Hilda Solis

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge my Republican colleagues to join me in restoring the ethical system to this Chamber. Currently, a member of the Republican leadership is at the center of a troubling array of investigations into corruption, abuse of power and ethics violations. Instead of being forthright and open to these allegations, the Republican leadership has stripped the ethical rules of this institution to cater and protect one of their own. By doing so, Republican leadership has abandoned a tradition of trust and transparency in this body. As Members of Congress, we are responsible to adhering to the ethical guidelines set forth by this Congress. As public servants, we must answer to the American public, and while we craft the law, we are not above the law. I urge my colleagues to answer the concerns of the American public and remove the question of any possible ethics violations that tarnish the reputation of this Chamber. Democrats want to restore strong, bipartisan ethics rules. It is time Republicans join us in passing the Mollohan resolution and restore the ethical system and the integrity it upholds in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Madam Speaker, today I rise to voice my concerns regarding Social Security privatization and how it is going to affect hardworking Hispanics and Latino families and especially the women Latinas. About 46 percent of older Latinas depend entirely on Social Security in retirement. In fact, 60 percent of Latinas over the age of 65 would live in poverty if they did not receive Social Security. If President Bush privatizes Social Security, young Latinas in their 20s and 30s will see their benefits cut by at least 30 percent. Latina moms rely on Social Security also if their husbands become injured or die. The work injury rate for Hispanics in the year 2000 was 16 percent compared to 11 percent of the overall population. Therefore, Social Security disability benefits are particularly important for Latinas and their families. The President's plan will not help Latinos or our families. Let us start talking about real solutions, helping our families that work very hard day in and day out.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to S. 686, Relief for the Parents of Theresa Marie Schiavo. I am very disturbed that this tragedy is being used for what seem to be political purposes. I am concerned because this bill would set a dangerous precedent in dealing with a very serious and personal issue. This bill is an intrusion into a family's medical decision and Congress should not play a role in a private family matter when it is being dealt with in the State courts. As Congress, we should respect the sanctity of the judiciary and not use legislative powers to overturn court decisions when we disagree with such decisions. I wish for Terri, her husband and family peace.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise because the constituents in the 32nd Congressional District are very concerned about the privatization of Social Security. There are nearly 60,000 Social Security beneficiaries in my district who are very concerned about the risky privatization scheme that the President is proposing. However, other young workers also are very concerned about the future of their retirement security. To date my office has held well over 25 senior center visits, high school visits, parent centers visits, and health care facilities visits, and we have spoken to constituents about this proposed privatization plan. We have been asking them to fill out surveys on how they feel about Social Security. We have one in English and one in Spanish. Overwhelmingly, my constituents are telling me that they are not in agreement with the proposed privatization plan. They would like to see a secure and a structured reform that would truly be available to every single individual that needs and requires Social Security assistance. I would like to tell Members that we have received well over 300 responses through e-mail and direct mail from our constituents who are resoundingly saying that the President should rethink his plan.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the life of Mrs. Boy Jin Wong who passed away on Saturday, March 12, 2005. A resident of West Covina for nearly 50 years, Mrs. Wong was a businesswoman, breast cancer survivor, mother, grandmother, great- grandmother and wife. Mrs. Wong and her husband, Bing Tew Wong, opened the Great Wall restaurant in the 1950s just as West Covina was growing from less than 5,000 residents to more than 50,000 residents. Her son, Council Member Ben Wong, said ``despite her limited English language skills, countless Great Wall customers will remember being warmly greeted by her and her enduring smile.'' When the Great Wall closed its doors in 2001, then Executive Director of the West Covina Chamber of Commerce, Fred Burkhardt, stated ``the Great Wall is an institution of West Covina that is going to be severely missed.'' Mrs. Wong is remembered as a generous person and someone who treated everybody as if they were honored guests. Mrs. Wong and her husband donated money for scholarships and to build a school in their home village in China. She was an active member of the community, participating and contributing to numerous local organizations and charities. It is with pleasure that I honor the life of Mrs. Boy Jin Wong. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends and community.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Jennifer Grodsky, a dedicated, intelligent and compassionate woman whom I have been very fortunate to have as my Legislative Director for the past four years. Jennifer joined my office shortly after I was elected to Congress in 2000. Having received excellent training as a Legislative Assistant for former Congressman Julian Dixon of California, Jennifer quickly assumed her role as Legislative Director with great ease and competence. She played an instrumental part in establishing my office protocol and creating a strong legislative staff. As Legislative Director, Jennifer has coordinated my legislative agenda with much success. She has overseen my introduction of numerous bills, including two which have became law. Her extensive knowledge of the legislative process and a wide array of public policy issues has proved invaluable to my office. Since Jennifer's first day in the office, she has approached each and every task I have given her with the utmost professionalism and dedication. Jennifer's keen understanding of the health care challenges facing my district and the nation has been particularly important to me as a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus' Task Force on Health. Jennifer has organized numerous briefings and events to heighten awareness about accessing affordable health care and persisting racial and ethnic health disparities, including spearheading very successful events sponsored by the Congressional Hispanic, Black, and Asian Pacific American Caucuses in Los Angeles, California, and Miami, Florida. Jennifer played a lead role in developing the Healthcare Equality and Accountability Act, the Democratic Caucus' comprehensive bill to address racial and ethnic health disparities, and shares my strong concern for the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic. Her passion for improving our nation's health care system, particularly for the Latino and other minority communities, is one of Jennifer strongest attributes. As my appropriations staffer for the past four years, Jennifer has helped me to secure millions of dollars in federal assistance for important projects in East Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley, including the expansion of the Azusa Health Clinic and the development of computer training classes at Project Amiga in South El Monte. These projects have, and will continue to make, an enormous difference in the lives of families living in the 32nd Congressional District of California. Jennifer's intelligence, kindness, and professionalism have earned her the trust and respect of her colleagues. She has served as a mentor to all of the staff, teaching them about the legislative process and various public policy issues with patience and understanding, earning the nickname ``Mama Grodsky'' among my staff. Jennifer's departure from my office will be a tremendous loss to my staff and me. While I am sad to see Jennifer leave my office, I am proud of her new career advancement as the Director of Federal Affairs for the University of Southern California. As a Magna Cum Laude graduate and proud alumnus of this renowned university, Jennifer will be an invaluable asset to her new office. The University of Southern California will be very fortunate to have such a talented and bright young woman to lead its new Washington, DC, office. I join my staff in Washington, DC, and district offices in El Monte and East Los Angeles in wishing Jennifer the best of luck in all of her future endeavors.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the California Chapter of Verizon's Hispanic Support Organization for hosting the 7th Annual Hispanic Support Organization National Conference. Since its establishment in 1988, the Hispanic Support Organization, a Verizon employee resource group, has been working to advance the professional needs of Hispanic employees, improve the communities where Hispanics live in, and support Verizon's initiatives in the Hispanic community. It is my pleasure to recognize groups like Verizon's Hispanic Support Organization for their service to the professional development of our Latino community. This year's theme for the conference is called: ``Construyendo Nuestro Futuro y Destino/Building Our Future and Our Destiny.'' The Hispanic Support Organization has been doing this kind of investment in our community for more than 16 years. With the growth of the Hispanic community in the United States, it is important that organizations keep providing opportunities for the personal and professional development of Hispanics. Verizon's Hispanic Support Organization has done an outstanding job with their mentorship program and scholarship program, while at the same time providing financial assistance to organizations that serve the needs of the Hispanic community. The intellectual and social benefit that the Hispanic Support Organization provides to its members fosters an environment of support and encourages the creation of leaders in our community. I wish the Hispanic Support Organization much success at its conference in Los Angeles this week and in the future.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the resolution, House Concurrent Resolution 98, which expresses the concern of the U.S. House of Representatives regarding China's Anti-Secession Law. This misguided law effectively authorizes use of military force against Taiwan if Taiwan moves toward formal independence. I believe the anti-secession law is a dangerous and unnecessary escalation of tensions between China and Taiwan. The future of Taiwan should be resolved by peaceful means and with the consent of the people of Taiwan. The United States should continue to encourage dialogue between Taiwan and China. In today's world, we should strive to ensure peace, liberty and democracy. I am proud to join my colleagues in support of this resolution.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Chairman, today I voted in support of the Fiscal Year 2005 Iraq and Tsunami Relief Supplemental. This decision was difficult for me. I strongly opposed the REAL ID Act of 2005. The REAL ID Act has no place on a bill to fund support for our military families and tsunami victims. In fact, I voted against H.R. 418 when it was considered by the U.S. House of Representatives on February 10, 2005. This type of political game was vicious attempt to portray those who believe REAL ID is a bad policy as unpatriotic, and I refuse to make servicemembers and their families' losers of that game. I voted for this spending bill because it includes equipment and services that our troops and their families need desperately. It includes additional funds for health care services, mental health for veterans, active duty servicemembers and their families, and financial assistance to help members of the National Guard transition back into civilian life. This legislation also provides an increase in the amount of life insurance for troops, an increase in the death benefit for families of fallen military members, and provides additional funding so our troops have the armored humvees and personal protection they need while serving in Iraq. With the knowledge we have today about the lack of protective equipment and inability of our system to serve military families, I do not believe that withholding funds from our military families and tsunami victims is the right way to solve the predicament the Bush Administration has created. I remain very concerned about the Bush Administration's lack of a clear exit strategy in Iraq and I will continue to fight for real immigration reform and for a clear plan so our troops can come home and democracy can thrive in an Iraq run by Iraqis.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of cleanup of leaking underground storage tanks and this bill to extend part of the funding source for this program. However, I am concerned that this resolution only guarantees this funding source through October 1, 2005. Leaking gasoline tanks are a major problem in this country. There are currently 136,000 leaking tanks across the country. More than 36,000 of these are in California--more than 100 currently leaking in my district alone. Seventy-five percent of these leaking tanks could release MTBE into our groundwater supplies. This problem is not going away. The EPA estimates that over the next 10 years 120,000 more tanks could leak. That means 120,000 more communities polluted--harming their soil and water and public health and leaving communities with the cleanup bill. To put it in perspective, cleanup from MTBE alone could cost at least $28 billion. So while I support this legislation, the cleanup problem is much bigger than a 6 month extension--our communities and states deserve a real funding commitment. Ironically, while we are here today talking about ensuring funding for 6 months, the current energy bill, like last session's bill, threatens to gut the program. Last year language was inserted in the energy bill which would largely gut this program which our communities and water providers depend on. Changes to this program in the energy bill restrict the Environmental Protection Agency from getting money for cleanups from polluters-- therefore rewarding polluters at the expense of working families, communities and states. Taxpayers should not shoulder the burden of cleanup costs. Language in the energy bill also fails to require that tanks be inspected every 3 years as recommended by the General Accounting Office. In fact, under the energy bill, it could be six years before these tanks are inspected. Adopting more stringent inspection requirements is a common sense proposal, one that will save taxpayers money and prevent unnecessary threats to our water supplies. Finally, the energy bill fails to require secondary containment. More than 20 states already require at least secondary containment because these states recognize the savings to taxpayers, water providers and redevelopers from preventing contaminated soil and water. So while we are here today committing ourselves to a 6 month funding of the program, we are also preparing to unnecessarily gut important principles. This program helps protect the health and water security of my constituents. Changes to this program should not be done haphazardly in the energy bill. We owe it to our constituents and communities who deal with leaking tanks to not shove random provisions into legislation. Mr. Speaker I support this bill and urge my colleagues to support it to guarantee at least some funding for cleanup, but I also urge my colleagues to seriously reject the changes to the Leaking Underground Storage Tank program included in the energy bill.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to oppose cuts to the Community Development Block Grant program in the Republican budget. The Community Development Block Grant program provides critical funding for public safety, affordable housing, economic growth initiatives for cities, counties and Native American communities. The district I represent strongly opposes these cuts. And I have heard from a lot of people, the Los Angeles County Community Development Commission, the League of California Cities, the Southern California Association of Nonprofit Housing, and mayors from various cities in California, in addition to the County Native American Indian Commission. All of them strongly oppose the proposed Republican budget which seeks to cuts back important funding for cities like mine, particularly onethat I represent. The city of Rosemead has used this vital money to help provide residential rehabilitation assistance to over 100 elderly and disabled households. In addition, they have done testing for lead poisoning in low-income homes. So I urge my colleagues to enact a budget package that contains sufficient funding for community development that helps the underserved neighborhoods, like mine in the 32nd district, throughout the country.I urge my colleagues to support the Spratt alternative.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lifetime Stop the Violence Week. One-third of American women report being physically or sexually abused by a husband at some point in their lives. One critical step we can take in Congress is to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act this year, which will add very important services for immigrant, rural, disabled and older women. As we celebrate International Women's Day, I would like to share my concern for the violence against women worldwide, including those women in Ciudad Juarez. Approximately 400 women over the past 10 years have been murdered and sexually assaulted there. It is time for both our governments to come together and find a resolution to these heinous crimes. Today, also, I am reintroducing a bipartisan resolution focusing on the murders of these young women in Ciudad Juarez. I hope my colleagues will join me this week in wearing their Lifetime scarves and their ties and speak out against the violence against all women throughout the world. Yes, indeed, we are going to have visitors today from Afghanistan and Iraq, women who have been elected to office. We need to support them and ensure that freedom and democracy reign throughout the world.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce this bipartisan resolution with my colleagues Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite of Florida, Mrs. Capps, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, Mr. Ramstad, Mr. Reyes, and Mr. Lantos. Since 1993, over 400 mutilated bodies have been found in the desert of Ciudad Juarez and the city of Chihuahua. We are deeply concerned about the murders and violence against women that have occurred and condemn these horrific acts of violence. This Resolution expresses our deepest sympathy to the families of the women killed in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico; requests that the Mexican government's investigative and preventative efforts be incorporated into the bilateral agenda between Mexico and the United States; urges the President and Secretary of State to express concern for the harassment of the families and support for the victims' families as they seek justice; and condemns the use of torture as a means of investigation into these crimes. It also urges the State of Chihuahua to ensure fair and proper judicial proceedings for the individuals accused of these murders, which is critical in eradicating these injustices. The resolution also expresses the solidarity of the people of the United States with the people of Mexico in the face of these tragic and senseless acts.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. George Hensel, a recipient of the West San Gabriel Valley Boys and Girls Club Humanitarian Award. This prestigious award is being given to Mr. Hensel to recognize his lifetime achievements and accomplishments. Mr. Hensel was born and raised in East Los Angeles and served our country honorably as a Merchant Marine from 1942 to 1950. Mr. Hensel has a long history of leadership in the community including: Chairman of the Board of Directors at Beverly Community Hospital; founding President and Board Member Emeritus of Beverly Community Hospital Foundation; Chairman of the Board of Directors at Woodbury University; President and Founder of the California Driving School Association; President and Co-Founder of Driving School Association of the Americans; member of the Board of Directors at Don Bosco Technical Institute; member of the Board of Directors of the Montebello Police Activities League; Chairman of the Montebello Planning Commission; Director of the West San Gabriel Valley Boys and Girls Club; advisory board member of the Salvation Army; Chairman of Assemblyman Jack Fenton's Citizen's Advisory Committee; member of District Attorney Evelle Youngers Citizen's Advisory Committee on crime; President of the East Los Angeles Rotary Club; and President of the Montebello Toastmasters Club. Mr. Hensel remains a Rotarian with 43 years of perfect weekly attendance. The above community involvement is in addition to Mr. Hensel's significant achievements in his professional and personal life. He has received numerous honors and recognitions culminating in this recognition for his lifetime of accomplishments and community service. His loving family consists of 6 children, 20 grandchildren, 29 great- grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren. Mr. Hensel's contributions are a shining example of positive community involvement and service. It gives me great pleasure to honor Mr. George Hensel for a lifetime of service, dedication and philanthropic involvement.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman so much. I would be remiss if I did not first off thank the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson) for being so outstanding and helping us provide this special hour here tonight. As you know, we were at another engagement honoring women, new Members of Congress as well, and also to be joined with other distinguished Members of our California delegation and our cochair for the Women's Bipartisan Caucus, as well as the Democratic Caucus.

Ms. SOLIS. Thank you so much. Again, I want to also reiterate as we said earlier, women earn 70 cents on every dollar earned by a man. On the average, that is about $11,000 less income earned each year compared to men. So that is something that we have to put in perspective. And as a result, women have less money to invest in private accounts, so there goes that theory about, gee, we have disposable income to put away to put in a private account. That is not necessarily the case for many people that I represent in my home district. And I know we are hearing a lot from our constituents right now. In fact, in my office alone, we have received well over 300 correspondence saying no privatization. Privatization, what does that mean? In my opinion, it means that there is going to be money that is actually going to be taken out of their benefits, and in the long run, our young people that are paying, say, would pay into something like that are not going to receive the same return once they are eligible for that. And, in fact, those people that choose not to set up a private account are also going to be penalized. So over the long haul, I do not think that privatizing Social Security is actually going to end what the President is saying is a crisis because it is bankrupt. In fact, it will not do anything to make it solvent. Privatization will not do that. So I think we need to keep this discussion going. And I would like to point out in this graph here we are talking about women's issues tonight because it is appropriate. This is Women's History Month, the month of March. And why not? Is it fitting to talk about the reality of how women fit into this figure of Social Security and how that piece of pie is divvied up. And retired workers, for women basically represent 33 percent. Very different from a pie chart that you would see for males. Widows and mothers, 20 percent. Disabled adult children, 1 percent. Wives, 11 percent. Dually eligible, 24 percent. Disabled workers, 10 percent. This is how money is divvied up for these different categories of women who are affected and how the funds are distributed. I can tell you now this would change dramatically if this whole new privatization effort came in and we changed the criterion formula. I do not want to tinker with it. I have parents right now who are on Social Security and I also have a family member who benefits right now from survivor relief because she also lost her spouse and had three children to raise. They were teenagers and one was a younger child. Two have now gone on to get married. One is still with her. And if it was not for that small check that still helps her out, she probably would have had to sell her home, change her lifestyle, would not be living the comfort life that she does, and I do not mean comfort by being extreme and wealthy or anything. I just mean by being able to hold a family together. And most people do not see that face. They think that it is somebody else

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman will yield further, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel) did a wonderful job. I want to thank the gentleman. I cannot think of a more important issue that needs to be discussed at this time in our history than Social Security, and the fact that this administration would lead you to believe that there is a crisis occurring in our country with respect to Social Security. As the gentleman and I know, some of us held some forums in our district this last week and a half, and we happened to have 15 of those in my districts, and we found resoundingly that people are saying wait a minute, stop the clock; who says there is a crisis here, when we know that this system has been working for so many people. In my district, I represent 59,000 people who right now receive Social Security, the majority of them being elderly women. It is unfortunately in the district I represent in Southern California, the majority there are minority women, women of color, Hispanic-Latino women. This is something that I want to talk about, because people do not understand that women work very hard, those that have the ability and chance and sometimes have to for no other reason. If they take time out of that career to raise their children or to care for someone in the family household who is ill, those quarters are missed; they do not pay into the Social Security system. So on the whole, women tend not to be able to obtain the same kind of financial privileges that most males do, and in fact women only get 70 cents on the dollar. So that also adds to the frustration of women not being able to have the full benefits as others in our society, and it hurts. I want to point this chart out here, if we might, to just go over what some of the myths and maybe realities that need to be pointed out. Women, as you know, rely more heavily on income from Social Security. That is probably true across the board. Social Security provides well over half, 50.8 percent, of the income of women 65 and older, and just over one-third, 35 percent, for older men's income. So that is a substantial difference there. Women have to rely on that source. Social Security provides 90 percent or more of the total income for 44 percent of all nonmarried, 44 percent. In these categories, widowed, divorced and never married. So we are talking about single women. Women 56 and older, 74 percent of the older non married African American women rely on this source. 66 percent of older nonmarried Hispanic women rely on this source. Without Social Security over half of all women 65 and older and 40 percent of older men would be poor. Social Security was invented 70 years ago to be that, Social Security, that protection so people could live their lives out of poverty and it is something that we have to keep talking about to educate the public.

Ms. SOLIS. I just want to say how grateful I am to our colleagues in the House for allowing us the opportunity this special hour to have this special presentation on how Social Security, the proposed Social Security changes that the administration is proposing, the Bush administration, would affect our constituents. And, in fact, women are going to be disproportionately affected, and especially if you come from communities of color or you have not had a long history because of maybe illness or because you were raising your children and took time out of the workforce to do that. You are going to be penalized. And I just want to make it clear for the very young people or those that are looking to put money away and that this privatization is going to help them, they need to understand it is not the same thing as a 401(k). What they put in is not what they are going to bring out. And they need to understand that if we go forward, if the President moves forward with this plan, we are going to have to give up $2 trillion over 10 years that will be paid out. Somebody is going to have to pay that back and it is going to come back in the form of lower benefits for people who go into these private accounts and those that do not. So I am not for it and I am telling my constituents to call us, to let Members of Congress as well as the administration know where they stand. And I am hearing that there are not quite a few members on the other side of the aisle that are convinced that the plan that the President has is one that truly will address the shortages, the so- called shortages or bankruptcy that might be occurring. So I am very pleased that we have an opportunity and we will be back as much as we can in the next few weeks to talk more about this very important issue that we know thousands and thousands, if not millions of people rely on a source of income and livelihood. Just as you said, I have several constituents whose only sole source of income is that one check that comes in. And maybe 2 or $3 out of that check that can give them a chance to get out of the house to go and have a meal with another friend or to go visit the senior center and pay $1.50 to get a reduced meal to share with others, knowing that they are all in the same kind of situation and they are horrified to hear that someone wants to take it away. So with that, I believe our hour might be up. If not, any concluding remarks?

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to inform President Bush about what my constituents in the San Gabriel Valley and East Los Angeles are saying about Social Security. In my district where there are nearly 60,000 Social Security beneficiaries, people are very concerned about the risky privatization scheme. To date, my office has held 15 senior center visits, high school visits, parent center visits, and health care facility visits. Over 500 constituents have been contacted about this issue. My constituents at Club America and the Federation of Seniors, whose members reside in east Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley, are overwhelmingly opposed to privatizing Social Security. I have received well over 300 letters in the past 2 weeks from people who are very worried about their benefits. In fact, Mr. Raymundo Romero from Los Angeles says: ``President Bush is claiming a mandate to privatize Social Security. I'm writing to tell you that he has no mandate from me, or from most other Americans, to cut Social Security benefits or add to America's financial burdens in order to reward Wall Street backers with risky private accounts.'' And I have about 300 letters that say about the same thing. So I urge our Members of Congress to reject privatization.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, tonight I rise in strong opposition to the Central American Free Trade Agreement, otherwise known as CAFTA, or DR- CAFTA. CAFTA is largely based on the North American Free Trade Agreement, also referred to as NAFTA. By signing CAFTA, the Bush administration has ignored the mistakes that we know here in the U.S. because of NAFTA, and in fact, CAFTA is nothing more than what I would say NAFTA-plus. Ten years ago, NAFTA proponents promised increased wages and economic development in the U.S., Mexico, Canada and promised decreased migration. The agreement has failed on all accounts. Over 750,000 jobs in the United States have been lost due to NAFTA, and immigration to the U.S. has increased. Through NAFTA, the administration granted a gift to corporate interests who prioritize access to cheap labor first and working families last. Inadequate free trade agreements not only hurt the U.S. but they also hurt our neighbors. I recently visited Mexico and saw firsthand for myself the devastating consequences of NAFTA. In the Maquiladora zone in Cuidad Juarez and other border cities, wages are low, union organizing is suppressed and industrial pollution jeopardizes the health and safety of workers and residents. Now, those same U.S. jobs that were exported to Mexico are being sent to China, leaving the economic situation in many areas of Mexico worse off than before NAFTA. As in Mexico with NAFTA, CAFTA would cause the loss of family farms and would lure more workers, most of them women, from the rural areas, poor women. CAFTA may create jobs for women, but the working conditions are unimaginable to the American public. The bulk of these jobs are found in the export processing zones known as the Maquiladoras. Women that work in the Maquiladoras have reported forced pregnancy testing, sexual harassment and physical abuse. CAFTA does not require compliance with international labor rights and does not protect women from being discriminated against. In 2001, I traveled to El Salvador and witnessed first hand hundreds of young girls lined up at 5 o'clock in the morning to enter into the sweatshops. It provides for many of the textiles that are now being imported here, going on shifts anywhere from 12 to 14 hours a day. I am not opposed to trade. So I want to be clear on that. I support free and fair trade. Let me be clear. Fair trade. We need to level the playing field and enact trade agreements that include meaningful labor and environmental standards that will prevent the exporting of our U.S. jobs and the exploitation of workers abroad. Our trade policies should lift people out of poverty, not keep them in poverty. Opposition to CAFTA is strong in Central America, too. In fact, I was contacted, as well as other Members of Congress, by elected officials representing El Salvador, Costa Rica and Honduras. They sent many letters to other Members of Congress asking us and urging us to defeat CAFTA. CAFTA will mean more job loss and wage decline for American workers, as well as Central American workers. Lack of enforceable labor standards leads to a downward push on U.S. workers' wages, particularly Latino workers. U.S. Latino workers have been disproportionately hurt by NAFTA because they tend to be concentrated in industries such as textiles and other manufacturing sectors. While Latinos now represent well over 12 percent of the U.S. workforce, they account for 26 percent of the textile and apparel industry workers, and in California, the State that I represent, Latinos make up an estimated 80 percent of the hardest hit California garment industry. Almost 50 percent of U.S. workers applying for trade adjustment assistance, that this Congress approved, happen to be Latino. In fact, 51 percent of American voters oppose NAFTA and claim it would hurt workers, wages and hurt our jobs. They also believe that CAFTA would do the same thing. So I know that in my community there is a strong, strong resistance to move forward on any semblance of what NAFTA and now CAFTA-plus would do. In fact, the league of United Latin American Citizens, LULAC, one of the oldest and largest Latino civil rights organizations in the country, has come out in opposition to CAFTA. LULAC claims that CAFTA falls short of being acceptable and fears it will unleash enormous losses for all workers in the United States, including Central America. As the only Member of Congress of Central American descent, I understand the importance of supporting efforts to promote sustainable development and preservation of agricultural sectors in regions. However, U.S. policy towards Latin America should go well beyond free trade policies that do little to raise wages and working conditions of the poor. Mr. Speaker, I would like to also submit for the Record information on surveys and a letter from LULAC, as well as to make a notation that a book on CAFTA and free trade, What Every American Should Know, has just been released, and I would urge the public to look it up. It is by the author, Greg Spotts. New Poll Sends a Clear Message to Washington: Americans Oppose CAFTA A Resounding No! on CAFTA American voters oppose CAFTA by a solid margin: A majority of American voters oppose CAFTA! 51% of American voters said they oppose this trade agreement while just 32% support it. After presenting both pros and cons about CAFTA, opposition increased to 54% and support fell to 30%. Voters oppose CAFTA regardless of their party. Democrats oppose CAFTA by a 53 to 31 percent margin, Independents oppose it by a 53 to 32 percent margin, and Republicans oppose it by a 47 to 37 percent margin. Jobs, Jobs, Jobs Voters see free trade deals like NAFTA and CAFTA for what they are: catalysts to destroying U.S. jobs. An overwhelming 74% opposed CAFTA when asked if they would favor or oppose the agreement if it reduced prices they would pay as a consumer but at the cost of jobs for U.S. workers. Of those American voters who opposed CAFTA, more than half (52%) cited the threat to the U.S. economy and jobs as their primary concern. Many Other Serious Concerns with CAFTA When presented with various pro and con arguments about CAFTA, American voters expressed serious concerns with many of the trade agreement's shortcomings, including: CAFTA's lack of requirements for Central American countries to protect the environment and restrict child labor made 69% of voters less likely to support the trade deal. CAFTA's impact on moving manufacturing jobs overseas for cheaper labor made 60% of voters less likely to support the trade deal. CAFTA's negative effect on U.S. sovereignty by allowing foreign corporations to sue the U.S. outside of our judicial system made 56% of voters less likely to support the trade deal. Thanks for Nothing, NAFTA! CAFTA's ``big brother'' and model NAFTA was soundly rejected by American voters: 51% of American voters say that NAFTA has been bad for the U.S. economy because cheap imports from abroad have hurt wages and cost jobs here at home and that the U.S. should not pursue free trade agreements with other countries in the future.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to claim the gentleman from Ohio's (Mr. Strickland) time.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to denounce the so-called Social Security crisis that President Bush is trying to sell the American public. As the Democratic chair of the Women's Caucus, I am especially concerned about the impact of privatization on women. The President is proposing drastic cuts in Social Security survivor benefits. Nationally, 50 percent of Social Security beneficiaries receive all or part of their benefit either as a widow or widower, spouse or child of a worker or a disabled worker. Over 80 percent of the beneficiaries are women and children. Right now the typical widow receives a Social Security benefit of $865 a month. If the 45 percent cut projected by the Congressional Budget Office were to take effect currently, they will only receive $476 per month. In my own family, I have a relative who is a widow whose family receives Social Security survivor benefits for her last child. She had three. If it was not for that amount of money, she would be living in poverty. Democrats believe that all American workers should get the benefits they paid for. We will fight to improve the Social Security system and not dismantle it.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in opposition to the President's budget proposal to turn his back on low-income and ethnic minority students, particularly Latino and African Americans, and in particular first-generation students who have never had a chance to go to college. And I say that because in the President's budget proposal he wants to eliminate completely the GEAR UP Program, the Upward Bound Program, and the Talent Search Program. As a result, 1.3 million students, 70 percent who are minorities, will lose a chance to go to college. California was awarded about 15 percent of the funding for the GEAR UP program. In fact, in my school district in East L.A., El Sereno Middle School and Belvedere Middle School are the recipients of the GEAR UP program, middle school meaning 7th and 8th grade students who are learning about the opportunities to go to college. How dare the President turn his back on our youth, on those who want to succeed and go on to college. We need to ensure that this President has to keep the compassion that he says that he has for all people of color. And I would ask my colleagues and urge them to reject these proposals that will put back our community by many, many decades. Let us restore funding in higher education for all of our students.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and honor the past and present achievements of African Americans as we celebrate African American History Month. African Americans in arts, business, education, literature, music, politics, science and sports have helped shape the nation. Overcoming enormous obstacles and racial barriers, the African American community has made enormous contributions to our everyday world. Let us remember not only outstanding heroes such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Frederick Douglass, and former Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, but also the extraordinary lives of ordinary people who have helped build our great nation. This year, I want to acknowledge and thank the thousands of the African Americans serving in the Armed Services. African Americans have fought with distinction in every war since the Revolutionary War. We honor this proud history and all African Americans who risk their lives defending freedom and democracy. We are grateful for their service. During this month and throughout the year, I encourage those living in California's 32nd Congressional District and around the country to take the time to learn about the vast accomplishments of African Americans and honor African American history.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Chairman, I would simply like to submit my statement for the Record on this particular issue in opposition to the REAL ID Act. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong opposition of the REAL ID Act. H.R. 418 is mean-spirited legislation that threatens our national security by depriving law enforcement officials of critical information on many adults who are physically present in the United States. The driver's license REAL ID Act will also impose additional requirements on states, without providing funding, and interfere with what is inherently a state responsibility. The REAL ID Act will also raise insurmountable hurdles for refugees seeking asylum. This bill will negatively affect women refugees seeking asylum from honor killings, rape and sex trafficking, since most women cannot provide direct proof of torture. I do not understand how supporters of this bill can turn their backs on victims of sex trafficking in the name of protecting homeland security. Finally, I am particularly disappointed that the authors of this bill have ignored real security threats. Like the need to upgrade the safety of our chemical and nuclear plants. Instead they have introduced a sweeping new law that allows the Department of Homeland Security to unilaterally strip away civil rights, labor, health and environmental laws to build a border fence. This will be done without any recourse for the average American citizen impacted by the construction. This doesn't make our country safer, it just takes away the liberties that make America a model for the world. I strongly urge all Members to vote ``no'' on H.R. 418.