February 25, 1999 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 3221 the time of slavery. Brave men like Nat Turn- A BILL TO INCREASE THE ANNUAL Chicago, the people of illinois and citizens of er, Gabriel Prosser, and Denmark Vesey, for CAP ON STATES’ AUTHORITY TO our nation, I rise today in honor of Casimir Pu- example, organized and led doomed but val- ISSUE THEIR OWN TAX-EXEMPT laski, a patriot and military hero and the Fa- iant slave rebellions against slave owners and PRIVATE ACTIVITY BONDS AND ther of the American Cavalry. the militias that maintained the institution of TO INDEX SUCH AMOUNTS IN While countless words have been spoken slavery with force. Abolitionists like Frederick THE FUTURE and many volumes have been written about Douglas and Sojourner Truth undermined the Casimir Pulaski’s life, I believe this contribu- institution of slavery by speaking, writing, and HON. AMO HOUGHTON tions to his native home and his bravery on lobbying against it—at considerable personal OF NEW YORK behalf of his adopted land are immeasurable. Casimir Pulaski was born on March 4, 1747 risk. And brave individuals like Harriet Tubman IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES in Warka, Poland. He was a valiant fighter risked their lives and their hard-won freedom Thursday, February 25, 1999 during Poland’s war of independence from to return to slave-holding states to lead other Mr. HOUGHTON. Mr. Speaker, I am Russia. But for his distinguished service to- African Americans north to freedom along the pleased to join my colleague from Massachu- ward freedom and independence on behalf of Underground Railroad. During the Civil War, setts, Mr. NEAL, together with a number of his people and his beloved Poland, he was over 200,000 African American men fought in other colleagues, in introducing our bill, ‘‘The forced to flee and became an exile. the Union Army and Navy—to free their State and Local Investment Opportunity Act of He remained a voice for just causes and an enslaved brethren, to prove that African Amer- 1999.’’ The bill would raise the annual cap on unwavering spirit for freedom. That is why he icans were as brave and as tough as whites, states’ authority to issue their own tax-exempt joined in America’s struggle against the colo- and to improve the claim of all African Ameri- ‘‘Private Activity’’ bonds to $75 times popu- nists and fought along side General George cans to the rights already enjoyed by whites. lation ($225 million if greater) and provides for Washington during the Revolutionary War. He In the post-Reconstruction era, African an inflation adjustment based on the con- was named brigadier general and the first Americans like Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. sumer price index for calendar years after commander of the American cavalry. For his DuBois, and Mary Church Terrell shaped atti- 2000. The bill would be effective for calendar bravery and service, he was bestowed, and tudes within the African American community years after 1999. rightly so, the title of ‘‘Father of the American and won the respect of many white Americans A similar bill was introduced in the 105th Cavalry.’’ across the country. Congress and was enacted without the index- He paid the ultimate price for his convictions ation provision and the increase in the annual and was fatally wounded during the Battle of In the early 1900s, prominent African Ameri- cap is being phased in starting in 2003. Thus, Savannah. cans like W.E.B. DuBois and Ida Wells-Barnett our new bill is the same as last year’s bill ex- Casimir Pulaski is an American hero, who worked to form the National Association for cept for the indexation and effective date. fought for freedom, with honor and courage. the Advancement of Colored People, an orga- Chairman ARCHER of the Ways and Means As we commemorate this legend, I also wish nization dedicated to the elimination of seg- Committee was totally cooperative in our effort to recognize the countless accomplishments regation and discrimination. Also in those last Congress, and indeed was key in includ- and great contributions of Polish Americans to years, Marcus Garvey led an influential black ing our original proposal in the Taxpayer Re- our nation. nationalist movement and fought institutional lief Act of 1998, which the House passed but f racism in the United States. the Senate did not take up. Nevertheless, the INTRODUCTION OF THE DEATH Chairman persisted in including the phased-in In the 1920s, ’30s, and ’40s, A. Philip Ran- TAX ELIMINATION ACT dolph worked to organize African American provision in the smaller so-called ‘‘extender workers and end the division of the labor bill’’ that was enacted. We believe this change is important to all of HON. JENNIFER DUNN movement along racial lines. He also worked us, in that tax-exempt Private Activity Bonds fi- OF WASHINGTON diligently to end discrimination in the military nance affordable ownership and rental hous- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and the government. ing, manufacturing job creation, environmental Thursday, February 25, 1999 And since the end of World War II, African cleanup, infrastructure and student loans. Na- Ms. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, it’s been said that American leaders like Thurgood Marshall, tionwide, demand for bond authority exceeded only with our government are you given a Martin Luther King, Adam Clayton Powell, supply by nearly 50 percent in 1997, accord- ‘‘certificate at birth, a license at marriage, and Jesse Jackson, Colin Powell, and Ralph ing to the National Council of State Housing a bill at death.‘‘Today I am introducing the Bunche have made their mark on American Agencies. This is a bipartisan issue. Three- Death Tax Elimination Act, which seeks to history—in our courts, our schools, our gov- quarters of the House supported our bill in the phase-out the onerous death tax. The death ernment, our politics, the military, and in for- 105th Congress and a majority of the Senate tax rates will be reduced by 5 percentage eign affairs. African American women like cosponsored identical Senate legislation. The points each year until the highest rate brack- Fannie Lou Hamer, Shirley Chisholm, and nation’s governors and mayors, other state et—55 percent—reaches zero in 2010. As Barbara Jordan broke old barriers and won and local governmental groups, and the public these rates are lowered to zero, more and the respect of millions of Americans for their finance community all strongly support full more families will no longer be forced to give integrity, their intelligence, their dedication, bond cap restoration. the family savings to Uncle Sam and the fam- and their professional accomplishments. On the possibility that a large tax package ily business will be saved. In an era when the moves forward this session, we believe it is This recitation of African American leaders productivity of American workers is creating important to reconsider the effective date is by no means all-inclusive. In fact, it touches huge budget surpluses, it is incomprehensible issue, as well as the indexing for inflation for this tax to live on. The death tax deserves upon only a few of the African American lead- going forward. ers who have shaped this country’s history. to die. We urge our colleagues to join us in co- One of the most compelling aspects of the Their names are intended merely to document sponsoring this important legislation—‘‘The the observation that African American leaders American dream is to make life better for your State and Local Investment Opportunity Act of children and loved ones. Yet, the current tax have played an important positive role in our 1999.’’ nation’s past. treatment of individuals and families at death f is so onerous that when one dies, their chil- As part of the annual observation of Black IN HONOR OF CASIMIR PULASKI dren are many times forced to sell and turn History Month, it is instructive to remind our- over more than half of their inheritance just to selves that in the face of racism, discrimina- pay the taxes. It takes place at an agonizing tion, and violence, many African Americans HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY OF ILLINOIS time for the family; when families should be have successfully taken action to change our IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES grieving for a loved one with friends and rel- society and determine their own destiny within atives, rather than spending painful hours with it. I believe that African Americans today can Thursday, February 25, 1999 lawyers and bureaucrats. draw great satisfaction and strength from that Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, on behalf By confiscating between 37 percent and 55 history. of the millions of Polish Americans, the city of percent of an estate, the death tax punishes

VerDate jul 14 2003 09:00 Sep 28, 2004 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR99\E25FE9.000 E25FE9 3222 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS February 25, 1999 life-long habits of savings, discourages entre- providing care for over one thousand individ- served his district with distinction from 1968 to preneurship and capital formation, penalizes uals on any given day. It serves individuals in 1974. He would later serve in the Commerce families, and has an enormous negative effect Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw and Department under President Ford and in the on other tax revenues. Americans today are Kalamazoo counties. Agriculture Department under President living longer and enjoying their retirement. At In 1991, the agency won Crain’s Detroit Reagan. His easy-going style masked a savvy a time when this Congress is discussing the Business ‘‘Best Managed Non-Profit Award,’’ mind. future of Social Security, and how to person- and the Peter F. Drucker Award for Non-Profit When I was a boy, I couldn’t have imagined alize and modernize the system, we also need Innovation. In 1994, Judson Center was a fi- that I would meet Wilmer Mizell on the base- to encourage private investment. We should nalist in the Innovations in State and Local ball field again * * * only this time, as a Con- be encouraging people to plan for their future Government Award program, sponsored by gressman. For years, Wilmer was a fixture at with retirement plans and IRAs, rather than the Ford Foundation and the John F. Kennedy the congressional baseball game. As a long- encouraging reckless spending and a me-first School of Government. The Richard Huegli time player, I can’t tell you how much it meant attitude. This country was born on the promise Award sponsored by United Community Serv- to have Wilmer at practice and at the game of hope and opportunity, and by taxing fami- ices has been presented to the agency on two itself. One of my great regrets in my first year lies and businesses at their most agonizing occasions. In 1994 it received this award for as manager of the Republican team is that time, we destroy their hope for the future. its innovative Supported Employment program, Wilmer won’t be there to share his advice, By today’s tax system, it is easier and and in 1998 for its Living in Family Environ- wisdom, and wit. cheaper to sell a business before death rather ment initiative. But we will all remember Wilmer Mizell Judson’s leader, Mounir W. Sharobeen was than try to pass it on after. More than 70 per- when we rise for the National Anthem before awarded Executive of the Year by United cent of family business and farms do not sur- the game this June. He was the essence of Community Services in 1990, and Michiganian vive through the second generation. Nine out two traits common to success in baseball and of the Year by the Detroit News in 1992. of ten successors whose family-owned busi- politics: good-hearted competition and real ca- Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me nesses failed within three years of the prin- maraderie. We’ll miss this great ballplayer, in congratulating Judson Center for 75 years cipal owner’s death said trouble paying estate great American, and truly good friend. taxes contributed to the company’s demise. of fulfilling its mission to help children, adults For family owned business, this is a tax just and families reach their fullest potential. I wish f because the business is changing ownership them success in continuing to serve so many due to the death of an owner. communities in need. TRIBUTE TO CAPE AND ISLANDS Aside from being a source of revenue, an- f EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES other express purpose of the estate tax was to break up large concentrations of wealth. 75 IN MEMORY OF WILMER ‘‘VINEGAR years later, however, reality suggests that BEND’’ MIZELL HON. WILLIAM D. DELAHUNT rather than being an important means for pro- SPEECH OF OF MASSACHUSETTS moting equal economic opportunity, the estate tax is in fact a barrier to economic advance- HON. MICHAEL G. OXLEY IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ment for people of all economic cir- OF OHIO Thursday, February 25, 1999 cumstances. In effect, the death tax, which IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. DELAHUNT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today was established to redistribute wealth, hurts Wednesday, February 24, 1999 those it was meant to help—namely, Amer- to recognize the important work of Cape and ica’s working men and women. When small Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to offer a Islands Emergency Medical Services on the businesses close their doors, loyal employees tip of the old baseball cap to a great team occasion of its twenty-fifth anniversary on Feb- lose their jobs. player—Wilmer Mizell. ruary 25, 1999. The saying goes that death and taxes are I was saddened to learn of Wilmer’s death The Cape and Islands Emergency Medical the only certainties in life. I believe it is ridicu- this past Sunday at the age of 68. It’s appro- Services system was created in 1974 by a lous that the government force the American priate that Congress put its appreciation of group of physicians, fire fighters and chiefs, people to deal with both on the same day. one of its most genial Members in the record local officials and educators who recognized Families should be allowed—and encour- books. the need to develop a comprehensive para- aged—to save for future generations. I invite I first came across Wilmer Mizell not as a medic training program and who had the vi- my colleagues to join JOHN TANNER and me in Congressman from North Carolina, but as a sion to create a system to provide advanced our bi-partisan effort to eliminate this detri- cagey major league pitcher known as ‘‘Vinegar life support ambulance services to the people mental and cruel tax. Bend’’ on his baseball cards. Truly the kind of of the Cape and Islands. f great baseball nickname I fondly remember Today, Cape and Islands EMS provides from my boyhood in the 1950’s. these comprehensive services to 26 towns, 29 TRIBUTE TO THE 75TH ANNIVER- Anyway, I was a 14-year-old fan when I met provider agencies, 5 hospitals and a fluc- SARY OF THE JUDSON CENTER Wilmer and some of his fellow St. Louis Car- tuating population of 200,000 in the winter dinals in Milwaukee. He gave me his auto- months and over 1,000,000 during the sum- HON. SANDER M. LEVIN graph—in fact, I still treasure those Cardinal mer. autographs today—and tickets to the game. OF MICHIGAN Cape and Islands EMS has made significant IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES That’s when ballplayers really were heroes to their fans, and when baseball was the indis- contributions to the delivery of health care on Thursday, February 25, 1999 putable National Pastime. Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the You’ll find Wilmer Mizell permanently listed through education, medical direction and over- Judson Center on the occasion of their 75th in the baseball fan’s bible, the Encyclopedia of sight, communications and administrative serv- Anniversary. Baseball. He pitched for the Cardinals, the ices for EMS providers. The Judson Center began as a children’s Pittsburgh Pirates, and the New York Mets. After twenty-five years, Cape and Islands home with a single matron tending to the emo- He was a key addition for the Pirates in 1960, EMS has become a leader in the delivery of tional, physical and spiritual growth of only a when Pittsburgh capped an improbable World high-quality emergency medical services. Its few children. As children and families became Series victory over the Yankees on Bill team has set a high standard of excellence, more fragmented and victimized by poverty, Mazeroski’s stunning home run. Wilmer then always striving to exceed the needs and ex- disabilities, abuse and neglect, the Judson performed the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of pectations of the Cape and Islands medical Center grew to meet these new challenges. the grand old game by toiling for the expan- community as well as area residents. Under the 17 year leadership of Mounir W. sion Mets. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in Sharobeem, the Judson Center has 365 em- After a few years, Wilmer Mizell broke into congratulating the Cape and Islands EMS ployees and is a comprehensive, multi-fac- another exclusive lineup. He was elected as a System for twenty-five years of outstanding eted, community-based human service center Congressman from North Carolina. Wilmer service.

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