October 11, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1951 work he has done in the Pennsylvania Asso- lives of some 50 Rhodes Jews. He was their Ted, and with the guidance of their mother, ciation of Realtors. The Pennsylvania Associa- only line of defense against the final solution. Chairwoman Florence Fang, AsianWeek tion of Realtors Distinguished Service and Na- The remainder of Rhodes Jews all were de- reaches a broad cross-section of Americans, tional Award Chip received is a most pres- ported to Auschwitz, where 90% of them per- from recent arrivals in the immigrant commu- tigious honor and one that appropriately ac- ished. nity to leaders of national stature in business, knowledges Chip’s outstanding contributions The story doesn’t end there. Shortly after politics, academia and culture. Its mission is to to his profession and community. the release of the Turkish Jews and their fami- tell the story of Asian Pacific American life, to f lies, the Germans—perhaps having discovered provide a forum in matters of importance to its that Consul-General Ulkumen had tricked readership, and to involve Asian Pacific Ameri- HOLOCAUST MUSEUM TO HONOR them regarding Turkish law—took their re- cans meaningfully in the nation’s political proc- TURKISH DIPLOMAT FOR SAVING venge. They bombed the Turkish Consulate ess. JEWISH LIVES on Rhodes. Consul-General Ulkumen escaped To this end, the paper recently scored an harm, but his pregnant wife did not. She was important exclusive among the Asian Amer- HON. TOM LANTOS seriously wounded—mortally, it turned out a ican press: an interview with presidential nomi- OF CALIFORNIA few weeks later. But, before she died, she nee JOHN KERRY, who discussed a range of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES managed to give birth. Ulkumen himself died subjects with editor-in-chief Samson Wong, from a proposed federal program combating Friday, October 8, 2004 last year at the age of 89, but the product of that pregnancy, a son—now a 60-year-old hate crimes to the new vistas that have Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, on October man—will accept the Holocaust Museum’s opened for his niece, a toddler adopted in 26th, the Holocaust Memorial Museum will award on his late father’s behalf. China. honor former Turkish diplomat Selahattin Ulkumen went on to hold many distin- But perhaps more important than any single Ulkumen. Few honors anywhere have been guished positions in the Turkish foreign serv- story, AsianWeek aspires with every edition to more deserved. ice before retiring in the 1970s. Yad Vashem deliver consistent, high-quality information on In 1944, Mr. Selahattin was a young dip- paid tribute to his courage in 1990 by naming all manner of subjects of interest to its target lomat who stared down German military au- him one of the ‘‘Righteous Among the Na- readership. For these efforts, it has won sev- thorities on the occupied island of Rhodes, tions’’ and planting a tree in his honor. He was eral awards—both for overall coverage and in- convincing them to rescind the deportation or- the first Muslim ever to receive this honor. In dividual citations from New California Media, a ders of 50 Jews and their families and saving 2001, his own nation bestowed its highest national association of more than 700 ethnic them from certain death. He paid a painful award on Ulkumen—the Supreme Service media organizations. price for his courage. Medal—for his Holocaust-era heroism on be- The paper also provides place where dis- Today Rhodes is part of Greece, but it was half of Jews. parate views on those subjects can be freely part of the Ottoman Empire from 1522 to 1912 In both Judaism and Islam, it is said that expressed. Dedicated to promoting discussion and under Italian control from 1912 through saving one life is like saving the world. Thanks among people whose backgrounds include the most of World War II. There were 1,700 Jews to Mr. Ulkumen, several family trees flourish many ethnic groups of South Asia, Southeast on the island when Germany took over today that otherwise would have been elimi- Asia and the Pacific, AsianWeek describes Rhodes in 1943, after the death of Mussolini nated forever. He put his life—and that of his itself as ‘‘The Voice of Asian America.’’ hastened the disintegration of Italian rule. family—at risk rather than compromise his be- Mr. Speaker, may the Asian Pacific Amer- On July 19, 1944, the Gestapo ordered all lief in equality and his commitment to the ican community, and U.S. society as a whole, Jews on Rhodes to report for ‘‘temporary sanctity of human life. Unfortunately for Eu- continue to benefit from the availability of this transportation to a small island nearby.’’ Ev- rope’s Jews, bravery of his sort was all-too- eloquent and extraordinary voice. erybody knew what that meant. They were to rare. I commend the Holocaust Museum for f be transported—and not temporarily—to venerating the memory of Selahattin Ulkumen PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION Auschwitz. and his deeds and for bestowing this honor on OF H.R. 10, 9/11 RECOMMENDA- When the Jews were rounded up, Consul- this profoundly honorable man. TIONS IMPLEMENTATION ACT General Ulkumen went immediately to the de- f tention center and demanded the release of SPEECH OF the Jews who were Turkish citizens, as well CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF THE as their spouses and families. The German NEWSPAPER ASIANWEEK HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE commander refused at first, but Ulkumen per- OF TEXAS sisted, claiming that deportation of Turkish citi- HON. TOM LANTOS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Thursday, October 7, 2004 zens would violate German-Turkish treaties OF CALIFORNIA and boldly asserting that neutral and neigh- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, boring Turkey would raise the matter to the it pleases me that the Committee on Rules Friday, October 8, 2004 level of an ‘‘international incident’’ if Turkish had the prudence to make the amendment of- citizens were deported. In the eyes of Turkish Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, a distinguished, fered by the gentleman from New Jersey, Mr. law, he said, all citizens are equal. nationally-distributed newspaper based in San MENENDEZ, in order. This important amend- The German commander finally relented, Francisco is celebrating its 25th anniversary. ment has been endorsed by the 9/11 Commis- but insisted that only Jews with citizenship pa- Today I would like to ask my colleagues to sion and embodies the provisions found in the pers—a total of 13—would be released, not join me in saluting a quarter-century of Collins/Lieberman proposal, S. 2845 and the their spouses and families. Ulkumen, however, achievement by this important information re- McCain/Lieberman proposal, S. 2774. would not give ground. According to Turkish source, AsianWeek. Nevertheless, I am disappointed that we law, he said indignantly, the spouses and fam- Founded in 1979 by John T.C. Fang, who only have 3 hours and 40 minutes of general ilies of Turkish citizens ARE Turkish citizens. came to the United States from China in the debate to divide between eight of the many He was lying through his teeth. There was no early 1950s, AsianWeek now boasts a con- committees of jurisdiction with respect to this such Turkish law. But the German commander firmed readership of 175,000 people in its print legislation. In our work on H.R. 10, we have fell for it, and, after a few days, agreed to re- form and countless others on-line. It is the a duty to take into account the families that lease the spouses and families. In at least one only English language, national newsweekly will be affected. We in this august body have instance, the husband of a Jewish Turkish cit- chronicling the Asian Pacific American experi- a duty to take into account that these fami- izen actually was taken off a train already ence in all its variety. AsianWeek also offers lies—in fact, all American families, will be wait- bound from the Greek port of Piraeus to an opportunity for Americans as a whole to ing and watching to see if this body will act re- Auschwitz after Ulkumen won his point. learn about issues of particular importance to sponsibly, appropriately, and adequately. Ulkumen also managed to win the release of one of the country’s fastest-growing commu- The base bill includes over 50 extraneous some 25–30 Jews who were former Turkish nities, including civil rights, immigration, em- provisions that were not recommended by the citizens but had allowed their citizenship to ployment, and international affairs. 9/11 Commission. Within these extraneous lapse. John Fang launched the paper to help his provisions are legislative ‘‘poison pills’’ that will In all, according to the website of Israel’s fellow new Americans better themselves, and ultimately frustrate our overall purpose—to Yad Vashem Memorial Museum, Ulkumen his legacy has passed to his family: Now pub- make America safe. These poison pills in- managed to win the freedom and save the lished by his son James and edited his son clude:

VerDate Aug 04 2004 02:50 Oct 13, 2004 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00085 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K08OC8.002 E11PT1 E1952 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 11, 2004 Giving the President ‘‘fast track’’ authority to even more challenging during a time of mili- HONORING MARY MILLS reorganize the intelligence agencies, under- tary conflict. The chairman and ranking mem- mining the reforms recommended by the 9/11 ber have succeeded admirably in this endeav- HON. MARSHA BLACKBURN Commission; or, and the product before us today is a fine OF TENNESSEE Giving the President authority to bypass example of careful craftsmanship and bipar- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Senate confirmation of the Director of the CIA tisan cooperation. We are proud of our men Saturday, October 9, 2004 and other key intelligence and defense offi- and women in uniform, and we must ensure cials, weakening congressional oversight; that they are given the resources necessary to Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I want to Giving Federal law enforcement officials succeed in their mission. take time today to recognize someone who new authority to deport foreign nationals, re- has been a true public servant in Williamson voke visas, and deny asylum without judicial H.R. 4200 recognizes the importance of our County, Tennessee. Few communities are for- review; service men and women in the field and tunate enough to have someone like Mary Creation of new national databases of driv- around the world and demonstrates the appre- Mills. But we in Tennessee have been blessed ers licenses, birth certificates, and criminal his- ciation of Congress through the provision of a by her hard work and dedication for years tories, raising civil liberties and privacy con- 3.5% pay increase for military personnel in FY now. cerns; and 2005 and a permanent increase in the family- Williamson County Commissioner Mary Mills Expansion of the authority of the Justice De- separation allowance and imminent-danger has consistently and without fanfare worked to partment by relaxing grand jury secrecy re- pay. I am particularly pleased that the meas- improve her community. As a former educator quirements and increasing its ability to con- ure extends TRICARE benefits to nonactive and an active member of the African Meth- duct secret surveillance. duty reservists. Our Reserve component has odist Episcopal Church, Commissioner Mills I serve on the House Select Committee on served the Nation professionally and valiantly has been a leader in everything she does. Homeland Security, and it troubles me that even though they and their families have often This week she’s being recognized by the while that body received a referral for markup, had to make sacrifices. Providing enhanced United Community Resource Foundation with the leadership has chose not to schedule such access to TRICARE will provide greater sta- a Lifetime Achievement Award, and I join the a hearing. The very committee that would pre- bility to reservist families and will ensure that people of Williamson County in thanking Mary sumably hold the most jurisdiction over this we do not lose qualified servicemembers be- for her dedication. matter deferred its opportunity to make this cause of insufficient access to health care. f legislation better. That does not sit well with my colleagues on this side of the aisle and it The conference report also addresses sev- IN SUPPORT OF BORDER does not sit well with the families of the vic- eral major problems that my colleagues on the BINATIONAL HEALTH WEEK tims of 9/11—it does not sit well with the committee and I have been working to solve. American people. Our committee and our colleagues on both HON. SILVESTRE REYES Furthermore, while the September 11 Com- sides of the aisle in the House have fought for OF TEXAS mission has set forth its bipartisan suggestion an end to a current flaw in our survivor bene- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES for rebuilding and improvement, we cannot fits system that penalizes military spouses. For Saturday, October 9, 2004 even move legislation that authorizes home- too long, military spouses have witnessed their land security spending through a markup by survivor benefits drop by more than one-third Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in the main committee of jurisdiction. These once reaching the age of 62. Comparable ci- strong support of an important event that I am issues are indicative of a body that has its pri- vilian plans provide survivors a lifetime annuity proud to say will soon take place in my con- orities misplaced. of 50–55 percent of retired pay and protect gressional district of El Paso, Texas—Border Mr. Speaker, in recognition and tribute to against a drop in annuity at age 62. As a co- Binational Health Week. Through the efforts of the families of the 9/11 victims, there should sponsor of the Military Survivor Benefits Im- federal, state, and local stakeholders and never be a price limitation placed on effec- provement Act, I have supported efforts to re- community members in the United States and tively securing the homeland. Nor should solid peal this unfair burden and am pleased that Mexico, Border Binational Health Week will legislation be ignored or thwarted in carrying this legislation would phase out from October raise awareness and strengthen our commit- ment to overcoming border health challenges. out the will of the American people. For this 2005 to March 2008 the current offset under The border is a very dynamic region and a reason, I fully support the goals set forth in the the Survivor Benefit Plan, and increase the gateway for diseases such as gastrointestinal Shays-Maloney proposal that was not made in annuities paid to survivors of military retirees order by this committee. I also fully support illnesses, a tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS, and a who are 62 years or older. Additionally, the disproportionate number of border residents the Menendez amendment that has been en- agreement expedites last year’s concurrent re- dorsed by the 9/11 Commission and embodies suffer from chronic illnesses like cancer, heart ceipt improvements by authorizing full concur- the provisions found in the Collins/Lieberman disease, and diabetes. It is impossible to stop rent receipt for disabled military retirees rated proposal, S. 2845 and the McCain/Lieberman the spread of diseases at the border, so we 100% disabled. proposal, S. 2774. must work together, bi-nationally, to address f I am, however, disappointed, that the con- health concerns and combat illness. In short, ference report scaled back the provisions that Mexico and the United States must be part- CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 4200, I offered with Congressman JIM COOPER dur- ners in achieving our common goal of solving RONALD W. REAGAN NATIONAL ing committee consideration that would ensure health problems along the U.S.-Mexico border. DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT greater equity and efficiency of the Depart- As part of that critical effort, I am pleased to FOR FISCAL YEAR 2005 ment of Defense’s contracting process. The announce that Border Binational Health Week will be held from October 11–17, 2004, and is SPEECH OF agreement appears to close loopholes that have allowed the Department of Defense to being sponsored by the U.S.-Mexico Border HON. JAMES R. LANGEVIN avoid Congressionally mandated competition Health Commission. The Commission, along OF RHODE ISLAND requirements and provides limited appeal with many partners on both sides of the bor- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES rights for government employees to challenge der, has worked diligently in developing the agenda for this extremely important event. Friday, October 8, 2004 contract decisions. Yet it falls short in other areas intended to guarantee taxpayer savings The theme for Border Binational Health Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, as a member Week is ‘‘Families in Action for Health.’’ Some and improved efficiency in DoD contracting of the House Armed Services Committee, I am of the many topics to be highlighted are im- procedures. I look forward to working with the pleased to speak in support of the conference proving access to health care, reducing health committee to implement H.R. 4200’s provi- report before us. Chairman HUNTER and Rank- disparities, and increasing immunization rates. sions and to address other shortcomings in ing Member SKELTON deserve great credit for The week will also include community mobili- this area. negotiating a bill that will provide our military— zation efforts, informational presentations, pol- and the men and women who serve in it—the Overall, this legislation is a well-balanced icy forums, models of excellence programs, resources they need to keep America strong approach to the needs of our Nation’s military, and health careers and professional ex- in the 21st century. It is always a daunting and I commend the chairman, ranking mem- changes—all illustrating the steps to a task to craft legislation that balances the ber, and my colleagues on the committee for healthier border and advancing the goals of needs of our services, and such an effort is a fine work product. the Healthy Border 2010 initiative.

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