Loretta Sanchez

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today as the House prepares to debate H. Res. 578. House Resolution 578 recognizes the important contributions of families who choose to devote their time and effort to educate their children at home, a task that demonstrates an incredible amount of determination on the part of the parents and their children. I value the contributions of parents who choose to become involved with their children's education. Although I was not a product of home schooling, I certainly understand as a product of the Head Start program how instrumental it is for parents to be involved in one's education. Having parents that were active and understanding of my needs allowed me to obtain a first-rate education. Their involvement has made a difference in my career. Parental involvement in the home schooling program is growing as an educational option for their children. The Department of Education estimates that anywhere between 1.5 and 2 million children currently are being home schooled. This is about 3 to 4 percent of school-aged children nationwide, and the total figure is growing by over 15 percent every year. By the end of the first decade of the 21st century, there may be well over 2 million children being home schooled in the United States. I know that in my own district, Pam Sorooshian has done a fantastic job educating her three daughters, Roya, Roxanna and Rose, at home. To illustrate the dedication that is put forward by Pam, Roya entered community college at age 13. She is now 16 and has completed over 2 years' worth of college credits. Roxanna, who is 13, has designed over 38 Web sites. Rose, 9, is a voracious reader who wants to own a bookstore someday. This is just one example of the great achievements made by parents who stay home and home school their children. Children like Roya, Roxanna, and Rose are like many home schooled children in that they take advantage of home schooling's flexibility to participate in special studies, such as volunteer community work, political internships and, of course, travel. This country was founded by great leaders who went through the home school system. With this resolution we honor them as well as the families that choose to continue that tradition of excellence in our Nation for education. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, a lot of people think that because we support public schools, that somehow we do not support the home schooling program. I would like to say that is quite contrary to what many of us over on this side believe. I know that in my district back at home in California, that there are many people who home school their children. And as I walk door to door and encounter them, we have very good discussions about how we might get some of the local schools and local school districts to participate in the child's education also. We applaud on this side the whole issue of parent involvement and, as I said in my beginning remarks, it is quite important for parents to be involved in the education of a child. Mr. Speaker, would it not be great if all of us could find the type of parent or have the type of parent who would take that time and would have the knowledge to be able to impart that and be able to spend that time with the child? Unfortunately, some parents do not have that level of education available to them, so it is hard to pass it on to their youngsters. But overall, whenever I come across people who are home schooling in my area, it is great to hear how they do it, what types of trips they are taking, what they are doing to help their children learn. More importantly, it really gives us a point of discussion. Because many families feel very comfortable home schooling in the younger years, but as the children get older and have a more diverse curriculum that is needed many of them turn to the public schools. So it is a good point of discussion to ensure that home schooling parents are also working with the public schools to get that extracurricular activity or to get those additional classes, or maybe to go back into the public school system to get the type of learning that they need as a child continues to develop. So tonight we honor those who have been home schooled who have made this country great, and we continue to thank those parents who are home schooling and wish for them to be a part of the entire education community, public, private school, and the home schooling situation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. LaFalce).

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to give management duties on this bill to my colleague, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt).

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to Sergeant William F. Snell, an officer with the California Highway Patrol. Sergeant Snell is retiring from the California Highway Patrol after 32 years of service to the State of California. Sergeant Snell began his career as an officer with the California Highway Patrol in 1968. Upon his graduation from the academy, Sergeant Snell was assigned to several offices in California, including Baldwin Park, Riverside, San Bernardino, Central Los Angeles and Santa Ana in July 1986. In Santa Ana, Sergeant Snell held several administrative positions. He was the sergeant in charge of commercial enforcement within the Santa Ana Area. As sergeant in charge, he directed the commercial officers within the Border Division area, including San Diego and Orange County offices. Sergeant Snell is a dedicated officer who has served the people and the State of California with highest degree of professionalism. During his career with the Highway Patrol, Sergeant Snell demonstrated his outstanding qualities of management and leadership. Sergeant Snell upheld the mission of the California Highway Patrol to manage and regulate traffic and to achieve ``safe, lawful and efficient use of the highway transportation system.'' An officer in the California Highway Patrol must possess courage, strength, and heroism in the face of the unknown. I commend Sergeant Snell for his dedication to the safety of California's citizens and to the high caliber of service that he gave to his profession. Colleagues, please join with me in recognizing Sergeant William F. Snell as a man of dignity, honor and purpose and in wishing him many happy years of retirement.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, today, I join my colleagues in celebrating California's 150 year anniversary of statehood. This is a monumental time in our history not only as a people from a state but as a constantly growing and ever changing nation. I am proud and honored to be a part of such a special event. Throughout my life, I have been lucky enough to call the 46th Congressional District in Southern California home. It's experience has been an honor to not only serve my constituents, but enjoy the many opportunities that our state has to offer. Orange County, California is known the world over for it's performing arts, education and the Anaheim Angels major league base ball team. Anaheim, California is home to Disney Land, the ``Happiest Place on Earth'' which has entertained families for over fifty years. For over a century, my state has been a leader and the very backbone for economic opportunity in almost every major field. It is this nations leader in trade and shipping as well as a model for education, environmental initiatives, and the world's largest entertainment industry. The 46th District in California is culturally diverse and represents the best of what California has to offer. I am deeply honored to represent those from the 46th Congressional District in California, and I will continue my responsibility to all who call Orange County, California home.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. McNulty) for yielding me this time. As the Congresswoman who represents the largest Vietnamese-American population in the United States in Orange County, California, this Jackson-Vanik is about the immigration issue and the reunification of the families, the Vietnamese-American families that we have here in our country. We have gone through the process. Our State Department has allowed that these members of families come to the United States, and then they run into a problem. The problem is that the corrupt government of Vietnam charges bribes of about $2,000 to try to get an exit for each person who is trying to come here to the United States to be with their family members. Well, when one considers that the household income in Vietnam is $300 a year, $2,000 is not an easy amount to get one's hands on to get one's exit visa so that one can come here and be with one's family after our State Department says, in fact, one should and can be here in the United States. So on the issue of immigration, the government of Vietnam has not held up its end. But in addition to that, why should we, the United States, help a government that is so against human rights? The government continues to repress basic political and religious freedoms and does not tolerate most types of public dissent. This is what the United States State Department reported in its 1999 review of the human rights situation in Vietnam. What they are doing now in Vietnam is that, instead of holding prisoners in prisons, they put them in house arrest so that the rest of the nations will not criticize them internationally. In fact, the last time I was in Vietnam, while I was talking to a dissident under house arrest in his home, the government figured out I was there. They sent their police knocking on the door trying to get through. I do not know, if I had not had a couple of Marines there with me, what would have happened. But the situation is that dissidents do not have an ability to speak their mind under this government. So I ask again, why should we reward that government with a Jackson-Vanik waiver? It was just 2 months ago when the Vietnamese police placed Ha Si Phu under house arrest and threatened to charge him with treason. The Vietnamese authorities apparently believe that Mr. Ha is connected to an open appeal for democracy issued by intellectual dissidents. If convicted, he could face the death penalty. Sadly, this is not the first time that Ha Si Phu has been harassed by authorities for peacefully expressing his views. In recent years, he has become well known at home and abroad for his political discourses and for focusing international attention on Vietnam's terrible human rights record. For his efforts, he was imprisoned in December 1995 for a year; and he continues to be under House arrest, like the rest of the people who speak up in Vietnam and say that what they are doing is wrong. How do we reward this country when it punishes its citizens for exercising basic human rights; a country where a citizen is punished for speaking out against what he or she believes is wrong? Unfortunately, Mr. Ha's situation is not the only example of what we see over and over and over in this country. Our ambassador, Mr. Pete Peterson, says that human rights conditions are getting better. They are not. We have only to ask the relatives who live here in the United States. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this resolution.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, during rollcall vote number 421 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted yes. During rollcall vote number 422 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted aye. During rollcall vote number 423 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted no. During rollcall vote number 424 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted yes. During rollcall vote number 425 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted yes. During rollcall vote number 426 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted yes. During rollcall vote number 427 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted no. During rollcall vote number 428 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted no.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Orange County's senior citizens it is my distinct honor to pay tribute to a great leader, my friend, Shirley Cohen. On June 30 of this year, Shirley retired from the Feedback Foundation at the age of 81. However, for anyone who knows Shirley retirement is not the accurate word. Shirley is merely transitioning from Feedback to become a full time political activist. In the more than 23 years since Shirley founded Feedback it has served more than twenty million meals to frail elderly in their homes as well as to active elders who come daily to senior centers and community centers throughout the County. Shirley's outstanding work in Orange County has been recognized at the state and national level. Shirley has served with distinction as the President of the California Association of Nutrition Directors. She is also the founder of the group which is now the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs. Shirley Cohen is a unique individual. She is creative, committed and deeply compassionate about the needs of seniors. She is often called upon by policy makers at all levels to help develop measures that will provide home and community services for seniors. In 1995 Shirley was invited to join the White House's Conference on Aging staff. During her service to the White House Conference she made important, enduring contributions to the resolutions that were adopted and have since become the foundation for the aging policy during this decade. There are few words to fully describe Shirley Cohen. I do know one-- indefatigable. Shirley works all the time for Feedback in the community at meetings and forums. She is more than just a friendly face--she is force for positive change. The people of Orange County and especially our senior citizens have had a tireless friend and advocate with Shirley Cohen. I know I will still see Shirley around town or hear from her on some important legislative issue at any time. The Orange County Board of Supervisors recently passed a Resolution honoring Shirley Cohen. Shirley Cohen epitomizes our definition of a great public servant and a wonderful productive resource as a senior citizen. I am very pleased to pay tribute to her today.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Chairman, I want to begin by thanking our chairman, the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Callahan) and also our ranking member, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi) for crafting this bill. They have had a difficult task. Mr. Chairman, I am very concerned with the overall deep cuts to the bill and the disproportionately hurt African and Latin American countries, and I hope that when we send this bill to conference, we can fix some of that. I would like to thank the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi) for implementing legislation I introduced last year about Professor Doan Viet Hoat. A journalist and university professor, Mr. Hoat spent nearly a third of his life in a Vietnamese prison for his efforts to bring freedom of the press and democracy to his native land. It is a rare individual who is willing to sacrifice their own personal freedom for the sake of their fellow man, and when we find such a person, it is important for us in Congress to acknowledge and recognize their achievement and the purpose of their struggle.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel), my colleague and the ranking member of the committee for yielding me time that he has given to me. Mr. Speaker, I have a record in support of reducing the tax burden for American families, one that I am very proud of here in this Congress. Today, I rise in support of Mr. Rangel's Marriage Tax Penalty Relief Proposal. The Rangel proposal provides greater marriage penalty tax relief and yet it maintains our budget discipline. For example, the proposal doubles the standard deduction for couples. It expands the Earned Income Tax Credit so vital to people who live in the area I represent. It mitigates the harmful effects of the alternative minimum tax so that families with children will actually receive these benefits. Under the Rangel proposal, a family with two children will receive almost $300 a year in tax relief. Mr. Speaker, I have worked in the financial markets and my colleagues on Wall Street tell me that the Republican bill will devour one-fourth of the projected on-budget surplus, monies that we really need to direct at Social Security, prescription drug coverage, Medicare, and, most importantly, to pay down the debt. Marriage penalty relief needs to be addressed, but not with the Republicans bill, not this large, skewed to the wealthy bill. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the proposal of the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel).

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, on this day, I would like to honor Sergeant Arthur J. Reddy on his retirement after 33 years of service as a police officer with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Mr. Reddy has contributed greatly to the well-being of our citizens. Sergeant Reddy began working in the Sheriff's Department in 1967. His assignments have included custody, patrol, and narcotics. He served as a representative to federal, state, and local narcotic advisory councils and enforcement agencies. He also received the distinguished honor of working with the U.S. Department of Justice Task Force in which he served as an inter-agency liaison. In 1979, he was he was elected to the Board of Directors of the L.A. County Professional Police Officer's Association. Mr. Reddy's leadership roles in numerous organizations culminated in 1995 when he was elected to serve as the Vice-President of the International Union of Police Associations and Legislative Liaison for three terms. Sergeant Reddy has not only fulfilled all the requirements of his job in an exemplary manner, but he has gone above and beyond the call of duty. It is because of these accomplishments I am deeply honored in recognizing Sergeant Reddy today. He deserves our deepest gratitude and sincere wishes for a happy and peaceful retirement.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to congratulate Lieutenant Dennis Slocumb on his retirement after 32 years of service with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Mr. Slocumb has devoted his career to protecting the lives of all Californian's, and in doing so, I would like to pay tribute to Dennis who has exemplified the notion of public service and civic duty. Lieutenant Slocumb entered the Sheriff's Department in 1968, and during his 32 years of service he assisted the community as a patrolman, a press liaison and lieutenant detective. His most recent assignment was to serve as the president of the Los Angeles County Professional Peace Officers Association, representing over 6,000 law enforcement professionals. Upon his retirement from the Sheriff's Department, Lieutenant Slocumb will be honored by his community and his colleagues to serve as executive vice president with the International Union of Police Associations in Alexandria, Virginia. What makes these accomplishments even more remarkable is that Dennis is a devoted husband and father of one. Lieutenant Slocumb's role as a public servant to the people of his community and all Californian's will not go unnoticed. Dennis truly lived the life of a model police officer and he has earned the right to say that he's made a difference. It is with this, that I would like to honor Mr. Slocumb and his efforts to make his community a better place to live. His dedication and know-how have distinguished him greatly. The citizens of California owe Dennis a lot of gratitude and I wish him well.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Chairman, during rollcall vote No. 374 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.'' Amendment No. 36 Offered by Mr. Crowley

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Chairman, during rollcall vote No. 376 on July 10, 2000, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.'' Amendment Offered by Mr. Coburn

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Chairman, during rollcall vote No. 375 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.'' personal explanation

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Chairman, during rollcall vote No. 373 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.'' Announcement by the Chairman

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Chairman, during rollcall vote No. 378 on July 10, 2000, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Chairman, during rollcall vote No. 377 on July 10, 2000, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.'' Amendment No. 33 Offered by Mr. Sanford

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, today I address on the subject of funding for the U.S. Capitol Police. The House has now passed legislation ensuring appropriate funding levels for this law enforcement division. This Congress should take every opportunity possible to salute the police officers of this nation, as I do for those who serve my Congressional District in Orange County. Our nation loses an officer almost every other day; we've lost three Capitol officers in the line of duty. And that doesn't include the ones who may be assaulted or injured. The calling to serve in law enforcement comes with bravery and sacrifice. The thin blue line protecting our homes, our families and our communities--and the foremost symbol of American freedom and democracy--pays a price, and so do the loved ones they leave behind when tragedy strikes. They shouldn't have to do this dangerous job with inadequate resources. We have a responsibility to see that law enforcement--particularly those who guard the Capitol--have the resources they need. I want to recognize my colleagues for their support of necessary funding for the U.S. Capitol Police force.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Chairman, I'd like to begin by thanking the members of the Appropriations Committee for their consistent support of SCAAP, The State Criminal Alien Assistance Program. The Committee's efforts to expedite delivery of this important assistance to state and local governments is especially important to states like California, which have a large number of undocumented immigrants. As many of my colleagues know, this program reimburses state and local governments for the costs associated with their incarceration of undocumented criminal aliens. Since securing our nation's border is a federal responsibility, it seems only appropriate for the federal government to pay states for the costs they must expend. It is estimated that these costs, in the 1999 fiscal year, totaled over $576 million for the State of California. While I'm appreciative that the Committee recommended $585 million for the 2001 fiscal year, I am hopeful that as the appropriations process continues, Congress can work to increase funding to the authorization cap of $650 million. Another important program that is currently underfunded in the CJS Appropriations Bills is the COPS program, which helps law enforcement work with communities to keep our families safe. In my district in Orange County, the COPS program has put 313 officers on the street. Both SCAAP and COPS are very important programs that I feel are underfunded in this Appropriations bill. These, however, are not the only programs that receive inadequate funding: the Legal Services Corporation, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Commission on Civil Rights can also be added to the list of underfunded programs in this bill. I hope that all members of Congress can work together to ensure that these, and other important programs in the bill, receive adequate funding in the 2001 fiscal year.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Chairman, I rise today on the subject of funding for the Capitol Police. This Congress should take every opportunity possible to salute the police officers of this nation, as I do for those who serve my Congressional District in Orange County. Our nation loses an officer almost every other day; we've lost three Capitol officers in the line of duty. And that doesn't include the ones who may be assaulted or injured. The calling to serve in law enforcement comes with bravery and sacrifice. The thin blue line protecting our homes, our families, and our communities--and the foremost symbol of American freedom and democracy--pays a price, and so do the loved ones they leave behind when tragedy strikes. They shouldn't have to do this dangerous job with inadequate resources. We have a responsibility to see that law enforcement--particularly those who guard the Capitol--have the resources they need. I want to recognize my colleagues for their support of necessary funding for the U.S. Capitol Police force.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Clement). He is a Member of this body who has long led our efforts on behalf of school music education.

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega). (Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to conclude. Mr. Speaker, I just would like to say that one of the things that the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. McIntosh) spoke about earlier was this whole idea of looking through one's closets and getting that instrument out and donating it to a local school so that our children can have music in their lives. It is a real exciting thing to do. Our office recently was able to get our hands on some excess music sheets. We had the entire office filled back in the district. We noticed all of the school music directors that we had all of this music that they could come by and browse and pick out for free and take back with them in order to use it for the education of our children. It was amazing because, before our office opened at 8:30 in the morning, there was a line of music professors from the different high schools and the elementary schools waiting to see what we had. They came in, and I tell my colleagues that we thought it would run for about 3 or 4 days in the district where they could come in and look through and take back with them whatever they wanted. The fact of the matter is that, within 3 hours, about 80 percent of the material had been carted off by our music teachers in our district. So I would just say that there is a great need and a great desire, in particular that these music teachers do really take their time to go and find material and bring it back and teach our children. It is a great experience. In my own elementary and secondary education, I also played an instrument in the band and was in the choir. So it is a great thing for our children. With that comment, let us do the right thing for our children. Let us have music in their lives. When they have it in their lives, we have it in our lives. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.