[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 195 (Wednesday, December 19, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2662-E2663]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             END OF SESSION

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                         HON. DENNIS A. CARDOZA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 19, 2007

  Mr. CARDOZA. Madam Speaker, as we prepare to adjourn for the holiday 
season, we eagerly await the chance to spend time with our loved ones.
  Radio music and advertisements offer cheery Jingle Bell tunes, the 
Christmas tree on the West Lawn has been lit, and we leave with a 
spirit of benevolence, wishing all a merry Christmas.
  But unfortunately, Madam Speaker, not all who like Christmas will 
have it be merry because of a Grinch mean and scary who vetoes our 
bills with nary a thought.
  The Grinch stole Christmas, Madam Speaker. He's robbed from the WHOS, 
and there's not a one weaker. And who are the WHOS? Why, any child can 
tell you--the WHOS are the children, the hungry, the poor, the ones we 
should help, not shove out the door.
  While the tone I take is somewhat lighthearted, the subject matter is 
serious. The President, at almost every turn, has thwarted our efforts 
to help the most needy and vulnerable in our society.
  First, the President has been callous towards the most vulnerable--
our children, especially foster children.
  The President vetoed a 15 million dollar increase for those children 
who surrounded by domestic violence are forced to take the safest way 
out--run. These youth depend on programs authorized under the Runaway 
and Homeless Youth Act that fund homeless shelters and counseling to 
diffuse conflict at home and enable them to be reunited with their 
families.
  Mr. Speaker, the 5 million dollar increase Congress approved for the 
Education for Homeless Children and Youth program--also vetoed by the 
President.
  To the orphaned foster youth who are denied services when the clock 
strikes midnight on their 18th birthday, the President turns his back 
on them. Homeless, without health insurance, they become just another 
statistic to be quoted in the list of ``throwaway'' youth.
  The President denied the sum of a mere 500,000 dollars to create a 
national registry on child abuse, a provision Congress passed with 
bipartisan support in the Adam Walsh Act.
  Currently, Madam Speaker, child abusers need only to cross state 
lines to avoid prosecution and find employment as teachers or daycare 
providers. This national registry would track the offenses of predators 
to prevent abuse, and it is unconscionable to deny funds for this 
program.
  That is not all that's been taken from under the tree. It's just the 
beginning, I hope you will see.
  We demand so much from parents this day in age, Madam Speaker. They 
balance full-time parenting with full-time employment, often, at the 
cost of family life.
  They make this sacrifice with the promise of providing a better 
future for their children. They send them to school and trust it will 
better equip them for tomorrow.
  However, this President has turned a blind eye towards the education 
of our children.
  The President's priorities translate into budget cuts for programs 
like Head Start, who will be forced to shut their programs door on 
34,000 children.
  Despite Congressional intent to increase funding for the 6.9 million 
children receiving special education, the President wants to reduce 
that funding and slash K-12 education by 1.3 billion dollars.
  Madam Speaker, the President's priorities must not be allowed to 
stand. All children, no matter what their station in life, deserve a 
quality education and this Congress will continue to fight to ensure we 
honor our obligations to them.
  And while the President will enjoy many Christmas carols this season, 
he wants to eliminate funding for Universal Newborn Hearing programs.
  Madam Speaker, I could go on and on. This short, but illuminating 
list, best highlights the differences between the priorities of our two 
parties.
  Congress will continue to fight for these vital programs and to 
ensure that the least among us are well protected. As we adjourn for 
the holidays and celebrate the season with our families, let us get in 
the Christmas spirit and rededicate ourselves to the welfare of the 
most vulnerable.
  ``And the Grinch with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood 
puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It 
came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he 
puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought 
of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't 
come from a store? What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit 
more.''
  Thank you, happy holidays.

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