Nydia Velázquez

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I do not have any other speakers

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. By passing this bill, we will show small businesses just how important they are to the U.S. economy. We will show them that we want to make it easier for them to invest capital back into the businesses where it belongs; and, Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to thank all the staff who worked hard on this solution. I would like to thank from the administration, the staff, Jenny Mayne, Anthony Bedell and Charles Rowe. From the House leadership, I would like to thank KiKi Kless and Julie Sullivan. From the chairman's office, Barry Pineles, Matthew Szymanski and Phil Eskeland. From the Democratic Committee on Small Business staff, I would like to thank the staff director Michael Day, Adam Minehardt and Jordan Haas. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald).

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to pay tribute to the life of Richie Perez--a longtime community activist who lived in Brooklyn. Richie Perez was a fighter. He fought for the rights of all people, and he fought against the devastating inequities that plague our society. He fought for the poor, the disenfranchised, the downtrodden-- and gave them a voice. His passion for activism began in the 1960s as a former member of the community-based organization for Puerto Rican empowerment called the Young Lords Party. He most recently founded the National Congress for Puerto Rican rights, acting as the co-chair of its Justice Committee, which works with families of victims of racial discrimination and police brutality. He was a mentor to many and a hero to even more. He imparted his ideas and philosophies onto others by teaching classes on the Puerto Rican experience in New York, mass media and social policy at New York City's Hunter College. Not only was he an activist and a teacher, but he was an author as well, publishing several groundbreaking written works. Richie Perez was a truth-seeker. Wherever he went, he spoke the truth, lived by the truth, and inspired the truth in others. He embodied the meaning of righteousness and what is good and real in our local communities. He believed in giving people a second chance, and in fighting back against the injustices that had imperiled them. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Richie Perez, and join with my colleagues in the House of Representatives to recognize his extraordinary life.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, it is with great reluctance that I agree to the second short extension of the Small Business Administration. We are here today because this body has not been able to get our job done. All we ever hear from this administration and the majority party is how important small businesses are, but when we have a chance to do something as simple as ensuring small business of the capital they need to survive, no one from the other sides of the aisle is willing to step up to the plate. The administration's lack of commitment in supporting reauthorizing the Small Business Administration clearly demonstrates a disconnect between what they say and what they are willing to do. The administration has no problem depriving thousands of small businesses of the only affordable lending opportunities open to them. They are unconcerned that their decision to cut the 7(a) program jeopardizes over one-third of all 7(a) loans. This administration could not care less that thousands of small businesses that were guaranteed loans by Small Business Administration had their loans stripped out from under them and may now face bankruptcy. It does not seem to bother them one bit that they are driving lenders out of the 7(a) program, leaving even more small companies with no resources to build their businesses. You would think that job creation might get President Bush's attention, but his administration is denying small businesses access to $3 billion in loans this year alone, which will result in 90,000 lost jobs. The administration and the Republican leadership may be perfectly comfortable slamming the door shut on small businesses struggling to compete in the weak economy, but I am not. The 7(a) program has been on life support since January. The Small Business Administration flagship lending program was first shut down in early 2004 due to lack of funds. Small business owners, some who have put down their life savings, some who had plans to expand and hire new employees, some who were going to purchase new equipment found themselves left in the lurch. Even though they had played by the rules, submitted their applications on time and were approved for a loan, the Federal Government failed to honor its commitment to them. Both fairness and accountability flew out the window when the program was shut down and applications were returned to small business borrowers. Still today these small businesses are waiting for some relief. When it was reopened, the program saw new restrictions that are still in place. In its current state, the 7(a) program fails to serve the very small businesses Congress had in mind when it created this program in the first place. They are causality of this administration's lack of commitment to small businesses. And that is just plain wrong. We must address this crisis immediately. Our small businesses do not ask for much. Yet, they give so much in return. They create jobs in our local community. They pave the way for individuals to reach the American dream. They train our workers and generate new ideas. We should be given back giving back to them what they have given to us. And what does this bill give them? It gives them nothing. Now more than ever, our Nation needs small companies to succeed. They are the driving force of job creation in our economy. America's hard-working small businesses should be able to count on Congress to improve the Small Business Administration and its critical programs. Unfortunately, we are failing. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield to the chairman of the committee for the purpose of entering into a colloquy. Would the chairman be willing to assure me that he will work to make changes to the 7(a) lending program by April 2, 2004?

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

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. I thank the chairman. I appreciate his willing to willingness to work this issue out in a timely manner. However, given past experiences with the gentleman and our so-called agreements, I am sure you can understand my need to make this agreement abundantly clear with the gentleman. Mr. Speaker, small businesses continue to suffer under the current 7(a) program restrictions, and we cannot continue to ignore this issue. It is the most pressing issue that the gentleman have jurisdiction over. I thank the Chairman.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to recognize the achievements of Crystal Domenech, who was raised in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, in my Congressional District. At 19, Crystal has done what many people only dream to achieve in a lifetime. Since the age of 13, she has been an active member of the United Puerto Rican Organization of Sunset Park (UPROSE)--the oldest Puerto Rican community-based organization in Brooklyn. Since Sunset Park is a working class, immigrant waterfront neighborhood and the site of many industrial uses, UPROSE's mission of youth and community empowerment seeks to make Sunset Park a better, safer place to live for local residents. It is young people like Crystal who are truly changing the direction of our communities. She is one of the founding members of UPROSE's Environmental Enforcers, a youth group that has taken on many issues relating to environmental justice. Crystal's list of accomplishments is long. She has worked tirelessly with me and other elected officials in educating-the public on the unfair siting of power plants and other polluting facilities in low- income communities. Currently, she is working with UPROSE on its Urban Forestry Project and on a community design plan for a public open space greenway along the Sunset Park waterfront. She has caught the attention of politicians, community leaders and the media alike. Given her energy and commitment, it was easy for me to nominate Crystal as one of just five New York City students to travel to Antarctica for a 14-day expedition with Students on Ice. By embarking on this life-altering journey with her peers from countries all over the world, Crystal traveled from one end of the earth to the other in an effort to gain a new and deeper respect for the environment in which we live. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Crystal Domenech, and join with my colleagues in the House of Representatives to recognize her extraordinary work.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise against this sham Republican drug bill that will increase costs, reduce coverage, and dismantle Medicare as we know it.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Kolbe) for accepting this amendment. And I will work with him and look forward to working with him in addressing some of the concerns. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, today we are voting on an $87 billion spending bill that is solely funded by American taxpayers and with nothing in this legislation to ensure that U.S. small businesses have an opportunity to compete for the rebuild contracts. This funding will once again be funneled to large corporations. The amendment I am offering today on behalf of myself and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) will give small businesses a chance. It will require that all large companies submit a subcontracting plan prior to being awarded an Iraq reconstruction contract. We have already spent $79 billion on war efforts in Iraq. And with this $87 billion funding request, President Bush is once again abandoning the Federal Government's longstanding commitment to ensure small businesses can compete in the Federal marketplace. The administration has awarded billions of dollars in mega contracts to a handful of well-connected U.S. corporations. These contracts were not open to fair competition. They were doled out in secret backroom negotiations. Bechtel alone received a $680 million construction contract. Halliburton received a $1 billion logistical support contract, and recently received a noncompetitive contract to rebuild Iraq's oil infrastructure worth up to $7 billion. These companies have very close ties to the White House. And these secret closed-door deals further damage our international credibility and endanger our rebuilding efforts. If we are going to spend this money we need to ensure that some of these funds are also available to small businesses. And that is exactly what my amendment will do. Mr. Chairman, there are 23 million small businesses in the United States. They represent 99 percent of all employers, create three out of four new jobs, employ more than half of all private sector workers, and make up half of our gross domestic product. The financial commitments the administration makes in Iraq directly impact the viability of our economy here at home. This $87 billion spending measure will put this Nation even deeper in debt. We have heard a lot today about the costs of this bill. And I feel that we do have a responsibility. But if we are going to spend the money, we should make every effort possible to ensure it assists our struggling economy here at home. We can do that by ensuring small businesses get a fair chance to participate in these contracts. My amendment will require large businesses to make every effort possible to subcontract with small companies in this reconstruction effort while ensuring that taxpayers are getting their money's worth. Under current law, large contractors in the United States are required to submit subcontracting plans prior to receiving contract awards. And that is what I am proposing for corporations seeking contracts in Iraq. This is a simple amendment. It does not prevent the government from entering into contracts with large corporations or limit the size of these awards. It ensures that large corporations are subject to the same self-contracting requirements for Iraq contracts as they are for contracts here at home. If we are going to spend this money, we need to recognize that funding it only to large corporations will not only hurt small businesses and likely squander taxpayer dollars. It will also hinder our ability to get our economy back on track. This amendment is a vote for a fair and open Federal marketplace. It is a vote to protect taxpayer dollars from waste and abuse, and it is a vote to give America's small businesses a chance to compete and succeed. I urge passage of this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to recognize the 10h anniversary of the Brooklyn Chinese-American Association's Eighth Avenue Senior Center. As part of the tradition, this very special anniversary will be marked by millennial tables, which seat twelve seniors, each with a combined age of over 1,000 years. It is anticipated that over 2,000 senior members will be in attendance at this year's celebration to be held in a local Brooklyn restaurant. The Eighth Avenue Senior Center is part of the Brooklyn Chinese- American Association (BCA), which was founded in 1987 as a community- based social services agency to meet the growing needs of the Asian- American community in the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Sunset Park, Borough Park, and Bay Ridge. Now BCA has developed into a community development organization with centers along Eighth Avenue for employment training, day care, youth and cultural activities, and the senior center, which celebrates its decade-long existence this month. Combined, the BCA's facilities make our Brooklyn neighborhoods better, safer, more vibrant places to live. Over the past 10 years, the Eighth Avenue Senior Center has provided critical services to Brooklyn's senior community. This includes providing meals, bilingual information, English and citizenship classes, health services and recreational activities. The Eighth Avenue Senior Center is now a cornerstone of our community, and will continue to be for many decades to come.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, that is my colleague's understanding, and I thank the gentleman for that. I will insert that language at this point in the Record. The full Committee also adopted two amendments during consideration. The first would require States and localities to ensure that families receiving the housing assistance are financially prepared to maintain ownership of their homes after the purchase by requiring recipients to complete a course of homeownership counseling. Alternatively, if this is not feasible, grantees could provide information in advance to grant recipients describing the risks and responsibilities of homeownership, providing assistance in understanding the mortgage loan process and financing options, and making recipients aware of any homeownership counseling that is available locally.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I would like to enter into a colloquy with the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ney). It is my understanding that, during committee consideration, an agreement was made between the chairman and myself to incorporate the provision dealing with financial literacy into the report on H.R. 1276. I would like this language to be included into the Record.

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

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis).

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to thank the author of this resolution and also staffer Patrick Wilson for taking the lead on today's resolution.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 368, which recognizes the contributions that America's entrepreneurs make across the Nation and within our communities. Often, people believe that GM, Lockheed Martin and IBM power our economy; but the reality is that small businesses are the driving force. Our country's 23 million small businesses create three out of every four new jobs, represent 99 percent of all employers and provide 70 percent of workers with their important first paycheck. It is because of this we, on the committee, say that small business is big business in America. Success in small business ownership is one of the unique opportunities of our economy. Yes, in other countries their citizens can own their own businesses, but nowhere to the extent found in America. Americans grow up with the entrepreneurial spirit around us. The reality of owning your own business is not a far-off dream, but an achievable goal. We all know small business success stories, whether they are friends, grandparents, parents, or our sisters and brothers. The opportunity to start a small business is what draws many to our country. No place else in the world can someone with hard work turn an idea into a thriving business. As these opportunities become more available, the face of small business is changing. Today, minorities are becoming business owners on a scale never seen before. Between 1997 and 2002, the number of Latino- owned firms increased by almost 40 percent and African American-owned businesses increased by 25 percent. Small business ownership has also become a new avenue for empowering women. Whether because of family concerns or because the corporate glass ceiling still exists, women are striking out and starting their own companies at twice the rate of all businesses. This is simply phenomenal. Make no mistake, it is not easy being a small business owner today. Small businesses are confronting health care premiums rising 14 percent this year alone, Federal regulatory compliance costs are increasing for small businesses, and the Federal Government continues blocking them from benefiting from the $235 billion Federal procurement market. While it is never easy, small business owners are in desperate need of health care reform, a national energy plan to reduce skyrocketing costs, access to capital, targeted tax relief, and access to government procurement. Small businesses are a proven tool to guide the Nation out of economic downturns. Small businesses have done it before, and small businesses can do it again. However, their success can only be achieved if we provide them with the help they require. So, today, as we recognize the hard work and commitment of America's entrepreneurs, it is also important that we recommit ourselves to working to create an economic environment that encourages growth for them. We must strive to make the job of our Nation's small businesses all the much easier. It is at least what we can do, given all they have done for us. Today, with the adoption of this resolution, in a very small way we thank our Nation's entrepreneurs for the contributions they make every day. They are the catalyst for economic growth, and they are the anchors of our communities.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hinojosa).

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Guam (Mr. Bordallo).

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee). (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.