Hilda Solis

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Good morning, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to talk about the Republican leadership and the fact that they are ignoring the needs of millions of Americans who right now are making minimum wage. They haven't seen an increase in over 10 years. They are holding the pay raise for American workers hostage by adding partisan poison pills that will damage and ruin a clean minimum-wage bill that the Democrats support. Americans deserve a straight up-or-down vote on increasing the minimum wage for working families, most of whom are women, single head of household with children. Mr. Speaker, our constituents know that you can't fool them. They know that the Republicans' attempt to pass a minimum-wage bill that includes harmful, unrelated legislation is just not going to pass this House. Come November, Democrats are going to stand up, and they are going to fight with us, and we are going to take back this House. I urge all my colleagues to reject the proposed Republican poison bills and allow a clean vote up or down on the minimum-wage bill.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, after more than 3 years of fighting the war in Iraq, it now appears that some House Republicans are finally beginning to question the administration's competence in running the war and are finally beginning to question the rosy scenarios that continue to come from Vice President Cheney and Defense Secretary Rumsfeld. An article in last week's Washington Post, entitled ``GOP Lawmakers Edge Away from Optimism on Iraq,'' says that Republicans are having to reconsider their strategy on the war. With an average of over 100 Iraqis dying every day last month, one of my Republican colleagues admitted that they have to change their message so they don't look like they can't face reality. And so now, after berating Democrats for the past 3 years and questioning the administration's failed policies in Iraq, some House Republicans are willing to admit that things are not going well in Iraq. Now the question is, Is this a convenient message that they plan to use for the next couple of months between now and mid-term elections, or will my Republican colleagues actually take their oversight responsibilities responsibly? Only time will tell.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, all year long House Republicans have failed to provide real leadership on issues that affect Americans. Earlier this month the Associated Press reported that President Bush had only signed two substantial bills into law this year. And, now, House Republicans want to spend the entire week distracting and dividing our Nation with pieces of legislation that will never be signed into law. This is not what the American people sent us here to do. They have yet to join us in offering a stand-alone vote to increase the minimum wage, which about 60 to 70 percent of people polled said they agree with. Because of their cozy relationship with Big Oil, they have yet to provide American consumers any relief at the gas pump. In my district it is over $3.35. Earlier this year, House Republicans promised they would clean up the place after several Republican lobbyists pleaded guilty in the Abramoff scandal. But still we have yet to pass any final legislation. Mr. Speaker, no wonder House Republicans are trying to distract the American public. This is not a record I would want to run on either.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman. I also want to register my strong opposition to the Oman Free Trade Agreement. As I see it, it is a flawed trade policy, largely to blame for the loss of so many jobs because of the various trade deals we have had. Three million manufacturing jobs have been lost over the last few years. In the last 4 years, our deficit has increased by $725 billion. Trade deficit, $725 billion. Not only does this particular trade agreement turn its back on American workers, but it endorses the race to the bottom by allowing Oman to continue to ignore labor unions, discrimination against women in the workplace, and excludes guest workers from even minimal worker protections. If shipping jobs overseas and encouraging discrimination isn't bad enough, this agreement would also allow foreign firms to acquire and operate important national security assets in the U.S. Our only recourse would be at an international court. Mr. Speaker, supporters of this agreement argue that they are trying to spread democracy and stability around the world. But democracy and stability can't be achieved by trade agreements such as this which ignore the rights and freedoms that are inherent in the fabric of a free society. I urge a strong ``no'' vote on the Oman Free Trade Agreement, and let's make a priority to help our economy and our workers here before we start selling short our jobs and many of our manufacturing corporations to foreign countries.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to speak out of order.

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight because I believe that America needs a new direction to secure our country and combat terrorism. We need a new direction so our children and our children's children will live in a safer and more secure world. On May 1, 2003, President Bush declared that Iraq is free, that major combat operations in Iraq have ended. Yet in more than 3 years since, our world has not become a safer place, and our military families continue to suffer. More than 130,000 U.S. troops are serving in Iraq and more than 10,500 members of the selected Reserves have been deployed more than three times. Ninety-seven percent of the National Guard combat and special operations battalions have been mobilized since September 11, 2001, and the average tour of duty for National Guard members is 342 days. Two thousand five hundred fifty-three of our men and women have paid the ultimate price. That includes 11 members that I represent from East Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley: Private First Class Jose Casanova, age 23. Lance Corporal Manuel Ceniceors, age 23. Lance Corporal Francisco Martinez Flores, age 21. Sergeant First Class Kelly Bolor, age 38. Lance Corporal Benjamin Gonzalez, age 23. Corporal Jorge Gonzalez, age 20. Sergeant Atanacio Haro-Marin, age 27. Specialist Leroy Harris-Kelly, III, age 20. Corporal Stephen Johnson, age 24. Corporal Rudy Salas, age 20. And, lastly, Marine Corporal Carlos Arellano, age 22. Another 10,327 have been injured, not including more than 8,500 who have been injured so badly that they cannot return to action. I strongly support our servicemen and women that have performed admirably under these very difficult conditions. These conditions have been worsened by the lack of needed supplies, and our men and women continue to serve without a plan to secure the peace. Today, the Government Accountability Office testified that Congress had appropriated $430 billion to the Department of Defense for the global war on terror. According to the GAO, and I quote: ``Neither the DOD nor the Congress reliably know how much the war is costing Americans.'' The GAO also testified that the U.S. can expect to incur significant costs for an unspecified time in the future, requiring decision-makers to consider difficult trade-offs. As the Nation faces increasing long- range fiscal challenges, we have seen some of the trade-offs already. Critical programs remain unfunded and underfunded by this administration, and our veterans and their families are the ones that are suffering. There are $3 billion worth of gaps in needed services for our Nation's veterans. The number of new veterans waiting for health care appointments at the VA, the Veterans Administration, has risen by 400 percent over the last 2 years. Funding for Homeland Security is suffering too. And as a result, because of the administration's misguided policies, first responder grants have been slashed by 59 percent, and only 5 percent of containers entering the U.S. ports are screened, and there are 800 fewer border patrol agents than what was authorized in the 9/11 Commission Act. Afghanistan is also suffering from the Bush administration's misguided policies. Secretary Rumsfeld wrote in a letter today that the United States maintains its strong commitment to Afghan's success. We look forward to continuing our strong partnership, he said. Yet the people in Afghanistan are not feeling that commitment. Between November 2003 and April 2006, the number of insurgents has quadrupled from 5,000 to 20,000. The average number of daily attacks by insurgents has climbed by more than 70. The Afghan Defense Minister recently stated that Afghanistan needs five times the number of security forces to address the issue of a resurgent Taliban. And without them, Afghanistan is in real danger of collapse. If his warnings were not enough, just today the Taliban recaptured two towns in the southern province of Pakistan's border. Despite the increasing conflict in Afghanistan, despite the lack of a plan for peace in Iraq, despite the lack of accountability for government contracts, and despite the trade-offs on homeland security, important first responder programs, the administration wants the United States to stay the course. I could not disagree more. War and military might alone does not show strength in foreign policy rooted in a unilateral and preemptive action which does not achieve peace for Americans. America needs a new direction Mr. Speaker, we must seize the moment and insist on a new direction for America so our children and our children's children will live in a safer and more secure environment.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to celebrate the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Regional Health Forum that was held on July 7 in Los Angeles, California. The Hispanic Caucus and Congressmember John Conyers from the Black Caucus came together with over 200 community activists to find a new direction to battle health care disparities in disadvantaged communities. The new direction that we have adopted ensures quality health care that is accessible, affordable and culturally and linguistically appropriate. An accessible and culturally sensitive health care system is critical to addressing conditions that disproportionately impact communities of color like, for example, diabetes, obesity, kidney disease, HIV and AIDS, and mental illness. All these chronic illnesses affect our communities. The new direction developed at the forum is one where community members, providers and policymakers at the local, State and Federal levels come together to collaborate to end health care disparities; and we plan for solutions in the next upcoming congressional session. We came together with the Hispanic Caucus at this forum in Los Angeles, and we will continue to take the show on the road throughout the country to ensure that all Americans have a healthier system of health care.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Missouri and obviously the Members of this very important committee that helped to pass this resolution. Madam Speaker, today, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 721, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of the Salvadoran American Day, el dia del Salvadoreno. I would like to thank Chairman Davis and Ranking Member Waxman for their support in bringing the resolution to the floor today. This resolution recognizes the Salvadoran Americans for their hard work, dedication and contributions to our stability and well-being of the United States. Forty years of internal political turmoil forced thousands and thousands of individuals from the Republic of El Salvadore to flee and come to this country. They sought peace and security and a better life in the United States. Madam Speaker, my mother was born in Central America, in Nicaragua, and immigrated to the United States to seek a better life. As the only Member of Congress of Central American descent, I am honored to recognize Salvadoran Americans and Salvadoran American Day. Currently, there are over 900,000 Salvadorans living in the U.S. The majority live in Washington, D.C., New York, California and Miami. In the Los Angeles metropolitan area alone, parts of the district that I represent, there are nearly 300,000 Salvadoran Americans. This celebration of Salvadoran tradition dates back to August 6, 1525, almost five centuries ago, when the city of Villa De San Salvador was founded. El Dia del Salvadoreno marks the culmination of a week- long celebration ``Fiestas Agostinas'' and is arguably the most important civic-religious celebration in El Salvador. The celebration pays homage to the cultural festivities of El Salvador, while recognizing that Salvadorans have adapted themselves to life in the United States. Celebrated by Salvadoran Americans in California and throughout the country, this day has grown in significance over the years. Back in 2001, the city of Los Angeles honored Salvadoran American Day, and in 2002 Salvadoran American Day was declared as a statewide event in California. More than 100,000 Salvadorans participated in these celebrations in 2005, and we know and expect we will see more this coming August. I am proud that Congress is helping to recognize and honor this day. Salvadoran American Day contributes to a positive image for Salvadorans, as well as improving a better understanding between our diverse communities and this part of America. I would like to recognize and thank the Salvadoran American National Association, known as SANA, the SHARE Foundation, and all of the Salvadoran American and Central American organizations for their support and their work to provide for this resolution. Let us not forget that our Nation was built by the people from many nations and different backgrounds and cultures. In fact, many of the workers who helped rebuild the Pentagon were of Salvadoran background. They love this country. I urge my colleagues to recognize the Salvadoran Americans and pass this resolution.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in strong support of H.R. 9, the Voting Rights Act, as passed by the Judiciary Committee, and in strong opposition to any amendments which would attack Americans' right to vote. The right to vote is the foundation of our democracy. The Voting Rights Act has advanced the rights of all Americans. Latinos and other minority voters have greater voice today because of the Voting Rights Act. In 2004, a record number of 7.5 million Latinos cast a ballot for President, compared to 2 million in 1976. We must continue protecting the rights, including section 203, which provides tax-paying U.S. citizens with limited English proficiency with needed language assistance. Section 203 ensures that all citizens have a right to cast an informed ballot and integrates non-English- proficient citizens into a system of democracy. It protects voters from discrimination and ensures a fair and equal voting process for all voters. I urge all of my colleagues to support the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act, as passed by the Judiciary Committee, and I oppose any amendments.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Buenos dias to our audience. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues in this body to stop blocking comprehensive immigration reform. Immigrants are our neighbors, our friends, our caretakers and fellow worshippers. They contribute more than $10 billion to our economy each year, and more than 35,000 immigrants are actively defending our Nation as members of the Armed Forces. More than 200 Medals of Honor have been given to immigrant servicemembers for their actions in Iraq and Afghanistan. One hundred one non-U.S. citizens, like my constituent, Francisco Martinez Flores, died in military action September 11, 2001. He was a green card soldier. Just yesterday our Nation's top general, Marine General Peter Pace, defended immigrants, saying the first Marine he lost in combat in Vietnam was an immigrant soldier. And he said that he continues to be on active duty because he says he still owes those who served with him in Vietnam, regardless of their status. Immigrants, their families and families across the country deserve more than sham hearings and enforcement-only policies. Let's ask for a comprehensive immigration reform that takes care of all of our soldiers and all people defending our rights here in America.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I rise today to congratulate the South EI Monte Emergency Resources Association in honor of their 50th anniversary. I am proud to recognize the invaluable contributions and charity of the South EI Monte Emergency Resources Association on this historic occasion. For over 50 years the mission of this small organization has been to ``prevent homelessness and maintain stability by providing the basic needs of food, clothing and shelter for families and individuals in times of crisis.'' And for 50 years the South EI Monte Emergency Resources Association has not faltered in upholding their noble and honorable mission. The impact they have had on thousands of lives is immeasurable. By implementing the American spirit of humble and compassionate charity, the South EI Monte Resources Association has come to embody the best of the American people. The association began their mission by providing second-hand clothing to children in unfortunate circumstances. Through the years they have expanded their services to include the provision of emergency food, clothing, home furnishings, sheets, blankets, medical supplies, and medical equipment to members of the community. Yet the work of the South EI Monte Emergency Resources Association is not limited to these services; it extends beyond material assistance to provide moral support and guidance. Today, in the face of poverty, homelessness, suffering, and insurmountable circumstances, we have hope because of groups like the South EI Monte Emergency Resources Association. Without the support and assistance of such organizations, our many impoverished children, seniors, and community members would be left out in the cold with no hope in sight. Today we recognize the priceless services that charitable organizations provide to our society and I congratulate the South EI Monte Emergency Resources Association for 50 years of being a model compassionate organization.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Elvira ``Vera'' M. Durazo of EI Monte, California, a dedicated and compassionate woman known as the ``Grandmother'' of Mexican cuisine in the greater EI Monte area, who passed away on June 24, 2006. Vera opened the first Mexican food restaurant and tortilla factory in EI Monte known as ``Durazo's'', bringing a taste of Mexico to the San Gabriel Valley. After many successful years at Durazo's, Vera turned her focus to contributing to the community as a volunteer. For more than three decades, Vera assisted the sight impaired and homebound elderly. She also organized the Convalescent Patient Project, which now gives more than 150 patients birthday and Christmas gifts in the EI Monte area per year, and volunteered at health fairs and clinics, the monthly mini-mart at the Hack Crippen Senior Center, and Meals on Wheels. Vera was particularly committed to the elderly in the local Latino community and founded the Club Hispano Americano. Club Hispano Americano is the largest Hispanic philanthropic organization for the elderly in the San Gabriel Valley. Vera is survived by one son Edward Durazo, two daughters Rebecca Ramirez and Evelyn Prudhomme, eight grandchildren, thirteen great- grandchildren and four step-great-grandchildren. She will be dearly missed by her family, friends, and the community.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in opposition to the U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement. The U.S. government, as you know, is prepared to open our market and risk our workers' jobs for a country which fails to respect workers and human rights. Oman not only bans unions, but it has been reported by our own State Department to have human trafficking and forced labor abuses. The wage gap between men and women in Oman is one of the widest in the world, with women earning less than 22 percent of their male counterparts. Oman even bans night work and hard labor for women unless the sultan states otherwise. Yet the free trade agreement does not require Oman to protect women workers' rights and does not even require Oman to bring its domestic anti-discrimination laws into line with our international standards. Oman will face no consequences if it chose to allow employers to violate existing maternity leave provisions or the ban on pregnancy based dismissals or continue to permit job discrimination based on sex. We need a fair trade agreement, one that will help prevent the exporting of our workers' jobs. Let us turn down the Oman Free Trade Agreement.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Madam Speaker, the economic climate created by years of failed Republican policies is tough for many Americans to swallow. Millions of full-time workers in the Nation who are making the Federal minimum wage, $5.15, find that every other cost-of-living expense has gone up, from prescription drugs to housing to just about everything, food on our table. The minimum wage has not increased for 10 years. The millions of Americans who would benefit from that increase know that it is impossible to make ends meet at the current salary that has not been raised since 1997. For example, we are struggling with the rising costs of oil and other expenses. Madam Speaker, everyone in the country who works full time to support their family deserves to earn a livable wage. Today, Democrats will demand a vote in this House to increase the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25. It is only fair. We hope that House Republicans, who have been more than willing to shower giant tax breaks to their wealthy friends, will finally realize that no American working full time deserves to live in poverty. We hope that you will join with us today to increase the minimum wage.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5573, the Health Centers Renewal Act of 2006. H.R. 5573 reauthorizes the Community Health Center program, guaranteeing a funding source for critical providers in communities like mine. Community health centers leverage what little they have to ensure working families, the uninsured, and our Nation's children have access to critical medical care. More than 40 million people in our country lack health care coverage today, including one in three in the San Gabriel Valley and in East Los Angeles. Eighty-three percent of the uninsured are from working families, and 14 million of those families are Latinos. Community health centers are a fundamental component to our safety net, often providing vital care in a culturally competent and linguistically appropriate manner for all families, and often being the only source of care. In my own district, community health centers bear the brunt of responsibility for treating the uninsured. After 70 years of serving much of my congressional district in the city of Azusa, our health center there was forced to be closed. There was not sufficient funding to keep it open. I knew one in three people in my district without health insurance would suffer without access to this care. Through the support of the city of Azusa, Los Angeles County and many other community organizations, the clinic in Azusa was opened. Now it is there because we were able to secure section 330 designation. Now they can open their doors and serve the thousand or so patients that come through their doors every month. It is exciting to tour that clinic and see the kind of assistance that mothers are receiving in terms of prenatal care, to see that the elderly are having someone help them manage their diabetes, and to see that young children are getting their immunizations. Those things are vitally important to our community. There is another community clinic that has been in my district for over 30 years, and what is wonderful about this particular clinic is that it also serves surrounding congressional districts. Mr. Dreier's constituents receive services from the East Valley Clinic, as do Mrs. Napolitano's constituents. We worked there to help leverage support and fund services to serve all of our residents and constituents. I am proud to say this is a wonderful bill to be able to express our strong support, and I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Good morning, Mr. Speaker. Imagine if you had not received a pay increase since 1997. The price of goods and services you rely on like gasoline and prescription drugs have gone up dramatically over the last few years. But one thing that hasn't has been the minimum wage. It has almost been 10 years that we haven't raised the minimum wage, and the reality is that 7 million Americans will not receive a minimum-wage pay increase. And most of those individuals happen to be single head of households, women, with kids, children. Democrats want to take America in a different direction. We want to expand opportunities to millions of Americans that feel they have been left behind by the Bush economy that has favored the wealthiest few above the middle class. One of the ways we want to expand opportunity is by giving minimum-wage workers a pay raise for the first time in a decade. Last week, Democrats passed an amendment to the Labor-HHS appropriations bill that would raise the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour. Democrats were joined by several Republicans in passing this commonsense amendment. We need to have support to bring this up and vote on it. Let's give those 7 million people an increase in the minimum wage.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, the supplemental appropriations legislation passed by the House will spend nearly $95 billion of taxpayer money yet will not help our veterans, will not secure peace in Iraq, and will not make our homeland safer and better for working families. The Bush administration continues to underfund the health care services for veterans and sent our troops to war without a plan to secure the peace. When our servicemen and women return home they are returning to a system that cannot care for them or provide the benefits they so greatly sacrificed for and deserve. And the hurricane season began again on June 1 but this Nation is no closer to be prepared for a hurricane under this administration than it was the day before Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma struck land. This bill will not resolve these issues. Instead of passing the biggest supplemental ever passed by Congress, Congress should take real steps to help protect our country and ensure our veterans and their families receive the care they need. We should pass the GI bill of rights for the 21st century to ensure affordable and accessible health care, education benefits and job training. We need to take seriously the impact of the war on veterans and their families and pass legislation I have introduced to ensure access to needed mental health counseling. We should develop a real plan to bring our troops home safely and secure the peace. I strongly support our troops, our veterans and their families and will continue to fight to ensure they receive the well-deserved support of their country. I will continue to fight to improve the quality of life for working families. And I will continue to make sure America is a safer place.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, next week the House will have its first vote to increase the minimum wage in over 10 years. This is good news for the more than 7 million hardworking Americans who today only make $5.15 an hour. It could also be good news for millions of middle class workers who could see their hourly wage increase as a result of the higher minimum wage. Despite repeated efforts by the House Democrats to expand economic opportunity for millions of Americans over the last 9 years, the House Republican leadership has refused to allow the floor vote on increasing the minimum wage. Next week they have no choice, however. Thanks to action in the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, the committee voted to gradually increase the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25. The American people should not be surprised that the out-of-touch House Republican leadership is also voicing strong opposition to the wage hike and vows to kill it next week. This would be shameful, and millions of Americans will be affected. They need to have a living wage. I look forward to the vote next week and hope that the House will finally take action in a new direction to expand economic opportunity for all.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of our troops and in opposition to the President's stay the course in Iraq. The war in Iraq was under taken with too few troops, not enough of the right equipment, and no plan for peace. Without a plan to secure the peace, 2,500 servicemen and women have been killed, including 10 in my district: Private First Class Jose Casanova, Jr., age 23; Lance Corporal Manuel Ceniceros, age 23; Lance Corporal Francisco Martinez Flores, age 21; Lance Corporal Benjamin Gonzalez, age 23; Corporal Jorge Gonzalez, age 20; Sergeant Atanacio Haromarin, age 27; Specialist Leroy Harris-Kelly III, age 20; Corporal Stephen Johnson, age 24; Corporal Rudy Salas, age 20; Marine Corporal Carlos Arellano, age 22. I have celebrated their sacrifices and mourned their passing with their families: with their parents, with their spouses, and with their children. Eighteen thousand four hundred and ninety servicemen and women have been injured during the war in Iraq, 8,501 so badly they will be permanently damaged from their injuries. I have visited with many of them at the Walter Reed Hospital. And even with more veterans returning from Iraq, President Bush refuses to provide adequate funding for their health care. At a time when more than 17 percent of the troops returning from Iraq suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, this is the wrong course of action. No one can question the commitment of our troops, especially our green card soldiers like Lance Corporal Francisco Martinez Flores, who was granted posthumous citizenship but could not realize the beauty of our citizenship because he was not granted that before he died. Since 9/11, 25,000 servicemembers have become U.S. citizens. Despite the commitment and sacrifices of thousands of green card soldiers and their families, many in this House are not willing to provide them with support because they lack documentation. Mr. Speaker, amid the doubt and anger I have expressed about the war, I have never ever questioned the commitment of our troops to this Nation. They deserve a real plan to secure the peace so that they can be redeployed, and I wholeheartedly support the Murtha plan. American taxpayers, Members, deserve accountability for the $17 billion in no-bid contracts for Halliburton and real measures to protect the homeland and our port security. The Bush administration has failed to fulfill its responsibilities to our troops, veterans, and all Americans. This resolution fails them. It is a sad day when this resolution is the only thing that can be offered for our servicemen and women. Francisco Martinez Flores did not die in vain. He deserves the very best. The American people deserve a real debate. Bring our troops home and no permanent bases in Iraq.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to express concern about the sharp rise in hate crimes and racial intolerance, and to urge acceptance in our Nation. A recent report from the Southern Poverty Law Center stated that there were 803 hate groups in the USA last year. This is up from 762 in 2004 and is a 33 percent increase since 2000. The center's report stated the national debate that has focused on immigration has been ``the single most important factor'' in spurring activity among hate groups and has given them ``an issue with real resonance.'' Hundreds of thousands of people marched peacefully throughout the Nation to give a voice for immigrants in this country. Half a million in Los Angeles, 300,000 people in Chicago, 40,000 in Washington, DC, and 20,000 in Milwaukee and Phoenix marched to defend the hopes and dreams of immigrant families. Nearly 40,000 students across Southern California, including students at several schools in my district, marched for the rights of immigrants. Those who marched did so peacefully. I encourage everyone to remember the great history of change driven by nonviolent action, which is such a vibrant part of our Nation's fabric. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I urge that such expression be done in a peaceful and nonthreatening manner.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, graduation season is in full swing, and all across the country eager college students are walking across the stage and entering into the workforce. While many wonderful experiences no doubt lie before them, one factor will quickly dampen their spirits, the reality that they are now saddled with unmanageable debt they accrued while obtaining their college degree. The debt will grow even more daunting if they miss an important deadline that is fast approaching. That is why I came to the floor today, Mr. Speaker, to encourage all college graduates and their parents who are carrying debt to consolidate their Federal college loans before July 1. If they do not, interest rates will rise by 7 percent for students and 7.8 percent for their parents. Consolidating this month will allow them to lock in a low rate of 4.75 percent, drastically reducing the overall amount they will have to pay. Mr. Speaker, the Republicans refuse to join us in making college affordable for many, many young people. In fact, they actually made college more expensive for American students when they passed a $12 billion in higher education cut earlier this year. I urge strong support for our students and parents.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be withdrawn as a cosponsor of H.R. 2048, the Motor Vehicles Owners' Right to Repair Act.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to express concern about the sharp rise in hate crimes and racial intolerance, and to urge acceptance in our Nation. A recent report from the Southern Poverty Law Center stated that there were 803 hate groups in the USA last year. This is up from 762 in 2004 and is a 33 percent increase since 2000. The Center's report stated the national debate that has focused on immigration has been ``the single most important factor'' in spurring activity among hate groups and has given them ``an issue with real resonance.'' Hundreds of thousands of people marched peacefully throughout the Nation to give a voice for immigrants in this country. Half a million in Los Angeles, 300,000 people in Chicago, 40,000 in Washington, DC, and 20,000 in Milwaukee and Phoenix marched to defend the hopes and dreams of immigrant families. Nearly 40,000 students across Southern California, including students at several schools in my district, marched for the rights of immigrants. Those who marched did so peacefully. I encourage everyone to remember the great history of change driven by nonviolent action, which is such a vibrant part of our Nation's fabric. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I urge that such expression be done in a peaceful and non-threatening manner.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for allowing me this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the rule. While H.R. 5252, the COPE Act, which I think is a cop-out act, contains a provision that purports to prevent red lining, it is weak and it will prove to be ineffective. It does not fully ensure that all communities, communities of color, regardless of race, income, or national origin will have the benefits of enhanced cable competition. Last night, in Rules Committee, I offered two amendments, with several of my colleagues, including Ranking Member Dingell and Congressman Markey, which would have strengthened the weak antidiscrimination provisions in this bill. These amendments would establish incremental market-based service requirements for cable providers so that they build out their cable services to their entire franchise area, not skipping over poor communities like mine in east Los Angeles and in the San Gabriel Valley. We are tired of what goes on, the red lining. The proposed build out that they talk about that is going to be provided in this bill is false. It is not there. In fact, the Bells did not want to see any language put in to that effect. So I have to be very straight on this. In my community, yes, we want diversity, yes, we want to see more minority ownership, yes, we want to see more faces portrayed like mine in different aspects of the whole industry, but it is not going to happen overnight, and it is not going to happen with this bill. In fact, the amendments we provided were strongly supported by over 30 consumer and civil rights advocacy organizations, including the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, the National League of Cities, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National Association of Counties, and the Consumers Union. Despite this strong support, neither of these amendments were accepted by the Rules Committee that I proposed. The Rules Committee also didn't accept the Doyle-Dingell cities amendment to protect and preserve the ability of our communities to oversee the enforcements of cable franchises. We are going to lose money, folks. The rule reported by the committee fails to address the serious concerns raised by so many. I urge my colleagues to oppose the rule.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Chairman and Members, today I rise again in strong opposition to this bill. I support the efforts to increase competition in the video marketplace. Greater competition, as we know, will inevitably help to create jobs and provide for lower consumer costs. But we must also make certain that benefits derived from a streamlined franchising process benefit consumers and not just the telecommunications industry. The bill doesn't go far enough, in my opinion, to ensure that all communities have access to broadband Internet. Although the broadband access has increased greatly in recent years, the digital divide remains a reality in communities like mine, the ones that I represent in Los Angeles County in California. In fact, in 2003, a study by the Pew Foundation found that those least likely to have broadband Internet access at home are the poor, the older, less educated and Latinos and African Americans; 60 percent of the constituents I represent in my district happen to be underserved Latinos. While Latinos are the fastest growing demographic group of online users, only one in eight Latino households has access to broadband services. Eleven Hispanic Members of this Congress and numerous civil rights organizations, consumer and Latino advocacy organizations weighed in in strong support of such language, including the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights; the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, known as MALDEF; the National Conference of Hispanic State Legislators; the Hispanic Federation; the National Puerto Rican Coalition; and the National Hispanic Bar Association. That is why these groups are urging a ``no'' vote on the bill. The bill also weakens, in my opinion, consumer protections without providing strong enforcement for consumer rights. We should ensure that all States and localities retain the ability to establish consumer protection standards for video services. No one here knows the needs of the residents that I represent in Los Angeles, El Monte, West Covina, and other cities that I represent. In fact, this week I received numerous letters that I will submit for the Record from cities in my district, including the City of Los Angeles, the newly elected mayor, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, urging me and others to oppose the bill. I share with my colleagues' goals of passing legislation which promotes an increased competition, lower prices, improves the quality and access to developing brand-new services that help all consumers. But the digital divide, Members, remains a reality for many constituents in my district and many others across this country. We should not let this opportunity pass without addressing this fact. I would ask that we not let this opportunity pass without addressing the fact in an effective manner. I urge my colleagues to oppose the bill. Furthermore, I would like to say that while we have had numerous discussions outside of the committee room regarding this bill, I still have not heard from the telephone companies and others that they would like to see strong language put in the bill to provide for protection so that we don't exclude communities like mine that I represent. I am disheartened when I hear that there is a possibility that they will come into Los Angeles, but they will go around East Los Angeles and they won't attend to those constituents that I represent.