Hilda Solis

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in order to recognize Lonnie and Lucia Roark, who will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on October 23rd, 2004. I have had the pleasure of knowing both of these wonderful people because they are valued friends of my parents. Lonnie, a native of Oklahoma, relocated to California and worked alongside my father, Raul Solis. Lucia and my mother are both originally from Nicaragua. It has been said that once Lonnie met Lucia, everyone knew that she was his reason for living. What started out as friendship eventually blossomed into true devotion and a growing unconditional love. They became husband and wife on October 23, 1954, and remain so until this day. This inspirational couple met in Los Angeles and raised their family in the nearby suburb of La Puente. Today, they continue to live in La Puente and are blessed with 3 children, 5 grandchildren and 2 great- grandchildren. In addition, they are a treasured part of the Solis family as well. Lonnie and Lucia are the proud godparents of my sister Anna. I am proud to say that they will always be a part of our family. I wish to congratulate them on their 50th anniversary. May they continue to share a life of love and happiness.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, as Americans head to the polls in 4 weeks, we should ask ourselves, Are we better off now than we were 4 years ago? The answer lies in the facts, and the facts do not lie. Eight million people are looking for work and 1.4 million people lost their health insurance last year; 4.3 million people have slipped into poverty since President Bush took office, and a projected 10-year $5.6 trillion budget surplus has turned into a $422 billion annual deficit. Families in my district are all too aware of the sad state of our economy. Unemployment they say is at its lowest at 5.4 percent; but unemployment in my district, in East Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley in Los Angeles County, is well above the norm. Just look at the schedule here. East Los Angeles, South El Monte, 9.8 percent, double- digit unemployment and it has been that way for the last 3\1/2\ years. We know in my district that it is time for a change in leadership. We want jobs here. We want investments in America. We want to lift those boats.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize John A. Perez, the Director of Political Affairs for the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 324. Mr. Perez has spent over a decade working as a labor organizer and political operative. He initially gained an appreciation for politics while growing up in the working class community of Highland Park, a nearby suburb of Los Angeles. From a young age, he appreciated the impact of politics on the lives of working people. He channeled that appreciation into a career helping working people organize and gain political power. After graduating from the University of California Berkeley, John began working on designing and organizing education programs for several community-based organizations and unions. In the 2002 election, he served as Political Director of the California Labor Federation of the AFL-CIO, which represents over 2.1 million working families. He co-chairs the California Democratic Party Finance Committee and is an elected member of the Democratic National Committee. In addition to his efforts to improve the lives of working families, Mr. Perez is very active in other areas including AIDS Project Los Angeles, the CORO Foundation, and the California League of Conservation Voters. He has been an asset to the labor movement and numerous Democratic organizations. I commend him for his dedication to improving the lives of hard working people throughout Southern California.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, since the Iraqi War started, nine soldiers have died in my district, all under the age of 30, and I attended some of their funerals. As of to date, 1,051 servicemen and women have been killed in Iraq, and more than 7,500 have been injured. Our servicemen and women are serving this Nation with honor and demonstrating great courage beyond our belief. Yet the actions of our President are not helping to ensure their safety and security. While their job is to fight, ours is to protect them. The violence is not stopping. The streets are not safer. Our soldiers and Iraqi citizens continue to be at risk and are dying. The U.S. had a plan to topple Baghdad, but it did not have a plan to adequately win and secure the peace. We need to secure the Nation. We need to equip it with the tools to protect and defend itself. And we need to establish peace. What we need is new direction in Iraq. We need strong leadership and accountability, and we need to make sure that whatever this government provides in terms of funding is actually made available so that all our military on the ground has sufficient equipment and supplies that are needed.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Mr. Greg Hall for his life-long contributions to the city of El Monte. Mr. Hall has been an active and loyal employee for the city of El Monte. He has worked as a Park Caretaker for 6\1/2\ years, Water Systems Operator for 2 years, Senior Water Systems Operator for 1\1/2\ years, Maintenance Supervisor for 7 years, and held his current position as Public Works Maintenance Superintendent for 16 years. Exemplifying the best in humanitarian leadership, Mr. Hall was awarded Volunteer of the Year for all greater Los Angeles for his contributions to build the Saint Harriet's Children's Home. He was also awarded Kiwanian of the Year in 1984, 1990, and 1992. He was also president of the Kiwanis Club from 1989-1990, secretary from 1992-1993 and lieutenant governor in 2002. Mr. Hall has also served in the U.S. Navy for 3 years and is a Vietnam veteran. Mr. Hall has served on many committees over the years, such as Maintenance Superintendents Association for 16 years, Traffic Control Supervisors Association for 22 years, and the American Water Works Association for 26 years. Mr. Hall's involvement with the Hazmat Drop-Off/Intake building for El Monte residents, the modernization of the Public Works Maintenance Division offices as well as the Water Department, are just some of his many accomplishments. Mr. Hall leaves behind a leadership model of teamwork. His leadership style has improved the reputation of the Maintenance Division and brought all the members of the Maintenance Yard closer together. Please join me in wishing Mr. Greg Hall, maintenance superintendent, Public Works Maintenance Division good luck and a happy retirement.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the National Week of Action for Immigrant Rights. Scheduled for Monday, September 20, 2004, through Sunday, September, 26, 2004, hundreds of community activists will mark the National Week of Action by holding rallies, visiting Congressional offices, and hosting educational events throughout the United States to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the historic Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride and highlight the need for comprehensive immigration reform. It has been nearly one year since hundreds of immigrant workers and their supporters traveled throughout the United States as part of the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride. Modeled after the Freedom Rides of the 1960's, the 2003 Freedom Riders raised awareness about the unjust realities of our current immigration policies and urged fair treatment of immigrant workers. I was proud to introduce House Resolution 384, cosponsored by fifty of my colleagues, to honor the Freedom Riders for their courageous campaign and to encourage President Bush and Congress to enact policies that support the goals of the Freedom Ride. This year's National Week of Action will highlight again the need to reform our broken immigration system. Advocates will urge passage of H.R. 4262, the Safe, Orderly Legal Visas and Enforcement (SOLVE) Act, H.R. 3142, the Agricultural Job Opportunity, Benefits and Security (AGJOBS) Act, and other legislation which would fix our immigration system while honoring our tradition as a nation of immigrants and strengthening our national security. The National Week of Action includes a fast by students and supporters to highlight the need for passage of S. 1545, the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, and H.R. 1684, the Student Adjustment Act. I am a proud original cosponsor of H.R. 1684, bipartisan legislation to open the doors of higher education to immigrant students who work hard and deserve the opportunity to attend college and pursue the American dream. Throughout our nation's history, we have welcomed immigrants to this country. We should continue to honor this tradition and recognize the enormous economic and cultural contributions that immigrants have made to our nation. I commend the New American Opportunity Campaign (NAOC) for spearheading the National Week of Action and honor the commitment of its supporters to ensure equal rights for all people. I encourage my colleagues and the American public to use the National Week of Action to learn more about our immigrant community and the need for reform of our immigration system.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to introduce the Smart from the Start Preschool Education for America Act. This bill would help more American families have access to high-quality, voluntary preschool education for their children. Research tells us that a child's first five years are critical to their future development. Think of the young children you know--they are curious and inquisitive and eager to learn. A high quality preschool education can capitalize on children's curiosity and promote learning, enhance brain development and lead to future gains in higher education and employment. Children who attend preschool education programs are more likely to graduate from high school and to be employed in adulthood. Given all that we know about the benefits of a preschool education, it is long past time that we start investing in preschool education as a Nation. I am proud that my home State of California has been a pioneer in the efforts to provide high-quality preschool education. I expect that in the years to come we will see that California's investment in early childhood education will pay off with stronger classrooms and schools and a well-prepared and educated workforce. I think that California's investment should be a nationwide investment. That's why I am introducing the Smart from the Start Preschool Education for America Act. It is time for our Nation to have a serious investment in our most precious assets--our children. I urge my colleagues to support high-quality, voluntary preschool education-- our Nation's future depends on it.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mourn the victims of the attacks on American on September 11, 2001, and to celebrate the way Americans worked together to rise up from the ashes of the wreckage. In the 3 years since our soil was attacked, the service of America's Armed Forces, the scores of volunteers and first responders who have helped the victims and their families, and the many ordinary people who help out in times of tragedy and grief proved through their actions the true greatness of America. There is a new reality in our world. America continues to strengthen its ability to defend itself against all types of enemies. But while we strengthen our defenses we must not forget that which makes America great and allows her to flourish--our civil liberties. The United States must be both a leader and a partner in the world in order to stop senseless acts of violence. Diplomatic words and peaceful actions show an alternative to the use of force; I hope that both can ultimately lead to a world free from terror.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, let us clear the air. As President Bush crisscrosses the country touting the state of our economy, it is time for a reality check: 1.7 million jobs have been lost under this President's watch; 1.4 million people lost their health insurance last year; and 4.3 million people, 4.3 million people, have slipped into poverty. In my district in East Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley, 30,000 people are looking for work, 24,000 people are now living in poverty, and one out of every three residents lacks health insurance in my district. Eight million Americans are looking for work. Now the Bush administration has announced an $11.60 increase in Medicare premiums. For seniors in my district, that makes a difference. That means they may not be able to afford food and clothing; $11 is a big deal for people in my district. Democrats have a plan to cut taxes for middle-class families, protect overtime, and provide incentives for businesses. It is time for us to change the President.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Los Angeles City Chicano Employees Association (LACECA) for its thirty-three years of service to the city of Los Angeles and its Latino employees. Since its inception on March 10, 1971, LACECA has been dedicated to the educational, economic, and social welfare of hard working Americans in the workplace and the promotional advancement of Latinos serving our nation's second largest city. LACECA provides critical leadership and a progressive vision that has successfully fought for passage of the City's Bilingual Skills Ordinance, formation of the City's Advisory Affirmative Action Committee (AAAC), and employee payroll deductions for LACECA membership. LACECA understands the importance of community development and outreach and devotes significant time, energy, and resources in support of many local activities, such as the City's Latino Heritage Month, voter education and registration drives, scholarships to Latinos seeking higher education, and an annual donation drive to support organizations which seek to improve the status of Latinos. As LACECA celebrates its thirty-third year of service, I am proud to recognize its executive board and members who have distinguished themselves as exceptional leaders in the Los Angeles community. I look forward to continuing to work with LACECA as it promotes the advancement of Latinos serving the city of Los Angeles.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, on July 20, 2004, on rollcall No. 397 regarding H.R. 3574, I inadvertently voted ``yea,'' but meant to vote ``nay.''

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because I am deeply concerned that the Republican tax scheme is ignoring the real needs of American families. Day in and day out, we hear that the Republican majority wants to boost our economy by helping our working families, but the economic stimulus Republicans were supposed to deliver has not trickled down. The median household income has declined by 3.3 percent, and there are over 3 million Americans living in poverty, and many of those are children. In addition, the average American worker is making less today than he did a year ago. Under this administration, our Nation and our budget does not have the resources to invest in making health care affordable, providing a sustainable Social Security plan for seniors, and ensuring that our environment is clean and safe for all of our families and our children. Let us start listening to the real people, the working-class people who pay their taxes, who really deserve better treatment by this administration. Fundamental resources need to be restored to our families.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Lillian Keil, for her service to the Army Air Corps and to our country. Ms. Keil is the most decorated U.S. military woman of World War II and the Korean war. During her service, Ms. Keil flew 250 air evacuation missions and 25 transatlantic flights. She was involved in many missions including those in Normandy during the D-day invasions, where she helped evacuate wounded soldiers from the front lines. Ms. Keil was also part of a team that followed General Patton's army across France with a cargo of critical supplies. After World War II, Ms. Keil returned to her previous job as a flight attendant for United Airlines. Ms. Keil returned to active duty in 1950 to serve in the Korean war as one of only 30 flight nurses, and was involved in 175 missions. Flying with First Marine Air Wing and the Kyushi Gypsies to the Chosin Reservoir, she tended to marines who had been severely wounded. For her service, Ms. Keil was awarded 11 Battle Stars, 19 medals, including a European Theater Medal with four battle stars, a Korean Service Medal with seven battle stars, four Air Medals and a Presidential Citation from the Republic of Korea. She is also a member of the Chosin Few. Ms. Keil is an active member of the West Covina Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8620 and the American Legion Post 790. She has been honored numerous times in her hometown of Covina Hills, California. I am honored to recognize such a shining example of valor and strength.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from New York, and I also thank the ranking member on this committee, the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey), and I also want to congratulate the chairman of this subcommittee as well. I rise today to speak about the Dominican Republic as well. I have some deep concerns regarding the lack of emphasis to provide sufficient funding to allow for people there to gather their lives again. We lost 414 people there, 274 missing, 1,600 families displaced, 3,000 homes destroyed. We need infrastructure funding. We need homes. We need to bring some social awareness and hopefully infrastructure dollars there to put back the lives of the people that live in the Dominican Republic. Many of their family members live in the States. They do send remittances, not nearly enough as what I think should be required or given and would ask that in your discussions that we can include them further in detail.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, this morning I would like to report on the Second Annual Tri-Caucus Health Care Conference that was held this past weekend regarding health disparities that was sponsored by the Hispanic, the Black Caucus, and the Asian Pacific Islander Caucus. It was the first time that 12 Members gathered there in Miami, Florida, to begin the discussion to hear from the public as well as health care practitioners regarding chronic illnesses affecting these populations. A resounding number of them continue to say that obviously we need more support from the Federal Government. We need more funding to combat the rising number of HIV and AIDS incidents reported among black teenagers and Hispanic teenagers, particularly among girls. Girls in their teenage ages are contacting HIV and AIDS in heterosexual relationships. We need more research funding for planning to begin to address the issue of obesity which is now affecting many of our black and Latino students. Diabetes treatment, nutrition planning for low income minority communities was also outlined. We talked about expanding the need for the SCHIP program and also for Medicaid. Mr. Speaker, I would ask that the public continue to support the health care disparities bill that was introduced in the House and the Senate earlier this year.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Lance Corporal Manuel ``Manny'' Adrian Ceniceros, United States Marine Corps, a member of the Regimental Combat Team 1 Headquarters Company, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif. Manuel Adrian Ceniceros was born on November 15, 1980. He was a good son to his mother Angela De La Cruz and a loving husband to his wife Elizabeth. He enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest. His hobbies included drawing and playing the trumpet. Manuel and Elizabeth dreamed of starting a family some day. They lived in East Los Angeles, just a few blocks from my office, before he was deployed. Manuel epitomized what every man should be--a good son and loving husband, a caring friend and considerate neighbor, a good-hearted young man who enjoyed life and strived to ensure that others did as well. For love of our country, and to protect its freedoms, Lance Corporal Manuel Adrian Ceniceros volunteered to participate in a convoy mission, not knowing that it would be his last unselfish act of honor and courage. On June 26, 2004, he was killed in an explosion in the Iraqi Province of Al Anbar. Manny was laid to rest on July 6 in Santa Ana, the city of his birth. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth and mother Angela de La Cruz.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the life and legacy of Gloria Anzaldua, an internationally renowned scholar and activist who recently passed away. A highly talented and versatile writer, Gloria Anzaldua is recognized for representing the finest in the Chicano/Latino literature. She skillfully expressed her thoughts and feelings in a variety of genres including poetry, essays, children's books, and narratives. She is best known for her 1987 hybrid collection of poetry and prose titled Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza. This volume was a best seller and was listed among the 100 Best Books of the Century by the Hungry Mind Review and Utne Reader. Her other published works include This Bridge Called My Back (1981), Making Face, Making Soul (1990), Prietita and the Ghost Woman (1995), and This Bridge We Call Home (2002). Gloria Anzaldua was celebrated by some of the most well respected publishing and educational institutions. Her awards include the Before Columbus Foundation American Book Award, Lambda Lesbian Small Book Press Award, National Endowment for the Arts Fiction Award, and the American Studies Association Achievement Award. As one of the first openly lesbian Chicana authors, Anzaldua played a major role in redefining contemporary Chicano/a and gay/lesbian identities through her written work. A pioneer in developing an inclusive feminist movement, she won the hearts of countless readers from all walks of life and inspired many to become activists in their communities. Gloria Anzaldua passed away on May 15, 2004, at the age of 61. Her mother, Amalia, her sister, Hilda, and two brothers, Urbano and Oscar, survive her. Although she will be greatly missed, our nation will always remember her illustrious professional career. Her powerful vision will be embraced and cherished by future generations of activists, readers, and leaders from all walks of life.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, last month's disappointing job creation numbers demonstrate that our colleagues on the other side of the aisle have a lot of work to do to help improve this economy. The economy only created 112,000 jobs last month, less than half of what economists predicted. Over 90 percent of the new jobs that were created were found in the service sector area, and they pay less-than-average hourly wages. Many do not even provide health care benefits. In fact, many people in my own District have to work two and three part-time jobs just to make ends meet to put food on the table. Wages are now at the lowest point in 2 years, and a typical family is now making $1,500 less than they were last year. Unemployment rates in my district in East Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley, I am not proud to say, they are about 10 percent, way above the national average. For Latino youth, youth that I represent, they are experiencing double-digit inflation. Right now, they are also unable to find part-time jobs this summer that they badly need. Mr. Speaker, I ask that the Republican Party take a second look at our economy. Let us keep those jobs at home, and let us increase the wages of working families.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Madam Speaker, duirng rollcall vote No. 327 on H. Con. Res. 257 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Madam Speaker, during rollcall vote No. 326 on H. Con. Res. 410, the Marshall Islands I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a true champion and extraordinary public servant, Karen Hirai Olen. Karen has provided an array of services throughout Los Angeles County as an advocate for the physically challenged, impoverished families, and senior citizens. After 35 years of service to the residents of Los Angeles County, she will retire today. I have personally known Karen and consider her to be a dear friend and advocate of social change. Karen began her career in 1968 as a Social Worker for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services. Karen's passion to ensure the rights of children led her to become a Children's Services Worker from 1969 to 1979. From 1982 to 1986, Karen served as the Director of the Carson/Samoan center where she brought a new approach and innovative concepts to providing extensive quality services, such as the Peace Corps funded Samoan Youth Employment Project which she directed and implemented. From 1986 to 1988, Karen also served as Project Director for Foodnet where she led a grassroots effort in organizing faith-based organizations and social service agencies to join forces to provide nutritious food to impoverished families. Karen was later named Director of Centro Maravilla Service Center by the Department of Community and Senior Services for the County of Los Angeles. Through her leadership, residents from Los Angeles County have received direct services such as emergency food, mediation services, crisis intervention, resource information for victims of domestic violence, and case management for housing. The residents from the East Los Angeles community greatly respect and admire Karen for her courage, leadership, and compassion. I wish her the very best in her retirement.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, tonight I rise to also share with my colleagues two incredibly important studies that greatly impact women all around this country. These reports published by the National Women's Law Center and the National Council of Research on Women clearly demonstrate that women's fundamental rights in this country are under attack by this administration's politics and policies. Since 2000, the Bush administration has been slowly chipping away at many of the hard won gains for women. This new data demonstrates that since his first few months in office, President Bush has used the power of his Presidency to manipulate, obstruct, and censor information that directly affects women's lives. Priorities have been changed, funding has been cut, research findings have been distorted and social differences and inequalities have been masked. American women have a fundamental right to seek public information that is clear, easily accessible, and not contaminated by ideology. And I am particularly concerned about the lack of information regarding violence against women. Violence against women is a serious problem that affects women and families nationwide. An estimated 1.5 million women are physically assaulted or raped by their partners every year. Women who suffer from violence depend on local services and health care providers to help them through their physical and emotional pain. Nationally battered women's shelters serve more than 300,000 women and their families, even though there is a far greater number who seek this assistance. These shelters and health care services are critical for women, victims of violence. In the year 2000, the Violence Against Women Act mandated that the Attorney General conduct a national study of discrimination against domestic violence victims when they try to sign up for health insurance. This report would offer new insight into better ways that our Nation can serve domestic violence victims and help us understand the many struggles that women victims face day-to-day. This report, by the way, was due back in October of 2001 and here it is now, June of 2004. Where is the report? I would also like to bring attention to the fact that the administration's healthy marriage proposal for the welfare reauthorization bill failed to include important protections for battered women in marriage protection programs. In addition, $1.8 billion in Federal and State funds that were allocated for these healthy marriage programs targeted at low income couples would come out of funds already squeezed from child care, job training, and transportation services. These services are especially critical for low income women. But this is not the first time low income women's rights have been targeted by this administration. The new reports by women advocates also clearly demonstrate how the Bush administration's tax policy failed women in order to pay for tax cuts for the very wealthy. The administration's budget proposes over $191 billion in new tax cuts over the next 5 years, primarily for the benefit of the wealthiest in our country. These benefits for the rich come at the mercy of deep cuts in domestic programs. Just look at the cuts in housing, for example. Affordable housing is essential to ensuring that women have equal opportunity in our society and have stable homes in which to raise their children. Currently 28 percent of women-headed families have critical housing problems. Yet because of the Bush administration's policy, next year 250,000 families, most of whom are headed by women raising children, will lose important housing vouchers. Within 5 years, 800,000 families could lose their housing vouchers. We also cannot forget that the administration excluded millions of low income working families from the increase in the child tax credit of 2003. Over 7 million families with incomes between $10,500 and $26,500 were denied in the 2003 increase in the child tax credit signed by President Bush. Two-thirds of those parents were hurt by this exclusion, in particular, women, disproportionately single mothers, women of color, and married women who were out of work. It is clear that the Bush administration does not enforce policies that help women make economic strides. Women deserve better treatment by this administration. After all, we represent well over 50 percent of the population. And it is time that we stand up against these policies and politics that are eroding our rights as women.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, tonight I rise to bring attention to how priorities of our hard-working American families are being crushed under this administration's policies. When President Bush first took office, he had a $236 billion budget surplus, there had been 22 million jobs created in the previous 8 years under President Clinton, and this country was experiencing the biggest drop in child poverty in our history. But what has changed in the past 4 years since Bush took office? Well, today there are 8.2 million Americans who are looking for work, and unemployment rates in many parts of our country are at a higher rate, almost 30 percent higher, than they were 4 years ago. And in my district alone, embarrassingly, some rates are as high as 9 percent. Plus, today's job market has lost economic value and too many positions that are being created are only part-time. What this administration has not said when it talks about jobs it has created is that 90 percent of these new jobs since August 2003 are in industries that pay an hourly wage that is less than the national average. About 1.3 million of these jobs make an average wage of $15 an hour. That is 40 cents less than the national average. And it is an embarrassment that our own Federal minimum wage has not been increased. Imagine a family trying to survive on making $5.15 an hour, and that wage has not gone up for many years. Clearly, it is not the struggling middle class families benefiting from the Bush administration's economic policies. Take a look at California. There have been 214,000 people who have lost their jobs in my State, and 346,000 were in manufacturing jobs alone, good paying jobs that left. Plus, the jobs that are being created in California are paying less than the jobs that are being lost and are less likely to even offer health benefits. At a time when American families are struggling to pay for health care, when they are struggling to send their kids to college and get food on the table, we are sending billions of dollars to the very wealthy, 2 percent of our population. Let us not also forget that the cost of gasoline has increased by 62 percent under the Bush administration. Californians will spend $2.35 billion more for gas this summer. That means per family $210 just for driving around in the summer. Gas in my district is now being sold at $2.39 a gallon. But instead of doing things to help working families, the Republican-led Congress spent last week debating energy bills that will do nothing to help working families cope with these outrageous energy costs, including trying to negotiate lower gas prices. This administration even said that because of the bill's passage last week on so-called energy relief, our gasoline prices will actually go up by 3 cents. The administration would rather try to hide its relations with the oil industry than seek real productive ways to help our consumers. In California, gas prices went up faster than the Federal Trade Commission anticipated they could and companies rolled in the dough. Exxon Mobile reported a 125 percent increase in profits for the first 3 months of this year. When the Bush administration claims they are concerned about the financial pressures of middle-income families, I would ask them, what are they doing to address the fact that the price of gasoline has increased 62 percent under this administration? Across the board, Americans are spending more on food, on health care, on education and gas. President Bush has done nothing to change his economic policies to consider the real needs of the American public. Let us start fighting for a real plan that is just, that is Democratic.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time on this very important piece of legislation which I am astounded to know that we did not hear in our committee. The energy bill before us and the other legislative activities this week in my opinion are a scam. Republicans will try to mislead Americans, to try to hide their connections to the oil industry. H.R. 4545 will do nothing to reduce volatility in the gas markets, nothing to help America become independent and, most importantly, do nothing to help working families cope with the high cost of gasoline. While working families shell out money so they can get their kids to school, get themselves to work and buy their groceries, big oil companies are striking gold with high gas prices. The administration and the Republican-led Congress are letting their partners in crime rob working families and seniors blind. In the first 3 months of 2004, ChevronTexaco quadrupled its earnings from the first 3 months of 2003. British Petroleum reported a 165 percent increase in profits. Conoco-Phillips reported a 44 percent increase in profits. Exxon-Mobil reported a 125 percent increase in profits. Yet here we are today not asking why companies are raking in enormous profits and why consumers are having to pay the highest prices in the last 23 years. Why are we not discussing these commonsense things to reduce gas prices for Americans today? One of the things we can do is investigate bad faith practices in the market. In California, gas prices went up faster than the Federal Trade Commission anticipated they possibly could. In my own district in Los Angeles, gasoline prices have been steady at $2.39, upwards of $2.50 a gallon for the last 2\1/2\ months. We saw something similar with electricity prices also in 2000 during the western energy crisis. Again that situation was ignored as well. We cannot let the situation repeat itself because working families and businesses will once again become the victims. But just as with the western energy crisis and even the Northeast blackout, those in charge of the Republican-led Congress are choosing to ignore the real situation. Instead of helping to lower gas prices, ensure stability in the market, guarantee American independence and set America on a responsible course of energy policy, the Republicans provide us with legislation that undermines the public process, risks public health and does nothing to help working families. This process is a sham, and it is a shame that the American public will have to suffer once again.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Rob and Sherri Vines for their life-long contributions to the Congregation Emanu El and the Inland Empire community of Southern California. Rob and Sherri Vines have been active and loyal members of their congregation for over 30 years. Exemplifying the best in humanitarian leadership, they continue to earn respect and admiration from people of all walks of life. Mrs. Vines serves the congregation in numerous capacities, including teaching at the School of Jewish Living and serving three terms as Sisterhood President in the Inland Empire. She is also a member of the congregation's executive committee of community service, having coordinated numerous events for San Bernardino County residents. Robert Vines, a workers' compensation attorney, has been a member of the California State Bar since 1973, serving as the Deputy District Attorney for San Bernardino County from 1973-1975. In addition, he proudly serves as President of the United Jewish Welfare Fund of San Bernardino County. He is President of the Greater Inland Empire's Applicants' Attorney Association. He also serves in various offices with the Board of Governors of the California Applicants' Attorney Association. Mr. Vines has earned countywide recognition as one of the top ten attorneys in the Inland Empire. Rob and Sherri Vines received the Rabbi Norman F. Feldheym Award as a testament to all the hard work, love and energy they have exemplified throughout their lives. This award memorializes Rabbi Feldheym's values of unconditional love and loyalty to one's synagogue, service to the community, and a character imbued with humility and loving kindness to others. I salute Rob and Sherri Vines on the occasion of being awarded the Rabbi Norman F. Feldheym Award and wish them continued success and prosperity.