Nydia Velázquez

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time. On October 1, the Bush administration effectively implemented a tax on U.S. entrepreneurship. By doubling the fees on 7-A loans, the Bush administration has severely limited access to critical source of capital for our Nation's small businesses. I want to be on record, and I want every Member in this House to be on record about the fact that last July, an amendment to the CJS appropriations that would have protected the 7-A program was approved with strong support. The House was on record then, and we should continue to be on record for the small business community. This amendment sends a message that Congress is not willing to accept the recent policy decisions of the Bush administration to further burden U.S. entrepreneurs. They are our job creators. They drive our economy and they deserve our support. Our goal is to fully repeal the freeze on the 7-A loans. While this amendment will not change the fee structure, it will help entrepreneurs afford this vital source of capital. So I therefore urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I object.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to recognize the achievements of a remarkable individual, Shirley Rodriguez Remeneski. Shirley has been an inspiration and an energetic force in our community, working tirelessly over the past few decades to better the lives of New Yorkers. Throughout the years, Shirley has acted as a passionate advocate for not only the people of New York, but also for the Hispanic community at large. She successfully worked her way through the local government getting her first taste of public policy advocacy in the Social Services Unit in the Bronx Borough President's Office, then moving on to work as the Executive Director of NYS Governor's Office for Hispanic Affairs, and then to her most recent appointment in 2002 as the Senior Vice President of the Empire State Development's Economic Revitalization Division. There is no doubt that Shirley has touched a significant number of lives along the way. In 1989 Shirley helped to lead relief efforts for the victims and survivors of Hurricane Hugo in Puerto Rico. Time and time again, she has selflessly given her talent and devotion to improve and enhance the quality of life for others. The list of Shirley's accomplishments for our community is plentiful, and has led to her recognition as a champion for both the city's underserved populations and the Hispanic business community. She has received honors for her work by the Puerto Rican Bar Association, Verizon, the United Bronx Organization, Governor Pataki, the Girl Scouts, El Diario, the New York State Department of Correctional Services, the Hispanic Society of the New York/New Jersey Port Authority and Hispanic Magazine--and the list goes on. This woman is a true leader, public servant, visionary, defender, mother and friend. Shirley--and the work she has done--is far more than one expects from the average citizen. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career and achievements of Shirley Rodriguez Remeneski and join with my colleagues in the House of Representatives in applauding her outstanding dedication to the residents of New York City and the Hispanic community throughout the years. We are all truly better off because of her devotion and commitment to us and our city.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to pay tribute to a remarkable woman from my Congressional District, and wish her the best as she begins a new chapter of her life. Sister Mary Burns has spent more than a decade honoring the lives of Maura Clarke and Ita Ford, Maryknoll Sisters who were killed in 1980 while working to assist the poor in El Salvador. I am pleased to take this opportunity to honor her and her own work on behalf of economically disadvantaged women. In 1993, Sister Mary Burns founded the Maura Clarke-Ita Ford Center (MCIF) in one of New York City's most impoverished communities, the Bushwick neighborhood in Brooklyn. The center provides education and training to low-income, mainly Hispanic, women. Under the leadership of Sister Mary Burns, MCIF has thrived--providing personal development, education and economic independence, and empowering women to break the cycle of poverty. Like many Irish women who grew up in South Boston, Sister Mary Burns is strong and resilient, a person with deep faith and a wicked sense of humor. She is generous of heart and giving to her core. And her work on behalf on disadvantaged women is as impassioned as it is pioneering. Bushwick was devastated during the riots of the late 1970s, and severe poverty and unemployment continues to plague the neighborhood. MCIF offers residents literacy classes, GED instruction, and job training. Recognizing the desperate need for entry level jobs in the Bushwick area, MCIF initiated an innovative program to create a small clothing factory in the neighborhood to offer low income women employment earning a livable wage, day care services, and the opportunity to attain business development and leadership skills. MCIF also has a kitchen incubator to help new entrepreneurs develop the skills and experience necessary to launch successful small businesses in the food industry. Similarly, the center is home to a bakery program where local women put their skills to work baking cookies. Sales from these cookies, which on their own are well worth a trip to Bushwick, are used to support the program and compensate the bakers for their hard work--providing a path to economic independence. These programs serve as an important model on how to strengthen communities one person and one family at a time. And its through the dedication and drive of Sister Mary Burns that the women who enter the doors of MCIF leave believing in themselves, envisioning promising futures, and chartering successful lives for their families. I am honored to have worked with Sister Mary Burns over the years in advancing the mission of MCIF. Under her guidance, the center has become a critical resource for some, a sanctuary for others, and a source of inspiration for all who witness its extraordinary work. I, along with so many residents of the community, will miss her dearly. But her principles of loving acceptance, unwavering encouragement, and enduring faith are now firmly embedded in the spirit of the community-- and families from Bushwick will benefit from her work for generations to come. It is in this light Mr. Speaker, that I ask my House colleagues to join me in honoring the remarkable contributions of Sister Mary Burns and wishing her the best of luck in her future endeavors.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to offer my congratulations to the Sunnyside Community Services Center on its 30th anniversary. The residents of New York's 12th Congressional District have been enriched by this institution's outstanding example of community cooperation, which provides valuable social, recreational, and educational services to the seniors and families of Western Queens. Thanks to the exemplary board, staff, and volunteer base of the Sunnyside Community Services Center, this once small organization that started in a church basement has blossomed, and has grown to provide an array of integrated activities and programs to over 12,000 residents, annually. The center offers these services to ensure that members have the opportunity to fully participate in all aspects of community life, while maintaining their independence and healthy lifestyle. This institution has also become a local economic engine, employing 90 percent of its staff from within the Queens community. The staff runs caregiver programs for frail elderly and homebound seniors, after school programs and camps for elementary and middle-school children, and a variety of educational, social, and recreational activities for active adults. Over the past 30 years, Sunnyside Community Services Center has expanded its services even further to help meet the challenges faced by emerging immigrant and youth populations that reside in the area today. Their work has reached a significant number of residents of all backgrounds and ages and has allowed them to enjoy an enhanced and comfortable lifestyle. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 30th anniversary of the Sunnyside Community Services Center, and join with my colleagues in the House of Representatives to recognize the organization's outstanding service and dedication in addressing the needs of the Western Queens community.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to recognize the 11th anniversary of the Brooklyn Chinese American Association's Eighth Avenue Senior Center. The Eighth Avenue Senior Center is part of the Brooklyn Chinese- American Association (BCA), which has been serving the growing Asian- American population in the Sunset Park, Borough Park, and Bay Ridge communities of Brooklyn for the past 17 years, as a human services and community development organization. Today, the BCA's Eighth Avenue Senior Center touches the lives of over 3,000 elderly residents in the area, and offers services to over 250 seniors on a daily basis. The center provides older Asian-Americans with a variety of enriching educational programs and recreational activities. Over the past 11 years, the Eighth Avenue Senior Center has integrated a variety of services integral to this elderly population, which it otherwise would not have had access to. This includes providing meals, bilingual information, English and citizenship classes, health services, and housing assistance. This center also plays an important role in coordinating town hall meetings, assisting senior members in meeting their housing needs, and educating the community on the importance of exercising their voting rights. Because of these services, the Eighth Avenue Senior Center creates a sense of community and enhancement for the elderly population living in Brooklyn. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 11th anniversary of the Eighth Avenue Senior Center, and join with my colleagues in the House of Representatives to recognize their outstanding service to the elderly Asian-American population in Brooklyn.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, there are many reasons to oppose this bill: It is a diversion from the urgent issues facing our Nation; that today's vote is a cheap election-year tactic of the Republican leadership to rally its right-wing base; and that we should respect States rights on the principles of federalism, which Republicans continue to ignore to suit their political purpose. Mr. Speaker, each of these concerns is a compelling reason to oppose this measure, but I want to make this perfectly clear: This bill should be defeated because it is wrong, it is discriminatory, and it is unAmerican. Mr. Speaker, how can we export democracy across the globe when we are abandoning its fundamental principles here at home? Writing discrimination into our Constitution will do nothing to protect marriage, but it will taint this sacred document and sacrifice State rights based on certain ideological beliefs, and I urge my colleagues to defeat this mean-spirited, misguided bill.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Bernard Baruch Houses Tenant Association located in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. As the largest New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) development in Manhattan--Bernard Baruch Houses provides homes for over 2,000 residents in our city. They also offer amenities that serve nearly 200 senior citizens and disabled residents. The Bernard Baruch Houses Tenant Association is a well-known presence in our community, and continues its work to strengthen ties with its residents on a daily basis. This association truly exemplifies neighborhood cooperation, enhancing the opportunity for each and every New Yorker to live in a safe, affordable home. The Bernard Baruch Houses has been instrumental in providing families throughout New York City with reliable and responsible services. Their buildings have served our city's families, elderly and disabled for the past 50 years. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Bernard Baruch Houses Tenant Association on their 50th anniversary, and join with my colleagues in the House of Representatives to recognize their service within the New York City community.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, there is no disagreement that we should pass this extension. It is, though, embarrassing that it has come to this. We expect small businesses to meet their taxes, comply with Federal regulations and pay their employees on time. But when it comes to Congress, we are not held accountable for our failure to meet their needs. At a time when our economy is struggling, at a time when small businesses are struggling, Congress should be holding up its end of the deal. Passing the Small Business Administration Reauthorization Act must be a priority. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would like to set the record straight regarding the tax cut that the President submitted to Congress and that Congress passed. The tax cuts are not helping small businesses. The President's tax cuts have provided little relief for small businesses. In fact, under the latest tax cut, over half of small businesses receive less than $500, despite a cost of $350 billion. And, while the President talks about how the top tax rate cut helps small businesses, only 1 percent of small business owners benefit from the reduction in the top tax rate. In fact, out of the 28 million small businesses, only 180,000 benefited from the top tax rate, according to the figures presented to us by the Department of the Treasury. Those are your own numbers. Less than 5 percent of the latest 2003 Jobs and Growth package was in the form of targeted tax relief for small businesses. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen).

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, we are here today because Congress has failed to complete its work. Over 1 year ago, the Committee on Small Business unanimously reported out a bipartisan reauthorization bill. As a result of the failure to move this legislation, the authorization for the SBA expired last year and we are now forced to pass our fourth extension. Shamefully, the agency has been operating for 3 months without any authorization. It is clear that the Nation's job creators, small businesses, are struggling. The United States has lost 1.7 million jobs since 2001, and we are continuing to see growth rates that only keep up with inflation. American manufacturers are being hit hardest, with 2.7 million jobs lost during that period and 11,000 lost in June alone. This is clearly not the picture of an economy that is getting back on its feet. Last week, the House Committee on Small Business Democrats released a quarterly small business index showing that business conditions are at 7-year lows. Skyrocketing health care and energy costs and exploding Federal budget deficits are but a few of the barriers small firms face in achieving the growth our economy needs so badly. At a time when we should be providing our Nation's entrepreneurs a leg up, this administration and the Republican Congress has continuously failed to provide the assistance they need by blocking passage of the SBA reauthorization. The bipartisan reauthorization bill will provide the most comprehensive overhaul of the SBA in over a decade. It will broaden or modernize the SBA loan programs so firms can access the capital they need. At a time when the Federal Government failed to meet the small business contracting goals for the fourth consecutive year, the Republican leadership is blocking this bill that will expand procurement opportunities for small companies. The legislation ensures small firms are given a fair chance to break into the Federal marketplace. By doing so, we provide the Federal Government a quality service at a good price. This is not just good for small businesses, it is good for the American taxpayer. Additionally, the likelihood of success for small business is nearly doubled when they have access to technical assistance. Passage of the reauthorization bill will offer the greatest expansion of entrepreneurial assistance programs in decades. Even more concerning is the possibility that our failure to act will actually worsen the business environment for small businesses. Small businesses are faced with a possible doubling of fees on SBA loans at the end of this month. Without immediate action, the current structure will lapse, leaving banks and entrepreneurs in a worse situation than when the program was shut down last year. Although the gentleman from Illinois (Chairman Manzullo), who cannot be here today, has tried repeatedly to bring this bill up for consideration, the Republican House leadership and the administration have blocked it. In today's economic climate, small businesses are more important than ever. We need to ensure that they have all the tools for success, as they are facing numerous obstacles. It is unfortunate that we are here today passing an extension, rather than celebrating the passage of an SBA reauthorization. These issues should not be subject to partisan politics. When our small businesses need us the most, our committee was able to work in a bipartisan manner to produce this legislation. We now ask the Republican leadership to recognize these efforts and pass the reauthorization bill that will get small businesses back creating jobs. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo).

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Ms. VELAZQUEZ asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Tierney).

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Kilpatrick) and for yielding me this time. Mr. Chairman, today we are considering the $19 billion Foreign Operations appropriation bill. Billions of dollars of this funding will be spent on Federal contracts performed overseas. This amendment ensures that U.S. small businesses have an opportunity to compete for this work. Large contractors in the United States are currently required to submit subcontracting plans for work performed in the United States. These plans must simply identify small business goals and demonstrate that small companies have a reasonable opportunity to compete for these subcontracts. The Kilpatrick amendment merely extends this requirement to overseas contracts. I cannot overstate the important role of small businesses in our economy. Whether domestic projects or overseas work, our Nation's small businesses deserve access to Federal contract opportunities. The Kilpatrick amendment eliminates these double standards and gives United States small businesses a chance to compete. Mr. Chairman, this amendment, a similar amendment like this was included in last year's appropriation bill, only to see it stripped out in conference. I hope that this is not the case this year. I urge its adoption.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 30 seconds. I would just like to respond to the fact that the gentleman was talking about the National Endowment for Democracy. The numbers do not lie. They are right here. The National Endowment for Democracy was funded $39.5 million. The full committee provided $51 million. It is on page 77 of the bill. If we take $10 million, they still have more than $1 million from last year.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), the minority leader.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. I yield to the gentleman from California.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the ranking member, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Serrano) as well as the gentleman from Virginia (Chairman Wolf) for their work on this important legislation. The bill before us has attempted to do the most with a limited amount of dollars. One area where it falls short is the Small Business Administration. As the ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Small Business, I always hear, during good economic times or bad, small business owners need access to affordable capital in order to be successful. That is why I always say access to capital is access to opportunity in this country. Small business owners have told me stories of having to max out credit cards, having to borrow money from relatives, and having banks ask them to put their homes up as collateral for a $20,000 loan, all so they can afford to start a new business or expand an existing business. The amendment I am offering today with the gentleman from Illinois (Chairman Manzullo) will restore funding for the 7(a) loan program to fiscal year 2004 levels, $79 million. This amendment offsets several programs, but keeps the funding consistent with their fiscal year 2004 level. These are the real challenges facing small enterprises, and this is the whole reason the 7(a) loan program was created. The 7(a) program is a public and private partnership for banks, lenders and small businesses. The 7(a) program is this country's largest source of long-term small business lending for both the private and public sectors, providing 30 percent of this Nation's long-term loans. Given its tremendous success over the years, it is unbelievable to me that this critical loan program has been under nothing but attack from the Bush administration. This is the same administration that claims to be the champion of small business. The first thing this administration did 4 years ago was to eliminate funding for the 7(a) program. Then, earlier this year, the 7(a) program was shut down, and this happened because the Bush administration ignored Congress' warning and they ignored the industry. They simply chose to ask for less funding than what this loan program requires. Now, today, we face a new issue for the 7(a) program. This same administration wants to zero out the program's funding and let small businesses and lenders pay more. We heard small business owners say this was unfair, and we promised to do something about this. Well, that is what we are doing today, delivering that promise to our small businesses. What is so ironic is that we are talking about a successful small business lending program here. For every 60 cents, the 7(a) program provides $100 in loans. They have continually done more with less. A decade ago, they received $300 million in the appropriations process, and now we are asking for only one-third of that. Last year alone, the 7(a) program touched over 350,000 jobs. The most unfortunate part is that over the past 10 years, the 7(a) program has managed to do more for small firms in an environment where they were being overcharged by the government. We fixed this problem in a bipartisan manner in 2001, but the Bush administration wants to go back to the days when small businesses were taxed. Well, let me tell you, it is not what our Nation's small businesses want and it is not what we want. President Bush travels across the country touting his small business agenda, but his talk proves to be rhetoric; his actions do not match his words. If you vote against this amendment today, then you are voting to increase the costs facing small businesses. Our hope is that this amendment passes, which would allow the 7(a) loan program to do record volumes with the same amount of money. It is these small business owners who use the 7(a) program that serve as anchors for our economy. The truth of the matter is, this is an outstanding loan program, and this is the right thing to do. With this amendment, we will be enabling our Nation's small businesses to continue creating the jobs that we so desperately need. If you support our Nation's economy, if you support job creation and small business, then you will vote ``yes'' on this amendment.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. A concern was raised by the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf) regarding the properness of where the amendment places the money within SBA. With all due respect, Mr. Chairman, because the SBA 7(a) program was eliminated, a program account does not exist. But I want to read from the committee's report and the gentleman says, ``The committee recommends a total of $128 million under this account for administrative expenses related to business loan programs.'' So what we have done is to operate within the constraints that the committee provided us. And regarding the concern that was raised about the money, $10 million that had been taken from the National Endowment for Democracy, even by taking the offset of $10 million, the program remains funded at last year's level. And we do support spreading democracy, but we also support creating jobs in our country.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding; but with all due respect, I sit on the Committee on Financial Services.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. For members of the subcommittee of Congress to be here doing the job for a financial institution is completely wrong. This amendment will address a Hispanic woman who goes shopping around to make a loan and is being denied a loan by commercial banks. Unless we have a loan guarantee, and my colleagues know that we hear time and time again about minority businesses, women-owned businesses who are denied loans through traditional financial institutions, this amendment helps those people who are trying to set up their businesses or expand their businesses.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, if the gentleman would further yield, we can mix oranges and apples. Microloan and 7(a) are two completely different programs.