May 2, 1995 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E 917

he replied that he didn’t care whether the

program worked, he just didn’t like it.

Fortunately, at that time, we had a Congress that stood up to such dogma—on a bipartisan basis, I might add—and saved effective programs for children. But those days

are long gone. The new extremist element in

control of the Congress neither understands

the programs nor appreciates their achievements. With a rhetorical tip of the hat to the

apparently magical capabilities of state and

local governments, with a cynical reliance

on the limitless abilities of private charities,

they have set about destroying our ability to

protect children and give them hope.

You know, they call the Republican welfare reform bill the Personal Responsibility

Act. And I am all for people meeting their

responsibilities—to their children, to their

families, and to their communities. When

people don’t push their kids to finish school

or support their kids, or look hard to find

employment, I think emphasizing personal

responsibility makes a lot of sense.

But government has responsibilities, too,

particular to our poorest, and most vulnerable, children. I have no admiration for political leaders, and make no concession to

political strategies, that abandon those responsibilities to America’s children.

These people aren’t just about taking away

the safety net. They want to fold up the tent

and put the whole show out of business.

I don’t know anyone who’s not committed

to making the bureaucracy more efficient

and the programs more cost-effective. We

made important changes in welfare policy, in

child care, in services to dysfunctional families and children in crisis, and those policies

work, with a lot of hard effort from volunteers and professionals at all levels. And we

need to make more.

But you don’t cure nutritional problems by

cutting one fifth of the food stamp program

a program that feeds 14 million children—as

the House-passed welfare bill would do.

You don’t give kids a chance in the future

by denying children with Down Syndrome

and cerebral palsy financial assistance, as it

would do.

You don’t make the foster care system

more responsive by eliminating basic children’s rights and turning the program over

to the states, half of which are under court

orders for failing to comply with the law.

So, at a time when should be learning from

our experiences and building stronger programs, people like Nancy Daly are trudging

to Capitol Hill and meeting with every Senator and aide she can find, as she did this

month, urging that they put aside partisanship, ideology and fanaticism and think, as

she has been for twenty years, about the

children.

Nancy has a lot to teach the Congress.

She can teach them about the value of

comprehensive services, about the need for

legal advocates, about the contributions (and

the limitations) of what volunteerism can

do. She can demonstrate to them the need

for a responsive government and the necessity of having someone in that bureaucracy

whose job to think about children first. She

can even show them how a liberal Democrat

and a powerful Republican can get along together.

I would have hope that, at this stage, we

wouldn’t be engaged in a national debate

about whether to kill programs or to keep

them, but rather about how to make them

more efficient for taxpayers and more effective for children. I believe quite frankly, it is

a waste of Nancy Daly and many of those in

this room to have to exert such effort and influence just to keep up where we are in

terms of a national commitment of excellence to children. But I am enough of an historian and a politician to know that sometimes you have to play defense and work and

wait for a better time to come. Unfortunately, the children are waiting, too, and

millions of them do not have four or eight

years to spare while politicians and voters

figure out what they really want to do.

I see these obstacles as a challenge to

those of us who hold a public trust. I have

little pity or tolerance for those who bemoan

the loss of a majority, or a chairmanship, or

the other accoutrements of power. Other

have lost far more than we, and they will

continue to lose, to have their opportunities

shattered and their futures stunted, if we

wallow in self-absorbed anguish over an election.

Nancy Daly serves as an inspiration because she understands that what matters are

the results. Beginning without a shred of political power, she has built monuments to

the hopes and the futures of children

throughout America, and I very much doubt

she has given an hour since last November to

questioning whether she should do anything

but redouble her efforts on behalf of the kids

who need her, and us, more now then ever.

Nancy, my warm congratulations to you

on receipt of the richly deserved Lifetime

Service Award. And since it is a ‘‘lifetime’’

award, I would note that you have several

additional years of service that we are all

looking forward to.

I am delighted to be able to participate in

this tribute to a wonderful woman tonight,

and honored that you have allowed me to

share this evening with all of you.

VOICE OF DEMOCRACY WINNER—

JANICE BANKERT

f

HON. DAN BURTON OF INDIANA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, May 2, 1995

Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise

today to recognize the accomplishment of

Miss Janice Bankert, a high school junior in

my district who won the Veterans of Foreign

Wars ‘‘Voice of Democracy’’ State competition.

Miss Bankert has a lofty and noble vision for

American democracy. One that, I might add,

we should all strive to achieve—quoting Miss

Bankert, ‘‘the barriers that are to be conquered are but foothills to a mountain if we

are unified.’’ Indeed, if we ‘‘put away prejudices and stubbornness’’ we can restore belief

and faith in the ‘‘judgment of (the) government’’ again.

I salute Miss Bankert and submit the text of

her script to be printed in the RECORD.

‘‘MY VISION FOR AMERICA’’

I have a vision for America that in my lifetime there will be a revolution of new

thoughts which will sweep over this nation

and produce in the heart of our society a

stronger desire for democracy than ever before. My vision is that the dreary attitudes

of leaving the decisions up to Washington

will dissipate into the inclination to rise and

to speak forth about the laws and principles

that shape this country into what it is, and

into what it will become. My vision is that

on the evening news, instead of an overwhelmingly negative report about the goings-on in the White House, there will be

loud acclamation and approval . . . because

the people will feel that they are being

heard. Instead of just voting, people will

write letters, gather petitions, and communicate with the politicians from their districts and regions about what they need, and

what they would like to see happen in their

government. Ladies and gentlemen, my vision is that democracy will thrive in this nation by once again being planted and nurtured by the citizens.

For my fantasy to become reality the people for which this nation was first built must

build it again with their own hands. Like the

‘‘amber waves of grain’’ is the power and

greatness of this country. This nation is a

harvest that has already been planted, and

now needs cared for every moment, to be

gathered with thankfulness and satisfaction.

It is a fruit so fertile and awesome that it

will take the unity of a nation to reap

it . . . and enjoy its bounty. To do this,

every person must invest time and effort. We

all must work to change what is adverse to

our common goal, an America we can take

pride in, and like farmers in a field, weed out

our enemies: hate, discord, indifference, and

defacement of hope.

The task that faces us is not an impossible

one if we are unified. The barriers that are to

be conquered are but foothills to a mountain

if we are unified. Our victory is not invisible

if we are unified. Unified . . . each of us putting away prejudices and stubbornness, ignoring petty issues, believing in the judgment of our government, and having faith in

the banner that has long been the embodiment of our allegiance to the democracy

that began over two-hundred years ago, and

continues today . . .

My vision for America is one that is common, but will only live if we, as citizens of

the United States of America, actively birth

it from our hearts, and allow it to suffocate

no longer.

My vision for America is for each individual to feel as part of a union and to proudly,

joyously say, ‘‘I pledge allegiance to the flag

of the United States of America, and to the

republic for which it stands, one nation

under God, indivisible, with liberty and jusHONORING THE CESAR CHEVEZ

tice for all.’’

WRITING CONTEST AWARD WINfNERS OF THE EAST SIDE UNION

HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

HON. ZOE LOFGREN OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, May 2, 1995

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to

recognize the remaining winners of the first

annual Cesar Chavez writing contest held by

the East Side Union High School district in

San Jose, CA. I had the great privilege of attending the award ceremony honoring the student winners on March 31, 1995, and would

like to continue sharing the essays and poems

written by the student award winners with my

colleagues.

On April 4, 1995, I began by sharing the essays and poems of the Grand Prize Winners

and three of the First Place Winners. On April

6, 1995, I shared the five remaining First Prize

entries, and the first three of eight Second

Place winning entries. Today, I will share the

remaining five essays and poems of the Second Place Winners.

The Second Prize winning essays and

poems of Marie Aloy of Mount Pleasant High

School, Mark Papellero of W.C. Overfelt High

School, Raymond Ramirez of Piedmont Hills

High School, Ester Martinez Estrada of Santa

Teresa High School, and Anthonette Pena of

Silver Creek High School follow:
E 918 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 2, 1995

UNTITLED

It was all very irrelevant to me. I’m not a

farmer. I didn’t live during the Great Depression or the years following. I don’t grow fruit

or pick it for that matter, and I’m not even

of Hispanic descent. The dates and strikes

and marches are just another group of history facts that I am asked to know and

memorize for one reason or another. So far

my life and the life and accomplishments of

Cesar Chavez have no relation or commonality to bind him to my memory—except for

one thing.

Something that I value greatly, that earns

my genuine respect and admiration, I found

hidden in a comment made about the great

and greatly known Cesar Chavez. Actually it

was his nephew Rudy Chavez Medina who inadvertently helped me find my way to relate

to Cesar Chavez. Rudy came and spoke to us

a few days ago about his famous uncle and

mentioned offhandedly that his uncle Cesar

was never afraid to ask for help. He was not

the type to put himself on a pedestal for everyone to worship. When a goal was achieved

he didn’t credit it to his magnificent leadership. He praised everyone involved, and humbly made himself equal to every individual

in the crowd. In a position of such great

power I am amazed and in awe that this man

could remain so wonderfully humble.

The ‘‘equality’’ of the man staggered me.

He had opportunities, as all celebrated leaders do, to leap from poverty into a more

comfortable life. But I’m sure he knew that

that separation between his life and the lives

of the farmers and laborers he inspired would

lessen his effectiveness as a leader. So he

sacrificed his own comfort for the welfare of

the organization, for the thousands who

needed his guidance.

They say he is comparable to Gandhi and

took his passive resistance techniques from

Martin Luther King, Jr. as well. He never

put peoples’ lives in danger. He wanted only

a better world and envisioned achieving that

new existence in a peaceful manner. No riots

or destruction, only marches and calm demonstrations. Usually human nature turns

people to the dark side of things. It is uplifting to learn about someone who wanted only

to help and made sure that he didn’t hurt

anyone in the process.

No facts or figures, just feelings. That is

what binds us together and that is what creates a bond in my mind and heart. I never

really knew who he was, and the bits and

pieces I had grasped had little to do with my

life. Now I know who he was and what he did.

I know that he was humble to the core and

self-sacrificing in all that he did and a truly

great man.

‘‘THE LIVES OF WORKERS’’

4:00 am

Wake up! Time for work!

Here’s a piece of bread and tiny glass of powder milk.

Now go or you’ll be late!

5:00 am

Plow. Have to work hard.

Plow. Need to support the family.

Plow. Need to survive.

Plow. Simple.

6:00 am

The sun rises.

Plow. Plan. Need clean water.

Plow. Plant. Pesticides in my lungs.

Plow. Plant. Tired.

7:00 am

The sun grows warm.

Plow. Plan. Lift. Need to rest.

Plow. Plant Lift. Pesticide grows strong.

Plow. Plant. Lift. Sweat.

8:00 am

The sun is warmer.

The grower comes.

He demands. He orders. He pushes.

He is mad. He gets his way.

9:00 am

The sun gets hot.

Plow. Plant. Lift. Carry. The work is too

much.

Plow. Plant. Lift. Carry. I am the pesticide.

Plow. Plant. Lift. Carry. The condition needs

to change.

Plow. Plant. Lift. Carry. Sweat and Ache.

THIS TREATMENT HAS TO STOP. WE

HAVE TO OVERCOME.

Plow. Plant. Lift. Carry. Six more hours left.

CHAVEZ Y LA CAUSA

Just a man

No more, No less

Victim of intolerance

Who just wanted the best.

For his people

The workers of the field

With words of compensation

For the crops that they yield.

La Causa or The Cause

A movement without fear

It was forged by its people

And it streamed like a tear.

They said it was impossible

Pero si se puede hacer

With hearts filled with determination

Y amor para la mujer.

He carried on for years

Giving only of himself

He did it all for love

And cared nothing for wealth.

His presents was mighty

His movement was strong

And although he is gone

His glory lives on!

A HERO TO THE MEXICAN COMMUNITY

(By: Ester Martinez Estrada)

No words I can write can describe how Cesar

Estrada Chavez dedicated his heart and

soul to love and justice as we all know.

He was a leader that influenced strongly on

rights.

A man that went out there and suffered with

others day and night.

Cesar Chavez supported nonviolent actions

on their part. For he declared, ‘‘truest

act of courage, the strongest act of

manliness, is to sacrifice ourselves for

others in a totally nonviolent struggle

for justice,’’ and this came from his

heart.

Farmworkers gathered in his demonstrations

and his strikes to unite the true mexican pride.

A pride no mexican can hide.

They came together for the security of justice in peace.

They came together with strength to see

their work environment rights to be released.

They came together to rise out of the fields

and stand up and never sit ’till they

were treated with respect and good

pay.

They came together to revise their situation

and at least get minimum wage.

Cesar Chavez joined hands with his line of

mexican blood without fear.

Cesar Chavez led the mexican community

hoping their aim and dream was near.

For they all knew that they had to start

today for the * * * of the future’s eye.

Together and always together they had to

rise.

Together they all struggled and prayed.

Together they knew justice would serve one

day.

Cesar Chavez and his fellow farmworkers

came out of nowhere and bewildered all

on their way to their destination.

Without the help of Cesar Chavez, injustice

would have gone on for generations.

Cesar died peacefully in his sleep and is now

up above.

He symbolized the brown pride and that

strength of respectable love.

Now is the time Mexicans can stand proud

and say, ‘‘My hope is Cesar Estrada

Chavez and no one can ask why.’’

CESAR CHAVEZ

As a young boy, Cesar Estrada Chavez experienced the hardships of being the son of a

migrant farm worker. As his family worked

in the crops, they learned how to survive in

the harsh conditions such as lack of shelter,

money, and even food. Racism was also an

issue that affected his life. Although his family were third generation Americans, because

his ancestors were Mexicans, he was classified as a second-class citizen.

After working with the Community Service Organization from 1952 until 1962, he then

moved on to found the National Farm Worker’s Association. Under the NFWA, he organized nationwide boycotts of grapes, wine,

and lettuce in an attempt to pressure California growers to sign a contract which

would increase the farm worker’s pay and

provide them with a minimum amount of

safety, Cesar Chavez became a symbol of

hope for the people.

In particular, youth can look up to Cesar

Chavez as a role model because it is at this

point in our lives that we want to take an

active role in mending society’s flaws and

begin to stand up for what we believe in.

However, many of us are unsure of the role

we should play and how far we are willing to

go to stand by our decisions. As children, we

had the vision of making a difference and

had dreams of leading a successful life. At

this age, reality begins to take its toll and

we realize that if we really want to make a

difference and lead a successful life there are

things which we must do to accomplish these

goals. Like Cesar Chavez, we must be willing

to put ourselves on the line and uphold our

principles and defend our sense of morality.

Cesar Chavez was a man who was not only

determined, but courageous as well. ‘‘The

only way is to keep struggling,’’ he says.

‘‘Fighting for social justice is one of the

most profound ways in which a man can say

yea to man’s dignity, and that really means

sacrifice. There is no way on this earth in

which you can say yes to a man’s dignity and

know that you’re going to be spared some

sacrifice.’’

CONTRACT WITH AMERICA TAX

RELIEF ACT OF 1995

f

SPEECH OF

HON. LEWIS STOKES

OF OHIO

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, April 5, 1995

The House in Committee of the Whole

House on the State of the Union had under

consideration the bill (H.R. 1215) to amend

the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to

strengthen the American family and create

jobs:

Mr. STOKES. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong

opposition to H.R. 1215. In taking this position,

let me first make it clear that I have consistently supported efforts for real tax relief for our

Nation’s working citizens and their families.