[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 145 (Tuesday, October 13, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2126]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E2126]]
                       TRIBUTE TO ESTEBAN TORRES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HENRY A. WAXMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 13, 1998

  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, it has been an honor to serve in the House 
of Representatives with Esteban Torres, who is retiring as a Member of 
Congress after sixteen years.
  Esteban's legislative achievements stand out because they address the 
concerns of average Americans who don't have the clout in Washington to 
make themselves heard. When concerns were raised that the North 
American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) would degrade the quality of life 
on the Mexican/American border and take jobs from lower-income working 
Americans, Esteban worked hard to find a solution. He sponsored an 
innovative proposal that led to the creation of the North American 
Development Bank (NADBank), a binational institution that provides 
loans to improve the environment along the border and to create jobs 
for Americans adversely affected by NAFTA.
  Esteban has long devoted himself to measures that would strengthen 
environmental protections. He led the fight to address the problem of 
groundwater pollution in the San Gabriel Basin and worked to craft a 
widely supported agreement to clean it up. He worked to close to toxic 
chemical dump in West Covina. And, he has been the champion of 
legislation to recycle used oil, tires, and batteries.
  When he led the effort for the World Cup commemorative coin, Esteban 
obtained an additional public benefit by ensuring that ten percent of 
the proceeds be set aside for scholarships for Latino students. And, 
when he was a member of the Banking Committee, he sponsored the Truth-
In-Savings legislation that give consumers the right to information in 
readable language about banks' interest rates, yields, and fees.
  Esteban also has a strong record on international human rights. He 
sponsored the Cuban Humanitarian Trade Act, which recognizes the 
failure of U.S. policy toward Cuba and would exempt food, medicine, and 
medical supplies from the Cuban trade embargo.
  Esteban's efforts in Congress have been guided by firm principles and 
compassion. It has been a privilege to serve with him and I wish him 
and his family all the best as he begins this new phase in his life.

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