Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to acknowledge the challenges facing Caribbean countries, and their leadership and to acknowledge the vital roles they play in the global community. As an example of the richness of the thinking in the region on the challenges faced by small states in their transition to the global economy, I enter in the Record a speech delivered by His Excellency Michael King, Ambassador of Barbados to the United States of America and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States. Comments made by Ambassador King were part of his address to the annual general meeting of the Caribbean Conservation Association (CCA), a membership organization dedicated to the preservation of Caribbean cultural and natural resources, held Friday, February 3, 2006.

Currently, the Caribbean region is undergoing a transformation, but changes could come with a steep price. Countries such as Jamaica and Barbados have seen a boom in real estate, primarily for local housing development and further growth will necessarily be contingent on the greater exploitation of natural resources. In Trinidad, the lucrative oil windfall may open opportunities for industrialization which will not only use scarce resources but will bring up concerns regarding safe disposal of waste byproducts and health ramifications in nearby communities. Natural disasters also pose a challenge as the Caribbean and the United States observed with the destruction of Grenada in 2004 by Hurricane Ivan. All governments must boost their preparedness in order to prevent devastation to families, homes and businesses.

In his remarks, Ambassador King explains that because of the CCA's unique mission, they are in a position to outreach to members who can influence change. ``Having gone through a period of dormancy, the organization must act quickly not just to confirm its relevance but to provide the mechanism whereby it can become the catalyst for a resurgence of the environmental movement in the Caribbean,'' Ambassador King said in his remarks. The Ambassador suggests continued collaboration between CCA and organizations dedicated to promoting agriculture and tourism in order to boost CCA's efficiency. He also recommends CCA becoming a vehicle for interventions related to community-based educational programs and alliances with fledging non- governmental organizations working in the field.

Mr. Speaker, again please join me in acknowledging the merit of Ambassador King's remarks regarding the challenges facing the Caribbean in this era of globalization and what can be done to protect and preserve the Caribbean's cultural resources and environment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to the many Black Fraternal, Social and Civic Institutions which have had such a tremendous impact and overall positive effect on African American life and history.

Established in an age when racial segregation and disenfranchisement plagued African Americans, the rise of each of the black fraternities and sororities bore witness to the fact that despite hardships, African Americans refused to conform to a status of inferiority.

These organizations, some which have been in existence since the early 1900s, have cut across racial, national, physical and social barriers, in order to make a difference educationally, socially, economically, and politically. They have proven to be an effective channel for social change and a recognized force in the struggle for civil and human rights.

Serving more than just their immediate members, these black fraternities and sororities known as the ``Divine Nine'' joined with other civic associations such as the Urban League, the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs, the Prince Hall Masons, the Eastern Stars, and so many others to provide service to the entire black community. It wasn't just the ``church'' that addressed the needs and answered the call of the black community, but it was these fraternal organizations that stepped up and took on that role as well.

Just who are the ``Divine Nine''? They are Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Nine strong, they promote interaction through forums, meetings and other mediums in order to exchange information and engage in cooperative programming and initiatives through various activities.

Other black social organizations also took the helm in addressing the concerns of the black community and like the fraternal organizations, represent the aspirations of many African Americans. They are The Links, Jack and Jill, 100 Black Men, and Rainbow/PUSH Coalition.

We look to and thank all of these organizations for striving to improve the quality of life within our communities, and enhance educational and economic opportunities for all African Americans. Their leadership and steadfast commitment to the betterment of our young people and our communities, has been and continues to be a tremendous success and of great inspiration.

May all of these fine and outstanding organizations continue to carry on their good work knowing that they have the admiration and support of the U.S. Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce into the Record an opinion piece by Bob Herbert in the February 16, 2006 edition of The New York Times entitled ``Mr. Vice President, It's Time to Go.''

Anyone who has been a long-time reader of Mr. Herbert's columns in the Times as I have knows Mr. Herbert has deplored the unshared sacrifice of this war, the fact that it is one small percentage of the people of this country who bear the burden of the war. He has been consistent in his criticism of the hubris of this administration and the secrecy surrounding everything it does. This is the most secretive administration in the Nation's history. Mr. Cheney is if not the designer of this secrecy policy, is certainly the most prominent member of the administration using the policy which he clearly believes allows him to keep secrets not only from the Congress, but also from the President.

Before the hunting incident now before the public's very interested eye, there are many

examples of Mr. Cheney's policy of not telling anyone anything. Going as far back as Mr. Cheney's meetings with the Energy mogul's who helped him shape this country's lopsided energy policies in which Exxon Mobile posted the greatest profits ever made in the history of this country last year when energy prices were so high some of America's poor have to depend on the charity of Hugo Chavez of Venezuela to make it through the winter.

Mr. Cheney is so secretive he implemented and managed a system of CIA prisons and torture cites in Europe called ``black sites'' which violated not only our laws and treaties but those of the European Union. And practically no one in the Congress of the United States knew anything about these prisons until the Washington Post disclosed their existence.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to the tri- island state of Grenada which celebrated its 32nd anniversary of independence Tuesday, February 7 and to enter

into the Record a Caribnews editorial celebrating how the country has overcome obstacles to persevere during its young existence.

Grenadians are resilient people who are dealing with trying times. As the editorial reads, ``Like many of its neighbors in and out of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, OECS, Grenada is facing some serious economic and social challenges. Crime has reared its ugly head and the galloping economic expectations of its young people are adding to the list of worries which need urgent attention.'' The editorial continues, ``As if those weren't enough, it has a pile of debt on its books to manage and reduce it.''

Despite these social issues and a violent political uprising in 1983 that subsequently led to a U.S. military presence and later the disastrous results of Hurricane Ivan, the people of Greneda have never faltered in showing the will to advance their country. Today, Grenadians continue to embrace their current stable parliamentarian, democratic government and highly respect the civil liberties afforded to them. As the editorial explains, ``Grenada, a nation, which has had more than its fair share of difficulties, has shown an amazing ability to see the glass as being half full when others looking on consider it half empty.''

It is this glowing optimism and resolve that makes the island of ``spice'' such a treasured nation in our global community. Mr. Speaker, please join me again in congratulating Grenadians in the United States, abroad and in their native homeland on their thirty-second anniversary of their glorious independence.

Much To Celebrate On Anniversary Of Independence

One of the most heart-warming scenes is that of a small

country, rising from the ashes left behind by natural and

national disasters, picking up the pieces, if you will, and

showing neighbors, even the wider world the stuff of which

resilience and legends are made.

Grenadians are one such people. After Hurricane Ivan struck

in 2004 and devastated the land of ``spice,'' killing 39

persons, leaving thousands homeless and wiping out almost all

of its infrastructure while coming close to tearing out the

soul of its inhabitants, a collective will emerge once again,

determined to rebuild and make the country of 90,000 people

even better than before.

Although Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique, the tri-

island state, is far from reaching its goal of a complete

recovery, it is well on the way, so much so that Standard &

Poor's, Wall Street's premiere credit rating firm, recently

hailed the efforts to return the country's finances to a

manageable and sound foundation.

That's quite an achievement in less than two years.

Aided by Caribbean help, international assistance and led

by Dr. Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister, the government reached

out to civil society, the trade unions, the church and other

limbs of society. In the process, the administration

marshaled the energy of the young and the middle-aged and the

wisdom of the senior folk to chart a new course and write a

new chapter in the nation's colorful history.

So, when it observed the 32nd anniversary of independence

on February 7 with church services, military parades, special

games and other activities, it was clear that Grenada had

much to thank God for and to celebrate.

Grenada, the most southerly of the chain of Windward

Islands, has traveled this road of disaster and

rehabilitation before. Almost a quarter of a century ago,

October 1983 to be precise, the People's Revolutionary

Government turned on itself, killing its leader, Maurice

Bishop and several of his ministers and senior government

officials. The resulting turmoil, including a dust-to-dawn

curfew imposed by the military triggered an invasion or a

U.S. ``rescue mission,'' depending on your point of view. The

country then set out to rebuild itself and by any measure, it

had succeeded. Its housing stock improved by leaps and

bounds; the infrastructure expanded and upgraded; the health

and education profiles brightened; and the economy was on a

growth path.

Then along came Ivan.

Like many of its neighbors in and out of the Organization

of Eastern Caribbean States, OECS, Grenada is facing some

serious economic and social challenges. Crime has reared its

ugly head and the galloping economic expectations of its

young people are adding to the list of worries, which need

urgent attention. As if those weren't enough, it has a pile

of debt on its books to manage and reduce.

But it has many things going for it as well. The nation has

a stable political environment that's based on the rule of

law and parliamentary democracy. Its respect for people's

civil liberties hasn't been tarnished by any abusive

practices and the main opposition forces led by the National

Democratic Congress are keeping Dr. Mitchell and his

government on their toes.

As in the case of its OECS neighbors Grenada must make good

on its pledge to join the Caribbean Single Market later this

year. It should have come home to Grenadians by now that they

can't afford to remain outside of the CSM and survive in a

globalized world. It must also move to recognize the

Caribbean Court of Justice, CCJ, as the judicial body of last

resort, a move that would end its long-standing relationship

with the Privy Council in London. Just as important, it must

continue to place education high on its agenda. The

investment in education, which got a major boost during the

days of the People's Revolutionary Government, is paying off

in the form of a strong human resource base.

Grenada, a nation, which has had more than its fair share

of difficulties, has shown an amazing ability to see the

glass as being half full when others looking on consider it

half empty. That positive approach to life has worked well

for its people in the past and we are confident that with

more international and regional help it would do so again.

Grenadians abroad, whether in New York, Miami, London,

Toronto, Birmingham or Port of Spain have been a well of

support from which the country has drawn some of its succor.

They too deserve praise at this time of celebrations.

Happy Independence anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, the modesty of the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus amazes even me, because destiny would have it that this is the last day of African History Month and he is the chairman of the historic Congressional Black Caucus. So that shatters protocol, and I thank him for his friendship, his support and the leadership that he has given to all Americans through the Congressional Black Caucus.

Today probably will be one of the closest days to bipartisanship that this august body has seen in a long, long time. And, of course, Chairman Ney is right: what a historic day that was when we went and saw how many tens of thousands of Americans were prepared to give up their lives, knowing the dangers of the Normandy beachhead.

We were there with Sam Gibbons and the leadership, and it did make all of us so proud to be Americans that day. We were not Republicans, Democrats or liberals; we were just so proud that we had this great Nation that had gone so far in providing her leadership for those who survived and for those who continue to serve.

We have 300 cosponsors of this bill in this body, and I am thoroughly convinced, Mr. Speaker, that the only reason we do not have the rest is that somebody on staff did not handle this right. Because there has been no one that has not felt proud to be able to say three things: thank you, thank you, thank you.

It is absolutely amazing how great this country is when you find young Americans, black as they may be, victims of racism though they may be, fighting to be able to defend this country against the Germans and the Italians and against the Japanese.

The NAACP fought and won the opportunity for this group of young people to be trained, even though the Army had already ruled that they could not be black airmen, or colored airmen or Negro airmen. So they won the right to put their lives on the line and share in the sacrifice to which this great Republic was attached.

I have to thank Barney Frank. He gave me all the questions to ask Chairman Oxley so that I could get the right answers in order to expedite the bill. And Mike Oxley has just been absolutely terrific, as has the Speaker in making sure that we guided this through the parliamentary procedure to be where we are today.

And talking about bipartisanship, Mr. Hunter, the chairman of the Defense Committee, joined in with Mr. Skelton, the ranking Democrat, to send a letter to all of his colleagues asking them to see their way clear to support this bill.

And, of course, the last is something that I have to thank Secretary Rumsfeld for. My book is not completed, and I am glad it is not, so I can thank him publicly for sending out a letter to the House and Senate recommending a gold medal for the historic Tuskegee Airmen. They fought not really just for black folks, but they fought for a better America. They fought for a better world. They were pioneers not only in fighting the war, but in showing and giving self-esteem to so many younger people, inspiring them to do what so many Americans just dream of doing, and that is to fly a plane in the defense of their country.

Even though they were denied all types of recognition during the time that they served, and even though they were subjected to all types of scourges by other people, they still continued to fight. There were 450 Tuskegee Airmen that served with the 99th Fighter Squadron and were able to then join with the 332nd Fighter Group in the 15th Air Force.

They flew 15,500 combat sorties, including more than 6,000 missions for the 99th Squadron before July 1944. Sixty-six pilots lost their lives and were killed in action. Thirty-two were

downed or became prisoners of war. And among the outfit they received 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 744 Air Medals, eight Purple Hearts and 14 Bronze Stars.

My colleagues, in all of the time that they were protecting American bombers on their missions from the United States to Europe, in all of that time, no matter how many times that they were shot down, they never lost a bomber, never lost a United States bomber throughout World War II. They set an example for all of us somehow to try to follow, and that is that the vestiges of slavery were not over then and they are not over now. And certainly, when we take a look at those brave young men and women that are fighting in Iraq, we cannot tell whether they are Republican or Democrats; and we do not care whether they are Black, White, or Brown. They are sharing the sacrifices that this great Nation is involved in.

I am so proud that because of my age, my community and my friendship, that the spirit of the Tuskegee Airmen is not involved with history books with me because one of those great airmen happens to be one of my very, very best friends, and that is Percy Sutton. Percy not only flew the planes but he was involved in intelligence and he provided the leadership, not just in the service, but became a leader in the civil rights movement and became a friend and advocate in support of Malcolm X, became the borough president of Manhattan, ran for mayor, and then when that did not work out, started out in business to become one of the most successful people in communication that we have had in the city and in the country.

And so, what did that mean to a Charlie Rangel, who came from a depressed community? We had one symbol of hope. It was not World War II. It was restoring the Apollo Theater, and he brought back the Apollo, and with the empowerment zones, I invite all of you to be my guest in seeing the restoration of a historic beautiful community, Harlem. And Percy Sutton is the father and the creator of giving that type of leadership to my hometown.

What about Roscoe Brown?

Listen carefully. Roscoe Brown, with a single-engine fighter, was the first American to shoot down a German jet, with a propeller plane, was the first to shoot down a German jet fighter plane. And after this, he did not give up his struggle. He continued in education, became president of a university, and today still teaches in the Harlem community.

Lee Archer. As you pointed out, Mr. Chairman, a guy who dreamed as a kid and fulfilled that dream and then finally went into business and even today, even though he is retired, provides the leadership for small business people and others.

As we salute these people today, it gives us an opportunity to think about today and tomorrow, where color should never be an issue with those people that should not have to put their lives on the line to be respected as being Americans who are fully entitled to all of the benefits.

And to the Members today, I am certain that I speak for the members of the Tuskegee Airmen, let this be the beginning. As we say thank you, let me never have to apologize for forgetting someone or not giving them an opportunity. Let this be the day where Democrats and Republicans can come together, ranking Members and majority Members, in saying as we look at the past and see where we made mistakes; let this be the guidance to provide leadership for all of us to avoid the opportunities in the future.

To all of you who have supported the bill, on behalf of those survivors and their families of the Tuskegee Airmen, I say three things: thank you, thank you, and thank you very much.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay homage to the Tuskegee Airmen, whose outstanding valor in World War II inspired revolutionary reform in the U.S. Armed Services. H.R. 1259 which I introduced on March 10, 2005 recognizes these achievements and on behalf of the people of the United States conferring upon the Tuskegee Airmen the Congressional Gold Medal, Congress' highest award. Today, I stand before this House with unbounded joy and pride as we prepare to enact this legislation honoring the Tuskegee Airmen who are still with us and honoring those who have passed on. I feel the joy of the wives and widows sons and daughters of Tuskegee Airmen who have waited a long time for this day.

I wish to thank the more than 300 Members of the House who signed on as cosponsors making this a truly bipartisan effort. I wish to commend particularly Chairman Michael Oxley and Ranking Member Barney Frank, of the authorizing Committee on Financial Services as well as Chairman Duncan Hunter and Ranking Member Ike Skelton of the Armed Services Committee who made a bipartisan appeal to the entire House in support of this bill. I would be remiss not to mention Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld who commended this bill to the Members of the House.

Mr. Speaker, celebrating Black History Month is an opportunity to reflect upon the innumerable contributions that Blacks have made to the advancement of American society and culture. People of color whether from the homeland in Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America or North America, they have been more than instrumental in shaping the social complexion of America and humanity.

It was Carter G. Woodson in 1926 who initiated ``Negro History Week'' in the United States to promote ``a better understanding of the contributions'' of Blacks to human civilization. This noble effort 80 years ago has been successful in informing people all over the world about the numerous contributions of Blacks. It has also aided in reshaping and negating distortions that historians have in many cases intentionally promulgated. Black History Month continues to amplify accurate depictions and narratives about a myriad of global endeavors. These undertakings have drastically improved the daily lives and landscape of the world.

Individuals such as Pianky, the military genius and Black King of Nubia who conquered Egypt around 700 BC; Antar, the African-Arabian poet and story teller; and Abram Hannibal, the soldier and commander of 18th century Russia to Chaka who led South Africa until his assassination in 1828 all exemplify and indicate historic contributions to society. ``Their presence and deeds underscore an essential reality: Blacks have been part and parcel of world history, from exploration and revolution to scientific and other achievements.''

Other notable achievements encompass pioneering the making of iron, valuable works of art, carved stones into historic ornaments and statues, the conversion of oil-bearing plants for both medical and dietary purposes. Early contributions also include developing cereal and transformation of a wild plant into cotton which led to the art of weaving. Additionally, people of color are among the earliest farmers who produced wheat, groundnuts, yams and watermelon.

Other accomplishments within the past 150 years, include performing the first open heart surgery, produced scientific evidence of cell life and metabolism, pioneered in blood plasma preservation, invented the inhalers used by rescue workers at disaster sites, created communication devices that allowed conversations between fast moving trains, invented machines that allowed for the mass production of shoes and improved the efficiency of lubricating systems used in large industry today.

This impressive list is not exhaustive of all the global contributions of people of color. However, it illustrates the vital contributions to America and the world. As we think about democracy in this country, people of color have been at the fore in pursuing ``A more perfect Union.'' Consider Rosa Parks who refused to give up her seat on a bus, which sparked the Montgomery County Bus Boycott and the Civil Rights Movement. Also, it would be hard to think about American Democracy without Martin Luther King Jr. and his leadership and dream to bring the ideals of democracy into reality for all Americans.

In his 1970 essay, ``What America Would Be Like Without Blacks,'' Ralph Ellison argued that ``Whatever else the true American is, he is somehow Black.''

[CaribEditorial, Feb. 7, 2006]

Important Role of People of African Descent

The name Dr. G. Carter Woodson means little to most

Americans, West Indians or Africans. Indeed, only a minority

of people in Virginia, Woodson's birthplace, ever heard of

the former coal miner who graduated high school at the age of

21 years, but later earned a Ph.D. from Harvard University in

1912, around the time when thousands of West Indians,

especially Jamaicans and Barbadians, were immigrating to

Panama to help build the world-famous canal.

But, as more and more people, Black and White in the United

States, the Caribbean, Canada, Africa, and elsewhere observe

Black History Month, they are learning that it was Dr.

Woodson who initiated ``Negro History Week'' in 1926 in the

U.S. to promote ``a better understanding of the

contributions'' of Blacks to human civilization.

Woodson's fledgling effort 80 years ago has since become an

international phenomenon, one in which millions of people,

Black and White, observe Black History Month. Caribbean and

African nations may have joined the observances a bit late,

but we believe in the old adage better late than never.

For, in the process, Black History Month is helping to

shape our thinking and negate the

destructive effects of historiographies, which either

deliberately distorted or ignored the positive roles of Black

people in almost every aspect of life on the planet.

Clearly, time has proven Dr. Woodson right.

Undoubtedly, Black History Month is bringing to the fore

important and accurate narratives about the multifaceted

chapters Blacks have written in advancing global human

development.

From their ancestral homeland in Africa to North America,

the Caribbean, Latin America, and other parts of the world,

people of color have been instrumental in improving the daily

lives of human beings everywhere.

Names that run the gamut from Pianky, the military genius

and Black King of Nubia who conquered Egypt around 700 BC;

Antar, the African-Arabian poet and storyteller; and Abram

Hannibal, the soldier and commander of 18th century Russia to

Chaka who led and forged the proud Black nation of South

Africa until his assassination in 1828 dot the pages of

history.

Their presence and deeds underscore an essential reality:

Blacks have been part and parcel of world history and were

present from exploration and revolution to scientific and

other achievements.

Blacks from Africa pioneered in the making of iron,

fashioned precious stones into historic ornaments, statues,

and valuable works of art; and used oil-bearing plants for

both medicinal and dietary purposes. The developed cereal and

transformed a wild plant into cotton, thus opening up the

world to the art of weaving. They were among the world's

first farmers, producing wheat, groundnuts, yams,

watermelons, and possibly coffee.

In the past 150 years, Black inventors and pioneers created

the key devices that perfected the overall lubrication

systems used in large industry today; invented the lasting

machine that revolutionized the mass production of shoes;

created the means to communicate between fast-moving trains;

came up with the inhalators used by rescuers at sites where

disasters have occurred; performed the first successful open-

heart surgery; produced scientific evidence of cell life and

metabolism; and pioneered in blood plasma preservation, more

commonly called blood banks.

These are but a handful of the exploits of Blacks, deeds

which were previously shunted aside but have since been

recognized through the study of history by and of Blacks.

Along the way that historical record gained prominence in

books, scholarly papers and presentations in classrooms,

libraries, newspaper and magazine columns, and in special

radio and television programs.

If knowledge is power, then it stands to reason that we in

the United States, the Caribbean and Africa have much to gain

from the information and the results of academic and

scientific inquiry, which Black History Month and other

observances inspire.

People everywhere owe Woodson a debt a gratitude for his

pioneering action that effectively promoted the

institutionalization of Black History as an academic

discipline and as a vehicle that has made us all aware of the

truth of the valuable contributions of Blacks to

international development.

He was driven to act because he complained in the 1930s

that while white historians used textbooks to persuade

students and others that Blacks couldn't ``subject passion to

reason,'' they failed to teach them the authentic stories of

African achievement.

Dr. Woodson argued, quite correctly, that the knowledge of

``real history'' would liberate people of African descent

from mental slavery and inspire to demand social equality

while upsetting the ``oppressor in America and the colonizer

in Africa.'' Add the Caribbean to that equation and the

international scope of his efforts would become clear.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to enter into the Record ``Witness for Justice # 248'' entitled Tsunamis, Floods and Earthquakes; Seen and Unseen, published December 26, 2005 by the United Church of Christ of Cleveland, Ohio. The article eloquently written by Rev. Sala W.J. Nolan, Minister for Criminal Justice and Human Rights of this Church on 700 Prospect Ave. in Cleveland reminds us of the existence of unseen tsunamis, floods and earthquakes that continue to overrun communities around the world--stifling the voices of those forgotten. Recalling the 2005 Indian Ocean tsunami that killed nearly 300,000, and Hurricane Katrina that took the lives of more than 1,000 Gulf Coast residents, leaving even scores more homeless and displaced, Rev. Nolan speaks of unseen tsunamis, floods and earthquakes that manifest throughout the world in the form of racism and other forms of injustice. ``They take place in U.S. prisons, which house one-fourth of all prisoners in the world and young Black men exist at 8 times the population rate of the Black men of South Africa at the height of Apartheid,'' explains Rev. Nolan. The ``invisible flood of incarceration'' as described by Rev. Nolan--the imprisonment of our Black and Hispanic youth--is robbing our communities of future entrepreneurs, doctors, lawyers, political and community leaders and tearing them away from their families--leaving them to languish and surrender their dreams within a less-than-colorblind criminal justice system with a swift, revolving door.

I also join Rev. Nolan in her concern over the erosion of freedoms not protected in a political environment where the Republican- controlled White House and Congress have mistakenly justified the infringement of personal freedoms for the sake of a safer America. Rev. Nolan says that since the PATRIOT Act has passed, ``our government has acquired vastly broadened authority to monitor, arrest and detain citizens. We have learned that freedoms not protected will erode.'' Since the 2001 terrorist attacks, the Bush administration has jailed and deported immigrants who have been living in our country for many years, obeying our laws, contributing to our society and working hard to support their families. It has created an atmosphere of fear and suspicion of anybody who seems to be a foreigner. We must force this secret tsunami to retreat off our lands and we must restore freedoms to those left most victimized by the misplaced political zeal for power--the poor, the enslaved, and the tortured.

I join Rev. Nolan in all her concerns and her wish for a more just America free of unseen tsunamis, floods and earthquakes. Witness for Justice #248, Dec. 26, 2005.

Tsunamis, Floods and Earthquakes: Seen and Unseen

(By Sala W.J. Nolan)

As 2005 draws to a close, we have much suffering to

address. The tsunami of last December 26 still reverberates

throughout the world. The worst hurricane season in U.S.

history has damaged the Gulf Coast in ways that will extend

to generations. And an earthquake has devastated Kashmir,

where relief is terribly complicated by Indian and Pakistani

political claims.

The events were life shattering and will leave enduring

legacies. They are especially notable because of the human

suffering that was unmasked. We saw aging and Africa-American

citizens in the wake of Katrina, without food and water or

medical care, left abandoned on bridges and in nursing homes

and sports arenas. The visible poverty among so many citizens

of the richest country in the world--and their utter

abandonment by the institutions obligated to serve them--

shocked the planet.

Every day there are unseen tsunamis, floods and

earthquakes. They take place in U.S. prisons, which house

one-fourth of all

the prisoners in the world and young Black men at eight-times

the population rate of the Black men of South Africa at the

height of Apartheid. They happen among immigrants in the

housing projects of France. They occur among the farmers of

Vieques and fishers of the Marshal Islands whose livelihoods

and health have been damaged by years of bomb testing and

with school-aged children in broken neighborhoods; with

Afghan nationals in the cells of Guantanamo; and in secret

prisons in Eastern Europe and Saudi Arabia. All over our

world, where governments and institutions fail to protect

their citizens or actively harm them, the earthquake happens.

And when those who suffer are forgotten, the devastation is

terrible.

Consider the political activists who were imprisoned in the

late 1960s and 1970s. Richard Williams was one of them.

Following 9/11, he was placed in isolation for 15 months

without cause. He was given poor medical care, which often

occurs in prison. He passed this month, at the age of 58, and

we remember him. Remember Marilyn Buck, Leonard Peltier,

Oscar Lopez and others who have languished in prison.

Remember Assata Shakur, who has a price on her head. In June,

ten environmental and animal protection activists from the

San Francisco Bay area were subpoenaed to a grand jury after

police raids failed to produce evidence of criminal

wrongdoing. Since the Patriot Act passed, our government has

acquired vastly broadened authority to monitor, arrest and

detain citizens. We have learned that freedoms not protected

will erode.

Recently, I traveled to the Gulf Coast after the

hurricanes, carrying supplies and assessing what we could do

to help. I met a little boy, about 10 or 11, collecting toys

for his younger brother and sister. When his turn came, there

were no appropriate toys in the can for him. He turned away,

dejected. Then I remembered that my 5-year-old niece had

given me her most precious rubber frog and told me to give it

to somebody special. I pulled the frog out of my pocket and

gave it to the boy. His face lit up and he ran off with it,

laughing and teasing his little brother. In that moment, the

disaster was forgotten and he was just a boy again.

The prisons of the U.S. hold fathers and mothers whose

children, more likely than not, will grow up in an earthquake

of poverty and chaos. You probably know some of them, because

the invisible flood of incarceration is enormous, but you may

not know the secrets that keep because discrimination is a

powerful force in their lives. Remember them. What could you

do for the children? What could you do for someone who is

ill? How much could be done by remembrance and a well-placed

word for political prisoners and indigenous peoples of

contaminated lands. Remember those who suffer from the secret

tsunamis of out world today, and consider that is in your

hand. What will you do with what you have?

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Caribbean leaders for their achievement of the Caribbean Single Market Economy and to enter into the Record a Caribnews editorial celebrating this milestone. The CSME--the initial phase of a historic regional economic integration project uniting 13 countries within the Caribbean-- culminates a movement that was years in the making.

With the creation of this newest trade bloc that includes Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, the countries have agreed to lift tariffs and allow all citizens to open businesses. In conjunction with Antigua, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the countries will also be able to provide services and move capital throughout the single market without restrictions. The implications of the CSME are sweeping, with plans advancing to replace national travel documents with a regional passport and the possibility of a common currency to be used by participating countries and a consolidation of economic policies.

The CSME is a fitting and progressive response to the evolving global environment characterized by disappearing borders. I have full faith that CSME will create a larger spectrum of opportunities for employment, investment, production and trade for the people of the Caribbean islands. The coming together of regional economies into one bloc will undisputedly give the countries strength in facing other trade blocs and superpowers across the negotiating tables.

Mr. Speaker, please join me again in congratulating the leaders of the participating' bean nations for forging ahead with the CSME and wishing them well in their next steps.

Caribbean Single Market: Sealed, Signed and Delivered

``Sealed,'' stated one front-page newspaper headline in the

Caribbean on Tuesday morning.

``Caribbean leaders sign on formal document,'' hailed

another paper.

And a third publication completed the process when it made

it clear that the pact had been ``delivered.''

In effect, the Caribbean Single Market, the long awaited

important step towards deep economic and social integration

had moved closer to completion when several CARICOM leaders

signed on the dotted line on Monday, committing their

countries to be bound by and live up to the provisions of the

treaty establishing the CSME.

The signing took place, quite appropriately, on the Mona

campus of the University of the West Indies, the

quintessential Caribbean educational institution, and the

occasion wasn't simply historic but vital if the countries of

the region are to realize their full potential.

Admittedly, there were some unfortunate aspects of the

ceremony. One of them was a hard fact of Caribbean life: at

least one nation, the Bahamas, opted out all together while

Haiti, a country in chaos with a dysfunctional interim

government wasn't invited to the party. Another setback, of

sorts, was the decision by the members of the Organization of

Eastern Caribbean States to push back the deadline for their

implementation of the CSM. Originally, the deadline was

January 1, then it was moved to March and now we are being

told that it would be the end of June. Don't be surprised if

the OECS countries demand another extension.

The countries, which are moving ahead with the CSM, are

Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and

Tobago. Antigua, Dominica, Grenda, St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Lucia

and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the OECS nations are

coming on board during the second half of the year.

The pact, a work in progress, calls for the removal of all

barriers to trade in goods and services, limited freedom of

movement by a handful of skilled people, such as UWI

graduates, sports figures and journalists, the setting of a

regional standard for goods being produced in or entering the

region from other countries and recognition of Caribbean

Court of Justice. Eventually, it could result in a common

currency and the harmonization of economic policies.

What it wouldn't involve is a political union.

These desirable and important objectives should become a

reality by 2008, the year when the CSME should become fully

implemented. No one should under-estimate the complexity and

the challenges the region faces as it moves forward.

Jamaica's Prime Minister, P.J. Patterson, underscored that

point when he cautioned the leaders and others at the signing

ceremony ``formidable challenges still exist as we move

boldly forward in the pursuit of closer regional

collaboration within a global economy that is admittedly

hostile to the interest of small island developing nations.''

The problem for small states is that global competitiveness

can undermine economic growth, slowdown social development

and diminish competitiveness. As if those weren't bad enough,

the mountains of red tape and the foot-dragging by some

countries can reduce the CSM's effectiveness and appeal.

But there is little reason to despair.

When Caribbean Free Trade Agreement, CARIFTA, the

forerunner of CARICOM and CSME, it started with three

countries--Antigua, Barbados and Guyana. The list grew in

later years. That's likely to happen with the CSME.

Secondly, the Caribbean Court of Justice is now a

functioning judicial body. Yes, it's true that only Barbados

and Guyana have so far accepted the CCJ as their court of

last resort, relinquishing the necessity to turn to the Privy

Council in London as the final arbiter. Again, foot-dragging

is standing in the way of a broader court. Political

considerations in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago have turned

out to be roadblocks for expansion but that's not the case in

the OECS.

A word about the OECS and its reasons for not signing the

final acceptance on Monday. The members are pushing for the

creation of a Caribbean Development Fund, which would help

bridge the gap in finance, which the elimination of tariffs

would create. That's a realistic situation, one that the

larger economies have recognized and are trying to solve. The

Fund must be established, no ifs, ands or buts.

Interestingly, Edwin Carrington, CARICOM's long-serving

Secretary-General, in his speech on Monday borrowed from the

lyrics of one of Bob Marley's most popular songs, ``One

Love,'' and invoked the memory of that great Caribbean icon

when he insisted ``Let's get together and feel alright, I say

let's stay together and be all right.''

We may be some distance away from achieving that

togetherness but at the very least we are on the road to it

becoming a fact of life.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Army Spec. Sergio Antonio Mercedes Saez, a 23 year old soldier who lost his life on Sunday, February 5th in Iraq. He leaves behind a grieving family and a legacy of service and sacrifice of which our community is proud.

Mr. Mercedes, born in Puerto Rico, split his childhood between New York's Washington Heights and his parents' native Dominican Republic before enlisting in the military three years ago. He was serving his second tour of duty, assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, when the vehicle that he was riding accidentally rolled over in a canal.

Like so many of our young people, Mr. Mercedes was full of hopes and dreams, not only

for himself, but also for his wife Jocelyn and his soon to be born son, which they had agreed to name Christopher Alejandro. He planned on bringing them both back to live in my district, where so many of his family still live and where he could take advantage of his G.I. benefits to get an education.

Yet, he also knew that our freedom was not a gift but a right that had to be earned and secured through shared sacrifice. So although he had his whole life ahead of him, he did not hesitate to serve his country. He answered the call when asked to share the load of this war.

I know that his family, both in Washington Heights and the Dominican Republic, are pained by his death. His loved ones, including his wife, his mother Carmen and his father Sergio Antonio, will never get to see the smile that so often lit up their lives.

Yet they can be proud of the way he served his country. We can all celebrate the life he led, the example he showed and the legacy he left for his son and his community. And we can make sure that the gift that he and other soldiers have given to us is never forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, the devastation of Hurricane Katrina exposed what America did not want to see. Beyond the tragedy of this natural disaster, Katrina shined a spotlight on America's poor and disadvantaged. The convenience of disregarding the plight of the poor came to an abrupt halt as a result of Katrina and its aftermath. Katrina pulled the cover off of what prior reports by the U.S. Census Bureau found, which stated for the past four years, the poverty rate has steadily increased; which is a reverse trend from 1993 to 2000.

Katrina also exposed the gross disparities relating to poverty in America. According to the Census Bureau 2004 report, the Black poverty rate of 24.7 percent is almost twice that of the general population. This translates to about 9.4 million African Americans, almost one in- four living below the poverty line. Consequently, those affected by the Katrina devastation were disproportionately Black and poor. Despite the rhetoric of conservative pundits who claim that poverty in the Black community is due to irresponsibility, statistics show that individuals living below the poverty line are hard working citizens who go to work everyday. It should be underscored that poverty is a result of a lack of income. Americans fall into poverty simply because they do not have enough financial resources. So it is plausible that even when people are working in the market place they can still fall into poverty. Statistics show that one-in-ten African Americans above 16 who were poor worked full-time jobs.

Furthermore, 37 million Americans are living in poverty. Statistics in 2004 indicate that 13 million American children lived below the poverty line, translating into three-in-seventeen. This was an increase of roughly 200,000 from 2003, which means 3,000 children were falling into poverty each week. Moreover, African American children under the age of 18 consist of 43 percent of all poor African Americans. Senior citizens, those 65 and older, have a poverty rate of 23.8 percent. In comparison with other counterparts, statistics show that more African Americans and Hispanics are in poverty at a higher rate than whites and other racial classifications. African American children represent 17 percent of American children, but they make up 31 percent of all poor children in America.

Conservatives are quick to attribute poverty to dysfunctional family structures. However, renowned economist such as William Springs suggests that this is a gross over simplification. He contends that poverty is the ``result of economy-wide forces and public policy.'' Mr. Speaker, I share this analysis, hence, it places the onus on policy makers to enact legislation centered on relieving the burden poverty. After the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 the Black poverty rate decreased to 32.2 percent. During the years of 1993 to 2000 which were marked by strong fiscal policy the poverty rate for African Americans dropped annually.

Katrina exposed America's weakness, not only in the Federal Government's delinquent response, but also relative to our inability to address poverty particularly in the minority community. As we consider the 2007 fiscal budget, we must see the opportunity to provide provisions that alleviate poverty in the Gulf Coast and urban communities across the Nation. Tax cuts for the wealthy and the slashing of social programs will not suffice.

Mr. Speaker, a recent article in the ``The Crisis'', entitled Poverty in America: The Poor are getting Poorer, by William E. Spriggs captures the statistical data and reports that highlight the issue of poverty in America, especially the disparities as to race.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 35th anniversary of the founding of the Africare organization. Africare is the oldest and largest African-American led organization committed to providing direct aid to the African continent--a leader in the fields of long-term sustainable development and health care, especially with regard to HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention.

The thousands of African families who have benefited through Africare's humanitarianism stand as a testament to the power of the organization's selfless mission. I am proud to offer my congratulations to Africare for many years of service embodying one of our Nation's most commendable ideal--extending our hand and heart to our fellow brothers and sisters throughout the world.

Africare helps Africa. Over the course of its history, Africare has become a pioneer among private, charitable U.S. organizations assisting Africa. The organization has supported hundreds of grassroots projects in Africa that have changed the lives of families living on the continent. Africare's programs address needs in the principal areas of food security and agriculture as well as health and HIV/AIDS. Africare also supports water resource development, environmental management, basic education, microenterprise development, governance initiatives and emergency humanitarian aid. Africare reaches families and communities in 26 countries in every major region of Sub-Saharan Africa, from Mali to South Africa and from Senegal to Mozambique.

The founders of Africare had a vision--to transform the lives of Africans and infuse into the often-forgotten and deprived continent much needed sustenance. In 1970, West Africa was suffering through one of the most severe droughts in its history which threatened the livelihood of livestock and crops. Villagers were fleeing their homes in search of water. Millions of human lives held in the balance.

Among those providing help--medical aid in Niger--were 17 American volunteers, led by Dr. William Kirker, and his wife Barbara. Together they named their group ``Africare.'' The Kirkers themselves had been working in Africa, to improve African health care, since 1966. Although the work by the Kirkers was invaluable, more was needed to be done to stifle the

crisis sweeping through the area. Diori Hamani, then president of the Republic of Niger, sought more support from the U.S., in particular from the African-American community. C. Payne Lucas, then director of the Peace Corps Office of Returned Volunteers in Washington was one individual who answered the call. He went on to become the first president of Africare, spending 30 years at the organization. He brought a unique blend of passion and steadfast commitment during his 40-year career in African development.

Under the leadership of the Kirkers and Lucas, Africare flourished and continued to make valuable contributions towards the development of the African continent. At the annual Africare dinner last October the 13th, the founders of Africare were recognized in remarks made by Africare vice president Jeannine Scott. The event was attended by notable individuals including that year's Africare Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award recipient, General Colin Powell, the former U.S. Secretary of State, Mr. Alphonso Jackson, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Dorothy Height, president emeritus of the National Council of Negro Women, and my colleagues Representatives William Jefferson of Louisiana and Barbara Lee of Texas, as well as other civil and business leaders.

At the anniversary dinner, Africare vice president Jeannine Scott introduced the founders of Africare and recounted the story of how the organization was founded. I thought it would be useful for you to understand the history of the organization and I therefore ask that the text of her speech be entered into the Record.

Presentation of the Founders of Africare

(By Jeannine B. Scott)

Dr. Kirker and his wife Barbara are here with us tonight

and we are honored to pay tribute to them and the vision they

had to found an organization to initially respond to the many

health care needs of our brothers and sisters in Africa.

In addition to these founders, we have with us some of the

first volunteers who served with them. They are:

James Sattler, an attorney in Hawaii who donated his

services at the very beginning of Africare's life;

Joan Victoria Saccardi--a volunteer on Africare's very

first trip to Africa, and who faced her own bouts of illness

while carrying out the work she believed in;

And Cosco Carlbom was also one of the dedicated volunteers

on the very first trip, providing vital technical expertise

and was one of only a handful of volunteers to complete the

entire two-year mission.

Please join me in welcoming these very first Africare

pioneers.

Another early Africare supporter, Myra Takaski, was not

able to join us here tonight. Through the Savings and Loan

she headed, Ms. Takaski provided Africare with all the

clerical and support services the young organization needed.

Our thoughts are with her this evening.

Out of the looming dilemma that Africa was facing, His

Excellency Ambassador Oumarou Youssoufou, the First Secretary

at the Niger Embassy, contacted his old friend C. Payne Lucas

who had been Peace Corps director in Niger, beseeching him

on the part of then president Hamani Diori to lend his

expertise and leadership to the organization.

Ambassador Youssoufou and Mr. Lucas discussed the idea. Mr.

Lucas was then working at the Peace Corps headquarters in

Washington and was interested in new ways to improve the

quality of life in Africa. C. Payne also remembered a

question that had been posed to him years earlier by

President Diori: ``Why don't black Americans, whose ancestors

came from the continent, respond to the needs in Africa?''

Mr. Lucas agreed to assume the leadership of the

organization, insisting on two important conditions. The

first was to expand Africare's focus to include not only

health, but water and agriculture as well. His second

condition was to ensure that the organization would be rooted

in the African-American community and would serve to educate

all Americans about Africa--its human, spiritual, historical,

and material wealth.

With these objectives on the table, Mr. Lucas became the

first executive director of Africare. He reincorporated the

organization in Washington, D.C. and recruited another Peace

Corps staff member Dr. Joseph C. Kennedy to serve as his

deputy.

With an interest-free loan of $30,000 and a second-hand 4x4

vehicle turned over to the program in Niger after a cross-

Saharan trek--both provided by a dedicated benefactor, the

late Mrs. Lorraine Aimes Watriss--the ``reborn'' Africare was

on its way.

For the next year, the only paid employee of Africare was a

secretary. C. Payne himself accepted no salary and donated

the basement of his house as Africare's first office. In

addition to grants, Africare collected donations from

ordinary people, often just a few dollars, or nickels and

dimes and Mr. Lucas would say, at a time. Seeing the value of

organization, the Nigerian Embassy then agreed to house

Africare, volunteering the first floor of its Chancery near

Dupont Circle.

It was surely not easy. But the vision and sincerest of

commitments were its impetus to succeed. And succeed, I am

sure ladies and gentlemen you will agree they did!

It is from these humble beginnings that the Africare you

see, know and support today emerged and grew under the

guidance of Mr. Lucas and Dr. Kennedy.

Thanks to their 30+ years of efforts, energy, sacrifice,

risking their careers and more, a solid foundation was laid:

Enabling the original vision to become a true and tangible

reality;

Fostering a legacy that has led to the transfer of over

half a billion dollars for more than 2,000 economic and

humanitarian assistance projects to some 36 countries

throughout Africa;

Touching over 2 million lives directly on the continent;

Training and mentoring hundreds, if not thousands of young

Africans and Americans to follow in their footsteps;

Constructing Africare House--home to many whose convictions

and activities embrace Africa;

Educating the American people of the greatness that is

Africa!

In honoring our founders this evening I would like to ask

Dr. and Mrs. Kirker, along with the first Africare volunteers

present here tonight, Mr. Sattler, Ms. Saccardi, and Mr.

Carlbom, to join me here on the stage.

I would also like to acknowledge His Excellency Ambassador

Oumarou Youssoufou. He could not be with us tonight, but is

ably represented by his daughter Zouera Youssoufou. I would

like to invite her onto the stage in her father's place.

I would also like to call a teacher, colleague, my

professor and friend, Dr. Joseph C. Kennedy to join us here

on stage.

And finally, I have the distinct honor to call a visionary

leader and guide, and my mentor, Mr. C. Payne Lucas.

It is truly an honor for us to pay tribute to all of you

here tonight. Please join me, ladies and gentlemen, in

welcoming Africare's earliest pioneers and leaders: Dr.

William Kirker and Mrs. Barbara Kirker, Mr. Sattler, Ms.

Saccardi, and Mr. Calbom, Dr. Joseph C. Kennedy and Mr. C.

Payne Lucas--the people who made tonight's 35th anniversary

possible.

I ask that the text of a statement by Africare president Julius E. Coles which outlines Africare's work today also be entered into the Record.

Although Africare's initial focus was on providing medical

care to the needy of Africa, the methods used to raise the

standard of living in Africa soon grew more diverse.

When C. Payne Lucas took the helm of Africare in 1972, he

saw that in order to make a meaningful difference in the

lives of Africans, the organization had to do more than

provide occasional medical care. In order to change the

situation in Africa, Africare would also have to assist

Africans in gaining access to the tools necessary to take

control of their own lives.

Following in Lucas's vision, Africare has focused on three

main areas: health and HIV/AIDS, humanitarian relief, and

food security. Over the years, we have developed close

working relationships with African governments.

By working in tandem with governments at the national and

local levels, as well as with countless communities and

villages throughout Africa, we have shown ourselves to be

trustworthy partners in development.

In response to Africa's need for additional medical care,

we have committed ourselves to addressing the health issues

that adversely affect the families we serve. Africare's

programs have a strong HIV/AIDS component that tackles an

entire spectrum of issues related to the disease. HIV/AIDS

awareness and education programs focusing on concrete

behavior change given the people we work with the

knowledge they need to keep themselves safe from

infection. Africare also works to address the needs of

people living with AIDS and provide care for children

orphaned by the disease.

Africare has also taken steps to encourage stable, long-

term increases in the standard of living. Africare's Food For

Development staff members in countries across Africa help

locals to achieve food security by delivering food supplies

and providing technical assistance to local farmers. Using

food resources and funds ftom the U.S. government, Africare

administers both emergency food distribution as well as Food

For Work programs in which food supplies are exchanged for

community service. Africare staff also helps locals to

maximize the productivity of their land through modern

farming techniques. By planting new crops and using

innovative farming methods, African families can increase

their annual yield and better withstand otherwise disastrous

events like droughts and famines.

Africare also provides humanitarian relief services to

victims of natural and manmade disasters across Africa. Our

current programs distribute Title II food supplies to victims

of famine and drought. Africare also works intensively with

refugees to ensure that people forced to flee their homelands

are provided not only with the supplies they need to survive,

but the skills and resources to rebuild damaged societies.

In addition to the three pillars of health and HIV/AIDS,

food security, and emergency relief, Africare works through a

variety of means to facilitate positive changes in the daily

life of Africa. By building wells and springs, Africare

develops resources from which entire communities can draw

safe, clean drinking water. Through education initiatives,

children and adults gain the literacy skills necessary for

long-term success

and access to practical health and nutrition information. Our

environmental programs have planted thousands of trees which

enrich ecosystems and will reduce soil erosion, benefiting

future generations. Africare's focus on stable societies

includes initiatives to foster civil society and responsive

governance. Africare supports indigenous nongovernmental

organizations and encourages peaceful transitions in changing

societies.

Microfinance programs encourage women to start small

businesses which help communities become more resistant to

economic downturns.

Over the past 35 years, Africare has been able to work with

millions of people in 35 countries across the continent. Our

organization has grown to be leader in the field and a model

of how Africans and Americans of all races can work together

towards a common goal. Now we are more convinced than ever of

the necessity of helping to build a stronger, more stable

Africa. As we continue with our work, we will also continue

to grow and evolve to meet the changing needs of Africa.

Mr. Speaker, Africare is an institution of which all Americans should be proud. Please join me in saluting Africare for all it has done over the last 35 years and wishing it well as it continues to bring hope and inspiration to millions of people throughout Africa.

Mr. Speaker, as a result of this Administration's failed leadership and mismanagement of resources, H.R. 4745, Hurricane Katrina Small Business Loan Supplemental is a corrective measure. The supplemental funding needed is directly in response to the gross incompetence and poor planning by the Bush Administration. This proposed legislation comes on the heels of Congress providing more than $400 million for Katrina disaster loans two months ago. This highlights that the Small Business Administration is unable to accurately assess the needs on the ground and funds that have already been allocated have been mismanaged. Running out of disaster loans for Hurricane Katrina victims is an embarrassment to this Administration and a slap in the face to those who survived Hurricane Katrina. The facts are clear; the Bush Administration is failing to help Gulf Coast residents rebuild their homes and their lives.

Immediate assistance must be given to the region's local small businesses. Currently, only 37 percent of Hurricane Katrina disaster loan applications have been approved from a total of 280,000. Furthermore, less than 10 percent of those loans approved have been paid out. As it stands now, there is a backlog of 105,664 pending applications. Congress must take action to ensure that this mismanagement does not continue to compound the devastation of Hurricane Katrina survivors. The Gulf Coast region is depending upon swift deliberate action to revive its economy and put it on the road to full recovery. However, the Bush Administration is steeped in incompetence, mismanagement and cronyism.

Nearly 750,000 families remain displaced from their homes and are paying the price for this Administrations lack of strong leadership. Additionally, this administration has rejected the only bi-partisan plan to rebuild Louisiana. The recent budget proposal indicates misplaced priorities and seeks to slash funding for small businesses, community development and rural development. These funds are precisely what the Gulf Coast requires in order to rebuild. Furthermore, the abuse and the fraud persist in this Administration regarding no-bid contractual agreements which are not capable of rebuilding communities effectively and efficiently in the Gulf Coast.

The Bush Administration has not met the needs of Katrina families, small businesses and communities. To further compound this colossal failure in leadership, the Republicans are refusing low-income energy (LIHEAP) assistance funds today, even though home heating costs are up and federal grants are down. Additionally, 12 states have already run out of energy assistance, and some people may have their heat shut off in the next month. I must underline that these are poor families that are struggling to make ends-meat. Congress has cut home energy assistance by $21 million, while the number of people applying for help with their heating bills has reached a 12-year high. Families are essentially paying 17 percent more this year for home heating and 67 percent more since this Administration took office. While millions of Americans are cold at home, oil companies are reporting record profits and Republicans are ensuring that this does not change.

It is clear that Democrats are moving to the beat of a different drum than this Administration. We are committed to putting an end to the corruption, mismanagement and poor leadership that has adversely impacted Hurricane Katrina survivors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Grenada's 32 years of independence and to enter into the Record an article published by Caribnews chronicling historic challenges faced by the country. I congratulate Grenadians in their native country, the United States and abroad on their perseverance to celebrate how far their great nation has come. Thirty-two years ago, on a momentous February 7, the beautiful country of Grenada achieved its independence from Great Britain.

Since its independence, Grenada--comprised of the islands of Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martihas--has continued to flourish as a nation. As the first of the Windward and Leeward islands to declare its independence, Grenada obtained its autonomy under the Grenada United Labour Party government of late Prime Minister Sir Eric Matthew Gairy. Since the early days of independence, Grenada has struggled to find its voice. Despite violent power struggles and a U.S.-led invasion, the people of Grenada have overcome strife in order to forge ahead with their parliamentary democracy.

Today, Grenada stands as a spectacular island with lush mountains, crystal waterfalls, golden beaches and fragrant spice trees that give the island its epithet ``Isle of Spice''. It is also a vital trade partner, with significant global exports such as nutmeg, mace, cocoa, bananas, vegetables, and fish. But most importantly what is treasured most by Americans is not Grenada's landscape or exports but the Grenadians, who we regard with much esteem as our friends.

Thirty-two years ago this month, Grenada did not only put into motion independence, but national development and progress as well. Mr. Speaker, please join me in wishing Grenada continued political and social advancement on this very special day marking their 32nd anniversary of self-rule.

[From the Caribnews, Feb. 7, 2006]

Grenada Will Rise Again

(By Michael D. Roberts)

For the Caribbean island nation of Grenada, Carriacou and

Petite Martinique the devastation wrought by two powerful

hurricanes has turned back what progress was being made under

the Keith Mitchell Administration. And the undulating nature

of activities of national development has also been a major

challenge even before Hurricanes Ivan and Emily.

It has been like constantly taking three steps forward and

one backwards in an eerie dance led by the caprices of the

international global market and the negative effects of run-

away capitalism. Indeed, the much touted benefits of market

globalization have served up its own peculiar and erratic

brand of progress now and stagnation then. Grenada, Carriacou

and Petite Martinique now finds itself in serious economic

straights brought on by brutal and devastating ``acts of

God.''

Indeed, these past 32 years have been challenging ones for

the 120 square mile tri-island Caribbean nation. And as the

nation of some 90,000 people plunge into the uncertainties of

a brand new and rapidly redefined world stage, new challenges

lie ahead in less than ideal socio-economic circumstances.

For one thing the jury is still out on the gains and

achievements of the Grenadian economy, since 1984, as it

relates to the improvement of the quality of life of all the

people. If the mainspring of Grenadian progress, since its

independence from Britain on February 7, 1974, is the

country's command over the forces of production, then its

history to date is one of sporadic and uneven development

mixed with episodes of retrogression.

From the dominance of British-imposed slavery and

colonialism Grenada painfully moved towards full political

independence during the militant epoch of the 1960s and

1970s. Granted independence under less than favorable

conditions the country took charge of its own destiny

replacing the colonial master with local elected officials

whose experience in governance was learned from and at

institutions set up by their former masters. In this context

therefore Grenadian structural forms of today--government,

parliament and judiciary--were and are a caricature of

British Westminster democracy that has failed to adequately

provide for institutions and instruments of equality within

the society.

It was these spawned social, political and economic

disparities that let to the rise and eventual fall of the

regime of Sir Eric Matthew Gairy [from 1950 to 1979] and the

subsequent triumph--and demise--of the Grenada Revolution

(1979-1983). During the 29-year Gairy Regime, Grenada

exhibited limited growth and development, with perhaps the

sole measure of its progress being the new-found political

consciousness of a hitherto cowed and oppressed people.

It was Gairy who bucked the ruling status quo of an

alliance in the towns of a mulatto upper class, a growing

merchant stratum, and a landed British gentry, oftentimes

absent from the island. But what started as a populist

movement and progressive anti-colonial struggle degenerated

into home-gown depostism by the early 1970s as Sir Eric

cemented a strangle hold on all parts of Grenadian society.

With each year since indepedence--granted during serious

internal unrest and political turmoil--the Gairy Regime

became more and more oppressive, and it was out of these

socio-economic and political conditions that the Grenada

Revolution of March 13, 1979 materialized. This break in the

evolutionary chain of political and economic development

ushered in a brief period of unprecedented economic growth

and development. The basis for this was the ruling New Jewel

Movement's suspension of the stultifying and archaic British-

model constitution, an economic program of planned

development based on three pillars--the public, private and

cooperative sectors--a grass-roots type of participatory

democracy, and an overall policy of national development

based along non-capitalist lines.

But successful though the Revolution was, in economic and

political terms, it quickly imploded, self-destructed due to

a combination of immaturity, intolerance to dissenting view,

and a failure to understand that the political and

ideological direction of the Revolution did not sit well with

a people long accustomed, or conditioned to accepting the

flawed Westminster model of democratic development as the

only way. The one-man one vote position was therefore central

to the core of the Grenadian view of democratic rule.

Still, even the most strident detractors of the Grenada

Revolution would agree that the period 1979-1983 saw

unparalleled economic growth and development that has not

been equaled or duplicated up to this day. In fact

it is safe to conclude that the reversal of the gains of the

Grenada Revolution, that began with the interim Government of

1983, and continued with the election of the old Herbert

Blaize New National Party (NNP) in 1984, ushered in the

modern period of Grenadian retrogression.

Kathy McAfee in her celebrated book ``Storm Signals--

Structural Adjustment and Development Alternatives in the

Caribbean'' (Oxfam America 1991), in a chapter entitled

``Grenada: Development by Conquest,'' argues that ``by the

fall of 1988, after five years of US stewardship, almost none

of the developmental goals set by the US had been met.

Grenada was deeper in debt than at any time in the nation's

past. AID-sponsored efforts to balance the government's

budget had failed. The country's tax system, after being

thoroughly re-designed by US consultants, had largely

collapsed. AID was withholding promised grants to Grenada's

government in an effort to force it to comply with structural

adjustment conditionalities.'' McAfee says that unemployment

was at an all-time high, some 30 percent, and agricultural

productivity continued its long-term decline, while Grenada's

manufacturing sector remained small and stagnant.

In 2006 nobody disagrees that agriculture, Grenada's

economic backbone, is in serious trouble and that production

for export has taken a big hit. Moreover, the World Trade

Organization (WTO) ruling removing the protected status for

Caribbean bananas in the European market has caused more

headaches for the country. Added to this by the year 2000 the

task of completely destroying all the hard-won gains of the

people during the Grenada Revolution was now completed.

Here are a few examples of some of the structures and other

economic and social programs that are now extinct that have

set Grenada back for many years. The National Transportation

Service (NTS) is no more, the Marketing and National

Importing Board (MNIB) is a shell of its former self. Post-

Revolutionary governments allowed about six (6) fully

equipped modern fishing trawlers to rot and sink to the

bottom of the St. George's sea rather than utilize them.

Grenada no longer exports eggplants and other crops to

European markets; the country's agro-processing plant that

canned fruit juices for export under the Revolution is no

more, as is the fish processing plant that began to produce

dry salted fish for export. The coffee processing plant in

Grenville is now extinct. Only the Grenada International

Airport remains because this structure, woefully under-

utllized, cannot be easily physically dismantled.

But what solution did these post 1983 govenments propose

for Grenada's socio-economic developmnent? The answer for

many of them was privatization. This process continues today.

According to a leading expert on privatization in the

Caribbean, Jamaica's Richard L. Bernal, with the overthrow of

the Maurice Bishop Government in 1983, the new Government in

Grenada committed itself to privatization. ``By 1992, in

response to a weak fiscal situation, Grenada had begun a

``self-imposed'' three-year structural adjustment program in

which privatization of State Owned Enterprises was an

integral component. In that year, 90 percent of the shares of

the National Commercial Bank were sold, with the majority

shares going to the Republic Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, and

10 percent to Grenadians and others from the Eastern

Caribbean,'' [``Privatization in the English-speaking

Caribbean: An Assessment''] (the Center for Strategic and

International Studies) October 22, 1999].

In the same publication, Bernal noted that ``. . . rapid

and extensive divestment without a proper framework can lead

to disastrous results . . . It is also important to ensure

that there is a proper context in which privatization can

take place. A competent executing agency with a qualified

staff is needed, together with the appropriate regulatory

framework and the necessary safety nets to protect displaced

workers.''

So me of these ``disastrous results'' have visited Grenada

since the start of the program, in particular the perception

by the public that governments have been just selling off,

national assets to raise money. Indeed, there is little to

show for privatization. There are also sound arguments that

while privatization brings a bag of mixed blessings, in the

Grenada context there was and is no competent and experienced

monitoring authority to oversee the divestment of state

assets. The upshot is that as a panacea for Grenada's

economic ills the jury is still out on the privatization

program.

And yet the ruling New National Party (NNP) government led

by Dr. Keith Mitchell cannot be slighted for not

demonstrating some measure of boldness when it comes to

policy decisions and hard political issues. Buffeted and

hindered by a hostile world economic climate the Government

has tried to push the Grenadian economy forward with an

admixture of privatization, international aid (hitherto to

2004 mostly from Taiwan), re-focussing on tourism, and

physical infrastructural development. This program will be

one of the key challenges to the government in the coming

years as Hurricanes Ivan and Emily was almost responsible for

putting the Grenada government into receivership.

Overall, if one was to characterize the progress and

development of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique these

past 32 years, one would have to conclude that it has been a

period of turbulence mixed with brief periods of respite,

tranquility and development. These past 32 years have seen

every form of political upheaval and some of the ugliest

forms of repression and brutality. It is a history that has

divided Grenadians and continues to drive a fundamental wedge

in any movement towards national unity and reconciliation.

For example: the events of October 19, 1983 that saw the

execution of popular Prime Minister Maurice Bishop and some

members of his Cabinet, that led to the subsequent invasion

on Grenada on October 25, 1983, is still the salt in the

wound for most Grenadians. There is no closure as yet and

this will be yet another challenge going forward.

But if unity has been illusive thus far, and economic

problems further aggravate and create political alliances and

divisions, then any commentary on the merits, achievements,

and future of Grenada's independence would lead one to the

conclusion that independence is a pipe dream. Right? Wrong.

While economic independence is not yet a reality, political

independence is a fact of life in Grenada. Indeed, without

wanting to sound cynical, the mistakes made during the 32

years of Grenadian independence were made by the, Grenadian

people and their leaders. And nobody ever said that national

development, progress and independence would be a cakewalk.

In fact, national development is painful, especially so for

a small, agriculturally dependent nation that will never

reach critical mass. But these pains are necessary if the

country must move forward because the school of hard knocks

is where experience is gained, and is perhaps the best

teacher on the issue of progress and retrogression--the twin

sisters of development. And Grenada's small size is both a

blessing and a curse. Its size makes for presumably an easier

and more efficient governmental structure and management.

With fiscal prudence popular shared services can reach the

vast majority of the people and greatly improve the quality

of life.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to remember once again the timeless reggae musician Bob Marley and to enter into the Record an eloquent CARIBNEWS commentary by Michael Roberts commemorating what would have been the singer's 61st birthday February 6 had he not died in 1981 of cancer.

As Roberts mentions in his editorial, Marley's musical genius generated from his hopes of empowerment and political uplifting for his Jamaican people. ``Marley was a staunch advocate of conscious lyrics and he urged Black people to think positive and do positive things,'' Roberts explains. Not only was Marley a lyricist and a leader but he was an international ambassador advocating for the solidarity of the Caribbean. ``His music and lyrics advocated a kind of Black-centered Christianity which would `free our minds'. Thus Marley, although born in Jamaica, was a citizen of the Caribbean and Third World,'' Roberts writes.

Mr. Speaker, please join me again in remembering the legacy of Bob Marley during Black History Month.

[From the CARIBNEWS, Feb. 6, 2006]

Celebrating the 61th Earth Day Of Reggae Superstar Robert Marley

(By Michael D. Roberts)

Black Ambassador, musical innovator, and gifted with

visionary talents, Bob Marley's music today speaks volumes

about a man whose every word and sentence was written with

the emancipation of his people in mind. And in his own way he

identified the problems and offered solutions to them. That

is why the music of the supreme Rastaman endures to this day.

Indeed, the greatness of Bob Marley is that his popularity

and staying quality outlasts all the present crop of reggae

artistes.

This Black History Month Marley would have turned 61

years--had he lived. And we can only speculate as to what

music he would have concocted in that fertile and creative

mind of his as he ``trod down Babylon.'' To my mind the

supreme Rastaman still sings getting better with each passing

day. In the dancehalls of Brooklyn, the Caribbean basements

of Canada, or the open tropical spaces of the Caribbean, Bob

Marley's timeless music lives on. His works continue to give

new hope to the world's oppressed and solace to the

downtrodden as he urges Black people to ``Get up, Stand up,

Stand up for your rights.''

A versatile entertainer, he was singer, songwriter, expert

guitarist and above all a pragmatic rastaman. Robert Nesta

Marley was born in St. Ann, Jamaica, on February 6, 1945. He

died May 11, 1981. Bob Marley, as he is popularly known the

world over, was the individual most responsible for taking

reggae out of Jamaica and making it international.

With uncanny vision Marley altered indigenous traditional

Jamaican roots music making it more acceptable to the

international market and consumer. Curiously, before he would

win over his critics, and Jamaica music purists, Marley came

under heavy fire, in those early days because it was felt

that he was prostituting the roots reggae music.

Along with his group the Wailers, that he formed in 1964,

and which included two other great reggae leaders in their

own right--Peter Tosh and Bunny Livingston, known worldwide

as Bunny Wailer--Bob Marley was the great popularizer of

reggae. It was he and the Wailers who infused this ``island

music'' with American pop and rock, making it attractive to

all music consumers and which gave it its enduring, lasting,

``always fresh'' quality.

But even when Marley sung so-called lovey-dovey ballads and

drew the ire of the ``rude boys'' of Jamaica's slums and

garrison communities, his message was inherently and

basically political: he preached an end to racial oppression

and urged Blacks to be proud of their heritage. So in his own

right Marley was a Third World music pioneer who eventually

turned into a superstar.

Marley was a staunch advocate of conscious lyrics and he

urged Black people to think positive and do positive things.

Nowadays it is fashionable to hear gurus of self-help working

their spiel about positive thoughts. You would think that

they had listened to the Great Rastaman. Like Malcolm X and

Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Bob Marley was acutely aware of the

necessity to deal firmly with situations that demanded strong

action. That did not mean that he advocated unbridled,

confrontational violence but he understood that the poor and

oppressed had a duty to resist these things which were part

of ``Babylon.''

It is perhaps this prophetic quality that has made Robert

Nesta Marley a Third World legend and reggae's only

superstar. So as we celebrate the anniversary of his birth on

February 6, we must remember his passing and pay respect to

his works. He was, undoubtedly, Jamaica's most outstanding

ambassador and one who yearned for all the people of the

Caribbean to come together.

His music and lyrics advocated a kind of Black-centered

Christianity which would ``free our minds.'' Thus Marley,

although born in Jamaica, was a citizen of the Caribbean and

Third World. He transcended the narrow borders of nations

moving with his pulsating music to the world community of

man.

But Marley was not merely satisfied to simply fight for

deliverance from ``Babylon'' in the Western Hemisphere

through his music and powerful lyrics. He preached resistance

to all forms of oppression. His songs of protest and of

agitation composed after exposure to the inequalities

prevalent in Jamaican and Caribbean society have been adopted

by people in many countries struggling for, what his talented

compatriot, Peter Tosh and fellow Wailer, called ``equal

rights and justice.''

Marley's contribution to Jamaican and world musical culture

still stands out as a monumental achievement of human

endeavor. It was he more than anyone else who took the

indigenous musical art form of a Caribbean island, framed and

packaged it to suit international tastes, and then sold it to

the world. Today the world still sings ``these songs of

freedom,'' as the Dreadlocked One demanded.

Let us always remember that his music and his works were

aimed, in the fashion of another great Jamaican, Marcus

Mosiah Garvey, at liberating his race. Marley's tenure on

this earth was a potent reminder that Black people are still

not yet free. His creative genius accomplished what most

international politicians dream of achieving and he did it by

being just--Bob Marley, humble and sincere.

There is something for everybody in the works of Bob

Marley. Some folks love him for his upbeat, uptempo music

like ``One Love'' Jamaica's national song; others like his

spiritual side found in such works as ``Redemption Song'' and

``Three Little Birds.'' And still there are many who cling to

the masterful works of protest music in songs like ``Bad

Card'' and ``Ambush In The Night.''

No matter what people remember Bob Marley for, his works

``Idureth for Iver.'' So ``get up, stand up, stand up for

your rights,'' and listen to the Supreme Rastaman who trod

into Babylon ``inna this generation''--Triumphantly.

Considered today reggae classics, Marley's music never

ceases to refresh and reinvigorate each and every time that

it is played. Indeed, it is his music's staying power that

keeps alive the image and spirit of Bob Marley as fans from

all walks of life, and social standing--from the townships of

Soweto in South Africa to the plush, affluent homesteads of

Beverly Hills--celebrate his 61st earth day.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express how content I was to see President Bush recognize the national treasure that is the Dance Theatre of Harlem at a dinner and performance Monday, February 6 at the White House and to enter into the Record a Washington Post article dated Wednesday, February 8 commemorating the event.

In a tribute to the theatre which stands today as the first black classical ballet company, and its esteemed founder Arthur Mitchell, President Bush and many others were able to be exposed to the cultural jewel I am honored to have situated in my Congressional district.

The Dance Theatre of Harlem, founded in 1968, is a leading arts and cultural institution dedicated to the advancement and cultural enrichment of youth from diverse backgrounds. Since its founding, it has brought modern and intrepid new forms of artistic expression to audiences throughout New York City and the world--embodying the beauty of the American spirit.

Even as the performing company enjoyed international acclaim, being the first U.S. ballet company to perform in Russia and then performing in South Africa, the theatre has strengthened its roots in Harlem. Currently the school enrolls some 700 students per year in community, pre-professional and professional programs and offers courses in various dance forms ranging from ballet and tap to modern-, jazz- and African dance, and even Irish step dancing. With its exceptional dancers, dazzling choreography, and cultural pride, the Dance Theatre of Harlem continues to be a beacon for all communities.

Mr. Speaker, again please join me in saluting the Dance Theatre of Harlem and expressing my gratitude to President Bush for recognizing its contributions.

[From the Washington Post, Feb. 8, 2006]

En Pointe at the White House

With a Fete for Founder Arthur Mitchell, the Bushes Give a Lift to

Dance Theatre of Harlem

(By Sarah Kaufman)

There were ballerinas and cavaliers, Broadway singers and a

country crooner, but it took the Rev. Al Green to really get

the party started at the White House on Monday night.

The soul man turned soul saver worked his magic on the East

Room crowd, gathered to honor the Dance Theatre of Harlem and

its famed founder, Arthur Mitchell.

``I-I-I-I, I'm so in love with you,'' Green rasped in his

signature falsetto, arcing back like a bow about to launch

its arrow.

Of course, there were many in the audience of 80 or so who

could sing Green's enduring hit ``Let's Stay Together'' in

their sleep. But was one of them President Bush? Green put

him to the test.

``Ooh, loving you forever,'' Green purred, ``is what I--''

Suddenly, he thrust the microphone right up to the lips of

the surprised president, who recovered enough to mouth

something back.

Whatever it was could not be heard, but Green was more than

satisfied.

``He said `Nee-eee-eeed!' '' squealed the amazed hitmaster,

hitting even higher notes than he'd been singing. ``He did!

He said `Neeeeed!' '' After laughter and applause for the

president's grace note, the set then became a singalong--was

that Karl Rove joining in?--and then a dance-along, after

Mitchell, a former star of the New York City Ballet, pulled

Laura Bush up onstage.

President Bush, apparently pumped up after parrying to

Green's thrust, followed suit, taking with him Shirley

Massey, wife of Walter Massey, president of Morehouse

College.

``We got the president up onstage!'' exclaimed Mitchell

afterward. Not a man who ordinarily likes to share the

spotlight, Mitchell nevertheless gave Bush points for effort,

if not for style. ``He did really well,'' Mitchell said. ``He

was tapping his foot, and . . . moving. You know.''

Mitchell is no stranger to the White House--he says he has

been invited there by every president since John F. Kennedy.

He's been there so often he knew many of the waiters by name.

But this night was different. The dinner and performance by

members of the Dance Theatre of Harlem and others were the

work of entrepreneur and philanthropist Catherine Reynolds,

chairwoman of the board of the predominantly black ballet

company. The show will air this summer on PBS.

``What better place to showcase Dance Theatre of Harlem

during Black History Month than the White House?'' she said.

``It's a ballet company in the midst of Harlem--that in and

of itself is so American.''

The presidential affair, she said, sprang from a

conversation she had a few months ago with Laura Bush about

the ailing company, on hiatus for the past year and a half

because of rising debt.

Reynolds said the first lady asked, `` `How can I help?' ''

Reynolds had her answer ready, and the result was a cozy

little black-tie dinner in Mitchell's honor, with the guests

seated at intimate round tables mounded with roses. Among the

invited: Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, undoubtedly

relieved to be anywhere but in the Senate hot seat where he'd

spent the day; donors and arts officials such as the Ford

Foundation's Susan Berresford, Kennedy Center President

Michael Kaiser and Lonnie Bunch, founding director of the

National Museum of African American History and Culture; and

a contingent of the black elite, such as ``60 Minutes''

correspondent Ed Bradley and Spelman College President

Beverly Daniel Tatum.

The menu favored creamy comfort foods: puree of parsnip

soup, cheesy grits and spinach alongside roast kobe beef, a

yellow pepper and avocado terrine, and whipped-cream-dolloped

lemon custard cakes with coconut ice cream and a blackberry-

ginger sauce,

thick as syrup. It was not fare for the calorie-conscious.

But there weren't many of those to be seen, anyway; the

dancers were off warming up for the performance that was to

follow.

Filing into the East Room after dinner, we found ourselves

chatting with Andrew Card, Bush's chief of staff, who seemed

eager to show his own artsy side.

``I hit a crossroads when I was a senior in high school,''

Card said, describing a choice he faced between accepting a

scholarship to the Hartt School of Music (on the strength of

his trumpet playing) in West Hartford, Conn., or a Navy ROTC

scholarship at the University of South Carolina.

Guess which one he chose.

Still, he said, ``I believe in the arts very strongly.

Every once in a while I get the trumpet out. Of course, my

wife wants me to play it in the closet.''

It being Monday night, and close to 9 by this time--fans of

Fox's ``24'' know how sacrosanct that hour is--we pressed

Card on another issue: Did he ever tune in to the Kiefer

Sutherland thriller, which recently revealed that the chief

of staff of the show's president is a murderous villain of

presidency-destroying dimension?

Card's eyebrows shot up merrily. ``I hear the chief of

staff is kind of a bad guy. Didn't he drug the first lady?''

Yep, and Card's TV counterpart also conspired to engineer a

nerve gas leak to incriminate a terrorist organization to

prove it had weapons of mass destruction.

Card backed up in mock horror. ``I'm not him,'' he said

emphatically, eyes wide, waving his arms in front of himself

to ward off any notion of a link to reality. ``I didn't do

that.'' And then he was gone, spurred by a desperate need to

catch up with his wife.

Addressing the audience, Mitchell pointed out his company's

oft-reported origins, that it was the assassination of Martin

Luther King Jr. in 1968 that inspired him to found a

classical ballet company of African American dancers--which

is, all these years later, still a unique institution.

Left unsaid was what it would mean for black ballet dancers

if such a company could not survive. In fact, none of the

speeches mentioned Dance Theatre of Harlem's having come so

close to financial ruin, or the fact that its laid-off

dancers' unemployment claims ran out long ago.

Bush, seated with his wife in the front row and within a

few feet of the small stage, smiled throughout the show,

which included children as well as professionals. Hands

clasped in his lap, he kept up a steady piston action with

one knee--an intriguing tic, yet what did it mean?

Restlessness? Excitement? A dream of mashing the pedals on a

mountain bike?

Harolyn Blackwell, Audra McDonald and LeAnn Rimes each sang

solos as well as songs that accompanied more dancing. It was

all very classy, very polite, if somewhat restrained.

Enter Al Green, the great uncorker, who got throats to open

and hands to clap--some on the beat, quite a few off--and got

the president to join in the dance.

``The whole evening was so relaxed,'' Mitchell enthused

afterward. ``That was a major miracle.''

Speaking of miracles, Mitchell stated his favored outcome:

``I hope this opens the door, that dance becomes a line item

in the federal budget so we can take the arts all across

America.''

A different miracle may be a bit closer to actually coming

to pass. When she became board chairman and vowed to get the

troupe back on its feet, Reynolds told The Washington Post

that ``failure is not an option.'' So how close to success--

and public performances--is the company now?

``We're close,'' she said. ``We'll probably be making an

announcement in the summer.''