H3822 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 25, 1996 Thompson Visclosky Wolf STATE ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD bear true faith and allegiance to the Torkildsen Volkmer Yates OF ELECTION LAWS, same; that you take this obligation Velazquez Waters Zimmer Annapolis, MD, April 17, 1996. Vento Weller freely, without any mental reservation Ms. Robin H. Carle, or purpose of evasion, and that you will ANSWERED ‘‘PRESENT’’—1 Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives, well and faithfully discharge the duties Harman Washington, DC. DEAR MS. CARLE: Pursuant to your request of the office on which you are about to NOT VOTING—37 I am faxing to you the unofficial election re- enter. So help you God. Brown (CA) Kennedy (RI) Roth sults of the 1996 Special Election held on The SPEAKER. Congratulations. You Brown (FL) Largent Saxton April 16, 1996 in the Seventh Congressional are now a Member of the U.S. House of Chapman LaTourette Schroeder District to fill the vacancy created by the Representatives. Coleman Lincoln Slaughter resignation of Congressman Kweisi Mfume. Collins (IL) Livingston Smith (NJ) f Collins (MI) Manton Stockman Should you need additional information Crane McCrery Taylor (MS) please contact this office. WELCOMING THE HONORABLE ELI- Diaz-Balart McDade Torres Sincerely, JAH E. CUMMINGS TO THE Ewing Menendez Whitfield JULIAN R. MANELLI, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Foglietta Obey Wilson Deputy Administrator. Frank (MA) Peterson (MN) Young (AK) (Mr. HOYER asked and was given DEMOCRATIC PARTY Gunderson Pombo permission to address the House for 1 Johnson, Sam Rangel (D) Elijah E. Cummings, 2014 Madison Ave- minute and to revise and extend his re- nue, Baltimore, MD 21217, Baltimore City. b 1025 (WI) Barry Patrick Farley, 429 West 23rd marks.) Mr. HILLIARD changed his vote from Street, Baltimore, MD 21211, Baltimore City. Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, it is my ‘‘yea’’ to ‘‘nay.’’ great honor and privilege, on behalf of Counties Cummings Farley Ms. HARMAN changed her vote from all of my colleagues in the Maryland ‘‘yea’’ to ‘‘present.’’ Baltimore City ...... 13,942 0 delegation, to first welcome two of Baltimore County ...... 3,970 24 So the Journal was approved. America’s most outstanding leaders The result of the vote was announced Total ...... 17,912 24 who have represented the Seventh Con- Percent of total votes ...... 99 1 as above recorded. gressional District which the gen- tleman from Maryland [Mr. CUMMINGS] f REPUBLICAN PARTY now represents. (R) Kenneth Kondner, 6610 Windsor Mill PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE They are our friends, they were our Road, Baltimore, MD 21207, Baltimore Coun- colleagues, they are great Americans: The SPEAKER. Will the gentleman ty. The Honorable Parren Mitchell, our from Maryland [Mr. WYNN] come for- Counties Kondner former colleague; and another example ward and lead the House in the Pledge of the extraordinary quality that the of Allegiance. Baltimore City ...... 1,061 Baltimore County ...... 3,070 constituents of the Seventh District Mr. WYNN led the Pledge of Alle- sends to the Congress of the United giance as follows: Total ...... 4,131 Percent of total votes ...... 100 States, the president and chief operat- I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the Unit- ing officer of the NAACP, our former ed States of America, and to the Republic for f colleague and great American, Kweisi which it stands, one nation under God, indi- visible, with liberty and justice for all. SWEARING IN OF THE HONORABLE Mfume. Mr. Speaker, I have the opportunity f ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS OF MARY- LAND AS A MEMBER OF THE to introduce to the House their newest MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE HOUSE colleague. He is the son of Rev. Ruth Cummings and Rev. Robert Cummings. A message from the Senate by Mr. Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I ask Mr. Speaker, before I make my brief Lundregan, one of its clerks, an- unanimous consent that the gentleman remarks and yield to the minority nounced that the Senate had passed from Maryland, Mr. ELIJAH E. leader, I would like to acknowledge without amendment a bill of the House CUMMINGS, be permitted to take the Senators SARBANES and MIKULSKI, who of the following title: oath of office today. His certificate of have joined us from the other body. H.R. 3055. An act to amend section 326 of election has not arrived, but there is Mr. Speaker, although under the the Higher Education Act of 1965 to permit no contest, and no objection has been rules I cannot recognize them as being continued participation by Historically raised with regard to his election. in the gallery, and I shall not do so, it Black Graduate Professional Schools in the The SPEAKER. Is there objection to grant program authorized by that section. has been brought to my attention that the request of the gentleman from the distinguished Speaker of the Mary- f Maryland? land House of Delegates, Casper Tay- b 1030 There was no objection. lor, will be able to hear my words. Mr. Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I would Speaker; with all due apologies to our COMMUNICATION FROM THE ask, if I might, for the distinguished distinguished friend, Mr. JOHNSON. CLERK OF THE HOUSE gentlewoman from California, NANCY Come walk with me. Come walk with The Speaker laid before the House PELOSI, to join us, with the gentleman me. I say these words with reverence to the following communication from the from Maryland, Mr. CUMMINGS. She is a our newest Member of the House. These Clerk of the House of Representatives: sister of the former mayor of Balti- are his words, his words which have OFFICE OF THE CLERK, more, and a distinguished daughter of been spoken often in the chambers of U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, the city which Mr. CUMMINGS will rep- Annapolis, and which I know will be Washington, DC, April 25, 1996. resent. spoken often here to us. Words like Hon. NEWT GINGRICH, There was no objection. these are not heard often enough these The Speaker, The SPEAKER. The distinguished days. It is more often ‘‘Come fight with U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC. gentlewoman from California [Mr. DEAR MR. SPEAKER: I have the honor to me.’’ transmit herewith a copy of the unofficial PELOSI] will be welcome in the well, But these words represent the heart election returns received from Julian R. along with the Maryland delegation. of what ELIJAH CUMMINGS is all about: Manelli, Deputy Administrator, Maryland If the delegation will join the Mem- A consummate legislator, a dedicated State Administrative Board of Election ber-elect. public servant, a consensus builder, a Laws, indicating that, according to the unof- Mr. ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS appeared fighter for what is right; a man, as you ficial returns of the Special Election held on at the bar of the House and took the will all find, of drive and determina- April 16, 1996, the Honorable Elijah E. oath of office, as follows: tion, a man who has ascended to lead- Cummings was elected to the office of Rep- Do you solemnly swear that you will resentative in Congress, from the Seventh ership through integrity, hard work, Congressional District, State of Maryland. support and defend the Constitution of and a belief in the good in mankind. With warm regards, the United States against all enemies, Born in Baltimore City, a graduate of ROBIN H. CARLE. foreign and domestic; that you will City College in Baltimore, a graduate April 25, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3823 of Howard University, where he was In the Maryland House he was a lead- b 1045 president of the sophomore class, jun- er on criminal justice issues, on con- He was an outstanding member of the ior class, and student government. He stitutional law, and on economic is- House of Delegates, holding the vice graduated, as Members will not be sur- sues. After one term he was elected chairmanships of two of our standing prised upon knowing him, Phi Beta chairman of the Maryland Legislative committees. Mr. Speaker, we only have Kappa. He graduated from the Univer- Black Caucus, the youngest person six standing committees in the Mary- sity of Maryland Law School. ever to hold that post. Last year he land House of Delegates and ELIJAH has ELIJAH CUMMINGS comes to the House was elected Speaker Pro Tem to the shown expertise in two of those. He with a vast background in working House of Delegates, the second ranking went on to become the Speaker Pro closely in his community, particularly position in the House. His colleagues Tem, very actively involved in the as a mentor and Big Brother to the thought he did such an outstanding job leadership of our General Assembly. young people of his city and his com- they voted him one of Maryland’s most So, Mr. Speaker, it is particularly a munity. He is a father figure to many, effective legislators in a poll. pleasure for me to say hello and wel- and always has hoped in time to find Beyond all these titles and accom- come my colleague for so many years the one golden glimmer which will help plishments, Mr. Speaker, I believe ELI- in the House of Delegates, now in the turn a youth’s life around. As an advo- JAH will make a difference in this Con- Congress of the United States. I know cate for youth, he is unshaken. gress for less tangible reasons than ELIJAH CUMMINGS will add to the great I recall over a year ago when then- STENY cited: His abiding sense of de- tradition of the Seventh Congressional Delegate CUMMINGS was accosted out- cency and humanity, his ability to see District. side his Baltimore home and ordered to the subtleties in our public problems, Over the past quarter century, the torch of lie face down on the street while being and his determination to pass on to the leadership has not been passed often in Mary- robbed. Even through this terrorizing next generation the opportunities that land's Seventh Congressional District. When it experience, he was and remains he earned in his own life. has passed, the Nation has come to know that undeterred, and has never given up his On behalf of all of us, Republican and it should take notice, because Maryland's Sev- faith in youth. enth District has sent leaders of stature and His service the past 14 years with the Democrat alike, I am delighted to wel- come the gentleman from Maryland to vision. Maryland General Assembly, where he In 1970, the voters of Baltimore sent Parren was the first African-American in the the 104th Congress. I think he is going to be a powerful force for progress in Mitchell to the Congress. Over 16 years in the history of our State to be elected House, Congressman Mitchell became an ac- Speaker pro tempore, the No. 2 posi- his State and in our country, and I know that we will count on his leader- knowledged expert and leader on issues fi- tion in the House of Delegates, has nance, banking, and especially small busi- brought him recognition by his col- ship, as Maryland has counted on his leadership, for many years to come. ness. leagues, as well as being one of its A decade ago, Congressman Mitchell an- Welcome to the House of Representa- most effective members. nounced his decision to step down. Rising up tives. ELIJAH CUMMINGS brings the same to take his seat was a young, articulate, but lit- talent, drive, and personal conviction Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield to tle known city council member named Kweisi as his predecessors who I have pre- our colleague, the gentleman from Mfume; 1986 marked my own election to the viously introduced. I encourage you, Maryland [Mr. CARDIN], the former House. Over the past decade, Congressman ELIJAH, to use your spirit of good will Speaker of the House of Delegates. Mfume and I forged a strong working relation- in reaching out to all of us to come Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, let me ship and close friendship. walk with you. thank my friend, the gentleman from In his years in the House, Congressman Join me in welcoming our newest col- Maryland, for yielding to me. Mfume rose to become a national spokesman league, an extraordinary human being, Mr. Speaker, in 1982 I had an experi- on behalf of African-Americans and all Ameri- the gentleman from Maryland, ELIJAH ence similar to the gentleman from cans concerned about justice, fairness, and E. CUMMINGS. Maryland’s of presiding over the ses- the realization of the American dream. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman sion when ELIJAH CUMMINGS became a Congressman Mfume rose, as Congress- from Missouri [Mr. GEPHARDT], the dis- member of the legislature, of the Mary- man Mitchell had before him, to chair the Con- tinguished minority leader. land House of Delegates. I had the op- gressional Black Caucus. From that post, he Mr. GEPHARDT. Mr. Speaker, I portunity to serve with our new col- used his exceptional skills as a tactistian, an thank my colleague. On behalf of all of league in the House of Delegates, and I orator, and as a strategist to fight effectively our colleagues, Democrat and Repub- can tell each one of the Members that for the people of his district and the Nation. lican as well, I rise to recognize and they are in for a treat: a person who is Nobody was prouder than I when, this win- welcome our new colleague, the gen- dedicated to public service and dedi- ter, the NAACP announced that Congressman tleman from Maryland, ELIJAH cated to helping people. Mfume would become its new CEO and Presi- CUMMINGS. As the gentleman from Mr. Speaker, as we have already dent. Maryland, STENY HOYER, has said, this heard, the torch of leadership in the While I miss my good friend in this body, I new Member has very big shoes to fill, Seventh Congressional District has not am excited over the prospect of serving with and those shoes are represented by the passed very often in the last quarter of the newly elected Congressman from the Sev- two former Representatives in this dis- a century. ELIJAH is now the fourth enth. trict who are here today, and we are ELIJAH CUMMINGS is an honorable and able person to hold that seat, with Parren honored by their presence. successor as the representative of the Sev- Mitchell, who became a leader of this As STENY has said, this young man enth District. He brings all the dedication, intel- Nation on urban issues, on banking is- was born and raised in the same city he ligence, and vision that distinguished his two sues, and particularly small business. now serves, the city of Baltimore. He predecessors, and I have no doubt he will fol- knows the neighborhoods, the schools, Kweisi Mfume was elected a decade low in their footsteps as a national leader. the stores and the churches, because he ago to this body, the same time I was. Elijah and I have served together before, in lived among them all of his life. He has We became and are very close friends. Maryland's House of Delegates. I was de- never lost his passion for building a Kweisi became a national leader, chair- lighted to welcome him to Annapolis in 1982 better Baltimore, for giving something man of the Black Caucus, and has spo- when he arrived as a new member. back to the city and community that ken out so well on so many issues. I In his 14 years in the State legislature, he has given so much to him. was very proud when Kweisi was se- has demonstrated a talent for legislative As STENY said, he took his Phi Beta lected as the head of the NAACP. It craftsmanship and responsiveness to the con- Kappa degree from Howard University was a great decision for that organiza- cerns of the people he represents that will and his law degree from the University tion and for this Nation, but I lost a serve himÐand the NationÐwell here in Con- of Maryland, and went right back to colleague and a friend in this legisla- gress. He also has a gift for building consen- Baltimore, building a highly distin- tive body. sus and bringing people together that this guished career as a lawyer, and then Today I am very excited that ELIJAH body desperately needs. serving four terms in the Maryland CUMMINGS is taking that position. He His colleagues in Annapolis have recog- General Assembly. will follow in that tradition. nized his leadership, as he has risen to be H3824 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 25, 1996 chairman of Maryland's Legislative Black Cau- that district so well who are here Mr. Speaker, I represent a diverse cus, the youngest person ever to attain that today: Kweisi Mfume, whom I consider district, a very diverse district. We position. one of my dearest friends, who was have people who have a lot of problems. As vice chairman of the House Constitu- elected with me and BEN CARDIN to the We have people who have very nice tional and Administrative Law Committee and historic 100th Congress; BARBARA MI- homes. We have people who are strug- as vice chairman of the Economic Matters KULSKI, our Senator who also rep- gling just trying to make it. It honors Committee, he has acquired a wealth of ex- resented that district. Senator SAR- me tremendously to know that they pertise and experience that he will now bring BANES, did you represent that direct? would send me here to represent them. to bear on the considerable problems facing You did in your heart, that is for sure. I have often said on the floor of the this Nation. Most recently, he became Speak- But we all reflect the kind of fine Maryland House of Delegates that our er Pro Tem of the House of Delegates, the work that has been done there, and I world would be a much better world second highest position of leadership in that did have the grand opportunity to and a much better place if we would body. serve for 4 years with Congressman only concentrate on the things we have I am delighted to join my other colleagues in CUMMINGS in the House of Delegates. in common instead of concentrating on welcoming my neighbor to the House of Rep- Very proud of your background, the our differences. It is easy to find dif- resentatives. I am sure he will follow in the temperament, the compassion, and I ferences, very easy. We need to take proud tradition of his district and enjoy a long particularly like the fact that here is a more time to find common ground. and distinguished career here in the people's man who is going to work for the So my mission is one that comes out House. American people, both sides of the of a vision that was created long, long Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I would aisle. He is not predisposed to any one ago. It is a mission and a vision to em- now like to yield to a gentleman who specific myopic kind of philosophy. He power people, to make people realize served with ELIJAH in the House of Del- wants to work for the American people, that the power is within them, that egates and then was his colleague as a for the people of Maryland. I salute they, too, can do the things that they member of the Maryland State senate, him and I congratulate him. want to do. So I am about that mis- will now be again his colleague here in Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank sion. I am looking forward to joining the House of the people, the distin- the gentlewoman. I might observe that with all of you as we travel this road I guished Representative from the our senior Senator has always served often call journey, which I define as Fourth Congressional District of Mary- every district in our State. life. land, Mr. ALBERT WYNN. Ladies and gentlemen, I am deeply There is a poem that Parren Mitchell Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my honored to introduce to you a very fine said many, many years ago, that I say friend and colleague for yielding. human being who we will be privileged sometimes 20 times a day, and it is a In 1983 I was elected to the Maryland to serve with and walk with, ELIJAH very simple poem but it is one that I House of Delegates. As I looked around CUMMINGS. live by. It says: ‘‘I only have a minute, the orientation, I noticed another Mr. CUMMINGS. Thank you very 60 seconds in it, forced upon me, I did young man who really impressed me. much, Mr. Speaker and Members, to not choose it, but I know that I must That man stands before you today. the Maryland congressional delegation, use it, give account if I abuse it, suffer So I can tell you from personal expe- to two of my mentors, both of whom I if I lose it, only a tiny little minute, rience, having stood shoulder-to-shoul- love. Their spirit is a part of my spirit. but eternity is in it.’’ So I join you as we move forward to der with ELIJAH CUMMINGS, that he is a Their hopes and dreams are part of my true worker for people. I do not have to hopes and dreams. uplife not only the Nation but the tell you a lot. Let me simply say that To Kweisi Mfume and Parren J. world. May God bless you all and may I have watched this man and worked Mitchell, I just want you to know that God bless America. with this man. He has worked for eco- I love you, and I thank you for all that f nomic development, but he has never you have done for the city of Balti- RESIGNATION AS MEMBER OF forgotten the needs of the downtrodden more, the State of Maryland, the Na- COMMITTEE ON VETERANS’ AF- or the less fortunate. He brings to this tion, and the world. I appreciate you. FAIRS House tremendous compassion. To my family and friends and to the The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. All Members need to know about ELI- members of the Maryland Legislature LAHOOD) laid before the House the fol- JAH CUMMINGS is that he is a man of who are up there, only God could cre- lowing resignation as a Member of the tremendous sincerity, commitment, ate this path, only God. Only God could Committee on Veterans’ Affairs: compassion, and faith in God. He will create a path where the son of two CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, do a wonderful job for the people of the sharecroppers from Manning, SC could HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Seventh Congressional District. He will rise to represent the people of the Sev- Washington, DC, April 22, 1996. do a wonderful job for the people of enth Congressional District in the Con- Hon. NEWT GINGRICH, this country. I am looking forward to gress of the United States of America. Speaker of the House, working with him. Congratulations and Only God, and so I must first thank Washington, DC. welcome, ELIJAH. God for this opportunity. DEAR MR. SPEAKER: I hereby resign my po- Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, the last I also thank Him for giving me the sition on the Committee on Veterans’ Af- person before I introduce Mr. strength, the humility, and the cour- fairs. Sincerely, CUMMINGS or yield to Mr. CUMMINGS is age to walk the path that He has given MAXINE WATERS, the dean of the Republican delegation. me. So often we in public life forget Member of Congress. We are one delegation, but the dean of that we are very fortunate to come The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without our Republicans, the distinguished gen- upon this Earth and have an oppor- objection, the resignation is accepted. tlewoman from Montgomery County tunity to serve. So often we forget, be- There was no objection. who herself served with Mr. CUMMINGS, cause we get so caught up in our bat- f CONNIE MORELLA. tles and our struggles, that so many Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I people wish they could have the prob- ELECTION OF MEMBERS TO CER- thank the distinguished gentleman for lems we have. TAIN STANDING COMMITTEES OF giving me the opportunity to congratu- So I am just a happy, happy man. I THE HOUSE late not only Congressman CUMMINGS am also very happy, they tell me it is Mr. FAZIO of California. Mr. Speak- but all of us in the 104th Congress for unusual for Members of the other er, I offer a privileged resolution (H. having him added to our numbers. He body—I have got to get this language Res. 414) and ask for its immediate con- will speak in a very strong voice, with right—to come over, but my two Sen- sideration. compassion, with justice, with knowl- ators, I want to thank you for being The Clerk read the resolution, as fol- edge. here and for all that you have done. It lows: Indeed, it has been mentioned that he is not just that they are here today, HOUSE RESOLUTION 414 has been handed quite a legacy. Our but they have been walking with me Resolved, That the following named Mem- very good friends who have represented for a long time, and I appreciate you. bers be, and that they are hereby, elected to