Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Helen Mary Williams. Helen Mary passed away on Tuesday, January 10, 2006. She will be missed dearly by countless members of the community which she served so thoughtfully over the past 30 years.

Helen Mary was born in Chicago, Illinois and grew up during the Great Depression. She attended Coe College and graduated Cum Laude in 1942 with a Bachelor's degree in Speech. While in college, she volunteered for her local radio station, becoming one of the first women in Iowa to be on the radio. She went on to become Assistant Program Director at WIND in Gary, Indiana. Later, she moved back to Chicago where she was a writer and broadcaster for CBS.

In the late 1950s, Mrs. Williams decided to become a teacher and she made her way to Pasadena, California. As a science teacher at Cleveland Elementary School, Mrs. Williams founded the Junior Audubon Science Club in 1959. The Club was dedicated to teaching inner-city youth about nature. With the help of community activists and involved parents, the science club expanded and was renamed Outward Bound Adventures (OBA) and incorporated as a nonprofit environmental educational youth organization. When asked about the beginnings of OBA, Mrs. Williams said, ``It was really laughable when we started doing these trips back in 1959 and 1960. None of the leaders had done much in the way of High Sierra trips, so we goofed a bit. But we also learned. And now we found out that kids are basically kids; by that I mean, they respond well to positive reinforcement both inside and outside the classroom.''

Mrs. Williams knew that OBA was exactly the type of program that every inner-city youth should have available to them, and by 1969, Mrs. Williams and OBA had served over 20,000 urban youth. Helen Mary Williams was a visionary. She had faith that people would believe in her vision; she had faith that every child could learn and improve academic and social skills by being exposed to the wonders of the great outdoors. Mrs. Williams served on the OBA Board of Directors until her death and received many awards throughout her career. The time and energy she gave to children and their parents was remarkable. Helen Mary leaves behind more than 30,000 youth and adults whose lives have been forever changed.

I ask all Members of the United States House of Representatives to join me today in honoring the life of Helen Mary Williams.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Foothill Family Service of Pasadena, California. During the month of March, 2006, Foothill Family Service will be celebrating its 80th Anniversary.

Believing that strong communities begin with healthy families, the mission of Foothill Family Service is to strengthen and support adults, children and families so that they can lead productive lives. Foothill Family Service is committed to the prevention and treatment of child abuse, domestic violence, school failure, teen pregnancy and school violence.

Foothill Family Service offers a plethora of mental health and social service programs to residents of the San Gabriel Valley, Pomona Valley, Glendale and Burbank communities. Some of the programs offered are Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment, Mental Health Treatment, Family Violence Prevention, Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Dual Diagnosing Services, Counseling, and Senior Services. ESTEEM School-Based Services is a program that provides on-site counseling and mental health services at schools in the San Gabriel Valley and in Glendale.

The organization has widespread support throughout the community with many volunteers that donate thousands of hours. Last year, Foothill Family Service assisted more than 20,000 children, adults, and families, most of whom receive subsidized services and have a monthly net income of under $1 ,000. Services are provided in many languages, including English, Spanish, Armenian, Korean, Farsi, Vietnamese, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Japanese.

I am proud to recognize Foothill Family Service upon its 80th Anniversary and I ask all Members to join me in congratulating this invaluable organization for their remarkable achievements.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act, and I was pleased that the House Judiciary Committee adopted two amendments that I offered and that they are part of the base bill.

Street drug markets, such as open air drug dealing at the corner and at drug houses, are a serious public safety problem. Often located in poor, minority, and disadvantaged communities, they cause severe harm by easing initiation into drug use, supporting addiction, and by drawing youth into the drug trade.

My first amendment, which is designated Sec. 14 of H.R. 2829, provided for demonstration programs by local partnerships to shut down illicit drug market hot-spots by deterring drug dealers or altering the dynamic of drug sales. This provision authorizes funding for demonstration programs that seek to coordinate an effective intervention using a credible,

deterrent message. This would encourage criminal justice agencies to collaborate with researchers and social welfare agencies to analyze local conditions and develop strategic, problem-solving interventions.

Such an approach was proven successful in High Point, NC. Upon identifying the drug market and its small group of active dealers, law enforcement carefully monitored and documented drug activity and probation/parole violations through surveillance and drug buys. Offenders with any violent criminal history were immediately arrested. Non-violent offenders, on the other hand, were confronted by law enforcement, city officials, service organizations and their families with a strong deterrent message. They were given a choice between facing immediate legal action or ceasing dealing and receiving rehabilitative services.

Consequently, the drug market promptly collapsed with minimal police intervention or crime displacement. Within one year of implementation, the drug crime rate of High Point fell by 34% and the violent crime rate was cut in half.

Sec. 14 of this bill authorizes $10 million for the next three years to fund demonstration programs supporting these interagency collaborations. The agencies would be responsible for evaluating the effectiveness of the strategic intervention, and the Director would be responsible for submitting to Congress a report identifying the best practices in drug market eradication.

My second amendment, which is designated Sec. 15 of H.R. 2829, provided for demonstration programs by local partnerships to coerce abstinence in chronic hard-drug users under community supervision through the use of drug testing and sanctions. This provision authorizes funding for demonstration programs that seek to reduce the use of illicit drugs by chronic hard-drug users living in the community while under the supervision of the criminal justice system.

Approximately 80 percent of the Nation's cocaine is consumed by a relatively small group of chronic users (approximately 4 million). Three-quarters of these users are under the supervision of the criminal justice system. By deterring these users, we would be able to reduce the nation's cocaine consumption by 60 percent--and these numbers are similar for other hard drugs, such as heroin and meth.

Coerced abstinence is a highly effective means for targeting these users. This model is based on predictable, frequent drug testing and known, non-negotiable, immediate, graduated sanctions. For example, a system where a participant is tested every 72 hours and a dirty test led to an immediate, unpleasant sanction--for example, 8 hours in a jury box or 24 hours in jail. Participants are simultaneously offered incentives such as drug treatment or other rehabilitative services.

An ongoing example of this model is being used in Hawaii, where substance abuse violations are common, with meth being the drug of choice. In October 2005, one year after the program began, program participants had an 83 percent reduction in positive test results (from 21.9% for control group to 3.8% for program participants) and an 87 percent reduction in missed appointments for testing (from 10% for control group to 1.3% for program participants).

This level of effectiveness we cannot ignore. For this reason, Sec. 15 of H.R. 2829 authorizes $10 million for the next 3 years for demonstration programs that administer drug tests to individuals at least twice a week and swiftly impose a known set of graduated sanctions for non-compliance. The program must include a plan for monitoring the progress toward reducing the percentage of positive drugs and missed testing appointments, and the Director would be responsible for submitting to Congress a report identifying the best practices in reducing the use of illicit drugs by chronic hard-drug users.

I commend the Office of National Drug Control Policy for publicly committing itself to the goal of reducing illegal drug use and abuse in the United States. However, I also call on the Director to increase the allocation of funds dedicated for treatment and demand reduction efforts, which have shown to be very successful in reducing drug use. To achieve this national drug control policy that efficiently reduces drug use and abuse in the United States, we need strategies that are as smart as they are tough. This requires that we remain open to evidence- based programs and respond with innovation. I commend ONDCP for the progress it has made, ask that the Director consider these recommendations and will support this legislation, H.R. 2829, to the reauthorize the Office.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of International Women's Day. More than 30 years ago, March 8 was designated by the United Nations as a day to reflect upon women's struggle for equality, justice,

peace and development. In the decades since, International Women's Day has become a holiday in many countries around the world, and acts as an annual catalyst for the advancement of women.

Throughout our history, the United States has been a leader in advancing women's rights and opportunity. While much work remains here and abroad, I join many of my colleagues and constituents in saluting the contributions of women around the world.

Many of those contributions have been made through the recent election of women political leaders. Chile, Jamaica, Germany and Liberia have all elected women to head their governments in the past 6 months. Despite this encouraging trend, governments led by women remain an anomaly. Only 11 out of the more than 200 members of the United Nations have women leaders. Moreover, there remains persistent underrepresentation of women serving as legislators, parliamentarians, and government ministers. Globally, women hold only 16 percent of all seats, a disappointing increase of only 5 percent since 1975. The 109th U.S. Congress boasts 84 female Members, the highest number in our history, but women still make up only 6.4 percent of the membership of the House and Senate, well below the world's average.

Development experts and advocates have long identified education as the key to improving women's well-being. More than 180 governments committed to achieving gender equality in education by 2005 as one of eight U.N. Millennium Development Goals, but we have a long way to go.

In the developing world, 60 million girls aged 6 to 11 are not in school, which severely limits their political, physical, and social opportunities.

In developed countries, an increasing number of women are pursuing higher education, but they have been unable to secure academic employment or research funding proportionate to their male colleagues. Policymakers have become increasingly concerned about a growing shortage of men on America's college campuses, but several important departments in our universities remain disproportionately the province of men, especially at the graduate level. The percentage of women earning advanced degrees in science or engineering is especially low. Only one in four master's degrees in these fast-growing fields is awarded to a woman. Even women who do earn Ph.D.s in computer science and engineering earn, on average, $9,000 less per year than men in similar positions.

This income disparity is reflected throughout the workforce where women continue to face multiple impediments to their advancement. American women still earn an average of 25 percent less than their male colleagues, a wider wage gap than that in other developed countries, which affects women of all ages, races, and education levels. Unfortunately, the wage disparity is being narrowed at a rate of less than half a penny a year.

In the 108th Congress, I was proud to cosponsor the Paycheck Fairness Act to combat gender-based wage discrimination by requiring that employees be educated about their rights, and permitting women to seek recourse under the Equal Pay Act.

There are some positive trends. While less than one third of employers in the developing world are women, this percentage is growing, especially in the United States. Between 1997 and 2004, the number of American companies primarily owned by women grew by 23 percent, well above the 9 percent overall increase in U.S. businesses during this period.

Here and abroad, though, women remain vulnerable to violence. I was proud to cosponsor the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2005, and I have been a longtime advocate of efforts to prevent and treat domestic violence, child abuse, dating violence, and sexual assault. I have consistently advocated for greater Federal funding for research and treatment programs for breast cancer, ovarian cancer, heart disease and postpartum depression.

In acknowledging the challenges faced and overcome by women, I want to commend the sacrifices of America's brave women serving overseas, especially in Iraq. Women have served in every U.S. military conflict since the Revolution and have played an official role in the U.S. military for over 100 years. Today, women make up almost 15 percent of Active-Duty personnel. One in every seven U.S. soldiers in Iraq is a woman, and they are engaged in the conflict on a far greater scale than ever before, piloting helicopters, accompanying infantry on raids against insurgents, searching Iraqi women suspects for pistols and suicide belts. The contribution of American women has come at a high price. To date, 48 service women have been killed in Iraq and more than 300 have been wounded, but their service has inspired their compatriots on the front lines and here at home, as well as millions of women in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world, as symbols of women's courage and capacity. And today, we salute them and all women for their contributions.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1259, a resolution to honor the Tuskegee Airmen. I would also like to express my appreciation for their heroism and bravery. These men deserve the Nation's highest honor for their courage and patriotism.

In July 1941, 13 young Americans began military flight training at the Tuskegee Army Air Field in Tuskegee, AL. Five of those 13 young men completed training and received their Army Air Corps silver pilot wings, becoming our Nation's first African-American military fighter pilots. They would later be known as the Tuskegee Airmen.

Between 1941 and 1946, 1992 pilots graduated at Tuskegee Army Air Field, with 450 of those serving during World War II in either the famed 99th Fighter Squadron or the 332nd Fighter Group. Both units, heralded for their bravery and tenacity, received more than one Presidential Unit Citation for exemplary tactical air support and aerial combat. The group also felt the price of war, losing 150 pilots while in training or on combat flights.

It has been said that the Tuskegee Airmen faced two wars--one against a military force overseas and the other against racism and bigotry at home and abroad. Yet, in the face of these challenges, they accepted their country's call to service and fought heroically in great battles for freedom.

I am honored to represent 3 of these courageous individuals: Mr. O. Oliver Goodall of Altadena, CA; Mr. Andrew Jack Simon of South Pasadena, CA; and Mr. LeRoy Criss of Pasadena, CA. They received their training and joined the ranks of Tuskegee Airmen in 1942 and 1943. Today, I honor Mr. Goodall, Mr. Simon, Mr. Criss, and all other Tuskegee Airmen who served our country with valor and distinction.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a cosponsor of this resolution. Iran's resumption of nuclear activities and its non- compliance with international commitments must be met by a united Congress and a united international community.

For almost 3 years, the United States, the European Union, Russia, the IAEA and other parties have been working to negotiate an end to those parts of Iran's nuclear program that could allow it to produce nuclear weapons. Iran has continued to mislead the international community about its efforts. It has alternated diplomatic overtures with clandestine activity on its nuclear program.

In June 2004, just a few months after making assurances to the international community, Iran was criticized by the IAEA for failing to cooperate with an inquiry of its nuclear activities. In November 2004, Iran agreed to suspend much of its uranium enrichment in a deal with the EU. However, in August 2005, Iran resumed its uranium conversion at its Isfahan plant and in January 2006, broke IAEA seals at its Natanz facility. It has since resumed enriching uranium at that facility.

Experts indicate that Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in as little as 3 to 5 years. According to a report issued by the IAEA to member governments on January 31, 2006, Iran has a clandestine effort, dubbed Green Salt, which has been working on uranium processing, high explosives and a missile warhead design. The report clearly demonstrates a nexus between Iran's efforts to develop a nuclear fuel cycle and Tehran's military, thus

undercutting the Iranian government's repeated denials that it seeks to develop nuclear weapons.

Iran's growing nuclear capability is compounded by a series of recent statements by Iran's president, in which he declared that a fellow member of the United Nations must be wiped off the map. These remarks demonstrate a disregard for human life and undermine the central principle of the United Nations. The world community cannot stand by while an outlaw regime announces its desire to annihilate millions of people and attempts to develop the nuclear weapons to do so. The community of nations has properly condemned these threats; now we must ensure that Iran will never develop the capability to act on them.

I am hopeful that all members of the United Nations Security Council will take a strong stand for international peace and security when this issue is considered by the Security Council in March. I can think of no greater priority for the Council and believe that concerted action by the Council's Permanent Members represents the best opportunity to defuse this crisis.

As a gesture of appreciation from the Congress, I, along with Mr. Kirk of Illinois and Mr. Andrews of New Jersey, am circulating a letter to the other Permanent Members of the Security Council. The letter thanks them for their support in reporting Iran to the Security Council and urges them to establish consequences to continued non-compliance. I encourage my colleagues to sign the letter.

I am hopeful that with a united Congress and a united international community, we can prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons which could destabilize the entire region and which could be used to carry out Iran's professed desire to wipe millions of its neighbors off the map.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this simple resolution and of its central underlying premise--that this Nation will not support a Palestinian Government that is not unambiguous in its recognition of Israel's right to exist and unequivocal in its support for a two-state solution to the decades-long conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. I also commend the distinguished chairman and the ranking member of our committee who have dedicated themselves to working for true peace in the Middle East.

The Hamas victory in last month's Palestinian Legislative Council election is a major setback to the prospects for peace. Last year's withdrawal from Gaza and parts of the West Bank by Israel was a positive step after several years of bitter fighting between the two communities.

While much of the world was taken by surprise by the Hamas victory, we really should not have been shocked. Last summer, even as Israeli soldiers physically removed settlers from their homes, the Israeli Government, the United States Government, the European Union and others were emphatic in telling the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian people that they now bore the burden of centralizing authority in Gaza and maintaining security there. This country and our allies sought to strengthen the P.A. with aid and diplomatic support. Unfortunately, the Palestinian Authority was unable to seize the opportunity to show the Palestinian people the true benefits of peace.

Polling before the election and exit polling done on election day shows clearly that Palestinian voters chose Hamas because they were fed up with the corruption of Fatah and its inability to deliver a wide range of basic social and economic benefits. Hamas may be best known to Americans as a violent terrorist organization, but within the P.A. it has also run schools, medical clinics and day care centers.

The same polling that showed Palestinian disgust with Fatah also showed that a large majority of Palestinians favor a two-state solution and peace with Israel. The problem now is how do we, the United States, Israel and the rest of the international community, convince Hamas that the only way forward is to abandon its dream of driving Israel into the sea and replacing it with an Islamist Palestine.

Frankly, Mr. Speaker, I do not know if this is possible, but I have become convinced after multiple refusals by Hamas spokesmen to repudiate its call for Israel's destruction, that the only way forward is to ratchet up the pressure. This resolution is, I believe, a good first step. It does not mandate specific action by the administration, but reiterates the message that this country will not support a Hamas government that will not recognize Israel.

Those who cling to the dream of Israel's destruction must realize that this resolution is a warning and that continued intransigence will be met with sterner countermeasures.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the city of Glendale on its historic 100th anniversary.

Today, the city of Glendale fills a major portion of the geographical triangle formed by the Sierra Madre Foothills, the L.A. River, and the Arroyo Seco. It was these 36,400 acres of woodland, chaparral and grassland inhabited by Native Americans known as Gabrielinos that attracted the attention of CPL Jose Maria Verdugo of the Spanish army. In 1798, Corporal Verdugo established title to the Rancho San Rafael. The Rancho included most of present day Glendale, Burbank, Eagle Rock, and Highland Park. In 1831, Mr. Verdugo died and passed Rancho San Rafael to his two children. It was not until 30 years later that the children divided the Rancho between them. In 1871, a court decision known as the ``Great Partition'' was made dissolving Rancho San Rafael into smaller parcels. Homes and businesses began to spring up, and in 1887, the County Recorder finally registered the ``Town of Glendale.''

In 1906, the city of Glendale was incorporated and consisted of 1,486 acres. The Grand Central Airport and Southern Pacific train depot connected Glendale to other communities. Civic organizations were organized and churches thrived. During the 1920s, Brand Boulevard grew into a modern commercial street lined with automobile showrooms, stores, and banks. The population increased from 13,756 in 1920 to 62,736 in 1930. In the 1970s a surge of development continued to make Glendale a bustling business center. During the 1980s and 1990s, the population grew dramatically with the arrival of thousands of immigrants from all over the world. In the year 2000, the city's population was about 195,000. Today, traditional neighborhood centers are flourishing and historic residential architecture and landmarks are increasingly appreciated.

Glendale is a true jewel in the State of California. I am proud of the unique privilege I have had to represent the city of Glendale in both the State Senate and now in the U.S. Congress. I ask all Members of Congress to join me today in congratulating the city of Glendale on its centennial celebration.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Merci on its 50th anniversary. Dedicated to serving the developmentally disabled members of our community, Merci has helped countless people make significant strides toward reaching their goals and achieving fulfilling lives.

Merci has its roots working with developmentally disabled children. In 1955, the Monterey Park Exchange Club determined that there was a need for a school dedicated to developmentally disabled children, and Merci was formed. Merci was incorporated as a nonprofit in 1959, and the early years were devoted to working primarily with children. In 1967, Merci was authorized by the Regional Centers of California to serve all people diagnosed with developmental disabilities. As the educational landscape changed over time, it became one of Merci's central aims to prepare developmentally disabled children for enrollment in public school special education classes; to this end, Merci added a program geared especially toward preschoolers. Merci continued to grow and thrive, and the organization expanded to include a Work Activity Center for adolescents and young adults. After a series of laws regarding handicapped children and public education passed in the 1970s, Merci's focus in 1976 shifted to working with its older clients. To this day Merci continues to provide unsurpassed service to its clients.

In keeping with its outstanding tradition of helping others, in the past few years Merci started two new programs that allow the organization to serve an even greater number of clients. As a part of one of the programs, Merci staff travel to the homes of clients with special medical needs and work with them on an individual basis. Merci has also opened its first group home, Ernie's Place, which offers 24- hour supervised care for its clients.

The Merci staff's commitment and dedication to serving the developmentally disabled members of our community is to be commended. Without Merci, many people would not be living the quality lives that they are living today.

I am proud to congratulate Merci on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. I ask all Members of Congress to join me in honoring Merci and the Merci staff for their dedication to making our community a better place in which to live.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Ms. Coretta Scott King, a civil rights icon and the widow of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who died January 30, 2006, at the age of 78. Coretta Scott was born and raised on a farm near Marion, Alabama, where she knew little racial prejudice. However, living in town to attend high school, young Coretta learned firsthand of the harassment and violence directed at African-Americans. In 1942, at the age of 15, she was personally exposed to this hatred when the Scott home was set on fire on Thanksgiving night.

Church and music became Coretta Scott's salvation, and in 1945, she left for Antioch College in Ohio where as one of three African-American students in her class, she began to study music and education. After graduation, Coretta ventured off to the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston to study concert singing. It was in Boston where Coretta met Martin Luther King Jr., who was then studying for his doctorate in theology. She later said, ``Even at the time we were courting, Martin was deeply concerned--and indignant--with the plight of the Negro in the United States.''

The two married in 1953 and within the following decade became the parents to two sons and two daughters. In her new life as a married woman, Mrs. King gave up music to take on the role of a pastor's wife at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, where Dr. King became the seminal figure in the civil rights movement. Mrs. King joined her husband's pursuit of civil rights, and occasionally substituted for him as a speaker. They traveled the world, observing severe poverty and all its consequences, and together they learned the art of nonviolent protest from the disciples of Mahatma Gandhi. Throughout their married life, Mrs. King was an equal partner in Dr. King's tireless efforts to pursue justice, equality and peace, and was by his side in Oslo in 1964 when he received the Nobel Peace Prize.

On April 4, 1968, Mrs. King learned of her husband's assassination through a telephone call from Reverend Jesse Jackson. While supporting a sanitation workers' strike, Dr. King was shot on a Memphis motel balcony. In her autobiography, My Life with Martin Luther King Jr., Mrs. King recalled, ``Because his task was not finished, I felt that I must rededicate myself to the completion of his work.'' Indeed, she was compelled to fully immerse herself in the nonviolent civil rights movement that her husband led. Many wives become spokespersons for their husband's causes, yet Coretta Scott King was unique; an ardent activist in the fight against injustice, Mrs. King brought a new energy to the civil rights movement. Giving hundreds of speeches and leading countless marches, Mrs. King overcame the challenges of widowhood and witnessed the successes of the civil rights movement and her husband's unfulfilled dreams.

Neverending in her commitment to justice, Mrs. King was appointed by President Carter to the United Nations General Assembly, where she devoted herself to the development of Third World nations. She joined the fight to end apartheid and lobbied the U.S. Congress for sanctions against South Africa. Mrs. King also coordinated a 15-year campaign to keep her husband's memory alive, culminating in 1983 with the passage of legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers and Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm to commemorate her husband's work with a federal holiday. Dr. and Mrs. King have been succeeded by their four children who have each followed in their parents' footsteps, carrying with them strong hearts, minds and voices in pursuit of justice and peace.

Two years ago, I was invited to join a civil rights pilgrimage to Montgomery, Birmingham and Selma, Alabama. The journey was a remarkable experience. Led by Congressman John Lewis, a number of my colleagues in the House and the Senate and I visited the sites of many of the civil rights struggles, including the Kings' own Dexter Avenue Baptist Church. We experienced these places with some of the activists that led the movement and relived the moments through their eyes. To hear them share their account of the very church we were sitting in being attacked by a mob of segregationists was extraordinary.

Those of us who were too young to remember well the civil rights movement continue to ask ourselves what would we have done? Would we have stood up, would we have questioned those in power, would we have demanded equality and justice? Or would we, like so many Americans, have remained indifferent? The best answer we can find to that question of what we would have done is answered by what are we doing now to advance the cause of justice and equality. In 1960s Alabama, Coretta Scott King and Martin Luther King, Jr., battled overt bigotry. Today, we arm ourselves against silent intolerance. While we must look to our past and consider how far we have come, we must keep an eye toward the future knowing that the movement is not over and that each one of us must continue to dedicate ourselves to pursuing an America with equal opportunity for all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mrs. Coretta Scott King, a civil rights icon. Raised on a small farm in Alabama, Coretta Scott found her way to Boston where she met Martin Luther King, Jr. The two married and moved to Montgomery, Alabama, where Dr. King became the seminal figure of the civil rights movement. Mrs. King joined her husband's pursuit of civil rights by serving as an equal partner in Dr. King's tireless efforts to pursue justice, equality, and peace.

Mrs. King recalled that after her husband's tragic assassination she felt compelled to rededicate herself to the completion of his work. Indeed, Coretta Scott King became an ardent activist in the struggle against injustice, fighting to achieve Dr. King's unfulfilled dreams.

Two years ago, I joined a civil rights pilgrimage to Alabama, and it was a remarkable experience. Led by Congressman John Lewis, a number of our colleagues visited many of the sites of the civil rights struggles, including the Kings' Dexter Avenue church. We relived the experiences of those that led the movement, saw the incredible events of that time through their eyes, and it was an unforgettable experience.

Those of us who were too young to remember well the civil rights movement continue to ask ourselves what would we have done. Would we have stood up? Would we have questioned those in power? Would we have demanded equality and justice? Or would we, like so many Americans, have remained indifferent?

The best answer we can find to that question of what we would have done is answered by asking what are we doing now to advance the cause of justice and equality. In 1960s Alabama, the Kings battled overt bigotry. Today, we arm ourselves against silent intolerance.

While we look to our past and consider how far we have come, we must keep an eye towards the future, knowing that the movement is not over and that each one of us must continue to dedicate ourselves to pursuing an America with equal opportunity for all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Glendale City Seventh-Day Adventist Church on 100 years of outstanding service to the community.

On January 27, 1906, Conference President George W. Reaser and 29 individuals gathered in the parlor of the Glendale Sanitarium--formerly the grand old Glendale Hotel--to hold Glendale's first official Seventh-Day Adventist worship service. One year later, the Glendale Church School--now Glendale Adventist Academy--opened with 15 students. In 1911, a church building was purchased at what is now the corner of Wilson and Isabel streets. Membership grew rapidly and in 1919, the burgeoning congregation moved the church to land purchased at the corner of California and Isabel streets. For 11 years, this new building served its members well. Tragically in 1930, a fire broke out in the new church as a result of a boiler malfunction. Members quickly took on the task of raising funds to rebuild on the site. Two years later on April 16, 1932, the current Spanish style sanctuary was dedicated. The topic of Pastor Reaser's sermon in 1906 is now forgotten, but it is evident that the spark he ignited that day still shines at Glendale City Seventh-Day Adventist Church.

Glendale City Seventh-Day Adventist Church has had 26 pastors over its 100-year history. They have all been dedicated to outreach and service. The church prides itself on its deep commitment and passion to its surrounding community. The first contribution to the Glendale community was the Glendale Adventist Hospital. Shortly thereafter a private school was established and open to all. Additionally, the church offers free classes in topics such as health, cooking, and meditation. Locally, the church supports community efforts put forth by Glendale Adventist Medical Center, the AIDS Service Center in Pasadena, Project Achieve in Glendale, and the CINCO Job Development Center in Los Angeles just to name a few.

I ask all Members of Congress to join me today in congratulating the Glendale City Seventh-Day Adventist Church for 100 years of outstanding service to the city of Glendale and surrounding communities.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 643, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Stated against:

Mr. Speaker, there have been many false dawns in Iraq over the past 2\1/2\ years, times when we hoped we might be seeing a new day, but yesterday was truly remarkable. More than 11 million Iraqis went to the polls, many dressed in their finest clothes, to cast their votes for a new parliament and a new future.

Iraqi Sunnis, who boycotted the polling in January, turned out in droves to ensure their voices would be heard in the new legislature.

Perhaps most remarkable was the absence of violence. Across the country, only 52 attacks were recorded, and there were no mass casualty incidents. For this, we have the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces to thank.

For months, our troops have endured ever more numerous IED attacks and fierce urban combat in order to secure the country for yesterday's vote. They have done everything we have asked of them and more, and we are all, all deeply grateful for their sacrifice.

I want to support this resolution. I have an enormous respect for the chairman of our committee and the chairman of the Mideast Subcommittee, but I am deeply troubled by what is a calculated and transparent attempt to use the unity of the Iraqi vote to cause further disunity here at home.

Two days ago, I was invited to the White House along with Mr. Lantos and a number of our colleagues to meet with the President and senior administration officials on preparations for the elections and the next steps in Iraq. I appreciated the President's efforts to reach across the aisle for unity as we exchanged ideas on how to best move forward in Iraq. Unfortunately, this resolution is not in keeping with the spirit of that meeting.

I hope to have the opportunity to return to Iraq in the near future and visit our troops along with several of our colleagues. We are going, as we have in the past, not as Republicans and Democrats but as Americans and as Members of the Congress of the United States.

It is too early to know if the election will be a turning point that we have all hoped for, but one thing is plain, greater division at home does not further the war effort. This is not the way to honor yesterday's triumph and the sacrifice of so many young Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for the motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 1815, the DOD authorization bill that was offered earlier today by the distinguished ranking member of the Armed Services Committee (Mr. Skelton).

Mr. Speaker, for over 3 years now, the Congress has failed to oversee the administration's policy regarding the detention of enemy combatants. We know very little about the criteria used to designate an American as an enemy combatant, even less about the due process afforded foreign nationals in Guantanamo and almost nothing about the reported existence of clandestine detention facilities operated by the U.S. Government.

The motion that passed the House overwhelmingly today instructs the conferees to insist on a Senate-passed provision that would require the DNI to submit to Congress a report on any clandestine prison or detention prison currently or formerly operated by the U.S. Government, regardless of location, where the detainees in the global war on terrorism are or were being held.

The conferees should retain this important provision in the Defense Authorization Bill.