E2214 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks November 7, 1997 by the FDA for use by children. Unless the Mr. Speaker, the loss of a loved one is a the `` Asiatic Fleet Memo- FDA's proposal is changed, Tommy could lose tragedy for any family. The loss of a caring, rial Day.'' I call upon my colleagues to join me access to the medicine he needs to breathe committed individual like Kent is a devastating today in this effort to give these forgotten he- and live. Why should Tommy, and 5 million one for the community. Kent Huber will be roes Congress' support for long awaited rec- kids like him, have to face this dilemma? missed by all of us who knew him, and by ognition. In my view, any plan to remove safe and ef- those who benefited from his willingness to The battles fought by the U.S.S. in fective medications from the marketplace give so unselfishly of himself. I ask you and all her service to the Asiatic Fleet are best told in needs to place the interests of children like of our colleagues to join me in offering our the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Tommy Farese first and foremost. Sadly, the heartfelt sympathies to his family, and our Ships. I would ask that the history of the FDA plan fails in this regard. Indeed, the FDA wishes that the way Kent Huber lived his life U.S.S. Houston be printed following my re- plan presumes that CFC-free inhalers serve all will serve as a sterling example for others in marks. patient subpopulationsÐsuch as children and our community. DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL FIGHTING the elderlyÐequally well, despite the fact that f SHIPS children have special needs and many drug VOLUME III—NAVY DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE therapies are not interchangeable. JOINT RESOLUTION—NAVY CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS, NAVAL HISTORY Mr. Speaker, I call upon the FDA to stop ASIATIC FLEET DIVISION, WASHINGTON their proposed ban of asthma inhalers and put With the outbreak of war between China forward a new proposed rule only after Con- HON. WALTER B. JONES and Japan in 1932, Houston got underway 31 January for to protect American gress reconvenes. In addition, I urge the con- OF NORTH CAROLINA lives and property. She landed Marine and ferees to H.R. 1411 to include legislative lan- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Navy gun platoons to help stabilize the situ- guage that will stop the FDA from implement- Thursday, November 6, 1997 ation and remained in the area, with the ex- ing this terribly flawed and environmentally ception of a good will cruise to the Phil- marginal proposal. If the FDA insists on mov- Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to ippines in March and one to Japan in May ing forward with their antipatient plan anyway, rise today to introduce legislation commending 1933, until being relieved by Augusta 17 No- Congress should debate and pass the the sailors and marines who served in the vember 1933. The sailed to San Fran- Sterans-Smith billÐHR 221Ðto allow asthma U.S. Navy Asiatic Fleet. I commend the ac- cisco to join the Scouting Force, and for the years preceding World War II participated in patients like Tommy Farese retain access to tions of Senator WARNER who first heard and responded to the call of these forgotten he- Fleet Problems and maneuvers in the Pa- their medicine. cific. During this period Houston made sev- f roes with his introduction of Senate Joint Res- eral special cruises. President Roosevelt olution 30. came on board 1 at Annapolis, Md., KENT L. HUBER While many of my colleagues may not be for a cruise of almost 12,000 miles through familiar with the efforts waged by the Asiatic the and to Portland, Oreg., by way HON. JAMES A. BARCIA Fleet, I am here today to tell you of their criti- of . Houston also carried Assistant Secretary of the Navy Henry L. Roosevelt on OF MICHIGAN cal role in American security interests. From the early 1900's until just after Pearl Harbor, a tour of the Hawaiian Islands, returning to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15 May 1935. After a short cruise the fleet sailed courageously across the coast- Thursday, November 6, 1997 in Alaskan waters, the cruiser returned to al waters between China and the , and embarked the President again 3 Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, the people of as well as in Russian waters and on the straits October 1935 for a vacation cruise to the Bay County suffered a tremendous loss this and narrows of Malaysia and Indonesia during Cerros Islands, Magdalena Bay, Cocos Is- week with the unfortunate accident that took this very dynamic period in history. lands, and Charleston, S.C. Houston also cele- the life of Kent L. Huber, a gentleman who The Asiatic Fleet had originally been estab- brated the opening of the was a professional pilot who offered his skills lished in August 1910 as a successor of the at 28 May 1937, and carried to those in need. Memorial services are being Asiatic Station, to protect American lives and President Roosevelt for a Fleet Review at the same city 14 July 1938. held tomorrow, and I want to extend my deep- property in the Philippines and in China. The Houston became flagship of the U.S. Fleet est sympathies to his wife Sue Carol, their Asiatic Fleet sailed the seas in defense of 19 September 1938, when Rear Admiral Bloch four daughters, and friends. American interests in the Southeast Asian wa- broke his flag on board her, and maintained This tragedy reminds us of the limits that ters until 1942. that status until 28 December; when she re- each of us face. We may take every day, In the final years of the Asiatic Fleet oper- turned to the Scouting Force. Continuing every month, and every year for granted, even ations, these sailors and marines distinguished the now-familiar routine of training exer- though we never know how many more we themselves by defending against the tidal cises, she got underway for 20, truly have remaining. We keep thinking that wave of Japanese aggression. Fighting 4 January 1939 from San Francisco, sailed to Norfolk and , and there embarked we can correct tomorrow, what we should against the larger modern Japanese naval the President and the Chief of Naval Oper- have corrected today. Given enough time, we forces were the fleet's 3 , 13 WWI-vin- ations, Admiral Leahy, for the duration of might remember to appreciate what people did tage destroyers, 29 submarines, and a handful the problem. She arrived Houston, Tex., 7 for us, or people might forget what we did to of gunboats and patrol aircraft. In all, the fleet April for a brief visit before returning to Se- them. lost 22 ships. 1,826 were killed and over 500 attle, where she arrived 30 May. I am sure that Kent Huber was fortunate were said to be placed in prison camps. Assigned as flagship Hawaiian Detach- enough to not have had those regrets be- Sadly, many of these sailors taken prisoner ment, the cruiser arrived Pearl Harbor after her post-overhaul shakedown 7 December cause of the way he lived his life. We all have were beaten, tortured, and killed in the most 1939, and continued in that capacity until re- demands on our time, and carefully guard gruesome of manners. turning to Mare Island 17 February 1940. whatever portion we have for ourselves. Kent Regrettably, Congress and the American Sailing to Hawaii, she departed 3 November Huber was most generous with his free mo- people have never risen to recognize the val- for the Philippine Islands as the world situa- ments, making sure that people who needed iant actions of this Asiatic Fleet, the precursor tion grew darker. Arriving , 19 No- air transport for medical care had the benefit to today's 7th Fleet. I rise today dedicated to vember 1940, she became flagship of Admiral of his services. As a pilot for the national orga- granting long overdue recognition of the heart- Hart, Commander Asiatic Fleet. As the war crisis deepened, Admiral Hart nization Wings of Mercy, he often provided breaking struggles of the fleet that fought deposed his fleet in readiness. On the night transport, just as he did this past Sunday alone against the overwhelming modern Japa- of the Pearl Harbor attack, Houston got un- when he brought someone back from the nese Navy. It is altogether fitting and appro- derway from Penay Island with fleet units Mayo Clinic. He also each Fourth of July of- priate that this Nation pause and reflect upon bound for Darwin, Australia, where she ar- fered a round-trip flight to Mackinac Island as the noble actions of these fine sailors and ma- rived 28 December 1941 by way of a grand prize at the Bay City Fireworks Fes- rines of the Asiatic Fleet. and . After patrol duty she joined tival. It is for these reasons that today I will join the ABDA (American-British-Dutch-Aus- tralian) naval force at Surabaya. Air raids His family was very important to him, espe- my colleague in the Senate, Senator WARNER, were frequent in the area, and Houston’s gun- cially his concern for children. He carried this to introduce a resolution calling for the rec- ners splashed four planes 4 February as Ad- special love forward in his service on the Ban- ognition of the 56th anniversary of the sinking miral Doorman, RNN, took his force to en- gor Township Board of Education, where he of the Asiatic Fleet's flagship, the U.S.S. gage Japanese reported to be at Balikpapan, devoted himself to improving the stepping Houston. This resolution supports the efforts Houston took one hit, disabling her No. 3 tur- stone of education for children. of the Senate to designate March 1, 1998 as ret, and cruiser Marblehead was so damaged November 7, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2215 that she had to be sent out of the battle Houston’s fate was not known by the world tablish economic development and job training area. Doorman was forced to abandon his ad- for almost 9 months, and the full story of her programs in east Los Angeles. During this vance. courageous fight was not fully told until time, he implemented the programs he had Returning to Australia, Houston departed after the war was over and her survivors 15 February with a small convoy to reinforce were liberated from prison camps. Captain fought for during his legislative career. the garrison on Timor. Before the day was Rooks received posthumously the Medal of In 1968, Phil Soto's commitment to labor, out, the group was forced to beat off numer- Honor for this extraordinary heroism. jobs and his advocacy for Latino rights and ous air attacks, and next morning the Japa- In addition to two battle stars, Houston equality was recognized by the Robert Ken- nese attacked in full force. During this de- was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. nedy Presidential primary campaign in Califor- fensive action, Houston distinguished herself by driving off nearly the entire raid without f nia and he was asked to serve as a key ad- viser. damage to her transports. TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE Receiving word that the major Japanese PHILLIP LEWIS SOTO In his later years, Phil played the role of invasion force was approaching Java pro- teacher, role model, and senior adviser for a tected by a formidable surface unit, Admiral new generation of Latino leaders and elected Doorman resolutely determined to meet and HON. ESTEBAN EDWARD TORRES officials. One early race was the unsuccessful seek to destroy the main convoy. Sailing 26 OF CALIFORNIA February with Houston, HMAs Perth, HNMS city election in east Los Angeles, which, had De Ruyter, HMS Exeter, JNMS Java and 10 de- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES it been successful, would have resulted in the stroyers, be met the Japanese support force Thursday, November 6, 1997 election of his wife Nell and future State Sen- under Admiral Takagi consisting of 4 cruis- ator Richard Polanco to the east Los Angeles ers and 13 destroyers. In the Battle of the Mr. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to a great American who has City Council. In 1988, he successfully helped Java Sea which followed, Doorman’s forces elect his wife to the Pomona City Council and fought valiantly, but were doomed by lack of passed on from the California sociopolitical air cover and communication difficulties. scene. A true friend of mine who I shall miss secure an appointment to the board of direc- The ships met for the first time in the late after a long illness. tors of the air quality management district. afternoon, and as Japanese destroyers laid Phil Soto was born on March 3, 1926 in the Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues assem- smoke the cruisers of both fleets opened fire. east LA neighborhood of Boyle Heights. Dur- bled here to join with me in paying condo- After one ineffective torpedo attack the Jap- ing World War II, he served as a bombardier lences to his survivors, Nell his wife and a Po- anese light cruisers and destroyers launched in the South Pacific, flying B±17's and B±29's. mona City Council member, sons; Phil IV, a second at 1700, this attack sinking Robert, Michael, Patrick, Tom, and daughter Kortenaer, Exeter and destroyer Electra were After the war, he helped found the GI Forum, hit by gunfire, Electra fatally, and at 1730 Ad- a foundation that serves veterans of Mexican Anna. miral Doorman turned south toward the American heritage. Java coast, not wishing to be diverted from In 1948, Phil married Nell Manuel Garcia f his main purpose, the destruction of the con- and began a family. He started his career in voy itself. With dogged fighting spirit he the television repair business in the San Ga- ‘‘TAXPAYER VICTORIES’’ dodged another torpedo attack and followed briel Valley community of La Puente, where he the coastline, during which time Jupiter was was active in little league and local civic is- sunk, either by mine or internal explosion. HON. RON PACKARD sues. In 1956, Phil helped manage the city of Then Encounter was detached to pick up sur- OF CALIFORNIA vivors from Kortenaer, and the American de- La Puente city-hood campaign. In 1958 he stroyers, their torpedoes expended, were or- was elected to the La Puente City Council IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES dered back to Surubaya. Now with no de- where he served until 1962. He was a local Thursday, November 6, 1997 stroyer protection, Doorman’s four remain- campaign manager for the John F. Kennedy ing ships turned north again in a last gallant 1960 Presidential campaign. Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in sup- attempt to stop the invasion of Java. In the 1950's Phil Soto helped organize At 2300 the same night, the cruisers again port of the American Taxpayer. I am proud of encountered the Japanese surface group. On labor initiatives with the International Brother- the accomplishments of my Republican col- parallel courses the opposing units opened hood of Electrical Workers and the United leagues, under the leadership of Speaker fire, and the Japanese launched a devastat- Farm Workers, working closely with the late GINGRICH, to provide meaningful tax relief for ing torpedo attack 30 minutes later. De Caesar Chavez. One of the many accomplish- hard-working American's. Ruuter and Java caught in a spread of 12 tor- ments of Phil Soto was to petition the Attorney This year has truly been historic. The Re- pedoes, exploded and sank, carrying their General to release Caesar Chavez after he publican-led Congress has given the parents captains and Admiral Doorman down with was arrested and beaten by police during the them. of 41 million children under 17 a child tax Before losing contact with Perth and Hous- union's early organizing days. When the Attor- credit. We have created education savings ac- ton, Doorman had ordered them to retire. ney General refused, Phil rode a bus to Dela- counts to allow parents to begin saving for This was accomplished, but the next day the no, CA, and spent the night in jail with Mr. their children's education. We have cut the two ships steamed boldly into Banten Bay, Chavez to guarantee his protection. On a later capital gains tax rate to encourage savings hoping to damage the Japanese invasion occasion, he spent another night in jail with and investment, creating more jobs. And we forces there. The cruisers were almost Dolores Huerta, the current UFW president. torpedoed as they approached the bay, but have slashed the oppressive death tax rate so In 1962, Phil was elected to the 50th District that family farms and businesses can stay in evaded the nine torpedoes launched by de- of the California Assembly; the first of two stroyer Fubuki. The cruisers than sank one the family. members of Latino heritage elected to serve in transport and forced three others to beach. A Mr. Speaker, I have read the letters and the assembly in the 20th century; the other destroyer squadron blocked Sunda Strait, taken the calls from my constituents and I being John Moreno. their means of retreat, and on the other hand know our work to help the American taxpayer large cruisers Mogami and Mikuma stood dan- As a California Assemblyman, Phil Soto was gerously near. The result was foreordained, a pioneer and role model for future Latino is still not done. The people of the 48th Con- but Houston and Perth fought valiantly. Perth community leaders and elected officials. gressional District Add their voice to the rest came under fire at 2336 and in an hour had Through his dedication to the principles of the of America's in calling for more tax relief and been sunk from gunfire and torpedo hits. Democratic Party, he became a champion of a complete overhaul of the overburdensome Houston then fought alone, her guns blazing the rights of farm workers and human rights. IRS code. at the enemy all around her, a champion at Over the next several months, Republicans bay. Soon after midnight she took a torpedo He also fought to improve the quality of life for and began to lose headway. During this time all Californians through his support of public in Congress will continue to work on behalf of Houston’s gunners scored hits on three dif- education, water projects, and other public families and the hardworking parents that ferent destroyers and sank a minesweeper, works projects. Phil was the first of many lead- keep them together. This week, in several but suffered three more torpedo explosions in ers to help define the role of Latinos in mod- places across the Nation, Republican victories quick succession. Captain Rooks was killed ern California politics. at the polls once again proved that taxes are by a bursting shell at 0030 and as the ship In 1966, Governor Ronald Reagan's Repub- the issue voters care about. came to a stop Japanese destroyers swarmed over her machine gunning the decks. A few lican sweep and Phil and Nell's opposition to Mr. Speaker, we worked hard this year to minutes later the gallant Houston, her name the growing war in Vietnam left Phil without an give taxpayers their first tax cut in sixteen written imperishably in the records of hero- assembly seat. But the call to public service years. As we begin to prepare our agenda for ism, rolled over and sank, her ensign still remained strong and Phil accepted an ap- 1998, lets make it another tax cutting year and flying. pointment from President Johnson to help es- lets win another victory for America's families.