November 22, 2002 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2119 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS

IN HONOR OF REVEREND TYRONE times. More than a dozen of his players have quality of life for others. He is that rare indi- CHESS gone on to play in the NBA, 150 have re- vidual who cares more about doing good than ceived college basketball scholarships, and getting credit. HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ more than 20 are currently coaching basket- Mr. Speaker, in closing, it is with great pleasure that I extend this recognition to Mr. OF NEW JERSEY ball at some level. And two years ago, the all- time winningest high school basketball coach Bill Cole. His contributions to Virginia and his IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES in America was inducted into the basketball community have been great. Virginia is proud Friday, November 22, 2002 Hall of Fame. to have such a distinguished citizen in its pro- Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today But numbers do not tell the story of Morgan fessional and social community. I call upon my to honor Reverend Tyrone Chess for his ex- Wootten, nor the impact he has had on the colleagues to join me in applauding him for all ceptional service as pastor and founder of lives of those young men he has coached at that he has done. Holy Ghost Tabernacle Ministries in Jersey DeMatha. He is most remembered by his play- f City, New Jersey. Rev. Chess was honored on ers, and the students in his history classes, for PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE BLOOD November 3, 2002, at Holy Ghost Taber- the lessons he taught them about life. Coach OF THE MARTYRS—MARTIN LU- nacle’s Ninth Annual Anniversary Banquet Wootten preached to his players the impor- THER KING, JR. BLOOD DRIVE held at the Marriott International in Newark, tance of God, family, school and basketball, in New Jersey. that order. His true value is measured in the A native of Jersey City, born there in 1956, professional and personal success of those he HON. MIKE ROGERS Rev. Chess has devoted his life to the im- has taught and coached, and by the number OF MICHIGAN provement of his community. Having been a of former players and students who have re- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES pastor for nine years, Rev. Chess now serves mained close to him over the years. Friday, November 22, 2002 Mr. Speaker, President Theodore Roosevelt as the social and political chairperson of the Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, and in said that ‘‘To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society.’’ rise today to pay tribute to the Blood of the the past served as its second vice president. Martyrs—Martin Luther King, Jr. Blood Drive His passion for the well being of humankind Morgan Wootten has educated several gen- erations of young men in both mind and mor- and its sponsors, the Roman Catholic Diocese led him to participate as a member and chair- of Lansing, the American National Red Cross, person of the Human Rights Commission. als, and I offer him my warmest congratula- tions on is well-deserved retirement. and the National Black Catholic Congress. Presently, he is a member of the Jersey City This very important blood drive will take place f Board of Adjustments, and founder and CEO from January 15–22, 2003 as part of National of the Lincoln Center Community Develop- HONORING THE OUTSTANDING Blood Donor Month. ment, Inc. CITIZENSHIP AND WORK OF MR. The Second Annual Blood of the Martyrs— Reverend Chess began his religious edu- BILL COLE Martin Luther King, Jr. blood drive in 2002 cation at Essex County College, and contin- was met with a response of nearly 650 do- ued his studies at the American Fellowship nors, who donated a total of 520 pints. These Seminary. He recently earned a Bachelor of HON. TOM DAVIS OF VIRGINIA pints provided a supply of 2,080 blood units to Arts degree in Theology from the Adonai Tem- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES be used for patients needs. I offer heartfelt ple Christian Center Bible Institute. Friday, November 22, 2002 thanks to all those who gave last year and Rev. Chess is married to Martha Chess and contributed to this wonderful turnout. they are the proud parents of five children: Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I The goal for this year’s drive is 1205 pro- Daarina, Thaddeus, Tyrone, Jr., Safiyah, and would like to take this opportunity to honor Mr. ductive units of blood which will result in blood Zaynah. Bill Cole, an outstanding citizen of Northern supplies for nearly 5000 people. I encourage Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in Virginia. everyone who is able to donate blood, to do honoring Reverend Tyrone Chess for his Mr. Cole has completed an exceptional ca- so for this worthy cause—it may be you who many years of dedicated service as a pastor reer that has positively impacted our commu- saves a life! and mentor to the Jersey City community. The nity. As a retired Army Officer with 28 years of Mr. Speaker, at this time in our Nation’s His- Reverend’s selfless contributions to the com- service, Mr. Cole’s last assignment was with tory, when our President is encouraging all munity have not gone unnoticed; without a the Department of Defense in helicopter re- Americans to serve a purpose greater than doubt, he is one of New Jersey’s most out- search and development. While holding a themselves, when we must rely on our neigh- standing religious leaders. master’s degree in public administration, Mr. bors, I can think of a few ways to better serve f Cole currently works for William W. Cole & As- our fellow Americans than by giving the gift of sociates, a business consulting firm he formed life, by donating blood. HONORING MORGAN WOOTTEN in 1992. Mr. Cole has also served as General f Manager of Capital Lighting & Supply, Inc, an HON. STENY H. HOYER electrical distributor, for 18 years. Concur- IN HONOR OF THE URBAN LEAGUE OF MARYLAND rently, he was co-owner and Vice President of OF HUDSON COUNTY IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Shannon Builders, a residential construction company, from 1978–1982. Friday, November 22, 2002 HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ Perhaps one of Mr. Cole’s most important OF NEW JERSEY Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, Morgan Wootten contributions to the community was his service IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES has been changing the lives of young men in as President of the Occoquan Watershed Co- the Washington area for the last half century. alition, an all-volunteer organization that is Friday, November 22, 2002 Last month, Mr. Wootten, the head basketball committed to the protection of ‘‘The Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today coach at DeMatha High School in Hyattsville, Downzoned Occoquan Watershed’’ and the to honor the Urban League of Hudson County MD, since 1956, announced his retirement. drinking water that it provides. Mr. Cole for its efforts to revive communities throughout Coach Wootten finished his career with formed the Occoquan Watershed Coalition in Hudson County, and to congratulate it upon 1,274 wins, 44 consecutive seasons with 20 or the fall of 1994 and on December 7, 1994, the the completion of its new headquarters on more wins, 33 Catholic league championships, coalition was recognized as an official organi- Martin Luther King Drive in Jersey City, NJ. To 16 city titles, and five national championships. zation. commemorate this event, a ribbon cutting Under Coach Wootten, DeMatha finished the Bill Cole’s efforts have motivated others to ceremony was held on October 18, 2002, at season ranked No. 1 in the area, a record 22 dedicate their time and energy to improving the site of the new headquarters.

∑ 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.

VerDate 0ct<31>2002 04:27 Nov 23, 2002 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A22NO8.000 E22PT1 E2120 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks November 22, 2002 The Urban League of Hudson County is an HONORING DR. MARTIN spent the next 15 years as an operations re- organization that has stood for human ad- EICHELBERGER search analyst with the Army, serving both in vancement and achievement, and has worked the Pentagon and in Europe as well as with tirelessly to develop and revitalize our urban HON. STENY H. HOYER the Office of the Assistant Secretary of De- areas. Its work has given hope and fortune to OF MARYLAND fense for Program Analysis and Evaluation. While in this position at OSD, Mr. Holaday so many who call the inner city their home. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Project Reclaim is an Urban League initia- was responsible for analyzing Army and Ma- tive created for the redevelopment of the Friday, November 22, 2002 rine Corps force structure, force basing, mili- twenty-six block radius of Martin Luther King Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Martin tary construction, and manpower require- Drive in the Ward F community of Jersey City. Eichelberger is a Professor of Surgery and of ments. The new headquarters building is a corner- Pediatrics at George Washington University From 1982 to 1987, Mr. Holaday served as stone of the Urban League’s plan to initiate an and Director of Emergency Trauma and Burn a director in the office of the Deputy Assistant economic and social renaissance in this com- Service at the Children’s National Medical Secretary of Defense for Installations. It was munity. And with the community’s participa- Center, in Washington, DC. He is also presi- there that he implemented the Model Installa- tion, this renaissance will be a lasting and in- dent and cofounder of the National SAFE tion Program, which was a highly successful spiring model for the country. KIDS Campaign, and a nationally recognized test of the proposition that base commanders Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in pediatric trauma surgeon. could do a better job of running their bases honoring the Urban League of Hudson County The reason Dr. Eichelberger is so highly re- when freed of restraints imposed by head- for providing hope to countless families, and garded became evident on Monday, October quarters. While at OSD, he also developed for believing in America by investing and revi- 7, when he was called out of a skin graft sur- and implemented DOD-wide real property and talizing our urban areas, when others turned gery to begin preparing for a 13-year-old base utilization policies. their backs on our cities. The Urban League’s shooting victim who was on his way to Chil- He later served as the Director of the De- fense Acquisition Regulatory System under accomplishments have paved the way for dren’s Hospital from the Bowie Health Center. the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition prosperous and healthy communities through- The boy had been shot by the Washington- between 1987 and 1990. From 1990 to early out New Jersey. area snipers in front of Benjamin Tasker Mid- 1993, he was the Executive Director of the f dle School, and the dozens of fragments from Defense Ethics Council. CONGRATULATING THE the sniper’s bullet had done extensive and life- After leaving the Office of the Secretary of WESTLANDS WATER DISTRICT threatening damage to a number of the boy’s Defense in April 1993 and before joining the vital organs. Department of the Navy in 1994, Mr. Holaday HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH Dr. Eichelberger and his team immediately worked with then Vice President Al Gore on began to make critical decisions about which OF CALIFORNIA the National Performance Review, NPR. organs could be saved, and which ones were IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES There, he was responsible for improving real beyond repair and needed to be removed. The Friday, November 22, 2002 property acquisition and management within right decisions were made, and the two and a the Federal Government and oversaw govern- Mr. RADONOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise half hour operation saved the boy’s life. Al- ment-wide implementation of NPR rec- today to congratulate the Westlands Water though this brave young man faces a long and ommendations for downsizing and stream- District of Huron, CA, on the occasion of cele- challenging road to recovery, I am pleased to lining the Federal workforce. brating 50 years of dedication and service to report that he has been released from the In October, 1994, he was appointed Deputy the communities of the San Joaquin Valley of hospital, and I am hopeful that he will in fact Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Installations California on Sunday, November 17, 2002. make a full recovery from his injuries. and Facilities. As the Deputy Assistant Sec- The 50th anniversary celebration will take Mr. Speaker, this 13-year-old young man is retary, he was responsible for establishing pol- place at Harris Ranch in Coalinga, CA. one of the countless youngsters who have icy and improving oversight on the Department Farming in the Westlands Water District been touched by the gifts of Mr. Eichelberger of the Navy’s acquisition, construction, use, began during California’s Gold Rush era. The and whose lives have been saved or made management, operation, and disposal of real first significant irrigation in the Westlands area better by his compassionate dedication to pub- estate, facilities, and housing at Navy and Ma- began about 1915 with the drilling of deep lic service. The 1989 United Nations Conven- rine Corps bases worldwide. wells by individual operators on large acre- tion on the Rights of the Child states that During the transition in administrations, be- ages. In 1942, the Westside Landowners As- ‘‘Mankind owes to the child the best it has to tween January and August, 2001, he served sociation was established to urge and help fi- give.’’ I am proud to say that in Dr. as the Senior Civilian Official in the Office of nance studies on the feasibility of developing Eichelberger, we have given Washington area the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Instal- and constructing water supply systems to youngsters the best we have. lations and Environment. As Senior Civilian serve the west side. In 1952, the owners of f Official, he was directly responsible to the 400,000 acres of westside land petitioned the Secretary of the Navy for the formulation of Fresno County Board of Supervisors for the HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF Department-wide policies and procedures, and formation of the water district. On September DUNCAN A. HOLADAY for overseeing all Department of the Navy 8, 1952, the Westlands Water District was functions and programs relating to environ- formed. HON. TOM DAVIS mental protection; Navy and Marine Corps fa- Westlands is one of the largest agricultural OF VIRGINIA cilities and installations; housing; long-range water districts in the United States, with more IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES basing and infrastructure requirements; and than 570,000 irrigated acres of diversified Friday, November 22, 2002 safety and occupational health for military and crops on some of the most productive soil in civilian personnel. In this role, he provided sta- the world. Westlands provides water to nearly Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I bility and continuity during the absence of 600 family-owned farms that average 850 rise today to recognize and honor Mr. Duncan three presidentially-appointed political ap- acres in size. Farms within Westlands produce Holaday upon his retirement after 35 years of pointees. approximately $1 billion worth of food and devoted service in support of our great Nation. His accomplishments throughout his career, fiber per year. This translates into $3.5 billion His last position was with the Department of and especially while serving in the Department in farm related economic activity, nearly one- the Navy, where he served as the Deputy As- of the Navy, are extraordinary. He has worked third of the $12.5 billion generated by the agri- sistant Secretary of the Navy for Installations tirelessly to promote investment in the facilities culture-based economy of Fresno County. In and Facilities. where sailors and marines live, work, and addition to food and fiber, Westlands farmers Mr. Holaday was born on February 15, 1943 train. He was at the forefront of the Depart- produce jobs, taxes, and strong economic in Berkeley, CA. He graduated from Beloit ment’s efforts to improve military family hous- core for the regional economy. College in 1965 with a bachelor of arts degree ing through the innovative use of privatization Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to congratu- in philosophy. In 1976, he received a master authorities allowing partnership with the pri- late the Westlands Water District of Central of business administration degree from Syra- vate sector. During his stewardship, the De- California on the occasion of their 50th year cuse University. partment of the Navy was able to realize over anniversary. I urge my colleagues to join me Mr. Holaday began his Government service $600 million in investment in Navy and Marine in wishing the Westlands Water District many with the U.S. Army in 1967 as a management Corps family housing, using only slightly over years of continued success. intern. Following completion of his training, he $100 million of its own resources.

VerDate 0ct<31>2002 04:27 Nov 23, 2002 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A22NO8.005 E22PT1 November 22, 2002 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2121 To every problem and challenge he has and Wildlife Service to become an environ- HONORING SPECIAL AGENT LOUIS faced, he has brought keen insight and atten- mental research and education center and PAUL RUSSO tion to detail that has enabled thoughtful solu- part of the Stewart B. McKinney National Wild- tions. He demonstrated extraordinary environ- life Refuge. Today, students of all ages, from HON. MIKE ROGERS mental stewardship in successfully shep- elementary to graduate school, have access to OF MICHIGAN herding the transfer of land on the western the island and the endless lessons it provides. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES end of Vieques within the timeframes specified It was just over one year ago that I joined Eliz- by law. He has successfully engaged in the abeth to announce the establishment of the Friday, November 22, 2002 extremely complicated task of negotiations Outer Island Endowment Fund—a renewed Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I and agreements, allowing the Department to commitment to the preservation of Outer Is- rise today to honor a distinguished FBI agent convey base closure property for redevelop- land, its diverse wildlife, and educational op- from the Bureau’s Detroit Division on the oc- ment by local communities. Mr. Holaday has left a remarkable legacy. portunities for our community’s young people. casion of his retirement. On June 28, 1971 The hallmark of his service, throughout his ca- In speaking to Elizabeth that day, I knew that Louis Paul Russo entered on duty as a Spe- reer, has been improved living and working her dream for Outer Island had been realized cial Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investiga- conditions for the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and and I was proud to join in the celebration of tion. On October 1, 1971 SA Russo reported marines who serve our country so bravely, her vision. to the Detroit Division. Director J. Edgar Hoo- ver transferred SAA Russo from Detroit, to the day after day. He has been steadfast in his I am honored to stand today in memory of Lansing Resident Agency beginning January service to this great nation and his devotion to Elizabeth Hird and express my deepest thanks those with whom he has served. His superb 11, 1972. On December 21, 1972 SA Russo and appreciation for all that she has given to was transferred to the Cincinnati Division. SA performance has won him countless awards, our community. Elizabeth was truly a unique including the Distinguished Civilian Service Russo served in Cincinnati for over 16 years individual who has left an indelible mark on before he was reassigned to Detroit arriving Award in 2001. His leadership will be sorely our community. Hers is a legacy which will missed. I for one am extremely grateful that on October 2, 1989. continue to inspire many for generations to he chose to enter public service. SA Russo successfully worked a broad I wish to recognize and thank him for his come. spectrum of cases including, Bank Robberies, honorable service and would like to join with Civil Rights, Auto Theft, Labor Violations, Fu- his many friends and colleagues, both within f gitives, Counter Intelligence, and Organized the executive branch and here in Congress, in Crime. Agent Russo spent his entire career as wishing him fair winds and following seas as IN HONOR OF THE SOCIETY OF what is commonly called a ‘‘street agent.’’ he and his wife, Mary Margaret, and son, Dun- HISPANIC PROFESSIONAL ENGI- Street agents are the agents that solve the can, continue forward in what most assuredly NEERS cases, make our neighborhoods safe, and pro- will remain a life of service to this great Na- tect these United States from our enemies; tion. foreign and domestic, all at a great personal f HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ sacrifice to themselves and their families. OF NEW JERSEY I am aware from Agent Russo’s co-workers IN MEMORY OF ELIZABETH HIRD that right up to his last days ‘‘on the rolls’’, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Special Agent Russo came to work early, HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO Friday, November 22, 2002 poured over his files, ‘‘hit the streets’’ and got OF CONNECTICUT the job done. After September 11, 2001 SA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today Russo, while attending to his other cases, en- Friday, November 22, 2002 to honor the Society of Hispanic Professional thusiastically reengineered himself to transition Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with a Engineers as it hosted the 15th Annual East- with the Bureau in their new focus on the in- heavy heart that I rise today to pay tribute to ern Technical and Career Conference (ETCC), vestigation of Terrorism, all with more energy one of the most generous and giving commu- which was held November 1–3, 2002, at the and sense of purpose than most agents 30 nity members I have had the pleasure of Sheraton Meadowlands Hotel in East Ruther- years younger than he. knowing. In life, Elizabeth Hird was beloved by ford, New Jersey. I have heard him affectionately referred to all of those whose lives she touched—a true Despite the many advancements made by as a ‘‘one man squad’’. Agent Russo was al- ways going above and beyond. I am aware of community treasure. Hispanics in the fields of engineering and an instance where Agents on the organized An artist, community leader and active con- science, we must continue to ensure equality crime squad in Detroit where assigned to fan servationist, Elizabeth was a pioneer in the in the work force for all Americans. The ETCC local efforts for environmental preservation out across the Motor City looking for evidence has made this its focus and, since 1987, has and education—dedicating her time and ener- of construction equipment thefts that had al- been promoting academic excellence, profes- gies to ensure that our natural resources legedly occurred many years earlier; all to sional growth, technical opportunities, and the would be protected for future generations to verify the credibility of a witness. They were enjoy. A founding member, and later, director development of ties and connections among only looking for evidence that such thefts had and president of the Killingworth Land Con- Hispanic professionals. These valuable net- been reported; so many years had gone by, servation Trust, Elizabeth worked hard to working opportunities for students and profes- any leads were certain to be cold. The agents make the public aware of all nature could sionals are necessary to promote and provide one by one returned at the end of the day with teach them. She was instrumental in the cre- for a more just work environment. the various proofs that these pieces of equip- ation of the Platt Nature Center for environ- The second largest Hispanic student engi- ment had in fact been reported stolen. Agent mental education which offers programs neering conference in the nation, the ETCC Russo also came back to the office with police throughout the summer to young children. attracts over 50 universities along the East reports to verify the long ago reported thefts Through these programs, children are able to Coast. This year, the ETCC is expecting 1,200 and with a backhoe and other heavy equip- participate in a variety of activities where they Latino college students majoring in math, ment in tow, he had not only verified the learn to identify the wild flowers and wild life science, and engineering, and 300 profes- thefts, he had recovered the stolen property. of the area. At part of the last days activities, sionals and corporate representatives from SA Russo has received letters of commenda- children were invited to Outer Island, one of Fortune 500 companies to attend. tion from every Director that the Federal Bu- the Thimble Islands off the Connecticut coast- reau of Investigation has ever had. SA Russo line, where Elizabeth and her late husband, Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in consistently received top job performance re- Basil Rauch, owned a home. Elizabeth hosted honoring the 15th Annual Eastern Technical views and he has garnered many letters of ap- the event and children were encouraged to ex- and Career Conference hosted by the Society preciation from Assistant United states Attor- plore the island and the many creatures which of Hispanic Professional Engineers. New Jer- neys. Most importantly, SA Russo has earned call the island home. A unique experience for sey is fortunate to have organizations that pro- and kept the respect of every agent he has so many, children of all ages looked forward vide opportunities for students and profes- ever served with. He has diligently protected to this special opportunity. sionals to explore what being Hispanic and the citizens of the great State of Michigan and In 1995, in honor of her husband, Elizabeth being a professional can mean. My best wish- the citizens of this great nation with enthu- donated Outer Island to the United States Fish es for a successful conference. siasm, dedication and pride.

VerDate 0ct<31>2002 04:27 Nov 23, 2002 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A22NO8.008 E22PT1 E2122 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks November 22, 2002 Special Agent Russo exemplifies the finest tra- experiences as a man with a vision impair- Sue Wheeler of East Lansing, Michigan, who ditions of the FBI and of the Bureau’s motto of ment to ensure improvements be set forth in were chosen as the 2002 8th Congressional ‘‘Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity’’. His efforts computer software, educational textbooks and Angels in Adoption honorees. and his example have made the FBI the en- healthcare for all individuals with disabilities. Jim and Sue Wheeler’s personal dedication during and honorable institution that it is. He His advocacy and strength instilled a renewed to raising 10 children, several of them adopt- will be missed when he retires December 31, hope that one day our nation will have equality ed, makes them deserving of our respect and 2002, having served for over 31 years as a for all people. admiration. Special Agent. From this former Special Again, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Each year, the Congressional Coalition on Agent, on behalf of the State of Michigan and Mr. Hartt for his exceptional hard work for the Adoption Institute honors families or organiza- this Nation; thank you, Louis Paul Russo. residents of Illinois 7th Congressional District tions who have shown a real commitment to f and America’s disability community. improving the lives of children through adop- f tion. Jim and Sue Wheeler are the role model HONORING DR. ALICIA JUARRERO: for families who care about children. Their OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY COL- IN REMEMBRANCE OF CATHERINE long-range impact on this nation will be felt for LEGE PROFESSOR OF THE YEAR E. TODD decades and generations to come and I was honored to sponsor them for recognition as HON. ALBERT RUSSELL WYNN HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ Angels in Adoption. OF MARYLAND OF NEW JERSEY The Wheelers are among 140 honorees IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES from the 50 states who were recognized at special ceremonies in Washington, D.C. ear- Friday, November 22, 2002 Friday, November 22, 2002 lier this year. Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today Jim and Sue Wheeler married in 1984. She honor Dr. Alicia Juarrero, a professor of phi- to remember Catherine E. Todd, who passed was a professor at Michigan State University. losophy at Prince George’s Community Col- away on June 26, 2002. On Wednesday, No- ‘‘We had an ‘ours-mine-yours’ relationship,’’ lege, who is being honored by the Carnegie vember 6, 2002, the Jersey City Housing Au- Jim told us. He had two children from a pre- Foundation for Advancement of Teaching and thority held a dedication ceremony in her vious marriage and Sue had a daughter from The Council for Advancement and Support of memory at the Montgomery Gardens Commu- a first marriage. Then they had a child to- Education as the Outstanding Community Col- nity Center in Jersey City, New Jersey. gether in 1986 and thought they were through. lege Professor of the Year. Born on October 10, 1938, Catherine led a But the Wheelers decided they would like to Dr. Juarrero at Prince George’s Community life of selfless dedication to those in need. She have a larger family and thought maybe there College, located in my congressional district in devoted 48 years of her life to the residents of were children out there who needed a home. Largo, Maryland. She has been nationally rec- Montgomery Gardens Housing Complex, con- Since then Jim and Sue have had six more ognized among her community college col- tributing both time and energy in assisting children by adoption through Catholic Social leagues as the best of the best. Dr. Juarrero’s residents in every possible way. Her tireless Service of Lansing/St. Vincent Home. Their di- accomplishments speak to the caliber of pro- efforts on behalf of the residents of the Jersey verse family of 10 children now represents fessors at the community college level. Often City Housing Authority facilitated a sense of three races! times the invaluable work of our community community and fostered a sense of home for Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me college professors goes unrecognized, so it is all. in honoring this very special couple and their especially rewarding for a local professor from In 1954, Catherine began her battle on be- family. They are truly deserving of our respect my district to receive such an honorable half of the residents of Montgomery Gardens. and admiration. award. During the 1960s, she rose to positions such f Dr. Juarrero earned her undergraduate de- as building captain, community organizer, gree, master’s and Ph.D from the University of Montgomery Garden’s site improvement com- TRIBUTE TO CHIEF CHARLES A. Miami. She has been a professor at Prince mittee member, and Montgomery Garden’s li- MOOSE George’s Community College since 1975. Dr. aison committee member. In 1978, Catherine Juarrero starts each semester with great zeal, became the Chairperson of the Montgomery HON. ALBERT RUSSELL WYNN beginning with a quote from Plato: ‘‘Thinking is Gardens tenant management corporation OF MARYLAND the talking of the soul with itself.’’ She has board, and regularly met with residents to en- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES been called a ‘‘teacher’s teacher,’’ often serv- sure that their needs were being fulfilled and Friday, November 22, 2002 ing as a great resource for her follow col- that they were aware of all programs available leagues. to them. In 1996, she was also elected to the Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, I proudly rise It is truly an honor to have Dr. Juarrero as office of chairperson of the Jersey City tenant today to honor Montgomery County Police a professor at Prince George’s Community affairs board. Chief Charles A. Moose for his exemplary College. She is a great reflection of a tremen- Catherine is survived by her two children, work on the investigation of the sniper shoot- dous institution. I urge my colleagues to join Henry and Jo Ann, and three grandchildren, ings that recently plagued the Washington me in honoring a gifted and highly respected Hanifah, Sharifah, and Hasan. Metro Region. I would like to commend Chief teacher. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in re- Moose for exhibiting great patience and humil- f membering Catherine E. Todd for her great ity amidst the frenzied media coverage, which concern for the residents of the Jersey City was marked by excesses and speculation. TRIBUTE TO BROOKINGS FELLOW Housing Authority. She extended her heart Chief Moose exhibited tremendous leader- ROBERT M. HARTT and her hand to help improve the quality of life ship and excellent teamwork by coordinating for each person she encountered and she will with other jurisdictions and law enforcement HON. DANNY K. DAVIS be missed not only by her Jersey City Housing agencies. Chief Moose directed a multi-agen- OF ILLINOIS Authority family, but by the entire Jersey City cy task force, whose work led to the eventual IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES community. capture of the sniper suspects. Chief Moose f became the public face of the investigation, Friday, November 22, 2002 holding daily press briefings, and consoling Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise PAYING TRIBUTE TO JIM AND SUE the public when a child became a victim of the today to pay tribute and gratitude to Mr. Rob- WHEELER, ANGELS IN ADOPTION sniper attacks. ert M. Hartt. Recently, Mr. Hartt has ended a HONOREES Throughout the sniper shootings, many in six-month fellowship with the Brookings Institu- the community looked to law enforcement to tion and will be returning to his position at the HON. MIKE ROGERS reassure their ever-present fears. Chief Moose Committee for Purchase From People Who OF MICHIGAN served as a calming and informative spokes- Are Blind or Severely Disabled. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES man, providing the public with needed infor- While working in my office, Mr. Hartt mation and a community oriented perspective. brought an aspect to disabilities issues that Friday, November 22, 2002 Although Chief Moose has just recently shed a new light to legislation and office poli- Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I come to national attention, he has always cies. Mr. Hartt passionately used his personal rise to honor the accomplishments of Jim and been active in the local community and has

VerDate 0ct<31>2002 04:27 Nov 23, 2002 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A22NO8.011 E22PT1 November 22, 2002 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2123 received numerous awards for his law en- The irresponsible decision by The Arab fessionals, but will generate excitement and forcement and community activity. Along with Voice to give credence to ‘‘The Protocols’’ by interest in the field of geriatric medicine. This his role as Chief of Police, Moose teaches reprinting the falsehoods in their paper only is the true gift of Theresa Sirico. criminology at the local community college, fuels and further perpetuates the tension be- I am honored to rise today to join family, and serves as a Major in the District of Colum- tween the Arab and Jewish communities. At a friends, and the staff and faculty of the Louis bia National Air Guard. Chief Moose is clearly time when the American-Arab and Jewish and Joan Sirico Center for Elders and Fami- a tremendous leader, and an invaluable mem- communities could be making an effort to im- lies in extending my deepest thanks and ap- ber of the Montgomery County Police force prove communication and cooperation, The preciation to Theresa Sirico for her out- who has a bright and promising future ahead Arab Voice’s printing of ‘‘The Protocols’’ is standing contributions to our community. Sen- of him. It is truly an honor to have him serve both irresponsible and inflammatory. iors and their families will benefit greatly from in our community. I ask my colleague to join with me in con- her unique vision and unparalleled dedication. Mr. Speaker, I want to again thank Chief demning ‘‘Horse without a Horseman,’’ The f Charles A. Moose for his work in helping to Arab Voice and any perpetuation of anti-Semi- apprehend the sniper suspects, and returning tism either abroad or at home. It is critical that HONORING MS. MARILYN MIGLIN our community to normal. I urge my col- we remain vigilant and not allow attempts to OF CHICAGO leagues to join me in recognizing an honor- spread hatred to be ignored or continued. able and professional member of the law en- f HON. DANNY K. DAVIS forcement community. OF ILLINOIS HONORING THERESA SIRICO FOR f IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HER OUTSTANDING CONTRIBU- CONDEMNING ANTI-SEMITIC TIONS TO THE COMMUNITY Friday, November 22, 2002 SENTIMENT Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO take a few minutes today to speak about one HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR. OF CONNECTICUT of my constituents who is making a most re- OF NEW JERSEY IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES markable contribution to the people of Chicago IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and the entire Midwest. Marilyn Miglin is in- Friday, November 22, 2002 Friday, November 22, 2002 volved in an extraordinary range of public Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great service activities and maintains a remarkable draw attention to the disturbing rise in and ac- pleasure that I rise today to pay tribute to an schedule. ceptance of Anti-Semitism in the Arab world. outstanding member of the New Haven com- Ms. Miglin originally suggested the notion of An Egyptian satellite television station re- munity—Theresa Sirico. The founder of the an advisory board for the University of Illinois cently produced and is currently airing a new Louis and Joan Sirico Center for Elders and Craniofacial Center in 1987. The Craniofacial series that its producers openly acknowledge Families at Southern Connecticut State Uni- Center of the University of Illinois provides is partially based on a century old anti-Semitic versity, Theresa’s generosity and compassion medical services for patients with facial de- tract entitled ‘‘The Protocols of the Elders of will touch the lives of thousands throughout formities. Zion.’’ Greater New Haven and millions across the But Marilyn Miglin went far beyond the offer ‘‘The Protocols,’’ which have long been dis- country. of a suggestion. She began volunteering time missed by historians as false, are a work of As a child, I knew Louis and Joan Sirico as from her busy schedule to assist the physician fiction fabricated in czarist Russia to perpet- neighbors and friends, working with my par- team at the Craniofacial Center in adding a uate and justify anti-Semitic violence and per- ents to enrich our neighborhood. The Siricos new dimension to the patient services offered secution. ‘‘The Protocols’’ were a series of 24 were both active advocates for our families by the Department. She began coming regu- documents reportedly written by Jewish lead- and our community. Much as my own parents, larly to the center to see patients with facial ers that outline a plan for global domination by they passed these values to their seven chil- deformities and to show them how to apply the Jewish people. They were later used again dren. Both Louis and Joan suffered strokes, makeup to hide their condition, or to draw at- as anti-Jewish propaganda in Nazi Germany left without the abilities to care for themselves. tention away from the condition. and are still used to this day by neo-Nazis and In both instances, their family members came Not satisfied with superficial appearance, white-supremacist groups. together to provide them the care they needed Ms. Miglin recognized the need to go beyond The New Egyptian series, entitled ‘‘Horse through their last days. However, not all are what one could see at the surface, and Without a Horseman,’’ is looking to breathe fortunate enough to have families who are will- reached patients in a deeper and more pro- new life back into this cornerstone of anti-Se- ing or able to take on these challenges. found way: helping each individual realize their mitic hatred. The 41-episode television series, With the ‘‘baby boomer’’ generation ap- inner beauty and self worth. Out of this per- created specifically to air during the Islamic proaching retirement age, more and more of sonal growth came the renewed confidence holy month of Ramadan, traces the history of our nation’s seniors are looking for access to and self assurance necessary to deal with ev- the Middle East from 1855–1917. With a prime the care and companionship they need and eryday life; evening timeslot, the series is expected to rightly deserve. Theresa Sirico, recognizing Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I am especially have excellent viewership, as families gather the need for increased interest in geriatric pleased to take this opportunity to acknowl- at home to break the daily fast. This puts the care, took action. With a generous donation of edge and congratulate Marilyn Miglin for her series in the unique position to bring anti-Jew- a quarter of a million dollars, Theresa started support and dedication to the patients and ish sentiment into millions of homes through- the effort to establish a national model for im- staff of the University of Illinois Craniofacial out the Middle East. Israeli and American Em- proving the quality of life for our seniors. With Center. bassy officials have raised concerns over the a large anonymous donation, fund-raising ef- f use of the fictional and inflammatory forts, and matching funds from the State De- ‘‘Protocols’’ with the Egyptian government, but partment of Higher Education, Theresa’s vi- IN HONOR OF REVEREND RALPH to no avail. sion of the Louis and Joan Sirico Center for E. BROWER With the increase in attention given to ‘‘The Elders and Families became a reality. Protocols’’ in the Arab media, many believe The Sirico Center combines both under- HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ that the imagery present in ‘‘Horse without a graduate and graduate studies with hands-on OF NEW JERSEY Horseman’’ is indicative of the rise in anti- workshops and seminars. Blending the studies IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Semitism in the Arab world since the Sep- of nursing, social work, and public health, the Friday, November 22, 2002 tember 11 terrorist attacks. Center will be an invaluable resource for those Even here at home, The Arab Voice, a local interested in geriatric care. In a time when our Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today Arab newspaper in New Jersey, recently print- nation is facing an ever increasing senior pop- to honor Reverend Ralph E. Brower for 47 ed excerpts from ‘‘The Protocols.’’ Despite ulation and a lack of geriatric health care pro- years of outstanding service to our community knowledge that ‘‘The Protocols’’ are forgeries fessionals, the Sirico Center is sure to be an as a leader and senior pastor at Saint Mi- and have been used to incite anti-Jewish ha- asset not only to the Greater New Haven chael’s Methodist Church. Rev. Brower was tred and violence, the editors of The Arab area, but to communities throughout the na- honored at a banquet at the Casino in the Voice called ‘‘The Protocols’’ an ‘‘educational tion. The Sirico Center for Elders and Families Park in Jersey City, New Jersey, on Novem- tool’’ for their readers. will not only provide education for health pro- ber 10, 2002.

VerDate 0ct<31>2002 04:27 Nov 23, 2002 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A22NO8.016 E22PT1 E2124 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks November 22, 2002 For the past 47 years, Reverend Ralph E. modern feed mill was built to supply feed to guished reputation and has been recognized Brower has been a tireless advocate on behalf the poultry and cattle industry. This resulted in at every level of government as a model for all of his community and congregation, ensuring a full line of retail stores that are now carrying communities. that no one in the community is left behind. A their supplies. The J.S. West family expanded For all that they have given to the families true leader, Rev. Brower has served for the upon their enterprise by making ice, selling and children of New Haven and for all of their past 27 years as president of the Interdenomi- fuel oil, operating an automobile service sta- good work across the country, I am proud to national Ministerial Alliance, and the past 25 tion and tire shop, and they recently closed a stand today to extend my sincere congratula- years as chaplain for Hudson County. He has furniture store which they had operated since tions to the Yale-New Haven Teachers Insti- served in several city administrations, and is 1950. tute as they celebrate their 25th Anniversary. currently the president of the United Black The family also developed an egg con- f interdenominational Clergy (VBIC) of New Jer- tracting business in the 1950’s, and today its sey, the state’s largest African-American cler- members are still heavily involved in the poul- THANKING MY CONGRESSIONAL gy organization. try and egg industry at both state and national STAFF His selfless actions have not gone unno- levels. The West family packs eggs for over ticed, and he has been honored by New Jer- sixty labels and frozen liquid eggs in their HON. GEORGE W. GEKAS sey’s Urban League, the National Association Hilmar processing plant. From feed to eggs OF PENNSYLVANIA for the Advancement of Colored People of and ice to propane, the West family continues IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES New Jersey, and the New Jersey State Fed- to make a difference in the agricultural indus- Friday, November 22, 2002 eration of Colored Women’s Clubs. try worldwide. The fourth of six children, Rev. Brower was Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Mr. GEKAS. Mr. Speaker, the end of a con- born and raised in North Carolina, but decided J.S. West family for earning the 2002 Agricul- gressional career brings about many emo- to make New Jersey his home. He is a grad- tural Hall of Fame Inductee Award. I urge my tions. Over the last twenty years I have hap- uate of the Laurinburg Institute and Kettle Col- colleagues to join me in wishing the J.S. West pily spent representing the fine people of the lege of North Carolina, attended Florida State family many years of continued success. 17th Congressional District of Pennsylvania I have had the pleasure of working with thou- Christian College in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, f earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Jer- sands of constituents, local, state and federal sey City State College, and his Doctorate of HONORING THE YALE-NEW HAVEN officials, and many former and current distin- Sacred Theology from the Baltimore Bible Col- TEACHERS INSTITUTE ON THEIR guished members of the U.S. House of Rep- lege. 25TH ANNIVERSARY resentatives and the U.S. Senate. To all of Rev. Brown is married to Alberta Hazel- them I say, thanks for working with me to- Brower, and they are the proud parents of HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO wards a better America. three children: two sons, Ralph, Jr. and Ron- OF CONNECTICUT And, of course, every Member of Congress ald, and one daughter, Denise. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES works with many, many competent staff, from the staff in their own personal offices to the Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in Friday, November 22, 2002 honoring Reverend Ralph E. Brower for close Committee and Subcommittee staff and the to 50 years of service as a leader and senior Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great leadership and floor staff. It has often been pastor to the Jersey City community. Let us all pleasure that I rise today to join the New said that without staff where would this institu- join together and take this opportunity to honor Haven and Yale University communities in tion be? And I concur with that statement, for an exceptional man, setting an outstanding ex- celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Yale- without the many fine staff with whom I have ample for our community. Thank you Rev. New Haven Teachers Institute—a unique and had good fortune to work, I and other Mem- Brower for all that you do. highly successful partnership between the bers of Congress of the United States would New Haven Public School System and Yale be far worse off. While I cannot mention all f University. the fine staff who have worked with me over CONGRATULATING J.S. WEST FAM- I have often spoke about the importance of the years, let me at least mention the current ILY AS 2002 AGRICULTURAL education and the vital role it plays in our personal and subcommittee staffers who have HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE communities—especially for our urban youth. endeavored to achieve our common goals and Today, it is more important than ever for our to whom I give my hearty thanks and wish HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH nation’s teachers to have access to the skills them well in their future careers. OF CALIFORNIA and resources they need to prepare our chil- In my Harrisburg district office, Arlene IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES dren for the future. That is the mission of the Eckels, my long-time personal secretary who Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute. For a has worked for me since the early days in the Friday, November 22, 2002 quarter of a century, the Institute has been Pennsylvania State Senate and to whom I Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise providing area educators with the opportunity wish a happy and much deserved retirement; today to congratulate the J.S. West family for to strengthen themselves professionally Tom Templeton, my hardworking district direc- receiving the 2002 Agricultural Hall of Fame through annual seminars in the humanities tor, who so ably kept my entire district staff Inductee Award at the Stanislaus County Ag and sciences. In addition, the Institute works working smoothly; Suzanne Stoll, and old Foundation’s Agricultural Hall of Fame Cere- with program participants to bring the cur- friend and superb caseworker; Paul Giannaris, mony in Modesto, California on December 5, riculum and lessons of the seminars to the whose ability to handle INS problems has 2002. This notable group of Stanislaus County classroom. The teachers who have partici- made him invaluable; and Tim Vollrath, a re- Legends of Agriculture honors individuals and pated in this program have demonstrated a cently returned former employee whose mili- families who have worked to make agriculture unique commitment to our young people. tary and veterans help has been superb. In the county’s number one industry. These are educators who are truly dedicated our Lebanon Office, Reg Nyman has been the The Agricultural Hall of Fame members sac- to ensuring that our children—our future— voice of Lehbanon for these many years, and rifice and labor to produce crops from poultry have the talented and creative teachers they his excellent knowledge and service will be and livestock to fruits and vegetables. These need and deserve. missed. And in our Elizabethtown office, members and their families have made a mark Just four years ago, the Institute forged Susan Melendez has kept out Lancaster on the Central Valley’s local agricultural indus- ahead with a new goal. With just over one mil- County constituents well served by her kind try and community, as well as influenced the lion dollars in grant funding, the Institute set and efficient manner. Over the last twenty state, nation, and the world. out to replicate its program in four other cities years my district office staff has handled hun- In 1909, J.S. West and Company began across the country. This venture has been a dreds of thousands of phone calls and con- with the purchase of the Merced Milling build- success and has proven that the partnerships stituent casework requests. A superb record ing and a lease of land from the Southern Pa- that are fostered between local public schools by a superb staff. cific Railroad in Modesto, California. James and universities can and will enrich the lives of My Washington office staff have proven West worked with farmers on yearly contracts our young people. New Haven has certainly themselves time and time again, regularly and sold sacked grain to brokers and cus- benefited from this tremendous organization going beyond the call of duty. (The tally of my tomers. As the business grew, the family di- which has not only touched the lives of so hundreds of legislative measures, nearly 30 versified into coal, wood, and fertilizers. After many teachers, but countless numbers of our Public Laws, thousands of office meetings and a fire destroyed the feed mill in the 1950’s, a children. The Institute has earned a distin- countless committee and other initiatives over

VerDate 0ct<31>2002 04:27 Nov 23, 2002 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A22NO8.020 E22PT1 November 22, 2002 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2125 the years speaks truth to that assertion.) First, thanks for making my tenure in the United Perhaps one of his most significant contribu- on my personal staff, Patrick Sheehan, my States House of Representatives a productive tions has been his work with the Occoquan Counsel and Legislative Director, has been a and pleasant one. Any current Member of Watershed Coalition, an all-volunteer organi- dynamic and intelligent thinker and leader, Congress or Committee would be well served zation committed to the protection of ‘‘The who offered sage advice on immigration, mili- by the high-quality staff with whom it has been Downzoned Occoquan Watershed’’ and drink- tary and veterans affairs; Greg Helman, my my pleasure to work over these many years. ing water it provides. Mr. Akers served as vice Senior Legislative Counsel kept pace with my f president of the Occoquan Watershed Coali- many Judiciary and legislative demands, espe- tion from 1994–1999, in addition to serving as cially bankruptcy reform and appropriations HONORING JOHN KORREY the coalition’s representative to the Fairfax (as I would expect from a Palmyra, PA native); County Federation of Citizen’s Association Becky Smith, my office manager and health HON. BOB SCHAFFER since 1995. legislative assistant, kept my schedule and OF COLORADO It is his tenure as President of the personal affairs humming along smoothly and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Occoquan Watershed Coalition we recognize ably managed my most favorite of projects, today. Friday, November 22, 2002 the Congressional Biomedical Research Cau- Mr. Speaker, in closing, it is with great cus of which I was founder and Co-Chairman; Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today pleasure that I extend a wholehearted thank David Greineder, who did a multitude of duties to honor John Korrey of Iliff, CO, who recently you to Mr. Al Akers. His contributions to Vir- as my talented systems manager, legislative received the 2002 World Champion Livestock ginia and his community have been great. Vir- correspondent and Legislative Assistant cov- Auctioneer title. ginia is proud to have such a distinguished cit- ering education and labor issues; Bill Tighe, John is an extraordinary auctioneer, a skill izen in its professional and social community. another LC and Legislative Assistant whose that is highly admired in eastern Colorado. His I call upon my colleagues to join me in ap- insights into the Agriculture and Natural Re- talent helps ranchers earn top dollar for their plauding him for all that he has done. sources needs of Pennsylvania and the district stock. In fact, John has received other top ac- f were more than invaluable, they were accu- colades for his talent, including the Greater rate; Mike Shields, my recent press secretary Midwest Champion Livestock Auctioneer in LEBANESE INDEPENDENCE DAY extraordinaire, who did an excellent job under 2002 and International Champion Livestock difficult situations; and, of course, Allan Auctioneer in 1998. John is only one of four HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL Cagnoli, my long time Chief of Staff from Her- individuals globally to hold these three titles. OF NEW YORK shey, PA, a superb leader of the office and John Korrey is a native of Iliff, CO. Raised IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES jack-of-all-trades who kept the office running as a family farmer and rancher, John now Friday, November 22, 2002 runs Korrey Auctions, his own business, and and productive no mater what the crisis. Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to My Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, is partner in Premier Livestock Exchange. At commemorate, but not celebrate Lebanon’s Border Security and Claims, of which I was home, John enjoys farming with his wife Independence Day. Fifty-nine years ago, Leb- Chairman, was ably staffed by George Janna and his daughters Heidi and Lacey. anon gained its independence from France. Fishman, Lora Ries, Art Arthur, Cynthia Mr. Speaker, I congratulate John Korrey and Yet, today, Lebanon is no longer a sovereign Blackston and Emily Sanders, as well as Brian ask the House of Representatives to join me and independent country. With 25,000 Syrian Zimmer of the full Committee staff. They han- in wishing him success as World Champion troops occupying Lebanon, it remains firmly in dled the extremely important legislation neces- Livestock Auctioneer. the grip of Damascus, without the ability to sitated by the new domestic and international f conduct its own affairs without first seeking the threats we now face. Their assistance to me approval of the Assad regime. during the challenges of this year is impos- HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF More than 2 years ago, Israel completely sible to measure. The House of Representa- MR. AL AKERS withdrew its armed forces from southern Leb- tives has much to look forward to with their anon. This withdrawal was certified by the continued work. HON. TOM DAVIS United Nations. The time is long past due for And last but not least, is the Subcommittee OF VIRGINIA Syria to leave, as well, and for the Lebanese on Commercial and Administrative Law, of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES to run Lebanon. which I was a member this last Congress but Friday, November 22, 2002 As the author of the Syria Accountability on which I served as Chairman from 1994– Act, I thank the 172 members of the U.S. 2000. On this subcommittee we dealt with the Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I House of Representatives and the 45 mem- hundreds of regulator reform issues developed would like to take this opportunity to honor Mr. bers of the Senate who joined as cosponsors by the Republican Majority through the Con- Al Akers upon his retirement as President of of our legislation. We have together shined a tract With America and following initiatives. My the Occoquan Watershed Coalition on Decem- bright light on the injustice of the continuing major Bankruptcy Reform measure began with ber 1, 2002. Syrian occupation of Lebanon and have only me in this subcommittee; Administrative Law Mr. Akers’ resume and accomplishments added to the growing campaign to liberate Judges; Legal Services Reform; the Federal speak for themselves. He holds masters de- grees in both business administration and Lebanon. Agency Compliance Act; The Regulatory Fair So, on this 59th anniversary of Lebanese international relations, and he is a graduate of Warning Act; Executive Orders; Internet Tax independence, I stand with the Lebanese peo- the Advanced Management Programs at the reform; the Federal Arbitration Act; Interstate ple who seek freedom and democracy for their Claremont Graduate School and the University Compacts; the Independent Counsel Act; and beautiful country and peace for the entire re- of Southern California. After retiring from the many, many other topics. While bankruptcy re- gion. It is my hope that some time soon, Leba- U.S. Army as a major general, Mr. Akers form took center stage, there was no end to nese Independence Day will not only be a helped launch two companies and was the ex- the amount of topics and work my staff and I commemoration, but will once again be a cele- ecutive director of a non-profit organization. pursued. For this I thank them, the current and bration. former staffers of the subcommittee, for all Not only does Mr. Akers have an impec- their exceptional work: Chief Counsel Ray cable career on paper, he has had a great f Smietanka, who has worked with me as my and tangible impact on his community. In HONORING PATTI REILLY chief committee counsel since I came to the 1993, he served as chairman of the Super- 98th Congress in 1983; Susan-Jensen intendent’s Community Advisory Counsel for HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH Conklin, whose superb work on bankruptcy re- Fairfax County Public Schools. Then, in 1995, OF CALIFORNIA he was selected as Lord Fairfax for the form got us where we are today; Rob Tracci, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES formerly of the Subcommittee, was an invalu- Springfield District, and also became a mem- able source of assistance; and all the other ber of the Task Force on Fairfax County Re- Friday, November 22, 2002 members of the CAL staff who have helped sources and Expenditures. Mr. Akers served Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise this Member of Congress over the many pro- as a member of the Lorton Task Force from today in recognition of Patti Reilly upon her re- ductive years. I thank them all for their work 1995–1997 and as vice chairman of the tirement as Mariposa County District I Super- to the Nation and me. Springfield District Council. In addition to serv- visor. Patti Reilly has shown her dedication to To all I have mentioned, and those who I ing as vice chairman of this council, Mr. Akers the citizens of Mariposa and District I through have regrettably not, please accept my sincere was, and remains a member. years of active involvement and leadership.

VerDate 0ct<31>2002 04:27 Nov 23, 2002 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A22NO8.023 E22PT1 E2126 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks November 22, 2002 Patti Reilly has demonstrated her commu- The facts in this case seem quite pleased to inform you Mr. Speaker, that the nity involvement through her years of service straighforward—once again a pro-Loyalist po- other body has passed this legislation as well on numerous projects, boards and commis- lice force used its authority to further sectarian and it is on its way to the President. This leg- sions. She was first elected to the Mariposa rule and continue the rash of violence against islation designates as wilderness more than County Board of Supervisors in 1994 and re- the Catholic Community. 50,000 acres of land in the Central Coast of elected for her second term in 1998, serving I call on Prime Minister Tony Blair and Lon- California, adding another jewel in the crown as Chair the same year. On the board she don Metropolitan Police Commissioner Ste- of Big Sur. served as liaison member to the Fiscal and vens to finally release the current report and Mr. Speaker, since this legislation passed Education Services, the Health and Human then immediately open a full public inquiry into without committee action, it was not possible Service areas, and on Yosemite Park issues. this matter. My hope is that by putting an end to get a Committee Report so I want to inform Patti Reilly has helped shape the future of to this long drawn-out process we can bring you of my intentions in regard to H.R. 4750. Mariposa by serving on the Planning Commis- both justice to the individuals who undertook The Big Sur region is a rough, wild, sparsely sion and acting as Chair of both the Local this gruesome act and take steps to ensure populated area full of scenic vistas and should Transportation Commission and the Housing that this doesn’t happen again. be managed as such. In regard to wilderness Authority of the County of Mariposa. She has This whole matter once again reinforces my fire management, it would be beneficial to championed economic development, edu- belief that for too long both the British govern- have a management plan for the Ventana and cation, justice, and youth development. ment, along with their police force, and the Silver Peak areas prepared, following their Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate Patti Loyalist paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland designation as wilderness, that would author- Reilly for her years of service to Mariposa and have worked in tandem to usurp the rights of ize the Forest Supervisor of the Los Padres for her distinguished community involvement. I the Catholic Community. National Forest to take whatever appropriate invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Patti A full public inquiry into this matter will show actions are necessary for fire prevention and Reilly many more years of continued success. the world that the only way peace can last in watershed protection. This would include, but f Northern Ireland is for a full fair and just re- not be limited to, acceptable fire form in policing in Northern Ireland. Northern presuppression and fire suppression measures PAT FINUCANE REPORT IN Ireland must immediately implement all of the and techniques. Any special provisions con- NORTHERN IRELAND Patten Commission’s recommendations on po- tained in the management plan for the licing. Ventana and Silver Peak Wilderness areas HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR. Mr. Speaker, if there is to be a just and last- should be incorporated in the planning for the OF NEW JERSEY ing peace in Northern Ireland we must learn Los Padres National Forest. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES from what happened to Pat Finucane and en- This language is a slight modification of lan- guage enacted in 1977 as part of the legisla- Friday, November 22, 2002 sure that it never happens again. f tion initially designating the Ventana wilder- Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ness area. The thought is that current lan- call on the London Metropolitan Police Com- HONORING MS. LESLIE TOURIGNY guage be as close to original language as missioner Sir John Stevens to expeditiously possible. Local USFS staff have indicated that complete the report on the February 1989 kill- HON. DANNY K. DAVIS under normal agency procedures, the decision ing of Pat Finucane in Belfast. Sir Stevens has OF ILLINOIS to utilize this existing authority would have to been investigating this case for almost 3 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES be made at the regional forester level or high- years. er. The practical impact is that the existing au- Pat Finucane was shot and killed by British- Friday, November 22, 2002 thority has never been used. This language Loyalist paramilitaries while he sat eating a Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I take seeks to make the existing authority more Sunday meal with his wife and three children. this opportunity to thank Ms. Leslie Tourigny useful by authorizing the decision at the forest Since his murder in 1989, Amnesty Inter- for serving the residents of the Seventh Con- supervisor level. national and the United Nations have called gressional District in her capacity as an Amer- Mr. Speaker, in regard to military training at on the British Government to investigate any ican Political Science Association Fellow. Fort Hunter-Liggett, I suggest that we do noth- collusion between the RUC/British Govern- Ms. Tourigny spent the last year making sig- ing to preclude existing low level overflights of ment officials and the Loyalist paramilitaries. nificant contributions in the areas of: Postal military aircraft, the designation of new units of Unfortunately, after 3 years of investigation Reform, Civil Service, and Defense issues. special airspace, or the use or establishment still no report has been made public. She also did an outstanding job of responding of military flight training routes over wilderness Prior to being murdered, Mr. Finucane was to constituent mail and inquiries. areas. In regard to military access all non-mo- a human rights lawyer who defended several Ms. Tourigny came to my office with more torized access to and use of the wilderness individuals that were detained by the RUC. than 29 years of experience in the Federal areas designated by this Act for military train- According to the UDA, Ulster Defense Asso- Government. The ideas that she brought and ing should be permitted to continue in the ciation, which claimed responsibility for his passion for public service enhanced my office same manner and degree as permitted prior to murder, Mr. Finucane was profiled as an indi- greatly. She operated as a senior staff person, enactment, subject to reasonable regulation by vidual who was helping support the and was willing to go the extra mile. Her atten- the land manager. This language will apply to procatholic, pro-Republican cause in Northern tion to detail and diligence were greatly appre- the proposed wilderness areas adjacent to Ireland. ciated. Fort Hunter-Liggett. The non-motorized use Last week, Sir John Stevens announced, for As Leslie returns to the Defense Intelligence language covers a variety of training activities a second time, that the Finucane report would Agency I wish her well. Again, on behalf of the that the military has undertaken in the National be delayed as a result of a British military wit- residents of the Seventh Congressional Dis- Forest. Currently, the two agencies have an ness being reluctant to speak to the police. trict, I commend and congratulate Leslie for MOU that governs such activities. I would en- Stevens claims that the report will be released her outstanding work. courage a new MOU be developed to account ‘before next spring’, however, there continues f for the change to wilderness. to be speculation that the report may be de- Mr. Speaker, the Central Coast is a unique layed further should a public inquiry be or- PASSAGE OF H.R. 4750 ecosystem in itself. For example, only in this dered. area will you find giant redwoods growing in There are few who will dispute the facts in HON. SAM FARR the same drainage as a yucca plant. Because this case. According to Brian Nelson, a former OF CALIFORNIA of this great diversity our area faces constant British military intelligence agent who also IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES assaults by invasive species. The spread of served as chief intelligence office of the UDA, invasive species continues to inflict great dam- he directly assisted in the targeting of Pat Friday, November 22, 2002 age to the Big Sur region’s environment. Such Finucane and passed a photograph of Pat Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise plant species as South American pampas Finucane to a UDA member just days before today to give sincere thanks to Chairman grass, genesta (French broom) from southern the killing. However, Mr. Nelson claims have HANSEN, Ranking Member RAHALL and the Europe, and cape ivy from South Africa have never been examined in an open court. staff of the Resources Committee for their ef- taken over large areas of the Big Sur region. To date no one has been prosecuted for the forts to move H.R. 4750 through this chamber In addition, a cross breed of ferral and wild pig murder of Pat Finucane. in the final hours of the 107th Congress. I am has become very prolific in many areas of Big

VerDate 0ct<31>2002 04:27 Nov 23, 2002 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A22NO8.027 E22PT1 November 22, 2002 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2127 Sur. These pigs plough up native plants which needs of a larger system serving multi-house- community of Durham. The name Benedict destroys habitat for native animals and opens holds. The owners of the two parcels want to Kupcho is almost synonymous with the park- the way for many non native plants to colonize lay a new separate pipeline alongside the ex- ing organization for the Fair and it has been the disturbed ground. On their own, each of isting line so that they become two separate his efforts that have enabled its many these species has inflicted major adverse individual systems and thus free of the cost of attendees to enjoy this wonderful annual changes to the Big Sur landscape. Their com- complying with the multiple hook-up require- event. bined assault has resulted in the displacement ments. It is with great pleasure and my very best of entire native communities. Mr. Speaker, I once again want to thank all wishes for continued health and happiness Mr. Speaker, the federal government has in- those that made passage of this legislation that I stand today and extend my sincere vested millions of dollars in acquiring land for possible. Protection of these resources is of thanks and appreciation to Benedict Kupcho conservation in the Big Sur region. A program great benefit to all. for all of his good work throughout his thirty- of this type would help prevent the ecological f seven years with Coginchaug Regional High value of that investment from being destroyed. School. Though he will certainly be missed, he This region needs a program to target the HONORING BENEDICT KUPCHO ON has left an indelible mark on the Durham com- eradication of invasive plant and animal spe- THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIRE- munity and a legacy that will inspire others for cies in the Monterey District of the Los Padres MENT many years to come. National Forest. In addition nearly private or f other non USFS property where the property HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO owner seeks the assistance and where the OF CONNECTICUT IN HONOR OF RABBI STUART invasive species are present on that property IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WEINBLATT pose a threat to national forest lands and Friday, November 22, 2002 should be included as well. HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL Mr. Speaker, I want to see the transfer Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, I am honored OF NEW YORK USFS land currently occupied by Pacific Val- to rise today to join Coginchaug Regional High IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ley School under special use permit to the Pa- School and the community of Durham, Con- cific Valley School District. The amount of land necticut in paying tribute to Benedict Kupcho Friday, November 22, 2002 to be transferred should not exceed the as he celebrates his retirement after thirty- Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to school’s existing footprint (approximately 5 seven years of service. An educator, col- honor Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt on his 50th birth- acres). Also, the transfer should include rever- league, and friend, Mr. Kupcho has been an day and in recognition of the tremendous work sionary language that would require transfer invaluable resource to the students and faculty he has done on behalf of others. Rabbi back to the Forest Service if the School Dis- of Coginchaug Regional High School and the Weinblatt and his wife Symcha are the parents trict ever gave up use of the land. The Pacific residents of Durham throughout his career. of four wonderful children, Ezra, Margalit, Valley School serves the residents of the rural I have often spoke of our nation’s need for Micha, and Noam. He is the founding Rabbi of southern Big Sur Coast. It has approximately talented, creative educators ready to help our Congregation B’nai Tzedek, a Conservative 40 students in grades K–8. The school has students learn and grow. Mr. Kupcho is just synagogue in Potomac, Maryland, to which I occupied a site on USFS property under a that kind of teacher. His commitment and belong, serving more than 620 families. Prior special use permit for approximately 35 years. dedication has touched the lives of thousands to forming Congregation B’nai Tzedek in 1988, The school itself consists of 6 portable build- of our young people. Mr. Kupcho has enriched Rabbi Weinblatt was the Rabbi of Temple ings arranged on a series of concrete and as- his students lives ensured that they have a Solel in Bowie, Maryland, for seven years and phalt pads. Over the years the school has had strong foundation on which to build their fu- Temple Beth Am in Miami, Florida, from a good relationship with the Forest Service. tures—making a real difference in all of their 1979Ð1981. The major problem is the inflexibility that the lives. Coginchaug Regional High School has Rabbi Weinblatt is active in a number of special use permit arrangement imposes on been fortunate to have benefitted from his local and national organizations, including the the school’s site management. Generally, any many years of service. National Rabbinic Cabinet of the UHC, Hillel at changes the school wants to make to the site I have had the pleasure of meeting Mr. the University of Maryland, the Jewish Na- have to be cleared by the Forest Service. Kupcho on several occasions throughout my tional Fund, Israel Bonds, the Jewish Commu- Even if a change, for example the addition of career in the House of Representatives and I nity Council, where he chaired a committee on a student garden or replacing a set of building am always in awe of his seemingly unending Jewish Life and Culture, and the Federation of steps, may not need Forest Service approval, enthusiasm and excitement. For twenty-two Greater Washington, where he chaired the the uncertainty of whether it does have a years, Mr. Kupcho has organized Super Sunday effort several years ago. Rabbi chilling effect on any activity. This transfer is Coginchaug’s annual trip to Washington, Weinblatt has also served as President of the intended to resolve the potential conflict and D.C.—bringing over two thousand students to Washington Board of Rabbis. He has been an release the USFS from acting as a school site our nation’s capital throughout five separate adjunct professor of Jewish History and The- manager. administrations. Through wind, rain, sleet and ology at Wesley Theological Seminary since Finally, Mr. Speaker, I feel we should au- snow, he has worked tirelessly to ensure that 1992. His dynamic leadership, innovative ap- thorize the construction and maintenance of a his students were given the opportunity to visit proach to Judaism and reputation as an out- new water line and corresponding spring box Washington and experience how our govern- standing teacher and speaker has earned him improvements adjacent to an existing domes- ment works. I have always held a firm belief many honors, including selection as a tic water service in the Silver Peak Wilderness in the importance of engaging our young peo- Bronfman Fellow by CLAL and as a fellow in Area in the Los Padres National Forest. The ple in the democratic process and in assuring the Shalom Hartman Institute Center for Rab- water system in question serves two adjacent that they have a voice here in Washington. binic Enrichment program. In recognition of his properties located just outside the existing Sil- Mr. Kupcho’s dedication is a reflection of this outstanding leadership and community in- ver Peak Wilderness Area boundary estab- ideal and our community owes him a great volvement, he was chosen in 2001 as the lished in 1992. Both parcels are 10 acres and debt of gratitude for all that he has done on Washington area ORT ‘‘Man of the Year.’’ He are located in the west 1⁄4 of the south 1⁄4 of behalf of our young people. is a strong and vocal supporter of the State of the southwest 1⁄4 of the southeast 1⁄4 of sec- As a track coach and student advisor, Mr. Israel. tion 14 in township 24 south, range 5 east, Kupcho has also acted as a mentor to many I met Stuart Weinblatt when I was first run- MDB&M. Both parcels have drawn water from students—truly helping to shape their lives ning for Congress, 14 years ago, when we the same spring for over 40 years. A single outside of the classroom as well. In addition to were seated at the same table, by chance, at pipeline runs from the spring box located in his many professional contributions at a dinner. I had no idea that years later I would the wilderness and delivers water to the two Coginchaug Regional High School, Mr. become a member of a new synagogue that parcels in succession. The 1992 act creating Kupcho has also been active in the Durham was opening with him at the helm. I have fol- the Silver Peak Wilderness Area grand-fa- community. One of the most popular and long- lowed this man all these years, and have thered this system into the wilderness. How- est running events in Connecticut, the Durham watched him and the synagogue grow in stat- ever, Monterey County ordinances now imple- Fair has long been the beneficiary of Mr. ure. His sermons are always remarkable and menting state and federal law treat the system Kupcho’s time and energy. Attracting thou- inspiring. as a water distribution system which requires sands of people from across the state, the Mr. Speaker, Rabbi Weinblatt’s years of it to comply with the treatment and storage Durham Fair is a major event for the small service to his community and the nation have

VerDate 0ct<31>2002 04:27 Nov 23, 2002 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A22NO8.030 E22PT1 E2128 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks November 22, 2002 enriched the lives of so many others and he in November 1982. He is currently serving his practice of backhauling—transporting foods is a stellar example of the type of individuals tenth term as the Representative from Penn- one way and toxic chemicals on the return we need leading our communities. I am proud sylvania’s Third Congressional District, which trip. to be a congregant of Rabbi Weinblatt’s Syna- encompasses Northeast Philadelphia, the In previous years, BORSKI served as the top gogue. I wish Rabbi Weinblatt a very happy River Wards, Society Hill and portions of Democrat on the Water Resources and Envi- 50th birthday and I look forward to his contin- Queen Village. Of the three districts that in- ronment Subcommittee, a job that at times ued service as a leader in our community. I clude parts of Philadelphia, the 3rd is the only pulled him well beyond his customary focus on am proud to call him my Rabbi, and even district completely within city limits. Philadelphia into issues such as government more proud to call him my friend. As a teenager in Northeast Philadelphia, response to natural disasters and desalination f BOB was a standout athlete for the Frankford efforts in communities short of fresh water. High Pioneers, captaining the basketball and BOB was instrumental insuring the passage of HONORING THE MEMORY AND baseball teams. He is a low-profile leader in the landmark Clean Water Act and Safe Drink- COURAGE OF JOURNALISTS Congress, but he still gives his all for the com- ing Water Act. munity where he grew up, devoting most of BOB BORSKI has been a strong supporter of HON. BOB SCHAFFER his energies to the needs and concerns of the the environment. As the subcommittee began OF COLORADO 3rd District. debate in the 105h Congress on legislation to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Since he was elected, BOB BORSKI has overhaul the Superfund hazardous waste Friday, November 22, 2002 fought vigorously to preserve military facilities cleanup program, BORSKI refused to support and defense jobs in his congressional district legislation that would go easy on polluters or Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today and throughout the Philadelphia region. In that failed to ensure the protection of human to honor the memory and the courage of jour- 1993 and 1995, he worked with the city of health and the environment. He has pushed nalists who have given their lives in the pursuit Philadelphia and community leaders to defeat for legislation to promote cleanup of of truth. attempts to close the Aviation Supply Office ‘‘brownfields’’—urban industrial sites where I rise to commend organizations like the Na- (ASO) and its tenant activities in Northeast pollution discourages redevelopment. tional Ukrainian Journalists Union, a group Philadelphia. BOB is also a member of the Subcommittee dedicated to the protection of Ukrainian jour- In the past couple of years, BOB has initi- on Railroads, the Subcommittee on Water Re- nalists, the abolition of censorship and the de- ated an effort to reclaim and revitalize the ne- sources and Environment, the Congressional fense of free speech. glected waterfront of the Delaware River. We Delegation to the NATO Assembly, and the In many developing countries, harassment, worked together in a coordinated effort with ad-hoc committee on Irish Affairs. in the form of threats, arrest, and even kidnap- various regional, federal, state and local stake- In addition to his committee assignments, ping and murder is used as a tool to silence holders in order to develop Philadelphia’s wa- he represented the concerns and needs of his journalists who dare to report the truth. No sin- terfront for the benefit of both the city and the large senor citizen constituency and serves on gle attempt at censorship has sparked more people. He envisioned an exciting, pros- the Older Americans Caucus, the Diabetes protest than the disappearance and murder of perous, new waterfront for Philadelphia that Caucus, and the Prescription Drug Task Greorgiy Honhadze in Ukraine in 2000. This will reconnect neighborhoods with land devel- Force. crime cast international attention on the sys- oped for many uses. Interconnected rec- Prior to his 1982 election to the U.S. Con- temic oppression of freedom of expression, reational pathways as well as plenty of open gress BOB BORSKI served three terms in the and cast significant doubts on the level of green space bordering the river are principal Pennsylvania State House. Before that, he democratic development in Ukraine. was a floor manager at the Philadelphia Stock The death of Honhadze, the beating death parts of his vision. Representative BORSKI retires as the third Exchange. He was born in Philadelphia on of Ihor Aleksandrov, the director of a television ranking Democrat on the Transportation and October 20, 1948 and is a life-long resident of station in the Donetsk region of eastern Infrastructure Committee and as the lead the city. In 1966, he graduated from Frankford Ukraine in July 2001, and most recently, the Democrat on the Committee’s Highways and High School where he captained the basket- death of Mykhailo Kolomiyets, the director of a Transit Subcommittee. ball and baseball teams. He attended the Uni- news agency in Kyiv, Ukrainian News, rein- In addition to his leadership position on the versity of Baltimore on an athletic scholarship force doubt about the state of freedom in Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and, after graduating with a B.A. in 171, Ukraine. The lethargic pursuit of the investiga- BOB served as Regional White for Philadelphia served one year as the assistant basketball tions of these deaths by authorities indicates and Ohio. As a senior member on the Trans- coach. Congress BORSKI lives in Northeast official apathy if not tacit approval. portation and Infrastructure Committee and Philadelphia with is wife Karen and is the fa- Mr. Speaker, continued government control Subcommittee Ranking Member, BOB has ther of four girls and one boy. of the media, and often violent oppression of been a vocal advocate of an improved na- I am grateful for the many years I’ve gotten freedom of expression denies the Ukranian tional transportation system and a strong fed- to serve with BOB in the Pennsylvania delega- people their inalienable human rights and pre- eral commitment to public infrastructure and tion. His friendship, unfailing congeniality and vents democracy from rooting and growing in mass transit programs. In Philadelphia, his hard work made it a joy to work with him, con- Ukraine. Therefore, I call upon my Colleagues legislative efforts have resulted in millions of tributed immeasurably to the cohesiveness of in the Congress to urge the government of dollars more for SEPTA, IÐ95, neighborhood the delegation and benefited Pennsylvania Ukraine to resolve the deaths of these journal- roads, and transportation improvements which greatly. He will be remembered as a gen- ists expeditiously, to implement an agenda for will greatly benefit the Port of Philadelphia, tleman and statesman who left a positive mark the defense of free speech, and to recognize and as a result, the surrounding area. on this body. the fourth day of December as ‘‘a day of sor- In the 105th Congress, BOB worked to pass f row for lost journalists.’’ TEAÐ21, authorizing spending for highway, f RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF mass transit and other transportation-related CORNELIUS MYRICKS RECOGNIZING CONGRESSMAN BOB projects across the nation. This bill included BORSKI $221 million in projects for the City of Philadel- HON. DANNY K. DAVIS phia and led to the expansion of Philadelphia OF ILLINOIS International Airport, IÐ95 improvements, in- HON. JOHN P. MURTHA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF PENNSYLVANIA vestment in mass transit, and the construction of the Frankford Transportation Center, a state Friday, November 22, 2002 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of the art multimodal terminal complex. With Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise Friday, November 22, 2002 TEAÐ21, Congressman BORSKI led the effort today to pay tribute to the life of Cornelius Mr. MURTHA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to to bring construction and manufacturing jobs Myricks born April 25, 1926 in Montgomery, take this opportunity to recognize a good to the City of Philadelphia with projects that Alabama. During his younger years, Mr. friend and colleague, BOB BORSKI, upon the also assisted in the reduction of traffic conges- Myricks served in the United States Navy for occasion of his retirement from twenty years tion and air pollution. four years. After being honorably discharged of distinguished service in the House of Rep- He has worked consistently to defend public from the Navy, he moved to Chicago, Illinois. resentatives. safety, authoring legislation which bans the It was then he became a member of Metro- Congressman BOB BORSKI (D-PA) was first expanded use of triple trailer trucks as well as politan Missionary Baptist Church and or- elected to the U.S. House of Representatives legislation which prohibited the dangerous dained as a Deacon in 1950. He served as

VerDate 0ct<31>2002 04:27 Nov 23, 2002 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A22NO8.032 E22PT1 November 22, 2002 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2129 the President of the Senior and Junior Usher war on terrorism, in particular the unique serv- hattan. Later he worked for School District 11 Boards for many years and later as the Cap- ices provided by members of The U.S. Infan- in the Bronx, as a bilingual social worker at tain of the Usher Board and the Willing Work- try’s Old Guard at the Pentagon. Let us never Junior High School 112 and at Truman High ers Club Number Two. Mr. Myricks was an ac- forget the service that our military has pro- School as a counselor. He also worked as an tive member of the Metropolitan Baptist vided over the past 225 years and the sac- in-house social worker for the Committee on Church participating in duties as an usher. His rifices they made to protect and preserve our Special Education. The past 12 years he has favorite scripture was John 9:4, ‘‘I must work freedom. served as an Education Administrator for The the works of him that sent me, while it is day, f Committee on Pre-School Special Education. the night cometh, when no man can work.’’ Finally, he has also served on the District Uni- Mr. Myricks departed this life on Saturday, IN TRIBUTE OF STAFF SGT. RYAN versal Advisory Board. FORAKER November 16, 2002 at 9:32 a.m., at the VA During this distinguished tenure, Joseph Westside Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. He is took time away from the New York Schools to missed by his devoted wife, Thelma; one HON. BOB SCHAFFER serve a 3-year assignment with the U.S. Pub- brother, Willie (Mattye) Myricks; sister-in-law, OF COLORADO lic Health Service as a Health Service Officer. Geraleme Myricks, McGrye Wright, Lucille IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES During his tour of duty, the United States Payne and Pearly Payne; brother-in-law, Friday, November 22, 2002 faced two major public health crises, the George Payne; two play sisters, Lonzie John- Cuban Boat Crisis and the Three Mile Island son and Ernestine Lenard; nieces; nephews. Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today nuclear accident. Mr. Speaker, I extend my condolences to to pay tribute to Staff Sgt. Ryan Dane Foraker. Joseph is a graduate of Long Island Univer- the family. May God Bless his family. Staff Sgt. Foraker, a U.S. Army reservist with sity and Fordham University, where he re- f the 342nd military police Company based in Columbus, Ohio, has been reported missing at ceived a Master’s degree in Social Work. He HONORING THE 3RD U.S. INFAN- the U.S. Naval Base Guantanamo Bay, Cuba still lives in New York with his wife of 34 years TRY REGIMENT, ‘‘THE OLD since Tuesday, September 24, 2002. and is the proud father of two daughters, GUARD’’ Sgt. Foraker’s wallet, military ID and civilian Christina and Yvonne. shorts and T-shirt were found folded and stuck Mr. Speaker, New York and the United HON. JIM NUSSLE in a rock crevasse outside Camp America bar- States have been blessed by the efforts of Jo- OF IOWA racks. seph Bermudez. He is a shining example for IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES An extensive search and rescue effort in- all of us to look to. cluding watercraft and search and rescue heli- Friday, November 22, 2002 copters for the missing soldier was called off f Mr. NUSSLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to as of 2 p.m. (EST) October 4, 2002. Staff Sgt. honor the perseverance, dedication, and hard Foraker’s official duty status is, ‘‘whereabouts TRIBUTE TO TOM LEVY work of the members of America’s oldest and unknown.’’ one of the most prestigious units of our Armed Described as a ‘‘model soldier,’’ Foraker HON. MARY BONO Services, the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, ‘‘The was in his seventh month of reserve duty as Old Guard.’’ a supervisor of MP’s guarding al-Qaeda and OF CALIFORNIA As a nation, we have held many ceremonies Taliban prisoners, first at Camp X-Ray and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES honoring those individuals and groups who re- later at compound Delta as part of Operation Friday, November 22, 2002 sponded to the tragic events of September 11, Enduring Freedom. Detainee involvement was 2001, and, without regard for their personal not suspected in his disappearance. Mrs. BONO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to safety or emotional well-being, went about the Staff Sgt. Foraker leaves behind a wife and recognize the outstanding achievements of sometimes gruesome task of looking for sur- two daughters, ages 3 years and 14 months. Tom Levy, who is retiring as the General Man- vivors in an area so devastated, few of us can Mr. Speaker, I urge our colleagues to join ager and Chief Engineer of the Coachella Val- even imagine the horror faced on that day. me in expressing sincere sorrow, sympathy, ley Water District (CVWD). Men and women who eventually were search- and gratitude for Staff Sgt. Foraker and his Mr. Levy has served the public for thirty ing for something, anything, that could help family. Staff Sgt. Foraker’s disappearance years at CVWD, and has served as General identify a victim and bring some measure of while defending America is a somber reminder Manager for sixteen years. Under his tenure peace to anxious family members and friends. of the dangers facing those safeguarding our as General Manager, the District’s domestic Unfortunately, as with any disaster of this Nation’s freedoms. May God rest his soul. water service more than doubled, from less magnitude, some people who assisted in the f than 42,000 meters in 1986 to more than search for survivors and helped in the recov- IN HONOR OF JOSEPH BERMUDEZ 86,000 today. He was instrumental in numer- ery efforts have not been identified and there- ous water conservation projects, including the fore have not been recognized for their invalu- Whitewater River Spreading Area facilities and able service during the days, weeks, and HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL the development of an Urban Water Manage- months following the attacks. OF NEW YORK ment Plan. He also worked feverishly for the Traditionally, The Old Guard has served to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES last six years to bring about an agreement on conduct ceremonies, memorial affairs, and Friday, November 22, 2002 the apportionment of Colorado River water for special events to demonstrate the excellence Southern California that would be satisfactory of the United States Army to the world. Their Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to to CVWD, Imperial Irrigation District, Metro- missions normally include conducting military honor Joseph Bermudez who has dedicated politan Water District of Southern California, ceremonies at the White House, Pentagon, his life to his adopted country. Joseph came to the State Department of Water Resources and and other national memorials as well as to the United States as a boy of just 6 years of the Department of the Interior. provide funeral escorts at Arlington National age. Throughout his life he has given so much Cemetery and maintain the 24-hour vigil at the to his country, his community, and his family. He was appointed to California’s Advisory Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. However, their Joseph joined the Navy and served during Drought Planning Panel by Governor Gray normal mission changed on September 11, the Vietnam era;. He remained in the Naval Davis, and has also served two terms as 2001. Air Reserve for 23 years, retiring at the rank Chairman of the State Water Contractors, The Old Guard was immediately pressed of Lieutenant Commander. which oversees the State Water Project. into service for rescue and recovery for the Shortly after his discharge from the Navy, For his leadership in California water issues, disaster site at the Pentagon. Like all Joseph joined the Bronx Bureau of Child Wel- he was honored as a recipient of an Excel- branches and units of our armed services, The fare serving as a caseworker, child protective lence in Water Leadership Award in 2000. Old Guard met the challenge in response to investigator and training specialist for the Man- Even in retirement, Mr. Levy hopes to stay the terrorist attack. And like our nation, the re- hattan office. active in the water field, and will continue to solve of The Old Guard was not shaken, no Joseph’s professional career in the New provide whatever support the Coachella Valley matter the mission. York City Schools began as a bilingual social Water District may need. It is my honor to ac- I rise today to honor the sacrifices of all our worker and social work coordinator for Com- knowledge a man who deserves the recogni- men and women in uniform involved in the munity School District 1 and District 4 in Man- tion of our Nation and this Congress.

VerDate 0ct<31>2002 04:27 Nov 23, 2002 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A22NO8.035 E22PT1 E2130 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks November 22, 2002 HONORING MR. ROBERT WAGNER er, these commendations obviously show the of services than anyone. This alone speaks level of commitment he had to defending and volumes, but I hope I have been able to show HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF protecting the democratic ideals our country how much he will be missed, not only by me, OF CALIFORNIA cherishes, but it is only the beginning of what but also by the community at large. I wish IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES would become a career dedicated to those Jack and his family all of the best in retire- who, like himself, served their country with ment, even though I know that he will remain Friday, November 22, 2002 honor. an active part of the veteran’s community. Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to As a county supervisor, I got to know Jack f honor Mr. Robert Wagner, a resident of Cali- and understand the workings of his office, fornia’s 27th Congressional District. Mr. Wag- which helped us both when I became a Cali- THANKING MY CONGRESSIONAL ner has recently been honored by his alma fornia State Assemblyman. When the Cali- STAFF mater, Georgetown University, with the renam- fornia Association of County Veterans Service ing of the University’s Alumni House, the Rob- Officers (which Jack served three terms as HON. GEORGE W. GEKAS ert M. Wagner Alumni House. president) came to Sacramento I was always OF PENNSYLVANIA Robert Wagner was born in Perth Amboy, there for Jack, as he was for me. Jack was al- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES N.J. but raised in both Iowa and California ways a welcome sight in my office, and I know Friday, November 22, 2002 during the Great Depression. In 1940, at age other counties were envious of the relationship 16, Mr. Wagner was called to serve in World and understanding that we had. Mr. GEKAS. Mr. Speaker, on November 19, War II and during boot camp found enough One of the highlights of my work with Jack 2002, I submitted remarks thanking my con- time to earn his GED. Upon completion of his during those years was helping him bring a gressional staff. Inadvertently, several lines service, he was accepted as a student at replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall from those remarks were not included in that Georgetown University on the GI Bill. to Monterey County, a deeply moving experi- CONGRESSIONAL RECORD. I here resubmit It was at Georgetown, Mr. Wagner says, ence. This project was one of the best in- those missing lines which thanked Phil Jodz that he learned the skills that have made him stances of veterans coming together with the and Mike Rule on my staff for their contribu- a success. His professors, course work and community, including anti-war leaders, in an tions to my incumbency. classmates, all played a role in both his pro- outpouring of love and respect for those who The end of a congressional career brings fessional success in the years after his grad- didn’t come home. This was the first listing of about many emotions. Over the last 20 years uation, and his dedication to the school which all Monterey County MIA’s and those killed in I have happily spent representing the fine peo- helped him to achieve some of his life’s great- action, which led to the creation of a separate ple of the 17th Congressional District of Penn- est successes. Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Salinas. It also sylvania I have had the pleasure of working His dedication to Georgetown is legendary. provided for listing those names on the state with thousands of constituents, local, state and Over the past 33 years, he was volunteered to memorial in Capitol Park in Sacramento, in- federal officials, and many former and current interview Georgetown applicants, founded the cluding my cousin John Geisen and Carmel distinguished members of the U.S. House of Georgetown University Alumni Association of High School classmate Andrew Elliot, who is Representatives and the U.S. Senate. To all of Southern California, and has endowed five MIA. For Jack’s work on these projects, I am them I say, thanks for working with me to- scholarships to benefit financially needy stu- personally grateful. wards a better America. dents. In addition to scholarships, Mr. Wagner Mr. Speaker, many people will undoubtedly And, of course, every Member of Congress has made unrestricted gifts to the Georgetown sing Jack Stewart’s many praises as his retire- works with many, many competent staff, from Annual Fund and endowed the Carroll Quigley ment nears, but I must mention a few things the staff in their own personal offices to the Lecture Series, which brings experts in inter- that he has done while I have been a member committee and subcommittee staff and the national affairs to the University. of the U.S. House of Representatives. Per- leadership and floor staff. It has often been Most recently, Mr. Wagner endowed both a haps the single most influential role he had said that without staff where would this institu- charitable remainder unitrust and a charitable was during the closure of Fort Ord in Mon- tion be? And I concur with that statement, for lead trust. Both trusts will support the recon- terey County, the largest base closure in US without the many fine staff with whom I have struction, renovation and maintenance of the history. The economic and social implications had the good fortune to work, I and other newly designated Robert M. Wagner Alumni on the local communities were astounding, but Members of Congress of the United States House. Jack made sure that the interests of the vet- would be far worse off. Such dedication to the educational institu- erans in the area were attended to. He had Phil Jodz, is the many talented staff assist- tion which served him so well is admirable and the world pulled out from him, as we lost a ant who handled constituent tours and interns, it is with great pleasure that I ask all Members four hundred-bed hospital that served both ac- and also ably handled press, legislative re- to join me in congratulating Mr. Robert Wag- tive duty members and retirees; the search, the office website, and all manner of ner upon his being bestowed this great honor CHAMPUS provider was to be switched so no writing in my office. Mike Rule, our newest by Georgetown University. one knew who to go to for health care; dis- staff assistant, showed a willingness, and f abled vets wee stranded without transpor- more importantly a capability, to do whatever tation; and all military personnel who could was needed to assist the office. TRIBUTE TO JACK STEWART help handle such a crisis were gone. The only To both I say please accept my sincere person left was Jack, who, with his staff had thanks for making my tenure in the U.S. HON. SAM FARR to do the work of an entire division. House of Representatives a productive and OF CALIFORNIA Out of this chaos, he will be leaving behind pleasant one. Any current Member of Con- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES a new clinic run by the Department of Vet- gress or committee would be well served by erans Affairs, serving a broader community the high-quality staff with whom it has been Friday, November 22, 2002 than ever; a new Post Traumatic Stress Dis- my pleasure to work over these many years. Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise order Counseling Program; a Veterans Transi- f today to honor the career of a true public serv- tion Center for homeless veterans and a trans- ant, a man who has touched literally thou- portation network that provides van rides to CONCERNS WITH THE PAKISTANI sands of lives. Jack Stewart, who is currently disabled veterans. Jack was also able to get PARLIAMENT’S RELIGIOUS BLOC the Monterey County Military and Veterans Af- the federal government to put up land and fairs Officer and a long-time constituent of money to open a state-run veterans’ cemetery HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR. mine, will be retiring from the post he created at Fort Ord, and has been instrumental in OF NEW JERSEY in 1983 after a career that has been marked starting and running the local process for mak- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES by excellence and dedication. ing this a reality. Of course, this is a project Friday, November 22, 2002 Jack first served in the U.S. Army in 1954, that will continue without Jack, but he should eventually serving 20 years and receiving sev- be honored for his role in moving this from an Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to eral decorations and awards including he idea to where it is today. take this opportunity to express my concerns Combat Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star, Pur- Mr. Speaker, I would like to close today by regarding the Pakistani Parliament and in par- ple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Army saying that Jack Stewart has handled more ticular, the efforts of the Islamic alliance to Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service challenges than any county veterans officer I form a governing coalition in Parliament with Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. Mr. Speak- know of, and produced a more lasting legacy either the King’s Party, led by President

VerDate 0ct<31>2002 04:27 Nov 23, 2002 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A22NO8.039 E22PT1 November 22, 2002 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2131 Musharraf, or the People’s Party, led by tion of weapons. The measure continues our military retirees are priorities for which we Benazir Bhutto. commitment to improving the pay of military must be willing to support. Congressman Mr. Speaker, during Parliamentary elections personnel by providing a 4.1 percent pay in- BILIRAKIS, numerous military and veteran orga- held in Pakistan last month, members of the crease and continued the administration’s nizations such as the Fleet Reserve Associa- Pakistani religious bloc known as the Islamic plans to eliminate out-of-pocket housing costs tion, and countless veterans have waged a allies unexpectedly won 60 out of 342 seats. for military families. H.R. 4546 devotes consid- tireless effort to see legislation ending the pro- Not only was this surprising, but furthermore, erable resources toward protecting our home- hibition against concurrent receipt enacted. the outcome of the elections was divided in land from the threat of terrorist attacks and They should be commended for the great such a way that no party won the number of from the growing proliferation of ballistic mis- work that has been accomplished to date and seats necessary to form a government. siles. I stand behind this bill because I believe encouraged to continue this fight in the future. As a result, the Islamic allies have been ne- it provides our military with the foundation it I look forward to working with them on future gotiating separately with the pro-Musharraf needs and deserves. We are living in a time efforts to meet the principles behind H.R. 303. party and the Bhutto party in an effort to form of war and must act accordingly. Our military retirees did not fail us when they a coalition and thereby create a majority. Their Despite the important advances this bill were called. We should not fail them. intent is to demand a reversal of constitutional makes for our national defense, I retain two f amendments introduced by Musharraf earlier reservations about the final product. GOVERNMENT PENSION OFFSET this year, and most importantly, to overturn the One significant issue which has not been AND WINDFALL ELIMINATION amendment that allows Musharraf to dismiss addressed is legislation I sponsored to redes- PROVISION Parliament. ignate the position of the Secretary of the However, what concerns me greatly is that Navy as the Secretary of the Navy and Marine the members of this Islamic alliance, or this Corps. For over 200 years the Navy and Ma- HON. MAX SANDLIN Pakistani religious bloc, won their seats based rine Corps have shared a secretary in being, OF TEXAS almost exclusively on an anti-American plat- but not in name. Notwithstanding their IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES form. In fact, this party’s primary campaign jointness, the Navy and Marine Corps are dis- Friday, November 22, 2002 message criticized Musharraf’s support for the tinct with their own history, honors, and tradi- Mr. SANDLIN. Mr. Speaker, in the waning war on terror and denounced Musharraf’s co- tion. Rather than detracting from those tradi- moments of this Congress, the House of Rep- operation with the United States. In addition, a tions, this legislation seeks to recognize the resentatives almost adopted a bill that would component of this party’s message demanded separate, but equal traditions that the Navy have devastating consequences to teachers that the U.S. military leave Pakistan and Af- and the Marine Corps team share. It acknowl- and public employees across the State of ghanistan immediately. Lastly, the Islamic al- edges that there are two members of the Texas and the country. Instead of helping lies have encouraged Pakistanis to offer sanc- same team and seeks to reinforce to the teachers and government employees secure a tuary to both the Taliban and Al-Qaeda and to American people that the Secretary is a proud better retirement, H.R. 4070, Social Security embrace the work of Osama bin Laden. supporter of both. The legislation was adopted Program Protection Act of 2002, as amended, Mr. Speaker, I believe that for these rea- unanimously in the House Armed Services would have left hard working teachers worse sons, it is imperative that Pakistan’s religious Committee, over half of whose membership off rather than better off. In these uncertain bloc remain unsuccessful in forming a coalition had cosponsored the legislation. It was sup- economic times, this Congress should be with Musharraf’s party or Bhutto’s party. If in ported by three former Secretaries of the adopting legislation to make sure everyone fact this party gained a majority and was able Navy, the current and two former Com- has access to the retirement benefits they to implement its anti-US policies, the con- mandants of the Marine Corps, a former Sec- have earned over a lifetime of work and serv- sequences would be devastating. retary of the Veterans Administration, and ice. At this stage, it does not seem as if the reli- many other former senior leaders of the Navy Two little known amendments to the Social gious bloc will be able to achieve forming a and Marine Corps. The Fleet Reserve Asso- Security Act are dramatically and unfairly government. However, Mr. Speaker, it is in the ciation and the Marine Corps League, each slashing the retirement benefits of hundreds of best interest of the U.S. to monitor this situa- boasting thousands of members, also strongly thousands of Americans—teachers and other tion closely. urged passage of the legislation. Yet because public school employees, firefighters, police, f of the concerns of a few, it was not included social workers, and other civil servants—who in the final conference report. are being penalized for their public service. CONFERENCE REPORT FOR H.R. However I do not view this as a setback, but These provisions are just plain unfair, and I 4546, THE BOB STUMP NATIONAL instead an opportunity. I remain committed to am committed to working to end the injustices DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT introducing the measure again early in the of these two provisions. FOR FISCAL YEAR 2003 108th Congress. As Commandant Jim Jones The Government Pension Offset, GPO, re- stated, this is an idea whose time has come. quires that an individual who receives a pen- HON. WALTER B. JONES I will be working diligently with my Navy and sion from work that was not covered by Social OF NORTH CAROLINA Marine Corps friends to broaden the support Security has his or her Social Security spousal IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and communicate the importance of this benefit substantially reduced. The law allowed measure. By passing this legislation, the team- an exemption from the GPO if he or she Friday, November 22, 2002 work that has been present for over 200 years worked in a job that was covered by Social Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, will finally be recognized in the title of the per- Security on his or her last day of employment. last week, the House of Representatives took son who coaches the team. Under the Senate-passed version of H.R. up and passed the conference report to H.R. A second shortcoming of the otherwise out- 4070, an individual would be required to work 4546, the Fiscal Year 2003 National Defense standing measure is the compromise on con- in a Social Security-covered job for the last 5 Authorization Act. As one of the conferees to current receipt. Although the language in the years of employment to be exempt from the that measure, I was proud to support the over- conference report regarding concurrent receipt GPO. The amendment is being characterized all bill and was pleased to see its passage. is a very important step forward, I strongly be- as closing a loophole. This is not a loophole The Bob Stump National Defense Act was a lieve that more should be done. As I stated in but rather a mechanism for individuals to ob- fitting tribute to a man whose congressional a letter to President Bush, if a man or woman tain the benefits for which they have paid. It is career was spent working for our Nation’s men served in uniform and retired honorably, they an unnecessary and unjust hurdle. Instead of and women in uniform. deserve to receive the retirement pay they raising the bar to achieve these earned bene- This year’s Defense Authorization Act has were promised. If in the course of that service, fits, Congress should be eliminating the bar- three main principles: protecting and defend- that military member was injured and sus- riers completely. ing America’s homeland, supporting U.S. serv- tained a lasting disability, they should be com- In addition to the GPO, teachers and certain ice members and their families, and better pensated for that as well. One was earned for other workers are subject to the Windfall Elimi- equipping troops with training, equipment and service and one was earned for sacrifice. It is nation Provision (WEP). This provision unfairly weapons to fight and win the war against ter- for that reason that I have been a strong sup- harms public servants by reducing—some- rorism. It marks the largest increase in de- porter of legislation to eliminate this offset times by as much as 55.6 percent—the Social fense spending in over 20 years, providing bil- since coming to Congress. Security benefits of federal, state, and local lions of additional dollars for procurement, re- It is true that correcting this unfair penalty is employees who retire from government jobs search, and development for the next genera- expensive, however I also believe that our that are not covered by Social Security.

VerDate 0ct<31>2002 04:27 Nov 23, 2002 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A22NO8.043 E22PT1 E2132 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks November 22, 2002 For teachers, the cost is significant. The tion thrust upon them. It is a credit to their per- along with his wife and daughter, three of his Government Pension Offset and Windfall severance and their total commitment to free- staff members and two pilots. The mark that Elimination Provision affect at least one-third dom that the 107th Congress stands proud Paul Wellstone left on the world was far, far of America’s education workforce, con- today. We reflect with remorse on the past greater than his small stature and down-to- centrated in 15 states, including my home year, but also look forward with hope and opti- earth nature would suggest. And so, the emp- state of Texas. But, because people move mism as we proceed in the healing of our Na- tiness we feel at his passing is vast and deep. from state to state, there are affected individ- tion. On this historic day, the congress has It stretches far beyond the personal pain of uals everywhere. I know from personal experi- convened to mourn the loss of families and losing a friend, or the tragedy of his shattered ence the penalty hard working teachers pay. friends during the September 11 attacks, and family. My own mother, who spent nearly 30 years to salute the heroism of our police officers, fire Senator Wellstone was a public servant in serving as a teacher in the public schools, has fighters, and emergency responders who per- the most ideal sense of the term. Politics been adversely affected. We need to attract formed with unbridled bravery and gave so never became more important to him than the more people to teaching and public service. selflessly on that tragic day. people he represented and the people he Adding onerous and additional unfair require- As I reflect on the tragic events of a year loved. Victory never became more important ments to obtaining their retirement benefits will ago, I am reminded of the heavy hearts of so to him than voicing his true convictions. Power not solve the crisis we are having in attracting many great Americans who have grappled never became more important to him than his and retaining teacher professionals. with this cowardly act and for those who had desire to serve the powerless. Since my election to Congress, I have loved ones who perished in New York, Penn- On the campaign trail, Paul Wellstone drove worked to eliminate these two provisions. On sylvania and the Pentagon. For those who lost an old green school bus across the state of March 1, 2001, I introduced H.R. 848, the So- friends and coworkers and who must now try Minnesota. From that bus Senator Wellstone cial Security Benefit Restoration Act. This bill to go on with their lives, our prayers are of- tirelessly assured people that he would strug- will bring equity to retirement benefits. It will fered to these families and their friends and to gle for peace and fight for veterans, that he eliminate the public sector penalty and will all America and other Countries who lost loved would work to stop the tide of domestic vio- allow civil servants to draw full Social Security ones. lence and mental illness, and that he would benefits. I am also a cosponsor of H.R. 2638, Today, we are expressing our gratitude to defend our fragile environment. Most of all, the Social Security Fairness Act. This bill the fire fighters, police officers, healthcare that old bus brought hope and excitement to eliminates the Windfall Elimination Provision workers and those individuals who, on that people whom for too long, and for too many as well as the Government Pension Offset. Fi- fateful day, performed heroic deeds and reasons, felt that their government had forgot- nally, I, along with an overwhelming majority helped their fellow citizens and neighbors with- ten about them. Now that he is gone, that bus of Members, have cosponsored H.R. 664, out regard for their own welfare. must not sit and rust away. We must have the which also eliminates the Government Pen- During the recent year, my colleagues and courage, the commitment, and the strength to sion Offset. I in Congress have actively engaged in debate keep that bus rolling. My bill and the other legislation to eliminate about how to develop an agenda that address- I will miss Paul Wellstone greatly. I know these unjust provisions have been languishing es the new world in which we now live. that we all will. in the House Ways and Means Committee. Though our country and the world have f These bills are but another example of the been shaken, we continue to build bridges to- long list of things the Republican leadership of HONORING TERRY FARMER ward progress and strengthen the bond of pa- HUMBOLDT COUNTY, CALIFORNIA the Congress has failed to address. To pass triotism and the spirit of hope. I cannot ex- a bill that would make retirement less acces- press how important it is to map out a course sible for those who teach our children is un- for our future that will sustain, inspire and pro- HON. MIKE THOMPSON OF CALIFORNIA conscionable. We need to be doing more to tect our children. We must provide our chil- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES strengthen the teaching profession and not dren with a sense of optimism and hope. adopt laws that make teaching less attractive Our domestic efforts and grief over the trag- Friday, November 22, 2002 to current and prospective teachers. ic events of September 11 have heightened Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, When the 108th Congress convenes next our appreciation for the pain of others around I rise today to recognize Terry Farmer of Eure- year, I will reintroduce my bill and work with the world who have been subjected to the bru- ka, who is being honored for his twenty years my colleagues to eliminate these unfair provi- tality and inhumanness of terrorism. That is of public service as the District Attorney of sions. Thousands of Texans who have de- why we have supported liberation and democ- Humboldt County, California. voted their lives to teaching and public service ratization efforts in Afghanistan and seek to Mr. Farmer has had a long and distin- are entitled to the benefits they have spent a assist in the rehabilitation of those persecuted guished career as a public servant in our com- career earning. Basic fairness demands that and who are attempting to rebuild their lives munity. He has served on numerous commu- Congress repeal these provisions and allow and their country. We must complete our mis- nity boards and organizations to help make teachers and other public servants to collect sion there. the community a better place in which to live. all of their retirement benefits. As we return to Washington, our nation and Prior to being appointed a deputy district attor- f its Congress will never forget the victims of ney, he was elected to the Trinidad City Coun- ON THE HISTORIC OCCASION OF September 11. On this occasion of reflection, cil and as a member of his local school board. THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS recommitment and rededication to freedom He was elected District Attorney of Humboldt JOINT MEETING IN NEW YORK and democracy, we are affirming our commit- County in 1982. TO COMMEMORATE THE TRAG- ment to remember and honor the men and As district attorney, Mr. Farmer strived to EDY OF SEPTEMBER 11TH women who paid the ultimate price—their achieve an outstanding system of justice, de- lives. They will always be a part of our history fined by professionalism and integrity. He de- HON. JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD and our hearts. Our nation shall continue to veloped a culture of excellence that reinforced competence and ethical values within the of- OF CALIFORNIA rise to meet the challenge of terrorism and the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES threats posed by terrorists who seek to derail fice. freedom and a Nation of peace. During his tenure, the district attorney’s of- Friday, November 22, 2002 f fice assumed a leadership role in the Child Ms. MILLENDER-MCDONALD. Mr. Speaker, Abuse Services Team, a consortium of law it is an honor for me as the Member of the H. RES. 598 enforcement, child protective workers, mental United States Congress to convene here in health professionals and victims working to im- New York today, September 9, 2002, on this HON. HILDA L. SOLIS prove investigations, convict molesters, and historic occasion. It has been one year since OF CALIFORNIA protect children. The program remains a the tragic terrorist attacks of September 11. It IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES model throughout the state of California. has been over two hundred years since Con- Mr. Farmer worked collaboratively to de- Friday, November 22, 2002 gress convened here in New York at Federal velop a program to crack down on the use of Hall to elect the first President of the United Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy methamphetamine in our community, while States and to ratify the Bill of Rights. heart and great sadness that I rise to honor working to increase public awareness and im- We applaud the people of this great city and my friend Senator Paul Wellstone, who died prove treatment services to deter people using state for their resolve in light of the devasta- October 25 in a plane crash in Minnesota the drug.

VerDate 0ct<31>2002 04:27 Nov 23, 2002 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A22NO8.045 E22PT1 November 22, 2002 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2133 Mr. Farmer graduated from the University of THE UKRAINIAN FAMINE AND Mr. Speaker, Members of the Congressional Minnesota in 1972. He concluded 6 years of HUNGER IN AFRICA Ukrainian Caucus have, in prior years, risen service as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army here on the House floor in observance of the National Guard. He has ably served our na- HON. BOB SCHAFFER Ukrainian Famine and in solidarity with the tion, our state and our community. OF COLORADO survivors of this terrible tragedy. We have Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES taken great efforts to ensure this House never that we recognize Terry Farmer for his vision, forgets. In fact, we honor the lives of the vic- Friday, November 22, 2002 leadership and commitment and for his ex- tims by rededicating ourselves to summoning traordinary record of public service to the peo- Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, as Co-Chair the strength and courage of our own nation ple of the North Coast of California. of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, I rise and the conscientious voices of its leaders in today to commemorate those innocent victims the Congress to stand in firm contradiction to f murdered by the Soviet regime during the any new tyrant who would contemplate such Ukrainian Famine. Mr. Speaker, I also call the devastation through intentional famine. ON THE RETIREMENT OF DR. AR- attention of the House to the famine presently Today’s observance compels me to also THUR H. WU AFTER 28 YEARS OF being waged against the people of Zambia, speak out against one such example of star- DISTINGUISHED FEDERAL SERV- Zimbabwe and South-central Africa. vation currently taking place in south-central ICE This year, on November 23, the world ob- Africa. Mr. Speaker, America must be unam- serves the 69th anniversary of Ukraine’s Great biguous in its opposition to the deliberate fam- HON. CONSTANCE A. MORELLA Famine—an unspeakable event. By presi- ine presently being orchestrated there by an OF MARYLAND dential decree, every fourth Saturday in No- alliance of clearly defined conspirators. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES vember is a national day of remembrance for As in Ukraine seventy 70 years ago. South- ern Africa’s famine has less to do with drought Friday, November 22, 2002 famine and genocide victims throughout Ukraine. History has not witnessed a greater and everything to do with pure politics. Today, Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to con- moral injustice. This was genocide unlike any nearly 13 million people in Southern Africa gratulate my constituent, Dr. Arthur H. Wu, for other example in the history of human civiliza- face a similar starvation. 28 years of meritorious federal service. In my tion. ‘‘We’re staring catastrophe in the face—un- Congressional tenure, I have been very proud At the time of the Great Ukrainian Famine, less we get food aid fast to millions of people to represent and serve the interests of our na- playwright George Bernard Shaw and his whose lives are in the balance because they tion’s most distinguished federal employees. friend, Lady Astor, had a rare visit with Josef are starving,’’ said James Morris, the UN’s These civil servants help to make our country Stalin. ‘‘When are you going to stop killing special envoy to the region. safe, functional, and effective. We value their people?’’ Lady Astor brazenly asked of Com- Officials blame environmental groups such service and, today, I would like to specifically rade Stalin. His terse reply: ‘‘When it is no as Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace that recognize Dr. Wu for his contributions to our longer necessary.’’ have pressured African countries like Zambia nation upon his retirement from the Navy on Stalin’s favorite killing tool was mass starva- to halt shipments of food aid from the United December 20, 2002. tion, a tactic he used ruthlessly against his States and other nations willing and able to re- In his years of federal service Dr. Wu has own people. ‘‘The collectivization program in lieve the famine and save precious lives. The made several notable contributions and at- Ukraine resulted in a famine which cost not groups oppose so-called genetically modified tained a number of exceptional achievements. less than 3,000,000 lives in 1932. It was a (GM) foods. Extremist groups have put their He was a top-ten finalist for the U.S. National Stalin-made famine,’’ reported Time Magazine ideology—opposing the importation of all such Federal Engineer of the Year Award in 1997, in its January 1, 1940, issue. We know now, hybrid agricultural products—ahead of the lives of starving people. as well as a two-time winner of the Naval Fa- the more realistic estimate is more than twice ‘‘It’s very disturbing to me that some groups cilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) En- that originally reported by Time. have chosen a famine to make a political gineer of the Year Award in 1985 and 1996. The Ukrainian Famine of 1921Ð1923 was a point,’’ says Andrew Natsios, administrator of For these honors, he was recognized for: his human tragedy perpetrated by the Soviet re- the U.S. Agency for International Development significant contributions to the application of gime in an attempt to destroy Ukraine and its (USAID). ‘‘The lives of 13 million people are at numerical modeling and computational anal- culture and leave behind an amorphous mass risk.’’ ysis of foundations and dry-dock safety that of people that could be restructured and rede- Natsios said the U.S. is ready to supply resulted in millions of cost savings to the fined to serve the Soviet Union. It began as a more than 75 percent of all the food coming Navy; his exemplary leadership in directing process of assimilation, but soon turned to the into starving Southern Africa. ‘‘If they don’t get and preparing engineering standards, criteria, collectivization and then subjugation of Ukrain- food from us they’re not going to get it,’’ he and computer software used by practicing en- ian peasants, their lands, and their livelihoods. said. gineers in site selection and design in areas of Most paid the ultimate price for their heritage, This year, for example, Zimbabwe has re- high security; and for over conserving an esti- culture and orientation toward independence. fused to accept U.S. corn, convinced by rad- mated $20 million of Navy resources and pro- Bolshevik partisans confiscated grain from ical groups that GM gain might somehow viding for enhanced military readiness. In addi- Ukrainian peasants and subsequently ex- ‘‘contaminate’’ native crops. Some of this life- tion to the above three major awards, Dr. Wu ported the stolen food to foreign nations and saving corn was grown in my own state of has also received over 20 special awards for other regions of the Soviet empire. Those who Colorado. Adding more disinformation, Friends his engineering design achievements and in- protested were imprisoned, deported, or often of the Earth claims ‘‘the U.S. is disposing of its novative technical developments. killed on the spot. This grain, belonging to rejected food on Africa,’’ in a news release Dr. Wu has ably served our nation well in a Ukraine, would have saved thousands of last month. number of capacities including Senior Ukrainian lives. Instead, it was callously Just as in Stalin’s days, truth has seldom Geotechnical Consultant, Acting Chief Engi- shipped off for purposes of generating state been an ally of the Left. Natsios, who says the neer, Director of the Applied Engineering Divi- profit, sometimes left to rot on the docks, or U.S. has been supplying GM foods to the re- sion, and Technical Discipline Leader for the shipped to meet the needs of Russia’s popu- gion for the past seven years, also says it is Naval Facilities Engineering Command and lation. Once the famine ended, Ukraine’s pop- the same food sold and consumed in the Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center. ulation was further decimated by a series of United States. ‘‘I’ve never seen, in my 30 Dr. Wu is recognized worldwide as one of the epidemics. years of public service, such disinformation premier problem solving engineers in the The Commission on the Ukraine Famine, and intellectual dishonesty,’’ he said. Naval Facilities Engineering Command. His appointed by Congress in 1986, researched As for problems with modified crops—there reputation for expert and thorough engineering and documented this terrible event. The com- are none. Concerned about the lives of mil- analyses and support for ongoing design and mission confirmed these horrible events and lions of people desperately in need, the World construction projects are well known within the verified the cruelty with which the atrocity was Health Organization (WHO) released a report Department of Defense and private industry. executed. The deliberate mass starvation did at the end of the summer assuring GM foods Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Dr. Wu indeed constitute an act of genocide against are perfectly safe. ‘‘Southern African countries for his years of service too our federal govern- Ukrainians. The commission’s findings are re- should consider accepting GM food aid in the ment. I offer him my warmest congratulations corded in the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD for face of the humanitarian crisis facing the re- on his retirement and best wishes in his future posterity, as is the graphic and sobering testi- gion,’’ urged WHO Director General Gro Har- endeavors. mony of genocide survivors. lem Brundtland.

VerDate 0ct<31>2002 04:27 Nov 23, 2002 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A22NO8.048 E22PT1 E2134 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks November 22, 2002 Like the notorious 1932Ð1933 mass starva- A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO RICHARD TRIBUTE TO REVEREND tion in Ukraine, famine is not always borne of H. FINAN FOR HIS DEDICATED LAVAUGHN VENCHAEL BOOTH a natural disaster. However, famine can be- SERVICE TO THE OHIO GENERAL come an effective ideological weapon. ASSEMBLY AND TO THE STATE HON. ROB PORTMAN Stalin himself would have been proud of the OF OHIO OF OHIO sordid partnership forged by radical environ- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES mentalists and African tyrants. What are a few Friday, November 22, 2002 million lives worth to this axis of hunger when HON. PAUL E. GILLMOR there are political statements to be made? OF OHIO Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Mr. Speaker, I urge the House to speak in IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES honor the life and accomplishments of Rev- strenuous objection to this African tragedy un- erend Lavaughn Venchael Booth, a distin- folding before our very eyes. The extreme Friday, November 22, 2002 guished friend and champion of faith and jus- human price paid for the lessons of the Great Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, it is with great tice from Cincinnati, who passed away on No- Ukrainian Famine should not be dismissed pride that I rise today to pay special tribute to vember 17. now to the complacency of an overwhelmed an outstanding gentleman, and good friend, Born on January 7, 1919 in Covington world. To permit this new festering scourge is from Ohio. Dick Finan, from the Village of County, Mississippi, Reverend Booth received to insult the memory of those poor Ukrainians Evandale, is the outgoing President of the a bachelor’s degree in American history from Alcorn A&M College; a bachelor’s degree in who have perished while trivializing the dignity Ohio Senate. He is being honored for his dedi- divinity from Howard University; and a mas- of their survivors whose lives command us to cated service and loyalty to the Ohio General ter’s degree in church history from the Univer- respond with immediate courage. Assembly and to the citizens of Ohio. f sity of Chicago Divinity School. He began his Mr. Speaker, President Richard H. Finan ministry with First Baptist Church of HONORING FORMER began his career in public service in 1963. He Warrenton, Virginia and continued his ministry CONGRESSMAN BUD SHUSTER served as a Councilman in the Village of with First Baptist Church of Gary, Indiana. He Evandale until 1969, when he was then elect- pastored Zion Baptist Church in the Avondale HON. JAMES L. OBERSTAR ed to serve as Mayor. area of Cincinnati for 32 years before founding OF MINNESOTA After serving the citizens of Evandale for ten the Olivet Baptist Church in Silverton. Last IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES years, he ran for and was elected to the Ohio year, he came out of retirement to pastor the House of Representatives. There he served Friday, November 22, 2002 Church upon the Rock in Anderson, Indiana. with distinction until 1978. He was elected to In 1961, Reverend Booth founded the Pro- Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today the Ohio Senate upon leaving the House of gressive National Baptist Convention (PNBC). to express congratulations to a former col- Representatives and in 1997, was elected by The PNBC became the household of Rev. Dr. league, Congressman Bud Shuster of Penn- his colleagues to serve as Senate President. Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights sylvania, for an honor he recently received. President Finan has had a significant impact movement among African-American Baptists. Earlier this week, Bud Shuster was named on public policy in Ohio. He has also reached As Dr. Lewis V. Baldwin noted, ‘‘King, while the ‘‘Transportation Person of the Century’’ by out nationally in an attempt to improve the siding with progressives, had no active role the Associated Pennsylvania Constructors lives of all citizens living in this great land. He with the organization of the PNBC.’’ Dr. King (APC) in honor of the tremendous contribu- currently serves as Chairman of the University at his last meeting with the PNBC in 1967 in tions he has made to the nation’s transpor- of Dayton Board of Trustees and is a Past Cincinnati emphasized according to conven- tation and infrastructure systems. It is a tribute President of the National Conference of State tion minutes ‘‘that he is a member of the to Bud that APC rightly recognized the role Legislatures. Serving his community and the PNBC. He has come to speak not as a civil that he played in ensuring that our commu- State of Ohio was not only Dick’s duty, but rights leader, but as a minister of the gospel.’’ nities have transportation choices, such as also his honor. These chances to give back to The PNBC split from the National Baptist Con- transit, rail systems, pedestrian walkways, Am- the public have brought him a lifetime of both vention and formed a denomination that trak, and bike paths. personal and professional achievement. Presi- played an active role in the civil rights move- Bud Shuster spent his career building Amer- dent Finan truly is a valued asset to the Vil- ment by joining with the Southern Christian ica. Bud served in the House of Representa- lage of Evandale and to the state of Ohio. Leadership Conference and provided Dr. King tives for 28 years, six of those as Chairman of with a national platform. Reverend Booth the House Transportation and Infrastructure President Finan has been a great resource and a true friend to everyone around him. Re- served as its president from 1971Ð1974. Pro- Committee, the largest and most productive gressives today have 2.5 million members in committee in Congress. His perseverance, pa- spected by his colleagues in the legislature and in the private sector, Dick has shown the 1,800 churches nationwide. tience and willingness to find common ground But Reverend Booth’s focus was his local made him one of the greatest committee ability to improve the environment around him. He has been the recipient of many awards ministry, and he said, ‘‘We should have con- chairmen we have seen in recent years in the cern for the physical, as well as the spiritual that reflect his service, including the Tree of House. His extraordinary achievements as well-being of people.’’ He initiated economic Life Award from the Jewish National Fund, the Chairman speak for themselves, and he has development projects, secured the credit to President’s Medal from Miami University, the the respect of his former colleagues on both build hundreds of low-income housing units Distinguished Citizen Award from the Medical sides of the aisle. and a church-run nursing home, and later es- College of Ohio, and the William Howard Taft Part of the joy of working on the Transpor- tablished the region’s first black-owned bank. Americanism Award from the Anti-Defamation tation and Infrastructure Committee is the way Described as a visionary who dedicated his League. He is an Honorary Alumni Member— in which we work together to develop bipar- life to the Lord, he was driven to do for others, Omicron Delta Kappa—at the University of tisan bills. As a committee, we worked extraor- trying to make the world and his community a Dayton and holds an honorary degree from dinarily well over the six years of Bud’s leader- better place to live. ship. I had the pleasure of working with him Xavier University. Reverend Booth’s civil and community ac- on many major pieces of legislation to improve President Finan will be missed in the public tivities are legendary. He was the first African- the nation’s transportation and infrastructure arena. His wisdom, honesty and forthrightness American member of the University of Cin- systems, including TEAÐ21 and AIRÐ21. are attributes to which all public servants cinnati Board of Trustees. He was a founding Throughout his service on the Transportation should aspire. He has set an example for ev- member of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Cen- Committee, Bud Shuster demonstrated effec- eryone on how to live a life of service, putting ter for Nonviolent Social Change, served on tive bipartisan leadership in showing that the greater interests of the community before the board of the Cincinnati City Gospel Mis- transportation, infrastructure and environ- one’s own. sion and as vice president of the Gospel mental programs make a real difference in all Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me World Alliance. He helped to establish the Americans’ lives. in paying special tribute to President Richard Marva Collins Preparatory School in Cin- He retired from this body at the beginning of H. Finan. Our communities are served well by cinnati; the Cincinnati Ecumenical Prayer the 107th Congress, and since that time, I having such honorable and giving citizens, like Breakfast, a service that offered prayers for have missed him, not only for his policy exper- Dick, who care about their well being and sta- newly-elected public servants; and the Na- tise, but also for his friendship. I commend bility. We wish Dick, his wife Joan and their tional Prayer League. and congratulate Bud Shuster on his distin- four children all the best as we pay tribute to Reverend Booth is survived by his sons, guished career as a public servant. one of our nation’s finest citizens. Paul Booth of Cincinnati, who is a member of

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the Cincinnati City Council; Lavaughn Booth In the 104th Congress, BILL COYNE worked IN HONOR OF STEPHEN Jr. of Chicago; and Rev. Dr. William Booth of with many of his Democratic colleagues to BRAUNGINN Hampton, Virginia; and daughters Anna-Marie protect Federal funding for programs serving Booth of San Francisco, and Dr. Georgia children, seniors, and working families, and to HON. TAMMY BALDWIN Leeper of Memphis. He is also survived by 14 ensure that the burden of Federal taxation OF WISCONSIN grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. We was not disproportionately borne by working IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES are blessed by his life and having known families. He also worked to provide tax incen- Friday, November 22, 2002 him. tives for businesses and municipalities to Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to f clean up and redevelop abandoned industrial sites, and he worked to expand protection for recognize Mr. Stephen Braunginn, President PERSONAL EXPLANATION workers’ rights in international trade agree- and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Madison for his work in the community. ments. HON. KAREN McCARTHY As a leader in the Urban League movement In the 105th Congress, he worked for mid- and in the Madison area community, Mr. OF MISSOURI dle-class tax relief while balancing the Federal Braunginn has focused on the continuing IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES budget responsibly. He was a supporter of struggle for equal opportunity for all with a Friday, November 22, 2002 both the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 and the special focus on African Americans, other peo- Ms. MCCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, Balanced Budget Act of 1997. He worked suc- ple of color, those with disabilities and the dis- during rollcall vote No. 484, I was unavoidably cessfully to include a provision in the Tax- advantaged. detained. Had I been present, I would have payer Relief Act of 1997 which allowed busi- Prior to working with the Urban League, voted ‘‘aye.’’ nesses to deduct the cost of cleaning up Steve served as the Deputy Director for the f brownfields sites in certain targeted areas. He Wisconsin Clearinghouse for Prevention Re- was also actively involved in developing and sources for over four years. He was the first RECOGNIZING CONGRESSMAN BILL enacting legislation to reform the Internal Rev- Director of Multicultural Affairs and Special In- COYNE enue Service, and much of his Taxpayer Bill terest Groups for the Wisconsin Alumni Asso- of Rights legislation was in that bill. ciation at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is also an educator, having taught in the HON. JOHN P. MURTHA BILL COYNE worked to make organ trans- Madison Schools for six years, working with OF PENNSYLVANIA plant regulations fairer and worked with me to students with learning disabilities and the gift- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES make the Disproportionate Share Hospital pro- ed and talented. He served as a leader on the gram’s formula for hospitals fairer as well. He Friday, November 22, 2002 Wisconsin Education Association Council also worked to provide nearly $800 million in Mr. MURTHA. Mr. Speaker, today I would (WEAC) where he was also the leader of projects for his district in the Transportation like to pay tribute to my long time friend and Teachers for a Free South Africa. In addition, Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEAÐ21) in- colleague. BILL COYNE will retire from this insti- Steve became active in developing a middle cluding reconstruction of Drake, Library and tution after serving 11 terms as a Member of school for South Madison. When he was a Overbrook trolley lines, construction of an ex- this institution. teacher at Cherokee Middle School, he served tension of the MLK Jr. Busway, construction of Bill is a lifelong resident of Pittsburgh, and on the Urban League Board of Directors, an industrial access road in Lawrenceville, and so like myself, is a native of the southwestern where he later became chair, serving for two construction of transit links between downtown Pennsylvania district he has so faithfully rep- years. During his tenure on the Urban League and the North Shore. resented for the past 22 years. Board, Steve was selected to serve on the The 14th District includes the city of Pitts- During the 106th Congress, BILL COYNE Madison School’s South Madison Advisory burgh as well as 33 other surrounding commu- continued to work to protect federal programs Committee, which eventually developed the nities in the very heart of this country’s steel that serve children, senior citizens, the dis- framework for Madison Middle School 2000 producing center. From his post as a senior abled, and working families; enact a Medicare which later became James C. Wright Middle member of the Ways and Means Committee, prescription drug benefit; strengthen U.S. laws School. he has been able to develop and promote that punish unfair foreign trade practices; pro- Steve served on the Dane County Board of countless economic policy initiatives to the tect Americans’ pensions and other retirement Supervisors for six years. During this time he benefit of the Southwestern region as well as benefits; increase funding for medical research chaired the Personnel and Finance Committee the Nation, including those dealing with Social and education; and make the Federal Tax and the Dane County Human Services Board. Security, trade, tax reform, health care, hous- Code simpler and fairer by reforming the cap- He has been on many community commis- ing and community development, job creation, ital gains tax and the alternative minimum tax. sions, served numerous organizations, and and job training. He also worked successfully to increase public has also received a variety of awards for his In addition to serving as ranking member of awareness about food stamp eligibility and to service to the Madison area community. the Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee expand the brownfields tax provision and push As the Wisconsin Community Fund honors BILL has served on the Banking Committee, back its expiration date by several years. Steve Braunginn, I am proud to join them in the Budget Committee, the Committee on thanking him for his dedication and service to BILL COYNE is a graduate of Central Catholic the community. House Administration, and the Committee on High School and Robert Morris College. He f Standards of Official Conduct. He has consist- served in the United States Army in Korea ently used his committee assignments to pro- from 1955 to 1957. He worked as a corporate LONG ISLAND’S HOUSING CRISIS mote federal policies to the benefit of urban accountant for 13 years before entering poli- America. tics in 1970. He served in the Pennsylvania HON. STEVE ISRAEL During the 103rd Congress, BILL succeeded House of Representatives from 1971 to 1972 OF NEW YORK in making the tax-exempt Industrial Develop- and on the Pittsburgh City Council from 1973 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ment Bond permanent. IDB’s helped to create until 1980. or retain more than 26,000 manufacturing jobs Friday, November 22, 2002 in Pennsylvania alone between 1987 and I’m proud to have served alongside BILL Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 1992. He also led the successful House Ways COYNE and worked with him for these many once again note the severe affordable housing and Means opposition to a proposed $1 per years for the benefit of our adjoining districts crisis my constituents face on Long Island. gallon hike in the Federal fuel tax for water- and Pennsylvania as a whole. BILL’s seniority Today’s Newsday carried an article by way commerce in 1993, which was of enor- on Ways and Means will be sorely missed by Christian Murray revealing some truly dis- mous economic benefit for the Three Rivers Pennsylvania. His expertise as a legislator will turbing statistics. According to the U.S. Cen- area he represents. be missed by all Americans who were helped sus Bureau, 26 percent of Long Island house- Bill also successfully inserted language in by his good work. His good nature, friendship, holds pay more than 35 percent of their gross the 1993 reconciliation bill that provided low- and collegiality will I know be missed by his monthly income on either rent or mortgage. income workers with an improved opportunity fellow Pennsylvania Members and indeed by For over fifty years Americans have been cau- to receive an Earned Income Tax Credit on a all of us here in the House of Representatives. tioned to keep housing expenses under 25 monthly basis, instead of waiting for a single Please join me in wishing him well in his re- percent of their income. The 35 percent aver- annual payment. tirement from public service. age is a genuine crisis.

VerDate 0ct<31>2002 04:27 Nov 23, 2002 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A22NO8.053 E22PT1 E2136 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks November 22, 2002 Pearl Kamer, an economist who wrote the of the owners spent more than 50 percent of 21. Lindenhurst: 25.7 percent. report for the Island’s leading affordable hous- gross income on housing. And this scenario 22. Long Beach: 25.7 percent. ing organization, the Long Island Housing also occurred in the Suffolk neighborhoods 23. West Islip: 25.7 percent. of Wyandanch, North Amityville, North Bay 24. South Farmingdale: 25.6 percent. Partnership, noted that ‘‘with many people Shore and Brentwood. 25. Merrick: 25.5 percent. paying so much on housing, there is little left The study also found that one-third of ten- Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000. over for food and medical care.’’ ants across Long Island paid more than 35 Mr. Speaker, this housing crisis is having a percent of household income in rent. In f terrible effect on Long Island’s families. The many neighborhoods—such as Central Islip, RECOGNIZING THE LAO STUDENTS North Amityville, Wyandanch and Lawrence fact that young people—often college grad- MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRACY uates with good jobs—cannot find adequate, Village—about 40 percent of renters pay more than half their wages on shelter. Rent- AND THE URGENT NEED FOR affordable housing, means that those young HUMAN RIGHTS REFORMS IN people are leaving Long Island. And if compa- al units account for about 19 percent of Nas- sau’s housing stock and 18 percent of Suf- LAOS nies can’t rely on a stable workforce, they will folk’s—low, compared with 38 percent of choose to locate somewhere else. Westcheter and 27 percent in Rockland. The lack of affordable housing on Long Is- But some Nassau neighborhoods, including HON. ADAM SMITH land is not merely about some families having Manorhaven, Hempstead Village, Great Neck OF WASHINGTON to pay too much. It is a problem that per- Plaza, Long Beach and Glen Cove, have more IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES than 40 percent of their housing units in meates every part of our community’s life. Friday, November 22, 2002 Young people are forced out of our region. rental apartments. And in Suffolk, Bay Jobs disappear as companies decide they can Shore and Patchogue both have high ratios Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, last of rental units to owner-occupied housing. month marked the third anniversary of the no longer depend upon a solid workforce. And Elizabeth McCarthy, who grew up in Dix our communities dissolve as the very founda- bloody intervention by Lao communist security Hills and works at Canon USA’s Lake Suc- forces against peaceful student demonstrators. tion on which that community was built cess offices in marketing, said at the news erodes. conference she’s been struggling to find In October of 1999, the communist regime in Mr. Speaker, when the 108th Congress con- housing after graduating from Marist Col- Vientiane sought to crush the Lao Students venes in January, we must quickly address lege in 1998. Earning about $31,000 annually, Movement for Democracy. I was recently hon- the issue of adequate housing in America. she rented a studio apartment for $900 per ored to join with Laotian-American constituents I ask that the text of today’s Newsday article month in Bay Shore—but it was too costly. and survivors of this brutal crackdown to ‘‘I thought about leaving the area [Long Is- be included in the RECORD at this time. speak at the Congressional Forum on Laos, land].’’ She started looking for a house with which had a series of special events in the [From Newsday, Nov. 21, 2002] her parents. ‘‘I was shocked to find that U.S. House of Representatives this year to there was nothing out there, never mind MORTGAGING LI’S ECONOMIC FUTURE mark the anniversary of this dark chapter in (By Christian Murray) anything in my price range.’’ Eventually, she was able to buy a subsidizing affordable the history of Laos and the free world. Skyrocketing rents and booming home home through the Housing Partnership at Mr. Speaker, my district is the home to prices are forcing more than 200,000 Long Is- the Highview, a complex in Huntington. many freedom-loving Lao-Americans as well land households to pay more than one-third Kamer added that since the 2000 census, as the Lao Students Movement for Democ- of their income on housing, according to a when the data were gathered, the affordable- comprehensive new study released yesterday. racy—whose members are comprised largely housing crisis has most likely worsened. of the survivors of the pro-democracy move- The study, ‘‘Lack of Affordable Housing: Kamer said that many young workers, un- Prescription for Economic Disaster,’’ found able to afford housing here, are leaving. And ment in Laos in 1999. The students escaped 26 percent of Long Island households pay many of these workers who have lower-pay- the Lao communist regime to neighboring more than 35 percent of their gross monthly ing jobs are essential to the Island’s econ- Thailand and then were admitted to the United income on either rent or mortgage. omy. States as refugees after the outpouring of con- ‘‘These findings are dire,’’ said Pearl Suffolk County Executive Robert Gaffney cern by Laotian-Americans in the South King Kamer, a regional economist who conducted said some towns are reluctant to build rental County area. Sadly, however, many of the Lao the study for the Long Island Housing Part- units or affordable housing, fearing that it nership. The U.S. Department of Housing pro-democracy student leaders and their fami- will decrease the value of an area. But if em- lies still remain jailed in Laos and have dis- and Urban Development guidelines say ployers don’t have the labor force they’ll households should not spend more than 30 need because young workers leave, they’ll appeared into their horrific prison system. Am- percent of their gross income on housing. set up businesses elsewhere. nesty International continues to raise concerns ‘‘With many people paying so much on Among Morgo’s list of possible solutions is about their plight and the systemic torture that housing, there is little left over for food and his call to get towns to allow for greater zon- exists within the prisons and gulag system of medical care,’’ Kamer said at a news con- ing flexibility, when developers put forward Laos. ference at North Shore University Hospital proposals for affordable-housing units. While Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend and in Manhasset yesterday. Kamer added that many young people earn much more than the high cost of housing is forcing many peo- thank the leaders of the Lao community for their parents, he said, they are unable to af- their steadfast efforts on behalf of freedom ple, especially young families, to leave Long ford a home. ‘‘It’s the inversion of the Amer- Island, and this exodus will hurt the region ican Dream,’’ Margo said. and democracy in Laos and for the hard work when the economy picks up and companies of all those involved in organizing the U.S. FEELING THE PINCH can’t find workers. Congressional Forum on Laos sessions held While affordable housing has long been an Communities on Long Island with the on September 17 and October 1st. issue on Long Island, the problem has been highest percentages of homeowners spending exacerbated by the hot real estate market in more than 35 percent of their income on Mr. Speaker, I remain deeply concerned the past four years, when home prices have housing costs. Minimum 3,000 housing units. about the ongoing plight of the Lao students soared 81 percent while household incomes 1. Hempstead Village: 34.9 percent. leaders and others who are still jailed in Laos have risen only 14 percent, Kamer said. 2. Elmont: 34.2 percent. for their political or religious beliefs, or simply Jim Morgo, president of the Hauppauge- 3. Brentwood: 31.1 percent. because they are members of an ethnic mi- based Long Island Housing Partnership, said 4. Dix Hills: 30.0 percent. nority like the Hmong people. I would urge my he has established a task force of industry 5. Central Islip: 29.9 percent. colleagues, therefore, to work toward helping and nonprofit officials to take the study’s 6. Copiague: 29.7 percent. to bring freedom, hope and human rights to findings to every municipality across the Is- 7. Bay Shore: 29.5 percent. Laos and its suffering people. We should re- land, as a means of prodding officials to 8. Franklin Square: 29.3 percent. make way for more affordable housing. 9. North Valley Stream: 29.3 percent. member those who are still persecuted and The study, based on 2000 census figures, 10. Freeport: 28.8 percent. jailed in Laos, struggling for basic human analyzed median incomes and housing costs 11. East Islip: 28.7 percent. rights and freedoms. in more than 250 communities by individual 12. Greenlawn: 27.9 percent. Mr. Speaker, I would like to include into the census tract. 13. Uniondale: 27.8 percent. RECORD the following news article from the It found that about one quarter, or 165,000 14. West Babylon: 27.5 percent. Agence France Press (‘‘Lao Exiles Demand of Long Island’s 672,000 homeowners, paid at 15. Deer Park: 27.4 percent. Freedom for Imprisoned Comrades,’’ July 18, least 35 percent for a place to live—including 16. Ridge: 27.0 percent. mortgage payments, property taxes and in- 17. St. James: 25.9 percent. 2002) regarding the Lao Students’ efforts in surance. In some Nassau County neighbor- 18. Selden: 25.9 percent. Congress in Washington, DC: hoods, including Elmont, Hempstead Village, 19. North Massapequa: 25.8 percent. Exiled dissidents have demanded the re- Uniondale and Roosevelt, at least 20 percent 20. Glen Cove: 25.7 percent. lease of five colleagues who have disappeared

VerDate 0ct<31>2002 04:27 Nov 23, 2002 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A22NO8.057 E22PT1 November 22, 2002 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2137 into the prison gulag in Laos, following un- count itself as among one of the best, most ef- adoption. Whether through domestic or inter- precedented anti-Communist protests. ficiently operated school systems in the entire national adoption of children from foster care, The Lao government is holding five of the nation. In years to come, Rutherford County the love of compassionate families embraces eleven strong core leadership of the Lao Stu- children of all ages and from every back- dents for Democracy after it crushed sur- residents will be able to see Hulon’s legacy prise protests in the capital, Vientiane, in through their prosperity. I congratulate him for ground. During National Adoption Month, we October 1999. his efforts and accomplishments in providing recognize the heartfelt commitment of these Six others, two of whom appeared at a U.S. Rutherford County children with an education good citizens, and we renew our pledge to Congressional forum devoted to their cause, second to none and wish him the best in his make adoption a more accessible and positive on Wednesday, escaped to Thailand, before well-deserved retirement. path for American families. being granted political asylum by the United f Children thrive in loving families where they States. are nurtured, comforted, and protected. We ‘‘My colleagues are still in jail, they are CENTRAL NEW JERSEY CELE- are making important progress in placing chil- asking for peace and justice for the Lao peo- BRATES THE MONMOUTH COUN- dren in foster care with adoptive families, and ple, I would like them to be put on trial as CIL OF GIRL SCOUTS, INC. 2002 soon as possible,’’ said one of the leaders, the overall number of children being adopted Aly Chantala. WOMEN OF DISTINCTION continues to rise. In the past five years, adop- Another dissident leader Nouamkhan tions have increased dramatically, and thus far Khamphylavong added: ‘‘We still heard noth- HON. RUSH D. HOLT in 2002, tens of thousands of children have al- ing about their fate since they were ar- OF NEW JERSEY ready been adopted. rested.’’ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES In addition, as a member of the Congres- Rights group Amnesty International has sional Caucus on Adoption, I have worked to accused the ruling Lao People’s Friday, November 22, 2002 ease the financial burden on adoptive families Revoluntionary Party of denying that the arrests even took place and of holding pris- Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and to ensure that more children find a caring, oners in cruel and degrading conditions. and celebrate the Monmouth Council of Girl permanent home. Campaigners say the five student leaders Scouts, Inc. 2002 Women of Distinction hon- But with most adoption costs ranging from were arrested, tortured an incarcerated by orees and their significant contributions to $8,000 to $20,000 and even upwards of the Lao government in violation of the coun- Central New Jersey. $30,000, many families can not afford this try’s one year limit on detention without For forty years, through its efforts, the Mon- huge expense. No child should be forced to trial. mouth Council of Girl Scouts has served tens grow up without a family because of the tre- They want the United States and world fi- of thousands of young women across Central mendous cost of adoption. nancial bodies to withhold financial aid and That’s why I am proud that the President make trade benefits for Laos conditional on New Jersey. This year’s women of Distinction improvements in its human rights record honorees exhibit the altruistic ideals that our signed into law a bill I supported from its in- and the granting of political rights. Nation needs now, more than ever. These ception that provides for an Adoption Tax Some business groups and sectors of the ideals, no doubt grew from their involvement Credit for those who take this important step U.S. administration have, however, being in Girl Scouts and the grounding principles of into parenthood. As part of the Economic Se- pushing for Laos to be granted normal trade the Girl Scout Promise and the Girl Scout Law curity and Worker Assistance Act of 2002, this relations with the United States, arguing which read as follows: provision will go a long way to making adop- that economic opening will trigger an easing tion more affordable. THE GIRL SCOUT PROMISE of the political situation. Mr. Speaker, every child deserves a perma- Wednesday’s event in a Congressional On my honor, I will try, to serve God and nent, loving home and, with so many families building was part of an ongoing campaign to my country, to help people at all times, and block the aspirations of the pro Laos-trade to live by the Girl Scout Law. who want to open their hearts and their homes to these children, this measure will help re- lobby. THE GIRL SCOUT LAW move the financial barriers that may hinder f I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, this union. HONORING THE EDUCATIONAL courageous and strong, and responsible for Therefore, Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my CAREER OF HULON WATSON what I say and do; And to, respect my self constituents of the fourth Congressional dis- and others, respect authority, use resources trict of New York, I, Congresswoman CAROLYN HON. BART GORDON wisely, make the world a better place, and be MCCARTHY, do hereby commend Nassau a sister to every Girl Scout. County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi, the Nas- OF TENNESSEE The 2002 Women of Distinction Honorees sau County Department of Social Services IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES are Carole Robinson for her inspiring Girl and the Nassau County’s Surrogate’s Court Friday, November 22, 2002 Scout spirit, Anna Diaz-White and Paulette for finalizing the adoptions of thirty-two chil- Roberts for their professional excellence and dren from foster care. Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Sister Ellen Kelly for her dedication and congratulate Hulon Watson for an outstanding service to our community. As we celebrate f 44-year career in education. He has spent the women’s History Month, we honor each of HONORING VIRGINIA GAINES FOX last 51⁄2 years helping my hometown of these recipients for their hard work and Murfreesboro, Tennessee, deal with a popu- dedication and we celebrate the legacy they lation explosion as the school superintendent have created for women and women’s history HON. ERNIE FLETCHER OF KENTUCKY for Rutherford County. Prior to that post, in Central New Jersey. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Hulon served 18 years as the principal of Mr. Speaker, again, I rise to celebrate, honor and command these outstanding New Friday, November 22, 2002 Murfreesboro’s Riverdale High School. Jerseyans. I have personally observed the ef- But after more than four decades as an ed- fective work of some of these honorees and I Mr. FLETCHER. Mr. Speaker, It is an honor ucator, Hulon has decided to retire and spend ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing to rise today to pay tribute to a trailblazer, a more time with his wife, Charlotte; their two their invaluable contributions to our com- visionary, a dedicated public servant, and a children; and their four grandchildren and two munity and to New Jersey. Kentucky original. I speak of the inimitable Vir- great-grandchildren. Hulon’s last official work f ginia Gaines Fox, president and CEO of Ken- day will be December 31 of this year. tucky Educational Television, who is retiring Hulon began his career as a teacher and IN HONOR OF NATIONAL next month after 42 years of service in public coach in nearby Winchester, Tennessee. After ADOPTION MONTH broadcasting. he moved to Murfreesboro in 1979 to take the Virginia Fox—or Ginni, as she is known by principal’s position at Riverdale High School, HON. CAROLYN McCARTHY her friends and colleagues—has created a he began helping Rutherford County students OF NEW YORK legacy of innovation, public service and the achieve success. And when he took over the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES highest standards of excellence. Under her as- helm of the Rutherford County School System, tute leadership, she has built KET into an in- he helped raise scholastic standards county- Friday, November 22, 2002 dustry leader. Kentucky Educational Television wide and guided a vigorous campaign to build Mrs. MCCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speak- is the number one provider of adult education much-needed schools. er, I rise in strong support of November being in America, providing thousands of broadcast Hulon did all this during a time when every National Adoption Month. Every year, thou- hours of instructional programming to class- penny counted. Rutherford County can now sands of American families are blessed by rooms and hundreds of hours of professional

VerDate 0ct<31>2002 04:27 Nov 23, 2002 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A22NO8.059 E22PT1 E2138 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks November 22, 2002 development resources to Kentucky’s KÐ12 in- ceses from 14 different counties in western HONORING FORMER PRESIDENT structors. KET’s GED on TV program has Pennsylvania. The organization’s mission is to JORGE QUIROGA RAMIREZ OF helped 11,400 adults in Kentucky—and lit- ‘‘assist schools and districts in the develop- THE REPUBLIC OF BOLIVIA erally millions more across the country—to ment and use of systems, tools, and practices earn their high school diploma. that help educators improve learning.’’ The HON. J. DENNIS HASTERT KET is also leading the way in the industry’s SPN attempts to improve educational out- OF ILLINOIS digital conversion, pioneering datacasting IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES services for Kentucky communities in partner- comes through the pursuit of ‘‘total perform- Friday, November 22, 2002 ship with Federal, State and local agencies— ance.’’ particularly in the area of public safety, weath- Total performance is a phrase used to de- Mr. HASTERT. Mr. Speaker, I, along with er alerts, and homeland security. This initiative scribe a philosophy espousing continuous ef- the co-chairmen of the Speaker’s Task Force is serving as a model for similar efforts around fort to promote greater student learning and for a Drug Free America, want to recognize the country. achievement. This approach focuses on set- Jorge Quiroga Ramirez, former President of the Republic of Bolivia, for his years of stead- Virginia Fox has been an innovator in dis- ting high achievement standards and devel- tance learning throughout her prestigious ca- fast support, commitment and leadership in oping a curriculum that meets them. Total per- reer. She was a founding member of the con- the fight against illegal drugs. gressionally-created Independent Television formance seeks to use these standards and Most of us first met Jorge Quiroga in the Service (ITVS) Board and created the first na- performance data to modify teachers’ instruc- early days of the Administration of former tional ITV satellite schedule, serving more tional approaches. It also seeks to ensure that President Hugo Banzer, when he served as than 23 million students annually with distance teachers and principals take full advantage of Vice President of Bolivia. He came to Wash- learning curricula. She also founded the Sat- available resource like religious and civic orga- ington early on in his tenure to seek U.S. sup- ellite Educational Resources Consortium, the nizations—and that they use the available re- port and backing for Bolivia’s ‘‘Dignity Plan’’— first public broadcasting/Department of Edu- sources strategically to maximize performance a five year strategy to remove Bolivia from the cation interstate consortium for distance learn- improvements. This approach also endeavors international narcotics circuit. At the time he ing. to establish a culture that supports collective assumed office in August of 1997, Bolivia was the world’s second largest producer of cocaine Virginia Fox’s career is highlighted by nu- effort and accountability. Finally, it emphasizes merous personal as well as professional ac- with nearly 113,000 acres of coca under cul- establishing partnerships to enhance and ex- complishments. She broke the glass ceiling by tivation. becoming the first female CEO of a national tend student learning opportunities. The Dignity Plan that was presented to the organization in public broadcasting. She has The School Performance Network provides U.S. Administration and the Congress was the served on the board of the Public Broad- schools with access to research that highlights product of a well-conceived political strategy casting Service and chaired the Public Tele- the best teaching methods, as well as to col- designed to build domestic consensus within vision Outreach Alliance. She received an leagues with similar goals and different experi- Bolivia against the drug trade. Late in 1997, civic, religious, labor, indigenous, private sec- honorary doctorate from her alma mater, ences. This organization also brokers external tor and political leaders met together under Morehead State University, and earlier was partnerships and promotes Cooperative Learn- named Appalachian Woman of the Year by the leadership of then-Vice President Quiroga, ing Teams that collaborate across geographic that same institution. This year, she was in- in what was called the National Dialogue, a and political boundaries. ducted into the Kentucky Journalism Hall of series of discussions and consensus-building Fame and received the Corporation for Public The stimulus for this initiative came from the meetings around four pillars: Opportunity Broadcasting’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Heinz Endowments. This philanthropic institu- (economic issues), Equity (social develop- A seventh-generation Kentuckian, Virginia tion recognized that isolation limited the ability ment), Integrity (institutional strengthening) Fox proves once again that the great Com- of individual schools to improve student and Dignity (fight against drugs). This last pil- monwealth of Kentucky has an abundance of achievement. In the course of a 1996 program lar, focused on how to move Bolivia out of the international drug trade circuit by 2002. human resources. It has been my privilege to review of school efforts to promote ‘‘total per- work with her during my tenure in Congress to As a result, the Dignity Plan began its im- formance,’’ the Endowment’s education staff, ensure that America’s children will continue to plementation by the end of 1997, with ambi- having made a number of grants to regional benefit from the finest educational program- tious goals centered on four areas: Interdic- ming available, and that they will enter formal schools in order to improve education results, tion, Eradication, Alternative Development and schooling ‘‘Ready to Learn’’. She has dem- concluded that even greater progress could be Prevention. onstrated the power of television to educate, made by promoting communication among We in Congress have occasionally heard inform and inspire. these schools. The Endowment provided fund- foreign leaders make eloquent statements Mr. Speaker, the education of our children is ing in 1998 to develop plans for establishing about their plans to reduce drug cultivation one of our greatest responsibilities. Virginia such a network. Subsequently, in early 2000, and work with the U.S. to end this scourge— Gaines Fox must be commended for her inno- a pilot program consisting of 8 school districts plans that ultimately were not successful. Bo- livia proved how such a program can be truly vation, her vision, and her dedication to edu- was undertaken. Later that year, the pilot pro- successful. cation. Her leadership will be sorely missed, gram was successfully concluded and the but her retirement is richly deserved, and we There were two things about the Dignity School Performance Network began expand- wish her the very best that life has to offer. Plan that we found appealing. First, it was the ing its membership. f product of an extensive discussion within Bo- I want to commend the Heinz Endowment livian civil society, seeking to eliminate the SCHOOL PERFORMANCE NETWORK for its vision in establishing the School Per- drug trafficking stereotype for which this Ande- formance Network. I want to commend Dr. an country was known. Second, we found in HON. WILLIAM J. COYNE Mary Catherine Conroy Hayden for her leader- Vice President Quiroga an honest and sincere individual whose commitment to Bolivia’s fu- OF PENNSYLVANIA ship of the School Performance Network. And IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ture as a drug free country mirrored our own I want to thank the School Performance Net- commitments here at home. Vice President Friday, November 22, 2002 work and its many partners for their efforts to Quiroga was precisely the kind of straight-talk- Mr. COYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to let improve the quality of education in this coun- ing, action-oriented leader that we believed my colleagues know about an important edu- try. was required to take real and meaningful ac- cation initiative that is currently under way in Mr. Speaker, this regional collaborative ef- tion. A great many of us signed on to the Dig- western Pennsylvania. This initiative is the fort holds tremendous potential for imple- nity Plan and did our best to provide political School Performance Network, an organization menting education reform nation-wide. I urge and financial support. dedicated to disseminating best practices in Over the past five years, as Vice President my colleagues to explore the possibility of es- education to teachers, and to encouraging of Bolivia and later as President, Jorge connections and shared resources among tablishing similar efforts in their own commu- Quiroga implemented the Dignity Plan with educators. nities. stunning success. This past August, President The School Performance Network today Quiroga turned over the Office to his demo- consists of 33 public school districts and 3 dio- cratically elected successor, the Honorable

VerDate 0ct<31>2002 04:27 Nov 23, 2002 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A22NO8.063 E22PT1 November 22, 2002 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2139 Bonzalo Sanchez de Lozada. It is with great the highlights of George’s career on Capitol Environmentalists charge that, by routinely satisfaction we now take a look back at former Hill was when President George W. Bush, bypassing or greatly speeding up the prepa- President Quiroga’s efforts and see how suc- upon meeting him, noted his resemblance to ration of environmental impact statements required under the National Environmental cessful the Dignity Plan has been and what the Vice President and remarked, ‘‘How’s your Policy Act, the Bush White House is chip- our investment in his vision earned. heart?’’ ping away at the very foundation of the Na- Since the outset of the Dignity Plan in late Around the world, there are likely many tion’s environmental protections. 1997, the government of Bolivia has eradi- members of our nation’s military who are President Bush has taken steps aimed at cated more than 130,000 acres of illegal coca. watching this broadcast. George Withers was expediting or even eliminating the environ- The annual cocaine production in Bolivia a Navy Aerographers Mate Third Class (AG3) mental impact studies that federal regu- has fallen by 70 percent. with an Aircrew designation. He flew with VWÐ lators have long been required to conduct be- In the past five years, nearly $3.0 billion in 1 and VQÐ1 flying WCÐ121 and ECÐ121 air- fore any major development project—wheth- er it involves a new dam by the Army Corps Bolivian cocaine was taken off the inter- craft out of Danang during the Vietnam War. of Engineers or logging in a national forest— national market. He also deployed and flew out of Agana, can be undertaken on federal property or Alternative development programs in the Guam; Cubi Point, Philippines; South Korea, with federal funds. Industry lobbyists ap- Chapare, Bolivia’s primary coca growing re- and numerous other locations in the Western plaud the administration’s actions because, gion, have taken hold and are providing stable Pacific. A large number of those flights were in their view, environmental impact state- and meaningful income to former coca grow- electronic intercept missions over the Tonkin ments have largely served as a weapon for ers. Today there are more than 290,000 acres Gulf. During his distinguished service in the anti-development zealots to wield in court. of legal agricultural crops under cultivation in Environmentalists contend that the ad- Navy, he earned the Bronze Star and com- ministration’s efforts to shorten the reach of the Chapare. pleted 86 penetrations into the eye of ty- the law known as NEPA are part of a con- In these areas, family incomes are rising, phoons as a typhoon-tracker. tinuing campaign to put resource develop- proving that the transition to legal agricultural George’s service in Vietnam took place to ment and business interests ahead of re- activity can be successful. the advent of the ‘‘all volunteer force’’. This source protection and environmental qual- In the law enforcement area, nearly 5,000 was a time when folks often ‘‘had to be there’’ ity. ‘‘The Bush administration views NEPA coca base labs were seized and destroyed rather than ‘‘volunteered to be there’’. Since as an obstacle, not a tool,’’ says Sharon and over 58 metric tons of drugs, including co- they had to be there, it was pretty obvious Buccino, a senior attorney at the Natural caine base, cocaine and others, were seized. from those who were there that our nation Resources Defense Council. ‘‘To the extent that they’re removing these activities, like I am pleased to report these results to Con- didn’t pay nearly enough attention to what logging projects, from the NEPA process, gress to show that with the proper combina- they wanted their barracks or housing to look they’re cutting the public out of the proc- tion of leadership and political will, the battle like, what there mess halls served for meals, ess.’’ against illegal drugs can be won. I am hopeful or what they wanted in the way of recreational NEPA is merely a full-disclosure statute: and optimistic that the Honorable Gonzalo opportunities. George has spent the better It forces regulators to make assessments and Sanchez de Lozada, the new President of Bo- part of his career on Capitol Hill correcting share them with the public, but it doesn’t livia, will pick up and continue where former those mistakes, and seeing to it that they block projects that would harm the environ- President Quiroga left off, ensuring Bolivia re- ment. Yet environmental groups have often never happen again. been able to use the government’s NEPA- mains a shining example of success in the To the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines, mandated environmental impact statements Western Hemisphere. who are living in new quarters or work in new in conjunction with the other environmental Lastly, I wish to say thank you to President facilities, it has been made possible with the laws, such as the Endangered Species Act or Quiroga, with whom many of us have worked great assistance of George Withers. If you’re the Clean Air Act, to persuade courts to stop so closely during the past five years. We have in one of these new facilities in South Korea, or significantly modify controversial no doubt that his leadership, vision and com- Germany, Ecuador, Mississippi, or serving projects. mitment to Bolivia were essential to the re- anywhere in the world, credit for the quality of Under NEPA, all government agencies— from the Interior Department to the Navy to markable success of the Dignity Plan program. your quarters is often given to a Congressman the Small Business Administration—must He should take great pride in his extraordinary or a Senator. However, I know for a fact that study the environmental implications of record of success in the drug war and know none of these important quality of life improve- major projects before undertaking them. Pri- that he has many good friends in the U.S. ments for our nation’s military personnel could vate companies that receive federal funds or Congress who are grateful. have happened without the dedication and use federal lands also fall under NEPA’s um- f hard work of a great American named George brella. Withers. Business lobbyists cheer Bush for using his H.R. 4546 broad administrative authority to limit the George, on behalf of the men and women in public’s ability to challenge industry uniform, your friends here on Capitol Hill, and projects on federal lands. Supporters of the HON. GENE TAYLOR the countless other people that you have administration’s approach argue that envi- OF MISSISSIPPI helped throughout your many years of military ronmentalists have abused NEPA by filing IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and public service, thank you. God Bless you thousands of essentially nuisance lawsuits in your retirement. You will be sorely missed. that stem from a philosophical objection to, Friday, November 22, 2002 say, drilling for oil on federal land, rather f Mr. TAYLOR of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, as than from objections to the potential con- the House considers passage of the con- NATIONAL JOURNAL STORY, sequences of a specific drilling proposal. ference report to the National Defense Author- ‘‘BUSH’S QUIET PLAN’’ ‘‘A lot of challenges being raised are part of a larger strategy to oppose energy devel- ization Act for Fiscal Year 2003, I would like opment in this country,’’ contends Lee to recognize the contributions of an out- HON. BETTY McCOLLUM Fuller, vice president for government rela- standing member of the staff of the House OF MINNESOTA tions at the Independent Petroleum Associa- Armed Services Committee. His name is IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tion of America. George Withers. Of all of the people I have NEPA’s defenders charge that regulators Friday, November 22, 2002 come to know in my 13 years on Capitol Hill, are already producing slipshod impact as- I can truly say that I have not met a finer per- Ms. MCCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I would like sessments in their rush to comply with Bush to submit the following National Journey story, administration demands for faster action. son than George Withers. ‘‘Asking them to do [the assessments] more As a professional staff member of the ‘‘Bush’s Quiet Plan,’’ for the RECORD. It clearly quickly raises more opportunity for litiga- Armed Services Committee since 1993, I have describes how this administration is rolling tion,’’ because careless work would leave the had an opportunity to work closely with back our key environmental protections. government open to charges of not having George. Over these many years, I have come [From the National Journal, Nov. 23, 2002] complied with NEPA, warns Jonathan Adler, an environmental law professor at Case to appreciate his knowledge of the legislative BUSH’S QUIET PLAN Western Reserve University. process, judgment, professionalism and wis- (By Margaret Kriz) dom. The controversy over the accelerating at- The Bush administration is quietly but tempts to rein in NEPA centers on several Although he has a heart of gold, and a systematically working to make the 32-year- administration actions: smile that is genuine as a sunrise, he was in- old environmental law that’s considered the A Forest Service proposal—leaked by envi- deed mistaken for a very prominent elected of- Magna Carta of national environmental pol- ronmentalists and slated to be formally re- ficial who is not known for his smile. One of icy less of an impediment to development. leased later this year—would allow federal

VerDate 0ct<31>2002 04:27 Nov 23, 2002 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A22NO8.065 E22PT1 E2140 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks November 22, 2002 regulators to rewrite National Forest Man- on coal-fired power plants and scuttling a Council on Environmental Quality under agement Plans without first assessing the Clinton-era rule that preserves roadless re- President Carter and now is dean of the Yale environmental implications of the new gions in the national forests. ‘‘They’re say- School of Forestry and Environmental Stud- plans. Forest plans are the blueprints for ing, ‘Trust us,’ but we have no reason to ies. ‘‘It was the first major federal environ- commercial development, recreation, and trust them,’’ says David Alberswerth, direc- mental legislation. And it became extraor- land preservation on the nation’s 191 million tor of the Wilderness Society’s Bureau of dinarily powerful, primarily because of the acres of national forests and grasslands. Land Management program. courts.’’ Bush’s wildfire proposal, dubbed the Connaughton angrily denies that the ad- Environmentalists, who filed many of ‘‘Healthy Forests Initiative,’’ would exempt ministration wants to gut environmental those lawsuits, see NEPA as one of the best 10 million acres of national forest lands from protections and says the environmentalists’ ways to force recalcitrant bureaucrats to NEPA to speed up the logging aimed at accusations are politically motivated. ‘‘I weight—and disclose—the environmental thinning the trees in those forests. The plan think that there is a lot of chasing after consequences of their proposals.‘‘The whole was drafted in response to this summer’s cat- ghosts,’’ he says. (For a Q&A with purpose of the law was to slow down the gov- astrophic forest fires and would allow com- Connaughton, see p. 3476.) ernment juggernaut and to make public offi- mercial logging companies to remove some OVERDUE OR OVERBOARD? cials think long and hard before they take large, healthy trees as an incentive to par- any action that could be harmful to the envi- The Bush administration’s aggressive ef- ticipate in the thinning projects. The Demo- ronment,’’ notes John Echeverria, executive forts to limit NEPA’s role represent a cratic-controlled Senate blocked Bush’s pro- director of the Georgetown Environmental marked change in federal environmental pol- posal, but the plan is certain to be resur- Policy Project. ‘‘There’s no question that en- icy—and in some quarters, a welcome one. rected after the Republicans take control of vironmentalists have used NEPA to block ‘‘It represents a shift in the institutional the chamber in January. projects that they thought were ill-advised perspective on NEPA,’’ says Chris Horner, The administration tried to exempt most and particularly harmful.’’ U.S.-controlled ocean waters from NEPA. senior fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Conservatives and industry lobbyists, for But in October, a federal court rejected the Institute, a conservative think tank. their part, say NEPA causes delays that in- Justice Department’s contention that the ‘‘They’re saying that the statutory sprawl flate the price tag of important business and environmental law’s reach did not extend be- that NEPA has created is not acceptable. government initiatives. The Transportation yond this country’s territorial waters, which [The shift] is something that’s long over- Department, for example, estimates that en- end three miles offshore. The court ruled due.’’ vironmental impact statements for major that NEPA applies within the nation’s entire But environmentalists are alarmed. Unlike highway projects take an average of four to Exclusive Economic Zone, which extends 200 the Endangered Species Act and the Clean five years to complete. nautical miles offshore. That case was trig- Air Act, which deal only with certain envi- ‘‘Sometimes you feel a little bit like that gered by objections to Navy sonar tests, ronmental issues, NEPA is a comprehensive small rodent in a maze, trying to complete which environmentalists claim have caused tool that activists can use to force regu- all these reviews,’’ complains Mary E. Pe- whale beachings and permanent damage to lators—and, by extension, industry—to abide ters, administrator of the Transportation whales and other sea mammals. by a multitude of environmental laws. Department’s Federal Highway Administra- In September, Bush issued an executive ‘‘NEPA is a procedural statute that cuts tion. order requiring federal regulators to speed across every environmental program,’’ says But many observers insist that NEPA’s up environmental assessments of transpor- William J. Snape III, chief counsel at De- foes vastly overstate the influence of NEPA tation construction projects. Transportation fenders of Wildlife. ‘‘So rather than an- reviews. ‘‘The great bulk of NEPA projects Department officials say the administration nounce that they’re going to gut NEPA, the are changed in the NEPA process, but is also considering legislation to amend the administration has decided that they’re just they’re not, in the end, stopped,’’ says Yale’s law’s application to highway and other going to do it on an individual-sector basis. Speth. transportation projects. The administration That makes it difficult for us to piece [the Environmentalists are not the only cause has not taken a position, however, on a bill administration’s actions] all together.’’ of delay. Government regulators often lack introduced this year by House Transpor- Most environmental assessments are com- funding to undertake NEPA reviews quickly. tation and Infrastructure Committee Chair- pleted without a hitch. But projects that The petroleum group’s Fuller says that some man Don Young, R-Alaska, that would cre- compete for space with wildlife and wilder- oil companies, eager to begin work on new ate a separate, less rigorous environmental- ness areas—logging, energy development, projects, have begun paying the government assessment process for transportation and military action on federal lands or wa- agencies to complete the required environ- projects. terways, as well as transportation construc- mental assessments. ‘‘We’ve found that in In May, Bush ordered expedited environ- tion projects—often rise red flags with envi- order to get our permitting processes mov- mental reviews of energy-development ronmental activists and nearby residents. ing, the only way to do that is to provide pri- projects. Meanwhile, Sen. Ben Nighthorse Lengthy lawsuits often ensue. vate money,’’ he explains. Federal officials Campbell, R-Colo., has urged that NEPA re- Bush administration officials insist that still control the studies, he adds. quirements be waived for energy develop- they’re not out to stop all environmental The environmental reviews are also ham- ment on tribal lands. analyses or to propose a wholesale rewrite of pered by bureaucratic resistance. Even after According to Forest Service officials, the the law. According to Connaughton, the aim 32 years, some regulators still oppose having administration plans to greatly expand the is to speed up the environmental-assessment to consider the environmental implications ‘‘categorical exclusion’’ provisions of NEPA process and focus on the biggest projects. of a project early in the planning stages, ac- to exempt certain kinds of logging projects— The administration also wants to stem the cording to law professor Adler. ‘‘At a lot of the logging of dead trees in burned forests, flood of legal challenges to what government agencies, their decision-making process does for example—from environmental impact officials want to do on federal lands. not incorporate the sorts of factors that statements. These exemptions would apply ‘‘There’s just too many lawsuits, just end- NEPA asks them to look at,’’ he says. to far more than the 10 million acres in- less litigation,’’ Bush told an Oregon audi- ‘‘That’s one of the reasons why agencies get cluded in Bush’s forest fire proposal. ence in August in introducing his forest fire into trouble with lawsuits.’’ Meanwhile, the White House Council on plan. ‘‘We want to make sure our citizens and Snowmobiles Environmental Quality, which has jurisdic- have the right to the courthouse. . . . But In April, an internal review board at the tion over NEPA, has created an interagency there’s a fine balance between people ex- Interior Department issued a scathing judg- task force focused on updating the NEPA pressing [themselves] and their opinions and ment criticizing the Bureau of Land Manage- process. James Connaughton, who heads the using litigation to keep the United States of ment for approving coal-bed methane extrac- council, said the task force seeks to America from enacting commonsense forest tion projects in Wyoming’s Powder River ‘‘modernize’’ the way federal regulators con- policy.’’ Basin. Interior’s Board of Land Appeals ruled duct their environmental reviews—by, for Since its inception, NEPA has been largely that the environmental yardstick that regu- example, increasing the use of computers. defined by court rulings that give it teeth. lators used to assess the projects was woe- Some departments, he said, ‘‘are using the NEPA was passed during the Nixon adminis- fully inadequate and failed to consider the Pony Express when we could be using the tration but floundered until President ‘‘unique potential impacts’’ of the proposed electron to facilitate all kinds of inter- Carter’s Council on Environmental Quality extraction process. agency and external communications.’’ outlined a regulatory strategy for systemati- Coal-bed methane extraction, first tested Environmentalists are suspicious of the cally complying with its mandates. Since in the 1990s, involves draining salty water task force. ‘‘This administration,’’ Buccino then, each agency has developed its own from coal seams to tap the methane gas says, took ‘‘significant destructive actions NEPA rules designed to mesh with the laws trapped in the coal. The tainted liquid often related to NEPA before they had even begun the agency implements. pours onto nearby lands. But the bureau had the task force.’’ Bush’s critics contend that Until those ground rules were established— approved the methane leases based on stud- what the White House portrays as mere and even since then—judges often were the ies that looked solely at the environmental streamlining is actually part of a far-reach- government officials who determined what a effects of entirely different projects—oil and ing campaign to grant polluters and devel- NEPA requirement meant in a given situa- natural gas drilling in the region. opers relief from environmental safeguards tion. ‘‘Court decisions were pouring out,’’ re- In a separate case, a federal judge recently by doing such things as easing restrictions calls James Gustave Speth, who headed the suspended a seismic exploration project near

VerDate 0ct<31>2002 04:27 Nov 23, 2002 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A22NO8.068 E22PT1 November 22, 2002 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2141 Arches National Park at the urging of two way for quicker approval of forest-thinning But what the White House and industry see environmental groups. The organizations projects and logging of dead and dying trees as abuse of the system, environmental activ- charge that the government failed to exam- after forest fires. Those exclusions are simi- ists see as their fundamental right to ensure ine the environmental impact that the heavy lar to the president’s forest proposal, which that taxpayer dollars are not spent on pounding of 30-ton ‘‘thumper trucks’’ would would exempt some national forest lands projects that harm the air, water, wildlife, or have if energy companies were allowed to use from NEPA. Environmentalists say they’ll wilderness. NEPA supporters say they fear them in searching for oil deposits. fight those changes. that the environmental goals that NEPA was Environmentalists argue that regulators THE LONG HAND OF NEPA created to advance could be lost in the rush are doing slap-dash environmental analyses Bush officials are more than happy to to speed up or eliminate environmental as- on these and other energy projects in re- share their anecdotes about NEPA reviews sessments and to restrict the public’s ability sponse to increased administration pressure gone haywire. They point to the case of the to challenge their conclusions. As the Wil- to open more federal lands to mining and little town of Stillwater, Minn., 13 miles east derness Society’s Alberswerth puts it, ‘‘If drilling. ‘‘This administration is indicating of St. Paul, which has spent 30 years trying you don’t have judicial review, you have no that every square acre of land in the West to build a four-lane bridge over the St. Croix guarantee that the [Bureau of Land Manage- ought to be open to oil and gas’’ says Snape River. ment] or any other agency will comply with of Defenders of Wildlife. ‘‘They don’t care Bridge proponents say the new structure is the laws.’’ about environmental quality or the public. needed to replace a 70-year-old lift bridge, f This is ‘Energy u¨ ber alles.’’’ which is on National Register of Historic But perhaps the most dramatic NEPA de- Places. City officials and local developers A TIME AND A PLAN TO TEACH velopments are occurring at the Forest Serv- say they hope a new bridge would divert ice, where Bush administration officials are PEACE AND DISARMAMENT IN truck traffic away from historic downtown OUR SCHOOLS rewriting the rules for managing the na- Stillwater and increase development in com- tion’s 153 national forests. In the past, devel- munities on both sides of the bridge. oping a forest management plan, which ‘‘The mayor of Stillwater told me recently HON. GEORGE MILLER spells out how a forest can be used, was con- that sometimes you can’t see the historic OF CALIFORNIA sidered to be a ‘‘major action’’ that required town for the semis lined up to go across the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES extensive environmental impact analysis bridge,’’ says Peters of the Transportation under NEPA. Now Bush officials are working Department. Friday, November 22, 2002 on a proposal that would give forest super- But the $135 million project is opposed by Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. visors greater leeway to revise forest plans environmental groups, who say the new without having to conduct in-depth environ- bridge would damage wetlands and mar the Speaker, I am delighted to bring to my col- mental studies. bluffs that line the St. Croix River, which is leagues’ attention, and to the attention of their Under the revised rules, full environmental a ‘‘wild and scenic river’’ protected by fed- constituents who may wish to get involved in reviews would continue to be required when eral law. Environmentalists also assert that peace education, the recently released United industry groups sought permission to begin the project would accelerate urban sprawl Nations Study on Disarmament and Non-Pro- specific projects, such as logging or con- from the Twin Cities area into western Wis- liferation Education. struction of new recreation facilities. But consin. Some of these concerns are shared by The study is the result of successful collabo- more general changes to the forest manage- the National Park Service, which has juris- ration between the Hague Appeal for Peace— ment plan might not require extensive diction over wild and scenic rivers. study, according to Mark Rey, the Agri- Over the years, several environmental a citizen’s organization dedicated to reducing culture Department under-secretary for nat- analyses of the proposed bridge have been wars and armed conflict and promoting rec- ural resources and environment who has au- completed, but no consensus about its im- onciliation and economic development—the thority over the Forest Service. ‘‘In the past, pact has been reached. The Transportation Government of Mexico and the United Nations we were dealing with the first generation of Department is trying to break the deadlock Department for Disarmament Affairs. a forest plan, and there was no question that by including the Stillwater Bridge project on By working together—governments, civil so- an environmental impact statement was its list of seven high-priority construction ciety and the United Nations—the effort to going to be required,’’ he said. ‘‘What we’re projects set for quick environmental review sustain peace through education stands a saying now is, it is not as clear that revising under the president’s September executive plans or amending them involves a need for order. The department plans to add more greater chance of success. a similar level of analysis, depending on the projects to its priority list in December. Humankind’s genius invented technological circumstances.’’ Conservatives charge that the long hand of wonders in the last century that have made Rey cites the example of a forest super- NEPA is increasingly reaching into unlikely life more livable and longer for many. It also visor considering changing a forest plan to government programs. Horner of the Com- produced, and then governments used, the allow more snowmobiles to be used in a for- petitive Enterprise Institute cites a recent atomic bomb, and then perfected it to incom- est. ‘‘If we’re saying that we might accom- lawsuit in which environmental groups and prehensible destructive capacity. We are dis- modate a greater degree of snowmobile use the city of Boulder, Colo., claimed that the but that we don’t have enough information Export-Import Bank of the United States covering new pieces of information from direct right now to decide where we’re going to lo- and the Overseas Private Investment Corp. participants about how close we came to a cate the trails, then we probably would ac- violated NEPA when they gave developing global nuclear exchange during the Cuban knowledge that this issue is under consider- countries more than $32 billion for oil fields, Missile crisis 40 years ago. And we are con- ation,’’ he said. ‘‘But we’d do an environ- pipelines, and coal-fired plants without first fronted with a new awareness of dangers that mental impact statement when we’re ready assessing the projects’ contribution to global might arise with the use of weapons of mass to lay out the trails.’’ warming. Horner argues that as a result of destruction for terrorism. Logging industry officials enthusiastically the lawsuit, agencies could soon be pressured Education alone is not a security blanket. It support the new approach, arguing that it to consider global warming in their NEPA is not a guarantee for progressive thinking. In- makes more sense for regulators to focus reviews. ‘‘You’re talking about a tremendous their NEPA resources on industry develop- new regulatory burden, which is going to deed, we have learned that young people ment projects than on forest management cost you more time and money,’’ he says. being educated in some religious schools in plans. ‘‘Why would you do a full-blown anal- Industry lobbyists see such delays and ex- the Middle East were being indoctrinated with ysis of how you’re going to basically zone a panded use of NEPA as reason to dramati- hatred for the West and the United States. forest and manage it, when the real rubber cally scale back the environmental impact However, in a democratic society, education hits the road when you propose an action,’’ assessment process or eliminate it alto- is a tool for enlightenment. As H.G. Wells said said Chris West, vice president of the timber gether. One industry group boldly suggested in his 1921 work, The Outline of History, industry’s American Forest Resource Coun- amending the law to bar national environ- cil in Portland, Ore. But environmentalists mental groups from filing NEPA lawsuits. ‘‘Human history becomes more and more a say that Rey’s proposals are purposely vague In recent comments to the White House race between education and catastrophe.’’ We and confusing. They accuse him of attempt- task force on NEPA, the Idaho Cattle Asso- would do well to heed his warning. ing to create loopholes to allow forest super- ciation recommended that NEPA lawsuits be Fortunately, the complacency and lack of in- visors to make sweeping changes in the way limited to ‘‘individuals who have an eco- terest in questions of disarmament and non- the forests would be used without gaining nomic stake in the outcome of a NEPA deci- proliferation, especially about extant nuclear public input or examining the environmental sion or those who are directly affected’’ by dangers and solutions, is starting slowly to consequences. the project being reviewed. Connaughton of break down. During talk of war and inspec- The Forest Service is also considering new the Council on Environmental Quality says proposals that would make it easier to ap- he disagrees with that proposal but under- tions of weapons of mass destruction, we find prove some logging projects without having stands the frustration of industry groups. ourselves in a teachable moment. to assess the environmental impact of each ‘‘The procedural requirements of the law Mr. Speaker, we are at a time in history project. Agency staffers are working on should not be deployed to wreak havoc,’’ he when it is critical to embrace the idea that ‘‘categorical exclusions’’ that would pave the argues. peace, dialogue, and disarmament can and

VerDate 0ct<31>2002 04:27 Nov 23, 2002 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A22NO8.071 E22PT1 E2142 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks November 22, 2002 should be taught in school and that it should dissemination. Upon request by the United *13. Member States, in cooperation with be taught as an integral part of school cur- Nations or relevant international organiza- the United Nations and relevant inter- ricula and programs in the United States and tions, Member States, academic and research national organizations, are encouraged to institutions and NGOs are encouraged to sponsor training, fellowships, and awareness across the world. And there has emerged a support or assist in translating relevant ma- programmes, on as wide a geographical basis plan to help educators learn how to teach terials. as possible, for researchers, engineers, sci- peace. 4. The United Nations and other inter- entists and other academics in areas of par- A ten-country United Nations group of ex- national organizations should increase their ticular relevance, but not limited to treaties perts issued a study in October on the status capacities to disseminate disarmament and and agreements on weapons of mass destruc- of disarmament and non-proliferation edu- non-proliferation education-related mate- tion and their means of delivery. They are cation efforts world-wide, making a set of 34 rials (print and audio-visual) more widely to also encouraged to give special emphasis to all regions of the world. While strengthening recommendations to Governments, the UN, training customs, licensing and law enforce- existing distribution channels, they should ment officers for the purpose of fulfilling other international organizations, and civil so- explore new ones, such as cooperation with international obligations of Member States ciety on how to improve peace and disar- educational networks, teachers unions and in the disarmament and non-proliferation mament education as a means of fostering tol- curriculum committees as well as electrical fields. erance and a culture of non-violence. access. Member States, local academic insti- *14. The Department of Disarmament Af- It calls for a joint effort to revitalize disar- tutions, research centres and NGOs are also fairs, in cooperation with UNU and UPEACE, mament education to empower young people encouraged to assist in dissemination ef- should be encouraged to organize a pro- forts. As it is essential to reach the local through knowledge to help make the world a gramme of training for educators and train- community level, channels of dissemination ers in disarmament and non-proliferation. more peaceful place. Surely this is an idea such as school libraries, gathering places, These programmes may be implemented co- that all of us in Congress, regardless of party radio and television are highly rec- operatively with international organizations or political persuasion, can support. ommended. such as IAEA, OPCW and the Preparatory The Study is available on the United Na- 5. The Department of Disarmament Affairs Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear- tions Web site at http://disarmament.un.org/ should gather information about the involve- Test Ban Treaty Organization. ment of regional and intergovernmental or- 15. The Department of Disarmament Af- education/index.html, and I commend it to my ganizations in disarmament and non-pro- colleagues for further reading. I am also en- fairs, in cooperation with UNESCO, liferation education, training and data col- UPEACE, UNIDIR and NGOs, should produce closing several additional documents for the lection activities. The Department should and maintain an updated international bibli- RECORD about the project for the benefit of my examine ways to foster an exchange of expe- ography of reference literature for teachers, colleagues and their constituents. riences and regional perspectives to facili- including an updated directory of peace stud- Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to tate the development of disarmament and ies programmes and disarmament and non- share this information with my colleagues and non-proliferation education programmes. proliferation research centres, and make this 6. The Department of Disarmament Affairs available on a disarmament and non-pro- I also appreciate the hard work that the Hague should examine, accumulate and make pub- liferation online education resource site (see Appeal for Peace, the United Nations, and the lic and easily accessible the different disar- Government of Mexico put into this exciting recommendation 25). mament and non-proliferation curricula and 16. UNESCO IBE is encouraged to convene and important peace education project. programmes that States have developed for regional meetings with ministers of edu- their formal school systems and university [From the Report of the Secretary-General, cation, educational administrators and uni- courses as well as for informal training. versity presidents to discuss the issues in- Aug. 30, 2002] 7. UNU and UPEACE are encouraged to de- volved in developing disarmament and non- SECTION VIII. PROMOTION OF DISARMAMENT velop intensive postgraduate and other proliferation education for primary, sec- AND NON-PROLIFERATION EDUCATION AND courses on disarmament and non-prolifera- ondary and university students. The Inter- TRAINING: PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS tion for representatives of all regions of the world, including government officials, legis- national Conference on Education is encour- All the following recommendations are im- aged to devote one session of a future meet- portant. They vary, however, in the re- lators, military officers, NGOs, the media and students, working in cooperation with ing to disarmament and non-proliferation sources required for their implementation, education, for example, through a workshop the pace with which they can be put in place academic and non-governmental institutions that have expertise in designing and imple- on science and ethics. and the amount of time needed before they *17. The United Nations, relevant inter- menting such courses. UPEACE, in coordina- yield significant results. Those recommenda- national organizations, Member States, tion with the Department of Disarmament tions with asterisks represent steps that can NGOs and research institutes should develop and should be taken rapidly and at a rel- Affairs, may wish to host seminars and workshops as well as to develop model uni- and strengthen programmes, workshops, fel- atively low cost. lowships and materials or disarmament and *1. Member States are encouraged to ac- versity and school material. 8. Member States are encouraged to in- non-proliferation topics for journalists and cord importance to disarmament and non- media representatives in order to enhance proliferation education and training in their clude parliamentarians and/or non-govern- mental advisers in delegations to United Na- their knowledge of these issues. Special at- programmes and policies, consistent with tention should be paid to the development of their national legislation and practices, tak- tions disarmament-related meetings, taking into account national legislation and prac- programmes and materials designed for local ing into account present and future trends. media in post-conflict situations, as essen- They are also encouraged to use, designate tices. 9. The Department of Disarmament Affairs tial partners in the disarmament and non- or establish public advisory bodies, where ap- and its regional centres, in cooperation with proliferation education process. propriate, whose responsibilities include ad- UNIDIR, UNU and UPEACE, are encouraged 18. Disarmament and non-proliferation vising on disarmament and non-proliferation to establish a virtual library of reports of educational materials developed by the education and training practices. Member ‘‘lessons learned’’ on disarmament-related United Nations, such as the Cyberschoolbus States are encouraged to share their experi- aspects of peace operations and make it web site, should include complementary ma- ence in disarmament and non-proliferation available to both Governments and NGOs on terial on how parents can encourage atti- education and training with other Member a disarmament and non-proliferation online tudes of peace and non-violence. Efforts States, international organizations, civil so- education resource site (see recommenda- should also be made by educators, parents ciety and the Department for Disarmament tions 25). and the business community to devise and Affairs. 10. Municipal leaders, working with citizen produce toys, computer games and videos *2. Relevant United Nations offices and groups, are encouraged to establish peace that engender such attitudes. other international organizations and agen- cities, as part of the UNESCO Cities for 19. Additional fellowships and scholarships cies should prepare, adapt and disseminate a Peace network, through, for example, the should be provided for various target audi- wider range of user-friendly educational ma- creation of peace museums, peace parks, web ences by or through the Department of Dis- terial on disarmament and non-proliferation. sites and the production of booklets on armament Affairs (directly or through its re- The current experience in this field should peacemakers and peacemaking. gional centres), UPEACE, UNIDIR and the be tapped and existing educational material, 11. UNU and UPEACE are encouraged to NGO Committee on Disarmament, among including educational modules, resource provide assistance to those city councils and others. An important educational supple- books, guide and online programmes, should prefectures that are willing to host seminars ment to disarmament and non-proliferation be tailored to the needs of individual coun- on disarmament and non-proliferation issues classroom training should be on-the-job tries, specific audiences or the international for the media, academics, local and national training, which may be conducted at the community at large. politicians, trade union representatives, reli- sites of international organizations, national *3. The United Nations and other inter- gious leaders and the wider public. governmental agencies, NGOs and research national organizations should translate its 12. Religious leaders and institutions are centres. Opportunities for such on-the-job disarmament and publications into all encouraged to develop educational material training should be expanded. United Nations official languages and, when promoting a culture of peace and disar- *20. The United Nations, relevant inter- possible, into other languages for additional mament. national organizations, Member States, and

VerDate 0ct<31>2002 04:27 Nov 23, 2002 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A22NO8.073 E22PT1 November 22, 2002 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2143 corporate and private donors are encouraged These provisions were not in the original bill 95 percent of those ‘‘bad faith’’ filings by con- to provide assistance, including funds, edu- we passed earlier this year and I cannot un- verting or dismissing certain cases. cational material and equipment to NGOs in derstand why the Republican Caucus felt it This legislation would also have a negative different regions of the world and to univer- necessary to include them in the most signifi- impact on the availability of quality, affordable sities to establish or expand their disar- representation for families filing for bankruptcy. mament and non-proliferation libraries with cant reorganization of the federal government free and open public access to their re- in fifty years! Provisions of this legislation would impose sources. Member States should be encour- These provisions harm the average Amer- new liability standards on bankruptcy attor- aged to fund research institutes that focus ican by curtailing their legal rights to seek jus- neys, making them responsible for the accu- on disarmament and non-proliferation and tice from corporations. Haven’t we seen the racy of all information given to them by their offer scholarships for advanced university dangers of allowing big business to operate clients when filing a bankruptcy petition. Many students to carry out research on disar- this way? attorneys will be apprehensive to continue rep- mament and non-proliferation and its peda- The Senate was right in drawing national at- resenting clients in bankruptcy cases knowing gogy. The United Nations should make that they may be sanctioned for inaccurate in- greater efforts to tap the financial resources tention to this sham. of private enterprises in the fields of infor- I am hopeful the Republican leadership will formation. Bankruptcy lawyers in Minnesota mation and communications technology. live up to its promise to remove these provi- have told me that this will severely decrease sions early next Congress, but I fear they are the number of attorneys willing to provide pro f already backing off their promise to do so. bono services, limiting the ability of low-in- AMERICAN WILDLIFE Mr. Speaker, we desperately need a Depart- come individuals to obtain quality legal rep- ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2001 ment of Homeland Security, and that is why I resentation. voted for the bill. However, we do not need I agree that something must be done to SPEECH OF more give aways for corporate special inter- curb the number of personal bankruptcies that HON. C.L. ‘‘BUTCH’’ OTTER ests, and I urge my GOP colleagues to move strain our banks, credit unions and responsible with great speed to remove the provisions financial institutions. But we must be equitable OF IDAHO early next session. in asking everyone—borrowers and lenders IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES alike—to practice good financial planning. This f Thursday, November 14, 2002 unbalanced legislation unfairly targets con- CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 333, Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, Early on the sumers and allows irresponsible companies to BANKRUPTCY ABUSE PREVEN- morning of November 15, 2002 the House of continue extending credit to college students TION AND CONSUMER PROTEC- Representatives passed, by unanimous con- and others who are already deep in debt or TION ACT OF 2002 have had a past history of bad credit. For the sent, S. 990, the American Wildlife Enhance- working families of Minnesota and the nation, ment Act. This bill, which amends the Pittman- SPEECH OF I cannot support this legislation. Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act, is pur- ported to improve the provisions relating to HON. BETTY McCOLLUM f wildlife conservation and restoration programs. OF MINNESOTA CONFERENCE REPORT ON S. 1214, Had I been present when the House consid- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MARITIME TRANSPORTATION SE- ered this legislation, I would have opposed the Thursday, November 14, 2001 CURITY ACT OF 2002 bill. I am concerned that as written this bill could undermine private property rights and Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today SPEECH OF impact state water rights. I am concerned that in opposition to the Conference Report for the HON. DON YOUNG no hearings were held in the House and we ‘‘Bankruptcy Reform’’ bill, H.R. 333. This legis- lation will impose new restrictions to prevent OF ALASKA never had time to consider the full implications IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of the bill. I am hopeful the bill does not make working families facing financial misfortune Thursday, November 14, 2002 it to the President’s desk this year. If this leg- from getting back on track. It also does noth- islation is introduced next Congress, I will ing to stop the irresponsible and predatory Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I rise work with my colleagues to ensure the protec- practices of some businesses and credit card to speak about the Conference Report on S. tion of private property and water rights. companies. I support efforts to prevent abuse 1214, which the House approved last week of our bankruptcy system as a financial tool f and is now ready for signature by the Presi- but this legislation goes too far in cutting off dent. I would like to point out a particular con- HOMELAND SECURITY ACT OF 2002 avenues to relief for working families who face cern that is addressed in Section 445 of the unmanageable debt. conference agreement. Section 445 addresses SPEECH OF Central to this legislation is a new, inflexible the current problem, and the potential for HON. BART STUPAK ‘‘means test’’ that will be imposed on every in- greater future problems, of local jurisdictions dividual filing for bankruptcy. While judges cur- OF MICHIGAN seeking to impose taxes and fees on vessels rently have the ability to determine the appro- merely transiting or making innocent passage IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES priate relief for consumers, this new ‘‘means through navigable waters subject to the au- Thursday, November 14, 2001 test’’ will eliminate that flexibility and prevent thority of the United States that are adjacent Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I reluctantly all but the most impoverished families from fil- to the taxing community. We are seeing in- voted for H.R. 5005, the Homeland Security ing for bankruptcy under Chapter 7. The im- stances in which local communities are seek- Act of 2002. plementation of this ‘‘means test’’ will also be ing to impose taxes or fees on vessels even I say reluctantly because I have very strong a costly mandate on our bankruptcy court sys- where the vessel is not calling on, or landing, objections to certain provisions contained in tem, which is already operating on rudi- in the local community. These are cases the bill which favor ‘‘special interests.’’ mentary funding. where no passengers are disembarking, in the In particular, I am opposed to provisions in I have listened to concerns of bankruptcy case of passenger vessels, or no cargo is the bill that would protect pharmaceutical firms judges in my state of Minnesota who fun- being unloaded in the case of cargo vessels and other corporations from lawsuits. Gut our damentally oppose this legislation because of and where the vessels are not stopping for the efforts to crack down on companies that move the disastrous effect it will have on working purpose of receiving any other service offered abroad to escape U.S. taxes. Provide protec- families facing financial crises. These judges by the port. In most instances, these types of tion against lawsuits for companies that have echoed facts that are widely known—that the taxes would not be allowed under the Com- provided passenger and baggage screening in vast majority of individuals who file for bank- merce Clause of the United States Constitu- airports. Give the new homeland security sec- ruptcy are low- and moderate-income citizens tion. Unfortunately, without a statutory clari- retary broad authority to protect companies facing crisis situations such as the loss of a fication, the only means to determine whether that sell anti-terrorism technologies. job, medical emergencies or divorce. The ac- the burden is an impermissible burden under These provisions were inserted without con- tual number of individuals who try to ‘‘game the Constitution is to pursue years of litigation. sulting any Democratic leaders, and put in the the system’’ and escape debts by filing for Section 445 of the Conference Report ad- bill literally in the middle of the night! bankruptcy is very low. According to one dresses this problem by clarifying the sole cir- Mr. Speaker, I have a long and well-known bankruptcy judge, abusive filings constitute cumstances when a local jurisdiction may im- record of fighting against provisions such as only about 2Ð3 percent of all cases and bank- pose a tax or fee on vessels. Local govern- these. ruptcy courts are currently able to block about ments, and other non-Federal interests, may

VerDate 0ct<31>2002 04:27 Nov 23, 2002 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A22NO8.076 E22PT1 E2144 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks November 22, 2002 impose taxes or fees only under an existing hearing on the bill on September 17. All wit- reporting burdens on the businesses that must exception under the Water Resources Devel- nesses—representing the statistical agencies, now supply data separately to the individual opment Act or under extremely limited cir- the Administration and the private sector-testi- agencies. I want to emphasize that the data cumstances in which reasonable fees can be fied in favor of the bill. On the same day, the sharing applies only to these three agencies, charged on a fair and equitable basis for the subcommittee approved the bill by voice vote. and it only applies to business data—not per- cost of service actually rendered to the vessel. On October 9, the full Committee on Gov- sonal data. ernment Reform approved the bill by voice The fees must also enhance the safety and ef- Of equal importance, the bill ensures that ficiency of interstate and foreign commerce vote and ordered it favorably reported. I want to briefly summarize this important legislation. the confidential data that citizens and busi- and represent at most a ‘‘small burden’’ on nesses provide to federal agencies for statis- interstate and foreign commerce. Generally, The committee report on H.R. 5215 explains the Confidential Information Protection and tical purposes are subject to uniform and rig- taxes will not be allowed under this section. orous statutory protections against unauthor- The sole exceptions are stated in Section 445. Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 in much greater detail. ized use. Currently, confidentiality protections Mr. President, I support Section 445 as an vary among agencies and are often not based important correction of a silence in current law Enactment of the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of in law. The bill would provide uniformly high that should not be allowed to imperil legitimate confidentiality standards that federal statistical commerce. 2002 will greatly improve the efficiency and quality of Federal statistical activities. Right agencies must follow. This part of the bill ap- f now, there is much duplication of effort among plies to all federal statistical agencies—not just E-GOVERNMENT ACT OF 2001 the Federal Government’s three principal sta- the Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics tistical agencies—the Bureau of the Census, and Bureau of Economic Analysis. Further- SPEECH OF the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Bureau more, it covers all data that all statistical agen- of Economic Analysis. Because of their inabil- cies collect on a confidential basis—both busi- HON. STEPHEN HORN ity to share data, they often collect the same ness and personal data. OF CALIFORNIA data separately. This wastes taxpayer dollars Finally, the bill includes language that will IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and imposes unnecessary burdens on those enhance the usefulness of statistical data for Thursday, November 14, 2002 who supply the data. congressional decision-making. This language Furthermore, the inability of the agencies to Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, title V of H.R. encourages the statistical agencies to provide compare the data they collect results in major the Congressional Budget Office with access 2458 incorporates the text of another bill that disparities in the reports they issue. For exam- was recently reported out of the Government to statistical data in order to help CBO analyze ple, during the last economic census in 1997, pension and health care financing issues. Reform Committee: H.R. 5212, the the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported payroll ‘‘Confidential Information Protection and Sta- However, the bill does not expand CBO’s cur- data in the information technology sector that rent legal rights of access to statistical data. tistical Efficiency Act of 2002.’’ I wish to thank was 13 percent higher than the data reported the gentleman from Texas, Mr. TURNER, and Thus, it does not permit disclosure of informa- by the Census Bureau. In addition, there was tion to CBO in a manner of form that would the gentleman from Virginia, Mr. DAVIS, for in- a 14 percent disparity in the payroll data re- constitute a violation of existing law. cluding the Confidential Information Protection ported by these two agencies for the motor and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 in their freight, transportation and warehousing indus- Mr. Speaker, this worthy legislation has bill. tries. been years in the making. I sponsored a simi- On July 25, 2002, I introduced the Confiden- This legislation will allow the Census Bu- lar bill in 1999, but it encountered last minute tial Information Protection and Statistical Effi- reau, the Bureau of Economic Analysis and concerns and was not enacted. The current ciency Act of 2002 on behalf of myself, as well the Bureau of Labor Statistics to share busi- bill resolves those concerns as well as all as the gentleman from Ohio, Mr. SAWYER, and ness data they collect for statistical purposes. other issues that have been raised. The Ad- the gentlewoman from New York, Mrs. This data sharing will substantially enhance ministration strongly supports it, as do many MALONEY. The Subcommittee on Government the accuracy of economic statistics by resolv- individuals and organizations in industry and Efficiency, Financial Management and Inter- ing serious reporting inconsistencies such as academic circles. I am delighted that the bill fi- governmental Relations, which I chair, held a those that I just mentioned. It will also reduce nally will be enacted this year.

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