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February 1, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Ð Extensions of Remarks E 123 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS A SALUTE TO BLACK HISTORY tems on its list are rated in the academic top Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me MONTH 20 percent of all systems. Money also scored in congratulating the Autism Society of Amer- its ``Top 100'' in the context of housing afford- ica for its 30 years of service and in sharing HON. CHARLES E. SCHUMER ability. In other words, Money combined high in their celebration of National Autism Aware- OF NEW YORK scholastic standards with community live- ness Month. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES abilityÐand Livermore was one of the top 100 f Wednesday, January 31, 1996 school systems out of 16,665 systems in the Nation to meet this stringent test. TIME TO CLARIFY THE ROLE OF Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. Speaker, I urge my col- It is an honor for me to recognize the par- CHURCHES IN THE POLITICAL leagues to join me this February in celebrating ents, teachers, administrators, and students of SPHERE Black History Month. I would like to take a mo- the Livermore public school system for achiev- ment to reflect on the courageous leadership ing this exceptional honor. I am proud to rep- HON. PHILIP M. CRANE and civic duty that has shaped the commu- resent this remarkable group of people in Con- OF ILLINOIS nities of New York throughout this decade. As gress, and appreciate all they have done to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES we approach a new century, New Yorkers of make their schools and community the won- Wednesday, January 31, 1996 all ethnic backgrounds will face a new set of derful places they are. economic, social, and political challenges. If f Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, today I am intro- we stop and recognize the perseverance of ducing legislation along with my colleague African-Americans in times of change, their AUTISM SOCIETY OF AMERICA from New York, CHARLIE RANGEL, which will record of commitment to the pursuit of pros- CELEBRATES NATIONAL AUTISM allow churches to carry on a minimal degree perity, integrity, and opportunity for their fami- AWARENESS MONTH of grassroots lobbying and campaign activity lies and friends speaks for itself. without jeopardizing their tax exempt status. The tireless work of community and reli- HON. RICHARD A. GEPHARDT The proposal can best be described in two gious leaders in guiding African-American OF MISSOURI parts, with the first part focusing on the grass- communities have done much to improve the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES roots lobbying activity of churches. Section quality of life in our city. I am proud to honor 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code states this important occasion where African-Ameri- Wednesday, January 31, 1996 that ``no substantial part of [church] activities cans join hands to acknowledge their accom- Mr. GEPHARDT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today [can] consist of carrying on propaganda or plishments and their unique contributions to to join the Autism Society of America [ASA] in otherwise attempting to influence legislation.'' our society and the world. recognition of January as National Autism While this language clearly suggests that The level of civic participation in today's cul- Awareness Month. some such activity is acceptable, churches ture is depressingly low among average Amer- This has been a year of progress and have had a hard time determining just exactly ican citizens. However, I am always inspired achievement for the ASA. Last spring, in re- what level will pass muster with the Internal by the surge of community spirit and leader- sponse to a request from Congress, the Na- Revenue Service. Because of the verbiage ship from African-Americans in New York. Our tional Institutes of Health [NIH] held an Autism ``no substantial part,'' and varying court inter- society would be a better place if more Ameri- State-of-the-Science Conference. The con- pretations as to just exactly what ``substantial'' cans emulated the civic duty and moral ference brought researchers, clinicians and means, churches are very shy about engaging strength of their African-American counter- parents together in an effort to evaluate exist- in any lobbying activity on issues at all be- parts. I hope that Black History Month is rec- ing science and identify new areas for re- cause of the fear that they could lose their tax ognized and honored by citizens of all back- search. exempt status. In an effort to give churches a grounds. I honor the work and vision of my Af- The conference highlighted the fact that au- better idea of just exactly how much in the rican-American colleagues in Congress and tism affects some 400,000 Americans. While way of resources they can devote to grass throughout New York. May our city continue to the exact cause of autism is still unknown, roots lobbying, we have drafted a proposal be blessed with their leadership. conference participants agreed that, at least which would give churches and the IRS a f for some individuals with autism, there ap- bright line test. HONORING LIVERMORE PUBLIC pears to be a genetic linkÐone that could very Working with legislative counsel, we have SCHOOLS probably be identified with the work being con- crafted a proposal which allows churches to ducted by the NIH National Center for Human continue to maintain their tax exempt status as Genome Research. long as they do not make lobbying expendi- HON. BILL BAKER Undoubtedly the most important outcome of tures in a taxable year ``in excess of an OF CALIFORNIA the conference was the conclusion that more amount equal to 20 percent of such organiza- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES research is desperately needed. Autism is a tion's gross revenue for such year.'' This ``20 Wednesday, January 31, 1996 lifelong disability. Its social, emotional, and fi- percent rule'' for lobbying activity parallels an- Mr. BAKER of California. Mr. Speaker, nancial costs are staggering, ranging from other provision in the Code for nonprofits Money Magazine is generally recognized as $30,000 to $100,000 per year per personÐ (501(h)). one of the most reliable financial guides in the millions of dollars for each individual over the The second part of the proposal addresses country. That's why, when Money recognized course of a normal lifespan. These numbers church involvement in actual campaign activ- the public schools in Livermore, CA as among speak to the need for more research on the ity. The Code currently states that churches the ``100 Top Schools in Towns You Can Af- possible causes of autism as well as medical, cannot engage in ``any political campaign on ford,'' America took notice. social, and behavioral interventions. behalf ofÐor in opposition toÐany candidate Livermore is a lovely community situated The ASA was the major force behind this for public office.'' In other words, a church is amid rolling hills and farmland in central Cali- conference. Backed by the strength and prohibited from campaigning for or against a fornia's east bay region. Home of the Law- knowledge of its 18,000 parent members, the specific candidate. rence Livermore National Laboratory, Liver- ASA has been the primary source of informa- The current language begs some questions. more is committed to the community values tion and referral on autism and the largest col- Is allowing a candidate to come into a church that make for a high quality of life. It is not lective voice representing the autism commu- to speak from the pulpit or allowing a meeting surprising to me that its school system would nity. Founded over three decades ago, its of a candidate's volunteers in the church be cited for excellence. members are now connected through a volun- basement really something we want to pro- Money set demanding criteria as the basis teer network of over 220 chapters in 48 hibit? Shouldn't a certain minimal degree of of its selections. Money said the school sys- States. activity be acceptable? Without getting into a · 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. E 124 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Ð Extensions of Remarks February 1, 1996 lengthy debate on the subject of separation of A healthy shuttle program is fundamental to January 17, 1996 into the CONGRESSIONAL church and state, I do need to make some ob- construction of the international space sta- RECORD: servations on that matter at this juncture. As tionÐstarting in late 1997, which will be the TELEVISION VIOLENCE a Ph.D. in American History, I have taken basis of further human exploration of Mars Most of us have seen something offensive great pains to study our Constitution and the and beyond. NASA plans to launch 26 shuttle on televisionÐportrayals of casual sex, talk writings of the Founding Fathers. There is no flights between 1997 and 2002 to help assem- shows which glorify all the wrong values, or question in my mind that the so-called wall ble this station. Additionally, a preliminary plan graphic violence. Adults can, and often do, erected to separate church and state was designed by NASA and the Russian Space turn off the set in disgust; but these images erected to prevent the state from interfering Agency envisions using the space shuttle to can be both powerful and confusing to chil- deliver Russian hardware to resupply the orbit- dren. While many parents try to closely with the activities of the churchÐnot to pre- monitor what their children watch, in this vent the church from being involved in the ac- ing Mir station.

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