October 9, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1983 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS

THE WAR ON DRUGS across the country,’’ he said. ‘‘The seizures INTRODUCTION OF H.R. 2635—THE are getting larger and the purity is going HUMAN RIGHTS INFORMATION ACT HON. NEWT GINGRICH up.’’ OF GEORGIA McGrath pleaded not guilty Tuesday and HON. TOM LANTOS was released on $50,000 bond. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF CALIFORNIA Thursday, October 9, 1997 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES f Mr. GINGRICH. Mr. Speaker, I want to en- Thursday, October 9, 1997 courage my colleagues to read the following IN PRAISE OF SGT. KEITH NOWLIN Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, yesterday with a article from the Atlanta Journal Constitution number of our distinguished colleagues in the dated September 24, 1997. I believe this is a House, I introduced H.R. 2635, the Human blatant example of how our country has lost HON. RALPH M. HALL Rights Information Act. Joining me to intro- some major battles with the war on drugs, but OF TEXAS duce this bill were my colleagues CONSTANCE the war itself is not lost. To many people it's MORELLA of Maryland, JAMES MCGOVERN of become painfully apparent in the last few IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Massachusetts, ELIZABETH FURSE of Oregon, years the war on drugs has been failing. Thursday, October 9, 1997 JOHN LEWIS of Georgia, JAMES OBERSTAR of America has spent millions of dollars on ef- Minnesota, MARTIN SABO also of Minnesota, forts to rid our society of the ravages of illegal Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, one of my JOSE SERRANO of New York, BERNIE SANDERS drugs, only to find ourselves in a situation constituents, Army Sgt. 1st Class Keith H. of Vermont, and MARTIN MEEHAN of Massa- that's worse than when we began. We must Nowlin, son of William H. and Mary E. Nowlin chusetts. Our legislation is a companion bill to now have the resolve and fortitude to carry the of Ivanhoe, TX, was recently involved in spe- S. 1220, which Senator CHRISTOPHER DODD of fight to the dealers and traffickers themselves. cialized military training that is deserving of Connecticut introduced in the Senate with a This is exactly why I introduced H.R. 41, the our recognition. number of his distinguished colleagues in that Drug Importer Death Penalty Act, to assist in Sergeant Nowlin was part of an elite group House. curbing the quantities of drugs entering the Our legislation will dramatically improve the United States. The legislation would call for a of soldiers from Fort Hood, TX, who traveled to the Army's National Training Center in Fort current declassification procedures of human mandatory life sentence if someone is found rights documents pertaining to gross human to have brought a commercial quantity of Irwin, CA, to test the world's most advanced military technology that could transform the rights violations in Guatemala and Honduras. drugs into the United States. On the second This important bill strikes an appropriate bal- offense, a sentence of death would be im- battlefield of the 21st century. He is a member of the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade, a ance between the need for speedy and com- posed. It is time for us to send a serious and prehensive declassification and the need to unmistakable message to those individuals unit charged with learning and testing new software, computers and weapon systems that protect legitimate U.S. national security inter- who are profiting from destroying lives and ir- ests. It will be of invaluable assistance to the revocably chaining our youth to the tragedy of could be used in refitting conventional tanks, artillery equipment, air defense weapon sys- work of my good friend, Dr. Leo Valladares, illegal drugs. We will not tolerate the use of il- the Honduran Human Rights commissioner, legal drugs, and furthermore we will defend tems, infantry fighting vehicles, and attack hel- icopters. who came to testify before the Congressional our country from those who wish to enter our Human Rights Caucus, which I cochair with borders with the intent to distribute these The unit traveled to California's Mojave Congressman JOHN EDWARD PORTER. It also drugs that are poison to our society. Desert to do battle with a highly trained oppo- will support the work of the Guatemalan Clari- SUITCASES PACKING HEROIN sition unit called the OPFOR, which is made fication Commission, as well as the people of (By Ron Martz) up of some of the Army's best soldiers trained Guatemala and Honduras in general. Only full The second major heroin seizure in Atlanta in former Soviet Union tactics and using So- consideration and investigation of human in less than a month is raising concerns viet-style equipment. Nowlin and his unit used rights abuses in these two countries can among law enforcement officials that the their new technology in a series of mock bat- achieve the full accountability needed to re- city has become a target for organizations tles to see how well they performed against build a peaceful and reconciled civil society in trafficking in the drug. the OPFOR. Nowlin was a platoon sergeant in Nine pounds of heroin believed to have those areas. this high-tech battle. His training included two The Government of Guatemala and the come from Pakistan were discovered hidden years of classes and field testing of over 70 in the linings of two large suitcases at rebels, the Guatemalan National Revolutionary Hartsfield International Airport on Monday different pieces of high tech equipment and Unity [URNG], formally ended their hostilities night, bringing to 22 pounds the amount of software packages. The information gathered at the end of 1996. But peace cannot exist the drug found in recent raids, the Drug En- from this exercise is being processed to help without truth, a principle which these parties forcement Administration announced Tues- determine what systems work and what do recognized in agreeing to establish a truth day. not. Police allegedly found 13 pounds of heroin commissionÐThe Commission for the Histori- from Thailand in the Atlanta apartment of Mr. Speaker, I am proud that my congres- cal Clarification of Human Rights Violations John McGrath, 53, a native of Australia, on sional district is represented in this type of and Acts of Violence which have Caused Suf- August 28. McGrath and three others have training, which is so important to our strategic fering to the Guatemalan People. Given this been arrested and charged with running an defense planning. The future security of our monumental task, the commission has only a international heroin trafficking ring that great Nation will depend on the training and very short period to accomplish its important brought the drug into Atlanta. expertise of our enlisted men and women as work. The commission's work by law is to take Kashis Rashid Rana, 22, of Kennesaw, was arrested and charged in Monday’s seizure at well as advanced technologies such as those only 6 months, but that time limit can be ex- the airport, which DEA officials said was being tested in the deserts of California. I tended for another 6 months. The clock began worth about $4 million. commend Sergeant Nowlin's efforts and the ticking when the work of the commission for- The street value for a kilogram (2.2 efforts of all those in our military who are dedi- mally began on July 31, 1997. Therefore swift pounds) of heroin can range from $70,000 to cating their lives and their careers to the de- and comprehensive declassification of all rel- $200,000, DEA officials said. fense of our Nation. As we adjourn today, I evant United States agency documents is criti- The two seizures are not related, according ask my colleagues to join me in expressing to cal to the success for peace and democracy to John Andrejko, head of the Atlanta office of the DEA, who called them ‘‘two of the them our gratitude and our support, and to let in Guatemala. largest ever‘‘ in the state. Sergeant Nowlin know that we are very proud The same applies to Honduras. In 1979, the ‘‘But what we’re seeing in Atlanta is indic- of his accomplishments of the pastÐand of first disappearance took place in Honduras ative of what we’re seeing in the larger cities his service today and in the future. and dozens of others followed, along with

∑ 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. E1984 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 9, 1997 extrajudicial killings. This nightmare followed and currently works with Guatemala Partners charged with the conduct of foreign policy or the implementation of the Honduran military's and the Latin American Youth Center. foreign intelligence, including the Depart- National Security Doctrine which embarked on Meredith Larson, a human rights worker at- ment of State, the Agency for International Development, the Department of Defense a deliberate policy of eliminating people sus- tacked by knife-wielding assailants in 1989, is (and all of its components), the Central In- pected of having links with insurgencies in a founding member of Coalition ``Missing.'' telligence Agency, the National Reconnais- Honduras and El Salvador or with the Sandi- She is a resident of the beautiful city of San sance Office, the Department of Justice (and nistas in Nicaragua. In May 1992, a law cre- Francisco and came to Washington especially all of its components), the National Security ated the National Commissioner for the Pro- for this event. Council, and the Executive Office of the tection of Human Rights and in November ap- Oscar Reyes, editor of Washington metro President. Hispanic newspaper ``El Pregonero'' who him- SEC. 4. IDENTIFICATION, REVIEW, AND PUBLIC pointed Leo Valladares Lanza to lead this DISCLOSURE OF HUMAN RIGHTS work. By December 1993, the Commissioner self is a victim of torture in Honduras. RECORDS REGARDING GUATEMALA had published a report entitled ``The Facts Eileen Connolly, sister of Father Carney AND HONDURAS. Speak for Themselves'' detailing the dis- who disappeared in Honduras in 1983, and (a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any appearance of close to 200 persons since her husband. other provision of law, the provision of this 1980. Mr. Speaker, I ask that the text of H.R. 2635 Act shall govern the declassification and be placed in the RECORD at this point. I urge public disclosure of human rights records by Before Dr. Valladares concluded his prelimi- agencies. nary report, he asked the U.S. Government for my colleagues to join me as a cosponsor of (b) IDENTIFICATION OF RECORDS.—Not later files and information. With a number of mem- this important legislation. than 120 days after the date of enactment of bers of the Congressional Human Rights Cau- H.R. 2635 this Act, each agency shall identify, review, cus, I have supported the requests made by Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- and organize all human rights records re- Dr. Valladares in several letters to the Presi- resentatives of the United States of America in garding activities occurring in Guatemala Congress assembled, and Honduras after 1944 for the purpose of de- dent and to other administration officials. De- classifying and disclosing the records to the SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. spite a Presidential Executive order, declas- public. Except as provided in section 5, all This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Human sification of relevant documents has been very records described in the preceding sentence Rights Information Act’’. narrowly focused and extremely slow. Thus shall be made available to the public not far, the State Department has responded by SEC. 2. FINDINGS. later than 30 days after a review under this Congress finds the following: section is completed. releasing 3,000 pages of documents, while (1) Agencies of the Government of the other agencies fell dramatically short in their (c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than United States have information on human 150 days after the date of enactment of this efforts to comply with Dr. Valladares' requests. rights violations in Guatemala and Hon- Act, the President shall report to Congress Mr. Speaker, The Human Rights Information duras. regarding each agency’s compliance with the Act will make a number of important changes (2) Members of both Houses of Congress provisions of this Act. in the law that will assure prompt and com- have repeatedly asked the Administration SEC. 5. GROUNDS FOR POSTPONEMENT OF PUB- plete declassification of important human for information on Guatemalan and Hon- LIC DISCLOSURE OF RECORDS. duran human rights cases. (a) IN GENERAL.—An agency may postpone rights documents, while at the same time fully (3) The Guatemalan peace accords, which respecting and protecting our legitimate na- public disclosure of a human rights record or the Government of the United States firmly particular information in a human rights tional security concerns. The legislation re- supports, has as an important and vital com- record only if the agency determines that quires Government agencies to review human ponent the establishment of the Commission there is clear and convincing evidence that— rights records within 120 days after inquiries for the Historical Clarification of Human (1) the threat to the military defense, in- by the Honduran Human Rights Commissioner Rights Violations and Acts of Violence telligence operations, or conduct of foreign or the Guatemalan Clarification Commission which have Caused Suffering to the Guate- relations of the United States raised by pub- and ensure the release 30 days thereafter. malan People (referred to in this Act as the lic disclosure of the human rights record is ‘‘Clarification Commission’’). The Clarifica- The legislation also applies to requests from of such gravity that it outweighs the public tion Commission will investigate cases of interest, and such public disclosure would re- appropriate human rights organizations in human rights violations and abuses by both veal— other Latin American or Caribbean countries parties to the civil conflict in Guatemala (A) an intelligence agent whose identity requesting information relating to human rights and will need all available information to currently requires protection; abuses in their countries. The legislation will fulfill its mandate. (B) an intelligence source or method— ensure that an interagency appeals panel re- (4) The National Commissioner for the Pro- (i) which is being utilized, or reasonably expected to be utilized, by the United States views agencies' decisions to withhold informa- tection of Human Rights in the Republic of Honduras has been requesting United States Government; tion, and it provides that two outside human Government documentation on human rights (ii) which has not been officially disclosed; rights specialists suggested by human rights violations in Honduras since November 15, and NGO's and appointed by the President will be 1993. The Commissioner’s request has been (iii) the disclosure of which would interfere members of this appeals panel. The declas- partly fulfilled, but is still pending. The re- with the conduct of intelligence activities; quest has been supported by national and or sification standards in this legislation follow the (C) any other matter currently relating to international human rights nongovern- same standards as the Congress has already the military defense, intelligence operations, mental organizations as well as members of enacted in the John F. Kennedy Assassination or conduct of foreign relations of the United both Houses of Congress. Records Act. States, the disclosure of which would demon- (5) Victims and survivors of human rights Yesterday, Mr. Speaker, at a press con- strably impair the national security of the violations, including United States citizens ference on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, I United States; and their relatives, have also been request- (2) the public disclosure of the human publicly announced the introduction of this leg- ing the information referred to in paragraphs islation. Joining me on this occasionÐin addi- rights record would reveal the name or iden- (3) and (4). Survivors and the relatives of vic- tity of a living individual who provided con- tion to our colleagues ELIZABETH FURSE and tims have a right to know what happened. fidential information to the United States JAMES MCGOVERNÐwere a number of out- The requests have been supported by na- and would pose a substantial risk of harm to standing leaders in the struggle for human tional and international human rights non- that individual; rights in Central America. They included: governmental organizations as well as mem- (3) the public disclosure of the human Jennifer Harbury, U.S. attorney, author, and bers of both Houses of Congress. rights record could reasonably be expected to (6) The United States should make the in- constitute an unwarranted invasion of per- wife of disappeared Guatemalan Guerrilla formation it has on human rights abuses commander EfraÂõn BaÂmaca VelaÂsquez; found- sonal privacy, and that invasion of privacy is available to the public as part of the United so substantial that it outweighs the public ing member of Coalition ``Missing.'' Ms. States commitment to democracy in Central interest; or Harbury, who now lives in Texas, came to America. (4) the public disclosure of the human Washington yesterday especially for this SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. rights record would compromise the exist- event. In this Act: ence of an understanding of confidentiality Sister Dianna Ortiz, OSU, an Ursuline nun (1) HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD.—The term currently requiring protection between a subjected to horrifying torture in 1989 following ‘‘human rights record’’ means a record in the Government agent and a cooperating individ- possession, custody, or control of the United her abduction. She is a human rights activist ual or a foreign government, and public dis- States Government containing information closure would be so harmful that it out- and founding member of Coalition ``Missing.'' about gross human rights violations commit- weighs the public interest. Calixto Torres, a Guatemalan community ted after 1944. (b) SPECIAL TREATMENT OF CERTAIN INFOR- worker who was forced to flee because of his (2) AGENCY.—The term ‘‘agency’’ means MATION.—It shall not be grounds for post- work. He has been granted political asylum any agency of the United States Government ponement of disclosure of a human rights October 9, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1985 record that an individual named in the guidelines regarding its policy and proce- ment to freedom and democratic principles. human rights record was an intelligence dures for adjudicating appeals. Ambassador Hu has been effective in empha- asset of the United States Government, al- (c) PRESIDENTIAL AUTHORITY OVER APPEALS sizing those common interests during his stay PANEL DETERMINATION.— though the existence of such relationship in Washington, and keeping us informed about may be withheld if the criteria set forth in (1) PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OR POSTPONEMENT OF subsection (a) are met. For purposes of the DISCLOSURE.—The President shall have the Taiwan's concerns and its hopes for the fu- preceding sentence, the term an ‘‘intel- sole and nondelegable authority to review ture. He has demonstrated his skill in helping ligence asset’’ means a covert agent as de- any determination of the Appeals Board to define the limits and the possibilities of the fined in section 606(4) of the National Secu- under this Act, and such review shall be relationship between our two countries, and in rity Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 426(4)). based on the standards set forth in section 5. helping to find ways to assure that our formal SEC. 6. REQUEST FOR HUMAN RIGHTS RECORDS Not later than 30 days after the Appeals Pan- and informal relations serve those common in- FROM OFFICIAL ENTITIES IN OTHER el’s determination and notification to the terests. LATIN AMERICAN CARIBBEAN COUN- agency pursuant to subsection (b)(4), the While we are sad to see Ambassador Hu TRIES. President shall provide the Appeals Panel leaving us, I also want to congratulate him on In the event that an agency of the United with an unclassified written certification States receives a request for human rights specifying the President’s decision and stat- his new assignment as the Republic of Chi- records from an entity created by the United ing the reasons for the decision, including in na's foreign minister. I am confident that his Nations or the Organization of American the case of a determination to postpone dis- work in the Ministry will continue to build States similar to the Guatemalan Clarifica- closure, the standards set forth in section 5 friendship between our countries and to build tion Commission, or from the principal jus- which are the basis for the President’s deter- on those shared interests. I believe Ambas- tice or human rights official of a Latin mination. sador Hu understands our people and our American or Caribbean country who is inves- (2) RECORD OF PRESIDENTIAL POSTPONE- country well. The same is true, of course, of tigating a pattern of gross human rights vio- MENT.—The Appeals Panel shall, upon re- Taiwan's President, Lee Teng-hui, who once lations, the agency shall conduct a review of ceipt of the President’s determination, pub- records as described in section 4 and shall de- lived in my congressional district when he at- lish in the Federal Register a copy of any un- tended Cornell University. classify and publicly disclose such records in classified written certification, statement, accordance with the standards and proce- and other materials transmitted by or on be- Let me add to my personal congratulations dures set forth in this Act. half of the President with regard to the post- to Ambassador Hu my congratulations to all SEC. 7. REVIEW OF DECISIONS TO WITHHOLD ponement of disclosure of a human rights the people of Taiwan on their national day. RECORDS. record. f (a) DUTIES OF THE APPEALS PANEL.—The SEC. 8. REPORT REGARDING OTHER HUMAN Interagency Security Classification Appeals RIGHTS RECORDS. TRIBUTE TO TEODORO VIDAL, HIS Panel (referred to in this Act as the ‘‘Ap- Upon completion of the review and disclo- GIFT TO AMERICAN CULTURE peals Panel’’), established under Executive sure of the human rights records relating to Order No. 12958, shall review determinations Guatemala and Honduras, the Information HON. JOSE´ E. SERRANO by an agency to postpone public disclosure of Security Policy Advisory Council, estab- OF NEW YORK any human rights record. lished pursuant to Executive Order No. 12958, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (b) DETERMINATIONS OF THE APPEALS shall report to Congress on the desirability PANEL.— and feasibility of declassification of human Thursday, October 9, 1997 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Appeals Panel shall rights records relating to other countries in direct that all human rights records be dis- Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay Latin America and the Caribbean. The report tribute to Mr. Teodoro Vidal, a Puerto Rican closed to the public, unless the Appeals shall be available to the public. Panel determines that there is clear and con- businessman and art collector, who has do- SEC. 9. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION. vincing evidence that— nated his splendid collection of colonial art- (A) the record is not a human rights (a) FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT.—Noth- ing in this Act shall be construed to limit work from Puerto Rico to the Smithsonian In- record; or stitution. (B) the human rights record or particular any right to file a request with any execu- tive agency or seek judicial review of a deci- ``Colonial Art From Puerto Rico: Selections information in the human rights record From the Gift of Teodoro Vidal'', part of Vidal's qualifies for postponement of disclosure pur- sion pursuant to section 552 of title 5, United suant to section 5. States Code. remarkable endowment to the Smithsonian, is (2) TREATMENT IN CASES OF NONDISCLO- (b) JUDICIAL REVIEW.—Nothing in this Act now on exhibit through March 8, 1998 at the SURE.—If the Appeals Panel concurs with an shall be construed to preclude judicial re- National Museum of American Art. Most of his agency decision to postpone disclosure of a view, under chapter 7 of title 5, United collection will be exhibited in July when the human rights record, the Appeals Panel shall States Code, of final actions taken or re- National Museum of American History opens determine, in consultation with the originat- quired to be taken under this Act. ``Teodoro Vidal: A Collector and His Collec- ing agency and consistent with the standards SEC. 10. CREATION OF POSITIONS. tion.'' set forth in this Act, which, if any, of the al- For purposes of carrying out the provisions Mr. Vidal, believed in the need to preserve of this Act, there shall be 2 additional posi- ternative forms of disclosure described in the Puerto Rican patrimony. Forty years ago paragraph (3) shall be made by the agency. tions in the Appeals Panel. The positions (3) ALTERNATIVE FORMS OF DISCLOSURE.— shall be filled by the President, based on the he started collecting santos, figures of saints The forms of disclosure described in this recommendations of the American Historical and other religious personalities carved in paragraph are as follows: Association, the Latin American Studies As- wood, when he saw that tourists were buying (A) Disclosure of any reasonably seg- sociation, Human Rights Watch, and Am- most of the pieces and taking them out of the regable portion of the human rights record nesty International, USA. island. after deletion of the portions described in f His collectionÐ3,200 historical and cultural paragraph (1). artifacts from Puerto RicoÐincludes paintings (B) Disclosure of a record that is a sub- TRIBUTE TO AMBASSADOR JASON by Jose Campeche, recognized as the great- stitute for information which is not dis- HU closed. est Latin American painter of the 18th century, (C) Disclosure of a summary of the infor- portrait miniatures, costumes, amulets, jew- mation contained in the human rights HON. MAURICE D. HINCHEY elry, masks, toys, photographs, and 700 record. OF NEW YORK ``santos''. Some of the pieces date back to the (4) NOTIFICATION OF DETERMINATION.— IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 17th century. (A) IN GENERAL.—Upon completion of its Vidal's treasure is one of the largest dona- review, the Appeals Panel shall notify the Thursday, October 9, 1997 head of the agency in control or possession tions by an individual to the Smithsonian Insti- of the human rights record that was the sub- Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Speaker, over the past tution. Today the Smithsonian will honor ject of the review of its determination and 15 months, many of us in the House have had Teodoro Vidal for his breathtakingly valuable shall, not later than 14 days after the deter- the opportunity to meet and work with the gift to the American people. Exhibitions of this mination, publish the determination in the Representative of the Republic of China in magnitude will contribute to the understanding Federal Register. Washington, Ambassador Jason Hu. Ambas- of Latin American peoples, their histories, and (B) NOTICE TO PRESIDENT.—The Appeals sador Hu will be leaving Washington soon to diverse cultures. Panel shall notify the President of its deter- return to Taipei, and I want to take this oppor- Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues and their mination. The notice shall contain a written tunity to thank him for his service and his staff to visit this extraordinary exhibit, and to unclassified justification for its determina- tion, including an explanation of the applica- friendship, and to honor him for the great dip- join me in recognizing Mr. Teodoro Vidal for tion of the standards contained in section 5. lomatic skills he brought to his job here. his magnanimous gift to the Smithsonian Insti- (5) GENERAL PROCEDURES.—The Appeals Our two countries have many interests in tution, a gift which is a blessing for the peo- Panel shall publish in the Federal Register common, most importantly our shared commit- ples of this Nation. E1986 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 9, 1997 NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY’S ment. He concludes that it is our duty to go IN MEMORY OF RAY PEELER CENTENNIAL YEAR above and beyond as citizens to preserve and protect our form of democracy. HON. RALPH M. HALL HON. JOHN JOSEPH MOAKLEY I would like to congratulate Michael again OF MASSACHUSETTS for his success in this program and thank the OF TEXAS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Veterans of Foreign Wars for their support of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Thursday, October 9, 1997 America's youth. I ask unanimous consent that Michael's award-winning essay be included in Thursday, October 9, 1997 Mr. MOAKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the following resolution recognizing the RECORD: Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise the beginning of Northeastern University's ‘‘DEMOCRACY—ABOVE AND BEYOND’’ today in memory of Ray Peeler, Jr., whose centennial year. death on June 26 at the age of 68 marked a Initially, founded in 1898 in a few rooms at Like an eagle perched for flight, American great loss for the city of Bonham, TX. Ray the Y.M.C.A. in Boston, Northeastern Univer- Democracy stands ready, looking into the was a popular local attorney, banker, and twenty-first century; a new millennium. As sity is now a national research institution en- community leader. He also was a loyal Demo- it spreads its wings and gazes over the Earth, rolling more than 11,000 undergraduates, American Democracy soars above and be- crat whose close friends included the late 5,000 graduate students, and 10,000 part-time yond all other forms of government. President Lyndon Baines Johnson and the late students in seven colleges and nine graduate Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Why? Perhaps it is because our democracy Sam Rayburn. For many years Speaker Ray- and professional schools. It offers a variety of is above indifference to the wants, needs, and educational programs including nursing, phar- wishes of its citizens. Our democracy is run burn kept his local office on the third floor of macy, health sciences, business, computer for, of, and by its people. American Democ- the Peeler Building on the Bonham Square. science, engineering, liberal arts, and racy is beyond the control of a single despot Ray was the third generation of his family to sciences. or a celebrated few. live in Fannin County. He graduated coval- Northeastern University holds a special Our democracy is founded on the idea that edictorian from Bonham High School, received place in the heart of Boston and in the higher there are extraordinary possibilities in ordi- his B.A. with high honors from the University education community. The university was ini- nary individuals. Abe Lincoln, our sixteenth of Texas at Austin and his L.L.B. in 1951. He tially created to provide educational oppor- President, comes to mind as a young man served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force from tunity for working families in Boston and its who rose from the depths of poverty to be- 1951 to 1953 during the Korean conflict. surrounding towns, and has remained fully come perhaps the greatest President our He returned to Bonham, where he began committed to that mission as it has developed country has ever known. His example—and a his practice of law in 1953 and served as dis- into a world-class research university. Today, number of others—have proven repeatedly trict and county attorney from 1960 to 1961. the school boasts of its reputation for a top- that no matter how humbly a child is born, he or she has a chance to engage the minds He was a member of the American Bar Asso- notch faculty and it attracts students from and capture the imaginations of our whole ciation, State Bar of Texas, and served as across the United States and dozens of other country. Our democracy is above and beyond vice president of the State Jr. Bar of Texas countries. all others simply because we have a chance. from 1959 to 1960. He was active in Demo- Northeastern University developed an inno- Under American Democracy we may do as we cratic politics and was a delegate to the vative model of cooperative education that is please, as long as we remain responsible citi- Democratic National Convention in 1960. practical in today's workplace. Throughout zens. Ray was a prominent member of the com- their schooling, students combine their class- The beauty of American Democracy is that room instruction with on-the-job experience. we all—man or woman, rich or poor, of what- munity and devoted his professional and per- Cooperative education has enabled North- ever race, creed, or religion, have value and sonal talents to a variety of civic organizations. eastern students to gain practical experience are valued. General Joshua Lawrence Cham- he served as chairman of the Bonham United and job skills, thus giving them an edge over berlain, ‘‘Hero of the Little Round Top’’, ad- Fund and was active in bringing new industry other recent college graduates. dressing his soldiers before the Battle of Get- to Fannin County through his service as presi- Northeastern University has never forgotten tysburg explained the notion of American dent of Bonham Industrial Foundation for 10 its roots. It is deeply committed to its original Democracy by saying, ‘‘It’s not the land, years. Ray was an honorary life sponsor of purpose and it continuously reaches out to its there’s always more land, it’s the idea that the Fannin County Historical Society and was we all have value.’’ surrounding communities by helping to pre- past president and member of the Bonham pare middle- and high-school students for col- Today, our American Democracy is the Chamber of Commerce, Texas Pecan Grow- lege. In addition to providing health care serv- wealthiest, most powerful and freest nation ers Association and Texas Horticulture Soci- ices for children and families, and scholarships on Earth. Our people are free to criticize ety. He also was a member of the Bonham their leaders and to elect new ones. We have Rotary Club and the Masonic Lodge. Ray for hard-working students, the university gen- freedom of the press, religion, and speech. served as president and chairman of the erates innovative housing and economic de- We are free from unjustified arrest by police velopment proposals to improve the quality of and have the right to trial by a jury of our board of directors of Fannin Bank and chair- city life. peers. Our system of Democracy, as laid out man of the board of First National Bank. Northeastern University's 100 experience originally in the Constitution and Bill of Ray was selected for membership in Phi years of worthy of congressional and national Rights, was not perfect, but our forefathers Beta Kappa, Phi gamma Delta and Phi Alpha acclaim. anticipated the future, and insured us the Delta and was named to Who's Who in the f power of amendment, which has allowed us South and Southwest in 1993. He was a over time to continue to work for civil rights member of the First Christian Church, Disci- CONGRATULATIONS TO MICHAEL for all of our people. Perhaps that is why the ples of Christ, where funeral services were BUSE world looks to American Democracy as a model. Of the 191 nations listed in the World held. Almanac, 167 have written constitutions that He is survived by his wife, R'Cella Dean HON. JACK METCALF were either influenced by or modeled after Peeler, son and daughter-in-law William Bryan OF WASHINGTON American Democracy. Peeler and Amy Peeler of Bonham, daughter IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES In a speech delivered to the U.S. Congress, and son-in-law Maribel Peeler Griffon and Thursday, October 9, 1997 Vaclav Havel, President of the newly formed Mark Griffon of Friendswood; stepchildren, Czech Republic, asked: ‘‘Wasn’t it the best Cressie Renfrow Todd and Larry Renfrow; sis- Mr. METCALF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to minds of your country who wrote your fa- congratulate Michael Buse of Stanwood, WA, ter Virginia Cothran of Forth Worth; and sev- mous Constitution and Bill of Human eral grandchildren. who was selected as the winner of the 1997 Rights? Those great documents which insure Voice of Democracy broadcast scriptwriting American Democracy inspire the world. Mr. Speaker, as we adjourn today, it is a contest for Washington State. They inspire us to be citizens.’’ privilege for me to pay my last respects to a His essay ``DemocracyÐAbove and Be- As participants in what George Washing- man who gave so much of himself to his pro- yond'' compares American democracy to an ton called the ‘‘great experiment of Amer- fession, his community, and his countryÐRay eagle perched for flight as we look into the ican Democracy’’ it is our duty to go above Peeler. He will be missed by all those who new millennium. American democracy soars and beyond as citizens to preserve and pro- knew him and who loved him, and I am hon- above and beyond all other forms of govern- tect our form of Democracy. ored to have been his friend. October 9, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1987 TRIBUTE TO DR. STANLEY B. logically unique proteins which contain no finding answers to questions that have vexed PRUSINER, A ‘‘MOZART OF DNA. Rather, in place of genetic reproduction, the scientific world for generations, and for his SCIENCE,’’ ON HIS RECEIVING prions convert neighboring proteins, creating dogged commitment to standing up for his life- THE NOBEL PRIZE IN MEDICINE more disease-causing agents. This phenome- saving beliefs in the face of cynicism and non has a devastating effect on nerve cells in skepticism. HON. TOM LANTOS the brain, ravaging tissue and leading to a cer- f tain death. OF CALIFORNIA SALUTING PEG LEG BATES ON HIS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The scientific community greeted the prion theory with disbelief and outright criticism that 90TH BIRTHDAY Thursday, October 9, 1997 targeted not only Prusiner's conclusions, but Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege his ethics as well. His financial grants quickly HON. MAURICE D. HINCHEY and pleasure to hail the accomplishments of vanished, and he was forced to operate for OF NEW YORK Dr. Stanley B. Prusiner, the 1997 recipient of years with only in-house grants from the loyal IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the Nobel Prize in Medicine. Dr. Prusiner, a UCSF administration. These frustrations professor at the University of California San strengthened Prusiner's dedication to his work Thursday, October 9, 1997 Francisco, joins 30 other Nobel laureates in and as the years progressed, the case for the Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to the UC system, including UCSF's two previous prion theory became stronger and stronger. ask my colleagues to join me in saluting Peg medical honoreesÐmicrobiologists J. Michael His opponents found little evidence to discredit Leg Bates on his 90th birthday. Mr. Bates is Bishop and Harold Varmus, the current head his conclusions, and Prusiner and his dedi- a world renowned entertainer, a successful of the National Institutes of Health. Dr. cated team of researchers, notably brain pa- businessman, and a local legend for Prusiner was awarded this premier distinction thologist Stephen DeArmond and pharma- Kerhonkson, NY, who has been a good friend for his landmark discovery of prions, rogue cologist Stephen Cohen, published hundreds to many people and warmed the hearts of protein particles that function as infectious of papers substantiating the role of the prion even more. agents. This remarkable innovation could in a variety of contagious neurological dis- Mr. Bates performed with some of the great- eventually lead to a cure for dreaded neuro- eases. est names in show business: Pearl Bailey, Ed logical diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkin- The grants returned, with significant con- Sullivan, Sarah Vaughn, Cab Calloway, Nat son's, Huntington's, and amyotropic lateral tributions including a $2.5 million prize from King Cole, Lena Horne, Billy Eckstein, and sclerosis, ALS, better know as Lou Gehrig's the W.M. Keck Foundation in Los Angeles and many others. With his indefatigable spirit, de- disease. In the citation announcing Prusiner's the Israeli Government's prestigious $100,000 termination, and considerable charm, Mr. $1 million prize, Sweden's noted Karolinska Wolf prize. Such resources enabled Prusiner Bates showed the world that there were not Institute lauded the social impact of his to tie the existence of prions to the recent Brit- obstacles, only opportunities, and not insur- achievement. ish epidemic of bovine spongiform mountable barriers, but barriers to be danced ``Stanley Prusiner's discovery provides im- encepalopathy, BSE, better known as mad over. He did this, and so much more, with portant insights that may furnish the basis to cow disease, and to chart the course for even- class, poise, and brilliance. understand the biological mechanisms under- tual cures to BSE and other disorders. He also So on his 90th birthday this weekend I lying other types of dementia-related diseases, won the coveted Albert Lasker Basic Medical would like to have my fellow Members of the for example Alzhemier's disease, and estab- Research Award in 1994, generally regarded House of Representatives join me in saluting lishes a foundation for drug development and as a strong indicator of a future Nobel Prize. Pet Leg Bates and wish him many years of new types of medical treatment strategies.'' In the words of his colleagues, neurologist and good health and happiness to come. For Dr. Prusiner and for his entire research biochemist Jiri G. Safar, Prusiner ``carried on f team at UCSF, this recognition marks the ze- his shoulders the burden of proving this ex- nith of a 15-year battle for a revolutionary the- traordinary new idea. * * * He single-handedly TRIBUTE TO CELIA CRUZ, THE ory that flew in the face of earlier scientific validated his theory. To do that, it takes a per- QUEEN OF LATIN MUSIC judgments about the causes of communicable son of strong conviction and real guts.'' Mr. brain diseases. Speaker, we are all in debt to the courage of HON. JOSE´ E. SERRANO Prusiner's commitment to using his medical this outstanding man. OF NEW YORK genius to helping others began long before his Dr. Prusiner's next challenge is to eradicate IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES discovery of prions. Born in Des Moines, IA, these diseases from the face of this planet. In Thursday, October 9, 1997 he graduated from the University of Penn- the aftermath of the BSE outbreak in Great sylvania Medical School and, after long doing Britain, he has used his findings concerning Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay biochemistry research at the National Insti- the replicating and infectious nature of prions tribute to Celia CruzÐworld renowned singer tutes of Health, moved to the Bay Area in to lobby the Food and Drug Administration of Latin music. The Smithsonian Institution will 1972 to begin his residency in neurology at and the Department of Agriculture to protect honor her on October 16, during a special pro- UCSF. That year, a pivotal event shaped the our food supply and make sure that such a gram entitled `` `≠AzuÂcar!,' The Smithsonian direction of Prusiner's expertise: He began plague will never occur in this country. Honors Celia Cruz''. treating a Marin County woman affected with Prusiner's research will also continue to seek The Smithsonian will present Celia Cruz Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, an exceptionally the causes of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Hun- with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Ex- rare and always fatal condition that mercilessly tington's, and ALS. Once the origins of these cellence in Music from the National Museum destroys the brain. Prusiner's patient passed diseases are discovered, treatments such as of American History's Programa Latino. Celia away after 7 weeks in the hospital, but her gene therapy and prion-blocking medications Cruz, popularly known as the ``Queen of Latin sickness impelled her doctor to examine fur- may be created to cure them or to prevent Music'', will dontate one of her most famous ther links between Creutzfeldt-Jakob and simi- them from spreading. Prusiner expects that costumes to the National Museum of Amer- lar neurological illnesses, and to seek the within the next 5 to 10 years we will see a ican History. cause of these devastating diseases. ``At that drug to stop the progression of Creutzfeldt- Cruz first rose to fame in her native Cuba time,'' said Prusiner years later, ``most people Jakob, the disease that led him to this area of as one of the most exciting and creative per- believed that the brain diseases were caused neurological research a quarter century ago. formers of ``mambo'' of the late 40's. Since by slow viruses, but since I didn't know any vi- Mr. Speaker, Dr. Prusiner has earned our then, Cruz has achieved one success after an- rology, I figured I ought to look for some other utmost gratitude and respect. As his UCSF other. In 1950, she joined the legendary or- explanationÐand that's when I started hunting colleague Dr. DeArmond remarked, he is truly chestra La Sonora Matancera with whom she for proteins that might be involved.'' This re- a ``Mozart of science.'' Prusiner's brilliance, recorded 20 gold albums and toured the Unit- search continued throughout his tenure as a dedication, and, most of all, his persistence ed States and Latin America. Her artistic alli- Howard Hughes Investigator at UCSF from are a credit to his country and to the San ance with Tito PuenteÐ``the King of Latin 1976 to 1981, culminating in his development Francisco community where he has lived with Music''Ðas well as with Johnny Pacheco, of the prion theory in 1982. his wife, Sandy, and his family for over 25 Willie Colon, and the Fania All-Stars in the Prusiner's then-radical pronouncement stat- years. I ask all of my colleagues to join me in 1970's resulted in numerous albums and en- ed that the cause of Creutzfeldt-Jacob and re- congratulating the 1997 recipient of the Nobel during fame. More recently, she has per- lated maladies was not a virus at all; rather, Prize in Medicine, Dr. Stanley B. Prusiner, for formed with David Byrne, Ray Barretto, Emilio these illnesses emanate from prions, bio- his most-deserved award, for his devotion to Estefan, Willie Chirino, and Olga TanÄoÂn. E1988 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 9, 1997 During her successful 50-year career, Celia which children in the Untied States and member of the Royal Order of Jesters, and Cruz has recorded over 70 albums, won a abroad are screened for lead poisoning. Cur- member of Masonic Lodge No. 214 for 30 Grammy Award and 10 Grammy nominations. rently, blood samples from children tested for yearsÐserving as past master and secretary. She performed in various films, including ``The exposure to lead must be sent to a laboratory He was a patron of the Farmersville Order of Perez Family'' and ``The mambo Kings'', and for clinical evaluation. This process could take the Eastern Star No. 940 and a member of the has been recognized with more than 100 several days or even weeks. With the Hella Temple and Scottish Rites of Dallas. awards from publications and institutions Leadcare System, a sample of a patient's Sports were a particular passion. He was an around the world. Among other honors, Cruz blood obtained by a finger stick can be ana- avid golfer, a great baseball fan, and an ar- received an honorary doctorate from Yale Uni- lyzed by the system within 3 minutes, and the dent supporter of high school sports. He oper- versity, a star on Hollywood Boulevard, and results are instantly displayed. Moreover, clini- ated the game clock at Farmersville High recognition from the National Endowment for cal studies conducted by ESA indicate that the School football games for 30 years and at- the Arts. new test is as reliable as established labora- tended the state basketball tournament every Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me tory screening methods. Both ESA and the year except for one when he suffered a heart in recognizing Celia Cruz for her extraordinary Department of Health and Human Services attack. He took special interest in the young talent, her vibrant contributions to the history believe that the expediency of the Leadcare people of Farmersville and was active in Little of music, and her generous gift to the Smith- System will allow heath care professionals League and Boy Scouts. sonian Institution. practicing in urban, underserved areas to f screen more high-risk children in transient A native of Clearwater, TX, Bob served in innercity communities. the U.S. Army just after the end of the Korean THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA’S 86TH The FDA's approval of the Leadcare System war and earned the rank of sergeant. After- NATIONAL DAY is also a major victory for the many countries wards, he worked for the railroad in Gene around the world currently losing the battle Autry, OK, where he met and married the HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ against lead poisoning. Following the FDA's former Sandra Haney in 1955. He is survived OF TEXAS decision, HHS Secretary Donna Shalala, stat- by Sandra, son and daughter-in-law Robbie IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ed that ``thanks to the FDA and CDC, and to and Kailyn Tedford, daughter and son-in-law Beverly and David Toney, sister Mrs. Glennis Thursday, October 9, 1997 memorandums of understanding we have de- veloped with other countries, this new tech- Lilley, brother Nelo Tedford, and four grand- Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, for many years nology can soon be applied to fighting lead children. now, I have joined my colleagues in congratu- poisoning throughout many areas of the Mr. Speaker, Bob Tedford was a friend to lating the leaders of the Republic of China world.'' To this end, ESA plans to introduce many and a friend of mine. He was a driving [ROC] on their National Day. the Leadcare System to public health officials force in Farmersville and an inspiration to all Today I congratulate President Lee Teng- and primary care physicians in countries with who had the pleasure of knowing himÐand he hui and the people of Taiwan on the ROC's high incidents of lead poisoning. will be truly missed. He leaves behind a com- 86th National Day. Mr. Speaker, the FDA's approval of the munity service and compassion, however, that President Lee has just completed a very Leadcare System is truly a landmark in the will be remembered for years to come, and as successful Latin American tour and Taiwan fight against childhood lead poisoning. we adjourn today, let us do so in memory of has been invited to join the System of Central f and in honor of Robert A. ``Bob'' Tedford. American Integration. President Lee is an en- ergetic man who is moving forward on a num- TRIBUTE TO BOB TEDFORD f ber of diplomatic recognitions for Taiwan. In the months and years ahead, I hope that HON. RALPH M. HALL NOW MORE THAN EVER, IT’S TIME Taiwan will continue to enjoy its prosperity and OF TEXAS FOR AN INDEPENDENT COUNSEL freedom. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES f Thursday, October 9, 1997 HON. GERALD B.H. SOLOMON FDA APPROVAL OF LEADCARE Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the late Robert A. (Bob) OF NEW YORK HON. MARTIN T. MEEHAN Tedford, one of the most influential citizens IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF MASSACHUSETTS and civic leaders of Farmersville, TX, during IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the past quarter of a century. Bob died re- Thursday, October 9, 1997 cently after a sudden illness, and he was such Thursday, October 9, 1997 a pervasive presence in the community that Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I am very his absence is difficult to accept and to meas- direct your attention to the following ``Tale of pleased to rise today to inform the House that ure. the Tapes'' editorial from the Albany Times on September 10, 1997, the Food and Drug Bob's influence in Farmersville began in Union, a newspaper circulated in my district. Administration announced the approval of a 1963, when he moved there to establish the The editorial criticizes the Clinton administra- new portable, easy to use, medical screening Bob Tedford Chevrolet Co., which, under his tion for its feeble attempt to explain away its device that can quickly detect high levels of leadership, developed into a thriving business. delay in forwarding videotapes of the White lead in blood. The Leadcare In Office Test His energy, enthusiasm, and ability to relate to House coffees. The administration's most re- System was developed by ESA, Inc., of people were keys to his success in business cent and abominable excuse for its inadvertent Chelmsford, MA, and AndCare, Inc., of Dur- and also to his community leadership. Bob's overlooking of the video tapes is that they en- ham, NC, in conjunction with the Centers for imprint could be seen in almost every civic or- tered the wrong word search on the computer. Disease Control and Prevention. ganization and leadership position in Farmers- The administration's the buck-stops-there Located in my congressional district, ESA, ville. philosophy seems to now have gone beyond Inc., is a biotechnology research company Bob served as mayor, city councilman, and the customary excuses and is reliant on more whose products and services have played a school board president. He was instrumental creative ones. The mishaps, stalling, and inad- significant role in advancing the health care of in obtaining funding to rebuild a State highway vertent overlooking is at an all time high in the Americans for over a quarter century. Since its through downtown Farmersville. He was presi- White House. And in the midst of all this, At- establishment in 1970, ESA has designed and dent of Farmersville Centennial and a founder torney General Janet Reno remains hesitant manufactured numerous high technology ana- of Old Time Saturday, an annual civic fund- to appoint an independent counsel to inves- lytical instruments used for analyzing minute raising event that has raised an estimated tigate the campaign finance violations and quantities of substances, often at the molecu- $200,000 over the years for the library and abuses originating in the White House and lar level. The company's products are fre- other civic projects. risks being seen as a cohort in all of this. It quently utilized in biomedical research Bob was past president of the Rotary Club, has become apparent that Ms. Reno cannot projects, clinical laboratories, and environ- Chamber of Commerce, and library board and carry-the-ball and shed some light on these mental quality control studies. was chairman of the board of First Bank of campaign finance illegalities, I thinks it's time The recently approved Leadcare System Farmersville. He was a lifetime charter mem- that she hand the ball over to an independent promises to dramatically improve the rate at ber of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars, counsel who can. October 9, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1989 [From the Albany Times Union, Oct. 8, 1997] RESCUE MISSIONS DESERVE OUR Urban Development (HUD) now operates TALES OF THE TAPES ATTENTION homeless shelters and drug rehabilitation programs in every major city in the United THE WHITE HOUSE STRAINS CREDULITY IN ITS States. But the rates at which the able-bod- LATEST ATTEMPT TO EXPLAIN WHY VIDEOS OF HON. NEWT GINGRICH ied homeless graduate to independence from COFFEES WERE LATE TO SURFACE OF GEORGIA these programs rarely rise above single dig- The Clinton administration is repeating a IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES its. tawdry chapter of history in its feeable at- America used not settle for this level of tempt to explain away its delay in forward- Thursday, October 9, 1997 failure. If anyone can testify to that, we can. ing videotapes of President Clinton attend- Mr. GINGRICH. Mr. Speaker, I want to en- The International Union of Gospel Mis- ing White House coffees where campaign courage my colleagues to read the following sions—whose staff members often emerge contributors were guests. The White House article from Policy Review by Rev. Stephen from the ranks of the formerly homeless— has, however, added a new cyberspace twist has been helping the destitute break the to it all. Burger. cycle of dependence since 1913. Last year, our The tapes had been sought by the Senate On May 30, I had the opportunity to visit the emergency services and long-term rehabili- committee looking into 1996 campaign fund- Atlanta Union Mission, a private, faith-based tation programs helped 14,000 homeless men raising practices by both Democrats and Re- rescue mission. The Atlanta Union Mission and women achieve self-sufficiency. These publicans. Though filmed in 1995 and 1996, serves men, women, and children throughout were not ‘‘easy’’ cases. Thousands walked the videos weren’t anywhere to be found the city and in part of a 250-member Inter- into our doors addicted to alcohol, heroin, until last weekend, when a 90-minute sam- national Union of Gospel [IUGM]. During my crack cocaine, and other drugs. Many have pler was forwarded to Senate investigators been prostitutes, or veterans who couldn’t visit, I listened to participants of the mission's adjust to civilian life. Many have committed and the Justice Department. program, who talked about their experiences. In the words of Lanny J. Davis, a special crimes, served time in prison, and failed White House counsel, the tapes had been ‘‘in- Many of them stressed that they had been other rehabilitation programs. advertently’’ overlooked. through other programs in the past, and even- Our experience teaches us that America Never mind that this administration has tually relapsed, but that the Union Mission had needs nothing less than a reformation in the used ‘‘inadvertent’’ to explain away so many been effective in dramatically changing their way we think about homelessness. Many tra- lapses that the word now ranks in the politi- lives for good. The key to this effectiveness, ditional and government-funded approaches fail not for lack of money but for a deficit of cal lexicon right along with such staples as was that the mission stressed a Higher Power, ‘‘stonewall’’ and ‘‘plausible deniability.’’ vision: They do not treat the whole person. and recognized the benefits of faith in coun- They neglect the familial and moral aspects This time, however, the twist is that the seling and rehabilitation programs. computer made them do it. of a person’s life. They refuse to challenge How so? The White House says it ordered a Collectively, the International Union of Gos- the homeless person’s fundamental way of search for the tapes, just as the Senate com- pel Missions represents the sixth largest char- thinking. Says Rev. Mickey Kalman, the ex- mittee requested. Somehow, though, the dili- ity in the United States. Last year IUGM mis- ecutive director of City Rescue Mission in gent, trusted White House aides came up sions provided more than 30 million meals, 22 Oklahoma City: ‘‘The philosophy of govern- empty handed. Turns out they were entering million pieces of clothing, and 11 million beds ment homeless programs is to respect and protect lifestyles that produce homeless- the wrong word search in the computer. to homesless men, women, and children. Instead of searching under the word coffee, ness.’’ I would encourage my colleagues to visit a Most significantly, these programs ignore they were busy searching under the words rescue mission in their districts in the near fu- the central dimension of the problem—the fund raising. ture. Although most of these missions receive spiritual. After more than 35 years of trying Thus a new blame-it-on-technology excuse to help homeless people with every imag- enters the political lexicon, right along with very little, if any, Government funding, they inable problem, I cannot escape this fact: the tried and true evasion of blaming the have proven to be the most cost effective, dol- Men and women who walk away from their secretary for an 18-minute erasure on a lar for dollar, and, most important, they have jobs, their families, and their homes do so Nixon audiotape. the highest success rate in drug treatment and because, fundamentally, they are turning It’s difficult to decide who looks more fool- rehabilitation. As Rev. Stephen Burger has away God and His claim on their lives. But ish in the wake of these revelations—Mr. written, the approach that rescue missions government funded policies, by definition, Davis and has boss, or Attorney General take toward helping the homeless become must exclude this vital dynamic from the Janet Reno, who wasn’t told of the tapes productive members of our society deserves discussion. It is a prescription predestined until after she announced that her Justice our attention. for failure. Department had found no evidence that Not only are government approaches not President Clinton had violated any laws by [From the Policy Review, Oct., 1997] working, but government regulations con- attending the coffees. ARISE, TAKE UP THY MAT AND WALK tinue to impede or thwart the most innova- Now there is talk of even more tapes of po- (By Rev. Stephen Burger) tive programs. Labor laws, zoning issues, li- litical fund-raisers that have yet to be re- censing requirements are all getting in the leased by the White House. Little wonder Spend a little time in virtually any city in America and you’ll see them—in doorways, way of private, religiously based efforts to that Sen. John McCain, the Arizona Repub- deliver effective care. Authorizing block lican who is co-sponsor of major campaign fi- under bridges, poking through trash cans, begging for loose change. They are America’s grants and returning power to the states will nance reform legislation, is shaking his head not by themselves make much of a dif- and saying, ‘‘I’ve never seen anything like homeless. They no longer wear the face of the 55-year-old alcoholic man; they look ference, because it’s state and local govern- it.’’ ments that throw up some of the most egre- All the more reason for Ms. Reno to face more and more like young crack addicts, battered women and children, prostitutes, gious obstacles to our faith-based shelter up to her obligation to appoint a special programs. Moreover, much of government’s prosecutor. gamblers, and AIDS sufferers. On any given day, about 600,000 people are living either on regulatory itch is aggravated by blindness to the streets or in shelters trying to stay the moral and spiritual causes of homeless- f alive. ness. Americans are a compassionate people. But What follows are some of the dynamics of PERSONAL EXPLANATION traditional approaches to the problem—pro- change: We make sure that these elements moted through government initiatives and are present in all of our 245 rescue missions HON. CHARLES E. SCHUMER many private charities—have been so inef- in the 210 cities in which we operate nation- fective at treating the fundamental causes of wide. Though our missions offer various edu- OF NEW YORK homelessness that we must reconsider what cational, job-training, relational, and other IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES it means to help our neighbors in need. skills, these three principles establish an ethical and religious foundation without Thursday, October 9, 1997 Many government programs assume that homelessness is simply the absence of four which all our other efforts would amount to Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. Speaker, I was unable walls and a roof. Usually it is not: The lack nothing. to be in Washington on the evening of Octo- of affordable housing, though a problem, is THE FAITH FACTOR ber 8, to cast my vote on the motion to in- not why most of these people have no perma- It is very difficult to overstate the impor- struct conferees on the foreign operations ap- nent address. Most people in trouble eco- tance of the spiritual aspect of this problem. propriations bill. This motion to instruct is su- nomically have friends and families whose Spiritual renewal is the fountainhead for homes they could share temporarily if they personal transformation. perfluous and serves only to increase un- choose to. The level of government spending Enoch Walker was married and had a child wanted pregnancies. Had I been here, I would on the problem likewise leaves deeper issues he loved, a job he enjoyed, and a house in have voted ``no'' on restricting family planning untouched. There are more than 60 separate Washington, D.C. Then he began abusing al- activities just as I voted ``no'' when this motion federal programs that provide some form of cohol and drugs, what he calls ‘‘the great re- came to the floor yesterday. help. The federal Department of Housing and movers’’ in his life, because they became E1990 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 9, 1997 more important to him than his family and loves them, cares for them, and wants to This is probably one of the most over- friends. Soon his wife left him, taking their help change them. In our view, based not looked elements of most traditional and gov- child. He became so abusive that even his only on our theology but on our experience, ernment-funded shelter programs. The home- dog left him. He lost his job, smashed his it is Jesus Christ, not any program, who less typically are treated in utter isolation; car, and started living on the streets. transforms a man’s or woman’s life, who little attempt is made to reconnect them to Walker went through several rehabilita- gives them the strength to summon the family members. Yet when caregivers don’t tion programs. He doesn’t know the precise courage to break their destructive habits. know a person’s family background, it often number because he doesn’t even remember A MORAL INCUBATOR becomes much more difficult to discern the some of them. Yet each time, he slipped back Hand in hand with faith commitment is most effective ways to help. Many shelters, fearful of crossing church- into addiction. ‘‘When I was functional, I the sustained determination—both from state lines, do not even introduce the home- would put on a nice three-piece suit and go shelter staff and the homeless themselves— less to religious communities that could and get the good jobs,’’ he says. ‘‘But it was to stay clean, hold down a job, or save a mar- like putting a three-piece suit on a fish. offer support. The Salvation Army shelters riage. The homeless need and environment in are a noteworthy exception here, but the ma- Nothing would happen on the inside.’’ which they are challenged to acknowledge Then he checked himself into the Gospel jority of shelters have no process for helping and consistently renounce unhealthy behav- Rescue Ministries of Washington, D.C. There, a recovering addict plant roots in his or her iors; otherwise, they won’t acquire the prac- he received not only mental and physical community. tical or emotional skills they need to suc- counseling, but something else—spiritual There may be no more important step for ceed. a formerly homeless person, however, than guidance. As he says, ‘‘They reached my Mouthing a religious commitment is not heart and . . . gave me an awakening.’’ He to be grounded in a community of caring, enough; there must be actions to match. Our committed individuals. Listen to Enoch has now been clean for three years, and is a shelters insist not on perfection, but on re- self-employed carpenter with two other men Walker again: ‘‘If you do not have people peated, good-faith efforts to change. And surrounding you who care about you and working for him. with god’s grace, and a disciplined environ- Walker’s story is important because his give you unconditional love and give you the ment, they do. ‘‘We not only place respon- background is so typical of America’s home- time that it takes to work yourself through sibility on our clients.’’ says Rev. Carl less population. Homeless advocates are it and work with you, I do not really see too Resener, the executive director of the Nash- quick to point out that many of the home- many people who can make it.’’ The pres- ville Union Rescue Mission, ‘‘we demand less suffer serious or acute mental illness. sures of life, the temptations of the street, that, as a condition of living at the mission They are correct. There are no easy answers the siren call of old habits—all can easily and participating in its programs, these men for how to help heal these people and restore prove to be too much for the men and women and women change their destructive habits.’’ balance and normality to their lives. Many struggling to get back on their feet. This is one reason our shelter programs of them may never leave an institutionalized THE GOVERNMENT ALBATROSS span several months. It gives the homeless or group-home setting. time not only to rid themselves of their ad- We know that these and other principles The mentally ill, however, do not make up dictions, but also to build a foundation of are crucial to effectively helping the home- the majority of the people who walk into our faith, education, and social skills necessary less help themselves. Though we don’t expect centers. About 80 percent of the homeless the people we serve to pay us a dime—most to succeed in life. Consider our Regeneration who enter the City Mission in Cleveland, for couldn’t—that doesn’t mean we have no ex- Program at our Miami Rescue Mission. Rev. example, show symptoms of substance abuse. pectations of them ‘‘There are two root Frank Jacobs, the executive director, over- At our Mel Trotter Ministries in Grand Rap- causes of homelessness,’’ says Rev. Mike Ed- sees an eight-month recovery program for ids, Michigan, perhaps 90 percent struggle wards from the Los Angeles Mission. ‘‘Lack 130 men. Bible study is mandatory. The men with addictions that have helped spawn and of relationships and lack of responsibility. commit to memory biblical passages—they sustain a whole set of destructive attitudes Re-establishing a sense of both is key to our call them ‘‘arsenal verses’’—that address be- and behaviors. There is simply no way to get long-term success.’’ havioral problems such as drunkenness, lazi- at those behaviors without first helping the Success for us means much more than feed- ness, and theft. The mission also offers a addict break his or her addiction for good. ing people and keeping them safe, as impor- three- to four-month period of daily instruc- Most government and traditional shelter re- tant as those objectives are. Our aim is to tion on coping and social skills, with a heavy habilitation programs are notoriously poor help people break their addictions, learn emphasis on relapse prevention. in curing addictions. Many do not even try. basic life skills, and become honest, produc- Listen to Raymond Nastu, a drug addict But those that do suffer from a crucial tive members of their communities. Over the arrested more than 80 times for offenses flaw. Although grounded in the best of inten- last few years, we’ve conducted internal ranging from drug possession to brawling. He tions, federal programs by law can only ad- studies of our programs and the results are checked into the Bridgeport Rescue Mission minister to mental and physical maladies, truly encouraging: The vast majority of our in Connecticut. ‘‘I should have been dead so not the spiritual. Any homeless programs missions achieve success rates of more than many times I can’t keep track of them,’’ he that receive federal funds ‘‘must provide 50 percent, with many achieving success says. But the mission’s strict regimen and shelter and other eligible activities in a rates of 70 or 80 percent. That means that climate of tough love turned him around. ‘‘I manner free from religious influence,’’ most of the people who graduate from one of never had people care about me the way they writes Michael Stover, HUD’s assistant gen- our programs become independent; a few slip do here, and that gave me the hope and cour- eral counsel for the Rocky Mountain region, back into old habits, but most remain addic- age to believe I could change.’’ Today, Nastu in a 1995 legal brief. ‘‘It may not provide reli- tion free, employed, and connected to family is drug free and works as a carpenter. giously oriented services to persons using Now compare that to some of the larger and friends. the homeless shelter and must not hire only Our success is also reflected in support shelters in the country that place virtually persons from a particular religious persua- from our communities. Eight years ago, the no conditions on their residents. The results sion.’’ There it is; an explicit rejection of cumulative budgets of the 210 U.S.-based have not been pretty. Take the Mitch Snyder faith as the crucial component of change. member missions in the International Union Shelter, in Washington, D.C. It is named This is why the overwhelming majority of of Gospel Missions totaled $50 million. after the homeless activist whose 1983 hun- our mission directors steer clear of govern- Today, IUGM counts 245 missions as mem- ger strike prompted the Reagan administra- ment funding. bers, and their cumulative budgets add up to tion to renovate a Federal building so that it We’ve seen countless people wander into more than $300 million. The overwhelming could be used as a homeless shelter. As docu- our shelters with a mind-wrenching addic- majority of our programs are funded pri- mented by a 60 Minutes expose´, this shelter tion to crack cocaine; for example, and it’s vately, through individual donors, churches, has been a haven for the selling of crack co- obvious to us that it takes more than phys- and corporate sponsors. We don’t require or caine and liquor, as well as misuse of chari- ical and mental counseling to break that expect government to lend a hand—and it table funds and general corruption. grip. Simply telling that addict to eat his hasn’t. vegetables and study the multiplication ta- FRIENDS AND FAMILY Nor do we expect government to get in the bles just isn’t enough. Ask any of our mis- Our missions place a heavy emphasis on re- way of our efforts—but it has. There are sev- sion directors, many of whom have 20 to 30 building relationships to one’s family, eral areas where government bureaucrats years experience helping the homeless. The friends, and religious community. Positive re- have been unsupportive or downright hostile spectrum of addictions and difficulties from lationships are a vital link between the homeless to rescue ministries’ efforts. These include which the homeless suffer have no long-term and lasting rehabilitation. labor laws, zoning issues, licensing, surplus care outside of a heartfelt commitment of ‘‘We don’t always want to put our clients food distribution, and disaster relief. faith. back with their old friends because some- Most of their objections stem from their ‘‘Skid Row is not a geographical location,’’ times the old friends are the problem,’’ says reading (misreading, actually) of the First says Kalman, a former drug addict. ‘‘It’s a Rev. George Verley of the Union Gospel Mis- Amendment’s religion clauses, designed to heart condition. Unless you change a home- sion in St. Paul. ‘‘However, the worst thing ensure citizens’ basic religious freedoms. To less individual’s heart—not just his mind and in the world is for them to be alone, so we which we respond: If we want a person to be body—he will remain homeless. teach them to establish relationships. It’s truly free, that person must first be free of For this reason, all of our missions instill vital that they have this support structure drugs. This is the promise rescue ministry in homeless people the reality of a God who when they leave us.’’ fulfills. October 9, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1991 Consider the following trouble areas: modities because they believe accepting the One day he found himself in Stockton, Labor. For years, rescue missions have food would subject them to federal regula- California, alone and hungry. He’d been liv- struggled with the issue of whether homeless tions that compromise religious teachings. ing on the streets for the better part of two men and women who do work in the missions Indeed, one of the interesting contradic- years. He walked up to the door of a rescue as part of rehabilitation qualify as employ- tions of federal policy is that schools, day- mission and said. ‘‘Hey—I’m hungry.’’ The ees under the Fair Labor Standards Act. In care programs, and early childhood develop- man at the mission offered Kalman some September 1990, the Labor Department deter- ment classes operated by churches may serve food and some work. He didn’t usually get of- mined that the Salvation Army had to pay surplus food—even though their programs fers for work, but he agreed. Kalman decided the minimum wage to clients performing are grounded in religious beliefs. The govern- to enter the rehabilitation program, where work as part of rehabilitation, unless the ment seems to believe that children in reli- he found faith in God and the power to turn Army’s location registered as a ‘‘sheltered gious programs need good food, but homeless his life around. workshop.’’ (Sheltered workshops histori- in religious programs do not. Today, Rev. Mickey Kalman oversees a cally have been places handicapped people Tonight 27,000 people in America are stay- mission budget of $1.4 million, with a staff of went for training, not live-in facilities.) ing in rescue missions. Each is being fed, 21. Thousands are helped by his mission After much political and legal wrangling, sheltered, and assisted. Last year, rescue every year. ‘‘Rescue mission work isn’t the Labor Department suspended enforce- missions served more than 28 million meals easy,’’ he says. ‘‘It’s hard to love some of the ment pending further study. They policy re- to the poor and homeless. That’s enough to people who come to us . . . [but] when they mains in suspension, but has not been for- provide a meal to every resident in the state knock, I say, ‘Come on in. My name is Mick- mally revoked. of California. Yet each person is also being ey Kalman. How would you like to stick Zoning. City and county boards have challenged with hope and opportunity. Our around and do a little work?’ ’’ stopped or interfered with mission programs rehabilitation programs involve over 11,500 across the nation. The Denver Rescue Mis- men, women, and children. f sion is located in an area known as Lower Rescue missions are poised to continue their dramatic growth and success. Drug re- CHRISTENING OF MADISON Downtown or ‘‘LoDo.’’ This was formerly WHITFIELD WILSON Denver’s Skid Row, an area where the des- habilitation programs are expanding to meet titute congregated. In recent years, however, the increasing need. Computer training and the area has been redeveloped and now sup- educational programs are now staples at HON. ED WHITFIELD ports a burgeoning night life. many missions, providing GED preparation, OF KENTUCKY core curriculum classes, drivers education, That welcome development has had a most IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES unwelcome side effect: City officials have and job training. Missions are also setting up ratcheted up their efforts to curb the mis- joint ventures with local businesses to give Thursday, October 9, 1997 sion’s work. For example, on cold nights, the reformed addicts on-the-job training. Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, it is with 110-bed mission used to set up about 40 cots Unfortunately, our optimism at the progress of our missions is tempered by the pride that I announce the christening of my in the chapel to meet the increased need. granddaughter, Madison Whitfield Wilson, on City officials never raised any objection be- cold realities of the street. The face of home- cause it took people off the street. Today, lessness in America in changing. It is getting Sunday, October 12 at Lakewood Presbyterian city officials flatly prohibit this practice. younger and more female. Children, once a Church in Jacksonville, FL City officials in Daytona Beach, Florida, rarity at shelters, are showing up with in- Madison is the first child of my daughter have not allowed the Daytona Rescue Mis- creasing frequency—and this cannot bode Katie and her husband George. She was born sion to locate within the city. The mission well for American society. at 5:15 p.m., Thursday, July 31, 1997, at Jack- has gone to federal court. In Albany, New There are other problems. As Rev. Tom sonville Memorial Medical Center and weighed York, the Capital City Rescue Mission has Laymon, the executive director of Mel Trot- ter Ministries in Grand Rapids, observes. 8 pounds, 6 ounces at birth. been trying to relocate in order to expand its This wondrous event is a poignant reminder services. Recently, the city rejected the mis- ‘‘There is an aging population in our prisons sion’s request to move to a previously that will eventually be given back to soci- that the primary purpose of our service here agreed-upon property. Other missions that ety. Many will have spent decades in prison. as Members of the U.S. Congress is to build have encountered significant roadblocks in- This means a whole new generation of ‘older a better future for America, for our children, clude the Union Gospel Missions of Dallas, homeless’ will be out on the streets and in and their children. Spokane, and Yakima, Washington. need of our services.’’ In that spirit, I share the joy of Madison Licensing. The licensing of faith-based pro- Amidst this trend, federal and state home- Whitfield Wilson's arrival with my colleagues grams, beyond issues of health and safety, less and anti-poverty programs—devoid of moral, spiritual, or religious counseling— and urge our renewed dedication to ensuring has become a major impediment to many that America's tomorrows will be even better missions’ spiritual integrity. Licensing has will continue to fail. The answer is not for brought regulations such as a ‘‘client’s bill government to get into the religion business, than her yesterdays. of rights’’ in Tennessee, which originally in- but at the very least, to get out of the way f of religiously based groups that are making cluded the right not to be presented with re- HONORING THE THIRD ANNIVER- ligious teaching. (That’s somewhat like or- a decisive difference in people’s lives. ganizing a football team and including the We have identified more than 100 American SARY OF THE WOMEN’S HEALTH right not to be touched!) cities with populations of over 40,000 that are INITIATIVE AT BAYLOR COL- Then there is the case of the City Mission without a rescue mission. In 10 years IUGM LEGE OF MEDICINE in Schenectady, New York. It was cited by wants to have programs in each of these. Our New York’s Department of Social Services hope and prayer is that missions around the because it prohibited pornographic materials country will demonstrate the power of a HON. KEN BENTSEN from its facilities. Only after three months well-rounded program that nourishes mind OF TEXAS of negotiation did the mission and state au- and body, spirit and soul. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES thorities reach agreement that the mission ‘‘HEY—I’M HUNGRY.’’ Thursday, October 9, 1997 was within its rights to prohibit pornog- Those involved with rescue missions know raphy. the difficulties and dangers of inner-city life. Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor ‘‘We determined that on health and safety Many, like Mickey Kalman, spent years on the Women's Health Initiative [WHI] at Baylor issues, we would submit to government regu- the street—drifting, stealing, begging, and College of Medicine in Houston as they cele- lations,’’ says Eivion Williams, the mission’s doing drugs—until they reached out for help. brate their third anniversary and build on their executive director. ‘‘But this was an issue of Kalman, now the executive director of City landmark research on women's health. A vital morality—what was right and what was Rescue Mission in Oklahoma City, was in- component of the Texas Medical Center in my wrong—and we stood firm. And in the end, vited to speak at the 1996 Republican Na- district, the Women's Health Initiative is one of we wound up getting what we asked for.’’ tional Convention, in San Diego. Food Distribution. For many years, rescue Mickey Kalman’s young life centered 40 clinical centers across the country taking missions accepted federal surplus food and around alcohol. ‘‘I grew up with drunks and part in the WHI, the largest ever women's distributed it to the needy without excessive learned to drink,’’ he says. He joined a gang. health study in the United States. oversight or regulation. In December 1993, When he wasn’t travelling and getting into Three years ago, the National Institutes of however, the U.S. Department of Agriculture mischief, he found trouble locally. At one Health awarded Baylor College of Medicine a mailed a memo to missions in its Western re- point he pulled a gun on his teacher, threat- grant of $11.8 million to conduct the largest, gion that stated that USDA commodities ening to ‘‘blow his brains out.’’ By the age of longest clinical trial in Baylor's history. This were not to be used in meals where individ- 12, he was on probation. uals were required to attend religious serv- Later Kalman got involved with drugs. study is examining the health of more than ices. This caused confusion among many ‘‘Once I ran away with a shipment of dope, 5,400 women over a 12-year period, and fo- mission directors who were uncertain how to sold it, and hid out in Wyoming,’’ he remem- cuses on diseases that are critically important interpret the new rules. On advice of counsel, bers. ‘‘When I didn’t have money for gas, I si- to the health of women: cardiovascular dis- some missions have turned down USDA com- phoned it out of construction trucks.’’ eases, breast cancer, colorectal cancer and E1992 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 9, 1997 osteoporosis. Cardiovascular diseases are the I felt a special kinship to RalphÐin that I After 36 hours HENRY B. GONZALEZ and his leading killer of postmenopausal women, and was always told by my mother that we were allies had successfully stopped seven of the breast cancer is the second killer among can- both named after the same distant relativeÐ segregation bills. He was subjected to fierce cer in women. Colorectal cancer is responsible Mary Katherine Moody. I knew his wonderful personal and professional attacks, but refused for at least 4 percent of the deaths of women mother and dad as Cousin Mary and Cousin to retreat or surrender. His determination to do aged 50 to 79 and is the third-leading killer Jim. It seems that part of our family came to what was right for all Texans began the proc- among cancer in women. Osteoporosis is the Texas from Arkansas. Ralph carried on the ess of tearing down the wall of racial separa- condition resulting from a weakening of the great tradition of love of family and success in tion that existed in the State. bone after menopause. The information pro- business and faithfulness to his churchÐa tra- I never had the privilege of serving with him vided by the Women's Health Initiative will dition handed down through the years. I will in the Texas Senate. But when I saw the por- lead to breakthrough treatments for these dis- miss him. trait, I always tried to adhere to the principles eases and improve the lives of women in Survivors include his wife of 54 years, he brought to officeÐhonesty, integrity, and Texas and across the Nation. Helen; sons, Rickey and Ralph Moody Jr.; loyalty. His reputation, then as now, is that of The Baylor Clinical Center has recruited daughters, Linda Wehr and Teena Liston; a legislator who would fight for all people no 3,300 women for an observational study to seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. matter their race, color, creed, or religion. gather information regarding risk factors for Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my sym- It was Texas' loss and the country's gain these diseases. The Baylor Clinical Center will pathy to his family and many friends in Wills when HENRY B. GONZALEZ resigned his senate also recruit an additional 2,100 women for a Point and Van Zandt County. As we adjourn seat to make a successful run for the U.S. clinical trial to research whether diet and hor- today, I would like to take this opportunity to House of Representatives. mone replacement therapy help women lead pay my last respects to this great citizenÐ On November 4, 1961, HENRY GONZALEZ healthier lives. Information gathered from this Ralph Moody Liston. took his congressional seat and immediately clinical study will help women to make in- f found his calling on the House Committee on formed decisions about which therapies to use Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs. Although to prevent disease and stay healthy. TRIBUTE TO HENRY B. GONZALEZ the name of the committee has changed I also want to highlight the efforts of Dr. through the years, his commitment to consum- SPEECH OF Jennifer Cousins, director for the Center for ers, small business owners, and taxpayers Women's Health, to bring this critical WHI HON. CHET EDWARDS has never wavered. study to the Houston area. I believe Dr. Cous- OF TEXAS He served as Banking Committee chairman ins is critical to the success of this study and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES from 1989 to 1994. Under his leadership the panel conducted more than 500 hearings and she should be commended for her hard work. Tuesday, October 7, 1997 I am honored to have worked closely with moved 71 bills through the legislative process. Dr. Cousins and Baylor College of Medicine to Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, today it is During his tenure laws were passed that pro- expand the WHI's study to ensure even more with great pride yet with heartfelt sorrow that tected bank depositors, made credit available women benefit from their groundbreaking re- I ask members to join me in honoring our col- to small business owners, cracked down on fi- search. I look forward to continuing to work league, HENRY B. GONZALEZ, on 36 years of nancial fraud and other crimes, and made with Baylor and the Women's Health Initiative service in the U.S. House of Representatives. housing more accessible to Americans. to further expand this study and provide more At the end of this year, HENRY B. GONZALEZ Despite the long hours and hectic schedule funding for the National Institutes of Health will take his leave of this body. A great void of a Congressman and committee chairman, [NIH] and the Office of Women's Health, which will be left in our ranks when he is gone. His HENRY and his wife of 57 years, Bertha, raised funds this important program. towering presence, financial expertise, and eight children. Henry and Bertha now have 21 Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Women's willingness to take a stand for causes large grandchildren and 3 great-granddaughters Health Initiative at Baylor College of Medicine and small will be sorely missed. who will continue to bring joy in the years to for 3 years of excellence and innovation in Although the country and this Congress come. medicine and wish to congratulate the 2,000 have changed dramatically since HENRY B. It has been a great privilege to serve with study participants who will participate in a GONZALEZ assumed his congressional seat in HENRY B. GONZALEZ and to work with him on birthday party on Thursday, October 23, 1997. November 1961, he has always remained true so many issues of importance to Texas and I look forward to even greater successes as to this country, to his beloved 20th Congres- the United States. Although HENRY B. GON- they work to ensure healthier lives for women sional District in San Antonio and to this Con- ZALEZ is heading home, he will always be re- in the 21st century. gress. membered for his selfless service and willing- ness to fight for principle. f Like so many of us, HENRY B. GONZALEZ dedicated his life to serving his community I ask Members to join with me in honoring HONORING RALPH LISTON and his country. I was extremely blessed to HENRY B. GONZALEZ for his many contributions follow in his footsteps first to the Texas State in the past and for his success in the future. HON. RALPH M. HALL Senate and then to the U.S. House of Rep- HENRY B. GONZALEZ may be leaving this House, but he will never be forgotten either OF TEXAS resentatives. here or at home. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES My relationship with HENRY B. GONZALEZ began long before we served together here in His portrait will hang in the Texas State Thursday, October 9, 1997 the U.S. House. In a way, we served together Senate and his memory will remain in the Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is a in the Texas Senate although he had left that hearts of his many friends and colleagues privilege for me to rise today in memory of body two decades before I set foot there in here in the U.S. House of Representatives. Ralph Moody Liston, a prominent member of 1983. Goodbye, Mr. Chairman. the Wills Point, TX, community who died re- In the chamber of the Texas Senate hangs f cently at the age of 73. a painted portrait of HENRY B. GONZALEZ who HONORING IRENE V. SHUMAN Ralph Liston was a successful farmer, served from 1956 to 1961. As a young sen- rancher, and businessman. He owned a pro- ator, I remember looking at his portrait and the HON. THOMAS M. DAVIS pane company, exterior design company, and paintings of other famous Texans that hang OF VIRGINIA lumber community. As a farmer, he was once there including Stephen F. Austin, the father of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES named Outstanding Conservation Farmer of Texas; and Lyndon B. Johnson and Barbara the Year. Jordan who both served the State and the Na- Thursday, October 9, 1997 Ralph also was active in his community. He tion with distinction. Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise was a longtime member of the school board, I always considered myself fortunate to be today to recognize an outstanding citizen of served as election judge, Chamber of Com- serving in the State legislative body where the 11th district on her 80th birthday. On Octo- merce president, chairman of Van Zandt HENRY B. GONZALEZ broke new ground for im- ber 22, 1997, Irene Shuman will celebrate her County Building Committee and a member of proved race relations in Texas. In 1957, 80th birthday surrounded by many family and the Farmers Home Administration Board. He HENRY B. GONZALEZ proudly and bravely stood friends. Irene has been a member of the Glen was a member of Masonic Lodge 422 and on the senate floor to fight and filibuster nine Forest community for the past 42 years where was active in the Methodist Church, where he bills that would have expanded the then com- she is known to and loved by everyone in the served in various capacities through the years. mon practice of segregation. neighborhood. October 9, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1993 Irene is known as the ombudsman of the IN RECOGNITION OF OCTOBER AS Magazine has called the ``World's Greatest Glen Forest community and is often called the NATIONAL MEDICAL LIBRARIANS Fiddle Player,'' Mr. Benny Martin. mayor of Glen Forest. She knows all of the MONTH Benny recently added another honor to his children's names, she can tell you who lives very long list of impressive accomplishments where, and she knows everyone from the sur- HON. MAJOR R. OWENS when his hometown of Sparta, TN, dedicated rounding neighborhoods that work with the OF NEW YORK new city limit signs which designate the town as the ``Home of Benny Martin.'' When you Glen Forest Civic Association. Irene's love for IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES look at everything Benny Martin has done over people has helped Glen Forest remain a tight Thursday, October 9, 1997 the course of his distinguished musical career, knit community where the people look out for Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to it's easy to see why Sparta is so eager to call one another and work together to make the recognize October as National Medical Librar- him a native son. neighborhood a better place to live. She has ians Month, and to honor the more than 5,000 Benny began his musical career in his child- been the keeper of the oral history of Glen medical librarians working in hospitals, aca- hood more than 50 years ago, and he became Forest for more than 30 years and has passed demic health centers and libraries across the a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1946. on neighborhood legends to successive gen- country for their role in improving the health of Since then, he has performed in person on at erations of children. all Americans by increasing access to health least three continents on some of the world's Irene is and has been involved in every as- care information. most prestigious stages, including Buckingham pect of the Glen Forest community. She has As a former librarian, I can appreciate the Palace in London, Carnegie Hall in New York, specialized skills needed in today's electronic and of course, the Grand Ole Opry House in been active in community affairs since the information age to access, filter and evaluate Nashville. Benny has also performed on many early 1960's. For 15 years, she held the com- the most up-to-date medical information for television shows, including ``The Steve Law- munity rummage sale that raised money for the medical community and for the general rence Show'' and Dick Clark's ``American the neighborhood pool. People would donate public. The ability of medical librarians to ma- Bandstand.'' items for the sale throughout the year and neuver quickly through the wealth of health But perhaps the most important impact Irene would sort and price them for the annual care information on the Internet, and to iden- Benny Martin has had is on the musical herit- event. She has also run the summer program tify the most credible, relevant and appropriate age of the great State of Tennessee. Mr. for Glen Forest for 28 years. This duty in- sources of information for each request, un- Speaker, I think my home State of Tennessee cludes the opening and closing pool picnics derscores the increasing importance medical has the richest musical heritage of any State for which she buys and prepares 100 chick- librarians will play in the future. in our Union. From old-time mountain blue- ens. Irene has always done this because she Studies show information provided by medi- grass in east Tennessee to the soulful blues believes it brings the community together. This cal librarians improves patient outcomes. Phy- of west Tennessee, from the Grand Ole Opry is also why she has worked tirelessly to im- sicians report a reduction in mortality, hospital in Music City to Elvis Presley in Memphis, prove the community pool for the past 25 admissions, surgery, and hospital acquired in- Tennessee's musical roots run deep. fections due to information obtained by medi- years. Mr. Speaker, Benny Martin and his fiddle cal librarians. They say information from the have a very prominent place in that rich his- Irene has mowed the pool lawn for the past medical librarians allows them to make more tory, and I'm proud to call him a Tennessean, 24 years and she is the oldest licensed pool accurate diagnoses, reduce unnecessary a constituent, and like the residents of Sparta, operator in Fairfax County. Irene has main- tests, select more appropriate drugs, and give I'm also proud to call him a native son. tained the pool by painting the bath houses in- accurate and current information and advice to f side and out every year as well as tarring and their patients. SISTER JOHN MARIE SAMAHA repairing the roof. Many in the community do As we celebrate National Medical Librarians Month, I also honor the longstanding partner- HONORED FOR COMMUNITY not even know that she has done all of this, SERVICE even though she hates to swim. Irene was ship between the medical library community also a mainstay of the Garden Club for the 20 and the National Library of Medicine [NLM] at years of its existence. Every year, no matter the National Institutes of Health. For over a HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK century, medical librarians have benefitted OF CALIFORNIA the weather, she sold Christmas wreaths to from the extraordinary work being done at raise funds for the Garden Club. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NLM, the world's premiere medical library. Thursday, October 9, 1997 Irene's many accomplishments include work Through access to NLM's state-of-the-art med- outside the Glen Forest Civic Association. She ical databases and telemedicine project sites, Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to has worked with all of the Mason District su- medical librarians are able to provide doctors take this opportunity to commend the work of pervisors to the Fairfax County Board of Su- and patients, often in underserved rural and Sister John Marie Samaha of the Sisters of pervisors for the past 30 years, including my- urban areas, with the most current and accu- the Holy Family of Nazareth. self when I held that position from 1979 to rate health-related information. Sister Samaha entered the Sisters of the Holy Family on July 2, 1943. Sister Samaha 1991. Irene often appeared before the Board Mr. Speaker, as we move into the 21st cen- began her ministry at a day care center, and of Supervisors to testify about issues affecting tury, it is clear that the advancement of tele- communications technology will continue to soon afterward served as religious instruction the community. She has held the Membership teacher at various locations in northern Cali- Chair for the Civic Association for the past 10 revolutionize the delivery of health care in America. I believe by being wired to the world, fornia. In 1960, she became supervisor of reli- years and has worked ceaselessly to keep the medical librarians will lead the health care in- gious instruction for the Archdiocese of San Glen Forest neighborhood a nice place to dustry in this revolution. Francisco. In 1967 she became supervisor of raise children. Irene helped keep Glen Forest During the month of October, I ask all Mem- religious education for the Sister of the Holy Street from becoming a through street from bers to join me in saluting this county's medi- Family. From 1970 to 1975, Sister Samaha Route 7 to Carlyn Springs Road so parents cal librarians for their role in keeping America served as the superior of Holy Family Convent did not have to worry about speeding traffic better informed about health care and encour- in San Jose, and from 1975 to 1979 she was when their children played outside. She also aging more active participants in the health the vice president of the Sisters of the Holy rid the neighborhood of a pornographic book status of this country. Family Community. store by going down to the store to confront f Sister Samaha is currently pastoral associ- the owners and customers. ate at St. Joseph Parish in Mission San Jose. HONORING BENNY MARTIN She has cared for the sick and visited the ter- I know my colleagues will join me in saluting minally ill. She has planned activities for sen- a woman who has made her neighborhood a iors, and helped families deal with the death of beautiful and better place to live. Irene HON. VAN HILLEARY OF TENNESSEE loved ones. She has encouraged a spirit of Shuman is a remarkable individual who has IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES family among parishioners, and assisted the an energetic spirit that inspires those around needy with food, rent, and bill payments. her to become involved. I share the celebra- Thursday, October 9, 1997 Through groups like the Tri-City Homeless tion of her 80th birthday and her lifetime of Mr. HILLEARY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Coalition, the Centerville Free Dining Room, civic achievements. pay tribute to the man whom Country Music Second Chance, SAVE, and CAUS, Sister E1994 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 9, 1997 Samaha has helped supply food, clothing, and INDIAN GOVERNMENT APPEARS Mr. Speaker, we must ask the question, a range of support to needy individuals TO BE BEHIND BOMBINGS OF who benefits from these bombings? Clearly, throughout our community. MARKET AND TRAIN IN DELHI no one could believe that the Sikhs benefit. On October 10, 1997, Sister Samaha will be AREA They will only suffer more bloodshed and re- honored by her friends and colleagues at the pression as a result of these horrible acts. The Ohlone College Foundation's annual luncheon. HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS Government of India, however, sees its coun- I join in recognition of her lifetime of giving to OF NEW YORK try falling apart from the weight of its domina- the community. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tion of a diverse land with many nations and f Thursday, October 9, 1997 18 official languages. They are desperate to keep their empire together. These bombings HONORING BERTHA GORDON MIL- Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, the recent bomb- provide a perfect excuse to suspend the elect- LER AND THE SEVEN ACRES ing of a market in New Delhi and a train out- ed government in Punjab, impose direct rule JEWISH GERIATRIC CENTER side New Delhi are terrorist acts that must be from New Delhi, and increase the repression condemned by all decent people. The loss of and bloodshed. HON. KEN BENTSEN life and the injuries to people are tragic, but I Responsible Members of Congress and de- especially want to note that the explosions in- OF TEXAS cent people everywhere must speak out jured five Australians and two Japanese visi- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES against this genocidal policy. We should sup- tors to India. I note that the Council of port all the freedom movements of South Asia Thursday, October 9, 1997 Khalistan, the organization leading the Sikhs by word and deed. We must go on record in in their struggle for freedom from Indian op- Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor support for freedom for Khalistan and all the pression, issued an excellent press release Bertha Gordon Miller of Houston, who on Oc- nations of South Asia, and we must stop U.S. condemning these bombings as ``a cowardly tober 21, 1997, will be honored by the Seven aid to this terrorist regime and place it under Acres Jewish Geriatric Center with its 1997 and reprehensible act against God and man.'' The Indian regime blames the bombings on embargo until the freedom of all peoples and Spirit of Life Award. nations in the region is respected. Only then Mrs. Miller has spent a lifetime giving and a ``Sikh terrorist'' organization called Shaheed Khalsa. If they are responsible, they deserve will India truly be able to call itself a respon- working for charitable causes and is described sible, secular democracy. by Punkin Hecht and Barbara Schneidler, co- the condemnation of the civilized world. But even the Indian press is reporting that no one I am placing the Council of Khalistan's press chairs of the Seven Acres award luncheon, as release on the bombings into the RECORD. a role model among role models. has ever heard of this organization before. It A native Houstonian, Mrs. Miller attended just appeared on the scene very suddenly, at DR. AULAKH CONDEMNS INDIAN GOVERNMENT Rice University. She was married to the late the moment when it is most convenient for the BOMBINGS OF MARKET AND TRAIN IN DELHI AREA Isadore Miller for more than 50 years, and Indian Government. Even the Decca Herald they have two children, Dede Weil and Arnie newspaper reports that this organization is a WASHINGTON, D.C., October 2.—Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, President of the Council of Miller, and five grandchildren. fraud. It is likely that Shaheed Khalsa is a front for the Indian Government. Khalistan, today strongly condemned the A member of Seven Acres' Board of Direc- bombing of a market in New Delhi and a tors since 1953, Mrs. Miller continues to con- The bombings were apparently carried out using RDX explosives, a weapon known to be train outside New Delhi. ‘‘This is a cowardly tribute her time and talents to the Jewish and reprehensible act against God and hu- in common use by the Government. This is home, which has benefited from endless hours manity,’’ he said. the same explosive the regime planted on of dedication on her part. Although she is said Although the Indian government blames American citizen Balbir Singh Dhillon, a Sikh to have worked for every fundraising drive in the bombings on a ‘‘Sikh terrorist’’ group businessman, father of two, and activist who Houston, she has narrowed her activities in re- called Shaheed Khalsa, Dr. Aulakh pointed went to Punjab to visit family and some Sikh out that no one has ever heard of this organi- cent years to three organizations: Seven religious sites. zation. ‘‘It appeared out of thin air,’’ he said. Acres, the Houston Symphony, and the Retina India has a record of state terrorism. In No- ‘‘I suspect that it is yet another terrorist or- Research Foundation. vember 1994, the newspaper Hitavada re- ganization convened, armed and controlled Through her good work, Bertha Gordon Mil- ported that the Indian Government paid the by Indian security and intelligence services, if it even exists at all.’’ ler has touched the lives of Houstonians in late governor of Punjab, Surendra Nath, $1.5 countless ways. But most of all, she has ‘‘These bombings are desperate acts of a billion to create terrorism both in Punjab, desperate political party,’’ he said. ‘‘If you helped ensure a high quality of life for the resi- Khalistan, where Sikhs are in the majority, and dents of Seven Acres, the largest and only want to find out who is really responsible, in the neighboring state of Kashmir, which has investigate Congress politicians who have Jewish geriatric facility serving the Texas gulf Muslim majority. lost electoral support. Ask the question: Who coast. The terrorism creates an excuse to crack benefits from these bombings?’’ Dr. Aulakh Seven Acres provides the highest standards down and kill even more Sikhs. More than said. The Congress Party supports the ruling in adult day health care through the Wolfe 250,000 Sikhs have already died at the hands 13-party coalition. Center and specialized geriatric care and serv- of the Indian Government since 1984, accord- ‘‘Every time the ruling party, in particular ices through its 290-bed residential facility. ing to numbers issued by the Punjab State Congress, loses control of State government in Punjab,’’ Dr. Aulakh said. ‘‘These bomb- Funds raised by the awards luncheon will help Magistracy and by a coalition of human rights provide financial aid and other benefits for the ings begin to occur throughout Punjab and groups. It has also killed more than 200,000 Delhi. It then allows Delhi to suspend the residents. Christians since 1947, over 53,000 Muslims in government and impose direct rule in the The annual Spirit of Life Award celebrates Kashmir since 1988, and tens of thousands of name of maintaining law and order. At that and recognizes long-term community service Assamese, Manipuris, and others. It has also point, police and security personnel shut performed with the highest standards of integ- killed thousands of Dalits, black untouchables, down the press, the courts, rights groups and rity. The exemplary individuals so honored the aboriginal people of South Asia. Over Sikh temples and the slaughter of our Sikh have demonstrated extraordinary commitment 60,000 cash bounties have been paid to police brothers and sisters begin anew. These bomb- and serve as role models of dedicated service officers for killing Sikhs like little Arvinder ings allow the police to continue their extor- on behalf of others. The award recipients are tion, kidnapping and murder-for-cash bounty Singh, a 3-year-old child who was killed along rackets.’’ He noted that Delhi has suspended persons whose energy and community spirit with his father and uncle. The police claimed Punjab state government nine times, every have earned them the respect and admiration that the three were terrorists and received a time a Sikh party wins power they are never of all those touched by their accomplishments. $30,000 cash bounty for their murders. allowed to finish their term of office. In addition to Mrs. Miller, Edward Asner, the On September 4, over 1,000 Indian security On September 4, a week before the state fu- award-winning actor, noted activist, and hu- forces launched a raid on a Sikh church, neral for Mother Teresa, 1000 Indian security manitarian, has been named by Seven Acres called a Gurdwara, in Chandigarh. They ille- troops raided a Sikh church (Gurdwara) in as recipient of its 1997 National Spirit of Life gally arrested nine Granthis, the local clergy. Chandigarh and illegally arrested nine cler- Award and will be guest speaker at the lunch- Three of the Granthis were severely beaten gy (Granthis). Three were severely beaten in jail. None of the Granthis was charged with eon. and tortured. No charges were filed against a crime. The government has murdered more Bertha Gordon Miller and Edward Asner any of the Granthis. This happened on the than 250,000 Sikhs since 1984, according to certainly meet the high standards of the Spirit very same day that we were voting on wheth- Punjab State Court and human rights groups of Life Award and serve as examples for all of er to cut aid to India and just a week before findings. Over 60,000 cash bounties have been us of outstanding community service. the state funeral of Mother Teresa. paid to police for killing Sikhs. October 9, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1995 ‘‘The bombings show that India stops at in Taiwan. Even though it is the 14th largest executive director of the League of Volunteers. nothing to end the freedom struggle,’’ Dr. training entity in the world and a full democ- Shirley Sisk founded the League of Volunteers Aulakh said. On Oct. 7, 1987, the Sikh Nation racy. Taiwan is recognized by only 30 coun- in 1979. She served as president until accept- declared its independence from India, form- ing the separate country of Khalistan. The tries in the world. Recently President Lee ing the position of executive director in 1989. Council of Khalistan was formed at that Teng-hui of Taiwan visited several Central For three decades, Shirley has worked in nu- time to serve as the government pro tempore American countries to shore up diplomatic merous ways to make our community a better of Khalistan. It leads the peaceful, demo- support for Taiwan. place. cratic, nonviolent independence struggle. To help him win more international friends From 1972 to 1993 Shirley served on the ‘‘India’s artificial empire is collapsing and support, President Lee has announced Newark City Council. During that time she was around them, so the regime resorts to acts of that Taiwan's representative in Washington, terrorism to keep it together.’’ said Dr. committed to responsible management of the Dr. Jason Hu, will be Taiwan's new foreign city's policies, programs, and budgets. Her Aulakh. ‘‘The democratic nations of the minister. world must rise up and condemn this cow- leadership resulted in a range of programs in- We were delighted to hear the good news. ardly act and the reign of terror it ad- cluding the Human Relations Element of the vances.’’ We know Dr. Hu will make an excellent for- General Plan, Music at the Grove, School/City eign minister. During his past 15 months in f Youth Committee, Volunteer of the Year Rec- Washington, Dr. Hu is known as a hard-work- ognition, and Newarks of the World. 86TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ROC ing diplomat who conducts his country's busi- ness with charm and intelligence. Shirley is the founder and president of the It is my hope that Taiwan's diplomatic for- annual Newark Days Celebration. The cele- HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN tunes will dramatically improve in the months bration is a shining example of volunteer sup- OF NEW YORK and years ahead now that President Lee has port which is enthusiastically anticipated by IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES chosen Jason Hu as his country's top dip- the community each year. Thursday, October 9, 1997 lomat. Shirley is also the founder and president of Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, October 10 f the Bay Area Cable Excellence Awards Pro- gram and the Society for the Preservation of marks the 86th anniversary of the founding of IN HONOR OF PULASKI DAY the Republic of China [ROC]. In Taiwan, Octo- Carter Railroad Resources. She is actively af- ber 10 is known as National Day and is a day filiated with the Ohlone College Foundation, of celebration and remembrance. I think it is HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH the Business Leadership Council, and the Fre- important that my colleagues and I take a mo- OF OHIO mont Kiwanis. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ment to send our congratulations to the 21 In 1994 the State of California recognized million people on Taiwan for developing a Thursday, October 9, 1997 her outstanding service and numerous strong participatory democracy. Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to achievements by naming her Woman of the The ROC government began 11 years ago remember Casimir Pulaski, a Polish patriot Year. to take the final steps toward true political ma- and a military hero. The Polonia Foundation, On October 10, 1997, Shirley will be hon- turity. They broadened the scope of local and the Polish Legion of American Veterans, ored by her friends and colleagues at the national elections, increased licensing of pri- U.S.A., and many other organizations in the Ohlone College Foundation's annual luncheon. vate TV and radio stations, and privatized gov- Cleveland area are holding a memorial cere- I would like to join their commendation of her ernment-owned monopolies. These reforms mony in honor of Casimir Pulaski, Saturday, hard work on behalf of our community. culminated with the popular, direct election of October 11, 1997. Lee Teng-hui as Taiwan's President. Pulaski originally made his name fighting f Mr. Speaker, the Republic of China's current the Russian domination of Poland. When he representative to the United States, Dr. Jason met Benjamin Franklin in Paris in 177, he was TAIWAN’S NATIONAL DAY AND DR. C. Hu has been an integral part of the positive already one of the most renowned cavalrymen JASON HU political developments of the past 11 years. In in Europe. Sympathetic to the American 1991, as a cabinet official under President cause, he sailed to America and was made Lee, Dr. Hu helped to open the political sys- head of the newly formed American cavalry HON. PHIL ENGLISH tem to greater participation. As the President's during the Revolutionary War. spokesman during the last election, Dr. Hu Pulaski was involved in many significant OF PENNSYLVANIA helped to get out President Lee's message of battles during the Revolution. His last took IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES political inclusion which helped garner Lee pace at Savannah, GA in October 1779 where Thursday, October 9, 1997 more than 54 percent of the vote in a four-way he led a valiant charge against British artillery. race. As representative to the United States, He was shot and died a few days later. Pu- Mr. ENGLISH of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Hu has worked to strengthen ties between laski was one of the more dashing European on the eve of Taiwan's National Day, I wish to the United States and the ROC. volunteers to join the Americans in the Revo- pay tribute to President Lee Teng-hui of the Later this month, Dr. Hu will be returning to lution. He reportedly wore a plumed hat, flash- Republic of China. This first democratically the ROC to become the Minister of Foreign ing saber, and an elaborate uniform and spent elected head of state in Chinese history has Affairs. In this very senior position within the his own money to feed and equip his troops. recently led his country through major con- President's cabinet, Dr. Hu will build on the He fought valiantly for the ideals of the stitutional reforms and visited several Central work he has begun here in the United States. American Revolution and made important con- American countries in his effort to shore up I am sure he will help guide the ROC to even tributions to American history. Because of his diplomatic support for Taiwan. better relations with the United States. I hope courage and bravery, Casimir Pulaski is an my colleagues will join me in congratulating American hero and an significant figure in the In addition, President Lee has announced the ROC on its National Day, and in wishing role Polish immigrants have played in Amer- that Dr. Jason Hu, Taiwan's top diplomat in Dr. Hu well and thanking him for all his assist- ican history. Washington, will become Taiwan's new For- eign Minister. ance. f f I believe Dr. Hu is the right person to help SHIRLEY SISK HONORED FOR President Lee win more international friends in TRIBUTE TO PRESIDENT LEE AND DEDICATED SERVICES TO THE the months and years ahead. Even though DR. HU RESIDENTS OF THE 13TH DIS- Taiwan is a major political and economic TRICT power in the world, it hasn't received proper HON. MAJOR R. OWENS international recognition. OF NEW YORK HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK In his new position as foreign minister, Dr. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF CALIFORNIA Hu will have the right platform to tell the world Thursday, October 9, 1997 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES why Taiwan deserves a much louder voice in Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, there is one wor- Thursday, October 9, 1997 the international arena. thy country in the world that deserves much Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to Best wishes and good luck to both Presi- wider recognition. It is the Republic of China take this opportunity to honor Shirley Sisk, the dent Lee and Representative Hu. E1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 9, 1997 POLICE OFFICIAL STRIPS AND vided a meeting place for victims of crime to On this Yom Kippur, 55 years since he and TORTURES WIDOW, SON IN confront juvenile offenders and to verbalize the Jewish community of Dobris were de- FRONT OF EACH OTHER what effects crime had on their lives. ported, Petr Herrmann will show that he has Next, Ms. Jordan formed Save Our Future, done more than just survive. He and his wife, HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS a community-based nonprofit organization Jarmilla, will stand once more before the dedicated to educating, protecting, and em- OF NEW YORK Dobris Torah and recite the traditional Jewish powering our youth. SOF provides many pro- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES blessing that gives thanks for having been grams such as parenting, substance abuse, able to observe and participate in this event. Thursday, October 9, 1997 tutoring conflict resolution, and college and ca- He will proudly recite the family names from Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, another disturb- reer development. DobrisÐArnstein, Bloch, Bohm, Fleischmann, ing violation of human rights has occurred in As an innovator, she recognized the need Frankl, Gluck, Katz, Kosiner, Lederer, Lion, Punjab, Khalistan. On August 21, according to for housing for paroled youth who are unable Oppenheimer, Pollack and PorgesÐfamilies several reports, a police subinspector in to return to their homes. She consequently de- that were proud members of the Dobris Jew- Bathinda forced a local widow and her adult veloped Ja'mee's house to provide a struc- ish community; families who are now but son to strip naked, then tortured them in front tured environment for formerly incarcerated memories. of each other. Apparently, the widow's other young men who have exhibited a willingness Mr. Speaker, as we observe this solemn son eloped a few months before that and for to change. She also became involved with and moving occasion, it is fitting that we pay some reason, the police were seeking infor- Partnership for Change, a mentoring program tribute to those self-effacing people who in the mation about his elopement. In their unwar- for at-risk children ages 8 to 19 who have times of greatest adversity still reflect the com- ranted pursuit of this private information, they been paroled or are on probation. passion and courage of our society. I ask all took the extreme measure of torturing two I would like to thank the National Crime Pre- my colleagues in the House of Representa- people. Unfortunately, this is not unusual in vention Council and Ameritech for honoring tives to join me now in commending the efforts India. Torture, rape, and even murder are Charlotte Austin Jordan with this award and of Pamela Gershowitz, head of the Dobris common, everyday occurrences in Punjab, applaud her dedication to helping individuals Committee at Temple Beth David; Werner Kalistan, in Kashmir, in Nagaland, in so many fight crime and build communities. Ms. Jordan Reich, who led the search that brought Mr. parts of India's brutal and corrupt empire. knows all too well the firsthand experiences, Herrmann to Commack, Rabbi Leonard An elected mayor was tortured in front of her faith in the ability to reform offenders has Troupp, and other members of the Temple the people merely for being an Amritdhari never been shaken. I ask my colleagues to Beth David congregation, in recognizing the Sikh. In Bombay, 33 DalitsÐ``Black untouch- join me in congratulating this brave woman heroic tale of Petr Herrmann, and in welcom- ables''Ðthe aboriginal people of South Asia and hard-working individuals like her who ing the Herrmann family back to the Dobris were killed during a peaceful protest. In Kash- make a difference in their communities. Torah in Commack. mir, at least 20 reporters were beaten during f f a protest at the Chief Minister's office. They YOM KIPPUR HOLOCAUST OBSERV- were protesting the police beating of a fellow ANCE AT TEMPLE BETH DAVID CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 2158, reporter from Agence France Presse who had DEPARTMENTS OF VETERANS instructed his photographer to take a picture of HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN AFFAIRS AND HOUSING AND a woman being beaten by the police. These OF NEW YORK URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND are recent incidents, not old information. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPRO- Sadly, these are just a few of many recent in- PRIATIONS ACT, 1998 cidents of torture, brutality, and murder by the Thursday, October 9, 1997 Government of India. This is completely unac- Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today SPEECH OF ceptable. full of joy and fulfillment as my constituents We must stop taxing our own people to sup- and the other members of Temple Beth David HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH port these brutal rulers. The time has come to of Commack, Suffolk County, prepare to join OF OHIO impose stringent economic sanctions on this together to observe a most special Yom IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES regime until basic human liberties are ob- Kippur service. Wednesday, October 8, 1997 served. Finally, this Congress must put itself This Saturday, on Yom Kippur 5758, the on record in support of freedom for all the na- most sacred of all days in the Jewish cal- Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to com- tions of South Asia. This is what our principles endar, Rabbi Leonard Troupp of Temple Beth ment on the VA±HUD appropriations bill, H.R. demand of us. We must do our duty to the David and his congregants will reunite a sa- 2158 that has emerged from a conference people of the world. cred Holocaust Torah scroll from the town of committee between the House and the Sen- f Dobris, in what was then Czechoslovakia, with ate.This legislation provides resources for a Petr Herrmann, a resident of that village prior wide variety of programs, two of the most no- HONORING CHARLOTTE AUSTIN to the Holocaust. Thus, the congregation will, table concern section 8 housing subsidies and JORDAN in the words of Rabbi Troupp, ``witness the the service coordinators that are supported victory over evil and glimpse the possibility of through the Department of Housing and Urban HON. HOWARD P. ‘‘BUCK’’ McKEON God's promise for all mankind.'' Development [HUD]. OF CALIFORNIA Mr. Herrmann's biography is one from which In the State of Ohio, there are more than IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES great novels can be written. It is full of adven- 50,000 apartment units in which citizens re- ture, good and evil and is filled with the in- ceive rent subsidies from the HUD section 8 Thursday, October 9, 1997 domitable human spirit to survive and maintain program. My congressional district on the west Mr. MCKEON. Mr. Speaker, the National justice, love and freedom. side of Cleveland has a substantial concentra- Crime Prevention Council and Ameritech have The Herrmann family lived in Dobris from tion of section 8 projects and eligible persons, honored a constituent of mine, Charlotte Aus- 1793 until the tragedy of the Holocaust. Un- many of whom are elderly and disabled. Our tin Jordan of Winnetka, CA, with the cles, cousins, friends, neighbors and even Mr. Nation has made a compact with these resi- Ameritech Award of Excellence in Crime Pre- Herrmann's father, Alois, became B'nai Mitz- dents to help them maintain a decent place to vention. Ms. Jordan is 1 of 8 winners selected vah as they stood before the Torah scroll that live. As we know, many of the section 8 con- from 140 nominations. Her work and persever- now has found a home at Temple Beth David. tracts will be expiring in the next few years. ance deserves to be recognized. That Torah was a part of their lives that was Fortunately, this appropriations bill provides a Charlotte Austin Jordan is not a stranger to viciously torn from them in 1939 as the Holo- total of $9.4 billion in fiscal year 1998 for the adversity. In May 1988, her 13-year-old caust descended upon Europe. Mr. Herrmann, renewal of section 8 rental housing contracts. daughter was brutally murdered by gang his parents, relatives and friends were taken This is more than twice the amount that was members in a case of mistaken identity. Fur- from Dobris and sent to locations whose provided last year for similar activities. This ther, in 1996, her 24-year-old son was also names evoke the most unbelievable horrors money will be available for HUD to work with murdered by gang members. The death of her and cruelty that have yet been devised: apartment owners at section 8 properties to first child prompted Ms. Jordan to volunteer at Theresienstadt, Auschwitz, Birkenau. Sadly, ensure that rent subsidies will continue for el- the California Youth Authority in impact of many of the Dobris Jews perished at these derly, disabled, low income and other persons crime on victim's classes. This program pro- death camps. who depend on rent subsidies. Although this October 9, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1997 amount is less than what was originally re- believe that they are not protected from crime. and vice versa much faster and cheaper than quested by the President for section 8 renew- As a result, Ms. Hoffman developed BTG and would have been otherwise possible. For more als, I am confident that HUD can meet the several related projects. than 80 years, the U.S. military has stood challenge of using this money in a cost-effec- To help bridge the cultural divide, BTG cre- watch over the canal from a series of bases tive and sensitive manner. ated a computerized language bank that con- located in a 10-mile-wide strip of territory adja- The other good news concerns service co- tains the names of bilingual officers and civil- cent to the canal. From that position, the Unit- ordinators. These staff persons work in section ians interested in translating for public safety ed States has been prepared to respond ef- 8 projects to assess the daily living activities officers and the courts. Law enforcement train- fectively not only to immediate threats to the of residents and tailor a package of services ing courses, including language specific class- canal itself, but also to other problems that that gives residents access to community es and community education programs, have could have eroded hemispheric peace and se- services. Every day service coordinators help helped eliminate communication barriers and curity. By December 31, 1999, however, the to save the lives of elderly and disabled per- cultural stereotypes among non-English United States forces on these bases must be sons who need help. When I learned that the speaking people and public safety officers. withdrawn and control over them and the money for this program had expired, and that BTG has published a ``Personal and Home canal will be transferred to Panama. In prepa- service coordinators at the Westerly Apart- Safety Orientation Manual for Refugees and ration for this date, the U.S. Southern Com- ments in Cleveland and other locations would Immigrants'' manual in 11 different languages. mand recently moved to its new headquarters soon be dismissed, I wrote to members of the BTG also has convened approximately 120 just west of Miami. Appropriations Committee asking that money meetings between public safety officials and The great importance of the Panama Canal be made available to keep this important pro- ethnic communities. The project provides to our country cannot be overlooked when you gram operating. I was very pleased to see that homework assistance, peer counseling, and consider that 15 percent of U.S. seaborne this appropriations bill states that ``at least English as a second language assistance to trade, and 5 percent of the world's, passes $7,000,000 shall be used for grants for service Southeast Asian youth who are vulnerable to through its locks. These figures become even coordinator and congregate services for the el- gang recruitment activities. BTG provides more significant when you take into account derly and disabled.'' This money will allow youth support groups in five counties to assist that trade comprises nearly 30 percent of our HUD to renew all of the service coordinator over 150 refugees make positive life choices. gross domestic product [GDP], and that rough- grants that are expiring in the near future. The States throughout the country are interested ly 25 percent of U.S. economic growth in the bill states that it is the intention of the U.S. in creating similar programs like BTG. Thanks last 4 years has come from increased exports. Congress that the service coordinator program to Ms. Hoffman's problem solving and leader- As a mature economy, it is clear that the Unit- extend into the future. I commend the House ship, better communication and understanding ed States must seek to open new markets to and Senate conference committee for their exist among Atlanta's diverse ethnic groups. our products for our economy to continue to willingness to maintain this vital assistance to I thank Ms. Hoffman for the hard work and grow and create high paying jobs. For this elderly and disabled citizens. dedication that allowed her to earn the reason, as chairman of the Ways and Means During an era in which all government agen- Ameritech Awards of Excellence in Crime Pre- Trade Subcommittee, I have supported Chile's cies are called upon to make hard decisions vention. I applaud the National Crime Preven- accession to the North American Free Trade about how our tax dollars are used, this ap- tion Council's dedication to helping individuals Agreement [NAFTA], as well as the trade lib- propriations bill makes a number of wise fight crime and build community. I appreciate eralization underway through the Summit of choices. I therefore urge my colleagues to Ameritech's commitment to supporting crime the Americas and the Asian-Pacific Economic support this measure. prevention initiatives. I ask my Colleagues to Cooperation [APEC] forum, and the initiation f join me in congratulating Gail Hoffman and of a trade policy toward sub-Saharan Africa. other hard-working individuals who make a dif- However, it only takes one look at a globe to CONGRATULATIONS TO GAIL A. ference in their communities. recognize the critical importance of the Pan- HOFFMAN FOR HELPING TO f ama Canal to getting U.S. exports to their des- BUILD A BETTER ATLANTA tinations overseas. Absent the canal, U.S. THE CLOCK IS TICKING ON THE products would have to be transported via HON. JOHN LEWIS PANAMA CANAL’S TRANSFER more expensive routes, adding to their overall OF GEORGIA cost and decreasing their competitiveness in IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. PHILIP M. CRANE foreign markets. On this basis, it is clear that continued growth in U.S. exports and job cre- Thursday, October 9, 1997 OF ILLINOIS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ation is, at least in part, dependent on the reg- Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I am ular operation of the Panama Canal well into Thursday, October 9, 1997 proud to announce that Gail A. Hoffman, a the 21st century. resident of Georgia's Fifth Congressional Dis- Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, in just over 2 For all of these reasons, the United States trict, once again has been recognized for her years, the United States will transfer control of national interest compels us to seek the nego- work to improve communities in Atlanta. The the Panama Canal and our adjacent bases to tiation of an agreement with Panama that will: National Crime Prevention Council and Panama under the terms of the 1977 Panama First, allow the United States to leave military Ameritech have selected Ms. Hoffman to re- Canal Treaties. Already, preparations for this bases in Panama past the turn of the century; ceive the Ameritech Award of Excellence in transition are underway. At this moment, U.S. second, permit U.S. military forces to operate Crime Prevention. Ms. Hoffman's efforts to military forces are scheduled to be drawn out of those bases; and third, enable the Unit- work with troubled communities and to bring down in the region from the 5,600 that remain, ed States to guarantee the regular operation individuals from all walks of life together out of the traditional 10,500 U.S. troops sta- of the canal. At present, the administration is makes her worthy of this acknowledgment. tioned there, to 4,400. The significance of this conducting negotiations with the Panamanians Ms. Hoffman is the president and executive process, its imminent completion, and the im- to provide for a continued United States pres- director of the Bridging the Gaps project. BTG pact it could have on the U.S. economy and ence in Panama. However, I believe that a is a nonprofit organization with a mission to the security of the region cannot be under- continued U.S. presence is meaningless with- empower ethnically diverse communities, pub- stated. For this reason, I am reintroducing a out also having the ability to intervene to guar- lic and private organizations, and law enforce- resolution today calling for the negotiation of a antee the canal's security and insure its regu- ment with the ability to improve the quality of base rights, canal operation and security lar operation. life for Georgia's refugee and immigrant com- agreement with Panama that provides for a It is clear that the conclusion of such an ar- munities. continued U.S. military presence in the region rangement would also benefit Panama, as BTG was created in 1987, after Ms. Hoff- after December 31, 1999. 6,000 Panamanian citizens are currently em- man and then Detective M.C. Cox began con- More than 80 years ago, the United States ployed on U.S. bases, and $200 to $600 mil- vening meetings with the Multicultural Crime completed construction of the 51-mile-long lion in additional income for Panama is tied di- Task Force to help confront increasing gang interoceanic ship canal across the Isthmus of rectly to the United States military presence in activity in the Asian community. Through these Panama, one of the great engineering marvels the region. Moreover, a poll of Panamanians meetings, Ms. Hoffman recognized that, be- of its or any age. Since then, this man-made published in March found that 72 percent of cause of cultural differences and communica- waterway has served the maritime nations of those surveyed would like the United States tion barriers, non-English speaking people the world almost without interruption, enabling bases to remain open after their scheduled feared the police and felt unsafe because they ships to travel from the Atlantic to the Pacific closure date. Similar polls have shown that E1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 9, 1997 Americans support a continued U.S. presence given back to her community through count- Dervishi. Mr. Dervishi, who suffers from a in the region as well. less personal commitments and honorable heart problem, was brutally beaten by the Ser- Unfortunately, time is growing very short deeds. Her records of selfless service is truly bian police for teaching Albanian students the and urgent action is needed to negotiate an remarkable. Albanian language out of his home in agreement with Panama before the United Embarking on a new path, I wish Mary the Gjakova, Kosova. He was then taken by force States withdrawal is complete. I ask my col- best, congratulate her on all that she has ac- to the Albanian border, and warned not to re- leagues to join me as cosponsors of the criti- complished, and thank her for her making my turn to his home and family. Under the Ser- cal resolution that I am introducing today and community a better place to live. bian police system, Hazyr Dervishi is a to support swift action on this issue. f marked man in Kosova. Yet, he plans to risk f his life in order to rejoin his family. STOP HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN On behalf of Hazyr Dervishi and so many TRIBUTE TO TAIWAN AND DR. KOSOVA other innocent Albanian victims, the United JASON HU States State Department must make a public HON. JAMES A. TRAFICANT, JR. and unambiguous statement condemning the HON. GEORGE W. GEKAS OF OHIO ongoing human rights violations in Kosova. OF PENNSYLVANIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Our Government should make it clear to the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Thursday, October 9, 1997 Serbian Government that we will not tolerate Thursday, October 9, 1997 the continued abuse of ethnic Albanians in Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, Since the Kosova and the denial of their basic human Mr. GEKAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to spring of 1989, when the regime of Slobodan and civil rights. pay tribute to the Republic of China on Taiwan Milosevic brutally occupied Kosova, the Ser- When will we learn how to deal with the bar- on the 86th anniversary of the founding of bian authorities have violated the human rights baric Communist regime of Slobodan their nation. Congratulations are in order for of the Albanian population. I would point out Milosevic, who rose to power on the dead President Lee Teng-hui and Vice President that ethnic Albanians comprise more than 92 bodies of so many innocent Albanian citizens Lien Chan, who have strived diligently to percent of the total population of Kosova. of Kosova? When will we learn that only timely maintain strong economic growth and advance Shortly after the Serbian occupation, all Alba- action and resolve will have an impact on dic- democracy for their country. Aided by the tire- nian-language educational institutions were tators like Milosevic? I implore you, Mr. less efforts of people like Dr. Jason Hu, they closed, and Albanian students were forced to Speaker, and I implore our Government, not to have also expanded Taiwan's official and un- attend makeshift classrooms in private homes let Kosova, which many have described as the official ties abroad. As Taiwan's representative throughout the province. modern-day equivalent of the Warsaw Ghetto to the United States, Dr. Hu has been in our Thirteen months ago, an agreement was under the Nazis, become the next Bosnia. We Nation's Capital since June 1996. But a fare- signed by President Ibrahim Rugova of need to change a failed foreign policy that has well and congratulations is in order as he is Kosova and Serbian President Milosevic to allowed the victimization of Albanians in leaving our country soon to become Taiwan's enable Albanian students and teachers to re- Kosova and Macedonia to continue unabated. foreign minister, a post for which he has prov- turn to their schools and to reopen the Alba- Our policy must change now before it is too en to be well-suited. nian-language University of Prishtina. The late. During his tenure in our country, Dr. Hu has international community hailed this agreement helped us to understand the complex issues as the first step towards the settlement of the f affecting our two nations. His knowledge and crisis in Kosova. However, no progress has tact have served his country well. His hard been made towards implementing the agree- SERBIAN SISTERS work and positive attitude have helped to ment because of the Serbian regime's intran- bridge the gaps between our two peoples, sigence. Last week, the lack of Serbian will- HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY helping us avoid the pitfalls that misunder- ingness to comply with the agreement prompt- OF INDIANA standings can bring. ed students in Kosova to peacefully protest to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES bring world attention to their plight. As a dedicated and intelligent diplomat, Dr. Thursday, October 9, 1997 Hu promises to be an excellent foreign min- More than 50,000 students gathered in ister. I wish him luck in his new position. Velanija on October 1, the beginning of the Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my great f new academic year in Kosova, to begin their honor to commend the Circle of Serbian Sis- protest. There they were met by Serbian po- ters of Northwest Indiana. This distinguished RECOGNITION OF MARY L. TOBIAS lice, who informed them that their protest was organization is holding its fifth annual benefit FOR HER LEADERSHIP AND COM- illegal because it had not been cleared by the at St. Elijah's Serbian Orthodox Church Hall in MITMENT TO THE CITIZENS OF occupation authorities. When the students re- Merrillville, IN, this Sunday, October 12, 1997. THE STATE OF OREGON fused to disband, the police encircled the The Circle of Serbian Sisters of Northwest crowd and brutally attacked the nonviolent Indiana is the combined effort to four Circle of HON. ELIZABETH FURSE protesters with truncheons and tear gas. Serbian Sisters organizations, each of which OF OREGON Throughout Kosova, Serbian police have at- has about 200 members. The presidents of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tacked students and teachers, barricaded Al- the Circle of Serbian Sisters organizations are: banian primary and secondary school build- Ms. Helen Tezich, from St. George Serbian Thursday, October 9, 1997 ings, and sealed off entire towns and cities. Orthodox Church in East Chicago; Ms. Natalie Ms. FURSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Yet the Albanian people of Kosova refuse to Tica, from St. George Serbian Orthodox commend Mary L. Tobias, of Washington abandon their struggle for self-determination. Church in Schererville; Ms. Ann Rudman, from County, OR, who has contributed immensely The Albanian-American community has called St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in to the democratic process and, through her on the international community to take meas- Merrillville; and Ms. Milica Bodrozic, from St. leadership of the Tualatin Valley Economic ures to prevent the conflict from escalating fur- Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville. Development Corp., epitomizes the spirit of ther. Inaction and silence by the world will only Some 5 years ago, these organizations uni- public-private partnership. encourage the Serbian occupiers of Kosova to fied to assemble this humanitarian fundraiser Under Mary's leadership, TVEDC has devel- pursue a more aggressive and repressive pol- in order to provide aid to orphaned and refu- oped into a model private nonprofit business icy, as they did in Bosnia. Such a result could gee children in the former Yugoslavia. This organization serving to connect businesses happen without timely action and a firm re- year alone, three womenÐMilica Bodrozic, and government, introducing an articulate, col- solve on the part of the United States and the Mira Radakovich, and Violet SekulichÐwho lective insight to the public policy discussion. world's democracies. are from various kolosÐcirclesÐpersonally Today, TVEDC's opinions and recommenda- The gross violation of the human rights of distributed monie's to various orphanages and tions in land use and transportation, environ- Albanian students, teachers, and defenseless families in financial need. And 2 years ago, mental regulations, education funding, and citizens of Kosova must be stopped. The daily the Circle of Serbian Sisters sent over 7,000 sensible growth management are valued by reality of Albanians in Kosova was illustrated packages and vaccines to displaced children, representatives at all levels of government. for me today when a member of the Albanian who are forced to live in refugee camps and As a mother, grandmother, successful small American Civic League called me in despera- shelters. These individually wrapped packages business owner, and former mayor, Mary has tion over the plight of his brother Hazyr consisted of underwear, sweat suits, and October 9, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1999 candy. The Circle of Serbian Sisters of North- much dissension among all of God's children. Angeles. Ms. Bowman has played a key role west Indiana works with the International Or- And, it is collectively how these challenges will in the development of landmark legislation of thodox Christian Charities and Serbian Ortho- be solved. The theme of the Holy Day of domestic violence and continues to do so in dox Church in the former Yugoslavia. Atonement, ``To be Young, Gifted and Aton- her new position as special assistant and as Four priests who have supported this effort ing,'' will emphasize a focus on what needs to a member of the National Advisory Council on from the very beginning are: Father Steve be done, with and for our youth, to save us all. Violence Against Women. She is the author of Kovacevich, from St. George Serbian Ortho- It is in this spirit that I honor and support the numerous legal manuals and article on do- dox Church in East Chicago; the Very Rev- goals and ideals of October 16, 1997, as a mestic violence. erend Father Milan Savich, from St. George day of atonement. Each city will observe this To meet the needs of the surrounding com- Serbian Orthodox Church in Schererville; the day in its own manner. ``To be Young, Gifted munity and as a response to the request from Arch Priest John Todorovich, from St. Sava and Atoning,'' emphasizing the condition of the Los Angeles Police Department's Central Serbian Orthodox Church; and Father Lazar our youth, will allow all Americans to discover Division, California Hospital Medical Center Kostur, from St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox where we the power is located to solve these formed the Domestic Violence Coalition in Church. problemsÐthe power is located within our- 1996, under the direction of Dr. Robert This year, the Circle of Serbian Sisters will selves. Splawn. The coalition is comprised of rep- be honored with the presence of His Grace I support the effort of African-American men resentatives from the LAPD, city and district Right Reverend Longin, Bishop of Dalmatia to build the strength within themselves to forge attorney's offices, elected officials, shelter, ad- and Auxiliary Bishop to His Holiness Patriarch better men, better sons, better homes, better vocacy agencies, and hospital staff. Its mis- Pavale. His Grace Right Reverend Longin is communities, and better nations. I support the sion is to provide immediate, compassionate also the Administrator of New Gracanica, seat- effort of African-American women to work with support services to victims, and to work to- ed in Third Lake, IL. African-American men toward these des- wards the prevention of domestic violence. Mr. Speaker, during this difficult time in the perately-needed ideals. I support the effort of The mission of Junior Leagues of CA Silent former Yugoslavia, the mission of the Circle of every American to improve our country, reach Witness Project is to ``promote peace, healing Serbian Sisters of Northwest Indiana offers re- out and help those willing to help themselves. and responsibility in adult relationships in newed hope in the humanity of all people. I The Holy Day of Atonement is an excellent ve- order to eliminate domestic murders in the ask you and my other distinguished col- hicle to continue upon the success of two United States by the year 2010.'' The project leagues to join me in commending the Circle years ago, and I applaud the hard work of its is a memorial to personalize the individual of Serbian Sisters and wishing them well on dedicated staff and volunteers in the 15th woman behind the horrifying statistics of do- their fifth annual banquet, as well as the con- Congressional District of Michigan and in other mestic violence. The exhibit educates and gal- tinued success of their humanitarian efforts. cities throughout our great Nation. vanizes public and legislative support to the f f domestic violence. Mayor Pat Wallach of El Monte has been a THE SPIRIT OF ATONEMENT AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS steadfast supporter of services for domestic vi- THE MILLION MAN MARCH MONTH olence victims. Most recently, she led the fight that resulted in the city's contribution of HON. CAROLYN C. KILPATRICK HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD $167,000 in HOME funds to buy a building OF MICHIGAN OF CALIFORNIA that was transformed into a shelter for bat- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tered women and their children. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Domestic Violence Thursday, October 9, 1997 Thursday, October 9, 1997 Awareness Month, I urge my colleagues to Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, as you Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, Octo- join me and Senator Solis in recognizing and know, we will soon leave for a week-long dis- ber is the month set aside to bring national at- congratulating these individuals and organiza- trict work period. However, I did not want my tention to the crime of domestic violence in tions who are devoted to the elimination of the colleagues to leave before pointing out a key this country. It is a crime that affects people in domestic violence cycle and to educating our event that will occur next week in many cities all communities, transcending economic, geo- communities about this hideous crime. in our Nation. Two years ago on October 16, graphic, and racial lines. With a woman bat- f 1997, the largest nonviolent demonstration in tered every 13 seconds it has reached epi- the history of the United States took place less demic proportions and is the greatest cause of TRIBUTE TO FATHER WILLIAM than 100 yards from where I now stand. This injury to women in the United States today. CUNNINGHAM AND FOCUS: HOPE demonstration, the Million Man March, saw Af- Yet, the nature and seriousness of domestic rican-American men stand up and dedicate violence as a crime is often ignored. HON. SANDER M. LEVIN themselves to take control of their lives, their To combat domestic violence, education is a OF MICHIGAN destiny, and their communities. A larger theme vital component to helping society understand IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of the march was that of atonement, to rec- the problem, and to changing attitudes and Thursday, October 9, 1997 oncile our differences with one another so that perceptions about this crime. By raising the Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, on Sunday, Octo- we may face all of the challenges that oppress level of awareness and understanding about ber 12, there will be held the Annual Walk of African-Americans in a solid wall of unity, in a domestic violence we can overcome the Focus: HOPE. united front of understanding and peace. De- shameful stigma and psychological barriers This year's walk possesses a special signifi- spite entreaties by the media and other and associated with this epidemic that prevent cance and poignancy. It will be held without its sources, initially questioning whether any men us from effectively ending the cycle of vio- founder and inspiration Father William would show up for this march, combined with lence. Cunningham. the media's sub rosa notions of violence that As co-chair of the Violence Against Women His death on May 26 of this year left a void was expected from such a gathering of Afri- Working Group, I will co-host a reception in that can never be filled. can-American men, this march was a fantastic Los Angeles with California State Senator The riots of 1967 changed life in the metro- success. Many of our States, cities, and com- Hilda Solis on October 14, 1997, to honor or- politan area and the life of William munities are budding with new organizations, ganizations and individuals that work tirelessly Cunningham. large and small, dedicated toward making our against domestic violence. This year's recep- In turn, his response changed the life of the neighborhoods a safer place. tion will honor Alana Bowman, special assist- entire area. He decided to dedicate his service I am an avid, ardent, and enthusiastic sup- ant to the Los Angeles City attorney, the Do- to the community. Combining his deep spir- porter of the goals and ideals of the march: mestic Violence Coalition at California Hospital ituality with brilliant organizational skills, he acknowledging past mistakes, confessing Medical Center, Junior Leagues of California's started the embryonic organization Focus: these errors to those whom we have wronged, Silent Witness Project, and El Monte City HOPE. That seed has grown from its initial asking for forgiveness, and having the restora- mayor, Pat Wallach. food program to a broad-scale attack on the tion of spirit that is encompassed in taking Alana Bowman has been a champion for manifestations and causes of poverty. these steps. Collectively, African-Americans victims of domestic violence for over 10 years. Father Cunningham's dream was that peo- must atone for the destruction that is going on As the former head of the Domestic Violence ple from all walks of life, races, and creeds in our communities. Collectively, America must Unit for the city attorney, she set the standard could, and would, work together to enhance atone for the divisiveness that has wreaked so for prosecution of offenders in the city of Los individual lives and the fabric of society. E2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 9, 1997 With each new creative idea and its effec- tions requires substantial investments of time, misappropriation of valuable commercial col- tive implementation, Focus: HOPE took an- personnel, and money. Information companies lections of information by unscrupulous com- other step toward fulfillment of his dream. must dedicate massive resources when gath- petitors who grab data collected by others, re- Working with Eleanor Josaitis and an increas- ering and verifying factual material, presenting package it, and market a product that threat- ing group of volunteers and a diverse, talented it in a user-friendly way, and keeping it current ens competitive injury to the original collection. staff, Focus: HOPE introduced food and health for and useful to customers. U.S. firms have This new Federal protection is modeled in part support for low-income mothers and excep- been the world leaders in this field. They have on the Lanham Act, which already makes tional job training and specialized production brought to market a wide range of valuable similar kinds of unfair competition a civil wrong units. The Machine Training Institute and the collections of information that meet the infor- under Federal law. Importantly, this bill main- Center for Advanced Technologies today mation needs of businesses, professionals, re- tains existing protections for collections of in- stand as testimony that education can be for searchers, and consumers worldwide. But sev- formation afforded by copyright and contract virtually all a ticket out of poverty into a new eral recent legal and technological develop- rights. It is intended to supplement these legal world of opportunity. ments threaten to cast a pall over this rights, not replace them. The power of his faith, his ideas and his progress, by eroding the incentives for the The Collections of Information Antipiracy Act personality assure that Father Bill continued investment needed to maintain and is a balanced proposal. It is aimed at actual or Cunningham's dreams for Focus: HOPE will build upon the U.S. lead in world markets for threatened competitive injury from misappro- continue to be realized. There are too many of electronic information resources. priation of collections of information or their us who had the privilege to work with him over I recently received a report from Dr. Laura contents, not at uses which do not affect mar- the years who will stand for nothing less. D'Andrea Tyson, former National Economic ketability or competitiveness. The goal is to Indeed, the strongest challenge is whether Advisor to the President and former Chair of stimulate the creation of even more collec- the work of Father Bill Cunningham can be the White House Council on Economic Advi- tions, and to encourage even more competi- replicated in other places. sors. Dr. Tyson's study demonstrates strong tion among them. The bill avoids conferring Father Cunningham asked that no monu- economic reasons for providing adequate stat- any monopoly on facts, or taking any other ments be erected to his memory. When thou- utory protection for the data base industry, steps that might be inconsistent with these sands of us walk in his memory on October and points out that failure to act may result in goals. 12, we will be carrying his message and his adverse effects on technological progress, on This bill differs dramatically from H.R. 3531, achievements with us for all the world to see. economic growth, and possibly on the re- introduced in the last Congress by then-Chair- f search, education, and scientific communities. man Carlos Moorhead. H.R. 3531 proposed to Noted authors and scholars have also en- enact a new form of sui generous copyright PERSONAL EXPLANATION dorsed the need to provide some protection to protection of data bases. This bill is a collections of information, to prevent free- minimalist approach grounded in unfair com- HON. JON CHRISTENSEN loaders from appropriating the fruits of others' petition principles as a complement to copy- OF NEBRASKA investments. right, and the damage that can be done from IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Here in the United States, the 1991 Su- substantial copying of collections of informa- preme Court decision in Feist Publications ver- tion. Thursday, October 9, 1997 sus Rural Telephone Service Co. marked a In drafting this bill, I was particularly mindful Mr. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, on Octo- tougher attitude toward claims of copyright in of the concerns of the library, scientific re- ber 8, 1997, I inadvertently voted ``no'' on final data bases. While reaffirming that mostÐal- search, and educational communities. Con- passage of the American Land Sovereignty though not allÐcommercially significant collec- cerns raised in response to the introduction of Protection Act (rollcall vote No. 504). I ask that tions of information satisfy the ``originality'' re- H.R. 3531 last year by these groups warned the RECORD show that my intention was to quirement for protection under copyright, the of the dramatic consequences that could result vote ``aye.'' Court emphasized that this protection is ``nec- from legislation in this area. My staff and I f essarily thin.'' Several subsequent lower court heard these concerns, through personal meet- decisions have underscored that copyright ings and through the Copyright Office report THE INTRODUCTION OF THE COL- cannot stop a competitor from lifting massive on this issue presented to the Congress ear- LECTIONS OF INFORMATION amounts of factual material from a copyrighted lier this year. This bill alleviates those con- ANTIPIRACY ACT collection to use as the basis for its own com- cerns by specifically allowing access and use peting product. Producers are concerned that for those purposes, while still providing nec- HON. HOWARD COBLE some of these cases may also cast doubt on essary protection to ensure continued invest- OF NORTH CAROLINA the ability of a proprietor to use contractual ment and production of collections of informa- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES provisions to protect itself against unfair com- tion. Thursday, October 9, 1997 petition from such free riders. This legislation provides the starting point In cyberspace, technological developments for legislative activity on an important and Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, today I am proud represent a threat as well as an opportunity complex subject. I look forward to hearing the to introduce the Collections of Information for collections of information, just as for other suggestions and reactions of interested parties Antipiracy Act, a bill to encourage continued kinds of works. Copying factual material from and of my colleagues at a hearing later this investment in the production and distribution of another's proprietary collection, and rearrang- month. valuable new collections of information. ing it to form a competing information prod- f Electronic collections, and other collections uctÐjust the kind of behavior that copyright of factual material, are absolutely indispen- protection may not effectively preventÐis TRIBUTE TO JAMES W. MEREDITH sable to the American economy on the verge cheaper and easier than ever through digital of the new century. These information prod- technology that is now in widespread use. HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON ucts put a wealth of data at the fingertips of When all these factors are added together, OF MISSISSIPPI business people, professionals, scientists, the bottom line is clear: it is time to consider IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES scholars, and consumers, and enable them to new federal legislation to protect developers retrieve from this haystack of information the who place their materials in interstate com- Thursday, October 9, 1997 specific factual needle that they need to solve merce against piracy and unfair competition, Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise before a particular economic, research, or edu- and thus encourage continued investment in you today to pay tribute to Mr. James W. Mer- cational problem. Whether they focus on finan- the production and distribution of valuable edith, the first African-American to enroll in a cial, scientific, legal, medical, bibliographic, commercial collections of information. segregated university in Mississippi. news, or other information, collections of infor- While copyright, on the Federal level, and October 1, 1962 marked the date when mation are essential tools for improving pro- State contract law underlying licensing agree- James Meredith became the first African- ductivity, advancing education and training, ments remain essential for protecting the enor- American to enroll at the University of Mis- and creating a more informed citizenry. They mous investment in collections of information, sissippi. Mr. Meredith was born in Koskiusko, are also the linchpins of a dynamic commer- there are gaps in the protection that can best MS, on June 25, 1933. After living serveral cial information industry in the United States. be filled by a new Federal statute which will years in Mississippi, James moved to live with Developing, compiling, distributing, and complement copyright law. The Collections of his uncle in St. Petersburg, FL, where he en- maintaining commercially significant collec- Information Antipiracy Act would prohibit the rolled in high school and finished. He enlisted October 9, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2001 into the U.S. Air Force at age 18, where he STATEMENT ON THE SPILL OF community-based crime prevention initiatives. served for 9 years. NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE Ms. Coney recognized early on that creating a After graduating from the University of Mis- safe and secure environment in east Tampa requires a multifaceted approach focusing not sissippi, James Meredith went to study abroad HON. BOB CLEMENT only on community policing but also on in Africa where he wrote his first of numerous OF TENNESSEE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES strengthening families, developing youth lead- books entitled ``Three Years in Mississippi.'' ership, and creating economic opportunity. After his stay in Africa, James Meredith re- Thursday, October 9, 1997 One of Ms. Coney's successful programs is turned to Mississippi to start an organization Mr. CLEMENT. Mr. Speaker, I recently had the CDCT's Men II Boys Mentoring Program called March Against Fear in order to em- the fortune of attending a seminar entitled which pairs 100 at-risk African-American power and encourage African-Americans to ``Spill of National Significance,'' or ``SONS.'' As youth, ages 11±14, with responsible adult register to vote. This organization went on to ranking member on the Coast Guard and Mar- men. These adults are willing to share their register 300,000 people in Mississippi. itime Transportation Subcommittee, I feel that experiences and serve as role models, nurtur- In addition to his efforts to register African- it is important to alert you to innovative re- ing the healthy development of these youth Americans to vote, James Meredith started the search being conducted in this field. into men. Ms. Coney has also created con- structive programs such as the Inner-City James Meredith Library Clubs of America. SONS was a 3-day exercise that brought to- Boys Choir, a medical apprenticeship pro- This organization was created to lure African- gether notable individuals ranging from Trans- portation Secretary Rodney Slater and Coast gram, a substance abuse prevention program American males into the library and encourage entitled Striving To Achieve Rewarding Tomor- them to read. Guard Commandant Robert Kramek, to rep- resentatives from FEMA, the EPA, and count- rows [START], and Saturday Academy which Mr. Speaker, because of these many ac- less other agencies. They gathered in Phila- improves the academic and social skills of at- complishments, I would like to take time out to delphia and Washington, DC, using interactive risk seventh graders. honor Mr. James Meredith for his vision and technology to find solutions for a simulated ca- These programs can be successful only if courage. tastrophe. strong family support exists to back them up. The scenario involved three oil spills at two Ms. Coney recognizes this and established an f different sites, occurring within 6 hours of each annual Parent Enhancement Conference to other. SONS' participants were then required educate parents on ways to better support IN RECOGNITION OF SHERIFF to resolve this crisis from various perspectives, their children's development. In addition, she BRAD GATES ranging from political to environmental to fi- offers workshops twice a month for parents nancial. and launched the East Tampa School-Com- Rather than wait for disasters to strike, munity Partnership which is a network of so- HON. RON PACKARD attendees at this Coast Guard-sponsored cial service agencies, school representatives, and parents. OF CALIFORNIA event developed methods for dealing effec- tively with future oil spills. This is an example Finally, recognizing that these efforts to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of an agency at its finest. I encourage other build up our youth must be coupled with op- portunities for the future, Ms. Coney has dedi- Thursday, October 9, 1997 organizations to take a lesson from SONS and address future concerns today. cated much of the CDCT's efforts toward eco- nomic development. This year, the Nehemiah Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in f Project has focused on ``community building recognition of an outstanding member of my TRIBUTE TO CHLOE CONEY brick by brick,'' with the goal of stimulating community in southern California. On October commercial development and transforming 30 of this year, 1997, the Boy Scouts of Amer- abandoned buildings. These efforts represent ica will honor Orange County, CA, Sheriff Brad HON. JIM DAVIS OF FLORIDA a commitment to matching increased edu- Gates with the William H. Spurgeon III Award. cational opportunities with increased job op- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Sheriff Gates has given both his support portunities. and service to the Boy Scout's Explorer pro- Thursday, October 9, 1997 This short tribute cannot begin to describe gram and the youth of Orange County for the Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise Ms. Coney's outstanding efforts in redevelop- past twenty-three years. Almost from the day today to honor Chloe Coney, a constituent of ing and revitalizing east Tampa and providing he joined Troop 12 of the Scouts as a boy, mine from Tampa, FL, who has been selected a safer community for citizens of all ages. Her Brad Gates has been a positive force in our as one of eight national award winners for the impact on individuals, families, and commu- community. Ameritech Awards of Excellence in Crime Pre- nities is immeasurable. Therefore, I would ask vention. This recognition is a fitting tribute to my colleagues to join me in congratulating Ms. The list of Sheriff Gates' contributions to the her tireless efforts over the past decade in de- Coney for her hard work and dedication in de- citizens of Orange County is extensive. Since veloping a comprehensive and collaborative veloping strategies for successful crime pre- his days as a Scout, Brad has served as a plan to revitalize low-income areas of east vention and to thank all those individuals like member of the Orange County Council, as a Tampa. I applaud the National Crime Preven- her throughout America who have dedicated board of directors member for both the Boy tion Council and Ameritech for honoring Ms. their lives to service in their communities. Scouts of America and the Big Brothers/Big Coney's dedication. f Sisters program in Orange County and has Ms. Coney grew up in Tampa's North Bou- CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM cofounded Drug Abuse is Life Abuse, a com- levard Public Housing Project and her per- munity coalition of drug awareness and pre- sonal experiences in this economically dis- vention programs. advantaged area have given her great insight HON. RON KIND into the needs and opportunities of citizens liv- OF WISCONSIN Brad Gates is not just one of Orange Coun- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ty's most active volunteers, Gates has served ing in east Tampa. She began her career of Thursday, October 9, 1997 officially as sheriff-coroner of Orange County service as a parole officer and counselor since 1974. As one of our communities most where she implemented conflict resolution Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, today I stood on the important officials, Brad continues to provide strategies in the Citizen's Dispute Settlement steps of the Capitol with my fellow Democratic outstanding leadership while managing the Programs for the Thirteenth Judicial Court. colleagues urging the leadership in the House largest law enforcement agency in Orange Currently, Ms. Coney is the executive direc- and the Senate to allow a fair vote on cam- County. tor of the Corporation to Develop Communities paign finance reform. A majority of the U.S. of Tampa [CDCT]. This community-based non- Senate, all the Democrats and a small number And in undoubtedly his most important posi- profit organization plans, promotes, and as- of courageous Republicans, have voted in tion, Brad is both a husband and father as sists the redevelopment of the east Tampa favor of the McCain-Feingold campaign fi- well as a good personal friend to many area through a wide range of programs includ- nance legislation. In the House we have not throughout our community. Mr. Speaker, Sher- ing community building, youth leadership, fam- been given the opportunity to vote on any re- iff Brad Gates truly deserves the honor of ily stabilization, and economic development. form bill. being recognized today by our Nation's lead- Her efforts should serve as a model for com- After we leave today for the Columbus Day ers, as he himself is clearly among them. prehensive and collaborative approaches to recess, with the leadership's stated desire to E2002 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 9, 1997 adjourn on November 7, we have only 3 HONORING PROJECT INFO COMMU- affection'', is a program that works with fami- weeks remaining in the 1997 legislative ses- NITY SERVICES, INC. ON THE OC- lies to prevent and break the cycle of child sion. We must move quickly to take action be- CASION OF ITS 25TH ANNIVER- abuse. fore we run out of time. I encourage the lead- SARY, AND MOCTESUMA Challenging Latinos to Access Resource ership to give the public what it desperately ESPARZA AND DR. NELBA CHA- Opportunities [CLARO] uses positive role wants, campaign finance reform. VEZ models and culturally appropriate support Mr. Speaker, during the next week I will be groups to challenge high-risk male youth to traveling throughout my district in western HON. ESTEBAN EDWARD TORRES explore alternatives and prevent involvement Wisconsin. I will have to tell the people I rep- OF CALIFORNIA in gang, alcohol and drug abuse, premature resent that we have failed to even consider IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and/or irresponsible sexual activity and teen any of the campaign finance bills we currently pregnancy. A pilot program, Self Thursday, October 9, 1997 have pending before Congress. I know that Empowerment Resources to Educate, Nurture the people of western Wisconsin will not ac- Mr. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to and Advocate [SERENA], was developed to cept this answer. The people are tired of Con- recognize an outstanding and invaluable com- address, in a gender appropriate manner, the gress unwilling to clean up our own house. munity service organization, Project INFO, lo- prevention strategies of CLARO for high-risk Please give us a vote on this issue. cated in my congressional district. On Thurs- female youth. day, October 9, 1997, Project INFO will cele- Community Organizations Linking Optimum f brate 25 years of dedicated community serv- Resource Services [COLORS] is a family ice. preservation program designed to provide a TRIBUTE TO NORFOLK COMMIS- Established in 1972 as a private nonprofit strong base of support for families dealing with SIONER OF THE REVENUE SAM organization, Project INFO responded to the abuse and neglect. T. BARFIELD call for help from the Whittier Union High To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Project School District to assist in the prevention of INFO, a special dinner will be held tonight. HON. OWEN B. PICKETT student drug abuse. Since its inception, its The theme of this year's celebration is ``Twen- purpose has been to strengthen the family unit OF VIRGINIA ty-Five Years of Touching Lives.'' Through its by promoting mental health and well-being outstanding programs, Project INFO has pro- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES through proactive programs of education, pre- vided exemplary service, addressing the vast Thursday, October 9, 1997 vention, and early intervention, and to and difficult barriers that our young people and Mr. PICKETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay strengthen the individual through personal de- families confront each day. Fortunately for tribute to the Honorable Sam T. Barfield, who velopment. Project INFO programs are par- those youth and families in need of assistance is retiring this year after serving as commis- ticularly sensitive to the multicultural commu- and guidance, for 25 years Project INFO has sioner of the revenue of the city of Norfolk for nities it serves. remained solidly committed to reaching out the past 28 years. Since 1972, Project INFO has expanded its and touching those lives. services in a variety of areas to meet the Sam was born in Charleston, SC in 1917. Also, tonight, Project INFO will honor needs challenging today's families. Most serv- He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1941 Moctesuma Esparza and Dr. Nelba Chavez for ices are delivered by bilingual/bicultural staff. and was discharged 5 years later with honors their contributions to Project INFO and its mis- Project INFO offers eight different programs. and the rank of major. He entered private sion. Moctesuma Esparza, a well known tal- Windows/Ventanas is a program which business in Norfolk, VA following his service in ented movie producer, has dedicated his time works with families on developing communica- the Marine Corps and has continued to live as a guest speaker at the Project INFO youth tion skills. This program has been honored by there until the present. conferences, leaving a lasting impression on State and national organizations for its effec- He began his public service work early in the youth participants. Dr. Nelba Chavez, Ad- tiveness in the prevention of substance abuse ministrator for Substance Abuse and Mental his business career by serving on the board of through the strengthening of families. directors for the Norfolk Chamber of Com- Health Services Administration, Department of Through drop-in centers located in the cities Health and Human Services, has been a merce from 1949 until 1968. He also sought of El Monte, La Puente, and Glendora, Com- public office and was elected to the Norfolk strong supporter of Project INFO and has spo- munity Prevention and Recovery Programs ken at several conferences for women spon- City Council, where he served from 1959 to [CPRP] offers a full range of alcohol preven- 1969. During the difficult period following the sored by Project INFO. tion and recovery services. Each site has tai- Mr. Speaker, it is with pride that I rise to Supreme Court decision in 1954 abolishing lored a program to address its community's recognize Project INFO for its 25 years of un- segregation in public schools, Sam took a needs. At the El Monte site a domestic vio- wavering dedication to the needs of our youth public stand in favor of integrating the Norfolk lence program for ``batterers'' called Domestic and families and tonight's honorees, city schools in order to keep them open. & Other Violence Education [DOVE] has been Moctesuma Esparza and Dr. Nelba Chavez. I He has been instrumental in the planning created to address the needs expressed by ask my colleagues to join me in saluting this and construction of many downtown Norfolk the judicial system and the community. The La fine organization and sending our gratitude landmarks, including Scope, Chrysler Hall, and Puente site initiated a Youth Federation to de- and congratulations to the honorees and the City Hall Complex. velop student leadership and Glendora has Project INFO on its 25th anniversary. He was elected to the office of commis- created a support group for middle school chil- f sioner of the revenue in 1969. One of his first dren. innovations was the introduction and use of Serving People In Recovery & In Transition THE SENIOR CITIZEN paper decals on windshields in place of metal [SPIRIT] is an outpatient drug free counseling RESPIRATORY CARE ACT OF 1997 city plates which resulted in a considerable program for recovering addicts and their fami- cost savings to the taxpayers. lies. This program is offered for both juveniles HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH As commissioner, Sam worked coopera- and adults. Counseling services are offered in OF NEW JERSEY tively with the State's Governors, general as- all six schools of the Whittier Union High IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES sembly, and congressional delegation to effect School District. tax reform, obtain payments in-lie of taxes for Building Employment Skills Training [BEST] Thursday, October 9, 1997 federally-owned property, and protect the role is a program funded by the Job Training Part- Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, of the commissioners of revenue under the nership Act to provide job training and place- today I am introducing legislation to restore Virginia Constitution. He also served as presi- ment for economically disadvantaged individ- Medicare coverage for ultrasonic nebulizersÐ dent of the commissioners of the Revenue As- uals through partnerships with private employ- medical devices used to treat patients with se- sociation and the Virginia Association of Lo- ers. vere asthma, cystic fibrosis, chronic obstruc- cally Elected Constitutional Officers. Assistance with Alcohol and Sobriety Uniting tive pulmonary disease [COPD], and other Sam was outspoken and colorful politician Latinas [AASUL] is a media campaign de- respiratory diseases. who enjoyed people and took great pride in signed to educate Latinas in California about In April 1997, the Durable Medical Equip- his community and his work. I know that his alcohol abuse and related problems and offers ment Carriers [DMERC's], under the authority many friends and admirers join me in saluting a network of support services. of the Health Care Financing Administration him for his long, dedicated, and loyal public Child Abuse Risk Intervention and Neighbor- [HCFA], made a significant change in Medi- service. hood Outreach [CARINÄ O], Spanish for ``tender care reimbursement policy that will put senior October 9, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2003 citizens and disabled persons with respiratory reduced range of therapeutic options at signifi- oped with the assistance of the Reagan family illnesses at serious risk. My legislation is very cantly higher prices. to honor dedicated community service. Long- simple. It restores Medicare coverage for ultra- This outcome is completely unacceptable, term dedication has been a characteristic of sonic nebulizers to the same terms and condi- and that is why my good friend and colleague Irwin Rosenberg's long volunteer career, tions that existed prior to this change. from Florida, Mr. CLIFF STEARNS, and I have which began at age 14 as a police explorer. The device in question uses ultrasonic joined in introducing the Senior Citizen Res- By the age 17, he had received 22 com- sound waves to turn medicine into a fine mist piratory Care Act of 1997. Congress must act mendations, including 1 for bravery. that is inhaled by the patient into the lungs. Ul- soon to reverse HCFA's ``stealth'' coverage Throughout his life, Irwin has developed re- trasonic nebulizers are extremely efficient at change, and restore Medicare reimbursement lations with countless volunteer associations in delivering medication where it is neededÐthe to devices which are safe and effective thera- our community. Some of these associations lungsÐand in the optimum particle sizes. peutic options for seniors with serious res- include the City Council for the Disabled, Cali- Without any clinical justification and without piratory illnesses. fornia Association of Physically Handicapped, any public notice or comment, the DMERC's f and the Fair Housing Council of the San Fer- have either eliminated Medicare coverage for nando Valley. Irwin has also served as a ultrasonic nebulizers entirely, or reduced reim- TRIBUTE TO JUDGE MANUEL board member for the United Way, Southern bursement rates so drastically that suppliers REAL California Association of Governments, Gre- will no longer provide them. nada Hills Little League and many other orga- The DMERC's decision was made despite HON. KEN CALVERT nizations. Currently, he serves as the vice- the fact that ultrasonic nebulizers have been OF CALIFORNIA president and commissioner of the Los Ange- considered safe, effective, and medically nec- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES les City Commission on Children, Youth and essary for years, and notwithstanding a large Their Families, commissioner of the Los Ange- body of evidence that ultrasonic nebulizers are Thursday, October 9, 1997 les County Private Industry Council, chairman- more efficient at delivering medication than the Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, California's elect of New Directions for Youth, and vice- most similar alternative, the jet nebulizer or 43d Congressional District has been extremely chair/board of managers of North Valley pneumatic compressor. fortunate to have many dedicated citizens who YMCA in addition to various other board mem- Furthermore, beneficiaries are being forced have been willing to contribute their time and berships. This service represent a mere sam- to switch to a metered-dose inhaler [MDI], talents to help make our community an excep- pling of Irwin's involvement in our community which is not covered by Medicare. This has tionally good place in which to live and work. and his commitment to all facets of helping led to a significant increase in the out-of-pock- One of the most dedicated and active of these people. et-costs of Medicare beneficiaries. I am par- citizens has been Judge Manuel Real. A former Nelle Reagan Award winner, Tim ticularly concerned that the additional costs Manuel Real is a U.S. district judge for the McBride, said ``Irwin brought himself up to be borne by senior citizens may cause some to Central District of California, a position he has somebody to be admired. He is a mentor and forego needed treatmentsÐan outcome which held since being appointed by then-President an example of someone who gives unselfishly could put their lives in jeopardy. Lyndon Johnson in 1966. On Friday, October of himself to help so many.'' It is this unselfish Mr. Speaker, in addition to the increased 10, 1997, I will be honored to participate in the dedication that has earned Irwin the respect of costs to seniors, the lack of openness and opening of a new elementary school in Mead our community and this award. public accountability, the new ``one-size fits Valley, CA named in honor of Judge Real for Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, all'' Medicare respiratory care policy is down- is many years of service to the great State of please join me in recognizing Irwin Rosenberg right dangerous. While metered-dose inhalers California. for his dedication to our community and in [MDI's] are wonderful devices, they are not the Judge Real first began his distinguished congratulating him on receipt of the 1997 appropriate therapy for every person. legal career as an assistant U.S. attorney. He Nelle Reagan Award for Distinguished Com- Indeed, a number of well-controlled studies left for a short time to enter into private prac- munity Service. His service stands for all to suggests that up to 50 percent of senior citi- tice before rejoining U.S. Attorney's office until admire. zens do not use MDI's properlyÐeven after he was appointed a U.S. district judge. During f repeated instruction. What these studies imply his tenure with the central district court, Judge IN RECOGNITION OF ST. LOUIS is that if HCFA does not reverse the decision Real served as the chief judge of the court CARDINAL MARK McGWIRE of the DMERC's and restore Medicare cov- from 1982±1993. erage for ultrasonic nebulizers, there will be The students of the new Manuel Real Ele- HON. RICHARD A. GEPHARDT seniors, forced to switch to MDI's, who could mentary School should strive to emulate the OF MISSOURI require hospitalization because they cannot accomplishments of their school's namesake IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES use their MDI properly. as well as his dedication to improving the Asthma and cystic fibrosis are not diseases community and its overall quality of life. On Thursday, October 9, 1997 to be taken lightlyÐif a person does not have behalf of the citizens of the 43d Congressional Mr. GEPHARDT. Mr. Speaker, the city of St. the proper medicine, they can die. It is that District, I want to add to this tribute my con- Louis and its baseball Cardinals have been simple. In fact, of the nearly 5,000 people who gratulations, and to wish Manuel, his wife Stel- blessed with great teams and great players die every year from asthma, most deaths re- la, and their four children best wishes for a over the years. Generations of baseball leg- sulted from patients who failed to take their happy and productive future. ends wearing the St. Louis Cardinals uni- medication. f formÐDizzy Dean, Stan Musial, Bob Gibson, For those with severe arthritis or poor hand- Lou Brock, and Ozzie SmithÐall played be- eye coordination, they cannot use an MDI at TRIBUTE TO IRWIN ROSENBERG fore adoring crowds of St. Louis fans. This all. They will be the real victims of the new past year, we witnessed a legend-in-the-mak- HCFA/DMERC policy on ultrasonic nebulizers. HON. BRAD SHERMAN ing when slugger Mark McGwire joined the The HCFA/DMERC decision to deny ultrasonic OF CALIFORNIA Cardinals and chased baseball immortality. nebulizer coverage is a clear case of a policy IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES After hitting 58 home runs this season, Mark that is ``penny wise and pound foolish.'' If a McGwire's name now joins the record books Thursday, October 9, 1997 single inpatient hospital admission results from behind only Roger Maris and the legendary improper MDI usage, it will cost Medicare tens Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Babe Ruth on the all-time single season home of thousands of dollars in increased costs. celebrate the spirit of volunteerism and com- run list. Lastly, Mr. Speaker, I am concerned about munity involvement and to honor Irwin Rosen- Mark McGwire was embraced in St. Louis the impact on seniors if the Food and Drug berg as the recipient of the 1997 Nelle like few sports figures have in the city's his- Administration [FDA] is allowed to begin ban- Reagan Award for Distinguished Community tory. But it was not only his tremendous feats ning metered-dose inhalers that contain Service. This honor is bestowed upon Irwin for on the baseball field that attracted fans but chlorofluorocarbons [CFC's], as they proposed his extensive support for the Olive View-UCLA also his generous actions off the field. Mark on March 6, 1997. If HCFA removes coverage Medical Center Foundation and his long his- McGwire stands as a role model for our chil- for ultrasonic nebulizers, forcing seniors to use tory of outstanding philanthropic and volunteer dren, teaching them that there are more im- metered-dose inhalers, and FDA in turn re- leadership in our community. portant things in life than money and fame. moves most metered-dose inhalers from the This prestigious award, named for President His actions off the field show us the impor- market, seniors will be left with a dramatically Ronald Reagan's mother, Nelle, was devel- tance he places in the values we hold dearÐ E2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 9, 1997 responsibility, community involvement, and TRIBUTE TO DALLAS LIGHTHOUSE Congress. That, simply, is fast track, nothing family. FOR THE BLIND more, nothing less. The city of St. Louis recently celebrated Fast track is not a new concept. It has been Mark McGwire's decision to sign a long-term HON. PETE SESSIONS a common practice for over 60 years, in some contract to remain a Cardinal. McGwire dem- OF TEXAS form, for every President since Franklin Roo- onstrated his generosity and commitment to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES sevelt as tariffs became less and less a the St. Louis community by pledging to donate source of revenue for the U.S. Government Thursday, October 9, 1997 $1 million of his salary every year to his foun- and foreign trade policy grew in complexity dation for sexually and physically abused chil- Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to and importance to the U.S. economy. The Re- dren. Mark McGwire's baseball statistics show commend a great American and a great orga- ciprocal Trade Agreement Act of 1934 was the his excellence on the baseball field but his de- nization. The Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind first time Congress delegated to the President cision to give $1 million of his salary dem- has a long history in Dallas of providing blind the broad authority to set, within specific limits onstrates what makes up his character. individuals with work opportunities. The six and for a limited time, tariff and other foreign I'm proud to be a St. Louis Cardinals fanÐ decades of work improve and enhance the job trade policy. the greatest fans in all of baseball. Mark opportunities for sight-disabled Dallas resi- Up until 1945, 32 bilateral tariff-reducing McGwire is the best home run hitter in the dents. I am proud to have this modern indus- agreements were reached. In 1947, the United game today and someone in which the entire trial center in the Fifth Congressional District States became a founding member of the mul- city can take pride. Mr. Speaker, I rise today of Texas. tilateral General Agreement on Tariffs and to congratulate Mark McGwire on his out- This year the fifth district has been doubly Trade [GATT], whose aim is a mutual reduc- standing baseball achievements and his deci- blessed. One of my constituents, Jeddie Alex- tion of barriers to trade among all the free sion to stay in St. Louis. I join the entire city ander, has been named the Dallas Lighthouse market nations of the world. During this time, in welcoming Mark McGwire and I look for- for the Blind's Ronald Pearce Blind Employee Congress extended the 1934 act 11 times to ward to admiring his workÐboth on and off of the Year. Jeddie is a machine operator in open up more markets to U.S. products by the fieldÐin the years to come. the molding department of the lighthouse. In lowering tariffs. addition, he helped produce eyeglass cases Then, in 1962, Congress gave President f and binders. Jeddie is completely blind, but Kennedy a 5-year authority to participate in A BILL TO END THE U.S. TRADE his uncommon ability has allowed him to run the first major GATT round or negotiation to DEFICIT a sewing machine. not just lower tariffs but eliminate duties on Jeddie's story vividly shows that we should specific products. These global trade talks be- HON. PETER A. DeFAZIO focus on abilities, not disabilities. In 1985, came more commonly known as the Kennedy Jeddie was shot. He lost the use of both eyes round, named after his untimely death. OF OREGON and has no light perception. As he recounts, The Kennedy round concluded in 1967 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ``When I lost my sight, I had the impression when agreements were reached to reduce not Thursday, October 9, 1997 that that was the end of myself. I would have only tariffs but, for the first time, non-tariff or to wait on other people to do things for me. redtape barriers. But more controversial, the Mr. DEFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, trade deficits After about a month and a half, I realized I matter. They represent millions of lost jobsÐ executive branch, under President Johnson, didn't have to do that.'' also negotiated an international antidumping mostly in high wage manufacturing industries. I applaud Jeddie's commitment to improving agreement that was not contained within the They help keep U.S. interest rates at abnor- his life and the lives of the people around him. authority Congress originally gave President mally high levels, depressing economic He has truly taken advantage of the opportuni- Kennedy. Congress subsequently enacted a growth. And large, persistent trade deficits ties the Lighthouse has given him. As a father law in 1968 nullifying any provision of this anti- with low wage nations inevitably depress of a young Down's syndrome boy, I under- dumping agreement that was not consistent wages in the United States and contribute to stand the desperate need for organizations with U.S. law. one of America's most vexing problems: the like the Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind. Orga- Because of this dispute between the execu- growing disparities in the wealth and incomes nizations like this give the greatest gift in all of tive and legislative branch, a compromise was of our citizens. the worldÐfreedom, independence, and self- reached after a 7-year period when there were The United States has not had a positive reliance to individuals that need an extra boost no significant global trade barrier reduction ne- trade balance since 1975. The 1996 total on the road of life. gotiations. Thus, the fast track procedures trade deficitÐincluding servicesÐwas $111 f billion. The merchandise-only trade deficit was were formally adopted for the first time as part $192 billionÐa new record. It's true that ex- WHY I SUPPORT ‘‘FAST TRACK’’ of the Trade Act of 1974. This legislation ports create jobs. But when importsÐespe- granted then President Ford another 5-year cially imports of goods that were once pro- HON. DONALD A. MANZULLO time period to negotiate a further reduction in trade barriers. These talks became more com- duced in U.S. factoriesÐexceed exports by OF ILLINOIS monly known as the Tokyo round of the nearly $200 billion a year, the result is a net IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES loss of some of the best jobs our economy GATT. This round eventually produced a has to offer. That's exactly what this Nation's Thursday, October 9, 1997 package of 14 international trade agreements trade policies have delivered to the American Mr. MANZULLO. Mr. Speaker, many people that eventually became part of the Trade people. have diverse opinions on the issue of fast Agreements Act of 1979, negotiated by Presi- Today I am introducing a bill to establish the track and its potential impact in a wide range dent Carter. emergency commission to end the trade defi- of areas. I wanted to take this opportunity to As part of this renewed fast-track authority, cit. My bill would establish a commission to define fast track and explain what it is in- the executive branch agreed to more closely develop a comprehensive trade policy plan by tended to do and what it is not designed to do. consult with Congress, even to the point of ac- examining the economic policies, trade, tax, Fast track is simply the process by which crediting 10 Members of Congress to serve as investment laws, and other legal incentives Congress provides limited authority to the advisors to trade negotiating teams. But, in re- and restrictions that are relevant to reducing President to enter into more trade negotiations turn, Congress agreed not to amend or the U.S. trade deficit. The commission would in order to lower barriers to our U.S. exports. change the final agreement. Countries will not be composed of members with expertise in All fast track does is allow the President the negotiate with the United States until they are economics, international trade, manufacturing, ability to negotiate these trade agreements assured that the final agreement will not be labor, environment, and business. Senators and then present the agreement to Congress changed. However, the legislative branch es- DORGAN and BYRD have introduced compan- for a final ``yes'' or ``no'' vote on the entire tablished an informal process with the execu- ion legislation in the Senate. package without adding or taking away spe- tive branch, from the beginning of the nego- Trade policy developed on a fast track has cific words or sections from the agreement. tiating process to crafting the implementing been disastrous for our people and our econ- During the negotiations and the drafting of the legislation, that the final agreement reflects the omy. It is time to slow down and carefully de- final agreement, fast track mandates that there will of a majority of Congress. velop a trade policy whose principle objective is sufficient consultation with Congress so that Fast track was further extended again to is the generation of decent jobs and rising the President will not present an agreement President Reagan as part of the Trade and wages for the majority of our people. that does not have the support of a majority in Tariff Act of 1984. Thus, the U.S.-Israel Free October 9, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2005 Trade Agreement in 1985 and the U.S.-Can- sands of jobs. First, the analysis is based on fast track will not stop United States compa- ada Free Trade Agreement in 1988 was nego- a false assumption that any trade deficit auto- nies from moving their factories to Mexico or tiated and enacted into law under this author- matically translates into job loss. In some slow down Mexican imports into the United ity. cases, imports create job opportunities here at States. It is very important to remember this Fast track was extended again to President home, from longshoremen to clerks in retail because many who oppose fast track sin- Reagan as part of the Omnibus Trade and stores. In other cases, goods are imported into cerely believe defeating this initiative will stop Competitiveness Act of 1988. This authority al- the United States for final assembly for con- these practices. lowed him and, subsequently Presidents Bush sumption here or exported abroad. Thus, no In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I support fast and Clinton to negotiate and enact the North one should assume that because there is a track as one tool in our trade arsenal to help American Free-Trade Agreement [NAFTA] in trade deficit with a certain country, then that lower barriers around the world to U.S. ex- 1993 and the third major GATT agreement, automatically translates into U.S. job loss. If ports. I have been fighting to make sure that otherwise known as the Uruguay round, in that were the case, then oil producing coun- our trade policy has all tools at its disposal, 1994. tries like Saudi Arabia and Venezuela would from antidumping laws, which helped Brake Thus, President Clinton's fast-track proposal be the greatest displacer of United States jobs Parts of McHenry keep 400 jobs by fighting off is nothing new. It has been used by 11 Presi- because oil imports comprise most of our unfair competition from unscrupulous Chinese dents of both political parties for over the last global trade deficit. brake rotor manufacturers, to the Export-Im- 60 years. The previous fast-track authority ex- In the specific case of Mexico, it is important port Bank of the United States, which allowed pired in 1994. In the specific proposal before to remember that NAFTA actually prevented a Beloit Corp. with a manufacturing facility in Congress, the President would be given until bad situation from turning worse. United Rockton, IL, keep 2,000 union workers em- 2001, which can be extended until 2005 un- States exports to Mexico suffered a decline in ployed along the Wisconsin-Illinois stateline less one House of Congress disapproves, the 1995 because of the peso devaluation and the border by providing a major loan to help sell ability to negotiate further reductions to trade ensuing economic downturn, which had noth- two large, fine papermaking machines to Indo- barriers around the world. ing to do with NAFTA. nesia. Once again, fast track does not take any A less serious economic crisis affected Mex- Mr. Speaker, fast track is simply another power away from Congress. In fact, this pro- ico during the early 1980's but the impact on method to help break down trade barriers so cedure requires constant congressional review United States exports was much greater than that workers and farmers in the 16th District of and input throughout each stage of the proc- 1995. Mexico's economic growth rate dropped Illinois can continue to build and grow prod- ess from deciding which country to negotiate by a significant 7 percent in 1995 as com- ucts that will be shipped around the world. We with to proposing the final legislative bill to im- pared to a growth rate decrease of 0.6 percent cannot rest on our laurels during these good plement the agreement. No President will sub- in 1982 and 4.2 percent in 1983. United economic times, which have been caused, to mit a trade agreement that has not been thor- States exports to Mexico dropped by 35 per- a large degree, by the growth in U.S. exports, oughly analyzed and supported by a majority cent in 1982 and 24 percent in 1983. How- as we enter the next millennium. We need in Congress. Without fast track, we would ever, in 1995, United States exports to Mexico continued, further progress on the global elimi- never have any more major agreements. decreased by only 13 percent. Why? Because nation of barriers to U.S. exports. There is That's why I support providing any Presi- Mexico honored the tariff reduction commit- much more work that needs to be done. dent, regardless of party affiliation, the ability ments it made in 1993 as part of NAFTA. That's why we need fast track. to enter into comprehensive trade agreements In 1982, Mexico responded to its economic f to help boost our exports as long as the nego- downturn by raising tariffs and other import tiations stick closely to resolving trade prob- barriers against United States products to pro- CONGRESSMAN KILDEE HONORS lems, not unrelated issues. Most observers tect their industries. But in 1995, while Mexico EDWARD J. KURTZ believe Chile would be the next logical can- significantly raised tariffs and trade barriers didate to enter a free-trade agreement with the against other nations not part of NAFTA such HON. DALE E. KILDEE United States. as Europe and Japan, Mexico did not do so OF MICHIGAN A free-trade agreement with Chile will be against the United States and Canada be- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES very beneficial to the United States. The aver- cause that action would have violated NAFTA. Thursday, October 9, 1997 age tariff or tax on United States exports to Thus, while United States exports to Mexico Chile is 11 percent. Yet, the average tariff rate dropped off by half in the early 1980's, they Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, it is truly an for Chilean imports into the United States is only decreased by 13 percent in 1995 during honor to rise before you today to pay tribute less than 1 percent. Essentially, Chile already a much more severe economic crisis thanks to to an individual who exemplifies the very best has a one-sided free-trade zone with the Unit- legal protections contained in NAFTA. In other in civic pride and responsibility. On Tuesday, ed States. Obviously, a free-trade agreement words, whatever United States job loss can be October 14, the Flint, MI, area Chamber of with zero tariffs on both sides is of greater associated with trade with Mexico after Commerce will honor Dr. Edward J. Kurtz with benefit to the United States. NAFTA would have been much greater in their Charles Stewart Mott Citizen of the Year Chile has already entered into a variety of 1995 if NAFTA was not in place. Thus, Award. free-trade agreements with other nations, such NAFTA prevented the loss of more United Dr. Kurtz's name has become synonymous as Canada and Mexico. There are docu- States jobs because under the terms of with education. In 1968, Dr. Kurtz introduced mented cases when U.S. workers lost approxi- NAFTA, Mexico was prohibited from raising himself to Baker college as a student. Little mately $500 million in export opportunities in tariffs and more red-tape regulations to restrict did he know that this was the beginning of a 1996 to foreign competitors because the U.S. U.S. exports. relationship that would span over 30 years. product had an 11-percent tax added on top of While many northern Illinois exporters faced Upon completing courses at Baker, Dr. Kurtz the base price. For example, workers at a a rocky road with Mexico in 1995, prospects continued his education, receiving his bachelor major United States telecommunications firm now look brighter. I see news headlines such of science degree at Ferris State University in lost the opportunity to help rebuild Chile's as: ``Midwest Boom Fueled by Mexico Trade,'' 1968. He then returned to Baker where he phone system to Northern Telecom of Canada ``Spurred by NAFTA, Illinois Exports Finally worked as an instructor and later served as because of the lack of a free-trade agreement Rebound,'' and ``NAFTA's Impact on Jobs Has executive director of the school until 1974. Dr. with the United States. With fast-track author- Been Slight, Study Says.'' I have heard from Kurtz was then named president and chief ex- ity, we can knock down these trade barriers, many companies in the 16th District of Illinois ecutive officer of Baker College System, a po- not just with Chile but with other countries and whose workers have specifically benefited be- sition he maintains to this day. While serving in specific sectors such as agriculture, auto- cause of the increased openness in Mexico as president, Dr. Kurtz managed to find the mobiles, and environmental technology to help thanks to NAFTA. For example, Eclipse Corp. time to obtain his master's degree from East- United States workers make products that will closed up their factory in Mexico and relocated ern Michigan University in 1974 and his doc- be sold abroad. operations back to Rockford because NAFTA torate from Tiffin University in Ohio in 1987. I understand that many oppose fast track now allows their product to be shipped much Because Dr. Kurtz has experience in all as- because they sincerely believe that this vote more easily into Mexico. pects of the educational arena at Baker, Dr. serves as a referendum on the North Amer- But regardless of anyone's position on Kurtz provides a pleasing sense of familiarity ican Free-Trade Agreement [NAFTA]. Many NAFTA, opposing fast track will not do any- and empathy for the students, staff, and fac- opponents of fast track believe that NAFTA thing to solve any remaining trade problems ulty under his care. Due to Dr. Kurtz's leader- has cost the United States hundreds of thou- the United States has with Mexico. To defeat ship, Baker College System has set a new E2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 9, 1997 standard for growth and expansion. During his about the importance of fire safety. They make HONORING THE SERVICE OF CHIEF tenure the college has grown from its humble trips to all the schools with the Stay Alive JAMES E. ANTHONY OF THE beginning to a nine-campus, career-oriented, House, a model used to teach people how to GLENDALE POLICE DEPARTMENT regionally accredited family of institutions. Of- escape from a burning building. Students also fering over 80 academic programs, Baker's are invited to tour the fire station. HON. JAMES E. ROGAN enrollment has seen a meteoric rise from 200 Due in large part to the education provided OF CALIFORNIA to over 15,000 students, rivaling many of the by this exceptional team, I am pleased to re- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES port that fires are on the decrease in Pal- State's public 4-year institutions. Revenue for Thursday, October 9, 1997 the school has increased from under $500,000 myraÐsomething to celebrate during National to a current rate of more than $70 million. Fire Prevention Week. Mr. ROGAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Dr. Kurtz's commitment to our community is Congratulations are in order for the Palmyra pay tribute to a dear friend who has dedicated evident in the number of organizations that fire department, making northeastern Missouri his life to serving his family, his community seek his experience and insight. He has a safer place to live. and his country. Glendale Chief of Police served in prominent leadership positions with f James E. Anthony has spent the last 34 years protecting the lives of others, and investing in groups such as the Greater Flint Educational IN HONOR OF THE 90TH ANNIVER- Consortium, Community Foundation of Greater the lives of those around him. SARY OF GRACE EVANGELICAL Chief Anthony followed both his father and Flint, Flint Chamber of Commerce, and the LUTHERAN CHURCH Association of Independent Colleges and Uni- his uncle into law enforcement. He began his versities of Michigan just to name a few. The career with the FBI in Washington where he honors and awards that have been bestowed HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ quickly rose through the ranks to become spe- on Dr. Kurtz are evidence of the regard in OF NEW JERSEY cial messenger to John Edgar Hoover. which he is held. However, we can never IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES In 1969, he returned to his native southern properly thank Dr. Kurtz for his dedication to Thursday, October 9, 1997 California and accepted a post with the West Covina Police Department. In his seventeen educating our students and ensuring that no Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay years of service there, he distinguished him- barriers exist to prevent an individual from ob- tribute to the members and clergy of Grace self as a man of honor, integrity and deter- taining the necessary skills to achieve. Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bayonne, NJ. mination. His efforts paid off when he was ap- Mr. Speaker, it is with a tremendous amount This year the church is celebrating its 90th an- pointed to the position of department com- of pride that I appear before you today to rec- niversary. When the church first opened its ognize my colleague, my constituent, and my mander. doors in 1907, it was the culmination of a Chief Anthony is a natural leader, and his friend, Dr. Edward J. Kurtz. The Charles Stew- dream 30 years in the making. abilities were not to go untapped. In 1980 he art Mott Citizen of the Year Award is given to As early as 1877, the congregation was became the Chief of Police of the Chino Po- individuals who show leadership, integrity, considering the idea that they had to build a lice Department and served that community credibility, inspiration to other people, and church in Bayonne. At the time, since there until his move to Glendale in 1992. commitment to the community. Therefore, Dr. was no church in Bayonne, worshipers had to Mr. Speaker, over the last five years, Chief Kurtz is the perfect candidate to receive this row across the Kill Van Kull to Staten Island, Jim Anthony has tirelessly served the people prestigious award. His love and dedication has a situation which presented many hardships to of Glendale, which is one of the largest cities made our community a much better place. I the Lutherans of Bayonne. in Los Angeles County. He has led a staff of The church has not only survived for 90 urge my colleagues in the house of Rep- over three hundred people by inspiring and years, it has also thrived, and in the process resentatives to join me in congratulating Dr. encouraging others to offer their best for our it has enriched the community. The church's Edward J. Kurtz on this tremendous honor. community. f numerous humanitarian public service projects Chief Anthony has exemplified the spirit of and the friendly outgoing nature of the con- law enforcement. In over thirty years of public NATIONAL FIRE PREVENTION gregation's members, have helped make Ba- WEEK service, he has seen the methods of fighting yonne and the surrounding area a better place crime go from pen and paper to laser and in- to live. frared. As he looks forward to his retirement, For 90 years, congregants and clergy have HON. KENNY C. HULSHOF I know my colleagues join me on behalf of the worked diligently to ensure the success of the OF MISSOURI Congress of the United States in saluting church and the community. Over their long IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Chief James E. Anthony, for his life of service and varied history the Grace Evangelical Lu- Thursday, October 9, 1997 to our community. theran Church relocated, expanded, built nurs- f Mr. HULSHOF. Mr. Speaker, as you know, ery and parish additions to their church build- October 5 through October 11 is National Fire ing, and merged with the fellow Lutheran con- CONGRATULATIONS ON TAIWAN’S Prevention Week. Today I want to take time gregation of St. Pauls'. 86TH NATIONAL DAY out to recognize the firefighters back home in This important work was performed and Missouri's Ninth Congressional District. While done under the guidance, patients, and love of HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD there are many local fire departments who brave clergy who desired the best for their OF GUAM demonstrate excellence within the community, congregation and their community. Clergy IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES one shining example is the Palmyra volunteer such as the Rev. Bergwater, the ground fire department. breaking first pastor of the congregation, Thursday, October 9, 1997 Celebrating its 100th anniversary, the eight- Revs. Willis and Clare, Rev. Schrum who built Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, October een members of the Palmyra volunteer fire de- the parish house, Rev. Jaxheimer who 10, 1997, marks the 86th anniversary of the partment received an award earlier this year, oversaw major renovations and the historic Republic of China's emergence as Asia's first naming it the top fire department in the entire merger with St. Paul's, and Rev. Larson who republic. I heartily congratulate not only the State of Missouri. introduced new elements into the liturgy. Dur- Republic of China, but Taiwanese nationals all While they fight fires with the best of them, ing the past 10 years the mission of Grace over the world on this momentous occasion. they truly are public servants. Nominated be- Evangelical Lutheran has continued under the For years, the people of Guam have wel- cause of the community service performed by guidance of Pastors Ficken, Wright, and comed Taiwanese citizens, whether as perma- its members, the Palmyra fire department en- Carter. nent residents or visitors, to our island. Our joys wide support from the local residents. The congregation is reflective of our Na- cultural, economic, and political collaborations Fire Chief Chuck Hoehne, a 30-year veteran tion's greatest treasureÐits people. A people have proven beneficial not only on an official of the department, said it well, ``Everything we who are not afraid to face the future. A people level, but on social planes as well. The recent do, the community is behind us. They support that know that with perseverance anything can renovation of the Chinese Park in Upper us 100 percent.'' Mr. Speaker, that is easy to be achieved. Tumon is a perfect example of our apprecia- believe once you learn more about the group. It is an honor to have such an outstanding tion of each other's cultures and ways of liv- When the team is not busy with their jobs, congregation in my district. I ask that my col- ing. such as bank managers, sales clerks, con- leagues join me in recognizing the excellent I also take this opportunity to commend the struction workers, and insurance salesmen, work of Grace English Evangelical Lutheran work of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Of- they are out in Palmyra educating residents Church. fice in Guam under the guidance of Director October 9, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2007 General Leo Fu-tien Liu. Through capable When Steve became executive director in tamer, Dr. Fred Winnen, director; Carlos Gar- leaders such as Mr. Leo Fu-tien Liu, Guam is 1991, Long Beach was one of the busiest cia, director; Lupe Quintana, director; and Phil- sure to benefit further from cordial relations ports in the country. Today, the Port of Long lip Barnecut, central region chairman. with the Republic of China. Beach is No. 1. The city of Long Beach and Mr. Speaker, it is with pride that I ask my Guam benefits from the diversity of its resi- the surrounding regional economy are better colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the dents, and certainly from the Chinese commu- off today because of this economic growth, men and women of the Lions Club of Pico Ri- nity on our island. Through their expertise, dili- due in no small part to the dedicated effort of vera on the occasion of its 60th anniversary gence and charity, Taiwanese nationals and Steve Dillenbeck and his talented staff. and in the recognition of its outstanding and residents have helped Guam become what it Mr. Speaker, I join the Long Beach City selfless service to our community. is today, an island with a vibrant economy and Council and Board of Harbor Commissioners satisfied residents. as well as the Los Angeles County Board of f I again congratulate the Republic of China Supervisors and all the other local officials IN HONOR OF VARDA AND ARNOLD on this propitious occasion. Happy Double who are honoring Steve Dillenbeck for a job WENDROFF FOR OUTSTANDING Ten. ``well done.'' CONTRIBUTION TO THE BAYONNE f f JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER ON THE CONFRATERNIDAD GUINERA HONORING THE LIONS CLUB ITS 45TH ANNIVERSARY VEINTIOCHO DE ENERO HONORED INTERNATIONAL OF PICO RI- VERA FOR 60 YEARS OF OUT- HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ STANDING AND INVALUABLE OF NEW JERSEY SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY OF NEW JERSEY IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Thursday, October 9, 1997 Thursday, October 9, 1997 HON. ESTEBAN EDWARD TORRES OF CALIFORNIA Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to an outstanding family, Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES to pay tribute to the members and officials of Varda and Arnold Wendroff, who together Thursday, October 9, 1997 the Confraternidad Guinera Veintiocho de through their tireless efforts and altruism have Enero. Mr. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to devoted 20 years to the workings of the Jew- This organization, founded on the 8th of Oc- recognize the men and women of the Lions ish Community Center in Bayonne. This year tober in 1972 in Union City by Mr. Manuel Club International of Pico Rivera on the occa- the Center will be honoring the Wendroffs at Rodriguez and other residents from the town sion of its 60th anniversary. I am proud to be the 45th Annual Sustaining Dinner Dance on of Guines on the beautiful island of Cuba, is an honorary member of the Lions Club Inter- October 9, 1997 at the Jewish Community celebrating their 25th anniversary. The sons national of Pico Rivera and commend my fel- Center in Bayonne, NJ. and daughters of Guines living in the United low Lions for 60 years of outstanding leader- The Jewish Community Center has been a States have made us proud of their service ship and dedicated community service. On gathering place for the entire Bayonne com- and dedication on behalf of their community in October 11, 1997, my fellow Lions will join to munity for the last 45 years. The excellent Union City, NJ. celebrate this milestone. nonsectarian programs are sought after by This organization came together at a time The Lions Club International began in June community members of all agesÐ2 to 102Ð when Union City, like many inner cities in the 1917, founded by Chicago Insurance agent for nursery classes, youth basketball, con- United States, was facing financial hardship Melvin Jones. He presented to a group of certs, lectures, a nutritious lunch program for because their businesses were moving to the small business clubs his proposal of consoli- the elderly, services for children with special suburbs. The Guineros, as part of the Cuban dating their clubs into a strong, influential club. needs, summer camp, children's summer the- community in exile, contributed to the city's Its goal would be to serve the community and ater workshop, and an adult peer learning pro- renaissance, not only in Union City, but also in humanity. At the first annual convention in Oc- gram. the neighboring towns of North Bergen, West tober 1917, 23 clubs participated. Today, there Varda Wendroff is the immediate past presi- New York, Guttenberg, and Weehawken. It is are over 40,000 Lions Clubs around the world. dent of the Bayonne Jewish Community Cen- gratifying to know that this organization Recognized as the oldest continuous serv- ter where she demonstrated skill, generosity, brought together the sons and daughters of a ice club in Pico Rivera, the Lions Club of Pico and good humor throughout her successful land left behind and also of an entire commu- Rivera was chartered on September 24, 1937. term. She has chaired the membership, nurs- nity. It is a part of the International Association of ery school, and Holocaust remembrance com- I am certain my colleagues will rise with me Lions Clubs, known worldwide for its contribu- mittees. Varda currently serves as president of to honor this wonderful celebration of a job tions to goodwill, fellowship, and humanitarian the Bayonne Jewish Community Council. In well done. service. The primary focus of this fine organi- her professional life, Varda teaches German, f zation is service to all of mankind, in the local French and ESL at Bayonne High School. She community and throughout the world. For 60 was recognized with the Governor's Award for IN HONOR OF STEVE DILLENBECK, years, the Pico Rivera Lions Club has shared Excellence in Teaching and named in ``Who's EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE in this vision and commitment. Who Among American Teachers.'' PORT OF LONG BEACH The men and women of the Lions Club of Arnold Wendroff is vice president of the Ba- Pico Rivera have played major roles in the ad- yonne Jewish Community Center and chair- HON. STEPHEN HORN vancement of the city of Pico Rivera, working person of the Personnel Committee. Arnold OF CALIFORNIA diligently to establish a positive spirit of co- had served as chairperson of the Drama Com- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES operation among the citizens of our commu- mittee and has received the Nathan Secunda nity. They provide assistance for persons who Award for dedication and devotion. Profes- Thursday, October 9, 1997 are visually impaired and who lack the re- sionally, Arnold is a second vice president of Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay sources needed for specialized eye surgery. Chase Manhattan Bank, where he has worked tribute to a distinguished public servant, Mr. The Lions Club of Pico Rivera works with mer- for 33 years. He was the recipient of the pres- Steve Dillenbeck, executive director of the chants, local government, and other service tigious Excalibur Award given to outstanding Port of Long Beach, California. Steve is retir- clubs to build a strong community. Chase employees. ing after 34 years in port administrationÐmore The Lions Club of Pico Rivera is under the I ask that my colleagues join me in rec- than 6 of which were spent as executive direc- leadership of my dear friend, Lion Hilda ognizing the outstanding work of the Bayonne tor in Long Beach. Lopez, president, an outstanding community Jewish Community Center and the Wendroffs, This great port which is located in the 38th activist who follows in the tradition of her late who are being honored at its Annual Sustain- Congressional District, has grown significantly husband, Lion Laree, in assuming the helm of ing Dinner. This exceptional family has shown under Steve Dillenbeck's management. His this valued community organization. She is as- the diligent and unselfish work which exempli- extensive seaport experience has helped sisted by Vincent Chavez, vice president; Jess fies the qualities of caring citizens working to make the Port of Long Beach a centerpiece of Benavidez, co-vice president; Mary better their community. It is an honor to have the Pacific rim economy and a keystone of Kambourian, secretary; John Diaz, treasurer; such outstanding community leaders residing U.S. global trade. Mario Diaz, tail twister; Jack Thomas, lion in my district. E2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 9, 1997 CONGRATULATIONS TO THE YWCA Davis, education, past superintendent, Orange CHARO developed the first Vocational WOMEN OF INFLUENCE Board of Education; Cheryl Hudson, entre- Training with English as a second language preneur, proprietor/publisher, Just Us Books; program to serve non-English and limited Eng- HON. DONALD M. PAYNE Dr. M. Calhoun Thomas, medicine, pediatri- lish proficient clients. VocESL was established OF NEW JERSEY cian with 21 years of service to the Orange in 1972, opening the doors for Latinos, sty- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES community; Dr. Byrte Johnson, religion, a life mied by a language barrier, to gainful employ- of dedication to the ministry of music and ment. Thursday, October 9, 1997 youth; Michele Williams, religion, youth Sun- CHARO Industries, established in 1972, ad- Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, Oc- day school teacher, and minister of music; An- dresses the lack of vocational opportunities for tober 18, the YWCA of Essex and West Hud- gela Hayes, youth president of Senior Teens the developmentally disabled population. son will honor the winners of their Annual of Jack and Jill of America; Harriett Johnson, CHARO met this need by establishing the first Women of Influence Awards. I ask my col- nursing, assistant executive director, Board of bilingual/bicultural sheltered workshop for de- leagues here in the U.S. House of Represent- Nursing, Orange. velopmentally disabled adults. CHARO con- atives to join me in congratulating these spe- Mr. Speaker, our community is proud of tracted assembly, packaging, and fulfillment cial women of achievement. these women of accomplishment, and I know services with private and public entities. Among the honorees is Ms. Antoinette my colleagues join me in extending congratu- In 1973, CHARO created the first non-gov- (Tony) O'Flagherty, a dear friend of mine and lations and best wishes for continued success. ernment employment and training center, a person whom I greatly admire for her strong f CHARO Career Center. For over 20 years, the spirit, her generosity, and her tremendous Center has facilitated in the placement of over HONORING CHARO FOR 30 YEARS contributions to our community. Ms. 10,000 individuals. CHARO has been a leader OF OUTSTANDING AND INVALU- O'Flagherty, who holds a degree in economics in fixed price contract services, often placing ABLE SERVICE TO THE COMMU- from Mount Holyoke College, has been a tire- long term unemployed and those formerly on NITY less crusader in behalf of the poor and home- welfare assistance or recently released from less of our community. After a distinguished correctional facilities in to full time employ- career in the labor movement and county gov- HON. ESTEBAN EDWARD TORRES ment. ernment where she held a number of positions OF CALIFORNIA To serve families visiting relatives or friends including public information officer and coordi- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES in the hospital, CHARO established in 1976 an nator for the Essex County Department of Citi- Thursday, October 9, 1997 emergency drop-in child care center at the zen Services, Ms. O'Flagherty devoted her Mr. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to U.S.C.±Los Angeles County Medical Center. considerable talent and energy to community recognize CHARO Community Development And in 1978, CHARO created the Child Devel- service. She served as chairperson of the Corporation on the occasion of its 30 Anniver- opment Center to address the child care Homeless Task Force established by the New- sary. For 30 years, CHARO has provided ex- needs of the Los Nietos-Whittier School Dis- ark Emergency Services for Families. Under emplary service to the greater East Lo Ange- trict. Now serving over 150 pre-school chil- her creative leadership, the task force brought les community. dren, the program operates as a child devel- together a group of homeless women from ho- Incorporated as a non-profit in 1967, Rich- opment center, providing educational en- tels and shelters to exchange information and ard Amador, then Chief of Field Operations, hancement exercises and food service pro- ideas. It also provided a forum for exchanges Office of the President and Federal Coordina- gram to local low income families. Seeing a among service providers, State, county and tor, President's Committee on Manpower, took rise in latch-key children, the Los Nietos-Whit- government representatives. Ms. O'Flagherty a leave of office from the President Johnson tier School District again called upon CHARO has championed the cause of those who are administration to start CHARO. CHARO is an to meet the needs of working families. Using still struggling to succeed in our society, giving innovative and progressive community organi- its own funds, in 1983, CHARO established a voice to their concerns, hopes and aspira- zation that seeks to develop self sustaining two before and after school care facilities. tions for the future. Her many volunteer com- economic development initiatives that create Both programs provide homework assistance mitments include service on the New Jersey jobs and wealth for the community. and tutoring programs for the after school Child Care Advisory; the Newark Preschool Its first program was initiated to bridge Fed- youth program. Council, Inc.; chairperson of the Newark eral, State, and local government agencies Addressing the need for affordable housing, Emergency Services for Families Homeless with community based organizations. CHARO in 1989, CHARO developed one of the first Task Force; chair of the Essex County Advi- developed the Manpower Information and complexes in East Los Angeles, Morengo sory Board of the Salvation Army; board mem- Technical Assistance Services Program Apartments, comprised of 24 one, two, three, ber of the Isaiah House; board member of the (MITAS) to more effectively provide human re- and four bedroom units for low and moderate United Labor Agency; member of the League source development services to communities. income families. In 1991, AMCAL, a subsidiary of Women Voters; and chair of the Essex Ad- Since its inception it has continued to expand of CHARO, developed Arroyo Villas, a 22 unit visory Board of the Catholic Community Serv- and develop the services it offers to address complex of one, two, and three bedroom units ices. the needs of the community. for very low, low, and moderate income fami- One of her many accomplishments while In 1969, CHARO created HEART (Hospital lies in Highland Park. working with the county was that Ms. Employment and Related Training Project). In 1990, the CHARO Industrial Park was es- O'Flagherty was able to create employment HEART was the first program to design and tablished on 2.7 acres in East Los Angeles for opportunities for qualified minorities who had develop new job classifications and on the job economic development. Recognizing that previously encountered difficulties in breaking training in non-certified positions in health CHARO could provide competitive quality barriers. She understood that employment was services. This was the first program of its kind services, employing local residents, CHARO the key to the economic success of the com- to link community residents with training in the became the first non-profit to contract with Los munity. After I was elected to Congress, I was health care profession. Angeles Department of Water and Power, pro- honored that she agreed to serve on my child In 1970, CHARO was the first non-govern- viding environmental services and installation care task force, sharing her vast knowledge ment entity to develop an On the Job Training of energy and water saving devices in home and expertise for the betterment of the (OJT) Program in the private sector with sup- located in the City of Los Angeles. In 1993, 10<>G5th congressional district. port services called Instant Job. Previously CHARO created the Mid City Property Man- Ms. O'Flagherty remains a vibrant force in OJT was only available through a trade union. agement to provide design and remodeling our community. Just yesterday, she was per- This program expanded the opportunities for services to CHARO subsidiaries and divisions, sonally greeted by President Clinton when he the community to learn a trade through ap- and property management. arrived at the Metropolitan Baptist Church in prenticeship. Since 1993, CHARO has trained over 400 Newark, where he discussed an issue close to In 1971, with the assistance from the Carne- Angelenos through the Entrepreneur Training her heartÐchild care. gie Foundation and the PEDR Corporation, Center. Utilizing the Cornell University/Whar- The other Women of Influence honorees CHARO developed the Institute for Leadership ton School of business, CHARO established who have also distinguished themselves Development, a certificate Management De- the first bilingual/bicultural entrepreneur train- through outstanding professional achieve- velopment Program. Through the certificate ing program, resulting in over 110 new jobs ments and dedicated community service are: program, Hispanic business professional were and over 102 new businesses. The Los Ange- Susan Jenkins, business, executive at Merck empowered with the tools to succeed in busi- les Career Center was established in 1994 as and a member of the YWCA Board; Bernice ness and become community leaders. one of the first One Stop Employment and October 9, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2009 Training Center serving East Los Angeles. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION In short Mr. Speaker, the issues surrounding Over the last two years, the Center has as- REGULATORY MODERNIZATION this legislation are very complex. They do not sisted over 700 residents in re-employment, ACT OF 1997 lend themselves to suspending the rules of the generating over $18.5 million in new wages. House and expediting consideration, just be- SPEECH OF This year, CHARO implemented the East Los cause it is convenient. The Rules of the Angeles Business Assistance Center. Close to HON. BART STUPAK House protect the members in their rights to debate and thoughtfully consider legislation. I 100 clients received services, totaling over OF MICHIGAN IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES do not believe they should be suspended so 500 hours of technical assistance, with a num- lightly. ber of businesses referred to lenders for bank- Tuesday, October 7, 1997 CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, ing and financial services. Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I will support WASHINGTON, DC, SEPTEMBER 24, 1997. Mr. Speaker, it is with pride that I rise to this bill today, because I believe this legisla- Hon. WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON, recognize the 30 years of dedicated commu- tion will begin an important process in mod- Washington, DC. ernizing and improving the operations of the DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: We urge you to give nity service and exemplary leadership CHARO serious consideration to remedying the inad- has provided the residents on my congres- Food and Drug Administration. In addition, the equate food safety provisions in the North sional district and throughout the greater East bill will reauthorize and improve the highly American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Los Angeles area. I ask my colleagues to join successful Prescription Drug User Fees Act. Because of your commitment to ensuring the However, I am concerned that we should me in paying tribute to Richard Amador and safety of our nation’s food supply, we expect not take up a bill of this magnitude on the that you will not agree to fast track author- the men and women of CHARO Community Suspension Calendar. While it is true that ity that does not contain adequate food safe- Development Corporation on its 30th Anniver- Chairman BLILEY and Ranking Member DIN- ty protections. Current fast track proposals sary. do not address these concerns. GELL informed members of the Commerce In an effort to increase trade with Mexico, Committee of their intentions, I do not believe f NAFTA limited border inspections of food this is an appropriate process. and allowed Mexican trucks to enter the U.S. First, not every member of this body is a with limited inspection. AMERICAN LAND SOVEREIGNTY member of the Commerce Committee. We These lax inspection practices contributed PROTECTION ACT should not restrict the rights of the members to a sharp increase in food imports from of the House to debate and offer amendments Mexico: imports of Mexican fruit have in- creased 45 percent, and vegetable imports SPEECH OF to this legislation. We cannot know if members have risen 31 percent. More than 70 percent planned to offer amendments, since the regu- of these imports are carried into the U.S. on HON. JAMES C. GREENWOOD lar order was not followed and the Rules Com- trucks. The General Accounting Office (GAO) mittee did not meet on this bill. recently found that 99 percent of Mexican OF PENNSYLVANIA Second, the Suspension of the Rules proce- trucks enter the U.S. without any inspec- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES dure is generally used to approve measures tion. that are non-controversial or do not require These provisions in NAFTA have resulted Tuesday, October 7, 1997 large authorizations. This historical practice is in imports of fruits and vegetables contami- nated with diseases and unhealthy pes- reflected in Rule 28 of the House Republican The House in Committee of the Whole ticides. We were alarmed earlier this year Conference Rules that admonishes the Speak- when 179 Michigan school children con- House on the State of the Union had under er not to schedule Suspension bills of over tracted hepatitis after eating tainted Mexi- consideration the bill (H.R. 901) to preserve $100 million in authorization, except if he can strawberries. In order to prevent similar the sovereignty of the United States over seeks a waiver from the leadership. When incidents in the future, we urge you to take public lands and acquired lands owned by the the following action: United States, and to preserve State sov- Democrats had control of the House, they in- stituted a similar procedure. This legislation Renegotiate the provisions in NAFTA that ereignty and private property rights in non- relate to border inspections and food safety, Federal lands surrounding these public lands authorizes user fees in great excess of the and ensure that any fast track authority in- and acquired lands: $100 million threshold and should be debated clude strong food safety protections. through regular order. Increase the funding for border inspections Mr. GREENWOOD. Mr. Chairman, I rise Third, this legislation creates a number of or, alternatively, limit the increasing rate of today to express my support for H.R. 901, the new responsibilities for the Food and Drug Ad- food imports to ensure the safety of our food American Land Sovereignty Act. ministration. In addition, the FDA will need to supply. divert a substantial amount of resources to im- Begin an aggressive program to label all Unfortunately, on October 8, 1997, when the food stuffs—including fresh and frozen fruits, full House of Representatives voted on final plement the new policy changes contained in vegetables and meats—with their country of this legislation. This year the President re- passage of H.R. 901, I, in error, cast a ``nay'' origin. quested $68 million less than in FY 1997. We look forward to working with you on vote on final passage. Mr. Speaker, I had in- Even though Congress appropriated substan- these vital public health issues. tended to vote ``yea'' on final passage for H.R. tially more, we must continue to ensure that Sincerely, 901. the FDA has the resources to meet all its Sherrod Brown (D–13–OH), Bart Stupak I had assumed that when I cast my ``nay'' mandates, not just prescription drug reviews. I (D–1–MI), Neil Abercrombie (D–1–HI), Tom Allen (D–1–ME), John E. Baldacci vote, that I was voting against a Miller of Cali- co-signed a letter with 85 other members of (D–2–ME), Jim Barcia (D–5–MI), Rod fornia amendment that would have weakened the House to request the President to expend Blagojevich (D–5–IL), David Bonior (D– the bill. Mr. Speaker, only when I returned to more resources inspecting imported food. I 10–MI), Sonny Bono (R–44–CA), Bob my office did I realize that I made this error. have included a copy of the letter for the Borski (D–3–PA), George Brown Jr. (D– record and want to urge this body not to 42–CA), Julia Carson (D–1–OR), Tom Mr. Chairman, I have always been a sup- stretch the FDA so thin that it cannot perform Coburn (R–2–OK), Jerry Costello (D–12– porter of the American Land Sovereignty Act its necessary public health functions. IL), John Conyers (D–14–MI), William and voted in favor of similar legislation that the Finally, I intended to speak in support of my J. Coyne (D–14–PA), Pat Danner (D–6– House acted on in the 104th Congress. MO), Danny Davis (D–7–IL), Jim Davis amendment to the legislation authorizing a no- (D–11–FL), Peter DeFazio (D–4–OR), Furthermore, in the 105th Congress I voted tification procedure at the FDA in relation to Rosa Delauro (D–3–CT), William in favor of several amendments, that were of- Food Contact Substances. Although the sub- Delahunt (D–10–MA), Ronald Dellums fered by my colleague, Congressman COBURN, stance of my legislation was adopted by the (D–9–CA), Mike Doyle (D–18–PA). to various appropriations bills, that would pro- Committee, a portion of my proposed authoriz- Eliot Engel (D–17–NY), Lane Evans (D– ing user fees, a concept supported by the in- 17–IL), Vic Fazio (D–3–CA), Marc Foley hibit any funds appropriated in those bills from (R–16–FL), Martin Frost (D–24–TX), being used to support the U.S. Man and the dustry that would pay the user fees, was not accepted. I want to make it clear that although Elizabeth Furse (D–1–OR), Sam Gejden- Biosphere Program or the World Heritage Pro- son (D–2–CT), Luis Gutierrez (D–4–IL), I acceded to the request of the majority to gram. Maurice D. Hinchey (D–26–NY), Jay drop the user fees, it is my sincere hope and Johnson (D–8–WI), Paul E. Kanjorski Mr. Chairman, I regret that I made this error belief that the House should accede to the (D–11–PA), Marcy Kaptur (D–9–OH), Jo- and wanted to take this opportunity to reiterate Senate position in conference and adopt the seph Kennedy (D–8–MA), Patrick Ken- my support for this type of legislation. user fees. nedy (D–1–RI), Dale Kildee (D–9–MI), E2010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 9, 1997 Ron Kind (D–3–WI), Ron Klink (D–4– the courts. Mr. Rosario pressed for the State AMERICAN LAND SOVEREIGNTY PA); Dennis Kucinich (D–10–OH), high school equivalency examination to be PROTECTION ACT Tom Lantos (D–12–CA), John Lewis (D–5– given in Spanish, helped establish the New GA), William O. Lipinski (D–3–IL). SPEECH OF James H. Maloney (D–5–CT), Thomas Jersey Puerto Rican Statewide Parade Com- Manton (D–7–NY), Matthew Martinez mittee, and in 1977 was awarded a seton hall HON. BOB RILEY (D–31–CA), Frank Mascara (D–20–PA), honorary degree in humanities or improving OF ALABAMA Carolyn McCarthy (D–4–NY), Jim the way of life for Hispanics in New Jersey. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES McGovern (D–3–MA), Cynthia Ann I thank the Puerto Rican Congress for this Tuesday, October 7, 1997 McKinney (D–4–GA), Marty Meehan (D– tribute and it is an honor and a pleasure to 5–MA), Jack Metcalf (R–2–WA), George recognize the accomplishments of this cele- The House in Committee of the Whole Miller (D–7–CA), Patsy Mink (D–2–HI), House on the State of the Union had under Jerrold Nadler (D–8–NY), Jim Oberstar brated man. He is deeply respected for his te- nacity in seeking the advancement of all His- consideration the bill (H.R. 901) to preserve (D–8–MN), David R. Obey (D–7–WI), the sovereignty of the United States over John Olver (D–1–MA), Frank Pallone panic-Americans. I am certain that my col- public lands and acquired lands owned by the (D–6–NJ), William J. Pascrell (D–8–NJ), leagues will join me in paying tribute to this re- United States, and to preserve State sov- Colin Peterson (D–7–MN), Glen Poshard markable gentleman. ereignty and private property rights in non- (D–19–IL), Steve Rothman (D–9–NJ), Federal lands surrounding those public lands Lynn Rivers (D–13–MI), Bobby Rush (D– f and acquired lands: 1–IL). Mr. RILEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in Martin Sabo (D–5–MN), Bernard Sanders TRIBUTE TO HENRY B. GONZALEZ (I–At Large–VT), Adam Smith (D–9– strong support of H.R. 901, The American WA), Debbie Stabenow (D–8–MI), Pete Land Sovereignty Act. No longer can we sit Stark (D–13–CA), Ted Strickland (D–6– SPEECH OF back and let the United Nations dictate US do- OH), Karen Thurman (D–5–FL), John mestic policy or infringe on our national sov- Tierney (D–6–MA), Ed Towns (D–10– HON. RALPH M. HALL ereignty. NY), James A. Traficant, Jr. (D–17–OH), OF TEXAS This is not a new argument. How many Bruce Vento (D–4–MN), Nydia times do we have to hear about the abuses of Velasquez (D–12–NY), Peter J. Vis- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES closky (D–1–IN), Maxine Waters (D–35– the United Nations. In Alabama we hear that CA), Mel Watt (D–12–NC), Henry Wax- Tuesday, October 7, 1997 the United Nations is mired in one boondoggle man (D–29–CA), Robert Wexler (D–19– after another, how we owe them $1 billion, or Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is an FL), Robert A. Weygand (D–2–RI), Sid how our troops are going to be forced to miss Yates (D–9–IL). honor for me to pay tribute today to a long- Christmas because some foreign dignitary be- time friend and dean of the Texas delegation, f lieves it is reassuring to have our military the Honorable HENRY B. GONZALEZ, who has guarding his personal possessions. Now we IN HONOR OF JOSE ROSARIO: announced that he will resign from Congress learn that the UN has declared certain pieces FOUNDER OF FOCUS AND A this year after 36 years of outstanding service. of United States soil to possess international LEADER IN THE HISPANIC COM- For most of his life, HENRY GONZALEZ has status, independent of US sovereignty. MUNITY been a dedicated public servant, both in Con- This is becoming unacceptable and borders gress and previously in local and State gov- on ridiculous. How much of this are we going HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ ernment in Texas. As chairman and ranking to stomach before we tell the UN that it does OF NEW JERSEY minority member on the Committee on Bank- not control the United States. The People gov- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ing and Financial Services in the House of ern the United States, and, as Representa- Thursday, October 9, 1997 Representatives, he has made his imprint on tives, we here in Congress are given the our Nation's banking, financial, and housing honor of governing this nation on behalf of our Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today laws. As Representative of the 20th Congres- constituents. We need to unequivocally inform to pay tribute to an outstanding gentleman, sional district of Texas, he has been a for- the UN that this is our country, not theirs. We Jose Rosario, who served as the founding fa- midable advocate for policies and programs need to tell the UN that we are going to hold ther of FOCUS and contributor for the endow- affecting his constituents. And as dean of the it under close scrutiny and question all its ac- ment of the Hispanic American community. On Texas delegation, he has been a respected tions. October 10, 1997, the Puerto Rican Congress and influential colleague. Today, the House of Representatives Inc. will posthumously honor Mr. Rosario with passed H.R. 901. This important piece of leg- a special reception at the Hilton in Secaucus, I knew HENRY GONZALEZ when he first served in the Texas State Senate. Previously, islation is a first step into curtailing the greedy NJ. clutches of the United Nations. It requires the Mr. Rosario, born in Moca, PR, passed he had been a member and mayor pro-tem of Administration to seek Congressional approval away on August 29, 1997, in Carolina, PR. He the San Antonio City Council, deputy director before it can nominate any US land for inclu- was a hardworking accountant and a licensed of the San Antonio Housing Authority and pro- sion on the World Heritage List. In addition, real estate agent. Before moving to New Jer- bation officer for Texas County. He worked as H.R. 901 stipulates that all lands that are to be sey 40 years ago with his wife Phyllis, he a civilian cable and radio censor during World included as a Biosphere Reserve must also be worked for the commonwealth of Puerto Rico. War II and operated a Spanish/English trans- brought before Congress. It is through his roots and heritage that he left lating business with his father. He also taught This bill sends a clear message to the UN a legacy of determination for improving human math to veterans and citizenship classes to and President Clinton that we are not going to services in the Hispanic-American community. resident aliens. HENRY was born and raised allow any organization to disregard American Mr. Rosario, El Viejo as he was known to and educated in San Antonio schools, with the Sovereignty. If the UN wants to make decrees his friends, founded FOCUS, the Newark exception of studying civil engineering for 3 that affect the United States, it must learn that based social services agency, in 1967. Its mis- years at the University of Texas at Austin be- it has to go through proper channels and ask sion was to provide education, job training, fore graduating from St. Mary's University permission. and other services for underprivileged His- school of law. His life has been one of giving The citizens of the United States, not the panics from the Newark area. Today, known to those who needed him. UN, will determine their own lives and their as the Focus Hispanic Center for Community In all that he has done in public service, own futures. Development, the agency, led by Casto HENRY GONZLEZ has been an outstanding f Maldonado, executive director, and Frank Mo- Representative for his constituents in Texas, rales, chairman of the FOCUS board of trust- the Hispanic community, and our Nation. Dur- TRIBUTE TO THE ARTIST WYLAND ees, serves more than 9,000 clients every ing Hispanic Heritage Month, I can think of no year through grants and donations to fund an one more deserving of our respect and our HON. SANDER M. LEVIN annual budget of over $1 million. gratitude for 36 years of dedicated service in OF MICHIGAN Mr. Rosario also established the New Jer- the House of Representatives than my good IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES sey Office of Hispanic Affairs which set up the friend and colleague, HENRY B. GONZALEZ. As first bilingual education program in New Jer- we adjourn today, I ask that my colleagues Thursday, October 9, 1997 sey schools and successfully pushed for pas- join me in bidding him a fond farewell and in Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to rec- sage of a law requiring Spanish interpreters in wishing him God speed in his retirement. ognize the dedication of the 76th Wyland October 9, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2011 Whaling Wall in the city of Detroit on October Secretary Brown convinced the committee that doubts in the VA's ability to police themselves. 13, 1997. Wyland has chosen his home town he had a ``Zero tolerance'' for sexual harass- They simply have no grasp on the scope of to paint the 76th and final wall as part of his ment and the committee did not pass the leg- these problems. Great Lakes Midwest Tour. islation. H.R. 1703 is designed to establish a new In the tradition of Jacques Cousteau, by My good friend and colleague, Congress- VA employment discrimination complaint reso- whom he was inspired as a youngster, Wyland man JAMES CLYBURN stated at that time that, lution system. This legislation addresses the has dedicated his career to educating and ``I don't care what you try to do, how many problem with the system within the VA. raising public awareness of the critical impor- procedures you put in, how many training ses- My amendment tasks a panel to look at the tance of our oceans and marine life. He is sions you have, if your employees do not per- people, their attitudes and practices within the internationally renowned, with murals in Can- ceive the process or whatever you've done to VA. We need a baseline look at the culture ada, Japan, Australia, France, and Mexico. be an adequate response to their past prob- within the VA, and recommendations on how His work will continue as he has set a goal of, lems, there is going to be absolutely no trust to change that culture. 100 murals worldwide by the year 2011. in the process at all.'' Some of the cases that the VA Committee While 1998 has been declared the ``Inter- The problem has persisted. The pattern of has probed could have been handled even national Year of the Ocean,'' the people of reward and coverup, had it been undertaken with the old EEO system in place. Within the Michigan, surrounded by the Great Lakes, in the military, would result in a major scandal. VA, there was merely a failure to aggressively have always treasured the unique habitat and In the VA, it merely constitutes business as pursue. We need to know why those within wildlife fostered by marine environments. Each usual. the VA have this attitude, and what can be of Wyland's whaling walls will serve to height- In April, the VA Committee held hearings done to correct the situation. en awareness and encourage future genera- that revealed, as described by Subcommittee f tions to appreciate and recognize the impor- of VA Oversight TERRY EVERETT, a pattern of tance of marine habitats. ``Club MED'' treatment for senior VA employ- RECOGNITION OF ‘‘A SAFE PLACE’’ Mr. speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me ees that had been accused of sexually FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN in commanding Wyland, a native Detroiter, for harassing their employees. his vision, dedication to our environment, and Following that hearing, Chairman EVERETT HON. RONALD V. DELLUMS commitment to educating children and the also stated that, ``I have a concern there is a OF CALIFORNIA public at large about our endangered oceans. Good-Ole-Boy network out there and that IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES there is a culture within the VA that protects I extend my gratitude for his donation of time Thursday, October 9, 1997 and talent to beautifying our city, and encour- the managers.'' agement as he continues to his 100th Whaling Specifically, the committee found that: Mr. DELLUMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today A hospital director in North Carolina who Wall Mural in the year 2011. with gratitude and admiration to acknowledge groped and abused female employees who f A Safe Place which will be honored on Satur- was transferred to Florida to a job specifically day, October 11, 1997 for its dedication, serv- DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AF- created for him that preserved his six-figure ice, and tireless commitment to the bay area FAIRS EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMI- salary; community. NATION RESOLUTION AND ADJU- A VA Director in Virginia who was reas- A Safe Place provides crucial supportive DICATION ACT signed to Atlanta after he was accused of and transitional services to battered women seven accounts of sexual harassment. and their children. The mission of this organi- SPEECH OF A VA personnel director in California has zation is to decrease the number of battered HON. STEPHEN E. BUYER been reprimanded but not severely punished women and educate the community on the after an investigation into his rape and sod- issue of domestic violence. This extraordinary OF INDIANA omy of employees in his hospital. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES organization also provides personal support Reports that since 1993, the VA has pun- and attention to battered women, assisting Monday, October 6, 1997 ished nine VA managers for various sexual them in becoming self-sufficient and providing harassment complaints. skills to develop positive self images which in Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, my colleagues Reports that the VA Headquarters in Wash- my opinion, is crucial in breaking the cycle of and I on the House National Security Commit- ington alone has 73 equal opportunity com- violence. I cannot emphasize enough the tee, are in the process of completing the con- plaints pending by employees at that facility. gressional review of sexual misconduct in the Overall, the VA work force is 8.52 percent of value of these services to our community. All military. As difficult and shocking as that re- the total Federal work force, but files 14.1 per- those who have tirelessly cared, and passion- view has been, it pales in comparison to the cent of all harassment cases filed within the ately struggled to create this organization and problems that are coming to light in the De- Government. expand its resources must be commended. partment of Veterans Affairs. These cases illustrate that the VA's culture In 1976, a small group of women working in The Department of Veterans Affairs, this is one of paying off the accusers and covering a shelter in San Francisco, La Casa de las Nation's second largest agency, is a depart- for the perpetrators. Madres, began a shelter in the East Bay. ment that possesses a climate and culture that The overall culture starts with the leadership Soon after, they began providing referral serv- can only be described as openly hostile to at the highest levels of the VA. The fact that ices and crisis counseling from a small office women. Acting VA Secretary and Secretary designate in Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Oakland run This culture not only allows the harassment Hershel Gober is married to VA counsel Mary solely by volunteers. The initial, attentive activ- of women, it aggressively moves to cover-up Lou Keener and that Mr. Gober's nomination ist focused on the needs of the community, any allegations made by employees and often has been placed on hold for irregularities in and created the basis for a holistic and nurtur- rewards those who have been convicted of his background investigation is evidence of ing environment for women and children, and wrong-doing. problems and conflict of interest at the top. I a community outreach violence prevention There is a bunker mentality prevalent at the am deeply concerned this situation has been program. VA. It appears that the VA, when faced with allowed to exist at the VA. With this objective as the foundation for A accusations of sexual harassment, hunkers During consideration of this bill in commit- Safe Place, the L.C. and Mary J. Scaggs down and waits out the controversy while tee, I offered an amendment that would estab- Foundation provided a grant in 1978 which speaking aggressively. In reality, the attitude is lish an independent panel to assess the cul- made it possible to fund three half-time posi- that the VA winks at the claims of sexual har- ture of the VA with regards to sexual harass- tions. Over time, with grants, corporate con- assment, protects the accused and victimizes ment, equal opportunity, and hostility in the tributions, and individual donations, the staff the accusers. workplace. was expanded. As Kathy Lyons, a nurse with the VA de- I am pleased and honored that my col- In December of 1980, A Safe Place was scribed the VA process as, ``The way they leagues accepted my amendment on a biparti- forced to find new facilities, or shut down com- handle the thing is to punish the victims.'' san basis. This is a sign that Members on pletely. With the help of the media, the organi- In 1993, this committee considered enacting both sides of the aisle recognized the prob- zation received a $100,000 anonymous dona- legislation to re-organize the VA equal oppor- lems within the VA and the need to look at tion and a $75,000 interest-free loan, which tunity reporting system in light of abuses at those problems. enabled them to purchase a house to be used the Atlanta VA hospital by the director, associ- Four years after this committee's initial hear- as their new permanent facility. In March of ate director, and chief of staff. At that time, ings, egregious problems still exist. I have 1981, the doors were opened and the house E2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 9, 1997 welcomed 20 women and their children. The IN HONOR OF MIGUEL PEREZ: AN understood, and victims of discrimination, resolution of this crisis situation illustrated not OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL AND serving as a bridge to non-Latinos. ``Teaching only the dedication of the staff and volunteers VALUED COMMUNITY MEMBER important lessons about our community,'' stat- of A Safe Place, but also the value and appre- ed Latin New York magazine, ``and tries to in- ciation that the bay area community had for its HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ still a sense of pride in Latinos.'' services. OF NEW JERSEY Mr. Perez's commitment to serving his com- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES munity extends beyond his journalism. In 1979 That was over 15 years ago. Since then, Thursday, October 9, 1997 he was instrumental in helping police per- countless women have benefited from the suade three Spanish speaking gunmen to re- Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today care and dedication of this organization. lease two dozen hostages held in a Brooklyn to pay tribute to a special gentleman, Miguel Those who have entered A Safe Place receive supermarket. Two years later he spent three Perez, who has distinguished himself through months disguised as an illegal alien and wrote much more than shelter, they experience continuous dedication and hard work for the physical, emotional and spiritual comfort and Latino community. Mr. Perez will be honored a four-part series for the Daily News on sweat- support which empowers them to begin a new by the Bergen County Hispanic-American Ad- shops: ``The new slavery,'' for which he was way of life. In my opinion, the entire commu- visory Commission on October 16, 1997 at the awarded the Public Service Award of the Pub- nity reaps the benefits from the seeds planted board of freeholders in Hackensack, NJ. lic Relations Society of America, New York chapter. Upon graduation from Columbia, he and sown by A Safe Place which through its Throughout his long career, Mr. Perez has went to work for the Daily News as one of the educational focus attacks domestic violence at been an educator, role model, and strong voice for the downtrodden. He entered the few English-language Latino columnists in the its source and establish new patterns of pro- country at that time. In 1982 Perez won the ductive living. United States as a refugee at an early age. He didn't speak a word of English, but by the Mike Berger Award, considered the top print Mr. Speaker, I am proud to salute A Safe time he reached high school, he became the journalism award in New York. This year he Place and the role it has played in creating a sports editor of the Miami High Times. This won a fellowship from the Newspaper Asso- safer, healthier, and more peaceful bay area was the beginning of a long and illustrious ca- ciation of America to study interactive media community. I ask my colleagues to join me in reer in the media. Mr. Perez went on to be- at the prestigious Poytner Institute in St. Pe- recognizing and thanking this organization for come editor of two college newspapers, in- tersburg, FL. its invaluable service. cluding, ``The Falcon Times'' of Miami Dade A journalist more than twenty-four years, Community College, which received the Pace- born in Havana, Cuba, 47 years ago, Mr. maker Award, given to top six college news- Perez has been covering the New York metro- papers in the nation. He was also founder and politan area's Latino community relentlessly. first editor of the Good Times of Florida Inter- He epitomizes excellence in community serv- national University, where he graduated in ice, and it is an honor and a pleasure to have 1974 with a bachelor's degree in political him residing in my district. I am certain that science. Mr. Perez continued his passion and my colleagues will rise with me and honor this advocacy for those who are ignored, mis- remarkable individual