December 17, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2335 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS

TRIBUTE TO THE LATE HON. TRIBUTE TO PRINCIPAL WEAVER president, Wilda Spalding. I'm convinced that MORRIS ‘‘MO’’ UDALL ODOM if there were more people like Wilda Spalding, than such lofty goals as world peace would HON. THOMAS C. SAWYER HON. GENE GREEN not seem nearly so elusive. For 25 years, Ms. OF OHIO OF TEXAS Spalding, the President of World Wins Cor- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES poration, has waged a one-person campaign in support of universal human rights, peace, Thursday, December 17, 1998 Thursday, December 17, 1998 and justice. She has devoted an incredible Mr. SAWYER. Mr. Speaker, earlier this Mr. GREEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my amount of her own time and resources in this week my friend and predecessor in this great colleagues in Congress to join me in paying effort. Among her proudest accomplishments body, John Seiberling, called and asked that I tribute to an outstanding individual, Mr. Wea- was working with the United Nations to estab- insert into the RECORD of our work his ver Odom. Mr. Odom recently will retire after lish the UN's Year of the Child. thoughts on his friend and colleague, Mo serving the Aldine Intermediate School District I first became aware of Ms. Spalding in the Udall. for 35 years, 31 of which has principal of Co- summer of 1998, when World Wins Corpora- To all of us who knew and worked with Mo lonial Hills Elementary. tion issued a medal of excellence to my close Udall, he will always be an indelible model of Weaver Odom joined Aldine ISD in 1963 friend, Blinky Rodriguez. Blinky is the architect all that we can be and do as lawmakers and and spent the first few years of his career as of the Valley Peace Treaty, which during the as leaders, and as friends to one another a fifth and sixth grade teacher. In 1968 he be- past five years has brought about a remark- even in the most difficult times. came temporary principal at Colonial Hills, but able reduction in the number of gang killings I am grateful and honored that John Seiber- the temporary label was dropped. His 31 in the Northeast San Fernando Valley. ling would ask me to share his words in this years of dedicated service will leave a legacy Those of us who live and work in the North- way. for students and teachers alike. east Valley are well aware of Blinky's work, December 14, 1998. We in the Aldine ISD has been very fortu- and we were all very moved when he was rec- Re Hon. Morris Udall. nate to have benefited from Mr. Odom's dedi- ognized by Wilda Spalding and World Wins The death on December 12 of Morris ‘‘Mo’’ cation and loyalty. He always led by example Corporation. Blinky joined 14 other winners of Udall has taken from us one of the most and frequently welcomed students to school. the Medal of Excellence in Geneva, Switzer- loved, most respected, and most accom- Because he always treated others with respect land, where he was feted in front of an inter- plished Members of Congress in this genera- and dignity, the people who work for him and national audience of dignitaries. tion. attend his school consider him their friend as Mo Udall was a BIG person, in every sense I will always be grateful to Ms. Spalding for of the word. He was big not only in physical well as their principal. bestowing this prestigious and richly-deserved stature but also in strength of character, in- Staff, faculty and students alike have spo- honor on Blinky. tellectual acumen, unfailing good humor, po- ken out in appreciation for Mr. Odom's work I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting litical vision, and understanding of the ethic and love for his students. His staff is so Wilda Spalding, President of World Wins Cor- House and its constitutional role. loyal that almost half of the school's employ- poration, for her dedication to making ours a I first became acquainted with Mo in 1970, ees have been there for more then 10 years. better world. She is a shining example for us when he came to Akron to help me, a politi- Many have admitted they stay simply because all. cal underdog, in my ultimately successful Principal Odom makes working at Colonial f campaign for election to the House. After I was elected, he helped me become one of his Hills fun. In honor of Weaver Odom, the Aldine ISD CONGRATULATIONS TO DR. J. MI- colleagues on the Committee on Interior and CHAEL BISHOP FOR RECEIVING Insular Affairs, which he later chaired with recently announced it's decision to rename great distinction for over a decade. There I Colonial Hills to Odom Elementary. This honor THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR had the privilege of working with him on is an appropriate way to thank Principal Odom CELL BIOLOGY’S 1998 PUBLIC some of the landmark environmental legisla- for his dedication and leadership at the school SERVICE AWARD tive efforts that he led. These produced the and throughout the community. Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Education is the key to our children's future HON. GEORGE W. GEKAS Act of 1977, which curbed the destructive and the key to our country's continued suc- OF PENNSYLVANIA practices of coal stripmining, and the Alaska IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES National Interest Lands Conservation Act, cess. Principal Odom shares this belief and probably the most monumental land con- has worked with his faculty and staff to ensure Thursday, December 17, 1998 that all students have an opportunity for qual- servation measure ever enacted. Mr. GEKAS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to Mo’s unswerving devotion to his native Ar- ity education. The twenty-first century will bring to the attention of my colleagues the izona, to the Congress, and to America’s land bring new challenges for our young people. name of J. Michael Bishop, M.D. Dr. Bishop and people, can and should serve as a model Principal Odom has been committed to edu- received the American Society for Cell Biolo- for generations to come. The widespread re- cating them to deal with these challenges. gy's 1998 Public Service Award on Sunday, spect which Mo enjoyed resulted not only For years, families have known this school from his vision and courage but also his fair- December 13, 1998. On behalf of the Con- is run by a man dedicated to providing an en- ness and eagerness to seek common ground gressional Biomedical Research Caucus, I vironment conducive to learning. I am certain with colleagues on opposing sides of legisla- want to extend our deepest congratulations to that the strength of the community would not tive issues. Above all, I shall always remem- Dr. Bishop for his outstanding scientific and ber Mo as a warm and loyal friend, always be what it is without Mr. Odom's years of serv- educational accomplishments. Last year, I was considerate, humorous, and kind. ice and I am confident that his legacy will con- pleased to receive the same Public Policy In 1980, Mo told me that his doctors had tinue for years to come. Award. I am honored that for once in my life- just informed him that he had Parkinson’s f disease. So began his valiant eighteen year time, a Nobel Laureate is actually following in struggle, during which his courage and se- TRIBUTE TO WILDA SPALDING my footsteps. renity continued to inspire his friends and Nearly 10 years ago, Dr. Bishop, along with family. To his wife, Norma, son Mark, newly HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN other scientists, proposed a forum where sci- elected to the House, his brother Stewart, entists could brief the Congress and its staff and the other members of Mo’s family, I OF CALIFORNIA on the latest discoveries in biomedical re- share your sense of loss, but also memories IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES search. Thus was born the Congressional Bio- of his indomitable spirit and undying friend- Thursday, December 17, 1998 ship. Truly, love endures and, in the end, medical Research Caucus, which has now prevails. Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to conducted over seventy-five briefings, pro- JOHN F. SEIBERLING. pay tribute to World Wins Corporation and its vided the Congress with a first-rate science

∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. E2336 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks December 17, 1998 education, and has served to identify a biparti- This family, with eight generations having Everett Dirksen. The next day LBJ pressed san group of Members who actively support made this county their home, is a living testa- Martin Luther King Jr. and other black lead- funding for medical research. The Biomedical ment to its appeal. I send to all of them my ers to turn their energy to registering black voters. Research Caucus has provided a forum for warmest best wishes. LBJ planned every detail of the signing presentations that have made a remarkable f ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda. He wanted and lasting impression on our views of what ‘‘a section for special people I can invite,’’ the proper role that the Congress should play THE MAN BEHIND THE VOTES such as Rosa Parks (the 42-year-old black in appropriating funds for the National Insti- seamstress who refused to give up her seat tutes of Health and Science Programs. on a bus in Montgomery) and Vivian Malone HON. GENE GREEN (the first black woman admitted to the Uni- The fact that the Biomedical Research Cau- OF TEXAS versity of Alabama, in 1963). He told me to cus has been such a longstanding success is IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES get ‘‘a table so people can say, ‘This is the a tribute to Dr. Bishop's selfless and persever- Thursday, December 17, 1998 table on which LBJ signed the Voting Rights ing dedication to provide appropriate topics Bill.’ ’’ and outstanding scientists to conduct these re- Mr. GREEN. Mr. Speaker, credit for the He was exuberant as he drove with me and markable and enlightening briefings. Dr. Democratic party's success in the November other staffers up to Capitol Hill for the sign- elections is due to our sustained commitment ing. Riding in the presidential limo he spoke Bishop's commitment to the caucus is deeply of a new day, ‘‘If, if, if, if,’’ he said, ‘‘the appreciated and we look forward to another to the issues affecting American families. In a Negro leaders get their people to register and year of caucus briefings that so effectively re- recent editorial in the Washington Post, Jo- vote.’’ veal the opportunities for scientific discovery. seph A. Califano, Jr., a former aide to Presi- I rarely saw him happier than on that day. I am ever so proud that a man born in York, dent Lyndon Johnson, describes the birth of For years after that, he fretted that too PA, educated at Gettysburg College, and many of those policies. Voting rights for mi- many black leaders were more interested in norities, a Medicare system that provides a rousing speech or demonstration full of whose family resides near my home city of sound bites and action for the TV cameras Harrisburg, PA, is receiving this richly de- health care for the elderly and disabled, and than in marshaling the voting power of their served honor. Once again, I want Dr. Bishop Social Security that lifted more than 2 million people. to know that his passionate efforts on behalf seniors out of poverty are just a few of Presi- Well, if he was looking down on us on Nov. of biomedical science have made a lasting im- dent Johnson's initiatives that Democrats have 3—and I’m sure he was up there counting pact on me personally as well as on the entire been fighting for over the past 30 years. In votes—he saw his dream come true. Without fact, just about every issue Democrats hold the heavy black turnout, the Democrats Congress. would not have held their own in the Senate, f most dearly were conceptualized and imple- picked up seats in the House and moved into mented during the Johnson Administration. Ini- more state houses. In Georgia, the black HONORING THE EIGHTH GENERA- tiatives like elementary and secondary edu- share of the total vote rose 10 points to 29 TION OF CASHELL’S IN MONT- cation, protecting the environment, and clean percent, helping to elect a Democratic gov- GOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND air and water have been the cornerstones of ernor and the state’s first black attorney the Democratic party since President Johnson general. In Maryland, that share rose eight points HON. CONSTANCE A. MORELLA had the wisdom to push his Great Society to 21 percent, saving the unpopular Gov. Par- OF MARYLAND agenda. ris Glendening from defeat. The black vote IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Despite efforts by some Members to cut or in South Carolina kept Fritz Hollings in his Thursday, December 17, 1998 eliminate many of these programs, Democrats Senate seat, defeated Lauch Faircloth in have held firm in our convictions. The Amer- North Carolina and ensured Chuck Schu- Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, Montgomery ican people sent a clear message to their mer’s victory over Al D’Amato in New York. Here and there across the country, the County, MD, the district which I am proud to elected officials in the November electionsÐa represent in Congress, is perhaps one of the black vote provided the margin of victory for message to fight for the issues that help hard- democratic governors and congressmen—and most transient districts in the Nation. That is working Americans, like Medicare, Social Se- where Republicans such as the Bush brothers why it is a distinct honor to bring to your atten- curity, education and the environment. I for attracted large percentages of Hispanic and tion a family celebrating their eighth genera- one am proud of our party's accomplishments black voters, helped roll up majorities with tion of Montgomery Countians with the births and look forward to continuing to work toward national implications. The Voting Rights Act is not the only of Cashell Lee Hurdle, born February 22, President Johnson's goals. 1998, son of Gaines Finley Hurdle and Ken- thing Democrats can thank LBJ for. Johnson Mr. Speaker, I submit the editorial by Mr. captured for the Democratic Party issues neth Lee Hurdle of Bethesda, and McLean Califano for inclusion in the RECORD. that were decisively important in this elec- Gerald Morgan and Sarah Louise Morgan, tion. He got Congress to pass the Elementary [From the Washington Post, Nov. 18, 1998] both born December 4, 1997, the children of and Secondary Education Act, which for the David Gough ``Rusty'' Morgan and Karen THE MAN BEHIND THE VOTES first time told the people they could look to Brown Morgan of Rockville. This new genera- (By Joseph A. Califano Jr.) the federal government for help in local tion comes from a family lineage of distinctive The president most responsible for the school districts. It is his Medicare that Montgomery Countians. They are a direct de- Democratic victories in 1998 is the stealth Democrats promised to protect from con- president whom Democrats are loath to men- servative Republican sledgehammers. LBJ scendant of George Cashell, born in Cashel, was the president who ratcheted up Social Ireland, 1748, who immigrated to this country tion: Lyndon Johnson. In March of 1965, when racial tension was Security payments to lift more than 2 mil- and died in Montgomery County in 1802. high and taking a pro-civil rights stand was lion Americans above the poverty line. Together Medicare and Social Security Cashell's great-great grandfather, Francis sure to put the solid South (and much of the have changed the nature of growing old in Hazel Cashell (1872±1930) was the owner of North) in political play, President Johnson extensive farmland in the Redland area of America and freed millions of baby boomers addressed a joint session of Congress to pro- to buy homes and send their kids to college Montgomery County and the Cashell Motor pose the Voting Rights Act. Flying in the rather than spend the money to help their Company in Rockville. He was a member of face of polls that showed his position was aging parents. The Great Society’s Clean Air the Maryland House of Delegates, elected in hurting his popularity, he said that ensuring and Clean Water Acts, Motor Vehicle Pollu- 1917. His great-grandmother, Alice Cashell everyone the right to vote was an act of obe- tion, Solid Waste Disposal and Highway dience to the oath that the president and Beautification acts have given Democrats a Keech, (1896±1994) was an avid fox hunter Congress take before ‘‘God to support and de- and sportswoman, and a 98-year resident of lock on environmental issues. fend the Constitution.’’ Looking members on LBJ was also the president who created Montgomery County. Sarah and McLean's the floor straight in the eye, he closed by in- the unified budget to include Social Secu- great-grandfather, Jo V. Morgan, Sr., a Be- toning the battle hymn of the civil rights rity, which helped produce a balanced budget thesda resident for 44 years, was the county's movement, ‘‘And we shall overcome.’’ One in fiscal year 1969. Without that budget sys- first civil service commissioner and a judge of southern congressman seated next to White tem, President Clinton would not be able to the District of Columbia Tax Court. The chil- House counsel Harry McPherson exclaimed claim credit for producing the first balanced dren's grandmother, Alice ``Cissy'' Grant of in shocked surprise, ‘‘God damn!’’ budget in 30 years. That summer, with Johnson hovering over Potomac, has chronicled life in Montgomery As exit polls showed, the Democratic com- it, Congress passed the Voting Rights Act. mand of the terrain of education, health County for 40 years in various newspapers The president was so excited that he rushed care, Social Security, the economy and the and magazines. over to the Capitol to have a few celebratory environment—and the growth of the minor- I have always proclaimed what a wonderful drinks with Senate Majority Leader Mike ity vote—paved the road to electoral success place Montgomery County is to raise a family. Mansfield and Republican Minority leader in 1998. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2337 With the demise of Newt Gingrich, many resented the northwest side of the City of Chi- his experience in the U.S. Armed Forces in Republicans think it’s time to mute his li- cago in the U.S. House of Representatives Europe during World War II which first made belous assault on the Great Society pro- from 1959 to 1973. him aware of the devastating impact of starva- grams he loved to hate. Isn’t it also time for Democrats to come out of the closet and rec- From the start of his tenure in Congress, tion on a population. Thereafter, he devoted ognize the legacy of the president who then Representative Pucinski mounted a one- much of his effort in the U.S. Senate to pro- opened the polls to minorities and estab- man effort to require airlines to install crash- grams designed to alleviate famine. Today he lished federal beachheads in education, proof cockpit voice recorders in airplanes. De- is serving his country once more as Ambas- health care and the environment. After all, spite organized opposition from the major air- sador to the United Nations Food and Agri- it’s the Democrats’ promise to protect these lines, Pucinski kept the pressure on and in culture Program. And now he is clarifying for beachheads and forge forward that accounts 1964 the Federal Aviation Administration us many of the challenges faced by the United for much of their success this November and Nations in these efforts, and the benefits offers their best chance to retain the White issued an order requiring air carriers to install House and recapture the House of Represent- crash-proof cockpit voice recorders in their air- which they have brought to hundreds of mil- atives in 2000. craft. Commonly referred to as the ``black lions of people around the world. box'', cockpit voice recorders are now a critical As Ambassador McGovern notes, foreign f component of aviation safety. Black boxes assistance programs which help the hungry TRIBUTE TO BUD MAURO provide vital information about the final min- and promote economic development serve the utes of airline disasters to accident investiga- interests of both of the recipient countries and HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN tors and have helped determine the cause of the United States. However, our leadership in OF CALIFORNIA several plane crashes. this capacity is threatened today by our delin- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES As a decorated Air Force pilot, Pucinski quency in paying our dues to the United Na- tions. United States contributions to hunger-re- Thursday, December 17, 1998 knew that a recording of last minute cockpit conversations would provide vital clues to the lated organizations are very positive, effective, Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to cause of airline tragedies. As an Air Force and should remain a priority of our engage- pay tribute to Bud Mauro, who has just com- pilot, Pucinski led his bomber group in the first ment with the world. pleted his term as President of the Southland B±29 bombing raid over Tokyo during World [From the Los Angeles Times, Nov. 23, 1998] Regional Association of Realtors. Bud leaves War II. He flew 48 other combat missions over TOO MANY IN THE WORLD ARE LEFT OUT with a remarkable record. During his tenure, Japan and was awarded the Distinguished (By George McGovern) San Fernando Valley realtors experienced one Flying Cross and Air Medal with Clusters. In the fall of 1944, as a 22-year-old Amer- of their most productive years in memory, as From his own personal experience as a pilot, ican bomber pilot based in war-torn Italy, I a housing slump gave way to a housing boom. Pucinski understood that, in the last few min- saw widespread hunger for the first time: I'm sure Bud's leadership was a key reason utes preceding an air tragedy, the cockpit emaciated children begging for food on the for the stellar performance of the Valley real crew are far too busy trying to save their pas- streets, teenage girls selling their bodies to estate industry in 1998. sengers and aircraft to radio formal reports to stay alive, young mothers scratching Bud had both the experience and back- through the garbage dumps near our bomber a ground station. However, a crash-proof tape base to find scraps of food. This was even ground to be a successful President. His real recorder operating automatically during flight estate career began in 1972, the same year worse that the hunger I witnessed during the preserves a record of everything said in the years of the Great Depression in the 1930s, he became a member of the Association. Be- cockpit for accident investigators. when our family, who lived in a farm com- ginning in 1978, when he joined the Grievance Because of Roman Pucinski's dedicated munity in South Dakota, fed a steady Committee, Bud steadily rose through the and courageous leadership in the establish- stream of out-of-work ‘‘hobos’’ who came to ranks. He served on the Professional Stand- ment of crash-proof tape recorders in commer- our door. ards Panel, Ethics and Arbitration Policy Com- cial airliners, accident investigation and avia- Not surprisingly, hunger became a primary mittee and the Board of Directors. issue for me when I was elected to Congress tion safety have been significantly advanced in in 1956. I became director of the U.S. Food Bud is a person of considerable charm and the public interest, and outstanding results for an intimate knowledge of the real estate busi- for Peace program and later was President the national aviation system have been Kennedy’s designee on what came to be ness. Both traits served him well as President. achieved. For this reason, on December 18, known as the World Food Program—the He motivated more than 200 members of the 1998, former Congressman Roman Pucinski world’s largest international food aid organi- Association to serve on various committees will be honored by the Federal Aviation Ad- zation. Last year, the program provided food and task forces. I know firsthand how impor- ministration with a Silver Medal of Distin- assistance for more than 52 million people in tant such groups are in keeping politicians and guished Service. 76 countries. Through these programs I saw community leaders informed about the Asso- how much can be done when nations come I urge my colleagues to join me in congratu- together to combat hunger. In the past 25 ciation and the condition of the real estate in- lating Roman Pucinski. His tireless advocacy dustry. Bud was also actively involved with the years, for example, despite a doubling of the of cockpit voice recorders is one of the most world’s population, the percentage of chron- seminars and training sessions that are such important contributions to airline safety in the ically undernourished people in the world an important part of the Association's function. history of aviation. Roman Pucinski has made has been cut in half and the absolute number Bud played a big part in upgrading the tech- a lasting contribution to aviation safety and he of chronically undernourished people has nological capacity of the Association. He greatly deserves this special honor from the been reduced by more than 100 million. worked to expand and improve computer effi- We can take heart from these and other Federal Aviation Administration. ciency, and helped to develop the Associa- similar steps forward, but this does not mean f tion's own web site by establishing coopera- the job is done. This winter, Russia will be tive marketing agreements with the California facing acute food shortages caused by poor GLOBAL HUNGER AND UNITED NA- crop conditions and the collapse of the Rus- Living Network and REALTOR.Com. TIONS FOOD AND AGRICULTURE sian economy. Millions of Russians will go I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting PROGRAM over the edge of starvation in the absence of Bud Mauro, who compiled an outstanding international food aid now. Indonesia, hurri- record as President of the Southland Regional HON. LEE H. HAMILTON cane-struck Central America and large parts Association of Realtors. His leadership skills of Africa currently are sustained by inter- and dedication to his work are an inspiration OF INDIANA national food donations. to us all. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The fact is that many of our fellow human f Thursday, December 17, 1998 beings are left out, living on the knife-edge of existence. As world Bank President James TRIBUTE TO FORMER Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, I want to Wolfensohn reminded us. ‘‘In too many coun- CONGRESSMAN ROMAN PUCINSKI bring to the attention of our colleagues an edi- tries, the poorest 10% of the population has torial from former Senator, now Ambassador, less than 1% of the income, while the richest HON. WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI George McGovern, concerning global hunger 20% enjoys over half.’’ and United Nations Food and Agriculture Pro- In too many countries, girls are half as OF ILLINOIS likely as boys to go to school. In too many gram. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES countries, children are impaired from birth George McGovern has distinguished himself Thursday, December 17, 1998 because of malnutrition. And in too many through a life-long commitment of service to countries, ethnic minorities face discrimina- Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to the United States and to addressing world tion and fear for their lives at the hands of pay tribute to Mr. Roman Pucinski, who rep- hunger. As he recounts in this article, it was ethnic majorities. E2338 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks December 17, 1998 In this world of plenty, of marvelous sci- technology such as user-managed, small dition, an array of basic village facilities and entific advances, of growing freedoms, we scale irrigation schemes; eradicating and irrigation infrastructure has to be built. The cannot ignore the tragedy of millions who controlling pests like desert locust that work required of the settlers is backbreak- are excluded from the blessings we enjoy. threaten food security for millions of people ing. But also needed are support, guidance There is a moral imperative to be concerned living in a swath extending from the Red Sea and money, requirements being fulfilled by a and to act. It is simply wrong for a child to West Africa; monitoring crop conditions collaborative effort of the International anywhere in the world to suffer the crippling around the world to provide early warning of Fund for Agricultural Development, which is effects of malnutrition. It is wrong—even food supply difficulties and disasters; and financing the nonlabor cost of the on-farm outrageous—that more than 800 million peo- conserving scarce food resources such as infrastructure; the World Food Program, ple, 14% of the human race, are malnour- fisheries and biodiversity to protect future which is supplementing the family diets ished, many near starvation. It is wrong to food security. until the fields come into production, and accept as ‘‘unavoidable’’ the millions of hun- The World Food Program that is meeting the Food and Agriculture Organization, gry people we read about or see on TV. It is emergency food needs in Rwanda, North which helps monitor and guide the technical wrong to let politics and ideology interfere Korea, Sudan and the Horn of Africa has aspects involved in getting the land fit for with helping the hungry, especially children. saved hundreds of thousands of lives. Also, production. When criticized for helping the communist the program often plays a development role This is the kind of investment activity government of North Korea establish child- in nonemergency situations characterized by that leads to sustained food security. This is feeding programs in that drought-stricken chronic hunger and malnutrition, using the kind of activity that Americans and citi- country, Catherine Bertini, who is head of ‘‘food for work’’ to enable thousands of com- zens in other donor countries support. the World Food Program replied. ‘‘I can’t munities to build schools, improve commu- I am proud of the tradition of the people of tell a hungry 5-year-old boy that we can’t nity water systems and expand other basic the United States to give a helping hand to feed him because we don’t like the politics of infrastructure. And the International Fund the hungry and to those in need. I am proud his country.’’ for Agricultural Development, established of the record of foreign assistance that the But beyond that, it is in our self-interest only 20 years ago, provides development United States has provided to nations to un- to end hunger. After all, we live in one loans for addressing the basic needs of small dertake essential economic development ini- world. Rich and poor alike, we breathe the farmers and poor rural communities. The tiatives; it has paid dividends to both the re- same air; we share a global economy. Killers agency was the first to provide funds to the cipient countries and to us. Likewise, I am like AIDS and environmental calamities and now spectacularly successful Grameen Bank proud of the pivotal role that the United other threats to health don’t stop at na- in Bangladesh, which created a model for States has played in making the system of tional borders. The chaos associated with po- channeling microcredit to the very poor. The United Nations agencies strong and effective. litical instability rooted in poverty and des- agency is currently supporting similar grass- It saddens me that the United States is peration is rarely contained within a single roots microcredit models in West Africa. today delinquent in paying what it owes to country. Obviously, progress in ending world hunger the U.N., including to the Food and Agri- Earlier this year, when President Clinton can be greatly advanced by progress in other culture Organization, the family of multilat- asked me to be the U.S. ambassador to the related problem areas, including better fam- eral organizations that plays such a key role United Nations food and agriculture agencies ily planning to restrain excessive population in eliminating hunger. in Rome, I readily accepted because of my growth. There must also be continuing ef- There are no easy solutions to the prob- lifelong interest in agricultural matters and forts to halt the bloody and disruptive politi- lems of poverty and underdevelopment in our in solving the problem of hunger. At the cal and military conflicts in developing world. However, eliminating hunger is the agency, I work with such organizations as countries that drive multitudes of people place to start and should be our priority. The the Food and Agriculture Organization, from their homes, fields and jobs. need is evident. The methods are known. The Reaching the goal adopted at the World which is headed by Senegalese agricultural means can be made available. authority Jacques Diouf; the World Food Food Summit, to reduce the number of un- Program, directed by Bertini, an American, dernourished people by one-half in the next f and the International Fund for Agriculture 17 years, is beyond the capacity of any single Development, under the direction of Fawzi al country or organization. It will require the TRIBUTE TO A GIRL SCOUT GOLD Sultan, a Kuwaiti banker. Our common pur- effort of many international organizations AWARD RECIPIENT pose, articulated at the World Food Summit and national governments and the help of hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organi- private voluntary organizations, such as zation in November 1996, is to reduce hunger CARE, Church World Service, Lutheran HON. DON YOUNG by promoting an adequate supply and dis- World Relief, Catholic Relief Services and OF ALASKA tribution of food in the world. the United Jewish Appeal. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The target beneficiaries themselves have a This plan, endorsed by all 186 nations rep- Thursday, December 17, 1998 resented at the summit, has the practical key role to play, because reducing hunger and achievable goal of reducing by half the and achieving security is much more than Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, today number of hungry people in the world by simply distributing food aid. It’s about de- I would like to salute two outstanding young 2015. Consider these facts: veloping concerned and capable government women who have been honored with the Girl leadership responsive to citizens. It’s about Over the past 50 years, infant and child Scout Gold Award by Farthest North Girl death rates in the developing world have having sound economic policies and educat- been reduced by 50% and health conditions ing people. It’s about reducing disease and Scout Council in Fairbanks, Alaska. They are: around the world have improved more during improving public health. It’s about improv- Erin Shaw and Rachel Shaw. this period than in all previous human his- ing cultivation practices and making produc- They are being honored for earning the tory. tion tools, including rural credit, available. highest achievement award in United States In the past three decades, agricultural pro- It’s about conserving forests, fisheries, ge- Girl Scouting. The Girl Scout Gold Award sym- duction techniques, developed through the netic resources and biodiversity. It’s about bolizes outstanding accomplishments in the internationally supported system of research establishing effective markets. And it’s areas of leadership, community service, career centers, enabled a ‘‘green revolution’’ in about having essential infrastructure includ- many countries. Improved seed and associ- ing farm-to-market roads. planning, and personal development. The ated break-throughs in agricultural prac- These difficult but achievable soil moti- award can be earned by young women aged tices resulted in the most dramatic increase vate the U.N. food and agricultural agencies 14 through 17, or in grades 9 through 12. in crop yields in the history of mankind, al- in Rome as they assist communities and na- Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., an organization lowing nations like India and Bangladesh, tions to eliminate hunger and to establish serving over 2.5 million girls, has awarded which in the early 1960s and mid-1970s, re- the basis for sustained productivity. This more than 20,000 Girl Scout Gold Awards to spectively, were kept alive through outside work requires technical knowledge, cultural Senior Girl Scouts since the inception of the sensitivity, organizational development food assistance, to become nearly food self- Gold Award program in 1980. To receive the sufficient. skills, a realistic appreciation for market in- The United States played a leading role in centives and a good measure of altruistic award, a Girl Scout must earn four interest alleviating hunger, especially in the period motivation. project patches, the Career Exploration Pin, immediately following World War II, by en- During a recent trip to Egypt, I visited a the Senior Girl Scout Leadership Award, and couraging the international community to rural community in the desert between Cairo the Girl Scout Challenge, as well as design set in place the institutions and methods to and Alexandria. Here, the government has and implement a Girl Scout Gold Award address the issue. As prosperity spread settled about 15,000 families on so-called project. A plan for fulfilling these requirements ‘‘new lands.’’ To prepare these lands for pro- across Europe and other parts of the world, is created by the Senior Girl Scout and is car- more nations have shared in the task of solv- duction with water diverted from the Nile ing the problems of food insecurity. River, the settler families undertake the ried out through close cooperation between The Food and Agriculture Organization is task of desalinating the soil, a repeated proc- the girl and an adult Girl Scout volunteer. providing technical assistance in a variety of ess of tilling, flooding and draining that As members of Farthest North Girl Scout ways: establishing productivity-enhancing typically takes more than three years. In ad- Council, Erin and Rachel Shaw began working CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2339 toward the Girl Scout Gold Award in the late was one of three federal government winners cussions with companies, staff learned two spring of 1998. They completed their project in of the $100,000 award this year. These things: The recall process itself—which fre- the areas of leadership and community service awards are funded by the Ford Foundation, quently called for lengthy testing and inves- by developing their communication skills and and administered by the John F. Kennedy tigations—sometimes got in the way of rapid recall. More serious, though, was that in ini- School of Government at Harvard University in then working with the hearing impaired com- tiating a recall, the Commission would in munity. They used these skills to reach out to partnership with the Council for Excellence in every case make a ‘‘preliminary determina- various parts of the community. They used Government. tion’’ of a product defect in order to justify their skills to plan and implement a deaf com- The CPSC's award-winning program was the recall. Because such ‘‘PDs,’’ as they were munity carnival for people with hearing impair- highlighted in the December 1998 edition of called, implied guilt, companies afraid of li- ments and their families, as well as students Government Executive magazine, and I would ability suits frequently fought them as a who were learning sign language. I believe like to submit this article for the RECORD. matter of course. That, too, only served to they should receive the public recognition due [From Government Executive, Dec. 1998] drag out the process. them for this significant service to their com- A FAST TRACK TO CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFE- To avoid all that, the Commission and munity and their country. TY—QUICK RECALL OF FAULTY PRODUCTS manufacturers negotiated a trade. If compa- f SERVES EVERYONE nies would volunteer for fast-track, the Com- FAST-TRACK PRODUCT RECALL PROGRAM U.S. mission would sidestep much of the process CPSC ON THE FAST TRACK CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION involved in initiating a recall, including the When a consumer product could hurt or preliminary determination. HON. EDWARD J. MARKEY even kill somebody, the traditional regu- The new avenue for recalls caught on latory response is understandable: to find quickly. Since the program was launched (it OF MASSACHUSETTS fault and then decide how to punish the man- became permanent in March 1997), nearly IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ufacturer. But there’s a new attitude at the half of all recalls are fast-tracked. In 1996, Thursday, December 17, 1998 Consumer Product Safety Commission— 103 fast-track recalls were initiated within charged with monitoring consumer product an average of 10 days; in 1997, 105 recalls were Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to safety nationwide: When a product has the initiated within an average of 17 days. While call to the attention of my colleagues the out- potential to hurt or even kill somebody, the a week may seem like a long time for some standing work being done by the U.S. Con- preferred course is to work with the manu- defective product to stay on the shelves, it is sumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). facturer to get that product off the market a vast improvement over the weeks or The Commission has put into effect an innova- fast. That is the aim of the Fast-Track Prod- months that it takes to initiate a recall uct Recall Program, launched as a six-month under the traditional system. tive program, under which it works coopera- pilot in July 1995. tively with industry to get hazardous products With 21,400 deaths and 29 million injuries Not only is the new system faster, it also off store shelves within days, instead of the annually due to faulty consumer products, appears to be more effective. The percentage weeks and months that it traditionally takes to the issue of unsafe products is not a small of products returned by consumers for repair negotiate a recall. Everyone wins under this one. And the size of the problem only com- or replacement has averaged over 60 percent for fast-track, compared with 30 percent new systemÐespecially the consumer, who is pounded the frustration of CPSC staff over how long it traditionally took to implement under the traditional process. And the new protected from possible injury, a recall—time delays exacerbated by the fre- system is very cost-effective. Although near- This Fast-Track Product Recall Program quently adversarial nature of the process. ly half of all recalls are now fast-tracked, was recently honored with a 1998 Innovations And so staff in the Commission’s Office of they account for only 10 percent of the Com- in American Government Award. The CPSC Compliance decided to try a new tack. In dis- mission’s $16.5 million compliance budget.