Safe and Healthy Communities

Justice and equality are fundamental values that define our nation and make for strong communities.  I believe in building an America where diversity is cherished, not feared; where tolerance and understanding are fostered in our families and schools, embraced in our communities, and upheld by our institutions; where our rights and civil liberties are honored and protected; and where every American is given an equal opportunity to succeed. 

We must reduce crime and violence in our neighborhoods and prevent terrorist threats at home and abroad while protecting civil liberties and civil rights.   I support increased funding for community policing, strict gun laws that protect our children, and local efforts to crack down on hate crimes and violence against women.  I support responsible Homeland Security efforts that help make air travel safe, our ports and infrastructure secure and give law enforcement and emergency personnel the tools they need to minimize terrorist threats and respond to possible attacks.

• 5/12/06: A letter to President Bush (pdf):
  A letter calling for a Special Counsel to investigate domestic wiretapping by the National Security Agency (NSA).
  
  
• 5/3/06: A letter to the Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee (pdf):
  A letter calling for increased federal funding for state veterans extended care facilities.
  
  
• 3/16/06: A letter to the Energy and Water Subcommittee (pdf):
  A letter calling for increased federal funding to strengthen levees in
  California.
  
  
• 3/16/06: A letter to the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee (pdf):
  A letter calling for funding for seismic safety upgrades to BART.
  
  
• 1/31/06: Letter to President Bush (pdf):
  Letter to President Bush concerning warrantless surveillance of American citizens on American soil.
  
  
• 10/20/05: Stark Objects to Granting Gun Manufacturers, Dealers Exemptions from Lawsuits
  WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Pete Stark (D-CA, 13th) gave the following statement in objection to S.397, a bill which would provide gun makers, dealers and trade associations special exemptions from lawsuits...
  
  
• 10/19/05 -- Opposing H.R. 554, The Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act
  I rise in opposition to the Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act because I don't think that any industry should have the right to conduct its business without the oversight of the judicial system.  What the lawyer-bashers don’t want you to know is that frivolous lawsuits, by definition, get thrown out of court.  In other words, the much-feared million-dollar settlement for someone who eats 12 Big Macs a day is not going to happen.
  
  
• 9/16/05: GAO Study Shows Failure to Address Domestic Violence
  WASHINGTON – Yesterday, a GAO report requested by U.S. Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA, 13th) and U.S. Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) was released showing state and federal agencies are paying little, if any, attention to the issue of domestic violence among welfare recipients...
  
  
• 9/14/05 -- Stark Statement On Hurricane Katrina and the Federal Government Response
  I rise today to note that failure of leadership and gross incompetence of key officials has led to thousands of unnecessary deaths.  To then take this tragedy and attempt to blame the victims, or suggest that they're taking advantage of the situation, is beneath contempt.
  
  
• 7/22/05: Stark Speaks Out Against Patriot Act
  Last night, U.S. Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA, 13th) voted against the USA PATRIOT Act. ...
  
  
• 7/22/05 -- Stark Statement Opposing H.R. 3199, the USA Patriot and Terrorism Prevention Reauthorization Act
  I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 3199, the USA PATRIOT and Terrorism Prevention Reauthorization Act, because I swore to uphold the Constitution.
  
  
• 7/14/05 — Letter to President Bush Urging Karl Rove to Explain Role in CIA Leak. (pdf):
  Letter from Rep. Stark to President Bush urging Deputy White House Chief of Staff Karl Rove to explain his role in the matter of Valerie Plame.
  
  
• 6/30/05: Stark Opposes Funding Cuts to Housing, Community Development Projects
  Today, U.S. Rep. Pete Stark (D-Fremont) voted against the spending bill for the Departments of Treasury, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, the District of Columbia, the judiciary, general government and related agencies...
  
  
• 6/22/05: Stark Votes Against Constitutional Amendment
  Today, U.S. Rep. Pete Stark (D-Fremont) voted against a Constitutional amendment to ban desecration of the flag. It passed the House by a vote of 286-130...
  
  
• 4/14/05 -- Opposing the Bankruptcy Abuse and Consumer Protection Act of 2005
  I rise in strong opposition to S. 256. This bankruptcy bill is touted as reform, but it is actually a wolf in sheep's clothing intended to allow credit card companies and other lenders to gouge consumers when they are most vulnerable.
  
  
• 2/17/05 -- Floor Statement -- On S. 5, the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005
  "Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose this misguided legislation to limit the ability of average Americans to seek redress for injury and harm caused by corporate malfeasance."
  
  
• 2/16/05 -- Floor Statement -- On H.R. 310, the Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act of 2005
  "Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 310, the so-called Broadcast Decency Bill. I'm as concerned as any parent about the content on television. I don't want my young children or grandchildren exposed to programming that is unsuitable for them. Yet, nowhere in this bill is there a definition of indecent material. All this bill does is increase fines over tenfold what the Bush Administration deems to be indecent. "
  
  
• 1/26/05 — Letter to Reps. Herger and Ramstad – Waste, Fraud and Abuse (pdf):
  Reps. Stark, McDermott and Lewis letter to the Chairmen of the Ways and Means Oversight and Human Resources Subcommittees calling for an investigation into the use of taxpayer funds by the Administration to pay syndicated columnist Maggie Gallagher to write in support of its marriage promotion programs.

More on Safe and Healthy Communities: 108th Congress