February 13, 1997 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 2315 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS

HONOR THE FLAG AND THE This legislation will ensure that Federal police been shown again and again world-wide. In CONSTITUTION grants will result in a real increase in the num­ addition, as I am sure all of my colleagues are ber of street officers on the street fighting well-aware, the 1973 Helms amendment of the HON. DAVID E. SKAGGS crime. Foreign Assistance Act prohibits the use of OF COLORADO My bill is identical to an amendment I suc­ any U.S. funds for abortion, or to motivate or IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES cessfully attached to legislation in the 104th coerce any person to practice abortion. There­ Congress, H.R. 728, the "Local Government fore, this resolution is about the reduction of Thursday, February 13, 1997 Law Enforcement Block Grants Act," which abortion, not its funding. Mr. SKAGGS. Mr. Speaker, as a veteran was passed by the House in February 1995, Most importantly, however, this resolution is and an American, I am proud to introduce on and the fiscal year 1996 Commerce, Justice, about saving the lives of women and children behalf of myself and the gentleman from Ari­ and State appropriations bill. Unfortunately, through-out the developing world. According to zona [Mr. KOLBE], a resolution expressing the both bills were vetoed by the President. By re­ CARE, family planning is as essential to sav­ strong support of the Members of Congress introducing that amendment in bill form, an im­ ing the lives of infants as their programs in im­ and the American people for what the flag rep­ portant crime-fighting measure can be debated munization, respiratory disease, diarrheal dis­ resents: freedom, tolerance, and the right to without the politics associated with an all-en­ ease, and nutrition. They have also found the dissent. compassing bill. scientific evidence to be overwhelming that a Mr. Speaker, the overwhelming majority of Mr. Speaker, lefs help give our communities woman's ability to space births and avoid our fellow citizens agree that the American a fighting chance against crime by putting births at the extremes of the reproductive flag, as the symbol of our Nation's values and more police officers on the street than more years is critical to ensuring child survival. In ideals, commands the deepest respect from all clerks behind desks. I ask that all members fact, in many countries, birth spacing alone Americans. The flag commands that respect take a look at my bill and give it their full sup­ could prevent one in five infant deaths. because it stands for a people and a Govern­ port. Nearly 600,000 women die each year from ment strong enough to tolerate diversity and to pregnancy-related causes---teaving thousand protect the rights even of those expressing un­ of motherless children behind. Another 18 mil­ popular views. Our strong commitment to SUPPORT HOUSE JOINT RESOLU­ lion women suffer long-term reproductive these values, not the colors and design of our TION 36: PROTECT THE LIVES health complications that are excruciatingly flag, is what makes our country unique and an AND WOMEN AND CHILDREN painful and often result in life-long disabilities. international model for freedom. WORLD-WIDE According to UNICEF, just meeting the exist­ Mr. Speaker, this resolution reaffirms the ing demand for family planning in the devel­ place of honor the American flag rightly holds HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR. oping world would reduce unintended · preg­ in our country and states that respect for the OF MICHIGAN nancies by one-fifth, which would be expected flag should not be mandated, especially at the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES to prevent at least 100,000 of the 600,000 an­ expense of the first amendment guarantee of Thursday, February 13, 1997 nual maternal deaths. Put simply, family plan­ free speech. ning saves lives. Therefore, I urge my col­ Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in leagues to be on the side of life and vote in me in honoring our flag and the Constitution support of House Joint Resolution 36, The favor of House Joint Resolution 36. I can not by cosponsoring this resolution. International Family Planning Funds Release. imagine a better use of this institution's time. This Resolution will right a wrong which Con­ Thank you. gress created in the high-politics of the fiscal INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION year 1997 Omnibus Appropriations Act. It will also unquestionably help to save the lives of IS THE INS MAKING CRIMINALS HON. JAMES A. TRAHCANT, JR. countless women and children world-wide. We OUT OF BOATERS ON THE OF OHIO have no choice but to support it. This resolu­ GREAT LAKES? IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tion does nothing more than move forward the release date of international family planning Thursday, February 13, 1997 HON. STEVE C. LaTOURETIE funds from July 1, 1997 to March 1 , 1997. OF OHIO Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, today I am This resolution does nothing less than save IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES reintroducing legislation to ensure that Federal lives. grants for the hiring of local police officers ac­ Unfortunately, there are some among us Thursday, February 13, 1997 tually result in a net increase in the number of who have chosen to tum this humble proposal Mr. LATOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today "cops on the beat." I invite all of my col­ into a battle-ground for one of the most con­ to introduce legislation to correct what are well leagues to become a cosponsor of this impor­ troversial of all policy issues-abortion. It is intentioned, but misguided efforts by the tant legislation. true that abortion has a role in this resolution. United States Immigration Service to protect As a former sheriff, I know that in too many That role can be found in the fact that family our northern border against United States citi­ instances Federal law enforcement grants re­ planning unequivocally reduces the use of zens who seek to reenter their own country sult in the hiring of numerous generals but not abortion world-wide. The use of abortion is after a recreational boating trip to Canada. enough foot soldiers at the local level. In other closely associated with the unmet need for In what appears to be a federally sanctioned words, policing grant funds are often spent hir­ contraception and with reliance on less effec­ game of waterway robbery, the Immigration ing clerks and dispatchers instead of hiring tive methods. Therefore, abortion rates are Service is willing to forego its legal obligation uniformed officers to patrol the streets. Specifi­ lower in countries where more effective mod­ to inspect all vessels returning to a United cally, my bill amends the Omnibus Crime Con­ em methods of contraception are used than in States port from Canada, if boaters are willing trol and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to ensure countries where less effective methods pre­ to pay a $16 per-person per-year fee to pur­ that Federal funds made available to hire or dominate. International family planning funds chase what is known as the 1-68 Canadian rehire law enforcement officers are used to are used to provide women with access to border boat landing permit. The 1-68 permit produce a net gain in the number of law en­ these much needed alternatives. When program was established in 1963 but was not forcement officers who perform nonadministra­ women are provided with alternatives to abor­ implemented nationally until a few years ago tive public safety services-i.e. street cops. tion, they use abortion less. This fact has when Congress directed Federal agencies to

e 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. 2316 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS February 13, 1997 begin charging a fee for some Federal pro­ between two friendly countries should also be joint commission, for example, it is deemed to grams. I have no problem with the fee-for­ afforded this option. meet Medicare's conditions of participation. service approach, but where is the service? I would like to thank Representative STUPAK When facilities are wrongly accredited, The 1-68 program would have the boating and my colleague from Ohio, Representative Medicare beneficiaries suffer. A 1988 Wall public paying the INS for the convenience of TRAFICANT for being original cosponsors of this Street Journal investigation found that "ac­ not inspecting their boats. Its difficult to see simple yet important piece of legislation. I look creditation masks serious failings in possibly how this approach would stem the tide of ille­ forward to enthusiastic support from all Mem­ hundreds of the 5, 100 hospitals in America gal immigration from Canada on recreational bers of Congress bordering the Great Lakes. that are inspected and approved by the joint boats, a problem that is not well documented commission." The Journal also reported that by the INS-if it exists at all. We do know, many patients died as a result of receiving however, that the number of United States JAMES GILMORE NAMED 1997 PER­ substandard care in hospitals that were con­ boaters visiting Canada from the Great Lakes SON OF THE YEAR BY THE sidered "marginal" and that "many accredited Region fell 15 percent in the 1996 boating COUNCIL OF SOUTH SIDE AD­ hospitals had actually failed inspections but re­ season to just under 40,000. This translates to VANCEMENT ASSOCIATIONS mained accredited for months, even years, as a loss of over $2 million in destination spend­ they sought to correct their problems." ing on the Canadian side and it can be as­ HON. GERALD D. KLECZKA At a 1990 hearing, witnesses agreed on the sumed that similar losses were felt on the OF WISCONSIN need to improve the hospital accreditation process. Participants reported that accrediting United States side. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES It is unfortunate that the recreational boating organizations' survey standards lacked com­ Thursday, February 13, 1997 community has been on the receiving end of patibility with Medicare's conditions of partici­ some bad Government programs in recent Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pation and that follow-up with noncompliant fa­ years. We all remember the ill-conceived boat congratulate my friend, Mr. James Gilmore, on cilities was lacking. luxury tax, the FCC radio license fee and, being named one of the 1997 Persons of the Today, I am focusing on the importance of most recently, the marine diesel fuel tax. For­ Year by the Council of South Side Advance­ an accrediting organization's accountability to tunately, all of these programs have been re­ ment Associations. the public. Accrediting bodies should be man­ pealed by Congress as detrimental to boater In selecting Jim, the Council of South Side aged and directed by a balanced combination safety and the recreational boating economy. Advancement is honoring a man who has of healthcare professionals and community However, once again, we are making it harder done much to maintain and improve the qual­ representatives and consumers. Currently, and more expensive for law-abiding boaters to ity of life of Milwaukee's south side. Through many accrediting bodies are directed solely by enjoy their chosen form of recreation. his 25 years of service to the south side of leaders of the same organizations which they I must confess that with all the complex Milwaukee, Jim has made a direct impact on accredit. This is nothing more than the fox issues to address during my first term in Con­ the lives of many people in our community. watching the chicken house. The joint commission has attempted to in­ gress, somehow the news of illegal immigrants Over the years Jim Gilmore has shown his crease its commitment to the public. Currently, cruising across the Great Lakes in power and dedication to his neighborhood through his in­ 6 of its 28 accrediting board members are sailboats got by me. Ever mindful of the prob­ volvement in several community organizations. members of the public. Although a good start, lems experienced on our southern borders In addition, to serving on the board of direc­ it is not enough. and with images of illegal aliens coming into tors for the Council of South Side Advance­ We should reconsider the dependence of Florida, California, and Texas burned into my ment, Jim is also involved in the Bay View accrediting organizations on funding and direc­ memory. I rushed down to one of the many Business Association, the South Side Scholar­ tion from the same healthcare organizations marinas in my congressional district, the Ash­ ship Foundation, and St. Veronica's Parish. which they survey and accredit. A July 1996 tabula Yacht Club. That Sunday afternoon was His involvement in these organizations dem­ report from the public citizen health research a sight to behold. Sure enough I witnessed 40 onstrates his desire to help his fellow neighbor group charged that the joint commission is "a some sailboats boldly entering the harbor. in any way he can. captive of the industry whose quality of service At this point the threat became clear to me. Jim Gilmore has clearly set an example for it purports to measure." Men, women, and children of United States our entire community. I join the Council of Further, the group concluded that the joint and Canadian descent docked their sailboats South Side Advancement Associations in com­ commission ''fails to recognize the often con­ and came ashore illegally. They were barely mending him on his outstanding dedication to flicting interests of hospitals and the public" clothed, sunburned, and the worst among the south side of Milwaukee, and I congratu­ and puts the interest of healthcare institutions them were telling lies. late him on being named one of the 1997 Per­ first when conflicts arise. I question the credi­ While I expected the illegal aliens to soon sons of the Year. bility of accrediting bodies, because their in­ depart to taste freedom in the interior of our come currently depends on the facilities they great country-they did not. In fact, the next are supposed to be monitoring. Until a bal­ morning I watched as all of the Canadian THE ACCREDITATION ance of representation is brought to the boats returned to Port Stanley, ON. Soon ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 1997 boards which lead accrediting organizations, after, I spoke to the Commodore of the Yacht we cannot assure the interests of the public Club to see how long this problem has been HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK are truly being considered. going on. He informed me that it was the 25th OF CALIFORNIA As the number of accrediting organizations year of the Lake Erie International Sailboat IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES increases, so does the need for public ac­ Race between Ashtabula, OH and Port Stan­ Thursday, February 13, 1997 countability. For this reason, I am introducing ley, ON, and that he hoped to expect the a bill that requires all Medicare-accrediting or­ same type of trouble next season. I use this Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, today I am intro­ ganizations to hold public meetings and to en­ example to illustrate that things are not always ducing a bill that requires all Medicare-accred­ sure that at least a third of the governing as they appear. The cash registers of our local iting organizations to hold public meetings and board consists of members of the public. harbor district depend on this annual visit from to ensure that at least a third of the governing This bill is a first step in assuring quality of our Canadian friends to help one of our most board consists of members of the public. care for our Nation's Medicare beneficiaries promising growth industries-recreational Healthcare facilities must comply with cer­ through the accreditation process. I am cur­ boating. tain conditions in order to participate in the rently working on a more comprehensive bill Mr. Speaker, my bill would not eliminate the Medicare Program. Through a process termed that will make accrediting organizations more 1-68 program, but would simply allow rec­ "deemed status," the Health Care Financing accountable-accountable to the public as reational boaters the option of using their U.S. Administration relies on accrediting organiza­ well as to the health care financing administra­ passport in lieu of the 1-68 permit in order to tions to assure that Healthcare facilities are tion. The upcoming bill will require the fol­ reenter the United States after returning from providing quality services to Medicare bene­ lowing: Canadian shores. It seems to me that if a U.S. ficiaries. The Joint Commission on Accredita­ Accrediting organizations must release the passport is good enough for all other inter­ tion of Healthcare Organizations is one such status of all accredited facilities to the general national travel purposes, that boaters traveling organization. If a facility is accredited by the public within a reasonable time frame. February 13, 1997 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 2317 HCFA must scrutinize all advertising claims Friend Society of Michigan and served as its history of black people in America. This mu­ which use data from accrediting organizations, executive assistant until 1971. In 1972, Rev­ seum presents a great opportunity-to show­ and must deny accreditation to all healthcare erend Melinat became the executive director case our history in its diversity and breadth, organizations which falsify accreditation-re­ of the agency, a post he continues to hold. In and to make the understanding of American lated information. 1981, under the Reverend's directorship, the history more complete. Accrediting organizations must allow em­ agency switched to its current name, the Lu­ Did you know that Dr. Daniel Hale Williams ployees of healthcare organizations to meet theran Child and Family Service of Michigan. was a pioneering heart surgeon that played a with survey teams off-premises, must accept Ted Melinat was born in Crockston, MN and vital role in the discovery of open-heart sur­ confidential testimony from healthcare workers attended Concordia College, Concordia Semi­ gery? And that Ernest Everett Just, Percy Ju­ during surveys, and must provide whistle­ nary, and the University of Michigan before lian, and George Washington Carver were all blower protection for workers who report viola­ becoming a Missionary-at-Large for the Michi­ outstanding scientists? Educators such as tions of accreditation rules. gan District of LC-MS in northwest Grand W.E.B. DuBois and Benjamin E. Mays left an Accrediting organizations must publicly dis­ Rapids. During his long and varied career, indelible mark on this country. The Harlem close all payments received from organiza­ Theodore Carl Melinat has been the first pas­ Renaissance produced poets, writers, and mu­ tions that are being accredited. tor of Zion Lutheran Church in Comstock Park, sicians like Countee Cullen, Langston Hughes, HCFA must work with accrediting organiza­ Ml, the vacancy pastor at Grace Lutheran and Duke Ellington. The civil rights movement tions to develop a comprehensive crosswalk Church in Auburn, Ml, and served as an advi­ changed the face of this country and inspired between the organization's and Medicare's sory pastoral delegate for the Convention of movements toward democracy and justice all standards and must resolve any differences. Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in Anaheim, over the world producing great leaders like Accrediting organizations must notify HCFA CA. Always willing to give of himself, Rev­ Martin Luther King, Jr., and Whitney Young. when facilities are found to be noncompliant erend Melinat over the years has served on Too few people know that Benjamin Senneker, and must work with HCFA to assure that hos­ numerous boards of directors for Michigan an outstanding mathematician, along with pitals promptly correct identified problems and Children associations such as the Michigan Pierre L' Enfant, designed the District of Co­ that HCFA is immediately informed of these Federation of Private Child and Family Agen­ lumbia. There are many more and their stories actions. cies. must be told. Some accrediting organizations are attempt­ Never seeking the limelight, Reverend Until we understand the African-American ing to increase public accountability. For ex­ Melinat has quietly contributed his time and story in its fullness and complexity, we cannot ample, the joint commission publicly releases energy to a wide variety of charitable causes understand ourselves as a nation. We must information about the performance of specific for the sake of our children. Causes such as know we are and where we have come from health care organizations so that beneficiaries the Child Welfare League of America and the so that we may move forward together. And are able to make educated decisions con­ Governor's Task Force on Children's Issues we recognize the importance of all our people cerning their health care providers. the com­ have been fortunate enough to have the Rev­ and all of our history. The establishment of mission also has a site on the World Wide erend working tirelessly on behalf of their or­ this museum would be one important step to­ Web through which the public will be able to ganization. Through the years, the Reverend ward achieving greater understanding as a na­ access status information about specific orga­ has served on numerous boards to assist the tion and as a people. nizations by late this year. However, the joint Lutheran Church in their outreach efforts in It is my hope and prayer that as we pre­ commission is only one of the many organiza­ Michigan. Reverend Melinat is a humble, de­ serve these important moments in history, we tions that accredits Medicare facilities. cent citizen who has embodied the Christian will inspire future generations to dream, to The goal of the bill I am introducing today work ethic throughout three decades of dedi­ write, to march and to teach. As they are able is to begin the debate . . . accrediting organi­ cated public service. to look back at all that has been accom­ zations must be accountable to the public. We Mr. Speaker, moral courage and dedication plished, they will be able to look forward and must guarantee that the public voice is rep­ to service are only two of the myriad of admi­ believe in the future of our great country. resented in the organizations responsible for rable qualities that Theodore Carl Melinat I am pleased and delighted that many of my safety and quality in Medicare's healthcare fa­ teaches us by example every day. For three colleagues have joined me in cosponsoring cilities. When this is achieved, we can begin to decades Michigan's children and you and I this bill. I urge all my colleagues of the 105th assure beneficiaries that they will receive high have been fortunate enough to have him as Congress to support this worthwhile and im­ quality treatment in all Medicare-approved fa­ an advocate. For these reasons, I ask you and portant legislation. cilities. the rest of our colleagues to join me in con­ gratulating Reverend Melinat for 30 years of dedicated service to the people, and most im­ IMMIGRATION REFORM REV. THEODORE CARL MELINATE; portantly the children, of Michigan. SPREADING JOY ALONG THE WAY HON. JAMFS A. TRAACANT, JR. OF omo HON. JAMFS A. BARCIA IT IS TIME FOR AN AFRICAN­ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AMERICAN MUSEUM OF MICIIlGAN Thursday, February 13, 1997 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, in the last Thursday, February 13, 1997 HON. JOHN LEWIS OF GEORGIA Congress, excellent progress was made on Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES immigration reform. I was proud to be an ac­ pay tribute to a man who has blessed us all tive participant. However, we did not go far with his commitment and generosity to our Na­ Thursday, February 13, 1997 enough. Much more needs to be done to stem tion's children, the Reverend Theodore Carl Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, once the ever increasing tide of illegal aliens flowing Melinat. Reverend Melinat epitomizes the again I am introducing a bill to establish an Af­ across the U.S.-Mexico border. Thafs why qualities of selflessness, dedication, and devo­ rican-American Museum on the Mall in Wash­ today I am introducing legislation which would tion that all members of our Society should as­ ington, DC as part of the Smithsonian. I sub­ authorize the use of Department of Defense pire to. mit this bill during Black History Month to high­ personnel to assist the U.S. Border Patrol and On Saturday, February 22, The Lutheran light the significance, urgency and importance other Federal law enforcement agencies work­ Child and Family Services of Michigan will of such a museum. ing to stop illegal immigration. hold its annual meeting, "Joy Along the Way," The story of black people in America has With current estimates reporting thousands and honor Rev. Theodore Carl Melinat for his yet to be told in its entirety. African-American of illegal immigrants entering our country each 30 years of dedication to Lutheran Child and history is an integral part of our country, yet day, Congress has an obligation to make Family Services and the people of Michigan. the richness and variety of that history is little­ available to Federal law enforcement agencies Reverend Melinat joined the Lutheran Child known and little-understood. As tourists from all possible resources in securing our borders. and Family Services of Michigan in 1967 when all over the world come to visit our Nation's My bill authorizes the Secretary of Defense it was still called the Lutheran Children's Capital, they will not be able to learn the full to assign Department of Defense personnel to 2318 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS February 13, 1997 assist the Immigration and Naturalization Serv­ I would like to join everyone at WITl-TV in as the first pastor on November 25, 1902. ice and the United States Customs Service in saying that Andy will surely be missed by all. During his tenure the Reverend Young in­ patrolling the borders and stopping illegal im­ May you enjoy a very healthy, happy retire­ creased the church's membership and migration. The bill does not mandate the use ment, and all the best in your future endeav­ oversaw the erection of its first home on 30th of troops on our border. It simply authorizes ors. Street. This location was officially dedicated the Pentagon to supply troops at the request on January 12, 1902. Reverend Young contin­ of the Attorney General or the Secretary of the ued to lead the Knox Church until 1907. The Treasury. In addition, if employed, the troops TRIBUTE TO KNOX PRESBYTERIAN Reverend Young was succeeded by the Rev­ would only provide support to law enforce­ CHURCH erend Edward J. Harper who served Knox ment. They would have no arrest powers. from January 13, 1907, until June 1910. For the last 8 years, the Department of De­ HON. JULIAN C. DIXON fense has rapidly and dramatically expanded The Reverend Henderson C. Shoemaker OF CALIFORNIA its role in the ''war on drugs." Today's military was called as supply pastor on July 7, 1910, is well-equipped to handle law enforcement IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and was officially installed as pastor on March functions. The military's role in combating drug Thursday, February 13, 1997 2, 1911. During Rev. Shoemaker's tenure, the smuggling along our southern border is a per­ Knox congregation moved to a new location at Mr. DIXON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to sa­ the comer of Figueroa and 43d Streets. The fect example. Given the continuing problem lute the Knox Presbyterian Church on the oc­ we have with illegal immigrants, Federal law building was completed and formally dedicated casion of its 1OOth anniversary of providing on November 30, 1913. The Reverend Harry enforcement officials should be given the op­ outstanding ministry and spiritual leadership to tion of using the military to support their ef­ Hillard followed Reverend Shoemaker serving the people of the city of Los Angeles. On Feb­ as pastor from July 19, 1914, through Sep­ forts. ruary 2, I had the distinct pleasure of attending I would urge my colleagues to support my tember 25, 1918. During Reverend Hillard's the church's 1OOth anniversary service. pastorate, Knox membership rose to 300. legislation. It is a positive step in closing the The Knox Church is exceptional in its serv­ door on illegal immigration. ice to the community in many ways, providing On March 9, 1919, Rev. Leslie Logue Boyd spiritual leadership to an ethnically diverse was called to Knox and on April 27, 1919, was parish and congregation. Embedded in its mis­ installed. Under his leadership Knox cele­ AN EVENING HONORING ANDREW brated its 25th anniversary. He was followed P. POTOS sion statement is a commitment to utilizing our existing diversity to attract, welcome and re­ by Rev. William Hiram Manshardt, who was tain persons of various backgrounds who are installed as the rector on February 24, 1924. HON. GERALD D. KLECZKA accepting of ethnic diversity. The Knox Church It was during his ministry that the church debts OF WISCONSIN truly fulfills the ideals of the Christian faith in were cleared and a manse was purchased at IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES its welcoming embrace of all peoples. I per­ 557 West 46th Street. Pastor Manshardt 15 years. Thun~y,h~ua~1~1~7 sonally bore witness to this at the 1OOth anni­ served Knox for versary service. The congregation is com­ Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to The Reverend Chester M. Buley was in­ prised of people of all ethnicities coming to­ pay tribute to Andrew P. Potos as he retires stalled as pastor on January 29, 1939. On that from WITl-TV in Milwaukee, WI, after a suc­ gether in the glory of God. In this way, the same day the congregation heard, for the first cessful career that spans over three decades. Knox Church is a praiseworthy example of co­ time, the Dr. William and Sarah Young Memo­ Andy was born and raised in Milwaukee, existence and mutual support for the city of rial Organ. Rev. Calvin A. Duncan took over and throughout his career he has dem­ Los Angeles, the Nation, and the world. leadership of the Knox Church in May 1944. onstrated a love for our community through his Rev. Mark F. Buchanan is the current pastor He presided over the church's 50th anniver­ active role in making Milwaukee a better place of the Knox Presbyterian Church. He is a sary on February 2, 1947. On May 23, 1954, to live. Before he began his career at WITl­ graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary Rev. Arthur P. Rech was installed. Under his TV, Andy served his community as a history and has brought to Knox youth, enthusiasm, 25 years tutelage the Knox Church moved to and English teacher at Washington High and a strong vision of the future. Under his its current location in Ladera Heights and all of School in Milwaukee. He then went on to join guidance Knox has developed and is imple­ the facilities as they now exist were con­ WITI in 1961, the beginning of a 36 year com­ menting its new long range plan that will take structed. During this period numerous projects, mitment to making WITI a topnotch news or­ the church into the new millennium. which continue to flourish today, were insti­ ganization. The Knox Church takes great pride in the tuted. Among them are the LAX Food Pantry, When Andy Potos joined channel 6 in 1961 quality and scope of its music program. The Masters Mates and Laderians. Rev. Rech as an account executive, he decided that program is led by music director Glenn Riske, stepped down as pastor on December 2, someday he would serve as General Man­ who has served as music director for over 26 1979. ager. As it turns out, that goal would be met years. The church's handball choir is one of the many highlights of the music program. It On June 28, 1981, Rev. James E. Kenney in 1981, and he would serve as one of Mil­ was installed as pastor and served for 1O waukee's longest tenured television general has performed all over southern California, in­ cluding at the Easter sunrise service at the years. Interim pastors, Rev. Jack Peters, Rev. managers. Even when his career path took Gary Wilburn, and Rev. John Dean, served him to Chicago or New York, he knew he Hollywood Bowl and the televised Christmas until the February 20, 1994, installation of would some day be back in Milwaukee. Since program at the Music Center Los Angeles. In Rev. Mark F. Buchanan. 1981, Andy has been at the helm of WITI and recognition of the Knox church's century of ex­ has made it one of the best television stations emplary service to the community, I would like Few would argue about the increasingly im­ in the country. His leadership and managerial to take this opportunity to share with my col­ portant correlation that exists between the skills are second to none. leagues the historical retrospective of this church and a healthy community. For over a However, there is much more to Andy than great church. century, the Knox Presbyterian Church has just television. He is as committed to Mil­ On November 8, 1896, a small group of contributed to that prosperity by offering a waukee as anyone I know. Over the years he people came together for a worship service ministry that nurtures the soul and empowers has taken a proactive role in improving our held in Cutler Hall in what is now downtown the mind. By providing spiritual empowerment community at all levels. He has served as a Los Angeles. They were led by Rev. William to the community it continues to shine as a board member of Junior Achievement of Stewart Young, a pioneer of Presbyterianism beacon of hope for the future. I am proud to Southeast Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Heart As­ in southern California. The church soon recognize and commend Rev. Mark Buchanan sociation, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, moved to a new location at the Southgate Ma­ and the congregation of the Knox Presbyterian and the Milwaukee Chapter of the NAACP just sonic Hall at Main Street and 30th Street. The Church for their ministry and leadership to the to name a few. Whether it was managing a Knox Presbyterian Church was formally orga­ Los Angeles community. Please join me in ex­ television station, or raising funds for charity, nized at this location on Sunday, January 10, tending our profound best wishes for contin­ Andy Potos has been there for Milwaukee. 1897. Reverend Young was officially installed ued success in the future. February 13, 1997 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 2319 THE TRUTH IN EMPLOYMENT ACT Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, the problems of year-old bum victim from Statesboro, GA to OF 1997 abusive salting persist today; and, they con­ much needed treatment in Savannah, GA. The tinue to take a heavy toll on employers in the air station staff's heroic actions are detailed in HON. HARRIS FAWEil form of costly litigation, lost productivity, and the following letter from Bulloch Co. EMS/Res­ OF ILLINOIS destroyed property. For those reasons, I am cue Director Lee Eckles: IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES today reintroducing for consideration by the BULLOCH COUNTY EMS/RESCUE, 1OSth Congress the Truth in Employment Act Statesboro, Ga, October 27, 1996. Thursday, February 13, 1997 of 1997. This legislation is virtually identical to Adm. ROBERT E. KRAMEK, Mr. FAWELL. Mr. Speaker, I have no doubt the bill I introduced during the last Congress. Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, Washington, that many of our colleagues have now heard In short, the bill would amend section 8 of the DC. of the union organizing tactic known as salt­ DEAR ADMIRAL KRAMEK, I realize how busy National Labor Relations Act to make clear you must be, but when it comes to express­ ing. I am equally sure that most of them have that an employer is not required to hire any ing ones thanks for saving the life of a child, been greatly disturbed by what they have person who seeks a job in order to promote I felt like you just might have a few minutes heard; and, for good reason. In recent years, the interests of another employer or organiza­ to read this letter. salting has evolved into an abusive practice tion for whom that person is acting as an On September 25, 1996, our department was which, sadly, has little to do with legitimate agent. When enacted, the bill will help restore dispatched to respond to a "burn patient" union organizing. Instead, salting has become some ten (10) miles away from our station. of the balance of rights that salting upsets and With no other information available, we re­ a tool-or perhaps better stated; a weapon-­ that is fundamental to our system of collective sponded. Arriving at the scene, our staff for putting nonunion companies out of busi­ bargaining. found a three year old female with second ness. I want to again make clear, Mr. Speaker, as and third degree burns covering over seventy This unfortunate fact was made clear during I did during the last Congress, that this bill is percent of her body. Within twenty-five min­ the 104th Congress, when the Committee on in no way intended to infringe upon any rights utes of our dispatch time, the child was re­ Economic and Educational Opportunities held or protections otherwise accorded employees ceiving primary care treatment at our local three hearings which highlighted the problems hospital. under the NLRA. Employees will continue to It was clear from first observations that associated with union salting. The testimony enjoy their right to organize or engage in other this three year old would need the special­ from those hearings included stories about concerted activities protected under the act. ized care of the "Burn Center" ninety miles union organizers and agents who had sought And, employers will still be prohibited from dis­ to our west, in order to have any chance of or gained employment with a nonunion em­ criminating against employees on the basis of survival. Due to the extent and severity of ployer when, in fact, they had little, if any, in­ union membership or union activism. The bill the burns and the fact that she had suffered tention of truly working for that company. In merely seeks to alleviate the legal pressures extensive airway burns, transport time to many cases, the organizers and agents were the burn center would have a significant im­ imposed upon employers to hire individuals pact on her survival. Air transport was the there simply to disrupt the employer's work­ whose real purpose for seeking the job is to only option. The regional Trauma Center in place or to increase the cost of doing business disrupt the employer's workplace or otherwise Savannah, fifty miles to our east has the by forcing the employer to defend itself inflict economic harm designed to put the em­ only civilian medivac helicopter available in against frivolous charges filed with the Na­ ployer out of business. all of South Georgia. Upon making the re­ tional Labor Relations Board [NLRB]. For most Mr. Speaker, at its core, the National Labor quest, I was notified that their helicopter of these companies-many of which were Relations Act-indeed, our entire collective was out of service for maintance. They did small businesses-the economic harm inflicted bargaining system-is about balancing the however, quickly refer us to the military by the union's salting campaigns was dev­ M.A.S.T. helicopter unit at Fort Stewart. As rights and protections of both employers and I dialed the phone, I remembered from my astating. the men and women who work for them. At its military tour of duty with the Coast Guard Equally troubling, Mr. Speaker, is the brazen worst, salting upsets that balance in a way not (1978-1981), the bureaucratic process that manner in which union salts go about their contemplated when the NLRA was enacted. would have to be overcome in order for a business of inflicting economic harm on non­ Surely, Congress could not have intended the military aircraft to be approved for use on a union employers. Indeed, most union salts NLRA to be used as the legal shield that civilian medivac mission. The desk sergeant make clear when they apply for a job that their union salts now commonly invoke in defense quickly transferred my call to the duty offi­ loyalties lie elsewhere and that they have no of their abusive behavior. Moreover, common cer. My first comment to the Major was to interest in working to promote the interests of apologize for my sense of urgency, but a sense tells us that employers should be enti­ child's life was on the line. Simply stated, I the company. tled to some measure of confidence when ask if his M.A.S.T. Helicopter could be air­ One might ask why an employer would hire making hiring decisions that the job applicants borne in five minutes or less for a medivac an individual that he knows is there to hurt his they consider are motivated by their desire for flight. His response was brief and very direct company. The complicated answer to this work and promote the interests of that em­ "It will take me at least thirty minutes to question, Mr. Speaker, lies in broad interpreta­ ployer-not another organization bent on dis­ find someone who is capable of giving au­ tions of who is covered by provisions of the rupting or putting that company out of busi­ thorization," I thanked him for his time, and hung up the phone. National Labor Relations Act [NLRA], which ness. prohibits employers from discriminating I realized at that point we were out of op­ The Truth in Employment Act will help re­ tions. One of my staff members, feeling help­ against employees because of their union in­ store that confidence, Mr. Speaker, while at less said "why don't you call the Coast terests or activities. These interpretations have the same time protecting the rights of employ­ Guard, I know they have a helicopter." With had the practical effect of presenting employ­ ees and their union representatives. Once nothing but the cost of a phone call to lose, ers with a Hobson's choice: either hire the again, I urge my colleagues to support its pas­ I called the Coast Guard Air Station in Sa­ union salt who is sure to disrupt your work­ sage. vannah Georgia. One again, I explained the place and file frivolous charges resulting in urgency of my request. This time however, costly litigation; or, deny the salt employment the response was different. With-in five min­ and risk being sued for discrimination under CONGRATULATIONS TO THE USCG utes, USCG 6573 was airborne and enroute to AIR STATION, SAVANNAH, GA, the Statesboro Municipal Airport. To make a the NLRA. Either way the employer is faced long story short, the Coast Guard answered with a hiring decision that may threaten the FOR A JOB WELL DONE the call for help when no one else was avail­ very survival of his or her business. able. The medivac mission was carried out In an effort to remedy this situation, Mr. HON. JACK KINGSTON without a hitch. Our every request was Speaker, last year I introduced the Truth in quickly accommodated. OF GEORGIA Every one involved, from the pilots and air Employment Act of 1996. And, while I was dis­ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES appointed that we concluded the 2d session of crew to the individuals operating the tele­ Thursday, February 13, 1997 phone played an extremely crucial role in the 104th Congress without addressing the the critical care transport of Stacie Martin. problems of union salting, I was pleased that Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, when no one At this point in time, I am not certain about a significant number of our colleagues were else was able to help, U.S. Coast Guard heli­ Stacie's outcome because of the extent and also sufficiently concerned to join me as co­ copter 6573, based at the USCG Air Station in severity of her injuries. One thing I certainly sponsors of that legislation. Savannah, GA, swung into action to carry a 3- know, is the role played by All Coast Guard 2320 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS February 13, 1997 Personnel involved will be credited with My friend and colleague, WILLIAM V. ROTH, orating the alliance through the SACO Final every positive milestone that Stacie over­ Jr., is introducing a similar resolution in the Report. It also recognizes the special contribu­ comes on her long road to recovery. other body today. tions of the people of Okinawa, to the imple­ For four years, stationed at USCG Group I agree with former Member of this House, mentation of the Treaty. Charleston, being a SAR small boat cox­ swain, the Coast Guard Motto, Semper and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Mike Mr. Speaker, in view of the critical impor­ Paratus, seldom took on a very significant Mansfield, who called the relationship between tance to the United States of our relationship meaning. However, on Wednesday, Sep­ the United States and Japan ''the most impor­ with Japan, I urge my colleagues to join me in tember 25, 1996, being " Always ready" had a tant bilateral relationship in the world, bar passing this resolution. much greater meaning than each and every none." The end of the cold war and resulting day of my brief Coast Guard career. On that instability in Asia has only reinforced the fun­ Wednesday, it seemed that the bureaucracy damental importance of this relationship to our THE SECRET LIFE OF THE worked against Stacie, until Coast Guard as­ SANDINISTAS sistance was requested. No bureaucracy, no two nations, the Asia-Pacific region, and the delay, no excuses, simply immediate re­ world as a whole. sponse, few questions, and extraordinary exe­ Indeed, as Secretary of State Madeline HON. DAN BURTON cution of duty and responsibility by all Albright stated to the House International Re­ OF INDIANA USCG personnel involved. I have always been lations Committee this week, "our alliance with IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES proud of the many roles that I was involved a democratic and prosperous Japan is one of Thursday, February 13, 1997 in while a member of the Coast Guard, but the great successes of the postwar era." Our Mr. BURTON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to never as impressed as I was on Wednesday security alliance has endured over the years, bring to the attention of the 105th Congress the 25th. and remains strong today, because the United I realize how truly insignificant our lan­ the newly released book entitled, ''The Secret States and Japan are united not by a common guage and my own vocabulary really is when Life of the Sandinistas." This book written by enemy, but rather, by common interests. trying to express my sincere gratitude and Roberto Arguello, outlines the last decade of In the formulation of former Assistant Sec­ thanks to everybody at the Coast Guard Air Sandinista activity. retary of Defense Joseph S. Nye, security is Station in Savannah, and to the personnel at Mr. Arguello writes material published in as the District Office in Miami. This is truly a like oxygen. You tend not to notice it until you many as 140 newspapers in Latin America case of one of the most outstanding humani­ begin to lose it. Once you lose it, you would and is a member of the U.S. Senate's His­ tarian missions ever undertaken by my pay any price to have it back. panic task force. This latest work is a cap­ former branch of service. The alliance between the United States and There were probably many people who stone to his efforts for advocating free enter­ Japan provides the oxygen which allows the were involved whose names I did not have a prise and fighting for the elimination of totali­ economies and societies of the Asia-Pacific chance to document, but those names I do tarian oppression. region to thrive. It rightly remains the founda­ have are as follows: Mr. Arguello's, ''The Secret Life of the San­ Captain Clark-OSR Miami. tion of American security strategy for the Asia­ dinistas,'' will be available in the near future Captain Thomas W. Sechler-Ore, Coast Pacific region. The United States, as a Pacific through the Library of Congress. I would en­ Guard Air Station Savannah. power, and world's leading exporter, gains Lieutenant Richard Craig-Pilot. courage all of my colleagues who have either more than any nation from the region's peace Lieutenant Thomas Gaffney-Pilot. a general interest in international affairs or a and prosperity. Glenn Boggs-ADl. specific interest in Nicaragua to review this ex­ William (Bill) DeCamp-ASM2. The Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Se­ cellent book. Lieutenant Pat Ryan. curity encapsulates the terms of the bilateral Rob Jerger-AM3. Mike Forchette-AEl. alliance. This past December, the United I know these people and all others involved States and Japan agreed to measures to RAYMOND " TIM" GORECKI NAMED in this mission were only doing their job, renew our security relationship in the Special 1997 PERSON OF THE YEAR BY but, speaking in behalf, of the family of Action Committee on Okinawa [SACO] Final THE COUNCIL OF SOUTH SIDE Stacie Martin, the Bulloch County Depart­ Report issued by the United States-Japan Se­ ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATIONS ment of Public Safety, Bulloch County EMS/ curity Consultative Committee. This report set RESCUE, and our entire community, I wish forth a timetable for return to Japanese control HON. GERALD D. KLECZKA again to express a very heartfelt thanks. The of one-fifth of the land used by the U.S. mili­ entire United States Coast Guard came OF WISCONSIN tary in Okinawa. This island prefecture, as through in our time of need. It was truly an IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES answered prayer. host to over half of the forward-deployed I know we at EMS/RESCUE in Bulloch troops of the United States in Japan, has long Thursday, February 13, 1997 County will never be able to repay all those borne a major share of the burdens of main­ Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to involved, but, if you ever have any need here taining regional security. congratulate Mr. Raymond ''Tim" Gorecki, on in our community, please don't hesitate to The SACO Final Report therefore also pro­ being named one of the 1997 Persons of the call. vided for changes in operational and training Year by the Council of South Side Advance­ Very Sincerely, procedures and in the Status of Forces Agree­ ment Associations. LEE ECIIlES, Director. ment which will maintain the operational capa­ By honoring Tim, the Council of South Side bility and readiness of forward-deployed U.S. Advancement is recognizing a man who has forces while lessening the impact of the U.S. served Milwaukee's south side for over 20 UNITED STATES-JAPAN SECURITY military presence on the daily life of the Oki­ years. In that time, he has had a direct impact RELATIONS AND OKINAWA nawan people. on the lives of many Milwaukeeans. For centuries Okinawa has been known as Tim Gorecki has shown his dedication to his HON. LEE H. HAMILTON the Land of Courtesy. The Okinawan people community through his involvement in several deserve our gratitude for their many contribu­ organizations. In addition to serving on the OF INDIANA tions to the United States-Japan relationship, Board of Directors for the Council of South IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and to the peace and security of the region. Side Advancement Associations, Tim also Thursday, February 13, 1997 Their continued understanding and support served as the Sergeant at Arms for the Mil­ Mr. HAMIL TON. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased are vital to the successful implementation of waukee County Council of the American Le­ on behalf of myself and Representatives BE­ the SACO Final Report, and the Mutual Secu­ gion, and is a member of the South Side Busi­ REUTER, and BERMAN, to introduce a resolution rity Treaty. ness Club and the George Washington Le­ recognizing the vital role of the Treaty of Mu­ Mr. Speaker, the resolution I introduce today gion. Tim's involvement in these organizations tual Cooperation and Security between the reaffirms that the Treaty of Mutual Coopera­ demonstrates his commitment to Milwaukee. United States and Japan in ensuring the tion and Security remains vital to the security Tim Gorecki has clearly set an example for peace and prosperity of the Asia Pacific re­ interests of the United States, Japan, and the all of us to follow. I join the Council of South gion, and expressing gratitude to the people of countries of the Asia-Pacific region. It ac­ Side Advancement Associations in com­ Okinawa for the special role they have played knowledges the achievement of the United mending Tim Gorecki on his outstanding dedi­ in ensuring the implementation of this treaty. States and Japanese Governments in reinvig- cation to the south side of Milwaukee, and I February 13, 1997 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 2321 congratulate him on being named one of the have polluted more than 12,000 miles of our four out of five Americans support mining re­ 1997 Persons of the Years. Nation's waterways and 180,000 acres of form. lakes and reservoirs. At least 50 billion tons of It is a disgrace that on the eve of the 21st untreated, unreclaimed mining wastes-includ­ century, taxpayers and the environment con­ IN SUPPORT OF TRIO PROGRAMS ing arsenic, cadmium, copper, cyanide, iron, tinue to be ripped off by an antiquated law lead, mercury, sulphur, and zinc-contaminate from the 19th century. If Congress is serious HON. EARL F. HIWARD public and private lands. The costs of clean­ about reducing wasteful and unjustified cor­ OF ALABAMA up is in the tens of billions of dollars. porate welfare, we should begin by reforming IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Those of us who represent western States the mining law of 1872. know there are special problems resulting Thursday, February 13, 1997 from past mining activity. Mr. HILLIARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in In California, the inactive Iron Mountain NOT WHOM YOU TELL, BUT HOW support of one of the best educational and mine discharges one-fourth of the entire na­ YOU KNOW welfare reform tools available today in the tional discharge of copper and zinc to surface United States, our TRIO programs. The TRIO waters from industrial and municipal sources, HON. NORMAN D. DICKS program is designed to identify students in according to the EPA. The city of Redding can OF WASHINGTON need and provide them with information on no longer use the Sacramento River for drink­ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES academics; financial aid; tutoring support; and ing water because of the contamination levels. Thursday, February 13, 1997 other needed services so they may have a In Colorado, a father and son were riding chance to enter and graduate from a postsec­ their motorbikes cross-county when they Mr. DICKS. Mr. Speaker, several Members ondary institution. I can think of no better use plunged into an unmarked abandoned mine. of the House of Representatives, including the of our precious fiscal resources than providing The son was killed. chairman of the Republican Congressional someone with the tools to earn their own way In Nevada, long-abandoned Comstock Lode Campaign Committee, have made some rath­ in this world. gold and silver mines are leaching heavy met­ er hasty public statements concerning the re­ I also wish to applaud the efforts of the als into the Carson River, not far from Lake corded cellular telephone call involving Speak­ TRIO program at Stillman College in Tusca­ Tahoe. er GINGRICH and all of its legal ramifications. loosa, AL. Under the direction of Stillman's In Montana, windblown heavy metal particu­ Many claims have been made about the laws president, Dr. Cordell Wynn, and the director lates from old mine tailings forced official to that are applicable to disclosure of confidential of their TRIO program, Mr. Vernon Freeman, replace high-school baseball fields around information, but I am concerned there has I feel we have one of the more forward reach­ Butte. been insufficient legal research into the stat­ ing programs in the country. In closing, I wish In Idaho, EPA found lead levels in the area utes involved and into the legal precedents in to offer a special commendation to the parents downwind from the abandoned Bunker Hill sil­ existence. In this regard, Mr. Speaker, I am of our TRIO students for the encouragement, ver mine to be 30 times higher than the max­ submitting for the RECORD an analysis that participation and love which they have shown imum levels deemed "safe." Nearly all of the was printed in this week's National Law Jour­ to their children. For after all, one of the great­ 179 children living within 1 mile of the site nal by an expert first amendment lawyer est legacies which we may leave our children, have potentially brain-impairing lead levels in whose practice involved areas of is a sound education in which they may build their blood. newsgathering, publishing, and broadcasting. their future. This is the legacy-not only of an anti­ In this article, Victor A. Kovner takes issue quated mining program that let mining compa­ with an assertion made by allies of Speaker nies run amok, but of a Congress that has ig­ GINGRICH who were involved in the recorded REFORM OF THE 1872 MINING LAW nored the mounting cost to taxpayers, to the conversation. Specifically, the charge was environment, and to public health. It has to made that forwarding and publishing informa­ HON. GEORGE MillER end. tion from such a conversation was a felony. In OF CALIFORNIA The bills Senator DALE BUMPERS and I are this article, Mr. Kovner explores the Federal wiretap statute (18 U.S.C. 251 O et seq.) as it IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES introducing today will raise $1.5 billion directly from the industry that has profited from the pertains to recorded conversations and con­ Thursday, February 13, 1997 mining program in order to clean-up the leg­ cludes that ''there is scant authority for finding Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, in acy of the mining program. Our bills will: Im­ a criminal violation based on mere disclosure the long and expensive history of corporate pose a 5-percent net smelter return royalty on by a person who had no role in the underlying welfare, no law has evaded reform more suc­ all hard rock minerals mined from public lands recording." cessfully than the mining law of 1872. For 125 to that taxpayers will-finally-receive a fair I urge my colleagues to carefully consider years, since the administration of Ulysses S. return on the extraction of hard rock minerals Mr. Kovner's compelling reasoning as pre­ Grant, this law has governed hard rock mining from public lands; impose a reclamation fee sented in the National Law Journal. in America. And throughout those 125 years, on all hard rock minerals mined from lands [From the National Law Journal, Feb. 10, as billions of dollars in public gold, silver, and patented under the 1872 mining law; and 1997] other valuable resources have been mined, close the depletion allowance loophole so that NOT WHOM You TELL, BUT How You KNOW the taxpayers have not received one dime in mining operators can no longer take a tax (By Victor A. Kovner) royalties. credit for depleting taxpayers' mineral wealth. Congressman Jim McDermott has " com­ We don't treat any other resource that Overhaul of the mining law is long overdue. mitted a felony," New York Rep. Bill Paxon way-not coal, not water, not oil or gas. No Powerful special interests, with the help of a charged at his initial press conference, refer­ State allows mining on its land without some few members of Congress, have literally lined ring to the alleged delivery by Mr. royalty. No private landowner tolerates it. No their pockets with gold. And the taxpayer and McDermott, D-Wash., of the tape of the Newt foreign nation. "Only in America," as they say, the environment have paid the price. These Gingrich strategy conference to the New York Times and Atlanta Journal-Constitu­ would we give away billions of dollars in gold bills will finally begin to give a fair return to the tion. It is sad to see a fine career " disinte­ and ask nothing for the taxpayers who own it. taxpayer and restore despoiled public lands. grate,'' said Mr. Paxon. But it isn't fair to say we get nothing from Why might we succeed in 1997 were we Strong words, coming as they did from the the mining activity. The mining industry has have failed before? Because, I believe, the chair of the Republican Congressional Cam­ left behind a legacy of environmental destruc­ public is demanding an end to the multi-billion paign Committee and a participant in the tion-including hundreds of thousands of dollar orgy of corporate welfare that swells our taped conversation in which, as later found abandoned, toxic and contaminated minesites, deficit every year. Because the Clinton admin­ by Special Counsel James M. Cole, Speaker that threaten our environment, our public istration has targeted the mining program for Gingrich violated his promise to the Ethics Committee not to orchestrate an effort to health and our public lands and wildlife. reform in its 1998 budget. Because we are minimize the charges brought against him. Fifty-nine sites on the Superfund list are the winning bipartisan support for ending outdated But was there any basis for such a serious result of hardrock mining. According to the En­ and expensive Federal subsidies. And be­ charge by Mr. Paxon? Perhaps the Florida vironmental Protection Agency, mine wastes cause, even in the mining States of the West, couple who overheard the conversation on 2322 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS February 13, 1997 their police scanner (equipment that has a state interest of the "highest order" war­ pecially if we fail to solve our serious water been for years widely and lawfully available ranting the institution of criminal pro­ quality problems due to lack of funds. at retail outlets around the country) may ceedings against Mr. McDermott or the Specifically, my bill would establish a na­ have technically violated the Federal Wire­ newspapers. tional clean water trust fund within the U.S. tap Statute, 18 U.S.C. 2510 et seq., which was In a case similar to Landmark Commu­ amended in recent years to cover intercep­ nications, a California appellate court has Treasury for fines, penalties, and other mon­ tion of cellular and cordless calls, as well as written, "[S]tate law cannot impose crimi­ eys, including consent decrees, obtained regular phone calls. Congress apparently in­ nal or civil liability upon a nonparticipant through enforcement of the clean Water Act tended to provide for an expectation of pri­ for breach of the confidentiality required by that would otherwise be placed into Treasury's vacy with the amendments, and the 8th U.S. [law]." Nicholson v. McClatchy Newspapers, general fund. Under my proposal, the EPA Ad­ Circuit Court of Appeals agreed that cordless 177 Cal. App. 3d 509,223 Cal. Rptr. 58 (Cal. ministrator would be authorized to prioritize phone calls made before the amendments did App. 3d Dist. 1986). and carry out projects to restore and recover not have a justifiable expectation of privacy. As a matter of common sense, the partici­ waters of the United States using the funds Tyler v. Berodt, pants in the recorded conversation plainly 877 F.2d 705 (8th Cir. 1989), collected from violations of the Clean Water cert. denied, 110 S. Ct. 723 (1990). had a diminished expectation of privacy What about the role of Mr. McDermott, when Rep. John A. Boehner, R-Ohio, joined Act. However, this legislation would not pre­ who reportedly sent copies to the news­ the conversation on his car phone. Surely empt citizen suits or in any way preclude papers? Assuming those reports are accurate the others were aware that he was on a car EPA's authority to undertake and complete (he has declined to define the role, if any, he phone. Surely they were aware that cellular supplemental environmental projects [SEP's] played), the Paxon theory goes, Mr. phones may be recorded by nonparticipants as part of settlements related to violations of McDermott violated the portion of the stat­ with equipment that has been sold lawfully the Clean Water Act and/or other legislation. ute that bars disclosure of an illegal tape or in thousands of stores throughout the coun­ For example, in 1993, Inland Steel an­ its contents. try. If Speaker Gingrich was aware he was This theory proves too much, for if Mr. participating in a nonsecure communication nounced a $54.5 million multimedia consent McDermott's alleged conduct was criminal, and was then caught violating his commit­ decree, which included a $26 million SEP and why not that of the New York Times or the ments to the Ethics Committee, he and Ohio a $3.5 million cash payment to the U.S. Treas-· Atlanta Journal-Constitution? The statute Republican Representative Boehner are prin­ ury. I strongly support the use of SEP's to fa­ in question makes unlawful not only the un­ cipally to blame. Under these circumstances, cilitate the cleanup of serious environmental authorized interception or recording, but any claim that the conduct of Jim problems, which are particularly prevalent in also disclosure "knowing or having reason to McDermott (or the newspapers) was felo­ my congressional district. However, my bill know" that the recording was unlawful. 18 nious would be reckless and irresponsible. U.S.C. 2511(1)(c). Why Bill Paxon presumed would dedicate the cash payment to the that Jim McDermott had such knowledge Treasury to the clean water trust fund. The bill further specifies that remedial projects be with­ while the newspapers, which examined the INTRODUCTION OF THE NATIONAL tape carefully and transcribed it in its en­ in the same EPA region where enforcement tirety, did not, is unclear. Notably, Mr. CLEAN WATER TRUST FUND ACT action was taken. Northwest Indiana is in EPA Paxon did not charge either newspaper with OF 1997 region 5, and there are 10 EPA regions criminal conduct. throughout the United States. Under my pro­ Though, in the context of civil claims for HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY posal, any funds collected from enforcement damages, courts have taken various views of the statute's reach, there is scant authority OF INDIANA of the Clean Water Act in region 5 would go for finding a criminal violation based on IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES into the national clean water trust fund and, ideally, be used to clean up environmental im­ mere disclosure by a person who had no role Thursday, February 13, 1997 in the underlying recording. In 1993 a number pacts associated with the problem for which of people associated with Sen. Charles Robb, Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, today, I am the fine was levied. D-Va., were fined for distributing illegal introducing legislation to expedite the cleanup To illustrate how a national clean water trust tapes of personal calls of then-Lt. Gov. Doug­ of our Nation's waters. This bill, the National fund would be effective in cleaning up our Na­ las Wilder. Unlike the serendipitous record­ Clean Water Trust Fund Act of 1997, would tion's waters, I would like to highlight the mag­ ing of the Gingrich strategy conference, the create a trust fund established from fines, pen­ nitude of the fines that have been levied Wilder tapes were made by a person who had alties, and other moneys collected through en­ systemically and unlawfully recorded hun­ through enforcement of the Clean Water Act. dreds of cellular calls. forcement of the Clean Water Act to help al­ Nationwide, in fiscal year 1996, EPA assessed leviate the problems for which the enforce­ PROTECTIVE PRECEDENT $85 million in penalties for violations of the ment actions were taken. This legislation is But any attempt to prosecute people who Clean Water Act. had no involvement in or knowledge of the identical to a measure I introduced with bipar­ My bill also instructs EPA to coordinate its unlawful recording, such as Mr. McDermott tisan support in the last Congress, and it was efforts with the States in prioritizing specific or the newspaper&-neither of whom had any the model for an amendment that received cleanup projects. Finally, to monitor the imple­ prior association of any kind with the Flor­ 156 votes in 1995 during House consideration mentation of the national clean water trust ida couple-would face serious constitutional of legislation to reauthorize the Clean Water fund, I have included a reporting requirement problems. In Landmark Communications v. Act. in my legislation. One year after enactment, Virginia, 435 U.S. 829 (1978), the Supreme Currently, there is no guarantee that fines or and every 2 years thereafter, the EPA Admin­ Court held that the First Amendment pro­ other moneys that result from violations of the hibits criminal punishment for disclosure of istrator would make a report to Congress re­ confidential judicial disciplinary proceedings Clean Water Act will be used to correct water garding the establishment of the trust fund. by nonparticipants in the proceedings. The quality problems. Instead, some of the money My legislation has garnered the endorse­ mere publication of truthful information, goes into the general fund of the U.S. Treas­ ment of several environmental organizations in even though confidential by law, was found ury without any provision that it be used to im­ northwest Indiana, including the Grand Cal­ protected. prove the quality of our Nation's waters. umet Task Force, the Indiana Division of the In dismissing a claim for invasion of pri­ I am concerned that Environmental Protec­ Izaak Walton League, and the Save the vacy by a rape victim whose identity had tion Agency [EPA] enforcement activities are been inadvertently but unlawfully released Dunes Council. Further, I am encouraged by to a reporter by an employee of a sheriff's of­ extracting large sums of money from industry the support within the national environmental fice, the Supreme Court later noted, "We and others through enforcement of the Clean community and the Northeast-Midwest Con­ hold only that where a newspaper publishes Water Act, while we ignore the fundamental gressional Coalition for the concept of a Na­ truthful information which it has lawfully issue of how to pay for the cleanup of the tional Clean Water Trust Fund. I would also obtained, punishment may lawfully be im­ water pollution problems for which the pen­ like to point out that, in a 1992 report to Con­ posed, if at all, only when narrowly tailored alties were levied. If we are really serious gress on the Clean Water Act enforcement to a state interest of the highest order." about ensuring the successful implementation mechanisms, and EPA workgroup rec­ Florida Star v. B.J.F., 490 U.S. 524, 109 S. Ct. of the Clean Water Act, we should put these ommended amending the Clean Water Act to 2603 (1989). Given the extraordinary newsworthiness of enforcement funds to work and actually clean establish a national clean water trust fund. Speaker Gingrich's violation of a commit­ up our Nation's waters. It does not make In reauthorizing the Clean Water Act, we ment he had just made as part of his plea sense for scarce resources to go into the bot­ have a unique opportunity to improve the qual­ bargain, it is hard to imagine the presence of tomless pit of the Treasury's general fund, es- ity of our Nation's waters. The establishment February 13, 1997 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 2323 of a national clean water trust fund is an inno­ Nagorno-Karabagh, solidifying support hibits direct U.S. Government assistance to vative step in that direction. By targeting funds among the Armenian-American community, the Government of the Republic of Azer­ accrued through enforcement of the Clean educating many U.S. foreign policy leaders, baijan until that country lifts its blockade of and forging new bonds of friendship and un­ Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh. Water Act-that would otherwise go into the derstanding. When we met, the President ex­ Preserving this law has been one of the Treasury Department's general fund-we can pressed his hope that he would be able to re­ major goals of the Congressional Caucus on put scarce resources to work and facilitate the turn the hospitality that was shown to him Armenian Issues. We have had to withstand cleanup of problem areas throughout the by friends of Karabagh during his visit to the very strong opposition from the well-fi­ Great Lakes and across this country. I urge U.S. last year. I am proud to accept that nanced Azerbaijan lobbying campaign. In the my colleagues to support this important legis­ offer now. I appreciate the hospitality that summer of 1995, during the debate on the lation. has been shown to me, and I look forward to Foreign Operations Appropriations bill, the reporting back to the American people about legislation that provides for America to the courageous struggle of the people of honor its commitments and protect its inter­ ADDRESS TO THE PARLIAMENT OF Karabagh to defend their land, their inde­ ests overseas, Congressional friends of Arme­ pendence and their freedom. nia were successful in maintaining the law. I THE NAGORNO-KARABAGH RE­ Before I outline some of my ideas and want to pay particular tribute to my friend PUBLIC hopes for how our two peoples can grow clos­ and colleague, Congressman Pete Visclosky er in friendship and partnership, let me tell of the State of Indiana, a member of the Ar­ HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR. you a little bit about myself and why I have menian Issues Caucus, for his leadership in OF NEW JERSEY come here to your seat of government. I rep­ maintaining the ban on aid to Azerbaijan. resent the Sixth Congressional District of While I support diplomatic solutions, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the State of New Jersey. The densely popu­ blockades not sanctioned by International Thu~~y,hbrua~1~1~7 lated, ethnically diverse State I represent in­ bodies must be regarded as illegal. Current cludes a significant number of Americans of law prohibiting direct non-humanitarian Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, as the cochair Armenian descent. Survivors of one of his­ U.S. government assistance to the Govern­ of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian tory's most monstrous crimes, the Genocide ment of Azerbaijan is the correct policy. I Issues, I traveled to the Republics of Armenia perpetrated against the Armenian people by will continue to lead the opposition to all at­ and Nagomo-Karabagh in late January to the Ottoman Turkish Empire, thousands of tempts to weaken these sanctions until and learn more about the courageous struggle of Armenians came to America in search of a unless Azerbaijan stops strangling Armenia the Armenian people as they try to build self­ new life. Many arrived with little more than and Karabagh. sustaining economies and protect their land the shirts on their backs. Yet these immi­ I regret to report to date that the U.S. grants, these survivors, and their sons and Government has not provided any direct hu­ and freedom. daughters, grandsons and grandaughters, manitarian assistance to the people of In Armenia, I met with government officials have flourished and thrived, becoming one of Karabagh. As many of you are aware, in 1996 to discuss the role of the United States and America's most successful, well-educated the House of Representatives overwhelm­ Armenia in preserving the security and eco­ and affluent ethnic groups. ingly approved legislation that would have nomic viability of Nagomo-Karabagh, where While there has for many years been wide­ authorized direct U.S. humanitarian assist­ peace is threatened by the territorial aggres­ spread support for the Armenian people ance to Karabagh. Unfortunately, the final sion of Azerbaijan. among U.S. lawmakers, I felt that these ef­ version of the legislation that was signed forts lacked a certain focus and cohesion. So, into law did not allow for U.S. humanitarian Earlier in the week, on January 27, I was two years ago, I founded an organization assistance to be provided to Karabagh. most honored to be the first Member of Con­ within the Congress of the United States This was a mistake for several reasons. gress from the United States to speak before known as the Congressional Caucus on Ar­ First, the fact that the final political status the Nagomo-Karabagh Parliament. I am pro­ menian Issues. I invited my colleague, Con­ of Nagorno-Karabagh has not yet been deter­ viding my colleagues with a text of the speech gressman John Porter of the State of Illinois mined should not be an obstacle to providing in hopes that it will help educate them to the to serve with me as co-chairman. Although I humanitarian assistance. The objective of serious problems faced by the Armenian peo­ am a Democrat and Mr. Porter is a Repub­ humanitarian assistance is to save lives and is not intended to bestow political status or ple and enable Members to cast votes in the lican, we put aside our partisan differences to work for common approaches to support challenge the sovereignty of a state. What­ Mure that could ease the suffering in that the Armenian people. In just two years' ever the nature of a conflict, humanitarian troubled part of the world. time, the membership of the Caucus in­ operations must be clearly, distinguished Mr. President, Mr. Foreign Minister, Mr. creased to 54-Democrats and Republicans, from political and military efforts to achieve Chairman and ladies and gentlemen. from all regions of the vast United States of peace. Second, humanitarian assistance It is a great honor for me to address the America. Always there to support our efforts should be provided on the basis of need any­ elected legislature of the Republic of is the Armenian Assembly, whose support where in the world. And I know that there Nagorno-Karabagh. As an elected legislator has made my visit here possible. are serious needs that are not being met in myself, I see you as my colleagues and The Caucus has provided a forum to edu­ Karabagh. Third, in order to be an honest friends, fellow-Parliamentarians and fellow­ cate Congress and the public about develop­ and impartial broker, the United States democrats. Yet, to my deep regret, your ments in the Republics of Armenia and should provide humanitarian aid to all in the service to your homeland is not generally Nagorno-Karabagh, and a vehicle to advocate region who need it. Such a policy would send granted the same recognition and respect in support of the interests of the Armenian a strong message that the United States is that my status as an elected official of my people. dealing fairly with all sides. The unimpeded, country grants me around the world. This From the time of the collapse of the Soviet unencumbered flow of humanitarian assist­ situation must change. You have earned the Union, Americans have demonstrated their ance is a universal principle. I will work in right to be accorded the respect of the inter­ solidarity with the Armenian people-in the the coming year to ensure that U.S. humani­ national community as the legitimate rep­ Diaspora, as well as in the Republics of Ar­ tarian aid to Karabagh is provided on the resentatives of your land and your people. menia and Nagorno-Karabagh. America has basis of expected needs. I hope that my visit to Karabagh, and espe­ sought to provide support for the people of While on the subject of the delivery of hu­ cially my presence in your legislative cham­ the newly declared Republic of Armenia, manitarian assistance, I wanted to point out ber today, will contribute in some small way through humanitarian assistance, develop­ another major initiative of the Congres­ to a growing international recognition that ment aid, the leveraging of capital invest­ sional Caucus on Armenian Issues: passage of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabagh is a re­ ment and the facilitation of cultural and the Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act. This law ality. educational contacts. The Freedom Support states quite simply that countries which Just about one year ago today, I had the Act of 1992 contains many important provi­ block the delivery of U.S. humanitarian as­ privilege of meeting with President sions intended to engage the U.S. with the sistance to another country will themselves Kocharian and Foreign Minister Ghoukasian Republics of the former U.S.S.R. One provi­ be ineligible for receiving humanitarian as­ during their visit to Washington. While the sion of that law has made it possible for hun­ sistance. While the legislation does not sin­ President and Foreign Minister were ac­ dreds of Armenian students to visit the U.S., gle out any country, it would clearly include corded meetings with Members of Congress, I stay with families, go to schools and even the Republic of Turkey. Turkey is a recipi­ regret that they were not accorded the type come to Capitol Hill in Washington. Meeting ent of huge amounts of U.S. military and ci­ of official welcome from the U.S. Adminis­ with these bright young people, talking vilian aid. Yet this country is engaged in the tration that they deserve. Despite the lack about democracy and hopes for the future, unconscionable blockading of the Republic of of official recognition, the visit of the Presi­ has been one of the real pleasures of my job. Armenia. The Corridor Act has become a dent and Foreign Minister did a great deal to Another very serious and significant provi­ matter of law. Unfortunately, a waiver pro­ advance the cause of the Republic of sion of that landmark law, Section 907, pro- vision in the law has made enforcement less 2324 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS February 13, 1997 effective. Our task is to step up enforcement, Karagagh's status is to be negotiated. I be­ Many of my colleagues in the Senate and to keep the pressure on Turkey to do the lieve that any predetermination by the nego­ House also attended the dinner. Congressman right thing and lift the blockade. Removal of tiators jeopardizes prospects for a peaceful TOM LANTOS who moderated and offered the blockade would go a long way toward re­ and negotiated settlement. some poignant remarks about his own experi­ lieving the suffering of the people of Arme­ Furthermore, no substantial progress can nia and Karabagh, and would form the first be made in negotiations without the direct ence as a survivor of the Holocaust, was also major confidence building measure to bring participation of Nagorno-Karabagh. Clearly, presented an award along with former U.S. peace, stability and, ultimately, economic Azerbaijan's refusal to recognize Nagorno­ Senator Sam Nunn. prosperity to the Caucasus region. Karabagh as a direct party to the conflict de­ For many of us in Congress who attended My friends, in America we have an expres­ fies logic and precludes serious negotiations. the event and have been actively involved in sion that our differences amongst ourselves Currently, a cease-fire is in effect, and I hope Soviet Jewry over the years, this was a long­ must end at the water's edge. Travelling as it holds for the foreseeable future. Azer­ baijan and Karabagh have exchanged pris­ awaited and richly satisfying moment. It was both a citizen and an elected representative not expected in our lifetime to see the estab­ of the United States of America, I am con­ oners of war and accomplished other agree­ scious of a certain obligation to defend the ments. Yet this cease-fire is fragile, and does lishment of a Russian Jewish Congress in policies and positions that my country holds. not constitute the basis for a permanent so­ Moscow, nor did we ever expect to see a Rus­ Yet, as a citizen of a democracy, I believe in lution. Azerbaijan's current refusal to recog­ sian Prime Minister on our soil proclaiming the need to speak out against those policies nize Nagorno-Karabagh as the second party support for the fundamental rights of the Jew­ and positions with which I disagree. More to the dispute is neither constructive nor re­ ish inhabitants of that country. than 20 years ago, when I was studying inter­ alistic. To the extent that the positions Mr. Speaker, the Russian people and their national law and diplomacy, I learned that taken by the U.S. and the international com­ leaders are coping with the challenges and there are two major guiding principles in re­ munity are contributing to Azerbaijan's in­ transigence, we must reassess those policies even hardships inherent in forming a democ­ solving disputes: territorial integrity and racy and market economy. It is not a pretty self-determination. In the case of Karabagh, in light of the effect they might be having. I am concerned that U.S. policy, and that of The Republic of Armenia must play a spe­ picture, to be sure, by what we see in the other nations, leans too heavily on the side cial role in the peace process. I am spending daily press. We know democracy is in its in­ of territorial integrity-even though the bor­ most of this week in Yerevan in meetings fant stage and largely untested as is the econ­ ders were drawn by the dictator Stalin to di­ with government officials, and discussions omy, which is undergoing a painful trans­ vide the historically Armenian region of over Armenia's future role as guarantor of formation and still lacks full public support. Nagorno-Karabagh's security and economic Karabagh from the rest of the Armenian na­ However, Russia has made surprising strides tion, and despite the fact that the Helsinki viability, pursuant to international agree­ ments. in respecting the inalienable rights of its citi­ Final Act allots equal value to self-deter­ zens. Where once there was suppression of mination and territorial integrity. Of course, The people of Armenia and Nagorno­ the economic clout of oil interests seeking Karabagh have turned adversity and devasta­ religious beliefs, we now see churches and to curry favor with Azerbaijan is a very tion into advancement, economic progress synagogues being restored. The old state pro­ strong factor influencing policy in the re­ and the hope for a future based on long-term hibition on immigration has been replaced with gion. I am not opposed, in fact, I specifically peace. Surrounded by hostile neighbors, Ar­ relative freedom of movement both inside and support the exportation of Caspian Sea oil menia and Nagorno-Karabagh look to the United States and the international commu­ outside Russia. across Armenia-but not at the expense of The Russian Jewish Congress choose to the freedom and independence of the people nity for support in their commitment to democratic principles and a market econ­ publicly recognize Mr. Chemomyrdin's record of Karabagh. Indeed, upon my return home, in full view of United States Congressmen and it is my intention to meet with our new Sec­ omy. As the co-chair of the Congressional retary of State, the Honorable Madeleine Caucus on Armenian Issues, I am here to high ranking officials and business and organi­ Albright, to report on my findings and to learn more abut the plight of the Karabagh zational leaders and present an award to him urge greater support for the interests and people and to promote a peaceful solution to for his public commitment to preserving Jew­ the conflict. ish culture and rights in that country. needs of the people of Armenia and Nagorno­ Clearly, the people of Karabagh have Karabagh. I have met on several occasions shown their courage and determination to In presenting the special award, Mr. with the U.S. Special Negotiator for fight for their homeland-to die for it, if nec­ Goussinsky made reference to a recent event Karabagh, who recognizes that the situation essary. Nagorno-Karabagh's Army of Defense which took place at a sacred Site, which is the in Karabagh is essentially without precedent has shown the ability to control strategic burial place for the millions who perished in and will require creative diplomacy to solve. territory. Your sovereignty is not just a I intend to maintain that dialogue. People of what is in Russia called the Great Patriotic matter of future discussion or negotiation­ War. At this place a new synagogue has been good will can have principled differences, yet it is a matter of fact. In establishing an inde­ continue to work toward a common ground. built and at the commemoration ceremony, pendent homeland, you have won the war. Prime Minister Chemomyrdin laid the first America truly wants to play a helpful role in My goal and my pledge is to help you win the resolving this dispute-and I mean an honor­ peace. stone and concluded his remarks with the able resolution, not a solution dictated upon word "Shalom." Mr. Goussinsky also noted the people of Karabagh. that in today's Russia there are still different We must see to it that the people of HONORING VIKTOR opinions and attitudes and the fact that Prime Karabagh are guaranteed their security and Minister Chyemomyrdin would make such an right to self-determination. Never again CHERNOMYRDIN should the Armenian people be subjected to appearance carried historic importance. the pogroms, massacres and deportations HON. HOWARD L BERMAN Mr. Speaker, I would like to add a second historic event, which is the establishment of that occurred in Azerbaijan in 1988. It is my OF CALIFORNIA the Russian Jewish Congress in January belief that if the question of Karabagh were IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES settled on the basis of principles proposed by 1996. At the urging of Jewish leaders in the Azerbaijan, the people of Nagorno-Karabagh Thursday, February 13, 1997 United States and Israel, Mr. Vladimir would be in constant fear of genocide, depor­ Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, last week an Goussinsky assumed the leadership for its for­ tation and massacre. It seems to me that the extraordinary event took place here in the mation and is now serving as its first presi­ only way to promote long-term peace and stability is to respect the right of self-deter­ United States. The Prime Minister of the Rus­ dent. As such, it is the first attempt to unite mination for the people of Nagorno­ sian Federation, Viktor Chemomyrdin, was the the country's foremost Jewish business, pub­ Karabagh. Unfortunately, the international special guest of a dinner hosted by the Rus­ lic, religious, political, academic and cultural community almost categorically rejects all sian Jewish Congress and attended by busi­ leaders and will also give identity and purpose self-determination claims. This approach is ness and political Jewish leaders all across to the Jewish culture, which has so long been not only ineffective, but it often can prolong America. During the ceremony, Prime Minister repressed in that nation. The congress has conflicts. A blanket rejection of all self-de­ Chemomyrdin was presented an award from approximately forty branches throughout the termination claims does not take into ac­ the president of the Russian Jewish Congress, Russian Federation that contribute to their count that self-determination movements, such as the Karabagh movement, are not all Mr. Vladimir Goussinsky, in recognition of his own communities. alike and therefore ought to be treated dif­ commitment and efforts to insure religious During 1966, the congress launched the ferently. With respect to the negotiations, freedom and liberty in today's Russia, particu­ construction of a Holocaust memorial syna­ the OSCE Minsk Group's mandate makes larly the 1.5 million Jewish citizens now living gogue as part of the national World War II Me­ clear that the final status of Nagorno- in that country. morial Park in Moscow. The Congress held February 13, 1997 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 2325 the ground-breaking ceremony for the Holo­ zens. Involving outsiders in the process in a In 1940, only 28 percent of all women worked caust memorial synagogue in October of meaningful way has several advantages. First, and less than 15 percent of married women 1996, which was attended by Viktor it will help restore public confidence in the worked. By 1993, almost 60 percent of all Chemomyrdin. It was the first Jewish event in process by reducing the inherent conflicts of women worked and married women were Russian history attended by a Russian Prime interest involved when Members judge fellow slightly more likely than other women to be Minister. Members-either that they are protecting a working. The growth of women in the work I applaud Mr. Goussinsky, Rabbi Pinchas friend and colleague or are misusing the eth­ force is even more pronounced for women in Goldschmidt and other leaders in Russia for ics process to attack an opponent. Second, it their prime earning years-ages 25-54. The their efforts to create self sustaining, proud will help ensure that ethics complaints are labor force participation rate for these women and independent Jewish communities in Rus­ acted on by the House more quickly. The ad­ increased from 42 percent in 1960 to 75 per­ sia, just as they exist all over the world. dition of ordinary citizens to the process would cent in 1993. For married women in this age force action on cases that could be held up in­ bracket labor force participation increased definitely under the current system. Third, it from 35 percent in 1960 to 72 percent in 1993. ETHICS PROCESS REFORM will alleviate the enormous time burdens on Not only are more women working, they are Members who serve on the Standards Com­ staying in the work force longer. For instance, HON. LEE H. HAMILTON mittee, and will make serving on the com­ 19 percent of married women with children OF INDIANA mittee much less onerous. Various other pro­ under age 6 worked in 1960; by 1993 60 per­ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES fessions are increasingly calling on outsiders cent of these women were in the work force. Thursday, February 13, 1997 to help them police their membership; the Similarly, 39 percent of married women with House should too. children between the ages of 6 and 17 were Mr. HAMIL TON. Mr. Speaker, today I am in­ Our reform, as I mentioned, received strong in the work force in 1960 and by 1993, fully 75 troducing, along with Representative DAVID bipartisan support on the Joint Committee on percent of these women were in the work DREIER, a resolution to reform the House eth­ the Organization of Congress, and it is strong­ force. ics process by having private citizens help in­ ly supported by congressional scholars includ­ Women's median year-round, full-time cov­ vestigate charges of Member misconduct. ing Norm Ornstein of the American Enterprise ered earnings were a relatively constant 60 It has been clear for some time that the Institute, Tom Mann of the Brookings Institu­ percent of men's earnings until about 1980. process under which the House considers dis­ tion, and Dennis Thompson, director of the Since that time, women's earnings have risen ciplinary action against Members is in need of program in ethics and the professions at Har­ to roughly 70 percent of men's. This increase serious reform. Major breakdowns in the proc­ vard. will, in time, increase pension benefits for ess over the last several months may mean Mr. Speaker, it is essential that complaints women although this change will be slow be­ that the House is finally ready to make the of unethical conduct by a Member of Con­ cause benefits are based on average earnings needed changes. gress be investigated fully, impartially, and over a lifetime. The reform that Representative DREIER and promptly. We owe that to the accused Mem­ A woman's marital status at retirement is I are urging was develop during our work on ber and we also owe that to the institution of also a critical factor in determining benefits. the Joint Committee on the Organization of the House. I believe that this reform will help The Social Security Administration projects Congress, which we led during the 103d Con­ insulate the ethics process from the partisan that the proportion of women aged 65 to 69 gress. The joint committee was charged with rancor which sometimes exists in the House, who are married will remain relatively constant considering and recommending institutional and will make the process fairer and more over the next 25 years, and that the proportion changes that would make Congress more ef­ credible to the public. It is an important step who are divorced will more than double over fective and help restore public confidence in in making the House more effective and in re­ this period. There are tremendous inequities in the institution. Ethics process reform was a storing public confidence in the institution. the law with respect to the pension of a widow major focus of the joint committee, and we or divorced spouse. For instance, only about considered it at length. The proposal that the 54 percent of married private pension plan re­ joint committee recommended with broad, bi­ COMPREHENSIVE WOMEN'S cipients have selected a joint and survivor op­ partisan support is the one we are introducing PROTECTION ACT OF 1997 tion, which, in the event of their death, will today. continue to provide benefits to their spouse. Our proposal would help restore the integrity HON. BARBARAB.KENNELLY The face of women in America today has of the House ethics process by involving out­ OF CONNECTICUT changed; it's time our pension laws recognize siders in the investigation of ethics complaints IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES those changes. The bill before us today does against Members. The Speaker and the minor­ Thursday, February 13, 1997 just that. Representatives CONNIE MORELLA, ity leader would jointly appoint a pool of 20 ELIZABETH FURSE, CORRINE BROWN, JULIA independent factfinders to be called on by the Mrs. KENNELLY of Connecticut. Mr. Speak­ CARSON, SHEILA JACKSON-LEE, MARCY laffirmative action rules At a meeting with school officials, Bonnie ed Joel to stand up, displaying the full girth by failing to recruit and advance women and urged that the girl be taught Braille. "You'd of his 6-foot-4-inch frame, and he asked, "Do blind people. It found no evidence that the have thought the district would have I look like a guy who hasn't been fed well?" firm had discriminated against Peterson per­ thought of that," says Mikaelian. "No one Bonnie baked homemade bread and made sonally. challenged Bonnie. She was always in fresh pasta, trading some of it for rides and Within a year, Peterson left Industries. charge." But Peterson could not guarantee bartering the services of readers who would She earned a master's degree in organiza­ that Melissa would be taught Braille, and record printed matter for her. tional communication from Marquette Uni­ there are many others like her. versity, formed a production company and In 1965, 48 percent of Wisconsin's blind chil­ The counselor told Peterson the DVR dren could read Braille, but by 1993, the lit­ would send her to the University of Wis­ created the first cable access television show produced by an entirely blind crew. But the eracy rate had plum.meted to 4 percent, less consin-Milwaukee because it had services for than half the national average. No wonder, disabled students. "I said I was going to newest challenge would come from her own daughter. thought Peterson, that the unemployment Alverno [even] if I had to work or get school rate for legally blind individuals between the loans to pay for it, and I would major in THE "BLIND BITCH" ages of 21 and 64 in Wisconsin was 74.4 per­ communication," she says now, "but deep in­ Candice wanted her mother to read Dumbo, cent, the worst of any minority group. And side, I wondered whether he was right, that but when Bonnie held the book to her eye, nearly half of those working were under­ maybe I couldn't do it." then showed the picture to Candice, the 3- employed. "When sighted people can't get For three years, Peterson boarded a city year-old pulled the book away, saying, "No, around independently, can't read or have bus five days a week at 5:30 a.m. to go to her Daddy read." poor social skills, we know that's poor train­ 40-hour-a-week job to earn money for col­ "I still remember what I heard in her ing. When the blind can't get around inde­ lege. At night and on weekends, she was a words. It was, 'You are stupid... .' It hurt pendently, can't read or have poor social full-time student at Alverno. She spent her so bad. I didn't care what all those profes­ skills, we think that's the way blind people lunchtimes at Industries for the Blind study­ sionals who were trying to help me kept tell­ are," she says. ing on the floor of the women's restroom, her ing me," Peterson says. "I knew I had to With the rush to embrace new technology, co-workers' guide dogs helping themselves to learn Braille." like giant magnifiers and machines that can the lunch beside her. It took only two months with the help of read a printed page, there was a philo­ On the day her first daughter, Candice, was the National Federation of the Blind, which sophical shift and many teachers felt chil­ born, Peterson worked for eight and a half had already taught her to travel with a cane. dren could manage without Braille, says hours, took an exam, then went home and "It was a turning point," she says. "I learned Marsha Valance, librarian at the Wisconsin wrote a paper. "I made a deal with the baby to be proud of being blind once I had some­ Regional Library for the Blind and Handi­ that she wouldn't come until I finished," thing to be proud of." Peterson's confidence capped. "Unfortunately, that was not always says Bonnie, who made it to the hospital just was growing, and in 1986, she was elected true." in time for a nurse to deliver the baby. president of the Wisconsin NFB. Appoint­ The NFB had looked into the illiteracy of Bonnie graduated from Alverno in Decem­ ments to the state advisory Council on the blind and concluded that many teachers ber 1983. By then, she had worked at Indus­ Blindness and other boards followed, and Pe­ didn't know Braille well enough to teach it. tries in every position on the pen and pencil terson became an advocate for others. So Peterson asked state Rep. Fred Riser (D­ line, including quality control, so when the For six years, a teacher of the visually im­ Madison) to introduce a bill requiring all plant superintendent retired and his job was paired had worked with a 9-year-old Bur­ teachers of the visually impaired to pass a split into two positions, production manager lington girl whose vision was 20/400 and dete­ test proving they knew Braille. Risser ex­ and sales manager, Peterson applied. "The riorating, but the girl was falling further and pected it to be a cakewalk. State Sen. Al­ president of the company said, 'We'll call further behind. Peterson and the child's berta Darling (R-River Hills), a former you.'" mother sat on one side of the table, the spe­ teacher herself, called it "common sense." No one did. Two white non-handicapped cial-education experts on the other. When But the Braille Bill ran into a blitzkrieg. males got the jobs. One was the son of the in­ the woman said she wanted her daughter to The Wisconsin Association for the Edu­ spector who approved the workshop's govern­ learn Braille, the vision teacher shook her cation and Rehabilitation of the Blind and ment work. In its 32-year history, the $18- fist in the mother's face. "'It's almost like Visually Handicapped and the larger state million-a-year 112-employee Industries for you want your child to be blind!'" the moth­ teachers' union had myriad arguments the Blind had never employed a handicapped er remembers the teacher saying. "'Don't against it: It discriminated against teachers individual in any supervisory, managerial or you know? Blindness is like a cancer! It's the of the visually impaired because other teach­ even clerical position, Peterson discovered. worst thing that can happen to you.' " ers did not have to prove their competence; "Maybe I'm not qualified," said Peterson, The teacher's remark took Peterson's they didn't like the Library of Congress' Na­ "but certainly someone in all those years breath away. "No. No," she said, "the worst tional Braille Literacy Test; kids don't like was qualified to be a janitor, a secretary or thing that can happen to a child is for them learning Braille; and it's difficult to teach. something besides a laborer." to be uneducated." Bonnie remembered the The unions insisted the state's 825 teachers Peterson hired an attorney and filed a incident years later when Sandy Guerra of the visually impaired had already learned complaint with the federal government, but phoned with a similar case. A Racine School Braille in college. "Asking teachers of the she was becoming a pariah. Rumors cir­ District teacher of the visually impaired had visually impaired to take courses in Braille culated that because of what she'd done, worked with Guerra's 12-year-old daughter, is like asking teachers of the sighted to take blind people would lose their jobs. Peterson Melissa McCabe, since she was 3. Yet the courses in the alphabet," scoffs Charles re-read the recommendations her Alverno teacher had never taught the girl Braille. Siemers, an MPS teacher of the visually im­ professors had written, testimonials to her "She kept trying to make Melissa see. If paired who fought the bill. He calls Peterson problem-solving abilities, communication she stares a long time, five minutes on a "the blind bitch" and says she "slandered me skills and "spirited determination," but she word, Melissa can see almost anything, but and my profession by saying we're poorly was losing faith. for only a few seconds and it hurts her eyes prepared. Besides," insists Siemers, who is "I think Bonnie believed that if she filed so bad, she gets terrible migraines," Guerra legally blind himself, "if we can get people that suit, they'd wake up and give her a says. Melissa was already two and a half to use what vision they have, it's always chance at that job. We all thought she'd be years behind her fifth-grade classmates. The much, much better." February 13, 1997 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 2331 It might be easier for the teachers, Peter­ While picketers prepared signs saying the her eyes, reads Braille at 250 words per son says, but not for kids who, being func­ governor didn't care about poor blind kids, minute, but she dropped courses this year be­ tionally blind, cannot hope to compete with Peterson and the NFB cut through their sad cause she couldn't get Braille texts. their sighted peers, even working endless refrain. "What does WSVH offer that's worth State taXPayers pay Northcentral's Vis­ hours and straining what little sight they paying 10 times more per student than ually Impaired Program (VIP) to help stu­ have. school districts spend?" Peterson asked. dents like Gates. The program supplied her The Department of Public Instruction, "You could hire a private tutor for each of with audio tapes of textbooks and hired tu­ under whose watch blind literacy sank so these kids for $68,200." tors, but "I can't get a Braille text. It's like low, hired an outside firm to evaluate the The Federation didn't want the school to asking a print reader not to use print," she proposed legislation. "The bureaucrats want­ close-parents needed options, Peterson says. "I threw a fit the first year, but the ed it their way or no way, and Bonnie Peter­ said-but it had to operate more effectively. VIP says, 'It's easier to use tapes or large son wouldn't budge," says Andrew Papineau, Too many of its graduates end up unem­ print.' Maybe it's easier for them... but if I administrator of DPI's visually impaired ployed or underemployed and "socialized for had Braille texts, I wouldn't need tutors. I programs. "So I brought in a neutral per­ dependency," she said, describing WSVH could take a full class load.'' son." graduates as "fodder for government-sup­ Gates was at WSVH for 10 years, under The "so-called 'independent' consultant ported workshops.'' three different administrators. In the end, had some interesting findings," says Sen. William S. Koehler, the school's super­ she says, "There were so many rules, you Darling. They argued that children are "bet­ intendent, accused Peterson of trying to de­ had to do what you were told and not ask ter off with an aide and a computer than to stroy WSVH, complaining, "She takes direct questions. I wasn't even allowed to cross the be able to use a $5.50 slate and stylus [the shots at the school without ever being here." street alone .... The school doesn't encour­ plastic ruler-sized implement and point that Peterson admits she has not been at the age independence, that's for sure . . . they allows the user to punch out a code of raised school since Koehler took office in 1992. "I were dragging me down." dots that can be read using the fingertips]. Twenty-year-old Brian Brown attended don't need to, I have all kinds of parents and WSVH in 1991 and 1992, then returned to his "If you give people fish," says Darling, "they children who have been there. They're my have food for a day. If you give them a fish­ local school and now runs his own business. eyes and ears." Peterson relies on people like "They say they strive to make the students ing rod, they have food for life. That's the mother of a 7-year-old boy, left with 20/ Braille. But they told me kids shouldn't independent, but they don't allow you to do 2200 vision after surgery to remove a tumor, anything alone. The bathroom stalls don't learn Braille because then they'd 'look who withdrew her son because WSVH in­ blind,' " Darling remembers, "and they said even have doors on them in the education sisted he use a magnifier instead of teaching building. The house parent enters your room a lot of kids had multiple disabilities so they him Braille. without knocking ... they walk right in to couldn't learn Braille." The blind, deaf and Koehler says the school did an "extensive" verify you're in the shower.... mute Helen Keller must have been spinning telephone survey in 1993 that proves its grad­ "There are two castes at WSVH,'' he says, in her grave. uates are successful, but when Milwaukee "kids who still want to be somebody and Peterson told the Legislature: "If only 4 Magazine asked for a copy, repeatedly, from have a life and those who've given up and percent of sighted children could read print, Koehler, his assistant and even from DPI, it would rather be told what to do. I was lucky. no one would dispute the severity of the was promised but never forthcoming. "If I left before that happened to me." problem." Opponents of the Braille Bill WSVH is doing such a great job making kids Milwaukee Magazine talked to 10 WSVH stumbled and tripped on their way up to the independent, why does the state pay tens of alums. All gave anecdotes substantiating Pe­ podium to testify. Siemers had broken his thousands of dollars to send so many of its terson's claim that students are "condi­ glasses and couldn't read his speech. "Those graduates to programs to help them adjust tioned to be even more dependent." who were in favor of the bill walked to the to their blindness?" Peterson asks. Observes Peterson: "Like most of these podium perfectly with their canes, and they Milwaukee Magazine's won investigation professionals for the blind, they run a pro­ had their notes in Braille-nothing could included extensive interviews with parents gram into the ground, then move on. In stop them,'' says Darling. and students and a day-long visit to WSVH, Koehler's case, he's already applied for the Few legislators missed the little irony that which revealed some students learning position of superintendent of the New Mexico had been played out before them. The bill Braille but more struggling to read, some School for the Blind, but he didn't get it." passed, but the bill's opponents lobbied DPI with giant magnifiers. Koehler offered a BRAD DUNSE'S LIBERATION and undercut it. Only new teachers would score of excuses why kids can't or don't want have to pass the test. Existing teachers Peterson had a long history of dissatisfac­ to learn Braille or use a cane, but no ideas tion with the state's two post-high school vo­ could take a Braille refresher course or at­ on how to get students motivated and ex­ tend a teachers' convention instead. There cational training programs for the blind: the cited about learning. Visually Impaired Programs (VIP) at North­ was one victory. Now, when a legally blind He stressed that the school's goal was pro­ child is not taught Braille in Wisconsin, the central and Milwaukee Area Technical Col­ ducing independent graduates, but subtle lege (MATC). She prompted a state audit of school district must put the reason in writ­ signs gave a different message. In classroom ing. the Milwaukee program by leading picketers after classroom, students waited to be protesting its "low standards" and cur­ But Peterson had made enemies. Says helped. In the first- to third-grade classroom, Siemers, who took early retirement last riculum focused "on housekeeping and for example, three staff members supervised grooming skills" instead of on the skills year: "Bonnie Peterson and her Federation just seven students who were painting a rub­ members are like dogs who bit the hands needed to live independently, "like Braille ber fish and pressing it onto a T-shirt to and independent travel." (The state is cur­ that feed them, the professionals who try to make an impression. Yet the students spent help them." Ironically, it was that atti­ rently looking for proposals to run that pro­ most of their time waiting to be helped, gram.) tude-"How dare you question me when I'm teacher's hand over their hand, instead of here to help you"-that Peterson had set out In 1990, she had fought to get DVR to send learning to do the project themselves. a blind man named Bob Raisbeck to a pro­ to eradicate. Koehler supplied the names of two grad­ gram started by the Federation in Min­ RETURN TO THE SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND uates who, he said, would demonstrate just neapolis called Blindness Learning in New Even before the Braille Bill took effect in how well WSVH prepares its students. One Dimensions (BLIND Inc.). Newspapers there 1995, Peterson was engaged on another bat­ was Steve Hessen, the school's 1996 valedic­ described BLIND Inc.-one of only three pro­ tlefront. In the all of 1994, Wisconsin's school torian. But Hessen was hardly the model of grams of its type in the country-as the for the blind, WSVH, faced the budget cuts an independent blind person. He had just "Harvard of rehabilitation" and a "boot affecting all of state government, but the dropped out of the University of Wisconsin­ camp" where the blind learned "to believe in school's staff was painting a picture of suf­ Whitewater because he couldn't manage the themselves and to be truly independent." fering blind children. In truth, the school financial aide application process. Without Taxpayers had already sent Raisbeck to would only have to close one of its under-uti­ the money, Hessen, whose vision is 20/1500, the VIP at Northcentral three times and to lized cafeterias and put younger children in could not hire the tutor he needed nor rent MATC once, but he still had no job skills. the same half-used educational building with equipment like a talking Braille calculator. Peterson lobbied legislators. The Madison other students. He had fallen hopelessly behind. Worse yet, Capitol Times reported on Raisbeck's story, The school had come under fire before; the the scholarship he'd won required him to en­ and still DVR refused. Eventually, Raisbeck preceding June, the Legislative Audit Bu­ roll last fall or it would be canceled. Hessen moved to Minnesota and that state sent him reau pointed out that WSVH maintained a had asked a WSVH counselor to argue that it to BLIND Inc. He found a job and never re­ staff/student ratio of almost one to three­ should carry over to next year. turned. even when students were sleeping. The The school's previous valedictorian was All of this was history when Peterson re­ school was operating at less than 40 percent Shannon Gates, now a student at ceived a phone call in early 1995 from Brad capacity, with a staff of 110 to care for just Northcentral Technical College in Wausau. Dunse, who had expected to inherit his fa­ 80 students. (Enrollment is now 75.) Gates, who was born without optic nerves in ther's roofing business until rhetinitus 2332 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS February 13, 1997 pigmentosa left him legally blind. DVR these people's lives.'' Yet Brackey insists an independent life, Mann wasn't surprised, helped Dunse set up a home business, but for that "out-of-state programs [like BLIND she says. "I met one girl there who was going five years, he sat in his Green Bay home, ter­ Inc.] have to prove they work." through the program for the fifth time." rified of using the power woodworking equip­ In 1993, Peterson bet John Conway, direc­ Next, DVR sent Mann to Northcentral's ment DVR had given him. tor of DVR's Bureau of Sensory Disabilities, VIP, then to Western Wisconsin Technical Finally, in 1994, DVR sent Dunse to a pro­ $100 that BLIND Inc. provided better train­ College in La Crosse where, using large-type gram to help him "adjust" to his blindness. ing than either MATC or NTC's adjustment­ texts, she was slowed down so much, she He moved into a motel in Wausau where his to-blindness programs. Using a study of the says, she couldn't even earn Cs. When a DVR meals were prepared for him and he was Wisconsin programs prepared by the DVR's counselor told Mann about BLIND Inc., she bused to Northcentral's VIP. "It was like an own Office for the Blind and another con­ visited the school. But when she said she expo where you'd just wander around. But I ducted by the state of Minnesota, Peterson wanted to go there, DVR sent her to didn't know what I needed. I've never been showed that 86 percent of Blind Inc. 's grad­ Waukesha County Technical College instead. blind before," he says. uates said they could "do what sighted peo­ Peterson enlisted Rep. Leon Young's (D­ Dunse sat in on a Braille class, but at the ple do.'' None of the MATC's grads answered Milwaukee) office to help Mann get copies of end of two weeks, he didn't even know what the same question affirmatively and only her DVR records, and she accompanied Mann a slate and stylus were; the teacher in the three of those from Northcentral did. With­ when she filed an appeal. "Before I met computer class was too busy to answer his out that kind of confidence, Peterson argues, Bonnie Peterson," says Mann, "I was ready questions. Says Dunse: "He kidded one man blind individuals can't succeed. to give up hope.'' In November, 23-year-old about being there as much as he was.... Still, Conway says, it's more important Lisa Mann, who had never walked around her The VIP teaches you just enough to get by, that 35 percent of Northcentral's VIP grads Sherman Park block alone because she but then this guy's vision would get worse were employed; only 14 percent of those from didn't believe a blind person could do that, and he'd have to come back. There were a lot BLIND Inc. (and MATC) were. Peterson ar­ arrived at BLIND Inc. One week later, she of people like that." gues that many of those jobs are in sheltered took a bus across Wisconsin and found her Dunse didn't want to spend the rest of his workshops. In contrast, graduates of the 10- way to the state Federation's annual meet­ life as a repeat customer, dependent on the year-old BLIND Inc. are more than twice as ing-and she did it alone. state. He called the Federation, asking, likely to pursue higher education than VIP Says DVR supervisor Brackey: "Lisa "Isn't there something better?" Peterson graduates, she argues. Mann's case is an anomaly.'' Says the DVR's told him about BLIND Inc. Dunse and his Peterson fired off a searing letter when top administrator, Judy Norman Nunnery: wife, Brenda, went for a visit. He was im­ Conway refused to see her point and welched "If there was anything wrong in Lisa Mann's pressed, he says, by the confidence of the on the bet. It said, "Give your past record for case, it was that we tried too hard to help blind travel instructor whose students were honesty, I have always believed you would her." The fact that DVR eventually sent so well trained they could be left blindfolded renege . . . In the unlikely event that you Mann to BLIND, Inc. "has nothing to do (so they could not rely on any residual vi­ have acquired a conscience ... I shall give with Bonnie Peterson" says Nunnery. "She sion) five miles from the school and get back you my terms of payment. I do not accept uses the tactics of the civil rights and wom­ on their own. food stamps.... " It might have worked in en's movements. . .. She says blind people "At the VIP, they do stuff for you; at grade school, but this time, getting someone were being treated like the slaves. As an BLIND Inc., you do things for yourself," mad did not produce the desired result. Afro American, that offends me. . . . She Dunse told a supervisor, but DVR was not Conway ignored Peterson's offer to have an doesn't have credibility with this office." convinced. Peterson helped Dunse petition impartial investigator analyze the reports on BLIND ALLEY for a special hearing. Remembers Peterson: the three programs and dropped the matter. When DVR moved into new offices in No­ "The DVR supervisor said, 'I can't under­ Peterson says Northcentral's VIP doesn't vember 1995, the sign on the door to the de­ stand why anyone would want to go to a get scrutinized because "the people advising partment's Office for the Blind read "Blind school run by the blind. That's like the men­ the state on how it should allocate funds to Alley.'' It might have been "the first case of tally retarded asking the mentally retarded help the blind are the main beneficiaries of truth in labeling" on DVR's part, says Peter­ for help.'" that spending.'' Mileczarek is chairman of son. DVR chief Nunnery laughs off the sign, The tone of the meeting was "very conde­ the Governor's Conunittee for People With saying, "It was just one of those silly scending," adds Dunse. "It was me telling Disabilities. Asked whether that is a conflict things." them why I wanted to go, and they were tell­ of interest, Mileczarek says, "Geez, I hope "How out of touch do they have to be not ing me all the reasons I didn't.'' not. Everyone on the committee has some­ to know that would be offensive?" Peterson With his petition rejected, Peterson told thing to do with disabilities." asks, repeating her frequent call for a sepa­ Dunse he had only one option. Dunse kissed As for proof his program works, Mileczarek rate office overseeing all state services for his wife and two young sons goodbye, gave says, "It's not a researchable thing . . . be­ the blind. Federal law provides for as much, up his Wisconsin residency and moved to sides, Bonnie Peterson is like a John Birch­ and many states, including Minnesota and Minneapolis for five months of training. er. Real conservative . . . she believes Michigan, have them, but disrupting the sta­ When he graduated from BLIND Inc., he had there's only one way to do things and that's tus quo will be difficult. higher aspirations than a home woodworking with a real structured program.... The Pat Brown, director of Badger Association business that would never get him off of So­ Federation believes some ridiculous things­ of the Blind, the state contingent of the cial Security Disability Income. He contin­ like that you can have a totally blind mobil­ American Council for the Blind, says Peter­ ued his education and took over a vending ity instructor." son is "a role model for all people-not just machine business. Most rehabilitation programs work on a the blind-because of her convictions and The cost of BLIND Inc. is "a little more medical model, where goals are set and the diligence. She doesn't let obstacles get in her than the VIP-a few hundred dollars," says program is designed to achieve them, he way.'' But, he adds, "The Council doesn't ap­ Joe Mileczarek, who runs Northcentral's VIP says. "But people don't want to be told prove of the Federal's methods-it believes program. Tuition at BLIND Inc. runs $2,495 you're going to be proficient in this when you should work through the system.'' per month, plus $32.50 per day for housing in you leave, like it or not," says Mileczarek, But Milwaukee Mayor John Norquist an apartment where students prepare their who describes his program as "more like a praises Peterson. "Bureaucrats don't like own meals, then travel to classes on their smorgasbord." her," he says, "but she has credibility, abso­ own. For Northcentral's program, hotel, pre­ Copies of Peterson's inflammatory letter lutely, with my office.'' Says Sen. Darling: pared meals and transportation costs an­ circulated throughout the disabled commu­ "Bonnie Peterson appears to have a hard other $50 per day. DVR will spend an average nity, bringing calls from more desperate in­ edge because anger gives her energy, but it is $2,333 in tuition per student sent to dividuals. One, Lisa Mann, had been legally the same kind of energy that fueled the civil Northcentral this year, though many of blind since birth. She had spent her entire rights movement and the American Revolu­ those students will stay just one day. "A lot school life at WSVH, except for two years as tion. I wish there were more people like of people don't want to be away from their an MPS high school student. Her MPS teach­ her." families that long," says Mileczarek, noting er (an opponent of the Braille Bill later) de­ When the phone rings now in Peterson's of­ that DVR recently signed a $280,000 contract cided Mann didn't need Braille. Especially, fice at the South Side bungalow she shares to send up to 120 more clients to he says, since the attractive black girl was with her husband and daughters, Candice, Northcentral. "more interested in fashion and boys." now 16, and 9-year-old Lindsay, the answer­ Peterson says Wisconsin taxpayers aren't Mann could not meet MPS's graduation ing machine says, "This is the National Fed­ getting their money's worth. But Ole standards so she returned to WSVH and grad­ eration of the Blind of Wisconsin, where Brackey, supervisor of the Milwaukee Dis­ uated in 1992. DVR then sent her to MATC's we're changing what it means to be blind." trict DVR office insists, "You can't measure VIP program. "They told me I'd never be Already, Peterson has brought about a revo­ the effectiveness of VIP programs. There are able to travel alone," says Mann. When lutionary change, making it impossible for so many variables, so much is going on in MA TC failed to provide the skills needed for people to say "a blind person don't do that." February 13, 1997 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 2333 Over and over again, she has proved other­ Whatever costs may be incurred by a bank would say: never subordinate to race bashing, wise. when a customer uses a nonbank ATM, banks respect yourself and others even though you (Reprinted with the permission of Mil­ do manage to recover; on average, customers have differences of opinion, but hold finn to waukee Magazine, February 1997.) pay $1 .18 to their bank for the convenience of your convictions. These are the teachings of using ATM's which are not owned by the numerous African-American families. And as I bank. listened closely to the President's State of the INTRODUCTION OF BILL TO BAN I am especially concerned because, unlike Union Address as he spoke of education as a ATM SURCHARGE BY ATM OWN­ the banks that hold our accounts, the machine No. 1 priority; building strong families and ERS owner has no incentive to keep his/her fees communities; and humanitarian efforts in the reasonable because no relationship exists be­ assistance of the underpriveledged through HON. BERNARD SANDERS tween the ATM owner and the customer. As volunteerism, I stand tonight to lift up some of OF VERMONT such, the more remote the ATM machine, the my constituents who are role models and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES less incentive for reasonable fees, and the great citizens that the President talked about. Their names were never in lights nor on bill­ Thursday, February 13, 1997 more captive the bank customer. Mr. Speaker, at a time when banks are boards, but they are the unsung heroes of my Mr. SANDERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to making record profits and one-third of those community. They helped in the education of introduce the Electronic Fund Transfer Fees profits-tens of billions of dollars a year­ our children, they built strong families and en­ Act of 1997. This legislation addresses the come from fees, it is outrageous that these gaging communities. And they taught us to growing practice of automated teller machine same banks and other ATM owners are charg­ have a strong value system. Let me share [ATM] operators assessing a surcharge on ing consumers even more to access the con­ with you these outstanding African-American consumers who use their machines. Specifi­ sumers' money. We must eliminate these ad­ individuals. cally, my bill prohibits an ATM operator from ditional surcharges and help protect the con­ imposing an additional surcharge on cus­ sumer from another needless expense. tomers for accessing their bank accounts THERESA LAVERNE HARRIS through the operator's ATM. On April 1, 1996, the national communica­ ACKNOWLEDGING AFRICAN­ HON. JUANITA MlllENDER-McDONALD tion networks for ATM's-Cirrus and Plus­ AMERICAN IDSTORY MONTH OF CALIFORNIA terminated their policy which prohibited ATM IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES owners from surcharging consumers for using HON. JUANITA MillENDER-McDONALD Thursday, February 13, 1997 their machines. As a result of this policy OF CALIFORNIA Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, change, customers may now be charged twice IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the first days of the 105th Congress are clear­ for accessing funds from the customer's own Thursday, February 13, 1997 ly historic and momentous days as a new bank account if the customer uses an ATM Congress begins to address the myriad of which is not owned by the bank; the first fee Ms. MILLENDER-Mc DONALD. Mr. Speak­ problems that face our Nation. At the same is charged by the customer's bank for using a er, let me first thank our chairwoman of the time, however, I would urge all of us to take nonbank ATM and the second fee is charged CBC, Congresswoman MAXINE WATERS, the a moment to reflect on some of the major by the ATM operator. gentlewoman from California, for her leader­ events which have taken place over the past At the time of this policy change, experts ship and tenacity in moving forthwith on critical few months and perhaps more importantly on estimated that within the first 18 months, 80 issues of importance not only to African-Amer­ the millions of strengths that have made us, percent of ATM owners would impose a sur­ icans but to all Americans. And to our revered and this Nation, what we are today. charge. In actuality only 6 months after the and preeminent leader, the gentleman of Ohio, An example of one of these strengths is policy change 71 percent of ATM owners were Congressman Louis STOKES for his guidance Theresa La Verne Harris, who passed away assessing surcharges in North Carolina, 69 in advising those of us who have come re­ on November 21, 1996. Throughout her life, percent in Arizona, 60 percent in Virginia, and cently to this great House to do the people's Theresa Laverne touched all of us who had 48 percent in Maryland. While the nationwide business. My thanks to both my colleagues for the pleasure of knowing her with her humor, figure has only reached 23 percent a recent allowing us these extended moments to re­ her strength, and perhaps most importantly study of banking practices in Texas indicates flect. her dignity. that the percentage will continue to grow; Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a proud Afri­ Born in Beaumont, TX, to Annand Rodney Texas' largest 1O banks have been allowed to can-American to acknowledge this month as and Geraldine Phillips Richard, Theresa La­ surcharge since 1987 and all 1O banks now African-American History Month and to recog­ verne was the oldest of three children. She assess a surcharge for noncustomer ATM nize the vast contributions made by distin­ spent her early youth in Louisiana and Mis­ withdrawals. guished citizens of this Nation who are of Afri­ sissippi until her family moved to California in In practice, banks enjoy tremendous savings can descent. 1943. She lived in California for the rest of her by conducting consumer transactions through And as we hold our forbearers in high es­ life, attending Los Angeles public schools and ATM's because ATM transactions are less teem for their courage, perseverance, morality graduating from John H. Francis Polytechnic costly to a bank then teller transactions. An and faith, we salute them for their relentless High School with honor, in 1947. ATM withdrawal on a nonowned machine may efforts in fighting to remove the legal and polit­ It was during her college year at UCLA, cost a large bank between $.50 and $.60. By ical disabilities that were imposed upon us. where she majored in English, that she met contrast, a teller transaction with a customer While I represent California's 37th Congres­ and married her husband of 45 years, Robert costs the large bank between $.90 and $1.15. sional District with pride, my birth State is Ala­ E. Harris. Together they had three sons, Mi­ A study by the Consumer Finance Project indi­ bama, and I am reminded of the first African­ chael, Vincent, and Trevor. cates that in 1995, banks avoided 2.6 billion American from Alabama, who was elected to Following her graduation from UCLA in teller transactions because consumers used the 42d Congress and who advocated even 1953, Theresa Laverne began a long distin­ ATM's. Because the banks are actually saving then the importance of education, Benjamin guished career with the Los Angeles Unified money by using ATM's, consumer groups view Sterling Turner. Education has been a corner­ School District [LAUSD] as an educator and it as extremely unfair to charge a consumer stone in the African-American community. personnel administrator. Over the next 16 multiple fees for withdrawing his/her own My father, Rev. Shelly Millender, Sr. knew years, she excelled at her career; she raised funds through ATM's. Consumer groups such the importance of education. He and my moth­ three outstanding children; she was a loving as U.S. Public Interest Research Group [US er, Mrs. Everlina Dortch Millender, advocated and supportive wife; and she went on to earn PIRG] and the Consumer Federation of Amer­ a quality education and, gave us a value sys­ a master of arts degree in personnel adminis­ ica support this legislation. tem that is part and parcel of the true spirit of tration from Pepperdine University. Mr. Speaker, it is now typical in many parts African-American families. We recognize that During this time Theresa Laverne served of the country for a consumer to be charged a good education is the key to success and the LAUSD in a variety of administrative ca­ between $1.50 and $2.50 just to access should open the doors to opportunity. I am fur­ pacities before taking a 2-year leave of ab­ money on the consumer's own accounts. ther reminded of my father's teaching when he sence to serve as assistant superintendent for 2334 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS February 13, 1997 personnel services for the Compton Unified She moved to Compton, CA, where her love her for nurturing, leadership and strength. Her School District in 1983. She retired from of learning, thirst for knowledge and pursuit of example should inspire us all to make the LAUSD in 1989. higher education continued at Compton Com­ most out of our lives and opportunities. As both an educator and an administrator munity College. She earned her associate of within the public school system, Theresa La­ arts degree and, upon graduation, matricu­ verne worked hard to ensure that the students lated to California State University Dominguez TRIBUTE TO PRISCILLA LYON under her charge had the best education Hills. As an honor student, she earned a bach­ available to them. While she was deservedly elor's degree in public administration. In 1977, HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS proud of her personal and academic achieve­ she gained admission to the University of OF NEW YORK ments, she was more interested in using her Southern California's master's program in pub­ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES lic policy and judicial science. Until health strengths and her assets to elicit the best from Thursday, February 13, 1997 those around her. challenges forced her to postpone her gradua­ In passing, Theresa Laverne Harris is sur­ tion, she maintained a 4.0 grade point average Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Priscilla vived by her husband; Robert Emery Harris, as a personal expression of her high stand­ Lyon is a diligent worker on behalf of the First her three sons and their wives: Michael and ards and expectations for those whom she Baptist Church of Brownsville, where she or­ Anita of Fresno, Vincent and Celeste of Oak­ nurtured and set an example. ganized the first Vacation Bible School. She land, and Trevor and Kamala of Fresno; her Carolyn's ambition, strength, and motivation functioned as director of that position for 5 father Armand Rodney Richard of Los Ange­ found expression in her entrepreneurial and years. Additionally, she has taught the youth les; her brother, Dr. Rodney A. Richard of managerial talents. For 15 years, she worked Sunday School, supervised the youth choir, Pasadena; her sister, Geraldine Constance at Sears and Roebuck, during which time she and provided services to the youth mission­ Speed of Carson; her three grandchildren, was promoted from sales clerk to floor man­ aries. Ahmad, Mazisi and Jamila; a great grand­ ager for the home furnishings and interiors de­ Presently, she serves as the chairperson of daughter, Maya; two aunts, and an uncle; and partment. In 1980, she opened her own insur­ the Women's Ministry, is the director of the a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and ex­ ance agency under the auspices of Allstate In­ Feeding Ministry, serves as the director of the tended family. surance Co., where her firm became one of Shekina & Praise Dancers, and is the instruc­ She is also survived by the thousands of the top agencies in southern California. De­ tor of the Senior Missionary Circle. Priscilla people whose lives she touched and invariably spite her busy schedule, Carolyn found time to Lyon also finds time to perform liaison work improved, some of whom knew her well and serve others through her church and commu­ for the Women's Fellowship. nity service activities. Throughout her life, others who simply benefited from her efforts. Born in South Hampton County VA, she is Mr. Speaker, I worked with Theresa La­ Carolyn's leadership and organizational skills the third of six children. Her hobbies are sew­ found expression in a wide variety of organiza­ verne Harris and have had the privilege of ing, crocheting, drafting, millinery, and deco­ tions. She served as president of the Compton knowing her and her family for decades. The­ rating. Respected and adored by her fellow Rotary Club; director of evangelism and coor­ resa Laverne was a devoted wife, a wonderful church members, she was honored at the dinator of the Angel Tree Program at Tower of and nurturing mother, and a role model for all Henry House in September 1996. She is a Faith Evangelistic Church in Compton; and as of us who had the opportunity to know her. mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. a teacher at Union Rescue Mission in Los An­ It is my privilege to highlight her achievements She will be sorely missed. geles. She was a member of the Torrance/ As I said earlier, however, it is up to us to and contributions. Lomita Rotary Club; served on the advisory remember people like Theresa Laverne and to board for the California Women's Commission build on their strengths and their legacies. It is on Alcohol and Drug Dependencies/Black CHAMPIONS OF THE PRAIRIE people like her who should be our role mod­ Women's Media Project as well as the board els. of trustees of Light of the World Community HON. JOHN THUNE Church. She volunteered in the Los Angeles Probation Department Chaplain's Office. OF SOUTH DAKOTA CAROLYN ANN RICHARDSON IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CHENEY Carolyn was named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International in appreciation of her ef­ Thursday, February 13, 1997 forts and assistance in the furtherance of bet­ Mr. THUNE. Mr. Speaker, lately, football HON. JUANITA MIILENDER-McDONALD ter understanding and friendly relations among OF CALIFORNIA fans across the Nation are talking about the peoples of the world. Green Bay Packers. Today, I'd like to inform IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Carolyn was a loving and devoted mother of my colleagues about an outstanding cham­ Thursday, February 13, 1997 four children: Vernon, Giselle, Darrell, and Marcus. Through words and deeds, she in­ pionship team that hasn't received much na­ Ms. MILLENDER-Mc DONALD. Mr. Speak­ stilled in them the principals of honesty, integ­ tional attention. They are the NAIA Division II er, in these early days of the 105th Congress, rity, hard work, perseverance, and self sac­ National Football Champions-The University we face many of the same challenges of gov­ rifice. These are the values that helped to of Sioux Falls Cougars. With their victory in ernance and public policy development our make our Nation great and our people strong. the championship playoff game in December, predecessors had to address as we confront The attributes and her example are testa­ the Cougars became the first South Dakota the problems and opportunities before our ments to the enduring strength of motherhood. college team to win a national football title. great nation. As we look forward, we should Carolyn Ann Richardson Cheney is survived This group of young men had a remarkable pause to reflect on the contributions, both by her sons, Pastor Vernon Lee Ward of Haw­ season-an exclamation point to their emer­ large and small, our citizenry, collectively and thorne, CA; Darrell Delaune Cheney of gence as a football powerhouse. Many of the individually, have made to the development of Dominguez Hills, CA; Marcus Sebastian players spent the last 4 years playing to­ our great nation. Mason of Washington, DC; one daughter, gether. While each of these seasons has been In doing so, we cannot help but take notice Giselle Faune Cheney of Hawthorne, CA; significant, the Cougars 2-8 record in 1993, of Carolyn Ann Richardson Cheney, who seven grandchildren, including Shelly Fion, didn't even foreshadow the greatness just passed away on December 13, 1996. Vemisha Lashaun, Fallon Veron, Deijanae around the comer. Head Coach Bob Young Carolyn's devotion to family and community Zaire, Delaune Marcus, Jazmin Ayana, and was concerned he'd lose many of his talented service, as well as her generosity, spirituality Taelor Chanel; daughters-in-law, Debra Ann freshmen. Instead of dwelling on past dis­ and faith, served as an inspiration to all who Ward and Dionne Patric Cheney; daughter-in­ appointments, the young players and their knew her. law, Chanel Nicole Troy of Los Angeles, CA; coach pulled together and focused on a win­ Born in Dallas, TX, to Oda Lee Blair and aunts, Mattie Bernice Owens and Elizabeth ning future. They have proven that commit­ Howard Richardson, she spent her early youth Anthony and a host of extended family and ment, loyalty, and hard work can and do pay in El Paso, TX, before moving to Tulare, CA. friends. She is also survived by a loving step­ off. In the three seasons since that dis­ After graduating from Tulare Union High father, Goyal James Marlin. appointing 1993 season, the Cougars com­ School, she obtained credentials as a dental Mr. Speaker, Carolyn Ann Richardson Che­ piled and impressive 32-4 record, made three assistant and began working in Los Angeles. ney will be sorely missed by all who looked to straight playoff appearances, and won the February 13, 1997 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 2335 1996 National Championship. For the last 2 Faith, loyalty, commitment, and teamwork. RECOGNITION OF MAYOR KIERAN years, the South Dakota Sports Writers Asso­ In a day when many look to sports for heroes, O'HANLON ciation have selected the Cougar Football the 1996 University of Sioux Falls Cougar Team as the Men's College Team of the Year. football team have earned two titles: local he­ HON. CHARUS E. SCHUMER The sportscaster who coined the expression roes and national champions. They are cham­ OF NEW YORK "this is the one for the record books" had no pions of the prairie. On behalf of the city of IN T HE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES idea how fitting it would be for the 1996 Cou­ Sioux Falls and the State of South Dakota, I Thursday, February 13, 1997 gars. Nearly half of the school's individual am pleased to say congratulations, Cougars records were set by that team. We're proud of you. Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. Speaker. I rise today in Quarterback Kurtiss Riggs completed the recognition of the accomplishments of Kieran regular season without throwing an intercep­ O'Hanlon, the mayor of Limerick City, Ireland. tion. He set a national collegiate record 290 ADOPT A FARM FA~Y The mayor has been invited to Queens for the pass attempts without an interception. He also celebration of St. Patrick's Day and to com­ holds the NAIA division record for most touch­ HON. JO ANN EMERSON memorate the 800th anniversary of the signing downs in a season with 55. Yet, when he was OF MISSOURI of the Charter of Limerick City, thereby making asked about his personal records, Kurtiss said IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES it the oldest chartered city in Europe. As the founding member of the Progressive he'd give them all up for the national cham­ Thursday, February 13, 1997 Democrats in Ireland, Mayor O'Hanlon has pionship. Fortunately, he didn't have to make Mr. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to served as an inspiration to the members of his that sacrifice. pay special tribute to an organization that is party as well as to the rest of the world. Hav­ Senior wide receiver Kalen DeBoer finished working hard to bring about economic and ing only entered the formal political arena in the year with 17 touchdowns, 99 receptions, spiritual renewal in rural America. 1991 , Mr. O'Hanlon has already made an in­ and 1,372 yards, including 182 in one game. Headquartered in Sikeston, MO in my con­ delible mark on politics in Ireland. Sophomore running back David Ruter had 19 gressional district, the Adopt a Farm Family of The anniversary of Limerick should remind touchdowns and 1,726 yards rushing, includ­ America organization has been a tremendous us of the importance of maintaining the integ­ ing 315 in one game. When you have that force for good in southern Missouri and rity of our own communities. Mr. Speaker, I kind of offensive trio achieving those kind of throughout the country. The volunteers and hope all of my colleagues will join me in wish­ stats, it means you have an equally impres­ coordinators of Adopt a Farm Family are ing Mayor O'Hanlon all the luck in the future. sive offensive line doing the job up front. The sponsoring a rural restoration conference in When we look to the future we look for the Cougar defense led by Phil Porter, Larry Wil­ Sikeston next week, continuing their tradition charisma and political perseverance which is son, Chuck Morrell, Travis Dumke, and Ray of spiritual outreach and support for farm fami­ characteristic of Mr. O'Hanlon's leadership. Smith were ranked in the top 1O nationally lies. both in scoring and rushing defense. America's farmers and ranchers are the As a team, the undefeated Cougars re­ best in the world, but they face an increasingly CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 1997 corded the 19th best season scoring total in complex set of challenges. Uncertain markets, WESTINGHOUSE SCIENCE TAL­ collegiate history with 636 points. They changing environmental conditions, and new ENT FINALISTS achieved this record by averaging 45 points government policies all contribute to the chal­ per game and defeated their opponents by an lenge of operating a farm in rural America. HON. MICHAEL P. FORBES average of 30 points. These figures are even The job calls for long hours, old-fashioned val­ OF NEW YORK more impressive considering one game was ues, and a strong faith in God. Adopt a Farm IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES played in a blizzard and Coach Young's prac­ Family has stood by our Nation's farmers Thursday, February 13, 1997 tice of benching the first string players once since its inception in 1988. Today, it continues Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to the game was in hand. It wasn't unusual for to provide the kind of assistance and expertise pay tribute to Long Cai, Daniel James Durand, starters to play only half the game, giving that makes a real difference in the lives of Jonathan William Plaue, and Katheryn Joanna younger players valuable game experience. thousands of Americans. Potenza, all of Long Island, NY. Competing At next week's rural restoration conference, With such an overwhelming offense, some against the most talented young scientific from Sunday February 16 to Tuesday Feb­ may have been tempted to run up the score. minds that America has to offer, these out­ But Coach Young's success is grounded in ruary 18, Adopt a Farm Family will invite farm­ standing high school scholars from Eastern good sportsmanship and an eye toward the fu­ ers to come together as a group to discuss Long Island have all been recognized as Fi­ ture. The Cougars also marched to the record methods of improving farm life. The entire nalists in the 1997 Westinghouse Science Tal­ books without much home cooking. They had Sikeston community, many of whom are pro­ ent Search. the home field advantage for only two games viding financial and other support to the con­ With the guidance of their teachers, the love this season. ference, is participating in a concerted effort to and support of their parents and each with When the Cougars took the field for the make the event educational and rewarding. their own talent and work ethic, these four stu­ Championship game in Tennessee on Decem­ Seminars and speakers will address a broad dents have successfully conducted break­ ber 21, they faced Western Washington, a variety of topics, including farm finances, soil through scientific experiments while just in team with a school enrollment 1O times that of nutrition, marketing techniques, and family high school. Those experiments so impressed University of Sioux Falls. It was a modem-day issues. I should also note that I have the high the judges at the Westinghouse Science Tal ­ version of David and Goliath. The outcome honor of speaking at the conference, and I am ent Search that they named Long, Daniel, was the same as the Biblical tale-Sioux Falls looking forward to contributing to the special Jonathan, and Katheryn one of 40 finalists, slew Western Washington with a decisive 47- purpose of the occasion. among 1,652 entrants nationwide. to-25 victory. Mr. Speaker, Adopt a Farm Family of Amer­ Three of these students-Long Cai, Jona­ The University of Sioux Falls never was ica is one of the best examples in America of than Williams Plaue, and Katheryn Joanna ranked No. 1, but the Cougars won their a group of people determined to help, and Potenza-attend Ward Melville High School in championship on the field, not in the polls. who then make it happen. You can see it in Setauket, Long Island, where the demanding And for his leadership, Coach Bob Young was founder and current director of ministry, Mrs. and competitive WestPrep research program named the NAIA Division II Football National Mary W. Myers, in her husband and current produces Westinghouse science scholars on a Coach of the Year. President Peter, and in the many folks who yearly basis. Daniel James Durand attends I also want to pay tribute to the character of play a part in Adopt a Farm Family pro­ Shoreham-Wading River High School, just a the players and the entire coaching staff, grams-the belief in the idea that through hard few miles east of Setauket along Long Island's which was shown at the end of each game work and faith in God, good things are pos­ North Shore. when the entire team would huddle on the sible. I commend the people who are part of For his Westinghouse project in bio­ field and give thanks to God for their success. the Adopt a Farm Family of America organiza­ technology, Daniel Durand of Shoreham, Long This weekly demonstration of faith is a stark tion, and express the hope that we can help Island developed what could be a more effec­ and moving contrast to the typical bravado we them fulfill their mission of fighting to keep tive and cost-efficient method for extracting ra­ see sometimes during professional games. farm and ranch families on the land. dioactive uranium from contaminated soil. A 4- 2336 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS February 13, 1997 year varsity wrestler and the vice president of rocks a baby's cradle. For the hand that Werner Fornos, president of the Population the Physical Fitness Club at Shoreham-Wad­ soothes a baby by rocking it to and fro is also Institute, has suggested that the wider avail­ ing River, Daniel plans to study biomedical en­ the same hand that disciplines the child-both ability of family-planning services in devel­ oping nations could actually reduce abor­ gineering at Rice University. done with love. Her style of writing welcomes tions, which now number 32 million a year. Long Cai, of East Setauket, deduced that and embraces. It is this characteristic of her Further delays in family-planning funding there are mathematical relationships that de­ work that allows her to address difficult if not would result. in even more unintended preg­ scribe the effects of rotating Fresnel Zone disturbing issues we have addressed as indi­ nancies and more abortions. Anti-abortion Plates, magnifying glass lenses, on x-ray fo­ viduals, as a people, and a nation without forces will have caused the very thing they cusing, which will help scientists understand being haughty or magnanimous. say they abhor most if they continue to the effects of misaligned plates. Born in China, Gwendolyn Brooks is an American treasure. delay the release of family-planning money. 16-year-old Long mastered the English in just A treasure whose brilliance will never fade. It Population control is vital. Fast popu­ is with deep affection that I offer this tribute. lation growth underpins most of the worst the ninth-grade. He plans to study biomedical problems facing the world-pollution, ero­ engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of sion and soil depletion, loss of the rain for­ Technology. WORLD NEEDS FAMILY PLANNING ests and a growing shortage of fresh water Jonathan Plaue, of Stony Brook, collected for domestic and agricultural use. Modern, materials and services worth more than FUNDS easily available family-planning services can $125,000 to create his environmental studies make a big difference. Congress ought to re­ project. Landfilling is no longer a permissible HON. DOUG BEREUTER lease the funds needed to keep the inter­ waste disposal method on Long Island, so OF NEBRASKA national programs going. waste-to-energy incineration has become IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES more prominent. Jonathan devised an effec­ Thursday, February 13, 1997 INDEPENDENT FACT FINDERS tive method for replacing sand and gravel with Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, this Member incinerator ash in the manufacture of asphalt, NEEDED TO STRENGTHEN HOUSE highly commends to his colleagues the fol­ ETHICS PROCESS which he calls ASHphalt. Jonathan hopes to lowing editorial regarding funds for inter­ attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology, national family planning which appeared in the HON. DAVID DREIER to study chemical engineering. Omaha Wor1d Herald on February 5, 1997. Katheryn Potenza, of Setauket, examined OF CALIFORNIA the effects of parents' marriages and mothers' WORLD NEEDS FAMILY-PLANNING FUNDS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The United States government's commit­ socialization practices on the romantic rela­ Thursday, February 13, 1997 tionships of adolescents for her Westinghouse ment to population control and support for family-planning services around the world is project in psychology. Katheryn collected data Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased headed for another test in Congress. Anti­ today to join my distinguished colleague, Rep­ from 57 mother-adolescent pairs, then com­ abortion forces have slowed and reduced the resentative LEE HAMIL TON, in introducing pleted her research at the nearby State Uni­ U.S. role in the past. We hope they don't do versity of New York at Stony Brook. She so again. House Resolution 61. This resolution would for hopes to pursue studies in psychology at the A vote is approaching on whether to re­ the first time give private citizens a meaningful University of Virginia. lease $385 million to provide family-planning role in the House's ethics process. Our funda­ During the week of March 5, all of the Wes­ services to women in the world's poorest mental goals are to further enhance the open­ tinghouse finalists will visit Washington, DC, countries. The funds were allocated last year ness of the House to make this institution but tied up by anti-abortion congressmen where they will compete for $205,000 in schol­ more responsive to the public, and to bolster who demanded stronger restrictions on using citizen confidence in Congress. arships. I ask my colleagues in the U.S. the money to promote abortion. House of Representatives to extend their con­ U.S. funding for family-planning programs LEE HAMIL TON and I developed this proposal gratulations to all of the 1997 Westinghouse around the world hit a record $547 million in during our service as House co-chairmen of Science Talent Search finalists. 1995 but was slashed by 35 percent last year. the 1993 Joint Committee on the Organization Ironically, the cut demanded by anti-abor­ of Congress. Our resolution is based on the tion leaders, which denied access to modern testimony of many Members and outside ex­ TRIBUTE TO GWENDOLYN BROOKS contraceptives to seven million couples, re­ perts about the strengths and weaknesses of sulted in an estimated 1.6 million more abor­ the current ethics process. tions, the Alan Guttmacher Institute has Let me first make a comment about LEE HON. BOBBY L RUSH said. The U.S. Agency for International De­ OF ILLINOIS velopment, which handles the family-plan­ HAMIL TON'S recent announcement that this will IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ning programs, said the funding delays have be his last term in Congress. LEE's retirement "resulted in programmatic disruption, ineffi­ will be a big loss to this institution and the Thursday, February 13, 1997 ciencies" and an estimated $1 million in American people. He has been a model legis­ Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, it is with great extra administrative costs. lator for us all, and I wish him all the best in honor and reverence that I offer this tribute to President Clinton has submitted a report whatever activity he chooses to pursue when a fellow Chicagoan, Poetess Gwendolyn to Congress summarizing the negative im­ he leaves the House. In the meantime, I am pact the lack of funding is having. The re­ Brooks. port notes the unintended consequences of delighted to join with LEE once again in our Her writings have painted the picture of Afri­ more abortions and more infant and mater­ mutual interest to improve the work and rep­ can-American people. A picture that is often nal mortality Congress must act on that re­ utation of the legislative branch. filled with deep emotion, resounding character, port sometime this month, either reaffirm­ Specifically, House Resolution 61 would and gallant triumphs. The depth of her talent ing its decision to delay the money or allow­ make several important changes in the House has allowed her writings to reveal the char­ ing it to be paid out. ethics process. First, it would authorize the acter and experiences of America as a whole. Since 1973, Congress has forbidden the use Speaker and minority leader to appoint jointly The quality and importance of her poetry to of U.S. tax dollars for abortions or abortion­ 20 independent fact finders at the beginning of related services overseas. Money sent to the this Nation is evidenced by the fact that in United Nations for family planning and con­ each Congress. These private citizens could 1950 she became the first African-American to traceptive services is clearly and unequivo­ then be called upon to conduct ethics inves­ win the Pulitzer Prize for poetry. As further cally segregated from any abortion-related tigations for the Standards of Official Conduct evidence of her contribution to American let­ expenditures. Committee. The definition of private citizens ters she has been awarded two Guggenheim But anti-abortion forces have demanded includes, among others, former Members, staff Fellowships, has served as a poetry consult­ that Clinton return to what is known as the aides, and officers of Congress, but not lobby­ ant to the Library of Congress, and currently Mexico City policy of the Reagan and Bush ists. administrations. That policy barred funding serves as State of Illinois poet laureate. for any organization that performs or pro­ Second House Resolution 61 grants discre­ My words of praise cannot convey the depth motes abortion as a means of family plan­ tionary authority to the Ethics Committee to of my gratitude for her contribution to her com­ ning, even though U.S. money would not be decide, on a case-by-case basis, when to re­ munity and her Nation. The writings of Gwen­ used for those activities. Clinton canceled quest that private citizens be used to conduct dolyn Brooks have the quality of a hand that the policy when he took office. investigations involving allegations of ethical February 13, 1997 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 2337 misconduct. Our resolution provides that an vate citizens to assist in ethics investigations to bring palliative medicine into the curriculum even number of fact finders-four or six-shall on a case-by-case basis. Adoption of our res­ of a medical school-the University of Cali­ be appointed jointly from the standby pool by olution will further demonstrate that the House fornia, San Diego, School of Medicine. the chairman and ranking minority member of and its Members care deeply about improving San Diego Hospice continues to develop the Standards Committee. Daily pay, travel, and strengthening their ethical processes and cutting edge programs that serve as an exam­ and per diem costs are provided the fact find­ responsibilities. ple to other hospices. These include the Acute ers when they are engaged in ethics investiga­ Care Center, the Center for Palliative Studies, tive work. Staff aides of the Standards Com­ and exceptional programs in pediatrics and mittee are authorized to assist the fact finders FOR THE RELIEF OF FRANK bereavement support. in carrying out their responsibilities. NOTREM Mr. Speaker, each and every day the San Third, the job of the fact finders is to con­ Diego Hospice brightens the lives of terminally duct a preliminary review of the ethical com­ HON. JOSEPH P. KENNEDY II ill patients and their loved ones. San Diego plaint. They are to make the detailed inquiries, OF MASSACHUSETTS has been blessed by the care provided by the accumulate relevant background materials, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES San Diego Hospice, and I am sure that it will gather pertinent evidence, and so on-all ac­ continue to serve as an excellent model of Thursday, February 13, 1997 tivities that usually consume enormous people helping people and working together amounts of time. A benefit that inheres in the Mr. KENNEDY of Massachusetts. Mr. for the betterment of their shared community. Hamilton-Dreier approach to ethics reform is Speaker, I rise today to ask the assistance of that it will alleviate time burdens on members all my colleagues in aiding a constituent in my who will not have to do this pick and shovel district, Mr. Frank Notrem. SALUTING BEVERLY BRITTON investigative work. Another benefit is to in­ Mr. Notrem is now 82 years old. Before FRASER crease public confidence that allegations of World War II he was in the National Guard; ethical misconduct are being fully and inde­ when the war broke out he went to Europe to HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS pendently explored. fight. In all, he served in the Army for 40 OF NEW YORK Fourth, after the preliminary review of the years. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ethics complaint has been completed, the pri­ In civilian life he has dedicated his life to his vate citizens would report their finds and rec­ community, serving as a member of the Chel­ Thursday, February 13, 1997 ommendations to the full Ethics Committee. If sea Fire Department for 32 years. Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great the fact finders determine that their findings Seventeen years ago, Mr. Notrem was in­ pleasure that I rise today to recognize the justify further formal action by the Ethics Com­ jured on the job, breaking both his legs. He many years of invaluable community service mittee, they may, by majority vote, transmit a was forced to retire due to those injuries. of Beverly Britton Fraser, Esq. Ms. Britton Fra­ statement of alleged violations to the ethics At that time, Mr. Notrem's wife, concerned ser, an attorney, has committed her life to win­ panel. about the hospital bills that would soon come ning justice for the poor. Despite numerous Finally, in the event that a statement of al­ due, hid 1O of Mr. Notrem's veteran's checks, opportunities offered by corporate law firms leged violations is sent to the Ethics Com­ totaling $8,242.20. She hid them so well that and government agencies, Ms. Britton Fraser, mittee, that panel will then act as an adjudica­ she forgot where they were. It was only re­ a University of Buffalo School of Law grad­ tory subcommittee as provided in the Commit­ cently that they were discovered after Mrs. uate, has zealously worked as a trial attorney tee's rules. The full Ethics Committee will then Notrem passed away and her children were for the Legal Aid Society. conduct its own review of the information cleaning up the house. This native Brooklynite was also a "Partner transmitted to it by the fact finders, including, Though the money is owed, the checks are in Education." As such, she visited inner-city if required, the convening of public hearings. no longer valid. Nonetheless, I believe this Na­ schools and talked with students of all ages In our judgment, House Resolution 61 pro­ tion owes Mr. Notrem a debt of gratitude for about her profession, substance abuse avoid­ vides an innovative and flexible approach to his service. Therefore, I have introduced legis­ ance, and attaining personal goals through revamping the House's ethics process. On lation requiring the Treasury Department to education. As a person who has always been those high profile and complex cases, the Eth­ pay Mr. Notrem the $8,242.20 he is owed. influenced by an intense desire to give back to ics Committee can tum to a pool of private Please join me in meeting our obligations to her community, Ms. Britton Fraser has whole­ citizens to conduct the investigations. For eth­ Mr. Notrem. heartedly pursued her goals. ics complaints that appear minor, the com­ In 1992, in the course of her career as a mittee can continue to appoint its own sub­ lawyer, Ms. Britton Fraser met and married committee to conduct the preliminary inquiry. SAN DIEGO HOSPICE: 20 YEARS OF Errol Fraser, a certified public accountant. The Everyone who serves in Congress under­ EXEMPLARY SERVICE couple currently resides in Brooklyn where she stands that public trust in the legislative is a court attorney for Judge Bernard Fuchs of branch is not especially high. To be sure, HON. BOB f1LNER the New York City Civil Court. She continues many factors have contributed to this develop­ OF CALIFORNIA to pursue that the belief that "justice is being ment, such as heightened cynicism in the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES served for all," but particularly for those who body politic, but public misgivings about how are poor and downtrodden in our community. Thursday, February 13, 1997 Congress handles ethical charges against its For these reasons, it gives me great pleas­ own Members also contribute to the lack of Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I ure to Salute Ms. Beverly Britton Fraser, a citizen confidence. This institution must devote rise today to pay tribute to San Diego Hos­ community hero. I ask my colleagues to join more time and attention to congressional eth­ pice. In 1977, local citizens, clergy members, me in saluting Ms. Britton Fraser. ics, which is why I strongly endorse the recent and medical professionals, motivated by a establishment of a bipartisan House ethics shared concern for the plight of terminally ill task force to revise and improve our ethics patients, joined together to create the San LET THE CHILDREN PRAY process. This initiative by our Republican and Diego Hospice. Democratic leaders deserves everyone's sup­ As one of the first hospice programs in the HON. CUFF STEARNS port and encouragement. country, San Diego Hospice set the standard OF FLORIDA Members and citizens alike have a large by which we provide care for the terminally ill IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES stake in an improved ethics process. The and their families. Now caring for more than strength of representative government rests 1,600 people a year, San Diego Hospice is Thursday, February 13, 1997 fundamentally on public confidence in the in­ not only an integral part of our regional health Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, prayer in tegrity of our proceedings. In our view, there care system, it is an innovator, constantly schools has moved to the front burner in is an inherent conflict-of-interest when only working to better its outreach and care. American politics, and for good reason. Today, members are involved in evaluating ethics San Diego Hospice has effectively em­ in many communities across the country, chil­ complaints against their peers. House Resolu­ ployed San Diego's large medical community dren are forbidden to pray in schools. Not just tion 61 will address this issue by allowing pri- to foster education, and it was the first hospice forbidden to participate in organized prayer, 2338 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS February 13, 1997 which most constitutional scholars believe had American children and some had har­ their own personal experiences dealing with would violate the U.S. Constitution, but forbid­ bored American citizens during Iraq's occupa­ racial preferences. I would like to recognize den to pray voluntarily, which is well within tion. them for their courage in speaking out on such every child's constitutional rights. The families initially were given temporary a divisive issue. For this reason, I have introduced a resolu­ protected status, and before President Bush REMARKS BY JANICE CAMARENA tion in the House of Representatives that left office he approved deferred enforced de­ Good evening ladies and gentlemen. My would amend the Constitution to make it per­ parture [OED] for the families. This status was name is Janice Camarena, and I am glad to fectly clear that voluntary school prayer is a continued each year thereafter by President be here to honor Ward Connerly. fundamental right that all school children Clinton. However, on December 31, 1996, the The first time I called Ward's office, I enjoy. The amendment, which is just 33 White House did not continue the OED status. wanted to find out how I could get involved words, simply states: Once in the United States, these families in proposition 209, and I was very nervous. Nothing in this Constitution shall prohibit began making a life, including having addi­ Here I was, talking to a man who was not the inclusion of voluntary prayer in any pub­ tional children. The majority of the families only a University of California regent, but lic school program or activity. Neither the also the chairman of an initiative that would have received permanent residency status. have a great effect on the future of my chil­ United States nor any State shall prescribe However, approximately 47 families have not the content of any such prayer. dren. Later, after I met Ward for the first received permanent residency status and have time, I just had to hug him-he probably It is a sad commentary on the state of now suddenly found themselves faced with thought I was crazy, but that was okay with American jurisprudence that such an amend­ deportation. Kuwait will not accept them back me*** ment is necessary. it should be obvious to all into the country. Most of the parents hold Jor­ Over the last year and a half, Ward has that the Government has no business, and no danian passports, but are not necessarily Jor­ gone from being someone I was nervous right, to prohibit voluntary prayer by anyone. danian citizens. Even if Jordan could accept about talking with, to being a great speaker Nevertheless, liberal activists have succeeded whom I respect, to being my mentor, my them, Jordan is already burdened with tens of friend and a hero. in propagating the idea that any school prayer thousands of Palestinians who left Kuwait dur­ I met Ward at a very difficult time in my violates the separation of church and state. ing the War. In addition, in Jordan the families life. I was in the middle of a lawsuit I had Nothing could be further from the truth. If will have no economic assistance, no jobs in filed against the State of California, chal­ anything, my amendment would restore a an economy that is already burdened with un­ lenging the racially segregated programs in proper understanding of the church-state sep­ employed people, and no health care for their our community college system. I had been aration issue. School children would be per­ children. This will all work to create severe kicked out of an English 101 class after meet­ mitted to pray voluntarily, but no Government hardship on the children who are American ing every requirement except one-my skin entity could determine the content of such was the wrong color. citizens and essentially will sentence them to On the first day of class, the teacher told prayer-which is as it should be. a life of impoverishment. me and one other white female student that There are those in America who would like These families are principally composed of there was a problem, that there were a cou­ to see not only prayer, but all other religious professionals and technical people who are ple of students who did not belong, that the expression banished from public life alto­ dependent upon no one for their support in the class was for African-American students, and gether. They will not succeed. Our Nation was United States except by their own labor. They that we would have to leave. I later learned founded on Judeo-Christian principles and val­ have maintained an excellent record of citi­ that this class was part of something called ues that have just as much right to expression zens training. They are a definite asset to this the "Black Bridge Program" designed for in the public arena as the culture relativism so black students only. country. What happened at school affected not only fashionable today. Mr. Speaker, going through with the depor­ me, but my two daughters as well. My first It is amazing that in a time when civility tation would be an act of great injustice for a daughter was born when I was sixteen and seems to be breaking down all around us that small group of people who did not ask to be her father is white. The following year, I school prayer could be regarded as a threat. evacuated here in the first place. But now that married a Mexican man; he died two weeks On the contrary, it is the removal of moral in­ they are here, fairness would require that they after my second daughter was born. From fluences from public life that has contributed to be permitted to adjust their status so that they the beginning, I taught my daughters that our Nation's social ills. By introducing a con­ may continue to raise their American citizen most people are basically good, that most stitutional amendment to ensure the rights of people will judge them by who they are as in­ children in this society. dividuals, and not by their color. school children to voluntary pray in school, I Mr. Speaker, I call upon my colleagues to But when I walked into that federally­ hope I have made a small contribution toward join me in cosponsoring this legislation to funded English class and was ordered to walk a restoration of the legitimate place of religion allow this small group to adjust their status to out of it, I realized that I had misled my in society. permanent residents [immigrants]. Many of the children. I realized that my daughters would families placed themselves at grave risk by not be treated equally-not by their govern­ harboring American citizens during Iraq's oc­ ment, their public education system, their BILL TO PROVIDE FOR PERMA­ cupation of Kuwait-keeping them safe until teachers or their counselors. And I wondered NENT RESIDENT STATUS FOR what kind of future this country held for my they could leave or until American intervention multi-racial children. CERTAIN PERSIAN GULF EVAC­ could drive the Iraqi's out. UEES My daughters had asked me if discrimina­ Deporting these few [47] families with Amer­ tion is wrong, and I had always said yes, it ican-born children is not the way for a grateful is always wrong. After I was kicked out of HON. NICK J. RAHAU II Nation to show its thanks. Enacting this bill, class because of my color, my daughters had OF WEST VIRGINIA granting them permanent immigrant status, is. new questions-if discrimination is wrong, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES they asked, how come your school doesn't know that? If discrimination is wrong, they Thursday, February 13, 1997 CALIFORNIA CIVIL RIGHTS asked, how come our government doesn't Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to in­ INITIATIVE know that? I told my daughters that I did not have the answers, but that I would find troduce a bill to provide for the permanent out. resident status for certain Persian Gulf War HON. NEWf GINGRICH The following semester, I enrolled in a Evacuees. OF GEORGIA non-segregated English class and decided to During the Persian Gulf War, the United IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES write my research paper on segregated pro­ States decided to evacuate some 200 families, grams. I found that we had two different seg­ approximately 2,000 individuals, the majority Thursday, February 13, 1997 regated programs in our community col­ of whom are stateless Palestinians, who had Mr. GINGRICH. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased leges-the "Black Bridge Program" I men­ been living in Kuwait. The United States Gov­ to submit into the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD the tioned before, and the "Puente Program" for Mexican-Americans. These programs were ernment evacuated these families to the remarks of five citizens given last night in a closed to everyone except black or Mexican­ United States after Iraq's invasion of Kuwait tribute to Ward Connerty, the chairman of the American students. I thought: About nine but before the United States military interven­ recent campaign for the California Civil Rights years from now, both of my daughters could tion in that conflict, because the families all Initiative. These five people shared with us be going to this same school, but one will be February 13, 1997 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 2339 eligible for a special program and one will of "no genuine controversy." Meanwhile, the The battle we fought was Randy's and my not-and only because my daughters have UT Law School replaced its affirmatively battle for yet another reason. Men, being different colors. racist admissions process with one that has men, bear the injuries and insults of the I filed my lawsuit, and later I came to no objective standards whatsoever. So af­ business world stoically. Women are not so meet Ward Connerly and work on the CCRI firmative racism can still proceed under the similarly inclined. We women have seen the campaign. On November 6, 1996 I got to tell cloak of vagueness. pain suffered when our sons and husbands are my children what I had been longing to tell Our exposure-without-victory experience judged not by who they are and what they them for two and one-half years. I got to tell demonstrates why initiatives like propo­ can do, but instead by their race-and we them that big people make mistakes, and sition 209-the California civil rights initia­ don't like it one bit. that race-based policies were a really bad tive-are so important to this nation's fu­ If anyone is angry, it is we mothers and mistake on our government's part * * * but ture. While all of us stand upon the shoul­ wives. As Ward Connerly has explained, the because as Americans we had stood and ders of the giants who dismantled America's so-called political equation of people-of­ fought together, I told them, now their gov­ original racism, and are proud to do so, not color-plus-white-women, versus white-men, ernment, their public education system, a few invoke the legacy of Rosa Parks and just doesn't add up. their teachers and counselors had to treat Martin King to justify a perfidious agenda of In my heart I believe that the greater sis­ them as they were created,* * *equally. deliberate race discrimination. Ward terhood of women of all colors rejects and re­ I owe a big part of that to Ward. If it were Connerly stands with the giants, and against pudiates racism, whatever its course, on be­ not for his courage and love for the human the corrupt-and we should all stand with half of husbands, sons, and daughters as well. race as a whole, I would not have been able him against the corrupt, until even the Uni­ As a mother, I am grateful to Ward Connerly to tell my children that. versity of Texas is colorblind. for another reason. I paraphrase Mr. In the very short time I have known him, Connerly in saying that we will not pass ra­ I have learned many things from Ward REMARKS BY VALERY PECH cial guilt along like a baton, from our gen­ Connerly. I have learned the meaning of dig­ Good evening, I am glad to be with you. eration to the next. We will not do so be­ nity and integrity. I have learned the value In August 1989, the small family business cause we have the example of how Ward of freedom and equality. And I have learned that my husband Randy and I started lost Connerly conducted the CCRI campaign, and never to take life, liberty and justice for yet another Federal highway subcontract on its success with the youth of California. Re­ granted. Most importantly, I have learned which we had submitted the lowest bid. We member, in a mock ballot held before last about the kind of person I would like to be didn't like it, and we fought the decision. Six November's election, California's high school someday. year later, in June 1995, the Supreme Court students voted 60-40 in favor of CCRI. What To a man who has chosen to take up the ruled against the quota-based decision-mak­ a wonderful message of hope for this great fight and bear the burden for the sake of our ing used against us. country. children, for the sake of my children, I say: We celebrated our victory in Adarand vs. Mr. Connerly, you fostered that message of You have touched our lives and our hearts in Pena, not least by recalling that above the hope. Randy and I salute you, and we thank entrance to the Air Force Academy near our a tremendous way. And you will always, al­ you on behalf of our children, Kendra and ways be a hero to me. home in Colorado Springs appear the words, "Bring me men to match my mountains." Ted. God bless you. Always blessed, America has been blessed REMARKS BY DAVID RoGERS most of all because it has always had men to REMARKS BY STANLEY DEA Ward Connerly often speaks with reverence match her mountains-men like William Mr. Connerly, ladies and gentlemen, good about early civil rights heroes, including Pendley at Mountain States Legal Founda­ evening. Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr., and tion, who argued our case, and men like My grandfather came to Chinatown, San it is right that he does so. Indeed, it is Mr. Ward Connerly, who matches every peak of Francisco, from southern China in the 1890's. Connerly's frequent invocation of Rosa the majestic Rockies. Later he moved to Arizona, where he was fol­ Parks that most captures my imagination, Randy and I are so thankful for what Ward lowed by my father in 1914 and my mother in because she has long been a particular hero Connerly has done-not just because he had 1939. Those early Chinese immigrants all en­ of mine. the courage to take the discrimination issue countered discrimination and bad treatment. Like Mrs. Parks, my friend Cheryl Hop­ to the people of California, but because of However, my forebears believed that Amer­ wood, I and others were forced to sit in the the manner in which he did it. I don't know ica's bright hope for opportunity and free­ back of the bus, and forced to sit there by de­ what is the most impressive: The success at dom far outweighed any setbacks and they liberate, malicious and unconstitutional the ballot box, the victory over the politics had no thought of expecting-much less rely­ state action. The bus in question was the ad­ of hatred and division, or Ward Connerly's ing on-racial preferences or quotas to make missions process at the University of Texas mastery of the language in explaining it all. their way. Despite ill treatment, in two gen­ at Austin Law School, and it was on this bus I don't know, so you take your pick. I will erations my family caught up with everyone that I-not unlike many others here and all say only that the Bible teaches that if we else, due to hard work, sacrifice and perse­ around the country-became a victim of af­ speak without love we are only "a clanging verance. firmative action in the virulent form of rac­ cymbal." Ward Connerly's words were al­ My family did not believe that equal op­ ism. ways of love, even in an often hateful, vi­ portunity means equal results. I grew up in In her struggle to integrate the buses of cious campaign. a Chinese home, went through university, re­ Montgomery, Mrs. Parks had the help of the Randy and I know what it is like to con­ ceived a Ph.D. in engineering, and became a National Association for the Advancement of duct such a campaign. During our long fight, professional engineer. In 1977 I accepted an Colored People. To its eternal discredit, the the most insulting thing was the portrayal executive position with the Washington Sub­ NAACP did not see fit to help me. Fortu­ of Randy as a "angry white man"-and not urban Sanitary Commission, or WSSC, a nately I had another, equally tenacious ally. just because Randy is the most gracious, public water and wastewater utility in the His name is Steve Smith, and he is the deter­ even-tempered and genuinely nice guy I ever Maryland suburbs. From 1977 to 1990, I was mined, idealistic and extraordinarily com­ met, although that's why I married him! The director of WSSC's bureau of planning and petent young lawyer who took the place of "angry white male" slogan was insulting be­ design, where I supervised approximately 250 the NAACP for me and my co-plaintiffs. cause this battle was not Randy's alone. It employees. I saw WSSC's personnel and con­ Steve uncovered the secret machinations at never was and isn't now. It is our battle, all tracting policies escalate into preferences the University of Texas that constituted of us. and quotas. I took an uncompromising stand what I have come to call affirmative racism. When we started our company in 1976, we for the principles of merit and equal oppor­ Unlike the old segregationism, affirmative had more women than men owners, all fam­ tunity for all. racism-the selective inclusion or exclusion ily except one close friend. We were told In 1989, my department offered a pro­ of people on the basis of assigned race or eth­ many times that we should be certified as a motion to a white female, the highest rank­ nic group membership-operates behind a "WBE", a women-business-enterprise, and so ing candidate. She declined, and my superi­ veil of secrecy, halftruths and even lies. In qualify for our piece of the quota pie. We re­ ors denied my request to re-advertise the po­ the law school admissions case, we plaintiffs fused to do that because we believe quotas sition, to broaden the pool of candidates. were able to expose the race preferences of are wrong. When I then offered the position to the sec­ the Texas system, although we were not able We didn't and don't want to be judged by ond-highest ranked candidate, a white male, to achieve appropriate monetary redress-or the sex or race of the owners or operators of I was suspended without pay for five days for admission to the UT Law School according our company. We did and do want to be alleged "gross insubordination" in not hiring to individual qualifications based on merit judged on the basis of the quality and timeli­ a minority and not supporting the so-called rather than accidents of birth. Sadly, fol­ ness of our work, and the reasonableness of affirmative action plan. After a hearing, the lowing a ruling in our favor in the fifth cir­ its cost. A good highway guardrail is a good charge was reduced to mere "insubordina­ cuit, the university's appeal to the U.S. Su­ highway guardrail, regardless of the race or tion," but WSSC did not change any of its preme Court resulted in a vague statement sex of its builder-that's what we believe. discriminatory policies. 2340 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS February 13, 1997 In 1990, I attempted to fill another opening, I'll never forget the day that Matthew had Every day, parents, grandparents, and con­ determining that the three most-qualified to leave. He took the world we had come to cerned citizens take the time and responsibility candidates were white males. Because I love with him that day, except for one treas­ to place young children in child safety seats. failed to recommend a minority or female, I ured memory: His soft little handprint, was demoted. WSSC took away my office, which had graced his window so many times Unfortunately, the National Highway Traffic secretary, company car and all supervisory when he'd look out at his world from our Safety Administration [NHTSA] estimates that responsibilities. I was moved to a specially home, the world he had come to know. That nearly two-thirds of all child safety restraints created staff position, banished to the equiv­ little handprint was all I had to hold on to, are misused. alent of corporate Siberia, solely because I and I wouldn't let anyone wash it away. Because of this alarmingly high rate of mis­ refused to discriminate by using race and sex Our family tried to return to our old life, use and the benefits that can be seen by the as the primary selection criteria. but it wasn't the same without Matthew. proper use of child safety seats, NHTSA com­ In 1993, I filed a civil rights suit against After two and one-half months of grieving missioned a blue ribbon panel in 1995 to WSSC, represented pro bono by the Institute and wondering what he must be going for Justice and a private attorney, Douglas through, our phone rang. It was the depart­ study this issue and make recommendations Herbert. I will always be profoundly grateful ment, calling to say that Matthew's and Jo­ on ways to solve the problem of misuse. Im­ to Chip Mellor, the institute's president, to seph's adoptive placement had broken up. pressively, safety experts, Government agen­ Clint Bolick, its litigation director, and to The family didn't want Matthew and Joseph cies, safety seat manufacturers, and several Douglas Herbert for the magnificent job done anymore, so the department put them back auto manufacturers sat down together with a in representing my case, not only in Federal in foster care-but not with us! common interest and concern, and explored court, but also in the court of public opinion. We asked once more, "Please! Let us The lawsuit alleges that WSSC's retaliation options for communicating the issues of com­ adopt! Let us have Joseph, too!" We were patibility and proper and secure installation of against me violated the Civil Rights Act of told: " No, it would be in the best interest of child restraint systems. 1964 and infringed upon my first amendment the children to have a same-race home." If a free speech rights. It seeks an end to WSSC's same-race home weren't found, they said, Representing thousands of conscientious quota system as well as reinstatement and they'd put Matthew and Joseph in a group and responsible parents who place their chil­ damages. The suit is believed to be the first home. dren in safety seats every day, unaware of the challenge to Government actions that punish My pain was greater than any I had ever risks and dangers that their children may face, opposition to quotas. The case was tried in experienced in my life. I prayed and asked I took great interest in this issue. I have September 1995; sixteen months later, aver­ God to please make it stop. God answered, dict is still pending. worked closely with Congresswoman MORELLA Tonight we gather to honor an individual and led us to the Institute for Justice, which for the past 2 years to raise awareness of the who has worked tirelessly to dismantle the helped us stand up to the Department and issue, encourage and support the auto manu­ made them consider us as an adoptive fam­ machinery spawned by the false premise that facturers' voluntary efforts, and participate in we should use discrimination to cure dis­ ily. The department said they had to quote­ review-unquote for application, but hopes education drives. In fact, I have attended two crimination-a man who knows that spoils child safety seat check events in my district systems based on race and sex imply that grew really dim when we saw the boys on TV those favored are inferior and thus stig­ and in a newspaper ad stating "Brothers and the turnout by the public was most en­ matize competent people as incompetent. need a loving home." The department adver­ couraging and impressive. I also attended the Ward Connerly knows that affirmative ac­ tised even though they knew we could give signing ceremony of a partnership between tion doesn't work, that it is morally wrong, Matthew and Joseph a loving home. General Motors and the National Safe Kids and that it must be abolished. He stands on The the foster family fell apart. The de­ partment needed a place to put the boys, and Campaign last year which created a major, the ledge of allegiance to "liberty and jus­ national grass roots campaign to educate par­ tice for all," and on the principle of the Dec­ they called us . . . but they said they would place Matthew and Joseph only as a foster ents about child passenger safety issues. laration of Independence, that "all men are General Motors, and now Chrysler, have vol­ created equal." Because of his vision, heroic placement, not an adoptive one. We were courage and leadership on proposition 209, he happy to have the boys, but we knew that de­ untarily committed millions of dollars and con­ has endured and persevered against vicious partment was looking again for a same-race siderable manpower to this cause and are to ad hominem attacks. I am inspired and great­ family. We held on to each day with the be commended for their efforts. ly honored to offer tribute to Ward Connerly boys, fearing each would be the last. It was However, Mr. Speaker, resources are tonight. such a harsh punishment for simply wanting scarce and all of the concerned child safety to be a family. organizations and consumer groups are REMARKS BY LOU ANN MULLEN In April 1995, the Institute for Justice filed suit. Only then-finally-did the department stretched for dollars to sponsor safety seat Good evening. I want to share the story of check events. Therefore, this legislation would our family because it shows how wrong it is agree to let us adopt. when the government uses race to classify I thank God every night for giving me the provide $7 .5 million in fiscal years 1998 and individuals. honor to be Matthew's and Joseph's mother, 1999 to the Secretary of Transportation for the My family is a so-called multi-racial fam­ and for the people at the Institute for Jus­ purpose of awarding education and training ily. We are often described that way, but I tice. They gave a voice to our boys so that program grants to agencies and associated or­ don't think of us that way. To me, we are other children might one day look through ganizations on the local, State, and national their windows with a smile, secure that they just my family. It's government that high­ level. lights racial differences to keep families like have a family and love in all the colors of the world. Mr. Speaker, NHTSA is to be commended mine apart. That is wrong. for their leadership on this issue. We must In 1992 we are blessed with our little boy I am honored to be here tonight, and I am Matthew. When he was nine days old, the De­ proud to honor a man who sees beyond color support their efforts as they continue to de­ partment of Protective and Regulatory Serv­ and who fights so that all of us can be heard velop guidelines under which there would be a ices put him in our foster care, and each day as individuals. God bless you, Ward single, uniform attachment system. In the we grew to love him more. Connerly. meantime, we must commit the necessary Matthew was, as they say, something else. funding to ensure that we inform and educate He would look out the window and smile so the public on how to best protect their chil­ big at his beautiful world, as if it were there THE CIIlLD PASSENGER SAFETY dren. for him alone to view. He made all our lives ACT OF 1997 matter a little more than they had before. The number of children who die each year We told the social worker from the depart­ in motor vehicle crashes is truly devastating. ment that we wanted Matthew in our lives HON. STENY H. HOYER However, this number is made all the more forever, but she quickly said: " No, don't even OF MARYLAND egregious because so many young children think about it. He is black and he will go to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES die as a result of unknown misuse of these a black home." The words still echo in my devices. mind. Thursday, February 13, 1997 Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues For the two years we had Matthew, the so­ Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great cial worker and the department searched for to cosponsor this very important legislation in a black home. At that time, Matthew's pleasure to rise today to introduce the Child the days and weeks ahead. And, as Child brother, Joseph, was in another foster home, Passenger Safety Act of 1997 with my col­ Passenger safety awareness week, and all of In 1994 the state finally found a black home league from Maryland, Mrs. MORELLA. This the attention it has received, winds down, we for both boys, a family that seemed to come legislation, put simply, seeks to save the lives must not relinquish our zeal to ensure that all from nowhere. of thousands of children across the country. parents, grandparents, and concerned adults February 13, 1997 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 2341 receive any and all of the information and edu­ IN RECOGNITION OF THE CENTER MAKING CHANGES TO THE COAST­ cational tools necessary to protect our Na­ FOR AIDS AL BARRIER RESOURCES ACT tion's children. Thank you. HON. KEN BENTSEN HON. MARSHALL "MARK" SANFORD OF TEXAS OF SOUTH CAROLINA INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Thursday, February 13, 1997 HON. RICK LAZIO Thund~.~~uary1~1007 Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to con­ Mr. SA~FORD . Mr. Speaker, I strongly sup­ OF NEW YORK gratulate the Center for AIDS upon the dedica­ port the intent of the Coastal Barrier Re­ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tion of its new location in Houston on Friday, sources Act [CBRA] to remove Federal incen­ Thursday, February 13, 1997 February 14, 1997. This larger, better­ tives for new construction on undeveloped coastal barrie~s. However, we should not deny ~quipped center will ensure that HIV/AIDS pa­ Mr. LAZIO. Mr. Speaker. The aftermath of Federal flood insurance to individuals who pur­ the tragic crash of TWA Flight 800 has placed tients and physicians have comprehensive and up-to-date information about AIDS treatment chased property in developed communities. an enormous burden on the resources of the One example is Huntington Marsh, SC, which people of New York. Today my colleagues and research. I wish to thank and congratulate the founders of the center, L. Joel Martinez, was erroneously included in the 1990 Coastal GARY ACKERMAN and MIKE FORBES join me in Barrier Improvement Act. For this reason, I am introducing legislation directing FEMA to reim­ Chris Kerr, and Michael Peranteau, for their life-saving leadership. introducing a bill to make technical corrections burse Suffolk County, Nassau County, the city to maps relating to the Coastal Barrier Re­ and the State of New York for the expenses With tremendous medical advances such as protease inhibitors, AIDS is becoming more sources System. they incurred as a result of the crash. These In 1988, the Department of Interior issued a expenses include the State and local costs for and more a treatable and survivable disease. But successful treatment depends on obtain­ report to Congress recommending coastal salvage operations, investigation of the crash property for inclusion in the Coastal Barrier and identification of the victims. ing the right medical information as quickly as possible. That is what the Center for AIDS is Resources System. In a letter I received from State officials break down the costs as fol­ Noreen Clough with the Fish and Wildlife all about. lows: New York State, $5 million; Suffolk Service [FWS], she stated: ''The service This new center will provide critical sources County, $5.8 million; Nassau County, [FWS] did not recommend inclusion of Hun­ of information, including a publicly accessible $325,000; and New York City, $1.1 million, to­ tington Marsh area into the CBRS (report to computer to search the Internet free-of-charge; taling over $12.4 million. New York, especially Congress in 1988)." There is no information a collection of medical and scientific journals my home county, Suffolk County, has been at indicating why Huntington Marsh or the sur­ specifically targeting HIV/AIDS; and a daily the forefront of the efforts to find the answers rounding area known as SC-03 was included bulletin board on HIV/AIDS treatment options to this catastrophe for the victims families and in the final map approved by Congress. that patients can review. Through the work of for the American people. State and local gov­ According to her letter, "Neither the Depart­ its founders, the Center for AIDS created a ernments provided a strong foundation and in­ ment nor the service contacted individual land­ newsletter called Research Initiative Treatment frastructure to enable the Federal agencies in­ owners that were potentially affected." Had Action [RITA] to distribute to patients and ad­ volved to operate effectively and efficiently. this community been allowed the opportunity vocates on a weekly basis. Each week, advo­ State and local officials provided a number of to voice objection, they would not have been cates, patients, and medical professionals re­ helicopters and support personnel, divers, included in the act because the property quali­ ceive the latest information about world-wide housing for Federal officials, morgue services, fied as a developed rather than an undevel­ research and treatment options. mental health and crisis counseling for the vic­ oped area. Under the description of the bill, The center also provides free literature from tims' families. All of which placed a tremen­ developed communities are exempt from inclu­ Al DS organizations and pharmaceutical com­ dous strain on State and local budgets. It also sion in the act. A community is considered un­ panies about various treatment options. With has taken its toll on the dedicated men and developed if it contains less than one structure this information, patients and their doctors can women who have devoted long hours to the per 5 acres. In 1990, more than 1O homes make better decisions about their health and salvage operation sometimes under dan­ were built on the 20 acres located in the Hun­ be better consumers of health care services. gerous conditions. Our legislation will ensure tington Marsh subdivision and many other This will save lives and reduce treatment that these efforts do not translate into cuts in property owners had plans for construction of other needed State and county services. costs. homes on their property. This illustrates that The cause of the crash remains unknown The center will also serve as a gathering the community would have been considered and since it happened over the ocean, finding place for community forums and monthly treat­ developed under the law. out why it occurred has been extremely dif­ ment meetings. With more space, the center Adding or removing areas from a CBRA unit ficult. It is not known whether the crash is the will be able to serve more clients and help requires an act of Congress. This bill does not result of terrorism-if so, the Federal Govern­ more people. amend the CBRA, it merely redraws the ment will bear the costs, negligence-then The Center for AIDS was founded in 1995 boundary to omit the 20 acres of Huntington tho~e at fault are responsible for paying, the by three dedicated individuals, L. Joel Mar­ Marsh from the restrictions under the act. This action of a private party, or something else. tinez, Chris Kerr, and Michael Peranteau. Both change will only affect property on the south­ Nevertheless, simply because the cause of the Michael and Joel are HIV positive. These indi­ western edge of SC-03 along Highway 17 that crash is inconclusive, the financial burden of viduals recognized that there was a need for was erroneously included in the first place. I the recovery, investigation and identification of accurate, up-to-date information about HIV urge your support for this legislation. the victims should not fall unfairly upon the and AIDS treatment. The center was created residents of the State of New York and the to fill this void. The center currently has a ~unty of Suffolk. _President Clinton recog­ budget of $238,000 all of which is privately BLACK illSTORY MONTH nized the unusual circumstances surrounding funded. the crash, personally visited the site and Mr. L. Joel Martinez, a founder of the cen­ HON. MICHAEL R. McNULlY pledged his support. ter, serves as the scientific and medical expert OF NEW YORK who analyzes and gathers relevant medical in­ Last September, I asked the President to re­ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES imburse New York for the costs it incurred formation about HIV/AIDS. Mr. Martinez also from the disaster. Further, Governor Pataki works with local medical professionals to en­ Thursday, February 13, 1997 and other New York Republicans have for­ sure that HIV/AIDS patients are included in re­ Mr. McNUL TY. Mr. Speaker, because I was mally requested the Federal assistance. Our search protocols at the Texas Medical Center. unable to participate in Tuesday's Special legislation will ensure that the people of New I commend the founders, staff, and volun­ Order commemorating Black History Month, I York will receive the financial relief they de­ teers of the Center for AIDS for their life-sav­ respectfully submit this extension of remarks serve, and I ask all members of this chamber ing work. They are a vital link in our increas­ on behalf of Sgt. Henry Johnson's candidacy to support this important bill. ingly successful fight against AIDS. for the Congressional Medal of Honor. 2342 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS February 13, 1997 Sgt. Henry Johnson, an African-American DISASTER ASSISTANOE LOANS cer Awareness Day in the city of Malibu, CA. soldier from Albany, NY, performed extraor­ I would also ask that you join me in honoring dinary acts of bravery during World War I. HON. PATSY T. MINK the American Cancer Fund for Children and its However, he has yet to receive the honor and OF HAWAII founder Steve Firestein for their diligent work recognition he deserves from the Nation he so IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES helping children. The tireless work of this or­ heroically served. ganization has not only highlighted the issue Thursday, February 13, 1997 of childhood cancer in the United States, but According to the Department of the Army, Mrs. MINK of Hawaii. Mr. Speaker, today I has provided a positive influence on hundreds on the night of May 15, 1918, near Verdun, am introducing legislation that will help our of young lives effected with cancer. I am France, then Private Johnson, a member of Nation's farmers survive disastrous outbreaks pleased to offer my highest congratulations for the all-Black 369th Infantry Regiment, gallantly of plant viruses and diseases which virtually the deep sense of community the American fought off an attack from an enemy patrol of wipe out entire crops. This bill would ensure Cancer Fund for Children has given to the city · at least 12 German soldiers. On that night, that crop losses resulting from plant viruses of Malibu. I would also like to commend the Johnson killed four German soldiers, wounded and other devastating plan diseases are in­ city of Malibu as it adds itself to the growing numerous others, rescued a wounded com­ cluded under the crop insurance program as number of communities who have adopted a rade, and captured a stockpile of weapons. He well as the noninsured crop assistance pro­ Childhood Cancer Awareness Day in the Los Angeles area. I am very proud to have com­ accomplished this feat by using grenades, rifle grams and that agriculture producers who suf­ munity-based efforts of this caliber in my dis­ fire, _and engaging in hand-to-hand combat fer these losses are eligible for emergency loans. trict, and am thrilled to have the opportunity to with both the butt of his rifle and his French The current U.S. Department of Agriculture bring such accomplishments to the attention of bolo knife. In the midst of the fighting, John­ crop insurance and noninsured assistance this body. son was severely wounded. programs do not specify which crops are eligi­ Each year approximately 10,000 more To acknowledge and reward this act of ble for insurance. This makes our farmers very American children will be diagnosed with can­ valor, the French Government honored John­ vulnerable to administrative reviews on wheth­ cer, making cancer the leading cause of death by disease among children in the United son on May 24, 1918-just 9 days after the er a particular crop is eligible for assistance usually with negative results. States. Motivated by these losses the Amer­ engagement. Citing "his magnificent example ican Cancer Fund for Children has worked of courage and energy," it awarded Johnson Under current law, crop diseases are not eli­ gible for low-interest emergency loans. Agri­ tirelessly to heighten community awareness of with the Croix de Guerre, for all intents and culture producers can only qualify for emer­ childhood cancer. All too often the costs in­ purposes the highest strictly military honor a gency loans when crop damages are caused curred in the treatment of cancer far exceeds foreign soldier can receive. Last year, 78 by adverse weather conditions and other nat­ the average family's financial resources. The years after the fact, the Department of De­ ural phenomena which have caused severe American Cancer Fund for Children has estab­ fense finally awarded Henry Johnson the Pur­ physical property damage or production lished itself to provide financial assistance to ple Heart. Mr. Speaker, he deserves the Con­ losses. Since the USDA does not consider such families who find themselves experi­ gressional Medal of Honor. plant disease-virus a natural disaster, farmers encing financial hardship with a child under­ are limited to USDA funds-resources which going a bone marrow transplant. The organi­ During this celebration of African-American zation understands the importance of commu­ History, I need not remind you of the great in­ are due to weather as causing production or physical losses. nities coming together to provide social serv­ justices that took place in our Nation during In Hawaii, nearly 300 farmers are suffering ices to those families in need, not wanting one the years of legalized racial segregation. No from the disastrous effects of the Papaya child in need of treatment to be turned away one disputes that the values for which Amer­ Ringspot Virus [PAV]. The disease produces because their families could not afford them. ican stands were undermined during that pe­ lumpy, tasteless fruit and severely reduces As the demands for cancer treatment grow riod. I simply urge that those who bravely production and eventually kills the plants. Pa­ each year, the organization has also taken on fought for those values, in spite of the then-ex­ paya farmers estimate that they will incur $27 greater challenges to meet the demand for pa­ isting practices of American society, receive million of losses due to the loss of these PRV­ tient and family services to help ensure the their just reward. infested trees. quality of care to better promote the chances of survival. These services have provided an The fact is that Sergeant Johnson and many A similar situation is taking place in the Southwest and Southeast United States where assortment of patient psychosocial services other African-American soldiers performed he­ wheat producers are battling the Kamal bunt designed to nurture self-esteem, encourage roic service during World War I. To date, only fungus. This disease gives a fishy odor and peer interaction and better generate special one of these men has received the Medal of taste of flour made from affected wheat. In patient communication. The Main Street Chil­ Honor-and that was awarded 73 years after one State alone, producers have already lost dren's Services Program has received praise his death on the battlefield. This is wrong . We an estimated $25 million. from across the United States for their efforts must correct this blemish on our history. Mr. Speaker, our Nation's farmers are the in providing gifts via visits for the emotional support of the children. These efforts have lift­ If we as a Nation are going to realize, as envy of the world. They provide us with the ed the spirits of children nationwide through President Clinton noted in his State of the highest quality food and ensure that we will al­ ways have a stable food supply. We need to the simple gift of giving with a human touch. Union, that our "diversity is our greatest Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me and our strength," we must settle the errors of our provide financial assistance when they are hit by disaster, natural or disease. I strongly urge colleagues in recognizing the accomplish­ past. If we are going to "give all of our citi­ my colleagues to support this legislation and ments of the American Cancer Fund for Chil­ zens, whatever their background, an oppor­ help our farmers survive these natural borne dren in cooperation with the city of Malibu, in tunity to achieve their greatness," we must disasters. highlighting childhood cancer with the estab­ honor those who have already earned great lishment of a Childhood Cancer Awareness distinction. Day. To be sure, as our colleague, the gentleman COMMEMORATION OF MALIBU from Oklahoma, reminded us just a week ago, CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS DAY " TOWNSHIP OF THE YEAR" "Government can't ease all the pain" of racial BESTOWED ON MAINE TOWNSHIP division. But when Government can effectively act, it should; when Government has been HON. BRAD SHERMAN HON. HENRY J. HYDE part of the problem, it must be part of the so­ OF CALIFORNIA OF ILLINOIS lution. I therefore urge all the Members of this IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES House to do justice to the memory of St. Thursday, February 13, 1997 Thursday, February 13, 1997 Henry Johnson and support the effort to award Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, please permit me him the Congressional Medal of Honor. commemorate February 14 as Childhood Can- to share with my colleagues the recent news February 13, 1997 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 2343 that Maine Township, IL was named our which request that Congress ratify a constitu­ CHffiDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS State's ''Township of the Year." tional amendment protecting the flag. Clearly, Bestowed annually by the Illinois Township this body has been called upon to protect the HON. HENRY A. WAXMAN Association, the award was presented to flag from any further desecration by voting for OF CALIFORNIA Maine Township for its very innovative pro­ a constitutional amendment. Deliberate dese­ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES grams for senior citizens. The award follows a cration of the American flag is truly an insult Thursday, February 13, 1997 similar one awarded to the township last year to those who fought and died to preserve and for its programs for youths. protect the rights of all Americans. Deliberate Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, Los Angeles Maine Township's Adult and Senior Serv­ desecration of the flag should no longer be tol­ County has designated the week of February ices Department was created in 1985. Today, erated. That is what we seek to accomplish by 24, 1997 as "Childhood Cancer Awareness the department provides a wide range of pro­ introducing this important amendment. Week." In honor of this proclaimation, I ask grams and services for the estimated 40,000 During times of war, the flag became more my colleagues to join me in calling attention to adults over the age of 55 who live in Maine than a symbol of the United States, it provided the tragedy of childhood cancer and in work­ Township. In addition to a wide array of social comfort and encouragement to our soldiers ing to to defeat this debilitating enemy of our activities, the township also sponsors the Sen­ abroad. Though they were miles away from children. ior Citizen Information and Assistance Service. home, the flag reminded them of the great Cancer is the leading cause of death in the The service provides a comprehensive guide land and freedom that they were fighting for. United States today. Each year, approximately to available resources including senior hous­ The sight of the flag reinforced their strength 10,000 American children are diagnosed with ing, medical services, social and mental health of belief in the war they were fighting. Amer­ cancer. Moreover, it is the leading cause of services, nutrition, home delivered meals, em­ ican soldiers were reminded of the basic rights death by disease among children in our coun­ ployment, energy assistance, social activities, that they were protecting. The rights that don't try. While great strides are made each year in and tax information. exist in other countries; rights that make research, treatment, and prevention of child­ In recent years the township has also America the land of freedom that it is today. hood cancer, we must remain vigilant in our placed growing emphasis on intergenerational Congressman SOLOMON and I are both efforts to search for cures and more effective programs that bring together seniors, children committed to fighting this fight. My colleague treatments. and young adults in numerous educational ac­ and I, believe that this amendment, which has I ask my colleagues to reaffirm their dedica­ tivities. received bipartisan support is long overdue. tion to eliminating childhood cancer and to No programs as comprehensive as those of­ Americans all over the wor1d recognize the take a moment to express their appreciation to fered to Maine's seniors could exist without American flag as the symbol of freedom, fair­ the devoted individuals working in the fight the dedication of many great people. Permit ness, and equality. We must do everything in against this dreaded disease. me to offer a note of congratulations to the our power to have the law protect the flag many hard-working and dedicated township of­ from desecration. I am proud to join Congress­ INVOLUNTARY LIVESTOCK man SOLOMON in bringing this amendment ficials including Supervisor Mark Thompson; CONVERSION RELIEF ACT Trustees Robert Provenzano, Willard "Bill" before the Congress. I hope that all of my col­ Bell, Regan D. Ebert and Carol A. Teschky; leagues will join Congressman SOLOMON and HON. JOHN R. THUNE Clerk Gary K. Warner; Assessor Thomas E. I, in passing this historic and important OF SOUTH DAKOTA Rueckert; Collector Anita D. Rifkind; and High­ amendment. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES way Commissioner Bill Fraser. Thursday, February 13, 1997 SALUTING SALENA GLENN Mr. THUNE. Mr. Speaker, today I am intro­ THE AMERICAN FLAG-A TRIBUTE ducing legislation to give farmers and ranchers TO THE SYMBOL OF AMERICA'S HON. EOOLPHUS TOWNS tax relief when they need it most. I thank my FREEDOM OF NEW YORK colleagues, Representatives Smith, Latham, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Hill, Barrett, Emerson, and Pomeroy for joining HON. WIWAM 0. LIPINSKI Thursday, February 13, 1997 me in this effort. OF ILLINOIS Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to As you may know, extremely harsh storms IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES salute the accomplishments of Ms. Salena have pounded the upper Great Plains this win­ ter. As a result, I have been flooded with calls Thursday, February 13, 1997 Glenn who has dedicated her life to public service. For numerous years, she has strived from South Dakotans who want to know what Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to to ensure that Brooklyn residenfs concerns we can do in Washington to help them deal pay tribute to the great symbol of freedom in are heard. As chief of staff for Enoch Williams, with this horrid winter. The agricultural pro­ these United States, the American flag. The Ms. Glenn oversees the daily operations of his ducers-farmers and ranchers-have been hit American flag is nationally and internationally office and attends community meetings of the hardest of all. To date, cattle losses are recognized as the symbol of the United States school boards, district service cabinets, and estimated to exceed 100,000 head. With the and all that it stands for. Today, my colleague, community precinct councils. prospect of spring flooding eminent, further Congressman GERALD SOLOMON and I intro­ In addition to her work as chief of staff, Ms. losses seem certain. While producers in the duced a resolution to amend the Constitution Glenn coordinates various community projects Midwest qualify for some assistance, addi­ in order to prohibit the physical desecration of throughout Brooklyn. Born in Orangeburg tional relief is still needed. the U.S. flag. I am proud to say that as of County, SC, she enjoys a reputation as a The tremendous amount of snow has today more than 200 of my colleagues have community leader. As president of the Unity blocked access to feed and has limited space agreed to cosponsor this important and his­ Democratic Club, Ms. Glenn has worked to in livestock yards. As a result, some producers toric piece of legislation. enlighten the central Brooklyn community would like to sell some of their stock now. The For more than 200 years the American flag about the advantages of participating in the result would be a stiff tax liability at a time was the proud symbol of our great Nation. political process. when they can not afford it. Most important, the flag was protected by law Ms. Glenn truly serves as a shining beacon The Involuntary Livestock Conversion Relief from any type of desecration. Today, though it of hope for the Brooklyn community. A resi­ Act will allow income derived from the sale of still serves as the symbol, it is no longer pro­ dent of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Ms. Glenn has a livestock to be deferred up to 1 year. The bill tected by law. In 1989, the Supreme Court daughter Delores, and a son, Nathaniel. She will also allow a producer to sell livestock and, ruled in Texas versus Johnson, that the violent also enjoys a reputation as an outstanding so­ within 2 years, repurchase similar livestock and destructive act of burning and spitting, loist in the Antioch Baptist Church Choir. without realizing a gain as a result of the sale. and trampling on the U.S. flag was a form of Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I Livestock producers must show that such a expression which is protected by the freedom rise today to recognize the many years of in­ sale is not a usual business practice but is a of speech. In the time since that ruling more valuable assistance she has provided youth result of floods or blizzards. The conditions than 49 States, including my home State of Il­ and the community-at-large. I ask my col­ have to be severe_enough to trigger Federal linois, have passed memorializing resolutions leagues to join me in saluting Salena Glenn. assistance in relief of that condition. 2344 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS February 13, 1997 Under current tax law a producer can do REFORM TERM LIMITS congressional tenns to either 6, 8, 1O or 12 this only in drought conditions. This is why I years when the House considers tenn limit propose changing the wording of the code to HON. JO ANN EMERSON legislation. I campaigned in support of tenn include ''flood or other weather-related condi­ OF MISSOURI limits and intend to carry through on that com­ tions." IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES mitment. Tenn limit supporters should consider this I believe it is time we give ranchers some Thursday, February 13, 1997 options in how they do business during a time farce. The scarlet letter will likely be invoked of need. This bill represents a common-sense Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, tenn limit even if I vote for the 6-year tenn limit, which approach to lending our dedicated livestock supporters across Missouri-Uke me-are is certain to fail despite my support. The scar­ producers a hand when they need it. Instead rightfully disappointed that the vote on con­ let letter will be invoked simply because I later of a cash payment, the Federal Government gressional tenn limits is doomed to failure. I vote for a different term limit bill that has a re­ can provide a capital gains tax break. I realize am a cosponsor of a constitutional amend­ alistic chance of passing. this legislation may not help all in need, but it ment calling for tough, 12-year tenn limits for As if that weren't enough, different versions is an important piece of the relief puzzle. Senators and Representatives, alike. It had of the scarlet letter laws passed in each of the I hope my colleagues will join me in their been my hope that a united stand for tenn lim­ nine States. Thus, if Members from those support of this bill. If they do, they will be join­ its would finally lead to real limits with teeth. States precisely follow those instructions, they ing several others concerned with the eco­ On Wednesday, the House of Representatives must all vote for a different version of tenn nomic viability of the Nation's heartland. will vote on tenn limits and it appears my vote limits-and against any others. Ifs the equiva­ in favor will be for naught, thanks to a problem lent of asking the offensive line of the St. that has grown out of control-division among Louis Rams to sack their own quarterback TRIBUTE TO LITHUANIA conservative ranks. each time they take to the field. Last November, voters in Missouri and eight In the end, I will vote in favor of each and HON. MICHAEL P. FORBFS other States approved so-called scarlet letter every serious tenn limit amendment brought constitutional amendments. These scarlet let­ before the House this week. If that means I in­ OF NEW YORK ter amendments require Members of Congress IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES voke a misleading scarlet letter, then so be it. from Missouri and the other affected States to Those of us charged with the responsibility of Thursday, February 13, 1997 vote for tenn limits of 6 years in the House dealing with the legislative agenda of the peo­ Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to and 12 in the Senate. If Members don't vote ple on a practical basis are duty-bound to de­ pay tribute to the country of Lithuania. In just for these particular limits, or if Members vote liver what is feasible, and that includes tenn a few days, on February 16, Lithuania will cel­ for different limits, the phrase "disregarded limits that stand a chance of passing Con­ ebrate its sixth year as a truly free and inde­ voter instruction on tenn limits" will appear gress. We will never succeed in passing real pendent country. Since proclaiming its inde­ next to their names on the next ballot if they tenn limits as long as outside groups continue pendence Lithuania has implemented a Demo­ choose to seek re-election. Disregarding for a to divide conservatives who support them. In moment the fact that ballots will soon be clut­ cratic policy. Democracy, for this country, is a our efforts to pass tenn limits with teeth, we tered with inaccurate infonnation, this sounds vast change from its previous 50 years of should remember that when united, we win, like a good idea. Why not put a little muscle forced annexation by the fonner Soviet Union. when divided, we fail. behind the campaign to enact tenn limits Although it has been, to some degree, a which, after all, are supported by 70 percent of struggling progression, the overall picture is a Americans, ourselves included. steady one with greater potential on the hori­ THE CROP INSURANCE A not-so-funny thing happened on the way IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1997 zon. In the past 6 years, Lithuania has seen to the vote on tenn limits. As sure as the Mis­ monumental revision from drafting its own sissippi flows south, the vote on term limits constitution, holding elections for its own Par­ HON. EARL POMEROY today will fail. It won't fail for lack of general OF NORTH DAKOTA liament and President, to developing a market tenn limit support, but will fail because of the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES economy. handcuffs placed on the 30 Members of Con­ The old Soviet methodology and regularity gress who come from States where the scarlet Thursday, February 13, 1997 of bureaucracy has dwindled almost to the letter initiative passed. Each State constitu­ Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Speaker I rise today to point of extinction as privatization has taken a tional amendment-they are all different-re­ introduce a desperately needed piece of legis­ strong hold. Because of their privatization pri­ quires that Members from those States vote lation, the Crop Insurance Improvement Act. ority policy, 85 percent of state-owned enter­ for different versions of term limits. Even This bill will restore fairness to the crop insur­ prises have been transmitted to the private though tenn limit supporters garnered 227 ance system and make crop insurance a rea­ sector. In addition the development of a west­ votes in the last Congress (it takes two-thirds sonable risk management tool for producers in ern-oriented program of refonn regarding trade of Congress, or 290 votes, to pass a constitu­ North Dakota. and banking has led to an increase in trade tional amendment) and even though more In my State tanners have suffered through with western countries, gaining from just 15.3 supporters of tenn limits were elected to Con­ three successive seasons of disastrous crop percent in 1990 to over 60 percent in 1995. gress last November, there's no chance that production and the fourth is already on its Another indication of Lithuania's progression tough, commonsense congressional limits can way. Abnormally high rainfall and wet condi­ toward Democracy and a market economy is not pass. Missouri's scarlet letter amendment tions have prevented tanners from planting that about two-thirds of the economic product has joined with similar, but different, amend­ crops and have ruined crops that were plant­ is now industrial. There has also been so ments in other States and backfired against ed. Through no fault of their own, these tann­ much growth potential emerging that foreign the shared goal of conservatives to enact ers have seen their crops destroyed and liveli­ interest and investment has increased sub­ tough tenn limits. hood threatened year after year. stantially. So how did this mess come to be? Most Now producers are being told that they will Just before the collapse of the Soviet re­ Missouri voters will probably be surprised to have to pay higher premiums for lower cov­ gime in 1991 Soviet troops attacked Lithua­ learn that the scarlet letter amendment, when erage as a result of these losses. Many pro­ nia's capital city, Vilnius. During the initial in­ it appeared on the ballot in the voting booth, ducers are now faced with unaffordable insur­ vasion several Lithuanians were wounded, deceptively asked if voters support tenn limits, ance bills that provide little coverage. Nothing some resulting in fatalities. For those who per­ but did not state that Members would be pro­ could be more unfair to the tanners of my ished, they will be remembered as the "De­ hibited from supporting other tenn limit bills if State or any tanners who have suffered crop fenders of Freedom." I stand before you today the three tenn limit fails. In fact, the fine print losses due to natural disasters. to commend these defenders and all of Lith­ of this amendment explicitly instructs Members Last year 172 producers in North Dakota uania for what has become their common goal to vote against all other tenn limit bills. Put were placed on the nonstandard classification so eloquently stated by President Algiras simply, the amendment reburies limits of three list following 3 years of successive losses. Brazaukas, "Now all people have a common tenns in the House, or nothing at all. Nonstandard classification results in higher goal: to live in an independent and free coun­ With that in mind, I intend to vote for every premiums and lower coverage. This year, hun­ try." single reasonable measure that would limit dreds more producers face a similar situation February 13, 1997 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 2345 because of the continued disaster. Even if the Mr. Speaker, Balint Vazsonyi's lecture is only how much of it to confiscate, and how flooding and wet conditions were to stop recommended reading for all who are working to redistribute it. As you see, the ingredients today, many farmers would not be able to af­ to assure that governmenf s grasp doesn't ex­ have already undergone drastic change. Is it ford the crop insurance they need because of ceed its constitutional reach. I am pleased to reasonable to hope that America will never­ theless remain America? losses in previous disaster years. make it part of the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD at And the greatest variety of assaults is My bill would ease this situation and restore this point. launched against something I have come to some fairness and sanity to the crop insur­ FOUR POINTS OF THE COMPASS: RESTORING refer to as "national identity." Now, I real­ ance program. The Crop Insurance Improve­ AMERICA'S SENSE OF DffiECTION ize that some people might have a reaction ment Act would provide exceptions for pro­ Although the press appeared not to notice, to that phrase because the term has been ducers farming in areas declared a disaster by President Clinton, in his Inaugural Address, used by others as a wedge. I use it as a mag­ the President or the Secretary of Agriculture. called for a new Constitution. He borrowed net. As such, it is a necessity. Something It would prevent the listing of producers on the language from the Declaration of Independ­ needs to bind people together, especially nonstandard classification list if they had ence where in 1776 Thomas Jefferson pre­ when they have converged, and continue to sented the argument for new government. On converge upon a place from every corner of losses related to a major declared disaster. the globe. This bill would also prevent FCIC from January 20th, 1997, Mr. Clinton proclaimed, "We need a new government for a new cen­ Identity is about being similar or being dif­ counting losses in disaster years in the cal­ ferent. Since our differences have been culation of insurable yields. Poor yields in tury." He proceeded to set forth all the things this new government would give the amply provided for by nature, we have to years of natural disaster should not affect a American people. agree about those aspects of our lives which producer's future insurance. Disasters rep­ Today, I come before you to argue that we will make us similar. For the shared history resent abnormal, uncontrollable forces of na­ need just the opposite. We, at the Center for which other nations have, Americans have ture and should not cripple a farmer for years the American Founding, believe that a tool successfully substituted a shared belief in, to come with higher insurance premiums and is necessary to guide us back to the path of and adherence to, certain principles. A com­ inadequate coverage. our existing Constitution. We offer this tool mon language took the place of a shared cul­ The ultimate goal of the bill is to keep crop to the decision makers, legislators and ture. No state religion was established, but a judges of America and ask all of you to help Bible-based morality taken for granted. Add insurance as a viable risk management tool to this a certain work ethic, an expectation for our Nation's farmers. If producers cannot us develop it to its full potential. Because it points the way, we think of it as a compass. of competence in your field of work (whether afford crop insurance, or if the insurance will What kind of country will exert its best ef­ you split the atom or sweep the floor), a spir­ not cover a reasonable yield, then we have forts for the benefit of all mankind? Or en­ it of voluntary cooperation, insistence on left them without a safety net. gage in war without expectation of gain? choice, a fierce sense of independence-and Participation in crop insurance has in­ What kind of country makes it possible that you have the ingredients of the American creased since Congress reformed the program a person who did not grow up in it feel suffi­ identity. And, if you prefer to call it Amer­ in 1994. Farmers have taken more responsi­ ciently at home to step forward with a major ican character or, as George Washington, initiative? What kind of country has long­ "national character," it will serve our pur­ bility for their risk management and will have pose so long as we remain agreed about the to take even more now that the price safety time professionals come together to hear a relative novice with a foreign accent speak ingredients. For it is these ingredients that net has been removed by the 1996 farm bill. on national issues? What kind of country? A have distinguished us from other societies, Now it is time to improve the program so that country which is one of a kind. and enabled those who sweep the floor today we are not slamming the door on a valuable As we contemplate the future, it is essen­ to split the atom tomorrow. tool responsible producers use to manage tial that we keep in mind that America, in­ Today, our nation's leaders are engaged in their risk. I encourage my colleagues to sup­ deed, is one of a kind. Some believe with all choosing a path to pursue. Yet, all along, we port this necessary and commonsense im­ their heart that people, and their aspira­ have had a path to follow. It is clearly point­ ed in the Declaration of Independence and provement in the crop insurance program. tions, are the same everywhere. This may be so. But the nation established here more our founders complemented it with a superb than two hundred years ago has neither road map they called the Constitution of the precedent nor a parallel in the known his­ United States. Add to this the glossary we "FOUR POINTS OF THE COMPASS" know as The Federalist Papers and it is hard BALINT V AZSONYI'S DIRECTION tory of this planet. Not its capacity for suc­ cess; not its capacity for strength; not its ca­ to see why and how we could have lost our FOR AMERICA pacity for goodness. It is one of a kind. sense of direction. But lost it we have. That One-of-a-kind. A big word. You hear it and is why we need a compass-the compass in HON. GEORGE P. RADANOVICH think of Shakespeare. Or Beethoven. Or the title of these remarks. OF CALIFORNIA George Washington. We look at their work Between 1776 and 1791, our compass was IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and try to understand what makes it so. It is calibrated to keep us on the path of better­ a hopeless endeavor. But with America, ment-as individuals and as a nation. We Thun~y,h~ua~1~1W7 there are definite ingredients we can identify even had a kind of "North Star," a magnetic Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, my friend quite easily: the rule of law, individual North, in what we call the Rule of Law. But and adviser, Dr. Balint Vazsonyi, delivered a rights, guaranteed property and so forth. A instead, we now have rule by the lawmaker. lecture today at the Heritage Foundation, funny thing, ingredients. We acknowledge Every member of the Executive, every mem­ ber of the Judiciary has become a potential which was entitled "Four Points of the Com­ their importance in all sorts of scenarios, yet ignore them when it comes to matters of lawmaker and in most cases they use the pa­ pass: Restoring America's Sense of Direc­ life and death. If we eat something memo­ ten tial to the hilt. tion." The lecture drew a wide cross section of rable, we want the recipe. With food, we Yet the Rule of Law stands for the exact men and women who are in the forefront of know without the shadow of a doubt that the opposite. As its basic property, it places the Americans concerned about our constitutional ingredients make the thing. fundamental tenets beyond the reach of poli­ underpinnings. Those taking part included Chocolate ice cream, for example, takes tics and politicians. Whereas it confers legit­ Senator ROD GRAMS of Minnesota, who deliv­ chocolate, cream and sugar. If, instead, you imacy upon subsequent laws that spring ered an insightful evaluation of Dr. Vazsonyi's use ground beef, mustard and "Al" sauce, from its eternal well, it denies legitimacy to you don't expect chocolate ice cream to all legislative maneuvers that corrupt its lecture, Matthew Spalding of the Heritage come out of the process. Whatever else it purpose. It holds the makers, executants and Foundation, and Daniel McDonald of the Poto­ will be, chocolate ice cream it will not be. adjudicators of the law accountable at all mac Foundation. Ice creams come in many varieties. America times. Above all, it demands equal applica­ As many of our colleagues know, Dr. is one of a kind. Do we honestly expect it to tion to every man, woman and child. Within Vazsonyi's thesis is one to which I strongly remain America if the ingredients are its own framework, a prescribed majority subscribe. Indeed, I am pleased to acknowl­ changed? may amend the law. But as the law stands in edge the significant role he has played in Over the past decades, the Rule of Law has any given moment, it must be applied equal­ helping advance new America, the vision ex­ been displaced by something called "social ly. If accomplished, nothing in the history of pression that we launched last year. That vi­ justice." Group rights and arbitrary privi­ human societies can match the significance leges make a mockery of the constitutional and magnificence of equality before the law. sion is about restoring civil society through rights of the individual. Where not so long The aspiration for equality before the law structural reform that focuses on revitalizing ago all Americans could feel secure in their began with the Magna Carta or even earlier, society's nongovemment institutions-family, right to acquire and hold property, govern­ in King Arthur's court, where knights sat at business, religious/civic. ment today is no longer discussing whether- a round table. But it took Thomas Jefferson 2346 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS February 13, 1997 to etch the concept in the minds of freedom­ sanctity of private property, and that to thirty years have distorted. They are the loving people everywhere, more permanently guarantee it is government's primary func­ Rule of Law, Individual Rights, the Sanctity than posterity could have etched the words tion. Without absolute property there is no of Property, and the sense of National Iden­ in the marble of the Jefferson Memorial. And incentive. Without absolute property there is tity. As you have seen, they are inter­ even then, after those immortal words of the no security. Without absolute property there connected, they literally flow from one an­ Declaration of Independence had been writ­ is no liberty. The freedom to enter into con­ other, just as the false compass-points which ten, it took most of two centuries before tract, the freedom to keep what is mine, the have come to displace them-social justice, America, land of the many miracles, almost freedom to dispose of what is mine underlies group rights, redistribution and multi­ made it a reality for the first time ever. all our liberties. culturalism-are interconnected and flow But it was not to be. The rule of law, our Neither the search for "social justice" nor from one another. What is multi-culturalism only alternative to the law of the jungle, so-called group rights recognize, or respect, if not a redistribution of cultural "goods?" came under attack just as it was about to private property. They look upon flesh-and­ What is redistribution if not a group right? triumph. The attacker displayed the blood individuals as faceless members of a What is a group right if not the implementa­ irresistable charm of the temptress, the ar­ multitude who, together, create a certain tion of some political activist's version of mament of the enraged avenger, dressed amount of goods. These goods belong to what "social justice?" itself in intoxicating cliches, and wore the they call "The Community." Then certain For thirty years, we have acquiesced in a insigniae of the highest institutions of learn­ people decide who needs what and, being steady erosion of America's founding prin­ ing. It called itself "social justice." privy to some higher wisdom, distribute-ac­ ciples. The time has come to reverse the Let me make it clear: I do not speak of so­ tually redistribute-the goods. Redistribu­ movement. Rather than contending with cial conscience. That is a frame of mind, a tion is pursuant to group rights expressed in countless individual issues, all we need to do noble sentiment, a measure of civilization. something called entitlement. Entitlements is take the debate down a few notches, closer Precisely for that reason, while it has every­ are based neither on law nor on accomplish­ to the core. Let me repeat: we need to take thing to do with our conduct, it has nothing ment. Entitlements are based on member­ the debate down a few notches, close to the whatever to do with laws. "Social justice," ship in a certain group, and we have seen core. We submit that all future policy and on the other hand, aims at the heart of our that groups are designated by persons of legislative initiatives be tested against the legal system by setting an unattainable goal, temporary authority, rather than the law. four points of the compass. Does the pro­ by fueling discontent, by insinuating a per­ The right to property and entitlements posed bill negate the Rule of Law? Does it manent state of hopelessness. through redistribution are mutually exclu­ violate individual rights? Does it interfere But above all, social justice is unaccept­ sive. One cannot have it both ways. with the sanctity of Property? Does it con­ able as the basis for a stable society because, We have been ordered by the prophets of stitute an assault on National Identity? Only unlike the Law, it is what anyone says it is social justice to replace our national iden­ if the answer is "No" in each case, would the on any given day. We need only to move tity with something they call "multi­ proposal proceed. In other words: back a few years, or travel a few thousand culturalism." I will confess that some time Only if the answers are NO is the bill a GO. miles, and one is certain to find an entirely in the past, I might have shared the allergic A few items need tidying up. How do we different definition of social justice. At the reaction some of you experience in the face know what the Rule of Law can accommo­ end of the day, it is nothing more than an of "national" and "identity." But then I no­ date, and how far do we take individual empty slogan, to be filled by power-hungry ticed the enormous importance the social­ rights? The answer, in both cases, comes political activists so as to enlist the partici­ justice crowd attaches to the destruction of from Article VI of the Constitution. "This pation of well-intentioned people. the American identity. Just think: bi-lingual Constitution, and the laws of the United The Rule of Law and a world according to education and multi-lingual ballots. Re­ States which shall be made in Pursuance "Social Justice" are mutually exclusive. One moval of the founding documents from our thereof * * * shall be the supreme Law of the cannot have it both ways. schools. Anti-American history standards. Land; and the Judges in every State shall be What have the Rule of Law and the pursuit Exiling the Ten Commandments. Replacing bound thereby * * *" It is as uncomplicated of "social justice" respectively spawned over American competence with generic "self-es­ as that. time? The Rule of Law gave birth to a series teem." Replacing voluntarism with coercion. In the coming months, we intend to ap­ of individual rights. In other words, rights Encouraging vast numbers of new immi­ proach the citizens of this great nation and vested solely in individuals. Only individuals grants to ignore the very reasons which their representatives at all levels with a call are capable of having rights, just as only in­ brought them here in the first place. The list to consider adopting this approach. We will dividuals can be free. We say a society is free goes on, and sooner or later will affect na­ hold panel discussions and town meetings so if the individuals who make up that society tional defense, if it hasn't already. as to invite, engage and incorporate the wis­ are free. For individuals to be free, they And for those who would point to Yugo­ dom and experience of Americans every­ must have certain unalienable rights, and slavia as proof of the tragedy nationalism where. There will be retreats and, by year's others upon which they had agreed with one can cause, let me say that a healthy national end, there will be a book with all the details. another. identity is utterly distinct from nationalism. We do not underrate the magnitude of the Social justice has spawned an aberration Like the United States, Yugoslavia was cre­ step we are proposing, but we honestly be­ called group rights. Group rights are the ne­ ated. But unlike in the case of the United lieve that it will make life a great deal easi­ gation of individual rights. Group rights say States, ingredients for a national identity er. With a simple stroke, it will become clear in effect, "you cannot and do not have rights were not provided, and Yugoslavia imploded that one cannot take an oath upon the Con­ as an individual-only as the member of a at the first opportunity precisely for that stitution and support group rights. One can­ certain group." The Rule of Law knows noth­ reason. Had it not done so, it would have suc­ not take an oath upon the Constitution and ing about groups, therefore it could not pro­ cumbed to the first external attack, for no support the confiscation of property without vide for, or legitimize rights of groups. Croat would lay down his life for the good of compensation. One cannot take an oath upon Groups have no standing in the eyes of the Serbs or Bosnians. Will Americans lay down the Constitution and support measures Law. And, since their so-called rights are in­ their lives if America is nothing but a patch­ which are clearly at odds with the mandate variably created and conferred by persons of work of countless group identities? for national defense. temporary authority, they are "subject to Will the Armed Forces of the United States We cannot have it both ways. We have to change without notice," as the saying goes, fight to uphold, defend, and advance the choose our compass and remember the four just like the definition of social justice cause of Multi-Culturalism? points. They are, as we have seen, insepa­ itself. This is not a frivolous question. rable. Therefore: Only if the answers are NO Individual rights recognize and promote The questions before us are serious, and le­ is the bill a GO. similarity. Group rights promote differences gion. We are virtually drowning in what we I do not believe that last November the and stereotypes. Individual rights and group call "issues," and they are becoming increas­ people of this country voted for the luke­ rights are mutually exclusive. One cannot ingly difficult to sort out. How do we find warm bath of bi-partisanship. I believe the have it both ways. our position? And, once we find our position, people of this country said: If you don't give Among our individual rights, the right to how do we argue its merit? Above all, how do us a real choice, we won't give you a real acquire and hold property has a special we avoid the plague of serious matters turn­ election. Yes, people probably have grown place. If ever a concept came to be developed ing into bogus soap operas? tired of the "issues," but they are, I am cer­ to protect the weak against the strong, to We asked you to hear me today, because tain, eager to partake in an effort to choose balance inborn gifts with the fruits of sheer the Center for the American Founding has a either a return to our original path, or a diligence and industry, property inviolate is proposal to submit. We call it "Four Points clean and honest break with the past. its name. But who am I to speak, after John of the Compass" because these points pro­ Those who feel that the time has come to Locke, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison vide direction, because-in a manner of change the supreme law of the land should have pronounced on this topic. They held speaking-they constitute a re-calibration of come forward, say so, and engage in an open that civilized society is predicated upon the our compass which the events of the past debate. But let us not continue a pattern of February 13, 1997 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 2347 self-delusion. We are heirs to a remarkable THE NATIONAL PARKS CHECKOFF munity educator; a position from which she re­ group of men who, two hundred plus years ACT tired in April 1995. Throughout her personal ago, had every reason to feel similarly over­ and professional pursuits, Lydia has been whelmed by the number of decisions they HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR. guided by her strong spiritual convictions. She had to make. Their response was to make is the proud mother of four adult children, and very few laws, for they knew that the fewer OF TENNESSEE the laws, the broader the agreement. They IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the grandmother of six. I am pleased to recog­ nize her positive contributions to the Brooklyn knew people find it hard to agree on every­ Thursday, February 13, 1997 community of Cypress Hills. thing. So they sought agreement on core Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I have reintro­ principles they held to be non-negotiable. duced the National Parks Checkoff Act today. Today, we propose the four that ought to The National Parks Checkoff Act will amend INTRODUCTION OF THE CHILD be non-negotiable. They are, as we have seen, the Internal Revenue Code to require the IRS PASSENGER PROTECTION ACT inseparable. We call them the four points of to place a line on income tax forms which will the compass. Together, they can and will re­ allow taxpayers to donate one or more dollars store America's sense of direction. HON. CONSTANCE A. MOREUA toward the care of our national parks. This OF MARYLAND legislation will provide more money for the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES care of our national parks at no cost to the Federal Government. Thursday, February 13, 1997 HONORING MORRIS TISCHLER I introduced this bill during the 104th Con­ Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, today I am gress, and I heard from a number of people reintroducing the Child Passenger Protection and organizations from around the country Act which would prevent injuries to children in HON. BENJAMIN L. CARDIN who supported this legislation. motor vehicles and ultimately save lives OF MARYLAND In addition, this bill had bipartisan support through improved child passenger education and it was also backed by the National Parks safety programs. This bill would provide grants IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and Conservation Association, the American to experienced child passenger safety organi­ Hiking Society, the National Tour Association, Thursday, February 13, 1997 zations to carry out effective child restraint American Outdoors and other organizations. education programs. Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, it is extremely fit­ A study released by the National Parks and With more than 50 different kinds of child ting that in honor of Valentine's Day tomorrow Conservation Association indicated that nearly restraint designs and numerous seat belt con­ I rise to honor the work and outstanding 8 out every 1O people surveyed would be will­ figurations, putting children in properly-used record of achievement of Morris Tischler. As ing to increase their tax contribution by $1 to safety seats can be a complex process. As a the inventor of the cardiac pacemaker, Mr. benefit the National Park System. result, over half of parents who are conscien­ A similar checkoff for Presidential cam­ Tischler has done more than any other indi­ tious and careful enough to use child re­ paigns has raised over $200 million in the last vidual to keep the human heart ticking straints are unaware that they have made in­ 3 years. I believe that our national parks are throughout the world. stallation errors, putting their young children at far more popular than Presidential campaigns. risk. Morris Tischler, who we are fortunate to Therefore, I think we could raise hundreds of So many combinations of seats and car have as a resident of the great city of Balti­ millions of dollars for our national parks models exist that parents cannot easily figure more, has made medical history. In addition to through this type of checkoff on income tax out what is safe. A seat that works well in one his pioneering work in developing the pace­ forms. car may not work well in another. Con­ maker, he has been instrumental in designing I believe there is at least one easy choice sequently, too many children riding in child re­ instrumentation for heart surgery, monitoring that can be made which will provide our parks straint seats are at risk. systems, a nerve stimulator, a blood analyzing with additional funding-the choice to allow I have been working on initiatives to edu­ monitor, among other innovations. taxpayers the opportunity to donate money for cate families across the country about the the care of our national parks. As a teacher, consultant innovator, inventor, safety seat incompatibility problem. I have I hope that my colleagues will join me in been working with the National Highway and businessman, Mr. Tischler has charted supporting this legislation which will help us new territory in the field of medical electronics. Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) improve the quality of our national parks. in getting the word out about the proper instal­ In his desire to save lives, he has been gen­ lation of safety seats to parents, grandparents, erous in sharing his knowledge and expertise and anyone who transports a young child. with the medical community around the world TRIBUTE TO LYDIA MALDONADO DIAZ One of my goals is to provide NHTSA with through lectures and visits. enough money to fully carry out its child pas­ Born in Newark, NJ, Mr. Tischler attended HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS senger safety program. the Johns Hopkins University and graduated I also have been working with the D.A.N.A. from the University of Maryland. An outgrowth OF NEW YORK (Drivers' Appeal for National Awareness) foun­ of his research at Johns Hopkins University IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES dation and its founder, Mr. Joseph Colella. and the University of Maryland has been his Thursday, February 13, 1997 D.A.N.A. was "established in memory of Dana pioneering work in science education. He has Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I want to intro­ Hutchinson, age 3, who died in an automobile used his talents to develop and design edu­ duce my colleagues to Lydia Maldonado Diaz. accident while secured in a child safety seat." cational materials and training programs that Ms. Diaz reflects the type of community com­ It was a rainy day in the fall of 1994 when have been used in teaching science and elec­ mitment and civic duty that our society des­ Dana's mother strapped her into her child­ tronics in elementary and secondary schools, perately needs. safety seat for a trip to her grandmother's colleges, universities, and technical schools. After residing in New York City for 32 years, house. As always, Dana's father checked to He has succeeded in his goal of simplifying she and her husband moved to the community make sure that the seat was held tightly, sure very complex systems as an aid to teaching. of Cypress Hills, Brooklyn, where she was that he was doing everything possible to keep confronted with a host of illegal activities. his little girl safe. I urge my colleagues to join me in congratu­ Lydia joined the local block association and Dana's mother was driving; the roads were lating Morris Tischler, a true Renaissance began to make a difference. slick and slippery. Their car collided with a Man, on his outstanding career as inventor, Today, Lydia is actively involved in the pick-up truck. Dana's car seat pitched forward teacher, innovator. His energy and creativity Community Coalition to Restructure P.S. 76, and her head struck the dashboard. The po­ have made medical history and helped save an abandoned school building on her block, lice report stated an opinion that her child millions of lives around the world. His contribu­ and she has presided as the chairman of that safety restraint was improperly secured. tion to the field of medical science has set an organization. Dana's father, looking for an answer, called example of dedication and caring that is hard For 24 years she worked for the Cornell his local dealership and was told that every­ to match. University Cooperative Extension as a com- thing he did was correct. Then he looked in 2348 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS February 13, 1997 his owner's manual. After pages of information years and thousands of lives to finally put an She was born on May 21, 1930, the first he found the answer: the seatbelt system in end to the fighting in Southeast Asia. child of Kenneth Hall Mateer and Jean their car was incompatible with their child In 1973, as much of the Nation was still dis­ Weakley Mateer. Joanne's family was full of safety seat. covering just how serious the Watergate teachers and educators. Her grandmother on Joe Colella is Dana's uncle, and it is coverup was, ADA was the first national orga­ her mother's side was a teacher. Her uncle through his tireless work and the establish­ nization to call for the impeachment of Presi­ was a teacher, coach, and principal. And as a ment of the DAN.A. foundation that efforts dent Richard Nixon-reaching out to restore child, Joanne spent 1 full year in school with are being made to alert the public about the the bonds of trust between the White House her mother as her teacher and her father as compatibility and misuse problems that exist and Main Street America. her principal. between child restraints and vehicle seat belt These are just a small sampling of the spe­ Despite a childhood plagued by extremely systems. cific issues that ADA has been a leading force poor vision, Joanne worked hard in school. As I am pleased to introduce the Child Pas­ in. The ADA's sphere of involvement and ac­ a result, she was consistently a top ranked senger Protection Act, which I call "Dana's tivism goes even deeper into the everyday student, while also active in varsity sports and bill," and I am committed to continue working lives of modem America. school clubs. Americans for Democratic Action has been with Joe Colella and with NHTSA to encour­ Joanne's greatest influence throughout her age parents to properly use child restraints to a leading force in areas such as full employ­ life was her parents, and in particular, her fa­ protect our Nation's children. ment, women's rights, and protecting the ther, the late Kenneth Hall Mateer. Born to a rights of workers. family of working poor steelworkers, Ken ADA has also reached across the seas, Mateer's ability to achieve in both sports and ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICANS fighting for justice throughout the world. Hard­ academics brought him statewide acclaim. At FOR DEMOCRATIC ACTION working people have led the fight for arms the high school in Coatesville, PA, he earned control and foreign policy decisions rooted in as many as five varsity sports letters each international human rights. And ADA was a HON. JOHN W. OLVER year, and captained the baseball, football, and OF MASSACHUSETTS leader in opposing apartheid in South Africa. When debate on these issues first began, basketball teams. In one basketball game, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ADA's positions were initially turned away. But Mateer scored 54 points-a feat unheard of at Thursday, February 13, 1997 over time, our Nation's leaders-be they Dem­ that time. Mateer was also an outstanding scholar. He went on to earn a bachelor's de­ Mr. OLVER. Mr. Speaker, we are here ocrat or Republican-have come to recognize gree from Shippensburg State Teachers Col­ today to honor the 5oth anniversary of Ameri­ that Americans for Democratic Action has lege-Now Shippensburg University-and a cans for Democratic Action. been at the forefront of promoting liberty, master's degree from the University of Penn­ Fifty years ago, just after the end of the equality, and opportunity. sylvania. Second World War, Eleanor Roosevelt gath­ That is why we are gathered here today. I, ered with some of America's top leaders and for one, wish to applaud Americans for Demo­ Ken Mateer went on to become a teacher thinkers to discuss the state of liberty, equal­ cratic Action for its tireless work during the last and a high school coach. When Joanne was ity, and opportunity in America. From that half century. ADA is not the flashiest group­ a child, Mateer's football teams won national meeting, Americans for Democratic Action-or not the first group out there jockeying for polit­ recognition. But his heart was that of an edu­ ADA-was born. ical headlines or demanding instantaneous cator. He rose to become a career principal, Some people may not be aware of ADA. credit. and later, a school superintendent. At the They may not be able to recall the succession Instead, ADA is out there fighting for Amer­ peak of his career, he planned and founded of ADA's leaders. But every American has ican principles. ADA is promoting the very what is now the Great Valley School District in seen the results of dedicated ADA work. basic American ideas of life, liberty, and the western suburbs of Philadelphia. In 194~ess than a year after it was equality. And it is reminding those in power Joanne's mother, the late Jean Weakley founded-ADA was instrumental in including a that the Constitution created a national Gov­ Mateer, was also a central figure in Joanne's civil rights plank in the 1948 National Demo­ ernment to act for the common good. life. Jean Mateer was a wife, mother, and a cratic Party platform. Those core beliefs are the foundation of this teacher when few women were able to bal­ At that 1948 convention, then Minneapolis Nation. And they are the high principles that ance a career and a family. Although a quiet Mayor Hubert Humphrey and later a distin­ Americans for Democratic Action was founded counterpoint to the more outgoing Ken Mateer, guished U.S. Senator and Vice President-an on and designed to protect. Jean was a strong and supportive parent to ADA founder and vice chairman-called for I congratulate ADA for 50 years of work for Joanne. Joanne's only sibling was a younger "the Democratic Party to get out of the shad­ this Nation. I look forward to even more pro­ sister, Sarah Jane Mateer, known to the family ows of States' rights and walk forthrightly into ductive years as we work toward a century of as Sally. the bright sunshine of human rights." distinguished service. Joanne Weaver earned a Pennsylvania While we are still walking toward that bright State senate scholarship to the University of sunshine of human rights, we are all safe in TRIBUTE TO JOANNE MATEER Pennsylvania-an education which her family the knowledge that it was the 1948 Demo­ WEAVER could not afford on its own. At Penn, Joanne cratic platform-and the work of ADA-that studied hard and earned superior grades-all helped put national politics on the path of civil HON. JON D. FOX while working part time to defray her ex­ rights achievements. penses. She also was active in her sorority ADA built upon that achievement, demand­ OF PENNSYLVANIA and other extracurricular activities. At one ing action from President Kennedy after dogs IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES point, Joanne was coeditor of the University of and hoses were used on peaceful marchers in Thursday, February 13, 1997 Pennsylvania yearbook, along with a young Brimingham, AL, in 1963. Soon, Rev. Martin Mr. FOX of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I man who is now the senior U.S. Senator from Luther King's march on Washington captured rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding Pennsylvania, ARLEN SPECTER. the entire Nation's attention. And, in 1964, the leader in my congressional district, Joanne After graduating with a bachelor's degree in Civil Rights Act was passed. Mateer Weaver. I make these remarks in con­ education, Joanne began her teaching career ADA's work has not been limited to civil junction with the retirement of Joanne from the in Ridgewood, NJ, a suburb of New York City. rights. Americans for Democratic Action has Abington Township School District, after 40 In 1955, she married Robert E. Weaver. Dur­ long been the champion of what is fair and years as a teacher, administrator, and prin­ ing their marriage, Joanne and Robert had what is just. cipal. three children: Karen Elizabeth, May 25, 1958; In 1965, ADA was the first major national Joanne Weaver is known throughout Mont­ Mark Robert, January 9, 1961; and Laurie organization to publicly oppose the Vietnam gomery County and across the Common­ Ann, May 2, 1964. war. Beholden to no political party, Americans wealth of Pennsylvania for her dedication to In the late 1950's, Joanne and her family for Democratic action stood up to President her friends and family, her commitment to the settled in the Roslyn section of Abington Johnson and called for an end to the war. Un­ improvement of her community and the way Township, a northern suburb of Philadelphia. fortunately, it took the Nation more than 8 she cares for the children in her charge. She began teaching at the Ardsley Elementary February 13, 1997 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 2349 School. By that time, she had earned a mas­ the time to enroll in further graduate education In 1995, Mark was appointed as the deputy ter's degree in reading from Temple University herself-this time to earn her elementary and attorney general of Ohio, a position he still and was teaching mostly reading. secondary principal's certificate. holds today. In that job, he helps the attorney Joanne's leadership skills were quickly no­ By 1980, Joanne had finally taken the same general manage a 1,200 person legal office ticed and she gained administrative respon­ path as her father, she became an elementary which represents the State of Ohio in all legal sibilities early in her career. In the late 1960's, school principal, when she was appointed to matters. Mark and his wife Lori have two chil­ Joanne was promoted to curriculum specialist, lead the Rydal Elementary School. dren-Joanne's only grandchildren-Jamieson this time at North Hills Elementary School. Located in a more upscale section of Abing­ Lindsay Weaver, January 27, 1995, and Mark She served in this position until the mid- ton, Rydal Elementary School presented Jo­ Robert Weaver, Jr., June 18, 1996. 1970's, when she was elevated to a district­ anne with unique challenges. Parents de­ Joanne's youngest child is Laurie. Another wide position, as coordinator of the districfs manded excellence in every aspect of the athlete, Laurie played softball throughout her Human Development Program-an ombuds­ school and Joanne didn't disappoint. After 8 time at Abington High School. She continues man-type position which was used to educate years as principal at Rydal Elementary School, to play softball in the Abington area, often staff, teachers, and students about conflict Joanne sought a new challenge. At her own leading her team into the championships. For resolution, interpersonal communications, and request, she was transferred to Willow Hill El­ several years, Laurie served as operations di­ other related issues. ementary School, located in a working class rector for a successful parking company. In Around that time, Joanne suffered two per­ section of Abington. Joanne knew that this as­ this role, she helped the company grow from sonal tragedies. Her marriage to Robert ended signment would present completely different a basement operation to one with 75 employ­ in divorce and her sister Sally committed sui­ challenges. Joanne found that Willow Hill stu­ ees and a $500,000 annual budget. She now cide. These two events truly tested Joanne's dents were every bit as able as those from manages a doctor's office while pursuing a character. But like so many other times in her Rydal, but needed different motivation. She full-time career as a real estate agent. life, she summoned the inner strength to carry worked hard and helped students at her new Joanne Weaver's life has been one dedi­ on. Her resilience was a positive example to school score record high test scores, and she cated to helping others, with little thought for her three young children-as well as the two improved the overall learning environment. herself. As a child, she spent summers living daughters Sally left behind. In nearly every Last year, after 8 years at Willow Hill and 40 with and helping older relatives while many of way, Joanne became a surrogate mother to years as an educator, Joanne Weaver retired. her friends went to summer camp or the sea­ her two nieces and took it upon herself to Her career spanned four decades and she shore. As a college student, she was a tireless watch out for them as they matured. personally educated three different genera­ student leader and sorority organizer. As a Following these difficulties in her personal tions-in many cases Joanne taught children teacher, she spent long hours after school tu­ life, Joanne faced significant challenges in her who grew up, got married, and had children toring students who needed extra attention. professional life, as coordinator of Abington who were also educated by Joanne. In her community, Joanne has been in­ School Districf s Human Development Pro­ While concentrating on education, athletics, volved in far too many activities to chronicle. gram. This post-which Joanne helped create and citizenship as her father did, Joanne To name just a few: Antidrug programs­ and was the first to hold-came into great im­ taught her own children to do the same. De­ DARE and We Can Say No; adult education portance in the 1970's. Abington High School spite her busy professional schedule, Joanne programs-Parent effectiveness training, experienced racial strife due to two unrelated was a warm, loving, and involved parent. Di­ teacher effectiveness training; African-Amer­ deaths of Abington High School students. The vorced in 1971 , she made her role as a single ican civic groups; police and community districf s high school campus was in an uproar parent her top priority. And her dedication groups, and many others. Joanne has also and racial conflict was feared. As coordinator shows in the lives and successes of her three been active in her church, Abington Pres­ of the Human Development Program, Joanne children. byterian Church. For several years, she led the districfs response, including con­ Her eldest, Karen, was an outstanding ath­ served as a ruling elder and she still assists ducting inservice and assembly programs lete at Abington High School, playing lacrosse with the serving of communion. aimed at quelling the rumors and unrest. Her and field hockey. She was an all-American Joanne now enjoys the beach, traveling, her efforts were successful, and a crisis was field hockey player and a member of the 1980 three cats, and spending time with her fiance, averted. She was credited by many for helping national squad. She went on to earn bach­ Rudy. to solve the problem. elor's and master's degrees in physical edu­ Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of Joanne It was shortly after this incident that Abing­ cation. Karen was also one of the first women Weaver's retirement, I ask the members of the ton Township officials approached Joanne in the United States to win an athletic scholar­ U.S. House of Representatives to join me in about starting a township commission to deal ship. congratulating and honoring her service. I with potential race, religious, and ethnic strife In 1986, the college field hockey team yield back the balance of my time. in Abington. As a result, Joanne was ap­ Karen coached went undefeated and won the pointed by the board of commissioners as the national championship. That same year, USA first-and to this date the only-chairman of Today named her "Coach of the Year." For HOOSIER HERO'S-ANDERSON the Abington Township Community Relations the next 1O years, Karen as was head field COMMUNITY RESOURCES SUMMIT Commission, a position she still holds today. hockey coach at the Ohio State University. One of the first crises Joanne dealt with in She is currently an NCAA scholarship consult­ HON. DAVID M. McINTOSH her new position was a racially motivated ant, helping high school players and coaches OF INDIANA firebombing in the community. Acting as a me­ learn more about the college athletic scholar­ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES diator and working with law enforcement offi­ ship process. cials, Joanne helped calm the community Joanne's middle child-and only son-is Thursday, February 13, 1997 while the offenders were brought to justice. Mark. At Abington High School Mark played Mr. Mc INTOSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today Since that incident, Joanne and her com­ lacrosse and soccer. He went on to earn to give my report from Indiana. All across Indi­ mission have intervened, investigators, and bachelor's and master's degrees in public ad­ ana, my wife Ruthie and I have met so many mediated in dozens of racial, religious, and ministration from Kutztown University in Penn­ wonderful, kind, and caring people. These are ethnic incidents, Joanne has been recognized sylvania. For 4 years, Mark served as a com­ people who strive day and night to make a dif­ for her leadership and achievements in this munications director with the Republican Cau­ ference. In my book, these individuals are area by local judges, community groups, Ab­ cus of the Pennsylvania House of Representa­ Hoosier heros. Heros in every sense of the ington Township, and the commonwealth of tives. At night, he studied law at the Widener word, because of their commitment to others. Pennsylvania. University School of Law, graduating and be­ Picture if you will, concerned citizens rolling During her tenure as a administrator, Jo­ coming a member of the bar in 1989. He re­ up their sleeves and taking the responsibility anne found the time to teach graduate school ceived a White House appointment as Assist­ to make their community a better place to live. under the auspices of Marywood College. Dur­ ant Director of Public Affairs for the U.S. De­ Today, I commend each and everyone in­ ing weekends and evenings, Joanne taught partment of Justice. After that, he became vice volved with the community resources summit, other educators the skills she honed through­ president and general counsel for a Wash­ in Anderson, IN. People like, Rudy Porter, out her career. Somehow, Joanne also found ington, DC media consulting firm. from Mayor Lawler's office, Bill Raymore of 2350 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS February 13, 1997 the Urban League, Lennon Brown, Bill Wat­ ing programs dedicated to diversity and 15 Petaluma and came up with the successful son, and Ollie Dixon have rolled up their percent of them tie portions of executive com­ plan to tum an empty agricultural experimen­ sleeves and got involved. These are special pensation to achieving diversity leadership tation center into a shelter for homeless fami­ people. goals. A year ago, when WB and B first sur­ lies. Over a year ago, citizens who were con­ veyed these companies, 64 percent said they Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to pay cerned about the problems in the black com­ maintained such programs and 17 percent tribute to John Scharer this evening. It would munity in Anderson, IN, came together to said they included compensation incentives. be difficult to find a person as committed to identify the concerns that plague their streets, These percentages were almost identical to the future of Petaluma as John. Petalumans hanTI their people, and impact their neighbor­ the survey results of a year ago, despite the owe a great deal of gratitude to him for his hoods. These citizens of Anderson identified political assault on affinTiative action programs tireless efforts on their behalf. He will certainly 86 areas of concern. in the intervening months. be missed. At a later summit meeting, those concerns WB&B founder Wes Porietis notes the influ­ were consolidated to a little more than 20 ac­ ence of a widely circulated study by the Hud­ tion areas. Important issues ranging from son Institute on the effects of the marketplace EXPLANATION OF MINK PRIVATE crime, violence, race, the environment, care of to changing demographics in the United DELIVERY SERVICE BILL the elder1y, safety, and education. States. The study concluded that in the near Citizens were asked to do more than pay lip future, companies with workforces that mirror HON. PATSY T. MINK service, but do something to solve the prob­ the demography of their customers will prevail OF HAWAII lems. And I'm proud to say that my staff and over competitors whose workforces do not. In IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES I joined in their effort. short, diversity hiring is good business. Thursday, February 13, 1997 We signed up for care of the elder1y, and Wesley, Brown & Bartle is the oldest minor­ we held over 83 senior outreach meetings ity-partnered international search finTI. It pro­ Mrs. MINK of Hawaii. Mr. Speaker, I have across the second district. We held more than vides senior and middle management execu­ introduced legislation to provide consumers 33 senior outreach meetings in Madison tive recruitment for major corporations and access and ease of transmission to Federal County. Federal agencies. Their innovative systems for agencies where time of receipt is required to At each meeting we answered questions identifying and maintaining contact with man­ preserve a right or to meet a filing deadline. and addressed concerns about Medicare and agers and professionals have been utilized by Currently, in many instances, documents re­ Social Security. At leadership meetings indi­ many of the Nation's leading corporations, in­ quired to be received by Federal agencies viduals signed their names to concern areas. cluding AT and T, DuPont, Northrop Grum­ within a certain deadline are recognized as ar­ Then they were asked to come back months man, The Prudential, Toy's R US, and Union riving on time by the date of postmark affixed later and deliver a progress report on their ef­ Pacific. by the U.S. Postal Service [USPS]. Such doc­ forts. Wesley, Brown and Bartle is to be com­ uments include grant applications, court no­ What transpired, was truly amazing. The re­ mended for having been in the forefront of ad­ tices, sealed bids, and several other types of sponsibility was taken seriously. Commitments vancing quality executives from the ranks of official documents. were made to help others, solve problems, the Nation's women and minorities for almost My legislation would provide the same rec­ and clean up the streets from crime, drugs, a quarter of a century. I salute this finTI in my ognition to the date affixed on such items de­ and violence. So many special people worked district and the truly inspirational results of livered by private delivery services, such as day and night to help those less fortunate in their quarter-century of significant and innova­ Federal Express or United Parcel Service. Anderson. tive achievement. My bill uses the same definition of des­ So many wonderful people like James Bur­ ignated private delivery services as is used by gess and Dr. William O'Neill, the assistant su­ the Taxpayer Bill of Rights II, Public Law 104- perintendent of Anderson community schools, TRIBUTE TO JOHN SCHARER 168, section 1210, which was passed by the have taken the responsibility to make our last Congress and signed into law on July 30, community a better place. HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY 1996. This timely-mailing-as-timely-filing rule So today let me commend a few of the lead OF CALIFORNIA applied to filing of income tax returns has coordinators; Larry Burns with Concerned Citi­ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES been adopted by my bill and extended to all zens, Bruce Walker, and Rev. Louis Burgess, documents filed with Federal agencies. Thursday, February 13, 1997 Jr., for their valuable time, prayers, strength, The date of receipt or date otherwise re­ and efforts. Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to corded on the item by the delivery company Everyone who participated in the community honor one of my districfs most dedicated and will constitute date of receipt by the Federal resources summit are Hoosier heros. Mr. caring public servants, John Scharer, who re­ agency same as filing of Federal income taxes Speaker, that concludes my report from Indi­ cently retired after more than 2 decades of is deemed received by the postmark placed ana. public service. on the parcel or letter by USPS. With ex­ John has served the city of Petaluma, CA panded delivery services now available, this for more than 24 years as an accountant, fi­ procedure should be deemed applicable to COMMENDING WESLEY, BROWN & nance director, and, for the past 16 years, as these services as well. BARTLE'S FINDINGS ON MINOR­ city manager. His courage and creativity have I urge my colleagues to support my bill, to ITY EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES helped to tum the city's economy around and provide greater ease of compliance by our prepare Petalumans to meet the challenges of constituents in meeting filing deadlines. HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY the 21st century. Under John's leadership, the OF NEW YORK city built a beautiful 24,000 square foot com­ HELLS CANYON NATIONAL IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES munity center, developed a wonderful marina and municipal airport, and converted a mor­ RECREATION AREA Thursday, February 13, 1997 tuary into a state-of-the-art police facility. Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I was fortunate to have served on the HON. ROBERT SMfIH despite the heated controversy and, at times, Petaluma City Council for 8 years during OF OREGON unfortunate rhetoric surrounding the plight of John's tenure as city manager. Although we IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES women and minorities who must strive for ca­ seldom disagreed on important issues, when reer advancement, I am pleased to report that we did, I never questioned John's commitment Thursday, February 13, 1997 Wesley, Brown and Bartie finds America's to the people of Petaluma. Through John's ef­ Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, today I leading corporations continue to maintain di­ forts, projects such as the Factory Outlet Vil­ have introduced legislation to clarify the east­ versity employment practices. lage, the Auto Mall Plaza, and new industrial ern boundary of the Hell's Canyon National Almost 2 in every 3 Fortune 100 companies parks have allowed Petaluma to grow without Recreation Area [HCNRA]. This legislation is (62 percent) responding to a survey by Wes­ losing its small-town chanTI. He also brought a necessary to correct an oversight that has ley, Brown and Bartie Company, Inc. have hir- Santa Rosa Junior College campus to lead to the closure of an important access February 13, 1997 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 2351 route. The bill will enhance the public enjoy­ I rise today to honor Reverend Finley diate assistance and Mr. Delgado and Mr. ment of the Hells Canyon region, while pre­ Schaefer for his forty years of dedication and Howard stopped to aid in rescuing the two offi­ serving the ecological value of the wilderness leadership within the Methodist religion. For cers from a burning vehicle. area itself. over 25 years, Reverend Schaefer has served While responding to a call of a man with a In 1975, Congress created the HCNRA. The as Minister for the Park Slope United Meth­ gun at 44th Street near Cicero Avenue, the of­ recreation area abuts the eastern border of odist Church. Through his tireless efforts and ficers were involved in an accident that the Hells Canyon Wilderness Area, and over­ the highest dedication to his religion, Rev­ caused flames which protruded through the looks the Snake River and the Oregon-Idaho erend Schaefer has worked to create the most hood of the patrol vehicle. At the time, border. A road, Forest Service Road 3965, lies solid form of bond between all those within his Delgado and Howard were passing by and along the western rim of Hells Canyon. Most congregation. The example of his high stand­ saw the flames. Without any hesitation or re­ of this rim road lies within the recreation area. ard of commitment to the people within his gard for their own safety, they immediately at­ It provides access to several hiking trails, and church and to the people touched by his reli­ tended to the two officers inside the burning to the most scenic overlooks of Hells Canyon gious message is an inspiration to us all. vehicle. itself. Unfortunately, a 6.5-mile stretch of the Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this mo­ With much bravery and commendation, rim road is now closed. Despite the clear in­ ment to ask my colleagues in the U.S. House Delgado and Howard attempted to pry open tent of Congress, and the long-standing prac­ of Representatives to join me in wishing Rev­ the door of the patrol vehicle with a crowbar tice of the Forest Service, an inaccuracy in the erend Schaefer all the best in his retirement without success. After many attempts Delgado boundary definition has led to the inadvertent from the ministry of the United Methodist was able to break the window and pull Officer inclusion of Forest Service Road 3965 within Church. Even as Reverend Shaefer leaves the Koman out to safety. At the same time, How­ the Hells Canyon Wilderness Area itself, forc­ formal church behind him, there can be no ard was able to remove Officer Van Vegten ing the road's closure. doubt as to the joyous life which lies ahead for from the vehicle. The legislative history of the 1975 recreation him and all those who cross his path. Because of their quick response and think­ area legislation evinces a clear congressional ing, Delgado and Howard were successfully intent to maintain Forest Service Road 3965, able to remove both Officers Van Vegten and the area's most prominent scenic route. Sec­ TRIBUTE TO THE PERFORMANCE Koman from fatal harm. Both officers were tion eight of the original HCNRA Act requires CLUSTER CHOIR then taken to area hospitals for life-saving the Secretary of Agriculture to evaluate scenic treatment. Valdemar Delgado and Ben How­ roads within the recreation area. During Sen­ HON. BOBBY L RUSH ard were congratulated and honored on Janu­ ate consideration of the bill, it was stated that OF ILLINOIS ary 14, 1997, for their heroism and bravery by the mayor and City of Chicago Council. "in no case [would Recreation Area lands] go IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES back to the rim of the gorge." Mr. Speaker, I congratulate and commend Thursday, February 13, 1997 In 1978, Rep. Al Ullman (OR) successfully these two fine individuals for their bravery and sponsored legislation that changed the recre­ Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in selfless act. I am very proud and honored to ation area's eastern boundary by tying it to the honor of the Performance Cluster Choir and have people like Valdemar Delgado and Ben Canyon's hydrologic divide. For 11 years, their 72nd observance of Black History Month. Howard who give so much to help with the Road 3965 remained open to motorized vehi­ The Chicago Post Office Choir reorganized safety of our community. cles. Then, in October 1989, during scoping in September 1994 under the direction of for a proposed fire salvage timber sale, it was Carolyn Y. McQuerter. During this period of TRIBUTE TO RAUL A. BESTEIRO, discovered that portions of a 7-mile stretch of reconstruction, the choir was renamed the JR. the road were located on the Snake River side Performance Cluster Choir. The choir rep­ of the hydrologic divide. Despite longstanding resents employees from all crafts, and in­ HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ practice, and the well-established intent of cludes a husband and wife, four sisters, and OF TEXAS Congress, the Forest Service was compelled numerous cousins and friends. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES to close the road. After a thorough review of The talent and tremendous sound of this this issue in 1996, Jack Ward Thomas, then choir has enabled them to perform at the in­ Thursday, February 13, 1997 the Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, wrote a stallation of Rufus F. Porter, the District Man­ Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask letter in which he addressed the assertion that ager/Postmaster in Chicago, and for Etta J. my colleagues to join me in commending Mr. the road closure was inadvertent. He con­ Williams, Postmaster in Oak Forest, IL This Raul A. Besteiro, Jr., an adjunct professor with cluded that "all indications are that this is the gifted choir has also performed at the Annual the alternative certification program at the Uni­ case." Picnics of Alderman John 0. Steele, and for versity of Texas-Brownsville, for his recent For decades, Oregon residents have trav­ the 1st anniversary of the Million Man March, election to the presidency of the Southern As­ eled Road 3965 to experience the natural celebrated at DuSable Museum. sociation of Colleges and Schools [SACS]. He beauty of Hells Canyon. Congress established Mr. Speaker, this choir has truly been a was elected to this position at SACS' annual the HCNRA to enhance and preserve public blessing to the Chicago District Post Office, gathering in Nashville, TN, in December, after enjoyment of this valuable resource-not to and to the African-American community in the 38 years of membership. cut off access to the area. This bill will restore city of Chicago as well. I am proud to enter SACS is a voluntary agency, one of six re­ Congress' original intent, facilitating public ac­ these words of recognition into the RECORD. gional accrediting organizations in the United cess to the recreation area while preserving States. It boasts a membership of more than the sanctity of Hells Canyon itself. I urge my 11,000 accredited public and private edu­ colleagues to support this sensible legislation. TRIBUTE TO VALDEMAR DELGADO cational institutions, from colleges and univer­ AND BEN HOWARD FOR THEIR sities to elementary schools. The organization BRAVERY OF SERVICE TO THE was founded in 1895, and works with schools RECOGNITION OF REVEREND CICERO POLICE DEPARTMENT across the South from Virginia to Texas. FINLEY SCHAEFER As president of this prestigious organization, HON. WIWAM 0. LIPINSKI Mr. Besteiro will lead the formulation of policy HON. CHARLFS E. SCHUMER OF ILLINOIS for accreditation of the region's member OF NEW YORK IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES schools and colleges. He was chosen to lead IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES this association by virtue of his hard work on Thursday, February 13, 1997 behalf of schools, children, and education over Thursday, February 13, 1997 Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to the years. He has been actively involved with Mr. SCHUMER, Mr. Speaker, one of the honor and commend Valdemar Delgado and the association's process of ensuring that pleasures of serving in this legislative body is Ben Howard, two outstanding individuals from member institutions meet established stand­ the opportunity we occasionally get to publicly my district. It was on January 8, 1997, that ards. acknowledge outstanding individuals of our two Cicero police officers, Andre Van Vegten There is no one who can do a better job Nation. and Matthew Koman, were in need of imme- with this great responsibility than Raul .. ---ro- . . , .

2352 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS February 13, 1997 Besteiro. Mr. B., as he is affectionately known ter, can obtain the benefits of section 936. dents studying in Athens, Beckley, and other throughout south Texas, has spent his adult Should Federal law concerning the importation southern West Virginia locations. The town in life dedicated to the excellence of schools in of canned tuna into the United States under which is has always been located even Brownsville and to the cause of education in the dolphin safe label be amended as pro­ changed its name to Athens in 1896 in rec­ general. Mr. B. was an integral part of the posed, I do not believe the two tuna canning ognition of Concord's role as a center of edu­ Brownville Independent School District from plants in American Samoa will remain in cation. 1958 to 1989, as a teacher, an administrator, Samoa beyond the end of this century. Should Concord College, under previous Presidents and a superintendent. they leave, and I expect them to be forced to such as Cap. James Harvey French, whose He has proven himself to be a unique edu­ do so because of changes in the economics of early title was "Principal," to President Joseph cator for the community of Brownsville with the international production of canned tuna, Franklin Marsh, to President Meredith Free­ example of his life's work. That dedication to Samoa will lose fully one-third of its total econ­ man, to the excellent administration of its cur­ education continues within the realm of his omy. This will be devastating. rent President Jerry Beasley, has expanded new position. In the 101 year history of SACS, This legislation is a start toward addressing far beyond its original teacher preparation mis­ Raul Besteiro is both the first Texan-and the this problem. The commission established will sion-with programs of study offered in busi­ first Hispanic-to lead the organization. be directed to examine, among other things, ness, social work, the arts and sciences and I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking recent changes in trade law and the current the other pre-professional fields. Raul for his life's work in the field of edu­ and future impact these changes will have on The college believes strongly in the advan­ cation. I hope you will join me in wishing him American Samoa. tages that a broad liberal arts education can well as he furthers the cause of education as add to the job preparation skills which the the president of SACS. public now demands. In an era in which job A TRIBUTE TO CONCORD COLLEGE, change and career shifts are on the rise, the ATHENS, WV, 125 YEARS OF EDU­ value of this fundamental educatio~earning AMERICAN SAMOA DEVELOPMENT CATIONAL EXCELLENCE ACT OF 1997 how to learn for a lifetime-is even more pro­ nounced. HON. NICK J. RAHAU. II Mr. Speaker, it is my high honor to rep­ HON. ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA OF WEST VIRGINIA resent the people who live in southern West OF AMERICAN SAMOA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Virginia-the State's third Congressional Dis­ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES trict-where Concord College was established Thursday, February 13, 1997 Thun~y.~~uacy1~1~7 and where it is now a thriving campus. Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, on May 10, I take this opportunity to pay tribute to Con­ today to introduce the American Samoa De­ 1875, 70 students arrived at a rough frame cord College, to its faculty, students and to its velopment Act of 1997. building for the first session of classes, under many friends as it celebrates its 125th anni­ Over the past several months, I have had the leadership of Capt. James Harvey French versary on February 28, 1997. At 11 a.m. on the opportunity to discuss with American Sa­ as princiapal-a result of action taken by the that date, a full academic processional will moa's new Governor, the Honorable Tauese West Virginia Legislature to establish a branch enter the Alexander Fine/Arts Center of the P.F. Sunia, the current economic status of of the State Normal School at Concord in the Athens campus for a program commemorating American Samoa, and the direction he would county of Mercer. the college's beginning-and its future. like to move the territory's economy. On February 28, 1997 Concord College will I join with the officials of Concord College, It is no secret that of all the U.S. insular observe its 125th anniversary-celebrating the newly elected Governor Cecil Underwood, areas, American Samoa has the weakest one and one-quarter centuries of excellence. the State College System board of Directors, economy. The growing population coupled This expansion of higher education was mo­ the local delegation to the West Virginia Legis­ with its limited industrial base has hastened an tivated by the educational reform movement of lature and representatives of Concord's con­ economic downward spiral which if not the 1870's and the need for producing quali­ stituent and support groups, in congratulating checked, could result in the financial collapse fied teachers for elementary and secondary Concord College for this enormous success in of the local government. This would not be in schools. The enabling legislation provided that serving family and student needs in Athens the interests of the residents of American no State funds were to be used in the con­ and surrounding areas. Samoa, the local government, or the United struction of the school building. Residents of Mr. Speaker, it is through these kinds of States. the town raised over $1, 700 by subscription to lasting efforts continued down through cen­ American Samoa currently receives annual erect the first building on land donated by Wil­ turies and more, that we continue to be able Federal assistance for both the operations of liam Harvey Martin, at the site of the present to improve and enhance higher education for its government and for the construction of cap­ Athens Elementary School. all our people. From its inception, the local ital assets. Every elected Governor of Amer­ By 1885, the State Legislature, impressed people of Athens, the students and faculty, ican Samoa has attempted to develop a larger by the service given to the State by the and the enormously talented Presidents and broader economy for Samoa, but each school, appropriated $5,000 for a new brick named above who served Concord from 1872 has met with limited or no success because of building, which was completed in June 1887. to 1997, all sharing their ideas and their ideals Samoa's remote location, its limited transpor­ But fire was to claim the downtown location and acting upon them for the common good­ tation, and its devastating hurricanes. of the Normal School in November 1910, rous­ have culminated in the highly respected and To his credit, former Gov. A.P. Lutali nego­ ing a determined faculty and students to hold greatly loved Concord College that we pay tiated a mutually beneficial agreement with an classes the very next day wherever they could tribute to today. apparel company during his most recent term find space throughout town. The current cam­ in office, and that company is now in operation pus was selected as the new site, and it was and employing hundreds of American purchased by the people of Athens from the BLACK HISTORY MONTH: RECOGNI­ Samoans. The addition of this company gives Vermillion family for that purpose, only to have TION, RESPECT, AND RELIANCE American Samoa a total of three major busi­ a second fire in 1912 that was even more nesses operating in the territory. I am con­ damaging than the first-but again, a deter­ HON. MIKE MclNIYRE cerned that with the termination of section 936 mined faculty and residents of the local com­ OF NORTH CAROLINA of the Internal Revenue Code, the implemen­ munity banded together to rebuild and rededi­ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tation of the North American Free Trade cate Concord School. Agreement, and the phase out of tariffs under The college awarded its first baccalaureate Thursday, February 13, 1997 the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, degree to three graduates in June 1923, and Mr. MCINTYRE, Mr. Speaker, as the Mem­ the few trade incentives the United States has in 1931 the institutions' name changed to Con­ bers know, February is Black History Month, given American Samoa and the other insular cord State Teachers College. which our Nation has devoted to recognizing areas are rapidly losing their value. Today, under the current leadership of and honoring the contributions and accom­ As of today, no new businesses in American President Jerry Beasley, Concord has grown plishments African-Americans have made to Samoa, or any other insular area for that mat- to a comprehensive State college of 2,400 stu- this country. Across our great Nation, schools, February 13, 1997 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 2353 businesses, churches, and civic organizations merous other state boards and commissions, can-American-should be respected members are making a special effort to proclaim the im­ state legislature, and in government positions of our Nation. portance of African-Americans to this Nation's at all levels, including Congress, for many Finally, we should consider America's future progress and success. years with distinction. The civil rights ad­ in light of the recognition and respect due Afri­ We make this special effort for two fun­ vances in our nation could not have been can-Americans. America works best when damentally important reasons. First, black made without these fine citizens. We must every American can act responsibly, work people of this Nation have suffered unfairly recognize the importance Blacks have in well, and live in a safe community. When through generations of slavery and oppres­ shaping our political lives. Black History Months ends, we must not end sion. Today, I am grateful that we are working We should also recognize Blacks for their the recognition and respect earned by African­ together to ensure that all people are treated contributions to advancing American science Americans. Our recognition and respect for equally, both in word and deed. The second and technology. Blacks have been vitally im­ African- Americans leads to a reliance on Afri­ reason we mark this time with Black History portant inventors and scientists from our na­ can-Americans for their valuable contributions Month is that African-Americans have made tion's earliest days. Did you know that to American life. Today, there are nearly 400,000 African­ substantive and vitally important contributions Onesimus, a black slave, was experimenting American children in the North Carolina public to this Nation's progress and success. Quite with smallpox vaccines in the 1720s? This pio­ schools. We must work together to ensure that simply, we would be much diminished as a neer of modem medicine was followed by oth­ their future is full of success and opportunity. nation if it were not for the hard work, insight, ers such as Dr. Charles Drew, who engi­ Through the efforts of their forebearers, this activism, leadership, and excellence found neered blood transfusions; and Samual Nation has come closer to fully understanding Kountz, who made kidney transplants more within the African-American community. our Declaration of Independence: That all men Today, I want to focus on the pattern of successful. In technology, Blacks have in­ are created equal under God and are entitled black history that begins with our Nation's ear­ vented the incandescent light bulb, truck re­ to the opportunity for life, liberty, and the pur­ liest days and ends in a future that is brighter frigeration, polymer fabrics, and automated suit of happiness. For many years, these for all of us. That pattern has three funda­ manufacturing machines used in making words rang hollow to African-Americans. Let mental components: Recognition, Respect, shoes, telephones, and other items essential us be wise enough to now recognize their ac­ and Reliance. I believe that we must recog­ to our daily lives. In space, Lt. Colonel Guion complishments, respect their value to society, nize African-Americans for their contributions. Bluford was the first Black to fly in space. and rely on them to be equal members in the I believe that respect for African-Americans Hoping to advance human services, astronaut great work of this Nation. flows out of our recognition of their importance Ronald McNair tragically died in the Chal­ And may we remember the words of Adlai in America. Finally, recognition and respect lenger shuttle explosion. These individuals and Stevenson, who was the Democratic nominee creates a healthy reliance on African-Ameri­ many many other African-Americans must be for President in 1956, this year I was born, cans that crosses all racial and economic fully recognized for their contributions to Amer­ when he said: groups. I stand here today in order to help ican life. Trust the people, trust their good sense, move forward our efforts to recognize Black Once we recognize African-Americans for their decency, their faith. Trust them with historical accomplishments, to urge respect for their accomplishments, we must respect them the facts; trust them with the great deci­ our African-American neighbors, and to pro­ as valuable contributors to American society. sions; and fix as our guiding star the passion mote a cross-racial reliance that fosters a In my home state of North Carolina, the Afri­ to create a society in which no American is held down by his race or color, by worldly more perfect Union. can-American community emerged from the condition or social status from earning that Recognition begins with an understanding shadows of slavery to quickly take positions in which his character earns him as an Amer­ that African-Americans have made substantive government, education, entertainment, and ican citizen, as a human being as a child of and vitally important contributions to the cul­ media. The progress has not always been God. tural, economic, athletic, scientific, and spir­ easy or free of hardship and danger, but the itual advancement of the United States. They results for North Carolina include a vibrant and have been a positive factor in nearly all major diverse sense of community that benefits TRIBUTE TO DANYCE HOLGATE­ events in American history and have both in­ every citizen. WILKINS fluenced and changed American life and cul­ Take, for example, two North Carolinians ture. Unfortunately, many contributions made who should have our respect. First, in the HON. EOOLPHUS TOWNS by African-Americans remain unknown among early 1900's Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown OF NEW YORK most Americans. founded a school for African-American chil­ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES We could spend many hours exploring Afri­ dren. Although she was attacked and op­ Thursday, February 13, 1997 can-American contributions to American life. pressed with Jim Crow laws, her faith in God Today, I urge you to take some time and ex­ and her commitment to her community gave Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, the Borough of Brooklyn is blessed with a tremendous re­ plore the remarkable achievements of African­ her the strength to ensure that her school, source of talented citizens who are dedicated Americans on your own. When we recognize known as the Palmer Institute, educated Black to improving their community and making it a the continuous and important impact they children in the sciences, language, and cul­ better place to live. Danyce Holgate-Wilkins is have had on our nation, we will agree that a ture. She received many honors, and was a one of those dedicated citizens. She was born future full of African-American accomplish­ friend of Eleanor Roosevelt, W.E.B. DuBouis, and raised in Brooklyn, and received her un­ ments is a good one. Booker T. Washington, and other leaders of dergraduate degree from Stonybrook Univer­ Consider the impact African-Americans have the day. I have nothing but respect for people sity, and her law degree from Howard Univer­ had in politics and civil rights. Of course, like Dr. Hawkins, who spend their lives com­ sity School of Law. Blacks have always been politically active. mitted to God and community. Since obtaining her law degree, Danyce has Today, we should call special attention to There is one more person who exemplifies worked in a variety of capacities, including a Blacks who serve their nation and commu­ the sort of success that we should respect. clerkship with the Honorable Judge Bruce nities in ways unimaginable one hundred Hiram Rhoades Revels is especially significant Wright, in addition to working in the law firm years or even fifty years ago. Blacks now to me for three reasons. First, he committed of Gaston and Snow in Boston, MA. She also serve in unprecedented numbers in elected his life to God and proclaiming the truth of the has worked as an assistant corporation coun­ and appointed positions at all levels of govern­ Christian Gospel. Second, he was born in sel for the city of New York. ment. Mayors David Dinkins, Tom Bradley, Fayetteville, North Carolina, only 30 miles Danyce is involved in a host of local political Coleman Young, and others have had a posi­ from where I was born. Third, he was the first endeavors, in addition to serving on the board tive impact on some of our most important cit­ Black member of the United States Congress. of the Association of Black Woman Attorneys. ies. Douglass Wilder served as governor of It is remarkable that his adult life spanned the Additionally, she is a member of the board of my neighbor state of Virginia. In my home dis­ Civil War, Reconstruction, and ended in 1901 the Tri-Community Development Corporation, trict, several black leaders have served on the during the Progressive Era. He was a true pio­ and the Parent Teacher's Association. city council, school board, board of county neer of American political life. Danyce is married to William Scott Wilkins commissioners, community college board All the people I have mentioned today-the and is blessed with two wonderful children, members, state board of transportation, nu- scientists, teachers, politicans, and every Afri- twin girls, Danah and Danielle. 2354 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS February 13, 1997 TRIBUTE TO FRANK DEL OLMO over 20 years, the story is no different outside In my opinion, our current system fosters a the newsroom. class of professional politicians who entrench HON. XAVIER BECERRA Frank, the highest-ranking Latino at The Los themselves in office by utilizing the powers of Angeles Times, serves as a role model for OF CALIFORNIA incumbency. Latinos and other minorities, especially young IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Lefs put politics and bickering aside for a aspiring journalists. His commitment to ad­ day and pass meaningful term limits legislation Thursday, February 13, 1997 vancing the lives of young people and desire on a bipartisan basis. Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, it is with ut­ to see more Latinos blaze the journalist path Seventy-five percent of all Americans sup­ most pride that I rise today to recognize and inspired him to join with his colleagues to es­ port term limits. Twenty-four States have ap­ honor one of this country's finest journalists-­ tablish the California Chicano News Media As­ proved term limit measures. Mr. Frank del Olmo-as he celebrates 25 sociation (CCNMA) nearly 25 years ago. Ifs time for us to put the people back in years of service at The Los Angeles Times. Today, the 500-member organization serves charge and restore our constituents faith in For over two decades, Frank has written for as a valuable resource for working journalists Congress as an institution. Los Angeles' awardwinning daily and has de­ and aspiring journalists alike. Frank was a We can do this by sending a clear signal livered more than just a story and a byline. principal architect in the designing of the sum­ that the House of Representatives and the Frank began his career at The Los Angeles mer high school journalism workshops that are U.S. Senate will no longer be home to the out Times as an intern in 1971 and was hired as synonymous with CCNMA. The workshops of town and the out of touch. a reporter upon completion of his apprentice­ allow participating students to acquire-­ I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of term ship. After spending a year reporting local through one-on-one training with professional limits today. news, he soon became a staff writer special­ journalists in actual newsrooms--the nec­ izing in Latin American affairs-a stint which essary tools to report the world. lasted nearly 1O years and distinguished him From covering the local beat as a rookie re­ TRIBUTE TO EVELYN DUBROW ON as one of the best writers at his hometown porter, to reporting the violence and bloodshed THE OCCASION OF HER RETIRE­ paper. of civil disturbance in Central America, to writ­ MENT AFTER 40 YEARS OF Frank rose to the rank of editorial writer and ing commentaries and helping students, Frank SERVICE ON BEHALF OF AMER­ held the position for 9 years before beginning has surpassed the expectations and standards ICA'S WORKING FAMILIES his 6-year tenure as deputy editor of the edi­ of a journalist. In a time when so many take torial pages. Today, Frank is assistant to the liberty to belittle and bash members of the HON. THOMASM. FOGUE'IlA editor at The Los Angeles Times. He holds the media, it is with great pleasure that I honor Frank today and share a piece of his life with OF PENNSYLVANIA highest position of any Latino at the news­ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES paper, and he continues to be one of the few you. Mr. Speaker, as friends and associates high-ranking Latinos in newspaper manage­ Thursday, February 13, 1997 gather to congratulate Frank for his 25 years ment in the country. Mr. FOGLIETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today of outstanding work, I ask that my colleagues Frank has earned a reputation for being a to pay special tribute to Evelyn Dubrow, and my country join me in saluting this excep­ journalist with integrity-a risk-taker who whose ceaseless advocacy on behalf of the tional individual-An individual who is a tre­ knows how to thread the needle-a man con­ American worker has spanned four decades mendous journalist and an active community fidently anchored as much in his words as by and has been a catalyst for positive change in leader-an individual who, until I memorialize his deeds. American society. it in writing, may never understand just how Perhaps one of the most defining moments Evy Dubrow began her adult life as a jour­ proud he makes so many of us feel. nalist but soon became one of the leading in Frank's career was born in a dissenting Mr. Speaker, Frank del Olmo is a humble voices in the labor movement. After serving as opinion he wrote a few years ago while deputy and thoughtful man who carefully conceals the secretary of the New Jersey chapter of the editor of the editorial pages. When The Times passsion and determination of a warrior. He is issued a gubernatorial endorsement with most deserving of our words of tribute. How I American Newspaper Guild during the 1940's, which he strongly disagreed, Frank put his only wish that my pen would sing like his. Evy was hired by the International Ladies Gar­ pen to work despite the brewing tension that ment Worker's Union [ILGWU] in 1956. Shortly many believed might lead to his permanent thereafter, Evy was sent to Washington by the departure from the paper. For Frank, express­ CONGRESSIONAL TERM LIMITS ILGWU where she lobbied for passage of ing his opinions publicly was a matter of con­ AMENDMENT many progressive initiatives. Through the Six­ science. He could not sit back while the official ties, Seventies, and Eighties she worked Times opinion so offended California's ethnic SPEECH OF closely with the leadership of both parties in and immigrant communities. His efforts HON. BOB RILEY support of a more labor-friendly agenda. In the brought him greater respect from journalists in OF ALABAMA Seventies, in honor of her tireless dedication, the newsroom; and management fully realized IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES then-Speaker Tip O'Neill assigned Evy her own chair outside the House Chamber doors. the talents and crucial voice that Frank brings Wednesday , February 12, 1997 to its pages. Evy Dubrow came to Washington a diminu­ As assistant to the editor, Frank continues The House in Committee of the Whole tive political novice, but will leave behind a to write an insightful column for Sunday's House on the State of the Union had under legacy of the greatest stature. During her ten­ opinion page, and he has greater input in what consideration the bill joint resolution (H.J. ure on the Hill, Evy pressed for greater access Res. 2) proposing an amendment to the Con­ to health care, family and medical leave, rais­ the paper will run each day. Frank earned this st itution of the United States with respect responsibility because he worked hard, be­ to the number of terms of office of Members ing the minimum wage, and "Buy American," cause he was vigilant on behalf of his paper of the Senat e and the House of Representa­ long before they became fashionable causes. and his principles. He earned it because he tives: Over the years her intelligence, gentility and dared to speak his mind-legitimately, con­ Mr. RILEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to ex­ charm have allowed her to gain access to a structively. press my support for term limits. veritable Who's Who of the Congress. Never The quality of Frank's work over the years When our Founding Fathers drafted the one to threaten or cajole, Evy trusted her firm has earned him public acclaim. In 1991, he Constitution, they envisioned a citizen legisla­ grasp of the issues and friendly disposition to was a co-winner of The Los Angeles Times ture of the people, not a lifeline for career poli­ get her point across. "Editorial Award" for pieces written on the ticians. When Evy arrived in Washington there were Rodney King/LAPD/Darryl Gates case. In Congress ought to be an institution that en­ only three other women lobbyists on the Hill 1984, Frank received the prestigious "Pulitzer courages individuals to come to Washington and Dwight Eisenhower was in the White Gold Medal for Meritous Public Service" for a for a short period of time and subsequentty re­ House. Over the span of her long career, Evy series of articles on Southern California's turn back to their local communities. has received more honors than time permits Latino community. By enacting term limits we will return the me to list here today. Although she is retiring While Frank is highly regarded in the Los power of Government back to the people, from her official post as vice president and Angeles newsroom where the has worked for which is exactty where it belongs. legislative director of the ILGWU, her love for February 13, 1997 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 2355 our institution and her enduring legacy will live customers. During his tenure, service has im­ a roadmap to help prepare our Caribbean on in the Halls of Congress. Mr. Speaker, in proved tremendously with resourceful new partners for the challenges in the next century, recognition of Evelyn Dubrow's dedication to need-based routes, as well as a major decline including membership in the planned Free improving the lives of America's working fami­ in violent crime on the system. Trade Agreement of the Americas (FTAA). lies, and her contribution to the culture of poli­ Serving as a leader to the Nation and the In the meantime, I would ask my colleagues tics, I ask that my colleagues join me today in industry, Lou Gambaccini demanded that to take a few moments to read these articles honoring this truly deserving woman. SEPT A become an agency where real equal to gain a better appreciation of the current opportunity exists. The upper management af­ state of United States/Caribbean relations and firmative action initiative has achieved its goal a more thorough understanding of a substan­ LOU GAMBACCINI; DEPARTURE of producing a middle and senior management tial problem that the United States must ad­ FROM SEPTA workforce more balanced in its representation dress. of females and minorities. [From the New York Times, Jan. 30, 1997] HON. ROBERT A. BORSKI In his unprecedented term of 8 years as BACKLASH FROM NAFTA BATTERS ECONOMIES OF PENNSYLVANIA general manager of SEPTA, Lou Gambaccini OF THE CARRffiBEAN IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES has turned SEPT A around and sent it into the (By Larry Rohter) future on the right track. He has displayed per­ KINGSTON, JAMAICA. Three years after the Thun~y.~~ua~1~1~7 severance and ingenuity when challenged. United States, Canadaand Mexico agreed to Mr. BORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of SEPTA is now in a position where it will have become a single market as part of the North my good friend Mr. Lou Gambaccini, as he re­ the ability to continue improving in the future American Free Trade Agreement, their ex­ tires from his position of general manager of and adapting to the changing needs of the ports to each other are booming. But here in SEPT A. For 8 years, longer than any other the Carribbean, the economies of America's community. much smaller neighbors are reeling from the general manager, Lou Gambaccini served As general manager at SEPT A, Lou impact of that success and finding it nearly SEPT A with dedication and distinction. Gambaccini displayed the type of commitment impossible to compete. Lou Gambaccini inherited a system in 1988 and insight necessary for success, and he will From the apparel plants of Jamaica to the wrought with numerous problems that required be missed and remembered. I wish him the sugar-cane fields of Trinidad, Nafta has al­ quick and decisive action. He rose to this chal­ best of luck in the coming years. ready resulted in the loss of jobs, markets lenge and set forth to combat an aging infra­ and income for the vulnerable island nations structure system. Lou provided the necessary of the region. The capital and investment projects that are vitally needed for future guidance to move SEPT A in a positive direc­ PROMOTING A TRADE PARTNER­ growth, officials say, are increasingly flow­ tion. Due to his accomplishments, Lou is held SHIP WITH THE CARIBBEAN ing out of the Caribbean Basin and into Mex­ in high regard within the national transpor­ BASIN REGION ico. tation community. He is one of the Nation's "The stark reality is that Mexico can now most renowned proponents of increasing our HON. PHILIP M. CRANE export its products to the United states free of duty, which makes it more profitable for Federal commitment to mass transit. OF ILLINOIS SEPT A quickly moved into the area of infra­ producers to operate from there," Seymour IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mullings, Jamaica's Minister of Foreign Af­ structure renewal and repair under Lou's tute­ Thursday, February 13, 1997 fairs and Foreign Trade, said in an interview lage. Projects were prioritized so that scarce here. " Putting it very simply, if that is not resources were not unwisely depleted. Effi­ Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I want to draw stemmed, it could do untold damage to our ciency was the key element to these projects, my colleagues' attention to two articles on manufacturing sector and economy as a reducing time and money spent. Beginning in United States/Caribbean relations that have whole." 1988, SEPT A has engaged in numerous re­ appeared in the New York Times over the Nafta's devastating effect on the Caribbean construction projects, including the Frankford past few months. was widely forecast before the treaty's pas­ sage in 1993 and Washington suggested it Elevated Reconstruction Project [FERC], The articles document a gradual erosion of would cushion the blow by extending similar RailWorks, Norristown High Speed Line, the United States/Caribbean economic and trade preferences to the island nations. Overbrook Rail Maintenance Facility, Midvale trade partnership. Over the past few years, in However, the Clinton Administration's Bus Depot, and the purchase of 400 new focusing our attention on domestic issues and proposals to give the Caribbean "Nafta par­ buses and 220 new cars for the Market­ on other foreign policy matters, we have inad­ ity" have twice foundered in Congress in Frankford line. vertently neglected an area of the world that election years and now face an uncertain fu­ The work completed on the Frankford Ele­ remains critically important to our own stra­ ture in a new Congress that has decidedly vated Reconstruction Project is an amazing tegic and commercial interests. mixed feelings about the benefits of free­ trade agreements. demonstration of Lou's leadership and insight. The Caribbean Basin is our 10th largest ex­ The Caribbean now exports more than $12.5 Lou managed this $750 million reconstruction port market and one of the few regions in the billion worth of goods to the United States without any major disruption of service for the world where our firms consistently post a trade annually, and a recent study by the World community. Thanks to his efforts, the surplus. As home to the Panama Canal and to Bank estimates that more than one-third of Frankford El is a vital resource for the con­ the major access routes for ships entering the that total could be shifted to Mexico if the stituency of northeast Philadelphia. Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean is a vital gate­ existing trade rules remain in effect. The region's once-flourishing apparel sec­ Lou moved SEPT A into a new era in which way for many agricultural and manufactured tor has been hard hit, officials say. In the critical dedicated funding could be counted on goods. Finally, sitting astride the major transit last two years, more than 150 apparel plants by organizing the Southeastern Pennsylvania routes of illicit narcotics from South America to closed in the Caribbean and 123,000 jobs have Area Coalition for Transportation [ACT]. ACT our shores, the Caribbean serves as the front been lost "as a direct result of trade and in­ is a group of 70 leaders from both traditional line in our defense against drug traffickers. As vestment diversion to Mexico," according to and nontraditional transit proponents, rep­ we have seen too many times-even in the the Caribbean Textile and Apparel Institute, resenting various constituencies. This group last decade-