Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, it brings me great sadness to pay final tribute to Mr. Alan Macnow. He died peacefully on December 25, 2010, after a long and courageous battle with COPD. He was 78.

He was born in 1932 in New York City to Rose and Maxwell Lawrence Macnow, and married Yoko Hamada Macnow, a New York-based fashion editor, author and journalist. They remained married until her death in 1993.

A lifelong resident of New York City, Mr. Macnow attended and graduated from Columbia University, and then he served in the U.S. Army before becoming a freelance journalist for Time-Life Magazines. He began his career in public relations as a writer for the American Heritage Foundation, and then worked at Grey Advertising, Inc., before forming his own public relations, marketing and market research firm, Tele-Press Associates, Inc.

He introduced and helped to bring to the U.S. market a wide range of Japanese products, initially as part of the effort to promote trade and positive relations after his service in the United States Army during WWII, and afterward to help to change the image of Japanese products from low cost to high quality, good value products. These included steel, Toyota automobiles, fireworks, transistor radios, shiitake mushrooms, and nori. He was instrumental in developing the U.S. market for Japanese cameras and cultured pearls.

Mr. Macnow worked tirelessly and passionately to promote greater understanding and more equitable treatment for Japan's fishing and whaling industries in U.S. and international waters. In 2001, he was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure by the Emperor of Japan for his long and meritorious service to Japan. He was also awarded a Certificate of Commendation from the U.S. House of Representatives on August 2, 1984.

He loved New York City, and he loved to travel. He visited many countries around the world and was interested in history and fascinated by different cultures.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Grace; his son, Devin, and grandson, Max; and daughter, Didi, and granddaughters Asia and Lena. He also leaves a step-daughter, Duoduo, and her husband, Tse. He is survived by his brother, Donald and wife, Georgie, and a niece and nephew.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the Centennial Anniversary of the founding o the New York Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

On January 27, 1911, 100 years ago, the New York Branch of the NAACP received its Charter. Organized by Executive Committee members Mary White Ovington, Charles H. Suddin, Frances Blascoer, Oswald Garrison Villard, Gilchrist Stewart, Joel E. and Arthur Spingarn, the New York Branch was the first Branch established in the National Association's history.

In April 1911, Dr. W.E.B. DuBois proposed that the Branch should have an investigator and organizer to examine cases and complaints, to raise funds and develop a ``forum for discussion.'' Gilchrist Stewart, a young attorney, was chosen to fill this role and become Chairman of the New York Branch Vigilance Committee. In the fall of 1911, the Branch opened in Harlem where ``colored people could report any cases of injustice before the law,'' During the first six months, three cases were handled involving police brutality, which led to the trial and suspension of one police officer.

The New York Branch had successful campaigns to break up the pattern of theatre segregation. Despite these activities, the Branch was adversely affected by a lack of stability. In December 1913, the Board decided that the New York Vigilance Committee be reorganized and focus on fundraising for the National Association. The legal work handled by the Vigilance Committee was transferred to the National NAACP office, which by then had a full-time lawyer.

At one time, the New York Branch became inactive, and when the NAACP Annual Report was published in 1916, the Branch was not listed. According to historian Charles Flint Kellogg, the original charter had been lost. Since there was no record of its date of issue, a new charter had been issued on November 11, 1917, when James Weldon Johnson succeeded in organizing a Harlem Branch and became its Vice President. That same year, Ms. Mary White-Ovington secured approval from the NAACP National Board to enroll those individuals who participated in the 1917 Silent March on 5th Avenue. Each individual received a compensation of $1 while serving as a member of the branch for the duration of 1 year.

During the fall of 1931, the New York Branch reverted back to an inactive status, and the NAACP National office enlisted Field Organizer Daisy Lampkin to conduct a membership campaign which ended on October 2, 1931. As a result of the campaign, 500 new members were enrolled and $3,323.00 was raised. As a result, the Branch was reorganized and granted a renewed charter on November 9, 1931.

In addition to Dr. Annie B. Martin, the New York Branch has had several distinguished activist and civil right leaders to serve as President during its history, including: James E. Allen who later helped to organize and become the first New York State Conference President; the Honorable Ella Josephine Baker, who was one of the visionaries who created the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1957; the Honorable Judge Jawn Ardin Sandifer was one of two NAACP staff lawyers who successfully argued Henderson v. United States, the unanimous Supreme Court decision ruled that railroads that operate across state lines may not bar passengers from eating in dining cars because of their race.

It also includes two of my dearest friends and brothers, the Honorable Basil A. Paterson, former Secretary of the State of New York and renowned national labor attorney; and the Honorable Percy Ellis Sutton, our former Manhattan Borough President, civil rights attorney, business leader and founding Chairman of the Board of the largest black-owned radio stations in the nation, Inner City Broadcasting, Inc. Other past Presidents who served include Russell Crawford, Lind H. White, I. Joseph Overton, Richard A. Hildebrand, Jeff L. Greenup and Carl Lawrence.

Today, the New York Branch has been one of the largest leading membership Branches of the NAACP. Led by its President, Dr. Annie B. Martin, the New York (Harlem) Branch is continuing to work steadfastly on the front lines of

the fight for justice. The Unit played a prominent role in the ``Overground Railroad'' demonstrations over voter registration concerns, started a Saturday program to help students develop study habits, and held legal redress forums, community health fairs and civic engagement activities.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the Centennial Anniversary of the

founding of the New York Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

On January 27, 1911, exactly 100 years ago today, the New York Branch of the NAACP received its Charter. Organized by Executive Committee members Mary White Ovington, Charles H. Suddin, Frances Blascoer, Oswald Garrison Villard, Gilchrist Stewart, Joel E. and Arthur Spingarn, the New York Branch was the first Branch established in the National Association's history.

In April 1911, Dr. W.E.B. DuBois proposed that the Branch should have an investigator and organizer to examine cases and complaints, to raise funds and develop a ``forum for discussion.'' Gilchrist Stewart, a young attorney, was chosen to fill this role and become Chairman of the New York Branch Vigilance Committee. In the fall of 1911, the Branch opened in Harlem where ``colored people could report any cases of injustice before the law.'' During the first six months, three cases were handled involving police brutality, which led to the trial and suspension of one police officer.

The New York Branch had successful campaigns to break up the pattern of theatre segregation. Despite these activities, the Branch was adversely affected by a lack of stability. In December 1913, the Board decided that the New York Vigilance Committee be reorganized and focus on fundraising for the National Association. The legal work handled by the Vigilance Committee was transferred to the National NAACP office, which by then, had a full-time lawyer.

At one time, the New York Branch became inactive, and when the NAACP Annual Report was published in 1916, the Branch was not listed. According to historian Charles Flint Kellogg, the original charter had been lost. Since there was no record of its date of issue, a new charter had been issued on November 11, 1917, when James Weldon Johnson succeeded in organizing a Harlem Branch and became its Vice President. That same year, Ms. Mary White-Ovington secured approval from the NAACP National Board, to enroll those individuals who participated in the 1917 Silent March on 5th Avenue. Each individual received a compensation of $1 while serving as a member of the branch for the duration of 1 year.

During the fall of 1931, the New York Branch reverted back to an inactive status, and the NAACP National office enlisted Field Organizer, Daisy Lampkin to conduct a membership campaign which ended on October 2, 1931. As a result of the campaign, 500 new members were enrolled and $3,323.00 was raised. As a result, the Branch was reorganized and granted a renewed charter on November 9, 1931. Since that date, the New York Branch has been one of the largest leading membership Branches of the NAACP.

Led by its President, Dr. Annie B. Martin, the New York (Harlem) Branch is continuing to work steadfastly on the front lines of the fight for justice. The Unit played a prominent role in the ``Overground Railroad'' demonstrations over voter registration concerns, started a Saturday program to help students develop study habits, and held legal redress forums, community health fairs and civic engagement activities.

James E. Allen also served as president of the New York branch and later helped to organize and become the first New York State Conference President. Other former presidents of the organization include: Ella Baker, Russell Crawford, Jawn Sandifer, Lionel Barrow, Lind H. White, I. Joseph Overton, Hon. Percy E. Sutton, Hon. Basil A. Paterson, Richard A. Hildebrand, Jeff L. Greenup, Carl Lawrence and the current president Dr. Annie B. Martin.

Thank you so much. I wish when the dust settles and we have an opportunity to sit together with our Republican friends that we can come up with a reform called ``truth in advertising'' as we label these bills.

What was a national bill and has been signed into law now is being referred to as the ``Democrat ObamaCare job-killing threat to your natural life'' bill. And of course this is misleading perhaps to a lot of new Members because they should know, as the listeners to this debate should know, that this ain't repealing nothing.

It's an obligation that some people feel that they made to their constituency who elected them who thought perhaps that that's all you had to do was put in a bill.

But under 2 minutes, I can't get into this how to repeal a law; but it starts off with a vote in the House, then you have to get a vote in the Senate, and then you have to override a veto by the President of the United States.

So if this is done for political reasons, I have always been able to find some good, no matter how this thing is misconstrued, in letting people who follow debate know this is not going to take away the benefits that you received under the Affordable Care Act, that you will continue to receive these preliminary benefits now, and as the years go forward and you find that you're in need of service or some one of your dear ones, you would find that the bill that people were screaming had to be repealed that we would have joined in recognizing that this is the political theater part about it, but we will be forced to review the bill, improve it if we can, and at the same time be able to say that it's not a Democrat bill, but the Congress in support of the President of the United States saw fit after all of these decades of not recognizing the right of our citizens to have health care to come together and have a bipartisan effort to provide this care.

Madam Speaker, I rise to ask all Americans to join me in my prayers for Representative Gabrielle Giffords' speedy and full recovery. I extend my thoughts to her husband, Captain Mark Kelly, their family, and those of all the staff and constituents who were innocent victims of this traumatic event.

At a time like this we should also remember that all of our staffs could be in harm's way, just by working with us. Staff is a vital part of our lives, and without them we would not be able to function. While everyone is concerned about Members' safety, I think we should also be concerned for our staff.

Such act of violence on Gabby, her staff and constituents is a threat to the virtue of open government and has no place in our democracy. Concern for safety should not stand between public officials and the people. My constituents in Upper Manhattan have a special understanding of this tragedy because of the amount of gun violence we have in the district.

Gabby is one of the most charming and brilliant stars I have seen in Congress. She is a true dedicated public servant who works tirelessly for the people of her district and our great country. I have great love and affection for Gabby and I look forward to seeing my dear colleague and friend back in Washington very soon.

Mr. Speaker, it brings me sadness and honor to pay final tribute to Dr. Billy Taylor. He died Tuesday, December 28, 2010, of heart failure in Riverside, New York. He was 89.

For eight decades, Dr. Taylor remained vigorously dedicated to nurturing jazz and creating new forums and opportunities for the artists who perform it. He encompassed that rare combination of creativity, intelligence, vision,

commitment and leadership, all qualities that made him one of our most cherished national treasures.

Dr. Billy Taylor began his career in New York City in 1942 in Harlem playing with Ben Webster's quartet at the Three Deuces alongside Webster, Big Sid Catlett and Charlie Drayton opposite the Art Tatum Trio. He immersed himself in the jazz scene over the next few years, playing with many jazz greats of the day, such as Slam Stewart, Eddie South, Stuff Smith, Coleman Hawkins, Jo Jones and Roy Eldridge.

1949 marked the beginning of his two-year stint as house pianist at Birdland, the legendary New York City jazz club. He played with everybody--Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Oscar Pettiford, Art Blakey, Milt Jackson, Zoot Sims, Roy Haynes, and Kenny Dorham. He often played opposite such bands as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Stan Kenton and Lennie Tristano. Birdland provided Taylor one of his greatest learning experiences.

During the 1950s Dr. Taylor made some recordings with his own group for such labels as Prestige, Riverside, ABC Paramount, and Capital Records. He also recorded albums with Quincy Jones, Sy Oliver, Mundell Lowe, Neal Hefti, Eddie ``Lockjaw Davis'', Sonny Stitt, Lucky Thompson, Coleman Hawkins and Dinah Washington. He started his own music publishing company, Duane Music, Inc.

Dr. Taylor worked regularly with his trio and hosted his own daily radio show on New York's WLIB during the 1960s. He made guest shots on various TV shows and recordings for Capital Records. Taylor started writing about jazz and giving lectures/clinics to music teachers interested in teaching jazz.

He was a strong advocate for the arts. Taylor concentrated many of his efforts on generating funding for the arts and humanities. He focused on radio and television in order to gain better exposure for America's classical music. He helped to facilitate many local and national broadcasts featuring jazz artists in live performances.

Dr. Taylor was tapped by Charles Kuralt to become arts correspondent for the popular television program, ``CBS Sunday Morning'' in the early 1980s.

In the 90s, Dr. Taylor was named Artistic Advisor for Jazz to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Since 1994, under the umbrella of Jazz at the Kennedy Center, he developed numerous concert series including the Art Tatum Pianorama, the Louis Armstrong Legacy series, the annual Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival, Beyond Category, Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead, and the Jazz Ambassadors Program.

``Dr. Taylor was a remarkable musician and humanitarian. He was a primary advisor for both the creation of the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters program in 1982 and was invaluable as the agency sought to strengthen its support for the jazz field in 2004,'' said Wayne Brown, Director, Music & Opera Programs, NEA. Dr. Billy Taylor was named an NEA Jazz Master in 1988.

Throughout his career, Dr. Billy Taylor was one of those rare artists who was also a scholar of his art. He was a premiere pianist and an elegant stylist. Many acclaimed him as the most exciting pianist in the jazz world.

Dr. Billy Taylor will be remembered as one of the jazz world's historians, master musicians, an educator, storyteller, sage, and jazz virtuoso.

I extend my sincere condolences to his family for this tremendous loss and share their enormous pride in all that he accomplished.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to ask my colleagues to spend some time today to remember the Christian feast of the Epiphany, or as many in my community know it, Three Kings Day.

For millions around the world, especially Latinos, the final curtain on the holiday season doesn't begin to fall until today, January 6. From El Barrio through Mexico, and the Caribbean all the way down to the tip of South America, communities find their own unique ways to celebrate the Biblical journey of Balthasar, Melchior, and Caspar.

Like Christmas, Three Kings Day is a day for kids and family, a time to not just exchange gifts, but also appreciate what we have. In the East Harlem section of my congressional district, the day has been marked for 34 years by a children's parade organized by El Museo del Barrio. Mr. Speaker, seeing these children in costumes and coats walking the streets of Fifth Avenue, you would be instantly reminded about how special they each are and the special responsibility we have in making sure that they have just as many opportunities to succeed--if not more--than any of us standing in these great walls.

Balthasar, Melchior, and Caspar traveled on the wings of hope, believing that a better future lay in the hands of a humble child in the manger. They did not dismiss him because he was a carpenter's son or because he was poor. They did not ask about his immigration status or whether his parents had proper paperwork. They crossed deserts and overcame hurdles because they believed that his future was as bright and limitless as the stars that adorned the sky.

Unfortunately, not enough of today's children have been given such investment of time and energy. Despite the tireless work of many parents and educators, far too many are falling through the cracks in schools that are ill-equipped to teach them the skills necessary for work and life.

So on this last weekend of the holiday season, let all of us remember the greatness that lies in each of our children. Let us renew our commitment to our next generation by developing partnerships that will equip them with the tools they will need to realize their goals and dreams.

Let us remember that acts of kindness and generosity should extend well into the year and that the future of this great land depends on the opportunities we create for our children to shine and reach their full potential.

``No State shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any duty of tonnage, keep troops, or ships of war in time of peace, enter into any agreement or compact with another State, or with a foreign power, or engage in war, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent danger as will not admit of delay.''

Thank you, Madam Ranking Member.

I come to the floor opposing the rule only because there's a provision in it that indicates that our delegates from all over the globe will not be allowed to exercise any of their voting privileges that they had earlier. And when my friend, Mr. Dreier, the distinguished chairman of this committee, indicated it was all symbolic, I just would hope that if we do get a chance to pull this out of the package and perhaps vote on this in a separate way, that you might see your way clear to understand that these Americans and citizens who volunteer and fight for this great country and support our flag, and in many cases have per capita more of their young people killed in action and wounded in action than those of us on the mainland, that I think it deserves a better classification than to say that it's respecting their friends and it's symbolic.

I yield to the gentleman from California.

All of us from the City of New York and around the Nation are so proud to be a Member of this body.

Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

Madam Speaker, I rise today, nine years after the tragic events of September 11, to recognize the passage of a bill that will allow the first responders who rushed to the scene that day to now be able to get the health care resources they need.

Today, both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate approved an amended version, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act that would provide medical treatment for the ailing first responders and recovery workers who were exposed to toxic dust following the collapse of the Twin Towers in New York City on September 11, 2001.

This victory is for what is right; a long overdue thank you to those who rushed in to help after what was one of our nation's biggest tragedies. After nine long years, these unsung heroes and their families no longer have to worry about how they are going to get the care and resources they so desperately need.

The Zadraga bill originally passed the House in September, but had been held up in the Senate due to various partisan concerns. It now goes to President Barack Obama, who is expected to sign the bill into law before the end of the holiday season.

This should have never been about the money, but about what we should do to honor those who thought of their country first and not themselves. They answered the call when their country needed them and we are all a better nation for it.

Thanks to the hard work of so many people--from legislators, like our Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the New York Congressional Delegation and House Leadership, to the NYS AFL-CIO President Dennis Hughes, the 32nd Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano and the countless union officials and 911 families that traveled to Washington to lobby on the bill's behalf--these patriotic Americans can spend the holiday seasons with some peace of mind.

What the law would do: Under an agreement worked out by New York Senators Charles Schumer and Kristen Gillibrand, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act would: provide a total of $4.3 billion in funding for the health and compensation titles of the bill; cap federal funding for the health program over five years at $1.5 billion (New York City will contribute 10% of the cost). Any funds not spent in the first five years may be carried over and expended in the sixth year of the program; reopen the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) for five years to file claims, with payments to be made over six years. Fund the VCF at $2.8 billion for six years, with $.8 billion available for payments in the first five years and $2.0 billion available for payment in year six. Claims will be paid in 2 installments--one payment in the first five years, and a second payment in the sixth year of the program; the pay for the House-passed version of the bill has been replaced by a 2 percent fee on government procurement from foreign companies located in non-GPA countries and a one-year extension of H-B 1 and L-1 Visa fees for outsourcing companies. These are estimated by CBO to collect $4.59 billion over the 10-year scoring period for the bill.

Others changes made in the bill to address Republican concerns: requiring that the Centers of Excellence report claims data to HHS so that costs and utilization of services can be fully monitored; specifying the non-treatment services furnished by Centers of Excellence to be funded under the health program (e.g., outreach, social services, data collection, and development of treatment protocols); authorizing the World Trade Center Program Administrator to designate the Veteran's Administration as a provider for WTC health services; directing the Special Master to develop rules to implement the VCF within 180 days of passage of the legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to praise the dedicated commitment of the Library of Congress to the promotion of reading through its sponsorship of the National Book Festival. I warmly commend Representative Daniel Lungren for taking the initiative to introduce H. Res. 1646.

The National Book Festival occurred on September 25, 2010, in Washington, DC. President Obama and Michelle Obama served as honorary chairs for the important event. Nearly one million people over the past decade have attended. This year, approximately 150,000 bibliophiles gathered together to meet the 70 best-selling authors in attendance.

I am proud that the New York State Library, New York Council for the Humanities and the Empire State Center for the Book partnered together to display New York's rich literary heritage in the Pavilion of the States at the National Book Festival. New York author, Rebecca Stead, also autographed copies of her 2010 Newbery Award-winning book, When You Reach Me. New York's involvement at the mall demonstrated a common commitment with the Library of Congress in encouraging the population to read.

Fostering the joy of reading is a valuable goal. Living in the digital age does not mean we have forgotten the pleasure of reading the printed text. Reading broadens our minds to new possibilities, new worlds, new people and new ideas. The future is based on our ability to read, digest information and pioneer innovative ideas. Formal education in the classroom should be supplemented by self-education.

Urging more people to read also improves our literacy rate. A literate population is necessary to guarantee greater educational opportunities, foster life-long learning, jobs, and underpins our democracy because elected officials depend on an informed citizenry to make decisions.

I admire and am thankful of the efforts made by the Library of Congress to promote the wonder of words.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my full support for H. Res. 1746, a resolution recognizing and observing the efforts of the Boston Red Sox Foundation and other organizations for their Welcome Back Veterans Initiatives. I thank Congressman Steve Israel for introducing this resolution to give us the opportunity to move in a definitive direction in improving the care for our veterans.

I am emotionally connected and affected by the plight of returning soldiers and their families. As a Korean War Veteran myself, I know all too well the significant toll that war can have on a soldier's physical and mental well-being, and that of their families. I am very familiar with how substantial support upon returning home can make all the difference.

I, along with other members of the Congressional Black Caucus, welcomed the Boston Red Sox Foundation to our Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Veterans Braintrust to explore and discuss issues concerning our veterans. The Boston Red Sox Foundation's efforts were very impressive.

Given the fact that we are welcoming an increasing amount of our soldiers home who will without a doubt be faced with a multitude of problems that we may not yet be equipped to

deal with, this discussion is very timely. For this reason, I am heartened that this resolution encourages our Veterans Affairs Department to establish innovative public-private partnerships in the treatment of PTSD. This is a remarkable turning point in our handling of this condition.

I again thank the gentleman from New York for introducing this resolution and I urge all the members of this body to stand in support with me to ensure our service members are receiving the care they so rightfully deserve.

For the first time approaching this rule, it is my understanding that if I want to stop $23 billion from increasing the deficit by knocking out a Senate provision and substituting a Pomeroy, in order to do that I would have to accept the remainder of the Senate bill. I don't think Members of this House should have to make that choice.

It seems to me that if you believe that it is inequitable for a handful of people to receive such a large amount of money at the expense of the deficit, at the expense of discretionary spending, that we should have an opportunity, one, to vote against the Senate bill in its present form that does that, and two, to vote for Pomeroy, which would allow us to at least control the amount of tax relief that we give to estate taxes.

I yield back the balance of my time, but I do hope we get a rule that will allow us to express exactly how we feel, Republican or Democrat, because if you're not a part of the deal, it's hard to be supporting it.

Tonight is going to be a rather historic vote. In the old days, the House would initiate tax bills, and then we would send it to the Senate, and then the Senate and the House would come together and have what was known as a conference.

But it's clear to me that rules are changing fast, and now that the House has spoken in terms of a tax bill, in terms of giving some comfort to those people who are unemployed, it seems to me now that it works that the President works with a handful of Republicans and tells us, on the House side, that if we change anything, there's absolutely no deal. I think the President said that these people that were unemployed were being held as hostage.

In addition to that, we find that all of the tax benefits seem to be centered among the people who are the richest that we have in this country, while we find more and more Americans going into poverty. I submit to you that democracy cannot grow with this type of diversity, where we find so much wealth held in the hands of so few and so many other people are without jobs and without hope.

It would seem to me that we have time to correct these things. There's nothing in the Constitution or the House rules that indicates that we can't work closer to Christmas. I know other people believe that this would be a violation of Christian values. But helping those people who are poor, helping those people who are without jobs, I submit to you and to Christians, Jews and Gentiles, that this will be the proper thing to do, with the spirit of Christmas, rather than just to do what people outside of the House have dictated that if we don't do it their way, then these people that we have such a moral commitment to will go without compensation, and the rest of the people that deserve a tax break would be denied if we don't go along with the package.

So, to Members who are coming to this body, this is a new set of rules, a new set of tradition; but I tell you, it is not the American tradition that I knew and loved so well.

Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a talented and important member of my staff, Emile Milne, who has retired after more than two decades of service on the Hill as my Press Secretary and Legislative Director.

Born in the Republic of Panama, Emile grew up in New York City and studied at Georgetown University here in Washington. Prior to that, he worked for 20 years as a newspaper and magazine reporter and editor in San Francisco, New York and Atlanta. His insight into domestic and foreign policy comes not only from his professional experience but his personal travels throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. His expertise comes from not just covering important episodes of our history like the civil rights movement, but also knowing the people who participated in those movements, some famous, some nameless, but all important to laying the foundation of social change and justice.

In a place full of policy wonks and personal agendas, Emile has been a trusted friend and colleague who dispensed wisdom on how public officials can make a difference in the lives of everyday Americans. Whether it is speaking to advocates lobbying for legislation or members of the media covering a story, he has the uncanny ability to get to the heart of issues and clearly communicate not just my position, but the position that should be taken.

His professionalism, his sense of humor and skillfulness with both people and the pen have served as an example to both veteran staff members and young interns. His daily presence will be missed, but after years of long legislative nights and weekends, he surely does deserve more time off the Hill to spend with his lovely wife Claudette, and his family, and to explore other ways to utilize his God-given talents. Besides, I still have his cell phone number and know that all I have to do is pick up the phone to get a bit of the wisdom and good counsel that he has passed along all these years.