What is your view on the US-Colombia free trade agreement?  How does this view fit with your overall view on trade with Latin American countries?

I believe strongly in promoting economic development throughout Latin America, through trade, economic, and diplomatic policies.  In addition, I have always taken a close, independent look at each trade agreement to determine whether it contains adequate environmental and labor protections.  As a result of this close examination, I supported the Peru Free Trade Agreement. 

However, I have serious concerns regarding the proposed Colombia Free Trade Agreement.  Colombia has a record of very serious anti-labor violence, and the Colombian government has failed to protect workers.  In 2007 alone, thirty-nine unionists were murdered in Colombia, and union members are being killed at a rate of more than one per week in 2008.  Furthermore, there are reports that the family members of union workers have been targeted as well.  Given this anti-union violence, I have serious reservations about entering into this agreement at this time.

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What can the federal government do to address the education crisis that exists in the Latino community where the high school drop-out rate is significantly above the national average?

Nearly one in five K-12 public schoolchildren nationwide is Hispanic, yet many live in areas where the public schools do not have enough resources.  Such an environment leads to lower academic achievement and higher dropout rates.

I support investing in early childhood education programs like Head Start, K-12 programs that target and serve Hispanic students, and postsecondary programs that ensure all students receive the benefit of a higher education. 

Last year, I voted to reauthorize the Head Start program that was signed into law in December.  Since its inception, the program has prepared more than 20 million of America's most vulnerable children, 30 percent of whom are Latino, for success in kindergarten and later in life. I also recently wrote a letter to the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations committee requesting $1.072 billion for Head Start in FY 2009.

Another program, Even Start, is the only federal education program that teaches literacy skills to both parents and children, helping parents to teach their children, improve their lives, and improve family relationships.  Half of all families that participate in Even Start are Hispanic, and New Jersey has over 23 Even Start programs.  President Bush tried to eliminate funding for Even Start for next year, but I am currently fighting to restore funding levels to $100 million.

A college education is becoming increasingly important to succeeding in the new economy.  Workers with a college degree make 60 percent more than those without one.  Currently, college is too expensive for many families.  Tuition and fees have increased 32 percent for a public four-year college and 21 percent for a private four-year college since 2000.  Today, the average student graduates from college with $19,300 in debt.

Last year, I supported the Higher Education Access Act, signed into law in September, which improves aid to college students and reduces the interest rates they pay on loans, halving interest rates on subsidized student loans, increasing Pell grant awards, and offering debt forgiveness to certain public-sector workers after 10 years of service.

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What does the phrase "we are a nation of immigrants" mean to you?

I am the son of immigrants.  I was born and raised in Paterson alongside other immigrant families from around the world.  Our nation's greatness is a direct result of the diversity that exists in our communities, schools, houses of worship, and increasingly, our government.  Our country draws the best people from around the globe, people with the ability to believe in and seek a brighter future.  As they are brought together as neighbors, they share the best aspects of their cultures and create new ideas, while embracing the ideals that helped form our country.

Being a nation of immigrants means that we are always seeking the American Dream.  My father worked the silk mills until he grew sick from the chemicals used to treat the silk. He died before I turned 18.  Growing up, we didn't have much money.  But we did have values.   My parents made sure we learned the value of hard work, commitment and believing in the American Dream. 

Before he died, my father took me into those mills and placed my hand on the silk, leaving it covered with the chemical residue that eventually killed him.  He told me that he wanted a better life for me than he had.

The American Dream came true for me when, after serving in the Army, I went to college on the G.I. Bill.   That experience taught me the role of government: to help people achieve their goals and dreams.

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What, from your past actions or accomplishments, can you point to that demonstrates your commitment to the Latino community in our state and nation?

I was front and center in the fight for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which provides health insurance for low-income children and parents who cannot afford to buy private insurance and make too much money to qualify for Medicaid.   This program provides coverage to six million children. 

Nearly one out of three Latinos does not have health insurance, a number that is sadly growing.   Hispanics represent the highest number of uninsured children in the United States.  In 2006, there were nine million children without health insurance nationwide, including 250,000 in New Jersey.  These children are twice as likely to die from injuries while in the hospital as children with insurance.  Last year, Congress tried to expand CHIP to cover an additional four million uninsured children, including 100,000 in New Jersey.  President Bush vetoed the bill twice.

I am also a cosponsor of the "Minority Health Improvement and Health Disparity Elimination Act," which would address racial and ethnic health disparities by increasing diversity in the healthcare workforce, enhance quality and access for minority communities and improve enrollment in available health programs. The bill would also improve Research on Health Disparities.  I have recently sent a letter to Senators Harkin and Specter, Chairman and Ranking Member of the Labor, HHS, and Education Subcommittee, asking that they increase funding for minority health programs within the Department of Health and Human Services.

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Why do you deserve to represent the residents of the State of New Jersey in the US Senate for the next six years?

No one deserves elected office – you have to earn the privilege to serve.  I consider every day that I am in office an honor.  I believe I should be re-elected because of my record to bring our troops home from Iraq and my work to stimulate the economy, make health care and education more affordable and accessible, and for fighting to protect Social Security and Medicare.

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