Congressional Record—Senate S11473
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October 18, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S11473 with OMB regarding the increased those who have been affected by the LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT threshold. Through negotiations during tragedy in the Gulf States. By no ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2005 the critical early hours following the means should my support of this legis- Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise passage of the micropurchase increase, lation be seen as reducing the need to today to speak about the need for hate OMB agreed to issue guidance which pass S. 1716 however; it just makes crimes legislation. Each Congress, Sen- sense for this body to move quickly in provided a temporary limit on who ator KENNEDY and I introduce hate could utilize the new limits. This guid- closing this potential loophole for crimes legislation that would add new ance helped to prevent undocumented fraud, waste, and abuse. categories to current hate crimes law, I urge all my colleagues to join me in spending and potential abuse; however, sending a signal that violence of any supporting quick passage of both S. it only served as a temporary stop-gap kind is unacceptable in our society. 1716 and the legislation offered by Sen- measure. Likewise, each Congress I have come to ators COLLINS and LIEBERMAN, to help On September 15, I introduced legis- the floor to highlight a separate hate lation on this topic. The bill intro- prevent relief dollars from being lost to fraud, waste, and abuse and provide the crime that has occurred in our coun- duced, S. 1716—the Emergency Health try. Care Relief Act of 2005—contained a much needed health care to the region devastated by Hurricane Katrina. On April 27, 1998, Stephen Goedereis, provision that would roll back the in- was killed by two teens near his home creased micropurchase thresholds to a f in Miami, FL. Goedereis was walking responsible level while maintaining HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH down the street, when he com- flexibility for those providing relief in Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I plimented one of the two teens. The the impacted Gulf States. I included teens then beat Goedereis, who subse- this provision in the bill I introduced am pleased to rise today to commemo- rate Hispanic Heritage Month. I was quently died 2 days later in the local because of my experience in fighting hospital. The teens were convicted of fraud, waste, and abuse that has oc- proud to support, along with my Sen- ate colleagues, a resolution recognizing second degree murder and robbery, curred as a result of Government credit Hispanic Heritage Month and cele- both of which were classified as hate cards. crimes. I believe that the Govern- Unfortunately, S. 1716 has been held brating the vast contributions that ment’s first duty is to defend its citi- up in this body for too long, preventing Hispanic Americans have made to the zens, to defend them against the harms legislation from fixing this potential strength and culture of our Nation. I would like to take a moment now that come out of hate. The Local Law giveaway and delaying health care to to honor the contributions of the Enforcement Enhancement Act is a those most desperately in need. Latino community in the great State symbol that can become substance. I I was pleased to hear that Senators of New Jersey. New Jersey’s 1.3 million believe that by passing this legislation DORGAN and WYDEN have voiced their Hispanic Americans are an integral and and changing current law, we can concerns by recently introducing legis- vital part of our State, contributing to change hearts and minds as well. lation on this matter. I am also pleased every aspect of life, from business to that legislation which was introduced f culture. Hispanic or Latino Americans by Senators COLLINS and LIEBERMAN on represent nearly 15 percent of the popu- LIBERIA’S ELECTIONS this matter was recently reported out lation of my State. They are the larg- of Committee in a favorable voice vote. Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I est and fastest-growing minority group commend the Liberian people on their Both of these bills represent what I be- in the Nation and in New Jersey. lieve is the sense of Congress, that this recent Presidential and parliamentary As the son of immigrants who came elections. News reports of people camp- increased limit must be reduced statu- to this country for the opportunities it torily. ing outside polling areas to vote, offers, I am proud of the way our strong voter turnout, and a free and On October 3, OMB revised its guid- Latino neighbors have worked to make fair democratic process in Liberia are ance for micropurchases, reducing the a better life for themselves and for inspiring. Following a 14-year-long increased limits from $250,000 to $2,500, their children. the same correction sought in the dif- New Jersey is home to more than civil war and the regime of former Li- ferent legislation introduced by Sen- 50,000 Latino-owned businesses, ranging berian leader Charles Taylor, who fled ators COLLINS and LIEBERMAN and the from big corporations like Goya Foods, in exile in August 2003, the war-tired subsequent legislation by Senators which is based in Secaucus, to small people of Liberia deserve our support DORGAN and WYDEN. I applaud OMB for mom-and-pop bodegas. Through their as they work to bring about a legiti- stepping forward and taking corrective energy and talent, these Hispanic busi- mate, representative government in action; however, I remain concerned nesses in New Jersey generate more that country. that this limit could be changed by than $9 billion in economic activity However, Liberia’s elections are not OMB at any time as the increased limit and support 167,000 jobs. the silver bullet for stability. There re- still remains in the law. Latinos contribute to our economy, mains much work to be done to build Fortunately, OMB has listened to my to our culture, and also to our public long-term stability in this country, recommendations and recognized the life. Hispanic Americans serve our Na- and the U.S. has a meaningful role to need to rescind this provision and is tion and the State of New Jersey at all play. We must remain engaged in Libe- now supporting efforts to provide a leg- levels of government—as mayors and ria to help rebuild and strengthen in- islative fix. I have learned from OMB municipal council members, county stitutions. The legitimacy of govern- that all agencies within the Govern- freeholders, and in countless elected ment is contingent upon the public’s ment have agreed that the higher limit and appointed capacities throughout confidence, and lasting stability de- is unnecessary and also support reduc- the State. Seven members of the pends on such steps as rooting out cor- ing the increased limit. State’s current General Assembly are ruption and providing transparency in The micropurchase threshold in- of Hispanic descent, as well as a mem- government. The Liberian people de- crease needs to be repealed perma- ber of our Congressional delegation, serve our unflagging support in those nently by Congress and not merely cor- Congressman ROBERT MENENDEZ. In endeavors. Too much is at stake to rected through regulatory guidance. As 2004, Justice Roberto Rivera-Soto be- turn our back and allow Liberia to re- this body continues to hold up action came the first Hispanic American to gress into a state that houses a corrupt on S. 1716, the best option for quick and serve on New Jersey’s Supreme Court. and abusive government and further decisive action to reduce this increased And just this year, New Jersey’s first destabilizes West Africa. credit limit is to support the legisla- Latino county prosecutor was ap- In looking forward, Liberians must tion introduced by Senators COLLINS pointed. also reconcile with the past. Years of and LIEBERMAN which was recently I am honored today to recognize the horrible violence and conflict and the voted out by the Committee on Home- efforts and contributions of New Jer- drastic decline of humanitarian condi- land Security and Government Affairs. sey’s Hispanic Americans and I thank tions in the country under the regime S. 1716 remains an important piece of my colleagues for supporting this im- of Charles Taylor need resolution. We legislation providing health care for portant resolution. also know now that Charles Taylor’s VerDate Aug 31 2005 06:23 Dec 28, 2006 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORDCX\T37X$J0E\S18OC5.REC S18OC5 hmoore on PROD1PC68 with CONG-REC-ONLINE S11474 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE October 18, 2005 desire for power and wealth extended develop skills that contributed to his Mr. Roth served in the U.S. Army and beyond the borders of Liberia. I firmly success while serving on the bench. He was initially assigned to the Armored believe that Charles Taylor is a war was a partner in the successful law Cavalry Unit at Fort Riley, KS. He at- criminal, and I maintain that he firm of Jewell, Kelly, and Kitson. After tended Officers Candidate School, was should stand trial before the Special graduating from the University of New commissioned as a lieutenant, and Court for Sierra Leone. The U.S. and Mexico School of Law in 1979, Judge served with an ordnance unit in the the international community have a Jewell went to work as a staff attorney European Theater. After the war he re- responsibility to ensure that the circle with the Legal Aid Society, which pro- turned to Waterloo, and took over own- of violence and impunity in Liberia vides essential legal services to the ership of Roth Jewelers from his fa- does not continue in its nascent gov- poor.