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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