Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the 62nd anniversary of the Battle of Crete by introducing this House Resolution which recognizes and appreciates the historical significance of the people of Crete during World War II.

This is a historic event with direct significance to the allies' victory of World War II. On May 20, 1941, thousands of German paratroopers and gliders began landing on Crete.

Both the allies and Nazis wanted Crete because of its strategic location. At that time the British controlled the island.

It was a very strong point on the lifeline to India and protected both Palestine and Egypt.

The Nazi invasion force included the elite German paratroopers and glider troops. Hitler felt this was to be an easy victory, yet he is quoted to have said shortly after the invasion, ``France fell in 8 days. Why is Crete free?''

The invasion of Crete took 11 days. It resulted in more than 6,000 German troopers listed as killed, wounded or missing in action. The losses to the elite 7th parachute division were felt so hard by the German Military it signified the end of large-scale airborne operations.

This valiant fight by the Cretan people began in the first hour of the Nazi airborne invasion. In contrast of the European underground movements that took a year or more after being invaded to activate.

Young boys, old men and women displayed breathtaking bravery in defending their Crete. German soldiers never got used to Cretan women fighting them. They would tear the dress from the shoulder of suspected women to find bruises from the recoil of the rifle. The penalty was death.

The Times (London) July 28, 1941 report that ``five hundred Cretan women have been deported to Germany for taking part in the defense of their native island.''

Another surprise for the German soldiers who invaded Crete was the heroic resistance of the clergy. A priest leading his parishioners into battle was not what the Germans anticipated.

At Paleochora, Father Stylianos Frantzeskis, hearing of the German airborne invasion, rushed to his church, sounded the bell, took his rifle and marched his volunteers toward Maleme to write history.

This struggle became an example for all Europe to follow in defying German occupation and aggression.

The price paid by the Cretans for their valiant resistance to Nazi forces was high. Thousands of civilians died from random executions, starvation, and imprisonment. Entire communities were burned and destroyed by the Germans as a reprisal for the Cretan resistance movement. Yet this resistance lasted for four years.

The battle of Crete was to change the final outcome of World War II. The Battle of Crete significantly contributed in delaying Hitler's plan to invade Russia.

The invasion was delayed from April to June of 1941. The 2-month delay in the invasion made Hitler's forces face the Russian winter.

The Russian snow storms and the sub zero temperatures eventually stalled the Nazi invasion before they could take Moscow or Leningrad. This was the beginning of the downfall of the Nazi reign of terror.

This significant battle and the heroic drive of the Cretan people must always be remembered and honored.

Democracy came from Greece and the Cretan heroes exemplified the courage it takes to preserve it.

Today, the courage and fortitude of the Cretan people is seen in the members of the United Cretan Associations of New York which is located in Astoria, Queens.

I congratulate the newly elected officials and look forward to working with them.

I request my colleagues to join me in honoring the Cretans in the United States, Greece, and the diaspora.

H. Res.--

Whereas 2003 marks the 62nd anniversary of the heroic

Battle of Crete, which took place on the Greek island of

Crete during World War II between Nazi German forces and the

people of Crete assisted by the Allied armies;

Whereas the people of Crete fought tenaciously during the

Battle of Crete, delaying for two months the Nazi German

invasion of Russia;

Whereas this delay forced Nazi German forces to invade

Russia in the face of the brutal Russian winter, changing the

final outcome of World War II and leading to the defeat of

fascism;

Whereas many historians agree that the Battle of Crete was

one of the most significant battles of World War II;

Whereas the Battle of Crete contributed to saving the free

world from Nazi German occupation, thus preserving democracy,

freedom, and human dignity;

Whereas the Cretan Resistance Movement was organized to

fight the Nazi German occupation of the island of Crete;

Whereas for 4 years, the Cretan Resistance Movement

inflicted heavy casualties up Nazi German forces, including

kidnaping a heavily-guarded Nazi German General, setting an

example for all of the people of Europe to follow;

Whereas the people of Crete suffered savage reprisals for

their heroic resistance when the Nazi German invaders

randomly executed thousands of civilians and burned and

destroyed entire communities;

Whereas many participants in the Battle of Crete and the

Cretan Resistance Movement later emigrated to the United

States and became American citizens; and

Whereas many of these citizens became members of the

PanCretan Association of America, an organization comprised

of Greek Americans with ancestry from the island of Crete and

committed to preserving and promoting the rich culture and

proud history of Crete: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

(1) observes the memory of the fallen heroes of the Battle

of Crete;

(2) honors the living men and women of Crete who, during

World War II, fought an oppressive invader to preserve the

ideals of freedom, democracy, and the pursuit of happiness;

and

(3) commends the PanCretan Association of America or

preserving and promoting the history of Crete and its people.

Mr. Speaker, as you know, I have previously introduced legislation to end discrimination against women by private clubs that conduct significant business activities. On April 12, 2003, I attended the event sponsored by the National Council of Women's Organizations at the Masters Golf Tournament to protest the discrimination against women as members by Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. I would like to submit for the record the remarks of Ms. Ramona Wright, Third Vice Chair of the National Congress of Black Women, which she made on that day.

``Equality and Progress''

Saturday April 12, 2003, Augusta, Georgia

[By Ramona Wright, Third Vice Chair, National Congress of Black Women]

Good afternoon.

My name is Ramona Wright, and I am here on behalf of the

National Congress of Black Women. Though our Chairwoman, Dr.

C. Delores Tucker, could not be present, she sends warm

regards. The NCBW came to this rally to support our sisters

of the NCWO and their efforts to open up the membership of

the powerful Augusta National Golf Club to women golfers as

members.

The NCWO is a strong supporter of the National Congress of

Black Women's crusade to have Sojourner Truth added to the

Women's Suffrage Statue in the Rotunda of the Capitol. It is

for their support and because the NCBW strongly opposes

discrimination against women on all levels that we are here

today.

We are here today, we, members of the NCBW, NCWO, and

allies who support equality, to denounce the sexist

membership policy of the Augusta National Golf Club.

It cannot stand!

It is a new day and a new time, which is long over due.

Wouldn't you agree?

In 1990, less than 15 years ago, the Augusta National Golf

Club finally began admitting African American men. This means

that before this time a young exceptional golfer (who happens

to be male and a minority and who, in 1997, broke the

Tournament's four-day scoring record that had stood for 32

years) won his fourth consecutive professional major in 2001

and, in 2002, became only the third player to win consecutive

Masters titles, could not, I repeat, could not have entered

in through the gates of the Augusta National Golf Club.

It is shameful in this day and age, The New Millennium,

that sexism yet exists--that less than 15 years ago, minority

golfers like Tiger Woods may not have been permitted to join

the Augusta National Golf Club due to its discriminatory

practices.

It is not OK for a sign to read No Girls Allowed, just as

it was never OK for signs all across this country to read No

Blacks Allowed!

This rally is bigger than women being permitted to join a

boy's golf club. This rally is about equality and progress!

equality and progress!

In 1735, the city of Augusta was named in the honor of

Princess Augusta--a woman.

In the mid 1800s, Augusta had a population of almost

12,500, one of the 102 cities in the U.S. to have more than

10,000 residents. As the second largest city in Georgia

during the 19th century, its investment of a million dollars

in the manufacturing industry topped that of any other town

or state in the U.S.

Moving on to the early 20th century, Augusta had begun

developing one of the finest medical centers in the southeast

region. And, of course, in the 1930s Augusta became home to

the Masters, its world-renowned golf tournament. In the

latter part of the past century, Augusta was on its way to

transitioning into an urban industrial center.

Therefore, in a town that has progressed so significantly

over the last 200 years, why, when we, as a nation and here

in Augusta as a community should have learned from our sexist

and discriminatory past, do we support a tradition of

exclusion?

Today, in the 21st century, the Augusta National Golf Club

has an opportunity to break its sexist and exclusionary

tradition by permitting women to join. This action would be

one of great courage and leadership, an example to the nation

and abroad that Augusta's rich tradition of progress includes

equality for all.

Stay encouraged and God bless!

Mr. Chairman, traditionally, the Defense Authorization Act has been a bipartisan bill. Unfortunately, this year the majority has added highly controversial provisions to the bill regarding civil services law, contracting, environmental exemptions, and nuclear weapons policy.

As we all know, there has been significant controversy over the process of awarding contracts in Iraq, I would like to highlight one provision in the Defense authorization bill that adds much needed sunshine to the Iraq rebuilding effort (section 1456). I thank the Government Reform and Armed Services Committee members for including this section.

In a markup of H.R. 1837, the Services Acquisition Reform Act of 2003, I offered this public disclosure language in the form of an amendment. It was unanimously accepted by the House Government Reform Committee. H.R. 1837 was referred to House Armed Services and included in H.R. 1588, the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2004.

In the House Armed Services Committee, the Iraqi sunshine amendment was also offered by Mr. Snyder of Arkansas. I thank Mr. Snyder for his hard work. The amendment was accepted and included in an en bloc amendment to H.R. 1588. The amendment, now section 1456, will ensure that agencies entering into a contract for the repair, maintenance, or construction of the infrastructure in Iraq without full and open competition, publish details regarding the contract.

This section is very simple. It merely requires the government to publish details regarding these noncompetitive contractors.

It has been said that sunshine is the best disinfectant. The public has a right to know how billions of dollars will be spent in Iraq. As the people's Representatives, we have a duty and responsibility to ensure that funding Congress has appropriated for the Iraqi reconstruction is spent in a fair and open manner. Given the recent controversy, the least we could do is ensure that there is full disclose to the American people.

In recent weeks, we have seen several press reports that United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and other Federal agencies have been awarding no-bid or invitation-only contracts to firms for the rebuilding of Iraq.

For instance, one firm secured a $2 million Iraq school contract through an invitation-only process. USAID awarded an invitation-only contract for $680 million to rebuild Iraq's infrasture. A $50 million policing contract was awarded through a closed bidding process and so on.

I acknowledge that in some instances, noncompetitive contract will be awarded. USAID and others have argued that because of the need to move quickly, they chose to use noncompetitive procedure. The law clearly allows for these procedures. However, if a noncompetitive process is used, the American people have a right to know that it is being used and why it is being used. Section 1456 requires the Federal agencies to make these details public.

Section 1456 mirrors legislation offered in the Senate by Senators Wyden, Collins, and Clinton, S. 876, the ``Sunshine in Iraq Reconstruction Contracting Act of 2003.'' S. 876 is a bipartisan bill that sets out requirements for the government to publicly justify any closed bidding process used for Iraqi reconstruction work.

I thank Chairman Davis, Ranking Member Waxman, Chairman Hunter, and Ranking Member Skelton, and members of the Government Reform and Armed Services Committees, for their support of this straightforward, good- government provision.

I wholeheartedly support its inclusion in H.R. 1588.

Madam Chairman, I strongly urge a ``yes'' vote for the Sanchez amendment which will protect women's health and rights overseas.

War has just ended in Iraq and Afghanistan, yet we still have many servicewomen overseas who are risking their lives to protect our lives and our rights as U.S. citizens. One of those rights is a woman's right to choose, but women serving effectively lose this constitutional right at U.S. military bases where they literally cannot even pay for this medical procedure with their own money.

A male member of the Armed Services needing medical attention receives the best, but a female member needing a specific medical procedure must return to the United States, often at great expense, or go to a foreign hospital which may be unsanitary and dangerous. This is absolutely wrong. After over 200 anti-choice votes, this is yet another one.

Madam Chairman, I place in the Record a list of distinguished organizations that have come out in support of protecting women's rights overseas.

College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; The American

Association of University Women; National Women's Law Center;

American Medical Women's Association; Physicians for

Reproductive Choice and Health; The Bipartisan Pro-Choice

Caucus; Planned Parenthood; and NARAL.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the Samuel J. Tilden Democratic Club on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. In the past half-century, the organization has consistently led its community in discussing, addressing, and resolving important political issues.

Since 1953, when a group of Democrats became fed up with Tammany Hall and turned to the notion of an open political forum for inspiration, Tilden has prided itself on its diverse membership and progressive views. Tilden members represent a cross-section of the constituency, and the diversity of opinion makes the club a driving force and leader of the community. Tilden embraces the philosophical principles of Eleanor Roosevelt and Herbert Lehman and has led the efforts to address and resolve community issues for over five decades. Tilden's contributions to the community include improvements in healthcare, housing, education, social services, senior citizen needs, crime prevention, transportation and landmark designation.

The local reform Democratic club of the 74th Assembly District, the Tilden club is named after Samuel J. Tilden, Governor of New York from 1875-1876. During his ten years as state party chairman from 1865-1875, Mr. Tilden made history by successfully leading the overthrow of the Tammany Hall Boss Tweed. As the Democratic Party's candidate for President of the United States in 1876, he became the first candidate to win the popular vote but lose the Electoral College vote, and the election. Mr. Tilden's legacy of community activism and reform is reflected in the Tilden club.

Tilden serves its community and its members by facilitating open communication between constituents and their representatives in government. Tilden hosts forums where constituents meet and are able to speak with their elected officials and political candidates. As a result, the residents of the district are given an opportunity to directly voice their concerns about their state and government to those who serve it.

In addition to these activities, Tilden spearheads community service projects including annual street fairs, the proceeds of which are donated to community groups, hospitals, hospices, senior support groups, charities and social service organizations. Their annual ``Toys for Tots'' drive provides needy children with toys throughout New York City. Further, Tilden hosts an annual celebration honoring community and political heroes, recognizing those men and women whose efforts have made a difference in the community. Through all its efforts, Tilden focuses on improving the quality of life in our community, just as Governor Tilden worked to accomplish over a century ago.

The dedication and enthusiasm of the many members and friends of Tilden have made it an extraordinary and invaluable community organization. Over the last 50 years, Tilden has helped shape the development of the community, advocating for and preserving the quality of life for residents and families of the east side of Manhattan.

In recognition of these outstanding contributions, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Samuel J. Tilden Democratic Club on the occasion of their 50th Anniversary.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to express my deep frustration with the Majority's refusal to bring legislation to the Floor that will extend unemployment benefits for the nation's unemployed workers.

Two point seven million jobs have been lost in the first two years of this Administration. Millions of working men and women are facing difficult budget decisions in their own homes everyday. Parents are wondering if they will be able to send their children to college. They are wondering how they will pay their bills without spiraling further into debt. Yet the Republican Majority and this White House insist on more tax cuts. Mr. Chairman, our constituents have to balance their checkbooks each month. We could learn a lot from their example.

New York City has faced especially difficult times during the past two years. I have heard countless stories from my constituents who cannot find jobs in this uncertain economy. The effects of 9/11, especially on New Yorkers, cannot be ignored.

Why can't the House leadership bring to the Floor legislation that will actually help workers? It's time to help thousands of New York families and families across the country keep their homes, put food on the table, and avoid a devastating financial crisis.

It's time for the leadership to get serious about unemployment relief and to give us the opportunity to vote for legislation that will make a difference in the lives of workers.

I wholeheartedly support legislation introduced by Congressman Rangel which would extend Temporary Extended Unemployment Compensation for an additional 6 months. We must provide this necessary relief to America's unemployed.

Mr. Chairman, I urge a ``no'' vote on the previous question.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Tony Siano, whose commitment to

various organizations has helped make the local community a better place to live. In recognition of his many contributions to the community, Mr. Siano will be honored by the Astoria/Long Island City Kiwanis Club as ``Kiwanian of the Year.''

A lifetime New Yorker, Mr. Siano was born and raised in Brooklyn and attended New York University. As a young man, Mr. Siano joined the U.S. Navy and served as medic. After his honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy, Mr. Siano completed his education and received his degree in mortuary science.

An enthusiastic and dedicated community advocate, Mr. Siano is an active member of many organizations. Past president of the Astoria/Long Island City Kiwanis, Mr. Siano is now board chairman. Mr. Siano was also a CCD instructor, board president of Trinity Players, and has received the Walter M. Mitchie Community Service Award from the 114th Civilian Observation Patrol, and is involved with many other church and civic organizations.

Mr. Siano is also distinguished within his profession, having been honored with the Pursuit of Excellence Award since 1995 by the National Funeral Directors Association. Mr. Siano is presently vice president of Thomas Quinn and Son's Funeral Home, Inc. In addition, Mr. Siano is the vice president of the Broadway Merchants and Professionals Association.

Mr. Siano is described by his peers as a man of boundless energy and commitment to the community he has been a part of for the past thirty years. In recognition of these outstanding achievements, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Tony Siano as ``Kiwanian of the Year.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Louise Dankberg on the occasion of her retirement. Ms. Dankberg is an imcomparable leader who has consistently contributed to our community for over three decades in notable ways.

After 34 years, serving in a variety of positions, Ms. Dankberg is retiring from the New York State Department of Labor. Among her many achievements during her tenure, Ms. Dankberg has served as Loaned Executive to State Employees Federated Appeal (SEFA) of United Way, where she raised over $750,000 in six campaigns in 51 state agencies. As Executive Administrative Assistant to the New York City Director, Ms. Dankberg was responsible for major decisions of staff changes and successfully developed communications between branch offices and district managers. She also supervised 125 professional and support staff while serving as Job Service Supervisor. In addition, Ms. Dankberg acted to resolve issues, train new staff, and corresponded on behalf of the Governor and Commissioner of Labor in her role as Unemployment Insurance Supervisor of Telephone Call Center.

Through a variety of professional and civic activities, Ms. Dankberg has touched countless lives in the New York area. Ms. Dankberg has been very active within the New York State government. She has been the Female District Leader of the 74th Assembly District since 1993 and a New York State County Committee Member since 1973. She served as the Beth R. Cosnow Memorial Chairperson and as a New York State Commmitteewoman in 1993, and worked as a delegate to Supreme Court Judicial Conventions from 1971 to 1993. For over thirty years she has been a liaison with elected officials for the community

and has served various positions in the Samuel J. Tilden Democratic Club, including president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, and membership and program committees chairperson.

Ms. Dankberg has also been a campaign manager for various judicial campaigns for Supreme and Civil Courts, as well as a member for the 14th Congressional District Caucus and the Policy, Executive, and New York County Democratic Committees. Her contributions to the community include numerous community forums, street fairs, and political debates.

An eminent civic leader, Ms. Louise Dankberg has held positions in many organizations, such as the International Association of Personnel in Employment Security, the Public Employees Federation, of which she was a founding member, the Organization of Management Confidential Employees, the Center for Women in Government, Mission Employment Jobathons, and the Job Service Improvement Program. Through these various associations, Ms. Dankberg has played a significant role in aiding the community with issues concerning employment.

In addition to being a leader of organizations, Ms. Dankberg is a staunch community advocate, bringing local issues to surface. She is a founding member of the Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council and the East Side Rezoning Alliance. Ms. Dankberg is also an active member of Gramercy Neighborhood Associates, the Stuyvesant Park Neighborhood Association, the 22nd Street Block Association, and the Manhattan Neighborhood Council. She is a co-chairperson of the Neighborhood Advisory Board, which donates to target groups through the New York City Division of Youth and Community Development.

Fortunately for all of us, Ms. Dankberg is merely retiring from the New York State Department of Labor and not from public life.

In recognition of her outstanding accomplishments, I ask my collegues to join me in honoring Louise Dankberg on the occasion of her retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me honoring Mr. William Mecklenburg Polk, who has made outstanding contributions to American society. William Polk has truly distinguished himself throughout an extraordinary career in which he has served as a leader in the field of secondary education or almost four decades. During this time he has been an educator, coach, and mentor to thousands of students and colleagues.

For the last quarter century, William Polk has served with distinction as the headmaster of the Groton School in Groton, Massachusetts, one of the most rigorous and respected secondary schools anywhere in the world. This spring, he will preside over his final graduation ceremony before he and his wife, LuAnn, start their new life in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in what will no doubt be a very active retirement.

William Polk led the Groton School--his alma mater as well as that of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Governor and Ambassador Averell Harriman, countless leaders in every walk of American life, and several distinguished members of this body--with extraordinary wisdom and compassion throughout his tenure as Headmaster. His leadership helped assure that Groton's transition to a co-educational environment was successfully completed; helped usher the School through the onset of the digital age; and oversaw its entry into a new century. Fully half of the thousands of living Groton alumni know William Polk as their headmaster.

A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Trinity College, William Polk is an accomplished theologian who earned a Master of Divinity degree at Union theological Seminary after receiving a Rockefeller Fellowship. He has excelled in all the many roles in which he has served throughout his career--as a headmaster, teacher, theologian, coach, student, husband, father, athlete and role model for thousands of young men and women. William Polk truly embodies the Groton Scholl motto: ``To Serve Is to Reign.''

Mr. Speaker, I know that my colleagues will join me and two distinguished alumni of the Groton School, the Honorable Bobby Scott and the Honorable Jim Cooper, in recognizing the extraordinary achievements and contributions to American life made by Mr. William Mecklenburg Polk.

He is indeed an American of whom all of our colleagues and all Americans should be very proud.

Mr. Speaker, today, I introduce legislation that allows veterans to use their guaranteed VA loans to purchase co- operative housing units. FHA and other government agencies already have programs to give loans for co-operative residential units, and most banks accept co-operative shares as collateral. The Department of Veterans Affairs should do the same. For many veterans who live in communities where co-operative housing is common or where the cost of houses and condominiums can be high, a co-operative residential unit is an affordable alternative.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me, and for his leadership.

I rise in strong support of the bill and in opposition to the Pitts amendment. We must remember that HIV/AIDS is preventable. That is why I support the ABC approach to prevention, which encourages a balanced approach to preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS.

While we all believe that abstinence and fidelity are important methods of prevention, a full, balanced, and comprehensive range of options, including condoms, is a more responsible plan of attack; and attack is what we must do. We must attack this rampant epidemic with full force, full funding, and full freedom of information.

I remember when then Ambassador Richard Holbrooke first brought the issue of HIV/AIDS as a national security crisis to the U.N. Security Council. We quickly learned that HIV/AIDS is not only a public health crisis; it is an economic crisis, an international security crisis, and a moral crisis.

In Africa the need and the will to combat the spread of AIDS is there. What is missing is the resources. That is what this bill brings in. No country should struggle to rise out of poverty while fighting a disease that can cut life expectancy by as much as 30 years.

I strongly support this bill and commend the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), the ranking member, and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) and the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach) for their leadership.

Mr. Speaker, today, I introduce legislation that would grant citizenship to the spouses and children of legal immigrants who were killed on September 11, 2001. Additionally, this legislation would grant honorary citizenship to those legal immigrants who were killed in the attacks. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, left approximately 100 surviving spouses and children of legal immigrants in jeopardy of being deported, because their immigration status was linked to a family member who was employed at the World Trade Center. While the USA PATRIOT Act allowed these individuals to stay in the United States until September 10, 2002, that reprieve has expired. These individuals should not be forced to leave the country because of the actions of the terrorists.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the Women's Issues Network (WIN) of the Pancyprian Association of America on the occasion of their annual dinner dance. An outstanding community service organization in my district, WIN is dedicated to the education, health, and a better quality of life for the Astoria community. This year they will be honoring Kyriaki S. Christodoulou, for her invaluable service and commitment to the community.

Kyriaki S. Christodoulou was born in Klirou and raised in the suburb of Agios Dometios, Nicosia, the second of four children of the Christodoulou family. Ms. Christodoulou's, parents instilled in her and her siblings the value of education and hard work. Ms. Christodoulou and her siblings attended the Grammar School (Gregoriou) in Nicosia, now under occupation. During her high school years, she was very active in the Debating and Literary Societies and was twice awarded for here creative writing by the Pancyprian Youth Artistic Group (KLON). Following the invasion in 1974, she came to the United States to further her education.

Ms. Christodoulou attended Hunter College and earned a Bachelors degree in Sociology and a Master of Science in Social Research. During her studies, Ms. Christodoulou worked with a variety of international organizations including the Consulate General of Cyprus in New York, the Permanent Mission of Cyprus to the United Nations, the International Labor Organization Liaison Office in New York, the United Nations Division of Palestinian Rights, the Greek Tourism Organization and the National League for Nursing.

Since 1993, she has directed the Cyprus Children's Fund, a not-for- profit organization established in 1974 following the Turkish invasion of Cyprus to aid enclaved and needy Cypriot children. The Cyprus Children's Fund also administers annual scholarship awards.

Ms. Christodoulou's spirit of volunteerism has led her to active participation in several community organizations. She has held the positions of General Secretary for the Pancyprian Association Dancing Division, the Pancyprian Association Women's Issues Network (WIN), and the Panpaphian Association

of America. She served a 4-year term as the General Secretary of the Cyprus Federation of America, an umbrella organization representing Greek Cypriot associations and brotherhoods throughout the United States.

In addition, Ms. Christodoulou, who has a 14-year-old son, was President of the Parent-Teacher Association of the Greek Afternoon School of St. Demetrios and is currently serving on the School Board of the St. Demetrios Greek American School.

In recognition of these outstanding achievements, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Ms. Christodoulou and the Pancyprian Association's Women's Issues Network, for their passion and commitment to the betterment of the Astoria community.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Kind amendment and in opposition to H.R. 6. We need an energy policy that takes us forwards, not backwards. The Republican bill is not an energy policy. It does little to reduce America's dependence on oil, it weakens consumer and environmental protections, and it fails to include renewable alternative energy sources and robs the American people and the Treasury of oil and gas royalties.

The Kind amendment strikes the damaging oil and gas development programs which are heavily subsidized by the taxpayer. In particular, I support a provision that strikes section 30201, which I submitted as a separate, stand-alone amendment. Regrettably it was not put in order. The royalty-in-kind program, which requires the government to market and sell through an agent its percentage of oil and gas, is an anti- taxpayer, pro-industry provision that is a bad deal for taxpayers and a generous gift to the oil and gas industry. In an era of increasing budget deficits, we cannot afford to give away publicly owned resources to the oil and gas industry. Yet this section gives the Secretary of the Interior permanent ability to barter our oil and gas royalties instead of collecting cash that can go for programs in education and health care and to reduce our deficit.

Most of the world, even the former Soviet Union, is moving toward a free market system. Yet with this program in this bill, we are moving to a government-controlled system. In this system, the GAO report is so startling, it says there is no oversight, it will cost us money, and it says in this, the government relies on the oil companies to tell them what the worth of their oil is coming from government-owned, taxpayer- owned land. They can set the price. So it is not surprising the industry supports this so much. It gives them free rein.

Mr. Chairman, I include for the Record an editorial from the USA Today and the GAO report documenting the cost to the taxpayer for this program.

[From USA Today, Apr. 6, 2001]

More Public Drilling? Set Let's Collect Bills First

Bush administration plans to drill for oil and gas on

public lands will fuel environmental debate for months. But a

related

issue is being overlooked. Energy companies are cheating the

public on the oil they pump now.

Why give them new resources until they pay up?

So far the administration hasn't addressed the issue, but

by doing so it could burnish its quickly blackening image as

a poor steward of public resources.

USA TODAY disclosed Thursday an administration draft

recommendation to open millions of acres of public land for

drilling. That would add to existing drilling on federal,

state and Indian-owned land that accounts for more than one-

third of the USA's oil and gas operations.

By assorted estimates, the industry has shorted the

government on oil-royalty payments alone by about $100

million a year, through a variety of price-fixing and record-

fiddling games. That's almost 10% of the government's $1.1

billion annual collections.

What has made this possible is a system that allowed

industry to decide on its own what it would pay the

government for the oil it pumped.

Imagine going to a filling station and being allowed to

bring your own pump and gauge to figure what you've

purchased--and how much it's worth. That's essentially how

the industry has been allowed to account for oil and gas

taken from public land.

In case after case, sworn evidence shows companies

falsifying prices, using phony bills of sale and deliberately

misclassifying high-quality oil as low quality in order to

pay less.

After years of denials, stonewalling and evasion, more than

a dozen companies have agreed in recent months to settlements

totalling nearly a half-billion dollars in suits brought by

whistle blowers and government attorneys. Thus they avoided

defending themselves against daunting evidence of

persistently cheating the public. Shell Oil alone is paying

$110 million.

In one case that did go to trial, an Alabama jury recently

ordered Exxon Mobil to pay $87.7 million in overdue royalties

on oil taken from state property. The jury added a whopping

$3.42 billion in punitive damages.

Still more claims are pending in other state courts. And

similar questions are being raised about gas taken from

public property.

A new oil-royalty system adopted last summer is designed to

force the industry's payments to reflect more closely true

market prices. It is expected to boost revenues by $70

million a year or more.

But now the industry is trying to force the government to

accept payment in oil instead of cash. Its proposal would put

extra costs on the taxpayer totaling more than $300 million a

year, according to government estimates.

There's good reason to think the industry will get its way.

Oil and gas groups and individuals gave $9 million to the

Bush campaign and the Republican National Committee for the

2000 campaign, more than $20 million to GOP causes generally.

Another $6 million went to Democrats.

Additional drilling on public land may be useful to meet

the country's long-term energy needs. But if the nation's

mineral patrimony is to be sold off, the Bush administration

and Congress need to make sure it's for full price: without

private discounts for politicians' patrons in the oil

business.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor former prisoners of war, and to thank them for their bravery and dedication to our nation.

The United States military has no equal. Our servicemen and women are the best-trained and are the best-prepared to accomplish successfully their missions. However, as the war in Iraq has reminded us, we cannot always prevent the worst from happening.

The conditions for POWs, more often than not, are too difficult and too painful to imagine. I can only imagine the worry and the uncertainty that their families must feel each day until their loved one is brought home. The rescue of Jessica Lynch showed not only the commitment of our troops to finding their fellow servicemembers, but the bravery of Lynch herself, who stayed strong and focused.

Throughout history, America's military men and women have traveled around the world to fight for the causes of freedom and democracy. In this selfless pursuit, they knew that the battle would not always be easy. We owe them all an enormous debt of gratitude.

We cannot forget our veterans who helped to make this country what it is today and who have brought peace to other nations across the globe. Our nation's fighting men and women are currently engaged in a military conflict in Iraq. While they fight bravely for the principles upon which the United States was founded, we at home cannot turn our backs on veterans who deserve to have access to the benefits that they deserve.

Today, we recognize National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day. I believe that each day we should remember these brave individuals, and the sacrifices that they made for all of us.

Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding time to me, and I rise in strong opposition to this rule for many reasons, but also because one of my amendments, an amendment that would have struck an anti-taxpayer, pro-industry provision that is a terrible idea, will cost more money and is a generous gift to the oil and gas industry, striking this provision was not permitted with my amendment. We should not be giving the Interior Secretary permanent ability to use a barter system to collect payment for oil and gas removed from public land instead of just collecting cash based on fair market value.

The royalty-in-kind program, or this barter system, is a terrible idea, returning us to the murky days of industry dictating energy policy. The oil and gas industry has a long history of underpaying government and shortchanging the taxpayers; and in a bipartisan way, with former Member Steve Horn, we did a series of studies and reports that showed the industry was underpaying government. The Justice Department got in there and forced them to pay $425 million because they were underpaying the government.

When we finally moved them to a rule that was fair-market value, the industry pushed for the barter idea, the royalty-in-kind program. We had a pilot program that the General Accounting Office says they cannot even figure out how it works. They say they cannot even figure out how the royalty-in-kind program works, and the CBO says that it costs more money.

While the rest of the world is moving to the private sector managing resources under the direction of the oil and gas industry, the Federal Government, instead of taking cash or fair market dollars to the tune of $7 billion, now wants to manage these resources and resell them. It is a terrible idea. It costs money. It costs more money. It is a give- back to the oil and gas industry. It is outrageous. It should be struck from this bill.

Vote ``no'' on the rule.