April 29, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E709

Representatives FARR, HONDA, LANTOS, ON THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY fected their peace, health, well-being and live- LOFGREN and STARK, I rise to honor California OF THE U.S. NAVY’S DEPARTURE lihood. That achievement is a testament to the State Senator Byron Sher, one of the most FROM VIEQUES, PUERTO RICO resilience and perseverance of the highly respected legislators in California, who, ´ Viequenses and their allies. That resilience after representing San Mateo, Santa Clara HON. ANI´BAL ACEVEDO-VILA and perseverance is now needed to make sure that the lands are fully and promptly and Santa Cruz Counties in the California OF PUERTO RICO cleaned up and decontaminated. The legacy State Legislature for nearly a quarter century, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of contamination and health crisis in Vieques will retire. Senator Sher will be honored on Fri- Thursday, April 29, 2004 must end. day, April 30, 2004 by the Santa Clara County Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA´ . Mr. Speaker, 1 rise The Governor of Puerto Rico, Hon. Sila Democratic Party for his career of extraor- today to commemorate the one-year anniver- Caldero«n, has requested that Vieques—and dinary public service. sary, this Saturday, May 1st, 2004, of the U.S. the island of Culebra—be included in the Na- Byron Sher graduated from Washington Uni- Navy’s departure from the island of Vieques, tional Priorities List under the Superfund law. versity, St. Louis, and earned a law degree Puerto Rico. That request is currently under consideration from Harvard Law School in 1952. He held Puerto Ricans have played a pivotal role in by the Office of Management and Budget. academic teaching positions in law at South- the national defense of the United States. The Once the relevant areas are designated for ern Methodist University, the University of people of Vieques, Puerto Rico, in particular, clean up and decontamination, the necessary bore over 60 years of bombing with everything Southern California, Harvard Law School, funds must be appropriated to make sure that from napalm to depleted uranium. In the Stanford Law School, and was a Fulbright Re- the clean up and decontamination is con- 1940’s, about two-thirds of their land was oc- ducted fully and promptly. Unnecessary delays search Scholar in New Zealand. His elective cupied by the U.S. Navy to make way for a in the clean up process and insufficient fund- public service spans from serving on the Palo bombing range on the eastern part of the is- ing would only exacerbate the health crisis Alto City Council with two terms as Mayor, to land and a weapons depot on the western part suffered by Viequenses. service on the San Francisco Bay Conserva- of the island. Mr. Speaker, as we commemorate the one- tion and Development Commission, the Com- The movement to get the U.S. Navy out of year anniversary of the Navy’s departure from mittee on Environmental Quality for the Na- Vieques was in existence for many years. But the beautiful island of Vieques, we are proud tional League of Cities, and the League of the tragic death of Viequense David Sanes of the victory achieved by the Viequenses and California Cities. Rodrõ«guez on April 19, 1999 as a result of two their allies in a peaceful struggle for peace stray bombs dropped on the Observation Post and justice for the close to 10,000 residents of In November, 1980, Byron Sher was elected in Vieques, contributed to galvanize the move- Vieques. At the same time, we are mindful to the California State Assembly where he ment beyond partisan affiliations and political that the agenda for complete peace and jus- served with distinction as the acknowledged ideologies. That struggle reached its fruition tice in Vieques is still inconclusive. We will leader of environmental policy for over fifteen with the U.S. Navy’s departure from Vieques continue to work towards completing this years. In 1996, he was elected to the Cali- on May 1, 2003. It is important to note that the agenda. I am counting on my colleagues’ sup- fornia State Senate in a special election to Navy has recently indicated that the replace- port in doing so. represent the 11th Senate District which cur- ment training scenario for the Atlantic Fleet is CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, rently spans three counties and stretches from as good if not better than the training con- Washington, DC, March 8, 2001. Hon. GEORGE W. BUSH, San Carlos in the north to the City of Santa ducted on Vieques. This realization is well re- ceived by those who called for the cessation President of the United States of America, The Cruz in the South, and which borders on both of training on Vieques. White House, Washington, DC. San Francisco and Monterey Bays. The victory in Vieques is a victory first and DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: For the last 60 years the U.S. Navy has been conducting military During his tenure in the California State foremost of the Viequenses. Yet it is also a operations in two-thirds of the island of Legislature, Byron Sher expanded his reputa- victory of Puerto Ricans in the Island, in the Vieques, Puerto Rico. From the beginning, tion as the foremost expert on environmental U.S., and of many non-Puerto Rican elected such operations have caused concern because issues. He is the first Chairman of the Senate officials, civic, community, labor and religious of their consequences on the people, the en- Environmental Quality Committee, as well as leaders and activists who participated in the vironment, and the economy. The tragic death on April 19, 1999 of David Sanes- the author of landmark laws to protect our en- struggle, organized marches, rallies, and lob- bying initiatives. Many were arrested for Rodrı´guez, a Vieques resident, during a vironment and serve as legislative models for peaceful civil disobedience in support for training exercise, brought to the forefront of the Puerto Rican national and international the rest of the nation. Among the laws he has peace in Vieques. authored are the California Clean Air Act, the communities the health, environment, and I am proud to say that many of my fellow the violation of human and civil rights of the Integrated Waste Management Act, and the Members of Congress participated in this im- residents of that Island. Safe Drinking Water Act. He has strengthened portant initiative for peace in Vieques. For in- The People of Vieques have a mortality the State’s timber regulations with his Surface stance, on March 8, 2001, 110 Members of rate 40 percent higher than that of Puerto Mining and Reclamation Act and he has been Congress signed a letter to President Bush Rico, a 27 percent higher risk of dying from at the forefront of computer recycling pro- calling for the immediate and permanent ces- cancer, and a 70 percent higher risk of dying sation of military practices in Vieques. from diabetes. At the same time, Vieques’ grams to ensure that the dangerous byprod- natural resources and environment have ucts of the information age, such as mercury, Mr. Speaker, I would like to place the March been seriously damaged by the continuous don’t contaminate our landfills and water sup- 8, 2001, letter from these 110 Members of bombing and shelling, which have left heavy plies. Senator Sher also authored the Nation’s Congress to President Bush into the RECORD toxic metals in the environment. The is- at this time. On behalf of the people of Puerto first law to prevent toxic contamination of land’s economy has also been affected be- Rico, I thank these Members of Congress for cause Vieques has not been able to develop water supplies from leaking underground stor- their support for peace in Vieques, and I urge to its full potential as a direct result of the age tanks. Virtually all his legislation is consid- them and my other colleagues to join me in U.S. Navy’s presence. In sum, the situation ered the gold standard for environmental con- working towards finishing the inconclusive of Vieques has become an issue of health, en- servation and protection laws in our country. vironmental protection, and human and civil agenda for the people of Vieques. The imme- rights. In spite of all of these concerns, the Mr. Speaker, we’re proud to call Byron Sher diate task at hand is ensuring the adequate, U.S. Navy is determined to continue using our friend and our colleague in public service. full and prompt clean up and decontamination Vieques for bombing exercises. This quiet, humble, decent and brilliant man is of the lands and surrounding waters of This issue has transcended political party and ideological lines in Puerto Rico. Leaders a source of great pride to the Democratic Vieques. Although the Navy has left Vieques, much from all sectors of society agree that the Party, to our mutual constituents, to all Califor- remains to be done before the residents of bombing and shelling must end. At the same nians and to our entire Nation. We ask our Vieques have the peace and justice they de- time, in the United States, the Senate of the State of New Jersey, led by. the Republicans, colleagues to join us in honoring and thanking serve. When the Navy left Vieques and trans- Senator Sher for his lifetime of extraordinary approved a resolution, by unanimity, re- ferred the lands on the eastern part of questing the immediate cessation of the service to California and our country. Because Vieques to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service bombings. Governor Donald DiFrancesco (R– of him and his distinguished service, we are a year ago, the people of Vieques finally were NJ), and Governor George Pataki (R–NY) unmistakably a stronger and a better Nation. free of the bombings that so disrupted and af- have also stated their support for this effort.

VerDate jul 14 2003 05:38 Apr 30, 2004 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29AP8.012 E29PT1 E710 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks April 29, 2004 Today, the vast majority of the Puerto (D–PA), James A. Barcia (D–MI), Chaka coma from a backwater log port to become Rican society favors the immediate and per- Fattah (D–PA). the fifth largest container port in North manent cessation of the bombings and f America. shellings. Past Presidents of the United During his 55 years on the waterfront, Phil States, under similar circumstances, have RECOGNIZING THE PASSING OF served as Port of Tacoma commissioner, Pro- ordered the immediate and permanent ces- PHIL LELLI peller Club president, Tacoma Longshore sation of military operations in other loca- pension club president, and University of tions. For instance, in 1975, President Gerald Washington Harry Bridges History Chair Ford, by an Executive Order, terminated the HON. NORMAN D. DICKS trustee. The Propeller Club awarded Philip use of the island of Culebra for military pur- OF WASHINGTON its highest honor, Master Mariner, in 1982. poses. Likewise, President George Bush, on IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The Harry Bridges Chair designated him its October 22, 1990, directed the Secretary of Distinguished Supporter in 2003. Defense to discontinue the use of the island Thursday, April 29, 2004 After Phil and Joanne’s youngest son died of Kaho’olawe for bombing and target prac- Mr. DICKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to rec- in a waterfront accident in 1989, the Pro- tice. ognize the passing of Phil Lelli, a good friend peller Club created the Ross E. Lelli Memo- Your fellow Americans are seriously con- rial Scholarship Fund. cerned about the ailing health, the violation of mine and a great leader of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union from Ta- Phil Lelli learned the meaning of commu- of human and civil rights of the Viequenses, nity service from his father, Martin, who as well as the impact on their environment coma, Washington. taught his son to care for other people, espe- and natural resources. Under the Constitu- Philip M. Lelli was a born longshoreman; he cially the poor. In the 1980s Phil and Father tion of the United States, you have the au- began his career on the Tacoma, Washington William Bischel S.J. organized the Hospi- thority to call for the immediate cessation waterfront in 1949 and retired in 1993. He was tality Kitchen to serve hot lunches to the of the bombing and the shelling that are af- President of the Tacoma Longshore Union Tacoma homeless. Phil rescued a stove from fecting these rights. Therefore, the under- Local 23 from 1966 to 1993, and I recall quite the old Knights of Pythias Temple. signed urge you to order an immediate and Longshore workers trucked the stove to the permanent end of the bombing in Vieques. well the advice and counsel he freely gave to me and to other political leaders throughout Kitchen, took out a wall, installed the stove, Respectfully, and rebuilt the wall. The longshore union Anibal Acevedo Vila´ (D–PR), Luis Gutier- his tenure of Union leadership. Afterward, he continues its support of the Kitchen, which rez (D–IL), Jose Serrano (D–NY), Nydia remained deeply engaged in community affairs serves 450 meals a day. Vela´ zquez (D–NY), Ed Pastor (D–AZ), Ruben in the Puget Sound area, serving as a Port of Visitation will be from 8 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Hinojosa (D–TX), George Miller (D–CA), Saturday, May 1 (International Workers Charles Rangel (D–NY), Edolphus Towns (D– Tacoma Commissioner and the Harry Bridges NY), Patsy Mink (D–HI), Neil Abercrombie History Chair Trustee at the University of Day), followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:00 (D–HI), Bobby Rush (D–IL), Bob Menendez Washington. a.m. at St. Andrews Catholic Church, 1401 (D–NJ), Edward Markey (D–MA), Hilda Solis Today in the House of Representatives, I Valley Ave., Sumner. Rosary services will be (D–CA), Major Owens (D–NY), Mike Honda would like to express my sincere wishes of at 7 p.m. Friday at St. Martin of Tours Church 2303–54th Avenue East, Fife. Grave- (D–CA), Sam Farr (D–CA), Elliot Engel (D– sympathy to the Lelli Family, Mr. Speaker, and NY), Cynthia McKinney (D–GA), Carrie Meek side services will be at Gethsemane Ceme- to extend my thanks and the appreciation of a tery, 37600 Pacific Highway, at noon May 1. (D–FL), Eva Clayton (D–NC), Louis Slaugh- grateful community for the many contributions ter (D–NY), Sheila Jackson Lee (D–TX), Nita The Longshore Union will honor brother Phil Lowey (D–NY), John Larson (D–CT), Juanita that Phil has made. I would also like to include with an open house from 1 to 4 p.m. There is Millender-McDonald (D–CA), Brad Carson in the RECORD the notice that was printed in an online guest book at (D–OK) Mark Udall (D–CO) Tom Udall (D– today’s News Tribune newspaper from Ta- www.mountainviewtacoma.com NM), Grace Napolitano (D–CA), Charlie Gon- coma, Washington. Arrangements are by Mountain View Fu- neral Home, 253–564–0252. In lieu of flowers, zalez (D–TX), Donna Christensen (D–Vl), [From the News Tribune, Apr. 28, 2004] Danny K. Davis (D–IL), Albert Wynn (D–MD), donations may be made in the name of Philip (By Philip Lelli) Xavier Becerra (D–CA), Joe Baca (D–CA), Lelli to the Ross E. Lelli Memorial Scholar- Robert C. Scott (D–VA), Ciro Rodriguez (D– HANGS HIS HOOK ship, PO Box 453, Tacoma, WA 98401, or the TX), Anthony D. Weiner (D–NY), Lucille Longshore leader Philip Martin Lelli was Hospitality Kitchen, 1323 S. Yakima Ave., Roybal-Allard (D–CA), Sanford D. Bishop Jr. born December 4, 1929, in Edgewood and Tacoma, WA 98405. (D–GA), Gregory Meeks (D–NY), Stephanie passed away April 25, 2004, in Puyallup. He f Tubbs Jones (D–OH), Robert Underwood (D– was the son of Martin and Mary (Baller) GU), Rod Blagojevich (D–IL), Sherrod Brown Lelli and attended Fife schools and Pacific REMEMBERING CHERNOBYL (D–OH), Nancy Pelosi (D–CA), Peter DeFazio Lutheran University. He married Joanne (D–OR), Karen McCarthy (D–MO), David Williams April 18, 1953, in Fife. Phil and Jo- HON. MARCY KAPTUR Phelps (D–IL), Nick Rahall (D–WV), Eni anne were the proud parents of five sons: Jay Faleomavaega (D–AS), Bill Pascrell (D–NJ), (Judith E. Peterson), Marty, Dean (Susan), OF OHIO David Bonior (D–MI), Howard Berman (D– Vance (Kimberlie) and Ross, and grand- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CA), Bernard Sanders (I–VT), William Jeffer- parents of Janelle, Jayson A. (Jennifer), Thursday, April 29, 2004 son (D–LA), Dale Kildee (D–MI), Sen. John Paula, Rori, Scott, Mathew, and Marina. Corzine (D–NJ), Betty McCollum (D–MN), There are three great-grandchildren, Mac- Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Jesse L. Jackson Jr. (D–IL), Bob Filner (D– Kenzie, Kailee and Ryan. Also surviving is remember those who lost their lives and those CA), William Lacy Clay (D–MO), Ted Strick- his brother Tom (Phyllis) Lelli. One son, who are suffering the aftereffects of the land (D–OH), Lane Evans (D–IL), Dennis Ross, and a sister, Jeanne Retallick, pre- world’s worst nuclear accident—Chernobyl, Kucinich (D–OH), Robert Brady (D–PA), Jim ceded him. April 26, 1986. McDermott (D–WA), John Olver (D–MA), Phil Lelli was a dominant figure on the Ta- The suffering extends outside Ukraine’s bor- Lois Capps (D–CA), Lynn Woolsey (D–CA), coma waterfront from the moment he lifted Barbara Lee (D–CA), Sen. Charles Schumer his first 180–pound sack of wheat in 1949 until ders to Russia, Belarus and beyond. I ask my (D–NY), Sen. Hillary Clinton (D–NY), Alcee he retired as a gearman in 1993. He was a colleagues to take a moment to honor those L. Hastings (D–FL), Melvin Watt (D–NC), born longshoreman: a practical physicist innocent lives that will be forever changed by Bennie Thompson (D–MS), Jerrold Nadler who could come up with the most effective such a horrific event. (D–NY), James E. Clyburn (D–SC), James method of moving any size or weight of I applaud the efforts of the United States McGovern (D–MA), Lloyd Doggett (D–TX), cargo; a leader of men in times of great tech- Department of Energy, the International Atom- John Conyers Jr. (D–MI), Martin Meehan (D– nological change; and a stalwart ally who ic Energy Association, and other donor nations MA), Elijah Cummings (D–MD), Barney won hundreds of friends in ports all over the in remediation and containment efforts in Frank (D–MA), Jerry F. Costello (D–IL), world. Diana DeGette (D–CO), Carolyn McCarthy His mentor was T. A. ‘‘Tiny’’ Thronson, a Ukraine. Estimates indicate that these projects (D–NY), Michael McNutty (D–NY), Joseph veteran of the Great Strike of 1934. may last at least 100 years. Our commitment Crowley (D–NY), Gene Green (D–TX), Caro- Thronson’s advice, ‘‘Do a hard day’s work must remain firm. lyn Maloney (D–NY), Earl Hilliard (D–AL), and you’ll get rewarded with more oppor- I am including for the RECORD an article Maxine Waters (D–CA), James Oberstar (D– tunity,’’ was Phil’s guiding principle as highlighting some of the challenges ahead and MN), Janice Shakowsky (D–IL), Nick President of Tacoma Longshore Union 23 devastation many have already faced. Lampson (D–TX), Bill Delahunt (D–MA), El- from 1966 until 1983. He never abandoned his [From CBS News, Apr. 26, 2004] eanor Holmes Norton (D–DC), William Lipin- belief that port-union cooperation would re- ski (D–IL), Tammy Baldwin (D–WI), Thomas sult in a Golden Age. He teamed with Port REMEMBERING CHERNOBYL Allen (D–ME), Carolyn Kilpatrick (D–MI), Executive Director E. L. Roy Perry, Union Across the former Soviet Union, people lit Maurice Hinchey (D–NY), John LaFace (D– Business Agent George Ginnis, and Port candles, laid flowers and held demonstra- NY), Lynn Rivers (D–MI), Robert A. Borski Commissioner Robert Earley to raise Ta- tions Monday to mark the 18th anniversary

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