As a father and grandfather, I have witnessed firsthand the joy of new life entering the world. I know the pain and apprehension that goes along with premature births and birth defects.
Solomon Ortiz

As a former veteran, I understand the needs of veterans, and have been clear - we will work together, stand together with the Administration, but we will also question their policies when they shortchange veterans and military retirees.
Solomon Ortiz

Education is the key to success in life, and teachers make a lasting impact in the lives of their students.
Solomon Ortiz

Education is the silver bullet to improve this Nation's standing worldwide... and our teachers know that.
Solomon Ortiz

Education makes children less dependent upon others and opens doors to better jobs and career possibilities.
Solomon Ortiz

Education should be one of our top funding priorities; talking about it does not help the teachers and students who desperately need promises fulfilled.
Solomon Ortiz

For my constituents, owning a home is the culmination of many years of hard work and the realization of the American Dream. At no time should a local entity take those years of hard work solely to increase their tax revenue.
Solomon Ortiz

From the bitter cold winter at Valley Forge, to the mountains of Afghanistan and the deserts of Iraq, our soldiers have courageously answered when called, gone where ordered, and defended our nation with honor.
Solomon Ortiz

I have fought to protect those benefits that ensure better salaries for teachers across the Nation such as grants to pay off student loans and funding for Teach for America. Still, we must all do more to show our continued appreciation for our Nation's leading role models.
Solomon Ortiz

I worked with the March of Dimes to enact legislation for a national birth defects prevention program to provide surveillance, research and preventive services aimed at reducing the rate of birth defects.
Solomon Ortiz

In addition to serving overseas, the Peace Corps' Crisis Corps Volunteers have helped their fellow Americans.
Solomon Ortiz

In fact, in 2002, the Secretary of Defense authorized such support on a reimbursable basis to organizations formerly components of the Department of Justice and Department of the Treasury and currently components of the Department of Homeland Security.
Solomon Ortiz

In South Texas, we understand how vital port security is and we fear the day a weapon of mass destruction could be brought into a U.S. port in a container and cause hundreds of thousands of casualties.
Solomon Ortiz

It matters not what your individual position is on either war we are currently prosecuting - in Iraq or Afghanistan - certainly we can all agree protesting at military funerals is a cruel and unnecessary hardship on our military families during their most difficult hour.
Solomon Ortiz

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Peace Corps as it reached its 45th anniversary on March 1, 2006.
Solomon Ortiz

Over the last five years, the Administration and the majority in Congress have appropriated less than $900 million for port security grants - despite the Coast Guard's determination that $5.4 billion is needed over 10 years.
Solomon Ortiz

Small businesses drive this economy and it is unacceptable that the President's budget proposal does not give them the tools they need to be successful.
Solomon Ortiz

Supporting the troops has got to mean more than bumper stickers on pickup trucks, my friends. We need to give them what they need.
Solomon Ortiz

Teachers are our greatest public servants; they spend their lives educating our young people and shaping our Nation for tomorrow.
Solomon Ortiz

The Peace Corps is an outstanding organization that promotes peace through helping countless individuals who want to help build a better life for the community in which they serve.
Solomon Ortiz