May 15, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E955 of Italy,’’ opened the first DiCicco’s Restaurant if this amendment were to have been adopted, During its first decade, the Fire Department in Fresno. The brothers were famous for their DoD policy would still prohibit military doctors built 10 new fire stations situated throughout sing-alongs with Italian songs played on the from performing abortions in those countries the county. In the years following World War jukebox in their restaurant. Eventually, they where abortion is restricted or not permitted. II the department instituted a building program would be accompanied by their younger broth- Also, in most overseas locations where legal to modernize some stations, adopted the er, Paul, and would cook into the stomachs abortions are not available, military bene- County Civil Service Retirement Plan and ap- and sing into the hearts of the people of Fres- ficiaries have the option of using space-avail- pointed the first battalion chiefs. no. In 1958, Nicola returned to Italy to marry able travel to return to the U.S. or travel to an- In the 1950s and 1960s, firefighting meth- his wonderful wife, Anna Vitucci. Ten years other overseas location for the purpose of ob- ods were updated, and the latest protective later, the DiCicco family opened their second taining an abortion just as do other service equipment, tools and fire engines were ob- restaurant in Fresno and then expanded to personnel and their family members who de- tained. In the 1970s, a central Dispatch Com- nearby Clovis. sire other elective procedures. munications Center was established and the DiCicco family members now operate 18 This amendment would also go against the Ventura County Public Safety Aviation Unit restaurants in Fresno, Clovis, Madera, Santa DoD’s official position on this policy. The De- was formed. A hazmat trailer and suburban Clara, Sacramento, Hanford, Visalia and one partment opposes changing the policy for a command modules for battalion chiefs were in Colorado. In addition, the family has spun number of reasons. First, it would involve the added in the 1980s. off several other well-known local restaurants, military in performing abortions for family plan- The 1990s were a buzz of activity: The De- including Vitucci’s, Fratelli’s, LaRocca’s, ning purposes. Also, a change is not needed partment’s computerized Incident Reporting Ovidio’s, and Giulia’s. Mr. DiCicco is survived and is not considered to be necessary to pro- System was developed and implemented, the by his wife of 44 years, Anna; his mother, tect the health of women in or affiliated with communication center was designed and cen- Maria DiCicco; his sons: Pasquale, Giuliano, the armed forces overseas. Lastly, this change tralized, and a state-of-the-art Training Center Vittorio, and Enrico; four sisters: Lucia would create an assumption that practitioners and new fire stations were built. Santeufemia, Josephine LaRocca, Giulia adequately familiar with and willing to perform But the best equipment is useless without Paolilli, and Rosaria Defendis; three brothers: abortion services are available in overseas highly trained and qualified fire fighters who Paul, Frank, and Roberto; and seven Grand- military facilities, which may not be true. put their lives on the line time and again to children. This amendment not only violates the spirit protect the residents of Ventura County. The Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize of the Hyde amendment, which prohibits fed- Ventura County Fire Department currently em- Nicola DiCicco for the contribution of his many eral funding of abortions, but it also would en- ploys 549 professional and dedicated men and restaurants, for sharing the great cuisine of courage a very dangerous precedent of pro- women, 417 of whom are in uniform. To- Italy with the community, and for the warm at- viding federal funds for elective procedures. gether, they protect 865 square miles and mosphere which he and his family have pro- The non-elective exemptions for abortions in more than 450,000 people in Ventura County. vided in their restaurants for numerous years. cases of rape, incest or when the life of the But their dedication does not stop at Ven- I invite my colleagues to join me in recog- mother is at risk are already in place and no tura County’s borders. In the aftermath of Sep- nizing Nicola, and in wishing his family many further expansion is needed. Consequently, tember 11, 2001, a number of Ventura County years of continued success. the use of tax-payer dollars for an elective firefighters volunteered to go to New York City procedure will only lead to a slippery slope of f to help with recovery efforts. They have joined fiscal irresponsibility and soaring healthcare their colleagues from other jurisdictions to bat- NO ABORTIONS ON OVERSEAS costs. tle wildfires across the United States again MILITARY BASES The House has defeated this amendment and again. every year since 1996, and we defeated it Mr. Speaker, I know many of Ventura Coun- HON. W. TODD AKIN again last evening in the Armed Services ty’s firefighters and I can personally attest to Committee. We have done so for the sound OF MISSOURI their bravery, their professionalism, and their reasons I mentioned above, and I applaud my IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES dedication to protecting the lives and property HASC colleagues for their good judgment and Wednesday, May 14, 2003 of their neighbors. I know my colleagues will unwillingness to diminish the sanctity of life at join me in congratulating the Ventura County Mr. AKIN. Mr. Speaker, yesterday in the the nation’s overseas military bases. Fire Department on its 75th anniversary and in House Armed Services Committee (HASC) the f thanking its brave men and women for a job majority of my colleagues and I rejected a pro- IN HONOR OF THE 75TH ANNIVER- well done. posal by one of the Committee’s members to SARY OF THE VENTURA COUNTY f permit abortions on military bases overseas. FIRE DEPARTMENT This proposal would have turned our over- IN HONOR OF DR. AND MRS. seas military bases into abortion clinics. This JOHN W. PACE would not only be wrong, but would also be a HON. ELTON GALLEGLY prime example of wasteful spending for polit- OF CALIFORNIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. DAVID SCOTT ical gain. OF GEORGIA Wednesday, May 14, 2003 The proposed amendment to the Armed IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Services authorization bill would have Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay Wednesday, May 14, 2003 changed a Department of Defense (DoD) pol- tribute to the brave men and women who, dur- icy that has been in place since 1996, and be- ing the past 75 years, have dedicated their Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, Dr. fore that, from 1988 to 1993, which prohibits lives to the service of others as members of John W. Pace faithfully serves as Pastor of using DoD funds for abortions, except when the Ventura County Fire Department. Red Oak United Methodist Church in Stock- necessary to save the life of the mother or in The Ventura County Fire Department has bridge, Georgia. Pastor Pace, affectionately cases of rape or incest. changed dramatically since May 11, 1928, known as ‘‘Big Daddy’’, is a native of the state The amendment follows the same flawed when 277 voters went to the polls and 230 Georgia. He is married to the lovely First logic as President Clinton’s executive order voted to form the department. Ventura County Lady, Reba Pace. They have eight children, which overturned this policy in 1993 and al- then was mostly rural and populated by ranch- eleven grandchildren and one great-grand- lowed abortions to take place at military med- ers and farmers. Wildfires were the primary child. Pastor Pace has one brother who is also ical facilities. During the years that the execu- concern. In 1928 the county experienced six a minister/pastor. tive order was in place, the DoD was not only house fires, but 2,820 acres of wildlands Dr. Pace and First Lady Pace came to Red unsuccessful in identifying obstetricians and burned. The Fire Department’s budget was Oak U.M.C. in 1989 from Golden United Meth- gynecologists stationed overseas who would $20,000. Its first equipment was a Ford truck odist Church in Douglasville, GA. Upon their perform abortions, but the number of abortions equipped with a portable pump and 1,000 feet arrival, they were truly united in God’s mission actually provided during those years was very of hose. and as a result of much hard work, many small. The county has been blessed through the prayers and many sacrifices made under his Some of my colleagues argue for this years by attracting visionary Fire Chiefs, from fine leadership, the ‘‘New’’ Red Oak was built amendment based on a perceived ‘‘necessity’’ Walter Emerick in 1928 to Bob Roper today. along with the Christian Life Center. for safe abortions at overseas military bases. Together they built a fire department worthy of Certainly, Red Oak U.M.C. has served all However, this ‘‘necessity’’ does not exist. Even envy. congregation members and many others

VerDate Jan 31 2003 05:36 May 16, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A14MY8.033 E15PT1 E956 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 15, 2003 under the leadership of its pastor Dr. Pace upon which they were elected to pursue. As it cinating history. But, I do want to point out and his lovely wife. They continue to work dili- is, the only members now hard at work on that several factors and historical truths gently as they serve others. I commend them substantive budgetary matters are the Demo- continue to influence cross-strait relations today and will likely shape them in the fu- at this celebration of their over 14 years of crats working out of Oklahoma trying to per- ture. service to Red Oak United Methodist Church, suade the national republican leadership to First, Taiwan is situated on China’s stra- and I encourage congregation members and pull the redistricting bill so they can proceed. tegic periphery at the very nexus of inter- friends to join in their appreciation celebration The legislators are fighting for open partici- national trade routes that crisscross East as Dr. and Mrs. Pace continue in their mis- pation in government and redistricting, which Asia. The Taiwan Strait, which is as narrow sion. is precisely the vision our forefathers had as 90 nautical miles in some places, is the only geophysical feature separating Taiwan f when they founded this country. I commend the political courage of the legis- from the Chinese mainland. REGARDING LEGISLATIVE WALK- Second, the vast majority of people on Tai- lators who staked their careers on the prin- wan are Han Chinese whose ancestors arrived OUT (TEXAS STATE HOUSE OF ciple of democratic process and one person- REPRESENTATIVES) MAY 14, 2003 in Taiwan at different times over the course one vote. of the last four centuries. They share many f ancestral, historic, cultural and linguistic HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ ties with the people across the strait CROSS-STRAIT RELATIONS: PAST, OF TEXAS Third, owing to their geographical prox- PRESENT, FUTURE imity and cultural affinity, economic ex- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES changes between Taiwan and the Chinese Wednesday, May 14, 2003 mainland have been nearly unavoidable and HON. STEVE CHABOT usually beneficial to both sides. Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker I rise to commend OF OHIO Fourth, owing to that fact that Taiwan the Texas Legislators who staked their political IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and the Chinese mainland were united for careers on demanding the legislature cease Wednesday, May 14, 2003 less than five years in the 20th century and work on a national Republican Party map that the fact that the PRC regime on the main- would override voters’ choices in Congress, Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, C.J. (Chien-Jen) land has never ruled Taiwan even for a single re-mapping the state by congressional district Chen, Taiwan’s ambassador to the United day, distinct political, economic, and social just one year after a federal court did the job States, in an address to the Foreign Policy systems have developed on each side. for them. Research Institute in Philadelphia earlier this Fifth, the long separation has also pro- duced on either side of the Taiwan Strait dif- Redistricting is a serious constitutional mat- year, spoke on the important issue of ‘‘Cross- Strait Relations: Past, Present, Future.’’ I know ferent values, perspectives, visions, and even ter; it is not a childish ‘‘do-over’’ when it does identities. not meet your partisan whims. I appreciate the my colleagues will be interested in reading the Sixth, cross-strait relations are dynamic, leadership of Jim Solis (D-Brownsville), Rene ambassador’s abridged remarks, which I in- fluid, malleable. Taiwan’s relationship to the Oliveira (D-Brownsville), Jaime Capelo (D-Cor- clude in the RECORD: Chinese mainland has changed a number of pus Christi), and Juan Escobar (D-Kingsville) REMARKS BY REPRESENTATIVE C.J. (CHIEN- times in the past, is not static at present, and thank them for their unique patriotism. JEN) CHEN AT THE FOREIGN POLICY RE- and will likely evolve in the future. It is our SEARCH INSTITUTE—JANUARY 16, 2003 hope that the relationship will change for They are doing a very hard thing and the good the better. people of South Texas appreciate their posi- I know that the most pressing inter- II. THE PRESENT tion. national issues at the moment involve Iraq and North Korea and that, in contrast, cross- In a democracy, voters should choose their That certainly was the motivation of our strait relations appear to be quite tranquil. government, which, in 1987, sensed that the representatives; representatives should never But, I am also sure that you know cross- time had come to break the impasse between choose voters. Drawing congressional district strait relations are highly sensitive. Both the two sides of the Taiwan Strait by allow- lines is an exercise that is mandated once a now and for the foreseeable future, cross- ing veterans on Taiwan to visit their rel- decade by our constitution. We did this last strait relations directly affect not only Tai- atives on the Chinese mainland. In the years year; a federal court drew new lines for Con- wan but also U.S. interests in the Western following, private exchanges (i.e., travel, gressional districts, and each member of this Pacific and peace and security in the entire mail, phone calls) between the people on body from Texas ran in those districts and region. So, this is a topic that merits further both sides have grown enormously as have discussion. won elections. To redistrict again, one year indirect trade and investment. Along the Of course, to understand where cross-strait way, our government unilaterally declared later, is unconscionable. relations stand at present and to see where the end of hostilities against the Chinese These members of the Texas State Legisla- they might stand in the future, one must mainland (1991) and amended ROC laws to ture have done an incredibly courageous thing know something about the historical back- recognize that, at present, our jurisdiction by leaving the state to force the House Re- ground of Taiwan’s relationship vis-a-vis the covers the Taiwan area only. Just as signifi- publicans to abandon their plans to gerry- Chinese mainland. cantly, both sides of the Taiwan Strait set mander the state of Texas’ in Washington’s I. THE PAST up liaison agencies to discuss practical Republican-driven redistricting effort. This ef- Over the course of the last four centuries, issues arising from the various forms of fort is part of a national effort across the coun- Taiwan has been transformed from a ne- interaction across the Taiwan Strait. glected backwater and unsettled frontier Now let us take a look at current develop- try, with Colorado also being a target of na- ments—both positive and negative—in the tional meddling in the business of State Legis- into a prosperous modern democracy of 23 million people. During this time, control relationship. latures. over the island has passed through the hands Positive I commend these legislators, particularly my of a succession of masters: indigenous tribes, To give you a sense of the scope of that South Texas friends, who have the commit- Dutch colonizers, Han Chinese pioneers, interaction, allow me to cite a few statistics. ment and bravery to take the politically dan- Manchu officials, Japanese imperialists . . . In addition to exchanging millions of phone gerous position of leaving the state Capitol in In 1945, the island reverted to Chinese con- calls and letters with people on the main- the midst of the session, a highly extraordinary trol under the Republic of China govern- land, residents of Taiwan have, over the last move borne of a highly extraordinary national ment. But just four years later, in a tragic 16 years, made nearly 27 million trips there, political grab. By denying the quorum, they are twist of fate, China itself was divided by a including more than 3 million trips in 2002. Civil War into two parts: the free and cap- protecting the rights guaranteed to Texans in And during these trips to the mainland, they italistic ROC on Taiwan and the tightly con- have spent roughly 30 billion U.S. dollars. At the Constitution. trolled and authoritarian People’s Republic the same time, thanks to the gradual relax- These legislators are being criticized for of China on the Chinese mainland. Through- ation of our policy regarding visits from the their actions, yet it is the national Republican out the Cold War, the two sides faced each people of the mainland, they have been able leadership that put these events in motion and other across the narrow Taiwan Strait in a to make 817,000 short trips to Taiwan in the they are the ones who can end it so Texans tense confrontation marked by enmity, ran- last few years. can get back to the urgent business of bal- cor, and distrust. For the past 16 years, my Bilateral trade has surpassed 272 billion ancing our budget, reforming insurance rates, government has been working to break the U.S. dollars since 1987. In just the first nine re-financing education reform, and economic impasse and facilitate reconciliation with months of 2002, two-way trade between Tai- the other side. In some respects, we have wan and the mainland rose 26 percent over development around the state. made much progress. In others, we have met the same period the year before to 25 billion Were it not for high-level, unapologetic tin- with disappointment. dollars. kering in the state’s business, the state legis- For the sake of brevity, I will not delve The number of Taiwan-based businessmen lators would now be working on the issues into all the twists and turns of Taiwan’s fas- investing in mainland China has also risen

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