April 4, 1995 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E 779 will ensure our continued superiority in the over protection of cultural and artistic prop- points per game for the season, and all 3 21st century. erties and their direct relevance for jobs at have scored over 1,000 career points. Stanley In addition to the combat awards I men- home serve the point. But similar success Bonewitz averaged 31.1 ppg, Donte Mathis with more intricate and strategic issues—ex- tioned earlier, General Schnelzer has received tending the Non-Proliferation Treaty averaged 21.3 ppg, and Charles Jackson other numerous awards and decorations, in- against nuclear and other weapons of mass averaged 21.1 ppg. cluding the Defense Distinguished Service destruction—plainly demands engagement The Hornets averaged over 109 points per Medal, the Distinguished Service Medal, the with others. It is illusory to think that the game during the regular season, and set a Defense Superior Service Medal, the Meritori- nation’s needs are so limited that they can State tournament record for a 2-game series ous Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, be served without a high degree of planning with 215 points. the 108 to 86 victory in the the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with and effort with other nations, including at final tied the State record for most points in a Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign the UN—the example of the Gulf War surely championship game. Most valuable player not forgotten. Medal. No country has so large a stake in the ef- honors for the 5A state tournament went to General Schnelzer plans to answer a higher fective functioning of such institutions as east Central's Stanley Bonewitz, who scored calling and will be working for the Episcopalian the IMF and World Bank and in the evo- 42 points in a 107±94 semifinal win and 36 Bishop in San Antonio. There, he will be co- lution of the new World Trade Organization. points in the final game. His 78 total points set ordinating the activities of all the Episcopalian Development of export markets and invest- a 5A record. churches in south Texas. On behalf of my col- ment opportunities is vital to our general Under the direction of coach Stan Bonewitz leagues and the congressional staff who have prosperity. But these require a framework of for the past 14 years, East Central has gone known and worked with General Schnelzer we international rules and cooperative action— 343±120 and captured 10 district champion- as for that matter does coping with vola- wish him and his wife Helen the very best in tility in international currencies and any ships, 7 area championships, 3 regional cham- their future endeavors. threat to the stability of our financial sys- pionships, and 1 state championship. Assist- f tem. In today’s world we have no monopoly ant coaches Jay Mead, Matt Oden, Steve on new technologies, nor on competition in Ochoa, and head trainer Charlie Trevino also AMERICA’S ROLE IN THE WORLD the burgeoning global marketplace. The fact played a key role in the team's success. Here is that to a greater degree than ever before is an example of teamwork at its best, with our HON. LEE H. HAMILTON the economic well-being of virtually every young people coming together to play hard OF INDIANA American is affected by what happens out- and strive for success. This year, for the Hor- side our borders. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Finally, it should be clear that nets, that effort garnered the state trophy. I Tuesday, April 4, 1995 unilateralism today, like isolationism in the have no doubt that the positive experiences from this past season will yield continued suc- Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, many Ameri- past, would risk nullifying American leader- ship in the world. With the cold war at an cess both on and off the court to the East cans remember Bruce Laingen as the able end, our allies and friends are no longer Central players and coaches. diplomat who acted with superb professional- automatically responsive to our judgments f ism while being held hostage in Iran more on security concerns. Nor are we able or than 15 years ago. Now Ambassador Laingen ready unilaterally to devote massive finan- ARROGANCE OF POWER continues to serve American interests as cial resources to the solution of inter- president of the American Academy of Diplo- national economic issues. Effective leader- macy. In response to the foreign policy debate ship, therefore, cannot be dictated by the HON. BOB LIVINGSTON United States; it depends on recognition by now underway, the academy has adopted a OF LOUISIANA others that we share security and economic very brief but important statement on Ameri- interests in common. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ca's role in the world, and I commend it to my To protect and advance our own national Tuesday, April 4, 1995 colleagues. Much has been written and said interests as we go forward will require care- recently about what I consider a false debate: ful articulation of those interests, their Mr. LIVINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, attached Whether we should pursue our foreign policy alignment where possible with those of oth- are copies of correspondence received by me unilaterally, or through multilateral institutions. ers, and a commitment to lead cooperative from the Honorable Fred J. Cassibry, U.S. dis- Obviously, we will want to do both, depending efforts. To do otherwise would invite forms trict judge, retired, and now a member of the on the circumstances. I ask that the acad- of international anarchy both dangerous and Louisiana Economic Development and Gam- costly to our own national interests. emy's statement be printed in the RECORD. ing Corp. Judge Cassibry, a Democrat ap- AMERICA’S ROLE ABROAD f pointee to the bench, was an outstanding jurist Most Americans accept the need for the TRIBUTE TO SAN ANTONIO’S EAST throughout his 20 years on the bench. He is United States to remain engaged in the CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL a superlative human being, and he has docu- world. And most will agree that clearly de- mented some truly outrageous conduct by rep- fined national interest should guide that en- resentatives of the U.S. Justice Department. gagement. But many are finding it difficult HON. FRANK TEJEDA His concerns should be immediately ad- in this complex post-cold war world to reach OF TEXAS consensus on what engagement means and dressed by the Judiciary Committee. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES where the national interest lies. LOUISIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT In the current debate over these issues we Tuesday, April 4, 1995 AND GAMING CORPORATION, sense a tendency among some to equate a New Orleans, LA, March 31, 1995. Mr. TEJEDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pragmatic pursuit of vital interests with Hon. BOB LIVINGSTON, unilateralism—arguing that international recognize the outstanding achievement of the House of Representatives, engagement must be a one-way street and boy's basketball team of East Central High Rayburn Building, Washington, DC. that our interests are best served when the School in San Antonio, TX. This remarkable DEAR CONGRESSMAN LIVINGSTON: I serve as US dictates the terms or acts alone when- team capped a 35-win, undefeated season by a member of the Louisiana Economic Devel- ever it chooses. This appeal of unilateralism winning the university interscholastic league's opment & Gaming Corporation [LEDGC] and doubtless arises from varied impulses, one of 5A State basketball championship on March I previously served as a United States Dis- which could be the disappointments we have 11, 1995. The East Central Hornets were the trict Judge in the Eastern District of Louisi- encountered from the shortcomings of the ana for twenty years. I write to you regard- United Nations. only undefeated team in the league this year, ing arrogance of power. In a flagrant and But in a world of instant communications, and the first undefeated 5a champion since shameless abuse of the authority entrusted globally linked financial markets, easy mi- 1987. As a testament to its basketball prow- to it by the American people the United gration of devastating diseases and impover- ess, East Central was ranked as the No. 1 States Attorney’s Office in New Orleans has ished peoples, threats to the earth’s oceans boy's basketball team in Texas for the entire sought to interject itself into the functions and atmosphere, terrorist networks operat- season. of LEDGC. The conduct was so egregious and ing without heed to frontiers, it is inconceiv- The Team included Stanley Bonewitz, Donte obvious that two of Louisiana’s largest news- able that the United States could go it alone Mathis, Charles Jackson,, Chip Moxley, David papers editorialized against what was taking successfully. When nuclear weapons can be place. delivered by missile, ship, or in the baggage White, Keith Rice, Oliver House, Josh Barnes, By way of explanation I enclose copies of of a terrorist the necessity for active inter- Blake Sims, Eric Luke, Stacey Dubley, Ben those editorials together with a copy of my national collaboration is self-evident. Lakey, Jeremy Lear, Steve Shrum, Curtis letter to Attorney General Janet Reno. The United States can and will do some Lundy, Marquieth Braziel, Jason Minica, and When she did not see fit to intervene as re- things alone. Recent negotiations with China Matt Divin. Three Players averaged over 20 quested I then wrote a letter of complaint to E 780 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks April 4, 1995 the Office of Professional Responsibility for foreclose citizen inquiries and complaints supplier of slot machines and other gaming the United States Department of Justice there would be no need for your office to devices to be used in the casino. which is charged with investigating such exist. The proceedings in question are not The President of LEDGC, Mr. Wilmore matters. I enclose copies of those letters. It confidential as to you and members of your Whitmore, declined Bally’s application based has now been five weeks since my original staff. I do not question the underlying right upon its poor performance in monitoring the request for investigation and three weeks of the United States Attorney’s Office to sale of its video poker machines in the State since my follow-up letter. I have received ab- conduct any investigation it deems appro- of Louisiana. A copy of the President’s rul- solutely no reply or response on any kind. priate. However, you well recognize that it is ing is attached for your ready reference. A Thousands of years ago the philosopher possible to conduct legitimate investigations memorandum supporting his decision is also Plato in commenting on the nature of gov- employing improper methods for ulterior enclosed. Under the laws of our state Bally ernment asked the question, ‘‘Who guards motives. The letter sent by the United has the right to appeal the President’s deci- the guardians?’’ That question is as perti- States Attorney’s Office—signed by three as- sion to the full Board. nent today as ever. Society gives tremendous sistant United States attorneys—to Bally’s As an individual member of the Board I power to the United States Department of attorney and the timing of the subpoenas to was predisposed to support the President’s Justice, a power which has great potential the members of the Casino Board, con- decision. The United States Attorney’s office for abuse. The only recourse given to citizens stituted flagrant abuses of prosecutorial for the Eastern District of Louisiana had in- to check that abuse is that the Department power. dicted seventeen (17) persons that it alleged supposedly has an Office of Professional Re- I would appreciate receiving a response had ties with organized crime, specifically sponsibility to investigate complaints. I find from you. If your office is going to inves- the Genovese LCN family in New York, who it astounding that when I, as a member of a tigate my complaints I would like confirma- were distributing Bally video poker ma- state board, supported by editorials in two tion of that. If you are declining to do so I chines in Louisiana. Bally Gaming had highly respected newspapers, make a formal would at least like a definitive statement loaned in excess of $25 million dollars to complaint about Justice Department mis- from you to that effect so that I can deter- these individuals who in turn were skimming conduct to the very office that is charged mine what further action I should take. the profits off the machines, thereby de- with investigating such complaints I cannot Awaiting your reply, I remain, frauding Bally and the State of Louisiana. even get the courtesy of a response. Very truly yours, The companies through which they were op- Hence, I call upon you as an elected rep- FRED J. CASSIBRY, erating, Worldwide Gaming of Louisiana resentative of the people of Louisiana for as- United States District Judge, (Ret.) (WGC) and Louisiana Route Operators sistance. The facts of the case clearly sup- Board Member, LEDGC. port the allegations of abuse of power which (LRO), went into bankruptcy. The President of Bally Gaming, Inc. Mr. Alan Maiss pleaded I have made and I would hope that the Con- LOUISIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT guilty to a felony arising out of these trans- gress would see fit to conduct its own inves- AND GAMING CORPORATION, tigation into the tactics of the Justice De- New Orleans, LA, January 31, 1995. actions. Our regulations require that a com- partment. At very least I request you help in Hon. JANET RENO, pany seeking to do business with the casino requiring the Justice Department to inves- Department of Justice, Washington, DC. prove by clear and convincing evidence a tigate itself. DEAR GENERAL RENO: Following up my cor- record of prior reliability. I certainly could Awaiting your reply, I remain, respondence to you of January 30, 1995, en- understand the President’s decision that Very truly yours, closed you will find an editorial that ap- Bally Gaming, Inc. did not satisfy that bur- FRED J. CASSIBRY, peared in the Baton Rouge Morning Avocate, den of proof. United States District Judge, (Ret.) one of the leading newspapers in our state. I The attorneys for Bally had no credible re- Board Member, LEDGC. again request your prompt response to my buttal to the President’s decision and to the request. Since I will be at the federal grand contrary expressed an inability to even dis- LOUISIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT jury you can get a message to me by calling cuss the allegations because of the pending AND GAMING CORPORATION, the Attorney Conference Center at the fed- federal prosecution. The primary argument New Orleans, LA, March 9, 1995. eral court at (504) 589–6111. submitted by Bally’s attorneys to the Presi- Mr. MICHAEL SHAHEEN. Thanking you for your prompt attention dent was that the United States Attorney’s Department of Justice, Office of Professional to this matter and awaiting your reply, I re- Office felt that Bally’s had been a ‘‘victim’’ Responsibility, Washington, DC. main. and therefore was not a knowing party to DEAR MR. SHAHEEN: Your attention is Very truly yours, what had taken place. The President in ar- called to my previous letter of February 8, FRED J. CASSIBRY, riving at his decision never questioned 1995, in which I requested an investigation United States District Judge, (Ret.) whether Bally was a victim, but correctly regarding the actions of certain members of Board members, LEDGC. pointed out that it had at best been ex- the United States Attorney’s Office in the tremely negligent in allowing itself to have Eastern District of Louisiana. To date I have LOUISIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT become partners with alleged organized received no response. However, I did receive AND GAMING CORPORATION, crime figures and clearly did not qualify correspondence from the Deputy Assistant New Orleans, LA, January 30, 1995. under the suitability requirements of Louisi- Attorney General in the Criminal Division, a Hon. JANET RENO, ana law. copy of which is enclosed. Department of Justice, Washington, DC. I was shocked and dismayed to find the at- As you can see from the copies of cor- DEAR GENERAL RENO: I address this letter torneys for Bally introducing into the record respondence I previously sent to you, specifi- to you because I have been advised that the of our proceedings a letter signed by three cally my letter of January 30, 1995 to Attor- United States Attorney for the Eastern Dis- Assistant United States attorneys expressing ney General Reno and Assistant Attorney trict of Louisiana, Mr. Eddie Jordan, has concern regarding the President’s findings General Harris, I had requested their inter- recused himself in the matter about which I and support for Bally Gaming, Inc. A copy of vention to secure a postponement of the am requesting assistance, I have been fur- that letter is attached for your ready ref- scheduled grand jury appearances for myself ther informed that in light of Mr. Jordan’s erence. In my 20 years as a federal judge I and other members of the Louisiana Eco- recusal all decisions in the matter have been have never seen the Department of Justice nomic Development and Gaming Corporation referred to First Assistant United States At- interject itself in such a flagrant fashion (LEDGC). They did not fit to grant that re- torney Jim Letten. Since it is the conduct of into the proceedings of a state board. You quest. I therefore wrote to you requesting an Mr. Letten, in part, about which I complain will note that the letter contains conclusory investigation as to what had transpired. I am required to write to you directly. Be- and unsupportable statements. For example, It is my understanding that you are cause this matter relates to a criminal inves- the letter states the corporation did not do charged with the responsibility of investigat- tigation being conducted by the United anything wrong, rather it was its president, ing allegations of impropriety by members of States Attorney’s office I am also sending a as though a corporation could act other than the United States Department of Justice. I copy of this letter to the Assistant Attorney through its officers. renew my request that you do so. While Mr. General in charge of the Criminal Division, At a public meeting attended by Bally’s at- Keenan offers his unsolicited opinion that Ms. Joann Harris. torneys I expressed my opinion about the the Assistant United States Attorneys in By way of background, I am a retired Unit- questionable conduct of the United States question acted professionally, it is my under- ed States District Judge having served over Attorney’s office in writing such a letter. At standing that it is your function, not his, to twenty years in the Eastern District of Lou- very least we had the obligation to hear make such determinations. isiana. A little over a month ago I was asked sworn testimony in support of the conclu- I respectfully suggest to you that it simply by the Governor of the State to serve on the sions if the government’s attorneys wanted does not suffice to respond to citizens’ com- Louisiana Economic Development and Gam- to give their views. They declined an invita- plaints, as did Mr. Keenan, by stating that ing Corporation (LEDGC) which regulates tion to testify, and when we issued subpoe- criminal investigations are secret and there- the landbased casino in New Orleans. The nas to them they predictably invoked execu- fore the actions of the investigators cannot Harrah’s Corporation has been awarded the tive privilege and refused to testify. Bally’s discussed. I assume that all criminal inves- contract to run the casino and the Board is attorneys then decided to ‘‘withdraw’’ the tigations by the Department of Justice are presently in the process of evaluating an ap- letter from the three assistant United States confidential. If that were reason enough to plication by Bally Gaming, Inc. to be the attorneys as though they somehow expected April 4, 1995 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E 781 that the Board members were supposed to ig- [From the Advocate, Baton Rouge, LA., Jan It certainly looks as if Cassibry is correct. nore what had already been presented. 31, 1995] If that is the case, it is a highly inappro- It was on January 26, 1995 that the United FEDS SHOULD EXPLAIN PROSECUTORS’ ACTIONS priate role for federal prosecutors to take. States Attorney’s office wrote to us telling Appearances can sometimes be deceiving, Based on the information presented during us that they would not agree to testify be- but it certainly appears as if federal prosecu- the three-day hearing last week we believe fore the Board. On January 27, 1995 one of the tors are attempting to influence a decision Whitmore was justified in his denial of a li- same assistant United States attorneys who by the state casino board. cense for Bally’s to do business with the New wrote the letter issued a subpoena for all of We question whether interference in the af- Orleans casino. Bally’s failure to exercise the Board members to appear before the fairs of the casino board is the proper role due diligence in regards to its associations United States Grand Jury on January 31, for the federal prosecutors and think a pub- certainly seems to be sufficient cause to be- 1995. The Board is scheduled to vote on the lic explanation is in order. lieve that Louisiana is better off without Bally appeal the next day, February 1, 1995. At issue is a casino board decision on the further association with the firm. A copy of the subpoena is attached. issue of whether Bally Gaming Inc. should be Louisiana has enough mud on its face al- As I am sure you are aware a federal grand issued a license to supply to the New Orleans ready for its inept regulation of gambling casino $6.2 million in slot machines and the jury subpoena can be disconcerting under the without adding more by waffling on a license computer software to control the machines. best of circumstances. However, just before for a firm which allowed the tentacles of or- Wilmore Whitmore, chief executive officer ganized crime to reach into video poker gam- issuing the subpoena to the Board members of the casino regulatory agency, earlier this the United States Attorney’s Office had al- bling in the state. month had banned Bally from doing business Cassibry said the federal prosecutors be- ready gotten the President of LEDGC, Mr. with Harrah’s Jazz Co. Whitmore cited came involved because they want Bally to be Whitmore, before the Federal Grand Jury Bally’s involvement in the Louisiana video clean so they can portray the firm as the vic- and grilled him in a most antagonistic man- poker industry with two companies named tim. ner. They made it very plain to him that by federal prosecutors as organized crime ‘‘If Bally is the victim, they can stick it to they disagreed with his assessment of Bally’s fronts. all of those people they are trying to convict activities. it was clearly not a session de- Federal prosecutors have said Bally was .. . That’s the only reason I can think of for the victim of the alleged scheme by orga- signed to secure information, but rather to this outlandish behavior,’’ he said. challenge Mr. Whitmore’s conclusions. nized crime to make inroads into Louisiana’s video poker gambling industry. We appreciate the federal prosecutors for Through my attorney, Julian Murray, I ex- their role in bringing to light the efforts by pressed to Mr. Letten how ill timed and in- Whitmore contended, however, that Bally was negligent in its rush to capitalize on the organized crime families in New Orleans, timidating were such subpoenas. I inquired New York and New Jersey to become in- as to whether the grand jury appearances lucrative video gambling industry in Louisi- ana and failed to exercise sound business volved in Louisiana’s gambling business. could be postponed for a reasonable amount practices. But we don’t believe the involvement of of time so that the Board members did not In the early stages, Bally Gaming ad- the prosecutors in attempting to take up for have to vote on such an important matter vanced thousands of dollars to the two Lou- Bally now is appropriate. knowing that they would incur the ire of the isiana companies without meaningful over- The actions of the federal prosecutors are federal prosecutors before whom they would sight, Whitmore said. This business associa- sufficiently serious that they deserve the at- have to appear the next day. Mr. Letten re- tion ‘‘afforded organized crime the oppor- tention of—and an explanation by—Attorney sponded to my attorney that a continuance tunity to infiltrate the Louisiana video General Janet Reno. was not possible. Rather, he, Mr. Irwin and poker industry.’’ Mr. Perricone (the same three Assistant Whitmore also said Bally directors knew or United States Attorneys that sent the letter) should have known about a year before fed- [From the Times-Picayune, Feb. 3, 1995] felt that it was imperative that the grand eral indictments were returned against 17 in- WRONG DECISION, WRONG MESSAGE jury hearing go forward. When a meeting was dividuals that the two companies in which requested with United States Attorney Eddie some of the indicted men were involved were By granting Bally Gaming Inc. a license to Jordan so that that decision could be re- linked to criminal elements. sell $6.2 million worth of slot machines and computer equipment to the temporary ca- viewed, Mr. Letten responded that the Unit- The former president of Bally Gaming, sino, the state Casino Board this week rein- ed States Attorney had recused himself in Alan Maiss of Reno, Nev., pleaded guilty ear- lier this month to two counts of misprision forced the notion that Louisiana’s gambling the matter and that he, Letten, was the of a felony—having knowledge of crimes regulators are more concerned with protect- United States Attorney as far as this par- being committed but failing to report them ing the powerful casino interests than the in- ticular matter was concerned. to proper authorities—in connection with tegrity of the industry in our state. I am therefore required to write to you for the case. Bally Gaming made a terrible business de- review of this decision. I request that there Bally appealed Whitmore’s denial of a li- cision when it picked Worldwide Gaming as be a postponement of my appearance before cense, and the casino board conducted a its exclusive Louisiana distributor for Bally the federal grand jury and that when I do ap- hearing last week on that appeal. video poker machines three years ago. As pear that the proceedings be handled by a During the hearing, new casino board this newspaper reported in our December se- special assistant United States attorney ap- member Fred Cassibry of New Orleans, a ries, ‘‘Stacking the Deck: The Birth of Lou- pointed by you. former U.S. District Judge, was critical of isiana Gambling,’’ in less than a year, World- In closing I emphasize that I write this let- federal prosecutors for writing letters to the wide had squandered $13 billion Bally had ter as an individual Board member and do casino board in response to a Bally request. lent it and was in bankruptcy. not purport to speak for the Board as a The letters portrayed Bally as a victim in And that was the good news. whole or any of the other members. However, the scheme which led to the indictment of 17 A year later, 17 people associated with I can state to you without equivocation that people last May. Worldwide were indicted by the federal gov- the interference by the United States Attor- ‘‘I consider this a serious breach of ethics ernment on charges that they operated and law.’’ Cassibry said of the letters. ‘‘It is ney in the Board’s proceedings has had a Worldwide as a front company for organized a disgusting and disgraceful attempt to in- crime. All but Stephen Bolson, a co-founder chilling effect on its deliberation. I suggest fluence this board.’’ of Worldwide, pleaded innocent and await that if you will take the time which I am re- The board instructed Whitmore to invite trial. questing to check into this matter you will Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jim Letten, Steven find that there is not in fact any urgency Irwin and Salvador Perricone, along with a Enter now the U.S. attorney’s office in that would dictate against my request for a state police representative, to testify at the New Orleans, which wrote a letter for Bally reasonable postponement of the grand jury hearings. responding to the Casino Board’s concerns appearance. If there is ever any information After the federal prosecutors offered to and claiming the company was an innocent which I am able to provide to the United speak only with ‘‘one or two of the commis- victim in the Worldwide affair. State’s government I am perfectly willing to sioners,’’ the board issued a subpoena for The office’s view that Bally was an inno- do so. I simply request that the inquiry be them to testify, Cassibry said Monday. The cent victim in the Worldwide scheme was al- ready clear from court documents they filed conducted in an appropriate manner by pros- subpoena was ignored, he said. in the case. Writing a letter on behalf of ecutors who do not have what is, at very Now, the U.S. attorney’s office has issued Bally can only create the impression that least, the appearance of ulterior motives. subpoenas to all nine members of the casino the federal government was weighing in on Thanking you for your prompt attention board to appear today before a federal grand jury. Bally’s side in a regulatory dispute where to this matter and awaiting your reply, I re- The casino board is scheduled to meet the U.S. attorney has no role. main, Wednesday to consider whether to uphold Whether a company is completely innocent Very truly yours, Whitmore’s denial of the license. of criminal wrongdoing in its business deal- FRED J. CASSIBRY, Cassibry said the U.S. attorney’s office is ings is an entirely different matter from U.S. District Judge, (Ret.) trying to intimidate the casino board into is- whether a company is suitable to receive a Board Member, LEDGC. suing the license to Bally. gambling license. E 782 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks April 4, 1995 In fact, there is much in the record of March 31, 1995, which, as you know, marks High School who wrote the essay titled ``Cesar Worldwide’s bankruptcy and in court docu- the birthday of the late Cesar Chavez. I would Chavez.'' ments and depositions taken in the case to like to especially thank Joe Coto, superintend- Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I ask raise serious questions about Bally’s suit- ent of the East Side Union High School Dis- ability to do business in Louisiana’s gam- you to join me in recognizing these distin- bling industry. trict, for organizing this important event. guished students and award recipients from Here are a few of the details that raise le- I am very proud of all the students who par- my district, who looked to see Cesar Chavez gitimate unanswered questions about Bally ticipated in the Cesar Chavez Writing Contest, as a great citizen worthy of respect, praise, Gaming. and would like to congratulate each of them and emulation. Mr. Speaker, we all look in our Jerry Flynn, Bally Gaming sales manager on their achievement. By participating in this history with respect and love for the men and in 1992, testified in a court deposition that writing contest, these students paid tribute to women who devote their lives to the cause of then-Bally president Alan Maiss knew of Cesar Chavez, who dedicated his life to the social and economic justice to all citizens. Worldwide’s ties to alleged mobsters but struggle for equal rights and equal opportunity. Cesar Chavez is such a man. His memory will continued to do business with the company. His work fighting for human beings and fair Maiss denies the allegation. live on through the heart-felt poems and es- In a plea agreement with the federal gov- working and living conditions for farmworkers says of these students. I commend each of ernment, Mr. Maiss earlier this month plead- was an inspiration to those who joined him these remarkable students for their important ed guilty to a felony count of failing to re- and those who supported his efforts around contribution to preserving the memory of port that one of Worldwide’s founders, Chris- the world. Cesar Chavez. topher Tanfield, did not have a Louisiana Cesar Chavez will be remembered for his Mr. Speaker, over the next several days I gambling license. tireless commitment to improve the plight of will be entering into the RECORD the essays Mr. Tanfield, one of the people indicted in farmworkers and the poor throughout the Unit- the Worldwide case, testified last week in a and poems of these students. I will start by ed States. And, he will be remembered for the sharing with you the poems of the two grand deposition for the Casino Board that his inspiration his heroic efforts gave to so many agreement to resign from Worldwide in 1992 prize winners, Rosalinda Gonzalez of Inde- after a newspaper article linked him to Americans to work nonviolently for justice in pendence High School, and Nicole Perez of members of a New York organized crime their communities. Mt. Pleasant High School. Their poems follow: family was essentially an artifice—that he These students who participated in this writ- Rosalinda Gonzalez of Independence High continued to work 20-hour days as a ‘‘con- ing contest have been an inspiration to me in School. sultant’’ to Worldwide, taking instructions my efforts as a recent cosponsor of a resolu- from Bally officials. tion that would declare March 31 a Federal ‘‘CESAR CHAVEZ’’ If that is true, it goes to the heart of Ca- holiday in honor of Cesar Chavez. The resolu- Lying there in death sino Board President Wilmore Whitmore’s In a hot room tion which is sponsored by Congressman BOB ruling that Bally was unsuitable for a license With only a fan to cool him in part because Bally failed to aggressively FILNER of San Diego currently has 20 original A crate-looking casket address concerns about mob ties in cosponsors and will be introduced this Con- I saw him Worldwide’s operations. gress. In the flesh There is a larger issue at stake here than Mr. Speaker, the students who participated A great man’s death whether Bally Gaming does or does not have in the Cesar Chavez Writing Contest deserve People in mourning a license. to be recognized individually for the wonderful Over the end of an era Under the best of circumstances, a state essays and poems they wrote in his honor. An era in which should do everything in its power to place a Rosalinda Gonzalez of Independence High I had no part gambling license in the hands of operators School and Nicole Perez of Mt. Pleasant High The marches, boycotts, fasts, who are above reproach. La huelga A gambling license is a privilege, not a School were the two grand prize winners. I had only heard of them right. State regulators need not prove that Each wrote poems about Cesar Chavez's life. from my Dad an applicant for a gambling license is unsuit- Rosalinda Gonzalez' poem is titled ``Cesar able; the applicant has to prove beyond a Chavez'' and Nicole Perez' poem is titled Assembled for a funeral reasonable doubt that it is suitable to hold a ``Recollection.'' March license. The first place winners are listed as follows: Was when I understood In deciding to overturn Mr. Whitmore’s de- Sabrina Hernandez of Andrew High School It is about people cision, the gambling board in essence decided By the thousands who write the essay titled ``This Spirit We Fol- They came that the interests of a casino equipment ven- low''; Aberin Rodrigo of James Lick High dor outweighed the public’s right to an un- Men, women, children tainted gambling industry. School who wrote the essay titled ``Cesar Different races, lifestyles, and creeds There are many companies across the Chavez''; Kathryn White of Oak Grove High Unity country that would leap at the chance to School who wrote the essay titled ``Making the As I marched supply the casino with equipment—compa- World a Better Place''; Lisette Muniz of W.C. I felt it nies whose reputations, judgment and atten- Overfelt High School who wrote the poem ti- I was brought back tion to detail are not in question. tled ``Cesar Chavez''; Ahmed Desai of Pied- To the days By granting Bally a license, the Casino mont Hills High School who wrote the essay ti- My Dad Spoke of Board has announced what kinds of past be- tled ``Dedicated to a Dedicator''; Maria Gon- Marching for a cause Together as one havior it will overlook in its applicants, zalez of Santa Teresa High School who wrote what kinds of questions it will leave unan- the poem titled ``Battle''; Brenda Reyes of Sil- Now swered, what kinds of issues it will overlook. Is the time The board has set the bar at an all-too-fa- ver Creek High School who wrote the poem ti- For action miliar low level, and the citizens of the state tled ``Who is He?''; and Eulala Reynolds of Our generation is are ill served by its action. Yerba Buena High School who wrote the Next in line f poem titled ``Cesar Chavez.'' Educate and make a The second place winners are listed as fol- Change HONORING THE CESAR CHAVEZ lows: Lauren Droira of Andrew Hill High The birth of a new era WRITING CONTEST AWARD WIN- School who wrote the essay titled ``Cesar NERS OF THE EAST SIDE UNION Chavez' Testimony to Modern Society''; Eve Nicole Perez of Mt. Pleasant High School. HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT Zuniga of Independence High School who ‘‘RECOLLECTION’’ wrote the essay titled ``Charity''; Troy Arevalo My eyes looked up at him longingly, HON. ZOE LOFGREN of James Lick High School who wrote the the man my parents often spoke of. OF CALIFORNIA poem titled ``Cesar Chavez''; Marie Aloy of Mt. ‘‘There he is hija,’’ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Pleasant High School who wrote an untitled ‘‘He’s the one,’’ the one that helped us. essay; Mark Papellero of W.C. Overfelt High He shook my fathers hand, with a firm grip, Tuesday, April 4, 1995 School who wrote the poem titled ``The Lives and a subtle smile. Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to of Workers''; Raymond Ramirez of Piedmont He was wearing very simple clothes, yes, a very humble man. recognize the winners of the first annual Cesar Hills High School who wrote the poem titled Yet he held a world of power, Chavez writing contest held by the East Side ``Chavez y La Causa''; Ester Martinez Estrada in his strong, worn out hand. Union High School District in San Jose, CA. I of Santa Teresa High School who wrote the I remembered all the things he did, had the great privilege of attending the award essay titled ``A Hero to the Mexican Commu- all the things he did for us. ceremony honoring the student winners on nity''; and Anthonette Pena of Silver Creek The strikes, the vigils, his leadership against