May 4, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Ð Extensions of Remarks E633 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS INTRODUCTION OF THE NEIGHBOR RECOGNITION OF EQUAL PAY DAY funds a truth and reconciliation commission TO NEIGHBOR ACT, MAY 4, 2000 that aims to heal the wounds of civilians who HON. MIKE THOMPSON have been caught up in the war but have no hope for justice under the peace agreement. HON. JENNIFER DUNN OF CALIFORNIA And it takes other needed steps. OF WASHINGTON IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. Speaker, I visited Sierra Leone last year IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Thursday, May 4, 2000 with Congressman FRANK WOLF. We were Thursday, May 4, 2000 Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, both horrified by the butchery of innocent peo- today I recognize California's Equal Pay Day, ple who had lost their hands, legs, ears and Ms. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, the generous May 11, 2000. This day allows us to fully rec- noses to machete-wielding rebels. Neither of hearts of Americans know no income or class ognize the value of women's skills and signifi- us will ever forget what we saw in the capital's boundaries. Tens of millions of people give cant contributions to the labor force. amputation camp; I am particularly haunted by annually to support charities such as their It has been over 35 years since the pas- one charming toddler who will struggle all her local churches, youth and family organizations, sage of the Equal Pay Act and title VII of the life because one of the rebels chopped off her and medical research programs. It is a testa- Civil Rights Act, but women in America still hand. ``Give us a hand,'' the country's presi- ment to the willingness of families to give back suffer the consequences of inequitable pay dif- dent had said in his election campaign. to the community on which they rely on for so ferentials. Rebels, driven by greed for the nation's tre- much. The Institute for Women's Policy Research mendous diamond wealth and for power, twist- Yet, under current law, only a small portion has reported that, the average 25-year-old ed President Kabbah's campaign slogan of individuals who contribute to charities re- woman will earn $523,000 less than the aver- around, telling their victims as they dis- ceive a tax benefit for their gifts. This is be- age 25-year-old man will over the next 40 membered them, ``go and ask Kabbah for your cause the deduction that is provided for a gift years, if current wage patterns continue. In hand.'' We also were dismayed to learn of the to charity is only available to taxpayers who 1998, women earned 73 cents, to every dollar United States' role in pressing Sierra Leone's itemize on their returns. These filers represent earned by men. This is an overwhelming dif- elected government to sign a peace agree- only 30 percent of all taxpayers. ference of 27 percent less. ment that indemnified the rebels who had Today, along with Senator PAUL COVERDELL, Today, working women constitute a large committed these atrocities. Not only would no I rise to introduce the Neighbor to Neighbor segment of this Nation's work force, and a one be prosecuted for war crimes, the leader Act. This important proposal will extend the vast majority of households are dependent on of the rebels would be put in charge of the na- charitable deduction to non-itemizers and will the wages of working mothers. These women tion's considerable wealthÐwealth he had di- grant them tax relief on the first dollar of their deserve fair and equal pay. Often, working gift. Under the bill, joint filers will receive dol- verted into the coffers of his rebel forces. families are just one paycheck away from eco- No one, save a regional coalition led nobly lar-for-dollar deduction on their donations up nomic hardships. Fair and equal pay for to $1,000 and individuals will receive a deduc- by Nigeria, had come to Sierra Leone's aid in women would go a long way toward strength- any significant way during this war. We sent tion on their donations up to $500. The Neigh- ening the security of families today and en- bor to Neighbor Act will benefit 67 million bandages and food, of course, but our country hancing the prospects of retirement tomorrow. failed to expend the effort needed to stop this charitable givers and will for the first time en- May 11, 2000, will symbolize the day on courage and reward contributions made by all war. We had lots of excusesÐ``we were busy which the wages paid to American women this in Kosovo,'' a country no less middle-class taxpayers. According to the Joint Committee year, when added to their incomes in 1999, on Taxation, this bill will provide $52 billion in than Sierra Leone. Or, ``it was Africa, and we will finally equal the 1999 earnings of Amer- still feel the loss of our men and our prestige tax relief over the next 10 years. Most impor- ican men. tantly, since the overwhelming majority of non- in Somalia.'' It may have been clever political Mr. Speaker, I move that we recognize calculus for our government to figure this itemizers are low- and middle-income Ameri- women for their lasting contributions to the cans, this is genuinely broad-based tax relief. peace agreement was the best Sierra Leone's American work force and urge my colleagues people could get, but the day we made that One important element of charitable giving to continue their work to bring fair and equal decision was a dark one for America's honor. is being able to plan a contribution with the tax pay to all U.S. citizens. Most observers have been awed by Sierra deduction in mind. For most taxpayers who f Leoneans' willingness to accept peace without now receive the deduction, however, this justice. I too was persuaded by the people I REBELS IN SIERRA LEONE means performing an estimate of future tax li- heard there and in this country. Perhaps Si- ability and making contributions accordingly. erra Leoneans knew best that this was their This can be an inefficient and imprecise meth- HON. TONY P. HALL best hope for peace if they could live with this od. OF OHIO shameful agreement, our country should not The Neighbor to Neighbor Act will eliminate IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES stand in their way. the complexities of this current system by al- But now Sierra Leoneans have neither jus- Thursday, May 4, 2000 lowing both itemizers and non-itemizers the tice nor peace. Atrocities against civilians con- ability to contribute to charities through April Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, today I am tinue, with well-documented instances of girls 15th and deduct that contribution from the pre- outraged at the news that rebels in Sierra being kidnaped to serve as sex slaves and do- vious year's taxes. As a result, taxpayers will Leone murdered seven United Nations peace- mestic servants; of villages being attacked and have the ability to contribute after they receive keepers on May 3, and that more than 40 oth- looted; of random murders. U.N. peace- their tax information at the beginning of the ers remain hostages. keeping troops have not been immune from year and can precisely calculate their liability By coincidence, on that same date this the on-going violence: they have been and give back accordingly. House approved the thoughtful legislation pro- stripped of their weaponsÐof armored per- The Neighbor to Neighbor Act acknowl- posed by our colleague, Mr. GEJDENSON. His sonnel carriers, helicopters, and rocket-pro- edges the important role that all Americans bill, which I was honored to co-sponsor, is an pelled grenades, as well as rifles and ammuni- play in building strong communities through investment in Sierra Leone's peace process tion. In fact, the Kenyans who died yesterday private charities. By every measure, these that is overdue and one which, I hope, will were trying to resist rebels' attempt to grab groups are more effective at instilling strong help end the violence there. It funds the effort still more weapons. values in our youth and transforming society other nations have joined to disarm and reha- It is clear to me, Mr. Speaker, that as long from the ground up. I urge my colleagues in bilitate the soldiersÐmany of them young chil- as rebles can continue stealing Sierra Leone's both the House and Senate to support this im- drenÐwho battled each other for eight long natural resourcesÐits diamondsÐthey will portant bill. years until the July 1999 peace agreement. It continue their attacks. Diamonds transformed ∑ 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 27<APR>2000 07:54 May 05, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A04MY8.000 pfrm04 PsN: E04PT1 E634 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Ð Extensions of Remarks May 4, 2000 this band of 400 ruffians into a well-equipped I urge our colleagues to join me today in my children so much better than any federal bu- fighting force 25,000 strong, a force that one outrage, and to join me next week in sup- reaucrat, and they can do a better job of retired Green Beret told me was one of the porting this Sense of the Congress resolution.