Congressman Bob Filner's
Congressional Update

June 2005

In this Issue:

• Good News for El Centro: Naval Air Facility
• Fighting to Reunite Families of Filipino Veterans
• Improvements at the Border
• Results of the Annual Congressional Arts Competition
• Hot Bill: H.R. 2366 "Troops Phone Home Free Extension Act"
• Citizens of the Month
• Crime Fighter of the Month
• Constituent Mail Bag
• Cool Web Site: "Dear Soldier" a Book from the 4th Graders at St. Pius X School.

Fighting to Reunite Families of Filipino Veterans
Recently, I announced my full support for legislation to give immigration priority to Filipino-American W.W.II Veterans� children who are seeking U.S. visas.

A 1990 immigration law provided a waiver of certain immigration requirements for Filipino W.W.II veterans seeking to become naturalized citizens. The bill that I am now championing, H.R. 901, would give priority immigration status to the sons and daughters of veterans who became U.S. citizens through that process.

This bill is my latest effort on behalf of Filipino W.W.II veterans. Earlier this year, Representative Randy "Duke" Cunningham and I reintroduced the bi-partisan Filipino Veterans Equity Act, H.R. 302, which would provide full veterans� benefits to Filipinos who served at the request and under the command of the U.S. military in World War II.

We should not wait another day to pass these bills and provide the justice that has been denied to Filipino veterans and their families for more then half a century!

Improvements at the Border
In early May, I joined a coalition of business and community leaders from both sides of the border to announce the construction of two additional Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) lanes at the San Ysidro port of entry (POE). The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will also begin the installation of a new radio frequency technology (RFP) for the three existing SENTRI lanes in San Diego.

The SENTRI program was first implemented as a pilot program at the Otay Mesa POE in 1995 to improve the security and efficiency of the border. Currently there are over 61,000 participants in the SENTRI Program and the SENTRI lanes are being expanded to five additional POE�s along the US-Mexico border.

The SENTRI program identifies travelers who do not pose a risk to border security, verifies their low risk status through extensive record checks, and screens approved participants and their vehicles each and every time they enter the United States.

At my urging, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has approved upgrades and construction work for two additional SENTRI lanes at San Diego's POE�s. The majority of people crossing the border every day are crossing for work, shopping, or visiting relatives. These commuters contribute to our economy and quality of life.

Finally, our region will get what we have been promised for over a year. These improvements, which are long overdue, should help reduce the current border wait times and improve security. I am pleased that we have been able to achieve this success.
 

Results of the Annual Congressional Arts Competition
Recently, I had the privilege of announcing the high school student winner of the 23rd Annual Congressional Arts Competition.

The first place winner, Courtney Delino from Bonita Vista High School, and two guests will travel to Washington D.C. in June, courtesy of Southwest Airlines and Cox Communications, to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The winning artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year.

This year, over 60 entries were submitted from high school students throughout the 51st Congressional District. The Congressional Arts Competition is an annual nation-wide contest for high school students to cultivate and showcase their artistic abilities. The competition was first launched in 1982. Since then, over 5,000 art competitions have been held throughout the nation.

The competition is a great opportunity to promote art and highlight the talent and artistic ability of young people in our community.

Southwest Airlines representative Allen McGavin and I with 1st place winner �Marissa� by Courtney Delino from Bonita Vista High School.

Crime Fighter of the Month
I am pleased to name Senior Officer Dan Harward as May's Crime Fighter of the month. Officer Harward has received several honors by his peers and the community at large for going above and beyond the call of duty.

Senior Officer Harward has worked to stop and prevent auto thefts from occurring in National City. Harward has done this through implementing successful interview and interrogation techniques in order to obtain vital information from auto theft suspects. Such efforts have led to the immediate decrease in the number of stolen vehicles being dumped in the Lincoln Acres area, and led to a decrease in vehicles being stolen overall in National City.

Each month of the year, I recognize an individual or group that has performed an extraordinary deed or service to make our community safer and more livable. Senior Officer Harward has definitely made our community safer and more livable through his superb efforts.

Constituent Mail Bag

From San Diego:
I urge you to oppose the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). CAFTA is another flawed trade deal that will sell out America's jobs-- and it will do nothing to lift Central American and Dominican workers out of poverty.

CAFTA is just like the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)--which has brought devastating results to our community. NAFTA has cost the United States close to 1 million real and potential jobs and has not reduced poverty or inequality in Mexico.

You have the opportunity to take a stand in our state and community by opposing CAFTA. I am counting on you!

Congressman Filner replies:
Thank you for contacting me about the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA).

I wholeheartedly agree! I believe in protecting American jobs, human rights around the world, our fragile world environment, and food safety standards. I will continue to work with my colleagues in the House of Representatives to ensure that environmental, civil, and labor rights are protected! I am one Congressman you can count on to fight against unfair or unsafe provisions in future, and current, trade agreements.

I appreciate your advocacy on this important issue.


Contact My Office

COOL WEB SITE: "Dear Soldier" a Book from the 4th Graders at St. Pius X school
The 4th grade students of St. Pius X school have created a book of letters for our troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.  The 4th Graders have become authors and produced a touching account of their respect and admiration of our military.  Get a glimpse of what this book is all about.