Congressman Bob Filner's
Congressional Update

 October 2005

In this Issue:

• Creating Initiative for Head Start!

• Hurricane Update: Meeting with the Coast Guard

• Airline Flights to Continue in Imperial Valley

• Celebrating the Salton Sea Wildlife Refuge

• Crime Fighter of the Month

• Citizen of the Month

• Constituent Mail Bag

• Useful Web Site

Success! The Filner Amendment: Creating Initiative for Head Start!
Recently, my colleagues in the House of Representatives gave consideration to H.R. 2123, the reauthorization of the Head Start program. This legislation will continue the Head Start  through 2011 and will make several changes to the current program.  One of the most important changes to Head Start will be the implementation of the strongest standards for teacher qualifications and teacher development in it's forty-year history.

While it is vital that children are taught by the very best educators, there exist concerns that the difficult standards without increases in salary may drive away experienced professionals and potential teachers. In response, I was successful in adding a study to this bill that will assess how the new regulations impact teacher retention after one year of the new Head Start! This study will provide Congress with the opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of the new regulations.

After careful consideration by the House of Representatives, my amendment was adopted in a bipartisan sprit! 

Hurricane Update: Meeting with the Coast Guard!
Because of my expertise as the senior Democrat on the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, I was appointed by Speaker Dennis Hastert ( along with the Chairman of the Subcommittee) to meet with Coast Guard officials for a status report on the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. 

Once the rescue operations had successfully concluded, I traveled to the Gulf Coast region and met with Coast Guard personnel.  The Coast Guard provided a detailed tour of the area and gave a detailed assessment of their operations. I am happy to report that the Coast Guard has developed a sound infrastructure, and continues to operate beyond all expectations! 

To date, the Coast Guard has saved over 12,500 lives with air resources and over 11,500 lives with boat and/or other surface resources. In addition, the Coast Guard evacuated over 9,400 people to hospitals. The Coast Guard is also coordinating the clean up of 15 significant oil spills and helping to coordinate the removal of sunken ships and barges.

Read my statement on the Coast Guard
 

Airline Flights to Imperial Valley
I am proud to announce my success in keeping the passenger service provided by SkyWest Airlines, Inc.--a United Express carrier-- at the Imperial Airport.

SkyWest Airlines, Inc., recently announced their intent to terminate their passenger services at the Imperial Airport. The news caused great alarm throughout Imperial County since it is the only airline that offers passenger air service at the airport for more than 160,000 residents in the Valley.

After learning about SkyWest� intentions to leave, I immediately contacted Norman Y. Mineta, Secretary for the U.S. Department of Transportation to urge his assistance to ensure no drop in passenger air services in Imperial County. Over the last few months, I have been working with Secretary Mineta, United Airlines, and local city and county leaders to resolve the issue and maintain passenger services in the Valley. In June, the Department of Transportation prohibited SkyWest Airlines from terminating their services and requested their assistance in obtaining proposals from carriers interested in replacing them at the airport. After numerous discussions between city officials, the Department of Transportation and myself, SkyWest Airlines announced it would withdraw its notice to end passenger services and instead work to improve them.

This is a victory for the community! Passenger services are essential to making the region a viable community. Losing these services would have resulted in major inconveniences for residents that travel to and from the Valley.  The loss would have also damaged the region�s economy. I am pleased that the issue has been resolved, that our residents will not be inconvenienced�and that the region�s economy will continue to get the resources it needs to thrive.

Celebrating the Salton Sea Wildlife Refuge
The week of October 9th-15th is the week of recognition for the National Wildlife Refuges all across America.

California is endowed with more National Wildlife Refuges than almost any other state. These special places are vital in supporting the millions of migratory birds along the Pacific Flyway. As documented in a new report by Defenders of Wildlife, "Refuges at Risk", our National Wildlife Refuges face serious threats.

The Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge is one of those threatened refuges. Located in my district, the Sonny Bono Salton Sea refuge is world renowned for its birds and and is important part of the Salton Sea region. While I, along with other Members of California�s Congressional delegation, have championed restoring the Salton Sea, it faces immense challenges. I will continue to work tirelessly to ensure we meet those challenges.

I encourage every American to get out and enjoy these national treasures.

Crime Fighter of the Month
I am honored to name Marc Chery as my September �Crimefighter of the Month".

Marc Chery has been chosen for my �Crimefighter of the Month� award for his dedication in providing after school programs for teenagers, youth, and their families despite financial constrictions. Marc has shown his leadership by holding fundraisers to keep the Malcolm X Library operating at a high level and providing at-risk youth an opportunity to use the library as a positive environment where they can study, learn, and socialize together. Marc has created a safe and enthusiastic environment for his community.

Under Marc�s leadership, this library has become a nurturing home-away-from-home for many teenagers and young people. They feel safe and respected at the Malcolm X Library. Parents feel that they can leave their children at the library and their children will be safe, will get help with their studies, and be cared after. I am honored to present him with this award.

Citizen of the Month
San Diego County
I am pleased to honor Don Harrison with my �Citizen of the Month" award for San Diego County. Don has co-published and was editor-in-chief of the San Diego Jewish Press-Heritage. He is also the author of Louis Rose: San Diego�s First Jewish Settler and Entrepreneur and currently runs the website, Jewish Sightseeing.

Don Harrison is one of the people whom we have to thank for the rich community we have today. His leadership in promoting Jewish culture contributes to ensuring that it continues to thrive in San Diego and keeps the community informed and connected.
 

Imperial County
This month I am delighted to honor the Catholic Charities as September's �Citizen of the Month� for their dedication to seniors and the launching of their innovative �Cool Zone� for seniors program.

Catholic Charities recently created the �Cool Zone�, a program that provides a safe and cool recreational environment for seniors to escape the heat. Seniors are especially vulnerable during hot weather. The intent behind the program is to reduce the health risks faced by seniors when temperature rises. Extreme heat is well known as a leading cause of death more than other weather phenomena.

Our seniors are some of the most vulnerable during extreme weather. The Cool Zone is a creative and innovative approach to helping seniors escape the heat. Catholic Charities has gone far to help better the community, and they deserve to be commended.
 

Constituent Mail Bag
From San Diego
When hurricanes like Katrina strike and authorities force people to evacuate without their pets, both people and animals suffer.  I hope I can count on you to support the PETS Act, H.R. 3858, which will require state and local authorities to address the issue of evacuating people with pets from disaster areas.

Please do everything you can to support the PETS Act.

Congressman Filner
Thank you for contacting me about H.R. 3858, The Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act.

I wholeheartedly agree! In the event of natural disasters, there must be an active plan for rescuing pets and other animals. As you have requested, I have co-sponsored this bill.

I appreciate your advocacy on this issue.

Useful Website: Passport Services Online
As many of you prepare for travel in the holiday season to come, there is a new an more effective way to renew your passport; travel.state.gov.  If you wish to check the status of your renewal you can use this website for a no-fee service.  You can also call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778.