April 10, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E629 with comparable qualifications. Women com- were friends at Garfield High School. They now allow for the medical use of marijuana. plete more schooling than men but earn only came of age during the 1960's rock movement This bill will be offered as an amendment to 72 cents for each dollar earned by men. Al- but have never abandoned their Mexican folk the first available authorization or appropria- though the wage gap has slowly narrowed music heritage. The band's 20-plus-year his- tions bill. over the years, much of the gap is not closing tory incorporates traditional rhythms, American The organizations which promoted the Cali- for women at all but is due to the decline in folk, rock-and-roll and R&B among its influ- fornia and Arizona medical marijuana initia- men's wages. Much of the rest of the progress ences. However, the strongest pull for Los tivesÐDrug Policy Foundation/NORMLÐinten- can be traced to earnings of a small group of Lobos derives from their east Los Angeles tionally exploited the pain and suffering of oth- professional or highly skilled women. The av- roots. ers as part of their back door attempt to legal- erage woman has seen little if any progress. Los Lobos have released 10 albums and ize marijuana. Over her lifetime, a woman loses over collaborated on numerous film, television, the- As we know, Mr. Speaker, it is a Federal of- $420,000 due to pay inequity, and collectively, atrical, and commercial productions. In 1985, fense to sell, use, or possess a controlled sub- womenÐand therefore often their familiesÐ the group received the distinction as ``Band of stance, such as marijuana. The Federal Gov- lose more than $100 billion in wages each the Year'' by Rolling Stone. It was their hit ``La ernment, or more specifically, the Food and year because of wage discrimination. Bamba,'' one of eight Ritchie Valens remakes Drug Administration has repeatedly rejected The Equal Pay Act (EPA) was passed in recorded for the namesake movie soundtrack, marijuana for medical use because it ad- versely impacts concentration and memory, 1963, and by focusing on pay disparities that thrust them into America's eye and the lungs, motor coordination, and the immune where men and women were doing the same brought the band international acclaim. The system. (or similar) jobs, its enforcement has helped song was Billboard's No. 1 pop single in 1987. There is increasing scientific evidence that narrow the wage gap between men and In 1988, Los Lobos received a Grammy smoked marijuana would be the last medica- women. The Fair Pay Act takes the Equal Pay Award for ``Best Mexican-American Perform- tion you would want to prescribe to persons Act one step further and seeks to confront the ance'' for ``La Pistola Y El Corazon.'' They with AIDS since this drug further compromises pay disparity problem of the 1990's the way have received other accolades ranging from their immune system, thereby increasing the the EPA confronted the equal pay problem in MTV Music Video Awards to ``L.A. Times risk of infections and respiratory problems. the 1960's. Album of the Year.'' Specifically, my bill, the Medical Marijuana The FPA recognizes that if men and women All of what I have just recited explains the Prevention Act, requires the DEA to revoke are doing comparable work, they should be fame. But, one of Los Lobos' most recent per- the Federal license of a physician to dispense paid the same. If you are an emergency serv- haps most cherished achievements has been approved medication, under the Controlled ices operator, a female-dominated profession, their support of Broadoaks Children's School Substance Act, if they recommend the use of for example, you should not be paid less than in Whittier, CA. The group has raised consid- smoked marijuana for a medical treatment. a fire dispatcher, a male-dominated profes- erable funds during three sold-out benefit con- Federal law (21 U.S.C. S. 824) provides the sion, simply because you are a woman and he certs at Whittier College. All of these funds President authority to deny a doctor's registra- happens to be a man. If you are a social have enabled the school to expand its serv- tion to dispense controlled substancesÐmedi- worker, a traditionally female occupation, you ices to children, families, and teachers cationÐif the doctor is found to commit acts should not earn less than a probation officer throughout Los Angeles. inconsistent with the public interest. In other simply because you are a woman. In 1996, Broadoaks dedicated its newest words, the President already has the authority The FPA, like the EPA, will not tamper with building the ``Los Lobos Learning Center,'' under existing law to end the medical mari- the market system. As with the EPA, the bur- honoring the groups commitment to this first juana fraud. den will be on the plaintiff to prove discrimina- through sixth grade elementary school. The As I have said on countless occasions, the tion. She must show that the reason for the Los Lobos Learning Center includes two only legacy of the Clinton Presidency will be a disparity between herself and a man doing classrooms for fourth through sixth grade stu- dramatic increase in the use of illegal drugs in comparable work in her workplace is sexÐor dents, many of whom require special edu- America. There is still time for the President to raceÐdiscrimination, not legitimate market cation services. All students in this center are reverse this trend but it would require decisive factors. required to participate in public service action on his part. Unfortunately given his As women's employment becomes an in- projects to instill the value of volunteerismÐa record on this most important of issues it may creasingly significant factor in the diminishing reminder and tribute to their benefactors. again be left to Congress to take the initiative. real dollar income of American families, fair Mr. Speaker, on Friday, April 11, 1997, f pay between the sexes for comparable em- friends and family will gather at a dinner to HELP COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY ployees escalates in importance. This new pay special tribute to Los Lobos to acknowl- BASE CLOSURE paycheck frontier must be conquered for edge the group's commitment and generosity women and their families. I urge my col- toward the children at Broadoaks Children's leagues to support this legislation. School. It is with distinct pleasure that I ask HON. BILL McCOLLUM OF FLORIDA f my colleagues to join me today in saluting IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES these exceptional individuals for their out- TRIBUTE TO LOS LOBOS standing contributions to the music world and Thursday, April 10, 1997 for their lasting gesture of goodwill toward our Mr. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, today I am HON. XAVIER BECERRA community. introducing legislation that will facilitate the OF CALIFORNIA f swift transfer of closed military bases to local IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES communities. I am happy to be joined in this THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSO- Thursday, April 10, 1997 endeavor by my colleague, Mr. SAXTON, the CIATION AND MEDICAL MARI- primary cosponsor of this legislation. This ac- Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, it is with great JUANA tion is necessary because current law hinders pride that I rise today to recognize the inter- the large and complex transfer of military base nationally acclaimed musicians Los Lobos for HON. GERALD B.H. SOLOMON property with economic redevelopment in sharing their remarkable talents and their spirit OF NEW YORK mind. of generosity with the people of America. The IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Many of the laws governing the reuse of quintet has steadily gained fans internationally military bases are antiquated and filled with Thursday, April 10, 1997 and earned a place as one of music's most confusing terms and conditions. One major ex- uncompromising innovators. What is less Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, the American isting hindrance is a clause prohibiting the ob- known but equally as valuable about Louie Medical Association and all health care provid- tainment of profit by local communities. This is Perez, Cesar Rosas, David Hidalgo, Conrad ers should be alerted that legislation I am in- a problem because it prevents local commu- Lozano, and Steve Berlin is their roles as Am- troducing today will require the Attorney Gen- nities from generating profits through subleas- bassadors of goodwill. Los Lobos have be- eral to revoke the Federal license to prescribe ing for the purpose of reinvestment to maintain come inspirational role models for the greater medication to any health care practitioner who and improve landscaping, maintenance, and Los Angeles community, especially for our recommends to a patient the use of smoked infrastructure. The remedy for this situation is children. marijuana. This bill is a response to the fraud- to replace the clause with legislation embody- Messrs. Perez, Rosas, Hidalgo, and Lozano ulent efforts of the pro-drug crowd in the ing the provisions of the base closure laws were born and raised in east Los Angeles and States of California and Arizona where they and amendments of the 1990's.