Linda Sánchez

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Chair, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support this amendment to increase funding for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP). When the Federal government passed SCAAP in 1994, it recognized its responsibility to reimburse states and localities for the arrest, incarceration, and transportation costs associated with criminal aliens. Unfortunately, this program has been consistently under-funded. This year was not the first time a President proposed no funding for the SCAAP program. Fortunately, the Appropriations Committee allocated $300 million to the program. While this level is significantly better than zero, it remains $100 million below the 2009 funding level. Our amendment will provide that additional $100 million for SCAAP. Even with $400 million, states and localities would still only receive reimbursement for a small fraction of what they are spending. This inadequate funding has had a devastating effect on public safety, especially in California and other border states. At a time when many states and counties face budget shortfalls, every dollar reduction in SCAAP reimbursement means one less dollar to spend on essential public safety services. Following SCAAP funding cuts in 2003, the LA County Sheriff's Department was forced to implement a new ``early release'' policy for inmates convicted of misdemeanors. From a public safety perspective, it is far better for criminals to serve their full sentences. Without adequate resources, other programs will have to be scaled back or terminated to accomplish this goal. Basic police protection, anti-gang activities, homicide investigations, anti-terrorism activities; and rehabilitation programs to reduce recidivism are programs that could face cuts in California and across the nation if this amendment does not pass. We introduced this bipartisan amendment to ensure that police chiefs and sheriffs do not have to choose between keeping our youth out of gangs and incarcerating criminal aliens. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Ms. Mary Elizabeth Lash, who is currently teaching in Paramount, California, in my Congressional District, and has been teaching for a remarkable 59 years. She is California's longest-serving credentialed teacher. Nearly all of Mary's 59 years of teaching have been in the Paramount Unified School District. In 1950, the Compton Unified School District hired Mary as a Home Economics teacher at Paramount Junior High School. In 1953, when Paramount formed its own unified school district, she took a Home Economics position at Paramount Senior High School, where she continues to teach today. In 1955, Mary began working with the high school youth organization known as the ``Corsairs'' as the assistant to its founder. This service organization remains under Mary's leadership 54 years later. She has influenced many young men and women into a life of service to others through this organization. Mary was also a charter organizer of Future Homemakers of America/ HERO, which is a national service organization whose goal is to develop citizenship, leadership, life skills, and career goals through competition, recognition events, and club-sponsored activities. Paramount High School's chapter of Future Homemakers of America/HERO has earned several Silver and Gold Medals in prepared speech, community involvement, and chapter exhibit events on both the National and State Levels. Madam Speaker, I ask that you join with me today in tribute to Ms. Mary Elizabeth Lash as she is being honored in California for being its longest serving teacher. Mary has shown an enduring commitment to educating the youth of Paramount and providing them with the tools and skills needed to contribute to their communities and prosper in their adult lives. She truly touched the future, reaching many generations of students. Students, both current and past, who had the privilege of being in her class or in an organization she advised, will continue to be influenced by her example of hard work, dedication, and public service.

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise to pay tribute to U.S. Army First Sergeant Blue C. Rowe. Sergeant Rowe, a devoted husband and father, was a constituent of mine from Whittier, California. This brave American was killed in action in Afghanistan on May 26, 2009, on the 15th anniversary of his service in the military. Sergeant Rowe was killed by an improvised explosive device. The 33- year old Rowe leaves behind his 7-year old son, Andrew, and his wife Cindy. My thoughts and prayers go out to Cindy and Andrew, and I hope that they can find some solace in the gratitude that our Nation owes to Sergeant Rowe for his honorable service to his countrymen. Sergeant Rowe spent his entire adult life serving our country. He joined the Army in 1994 and served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Last July he mobilized again for duty in Afghanistan. He and his family have made the greatest sacrifice that one can make, and we are forever in his debt. Sergeant Rowe, whose life embodied the meaning of the word ``patriot'', will be missed by family, friends and colleagues, but his honorable deeds will not be forgotten.

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, unfortunately, I was unable to get to the House floor in time on Wednesday, May 6, 2009, and therefore unable to cast a vote on the House floor that afternoon. However, had I been present I would have voted ``aye'' on H. Res. 348, congratulating the University of North Carolina men's basketball team for winning the 2009 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship.

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Chair, I offer my strong support for the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act. Abusive and predatory lending practices have wreaked havoc upon the American economy, bringing it to its worst state since the Great Depression. What started as a subprime mortgage crisis has ballooned to affect everyone. Millions of families have lost their homes or face the prospect of foreclosure, and businesses large and small are laying-off employees in record numbers. Unemployment figures have risen to numbers unseen in decades. Although Congress has made great strides to stabilize and rejuvenate the economy, we must regulate lenders so that a crisis like this will never happen again. We must protect innocent home buyers from unscrupulous mortgage lenders eager to make a quick buck. Mortgage lenders should not steer borrowers into higher cost loans just to increase their commissions. Mortgage institutions should ensure that borrowers can repay the loans they are sold. Creditors should retain an economic interest in a portion of the loans they sell, which would help them to be more responsible about initiating loans. Passing the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act is the right thing to do. The Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act will outlaw many of the egregious lending practices that have multiplied in recent years and spark a return to more responsible lending methods. These much-needed changes are long overdue and will protect vulnerable home buyers. That is why I urge my colleagues to support this critical legislation.

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, unfortunately, I was unable to be present in the Capitol on Monday, May 4, 2009 and therefore unable to cast votes on the House Floor that evening. However, had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on H. Res. 230, recognizing the historical significance of the Mexican holiday of Cinco de Mayo; and ``yea'' on H. Con. Res. 111, recognizing the 61st anniversary of the independence of the State of Israel.

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, today I am introducing the Safe Schools Improvement Act. My lead co-sponsors Rep. McCarthy, Rep. Ros-Lehtinen and I strongly believe this bill provides crucial support to our efforts to reduce the national drop-out rate and make schools safer for all students. An unsafe school environment interferes with students' ability to learn. Children who are bullied miss more school, have lower self- esteem, and are more likely to drop-out or commit suicide than those who are not. Nearly 40 percent of middle-school and high-school students report that they do not feel safe at school and one in 10 high school drop-outs report that frequent bullying was a major reason they dropped out. As we move to reauthorize the landmark No Child Left Behind law, we must examine and address how improvements in school safety can positively affect student attendance and academic achievement. The Safe Schools Improvement Act would require schools that receive funding from the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act to implement an anti-bullying policy that protects students from bullying and harassment. It also requires these schools to collect data regarding bullying and harassment incidents and would allow them teach students about the consequences of bullying and harassment. Today's children are the economic engine of our future, and we are relying on schools to provide the education they need. Congress must therefore help schools provide safe places for students to learn. If we do not, we risk losing more children to the streets, to depression, or even to suicide. America's children deserve our support. They deserve the Safe Schools Improvement Act.

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of H.R. 627, the Credit Cardholders Bill of Rights Act. I'd like to thank Congresswoman Maloney for her work on this issue. She has been a longtime champion of credit card reform and I wholeheartedly support her efforts. The Credit Cardholders Bill of Rights Act could not be more timely. The constant stress of mounting bills in the face of skyrocketing unemployment and a foreclosure epidemic has American families caught between a rock and a bigger rock. More and more working families have been forced to rely on credit cards to cover basic living expenses. The least we can do is make sure the credit card issuers are fair, open, and honest about rates and terms. For decades, credit card companies have been allowed to operate under special rules that, under any other circumstances, would be considered outlandish. Take for instance the credit card industry's ability to raise an unsuspecting cardholder's interest rate because he was one day late paying a different card belonging to a different company. Where else can creditors suddenly change the rules in the middle of a game? It's like an umpire deciding that a batter hit by a pitch can take two bases instead of one in the middle of a baseball game. Consumers are playing an unfair ball game and there's no way to win. Cardholders continue to pay millions of dollars in hidden charges, outrageous late fees, and unpredictable interest rates. Despite the fact that most consumers make monthly payments that are more than the minimum required, cardholders cannot seem to make a dent on the average credit card debt of $8,600. There's a term for such one-sided contracts: UNCONSCIONABLE. And that's exactly what these credit card agreements are. In the midst of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, I am certain that the passage of the Credit Cardholders Bill of Rights Act is simply the ``right thing to do.'' Provisions in the bill will level the playing field for consumers by barring credit card companies from raising interest rates without proper and timely notification. These much-needed changes are long overdue and will help struggling debtors from sinking deeper in a financial hole. I urge my colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, to join in fixing the inequities in the credit card industry by supporting this vital legislation.

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Workers' Memorial Day. Every day, working people across our Nation are putting their lives on the line, just by getting up and going to work. In a perennially underreported tragedy, more than 5,000 Americans die each year on the job, and millions more experience occupational injuries and illnesses. That means about 16 workers in the U.S. die each day at work. And those who die are not only those in professions seen as dangerous, like law enforcement or firefighting--they are also mechanics, store clerks, bus drivers, and landscapers. And the deaths are often close to home. Earlier this month, a 38-year-old construction worker was killed back home in the southern Los Angeles area when a garage collapsed on him while he worked on a remodeling project. To honor those who have died, and to draw attention about the need for better enforcement of our workplace health and safety laws, I join with Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson and Rep. Bruce Braley today to introduce a resolution recognizing the importance of Workers' Memorial Day. Workers' Memorial Day is a reminder that each death is a life cut short--a worker who left behind a family and friends. I encourage everyone to take a moment today to recognize the needless sacrifice that these workers' and their families made this year and in years past. Going to work should not be a life and death proposition. Workers' Memorial Day is a reminder that we can do better.

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Madam Chair, I rise this morning to state my strong support for the budget resolution. I'm excited to see that American working families will once again be prioritized. It is a sight for sore eyes to see the President present an honest budget, putting an end to years of masking the costs of things we have to pay for, like the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. This is good news for working and middle-class families who have been struggling to keep their heads above water. For far too long, these families have been bearing the brunt of misplaced priorities, above all, the ever-rising cost of healthcare. Too many never see a doctor until they visit an emergency room. The cost to employers, local, state and the federal government is unsustainable. It is shameful that while the United States spends more than every other nation in the world on health care, we fail to care for everyone. This budget makes a down payment on health care reform, invests in working families, and sets America on a fundamentally new course. I urge my colleagues to support this critical investment.

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 234, expressing support for Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day. I want to thank Chairman Bob Filner and Ranking Member Steve Buyer for their strong commitment to all of America's veterans. Their leadership has been instrumental in bringing this important resolution to the floor today. As a Nation, we honor those who defend us with statues, memorials, holidays, and praise. But as a people, we have not always fulfilled our duty to properly recognize those fellow citizens who put themselves in harm's way to keep us safe and protect our freedom, and no fellow citizens did we let down more than those who served bravely in Vietnam. They came home to a time of civil unrest and social turmoil, a time when opposition to the war too easily turned into opposition to those young men and women who served in it. Unlike the GIs who served in previous conflicts, many Vietnam servicemembers came home not to a welcome back parade, but to hostility, ridicule, and bitter criticism. This cold reception, in addition to the brutal realities of serving in Vietnam, interfered with some veterans' efforts to transition back into their communities and establish a sense of normalcy. Just when they needed someone to lend an ear or a helping hand, too many found a cold shoulder. By encouraging Americans to observe Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day, my resolution seeks to provide these heroes the welcome home that they always deserved but that too many never received. Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day is the culmination of years of effort on the part of my constituent, Jose Ramos, himself a Vietnam veteran. As an Army combat medic in Vietnam, Jose Ramos was victim to the indifferent and often hostile public reaction upon returning home. It was his personal experiences and those of his fellow GIs that motivated him to work toward establishing a national day of recognition. His work inspired many, including me, to help give Vietnam veterans their long overdue welcome home.

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. While today's resolution may seem like a small gesture when compared to what our soldiers and their families sacrificed, it certainly is, it will serve to remind us of their service to our country. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join in honoring Vietnam veterans by participating in Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day events in their communities next year. Today, I ask for their vote.

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge Nowruz which marks the traditional Iranian New Year and dates back more than 3,000 years. Nowruz, literally meaning ``new day,'' celebrates the arrival of spring and occurs on the vernal equinox, which this year will happen exactly on Friday, March 20th at 7:44 a.m. eastern daylight time. It symbolizes a time of renewal, harkening the departure from the trials and tribulations of the previous year and bringing hope for the New Year. It is celebrated by more than three hundred million Iranians and other peoples all over the world. Closer to home, more than one million Iranian Americans of all backgrounds, including those of Baha'i, Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Zoroastrian faiths, will be celebrating Nowruz. Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of this day and in its honor, I express my appreciation for the contributions of Iranian-Americans to American society and wish all those who observe this holiday a happy and prosperous new year.

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, unfortunately, I was unable to be present in the Capitol on Monday, March 16, 2009 and therefore unable to cast votes on the House Floor that evening. However, had I been present I would have voted yea on H.R. 1284, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 103 West Main Street in McLain, Mississippi, as the ``Major Ed W. Freeman Post Office''; yea on H.R. 1217, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 15455 Manchester Road in Ballwin, Missouri, as the ``Specialist Peter J. Navarro Post Office Building''; and yea on H.R. 987, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 601 8th Street in Freedom, Pennsylvania, as the ``John Scott Challis, Jr. Post Office.'' In addition, on Wednesday, March 18, 2009, I was attending a meeting with President Obama at the White House with many of my colleagues in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus when votes were called. Unable to return to the Capitol in a timely fashion, I missed two votes. However, had I been present, I would have voted yea on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 250, to provide for the consideration of the bill (H.R. 1388), to reauthorize and reform the national service laws; and I would have voted aye on H. Res. 250, to provide for the consideration of the bill (H.R. 1388), to reauthorize and reform the national service laws.

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, today, Mr. Ehlers and I are introducing the Bullying and Gang Reduction for Improved Education Act. It is time that we recognize bullying and gangs as serious problems that impede student achievement. Bullying, harassment, and gang-related activity have serious consequences for schools and students. Nearly 40% of middle-school and high-school students report that they do not feel safe at school. Children who are bullied miss more school, have lower self-esteem, and are more likely to commit suicide than those who are not. According to young people themselves, one reason they get involved in gang activity is to seek protection from bullying. We cannot address one without addressing the other. Contrary to popular belief, bullying is neither a minor nuisance, something to be laughed at or ignored. It is not a rite of passage, but instead interferes with a child's right to attend school and learn. Although any child may be bullied, some children face much greater risks than others. Children who are obese and those whom others perceive to be gay or lesbian are especially at risk. Violence in our schools caused by gang activity and bullying can cause childhood trauma, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. These conditions are not conducive to learning. Youth involved in gang activity also have lower expectations about their educational attainment. The Bullying and Gang Reduction for Improved Education Act would take important steps to address these issues by allowing states and localities to use Safe Schools funds for comprehensive bullying and gang prevention programs. I urge my colleagues to take a stand. All children, especially societies most vulnerable, deserve their support of the Bullying and Gang Prevention for Improved Education Act.

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Increased Student Achievement Through Increased Student Support Act. With the No Child Left Behind Act dramatically increasing the pressure on teachers and administrators to improve test scores, too often we forget that students' academic success is also dependent on a number of other factors. For example, as students transition into adulthood, they experience social, emotional and behavioral needs that if unmet, impede academic success. These diverse needs often cannot be met by already over-burdened teachers. Students need school counselors, school social workers and school psychologists. Yet, in low income neighborhoods, students lack these essential resources. Nationwide, the average student to counselor ratio is 475 to 1, nearly double the suggested 250 to 1 ratio. In California, the ratio is a dismal 920 to 1, the worst in the nation. To help improve student performance and increase graduation rates, this bill would authorize funding to form partnerships between under- served school districts and higher education institutions that train school counselors, school social workers, and school psychologists. By increasing school support staff, we can address children's out-of-the- classroom needs so that when they're in the classroom, they can be safe, engaged, and achieving their full potential. The students of low- income neighborhoods deserve the same opportunities as others for a productive learning environment. Today's children are the economic engine of our future. We must make certain all children have the opportunity to develop academically and socially, and all schools have the resources to achieve this goal. Academic success does not come when children are hungry, bullied, traumatized, or depressed. We need more personnel to help address and alleviate these issues so that all children, no matter what their economic situation is, can focus on math, reading, and science. This is why I urge my colleagues to invest in our children and our future by supporting the Increased Student Achievement Through Increased Student Support Act.

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act. The mortgage meltdown affects everyone. No one is immune from the widespread effects of home foreclosures. It hurts the families who are forced out of their homes, of course, but it also hurts their neighbors, who see a drastic drop in property values and communities that have to cut back services due to losses in property values. For too many, the American dream of owning a home has quickly eroded into a nightmare. The bill's mortgage bankruptcy and loan modification provisions will provide direct help to real American families. As the former chairwoman of the Commercial and Administrative Law Subcommittee, I held many hearings on the mortgage foreclosure crisis and its impact on families. I know that this bill fixes an inequity in the bankruptcy code by ensuring that, under limited conditions, homeowners and bankruptcy proceedings will have access to the full range of financial support and options available. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support homeowners and neighborhoods by supporting this vital piece of legislation.

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and honor the 100th anniversary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, NAACP. Today, February 12, 2009, marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the NAACP and the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln. For a Nation that is less than 250 years old, the centennial of the NAACP is a major milestone. I shudder to imagine what this country would look like if our history did not include the stories and struggles of people like Frederick Douglass, Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., our own Representative John Lewis, and many countless others who have fought and continue to fight for equal rights and equal opportunity. The NAACP's roots date back to the ``Niagra Movement'' of 1905 when thirty-two prominent African Americans met to organize and call for the end of racial inequality. A forceful agent for change, the NAACP was the leading party behind many accomplishments of the Civil Rights Movement, including the landmark case Brown v. the Board of Education which ended racial segregation in our schools. The Niagra and Civil Rights Movements were not the first calls for freedom and equality in our nation's history and will not be the last. But their success provided a blueprint for future generations to follow, an example of hope to all those who seek to secure the basic freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution. Today, the NAACP continues to cement its reputation as a trailblazer for basic civil and human rights. Led by its young new president, Benjamin Jealous, the NAACP has refocused its objectives on resolving wide disparities in access to jobs and healthcare among Americans. During the next 100 years, I have no doubt that the NAACP will lead many more breakthroughs in civil and human rights. This anniversary gives all Americans an opportunity to recognize and learn about African-American history, which is also the history of the United States. I am proud to do my part to promote and honor the contributions made by the NAACP and the African American community to our great Nation.

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, I strongly support H.R. 2, the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009. I want to thank Representative Pallone for introducing the bill, and Chairmen Rangel, Miller, and Waxman for moving it quickly to the floor. Investing in children's health care is an investment in our future, which will help strengthen our next generation and save health care costs in the long run. With this legislation, we are saying that the phrase ``children are our most precious resource,'' is no longer just a cliche. We are putting our money where our mouths are. And we are doing it in a fiscally responsible way. While we all want to balance budgets and control spending, skimping on children's health care simply makes no sense. That's why this small increase in the tobacco tax, about 62 cents a pack, is a smart thing to do. It will deter non-smokers from trying smoking, and it will ensure that we are not adding to our budget deficit. The CHIP Reauthorization Act preserves the coverage for all 7.1 million children currently covered by CHIP and provides coverage for an additional 4.1 million uninsured children who are currently eligible for, but not enrolled in, CHIP and Medicaid. Far too often, constituents contact me seeking help with their medical expenses because they have no health insurance. And the lack of health insurance is not for lack of trying. Sadly, even millions who have jobs in this troubled economy lack health insurance. This bill will help those families who should never have had to decide between putting food on the table and taking a sick child to the doctor. While this bill will not ensure coverage for every single child in the nation, it is a great first start. This bill gives states the option of covering legal immigrant children during their first five years in the United States. Without this provision, parents of children with conditions from diabetes to scleroderma to scoliosis would have to continue to wait up to five years from the time they discovered the condition until they can afford treatment for their child. Now, states like California can choose to prevent such heartbreaking situations. And I hope they do. I am committed to working toward quality, affordable, and universal coverage for all in America. While that might seem an unattainable goal to some, the CHIP Reauthorization Act gives me hope that we are on our way. As an expectant mother who is fortunate enough to have good healthcare coverage, I owe it to my constituents and to all in America to provide them with the same ability to care for themselves and their families. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this important bill.

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. I thank the gentleman. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 56 and support the goals of National School Counseling Week. I want to thank Chairman George Miller and Ranking Member Buck McKeon, as well as Representative Vernon Ehlers, for their support of this very important resolution. This resolution aims to highlight the very important work that school counselors do in our schools every single day. The best counselors inspire young people to dream big. They help young people get on the road to accomplish their dreams. And, when necessary, they enlist the support of parents, teachers, mentors, tutors, and anyone else that it takes in order to keep our children moving along that path to accomplishment. As I know from visiting schools in my district, counselors--though there are far too few of them--play a critical role in student success. Unlike teachers, who often only get to know students one semester or year at a time, counselors follow students throughout their many years at an elementary, middle or high school. They are adept at spotting long-term trends in student progress or behavior and arranging the appropriate intervention or enrichment. They assist teachers in developing instructional and behavioral programs tailored to meet the individual and unique needs of a particular student. I want to recognize all the dedicated counselors from my district who accomplish amazing things every day that they go to work. Lisa Torres from Cleveland Elementary and Brian Kamper of Artesia High School are just two of the many exceptional counselors that I have heard of. Lisa and Brian help their students to believe in themselves and achieve their goals, and their reputations are well known. Parents are rightly proud of these counselors and secure in the knowledge that Lisa and Brian are looking out for their children's academic achievement as well as their emotional well-being. I want to applaud the work of all those like Lisa and Brian, who are an integral part of the education team. I also hope that this year, as Congress continues to address No Child Left Behind and the role of our Federal Government in our local schools, that we can find a way to encourage schools to invest in counseling. The nationwide average student-to-counselor ratio of 475- to-1 is simply inadequate to provide students, teachers, and parents with the counseling services that they need. Just think of all the students who are considering dropping out who need extra help from a literacy coach or who don't think that they can pay for college who could be reached if we simply had the counselors in those schools dedicated to those students. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in addressing our health care crisis. The facts are clear: too many Americans lack access to quality, affordable health care. Today, more than 47 million Americans, including 9 million children, lack health insurance. Last year, nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults struggled to pay medical bills, went without needed care because of costs, or were uninsured. Nearly 9 million people have lost their health insurance since 2000. This is unacceptable. In fact, in the richest nation in the world, it's absolutely shameful. Countless Americans lay awake at night trying to figure out how they will pay mounting medical bills, whether they should go to the doctor for that recurring pain, or wondering if their health insurance will actually cover tests their doctor recommended. With soaring gas and food prices, working families across the United States are forced to make tough financial choices, often sacrificing needed health care and health insurance. It is reality for Laura T. whose son Christopher was diagnosed with Burkitt's lymphoma in 2003. Though this family had insurance, the insurer refused to cover the treatments proven to help Christopher. No mother should ever have to fight with an insurance company for the life of her child, but that's exactly what this brave woman did. Laura fought these insurance companies and won. Because he received the appropriate treatments, Christopher is alive today. However, months of fighting for her child's life took a tremendous toll on her family. Laura and her three children lost their home. Her credit is ruined. Unfortunately, Laura and her family are not alone. Even more unfortunate is the fact that these families don't always win. Families across America are dealing with these situations every day. While there are several issues that we disagree on, I am confident that we can all agree that no parent should have to fight for the medical treatment necessary for her child's survival. No family should have to forego needed health care because of money. Health care should not be a privilege to be reserved for the wealthy few. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to come together and fix our Nation's broken health care system.

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, unfortunately, I was unable to be present in the Capitol on Monday, September 15, 2008, and was unable to cast votes on the House floor that evening. However, had I been present I would have voted yea on H. Res. 1200-- Honoring the dedication and outstanding work of military support groups across the country for their steadfast support of the members of our Armed Forces and their families; yea on H. Con. Res. 390--Honoring the 28th Infantry Division for serving and protecting the United States; and yea on H.R. 6889--To extend the authority of the Secretary of Education to ensure continued access to Federal student loans, for 1 year.

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my most sincere condolences on the death of the Honorable Stephanie Tubbs Jones. I was extremely saddened to hear the news of Congresswoman Jones' passing. Since 1999, she has proudly and honorably served Ohio's eleventh district. Stephanie Tubbs Jones was the daughter of an Airport skycap. She grew up in Cleveland and graduated from college and law school at Case Western. She began her life of public service when she went to work as a local government lawyer and went on to serve 8 years as a judge on the Court of Common Pleas of Cuyahoga County. As the first African American woman elected from Ohio to serve in Congress, she brought a fresh energy and new perspective to the House. No one was surprised when she quickly rose to a position on the powerful Ways and Means Committee. I got to know Stephanie in my first term in Congress because my office was next door to hers. She was never too busy to help a freshman member in whatever way she could. Her energy was boundless, and I will sorely miss her smile--it could light up a crowded room. Those who had the good fortune to know this incredible woman know what I am talking about. During her four terms in Congress, she was a champion for the people of the eleventh district. She worked tirelessly to create equal opportunities for all people in this country as she fought to increase the minimum wage, to increase funding to public schools, and to create affordable and accessible healthcare. The people of Ohio have lost a great political leader, and we have lost a beloved and respected colleague. We will all miss her friendly smile and her passion for her fellow man.

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. It gives me great pleasure to yield 2 minutes to a champion of the working class and the Chair of the Health, Employment, Labor, and Pension Subcommittee of Education and Labor, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews). (Mr. ANDREWS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that, during further proceedings today in the House and in a Committee of the Whole, the Chair be authorized to reduce to 2 minutes the minimum time for electronic voting on any question that otherwise could be subjected to 5-minute voting under clause 8 or 9 of rule XX or under clause 6 of rule XVIII.