May 21, 2001 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 8823 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS

IN HONOR OF THE SURVIVORS and the members of ‘‘Idomeneas’’, President forts include: establishing the Student Fund for AND DEPENDENTS OF THE BAT- Emmanuel Piperakis and the members of college education assistance; the Baby Center TLE OF CRETE ‘‘Brotherhood’’, President Dinos Mastorakis for medical care and health supervision for and the members of ‘‘Kazantzakis’’ and Presi- over 7000 Christians, Muslims, and Jews; and HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY dent Evangelos Xenakis and the members of Dental Clinics throughout the region. Addition- OF NEW YORK ‘‘Philoxenia’’ will honor these brave guardians ally, he has captivated audiences around the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of freedom. world leading masses, dedications, and reli- It is our duty to preserve and honor their Monday, May 21, 2001 gious education services, in his crusade to im- memory and heroic actions that brought forth prove the lives of people through faith. Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, the defeat of oppression and fascism. The I applaud the Melkite community of Michi- I rise today to pay tribute to the survivors and freedom that we now enjoy became possible gan and the Patriarch Gregory III for their dependents of the Battle of Crete, May 20th, in part by the blood shed by these heroes. I leadership, commitment, and service. I urge 1941. On that morning sixty years ago, Nazi ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute my colleagues to join me in saluting him for military forces invaded the island of Crete to a small island with brave inhabitants that his exemplary years of faith and service, and through air, land and sea. This would be one significantly contributed to the preservation of to pay tribute to His Beatitude as he embarks of the many times where the proud people of our freedom today. on this historic visit to the dedicated Melkite Crete have been called to defend their land f communities across the nation. and their strong belief in freedom. f As waves of German paratroopers landed TRIBUTE TO HIS BEATITUDE on the Cretan soil, men, women and children GREGORY III (LAHAM) PATRI- COMPREHENSIVE ELECTION fought with what little they had to defend ARCH OF ANTIOCH AND ALL THE REFORM LEGISLATION NEEDED against advancing fascist oppressors. During EAST, OF ALEXANDRIA AND JE- the first day of the invasion the Nazi military RUSALEM SPEECH OF suffered high losses. The German military en- HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS countered a vicious resistance that they had HON. DAVID E. BONIOR OF FLORIDA not expected. Hitler’s elite 7th Parachute Divi- OF MICHIGAN IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES sion had suffered casualties from an opponent IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Thursday, May 17, 2001 who was equipped with knives and homemade Monday, May 21, 2001 weapons. The bombings that occurred in the Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the cities such as Chania, Rethimnon, and Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, the Melkites, or events ensuing since last year’s election have Herakleion did not lower the morale of the Byzantine Eastern rite Catholics of Middle placed election reform on the top of the pri- people but strengthened their will to defend Eastern origin, are the descendants of the ority list of the American people. There is no the island. early Christians of Antioch whose presence is question that what occurred in Florida fol- The Nazi forces took nine days to finally a witness to the universality of the Catholic lowing last year highlighted many of the prob- conquer the island and endured a heavy num- Church. Although the Melkites are con- lems in Florida’s own election system. But as ber of casualties. The Cretan people sought centrated in Syria, Lebanon, the Holy land, my colleagues on the Democratic Special refuge in the mountains and staged a resist- and the Middle East, the United States has Committee on Election Reform will agree, ance that continued on until the final defeat of served as a welcoming home to the Melkite what occurred in Florida last November is not the Germans in 1945. tradition and community for decades. On Sun- unique. Indeed, it is a microcosm of the prob- The Battle of Crete is viewed by many as day, May 13, 2001, the Melkite community of lems that exist in nearly every jurisdiction in significant in delaying Hitler’s attack on the Michigan and Our Lady of Redemption Church the United States. The travesties Florida vot- Soviet Union and hastening the defeat of the of Warren, St. Joseph Church of Lansing, and ers faced last November are a representative Nazi regime of World War II. The achieve- St. Michael Church of Plymouth had the distin- sample of the problems voters face throughout ments of Cretan soldiers were praised by the guished honor of hosting His Beatitude Greg- the United States. Allied Powers and gave hope to those who ory III, Melkite Patriarch of Antioch and All the Civil rights violations, lack of provisional bal- struggled against the Nazi oppressors. More East, of Alexandria and Jerusalem as part of lots, increasing amounts of overvotes and than twenty-five thousand Cretans lost their his first official visit to the United States. undervotes, uneducated voters and poll work- lives in the battle and the Nazi occupation that Patriarch Gregory III Laham, elected on No- ers, outdated voting machines, the purging of followed. Their villages were burnt to the vember 29, 2000 as the new Patriarch of Anti- the names of eligible voters, confusing ballots, ground as reprisals for their continued resist- och and all the East, of Alexandria and Jeru- and not enough funding to improve voting sys- ance while mass executions of women, chil- salem, is the leader of the one million faithful tems, are not unique to Florida. These prob- dren, and the elderly became a daily event. Melkites belonging to the Eastern-rite Church. lems are not unique to any city, county, or The Nazis were forced to place a large num- His Beatitude’s contributions have made his- state in the country. Instead, they are uni- ber of troops in the region due to the contin- tory in the Melkite community. He is the found- versal problems that exist from state to state, ued resistance from the heroic Cretans. Their er of the Magazine Al-Wahdah—Unity in the city to city, and precinct to precinct. bravery and willingness to sacrifice their lives Faith, the first ecumenical magazine published While no silver bullet exists, the problems in for the well being of future generations de- in the Arabic language. He is also founder of our country’s election system do have solu- serves to be honored by all defenders of free- the Cenacle of Jerusalem, an independent in- tions. In the past five months, more than 1,500 dom and democracy. tellectual movement of the Holy Land, and au- election reform bills have been introduced in This year, the 60th year anniversary of the thor of several books and articles about the state legislatures across the country, and 31 Battle of Crete, President Nikolaos Kastrinkis Eastern Church. Building youth centers in Je- states have considered or are considering leg- and the members of the Cretan Association rusalem, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Beit Sahour, islation to upgrade or make uniform their vot- ‘‘Omonoia’’, President Voula Vomvolakis and and Rafidia, he has worked hard to create an ing standards. On May 2, 2001, the Florida the members of ‘‘Pasiphae’’, President George environment for young Palestinian Christians State Legislature joined Georgia’s General As- Motakis and the members of ‘‘Labrys’’ Presi- to gather, meet, and work together. He has sembly as the only two bodies in the U.S. to dent Emmanuel Michelakis and the members been involved in numerous activities to pro- pass comprehensive election reform legisla- of ‘‘Minos’’, President Emmanuel Polychronkis vide assistance for those in need. These ef- tion.

● 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.

VerDate Aug 04 2004 10:34 Mar 21, 2005 Jkt 089102 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR01\E21MY1.000 E21MY1 8824 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS May 21, 2001 But as states such as Florida and Georgia ing measure to reinforce the National Voter landing of men on the moon in July 1969 and continue to pass election reform legislation, Registration Act of 1993. Congress also needs their safe return to earth.’’ Members of Congress cannot go home and to provide funding to states to assist them in I urge all of my colleagues to join with me tell their constituents that help from the federal the upgrading of their election programs. Fi- as we celebrate this IEEE Milestone which government is on the way. As of today, help nally, Congress needs to address other pos- recognizes the men and women of our na- from the federal government is not on the sible means of election reform including uni- tion’s space program. way. In the 107th Congress, 28 bills and two versal poll closing times, lengthening the f resolutions addressing some aspect of elec- amount of time Americans have to vote, the tion reform have been introduced. 16 bills and counting of military and overseas ballots, and HONORING COMMUNITY SERVICE two resolutions have been introduced here in voter and poll worker education and training. AWARD WINNER JUDY BLUESTONE the House of Representatives, and 12 bills Mr. Speaker, time is running out for Con- have been introduced in the Senate. Yet de- gress to pass meaningful election reform legis- HON. GERALD D. KLECZKA spite the overwhelming support for election re- lation. America’s election process has fallen OF WISCONSIN form, Congress has not acted on any piece of under the scrutiny of the people it seeks to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES election reform legislation. Even more, just last empower. Without the support of the federal Monday, May 21, 2001 week, the House and the Senate both passed government, not matter how much legislation Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, budgets that provide no funding for election states pass and how hard states attempt to re- June 4, Judy Bluestone will be honored with reform. assure their citizens that the problems of Elec- On top of that, the Bush Administration has tion 2000 have been solved, voters will remain the 2001 Community Service Human Rela- not only refused to make election reform a pri- skeptical. People will walk away from the polls tions Award by the Milwaukee Chapter of the ority, but it has also refused to even comment wondering if their vote will count. This cannot American Jewish Committee. This award is given to those individuals who on it. At a meeting with the Congressional happen. If Congress does not act immediately, have demonstrated outstanding service and Black Caucus eleven days into his presidency, then the lessons learned from the disasters of leadership, two qualities that are exemplified President Bush indicated that he intended to last year’s election will be lost. Quite frankly, in Judy’s work within her community. Since make election reform a priority of his Adminis- this is not something the people of South Flor- moving to Milwaukee in 1985, she has exhib- tration. This promise, however, has been noth- ida and the rest of the country want to hear. ited a tireless dedication to numerous worthy ing more than words. Election reform is an f issue that demands presidential leadership in causes throughout the area. A mother of two, Judy has always been order to succeed. President Bush has not RECOGNIZING THE IEEE concerned with the needs of young children. been up to the task. MILESTONE AWARD In order for election reform in this country to She is on the board of the Betty Brinn Chil- be a success, a partnership must be forged HON. DAVE WELDON dren’s Museum as well as Start Smart Mil- waukee, a child advocacy organization. Her between the states and the federal govern- OF FLORIDA love for the arts is shared with children ment. Improving voting systems and investing IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES through her work with the Milwaukee Youth in voter education programs is not cheap. It Monday, May 21, 2001 costs money—a lot of money. It is disheart- Symphony Orchestra. However, Bluestone works with more than ening to think that as states revise and re- Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I children in Milwaukee’s artistic community. vamp their election systems, the federal gov- would like to join with the Institute of Electrical She is beginning her third term on the Mil- ernment is not there to assist them in their ef- and Electronics Engineers in recognizing and waukee Arts Board, and also devotes her time forts. It is both unfair and unrealistic for states paying tribute to the achievements of those in- and energy to the Artist Series and Skylight to spend millions of dollars updating their elec- volved in electronic technology as part of our Opera Theater. In 1995 she was appointed tion systems and incur the associated costs nation’s space program from 1950 to 1969. co-chair of the United Performing Arts Fund’s without the federal government helping out. I As was originally stated in President John F. annual campaign. am confident that state legislatures will con- Kennedy’s ‘‘Special Message to the Congress Judy’s tireless effort on behalf of such orga- tinue to address the specific problems that on Urgent National Needs,’’ delivered on May nizations as the United Way and the National exist in their state’s election system, but I am 25, 1961, our space program was an effort of Council of Jewish Women has garnered her a less optimistic that Congress, under Repub- monumental proportions in terms of scientific number of awards and distinctions. She is a lican leadership, will take the necessary steps advancement, financial commitment, individual recipient of Israel’s Golda Meir Award and the to reinstall America’s confidence in its election dedication, as well as personal and organiza- Metropolitan Milwaukee Civic Alliance Award. process. If Congress does not play a part, par- tional sacrifice. The dividend of the efforts rep- In 1999 she was elected president of the ticularly in the area of funding, then it is al- resented by this IEEE Milestone designation Women’s Division of the Milwaukee Jewish most certain that the majority of these state and other honors is the peace, without nuclear Federation. Her outstanding contributions to initiated election reform programs will fall well confrontation, which our nation and others the causes that she holds dear serve as a short of satisfactory. throughout the world have been so blessed to model for community activism that few of us We have a unique opportunity here in Con- have experienced. could live up to. gress to reassure every American that he or As this is the 37th IEEE Milestone designa- And so it is my great pleasure to join the she will never be denied the right to vote. tion in the world, and the only one to recog- American Jewish Committee, as well as all Congress can create universal standards that nize the United States space program, we ap- those whose lives she has touched, in con- do not infringe upon a state’s authority to plaud the advances in electrical and elec- gratulating 2001 Community Service Human oversee its own election process, and at the tronics engineering which this international Relations Award winner Judy Bluestone on same time, ensure that every vote is counted. honor represents. this richly deserved honor. Former President Jimmy Carter has gone so The citation for the Milestone plaque is as far as to say, ‘‘The Carter Center has stand- follows: f ards for participation as a monitor of an elec- ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY FOR SPACE ROCKET IN RECOGNITION OF THE 15TH AN- tion, and the United States of America would LAUNCHES, 1950–1969 NIVERSARY OF MACOMB COUN- not qualify at all.’’ This is more than embar- ‘‘The demonstrated success in space flight TY’S RETIRED AND SENIOR VOL- rassing, it is shameful. is the result of electronic technology devel- UNTEER PROGRAM In the coming weeks, Congress must ad- oped at Cape Canaveral, the Kennedy Space dress the problems that exist in the American Center, and other sites, and applied here. A HON. DAVID E. BONIOR election process. Congress needs to pass a wide variety of advances in radar tracking, data telemetry, instrumentation, space-to- OF MICHIGAN universal provisional ballot measure that re- gound communications, on-board guidance, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES quires poll workers to offer any person not ap- and real-time computation were employed to Monday, May 21, 2001 pearing on the eligible voters list the oppor- support the U.S. space program. These and tunity to cast a provisional ballot. In addition, other electronic developments provided the Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to Congress needs to pass a universal anti-purg- infrastructure necessary for the successful recognize the 15th anniversary of one of

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