding an actual budget that stabilizes the future of their health care, of their education and financial security. Unfortunately, all we see is cuts, cuts and more cuts of the programs that are vital to our community. On the economic front, there are 1.4 million Hispanic workers still looking for jobs, without retraining and not able to continue their educational prospects, while the Democratic proposal funds job training and extends unemployment insurance through June 2005. The Republican budget offers empty promises. I spoke earlier about our Nation's veterans. There are close to 1.1 million veterans in this country, and we need to be there for them.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to express my strong opposition to the Republican Budget Resolution for Fiscal Year 2005 and my support for the Democratic Substitute. Given the state of our economy and skyrocketing deficit, now is not the time to engage in more irresponsible tax cuts for the wealthy. But this is what has dominated the Bush Administration and the Republican Leadership's agenda from the beginning. They did this in spite of the many competing needs facing our country such as homeland security, healthcare, education, and veteran's issues. The Democratic alternative that we are debating now instead chooses to invest in our nation. I would like to thank the gentleman from South Carolina, Rep. John Spratt, for his leadership on developing a realistic budget plan for our Nation. Homeland Security When President Bush announced his budget in late January, he cut first responder funding by $648 million and port security grants by $79 million (63 percent). And the House Republican budget is even worse. The Republican budget includes the cuts outlined by the Administration and cuts homeland security funding by an additional $155 million in 2005 and $857 million over five years. At a time when our Nation continues to face ongoing threats to our security, it is discouraging that the Republicans would choose to prioritize tax cuts over security. The Democratic budget addresses this misallocation of funds and adds back the Republican's budget cuts to the President's homeland security request, and also provides $5 billion more than the President's budget over the next five years for homeland security. Small Business Even though 3 million jobs have been lost since the beginning of the Bush Administration, the Republican budget does nothing to create jobs here at home or end incentives for companies to ship jobs overseas. The President' budget cut Small Business Administration (SBA) funding by 10.4 percent and the Republican budget significantly underfunds the SBA, an agency already experiencing problems, financing the important 7(a) loan program. Key SBA programs provide women, minorities, the disabled, and other small business owners with technical support and government-backed loans. Faced with major cuts in these programs, many of the nation's 23 million small businesses will not have the tools they need to succeed. The Democratic budget restores the President's cuts to the SBA. During difficult economic times it is important to ensure our small businesses, who create three out of four new jobs, receive the necessary grant funding and support they need to survive. Veterans The budget resolution put forth by the Republican leadership shortchanges America's veterans. Although the budget does include $1.2 billion over the White House request, it is $1.3 billion below the recommendation of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Additionally, it is $1.8 billion below the level needed to simply carry forward the same level of services from this year into next year. By not following the lead of the Veterans Affairs Committee, the Republican proposal supports 13,000 fewer full time employees for veterans' medical care and will do nothing to help the thousands of veterans waiting six months or more to see a primary care physician. This is not the homecoming we want to give to our returning troops. Our Democratic alternative provides the full committee-recommended level of $32.3 billion for 2005. That funding level would eliminate the increased co-payments and enrollment fees proposed by the President's budget, and it would increase funds for medical facility construction and renovation. Additionally, it would provide the resources necessary for more responsive reviews of claims and appeals, improve access to care and reduce waiting time for all veterans. Education Just two years ago Congress authorized No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation designed to improve student achievement in our public schools. Unfortunately, the President and the Congressional Leadership continue to appropriate funds below the amount authorized in NCLB. This year, the Republican budget provides more than $8.8 billion less than the amount authorized in NCLB. How can we expect our teachers to better prepare our children when the federal government does not invest enough funds for education? The Democratic plan would provide $51.4 billion more in appropriations than the President's education budget. These funds would help America's children by funding reading programs and training programs to improve teacher quality. Higher Education Despite rising college tuition costs, the Republican budget freezes the maximum award students can receive under the Federal Pell Grant program. The College Board reports that tuition and fees at 4-year public colleges today average $4,694, however, the average student only receives a $2,399 Pell grant award. The Democratic proposal provides $3.7 billion to the program allowing Congress to increase the maximum award, provides additional benefits to students by forgiving up to $17,500 of student loans for those who teach certain subjects in low-income schools and increases loan limits for first year students. Working Families The Republican proposal severely leaves behind America's working families. Two years ago, Congress enacted the Temporary Extended Unemployment Compensation (TEUC) program to provide 13 weeks of benefits for workers who exhaust regular state unemployment benefits before finding a job. The unemployment insurance program is one of the greatest proposals Congress has ever passed to help workers during this struggling economy. The Democratic proposal would help the more than 760,000 jobless workers who have exhausted their state benefits by extending the program until June. Additionally, it would provide funding to maintain Section 8 housing programs and restore Hope VI funds for much needed public housing restoration. Healthcare With 42 million uninsured Americans, we must look to improving our deteriorated public healthcare infrastructure system. It is in everyone's best interest--local governments, health districts, schools, hospitals, and the business community--to focus on healthcare. Because while we often think of healthcare as a deficiency, as something that sucks money away from other projects, we should instead think of it as an investment. The House Republican budget however contains dangerous a dangerous provision that will cut Medicaid and SCHIP funds by up to $2.2 billion. These cuts are unacceptable given the tremendous strain already facing our nation's health care system. Furthermore, cuts to Medicare will have a disproportionate impact on border residents. Border communities continue to face double-digit poverty rates and most have been classified as medically underserved areas. Any funding decrease for our safety net programs will have a detrimental affect on families and children living in this region. Mr. Chairman, the Democratic plan invests in the very institutions that make our country great--small business, healthcare, our education system. And it invests appropriate funding into our defense system and homeland security. It is time for us to clean up our House and get our priorities straight--I urge Members to vote in favor of the Spratt substitute.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hinojosa) for his leadership on this issue. The NADBank was created to improve water and wastewater infrastructure in communities along the border, on both sides of the border. This legislation will give NADBank the tools to do its job more effectively. I want to thank the leadership on both sides for making this happen. The bill will allow NADBank to provide the low-interest loans and grants that are needed and create new ways to assist disadvantaged communities in water supply and other environmental infrastructure projects. Since the NADBank's inception in 1995, it has provided vital assistance for infrastructure improvements along the U.S.-Mexico border. The NADBank to date has provided some $643 million in loans and grants in order to make over $2.1 billion worth of projects possible. I would also like to provide one example of how the NADBank has worked in local communities in my district. Last year alone, the NADBank provided some $5.5 million for colonia water and wastewater improvements in the city of Roma. This project will provide first-time sewer service for some 3,688 households. Without the NADBank's assistance, this poor community would never have had the opportunity to make this possible. The city of Roma, by the way, is located in Starr County. For those of my colleagues that do not know, this has the unfortunate distinction of being the poorest county in the entire United States. These are the types of communities that the NADBank was created to help. These communities are willing to move forward, willing to participate, willing to make a difference, but they find themselves without the opportunity to be able to obtain the loans. The NADBank also should be empowered to help disadvantaged communities to the fullest extent possible. They currently have projects all along the border from Texas to California, including Laredo and Mission, Texas, as well as in the areas all along. These are critical issues. I wanted to touch quickly on the discussion of the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ortiz) on the water issue. This water issue is not going to be going away anytime soon. The bottom line is that the Mexican Government owes over 1 million acre-feet of water. It is not just to the U.S. side; it is also to the Mexican side. It is almost an upstream versus downstream battle with the state of Chihuahua because the state of Tamaulipas on the other side would also benefit tremendously. It is an issue that is not going to go away because as time gets difficult and as people continue to move to the region, the need for water is going to be there. There is a real need for us to continue to engage in that issue. The NADBank has been helping to make sure that we do that. In addition to that, we know that water is key for any growth and development. We need to continue work on that.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize today, March 17, 2004, as Laredo Day in Washington. A distinguished delegation from Laredo is in our Nation's Capital this week to meet with leaders and decision-makers in Congress and executive branch. Please join me, Mr. Speaker, in welcoming them. Settled in 1775 by Spaniards, the first Texas cattle drives transformed Laredo from a settlement of three families into a principal stop on the lower Camino Real, the Spanish royal highway. Laredo became the first official port of entry on the United States- Mexico border in 1851. Today, Laredo handles more trade traffic than ports found in Southern California, New Mexico, Arizona and West Texas combined. As the fastest growing city east of the Rocky Mountains and the second fastest growing city in Texas, Laredo has become a vibrant and booming economic hub on the United States-Mexico border. Much like it shares goods across the border, Laredo's culture melds both American and Mexican traditions. A prime example of this cultural fusion is Laredo's famed Washington's Birthday Celebration. The event includes over 34 events, lasts 17 days and brings together Americans and Mexicans alike. One event, the International Bridge Ceremony, takes place on the Lincoln-Juarez bridge and includes the meeting of officials, dignitaries, and children from both sides of the border. The groups share an embrace signifying the friendship and cooperation shared between the two nations. I was privileged to participate in this event earlier this year. Helping to foster this camaraderie is the mayor of Laredo, the Honorable Betty Flores. Elected in 1998, Mayor Flores is the first female mayor to serve Laredo. She has worked diligently to improve the quality of life for all citizens of Laredo by tirelessly promoting her city without compromising the dignity of those she serves. Among the projects she has initiated are the Colonias Improvement Project, the inauguration of the Laredo Entertainment Center, and the opening of the World Trade Bridge. Mayor Flores' leadership on the state, local and national levels has brought prestige to her city. Laredo's importance as a trade zone and cultural center is unparalleled, and its future is bright. It is my honor to recognize this city and Laredo Day 2004.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Reverend Ruben Louis Archield, Sr., a great friend, teacher, and counselor. As pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in San Antonio, Texas since 1963, Reverend Archield has served the spiritual needs of his congregation and the San Antonio community. Under Reverend Archield's direction, Friendship Baptist Church has enjoyed an unparalleled period of growth as many new buildings have been constructed and programs established to serve the ever-changing needs of the surrounding community. Reverend Archield has also contributed to the community through involvement with organizations such as the Baptist Ministers' Union, the Citywide Brotherhood of San Antonio, the National Baptist Convention, the San Antonio Development Agency, and the Project Drug Abuse Center. For these extraordinary deeds, Reverend Archield received the San Antonio Register's Pulpit Heritage Award and the Patriarch Award from Greater Love Baptist Church. February 22, 2004 marks Friends and Family Day at Friendship Baptist Church, a time to come together with special friends and loved ones to worship and express thanks for our many blessings. I wish Reverend Archield and the members of Friendship Baptist Church all the best on this special day.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on behalf of legislation I am introducing today, the ``Military Sexual Trauma Counseling Act of 2004.'' This legislation would permanently extend VA's authority to offer services to women and men who experienced sexual harassment, abuse or assault while serving on active duty in the armed services. Congress originally authorized VA to offer sexual trauma counseling in November 1992 in the wake of the Tailhook Scandal where U.S. naval aviators were found to have sexually abused 14 women officers and 12 civilians at a 1991 convention in Las Vegas. In the wake of another scandal at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in 1998, legislation resulting in the extension and expansion of authority for the sexual trauma counseling program was enacted. I want to commend my colleague on the VA Committee, Luis Gutierrez, for his hard work in support of this legislation. As the number of women serving in the military continues to grow, the need for this program is sadly more evident. According to a VA report, more than half (55%) of all women in VA's patient population said they had experienced sexual harassment while in the military, and almost one-quarter claimed to have been sexually assaulted. Although the military is moving to address some of the long-standing problems it has had in managing sexism of all kinds in its increasingly integrated armed services workforce, we cannot expect the military's culture to change overnight. VA's sexual trauma counseling programs are designed to create a secure and sensitive environment in which women who served in the military can deal with the emotional burden of being a victim of sexual abuse. Studies have shown that almost a third of all rape victims have active cases of post-traumatic stress disorder. Typically individuals who seek care may need other types of VA services including appropriate treatment for the psychological effects of trauma, in addition to medication and treatment for the substance use disorders that sometimes arise from victims' attempts to ``self-medicate'' symptoms such as stress, impaired concentration and nightmares. Since the program was authorized, VA has embraced the challenge of developing unique resources to serve women and men who suffered such abuses during their military service. The program does not limit its services to veterans and is authorized to provide services to members of the National Guard and Reserve and others who were on active duty, such as trainees, who may never attain veteran status. To date, thousands of veterans have received VA sexual trauma services and a General Accounting Office study shows a general satisfaction with the programs provided. All VA medical centers, in addition to some vet centers, have resources available to veterans and reservists. It is through effective intervention and counseling that individuals may overcome some of the problems associated with sexual trauma and return to normal, productive lives. In 2002, the Committee on Veterans Affairs examined the status of VA's health programs for women. One witness, Linda Spoonster-Schwartz, the former Chairperson of the VA's Advisory Committee on Women Veterans and now the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs in Connecticut had this to say: Surely by now, this Committee is aware that the need for this treatment program will persist as long as incidents of sexual assault and trauma continue to occur in the ranks of our military. For all practical purposes, this problem is not going away. Indeed, there is no question that there is sufficient utilization of VA resources committed to treat veterans who were victimized while in the service of their country. Women of all ages and periods of service continue to seek assistance from VA for the physical and emotional aftermath of these traumatic events. The burning question to this Committee is why hasn't this become a permanent program of the VA? The time is right to give this proven program the permanent authority it deserves. I urge this Congress to pass this bill so sexual trauma counseling services will be available to current and future generations of veterans.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight an issue of great importance to the communities of South Texas--the United States Visitor and Immigration Status Indicator Technology (US VISIT) program. I would like to thank the gentleman from Texas, Congressman Jim Turner for his leadership on homeland security issues. He is a great advocate for improving our national security infrastructure at all levels. We face many challenges in the homeland security area, from the need to improve our intelligence capabilities to providing more resources for local first responders. Without question, we need to continue efforts to improve our national security. But, we must do so in a way that does not undermine our economy. Security and commerce must go hand in hand. Without a doubt, one of the goals of the September 11th terrorists was to damage our economy. We should not let them win by imposing security measures without the proper infrastructure and preparation needed to make them work smoothly. Texas is the gateway for trade between the United States and Mexico, one of our largest trading partners. Our ports along the border, from El Paso to Brownsville, handle the majority of land-based trade with Mexico. Laredo and El Paso are the two largest ports of entry and six out of the top 10 lands ports are in Texas. I recently had the opportunity to visit the Port of Laredo with the Ranking Member, Mr. Turner, to hear first hand about the impact of US- VISIT on our border communities. We met at the World Trade Bridge which, along with a sister bridge, accounts for roughly 40 percent of all overland trade between the United States and Mexico. The US-VISIT program, as currently designed, poses a great threat to our border and national economies. We clearly lack the infrastructure to handle the new requirements. Even without US-VISIT, our border infrastructure is inadequate to meet the current demands and future potential. We need to improve our roads, build new bridges, and update our technology. With implementation of the US-VISIT program, we face the likelihood of greater delays, confusion, and a decrease in legitimate trade and tourist travel. We must not tolerate any decrease in border trade. Our goal must be to expand it while improving our security. To do so requires more investment. To do so requires the development of new technologies that will protect us while allowing more people and goods to cross our borders. We need to better understand how US-VISIT will impact us. For that reason, I have requested, through Ranking Member Turner, that the GAO study the economic impact of US-VISIT on our land ports and to report on what infrastructure and technology we need in order to avoid an economic disaster. Once we have that information, and only then, can we decide how to properly carry out our border security measures. And it's not just communities directly on the border that will suffer. Cities like San Antonio, a major trade gateway, will suffer similarly as trade becomes snarled at our ports and as trade literally moves elsewhere. We must also address the unfairness of the existing border visa program. Currently, Mexican citizens can obtain a border laser visa, a secure document that allows them to enter the United States for 72 hours and travel no more than 25 miles from the port of entry. Obtaining a laser visa requires extensive background and security checks. Applicants are screened and checked. For that reason, we should also insist that holders of laser visas not be required to go through any duplicative requirements of US-VISIT, such as photographing and fingerprinting. Moreover, the 72-hour limit is unfair and if strictly enforced would devastate many border economies. We should allow laser visa holders to stay in the United States for up to six months. These laser visa holders are an important part of our economy. Many of them have businesses, homes and family members in the United States. We must protect our security, but we must value our visitors who do not come to harm us, but rather to visit our country and contribute to our economy.

Mr. RODRIGUEZ

Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss my disappointment with the provisions of this bill that affect many of the public service employees in Texas. Although the legislation has a number of good provisions, and I agree there are some good provisions in it, it does not correct the injustice that is hurting many of the firefighters, the policemen, officers and our teachers. This act fails to correct the unjust Government Pension Offset, the windfall elimination provisions in the Social Security Act. These two sections of the Federal law take billions of dollars in earned Social Security benefits away from public service employees that have dedicated their lives to our communities; and often it is not until retirement age that these employees find out that their Social Security benefits will be cut, in some cases even eliminated. Currently, the Government Pension Offsets can completely wipe out the amount these public service employees expect to receive based on Social Security contributions made by their spouses. In addition, the windfall elimination provision can dock their retirement benefits and their Social Security by as much as $303 dollars a month. The original intent, Mr. Speaker, of the GPO was not to hurt public service employees. Rather, its purpose was to prevent higher paid workers from reaping extra benefits, and it was not the intent to have such a drastic effect on low-paid workers. Health insurance premiums and other out-of-pocket health costs alone can easily eat up more than half of a retiree's State retirement annuity. In some circumstances, it is sufficient to throw the worker into poverty. So we have got to look at this issue. It is critical. By targeting the pensions of teachers and other school employees, the offset discourages qualified individuals from serving in our public schools, precisely at a time when our Nation faces a severe shortage in teachers. This is going to discourage someone who has worked out there for 20, 30 years in one job and chooses to go into education on the offset because they know that they are going to lose money because they have earned that Social Security. This is not the way to go about it. Mr. Speaker, I am not alone in expressing my opposition to the Government Pension Offset; and my Republican friends know this. In fact, 285 House Members on both sides of the aisle have added their support to the legislation which would repeal their unjust provisions. So they know that if it is allowed most people will support it and vote for it. The thing is that they are not allowing this to occur, which is unfortunate. If you agree that this provision is unfair, which 285 people have indicated that it is, then I would strongly urge you to vote in favor of the amendment that will be brought forth. In addition, let me say we have an opportunity to take care of this. Let us take care of it. We are only working with the Republican leadership two days out of the week. My God, we can at least take care of this issue.