Loretta Sanchez

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Mississippi for yielding me this time. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1817, the Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006. This is our first authorizing bill for the now 2-year-old Department of Homeland Security, and it represents hard work by all the members of the Committee on Homeland Security. I would like to congratulate the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox), the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson), and all the members of the committee for their hard work in crafting this bill and bringing it to the floor today. While I would have liked to have seen a more comprehensive bill such as the substitute that will be offered by the gentleman from Mississippi which would have addressed aviation security, port security, interoperability for our first responders and a host of other important areas not addressed in H.R. 1817, I recognize that this bill marks significant progress for the Congress, and I urge its adoption. H.R. 1817 will authorize specific amounts for certain programs within the Committee on Homeland Security's jurisdiction, such as fully funding the 2,000 additional border patrol agents recommended by the 9/ 11 Commission and authorized under the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. I was gratified that during the markup of the bill in the Committee on Homeland Security that important amendments I offered concerning the national infrastructure protection plan and cargo container security were adopted, but I am also disappointed that an amendment that I intended to offer on the floor today was not accepted by the Committee on Rules. It is the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism amendment. C-TPAT, as it is known, is a program that offers companies reduced inspections of their cargo, and in return the companies must submit and adhere to a security plan. There are currently 5,000 companies participating in this program that receive the benefit of reduced inspections, yet only 600 of these have had an on-site validation to ensure compliance with the security requirements. C-TPAT in its current form represents a dangerous security gap that must be closed, and I hope that Congress and DHS will address this problem before it is too late. I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, May 12, 2005, I was unavoidably absent due to a personal emergency. I request that the Congressional Record reflect that had I been present and voting, I would have voted as follows: Rollcall No. 169: ``No.'' On Agreeing to the Weiner Amendment to H.R. 1544. Rollcall No. 170: ``Yes.'' On Passage of H.R. 1544.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mourn the death and celebrate the life of Miguel Contreras, who died last Friday at the age of 52. As the leader of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor AFL-CIO, Miguel was a powerful figure in the labor movement. Miguel spearheaded the effort to get a new contract for janitors in 2000. In the same year, he negotiated a key deal for Metropolitan Transit workers. He was deeply involved in politics at many levels. There are few politicians in Los Angeles who didn't have to work with him. And yet, Miguel was a workers' leader, with his focus keenly on the workers he represented and their best interest. Maybe that's because Miguel had been there himself. He was the son of farmworkers, and he himself started working in the fields at the age of 5. In a way, Miguel never left the field. He carried the struggle with him from the fields of the grape boycott, working with Cesar Chavez, to the streets, rails and hotels of Los Angeles. The labor movement has lost one of its great leaders. We have lost a great American. And we have lost one of our great friends. Our hearts go out to Miguel's family, to his wife Maria Elena, and his sons Michael and Mario.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1544, the Faster and Smarter Funding for First Responders Act of 2005. The bill we are voting on today is an important piece of legislation designed to better support our first responders so that they can help protect and defend our citizens against terrorist attack. I strongly support H.R. 1544 and am proud to be a cosponsor, along with all of my colleagues on the Homeland Security committee, from which this legislation passed unanimously. I would like to congratulate Chairman Cox, Chairman King, Ranking Member Thompson and Ranking Member Pascrell for bringing this bill to the floor in an expeditious and bipartisan manner. The core principle of the bill is to ensure that homeland security is always viewed through the lens of directing resources to address urgent security vulnerabilities in our country. Security funding is fundamentally different than other funds such as highway money, where we try to spread the funds more-or-less evenly, and this bill reflects the changes needed in our thinking to address our homeland security needs. I would also like to thank the chairmen and ranking members for including language from my proposed amendments that will: Create an office of Comptroller within ODP to ensure oversight and accountability over funds moving through the pipeline; Study the effects of waiving the Cash Management Improvement Act, so that its good governance intent does not have adverse consequences; and Grant conditional authorization to the Secretary of Homeland Security to make direct payments to localities, should States be unable to pass grant funds through to the local recipients in a timely fashion. These are all important tools that will ensure that resources necessary to protect our citizens are disbursed quickly and with strong accountability. In closing I would like to reiterate my strong support of H.R. 1544 and urge all my colleagues to vote yes on this important piece of legislation.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, May 4, 2005, I was unavoidably detained due to a prior obligation. I request that the Congressional Record reflect that had I been present and voting, I would have voted as follows: Rollcall No. 153, ``yea'' (On Motion to Recommit with Instructions on H.R. 366, the Vocational and Technical Education for the Future Act). personal explanation

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for yielding me this time. I rise today in support of House Resolution 228, which marks the 30th anniversary of the fall of Saigon. Last weekend, thousands of Vietnamese Americans from across the country came to Washington for the Vietnam Freedom March. This event celebrated the freedom and the heritage of the Vietnamese-American community, honored the sacrifices of American and Vietnamese veterans, and highlighted the desperate need for freedom and basic human rights in Vietnam today. I am proud to have been an honorary cohost of this event, along with over 20 of my House colleagues, and I look forward to the support of this entire body for the resolution in today's vote. As the congressional representative of the largest Vietnamese community outside of Vietnam, it is a great privilege to bring this legislation to the floor today on their behalf. Madam Speaker, the gentleman from California is right. The Vietnamese community here in America has done an incredible job. They are hard workers, they are business owners, they are in the top universities, they are getting educated, they are beginning the political process, having now been elected in many of the areas, in Orange County and also in Texas, and, I believe, in Virginia. It is great to see the strides that they have made as an immigrant community here in the United States. But the truth of the matter is that the people, especially people back in Orange County and around here that are Vietnamese Americans, are still worried about the situation in Vietnam. We know that the people of Vietnam awaken every day under a very harsh and repressive regime, and events such as the Vietnam Freedom March remind those of us here in Washington that even 30 years after the fall of Saigon, there remains much to be done before the Vietnamese people can enjoy the freedom and the liberty that we here in America often take for granted. I hope that my colleagues will work with me and with the Vietnamese community of the United States to work on the human rights issues still left there in Vietnam. They came here because they were seeking freedom and liberty. We fought and we lost 58,000 Americans in that war trying to find freedom and liberty. I hope we will continue as Americans to fight for freedom and liberty.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of all the individuals who are taking part in events in this Nation's Capital, in Orange County, California, and all across our Nation to observe the fall of Saigon on April 30. April 30, 1975, marked the beginning of a journey for many who sought refuge in an unknown land and an uncertain future. These individuals risked everything for a chance to live freely and provide better opportunities for their children and for their families. In the 30 years since, most Vietnamese Americans have been able to rebuild their lives and to contribute to the diversity of this Nation. The world has changed since that fateful day; but one thing remains constant, Vietnamese Americans work tirelessly to promote freedom and democracy in Vietnam. As we reflect on the anniversary, please join me and Vietnamese American communities in honoring the memory of those who lost their lives in this conflict and in celebrating the contributions of Vietnamese Americans across our Nation.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my condolences on the passing of Pope John Paul II. For families such as mine, the Pope represented a connection with the larger human community. We felt blessed by his faith, compassion, and the simplicity that he preached in words and deed, As a public figure he not only represented the Roman Catholic Church, but also was a symbol of liberation and strength. Pope John Paul II embodied the spiritual virtue of innocence that allows us, as humans to be loved, respected, and forgiven. My district, the 47th Congressional District of California, is home to many practicing Catholics who followed and believed in Pope John Paul II, as my family and I did. The Pope was an amazing example of one man who strengthened the hearts and souls of people. John Paul's trust and belief in us, allowed us to trust and believe in others, John Paul II visited the state of California twice in his life, once in 1976, as Cardinal and the second time in 1987, as Pope. By way of his many travels around the world, he reached out to people, regardless of race, religion, or politics. Pope John Paul II was a leader in uniting nations and people. He believed that through love, we can attain understanding, which can conquer the divisions that still plague the world today. The Pope saw Christian faith as truly Catholic, as truly universal: ``. . .Christ is Anglo and Hispanic, Christ is Chinese and black, Christ is Vietnamese and Irish, Christ is Korean and Italian, Christ is Japanese and Filipino, Christ is native American, Croatian, Samoan, and many other ethnic groups. . .'' Up to his final days, through his great personal suffering, he maintained his dignity. The passing of Pope John Paul II is a great loss to the global community. He will be missed and his memory will be kept sacred in our hearts.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Chieu Le, founder and chief executive officer of Lee's Sandwiches in Orange County, California. An immigrant and a business leader, Mr. Le was recognized by the Asian Business Association of Orange County in 2003 for his entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to the communities his company serves. In 1981, one year after immigrating to the United States from Vietnam, Mr. Le and his family bought their first catering truck and began serving sandwiches in the community. Twenty years later, they opened the first Lee's Sandwich Shop in Garden Grove, California. The idea of a fast-food style restaurant serving Vietnamese sandwiches came from Mr. Le's late son, Minh. Today, Lee's Sandwiches is the fastest-growing restaurant chain in the West, with 35 stores in operation or development. Mr. Le and his family also believe in giving back to the community. In response to the tragedies of the 9-11 attacks and the Tsunami in South Asia, Lee's Sandwiches raised nearly $200,000 in total for the victims of these disasters. The Le family is as an example of a successful business in California that continues to give back to its community. I believe that Mr. Le and Lee's Sandwiches will continue to expand the commitment to the communities they serve.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of an extraordinary American, Connie Skipworth, who died on March 17, 2005, at the age of eighty-four. Connie was a joy to know. Lively, humorous, and filled with the spirit of life, she dedicated much of her time to making everyone feel like part of the family. Connie was born on February 18, 1921 in San Bernardino, California. By the late 1930s, Connie was married to Skip Skipworth and returned to California, spending those first years working as a riveter for McDonnell Douglas in Long Beach during World War II. Connie has spent much of her years participating in the life of the community. Connie and her sister, Irene, opened their first restaurant in 1945, The Old Mexico Cafe in Long Beach. Seven years later, Connie opened the Zarape Cafe in Las Vegas, later returning to The Old Mexico Cafe a year later, where she worked as a manager, saving up enough money to build The Azteca in Garden Grove in 1957. Connie was very devoted to her family, and encouraged them to reach for greatness and to realize their potential. The Azteca was a success, and the business brought in money to the family, and joy to the community. She was a great woman making everyone feel comfortable by flashing a quick smile, and by greeting everyone by their first names. Mr. Speaker, Connie Skipworth dedicated herself to making our town a wonderful community to live in. Connie is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today, and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of this truly remarkable person.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the Republicans' budget that was just passed in this House a little while ago, H. Con. Res. 95. Principally I think it fails to address the crucial and central issue which this Congress should address, and that is fixing our national budget. Somebody in my area the other day asked me the question, what keeps me awake at night? And my answer was pretty simple. Being an investment banker by profession before I came to this House, I said our deficit and our debt. We have a serious problem, Mr. Speaker, our Treasury is over $7 trillion in debt. We continue to borrow every year under this administration at something over $500 billion a year. And how does this Congress react? We signed up for another credit card. Interest rates are low. We can afford it. And when we max out our new credit card, we will just go and get another credit card. Free money. That is what this Congress is doing. But even if the money is cheap, it is not free. And while it may be cheap now, at some point what went down must come up. Interest rates will rise. That is the history when you look at the markets. They always do. I wonder if the American public fully appreciates that this Congress and this President continue to borrow on their credit cards the way we do. Do they know, for example, that our deficits are being financed by the Chinese? As of last year, $1.9 trillion of our debt, or 40 percent of it, was owned by foreign investors. The Chinese own about $217 billion of that, the Japanese cover about $668 billion, the oil-rich OPEC countries own about $48 billion, and the list goes on and on. So we keep cutting our taxes so we are not sending that money to Washington, D.C., but we keep spending as if we had that revenue, as long as our friends the Chinese and the Japanese and other foreign investors continue to prop up our debt. How long will that last? We need to protect our financial security. Carrying around this much debt is making us incredibly vulnerable. We are essentially being held hostage by our own financial obligations. As long as we continue down this road, we weaken our position as a world leader because our financial stability is in the hands of other nations. This is not just a national security problem. Running a big deficit and debt is also a problem for the economic health of this country. As a Nation, personal savings has dropped from almost 11 percent in 1984 to about 1 percent in 2004. We are not saving. We are also weak in investment, despite historically low interest rates. In fact, if you look at this budget, you will see that we are spending about $1.5 billion a week in the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, $1.5 billion a week. But we are cutting education, and we are cutting the health care system. We are cutting our national parks budget; we are cutting transportation. We are not investing and reinvesting in our water and sewage systems. All the investment that we need to be a productive country, we are not investing. Do you think the Chinese are investing $1.5 billion a week in Iraq in a war? No. They are building their water systems, they are educating their people, they are building their transportation systems, their telecommunications systems. They are investing. We are just spending. It is poor fiscal judgment; and this Congress, led by this side, is guilty of putting that on a credit card that all Americans will end up paying. My background is in finance. I used to do that. I used to finance for companies, for people. I used to tell them how to do things. I have never seen this kind of disregard, this structural problem that we are creating. So I hope, Mr. Speaker, that this Congress begins to make the tough choices, and that is the reason I opposed H. Con. Res. 95 today.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, February 17, 2005, I was unavoidably detained due to a prior obligation. Had I been present and voting, I would have voted as follows: Rollcall No. 39, ``yes'' (H. Res. 91).

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 418--the REAL ID Act. This bill both distorts and undermines the bipartisan recommendations of the 9/11 Commission which were crafted to make Americans safer and more secure. The REAL ID Act actually deletes key 9/11 recommendations which were codified in law by the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, provisions that have yet to be enacted, Specifically, the REAL ID Act deletes driver's license provisions from the 2004 bill. Proponents of the REAL ID Act argue that this country needs national standards for driver's licenses and State identification documents. The 9/11 Commission took this issue very seriously and issued recommendations which were included in the House, Senate and White House-approved bill. The legislation expressly orders the Department of Transportation, the Department of Homeland Security, and States to work together to set national standards for driver's licensees. The REAL ID Act removes this provision and instead imposes an inflexible Federal statute for our State governments. The 9/11 Commission legislation was intended to ensure that the States would have a voice in crafting national standards; it did not suggest that the Federal Government hijack the right of States to issue identification to their residents. The bill also enacts tough new immigration provisions that could bar legitimate asylum seekers from receiving refuge in the United States. It also restricts the right of judges to review decisions by immigration officials at the borders to reject asylum applications. In truth, victims of torture and other forms of persecution could actually be deported into the hands of their persecutors, a reality that runs contrary to our fundamental values of freedom and liberty. Even the White House has expressed reservations about the asylum provisions in the bill, and has already called for modifications ``to ensure the changes do not unintentionally create new barriers to asylum.'' I believe we need to keep our focus where it belongs, on identifying and apprehending terrorists, and on making our country more secure. We should adhere to the laws enacted by the President and both houses of Congress, and give them a chance to work before we begin repealing them.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, February 10, 2005, I was unavoidably detained due to a prior obligation. I request that the Congressional Record reflect that had I been present and voting, I would have voted as follows: (1) Rollcall No. 31: ``No'' (Final Passage of H.R. 418); (2) Rollcall No. 30: ``Yes'' (Motion to Recommit H.R. 418); (3) Rollcall No. 29: ``Yes'' (Farr amendment to H.R. 418) (4) Rollcall No. 28: ``Yes'' (Nadler amendment to H.R. 418).

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. I rise today to introduce the Senior Nutrition Act, a bill I also introduced last year as H.R. 1021. The intent of the Senior Nutrition Act is very simply to help more seniors get the food they need by changing eligibility standards for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, CSFP. Among other things, this will help offset the increasing cost of prescription drugs for many seniors. The mission of the CSFP is to improve the health of both women with children and seniors by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA commodity foods. More than 400,000 people participate in the CSFP each month, but it is important to note that the majority of these participants--more than 75 percent--are elderly and that number is on the rise. The average senior citizen pays around $1,000 per year on prescription drugs. Many seniors who rely solely on Medicare for their health care cannot afford to buy prescription drugs, and are forced to either stretch their prescriptions, or to choose between purchasing medication or food. The Senior Nutrition Act will provide for the following: 1. In those areas in which the CSFP operates, categorical eligibility is granted for seniors who participate or is eligible to participate in the Food Stamp Program. No further verification of income would be necessary in such cases; and 2. The same income standard that is currently used to determine eligibility for women, infants, and children in the CSFP--185 percent of the Poverty Income Guidelines--would be applied to senior applicants as well. The current income eligibility standard for seniors has been capped by regulation at 130 percent. Despite the addition of a Medicare prescription drug plan, many of our seniors still need help. We have an obligation to protect our most vulnerable citizens from having to make the awful choice of eating or taking their prescriptions. The Senior Nutrition Act will help protect the health and well being of our senior citizens.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Erroneous Tax Refund Fairness Act, a bill to ensure the fair treatment of tax payers who return overpaid tax refunds and are penalized for it. The deadline for filing tax returns will be here before you know it. Most Americans receive a refund, and our constituents enjoy getting back the money they earned from the IRS. However, even the IRS can make mistakes and occasionally people receive more money than they should. Those who have filed misleading information on their tax returns should be punished for their actions. But did you know that if a person is mistakenly overpaid and attempts to return the excess payment to the IRS, they must pay accrued interest on the amount of the erroneous refund? The legislation I am introducing today would abate the interest on erroneous tax refunds if the person receiving the refund made a good- faith effort in a timely manner to return the money to the IRS. The bill also includes language that gives the Secretary of the Treasury discretion over whether or not to abate the interest. If the Secretary establishes that the taxpayer received notice of the erroneous notice before the date of demand and did not attempt to resolve the issue with the Internal Revenue Service within 30 days, the Secretary can determine what amount of the interest, if any, will be abated. This bill language was included in H.R. 1528 last year, which passed both the House and Senate, but was not signed into law. I hope that Congress will remedy the situation this year. We should punish those who cheat on their taxes, not those who make an effort to return money they mistakenly received.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Self-Employed H.E.A.L.T.H. Act, a bill that repeals Section 162(l) paragraph 4 of the Internal Revenue Code, and allows self-employed individuals to deduct the cost of health insurance in computing net earnings from self-employment for tax purposes. Under current law, self-employed individuals do not share the same tax advantages for health insurance as other wage earners who work for large companies and government agencies. These wage earners can participate in plans that allow them to pay for their health insurance with pre-tax dollars. This legislation will provide self-employed workers the same benefits afforded to wage earners who work for large companies, which, in turn, will help them purchase health insurance. The National Federation of Independent Business has stated that allowing the self-employed to purchase health care pre-tax dollars will help to reduce the number of uninsured Americans. There are over 16 million sole proprietorships in the United States. Self-employed workers represent 7 percent of the U.S. workforce. In the United States, employers play the leading role in making health insurance coverage available to workers, retirees, and their families. Two-thirds of Americans get their health insurance through an employer. For sole proprietors and other Americans, health care coverage poses a significant challenge. Americans have always admired those who strike out on their own. They are the innovators and the entrepreneurs. We should encourage this activity by providing self-employed workers the opportunity to purchase health care as affordably as those who work for others.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I introduced H.R. 664, the Military Sexual Assault Crimes Revision Act of 2005. This bill would repeal Article 120 of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and replace it with an improved sexual abuse statute patterned on 18 U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 2241-2247. I introduced an identical bill last year, H.R. 4709, which was offered during mark-up of the defense authorization bill. Although the legislation was not included in the final authorizing bill last year, a provision was included requiring the Secretary of Defense to provide the House and Senate Armed Services Committee, by March 1, 2005, a proposal for changes regarding sexual offenses in the UCMJ and the rationale for the changes. The language also ``strongly encourages DoD to closely align the UCMJ's language on sexual assault law with the appropriate section of the federal criminal code.'' I am reintroducing this legislation to send a strong message to the DoD that Congress is serious about updating the military's sexual assault statute, and that the changes are expected to incorporate the U.S. federal code. This legislation would help prosecutors, protect victims, and promote good order and discipline in the Armed Forces. It offers a graduated array of offenses that more precisely define nonconsensual sex crimes. The proposed provisions expand the scope of sex acts that can constitute sexual abuse. They afford increased protection for victims by emphasizing acts of the perpetrator rather than the reaction of the victim during an assault. This legislation expressly provides for cases involving voluntary and involuntary intoxication of the victim, which are common fact patterns in military sexual assault cases. Finally, it criminalizes sexual extortion and other forms of coercing sex from subordinates and fellow service men and women in a way that will help commanders to maintain good order and discipline in the armed forces. By undertaking this critical revision to the UCMJ, we will demonstrate that the Department of Defense and Congress are committed to reducing the incidence of sexual assault within the Armed Forces, and bringing justice to the victims.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing a bill to support the Orange County Groundwater Replenishment System. This bill is identical to the one I introduced in the 108th Congress as H.R. 1156, which passed the House by voice vote under Suspension of the rules last year. The bill would increase the authorized Federal share for the Orange County California Groundwater Replenishment (OCGWR) System from $20 million to $80 million. This will allow Orange County to complete this important and much-needed project, which will serve about 2.3 million residents of north and central Orange County, and it will create a new water supply of 72,000 acre-feet per year. The OCGWR project is not just important to Orange County, California, but also to the entire western United States. By recycling our own water, we in Orange County would not have to rely so heavily on water from the Colorado River Aqueduct or the San Francisco Bay Delta. Moreover, the OCGWR is a highly innovative recycling project--a pilot project for other future water recycling projects. Experts in public water management systems, from other States and from countries from around the world, have come to Orange County to look at the tertiary cleaning system that we have. The project is of national and even international significance. This is a straightforward and reasonable bill. Its passage would simply bring the Federal share of funding closer to 25 percent, the level at which almost every other reclamation project is funded under Federal water reclamation and conservation programs. This project, and this legislation, has received strong support from Members on both sides of the aisle. As I mentioned previously, the Committee on Resources very generously allowed this same bill to be considered under Suspension of the Rules last year. I would like to take this opportunity to again thank Chairman Pombo from California, Ranking Member Rahall from West Virginia, as well as former Subcommittee Chairman Calvert and Ranking Member Napolitano of California for their overwhelming support of this bill. I would also like to thank my colleagues from Orange County for their continued support. Mr. Miller, Mr. Cox, Mr. Rohrrabacher and Mr. Royce are strong supporters of this project. Securing funding for the OCGWR has always been, and will continue to be, a bipartisan effort. Lastly, let me thank Orange County Water District President Phil Anthony, former OCWD Board Chair Denis Bilodeau, and General Manager Virginia Grebbien for their hard work and leadership in groundwater recycling. Their innovation has put Orange County in the forefront of water recycling and groundwater replenishment technology. I look forward to working on passing this legislation with all of my colleagues, and I thank them again for their continued support.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the city of Anaheim and its quest to save the Anaheim Angels. While I completely understand the team's desire to garner more TV attention and more marketing dollars, there must be another way besides changing the name to the Los Angeles Angels. What's in a name? Well, how about a 2002 World Series Championship. The Anaheim Angels won the team its first national title. Secondly, and more importantly, it's part of the deal. In 1997, the Angels and the city of Anaheim made an agreement, and naming the team the Anaheim Angels was part of that agreement. To change the name would not only be a breach of faith with the people of Anaheim and all Angels fans, it would be a breach of contract. The Anaheim Council is against the name change. The Los Angeles Council is against the name change. The people have spoken. Don't change the name of a champion. Save the Anaheim Angels.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mrs. Lynn Hamtil, a friend, colleague and an indefatigable advocate for improving the quality of education in Orange County. She was a civic leader devoted to raising student standards and to nurturing our youth for responsible citizenship. Lynn passed away on September 21, 2004. Her recent death is a great loss to her community, her family, and this great nation. Born in Wisconsin, she came to Orange County while in high school. Lynn later graduated from Fullerton High School and later attended Santa Ana College. Lynn lived her life serving her community in every capacity imaginable, Lynn was a 40-year resident of Garden Grove, and was a Governing Board Member of the Garden Grove Unified School District. She was also known for her passion and involvement in her community serving as a six-term member of the Garden Grove Unified School District Board of Education, residing as a past president and vice-president. Lynn also is a recipient of the PTA Honorary Service Award and two Continuing Service Awards. Lynn Hamtil was a role model for us all, a woman who worked hard and did her best to give back to her community. Her contributions have left a legacy that will last for years to come. On behalf of the Congress, I extend sympathies to Lynn's family, and gratitude for all she did to make our community a better place.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to recognize a very good friend of mine, Mr. Chuck Smith, a retiring member of the Orange County Board of Supervisors--and a man whose heart is dedicated to the community of Orange County. In 1978, Mr. Smith was on the Westminster Planning Commission, and served during a time of great business expansion in Orange County. He played an instrumental role in building the Little Saigon District. Between 1984 and 1996, Mr. Smith served on the Westminster City Council and was elected Mayor for four 2-year terms. In addition to serving the local city, Mr. Smith serves the Orange County community at large. In 1998 and in 2000, he was also elected to serve as chairman of the board of supervisors by his colleagues. Mr. Smith recognizes the needs of the community. Loyal to public transportation efforts, he served as chairman of the Orange County Transportation Authority, and continues to represent the following agencies: The Southern California Regional Railroad Authority, and the Southern California Regional Airport Authority, dedicated to making transportation safe and reliable to all of Orange County. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chuck Smith will be missed by countless individuals whose lives he touched with his boundless enthusiasm and passion for helping others. I wish to recognize his accomplishments and contribution, and I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, in 1965 my siblings and I used to play in the construction site of Anaheim Stadium. In 1966 the Angels played their first season in Anaheim, California. It took us from 1966 to 2 years ago to win a World Series, and boy were we proud of our Anaheim Angels. Today I rise in strong support of the city of Anaheim in its quest to save the Anaheim Angels. The new owner wants to change the name to the Los Angeles Angels. The city of Anaheim does not want that. The fans of the Anaheim Angels do not want that. Even the City of Los Angeles does not want them named Los Angeles Angels. See, Anaheim is not Los Angeles. So today I hope that Artie Moreno, the new owner, will realize that they are champions and they are the Anaheim Angels and they should remain the Anaheim Angels.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to S. 2986, a bill that will increase the debt limit of the U.S. Federal Budget from $7.4 trillion to $8.2 trillion. Why am I voting against this bill? I am following a basic rule that families in my district, and throughout the country follow--don't spend money you don't have. When my constituents sit down and look at their credit card bills, they don't say, ``Oh look, I'm in debt. I guess I better spend more.'' No, they think about where they can save money, in big and small ways. And they prioritize. And maybe, if there is something that they really need, they decide to work a little overtime next to add some more money to the balance. That is exactly how government needs to function. Government needs to exercise fiscal responsibility. Government needs to spend within its means, or raise more money to finance unmet needs. The Republican majority, unfortunately, does not seem to understand this basic principle. It increases federal spending--more than any other government in recent history--and it simultaneously cuts taxes. They want to have their cake and eat it too. It is the time for the majority to start practicing what they preach about fiscal discipline. It needs to keep an eye on both the spending and revenue columns in the ledger. It needs to prioritize and economize, particularly in the areas where we are spending the most. Let's be realistic. Families can't balance their budgets by spending dollars and saving pennies, they need to make real economies. Similarly, we can't balance the budget on the back of domestic spending. Comparatively speaking, domestic spending makes up an insignificant part of our budget. If Congress really wants to balance the budget, it is going to have to look at entitlements, interest on debt, defense spending, and we're going to have to think twice about projected tax reductions. The future fiscal health of the United States is in our hands. I urge my colleagues to be more responsible with the money of the taxpayers of this country. There are no more excuses.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1446, the California Missions Protection Act. I thank my colleague from California, Mr. Farr, for his continued role in preserving the Golden State's wonderful treasures. I also thank our distinguished California colleagues in the other chamber for their leadership and support in pushing this bill through the Senate. The missions inspired by Father Junipero Serra are a favorite destination for millions of people around the world. These historical monuments are a symbol of Catholicism, and the early efforts to unify Native Americans with the Spanish settlers. We admire the missions as a sanctuary, a place of worship, and a symbol of American History. In 1769, Father Serra erected Mission San Diego Alcala. This would be the first of 21 historic missions built along the beautiful Pacific coastline. The missions have been a significance part of California's culture for over two centuries. Even Pope John Paul II, recognizing the significance of Father Serra, blessed these missions in his visit to the San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission in 1987. The citizens of Orange County treasure our local mission, Mission San Juan Capistrano. Created in 1776, it continues to be used as a place of peace and worship. We consider ourselves fortunate to experienced the Serra Chapel, the only building left in which Father Serra gave mass. We watch in delight every year as the world famous swallows return to their summer home. Unfortunately, after two centuries of wear and tear, as well as numerous earthquakes, much of the infrastructure of these buildings is deteriorating. It is our interest,for the sake of preservinga piece of American History, that we put forth the effort to restore these elegant buildings and artifacts. Again, I thank the Honorable Sam Farr for his efforts to restore California's treasures. I am proud to support his efforts, and the efforts of so many others to protect and preserve the Missions of California.