E290 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks March 6, 2001 meet the DOT test by being marked with the sult of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial mod- IN SPECIAL RECOGNITION OF THE appropriate notation are subject to tax. Tires ernization Act of 1999. The Community Rein- 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE that are not marked cannot be used on the vestment Modernization Act of 2001 will en- ZION EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN highway. sure that the hundreds of thousands of Ameri- CHURCH, HURON, OHIO I encourage my colleagues to join us in sup- cans, most often minorities and the working porting this legislation. poor, will continue to have access to capital HON. PAUL E. GILLMOR f and credit. OF OHIO IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EXEMPTING PRESCRIPTION DRUGS The bill is endorsed by the National Com- AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES DIS- munity Reinvestment Coalition, the U.S. Con- Tuesday, March 6, 2001 PENSED BY THE DEPARTMENT ference of Mayors, the National League of Cit- Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, for the past OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FROM ies, and the Association of Community Organi- 100 years, the Zion Evangelical Lutheran INTEREST CHARGES AND ADMIN- zations for Reform NOW (ACORN). Church in Huron, Ohio has served as a bea- ISTRATIVE COSTS In my hometown of Milwaukee, it is sup- con of hope, strength and prosperity for Ohio’s ported by the Mayor of Milwaukee, the Fair Fifth Congressional District. Today the church HON. PATSY T. MINK Lending Coalition, Interfaith Conference of celebrates its centennial and I want to recog- Greater Milwaukee, Hope Offered through nize its contribution to Huron and all of Ohio. OF HAWAII What began as an idea of forming a con- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Shared Ecumenical Action (HOSEA), the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), gregation in 1901 in Huron, has become a Tuesday, March 6, 2001 the Neighborhood Housing Services of Great- century-long dedication to faith and family. The church has served as a place for friends, Ms. MINK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce er Milwaukee, Milwaukee Innercity Congrega- neighbors, colleagues and coworkers to come a bill that exempts prescription drugs and tions Allied for Hope (MICAH), the Metropoli- together to form a close-knit family. They all medical supplies that are dispensed by the tan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council, the Na- share a common-bond centered around their Department of Veterans Affairs from DVA’s in- tional Association for the Advancement of Col- dedication to their church. The importance of terest charge and administrative cost charge. ored People (NAACP), Select Milwaukee and family values and family worship is of pro- Under current law, the Department of Vet- the Legacy Bank. found importance to the people of Huron, and erans Affairs charges interest and administra- So many people and institutions support this they are proud of their church, their religious tive costs for any indebtness resulting from the bill because CRA is not only the right thing to beliefs and their heritage. provision of services and benefits to Veterans. do, it is the profitable thing to do. According to First established as a parish early 1901, The interest rate, set by the Department of a Federal Reserve Board report issued in July Pastor August H. Dornbrier held the first serv- the Treasury, is 6 percent. The Department of of 2000, 91% of home lending and 82% of ice in a little white German Reformed church Veterans Affairs has set the administrative small business lending under CRA is profit- that was rented then later purchased. Since rate at 50 cents per month. Veterans should able. This is comparable to any other type of then, the church and its congregation have not have to pay this interest charge or admin- lending. had a vibrant history. The congregation has istrative collection cost. They should be re- grown dramatically to more than 270 members sponsible for the co-payment amount only. The bill we are reintroducing today will up- from its early days when 42 people attended date CRA to match the increased market pow- f the first service. The congregation has had ers the Financial Modernization Act creates. It three homes where many of the rich German INTRODUCTION OF THE COMMU- will make banks accountable again by updat- traditions have been upheld. NITY REINVESTMENT MOD- ing CRA to cover all loans and lenders. This Located on the shores of Lake Erie, the ERNIZATION ACT OF 2001 not only includes mortgage companies, but church represents all that in good in our com- also insurance companies, investment firms munities—grace, elegance and commitment. HON. THOMAS M. BARRETT and other affiliates of banks that will increas- We, in Ohio’s Fifth Congressional District, are OF WISCONSIN ingly be offering loans and basic banking blessed to have such centerpieces in our com- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES products in the new financial world. munities. The strength of these communities relies upon the strength of our faith. The Ohio Tuesday, March 6, 2001 In addition to extending CRA to all loans and lenders, the CRA Modernization Act of state motto, ‘‘With God all things are pos- Mr. BARRETT of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I 2000 would: (1) Make insurance more avail- sible,’’ truly embodies this concept. am pleased to reintroduce today, in partner- able, affordable and accessible to minorities One-hundred years after its founding, the ship with my colleague, Rep. LUIS GUTIERREZ, and low-income citizens; (2) improve data col- Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Huron, the Community Reinvestment Modernization lection for small business and farm loans; (3) proudly celebrates its history—a story that is a Act of 2001, a very strong piece of legislation require a notice and public comment period for testament to the congregation’s enduring faith to modernize our fair lending laws to keep mergers between banks, insurance and invest- and extraordinary commitment to God and pace with the times. We first introduced this ment companies; (4) require that HMDA data community. Huron is a much stronger commu- legislation during the last session of Congress also include information on loan pricing and nity because of the work of the church and its in July of 2000. terms, including interest rates, discount points, members. I congratulate the congregation’s There are a lot of people who have worked origination fees, financing of lump sum insur- perseverance and I am confident the church very hard to bring us to this point today and ance payment premiums, balloon payments, will be just as strong during its next 100 years I’d like to say a special word of thanks to the and prepayment penalties; (5) prohibit insur- of service. National Community Reinvestment Coalition. ance companies that violate fair housing court f In particular, John Taylor and Josh Silver have consent decrees from affiliating with banks; TRIBUTE TO JOHN RUIZ, THE been instrumental from day one in drafting this and (6) penalize a financial institution and its FIRST HISPANIC HEAVYWEIGHT legislation. affiliates through reduced CRA ratings if the CHAMPION This bill is absolutely critical to helping cred- institutions have engaged in predatory lending. itworthy Americans gain access to credit and banking services. Since 1977, CRA has en- CRA is paramount to continuing the HON. JOE BACA couraged banks and thrifts to commit more progress this country has made towards eradi- OF CALIFORNIA than $1 trillion in private reinvestment dollars cating discrimination in the financial services IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES for mortgages, small business loans and com- marketplace. And it is imperative that we mod- Tuesday, March 6, 2001 ernize this important law now. The bottom line munity development loans for traditionally un- Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, it is with great is that CRA is good for business. It not only derserved communities. In the Milwaukee area pride that I rise to salute John Ruiz, who with levels the playing field to make sure that all alone, CRA has channeled over $200 million his victory this past weekend, becomes the creditworthy Americans have access to capital in lending to low- and moderate-income citi- first Hispanic heavyweight boxing champion. zens and neighborhoods. and credit, it makes good business sense. The victory will be an inspiration to all His- The timing for CRA is crucial. CRA will be- We hope you and all of our colleagues in panic youth, and indeed to all Americans, that come less effective if it is not updated to keep the House will consider supporting the Com- if you work hard, if you have tenacity, and per- pace with the rapid changes that are occurring munity Reinvestment Modernization Act of sistence, and vision, there is nothing you can- in the financial services marketplace as a re- 2001. not achieve. That is the American dream. The
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hope that some day, greatness will rise up in PRINTING OF A REVISED EDITION SABO, BIGGERT, and LEE, I will be introducing all of us. In the past several decades, several OF ‘‘BLACK AMERICANS IN CON- the ‘‘Permanent Housing Homeless Prevention notable Hispanics have fought for the world GRESS, 1870–1989’’ Grant Renewal Act.’’ heavyweight title, and despite their valor, have This bi-partisan legislation authorizes re- SPEECH OF newal of expiring Shelter Plus Care and SHP not achieved it; when one reviews the list, one permanent housing rental assistance grants sees how great this achievement is: HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY OF NEW YORK through the HUD Section 8 Housing Certificate 1923—Luis ‘‘The Wild Bull of the Pampas’’ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fund. Currently, some 75,000 vulnerable fami- Firpo vs. Jack Dempsey lies, including veterans, disabled, mentally ill, 1968—Manuel Ramos vs. Joe Frazier Wednesday, February 28, 2001 and other families at risk of homelessness, re- 1968—Oscar Bonevena vs. Joe Frazier Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in ceive monthly rental assistance under these 1973—Joe ‘‘King’’ Roman vs. George Foreman support of Authorizing the printing of a revised two important McKinney-Vento Act homeless 1977—Alfredo Evangelista vs. Muhammad Ali and updated version of the House document programs. 1978—Alfredo Evangelista vs. Larry Holmes ‘‘Black Americans in Congress.’’ The legislation is supported by a broad 1979—Ossie Ocasio vs. Larry Holmes I think it only seems fitting to pay tribute to group of national and regional organizations 1983—Lucien Rodriquez vs. Larry Holmes the African American men and women who which fight homelessness, including Catholic Charities, the National Alliance to End Home- John’s win has special personal significance served in these hallowed halls. African Ameri- cans have a long history of serving in this lessness, the Corporation for Supportive for me. As a former ball-player, both in school great institution. For many years, they were Housing, and the National Alliance for the and semi-professionally, I recognize the spe- not welcomed by all of their colleagues. Still Mentally Ill. These groups have jointly written cial labors of our athletes, and the inspiration these men and women persevered and paved ‘‘to offer our support and assistance in moving that athletics can play in our lives, particularly the way for all of us serving in Congress this important legislation forward,’’ and noted to minority youngsters. Athletics can be a mo- today. that ‘‘This bill will have the effect of providing tivating factor, something that gives us a I am proud to stand here with nearly 50 of new housing to more homeless people with sense of identity, something to work for. Ath- my colleagues in support of this bipartisan disabilities, as well as preventing catastrophic letics ultimately caused me to finish school, piece of legislation. losses of housing for some of the most vulner- serve my country in the military, go to college, As a young man, I can remember admiring able Americans.’’ the work of Shirley Chisholm, the first African Renewing Shelter Plus Care and SHP per- and become a community college trustee, As- American woman elected to serve in the manent housing through Section 8 is a solu- sembly Member, State Senator, and Member United States Congress from my home state tion to the annual uncertainty over renewals. of Congress. It was not always easy, but I had of New York. Former Congresswoman Chis- Currently, when the initial term of a Shelter role models, and I am pleased that John is a holm was first elected into office in 1968, as Plus Care or SHP permanent grant expires, a role model for today’s youth. a representative for the 12th Congressional grantee must re-apply each year for continued I would hope that Hispanic youth, indeed, all District of New York and served for 15 years assistance. If a grant is not renewed, the fami- the youth of America, look at the achievement until she retired in 1983. lies which are receiving rental assistance under the grant face the risk of eviction and of John Ruiz and see they can reach equally She was a great advocate for education, day care and providing other resources to im- homelessness. great heights, whether it is in athletics, aca- prove the quality of life in inner cities. She This is not an idle risk. Just fourteen months demics, or the world of business, science, also fought to decrease defense spending and ago, HUD failed to renew rental assistance public service, or the arts. America’s youth to end the military draft. I believe that Ms. grants for thousands of families nationwide. It need to know that we believe in them, and Chisholm’s legacy is one that should always took an emergency supplemental appropria- they should believe in themselves. Because be remembered, honored and cherished along tions bill in July of last year to reinstate fund- God gives us all talents. with many others. That is why this publication ing for these grants. In the interim, many com- munities were forced to scramble for funds to In the short run, there is nothing so sweet is so very important. Since its last publication, an additional 40 cover the gap; many families confronted the as a victory, and nothing so stinging as a de- distinguished African Americans have served very real risk that they would lose their month- feat. But what is ultimately important is good in either the House or Senate. Moreover, ly rental assistance. sportsmanship, good conduct, playing a wor- many of the biographies of several senior Last year, the House devised a permanent thy game, facing a worthy adversary. Living to members of the House have grown outdated solution to this problem, as part of the House fight another day. In that sense, both John and I believe that the time has come to revise VA–HUD appropriations bill. That bill funded Ruiz and Evander Holyfield are to be saluted and reprint this important historical work. all renewals of expiring Shelter Plus Care and honored, for they fought with their hearts, This legislation would allow the Library of grants through the HUD Section 8 Housing Certificate Fund. This approach would provide they fought with their souls, they gave Amer- Congress to revise the current volume under a reliable source of renewal funding. Unfortu- ican an exhilarating match, one that dem- the direction of the Committee on House Ad- ministration. In addition, the bill would allow for nately, the Senate did not go along with this onstrated athletic artistry and great courage approach, and the final conference report, under fire. And they should raise their hands, the copying, binding and distribution of the book to Members in both the House and Sen- while providing a separate account for renew- together, in a clasp of goodwill, knowing they ate. als, does not provide a reliable, long-term have fought the good fight, the noble fight. Mr. Speaker, this next edition of ‘‘Black funding source. The best approach was and Their bruises will heal, but they will always Americans in Congress’’ will undoubtedly be a still is renewal of all expiring Shelter Plus Care share a brotherhood of having met in the ring, great resource and a treasured addition to and SHP permanent housing grants through where champions are made, and courage test- every member of the House and the Senate, the HUD Section 8 Certificate Fund. That ap- ed. as well as the Library of Congress and librar- proach is embodied in the ‘‘Permanent Hous- ing Homeless Prevention Grant Renewal Act,’’ I am sure that John’s community, where he ies throughout this country. I urge my colleagues to join in support of which we are introducing today. got his start boxing, is very proud of his this concurrent resolution. Moreover, this approach is justified on broad achievement. John’s hometown, Chelsea, has policy grounds. Congress routinely renews f one of the largest Hispanic populations in portable and project-based Section 8 rental Greater Boston. It has been a Mecca for some PERMANENT HOUSING HOMELESS assistance; only the most vulnerable families of the all-time boxing greats. I would also like PREVENTION GRANT RENEWAL most at risk of homelessness face the annual to salute John’s family, his wife Sahara and ACT risk of non-renewal. Funding these renewals through Section 8 their children John and Jocelyn on this HON. JOHN J. LaFALCE also means that critically needed new perma- achievement. And so I say, congratulations, nent and supportive housing proposals will not God Bless. OF NEW YORK IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES have to compete with renewals for scarce re- sources. And, providing a reliable source of Tuesday, March 6, 2001 renewals after the initial grant term will make Mr. LAFALCE. Mr. Speaker, today, along it easier for project sponsors to build perma- with Representatives WELLER, FRANK, QUINN, nent housing.
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