Hilda Solis

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, during rollcall vote No. 154 on Approving the Journal, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, during rollcall vote No. 155 on H.R. 1699, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the contributions of the late actor Anthony Quinn. Mr. Quinn, who died of respiratory failure on June 3, 2001, is remembered by the people of the 31st Congressional District and beyond for his outspoken stance on social justice issues and his positive portrayal of Mexican and Native American people. Anthony Rudolph Oaxaca Quinn was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, to parents of Irish, Mexican, and Native American heritage who fought in the Mexican Revolution with Pancho Villa. His family fled to the United States when Anthony was an infant and settled in California after a short stay in El Paso, Texas. Prior to moving to East Los Angeles at age 6, Anthony worked alongside his parents picking fruit in California's Central Valley, earning 10 cents an hour. In part due to this experience, Mr. Quinn appreciated portraying the plight of working-class people. The Quinn family home in East Los Angeles is now the parking lot of the Anthony Quinn Library--located in the 31st Congressional District. Mr. Quinn was not only a gifted actor, he was also a writer, artist, and political activist. After the 1942 ``Sleepy Lagoon'' trial, in which 22 Mexican youths from East Los Angeles were wrongly convicted of murder following a gang killing, Mr. Quinn helped to raise funds for an appeal. Years later, the accused young people were finally declared innocent. Mr. Quinn earned two Oscars as best supporting actor, the first in 1952 for ``Viva Zapata!'' and the second in 1956 for his portrayal of painter Paul Gauguin in ``Lust for Life.'' Mr. Quinn identified strongly with two cultures, the Mexican and the Irish, but could not be categorized as only representing those nationalities. His diverse background and appearance allowed him to play a wide range of characters from varying nationalities, including his most memorable as a Greek peasant in ``Zorba the Greek.'' On behalf of the 31st Congressional District, I recognize Mr. Quinn's contributions to both film and social justice causes and extend my condolences to his family and friends.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, during rollcall vote No. 153 on H.R. 1914, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, during rollcall vote No. 152 on H.R. 1209, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, during roll call vote number 150 and 151 on H. Con. Res. 100 and H.R. 2043, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on both.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, as a freshman here in the House, I waited to see where we could work together on a bipartisan effort so that we could provide the much-needed relief that Californians are crying out for. When I go home today and I meet those folks that I represent, the people who are not going to get one iota of a tax break on relief, the people in my district currently are probably the hardest working folks, senior citizens, that have paid their way, that have given us the riches that we have in this country. They are waiting. They are waiting to see what action is going to take place here. The folks in my district want to keep the lights on in California. They get no help from this budget on the energy crisis. There is an energy crisis. There are children who are crying because they want to know that they are going to be able to have school rooms that are not going to fall down on them because they are going to be built to secure their education and their livelihood there. That is not in this budget. What about the promises we made to seniors for Medicare and Medicaid reform to help them? What about those people in my district that have been gouged by those energy producers from Texas?

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, as a representative from the great State of California, I have to tell my colleagues that my constituents are angry. We have had to sit through blackouts; we have had to see the increase in our gasoline prices, and a loaf of bread, by the way, has gone up as well. People are suffering. They are crying out for this government, for FERC to do something, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. We are waiting for their action. We are not seeing anything. Last year, California had to pay $30 per megawatt hour. This time, it is almost $2,000 an hour. People in my district whose average income is about $31,000 cannot afford to live through this summer. We need immediate action; we need relief. We do not want to see drilling. We want to see clean water, we want to see our energy restored. We do not have a problem with the supply, as was stated earlier by my colleague. What we see here in California is the very fact that energy producers from out of State, from Texas, who are now making these policy decisions on energy, are the ones that are robbing our consumers in California. I ask for my colleagues to vote down this proposal on energy and also this infamous tax cut that will not benefit the residents in my district.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, May is the month our nation honors Asian Pacific American Heritage. As the Representative of a very ethnically diverse community, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize those in my Congressional district who come from Asian descent. About 11 million Americans come from Asian or Pacific Island descent. Many Asian immigrants came to this country as laborers in the agriculture and transportation industries. First enduring harsh working conditions in the earlier part of the nineteenth century, many Asian Pacific Americans have now become successful entrepreneurs, teachers, entertainers, and technological professionals. In fact, our U.S. Congress has been home to 32 elected Members of Asian ancestry since 1903. I would like to acknowledge the achievements of a specific young woman in my district who has made a great contribution to the United States Air Force, the City of Baldwin Park, and the Filipino community. Lieutenant Venus C. Rivera is the first person from Baldwin Park with Filipino American parents to graduate from the United States Air Force Academy. This Dean's List honor student will be trained as a jet pilot upon her graduation this month. I know she will continue to serve as an inspiration to all young Asian Americans in the United States. Asian Pacific Americans bring a richness to our culture, adding diversity in language, cuisine, religion, and art. I am proud that our country takes this month to honor the heritage of this particular group. However, the diversity of all races and cultures must be something that we remember and respect every day. This will help promote racial tolerance so future generations can build a world that benefits from the ethnic contributions of all cultures.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller) for yielding me this time. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition of the two vouchers proposals that are before us today. In our committee on the Committee on Education and the Workforce, we, I thought, came to an agreement where we were not going to put forward these kinds of projects. Obviously, this is not what is occurring before us today, and I am saddened because the people that I represent in my district, the 31st Congressional District, most of whom are low-income, bilingual, Asian and Latino students, are crying out right now for education as a priority. No deja ningun estudiante detras (do not leave any student behind), and that means those children I represent in my district. Those children want better schools. They want smaller class size. They want parental involvement. Those initiatives are not before us in this education proposal, and I have to say that in my first year or first few months here as a Member of the committee I thought that perhaps there could be an agreement on a bipartisan level here, and I thought that we would be able to realize that reality here on the floor. I see what is happening that somehow Members on the other side have become captive to another voice, and that voice is saying ``deja estos ninos, dejalos.'' That means ``leave these kids behind.'' And I am saying that the American public, the American public, those voters that I represent, do not want to be left behind. They want to see a better tomorrow. They want to see more funding for our schools that are crippled right now, that do not have adequate teachers, that do not have enough textbooks, that do not have maybe one single computer in their classroom. In my district, L.A. Unified, where maybe 30 students are there in the fourth grade learning English but do not have the luxury of taking home a book because there are not enough supplies and materials to do that, private schools is not the answer. There are not enough private or parochial schools in my district to facilitate the room. We cannot even find land that is not contaminated to build a school, and my colleagues probably have heard about that debacle in Los Angeles, the Belmont Learning Center. We need to expand educational opportunities for all. That is the American dream for my constituents. That is the American dream para todos los ninos (for all children).

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank my colleagues as well, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner), the chair of the committee, and the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller), our ranking member. As a freshman Member of Congress, it has been an exciting time for me and a challenge to serve on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, working to draft a bipartisan education bill which truly will help students in California and throughout the country. I have been touring the schools in my district to find out exactly what our teachers, administrators, parents and students really need in terms of help from the Federal Government. I think the bill that was reported out of our Committee on Education and the Workforce makes an excellent start towards helping our students achieve success. I am pleased with the increased funding levels of title I, and the increase targeting of funds to low-income and at-risk students. I am also extremely happy with what was not in the bill, and that is, private vouchers. Although I am happy with the bill, I do have some concerns. I had hoped that the Republican leadership would have allowed Democrats the opportunity to improve the bill through amendments. I had hoped that school construction, an amendment that was offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Owens) would have had some consideration today. Likewise, I also wanted to offer an amendment to allow community learning centers to use their funds to implement programs which would help immigrant students with language and life skills. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to offer these amendments. I have several concerns with portions of the bill dealing with bilingual and immigrant education. I believe we must dramatically increase funding for bilingual and migrant education in order to meet the needs of States which are experiencing a large influx of immigrant and bilingual students. Also, the bill recommends that students be moved out of bilingual classrooms and into English-only programs within a matter of 3 years. I believe this provision is overly restrictive and has no basis in academic research. I am also unhappy that the bill requires school districts to try and receive a parent's permission before putting a child into a bilingual education program. Requiring parents to ``opt-in'' in order to place their children in bilingual education is truly unfair. Mr. Chairman, I think we have a very good education bill before us, given that we did work in a bipartisan effort. I know that some of my Republican colleagues will be offering amendments to add private school vouchers and to also continue the block grant effort. I would urge my colleagues to oppose those amendments and to stay with the base of the bill.

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, as a freshman Member of Congress it has been exciting to be a part of the House Education and Workforce Committee, working to draft a bipartisan education bill which truly will help students in California and throughout the country. I have been touring the schools in my district to find out from teachers, administrators, parents, and students what they need from the Federal Government when it comes to education policy. I think the bill that was reported from the Education Committee makes an excellent start toward helping our students achieve success. I am pleased with the increased funding levels for title I, the education program fro disadvantaged students, and the increased targeting of funds to low-income areas and at-risk students. I am also extremely happy with what is not in the bill--private school vouchers. The Education Committee voted to eliminate the voucher provisions and I hope the House will vote to keep vouchers out of the bill as well. We should be focusing on improving our public schools, rather than using public funds to send students to private schools. Vouchers don't make sense for Los Angeles area students. The $1,500 voucher proposed by President Bush wouldn't be enough money to send a child to a private school in Los Angeles. And we simply don't have enough private schools willing to accept students with vouchers. Although I am happy with the bill, I do have some concerns. I had hoped that the Republican leadership would have allowed Democrats the opportunity to improve this bill through amendments. Unfortunately, we were not offered that opportunity. I wanted to offer an amendment to allow community learning centers to use their funds to implement programs which would help immigrant students with language and life skills. A similar amendment passed the other body by a 96-0 vote, and I had hoped the House would have the opportunity to vote on the amendment. Unfortunately, we were denied that opportunity. Also, I had hoped that a school construction amendment offered by my colleague from New York, Mr. Owens, would have been made in order for consideration today. California's efforts to reduce class size and our dramatic population increases have combined to make school construction essential. I am very disappointed that the House won't have the opportunity to vote on school construction today. I also have concerns with portions of the bill dealing with bilingual and immigrant education, and hope they can be improved as the bill moves through the legislative process. As our recent census numbers show us, bilingual and immigrant students are no longer solely the responsibility of States like California, Texas, Florida, and New York. We must be prepared to dramatically increase the funding for this program in order to meet the needs of states like Arkansas and Georgia, which are experiencing a large influx of immigrant and bilingual children. This bill also recommends that students be moved out of bilingual classrooms into English-only programs within three years. This provision is overly restrictive and has no basis in academic research. There is no evidence that students can learn a new language within 3 years. Mandating a time limit on bilingual education impedes the ability of school districts to tailor their instruction to children's individual needs. I am also unhappy with the provision in H.R. 1 which require schools districts to try and receive a parent's permission before putting a child into a bilingual education program. Requiring parents to ``opt- in'' in order to place their children in bilingual education is unfair. It places the burden of educating an English-learning student on the parent, rather than the school. In addition, there could also be a significant delay in a child's access to appropriate educational services as the parent and school deal with the administrative paperwork required to place a child in a bilingual education program. I think we have a very good education bill before us today. I know that some of my Republican colleagues will offer amendments to add private school vouchers or to block grant important education programs. I urge my colleagues to oppose these efforts and keep the important reforms made in the base bill.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Madam Speaker, I rise to speak about H.R. 1885, which would extend Section 245(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act for four months. I am disappointed that H.R. 1885 will only allow the extension of 245(i) for four months. This small extension will not offer enough time for thousands of people to apply. Section 245(i) needs to be extended for a longer period of time because thousands of immigrants were not able to meet the April 30, 2001 deadline. I am also concerned that the new requirements of H.R. 1885 will force the INS to issue regulations that will take three months or more to be implemented. This will only leave people with a month or less to apply. H.R. 1885 also imposes unfortunate new restrictions on eligibility that will greatly limit the pool of potential beneficiaries. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus has written a letter to President Bush stating our disappointment in H.R. 1885. In order to unite and strengthen families, we need a permanent extension of 245(i). A permanent extension will keep the maximum number of families united, help avoid fraud perpetrated against immigrants seeking assistance, and allow for a steady stream of funding for Department of Justice programs. This month President Bush sent a letter to Congress indicating his support of a six to twelve month extension of 245(i). I do not understand why the Republican leadership has chosen to advance a bill with only a four month extension when the Bush Administration clearly supports a longer extension. H.R. 1885 does not do enough to help immigrants in need. I hope Congress and the Administration can work together in the future to implement either a one year or permanent extension of 245(i).

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to the Hyde amendment, which would prohibit foreign non-governmental organizations which receive population aid from the United States from using their OWN funds to provide abortion services or counsel women about abortion options. This amendment would place an unfair restriction on family planning efforts in developing nations. How can a democratic country like the United States have in place a policy which has the very un-democratic effect of restricting free speech? The Hyde amendment would restrict the ability of foreign nongovernmental organizations to talk openly to patients about their health care options. It is simply unfair. Reproductive health care is a matter of life and death in developing countries. Family planning programs provide critical health care services for women and families in the world's poorest regions. Taking away U.S. funds for foreign organizations who use their own money to counsel women about abortion options will do real harm to important international family planning efforts. While opponents of international family planning may attempt to cast this vote as an abortion-related matter--it is not. It has been illegal to use U.S. funds for abortion overseas since 1973. This vote is about whether women overseas should have access to needed family planning information. I think they should and I urge my colleagues to vote against the Hyde amendment.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. I yield to the gentleman from Michigan.

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I also would like to join my Democratic colleagues and rise in strong opposition to H.R. 503, the so-called Unborn Victims of Violence Act. While the bill supporters claim that they want to protect pregnant women from crime, their bill does no such thing. Instead, the bill recognizes for the first time a fetus as a person, with rights separate and equal to that of a woman. I am disappointed that the sponsors of H.R. 503 would play politics with the issue of women's safety. Of course we can all agree that pregnant women deserve protection against crime and violence, but we all hold very different beliefs on a woman's right to choose. Therefore it is simply irresponsible to confuse the two issues in H.R. 503, as this does. That is why I am not voting for H.R. 503 in favor of the substitute amendment, which will be offered by my colleague, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lofgren). The Lofgren substitute, the Motherhood Protection Act, increases the penalty for attacking a pregnant woman. Let us work together to pass something we can all agree on, rather than playing politics, and let us preserve women's safety. I urge my colleagues to oppose H.R. 503 and support the Lofgren substitute.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon). Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about a subject close to my heart, and that is promoting tolerance and diversity. I commend the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon) for introducing House Resolution 113, which urges us to recognize events such as ``Increase the Peace Day,'' which promotes the kind and thoughtful treatment of all people. As adults, we have a responsibility to show our children the importance of compassion and tolerance. It is up to us to set an example for all of our young people to show them how to consider other people's feelings and how to be respectful of different points of view. We must take time to listen to our children and teach them to appreciate those who are different from us. Our children must learn that there is strength in diversity. My home State of California and my congressional district are incredibly diverse, and I am proud to say that, where we have many Hispanic Americans, we have Asian Americans, and different people from all walks of life. Over 72 different languages are spoken and taught within our schools there. I cannot imagine Los Angeles or California without the incredible mix of people and backgrounds that we have. The State just would not be the same. In addition to embracing our diversity, we must also teach our children how to solve conflicts peacefully. In a country as diverse as ours, there are bound to be differences of opinion. It is important that we teach young people how to express those differences without violence. Many schools are already working to promote the benefits of diversity and the importance of peaceful conflict resolution. We know this is necessary because so many children across America dread going to school because of the harsh social pressures that they face simply by being themselves. Some students cannot talk to others for fear of being chastised by their peers. They feel embarrassed if they do not have the right clothes on or right colors or right shoes. If parents and schools work together, we can help young people feel good about themselves and show compassion for others. A simple smile, a warm greeting, open communication, these are the things that help us live together peacefully. We must educate our parents about the importance of communicating one-on-one with their children, setting a good example, and promoting tolerance. Programs which help parents communicate with their children will truly be a good step in the right direction. In Los Angeles, we have seen the tragedy of violent crimes committed against people simply because of the color of their skin. It is my hope that conflict resolution and parental involvement will help prevent this sort of tragedy in the future. If we can teach people when they are still young to embrace diversity and resolve their differences peacefully, we will increase our Nation's strength and unity. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to also support this resolution and support events like ``Increase the Peace Day.''

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I would just conclude by also providing my support and urging other Members to support this House resolution. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, Cesar Chavez is one of the most well-known and respected Latino civil rights leader in the United States and House Resolution 105 requesting a ``Cesar Chavez National Holiday'' would honor his legacy. Most importantly, we need to keep his legacy alive by encouraging schools throughout the United States to teach about who Cesar Chavez was and what he did to improve our society. Future generations should be given the opportunity to learn about Cesar Chavez and about the migrant farm worker community's struggle to achieve better living conditions, better wages, and protection from environmental contaminants. He was a pioneer in addressing environmental justice issues related to pesticides in food and how farm workers' health was placed at great risks due to exposure to chemicals used in the fields. As a State Senator in California through Cesar Chavez' inspiration and Dolores Huerta's friendship, I fought to improve the working, living, and safety conditions for farm workers. I strongly supported a ban on methyl bromide, an acutely toxic pesticide responsible for poisoning hundreds of farm workers and many have even died due to methyl bromide poisoning. I also fought to eliminate the dangerous ``short hoe'' method for strawberry workers, and worked for clean housing and bathrooms for farm workers. I am very committed to continue Cesar Chavez' legacy by supporting pro-labor and environmental legislation in Congress to help remedy some of these environmental and labor injustices. Cesar Chavez led by example and he motivated thousands of people to become involved in the migrant farm worker struggle by joining the United Farm Workers (UFW), which he co-founded. He led successful strikes/boycotts against the agri-business growers who exploited workers by not providing health safeguards from pesticides, deplorable housing conditions, sexual harassment towards women, and having extremely low wages. He obtained national/international support for the United Farm Worker (UFW) movement through non-violence and using civil disobedience as an action to achieve justice. He sacrificed his own health by fasting for extremely long periods of time to provide a voice for the migrant farm workers who were being exploited. He was humble and did not seek personal attention or glory for himself. He was passionate about helping his fellow migrant farm workers and he treated everyone with respect. He passed away on April 23, 1993, at the age of 66 and his passion and commitment for social change, improved thousands of people's lives and inspired many others to continue the struggle. I am one of those who is committed to keeping Cesar Chavez' struggle alive. He fought tirelessly until the end to help his fellow farm workers. One major step in the right direction would be if the 107th Congressional session approves this House Resolution 105 to create a ``Cesar Chavez National Holiday.'' This would officially recognize Cesar Chavez, as one of the most outstanding national Latino leaders in modern U.S. history.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. Chairman, I rise to express my full support for the Progressive Caucus budget resolution, which provides responsible and just resources for all Americans. Unlike the Republican-proposed budget, which would ravage any reliable social programs that serve our Nation's poor, hard-working Americans, the Progressive Caucus would offer a fair tax without sacrificing the welfare of any of our citizens. On the other hand, the Republican budget alternative would absolutely devastate the people in my district. They get no benefit from this budget. The majority of the people in my district make $31,000 a year. They get absolutely zero. The glass is empty. It is not even half full for them. I am asking Members to consider alternatives that we are putting forward in the Progressive Caucus budget which would add and actually double grants, Pell grants, for needy students who would have a first chance, many the first in their family, to go forward and get a good education. Let us not leave any child behind. Let us not leave any minority or low-income student behind. Let us give them that education. Let us also not rob those senior citizens that rely on MediCal and Social Security. There are thousands of senior citizens who need that support, many who have paid into the system. This is their money. They have worked many, many years here in our country to build this economy. Let us make sure that it goes back to their pockets, to those programs that they vitally need to survive. I would also ask that we consider looking at what is happening right now in America. What we are talking about is an energy crisis in California, and we are talking about that happening all over the country. We really need to focus in on how we are going to provide some relief. In California we know the experiment did not work. Let us not make that something that other States adopt as well. Let us move forward. Let us provide relief where it is needed. It is our money; send it back home. Vote for the Progressive Caucus budget.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the Committee on International Relations for bringing this resolution to the floor. I have a particular interest in this resolution because I represent well over 10,000 Salvadorans who live in my district in Los Angeles, but more importantly, because of the suffering that this poor country has endured over the last 10 years, whether it be civil wars, Hurricane Mitch, or with the recent earthquakes which continue in El Salvador. I had the opportunity of meeting with the president of El Salvador, along with other colleagues here, to discuss some of the problems that they face there; and what I ascertained from that discussion is that we need to do better than just provide $52 million in aid that the President is going to allow this year, and more than $58 million in the following year. We need to put up at least $2 billion to help to restore that country's infrastructure. Something that I really want to share with Members here, in my discussion with President Francisco Flores, he mentioned that yes, they are receiving aid from other countries, far more than from our very own country; and one of the problems that they are facing is transporting those items and goods and disseminating them in the municipalities. So while we hear that there is a need to coordinate and work with different factions of that country, we still find that there is a stifling effect in terms of disseminating that aid. I would ask that the United States and our government work quickly to provide humanitarian aid, but human resource aid as well to help deliver those particular needed items to those many children and elderly and people who are now going without protection over their heads because they have no roof, they have no shelter. Madam Speaker, I want to urge the House to go a step further and really work in partnership with the country of El Salvador. El Salvador has many, many residents here who are hard-working taxpayers. Madam Speaker, I would close my statement by also thanking President Bush for granting TPS for an 18-month period because it is very important. It is in this spirit that I ask my colleagues to move forward and ask for more assistance, to the tune of at least $2 billion, for those Salvadorans who are in current need of restoration and support.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to talk about the deplorable lack of health insurance for low-income women. Nearly 4 in 10 poor women are uninsured. Four in ten. We know that health care coverage is critically important for low- income women because they cannot afford to pay for health care out of their own pockets. Without health insurance, women may decide not to get needed health care because they cannot afford it. Despite the fact that our country has experienced large economic growth over the past few years, the proportion of low-income women who are uninsured actually rose 32 percent to 35 percent. Clearly, our Nation's economic growth has not reached all segments of our society. This problem is even more pronounced for immigrant and minority low- income women. Mr. Speaker, 51 percent of low-income Latinas are uninsured. That is more than half. Among uninsured Latino adults in fair to poor health, 24 percent of women have not visited a doctor in the past year. These are women who are not in good health yet nearly a quarter of them have not seen a doctor in 12 months. 42 percent of low- income Asian- American women are uninsured. Nearly 1 in 5 low-income women are immigrants, and over half of those are noncitizens and they are uninsured. Without health insurance, where can they go for quality health care? Less than a quarter of low-income noncitizen women have job-based health coverage. Medicaid, or Medi-Cal as we know it in California, has traditionally been a source of support for these women, helping them to receive needed health care services. Unfortunately the changes made in the 1996 welfare law hurt low-income women. The 1996 welfare law separated Medi- Cal from welfare and put new requirements on people receiving cash assistance. Although the new law pushed people into leaving welfare and onto the job rolls, many of those jobs are low skilled and low paying. Many of those women remain without any form of health care coverage and so do their families. Let us provide them with affordable health care.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in adamant opposition of H.R. 3, the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Act which was proposed by President Bush. In the past few months, the Bush Administration has desperately tried to convince the American public that their planned tax cuts are fair, that their tax cuts rightfully return money to those who have paid the most, that their tax cuts will help spur our economy. Evidently, the Bush Administration's attempts have failed. In a Los Angeles Times poll released today, the majority of Americans support the alternative Democratic tax bill--and for good reason. The public is not gullible. No matter how you skew the numbers, no one can deny that the richest Americans stand to gain the most from this plan, while virtually no money will be returned to the working poor. In addition, the public understands that our projected budget surplus is not stable; we need to pay down our deficit and not repeat the disastrous tax policies of the 1980's which plunged us further into debt. President Bush wants us to risk slashing funds for Social Security, housing, health care, environmental protection and a slew of other vital programs for the sake of making the rich even richer. How can these cuts possibly better our society? Under President Bush's proposal, the richest one percent of the U.S. population will receive more in tax cuts than the bottom 80 percent of the population combined. This high-income group pays 20% of all federal taxes, yet they would receive at least 36% of the tax cuts under the Bush plan. That means that the amount in tax cuts that these individuals would get back would be nearly double the share of federal taxes that they pay. On the other hand, the bottom 40 percent of tax filers, a group that makes up a significant population in my district, will only get four percent in tax cuts--an average of about $115. Moreover, 12 million low and moderate income families will get absolutely nothing in return-- that is almost one-third of all families in the United States and includes 24 million children. Among African-American and Hispanic children, the percentage rises to over 50% who will not see one penny of the Bush tax cut. Even the much hyped increase in the child tax credit from $500 to $1,000 would not assist those who need it the most. How can President Bush justify increasing the income required for families to qualify for this child tax credit to $200,000, rather than expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit for those struggling families who can barely feed their children? This tax plan grossly neglects the needs of honest, hard working citizens whose toil and sweat are the source of America's greatness. Where is the support for the seniors and veterans of my district who helped create the surplus that we are squandering today? This plan proposes an estate and gift tax repeal--a tax which, according to some figures, would go to only the top 5% of the country's population! Yet, our seniors and veterans, who dedicated their youth to the growth of our nation's wealth and security, will receive no specific tax cut whatsoever. They will have to be content with insufficient assistance from federal programs that are in danger of being cut due to President Bush's exorbitant tax reductions. The bottom line is that the Republican tax plan is bad policy. President Bush's proposal does nothing but deplete our hard earned surplus for the benefit of those who need it the least. I vehemently urge my colleagues to act responsibly and block this disastrous measure from becoming law.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to bringing this resolution forward, Senate Joint Resolution 6 to the floor. This legislation would repeal the worker-safety standards recently established by OSHA. Remember, it took 10 long years to get here. We studied this thing to death. The worker-safety standards are critically important to preventing work-related injuries, and it is shameful that the Republican majority is trying to overturn them. Maybe those of us in Congress do not have to worry about repetitive injuries or forceful exertion or awkward postures because of the type of work we do. But look at the stenographers right in front of us that sit here day in and day out, does one not think that they might have had some problems with carpal tunnel syndrome? Take a look around your own offices. I know in my district office it is very important that we have safety protections put in place. Mr. Speaker, I know also in my district we have many constituents who work in a hard and unsafe manner, many of them work in sweat shops, many of them work for big garment industries, they work 10 and 12 hours sewing materials, barely being able to lift up their heads. Many of them are women, many of them are new immigrants that come to this country with the hope of prosperity in bringing up their families. They sacrifice themselves for that. The least that we can do is provide them with better protections in the workplace. I know that myself and many of my colleagues in California have worked hard to study this issue as well. As a member of the State Senate and former chair of the labor committee there, we worked hard to try to bring labor and businesses together on this. Mr. Speaker, it is shameful to see that the Chamber of Commerce is opposing this very important legislation.