Providing for Consideration of H.R. 3010, Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act

PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3010, DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2006 -- (House of Representatives - June 23, 2005)

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Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, what we are hearing today is that there isn't enough money to fund any of these important programs like the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, education, or health research.

But, let's be honest. The real reason that we do not have the money to put towards these programs is because of the reckless tax cuts for the wealthiest of the wealthy that the White House and the majority party have insisted on passing.

Yesterday, I met with some of my young constituents representing the Migrant Education Program. I would like to read their requests to you.

We the constituents of the Migrant Education Program regions II and XXIII of California are here today to address constant issues that challenge the quality of our lives. In order to achieve this we propose the following.

EDUCATION

We propose to the Congress to allocate funds to use in the implementations of programs that will benefit learning through buying proper equipment that will permit students to succeed. Proper equipment includes: textbooks, sports, uniforms, and computers.

IMMIGRATION

We propose that Congress pass the Dream Act and Student Adjustment Act, which could allow undocumented students to pursue higher education. We propose better working conditions for agricultural workers. Better working conditions such as health care, breaks and better pay.

SOCIAL SECURITY

In order to secure our Social Security benefits we propose to reject President Bush's Social Security Reforms and accept to continue the current Social Security Program without the government tapping into our resources. In order to reimburse the lost money the Government must repay the deficit that was caused by the Governor's decisions.

HEALTH CARE

We propose to the Congress that in order to have healthier citizens a universal program should be established with an equal payment for insurance coverage regardless of their status in California.

The result of this will be a healthier public thus reducing the burden on taxpayers.

A small tax increase, which will be offset by the thousands or even million of dollars saved in the urgent care facilities.

All families will be able to live their lives knowing that their tax payments are in return to their health care leaving them with a satisfaction that their insurance bill will not increase. We ask that the Government intervene to help maintain a set price.

LABOR

Minimum wages: The average person lives below the poverty line and in order to improve the quality of life a higher minimum wage needs to be issued.

Pesticides: Pesticides present a hazard towards the health of workers and their families.

Benefits: Equal health benefits should be issued to all employees as a result of hazardous working conditions.

FIELD WORKER PERMIT

Permits should be issued for workers of foreign countries to work in the United States under fair conditions.

SAME SEX

Acknowledging the couple: Same sex couples deserve equal unalienable rights as heterosexual couples.

Support Adoption: Same sex couples deserve the opportunity to give a loving home to a child in need.

Separating state and religion: An individual deserves the right to do as one pleases without the intervention of theocracy, while respecting civil rights.

VIOLENCE IN THE MEDIA

We propose to the Congress that violence in TV should be controlled to a substantial level of awareness; such level could include showing violence media in the after hours and avoid presentation of inappropriate material. We the delegates of California propose to the Congress that there will be more funds for community activities for the youth, so that they get involved and occupy their time in something useful other than gangs, such as, sports, music, dancing groups, karate, etc.

Children and adolescents are the most affected audience through the contents of violence. We strongly recommend that such material be diminished; such contents include music, alcohol, sex, drugs, gun control, and homicide. We propose to the Congress that programs should be developed in local communities in order to educate parents about violence and how to keep it away from today's youth.

These are some of the requests that we could have fulfilled had it not been for these reckless tax cuts. We should not forget about the needs of our children and the elderly. It is time to turn back some of these reckless tax cuts and put the money into education, health care, and all of the services that the most vulnerable in our society need to survive.

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