E2046 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 6, 1999 push-ups, jogs in place while laying down, keep I.S. 180 open when the Central School ample of the courage and patriotism of the and works out with a speed chair, the kind of Board wanted to close it. Latino soldier, Mr. Silvestre Herrera. Mr. Her- wheel chair used in racing competitions. She did not limit her activities to the School rera is one of the few Mexican-Americans to Stating that most people quit exercising Board. She is also a member of Community because of boredom with their routines, Ste- earn the Congressional Medal of Honor. In Ar- phenson makes certain to alternate his Advisory Boards of the Jacobi Medical Center izona, Mr. Herrera recently received the Hall workout regularly. and chair of the AIDS and Support Services of Fame Award at the Valle del Sol's Annual Stephenson reported that since he started Committees, a member of Montefiore Medical Profiles of Success Leadership Awards. his new nutrition program and exercise re- Center as well as a member of the Co-op City Valle's award ceremony is the premiere Latino gime. ‘‘I believe that I’m a lot stronger. Democratic Club and the Hispanic Society of recognition event in Arizona each year that ac- When I’m reaching for something, I don’t Co-op City. knowledges Arizona's leaders and their con- feel like a bone is about to break. I feel more She did not run for re-election to the School tributions. confident. I can now lift my own body so I Board and this is a loss we will feel for a long Silvestre's courageous actions in World War know I’m stronger.’’ time. I want to wish her, her husband and their For the first time in his life, Stephenson II display acts of great personal and physical said, he has been able to go down the stairs two sons the very best in the future and say sacrifice to support his fellow soldiers during in his home un-aided. He observed, ‘‘It’s that I and the community will dearly miss her combat in France. Then PFC Silvestre S. Her- amazing what I have been able to do.’’ Ste- ability and her leadership. rera, Company E, 142nd Infantry Regiment, phenson said, ‘‘I was never told with my dis- f 36th Division, attacked two enemy strong order to work out. I have had hundreds of IN HONOR OF UNITED STATES points and captured eight enemy soldiers. He broken bones. If I had been told to do things paid a high price for his bravery. He stepped to strengthen my muscles in order to reduce CUSTOMS SERVICE PORT OF my risk of broken bones, I would have done CLEVELAND on a land mine and had both feet severed. But this years ago.’’ despite intense pain and unchecked loss of While his ongoing goal is to increase his HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH blood, he pinned down the enemy with accu- bone density, Stephenson’s long-term goal is rate rifle fire while a friendly squadron cap- OF OHIO to strengthen his muscles enough to enable tured the enemy gun by skirting the minefield IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES him to live independently. and rushing in from the flank. In what he admitted is a ‘‘wild theory’’ Wednesday, October 6, 1999 In addition to being a two-time winner of a Stephenson also hopes to decrease the Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Profiles of Success awardÐhe first won in the chances of passing on his disorder to his fu- ture children. He explained that he feels he honor the Bicentennial Celebration of the Special Recognition categoryÐSilvestre has can do this if his ‘‘body is in the best pos- United States Customs Service Port of Cleve- used his position as a recipient of one of the sible shape.’’ land. nation's highest honors for heroism to promote Stephenson now plans to use his personal The United States Customs Service Port of the Latino community in everything he does. experiences leading up to his lifestyle change Cleveland has worked hard for two centuries From speaking to schoolchildren to rep- in his inspirational speaking. He said, ‘‘If I to make the Port of Cleveland a respected resenting veterans in military parades, he con- can work out, and I have a billion and one and renowned international port. Due to their tinues to give selflessly to the community of reasons not to, then a healthy person defi- extraordinary efforts in making the Port of his time and wisdom. nitely should.’’ Cleveland a success, the City of Cleveland Stephenson continued, ‘‘Exercising is not Although he has been honored numerous just for Arnold Schwartznegger, it’s for ev- has flourished and become a distinguished times for his magnificent courage, extraor- eryone. I could always say I break really eas- international trade center for the new dinary heroism and self-sacrifice, I ask you to ily or it’s not as if I will look any stronger. millenium. again join me in paying tribute to a man who I could rattle off a million of excuses and Following in the tradition of the United is a symbol of the courage shown by Mexican- people would say I’m probably right. But I States Customs Mission Statement, the em- Americans during our nation's wars. Please have to put myself at the same standard of ployees at the Port of Cleveland truly are the join me in thanking him and wishing him con- health or even above if I want to be judged guardians of Cleveland's borders, the Nation's tinued success. with everyone else.’’ borders and America's frontline. For the past Stephenson stated, ‘‘I look completely dif- two hundred years, the Port of Cleveland has TRIBUTE TO UNIVISION COMMU- ferent than the average fitness buff. People NICATION’S WXTV/CHANNEL 41 look at me and think ‘If a guy in a wheel indeed served and protected the American chair can do it I need to get off my duff and Public with integrity, innovation, and pride. do it.’ I think it motivates them more than Furthermore, the Port of Cleveland has HON. JOSE´ E. SERRANO when they hear it from someone who has achieved the purpose of enforcing the laws of OF NEW YORK giant muscles. They look at me and see that the United States, safeguarding revenue, and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES even though I have things going against me, fostering lawful international trade and travel. I’m willing to get out there and make the Not only has the Port of Cleveland fulfilled Wednesday, October 6, 1999 best of my own body.’’ their goals outlined in their mission statement, Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Stephenson concluded, ‘‘Look at me, I’m but they have recently won the Hammer pay tribute to Univision Communication's 2’10 and I am in a wheelchair and I have Award for their leadership in bringing national WXTV/Channel 41 for its continuing service to every reason in the world not to work out. But I do. Why? Because I believe you need to attention to the Express Consignment Indus- the Latino community in New York. In addition use what you were given in life.’’ try. Placing the U.S. Customs Port of Cleve- to its popular news program, ``Noticias 41'', land at the forefront of trade processing, the today the station will launch New York's first f Port of Cleveland is sure to serve as a model early morning Spanish-language newscast, HONORING EMILY SANCHEZ to be exemplified by other U.S. Customs Serv- from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. ice Ports of Entry. Congratulations to the Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL United States Customs Service Port of Cleve- in paying tribute and wishing continued suc- land for two hundred years of hard work, serv- cess to Univision Communication's WXTV/ OF NEW YORK ice, and dedication. Channel 41. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES My fellow colleagues, join me in honoring The following article, which appeared in the Wednesday, October 6, 1999 the Bicentennial Celebration of the United October 4 New York Daily News, discusses Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, certainly one of States Customs Service Port of Cleveland. Univision and Channel 41 in more detail. the most important things we can do for our f NEW YORK UNIVISION AFFILIATE LAUNCHES children is to pass on our knowledge to them. PROFILES OF SUCCESS HONORS MORNING SPANISH-LANGUAGE NEWSCAST Emily Sanchez is someone who has done MR. SILVESTRE HERRERA At the Spanish-speaking Otero home in that. She has been a member of Community midtown Manhattan, David Otero doesn’t School Board 11 for 16 years, twice in that HON. ED PASTOR have to think twice when asked about the time serving as president of the Board. She family’s favorite TV station. OF ARIZONA ‘‘Channel 41—it’s out of sight,’’ said the bi- also served as Board Secretary and chair of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES lingual 27-year-old. ‘‘My mother likes the the budget, finance, curriculum and continuing Wednesday, October 6, 1999 novelas and I like the comedies.’’ education, personnel and zoning committees. So do tens of thousands of Hispanic New She hit the ground running at the School Mr. PASTOR. I rise before you today to pay Yorkers who have made Univision Commu- Board by leading the fight in her first term to tribute to a man who has been a lifelong ex- nication’s WXTV/Channel 41 the metro area’s CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2047 No. 1 Spanish-language station, drawing in Last year, Telemundo, owned by Sony and prove market access, I strongly believe we about 122,625 households—more than four AT&T’s Liberty Media, tried to strike back, can still make significant gains. Consider we times that of its main rival, Telemundo’s taking old shows like ‘‘Charlie’s Angels’’ and have one of the largest markets in the world. WNJU/Channel 47. reshooting them with a Hispanic cast. ‘‘It Today, the Univision station will try to bombed,’’ Almodovar-Colon said. Every nation wants to sell their product to us, grab even more of the TV viewing audience While Channel 41 is the leader, Roldan is and we must more effectively utilize this lever- when it launches New York’s first early determined to narrow the gap. Telemundo age. It comes down to a simple proposition. If morning Spanish-language newscast, a 6 a.m. has been pouring money into new program- foreign nations don't let us fairly sell American to 7 a.m. version of its popular news pro- ming recently, and Roldan said he is banking products in their markets, we shouldn't let gram, ‘‘Noticias 41.’’ on new shows like ‘‘Father Albert,’’ a talk them sell their products in America. We're only Hosted by Spanish broadcasting veterans show hosted by a priest. asking for what is fair. We're only asking for Adhemar Montagne and Arly Alfaro, the Even more important, Channel 47 secured a level playing field, and we're not even get- show is aimed at drawing away Spanish the rights to broadcast Yankees, Mets and speakers who now get their wake-up calls Knicks games in Spanish. ting that. from English-language stations WCBS/Chan- While Univision is making ratings strides, This is a real problem, and I submit that nel 2, WNBC/Channel 4, WNYW/Channel 5 and it remains a laggard when it comes to total with most problems, there is usually a simple WABC/Channel 7. advertising dollars. Last year, the station solution. The expansion of Univision’s local news— took in $50 million, abut one-sixth the sales Mr. Speaker, I call upon the U.S. Trade which recently won two Emmy awards, a of Channel 4. Representative to step up efforts to tear down first for Spanish-language TV—comes in the That’s because advertisers have histori- those tariff and non-tariff trade barriers that middle of a hot streak at Channel 41, founded cally poured fewer dollars into reaching impede American exports to those nation, es- 31 years ago. Spanish-speakers even though their numbers pecially China and Taiwan. By opening up In an additional sign of its growing promi- are rising. nence, the station has several times in the ‘‘It’s racism and ignorance,’’ Almodovar- those huge consumer markets to American past week surpassed WWOR/Channel 9, with Colon contended. products, we can do so much for American programs like ‘‘Noticias 41’’ hosted by vet- But she added that the tide has been workers. Open up those markets, level the eran Rafael Pineda outdrawing sitcom ‘‘Sis- changing for Spanish-language media as the playing field, increase American exports, and ter, Sister,’’ and novelas ‘‘Soadoras’’ over- explosive rise of entertainers like Ricky create American jobs. It's as simple as that. taking ‘‘In the House.’’ Martin, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony f Even Channel 2 took a recent beating from draws attention to the city’s Hispanic popu- Univision when network newscast ‘‘Noticiero lation. GENERAL FEDERATION OF Univision’’—from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.—over- Latino culture is becoming ‘‘the hottest WOMEN’S CLUBS ANNIVERSARY took ‘‘The CBS Evening News with Dan thing around,’’ Almodovar-Colon said. Rather.’’ Channel 41’s strides mirror the rise of New f HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI York’s Latino community. The fastest-grow- OF PENNSYLVANIA ing minority group in the region, which in- U.S. TRADE DEFICIT RISES AGAIN IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES cludes the city and its surrounding suburbs, Hispanics account for about 18 percent of the HON. WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI Wednesday, October 6, 1999 population, numbering 3.4 million. Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today ‘‘New York continues to be the historic OF ILLINOIS point of entry,’’ said Carey Davis, general IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES to bring to the attention of my colleagues the 75th Anniversary of the General Federation of manager of Hispanic radio stations WSKQ/ Wednesday, October 6, 1999 97.9 FM and WPAT/93.1 FM. Women's Clubs (GFWC) of Luzerne County. As Channel 41 has stolen market share, its Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, on September The GWFC will celebrate this milestone at a Los Angeles-based parent has prospered as 21, the U.S. Department of Commerce issued breakfast meeting on Saturday, October 9, well. Under Chairman Jerry Perenchio—a its regular report on the U.S. trade deficit for 1999. I am pleased and proud to have been former Hollywood talent agent who rep- the month of July. It should be no surprise to asked to participate in this event. resented Marlon Brando and Elizabeth Tay- many of my colleagues in this chamber that Since 1924, the GFWC has been a commu- lor before joining the network in 1992—the company’s ratings growth has made it the the deficit has risen again. It has, in fact, nity-based, volunteer organization representing nation’s fastest-growing TV network. grown to $25.2 billion, a 2.4 percent increase women of all ages. Early records show meet- A tough-minded manager, Perenchio re- from June. ings held in two parts, the Board of Directors fuses to allow any Univision executives to The U.S. deficit set new records with Japan, and a Presidents Meeting, which involved club speak to the press, once even fining an em- China, and Western Europe. Foreign products presidents from all over the county in attend- ployee who defied him. Perenchio and other flood our shores, an there's nothing being ance. The purpose of the organization was to Channel 41 executives refused Daily News re- done. In 1998, the U.S. trade deficits with bring together the officers of all area women's quests for interviews. While it has been widely reported that China and Taiwan accounted for nearly one- clubs and consolidate various volunteer pro- Perenchio doesn’t even speak Spanish, he se- third of the total U.S. trade deficit. The deficit grams and projects. The Luzerne County cured the long-term rights to some of the with China alone skyrocketed from $3.5 billion GFWC currently consists of fourteen volunteer most popular programming in Latin Amer- in 1988 to nearly $60 billion in 1998, and Tai- clubs representing almost 600 women of all ica, generated by entertainment wan is consistently one of our top ten deficit ages. powerhouses Televisa of Mexico and Ven- trading partners. Many worthy causes have benefited from ezuela’s Venevision, both of which own a Nobody seems to notice or care about this the GFWC's efforts throughout the years. Fed- stake in Univision. problem. Foreign trade becomes a larger and eration Day, held in conjunction with Boscov's As a result, the network gets a steady dose of novelas, the extremely popular soap- larger portion of our economy. Exports plus Department store, has brought thousands of operalike miniseries that Channel 41 airs in imports represent over twenty percent of the dollars to area social service agencies. In the prime time, starting with novelas for teens U.S. gross domestic product. We ignore it at early 1980s, the GWFC donated almost and racier ones as the night goes on. our own peril. Most economists argue that the $40,000 to the Domestic Violence Service One current hit is ‘‘Camila,’’ the story of a trade deficits do not matter. I strongly dis- Center to aid a shelter for battered women young woman in a small town whose husband agree. Even Alan Greenspan, Chairman of the and children. Other GWFC projects have in- leaves her behind for a job in the big city, Federal Reserve, said, ``unless reversed, our cluded supporting Drug Free School Zones where he’s seduced by his boss’ daughter. ‘‘/[Novelas are] a way of life in Puerto growing international imbalances are apt to signs for all area schools and universities, Rico,’’ said Millie Almodovar-Colon, a media create significant problems for our economy.'' rooms for terminally ill patients at Hospic St. buyer at Siboney USA, a Spanish advertising Consequently, huge bilateral trade deficits John, hearing aids for Wyoming Valley Chil- agency that represents Colgate-Palmolive means lost trading opportunities and ultimately drens Association, a van for Catherine and Denny’s. ‘‘My grandma watched them means lost American jobs. While rosy unem- McCauley Center, wishes for terminally ill chil- and my mom watched them,’’ she added. ployment figures hide the fact that over the dren under the Make A Wish Foundation, a Univision’s program monopoly puts last year 422,000 Americans lost good-paying rescue boat for the Luzerne County Sheriff's Telemundo’s Channel 47 at a big disdvantage, manufacturing job to workers overseas, fami- Office, and a beautiful new marquee for the acknowledged that station’s general man- ager, Luis Roldan. lies continue to labor to make ends meet in Kirby Center. ‘‘The novelas guarantee the minds, hearts low-paying service sector jobs. The General Federation of Women's Clubs and souls of the viewers,’’ he said. ‘‘We can’t While I recognize the fact that the U.S. of Luzerne County is affiliated with the na- buy that programming.’’ Trade Representative has done much to im- tional GFWC in Washington, D.C. and the