Loretta Sanchez

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, as a Member of the House Committee on Armed Services, I rise to salute the 225th anniversary of the United States Army. One year before the birth of our country, the United States Army was established. Originally, the Continental Army was comprised of 10 companies from three colonies. Now, the United States Army comprises 10 divisions, with a strength of 480,000 men and women. The Army is the cornerstone of America's military might and thus its ideals. And the soldier is the cornerstone of that Army. The courage, dedication and valor demonstrated by numerous individuals and numerous conflicts are to be commended. For they made famous names such as the Big Red One, the 101st Airborne, Army Rangers and, of course, the Green Berets. This country and the world are truly indebted to their duty. Happy Birthday, Army.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be here today to support this resolution. I am a cosponsor of this resolution authored by my colleague, the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. McIntosh), who I serve with on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. This legislation speaks to an element of everyday life in America. We may sometimes overlook the important role that music plays in our society, but it has been a part of human culture since the beginning of time. That is why music must be a part of our education system. Not only does music education increase our children's ability to excel in the complex challenges they will face in subjects such as math and science, music prepares students to face the challenges outside of the school building. Music teaches self-discipline, communication, and teamwork skills. The whole is greater than the sum of the school band's part. Music keeps our children out of gangs, away from drugs and alcohol. These things apply to all of our children, and that is why all of our children should have the opportunity to play music, especially in school. I was a little disappointed to see a program aimed at using the arts to help at-risk children succeed academically eliminated, and I am looking forward to working on a more bipartisan approach to this educational policy. Music education has proven its successes time and time again. For example, in the Silicon Valley, where amazing numbers of our Nation's brightest engineers are musicians, or in our medical schools where the number of students admitted from backgrounds in music sometimes outnumbers those who come with a background from biochemistry, for example; and in third grade classrooms, where learning about whole notes and half notes and quarter notes is what teachers are using to teach fractions and all of this is made possible by a very special group of professionals, music teachers. Today we honor those gifted educators who expand children's worlds through music, and we thank them and we commend them for their work. These are the people who take on extra jobs so they can teach music to our children. These are the people who often spend their own money, like many other teachers, to purchase program supplies so that in times of school budget cuts our children will not suffer and they will have their music. I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring America's music teachers and in supporting our Nation's music programs. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a family of upstanding citizens. These men and women are being recognized for giving their lives in service to their country and their communities. Each one of them has demonstrated excellence in their fields and they continue to accumulate awards of merit and outstanding performance. These remarkable members of the Vargas family make their homes in Orange County, California. Officer Phil Vargas, 31, was bom and graduated from high school in Anaheim, California. He joined the U.S. Marines and participated in Desert Storm. As a result of his actions, he received many awards and recognitions, including the Good Conduct Medal and the Kuwait Liberation Medal. Later, he joined the Anaheim Police Department where he has received various commendations in his role as a police officer including ``Rookie of the Year.'' Ken Vargas, 39, has lived in Orange County most of his life. He initially joined the Orange County Probation Department as a juvenile counselor. Today he is the manager of the Santa Ana Detention Facility, which has been recognized nationally for its efficient, humane, economical and practical methods of incarceration. In addition to his exemplary administrative skills, Mr. Vargas has served as an instructor at the Correctional Basic Academy and speaks at seminars all over the nation. Sgt. Joe Vargas, 43, has served as a police officer for many years in Orange County. His career began at age 14 when he joined the Stanton Police Department Explorer Program. Today he is a Sergeant with the Anaheim Police Department and its Public Information Officer. Among his numerous merits are Police Officer of the Year and founder of several police organizations. He teaches a karate class to children every Friday. Sgt. Lucy Vargas Prouse, 53, came to the United States as a child and has since become a proud U.S. citizen. She first joined the Riverside Sheriff's Department as a Correctional Deputy. She later was promoted to Correctional Sergeant and currently is a Supervisor at the Banning Correctional Facility. Her accolades include the Gold Star Award and recognition from the California Board of Corrections. Officer Jose Vargas, 64, was born in Mexico and came to the United States as a teenager. As a young man he worked as a garbage truck driver while studying English at night. At age 30 he received his high school diploma. Three years later he became an American citizen and a police officer. He is now the Hispanic Affairs Officer for the Santa Ana Police Department. His hard work and dedication have earned him hundreds of commendations, including being selected as ``One of the 10 Best Cops in the USA'' by Parade Magazine. Leticia Vargas, also born in Mexico, is a dynamic community activist who advocates for women, minorities and low-income residents. Her broad range of service includes seats on the Sheriff's Advisory Council and the District Attorney Hispanic Commission. In addition, she teaches young women about the rights and responsibilities of citizens and has worked with the Mexican American Arts Council developing programs to extend access of the arts to low income residents. She has served on several boards of directors such as the Legal Aid Society of Orange County, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Homeless Issues Task Force. Each of these members of the Vargas family has answered the call of civic duty in a manner that is inspirational and worthy of recognition. They have achieved extraordinary feats even though many of them came from humble and modest beginnings. The Vargas family serves as a role model of dedication to community and country. I ask you to join with me today in commemorating this deserving family for the service which they have unselfishly given and continue to give.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in opposition to this bill. The bill before the House is very damaging to our nation's schools. It is simply unconscionable to cut education funding at a time when school enrollment is exploding. In my own district, in Orange County, I have seen the effect that the years and overcrowding have taken on our schools and the safety of those within them. I remind my colleagues that Americans have told us--time and time again--that education should be at the top of our nation's list of priorities. No education matter can be more important than keeping our schools safe. This bill backs down on our promise to hire new teachers to keep classes small. When classes are too large, teachers can't watch for the warning signs of impending trouble. This bill refuses to help schools with emergency safety repairs to their buildings. School officials can't focus on safety when they're worried about leaking roofs and rotting pipes. And I remind my colleagues that this bill even cuts school counselors serving 100,000 children. We know we need trained professionals to help keep our schools safe, yet this legislation cuts funding for school counselors. With this bill, we'll lose after-school care, teacher training, assistance for low-income communities, and Head Start programs. It endangers our communities and our schools, rather than improve them or make them safer. I will vote against this bill, because I believe that failing to invest in our children is not in our nation's best interests. I urge my colleagues to oppose the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education appropriations bill.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to draw attention to the deplorable conditions of so many of our nation's public schools. One need only listen to the stories of our teachers to know what those facilities are really like. For example: ``Often the children weren't able to have large group meetings because the room had peeling paint and ceiling tiles falling. When tropical storm Floyd hit, my daughter complained that they didn't have enough buckets to put under all the leaks.'' Or: ``The school in which I teach was just closed down following an emergency evacuation due to a collapsed ceiling and subsequent flooding.'' And: ``Our middle school was condemned 30 years ago and is still being used. It is in fairly good shape considering that, but we do have one downfall that no corporation would put up with. We have bats!'' If my fellow Members of Congress visited schools in their districts during the Memorial Day recess, as I did, they witnessed facility conditions firsthand. Chances are many were run down and out of room. School bonds can help. School bonds are good for our communities, they're good for our schools and, most importantly, they're good for our children. That is why I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 4094, the ``America's Better Classroom Act of 2000.'' This bipartisan legislation, authored by Representatives Nancy Johnson and Charlie Rangel, helps communities leverage funds for school bonds. The 106th Congress has the opportunity to pass meaningful school construction legislation. Endorsing this bill, as Members on both sides of the aisle have done, will enable the House to consider a valuable bill and begin to help our schools prepare to educate a new century of students.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, during rollcall votes Nos. 234, 235, 236, and 237, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on all four votes.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize a superb educator in my district. In July, Sandra Ellen Barry will become the superintendent of the Anaheim City School District. The district's current superintendent, Dr. Roberta Thompson, leaves the district this summer after many years of service. Sandy Barry will take her place. And no one is better qualified to lead the district's 21,000 students and 1,900 employees, in 22 elementary schools. Ms. Barry comes with an extensive educational background. She has served as the deputy superintendent for three years, a role in which she has prepared for her new position. She comes to the job equipped with the many challenges she will undoubtedly face. But Sandy's experience is not limited to one district. She has served Orange County schools, children and families well through her work in many capacities. She came to her administrative career only after a decade of teaching, working with children from the ages of 7 to 14. The Anaheim City School District will miss Superintendent Thompson. But I know that I join the community and her colleagues when I say that Sandy Barry is equal to the task.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Chairman, I yield one-half minute to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky).

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of the amendment offered by my distinguished colleague. In accordance with the presidential directives concerning Vieques, Puerto Rico, Federal and local law enforcement officers have now removed the peaceful civil demonstrators who had been blocking the Navy's access to that bombing range. As a result of this removal, the Navy has regained control and has access to the range. In fact, the U.S. Navy warplanes recently resumed training on the Atlantic fleet bombing range in Vieques using air-to- ground inert ordnance. Now it is up to Congress to guarantee further fulfillment of the presidential directives. The Skelton amendment will facilitate a key component of the directives. In addition, the directives have the support of Hispanic- American leaders and Puerto Rico's top elected officials. As the Secretary of Defense told the Committee on Armed Services in a letter dated May 10, 2000, this is in the best interests of our national security. Any action by this Congress to amend the directives or to short-circuit the processes already underway would further polarize all the parties involved. These directives ensure the safety of the disenfranchised U.S. citizens of Vieques, and provide a sensible framework that allows the Navy to continue its training operations. The President, the Navy, and the Governor of Puerto Rico have all stood by the presidential directives. It is now in the hands of Congress to protect our national security and to protect the 9,300 people, Hispanic-Americans, in Puerto Rico. I urge my colleagues to vote yes on the Skelton amendment.

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey).

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Tauscher), a member of the Committee on Armed Services.

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella), a cosponsor of this amendment.

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey), a cosponsor of this amendment.

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Today, I join the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella) and the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey) to offer this amendment. This amendment repeals a provision of the fiscal year 1996 defense bill which bars women serving overseas in the U.S. military from using their own funds to obtain legal abortion services in military hospitals. Women who volunteer to serve in our Armed Forces already give up many freedoms and they risk their lives to defend our country. They should not have to sacrifice their privacy, their health and their basic constitutional rights because of a policy that has no valid military purpose. This is a health care concern. Local facilities in foreign nations are often not equipped to handle procedures, and medical standards may be far lower than those in the United States. In other words, we are putting our soldiers at risk. This is a matter of fairness. Servicewomen and military dependents stationed abroad do not expect special treatment. They only expect the right to receive the same services guaranteed to American women under Roe v. Wade at their own expense. My amendment does not allow taxpayer-funded abortions at military hospitals nor does it compel any doctor who opposes abortions on principle or as a matter of conscience to perform an abortion. My amendment reinstates the same policy that we had as a Nation from 1973 until 1988, and again from 1993 until 1996. This has received bipartisan support from the House and from the House Committee on Armed Services. It also has strong support from the health care community; namely, the American Public Health Association, the American Medical Women's Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. And my amendment is supported by the Department of Defense. If the professionals who are responsible for our Nation's armed services support this policy change, then why would Congress not? I urge my fellow colleagues to vote for the Sanchez-Morella-Lowey amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Brown).

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Chairman, as a member of the House Committee on Armed Services, I rise in strong support of the national defense authorization bill, H.R. 4205. I would like to thank the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spence) and my ranking member, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) and the committee staff for all the hard work they have done on this bill. This year's bill makes great strides towards improving modernization, quality of life and military readiness, all within the confines of the budget caps. One area I am particularly pleased with are the improvements we have made to military health care, and I would like to thank the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Buyer) and the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Abercrombie) for their exemplary work addressing health care shortcomings, specifically the TRICARE health care system and lack of permanent health care for the military retirees. Although this bill makes significant inroads, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done. Recruiting and retention are becoming problematic, with fewer seeing the call to duty during these prosperous times. While this bill makes improvements in military compensation, do the younger service members fully understand the value of their total compensation, that beyond their basic pay? Benefits this Congress has worked hard to provide, such as health care, housing and retirement, have a significant value, and I hope that the Department of Defense will do a better job informing service members of the value of these and other benefits received. Finally, I would like to bring attention to research and development funding. The gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Pickett) did heroic work in improving the R&D accounts, specifically science and technology. R&D is the future of this Nation's defense. We should not be stealing from our future to pay for the current year's shortfalls. R&D is critical in maintaining the technological edge for combatting the growing and changing threats to this Nation's security. This bill restores R&D accounts to acceptable levels. In closing, I commend all the committee chairs, ranking members, the staff for working within the confines of this budget resolution to produce a bipartisan bill that goes a long way towards strengthening our Nation's defense, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, today I salute the police officers of this nation, especially those of the 46th Congressional District in Orange County. Every day, 700,000 police officers serve our country. Most Americans probably don't know that our nation loses an average of almost one officer every other day. Those figures do not include the law enforcement personnel who are assaulted and injured each year. More than 14,000 officers have been killed in the line of duty. The sacrifice of California officers has given our state the highest number of police deaths: 1,205. The calling to serve in law enforcement comes with bravery and sacrifice. Those who make up the thin blue line protecting our homes, our families and our communities pay a price, and so do the loved ones they leave behind when tragedy strikes. In particular, I rise in recognition of the jurisdictions that serve my district: The Anaheim Police Department, the Garden Grove Police Department, the Santa Ana Police Department and the Santa Ana Unified School District Police Department, the California Highway Patrol and the Orange County Sheriff. We cannot replace the officers we've lost. We cannot bring them back to their families or departments. All we can do is grieve for their loss. But as their federal representatives, we have a greater responsibility. We must ensure that our law enforcement agencies--and their officers and staff--have the resources they need to do their jobs safely. And today we fulfill the most solemn part of our obligation to our America's police force: we promise that when an officer does make that sacrifice, he or she earns a place of the highest national respect with all due honor from the U.S. government.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3293, authorizing the placement of a plaque to memorialize those who died as a direct result from service in the Vietnam War, but who perished after war's end. Thousands of individuals put their life on the line to protect the freedoms that we hold dear and to save a Nation desperately trying to hold on to those freedoms. We have recognized the sacrifice of those who died on the battlefield, but we have yet to realize those who perished afterwards. This bill would honor those who died after the war as a direct result of serving in the war by placing a small plaque somewhere near the Vietnam Memorial. The plaque, funded by private donations, would recognize the entire group of courageous individuals for their service to our country. After 25 years since the fall of Saigon, is it not time that we finally recognize everyone who has made the ultimate sacrifice by serving our country in Southeast Asia?

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from California for yielding me the time for this gracious ability to give me some time to speak a little about April 30, 1975, marking the beginning of a treacherous boat journey for many Vietnamese who sought refuge in an unknown land to them and an uncertain future. These individuals risked everything for a chance to live freely and to provide better opportunities for their children and their families. I rise today as a proud cosponsor of the H. Con. Res. 295, legislation relating to continuing human rights violations and political oppression in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam still 25 years later since the fall of Saigon. I also rise to pay special tribute and to recognize the efforts of those servicemen and women who served as Vietnam War veterans and also to the Vietnamese who fought for freedom and democracy in Vietnam. As my colleagues know, I represent the largest Vietnamese-American community in the Nation in Orange County, California. As a proud member of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, it was my distinct honor just last month to hold a second hearing on the human rights conditions in Vietnam. We held one a couple years ago. We received testimony from expert witnesses who tell us still freedom of religion, freedom of expression, freedom of the press, freedom of collective bargaining are still sorely missed in Vietnam. The Vietnamese Government continues to grossly violate human rights by incarcerating prisoners of conscience and placing dissidents under strict surveillance. So as we continue to move forward with furthering relations between our two countries, it is my hope that we will address the current human rights issues in Vietnam: the violations, the religious persecution, the social injustice that many individuals still face in Vietnam. Mr. Speaker, as we reflect on this tragic day, it is our duty as Members of Congress to honor the memories of the individuals that have fought for liberty and democracy in Vietnam.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Individuals with Disabilities Act, IDEA. As Orange County's representative to the Education and Workforce Committee, I know that many of the students, schools and families in my district rely on IDEA funding. All children are entitled to a quality public education with the resources that will enable them to fully pursue their academic dreams. The Individuals with Disabilities Act is an important part of our national education program. IDEA has brought many students with disabilities the educational resources they need, empowering them to become contributing members of society. Inadequate IDEA funding has been a widespread problem for many years. Although we have recently increased federal funding, IDEA is still only funded at 12 percent of the average per-pupil expenditure. While this is much higher than the 7 percent of five years ago it is, as many advocates and educators have stated, still inadequate. Full federal funding would enable local school districts to focus resources on other needs. Today the House has an opportunity to keep our promise to America's public schools by increasing IDEA funding. H.R. 4055, the ``IDEA Full Funding Act of 2000'' will authorize funding to reach the federal government's goal of providing 40 percent of the per-pupil expenditure over the next 10 years. I am a cosponsor of this bill and am proud to support this legislation. Our students, their families and our schools have asked Congress to keep its commitment. Today I ask my colleagues to join me in ensuring that these special children will have access to a quality education.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, during rollcall vote No. 123 on April 13, 2000, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I am paying tribute and joining my colleagues in commemorating the 85th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. As many of you know, on April 24, 1915, a group of 200 Armenian religious, political, and intellectual leaders were arrested and murdered, marking the beginning of the first genocide of this century. Over the next 8 years, 1.5 million Armenians were massacred and over 500,000 survivors were exiled in an attempt to eliminate the Armenian population in the Ottoman Empire. Several were deported from areas as far north as the Black Sea and as far west as European Turkey to concentration camps. In addition to being deprived of their homeland, their freedom, and their dignity, many Armenians died of starvation, thirst, and epidemic disease in horrendous concentration camps. Unfortunately, 85 years after the beginning of this terrible period in the history of humanity, the Turkish Government refuses to acknowledge the truth about its past. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the Armenian Caucus, I have supported efforts to recognize the Armenian Genocide. I feel it is imperative that we show respect and remembrance to those victims and encourage Turkey to do the same. By remembering this crime against humanity, we honor those who perished and serve notice on all governments that such crimes will not be forgotten.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, during rollcall vote No. 130 on April 13, 2000, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''