Congressman Bob Filner's
Congressional Update

January 2005

In this Issue:

• Hitting the Ground Running in 2005!
• A Salute to an American Patriot: Sgt. Rafael Peralta
• U.S. Citizen Freed from Prison in Mexico
• Shocking Report on Dirty Air in Imperial County
• Voting to Protect Taxpayer Privacy
• Remembering Two Great Americans: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert T. Matsui 
• Phone Cards for the Troops
• Military Survivor Benefits Restored
• Constituent Mail Bag
• Cool Web Site: California Service Corps

I will also return to my post as a senior member of the Veterans Committee, where I will continue fighting to ensure that the men and women who serve our country have the proper services they deserve when they return home. 

As California's Border Congressman, I will carry on my bi-partisan campaign for a secure, efficient, and environmentally sound border. 

You can also count on me to keep fighting for improved health care, education, housing and job opportunities for the diverse members of our community.  For example, I will continue to work for legislation to provide greater access to inexpensive prescription drugs.

I will keep you informed about my work in the new Congress, and I trust that you will keep me informed about how I can best represent you in Washington. 

Thank you for your continued faith and confidence in me to serve as your voice in the House of Representatives. It is only through your advocacy and voice that I can truly represent the people of the 51^st Congressional District.

Contact My Offices

A Salute to An American Patriot: 
Sgt. Rafael Peralta
I was deeply saddened to learn that on November 15, 2004, Sergeant Rafael Peralta was killed by enemy fire while serving in Iraq.

A Mexican immigrant, Rafael became a citizen while serving in the United States Marine Corps. As a Marine, Rafael earned a reputation for putting others first. Rafael exemplified this selflessness, when he made the ultimate sacrifice by shielding his fellow Marines from a grenade blast.

Rafael was already wounded when an insurgent rolled a grenade into the area where Rafael and the other Marines were seeking cover. As his fellow Marines tried to escape the blast, Rafael grabbed the grenade and held it into his body.

Rafael Peralta is a true hero. That is why I have recommended he receive the Medal of Honor. His extraordinary sacrifice exemplifies the courage and spirit of the American Armed Forces.

Sgt. Peralta

"He saved the life of my son and every Marine in that room.� Father of Lance Cpl. Adam Morrison

U.S. Citizen Freed from Prison in Mexico
Recently, I announced the release of Dawn Marie Wilson, who has been imprisoned in Mexico for the last 18 months.

Dawn Marie Wilson, an American citizen, was convicted in a Mexican court of carrying medication without a prescription-- and sentenced to five years in jail! Ms. Wilson had been purchasing anti-seizure medication for many years - and had apparently been a victim of extortion. After learning of Ms. Wilson�s unjust imprisonment, I immediately took action to arrange for her transfer back to the United States. 

Since the signing of a 1977 treaty with Mexico, an average of 90 incarcerated Americans are transferred back annually, and the U.S. Parole Commission then determines the length of their remaining sentence to be served in the U.S.

In Ms. Wilson�s case, it was determined that she had served her time. I am proud to have helped Ms. Wilson get out of prison.  Finally, she is free to go home and reclaim her life. 

Shocking Report on Dirty Air in Imperial County
I am appalled at the latest Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report on air pollution. In response to this report, I am more determined than ever to improve the quality of air in the Imperial Valley!  

EPA research for The Particle Pollution Report found that Imperial County had more days of unhealthy particle pollution in 2003 than any other county in the nation. Imperial County recorded 82 bad air days during the year - 26 more than Riverside, the next closest county. Particle pollution contributes to the exorbitant childhood asthma rates in Imperial County.

I am working with the Government Accountability Office on an investigation of air pollution at the border. The Filner Report will determine how power plants in Mexicali are contributing to Imperial Valley�s pollution and will recommend steps for curbing emissions.

Last year, I introduced legislation known as the FAIR Air Act to require federal funding and a bi-national clean air plan for border counties with high levels of pollution. In this Congressional session, I will introduce new legislation to provide assistance for border communities with dirty air. 

I am also working to direct the U.S. Agency for International Development to fund environmental clean-up projects along the Mexican border. Furthermore, I will continue fighting to require U.S. power plants in Mexicali to offset their pollution by financing road paving in both Mexicali and Imperial County and other environmental projects aimed at improving the air. 

I have no higher priority than cleaning Imperial County�s air, and I urge everyone in the community to join me in waging war on asthma!

Voting to Protect Taxpayer Privacy
In December, I vocally objected to the Republicans rushing a billion-dollar spending bill through Congress. 

Republicans took advantage of this 3,300-page, $388 billion omnibus spending bill and inserted language that would open up individuals� tax returns to Congress. The initial bill granted this enormous power to certain Members of Congress and their staffs, violating privacy rights of many Americans. I joined many of my Democratic colleagues in voting to remove this section after a Democratic Senator exposed it.

Eliminating this taxpayer persecution provision was extremely important before millions of American taxpayers were subject to this outrageous intrusion of their privacy. This provision almost became law because the House Republican leadership rushed this major legislation to a vote literally hours after it was drafted. That is a very dangerous practice, and it must be stopped.

Even though the rules governing the House of Representatives require that final legislation be available to be read for three days before being voted on, Republican leaders have consistently rushed through major bills that significantly impact the daily lives of the American people -- including the Medicare prescription drug bill, the 2003 tax bill, and legislation authorizing billion-dollar programs at the Department of Defense. 

I will continue to lead the fight to make sure that my constituents' interests are adequately represented in the �people�s house.� That means stopping this outrageous abuse of power in which Members of Congress are forced to vote on legislation few have seen. This abuse could result in the inclusion of provisions that could harm the American people.

Remembering Two Great Americans: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert T. Matsui
On January 17th, we will commemorate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and what better way to pay tribute to the leader of the civil rights movement, than to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

In December, I joined with my friend from California, Congressman Robert Matsui, in paying tribute to the work that Dr. King did to pass this landmark legislation. Today when we look back on the battles that Dr. King fought, we can see how far we have come since those days, and how far we still need to go to ensuring equal rights for all Americans!

As we honor the contributions of Dr. King, we must also remember those who served to honor him. On January 1st, my above mentioned colleague, Congressman Robert Matsui, passed away from complications of pneumonia. He was a great friend, a terrific colleague, and dedicated public servant.

He had just won his 14th term, or his 28th year, as the representative from the greater Sacramento area. I have had the pleasure of working along side Congressman Matsui for over 12 years now, and he will be greatly missed.

Phone cards for the troops
Last month, I appealed to the Federal Communications Commission Chairman (FCC) Michael Powell to maintain the price of pre-paid telephone calling cards commonly used by U.S. service members deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.  According to press accounts, the FCC is contemplating raising the price for using these cards.

I specifically requested that the FCC not raise the per-minute price of calling cards.  95% of our troops use these calling cards. We can�t say we support the troops if we deny them the chance to call home and speak to their loved ones.

Supporting our troops has been a top priority of mine since coming to Congress in 1993. I have always been a proponent of improving communications between service members deployed abroad and their family and friends back in the U.S.  I plan to reintroduce my "Troops Phone Home Free Act" in the 109^th Congress. 

Military Survivor Benefits Restored
I am proud to report that the provisions of my bill, the "Military Survivors Equity Act" (H.R. 1592) were included in the 2005 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 4200). 

The only difference between my bill and the bill that was passed by Congress is that my bill immediately increased the benefits in the Military Survivor Benefits Plan (SBP).  The increase in SBP benefits in H.R. 4200 will be phased in over approximately three years. The new law will benefit 220,000 survivors of our nation's military retirees! 

CONSTITUENT MAIL BAG
From Chula Vista
As your constituent, I urge you to reject private accounts in Social Security and work to strengthen the system with moderate and appropriate changes.

Social Security is a strong and healthy program � in its current state, it can meet 100% of all promised benefits into the early 2040s. Yet there are organizations out there that would have you believe that Social Security is broke and not worth saving. These groups invariably are trying to promote their own private accounts in place of Social Security benefits.

Congressman Filner
Thank you for writing to me about your opposition to the privatization of Social Security.

I wholeheartedly agree with you!  We must work to make sure that Social Security remains a source of income for future generations of seniors.  I am opposed to the proposals to privatize Social Security and to gamble with your future in the stock market. I am also opposed to any attempts to raise the retirement age, to cut guaranteed benefits, or to add to the national debt.

You can be sure that I will be fighting for you when Congress debates this issue.

COOL SITE: CALIFORNIA SERVICE CORPS
The California Service Corps (CSC) is a California State sponsored organization that provides meaningful forms of volunteerism and service statewide.  Whether building playgrounds, donating blood, mentoring children, or visiting senior centers, CSC is a gateway to community involvement. For more information please visit the above link or www.csc.ca.gov.