9788 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS May 25, 2001 was a seamstress and he had to drive 43 miles grow and vigorously serve the community in this subject, but I have also introduced a Con- to and from school each day. The scholarship the years to come. stitutional amendment (H.J. Res. 36) to pro- made possible a room on campus. He grad- uated 4th in a class of 448 and made the f hibit the desecration of the American Flag. Mil- dean’s list. He has been an employee of Hon- SECTION 245(i) EXTENSION ACT OF lions of American men and women have died eywell ever since. 2001 in defense of this nation and the flag that rep- What we are talking about here is the resents the history of our nation. The Amer- greatest game in town. Give some thought to SPEECH OF ican flag is a national treasure and the ulti- it personally. You will be startled about how good you feel about yourself And you, too, HON. mate symbol of freedom, equal opportunity may come to enjoy your Christmas mail and religious tolerance. OF from kids you never had, but will never for- Brian’s letter to his Congressman reflects get you for what you did. For my Vada and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES these feelings and I was pleased to see a for me, many thanks for this President’s Monday, May 21, 2001 Award! young person have such strongly held values It will not be un-employed, but on view at Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, today the and pride in America. Brian’s value system functions related to the Vada Kinman House passed a bill introduced by Congress- and convictions are commendable at any age, men SENSENBRENNER and GEKAS. This bill, Oldfield and Col. Barney Oldfield Nebraska but all the more impressive for this 8th grader. Dollars for Scholars Program we have H.R. 1885, seeks to extend for four months I had the opportunity to meet this young man launched in Nebraska. provision 245(i) of the Immigration and Natu- and judging from this encounter, I know his f ralization Act. I was not able to be present for that vote, but I write today to state my support parents must be proud of this fine young TRIBUTE TO GREATER OMEGA for reinstatement of 245(i). American. M.B. CHURCH 245(i) allows certain undocumented immi- I commend his letter to my colleagues. grants to adjust their status while remaining in Knowing students such as Brian assures me HON. BOBBY L. RUSH this country. Without that provision, they are that this country’s future is in good hands. OF ILLINOIS forced to return home for a period of three to DEAR REPRESENTATIVE SANDERS: Two hun- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ten years before they can gain legal resi- dency. This means, for example, that if some- dred and twenty-five years ago, the great na- Friday, May 25, 2001 one from the Phillippines who lacks legal sta- tion of the was formed. This Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to com- tus marries a U.S. citizen, the couple must ei- country has had its share of wars and pro- memorate the 19th Anniversary of the Greater ther be separated for several years, or they tests, but one act of violence that offends Omega M. B. Church, located in my congres- must both move to the Phillippines for the nec- most Americans is flag burning. Flag burn- sional district in Chicago, Illinois. The Greater essary time period. Either option is problem- ing is a way of protesting, but it is at the ex- pense of the country’s unity and it needs to Omega M.B. Church has served as a beacon atic. be stopped. of hope and strength for Illinois’ First Congres- In 1994, 245(i) was created to provide a sional District since it was founded on March third option—one which allowed the couple to An unfathomable number of men and 14, 1982. With approximately 150 pioneering remain together in the United States while the women have fought and died to defend the members, Greater Omega M.B. Church began undocumented immigrant sought legal status. red, white, and blue. To see not only young, its mission of service under the leadership of Unfortunately, that provision expired in 1998. but also older Americans burning flags lit- its late founding pastor, Rev. Edmond Blair, Jr. Last December, 245(i) was revived for a erally makes me ashamed that these people Since then, the church and its congregation four-month period. It has become clear that are Americans. Former POWs have created have endured a vibrant history. Under Rev. there were problems with that time frame. the American flag out of dead bugs while im- prisoned. For many Americans, our flag has Messenger’s leadership, the Greater Omega Specifically, the Immigration and Naturalization lifted their spirits through the darkest hours family made the final mortgage payment on its Service (INS) was unable to process all of the of our nation’s history. The American flag is current church home located at 135 W. 79th applications by April 30, the date of expiration. Street. In addition, the church began broad- not only our nation’s emblem, it’s a part of In addition, immigrants were not able to com- our everyday life. casting its services on the WBEE radio sta- ply with the complex paperwork requirements tion. in that four month time frame. Flag burning was not just a fad of the six- ties but many people still burn flags in pro- On November 12, 2000, the Greater Omega I applaud the efforts of Mr. SENSENBRENNER test today. People defend their despicable family selected their current pastor, Rev. Mel- and Mr. GEKAS in seeking to reinstate 245(i) vin Reynolds. Under the helm of a new leader, again. However, their efforts do not go far acts by insisting that flag burning is prac- ticing their freedom of speech. Does anyone the congregation is excited about the future of enough. We should not stop by providing an- really believe that is what Samuel Adams Greater Omega. According to church mem- other four-month window of opportunity. In- and Thomas Jefferson intended when they bers, Rev. Reynolds, ‘‘loves and respects the stead, we should reenact 245(i) as a perma- people of Greater Omega, he loves and re- wrote the constitution of the United States nent provision of the Immigration and Natu- of America and included the article for free- spects God’s church, he sees the needs of the ralization Act. Punishing people who have le- dom of speech? Did they want to create one community, he tries to aid people in every gitimate claims to legal residency by forcing nation under God that would spit on and walk of life and he loves God . . . Even more them to leave the country for several years is burn the American flag, the symbol that our Rev. Reynolds has a vision of Greater Omega not an acceptable solution. We should provide forefathers died to defend? No. These acts of becoming a great church.’’ them an avenue by which they can stay here burning our flag have divided our country In the midst of changing pastors and relo- while their application is pending. and some of the ramifications still divide cating four times, the members of Greater f Americans today. Omega have remained steadfast in their mis- sion and devotion to God and the Chicago RECOGNIZING BRIAN KENT I am writing lawmakers to bring flag burn- ing to their attention and ask them to con- community. The church has continuously en- sider passing a new law to prosecute any per- acted programs in the community such as, job HON. RANDY ‘‘DUKE’’ CUNNINGHAM son unlawfully burning or desecrating to flag ministries, drug rehabilitation ministries, and OF CALIFORNIA of the United States. I urge you to strongly ministries. The church also has a IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES consider supporting this type of law. Burning homeless food program and a mentoring pro- Friday, May 25, 2001 of the American flag is an act perpetrated gram for the youth. against both our country and government, I commend Greater Omega M. B. Church Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise and should be prosecuted as a federal offense. for their continued high standards of worship today to commend, Brian Kent, a young man Every unjustifiable burning of the American and fellowship. Greater Omega’s accomplish- from White River, Vermont who recently won flag is a mockery of the patriots who first ments are a true testament to their enduring an award for a letter he wrote regarding the died for ‘‘liberty and justice for all.’’ faith and unwavering commitment to God. I protection of the United States flag. Not only Sincerely, am confident that the church will continue to do I have deeply held, personal feelings on BRIAN KENT.

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