Hilda Solis

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1284, which amends the San Gabriel Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992. This bill will increase the Federal cost share for the San Gabriel Basin groundwater cleanup project. During the project's onset in 1992, the Federal Government was authorized to pay 2.5 percent of the cost of projects to cleanup local water supplies. In 1996 the funding level for the program was capped at $38 million, funding only a portion of the projects that had been designed. As a result of the cap, projects in the southern portion of the basin were not funded, including the El Monte Operable Unit and the South El Monte Operable Unit in my district. Since the cap was put in place, the Southern Operable Units have been working with EPA to develop groundwater cleanup plans. Now, we need money to make the cleanup happen. Cleanup literally means the difference between healthy and unhealthy families. This area is contaminated with perchlorate, trichloroethene and other chlorinated solvents known as ``volatile organic compounds'' or VOCs. Each of these contaminants can cause serious health complications. Perchlorate increases chances of cancer and can induce thyroid problems. Trichloroethene has been shown to make people more susceptible to lung and liver tumors. VOCs are harmful to the central nervous system, the kidneys and the liver and can cause a higher risk of cancer, especially leukemia. The pollution that these communities have sustained has not only impacted their health and environment, but also their economy. Unemployment in the area is as high as 10 percent in some areas. According to the U.S. Census, 26 percent of the residents live in poverty. It has been difficult to attract businesses and jobs to the area. One of the factors preventing those businesses and jobs from coming to the area is the pollution. When the cap was put in place, these areas lost the chance to access Federal funds to clean up their environment, protect their health and help their economy. Now we have the opportunity to make a difference in this region by helping them accomplish these much-needed goals. I urge adoption of this legislation and yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Chairman, I am very proud to be a cosponsor of this amendment that would end the limit on remittances that Americans can send to households in Cuba. I had a chance to visit Cuba, and I met several people there doing business on their own. I met a taxi driver, and I asked him a lot of questions. One of the things he told me was yes, he has to give a portion of that money to the government, but much of it stayed with him. I said, Really, how is that done? He said that is how it is done. He pulled out a wad, maybe this thick, of dollars. And this is what is going on right now in Cuba. There is nothing wrong with that. This young man, in my opinion, was very happy that tourists like myself and others were able to visit and spend our dollars. And yes, there are people right now who would love to send not only dollars but medical equipment to Cuba to help those that are ailing; but because of restrictions, we cannot do that. We cannot do that through normal channels. We are hurting the Cuban people, not the government, but the people. In my opinion, $300 every 3 months is not enough. $1,200 a year is not enough. $100 a month does not do it. I would say that we need to support this amendment.

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Arizona. I am also a proud member of the working group, the Cuban working group that was established almost 2 years ago, and I have to tell my colleagues, as someone from California, I am on the other side of the country, but I know that many in my district in Los Angeles and throughout California have had the chance to visit and also meet with people from Cuba. One of the things they tell me as a Congresswoman is that they would love to be able to go and spend more money there, to interact through educational programs, to visit different tourist sites there, but to engage with the people there. On my visit there 2 years ago, I found it very striking that yes, indeed, the free market is working. It is working in Cuba. I visited a small restaurant where I sat with the family who owned their own restaurant. The money that we gave them in dollars was sufficient at the time. Maybe if we did more of that, they would be able to have a lot more, but we are not allowing for that. We need to lift the travel ban. Even in the State of California, where I served as a member of the Senate, our Senate members voted for a resolution to come to this House to say that we ought to lift the travel ban. By opening up our doors of education, culturally, and also economically, we have a lot to gain as well. I had the opportunity to meet with other people from different countries in Cuba, from Canada and from Europe, and I saw that they are indeed taking advantage of helping to create a market base there, in different areas, and in agriculture, in the arts, and in the hotel and tourism industry. Why is not the United States, why cannot California engage in that by lifting this travel ban and allowing for the free flow of ideas and exchange, something that all of us here I think believe in. When you say terrorism, I do not see that when I think about Cuba. I see hard-working people who want to be a part of our culture, the western civilization. I saw people wearing jeans, clothing that was reflective of people on our streets here in Washington, D.C., and I think that they are earnestly looking for a lifting of this travel ban. I urge Members to do so.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to recognize one of the most inspiring and remarkable Latino leaders in the United States. Patricia Madrid is New Mexico's first woman and the nation's first Latina attorney general. Since taking the oath to office in November 1998, Ms. Madrid triumphed at protecting the lives of New Mexicans against all levels of violent crimes. She spearheaded initiatives that continue to provide assistance for district attorneys in the prosecution of criminals in New Mexico. In addition, her actions also established strict provisions that protect her state's environmental resources. Through her leadership, the people of New Mexico are not only safer from crime but the state's wildlife, agriculture, and water quality have thrived too. Throughout her legal career, Ms. Madrid received numerous awards for her political achievements. She was awarded the Latina Lawyer of the Year Award in 2001 by the Hispanic National Bar Association. She received the First Annual Elected Official Award for Work on Behalf of Crime Victims from Mothers Against Drunk Driving. In 1999, the New Mexico Commission on the Status of Women honored her with the Trailblazer Award. In 1994, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, a national organization, recognized her for her outstanding service to the Hispanic community. With all these remarkable accomplishments, her commitment to serve the people of New Mexico and the Latino community nationwide continues undeterred. Ms. Madrid's ventures as New Mexico's attorney general has dismantled barriers and paved the way for other women and minorities who aspire to reach such feats. I am privileged to recognize her as the perfect example of today's exceptional leader.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to recognize one of the most inspiring and remarkable leaders in the United States, Rev. James Morris Lawson Jr. Rev. Lawson Jr. is a minister and a civil rights leader who has worked hard to further the advancement of people of color. Rev. Lawson was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, in 1928. Since early on in his life, he has strongly advocated for nonviolent resistance to achieve political change, a philosophy he developed by studying Ghandian ethics and Methodist theology. A leader in the fight against racism, Rev. Lawson was instrumental in desegregating many of our Nation's societies, especially those in the southern States during the late 1950's and 1960's. In 1957, Rev. Lawson worked with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and helped shape the Southern Christian Leadership Council, a national organization that dismantled barriers for black citizens in the segregated south. Rev. Lawson helped organize students in southern universities to perform nonviolent demonstrations to desegregate restaurants and drug stores in Nashville, Tennessee. His actions influenced others in Historically Black Colleges and Universities to protest, eventually helping to end segregation throughout the South. Admirably, Rev. Lawson's leadership not only helped black citizens achieve political change, but he also aided labor unions, women, gays and lesbians, and recently incarcerated individuals. With all these monumental accomplishments, Rev. Lawson continues to fight for social justice even in his mid-70's. His accomplishments as a dignitary of civil rights have inspired other civil leaders, like me, to achieve political change. Therefore, I am privileged to recognize him as the perfect example of today's exceptional leader.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Gregory Hines, whose limitless grace, style and talent brought international attention to the art of tap dancing. Gregory Hines set a high standard of excellence and dedication in the realm of entertainment, whether it was singing, dancing, acting, directing, or creating new choreography. He starred in many tap dancing movies and also created, produced and supported many productions, such as Tap City with Tony Waag and Hoagy Bix Carmicheal. Through his art form, he mentored young talent, and today, tap dance is performed in festivals in as many as 40 nations and has been adapted to diverse cultural rhythms throughout the world. Mr. Hines not only contributed greatly to the arts, but his dedication to the community has been truly selfless. As a board member of several non-profit organizations, including the American Tap Dance Foundation, Mr. Hines was the tap dance community's chief ambassador, dedicated to the preservation and perpetuation of history, education, and presentation of tap dance. Regardless of the numerous credits to his name, Mr. Hines would always say he considered himself first and foremost a tap dancer. Gregory Hines will be truly missed as a role model who has taught us how to join together and celebrate the diversity that makes our nation great. His dedication to the community transcended the stage and productions and will be a model for future generations.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to express my disgust and dismay at destructive acts that currently took place in the 32nd congressional district; and I am talking about vandalism and arson that occurred, that was represented by a group of so-called ``eco-terrorists.'' These criminals vandalized car dealerships in my district in West Covina and the City of Duarte that sell sports utility vehicles and Hummers, and in the process they caused well over $2.5 million worth of destruction to local business, all in the name of protecting the environment. But these eco-terrorists have it completely wrong. They forget that the reason we fight for a cleaner environment is to protect our families and to keep them healthy and safe, and violence is no way to keep our families safe. The true heroes of the environmental movement know that progress is achieved through peaceful means and education, not destructive ones. Leading legitimate groups like the Sierra Club have come out and condemned all acts of violence in the name of the environment, and specifically those by the Earth Liberation Front. I want to commend the FBI and our local law enforcement and local elected officials who have come together in pursuing these criminals to make sure that they never terrorize our residents in the San Gabriel Valley.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky).

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to inquire about the time remaining on both sides.

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey).

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I do want to clarify something. There are over 337,000 children of teachers, classroom teachers that are left out of this child tax credit. They pay payroll tax, gasoline tax, rent, property taxes, and other types of taxes. I would think that their burden falls very heavily on their children, and yet they get nothing. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro).

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone).

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen).

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cooper).

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the distinguished gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), our Democratic leader.

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller).

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I remind my colleagues that this administration is now taking a very aggressive role to go after families that are seeking earned income tax credits. In fact, we should be spending more time going after the big guys like the Enrons, the WorldComs and all of the other corporations that do not have anybody tracking their abuses and fraud. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller).

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would like to clarify that, to my knowledge, there are about 178,000 children from farming families that are going to be left out with no child tax credit. Perhaps the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Reyes), our good friend and ranking member on the Committee on Armed Services, can speak to that effect about his experience as a veteran and how hard veteran families work. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Reyes).

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this motion would instruct our conferees to accept the Senate amendment to H.R. 1308. This amendment restores the child tax credit to 6.5 million families. It restores a tax credit to military families with members serving in combat zones overseas. It requires that restoring the child tax credit does not become an excuse for further tax cuts for the rich. We have had Democrats come to the floor every night this week to demand a child tax credit for all Americans. We have done so because while tax cut checks are going out today to some Americans, 6.5 million families will get nothing in their mailbox today. These families have 12 million children. They will get nothing because last-minute changes by Republicans prevent families with incomes between $10,500 and $26,625 from receiving the child tax credits. We will not let these families be forgotten, and I will not forget the 140,000 families in my district in California that will get no child tax credit under the House Republican plan. These are working families, like the one pictured here, who told me how hard they are working just to provide for the basic needs of their children. This is a military family who saw fathers and mothers and sons and daughters go off to war. Across the country, there are over 250,000 children of active duty military families, such as this one depicted here, that will receive no child tax credit at all. Republicans had the nerve to say these people should not get any tax relief because they pay no taxes. It is true that while soldiers are collecting combat pay and are putting their lives on the line, they do not pay taxes, but they pay their debt to our government, to our society, with hard and dangerous work, with months spent far apart from their families and loved ones, and sometimes even ending in tragedy. It is true that families left behind by the Republicans do not pay Federal income taxes, but they do carry a far higher tax burden than the millionaires who would benefit the most from the tax cuts. This is because these low-income families, like this one depicted, pay sales tax, property tax and payroll tax. These taxes eat up a very high percentage of this family's income. When we learned of the exclusion of the low-income families from the tax cuts, Democrats came forward and protested and the country listened to them. Our colleagues in the other body quickly and overwhelmingly acted to fix the glaring omission, but here in the House Republicans only responded with more tax cuts for the rich. Under the guise of restoring child tax credit, they passed an additional $82 billion tax cut that benefits themselves more than the working poor like this family here, more than our soldiers, more than 6.5 million families who were left out of the original tax cut plan. Mr. Speaker, under the House Republican plan, a Member of Congress, like you and I, with two children will receive $1,750 while the same size family earning $20,000, like this family from my district, would only get $475. I did not come up here to represent myself, I came here to represent the people of my district, like this family here. How can I go back to my district and tell families such as this that their children will get no tax relief because Republicans choose to protect the wealthiest Americans in our country? How can I go home and tell these military families who sacrificed for our country that they will get nothing because Republicans would not even sacrifice a few thousand dollars of the millionaires' $93,000 tax cut? It is for these families and their children that my colleagues and I rise to instruct our conferees to accept the Senate amendment. We ask the House simply to accept language that restores tax credits to 12 million children. That is fiscally responsible, and that does not neglect our military families. This is not a lot to ask for, and I hope this motion will pass as it did on June 12. Just yesterday our President, America's President, visited Michigan and Pennsylvania and he said, ``The child credit must be given to low-income families as well.'' Take a good look at this picture, and remember these families. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I offer a privileged motion.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Rebeca Rangel, a strong willed, intelligent and dedicated individual who I have been fortunate to have on my staff for close to two years. Rebeca began in my office as a Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Fellow where she worked on a variety of issues, and acted as my liaison to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. While in my office, she impressed me with her maturity and the ability to quickly grasp ideas. This is why when her fellowship ended, I did not hesitate to offer Rebeca the position of Legislative Aide. In this capacity, she dealt with issues on Cuba, banking, housing and Hispanic issues. Showing her aptitude and insight by constantly challenging and questioning the issues brought before her, Rebeca quickly progressed in my office to the position of Legislative Assistant. With this promotion came additional responsibilities. Rebeca took on education, budget and women's issues. She assumed these responsibilities with style and grace. Working tirelessly on issues that are close to my heart and hers, Rebeca has played a key role in helping me to promote bills such as H. Con. Res. 177, honoring Dolores Huerta Resolution, the Multi- Cultural Domestic Violence Prevention Act and the Domestic Violence Courts Assistance Act. Rebeca has also been a tireless worker in my efforts to shed light on the unsolved rapes and killings of young women and girls in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. As Rebeca leaves my office to pursue her Masters degree at Harvard University, I wish her the best of luck. Through the course of these two years, she has been an integral part of my office and I have no doubt that she will accomplish anything she sets her mind to. ``El futuro pertenece a quienes creen en sus propios suenos. As Eleanor Roosevelt said, ``The future belongs to those who believe in their own dreams.''

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Nosotros Organization, the nation's oldest Latino performing arts organization, which has been serving the Latino community since 1970. Through the leadership of founder Ricardo Montalban and President Jerry Velasco, the Nosotros Organization has worked to improve the image of Latinos through the entertainment industry by promoting Latino employment in front of and behind the camera and by providing educational opportunities for Hispanics in the performing arts. Among its many functions, the Nosotros Organization offers theatre productions and theatre workshops to foster the creativity and talent of young Latinos and Latinas. Annually, the Nosotros Organization recognizes Hispanic leaders through the Golden Eagle Award, presented to those individuals who are committed to community service and work to fulfill the Nosotros mission. These awards are essential to raise funds to maintain the organization as a self-sustaining, financially independent arts organization. I had the pleasure of attending a recent Golden Eagle Award ceremony and was pleased to observe the tangible results of this organization's contribution to the Hispanic community and to the performing arts. I am honored to acknowledge Nosotros and to commend the organization for its exemplary work and service in advancing diversity in the arts and promoting Hispanic leadership.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, twenty-nine years ago, on July 20, 1974, Turkish forces invaded the Republic of Cyprus and seized control of over one third of the island. As a Member of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, I rise today to remember that Cyprus remains divided by the green line, a 113-mile barbed wire fence that runs across the island, and partially occupied. Such division and occupation is harmful to both Greek and Turkish Cypriots: and must end. The Turkish invasion of 1974 claimed the lives of 5,000 Cypriots, expelled another 200,000 from their homes and took control of 37 percent of Cyprus's territory. Such human devastation is deeply saddening. I stand with the Cypriot-American community and the Hellenic-American community in condemning this black anniversary hope that a settlement to the Cyprus problem can be facilitated. I am pleased that the House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution ``to give any assistance necessary for finding a just and durable settlement for the Cyprus problem,'' but we must not stop working on this issue until Cyprus is reunited and Greek and Turkish Cypriots can live peacefully together.