September 30, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1753 hearings served as the impetus for causing a special ceremony at the National Fire Acad- The Senate approved a $318 billion pack- the Department of Defense to seriously re-ex- emy. age. The House originally came in at $284 bil- amine and re-vamp its system of diagnosis, Today, let us take a moment and reflect lion, and recently the two chambers united upon Tom Kistler and many like him that serve around a figure of $284 billion in guaranteed treatment and compensation for Persian Gulf contracts plus another $15 billion in con- War veterans. I know that the work we did on our communities and our Nation, the folks that tracts that have yet to be carried out. that issue made a difference in the lives of make the personal sacrifices every day, not But politicians are playing election-year those service members who agreed to risk because they have to but because they politics, and, of course, nothing of substance their lives for us. choose to. They are the volunteers that make is getting done. However, our concerns about the health of our Nation strong, the people that make our As we pointed out a few days ago, no one veterans and active duty military members did communities special. can accuse this Congress of overwork—it’s not end with those hearings. We have worked America is still the land of the free and the only been in session roughly one day out of home of the brave—Tom Kistler helped make every three. together to craft a bi-partisan solution to pro- Sadly, lawmakers sent to the president vide members of the military with the ability to it so. only a fraction of the 13 spending bills nec- make informed decisions about immunization f essary to fund the government for the fiscal for anthrax and smallpox. The right to in- year that starts Friday. That includes the formed consent is enjoyed by every citizen, EDITORIAL FROM THE BECKLEY transportation bill to fund highway and except those in the military. If enacted, this bill REGISTER-HERALD transit projects for the next six years—vi- would prohibit the Department of Defense tally important to southern West Virginia. from mandating immunization against anthrax HON. NICK J. RAHALL, II The Mountain State faces unique chal- OF WEST VIRGINIA lenges when it comes to building highways. and/or smallpox if a soldier believes that the It can cost up to $20 million to build one IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES risk to his or her health status outweighs the mile of a highway here. benefit of immunization. Wednesday, September 29, 2004 This state relies heavily on the federal pro- Service members have experienced adverse Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, Congress was gram to build highways. A total of $2.2 bil- health effects from these vaccines including lion was secured for West Virginia in the supposed to reauthorize the major surface heart, respiratory, and skin problems. In one House version of the bill, $2 billion of which transportation and jobs bill, the successor to well-known case, a soldier died from the ad- are projects in southern West Virginia. TEA 21, a year ago. verse effects of a vaccine. Despite the known Interstate links developed here in recent Now, because of the indifference of the years have brought new jobs and the poten- risks, many soldiers have been required to Bush Administration and the Republican Lead- tial for attracting new businesses. These take these vaccines. As a result, many have ership in Congress, we are about to embark roads provide modern access and position decided to leave the service rather than run on the sixth extension of TEA 21, rather than West Virginia as a crossroads for business the risk of vaccination. Unfortunately, many completing work on a bill that would address developers looking for locations in the East. honorable soldiers have been punished solely They provide our families a safer means of our current and future infrastructure needs as for refusing to accept these vaccines. Our leg- getting to and from school and work. well as providing sorely needed jobs and eco- islation would assure that soldiers who want to Ordinary West Virginians can’t afford to nomic stimulus. see these opportunities go by the wayside, or serve are not faced with this agonizing choice. The House and Senate versions of transpor- Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to co- even delayed. We suffer while Congress en- tation and jobs bill passed both houses by gages in gridlock. sponsor this bill and join us in assuring that margins larger than is required in Congress for Enough is enough. Congress and the Bush members of our military have the ability to de- amendments to the Constitution. But the bill is administration need to get in gear and termine whether or not to take these vaccines. on a road to nowhere because the Cheney- produce a highway spending package that’s adequately financed. f Bush reelection bunch wants to make up for RECOGNIZING TOM KISTLER their Medicare debacle by trying to appear f tough on spending. Meanwhile, we have the SERGEANT RIAYAN A. TEJEDA HON. DARLENE HOOLEY votes in both the House and the Senate to POST OFFICE OF OREGON override a threatened presidential veto and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES pass a meaningful bill, but the Republican SPEECH OF House and Senate leadership are just caving Wednesday, September 29, 2004 into the Bush Administration’s reelection ef- HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, forts. In so doing, they’re failing to uphold the OF NEW YORK today I want to recognize and remember the Constitutional obligation of Congress. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES life of a local hero: Tom Kistler. Although Americans are crying out loud and Tuesday, September 28, 2004 Although it has been over a year, it is still clear for the need to reinvest in our country, Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak hard for those affected by this humble, quiet the Bush Administration and the Republican man to believe he’s gone. The residents of in support of H.R. 4046, calling for the United leadership don’t bother to listen. As an exam- States Postal Service located at 555 West Polk County, Oregon, know their neighbors— ple of what I’m talking about, I have an edi- and they look up to the firefighters who serve 180th Street in New York, New York, to be torial from a widely-read newspaper in my dis- hereby named the ‘‘Sergeant Riayan A. them. trict, the Beckley Register-Herald, which I Killed on his way to drill on March 29, 2003, Tejeda Post Office.’’ would like to submit for the record to accom- Staff Sergeant Riayan A. Tejeda of the 3rd Tom Kistler died in the same way he lived— pany my remarks. Yesterday, in response to in the service of others. Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment was killed dur- Congressional inaction on the transportation ing combat operations in northeast Baghdad Captain Kistler was a volunteer firefighter for and jobs bill, the Register-Herald ran the edi- twenty-five years. He was proud of his time on April 11, 2003; he was 26 years of age. A torial appearing below: New York City resident, he lived in my district with the Independence (Oregon) Fire Depart- [From the Beckley Register-Herald] ment and Polk County Fire District #1. of Washington Heights on 180th Street until HIGHWAY BILL It was Tom that led the effort in fielding a graduation from Fashion Industries High water rescue/recovery team; it was Tom that While politicians play election-year poli- School in the Garment District, thereafter join- tics, W.Va. suffers. ing the Marine Corps at the age of 18. I intro- brought his peers together to raise funds for Heard the latest? A multiyear highway the annual Firefighter’s Christmas program for spending bill, crucial to progress here in duced this legislation because Sgt. Tejeda the local children; and it was Tom that was al- southern West Virginia, appears to be off was a hero in every sense of the word, a man ways ‘‘there’’ keeping his community safe. until after the election. born in the Dominican Republic who made the As if his service in the fire department The existing six-year highway and mass ultimate sacrifice for the . wasn’t enough—and it would have been—Tom transit spending bill, funded at $218 billion, After spending formative teen years meeting was also a thirty-year veteran of the Oregon ran out a year ago and has had to be pro- the challenge of growing up in the tough National Guard. longed by several short-term extensions be- streets of Washington Heights, Sergeant cause of differences over spending levels be- Tejeda joined the military with his hopes and For Tom Kistler, being a citizen meant ac- tween Congress and the White House. tion. It meant doing things. Citizenship was a The White House, citing the need for fiscal dreams of the future on the horizon. He joined verb. restraint, recommended $256 billion and the military to better himself and to serve our This week, brothers and sisters in service threatened to veto any bill that would add to country, later reenlisting after his initial term of will remember his life and his sacrifice during the deficit. duty had elapsed.

VerDate Aug 04 2004 02:27 Oct 01, 2004 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A29SE8.066 E30PT1 E1754 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 30, 2004 Sergeant Tejeda was the first Dominican equate in terms of funding levels for various vote No. 474 (motion to close portions of the killed in Iraq, a fact that history will rightfully transportation agencies and programs includ- conference on H.R. 4200, the Defense Author- record but in itself will not and cannot appre- ing the Federal Highway Administration, the ization bill); and ‘‘no’’ on rollcall vote No. 475 ciate the pain of his loss to his two young Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, (S. 2363 to revise and extend the Boys and daughters and mourning family. the National Highway Traffic Safety Adminis- Girls Club of America). At the time of his death, while the fatality tration, Amtrak, the Federal Transit Adminis- count was still in its early stages, minorities tration and the Surface Transportation Board. f constituted as high as 35 percent of the fatali- However, I am going to vote for the bill ties in the line of duty. Latinos, who comprise based on the assurances of the Chairman and HONORING OLYMPIC GOLD 8 percent of the total fighting force in Iraq, Ranking Member of the Transportation, Treas- MEDALIST , JR. have incurred 16 percent of all intensive fight- ury and Independent Agencies Appropriations ing deaths and 12 percent of the total fatalities Subcommittee that funding for these critical HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON during Operation Iraqi Freedom. These num- accounts will be reinstated in conference. I OF MISSISSIPPI bers are clear evidence of the disproportionate hope that by furthering this bill, we can ensure IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES sacrifice being made in Iraq by Latinos and that funding for North Dakota’s significant point out the level of their loyalty to their cho- transportation needs is secured. Wednesday, September 29, 2004 sen country. I rise as well to express my opposition to Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speak- Riayan Tejeda was an outstanding young the authorization of an automatic cost-of-living er, I would like to recognize Edwards, Mis- man with limitless potential, known for his stu- (COLA) pay increase for Members of Con- sissippi native, Olympic gold and silver med- dious nature and gentlemanly demeanor. He gress contained within H.R. 5025. A fiscally alist, Otis Harris, Jr. At this year’s 2004 Olym- was a brave, selfless man of great conviction responsible Congress should have the oppor- pic Games held in , Greece, the track who fought and died for a nation of immigrants tunity to consider a pay raise independently of and field standout showcased his world class that today does not always appreciate the funding for important transportation projects in speed on the world’s biggest stage. contributions and sacrifices made by new gen- their districts. That is why I voted against the Edwards, Mississippi’s hometown hero, the erations of outsiders pursuing better lives. Ser- previous question on the rule to allow consid- son of Otis, Sr. and Cheryl Harris, began his geant Tejeda, who had served in the Marine eration of H.R. 5025 separate from this provi- track career at high school track powerhouse, Corps for 8 years, was awarded U.S. citizen- sion. It is my hope that Congress will take Hinds Agricultural High School in Raymond, ship only after his death and received the Sil- steps to ensure separate consideration for any Mississippi. As Harris helped lead his high ver Star for his valor in the line of fire. He increases in the future. school team to three consecutive Class 2A proudly served our Nation in Thailand, South f State Championships, and in 1999 winning the Korea, the Philippines, Australia, East Timor PERSONAL EXPLANATION 100m, 200m, and 400m State Championships and Iraq. Sergeant Tejeda was the finest respectively, he accumulated dozens of indi- marksman in his regiment. vidual accolades leading to his acceptance of The naming of the U.S. Post Office in HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA a track scholarship from the University of Washington Heights for Sergeant Tejeda will OF CALIFORNIA South Carolina. be received by the community with great pride IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES his way through both the Game- and satisfaction. It is the least our country can cock and Southeastern Conference (SEC) do to honor the memory of Sergeant Tejeda’s Wednesday, September 29, 2004 record books in 2003, Otis took claim of SEC short and heroic life. Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, I extend my appreciation and sympathies to September 28, I was unavoidably detained for track titles in the 400m dash, as well as the his parents Julio Cesar Tejeda and Carmen rollcall votes that day. 4 X 400m relay team, making these his signa- Rafaela Lora, his daughters Loriana and Mi- Had I been present I would have voted the ture events. Harris was deemed academically randa and his brothers Angel and Andre. I following: ineligible to participate in athletics during the thank my colleagues for their support on this Rollcall 473, on the Motion to Instruct Con- 2004 collegiate season, causing him to briefly legislation. ferees on H.R. 4200—Defense Authorization disappear from the Olympic track radar screen. f Act for fiscal year 2005, instructing conferees to adopt the bipartisan Senate-passed provi- As Harris stunned many by qualifying for the TRANSPORTATION, TREASURY, sions on hate crimes, I would have voted Olympics in July 2004 in the 400m dash, he AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES ‘‘yea’’; remained unfaltering as his dreams became APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2005 Rollcall 474, on the Motion to close portions realistic. On Monday, August 23, 2004, Otis of the Defense Authorization Act Conference settled into his familiar stance, only this time SPEECH OF from the public for national security reasons, I Olympic medals were up for grabs. Running HON. EARL POMEROY would have voted ‘‘yea’’; and on the fastest time of his life (44.16), Otis gar- OF NORTH DAKOTA Rollcall 475, on S. 2363, to revise and ex- nered the Olympic silver medal in the 400m IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tend the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, I dash. While still overwhelmed with the excitement Wednesday, September 29, 2004 would have voted ‘‘yea.’’ f of his first Olympic feat, Harris took the stage The House in Committee of the Whole again five days later. This time Harris was House on the State of the Union had under PERSONAL EXPLANATION starring in his other signature event, the 4 X consideration the bill (H.R. 5025) making ap- 400m relay team which was favored to win the propriations for the Departments of Trans- portation and Treasury, and independent HON. J. GRESHAM BARRETT gold. Harris teamed with (400m agencies for the fiscal year ending Sep- OF SOUTH CAROLINA bronze), (400m gold) and tember 30, 2005, and for other purposes. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES . Harris ran the fastest leg of Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Chairman, I rise today the four Americans, turning in a time of 43.28; to say that I will be voting for H.R. 5025, the Wednesday, September 29, 2004 the team ran 2:55.91, the best time in the Fiscal Year 2005 Transportation, Treasury, Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Mr. world this year, bringing home the gold med- and Independent Agencies Appropriations Bill Speaker, I was delayed in my district yester- als. in the hopes that this bill’s serious problems day in order to attend services for Staff Ser- I commend Mr. Otis Harris, Jr. for his valiant can be fixed in conference negotiations with geant Tony B. Oleas, a soldier from West- triumphs at this year’s . His ef- the Senate. minster, South Carolina who was killed while forts are buttressed by his resiliency through Unfortunately, the House and Senate Trans- fighting for our country in Afghanistan on Sep- the seemingly unsteady foreign relations cli- portation Conferees have been unable to tember 20th, and I unfortunately missed 3 re- mate leading into the Games. Harris, as well reach a deal on a transportation reauthoriza- corded votes on the House floor. as all of our Olympic athletes, showed true tion bill. As a result, appropriated funds for un- I ask that the RECORD reflect that had I not professionalism in serving as ambassadors authorized programs were struck from the pro- been detained in my district, I would have and representing our nation on the global posed Fiscal Year 2005 Transportation, Treas- voted ‘‘no’’ on rollcall vote No. 473 (Pelosi mo- stage. May Otis continue to represent our na- ury, and Independent Agencies Appropriations tion to instruct conferees to H.R. 4200, the tion with professionalism and may he continue bill. Doing so made this bill woefully inad- Defense Authorization bill); ‘‘yes’’ on rollcall to excel in his career.

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