Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, how much time is remaining?

I would like unanimous consent that we extend it to 2 minutes additional. This is the end of it for Ed Jenkins, and I did not know.

I would like to request the Chair recognize me for 5 minutes.

Could the Chair tell me what request you might entertain so I can share my views for the late Ed Jenkins?

Well, rules are rules, and they have to be followed. I had really hoped that given my long acquaintance with Ed Jenkins that I would have the opportunity to share with his family and those that knew him.

Unfortunately, those of us that were raised in the village of Harlem have very few opportunities to meet white Southern gentlemen, and it took a long while when he came on the committee for me to even understand what Ed Jenkins was talking about. But it didn't take long for me to understand that people are people no matter where they come from; they love, they get angry, they work out things. Now is the time I think more than ever that we just need somebody like Ed Jenkins to cross that barrier that we seem to have in a partisan way, in such a deep, hurting, partisan way in this Congress.

Sandy Levin can tell you, whenever our chairman Dan Rostenkowski had a problem, there was no problem that Ed Jenkins would not take a look at and recognize that it was not a Democratic problem, it was not a majority problem, but it was a problem that the United States of America really faced.

Since the Chair cannot entertain, I will then go to Reverend John Lewis and find out how we can work out something in a faith tradition so that all of us will get a chance to know, enjoy, and love the memory of a great American, the former Congressman, Edgar Jenkins.

Let me thank the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands for having the foresight to try to protect our Constitution and the voting rights that all Americans are entitled to. Before I get into the subject matter, I would like to really first thank the Speaker for pointing out the guidelines that we would have as relates to the decorum of Members in the House of Representatives. I think it's well heeded and we can walk away with some pride. I just assume that included in that was not to make derogatory remarks about the President of the United States. But recognizing that the whole body and the whole world has already spoken about this issue, then I don't think there is any need for me to elaborate.

Because of the reputation of the United States of America, no matter what we find in our fiscal system or whatever problems we have day-to- day and year-to-year, we still remain the source of hope and inspiration for people all over the world. People teach their kids that if they can only get to America this is the place where you can come from the depth of poverty, and with hard work and education there's no limit to how far you can go.

And while we have fought over the years in order to get equality for those that came as immigrants to this country or slaves, we do recognize that in this country, this country offers all of us the best opportunity in the world to be able to provide a better life for ourselves, our kids and for society generally.

Madam Chairlady, when the early sixties was there, and I marched from Selma to Birmingham, Alabama, it was 54 miles. But, quite honestly, I don't know whether I've admitted this publicly or not, I had no idea that I was going to march 54 miles. I thought I could go down, have my picture taken and come back and say I was with Andy Young, John Lewis, Ralph Bunche, and Dr. King. But, somehow, I got caught up in it, and I was cussing every step of the way wondering how did I get caught up walking through all of these dark streets and being insulted.

But much later, when I heard Lyndon Johnson say those words, that theme that had directed us emotionally and patriotically that ``we shall overcome,'' I felt so proud, notwithstanding my lack of knowledge of the importance of the issue, that I did march. Then I found out that the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act weren't just something that made minorities feel good, it made Americans feel good. And the ripple effect of this throughout the world was that we were able to say, see, we told you that in the United States, it's not what we want, but in the United States of America we are working toward full equality.

Now, even today when we give assistance to a country that aspires to have a democracy, more often than not they come here to see how we were able to do it, and we send people to watch what they are doing. And they listen to Americans teaching them what equality is and how to avoid fraud and how everybody should have an opportunity to participate. And notwithstanding what happens in America, we used to have a sense of pride that even though we have our problems we're still respected throughout the world. And what is happening today in certain States that have had a long history of discrimination, it seems as though now they want to take this backward step to cause it to be difficult for people to vote.

Why in the world would this great country want people not to vote? What could it be to have more and more people express themselves? You go to countries that have 80 and 90 percent of the population participating in this great democracy, and when you vote you care more about the direction in which your country is going. God knows that in America today with the performance of the Congress, if the people were more involved we'd do a better job and do it in a hurry. But having said that, these States are now changing their laws to make it difficult for people to vote.

Even though I have my own suspicions as to why, if you lay out the facts and see what is happening, which States are they and what prohibitions are they putting? They're asking for ID. Well, do we have cases of people misusing ID? The Attorney General doesn't know of any. And then they're going after those who allow participation on Sundays, then they're going after communities with a high number of poor people, then they go into minority communities, and then they ask older people who have no reason for ID that they have to do it. And people who fought so hard for these rights that were given to them now find themselves, in this late stage, being denied the right to vote.

It is so embarrassing. Not only is it not the right thing to do as Americans, but how can we continue to send people to foreign and developing countries as being the major spokespeople for democracy, when right in this country we are prohibiting--not prohibiting--but discouraging people from participating in the right to vote?

I don't know whether the color of the President or the fact that this President has received record-breaking participation by the very same people that they're making it difficult to vote, but I tell you for you taking the opportunity to bring the attention of this to the Congress, and therefore to the Nation, for you to be able, with the Congressional Black Caucus, to say that we're not protecting our rights, we're protecting our Constitution, we're protecting our country, and there is no question in my mind that we felt better as a people when we were able to overcome the obstacles that were placed.

So let me thank you and my fellow colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus for saying we can vote. They can't hurt us. But it's a better country with everybody, regardless of their color, their age, where they live or how much money they have in the bank, to be able to say, in our country, at this time, we have to move forward, and we cannot find ourselves where we were 60 and 70 years ago.

So thank you so much for this opportunity, and for all of the Members who have taken time this evening to say that we shall indeed overcome for the length of the Constitution of this great Nation.

I was awed in listening to my friend, Congressman Paul. He usually comes up with some farfetched ideas that I have no idea what he's talking about. But the truth of the matter is that he is right. America is walking down a very serious economic path that could not only jeopardize what's left of our fiscal system, but, good or bad, the whole world depends on our system.

And I cannot believe that a group of Americans, especially Members of the Congress, would say that the President of the United States is not authorized to pay off the debts that we already had. We certainly can find a lot of agreement as to how we got there, whether it's President Obama or Bush's tax cuts, or going to wars that the Congress never declared, hey, all you need is a mathematician to add it up. But we got it there and we owe the money.

Who is so less patriotic, who cares so little about our country that you would have, in addition to the falsehoods they tell about us, saying and we don't pay our debts either?

It's a question that you want to talk about what we do in the future as relates to spending, but I know the debate has to deal with people who don't pay taxes. I know the debate has to say that people are taking unfair advantage of a Tax Code with so many loopholes in it that the most conservative Republican has to agree it's time for a reform.

There's a broad area that we can talk about in what we're going to do about

wild, reckless spending. But you just don't to it by saying that I am so angry with the President, I'm so politically involved in opposing him that I would deny him the opportunity to do what every President has always done, and that is to be able to tell the world that can you count on us to pay the money that we have borrowed.

Now, being a politician myself, I know there's extreme things that we go through, but love of our country has to be something that we believe in. And I don't know what Republicans feel such a strong commitment to the Tea Party, or whatever other people having parties on the other side, that they would say that they will stop America from paying its debts.

I don't believe it. You don't believe it. You know this is not going to pass. But my God, I don't think we should be dictated in connection with what foreigners think about us. There should be some dignity and pride in saying if we make mistakes, they are our mistakes. Not European mistakes, not foreign mistakes. And if we borrow money and we don't like how much we borrow, that is our domestic problem.

For God's sake, don't let us fall in such partisan positions that we are going to say that the United States of America, the leader of the free world, we know how to borrow but we won't allow us to pay it back.

Reserving the right to object, and I probably won't object, but if the chairman is asking to put in the Record the people that support the awkward position that the majority has taken, my question would be, would we be allowed to put in the Record those people who are going through such economic pain and who so badly want to make certain that they don't get a raise in their taxes, would we be able to insert the letters that we get saying please don't come home unless you give us a tax break? I'm asking, maybe, the Parliamentarian whether or not I would be in order if I asked that.

I certainly think the chairman is in order, but then we all have received so many letters from our constituents, it's painful, and I just wanted some equality in terms of how the Record would look years from now as to how we treated those people who are the most vulnerable. And I know we all are concerned about that, even though the 2 months may be inconvenient for the electronic way they do these things, but I think the pain will be far more severe for those people who would have a tax increase.

I said I reserved it. Maybe I didn't make it clear what my position was. I was reserving the right to object.

Well, with all respect to my chairman, I withdraw my reservation.

I am amazed at the ability of the majority to change its position so fast. Sometimes I wish Democrats had the ability to do this. It wasn't too long ago that there was objection for the taxpayers holiday because of the impact on Social Security. Then there was objection to the unemployment insurance because people on the other side said that people wouldn't go look for a job, that they would just stay home and watch television and receive the check. And of

course, no one can deny that the doctors that give care to 48 million people deserve compensation for what they do.

But, being here as long as I have, I can see how, in the majority, a handful of people will try to prove to their constituents that they're not marching in line with regular order; that they didn't come down here just to go along with the Senate or their leadership. And it's kind of rough to be a part of a party that is so widely split.

I had only hoped that they could come up with a better excuse than the fact that 2 months is not enough time to prevent an increase in the taxes of so many, 160 million people. And I know that everyone in this Chamber knows that if the American people that will suffer such a painful, insensitive act were to be asked, would you want it for 2 months, and then have the Congress to extend it? Would you take that? Or would you want it to be for 1 year and the possibility of getting absolutely nothing?

That is such a fearful, such a cruel thing to do, to gamble with other people's ability to be able to enjoy this holiday season as best they can. And so, I don't think that there will be any winners in what's going on today. But I hope that the regular Republicans would be able to see their way clear.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today because people are suffering. Time's running out for America's long-term job hunters. If Congress fails to act by December 31, nearly 2 million will be cut off in January alone. And without action in 2012, that number will rise to at least 6 million.

The Ways & Means Committee has been collecting stories on Facebook of people who have lost their jobs and Mr. Levin has been reading them on the floor. Yesterday SEIU launched the ExtendUI tweet-a-thon in hopes to make a powerful case to ExtendUI without cuts or preconditions that hurt the 99 percent. I also collected stories on my Facebook page and via Twitter. Here are some of the stories from my constituents in their own words. Republicans, are you listening? Can't you hear the pain and cries of the American people?

Don Wright: ``I need a job for a lot of reasons but the most important one is Dignity. When you don't have a job you feel terrible. It is hard to face other people especially your family. You don't feel like a man anymore. You can't get any respect from your wife and if she leaves you nobody wants to go out with a man without a job. So you are staying single and broke and alone. You get depressed and feel hopeless and you are a good man if you fight against envy--envy of others who have jobs and the things that a job brings. Your family loves you but are at the same time ashamed of you and your kids become worried at being asked what their Daddy does. The list goes on all of it bad. A job any job would be better than no job. Keep the jobless in your mind and hearts.''

Paula Christianson: ``I lost my job over a year ago due to a accident that left me disabled longer than the Family Medical Leave Act allowed. I had worked there for almost 7 years and was voted employee of the month but none of that mattered when they sent me a termination letter to my home. This has all contributed to my depression issues and Generalized Anxiety disorder. All I do is worry how I am going to survive! It consumes me. Please don't take away this help it is my and many others only hope left! I am not looking for a handout just a helping hand to continue to support my family until I can find employment! Again, please help!''

Patricia Dentley: ``I took an early termination package in hopes of continuing working until retirement age, but almost 6 years later, I'm still unemployed, and because of how my package was setup, I couldn't claim unemployment during the initial period after working. I was never in anyone's statistics regarding unemployed, with no benefits other than filing for early retirement or not having that. Most of the jobs with the company I was with is now in other countries with whom the American companies are paying less money, less benefits, and reaping a lot from these countries. I do want the other people in these countries to improve their lives, but we also have to live in ours. I don't know if you remember when our country paid farmers not to farm, now, not only are many people in our country unable to purchase the higher cost foods today, but other countries whom they could have helped are also starving, why, because of greed. I hope this helps not only you Representative Rangel, but a lot of other people you are fighting for.''

Jeanne Alvarado: ``I was laid off from my position at Coca Cola Enterprises a year and a half ago. This happened two months before I was to be vested in the company. To say the least, I was devastated and depressed however, I picked myself up and immediately started seeking employment. I have applied to hundreds of positions within the five boroughs which include all the beverage companies, nursing homes etc. I have only had the opportunity to interview for five positions. The painful hard fact Congressman is that companies do not want to hire people of my age group.

There is nothing out there for us at this age. I am 52 years old and I have worked since I am thirteen. Most of my teen and adults years I worked two jobs while raising my children. At this age I should be enjoying life with my family and grandchildren however, I find myself scared, depressed and full of anxiety at the thought of perhaps finding myself homeless. I have only one check left and then I will have no income. My savings is totally gone, as a matter of fact I do not even have a bank account anymore. My credit is destroyed and I am in a serious financial crisis. The little $288 dollars I receive from unemployment helps me keep food on the table and pay the minimum to my bills which are all behind. Thank God my son won a scholarship for college or else he might not have been able to further his education. I have to say I resent the Republicans for assuming that we the unemployed are lazy and do not look for work. Yes this might be the case for some however, there is good and bad in everything in life just as there are good Politicians and bad ones. That does not mean we must form a general opinion based on only a few. I am not a lazy person. As a matter of fact, I am willing to clean toilets if it means keeping a roof over my head and food on my table. Most Republicans are rich and will go home to a happy holiday, for many of us there will be no holiday. I cannot even afford to buy a tree this year. Please let the Republicans in the House know that many people, does not matter Democrat or Republican, are watching and are growing a real distaste for the cruel treatment we are getting. Thank you Congressman for you time.''

I rise, Madam Speaker, to share with the House the importance of extended unemployment insurance, increasing disposable income, and to try desperately hard to shatter the myth that some of the opponents of extended unemployment have expressed, and this is that Americans don't want to work and would prefer to receive a check and that receiving this check is a deterrent for them to go out and search for jobs.

I can't believe that this is a Republican doctrine because, outside of these Halls, most Americans don't wear on their sleeves whether they're Republican or Democrats or liberals or conservatives. Most Americans just want to be a part of this wonderful American Dream.

And while we work in order to have wages, so much a part of having a job is self-esteem. That's what our great country is about. Not since the Depression have Americans felt so embarrassed because their kids are being

asked questions as to did your daddy and mom lose their job.

People who thought they made it into the middle class, which is the economic heartbeat of this great Nation, moved into communities with higher rents or higher expenses in terms of their homes; and then they were hit by this economic nightmare. Through no fault of their own, they lost their jobs, their homes, their savings, their hope. And they are out there, and we are saying that they don't want to work, that they enjoy being unemployed?

You know, this great Nation has the Constitution as its foundation, but there's something that's not written there, and that is, if you can make your way to America, you can improve, not just your status, but the status of your kids and your grandkids.

Something has happened with this dream as it becomes a nightmare, and it has to do with disparity of the income because if you are born into poverty, chances of getting out of it in the United States of America is far less than in some other countries. That's not us. That's not what we believe in.

And no one is asking for a class war. We're talking about a class in understanding the economy of this great Nation. Less than 1 percent of Americans own 42 percent of America's wealth. And worse than being poor, more Americans who thought they reached the middle class wake up each and every day and find out that they're back into poverty.

Can't we find some way to realize that this is not a party issue, that these are the principles of the United States of America?

Don't we know that these debates that we're having as to who can be the meanest and most ridiculous is causing us, as a Nation, to lose the principles? And aren't these principles how do we treat the lesser of our brothers and sisters in this country? Isn't the question of how we treat our children, is that gone out of the window? Our aged, our sick and those in poverty?

Isn't there something when middle class people have to watch the cash register when they're paying out at the counter to make certain that they didn't pick up more than they can pay for?

What about having your possessions put in the street for nonpayment of rent?

They're looking for unemployment compensation checks as a way of life? They have to explain this?

No, we have to get back our dignity as a Nation, and it doesn't include the gridlock that we have in the House of Representatives. Sure, getting elected is important. But fulfilling the American Dream is far more important than anything this Nation's based on.

Yes, God bless America. Yes, in God we trust. Let's hope that God trusts us.

Mr. Speaker, as we move toward the close of this congressional session, I have been embarrassed at the number of people that have recognized me and ask, What's wrong with

the government? What's wrong with the Congress? Why can't you people get along? And it's very difficult and embarrassing to tell them that you really need all parts of the government working together, pushing the boat forward and rowing in the same direction. And when you have somebody that's already said that their primary mission as Members of the United States Congress is to get rid of the President, how that is interpreted legislatively is it means that the President cannot offer them anything that would look like he's accomplishing something positive because it would interfere with their primary goal, which is not economic growth, not jobs and not helping people out when they need a hand up, but it has to show that we want to get rid of Obama. And you can see that even the candidates that want to fill his job, they're not talking about what they're going to do, but the whole campaign is against the President.

Now, some people believe, as those on television, that for all practical purposes we should not expect that we'll be able to give assistance to our various communities throughout the country because the campaign has started, and so therefore no legislation is going to pass. That's just not so, and you don't have to wait until an election.

We haven't been sent down here just to please our voters for what happens in 2012. Each and every day, you have a right--and an obligation--to call the person that you have sent down here to Washington. And if you haven't, someone did. Everybody has a Member of this House and two Members in the other body. Why can't you pick up the phone to tell them that what they do in this year before the holidays and what they don't do is going to make a big difference in terms of how you vote when that opportunity comes? So you can put the pressure on.

And I might add this too. It is not just the voters that have this obligation to help those that are lesser among us, it's not those that are waiting for a little help, but the Republicans say that the only way you get the help is to cut back in health care, is to support the Keystone oil pipeline. All of these things, people don't go to sleep at night wondering about a pipeline. They want to know are they going to get any help from their government. And the issues really don't affect the very, very rich. They affect the very, very poor and those in the middle class that are being pushed into poverty where one out of five kids in the United States of America is born into poverty.

I am suggesting that this is not just a plea for economic justice or equity in how we tax people, but it is a moral issue that we should be hearing from our clergy. I'm not talking about Democrats and Republicans. I'm talking about Matthew, where Jesus said it's how you treat the lesser among us as to how you're going to be judged. And it's not just the Bible. It's not just the Old and New Testament. It's the Koran. It's the Torah. It's Muslims. It's Mormons. It's Christians and it's Jews. It's there. And it would seem to me if our clergy missed this wonderful opportunity before the Holy Spirit, not to tell us what to do but to tell us what they think is the right thing that we should be doing.

And so, as we move into the holidays, please don't think that we've got the other side convinced that they should give relief for unemployed people who paid into a system and who lost their jobs through no fault of their own. Please don't think that they want to protect Social Security and that they want to protect Medicaid and Medicare. No. That's our job to do it. But it's your job to remind us that we have this obligation to do it.

And so you're right if you stop us in the street and say that we've lost credibility--all of government, the President, the candidates for President, the Democrats and the Republicans. But what about you? Will you be able to say that you joined in this effort? Will you be able to say you made that telephone call or visited that office? I hope you do. And you can count on many of us that are waiting for that type of support. We need it.

Thank you. God bless America.

Well, it looks like this august body will continue to work until we find some solutions to the problems facing the millions of Americans who have lost their jobs, their homes, their savings through no fault of their own and have limited income.

It has taken some time for the Democrats in the House to persuade the majority that this is a time when we just can't lay off people and stop spending, even though that has to be a part of the ultimate solution to the problems that we face. But laying off people, especially at this time of the year, is not only an insensitive thing to do, but, in my opinion, the economics of it all is that if people don't have the resources to purchase their needs, then, of course, our small businesses are the ones that suffer financially; and, as a result of that, they may have to lay off workers. It just doesn't make economic sense, nor is it a very sensitive thing to do during this time of year.

Now very soon, this body will be considering what is referred to as the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011, which means that we will now have united--or apparently it appears to be united-- this entire Congress, saying that we must continue to have this low- income tax cut that working people enjoy to continue beyond its expiration of December 31, and that even though there are some people who claim that a lot of Americans don't pay any taxes--well, you can't explain that to a person who works hard each and every day and they find out what their pay was supposed to be, but, when they get home and look at their check, it's less. But just because it's not Federal income tax, that doesn't mean that they're not paying into their Social Security and they're not paying for their health benefits. So the President, in his wisdom, and this Congress support that we extend relief of that payroll tax so that these people have this disposable income during this time of the year.

And of course we have this controversy where every year, for whatever reason, Republicans can't grasp the understanding of what unemployment insurance is all about. And I shouldn't say Republicans. I'm talking about those people that belong to the Republican Party that truly believe, if you give someone a hand up at a time when they've lost their job and the Federal Government said that you have paid into this safety fund and you try to help them for what they paid into, that you are convincing them that they should not look for work.

Now, this great country exists because of our working middle class. It's because people don't enjoy work, but they have the dignity of working, the pride in letting their family know that they're providing for food and clothing and investing for the future. So perhaps I shouldn't blame the entire Republican Party. But they have managed every year not to deal with this extended unemployment compensation so at least these people can plan not just for the holidays but plan for their basic needs.

Somehow, with all of this feeling that it is about time that we came together and have done something, the Republicans have added to this the Keystone energy pipeline. Can you imagine how many people who are expecting relief from their government will be going to sleep tonight wondering whether they are going to continue to get a break on taxes next year, whether or not they are going to get a break on payroll taxes this year, and whether or not they are going to get extended unemployment compensation is all dependent on whether or not the Congress supports the Keystone energy pipeline?

Let's get rid of all the pipeline language. Let's do what the bill is supposed to do, and let's not put in something that could impede the passage.

I was walking through the Cannon Building to get to one of the television stations when an older gentleman stopped me and asked me whether or not they were going to provide the unemployment tax benefits to them. He was trying to find out why we were gridlocked and what the problem was. I assumed he was from my district, but he was from some part of Texas.

He heard my explanation as to why we were not just passing what Democrats believe in and what Republicans say they don't have a problem with. I told him it was about the Keystone pipeline, and he says, What the hell is that?

That made me think, of all the people at this time of the year who are going to sleep tonight with limited resources and with all of the polls that are saying that Congress is out of touch with the needs of America, they're not talking about Republicans; they're talking about the Congress--Republicans and Democrats.

Is anyone telling me that providing a tax break for people who work hard every day has to be connected with a pipeline? If you worked every day and, through no fault of your own, you lost your job when you'd paid into a fund from which you were supposed to get some comfort, are you telling them that we need the Keystone pipeline?

Let's get real. This is a political thing that's being done not to deliver on the promise that we made to the American people. So let me make a plea:

For all of the people who are in need, for all of the people who are looking for a little break from Big Government, for all of the people whom we made these promises to, say that we couldn't do it because of the Keystone pipeline. If you think that makes any sense, then we are just a disgrace to the American people.

If you want a Keystone pipeline, bring it to the floor. Let's debate it and vote up or down. But to hold hostage the American people who are suffering is just plain wrong.

Let me thank so much for the sensitivity and support that the gentlelady from Florida and chairman of this committee, for the strong support and the friendship that you've extended not only to me but to the people that you have felt their pain even though the hostilities are over, and the courtesy that Ranking Member Berman has given in allowing me to open the discussion on this important debate.

As most of you know, in 1950 the Communist North Koreans invaded South Korea, crossing a line that Russia and the United States had settled in what they called the 38th Parallel. Well, you can separate a geographic area, but you cannot separate a people that have the same background, the same language, and the same culture.

Nor can you engage in a war and insist that you are not going to abide by the international obligations that even in those types of hostilities most nations abide by. We have had close to 2 million American soldiers, men and women, in Korea with allies and friends in the United Nations to stop this hostile communist unwarranted takeover of South Korea. In that war over 50,000 Americans were killed; double that number were wounded; and we had thousands of people that were just taken as prisoners of war, or they were missing in action.

There was a time that the regime in North Korea was helping the State Department and the United States in finding where these bodies are located and with some success. When you lose a loved one, at some point in time it has to come to closure, and when you know that the people could have these bodies and for evil intent not respond to the basic human needs of those who suffered so much, it seems to me that this Congress and the executive branch should insist that a part of our priorities in dealing with North Korea is that they allow and cooperate with us in finding the remains of those people who fought for this great country and because their families and their friends have suffered so much pain.

As it relates to the South Koreans, they even sacrificed more lives. They were not hostile. They were not bothering anybody when this hostility came to such an extent that the whole world, almost, condemned it. And of course the Second Infantry Division that I served in in 1950 was the first to lead the United States and face the enemy and joining with our allies we were able to drive them to the North Korean border with China.

As most of you know, the Chinese entered with hundreds of thousands of people, tens of thousands of volunteers, and we found that many lives were lost.

In the course of this, South Koreans that were not in North Korea, they were in the northern part of their country. South Koreans that were captured, South Koreans that fought, South Koreans that were professors, workmen and what-not, were captured, held hostage and the worst of all, separated from their families and friends.

As I said, you can politically separate a country. You can draw an imaginary line on the map, but the truth of the matter is that the South Koreans have suffered long enough. They have really become our friends. They have become the sentinel of democracy in this part of the world. They have become one of our strongest trading partners, and we never have to ask them for help. They're always there.

When Korea is in trouble, we will be there for them; when America is in trouble, we don't have to call on South Korea.

So I want to thank the committee members and this Congress and this Nation not to forget our friends, and especially not to forgot those who still mourn those who gave up their lives for their great countries, both for South Korea and for the United States of America. And we hope that through this effort, the State Department will resume looking for the Americans who put themselves in harm's way and their families have no knowledge where they are.

We would like to thank Ms. Lee and all of the people who have come here to convince us that these families have to be reunited, and America will see that it is done. I thank you for the courtesy.

Mr. Speaker, as a Member of Congress, I have been blessed to call many wonderful people my friend, but none more than Ofield Dukes. I am extremely saddened by the passing of such great man who had significant impact in not only my life, but that of my Colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus, dating back to its founding. Aside from his many accomplishments in business, politics and his personal life, Ofield was simply a true and kind person who sought to make our country a better place for all. I will forever miss his virtue, justness and sincerity.

Ofield was the best communications strategist in Washington. He helped organized the first Congressional Black Caucus (CBS) dinner in 1971 and served as an advisor to numerous CBC chairpersons. He was a founding member of the CBC Foundation and served on the Foundation Board (CBCF) for 14 years. As the first chairman of the Foundation's Finance and Fundraising Committee, Ofield was instrumental in developing strategies for fundraising including recruiting business support and active involvement.

Ofield's devotion to his craft was esteemed by everyone. In 1988, Ofield was selected by CBC Chairman Julian Dixon to serve as chairman of a historic black-tie dinner in salute of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. When the CBC Chairman Clyburn needed a person to organize and edit the first news letter of the CBC-CBCF, he called Ofield and for seven years he did a superb job in editing the CBC-CBCF newsletter.

In addition to his work with the CBC & CBCF, Ofield was dedicated to fighting for racial equality. He served for 10 years on the board of the MLK, Jr. Committee for Non-Violent Social Change and as an advisor to Mrs. Coretta Scott King. He also served as an advisor to Dr. Leon Sullivan, organized the first Stevie Wonder March to make Dr. King's birthday a national holiday and was an advisor to Alex Haley, author of the epic book ``Roots'' which provided the impetus for the historic TV series.

Aside from all his public service achievements, Ofield always find time to nurture the next generation of communicators and political minds. As an adjunct professor for 25 years at the Howard University John H. Johnson School of Communication, Ofield is credited with influencing hundreds of students to enter the field of public relations. He also taught public relations at the American University for eight years.

In politics, Ofield served as a communications consultant to the Democratic National Committee in six presidential campaigns. In 1998, Ofield worked very closely with me in developing the national African American media strategy that helped generate a large black voter turnout that helped Democrats to gain control of the House of Representatives.

Ofield is credited with having tremendous impact on the professional lives of many. Radio One Founder Cathy Hughes says there would not be a Radio One without the early support and continuing advice of Ofield. Upon receiving his graduate degree from Princeton University, Robert Johnson called Ofield who arranged the first two jobs for Johnson in Washington, D.C. prior to his founding BET.

In 2001, Ofield became the first African American to win the Public Relations Society of America's Gold Anvil, the highest individual awards given in the public relations industry. In 2004, PRWeek named him one of this nation's top five national communicators. In 2009, Dukes succeeded Dr. C. Delores Tucker as President of the Bethune- DuBois Institute.

Ofield's other professional recognition includes: being named by the Washington Post as one of the top five PR persuaders in Washington; among the first to be inducted into the Washington, D.C. Public Relations Hall of Fame; inducted into the Commonwealth of Virginia Communications Hall of Fame; and receiving the Wayne State University 2010 Alumni Achievement Award.

Ofield's list of accomplishments goes on and on, but what his friendship meant to me and so many people is immeasurable. I want to express my deepest condolences to his beautiful family. Ofield Dukes was one of a kind and he will be deeply missed. His legacy will last throughout Washington and our country.

I have been so moved by the preceding gentleman's remarks about the good work that Americans can do, especially when the argument is which side are we on, terrorism or freedom.

I don't know how many cases in the world that the United States of America can intercede in, but I do know that, as we see these horrible examples of what people can do to their own people, that we have thousands of Americans who have volunteered to support our flag and the integrity of the United States who have been killed. And it just seemed to me that when we're talking about the protection of a human body, whether it's losing a limb or your sight or your face, no matter what it is--and especially your life--that if America is going to take this

position, all Americans should be prepared to make the sacrifices as the gentleman before me has.

I think it's so unfair and borders on corrupt when people talk about where our American men and women should be, defending freedom in foreign countries, when America hasn't spoken. Presidents haven't declared war. And we find ourselves talking about volunteers when it's abundantly clear that everybody does not assume the same sacrifices, whether we're talking about taxes or loss of life.

So whether we're talking about Australia, Afghanistan, Iraq, before the people make a decision--and that's what we're for in the House-- before they make a decision, at least say that everyone has to participate in that decision and not those who, for economic reasons, find themselves in communities with the highest, the very highest unemployment.

And I laud what happens to all of us who volunteered, because when that flag goes up, you salute the flag. The President becomes the Commander in Chief, and there is only one thing to do. And that's win and protect the integrity of the United States.

But I submit that we have to have a draft that's a part of--what?-- the United States, and not a plea for those people, for economic reasons, who will have to protect themselves. I don't think I've ever said this before, but I was thinking that my brother volunteered long before Pearl Harbor, which today we commemorate, and so he was unable to say, nor I, that he volunteered because we were being attacked.

Several years later, in 1948, when the war was over, I volunteered, and that was before the North Koreans invaded South Korea. I would like to walk away by saying how patriotic we both were; but really what motivated me was the excitement my mother would get in receiving a check from my older brother. It wasn't a question of whether she loved him more; it was that she needed it.

I was a teenager--11, 12 years old. The one thing I knew, I wanted to make my mother as happy as my brother did and send her that allotment check. Yet, today, I have medals, and I've been lorded by the Koreans and everyone else; but when I think about it, there were economic reasons that made me a ``hero,'' and there are economic reasons that make the heroes that we have who defend our country and our flag so well.

I didn't expect to talk about that; but in hearing that, 70 years ago, we were attacked and of the American lives that were lost and then of coming back to what has happened in Afghanistan, I am reminded of how unfair this system is for the greatest country in the world and of the hope and division that we're losing and of what separates us from so many other countries in which you can be born into the pits of poverty, and yet you can always dream that, in this great country, you can succeed.

So many Members of Congress and so many members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus are the first ones who ever went to college--their parents were the first ones in generations who were able to become professionals--and then had the great honor to represent the United States of America in this Congress.

I am sorry to have deviated from why I came to the well. What I can say to other Members is: God bless America. We have to keep fighting for equality and justice for all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Harlem Double Dutch Classic, which competition takes place every year at the world famous Apollo Theater. I also would like to recognize the National Double Dutch League and my good friend Mr. David A. Walker who passed away in 2008, and the rise of director Ms. Lauren Walker, Mr. Walker's daughter.

David A. Walker, the founder of the National Double Dutch League made Double Dutch into the game it is today. Together with Ulysses Williams, whom he met while working for the New York City Police Community Affairs division, were able to make the game into a competitive team sport that quickly gained momentum as a World Class Sport. By 1974 Double Dutch had gained enough popularity to have the first tournament of fifth through eighth graders, in which almost 600 students participated.

Double Dutch has since become a citywide, national and international sport. Community centers and school throughout the national have thousands of students compete to be champions of this wonderful sport. For 18 years, Walker served the American Double Dutch League as president, and later went on to form the International Double Dutch Federation, the National Double Dutch League, which we are honoring today, and the Dynamic Diplomats of Double Dutch team. Walker managed to create an approach to the sport that has spread throughout the world as the default method to compete. Double Dutch has risen and fallen in popularity over the years, but Walker was able to help the game stand the test of time and rise once again in its full glory.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to educate themselves on this important sport that has changed the lives of young girls and boys throughout the nation and the world. We must honor the man that has helped put our children's energies into safe pass times such as this, and David A. Walker was that man. I know that his daughter will carry on his legacy and keep this incredible sport alive and thriving.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my sincere concern over the unjust imprisonment of Alan Gross by the Cuban government. A true humanitarian, Mr. Gross was sentenced in March to 15 years in prison for ``acts to undermine the integrity and independence'' of Cuba.

Before the sentencing earlier this year, Mr. Gross had already been imprisoned for two years without charge. He was in Cuba as part of a USAID contract to provide support to members of the Cuban Jewish community

when he was arrested. He was helping to improve their access to the internet and to build an intranet. Never did any of his actions pose a threat or danger to the Cuban government. Because of his unethical imprisonment, Mr. Gross, who is 62 years old, is declining in health and spirit and quick action must be taken.

Mr. Gross is an international development specialist and social worker. He has positively impacted the lives of people in over 50 countries, including the West Bank, Gaza, Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, and Haiti. His work has always focused on helping people.

I join my constituents of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, Mr. Gross' wife Judy, their two daughters, and my Colleagues Senator Ben Cardin and Congressman Chris Van Hollen in calling for the speedy and unconditional release of Allan Gross.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the heroic spirit of one of the most remarkable women in our nation's history by celebrating National Transit Tribute to Rosa Parks Day. Commonly known as ``the first lady of civil rights'' and ``the mother of the freedom movement,'' Rosa Parks is a heroine who will be forever remembered for her courage to stand up for what she believed.

On that fateful December 1st evening in 1955, Rosa Parks had the strength to refuse to sit in the back of the bus, where blacks at the time were segregated from white riders in the front. By this simple yet heroic protest she inspired blacks across America to fight for their rights. I am honored to have been part of the Civil Rights Movement she helped fuel. Because of her vision for equality, America has made great strides toward a more perfect union.

It was a great privilege to attend the ceremony on October 28, 2005, when our nation bestowed Rosa Parks the highest honor by allowing her body to lie in honor in the Capitol of the United States Congress. She was the first American who had not been a government official to be paid this tribute. She was also the first woman and the second black person to lie in honor.

The story of Rosa Parks is proof that everyone in our great democracy, in this case a 42-year-old black woman from Montgomery, Alabama, can change the course of our country and help pave a better tomorrow for future generations. I hope we can be inspired by Rosa Parks to continue our fight for equality and justice for all Americans.