Congressman Bob Filner's
Congressional Update

July 2004

In this Issue:

• No Child Left Behind: A Goal, Still Not a Reality!
• Continuing the Fight for Humanitarian Visa Waivers
• Diversity Equals Strength
• San Diego County Regional Airport Authority Meeting Held in Imperial Valley
• Reading Dr. Seuss at the San Diego County Fair
• Student Information is Available on my Web Site
• Constituent Mailbag
• Hot Bill: Postage Stamp for Officers Killed in the Line of Duty
• Cool Web Site: Travel Tips from the Transportation Security Administration

“The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled.”  With these few words, the ancient Greek philosopher Plutarch described what I believe should be the goal of our nation's schools.  Unfortunately, the current “No Child Left Behind” law is galloping in the opposite direction from Plutarch's sage words.

What is it?
The “No Child Left Behind Act” is the federal legislation passed in 2002, which intended to improve the education of every child by making each one proficient in reading and math by 2014.  It requires testing in grades 3 through 8 and in high school.  Schools must produce good test scores or be labeled as failing. 

This initiative has been poorly funded.  The Presidential Administration is proposing to pare back the budget for the Education Department by $1.5 billion from already inadequate funding to implement “No Child Left Behind.”

But, as an educator, as well as a Congressman who voted against the “No Child Left Behind Act,” I believe that it is not only the implementation of the law that is flawed but the law itself.

What's wrong with it?
Neglects important subjects
The huge emphasis placed on reading and math, to the exclusion of other important subjects, in order to prepare children for one-size-fits-all tests, may or may not improve their reading and math skills.  But it certainly leaves children behind in many other, significant ways.  Children’s minds need to be inspired by teachers of science, social studies, languages other than English, art and music.  Children’s bodies need to be challenged by physical activity and education. 

Reading and math are vital, of course.  You can’t be an astronomer, a journalist, a neurosurgeon, a pianist, a farmer, or a Congressman if you can’t read!  But I do not think for a minute that once reading, a student can just “pick up” the other subjects without a full and meaningful educational experience.  Their minds are not just vessels to be filled.

Teaching to the test
In addition, I have learned that teaching to the test is common in some schools, going so far as to drill students in multiple-choice skills and how to write inside tiny answer boxes.  If your job and the reputation of your school depend upon the test outcome, you would undoubtedly teach to the test, too. 

Does not address poverty or socio-economics
Another overlooked flaw at the center of “No Child Left Behind” is that is does not address the concentrations of poverty in our public schools.  Today, the reading level of the average, low-income 12th grader is the same as that of the average, middle-class 8th grader, regardless of race.  “No Child Left Behind” does little to correct the problems of economic segregation, perhaps one of the core reasons for poor achievement.

Near-impossible requirements
Further, this law requires all teachers to have full certification or a major in every subject they teach.  This sounds reasonable, but in rural areas, in special education, and in middle schools where teachers often teach more than one subject, this certification becomes difficult, if not impossible.  New policies have been recently announced by the Education Department to ease some of these difficulties, but it is too early to tell if the problems have been fixed.

No flexibility
Another concern is that testing alone does not measure what a student learns.  Some children do not do well taking tests, and the current tests may be confusing to students.  A teacher wonders aloud why a test question can’t say, “What did you learn?” instead of “Explain how your knowledge of baseball has remained the same or changed?”  Also, flexibility must be provided to the states to design alternate annual assessment for students who are not yet proficient in English (they may just have arrived in this country last week!) and for students with disabilities. 

Setting up for failure
The law says that if a school is failing, then its students have the option to transfer to better-performing public schools.  This may sound great, but can produce nightmares for students and school districts alike.  The physical capacity of the receiving school cannot be a factor, so financially-strapped districts may have to add mobile classrooms or hire new teachers in the receiving school.  With lowest-achieving students being given first priority to transfer, the receiving school might end up becoming a “failing school” in the following year, with all of its lowest-achieving children eligible for a transfer to yet another school, and on and on.  Transportation costs involved can result in fewer instructional dollars.

States withdrawing from unfair mandates
In the zeal to address the true need to provide a better education for all of our children, Congress and the President have created an unworkable, unfair, impractical unfunded mandate for the states.  The states of Utah, Arizona, Hawaii, Minnesota, New Mexico and Wyoming are considering or have already passed legislation opting out of “No Child Left Behind” by not participating in the entire program or returning federal funds.  Fifteen other states are considering resolutions asking Congress or the President to waive certain aspects of the law or to provide money to cover them.

Visit my Education issues page

Visit my Women & Children issues page

Continuing the Fight for Humanitarian Visa Waivers

As part of my ongoing border improvement crusade, I offered a border enhancement amendment to the Homeland Security Appropriations bill on June 18, 2004.  I took the opportunity to explain to my colleagues that those of us that live at the border strongly support efforts to protect the homeland since the horrific attacks of September 11, 2001, but some of these policies have backfired at the border.

My amendment would have reinstated Port Directors’ authority to issue one-day humanitarian visa waivers to Mexican children visiting the United States for medical, educational or cultural reasons. Before 9/11, Mexican children that could not afford the visa fees, but needed medical care at the Valley Orthopedic Clinic in Calexico or participated in field trips to the San Diego Zoo, could receive such a waiver.

Today, these children are turned away at the border, and their health, the economies in our border communities, and bi-national understanding suffer.

My amendment, and the Visitors Interested in Strengthening America (VISA) bill, H.R. 2525, I introduced last year, would have solved the problem.  It would NOT have allowed terrorists into the country, affected the number of immigrants living in the country, or forced immigration officials to provide the waivers. My amendment would have given us a more efficient and secure border!

Unfortunately, my amendment was ruled out of order.  But I will continue to urge Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge to renew the one-day humanitarian visa waivers for children.  I will also keep working with supporters of my VISA Act-- including Congressman Silvestre Reyes, Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, the Border Trade Alliance, the San Diego Zoo and Legoland--to pass this common sense legislation!

Visit my Border issues page

Diversity Equals Strength

I was recently nominated, and selected as a finalist, by the San Diego Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for the Wells Fargo Multicultural Heritage Awards program presented by the San Diego Business Journal. This award recognizes support of ethnic diversity in the workplace and community. 

My commitment to civil rights began with my participation as a teenager in the first Freedom Rides to desegregate transportation facilities in our Southern states.  My work in Congress also illustrates my commitment to civil rights.  One example is the restoration of health benefits for the brave Filipino veterans of World War II. The Filipino veterans were drafted into service by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and served bravely and honorably during some of democracy's darkest hours of the 20th century. After the war, many of the Filipino veterans were deprived of benefits and veterans' status by the Congress of 1946. I introduced a bill that would guarantee health benefits for certain Filipino Veterans of World War II; it was recently signed into law by the president. Additionally, I have various advisory groups that represent the diversity of my district.  I meet with them on a regular basis, ask them for their input on important issues and maintain an open door policy.  (If you would like to serve on one of my advisory committees, just contact me.)

I truly understand that diversity equals strength.  My hope is that I have demonstrated my commitment to diversity in my record of public service, by hiring a diverse staff in my office, and by always speaking out in support of diversity. 

Visit my Civil & Human Rights issues page

Visit my Filipino Veterans issues page

Visit my Women & Children issues page

Reading Dr. Seuss at the San Diego County Fair

In recognition of the 100th Birthday of Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel), the San Diego County Fair hosted the ultimate celebration.  The celebration honored Geisel’s imagination and invaluable contributions.  As part of the celebration, on July 4th, I read my favorite book--Thidwick, the Big-Hearted Moose!  This is part of a program that promotes literacy among San Diego County youth.  I hope you had a chance to see this wonderful exhibit!

View my Congressional Record statement honoring Dr. Seuss

Congressman Filner participates in the "Get Caught Reading" campaign by the Association of American Publishers.  Get Caught Reading is a nationwide campaign to remind people of all ages how much fun it is to read.

San Diego County Regional Airport Authority Meeting Held in Imperial Valley

I recently took another step in my effort to bring the San Diego regional airport to the Imperial Valley.  On Tuesday, June 29, 2004, I facilitated a meeting with Imperial Valley representatives and the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority (SDCRAA) regarding San Diego County’s new regional airport site.

Visit my Transportation page

Student Information is Available on my Web Site

Would you like to explore kid-friendly Web pages from the federal government, such as sites on how our laws are made?  Are you a student who is looking for information about financial aid for college, or internships, or summer employment?  Visit the Students section of my Web site.

Visit my Students page

From Chula Vista:
I am outraged that the Presidential Administration's Equal Employment Opportunity Commission wants to cut health benefits for seniors who have health benefits through their former employers!  After years of hard work, we deserve the benefits that our employers promised.  Please don't let them cut our benefits.

Congressman Filner:
Thank you for contacting me about health benefits.  I wholeheartedly agree with you!  I am deeply concerned about the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC) decision to allow employers to eliminate or reduce health benefits for retirees--and I have urged the EEOC to withdraw this decision.

I recently introduced a bill, H.Con.Res.463, that would express the sense of the Congress that a postage stamp should be issued to honor the more than 16,500 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty since the birth of our nation.  The issuance of a postage stamp would be a fitting additional tribute to how we honor those who have given so much to protect our nation.  870,000 law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day in service to our nation; these officers set an example of strength, courage, and valor that all Americans can admire.  By placing a reminder of the sacrifice of those killed in the line of duty on something a great number of Americans will use everyday, the U.S. Postal Service can help to ensure that Americans will never forget the cost of their safety and protection.

Cool Web site: Travel Tips from the Transportation Security Administration

With the busy travel season upon us, the Transportation Security Administration has provided a Traveler and Consumer Center on its Web site.  The Web site provides travel tips, passenger resources, and information about security conditions.