March 13, 2001 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E347 The SMSU Lady Bears squad has one more removed from poetry he persevered to eventu- ‘‘yeshiva presents a picture of a school com- conference game and perhaps as many as ally win the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1958 pletely focused on helping students achieve three tournament games left in their season for his first ‘‘Selected Poems’’. high academic standards while developing a that will allow Stiles to raise the new bar even For a writer whose working life spans thir- strong sense and knowledge base on their higher. teen Presidents, Kunitz’s commitment is all the Jewish heritage’’. The accomplishments of Jackie Stiles have more amazing. Stanley Kunitz is realistic and Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me been noticed by fans, other players and simple, the furthest from extravagant, which at in congratulating Merkaz Bnos High School on coaches who typically have guarded her with the time when he wrote was rare. This is evi- its Blue Ribbon Award and wishing the entire two and sometimes three defenders. She is dent in his opposition to the long epic poem, school community—students, teachers, staff the first player in the history of the Missouri which was popular in American Poetry during members and parents—continued success Valley Conference to earn back-to-back ‘‘Play- the first half of the twentieth century. What and many great simchas in the future. er of the Year’’ honors and the first sopho- Kunitz’s work lacks in glamour it compensates f more to earn that title. She has made the first for in serious and influential purpose. team All-Missouri Valley Conference in each The popularity of Stanley Kunitz’s work is A SALUTE TO THE BRONCOS of her first three years on the court at SMSU. evident in his many awards and accomplish- Jackie Stiles grew up playing basketball in ments. In addition to his Pulitzer Prize he re- HON. MIKE McINTYRE Claflin, Kansas where she was highly recruited ceived the Bollingen Prize, a Ford Foundation OF NORTH CAROLINA by colleges and universities nationwide as a grant, the Levinson Prize, and the Shelley Me- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES perimeter shooting guard. Today, her 58 per- morial Award to name a few. In 2000 he was Tuesday, March 13, 2001 cent field goal percentage ranks among the 20 named United States Poet Laureate. Stanley Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to best in the nation. Kunitz is the founder of the Fine Arts Center Jackie Stiles is an All American both on the in Provincetown, Massachusetts and Poets honor the Fayetteville State University wom- court and off. She is as good a student as an House in New York City. Stanley Kunitz has en’s basketball team for their tremendous ac- athlete. Majoring in physical education, Stiles also worked as a translator, creating English complishment this week. Their spirit and deter- has maintained a sparkling 3.45 grade point versions of Russian Poems. mination throughout the season has been an average into her senior year and has been Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Mr. inspiration to us all. On Saturday, March 3, the FSU Broncos named to the Missouri Valley Conference Kunitz for his enthusiasm and commitment to defeated North Carolina Central University 63– Scholar-Athlete first team every year in her ca- his poetry and society. He truly exemplifies 59 to win the Central Intercollegiate Athletic reer. that ability is never ending. Association Tournament for the first time in Stiles has become an icon on the basketball f court in Springfield, Missouri. She is a role twenty-two years. This is truly an amazing model for younger women who would like to COMMENDING MERKAZ BNOS HIGH achievement for Coach Eric Tucker and the follow the good-student, good-athlete trail she SCHOOL ON ITS SELECTION AS A entire Bronco team. The Broncos will now em- is blazing. She is a key reason that while BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL BY THE bark on a new journey, playing in the NCAA some women’s basketball games around the UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT Division II tournament for the first time since country draw crowds numbered in the hun- OF EDUCATION 1997. Throughout the year, the women Broncos dreds, the Lady Bears’ games often draw larg- have represented the students and faculty of er crowds than the men at Southwest Missouri HON. JERROLD NADLER FSU well by sticking together and dem- State University. Thursday night’s game at OF NEW YORK onstrating good sportsmanship. Coach Tucker Hammons Student Center at SMSU drew the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES has instilled in his players the ethic of dedica- second biggest crowd in school history with Tuesday, March 13, 2001 tion, sacrifice, and teamwork in the pursuit of more than 9,100 fans there to witness history. excellence, and instilled in the rest of us a re- Fans in Southwest Missouri believe Jackie Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay trib- newed appreciation of what it means to win Stiles stands a lot taller than her 5 foot, 8 inch ute to Merkaz Bnos High School, in Brooklyn, with dignity and integrity. I am sure that the frame. NY on its selection as a Blue Ribbon School Broncos will demonstrate these important I’d like to wish Jackie Stiles and her team- by the United States Department of Education. characteristics on the national stage during the mates continued good shooting in their pursuit Merkaz Bnos High School is an all-girls aca- NCAA tournament. of a crown in the Missouri Valley Conference demic institution comprising grades nine My fellow colleagues, please join me in con- and in the women’s NCAA tournament later through twelve. Its current director, Rabbi gratulating this extraordinary group of women this month. Chaim A. Waldman, founded the yeshiva in and their coaches, parents and classmates f 1990 under the guiding principle of giving ‘‘every girl the chance to maximize her poten- who cheered them on and made this year’s TRIBUTE TO POET LAUREATE tial within a nurturing and supportive environ- CIAA tournament one to remember. Congratu- STANLEY KUNITZ ment.’’ In awarding the Blue Ribbon, the De- lations, Broncos! We will be watching you in partment of Education recognizes that the Ye- the NCAA tournament, and we wish you the HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN shiva has succeeded tremendously in carrying very best. OF MASSACHUSETTS out its mission. f IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The Blue Ribbon School Program was es- ADDRESS BY DR. JOHN DUKE AN- tablished in 1982 by the U.S. Secretary of Tuesday, March 13, 2001 THONY ON VIOLENCE IN AMER- Education with three goals in mind. To identify ICA AND KUWAIT Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, it is with and recognize outstanding public and private great pride that I rise today to pay special trib- school across the United States, to offer a ute to Stanley Kunitz, who was born in my comprehensive framework of key criteria for HON. JOHN D. DINGELL hometown in Worcester, Massachusetts. Stan- school effectiveness, and to facilitate the shar- OF MICHIGAN ley Kunitz is an outstanding poet who began ing of best practices among schools. Schools IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES his career in 1930 when he wrote his first selected for recognition have conducted a Tuesday, March 13, 2001 book of poems titled ‘‘Intellectual Things’’. thorough self-evaluation, involving administra- Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I submit the fol- Prior to this book, Stanley Kunitz studied at tors, teachers, students, parents and commu- lowing for the RECORD. Harvard College where he received his BA in nity representatives in the completion of their 1926 and his MA in 1927. It was after his nomination forms. This process included as- ON VIOLENCE IN AMERICA AND KUWAIT: THE KUWAIT-AMERICA FOUNDATION years of study that he began writing his first sessing their strengths and weaknesses and book of poems. Unfortunately his first book developing strategic plans for the future. (By John Duke Anthony) was barely recognized and he did not publish Merkaz Bnos High School is one of only This past week’s tragic incident in Cali- fornia in which yet another student at an his second book, ‘‘Passport to War’’, for an- seventeen private schools selected nationally American school killed his classmates was as other fourteen years. The Second World War and the only Yeshiva to be honored with the senseless as all the similar acts that went interrupted his career, and after returning from Blue Ribbon Award, one of the most pres- before. It is no less tragic for the likelihood the war he joined the faculty of Bennington tigious awards in the country. In awarding this that, short of effective remedies, the phe- College. Although Stanley Kunitz was years honor the Department of Education stated the nomenon is destined to recur in the future.
VerDate 112000 05:30 Mar 14, 2001 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A13MR8.027 pfrm08 PsN: E13PT1 E348 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks March 13, 2001 As with the earlier school killings, there off to Baghdad by Iraqi forces a decade ago from Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, will be much wringing of hands and soul are hardly faceless statistics. No Kuwaiti of Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, DC searching among pundits and politicians in this writer’s acquaintance knows fewer than were among the cities represented. search of ways to cope with this ongoing four who disappeared without, to date, there In the aftermath of the reversal of Iraq’s blight on a significant segment of American being a trace of what happened to them. By aggression, a great many Kuwaitis wanted to society. In the debates that will ensue, much extension, most Kuwaitis know and regu- convey their gratitude to the United States can be learned from a hitherto little known larly come into contact with an average of in a way that would have practical meaning effort by the Kuwait-America Foundation forty other Kuwaitis who long for the return and great symbolic significance to what lay that is helping to address this problem and of those missing. at the heart of a country and a people’s vio- others related to the violence that persists Because the population of the United lation. To this end, KAF spearheaded a one- in the lives of Americans and Kuwaitis. States is so large, and that Kuwait is so of-a-kind movement to ensure that the lives Two weeks ago, the nonprofit and non- small, it is difficult for many Americans to of Americans and others that had fallen in governmental Kuwait-America Foundation grasp the extent of the tragedy that befell Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm (KAF) administered a multifaceted program the Kuwaiti people as a result of the Iraqi in- were not in vain. to commemorate both the fortieth anniver- vasion and occupation. Reaching Out to American Schools. KAF sary of Kuwait’s independence and the tenth The following, however, provides perspec- has reached out to American school districts year since its liberation from Iraqi aggres- tive that may be otherwise hard-to-come by. where guns and acts of violence remain com- sion. Over a period of several days, KAF In terms that U.S. citizens can relate to, the monplace, where parents, with abundant rea- manifested a growing phenomenon in inter- number of Kuwaitis missing in Iraq is equiv- son, worry for the safety of their children, national relations: the efficacy of having alent to 270,000 Americans being incarcerated and where students and other children often such organizations play pivotal roles in mat- and unaccounted for in undisclosed sites in live literally in fear of their lives. In so doing, KAF joined forces with na- ters of global importance. Canada or Mexico. In terms that the British tional and local humanitarian and nonprofit Like innumerable other Arab and Islamic and French can understand, it is as if 60,000 associations, including the National Urban philanthropic associations, KAF has yet to of their citizens had been forcibly seized, League, the National Council on U.S.-Arab become a household word in America. How- carted across the border, and, to this day, Relations, the U.S.-GCC Corporate Coopera- ever, the day is fast approaching when it will were still being held in a neighboring coun- tion Committee, and several other civic and be recognized as having become a respected try. professional organizations. Ever since, KAF albeit low-key activist in support of laudable On a related additional Richter scale of human tragedy, the recent commemorative has been working with leaders in America’s objectives in American national life. urban centers in a way that, thus far, is un- Until ten days ago, KAF was not as well events in Kuwait, in which this writer was paralleled among non-governmental and known in Kuwait as one might have thought. privileged to participate, revealed yet an- other daunting set of numbers. One of the nonprofit groups in other countries. Many outside observers had believed, mis- Of direct relevance to what transpired in a highlights was the unveiling by Kuwaitis, takenly, that Kuwait’s government and pri- California school last week, KAF has tar- former President Bush, and former British vate sector must have held annual com- geted a core constituency within which the Prime Ministers Thatcher and Major, of a memorative events to honor the country’s incidence of acts of violence per capita in the memorial to the war dead resulting from the liberation from aggression ten years ago. United States remains all too frequent: in- country’s liberation. Listed were the names A COUNTY’S YELLOW RIBBON termediate and secondary school students. of the 351 Kuwaitis and 331 Allied Coalition Working with school superintendents, prin- Not so. The commemorative activities country and other nationals killed during cipals, guidance counselors, and teachers, were the first of their kind. The previous na- Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. KAF several years ago initiated a bold and tional decision to forgo any annual out- Three hundred fifty-one. Some may say, innovative program that has met with in- pouring of joy at the return of the country’s ‘for an international conflict that dominated creasingly widespread appeal among Amer- internationally recognized government, and the headlines for more than half a year, ican leaders concerned with curbing the inci- with it, the restoration of freedom and safe- that’s not so many.’ ty to the Kuwaiti people, was deliberate. Those Killed: American Comparisons. Any dence of crimes against youth. The program The decision not to celebrate was, in es- in doubt as to ‘‘how many is many?’’ might has inspired thousands of american students sence, reflective of a people’s collective pref- ask a Kuwaiti. The number, again in terms to write essays about the effect of violence on their lives and what they propose to do to erence instead for wearing a yellow ribbon in equivalent to the population of the United bring about its end in their community. memory of hundreds of missing Kuwaiti and States, is equal to 135,000 Americans having other nationals who have yet to return from Paneled judges read the essays and select been killed. For further context and com- the finalists. The winners, together with the months-long nightmare that Iraq un- parisons, consider that the United States leashed against Kuwait on August 2, 1990. their parents or teacher, get to visit Wash- lost 58,000 in Vietnam. ington, DC. There they are recognized in an For most, the idea of rejoicing with so Here, two points are especially pertinent. awards ceremony attended by national dig- many of their fellow citizens’ still in Iraq The first is that the proportionate number of nitaries, meet their Congressional represent- was seen as premature and inappropriate. It Kuwaitis killed by Iraqis, is comparison with atives and officials at the Department of was overshadowed by the ongoing grief over Americans killed in Vietnam, is almost Justice and the Office of Education, and tour the country’s hostages, its missing in action, three times as many. The second is that the cultural and civic highlights of the na- and the fate of other nationalities abducted Iraqis killed this many Kuwaitis over a pe- tion’s capital. to Baghdad in the waning days of the war riod of just seven months. The 58,000 Ameri- In arriving to this way of contributing that have yet to be accounted for by Iraq. cans that died in Vietnam were killed over a something of meaning and lasting value to The Numbness of Numbers. In Kuwait as 12-year period, i.e., a span of time nearly 24 the United States, the citizens of Kuwait, elsewhere, the process of coming to terms times as long. through KAF, have unlocked a powerful posi- with the impact of an adversary’s aggression The survivors of the Kuwaitis killed during tive force for good. The beneficiaries are nu- and violence against it is considered by most the conflict, including their spouses, chil- merous American metropolitan areas pre- to be an essential component of reconcili- dren, and other relatives of those missing viously in a quandary as to how best to begin ation. But among outsiders who have wanted and unaccounted for, were front and center to loosen the grip of violence upon their to see reconciliation between Kuwait and recently in Kuwait. Former U.S. President communities. Iraq occur sooner rather than later are many George Bush, Sr., U.S. Secretary of State KAF, in essence, has provided hope for who appear to wonder whether the concern Colin Powell, former British Prime Ministers countless American youth who had all but about those missing from Kuwait has been a Dame Margaret Thatcher and John Major, given up hope that there was a reason to be- Kuwaiti pretense or, at least exaggerated for General Norman Schwarzkopf, and many an- lieve that they could make it to adulthood effect. other prominent international leader associ- unscathed by the infliction of physical pain If so, many reason, could it not be little ated with the country’s liberation met with upon them or a loved one by someone in more than a carefully crafted device delib- them. They listened to their pleas for assist- their community. It provides them a ticket erately tailored to garner international sym- ance and vowed not to rest until their coun- to non-violence. pathy for the country’s ongoing deterrence trymen’s return or until the missing have A Recipe for Responsible Citizenship. Par- and defense needs that might not be as effec- been fully accounted for by their captors. ticipation in KAF’s Do the Write Thing Pro- tively obtained in any other way? KAF, Violence, and The Do The Write gram offers American students a sure-fire By the standard of Great Power popu- Thing Program. On display by KAF in the recipe for instilling a significant measure of lations, the number at issue, cynics seem same ceremonies was another side of the personal responsibility, accountability, lead- prone to emphasize, appears to be minuscule. same coin minted in the currency of vio- ership skills, and the means to responsible In noting that the total is 608, the tendency lence. These were American grassroots lead- citizenship. And it does all this in associa- of some has been to think that this is a typo- ers of KAF’s ‘‘Do The Write thing (DTWT) tion with the students’ parents, teachers, graphical error and that one or more digits Program.’’ The Program exists in a growing schools, and a plethora of civic and profes- must be lacking. number of american cities that have long sional associations within their commu- Nothing could be further from the truth. been plagued by exceptional levels of vio- nities. The Kuwaiti citizens who vanished from lence among their inner city youth. A range A student’s right of entry to the DTWT their country in the course of being spirited of civic, religious, and professional leaders Program is completion of a three-part essay.
VerDate 112000 05:30 Mar 14, 2001 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A13MR8.031 pfrm08 PsN: E13PT1 March 13, 2001 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E349 Students write about how violence has af- each is an assemblage of national dignitaries the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations’ fected their lives. They suggest ways for end- and, in the wings, a significant number of Kuwait Studies Program. What all had in ing this scourge upon the quality of life in journalists, television producers, and film common was their outstanding participation many of America’s inner cities. They express crews. as delegates to one of the National Council’s their resolve to do what they can to make a The opportunity to observe the press in annual Model Arab League Leadership De- difference by having nothing to do with this such a setting is illuminative of the powerful velopment Programs, which are currently phenomenon that, left unchecked, will con- impact that this program has on young and underway and involve 2,000 students and tinue to rob their community and country of old alike. In few other settings are media their teachers in Models in 18 cities across a promising component of its future leaders. professionals so predictably moved to tears the United States. Sound schmaltzy? Not to the survivors of as they are by the impact that the Do The For years now, KAF, the University of Ku- thousands of those gunned down in the prime Write Thing Program has on American wait, the Kuwait Foundation for the Ad- of their life, like those in California, Colo- youth, their teachers, and their parents. vancement of Science, and the American rado, Georgia, and elsewhere, Not to those Each year during the filming of the annual Embassy in Kuwait, headed by former Am- who had previously despaired of having a awards ceremony, this writer has seen cam- bassadors Edward Gnehm and Ryan Crocker, reason to believe that they could make it eramen involuntarily reach for their hand- and by current Ambassador James Larocco, through school without their or someone kerchiefs. They become caught up in their have hosted the Kuwait Studies Program for dear to them being killed or falling victim to emotions from seeing, at the end of their promising American youth that have per- bodily harm en route. lens, a mirror image of someone who could formed with distinction in the Model Arab Not to the unsung heroes and heroines easily be their daughter or son. Leagues. among teachers who struggle daily and val- This is what invariably happens when one Considering that all of the participants to iantly, often against seemingly insurmount- sees and hears the students read their prize- date are still in their twenties, the results, able odds, to try to instill a sense of self- winning essays to appreciative adult audi- to date, are phenomenal. One of the pro- worth, values, and the pursuit of excellence ences in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol and gram’s alumni is currently assigned to a among America’s leaders of tomorrow. elsewhere. major U.S. government post that deals daily Not to school guidance counselors, leaders The stirring and uplifting scene happened with pressing issues pertaining to the Ku- of youth associations, crime prevention and again ten days ago in Kuwait instead of wait-U.S. bilateral relationship. Another en- law enforcement officers, and civic as well as Washington, An added feature to the cere- tered the Foreign Service and was posted to business, professional, and religious leaders monies commemorating the anniversary of the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait. Another is a ca- committed to offering youth a range of op- the country’s liberation was a recent KAF- reer military officer working full time on portunities for self-development no matter commissioned film about the DTWT Pro- strategic U.S. defense planning relating to how disadvantaged their personal, home, and gram. The film premiered at the Kuwait- Kuwait and other GCC countries. community situations might be. based Arab Fund for Social and Economic Yet another alumnus of the program is Not to former Kuwaiti Ambassadors to the Development, the Arab world’s leading intra- currently a Rhodes Scholar. Others include United States Shaikh Saud Nasser Al-Sabah regional development assistance agency. The the winner of First Prize for Best Master’s and Dr. Muhammad Salim Al-Sabah. Not to audience was virtually a ‘‘Who’s Who’’ of all Thesis on the Middle East at Oxford Univer- KAF Chairman Dr. Hassan Al-Ebraheem, the national and international leaders that sity last year, a former intern at the Na- KAF Vice-Chairman Anwar Nouri, and not to had been involved in lifting the veil of vio- tional Council and KAF who is finishing her KAF co-founding board members Fawzi Al- lence from Kuwait ten years ago. Ph.D. at Stanford, and one of the best of a Sultan and Daniel Callister. Not to Kuwait The film’s main actors were an unlikely new breed of American foreign affairs spe- University President Dr. Faizah Al-Kharafi, collection of celebrities: former President cialists who is currently teaching tomor- Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Bush, former Secretary of State James row’s military leaders and defense strate- Science Director General Dr. Ali Al- Baker, former Secretary of Defense and now gists at one of America’s service academies. More than half a dozen of the Kuwait Stud- Shamlan, and the Kuwaiti members of KAF’s Vice-President Dick Cheney, current Sec- ies Program and Model Arab League alumni board of directors. retary of State Powell, and General Norman have returned to Kuwait for a year of inten- Not to Administration and Congressional Schwarzkopf. Each testified to the efficacy sive Arabic language training at Kuwait Uni- leaders who endorse President Bush’s en- of the Do The Write Thing Program as a versity. Others are working in the United couragement and empowerment of private major contribution to the national challenge States for member companies of the U.S.- sector initiatives that seek to reverse the of ending the continuing pattern of violence GCC Corporate Corporation Committee that emasculating effects of school and urban vio- in the lives of America’s inner city students have invested in Kuwait’s economy. Each of lence on our country’s would-be future lead- and children. these young American leaders of tomorrow ers. A Symphony and Two American Teen- has been exposed at length to a side of Ku- Practical Idealism. What KAF has done is agers. One of the many highlights of the sev- wait culture and society quite different from help bring into being in an important corner eral days’ festivities in which this writer was any they could have imagined short of vis- of American national life the essence of a participant was a specially-produced sym- iting the country and meeting with its peo- practical idealism. It has done so through phony by a Kuwaiti artist that included ple. joining hands with the National Campaign to strands of ‘‘America the Beautiful.’’ The KAF As A Bridge To The Future. In this Stop Violence, the National Guard, the re- symphony was performed by an ensemble of way, KAF is helping to prepare a cadre of gional and local offices of the Federal Bu- Kuwaiti musicians. Americans that will manage the future bilat- reau of Investigation, the Council of Great At the end of the concert, young Rominna eral Kuwait-United States relationship and City Schools, the National Council of Juve- Vellasenor, a 13-year-old student from an America’s ties to other Arab countries, the nile and Family Court Judges, the National inner city school in Chicago, took the stage Middle East, and the Islamic world. Association of Secondary School Principals, to read her essay. One could barely see her This group of American youth that KAF the U.S. Department of Education, the Na- head behind the podium as she hurled thun- has assisted is only a few years older than tional Council on U.S.-Arab Relations, and derbolts of insight about the phenomenon of those mowed down by gunfire in the Cali- the U.S.-GCC Corporate Cooperation Com- violence in America. She was followed by fornia school. Each acknowledges their debt mittee. Each of these organizations supports John Bonham, now in university but earlier to KAF and recognizes it as an organization KAF’s Do The Write Thing Program. a student and resident of a crime-plagued that helped them, much earlier than most of KAF’s programs and activities also receive neighborhood in Washington, D.C. their peers, to take responsibility for their support from nearly a dozen Kuwaiti compa- Rominna, one of this past year’s Do The actions and to do what they can to make a nies and leading American multinational Write Thing Program winners, was there positive and lasting difference in the lives of corporations. In addition to the Marriott with her mother. John was a prize-winner others. Corporation, the list of U.S. firms that sup- several years ago. Rominna’s essay was cast For any nation in search of a cure for the port KAF’s Do The Write Thing Program is in the immediacy of the here-and-now of a phenomenon of violence and other behav- impressive and growing. they include U.S.- life that has been seldom far from crime in ioral excesses that plague its society, it is GCC Corporate Cooperation Committee her school and community. John’s was incumbent upon its leaders to look first and members Boeing Corporation, Booz Allen forged from the perspective of the rear view foremost to their country’s own resources Hamilton, Bryan Cave, Ltd., Chevron Cor- mirror, contrasting the downwardly spi- for solutions. This, to be sure, has been and poration, CMS Energy, ExxonMobil, General raling life he had led before he participated will continue to be done by America’s na- Dynamics, General Electric Corporation, in the program and the one hundred and tional, state, and local leaders. But here is a Lockheed Martin, Lucent Technologies, eighty degree turn-around for the better that sterling example of how one can also learn McDonnell Douglas, Merrill Lynch, MPRI, it has taken since then. Following their much that is timely and relevant from the Northrop Grumman, Parsons Corporation, speeches and the film, there was not a dry private sector and civic activist efforts of a Philip Morris Companies, Inc., Raytheon, eye in the audience, the President’s included. dedicated group of Kuwaitis. SAIC, Texaco, and TRW. KAF’s Further Preparation of America’s These Arab allies, though geographically KAF Student, Teacher, and Parent Award Leaders of Tomorrow. Only days before the remote, are no less profoundly concerned Ceremonies. Anyone search for an injection anniversary celebrations began, a group of than Americans are with funding the means of idealism would do well to attend one of American university and high school stu- to come to grips with the vicious cycle of vi- the DTWT awards ceremonies. Present at dents had visited Kuwait as participants in olence cycle of violence visited upon their
VerDate 112000 05:30 Mar 14, 2001 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A13MR8.033 pfrm08 PsN: E13PT1 E350 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks March 13, 2001 country and people. They are committed to Justice. Railroads, however, are treated dif- competitive options for rail customers; (2) im- doing something positive and lasting about ferently. Under current law, the STB has ex- proves service to customers; and (3) will not it, both here and in Kuwait, in the course of clusive jurisdiction over most matters con- reduce competitive rail routes available to cur- working side by side with their counterparts in the United States. cerning rail transportation including mergers rent railroad customers. Additionally, the legis- The efforts of the Kuwait-America Founda- and acquisitions. In exercising that authority, lation ensures that relief can be sought under tion to help American youth expand their the STB has approved a series of mergers the current regulatory framework or through horizons and break the barriers of violence over the past 20 years since passage of the the antitrust laws. have emerged from the horrors of the Iraqi Staggers Act which has resulted in wide- I am pleased that the Alliance for Rail Com- invasion of Kuwait and the deepening bonds spread consolidation in the rail industry. This petition, the Consumers United for Rail Equity, of U.S.-Kuwaiti friendship spurred by Ku- consolidation has reduced the number of rail National Farmers Union, American Farm Bu- wait’s liberation ten years ago. The spirit of carriers from 63 Class I railroads to just 7, re- reau Federation, National Association of understanding and reciprocal respect that these efforts represent are a testimonial to sulting in significant service disruptions, nega- Wheat Growers, the American Forest and the wisdom, necessity, and mutuality of ben- tive impacts on shippers and a reduction in Paper Association, the Transportation Inter- efit that flow from closer U.S.-Arab rela- competition. mediaries Association, Otter Trail Power, Min- tions. Mr. Speaker, believe it or not, the railroad nesota Power, the National Association of industry is the only industry, except for Amer- f Chemical Distributors, and the American ica’s favorite pastime, baseball, that is almost Chemistry Council have endorsed this legisla- ECONOMIC GROWTH AND TAX entirely exempt from the substance of the anti- tion. RELIEF ACT OF 2001 trust laws. With the rail industry now consoli- I urge my colleagues to join me in this effort dated to seven major railroads, and the stage to ensure that the railroad industry is subject SPEECH OF set for a possible final consolidation, there is to the same laws as every other industry. It is HON. NITA M. LOWEY an increased potential for the rail industry to in the public interest to raise the bar for review exercise market power and monopoly abuse OF NEW YORK of the last few remaining mergers and to have against shippers. In order to protect shippers IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES oversight by the Department of Justice on the and promote true competition, it makes sense actions of the railroads. Thursday, March 8, 2001 to treat the railroads like other industries and Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, this massive tax subject them to the jurisdiction of the Depart- f plan is not balanced, not fair, not honest, not ment of Justice and full application of antitrust bipartisan, and not responsible. laws. REMEMBERING A GREAT MAN: It will spend down every penny of our hard- Currently, the Department of Justice can ABRAHAM QUEZADA AMADOR won surplus before we have ensured the fu- only comment on proposed mergers. In pre- ture of Social Security and Medicare. It will de- vious mergers the recommendations of DOJ HON. GEORGE MILLER were ignored. For example, the Department of prive working Americans of the help they need OF CALIFORNIA and deserve. It will imperil our capacity to im- Justice pegged the Union Pacific-Southern Pa- prove education, health care, and the environ- cific merger ‘‘most anti-competitive rail merger IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ment. It relies on accounting gimmicks and in history.’’ In that merger, the STB ignored Tuesday, March 13, 2001 not only the concerns expressed by Depart- rosy forecasts. And it places at risk a decade Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. ment of Justice, but also the concerns of rail of unprecedented prosperity. Speaker, I rise today to remember a great customers, organized labor, and the United Apparently, the Republican leadership man, Abraham Quezada Amador, who died States Department of Agriculture. I believe knows it. Why else would they ram through one year ago at age 70. For 30 years Abra- that the Department of Justice, an agency that this tax plan before we even have a budget in ham was the founder and director of Comite can objectively evaluate the impact of mergers place, and without the serious analysis the Regional Campesino, a nonprofit organization and protect shippers from the continual de- American people expect and deserve? that has assisted countless individuals and Frankly, this is the administration’s first big crease in competition, needs to have a strong families become United States citizens. test of its stated commitment to bring about a voice in mergers reviewed by the Surface Abraham made the measure of difference in new, bipartisan tone in Washington, and, as Transportation Board. the lives of countless people. Indeed, it was one who believes in bipartisanship, I am sorry My legislation would require both the De- not unusual to see dozens of people lined up to say that it has failed that test completely. partment of Justice and the STB to review and outside the door of his home office patiently Instead of rewarding a select few at the ex- approve future rail mergers. Under this pro- waiting their turn to talk with Abraham. He was pense of others, let’s give generous tax cuts posed regulatory framework, the DOJ would always willing to offer his help and advice re- to the families who need it most, while paying approve a merger unless it substantially re- garding their citizenship applications. Immigra- down the debt and investing in our future. strains commerce in any section of the country tion and Naturalization Service documents or That’s the right approach. I urge my col- or tends to create a monopoly in any line of letters they needed to have translated, as well leagues to vote no on this massive giveaway, commerce. The STB would still be required to as a myriad of other things. Abraham shared and vote yes on the Democratic alternative. review and approve a merger under a similar his knowledge and expertise with kindness, f standard but it would also judge the proposed merger by a broader public interest standard. understanding, and a smile larger than life INTRODUCTION OF THE RAIL However, my legislation would not allow a itself. MERGER REFORM AND CUS- merger to move forward without approval from Abraham was a strong, tireless, and com- TOMER PROTECTION ACT both Department of Justice and Surface passionate leader who dedicated his life to as- Transportation Board. sisting those in need, and he has been sorely HON. EARL POMEROY In this day and age, there is no public policy missed by all whose lives he touched. He de- OF NORTH DAKOTA reason to justify the industry’s special treat- voted his life to helping others and was the most caring and unselfish person I have ever IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ment, particularly since the railroads have en- joyed considerable deregulation under the known. We miss his kind words, his sage ad- Tuesday, March 13, 2001 Staggers Act and the Interstate Commerce vice, and his contagious smile. I feel fortunate Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased Commission (ICC) Termination Act. The pas- to have known Abraham for so many years today to introduce the Rail Merger Reform and sage of these laws which reduced the scope and I am proud to have been his friend. Customer Protection Act. This legislation and effectiveness of the regulatory agency, Abraham is survived by his wife, Maria Gua- would extend the reach of the antitrust laws to makes it more necessary than ever for ship- dalupe Aceves, his daughters Lupe Saldana, the railroad industry while providing the Sur- pers to have the full panoply of remedies Blanca Amador, Anna Blevins and Gloria face Transportation Board (STB) with addi- available against monopolistic activities. Amador, his sons of Antonio, Abraham Jr., tional criteria on which to evaluate future rail- Under my legislation, the STB would also be Alphonso and Roy, and numerous grand- road mergers. required to examine several additional criteria children and great-grandchildren. I invite my For virtually every business in the United before approving a merger. Future mergers colleagues to join me as I remember this great States, mergers and acquisitions in excess of and consolidations would not be approved un- man who left a wonderful legacy and made $10 million are subject to antitrust review by less it was shown that the merger: (1) pro- the measure of difference in the lives of so the Antitrust Division of the Department of vides additional rail to rail competition and many.
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