Nydia Velázquez

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Borinquen Plaza Senior Center as it celebrates 20 years of existence. The organization is located in New York City in the community of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Throughout the years, the Center has been a vital resource and has provided a safe haven for one of our communities most precious assets--our senior citizens. The Borinquen Plaza Senior Center officially opened in 1977. However, before it was an established organization, it was first an idea born out of the hearts and minds of men and women of various cultures and nationalities. Through their tireless efforts and willingness to dream big, thus was born an organization whose ultimate mission is to care for the elders of our communities. Elders are the wise individuals who we also know as our parents and grandparents. On any given day over 300 seniors pass through the doors of the Borinquen Plaza Senior Center, receiving services ranging from breakfast and lunch to assistance in obtaining entitlement benefits. An additional 200 homebound seniors receive meals delivered directly to their doorsteps as part of the Center's Meals-on-Wheels Program. Furthermore, the Center is one of the few programs that opens its doors on Thanksgiving and Christmas day to provide meals to seniors. As we move forward into the next century, I am confident that the Borinquen Plaza Senior Center will continue its outstanding work. The Center is a shining example of community service at its best and it will always have a friend and advocate in Nydia M. Velazquez. In light of the above, Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in Congress to join me in congratulating the Borinquen Plaza Senior Center on its 20th year anniversary.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, 2\1/2\ years ago the Republicans stood on the steps of the Capitol and signed the Contract With America. Item 5 of the contract was not a bad idea. It called for a $500-per-child tax credit and promised to provide middle class tax relief. I must ask my Republican colleagues why they broke their promise to working families. These families work hard, pay taxes, and are entitled to tax relief. The Republicans not only made a promise to them, they signed a contract. Now my colleagues across the aisle are trying to say that item 5 of the Contract With America does not apply to everyone. The American Dream Restoration Act, as they call it, will remain just another broken promise. The Democrats want to provide tax relief to all working families. It is just that simple. I challenge my Republican colleagues to join us in this effort.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, the Republican leader's newest motto is ``Listen, learn and lead,'' and in a way the Republicans are following that motto. They are listening to millionaires and powerful corporations who want huge tax breaks. They are learning how to provide clever tax loopholes to their rich friends, and they are leading this country down a road that will allow tax giveaways for the rich while working families struggle. Mr. Speaker, the Democrats want to provide real tax relief for working families. Under the Republican bill, 15 million working families, working families, will get no tax relief. Democrats want to help those families. Under the Republican bill, college students will be hit with new taxes. Democrats want to make college more affordable. Mr. Speaker, I propose today a new motto for the Republican leader: Listen, learn, and let the Democrats lead.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, the American people are sick and tired of being promised one thing and getting another. The Republican tax bill is a perfect example. The Republicans will try to tell you that they are providing tax relief to the middle class. This is only true if you think that making over $100,000 is middle class. The fact is that most of the huge Republican tax break will go to the richest people in this country. The people who are really middle class, 60 percent of all families, will only get a third of the tax relief. The working poor will get nothing. It gets worse. College students will be hit with new taxes as they struggle to get an education. Teachers are being told that they will face new taxes on their pensions. And Bill Gates, he will save millions. Is this fairness? Is this what American working families deserve?

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, the Republicans will stand here today and say that they are bringing tax relief to the middle class. They complain that the Democrats are being less than honest about the Republicans' attack on working families. Well, Mr. Speaker, even the Wall Street Journal, no friend of the Democrats, agreed with us. Here it is in the Wall Street Journal. The Republican bill is, and I quote, ``a bonanza for the affluent, crumbs for the working class.'' It ``shamefully short changes the working poor.'' The Wall Street Journal says that under the Republican plan, Bill Gates will get a $4,000 tax break for education expenses, while a new police officer making $23,000 will be denied a tax credit for his kids. Mr. Speaker, if the Republicans are not listening to the American people and they are not listening to the Wall Street Journal, it seems obvious who they are listening to, to their campaign contributors.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to this tax giveaway for the rich act of 1997. From capital gains tax breaks to hidden loopholes for the privileged few--Republicans have loaded this budget. America's wealthy have much to celebrate under this bill--41 percent of the tax cuts will benefit taxpayers making more than $250,000. Meanwhile, families earning less than $23,000 will get no tax relief. This is unfair, Mr. speaker. Democrats and the American people will not stand for this tax sham. Who do Republicans think they are fooling? They want to fatten the pockets of the rich and of the big corporations. Even the Wall Street Journal admits that the poor and middle class are given scraps. Just look at how this outrageous bill treats working mothers. Republicans promised a $500 child tax credit to help all families. But now they want to exclude more than half of the children around the country. In New York alone, they would exclude over 3 million children. To Republicans, the child tax credit is acceptable only for a wealthy family, but they call it welfare for a working family. If that injustice is not enough, Republicans want to punish 2 million working, middle-class women by reducing their child tax credit for child care. it is sad that the party of ``family values'' does not want to help working families. Real tax relief should go to the struggling single mother with children, to the low-income family fighting poverty, to the middle class who carry the vast majority of the tax burden. These are the victims of your tax bill. These are the Americans who will suffer. We need tax relief that fairly benefits all communities. The Republicans could not be trusted to keep their word under the budget agreement. And, they cannot be trusted with our children's future. They have failed working women. They have failed our children. They have failed the hard-working American family struggling to bring in a paycheck. I strongly urge my colleagues to fail this outrageous Republican tax plan.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, today we will vote on the Republican spending bill. The Republicans will say that this is a middle-class budget. Do not believe it for a minute. In fact, the Republicans are financing tax cuts for the rich by waging war on working families and legal immigrants. And when they talk about a balanced budget, they do not finish the sentence. They should add that they are balancing the budget on the backs of legal immigrants and working families in our country. Not only that, but they are violating the terms of an agreement that they made to the President, the Democrats, and to the American people. The Republican tax plan will give $27,000 in tax breaks to the wealthiest 1 percent. At the same time, they want to eliminate benefits to legal immigrants who become disabled in the future. These are people who have worked hard, raised families, and paid taxes. These are American values and they are values that immigrants to this country hold dear to their hearts. Disability benefits are not handouts. How many times do we have to say this? This is an issue of basic fairness. This budget agreement creates a huge double standard that will permit immigrants to be treated like second-class citizens. Why? To pay for huge tax breaks for the wealthy. Is that what this country is all about? Is that how a just society treats its elderly who become disabled? Is that the message to send to the rest of the world? Mr. Speaker, this budget is really a disaster. It is cruel, it is unfair, and the American people will not stand for it.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, today we will vote on the first of two Republican budget bills. The Republicans will say that they are giving tax relief to working families. Do not believe it for one minute. What the Republicans are doing is waging war on working families. The Republican tax plan will give $27,000 in tax breaks to the wealthiest 1 percent. Is this fairness? I will say it again. They want to give $27,000 in tax breaks to the wealthiest 1 percent. For families trying to move from welfare to work, they want to deny worker protections, they want to deny family and medical leave, and they refuse to guarantee protections for 10 million uninsured children. Do not be fooled. The Republican budget is a big gift to wealthy campaign contributors, and the Republican budget is an attack on working families.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, while the Republicans are trying to give huge tax breaks to the rich, working people struggle to make ends meet. While the Republicans attempt to deny the minimum wage to women trying to move from welfare to work, the challenge for working women to achieve pay equity becomes more difficult. For Hispanic women, the challenge is greater still. Tomorrow, June 21, will mark the day when Hispanic women earn what white men earned the year before for comparable work, and Hispanic women, they pay payroll taxes. That is taxes. We know that discrimination is wrong, but employers continue to get away with wage discrimination despite the passage of the Equal Pay Act 30 years ago. Today I rise in support of the Fair Pay Act, which requires employers to pay equal wages for compatible work. While the Republicans try to keep women from even earning the minimum wage, the Democrats are fighting to provide fairness for working women.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to pay a special tribute to a distinguished pair of students from St. Leo's School, who reside in my district. Christopher and Jonathan Cadena are brothers who attend St. Leo's which is located at 104-19 49th Avenue in Corona, Queens. Christopher Mark Cadena was born on January 6, 1989 and has just completed the second grade. As a second grader, in homeroom 2-2 instructed by Ms. Maria Delledera, Christopher has managed to excel in all of his subjects and achieve a record of straight A's. With the recent results of the National Achievement Test, Christopher ranked higher than 82 percent of 2d graders nationwide. Overall he is performing much higher than average in basic skills, reading, language and mathematics. It is my hope his achievement is a testament to his commitment to learning. Christopher's prospects of becoming an NBA basketball player for the New York Knicks will hopefully be realized but not without a solid educational background first. In spirit of the former Senator of New Jersey and former Knicks star the Honorable Bill Bradley. I wish him well. Jonathan Cadena, born on September 4, 1991, has completed his first step in what promises hopes to be a long, successful, and prosperous road to law school or a doctorate degree in the field of his choice. He has completed his kindergarten K-2 class, instructed by Mrs. Mancuso, and will be entering first grade in September. Christopher and Jonathan Cadena's continued hard work and effort will lead them to a successful future filled with hope and opportunity. None of this could be possible without the constant attention and support of their family. Mr. and Mrs. Hector and Amparo Cadena have the lifelong responsibility to ensure that their children always maintain a high standard in education. This should come easy as their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Fausto and Beatriz Rosero have also committed themselves to raising and educating their children at St. Leo's. This is the second generation of the Rosero family to attend St. Leo's School. I hope it won't be the last. The students at St. Leo's School must learn that the value of education is priceless. St. Leo's has long provided the community of Corona and their students with the foundation necessary to be successful in all their endeavors. The next generation of graduates must not only be encouraged to complete their education, but to do it well. They are responsible for paving the way for a better and brighter future for their Nation, community, family, but most of all for themselves. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in encouraging the following students who have started down the right path toward a successful future: Jonathan Cadena--K-2; Christopher Cadena--2-2; Christopher Hernandez--3-1; Stephanie Hernandez--K-1; Ariana Medina--2-2; Andres Patino--1-1; Jessica Patino--3-2; Elizabeth Correa--2-1; Antony Paredes--3-1. On behalf of Mr. Paul Corsello principal, and Father Charles P. Keeney pastor of St. Leo's Parish, the students and most of all the teachers whose commitment to education are the most inspirational of all lessons, I congratulate everyone, especially the graduating class of 1997 for their dedication in achieving high standards and excellence in education. I wish all of them the best of luck in all their future endeavors.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, there is an old saying that says ``Lead, follow or get out of the way.'' This would have been good advice for the Republicans when Democrats tried to provide disaster assistance to the Midwest. This would have been good advice for the Republicans when they tried to kill the Democrats' $500 child tax credit to working mothers who need child care in order to work. The Republicans will do well to heed this advice once more as Democrats fight to provide tax fairness to working Americans. The Republicans claim that low-income people do not pay taxes. That is nonsense. The poor pay their fair share of taxes and the Republicans know it. The Republicans are out of touch with working families in this country. Their idea of tax fairness is to give tax breaks to millionaires and to allow big corporations to pay no taxes at all. I ask Members, how many Americans think this is fair? Lead, follow, or get out of the way.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, It is with great honor that I congratulate some very special students from the 12th Congressional District of New York. I am certain that this day marks the culmination of much hard work and many valiant efforts for these students whose work and efforts have had and will continue to lead them to success. Many have overcome the obstacles of overcrowded and dilapidated classrooms, antiquated and insufficient instructional material. While others have overcome the all too frequent distractions of random violence and pervasive drug activity. However, these students have proudly persevered despite the odds. Their success is a tribute not only to their own strength, but also to the supportive parents and teachers who have encouraged them to succeed. These students have learned that education is priceless. They know that education will provide them with the tools and opportunities to be successful in any endeavor they pursue. In many respects, this is the most important lesson they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. In closing, I would like to say that the best and brightest youths in America must be encouraged to stay on course so they can pave the way for a better future of this Nation. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in congratulating the following academic achievers who have triumphed despite adversity. Congratulations to: Victor De Jesus--P.S. 16, Anita Rendon, Edwin Hernandez--P.S. 18, Juan Guandique, Robert Gil, Jr., Michelle Detres, James Roman--I.S. 49, Yasmine Grossebacker, Milagros Sanchez--J.H.S. 50, Ivan Villar, Marisa Rodriguez--I.S. 71, Cristian Campoverde, Vanessa Colon--P.S. 84, Zeila Herrera, Evelyn Olivieri--P.S. 147, Eliezer de Leon, Celina Garcia--P.S. 106, Antonio Romero, Amir Hairston--P.S. 250, Jasmine Sepulveda, Jorge Melendez--P.S. 257, Anthony Tejera, Wister Dorta--I.S. 318, Marlene Alvarado, Christina Pagan--P.S. 380, Juan Carmona, Claudia Gusman--E.D. Senior Acadamey, Amzad D. Hosein, Thomas R. Napolitano--Holy Trinity School, Jose Enrique Sequi, Jr., Jessica Martinez--St. Peter & Paul School, Brian Paris, Gladys Alvarado--All Saints R.C. School, Francine Hodgson, Cesarina Paula--Transfiguration School, Iris Trinidad, Amanda Zolon--St. Nicholas Elementary School.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, the Republicans are desperately out of touch with real people in this country. First, they try to hold up disaster relief to flood victims. Then they say that people trying to move from welfare to work are not entitled to the minimum wage or basic workplace protections. Now the Republicans are trying to push through a tax bill that gives huge tax breaks to millionaires and provides almost no relief to the people who need it the most, middle-income and working families. The bulk of their tax cut will go to those families making over $237,000 a year. That is wrong. What message are the Republicans sending to hardworking Americans? They want to give a $10,000 tax deduction to upper-income families who can already afford to send their kids to college. Yet they propose a $500-per-child tax credit that penalizes working mothers with children in child care. Mr. Speaker, right now parents are forced to take two and three jobs just to feed their families. These are the people who need tax relief. Instead, the Republicans have loaded this tax bill down with gifts to their wealthy friends. It is wrong, Mr. Speaker. It is wrong, and we will not allow it.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to acknowledge the achievement of a very special graduate of the 12th Congressional District who has had perfect attendance for 6 years; since enrolling in kindergarten at Edward Bush Public School 18 in Brooklyn, NY. This graduate has been undaunted by obstacles and has demonstrated a true commitment to her educational goals. She has learned that education is priceless and that she will be provided with the tools and opportunities to be successful in any endeavor she pursues by dedicating herself to her studies. Her success is a tribute not only to her strength and discipline but also to the supportive parents and teachers who have encouraged her. I am confident that the combination of these forces will lead her to many more achievements. Mr. Speaker, as congressional Representatives we often discuss solutions to the plight of our Nation's educational system. We diligently strive to encourage educational excellence and dedication to higher learning. This student's unique achievement can serve as an example to others and I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House Representatives to join me in congratulating her. May her future be filed with many more successes. Congratulations to Kimberly Rodriguez.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, with great pride I would like to congratulate some special graduates of the 12th Congressional District of New York. I am certain that this day marks the culmination of much hard work and many valiant efforts for these students; work and effort which have led and will lead them to continued success. They have overcome the obstacles of overcrowded and dilapidated classrooms, antiquated and insufficient instructional materials, the all too frequent distractions of random violence and pervasive drug activity, and, for some, having to adapt to a new language and new customs. But these students have persevered despite the odds. Their success is a tribute not only to their own strength, but also to the supportive parents and teachers who have encouraged them to achieve. These students have learned that education is priceless. They know that education will provide them with the tools and opportunities to be successful in any endeavor they pursue. In many respects, this is the most important lesson they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. In closing, I would like to say that youth in America must be encouraged to stay on course and complete their educations so they can pave the way for a better future. Let us not forget that their future is the future of this Nation. These successful graduates of the 12th Congressional District take the charge to lead our Nation very seriously as their commitment to their education has demonstrated. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in congratulating the following graduates who have triumphed despite adversity and who have achieved outstanding academic standing. Congratulations to the 1997 graduates of the 12th Congressional District: Sherlley Medina, John Denton and Geimy Colon--El Puente Academy for Peace and Justice High School. Evelyn Reynoso and Carlos Segura--Eastern District High School. Naisha Arthur and Ragon Atkhas--Bushwick High School. Dawn Stokes and Alberto Sanchez--East New York High School. Jetaime Toliver and Shykia Bell--Maxwell High School. Dory Garcia and Kaleena Torres--Intermediate School 291. Christina Rodriguez and Bartosz Bernatowicz--Charles O. Dewey Middle School. Nina Soto--Middle School 88. Delaila Catalino and Edwin Carrion--Public School 86.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of Elmhurst and Corona, Queens, to pay special tribute to a remarkable individual who has distinguished himself as an exceptional police officer and role model for our young. Thomas Fahey has brought hope to the lives of many in Elmhurst and Queens by reaching out to the community and helping those in need. As a decorated 14-year veteran of the New York Police Department, Officer Fahey has always been there for our community and our children--especially in these last 8 years, during which he has served as the youth officer at the 110th precinct in Corona and Elmhurst, Queens. He has helped kids that were in trouble and helped kids stay out of trouble. As a mentor and friend he has inspired countless young men and women to stay in school and strive for a better life. Officer Fahey has led by example, and there can be no better example than his selfless service during rescue efforts after TWA Flight 800 exploded above Long Island. In fact, he received a decoration from New York City for putting his life at risk to help the families and victims of Flight 800. Thomas Fahey is truly a hero, and his work in the community is a shinning example to us all. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and all my colleagues join me in honoring Officer Thomas Fahey. He inspires those who work with him, and he has earned the devotion of his friends and the gratitude of his community.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to commend the 20 Republican House Members who sent a letter to the Republican leadership to urge passage of a clean disaster relief bill. These brave Members are acknowledging what the American people already know, that the Republicans have played politics with the lives of flood victims. One Republican said that she is exasperated with the her party's leadership. Another Member admitted that the Republicans have made a mistake and that this should only have been a disaster relief bill. Another accused the Republican leadership of acting irresponsibly. Mr. Speaker, the Democrats have spoken. Some brave Republicans have spoken. But more importantly, the American people have spoken. Please let us send the President a clean disaster relief bill and help those in need. They must not be made to wait any longer.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, the President asked the Republicans for a clean disaster relief bill 84 days ago, 84 days. Instead, they sent the President a bill that tells the government how to conduct the census. I ask my colleagues across the aisle, what does the census have to do with the disaster relief? The Democrats want to vote on a clean bill, but the Republicans will not let us. The Democrats want to help the people of the Midwest to rebuild their lives, but the Republicans will not let us. Mr. Speaker, the Republicans are playing politics with people's lives. They know that, if they pass a clean spending bill to help the flood victims, the President will sign it. But they will not do it. Mr. Speaker, this is wrong. How many times must we say it? People are suffering and we have got to help them. Give us a clean disaster relief bill. {time} 1030

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, the Republicans must stop playing politics with the lives of the flood victims of North Dakota and Minnesota. Pass a bill that is disaster relief, plain and simple. Amendments that have nothing to do with disaster relief have no place in a bill designed to bring relief to people in dire need. Mr. Speaker, I represent a district of hard-working people who live nearly 2,000 miles from the Dakotas, people who now must deal with the so-called immigrant and welfare reforms. My constituents are filled with compassion for those struggling to fulfill the American dream. Their hearts and minds go out to those in need in the Dakotas and Minnesota. My constituents are outraged that the Republican Party would play politics with people so desperately in need. Shame on them. Pass a clean bill and leave the politics at home.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, there are people in the Midwest who are suffering. Their homes have been destroyed by floods and they need our help. The Democrats in Congress have an emergency spending bill that will help them put their shattered lives back together. We want to help these victims but the Republicans will not let us. Instead, the Republicans are attaching language to a flood relief bill that would stop an accurate count of minorities in the census. The Republicans are so afraid of an accurate count of minorities that they are willing to let flood victims suffer. Mr. Speaker, the Republicans do not mind playing politics with the American people. They already shut down the Federal Government twice. Now they are fiddling while the Midwest drowns.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, the explosion of finance crimes, money laundering, credit card fraud and counterfeiting is draining our communities of valuable resources. For that reason, I introduced H.R. 1756, the Money Laundering and Financial Crimes Strategy Act. Under this bill Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies will at last be able to coordinate their efforts to combat this rising criminal tide. The effect of this criminal activity is chilling. In my district there is a section of Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights, Queens, that prosecutors and investigators call Ground Zero. That neighborhood is home to many hard-working families. It is also an area where an exploited wire transfer industry sends up to $1.3 billion in illegal drug money abroad. My colleagues, the effects of these crimes reach far beyond New York, Texas, California. Yet Congress has done little. As a partner in this war, it is time for Congress to send a clear message to these criminal organizations by cosponsoring H.R. 1756.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, let us be perfectly clear about this budget agreement. It is far from over. Now that the framework has been decided by this body, it is time to talk about priorities. The Democrats' priorities are to educate our children. First we want full funding for WIC, then we fought tooth and nail to protect funding for Pell grants, bilingual and immigrant education, Head Start, and child literacy. Now we must force the Republicans to make good on this agreement. The Republican agenda is just as clear. They continue to brag that their number one concern is cutting taxes for the richest people in this country. Mr. Speaker, is this what the American people want? When they want to know why our schools are crumbling to the ground and our students are not learning to read, is there a Member in this Chamber who will look them in the eye and tell them that tax cuts for the wealthy are more important?

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of this CBC budget. This is a budget that balances the budget sooner and spends less than the budget resolution. Not only is this budget responsible, it offers an added bonus to the budget process: It is fair. The CBC budget does not gut the Medicaid Program and it would not cause Medicare recipients to pay more for less services. This budget does not ask the poor to bear the burden for tax cuts for the wealthy. This budget does ask corporations to give up many of the tax breaks that they have unfairly enjoyed for too long. Mr. Chairman, we must ask ourselves what the American people really want. Do they want to pay for huge tax cuts for the rich and for big corporations? Do they want to pay for huge outlays in defense? I do not think so. Or do the American people want a budget that provides fairness to working families? Do they want a budget that protects Medicare and Medicaid? Do they want a budget that has its priorities straight? I think so. Support the CBC alternative.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to add my voice and the voice of thousands of young people from my district in support of the Owens amendment to safeguard the Summer Youth Employment Program. For several weeks each summer, SYEP provides jobs to over 600,000 disadvantaged youth across the country, many of them in my district. Yet, H.R. 1385 jeopardizes this program and the future of our young people. Passage of the Owens amendment will provide hope to so many of our at-risk children. I recently received a letter from Vashia Rhone, a young constituent of mine. Vashia's letter shows us the kind of impact programs like this have. She writes: Growing up, I often felt trapped and like I had no place to go. However, something that helped me was, as I became older, I discovered places to go and things to do such as after- school programs and STEP. Believe it or not, it's true. If young people are working, they will be off the streets. If young people are working, their esteem level goes up. They begin to feel good about themselves, and they learn independence. Please consider this and represent the youth of New York City and protect their future. My colleagues, this program does work. I urge all of you to support the Owens amendment and support SYEP. We owe it to our kids. We owe it to their future.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, even though many Republicans finally realized the error of their ways and joined the Democrats to restore $76 million for basic nutrition for America's poorest babies--we can't claim victory yet. The Senate has only set aside $58 million for WIC. Right now, the fate of 85,000 women and children will be decided by a Republican-dominated conference. When negotiation on the lives of infants and mothers begins next week, I would urge the conferees to maintain the full $76 million for WIC. America will be watching. If you try to use smoke and mirrors to deny these children food, we will know. My colleagues, the supplemental already hurts American families by freezing funding for education. After weeks of fighting, we have to stick to our guns. We must give all 180,000 women, children and infants the proper nutrition they need.