Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Council of the city of New York's Resolution No. 2166, calling upon the U.S. House to pass H.R. 658--the Access to Postal Services Act. Thanks to our work in Congress, H.R. 22--the U.S. Postal Service Financial Relief Act, has passed the House and similar legislation has cleared the Senate. This great legislation assists the U.S. Postal Service with financial expenses and stops the unnecessary closure of neighborhood post offices, increasing community input as the Postal Service reorganizes its branches throughout the city of New York.

If we do not follow-up with the speedy passage of H.R. 658, the Postal Service will be forced to close over 700 locations throughout the United States, including 53 locations in New York city alone. In addition to the borough of Queens, Manhattan will be adversely affected with the closure of 25 locations, which includes my Harlem community.

In my own district, the Tejeda Post Office was almost a victim to these closures. The well-regarded institution was named after a member of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment who was killed during combat operations in Baghdad, Iraq on April 11, 2003. He died at the tender age of 26. But thanks to the help of people like District Leader Maria Luna, City Councilman Robert Jackson and Assemblyman Denny Farrell and Adriano Espaillat, as well as Councilmember-Elect Ydanis Rodriguez, Community Board 12, and the Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation, a grassroots coalition came together and demanded that it remain open.

We ought to work to make sure that nothing of the sort happens in communities across this great nation. Both these bills will assist people in staying connected with the world, while not hoisting greater financial burdens on New Yorkers or other Americans who rely on these nearby post offices. Senior citizens and low-income Americans would be most vulnerable to these shutdowns, and as Americans, we ought to look after the most vulnerable in our society. May the Congress work as quickly as it can to alleviate this problem and ensure that these post offices remain open.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to praise the passage of S. 1793, the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009. On behalf of the hundreds of thousands of people with HIV/AIDS who rely on the Ryan White Program, I would like to express my appreciation to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and to the Members of the U.S. House for having voted in favor of extending this important program for four more years. The Ryan White Program is the largest federally funded program for people living with HIV/AIDS. It funds programs to improve availability of care for low-income, uninsured and under-insured people with HIV/ AIDS, and it provides funding and technical assistance to local and state primary medical care providers, support services, healthcare providers, and training programs.

HIV/AIDS is one of the fastest expanding epidemics in the United States, affecting more than 1 million people in the country. Over 530,000 low-income people with HIV/AIDS depend on the services provided through the Ryan White program. In my home of New York City, as of June 30, 2008, 104,234 people have been diagnosed and reported to be living with HIV/AIDS, including 63,899 living with AIDS. There are approximately 32,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in New York City that use Ryan White Part A services for medical treatment, support services, and other care that they would not otherwise be able to afford. People with the disease and care providers will benefit greatly from the extension of this program. There is a growing demand for these services because of the increase in infected people; I am pleased that this bill includes an increase in the authorization level for the program by 5 percent every year for the next four years.

The bill passed with strong support from both parties, in a 408 to 9 vote, and it will now go to the President's desk for signing into law. This is a great accomplishment.

Again, I am pleased that this great body understands the importance of this program and will fund it for another four years, but let us please keep in mind that more still needs to be done to end this pandemic.

Madam Speaker, I rise with great pride as I pay tribute to my dear friend

and life-long buddy, Thornton J. Meacham, Jr., Esq., as we celebrate one of Harlem's greatest legal advocates at the great Cathedral of Riverside Church in Harlem today. As I speak with profound honor and respect for my friend Thornton, I ascend to celebrate a life well-lived and to also remember the many legal professional accomplishments of this remarkable man. Thornton Meacham etched his name in history as a passionate and dedicated legal advocate for all African-American lawyers and legal professionals throughout this city and Nation.

Thornton's death on October 4, 2009, brought immense sorrow and loss to me, his family, his friends, and to the countless lives he touched over the years in our beloved community. I am blessed to say that I was able to have spent some time with Thornton during his final days. As we said our goodbyes, he left in my heart a reminder of all the many exciting moments of his life and all of the good times we shared together. He was undisputedly one of Harlem's greatest lawyers, largely responsible for blacks being admitted to the New York Bar Association. This strong-willed and exciting man represented Harlem in all of its glory, and we are all consumed by his passing.

Thornton J. Meacham, Jr. was born on March 10, 1917 in Terrell, Arkansas as the first son to Dr. Thornton J. Meacham and Lila Celesta. His younger brother, Dr. Henry Wade Meacham, who also had an outstanding professional career passed away in 2004. After the family moved to Jackson, Tennessee, Thornton attended public school and graduated from Lane College. Upon his graduation from college, Thornton was accepted to attend law school at Harvard University, Columbia University and New York University, but chose to attend Fordham University, thus becoming the second African American to attend Fordham University and the first to graduate from its Law School in 1942.

Just a few years ago, we all celebrated Thornton's 66th Anniversary of his graduation from Fordham Law School. He loved Fordham Law and dedicated his entire life to helping young aspiring jurists succeed.

Admitted to the Bar in 1943, Thornton set the mark that raised the bar for all of us. He was the first Black attorney to join the legal staff of the Office of Price Stabilization on Broadway in New York; first to argue a case before the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit; first African American to be featured on the cover of The New York Law Journal; first to try both criminal and civil cases in the Bronx and Queens County Courts; and the first to open a law practice in Harlem.

Thornton always spoke of his experiences in the 1950s when the New York City Bar Association refused him membership due to his race. During segregation, he tried and won cases in Florida, North Carolina, Virginia and New Jersey. He represented Hulan Jack, Congressman Adam C. Powell, Dorothy Dandridge, Louis Armstrong, Bessie Buchanan, Mile Davis, the NAACP and Carver National Bank--a legacy of history that makes us all proud to be Americans.

Thornton Meacham was Counsel to the law offices of Assemblyman William T. Andrews, Judge Harold Stevens and Attorney John Briggs. He later became a Law Partner to Judge Thomas Dickens. Thornton, along with some of Harlem's elite class of attorneys, co-founded the Harlem Lawyers Association, which later merged into the Metropolitan Black Bar Association.

Thornton Meacham was a very active member of the National Bar Association (NBA) and was acknowledged as a legal dignitary by the organization on several occasions. He was a recipient of the NBA Wiley A. Branton Issues Award and in 1994, he was inducted into the prestigious National Black Association Hall of Fame, which recognizes lawyers who have practiced for over 40 years and have made significant contributions to the cause of justice. Thornton was a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and the Williams Institutional Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Harlem.

Meacham's extraordinary accomplishments as a revered legal professional exemplified the pioneering leadership of many through his commitment and exemplary service to the legal community. He will long be remembered for his extraordinary commitment, humor, liveliness, energy, wisdom, discipline, principle and clear purpose which won the admiration of all who were privileged to come to know and work with him during his distinguished career.

Madam Speaker, I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to observe and experience his example as a personal inspiration. Though Thornton is no longer with us, we will continue to keep his memory alive in our hearts and minds, and continue to honor his legacy with our advocacy for the issues he cared about the most.

Madam Speaker, as we celebrated the election of President Barack Obama as the first African-American President of the United States, I rise to pay tribute to motivational speaker Dennis Rahiim Watson on the occasion of the 26th anniversary of his critically acclaimed one-man show, ``The First Black President of the United States,'' which made its debut in the Art Gallery of the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building in my beloved village of Harlem, New York.

Since 1982, Dennis Rahiim Watson, a Bermuda born and Harlem raised former actor comedian, has made a major contribution for over a quarter of a century to black and white youths of America. Throughout his life, he has inspired, motivated and challenged over 5 million youth and adults alike with his one-man show, ``The First Black President of the United States.'' Dennis has thrilled audiences at high schools, colleges, and universities among them Harvard, Notre Dame, Howard, University of Georgia, Tufts, NYU, CCNY, Malcolm-King College, Illinois State University and University of Pittsburg.

Former President William Jefferson Clinton in a letter to Dennis stated that, ``for over a quarter of a century you have used your role as the First Black President of the United States to give disadvantaged youth an insight into the future and its possibilities, and by your own example you have helped to provide countless young people with the tools and encouragement they need to reach their god-given potential. Your life's work has been a true investment in the future of our Nation.''

More recently, President Barack Obama in a letter praised Watson for his role as the First Black President of the United States by stating that, ``theatre has the power to inspire and the power to teach and it's important to use that power to lift up and honor our highest ideals.'' ``You have broadcast the message in your role as the First Black President of the United States that all children can dream big dreams and that anyone regardless of the color of their skin can achieve anything. Anyone can grow up to become President of the United States.''

I congratulate Dennis Rahiim Watson on his latest achievement of becoming the new Chairman of the National Youth and Gang Violence Taskforce and President and CEO of the Center for Black Student Achievement. Your commitment to the value of educating our youngsters and listening to their concerns is irrefutable.

So, Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues join me in recognizing my good friend Dennis Rahiim Watson. His success is a testament to his historic and tireless commitment to bringing African-American youth the vision, the hope, and the dream that an African-American could become President in our lifetime before anyone ever knew it was remotely possible.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Dalai Lama as the first-ever Tom Lantos Human Rights Prize honoree. The award acknowledges the Dalai Lama's role as an unsung hero in the fight for human rights. He is already a Nobel Peace Prize and Congressional Gold Medal recipient.

The Dalai Lama was recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama when he was two years old and enthroned at the age of 15. For more than 50 years, he has fought on behalf of Tibetan Buddhists and made history as the first Dalai Lama to travel to the West. The late Congressman Tom Lantos--who serves as the namesake for the prestigious award--was fittingly the first Congressman to invite a Dalai Lama to the U.S. Congress.

The Dalai Lama serves as a role model to us all. His courageous spirit in the fight for equal rights, democracy, freedom, and religious harmony are the things that will help not only strengthen Tibet, but the world over.

Annette Lantos and the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice are committed to recognizing and applauding individuals who continue to fight for human rights in America and abroad, in the great spirit of my former colleague Congressman Lantos. May we join them--with enthusiasm and fervor--in that endeavor.

Madam Speaker, I rise in honor of City Year and especially City Year New York to celebrate the Opening Day of the '09- '10 City Year class. Tomorrow is Opening Day for all 19 City Year sites, deploying 1,500 corps members in service to our country's high- need schools, including those in my district.

The '09-'10 City Year New York class has more than 230 young leaders representing 38 out of the 50 states, bringing a diverse group of service-oriented individuals to help New York's children succeed. Being from the great state of New York, I am proud that City Year New York runs the largest City Year program in the country.

I admire City Year for its continued service and dedication to our New York communities. Its goals to help students and schools succeed, build stronger communities, break down social barriers, develop young leaders, and foster active citizenship are what lead to make our nation's youth better equipped for tomorrow's challenges. City Year New York does these things and more at several schools in my community of Harlem, including Vito Marcantonio, James Weldon Johnson, Luis Munoz Rivera, and Jose Celso Barbosa elementary schools, and Jackie Robinson and John S. Roberts middle schools.

Education is the most critical factor for determining the future well-being of our children. President Obama, City Year, and our partners recognize that we cannot afford to fail in this area because our economy and, more importantly, a united democracy depend on it. City Year recognizes this success requires a whole community effort and serves our students with a team comprised of government officials, school staffs, corporate partners, and youth leaders.

Harlem was able to provide space for corps training at The Minisink Town House of the New York Mission Society. I am pleased that community partnerships like these, and the support of corporate partnerships, will ensure that City Year New York is able to continue its efforts and succeed in Harlem.

Let's continue to applaud and support City Year, especially City Year New York, and all service organizations as they continue building better communities. I call upon my fellow Members of Congress to join me in celebrating the Opening Day for these 1,500 corps members as they embark on their missions of service.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate my dear friend Reverend Patricia A. Reeberg as the Rejoice Ministry of the Church of the Healing Ephesus Seventh-Day Adventists Church celebrates her First Year Anniversary, which took place on Sunday, September 20, 2009.

The Reverend Patricia A. Reeberg, an Ambassador for Christ, is a woman of faith, character and action. Her life's call is to ``equip the saints.'' The vocation God has assigned to her to fulfill this call is to preach the Gospel. Rev. Reeberg is the Pastor of Rejoice Ministries--The Church of Healing, which was formed under the direction of the Holy Spirit on December 31, 2008.

She has a served on the ministerial staff at St. Paul Baptist Church, Memorial Baptist Church, Crawford Memorial United Methodist Church, Believers Christian Fellowship, Beck Presbyterian Church, and Bethesda Baptist Church. Patricia A. Reeberg earned her Masters of Divinity at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. She also augmented her training at Harvard Divinity School Summer Leadership Institute, Interdenominational School of Theology Church Administration and Management, and Columbia University Graduate School of Business for Not-for-Profit Management.

Pastor Reeberg is the recipient of numerous awards and appointments, including, Commissioner on the Civilian Complaint Review Board; the Charles E. Merrill Fellowship from Harvard Divinity School; and was also a founding board member of Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement. Pastor Reeberg is also registered in the National Register's Who's Who in Executives and Professionals, 2004-2010; and Who's Who of American Women 2006-2009.

Her many accomplishments also include first woman and the first Baptist minister to serve as Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Council of the Churches of the City of New York. As an entrepreneur, Rev. Reeberg is the owner of Cruise Planners and SM&G Consultation. She has published numerous articles and is working on her first book entitled, ``And The Lord Shall Gather Me Up,'' to be published in 2009.

Please join me in celebrating Reverend Patricia A. Reeberg on her First Year Anniversary as Pastor of the Rejoice Ministries of the Church of the Healing Ephesus Seventh-Day Adventists Church, located in my Congressional District in Harlem.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor one of the most graceful and important women to grace our shores, the distinguished First Lady of the Republic of Korea, Kim Yoon-Ok.

Ms. Yoon-ok majored in public health education at Ewha Woman's University, the fourth First Lady to have graduated from this prestigious university. While her husband's career eventually took him from the private sector to the highest public office in their country, she has carved out her own reputation as a strong advocate of the rights of women, children and families in South Korea and around the world.

Ms. Yoon-ok was in New York last week, not only accompanying her husband's visit to the United Nations but also hosting a luncheon in honor of those soldiers--American and Korean--who gave their lives for their democratic nation. It is a war that I am quite familiar with. More than 50 years ago, I fought with millions of Americans to help preserve South Korea's independence during the invasion from communist Korea in 1950. That is why I was very happy this summer when President Obama signed a bill into law that recognized these sacrifices. The bill that I introduced recognizes the 1953 armistice with the display of the American flag each July 27th, that day declared as National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day.

As a Korean war veteran, it gives me great pride to see how the nation has flourished as a democratic and free people. Today, the Republic of Korea is the 13th largest economy in the world and the United States' 8th largest trading partner. Recently, the IMF raised Korea's growth forecast for this year from the growth amount that was originally projected a few months ago, further stating that the nation's growth will increase 2.5 percent next year.

Freedom, of course, is not something that is static. It must be fought for and defended by every generation. So, as the relationships between our two countries continue to grow and deepen, we cannot forget that our economic and cultural prosperity is built on the achievements and accomplishments of our ancestors. It is a sacrifice we are proud to celebrate, today and forever.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001. On this day eight years ago, those attacks struck a heavy blow to American citizens in an effort to crush the American spirit of freedom. The attacks were the first significant attacks on the continental United States since the burning of Washington in 1814 and the deadliest attack on American soil in our nation's history. On that day, nearly 3,000 people lost their lives in a senseless act of hatred and cowardice.

Today, let us remember those whose lives were lost. Let us remember the people who were trapped when the Twin Towers fell and the brave New York firefighters, policemen, policewomen and rescue workers who sacrificed their lives to help them. Let us remember the passengers onboard flights American 11, United 175, American 77 and United 93. Let us remember those who died in the attack on the Pentagon.

This horrible event filled us with outrage, loss and fear; outrage at the idea that our enemies would attack us while we went about our daily lives, loss as we remember those who did not survive, and fear that we were no longer safe. Instead of being consumed by fear and doubt, we remained strong and determined. Since that day eight years ago, we have worked hard to secure our country from those who would do us harm. Through our actions, we have returned the sense of security the attacks took from us.

Although these attacks left us shaken, they did not destroy us. We were able to rebound and grow stronger. We put aside our differences and banded together as a nation. On that day, we were not concerned with past disagreements or misunderstandings. This year, on September 11, let us not only remember those we lost with moments of silence and memorial ceremonies. Let us also commemorate them by once again setting aside our differences and banding together as Americans.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to salute and congratulate my dear friend Ruth Hunt in celebration of her 60th Birthday and her induction into the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

On Saturday, September 19, and Sunday, September 20, friends, family and colleagues will gather at Gran Piatto d'Oro in Harlem and at Michael Anthony's in Newport Marina on the Hudson to salute and pay tribute to this remarkable African American woman of excellence.

In 1949, John and E. Patricia Hunt gave birth to their third child, Ruth at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. She and her eight siblings grew up in the Albany Houses on Troy Avenue. Ruth received a public school education at Isaac Newton P.S. 83, John Marshall Jr. High School 210 and graduated from the High School of Fashion Industries in New York City. Ruth also attended and graduated from the Vogue School of Charm and Modeling in Brooklyn in 1967, and began a professional modeling career at 17 years old. She completed her higher education at Brooklyn College and at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) Manhattan.

Ruth was the first woman of color to model in the swimwear industry on Manhattan's 7th Avenue breaking barriers at Sirena Swimwear, Cole of California and Gottex of Israel. On the runway, Ms. Hunt modeled along with supermodels Naomi Simms and Iman. She was a Bill Blass model for both his Robes and Furs Collections. As a fashion expert, she was one of the first Fit models of color and since 1970; she has been represented by Model Service Agency. Ruth was the number one pick for JC Penney's Fit and has modeled for them over 20 years.

As a Fit model, she advises designers and technical teams of clothing manufacturers in the area of quality standards and fit, correcting pattern specifications to ensure the proper fit of imported and domestic garments before mass production. She has modeled for over 100 clothing Designers, and manufacturers including Essence by Mail and numerous fashion designer houses on 7th Avenue, including Calvin Klein and NYC's top department stores and industry trade shows.

Ruth Hunt joined and worked for the Jackie Robinson Foundation from its inception in 1977 and was privileged to be mentored by the illustrious Rachel Robinson. It was at the Foundation that Ruth learned the true meaning of service and humanity. Ruth developed and executed her skills in project management, where she coordinated special events and fund raisers, like the famous annual ``Afternoon of Jazz'' on the Jackie and Rachel Robinson estate in Stamford, Connecticut and the Jackie Robinson Foundation Awards Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City.

She continues to enjoy and cherishes the relationship with the Robinson family.

This experience propelled her into philanthropic efforts with the Doll League, Inc; Meharry Alumni; Women and AIDS Resource Network, American Cancer Society; American Lung Association, the Leukemia Society and Alvin Ailey Dance Company. All of these organizations have been beneficiaries of Ruth's time and expertise.

During her illustrious career, she also launched ``Ruth Hunt Associates'' and began a millinery business that travels the eastern seaboard and was featured in the Roanoke Times, Jersey Journal and the Tribute. Known as the ``Hat Lady'' in the tri-state area, Ruth has been featured at numerous churches throughout Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan, including her very own Abyssinian Baptist Church, where she is a member.

Ms. Hunt is a certified Image Consultant, Beauty Advisor and Model Coach. Drawing from her early days as an instructor for the Vogue School of Charm and Modeling and throughout her career she has conducted workshops for numerous New York City organizations such as: Youth and Action; Young Unwed Mothers; Young Peoples Association; The New Muse; Jack and Jill of America; Girl Friends, Inc; The Delta's Youth; NYC Technical College; Zeta Amicae of Brooklyn; and Professional Re-employment and Outplacement Services.

Madam Speaker: Ruth D. Hunt is not only celebrating her 60th birthday and an illustrious career, but she is scheduled to be inducted into the Daughters of the Revolution this coming October. To become a member of this society, you have to prove your lineal, bloodline descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving American Independence, and through her love of genealogy she was able to trace her heritage. One of the highlights of Ruth's quest for retracing her family history came in 1997 when Ruth gave her father a gift of life. She was able to find her father's long lost World War II son, Barry in Wales, England. The family now enjoys an international relationship from across the ocean and today, Ruth conducts genealogy workshops for the New York Coalition of One Hundred Black Women, Convent Baptist Church, Woodhull Medical Center and Bellevue Hospital Center.

Continuing in her commitment to service and humanity at the New York City Health & Hospital Corporation (HHC), Ruth served as Coordinating Manager In Public Affairs and then as the Director of Marketing and Community Outreach at both Woodhull Hospital Center and Cumberland Diagnostic and Treatment Center. Ruth currently serves as the Assistant Director of Public Relations and Director of Community Affairs at the oldest public hospital in the country, Bellevue Medical Center. She has led the charge at Bellevue and helped raise over $80,000 for the American Lung Association and the American Cancer Society.

Ruth also received KISS-FM's Phenomenal Woman Award. This honor stemmed from a live radio broadcast at Woodhull Medical Center for ``Take Your Love One to the Doctor Day,'' which generated over 500 screenings. In addition, she supported the Borough President's ``Take Your Man to the Doctor Day.'' To commemorate National Cancer Survivor's Day, at Woodhull, Ruth produced four of her well known, signature, hat fashion shows which included a luncheon.

Let us congratulate and salute this remarkable African American woman of excellence and distinction as we celebrate the 60th birthday and induction into the Daughters of the American Revolution of my dear friend Ruth D. Hunt.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 199th anniversary of Mexican Independence Day, which celebrates the historic independence of Mexico from Spanish rule. This momentous day is significant because it represents a sign of justice and equality-- rights valued and protected in our great country of the United States. It represents the day when Mexico was able to begin its quest for freedom for the people of that beautiful and spirited country. Our two countries will continue to make sure that the rights of the people come first.

Mexican Independence Day is celebrated on the date that Father Miguel Hidalgo y Castillo, a priest in Dolores, Guanajuato, frustrated with Spanish rule, rang the church bell to gather the people of the town. Hidalgo ignited a fire in the listeners, thus starting Mexico's War of Independence, requesting that the people of Mexico join him in rising against Spanish rule. Just as the soldiers in the American Revolutionary War fought on behalf of our country, these courageous, patriotic men fought to gain the independence of their beloved Mexico. The war lasted 10 years, finally giving Mexico its independence in 1921. Now, this event known as Grito de Delores or ``Cry of Delores'' is joyfully celebrated every year on September 16 by Mexicans all over the world. The red, white, and green flag is proudly displayed on this day during festivities. The green represents independence, the white represents religion, and the red represents union. This occasion is celebrated with food, parties, and the Mexican president delivering the speech that rallied the people to fight for Mexican freedom.

El Centro Comunitario Mexicano, or as it is popularly known, CECOMEX, is one of the oldest active, not-for-profit organizations for Mexican Americans in New York City. It has worked independently as a community organization in East Harlem, catering to the needs of the Mexican American population established in the tri-state area, specifically the area of El Barrio. It is estimated that there are around 35,000 Mexican immigrants or Mexican descendents there. CECOMEX has been organizing Mexican Independence Day festivities since 1996, with attendance growing every year. I would like to commend Consul Ruben Beltran and Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan for their hard work on behalf of the country of Mexico.

Let's pay our respects to those courageous men who fought on behalf of Mexico to help position the country where it is today. I call upon my fellow Members Of Congress to join me in celebrating Mexican Independence Day in honor of all the Mexican immigrants and descendents, not only in my district, but throughout this great nation and world.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of The Harlem Cultural Archives Historical Society's tribute to the legacy of the Lloyd Everett Dickens Family at their 2nd Annual Award Luncheon taking place at Harlem's renown Londel's Supper Club.

Before the first Wall Street crash and Great Depression of the early 1920's, hard-working successful African Americans found it very difficult to rent apartments and buy homes. Landlords did not want Blacks living in their buildings as tenants, and white property owners would not acknowledge Blacks who sought to bid on their property.

Two young men, Fred and Lloyd Dickens from Watonga, Oklahoma, where their father, Andrew, was a United States marshal disliked what they had observed and what Blacks were experiencing in seeking housing and ownership. They created and built a partnership to conduct real estate business in Harlem and throughout the City of New York.

By the late 1950s, Lloyd E. Dickens had built a reputation as one of Harlem's most successful veterans in the housing profession. He had also established a name in political circles, distinguishing himself as both a District Leader and Assembly Member as one of New York City's major powerbrokers. In 1959, he was the only Tammany Hall leader to defy party leaders when then Manhattan Chairman Carmine G. De Sapio sought to end the political career of Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Instead of following, Dickens led, pressing an agenda that called for a fair share of patronage and representation to deal with the social and economic problems of black people.

For the rest of his years, Lloyd Dickens remained in the vanguard of the struggle to secure equality for blacks and other minorities in the job market, the courts, city government and education. Today, the Dickens family legacy continues through Lloyd's two daughters, Delores Richards and my political wife Inez ``Betty'' Dickens. Delores continues to run Lloyd E. Dickens & Company with the same dedication, integrity, fairness and core values, which was inspired by her father and uncle. Inez is following in the same path as her father, District Leader, first vice chair of the New York State Democratic Committee, and now, the Majority Whip of the New York City Council--second most powerful female member and highest-ranking African-American woman.

Madam Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to thank the Harlem Cultural Archives Historical Society for preserving and documenting Harlem's illustrious contributions and its history; and for establishing the Dickens Family Scholarship for college students who have exhibited an interest in the Harlem community and achieved academic excellence. It is the least that we can do to honor and pay tribute to a man who did so much for our community and all people of good will.

Madam Speaker, as the famed York Theatre Company of New York celebrates its 40th anniversary, today I rise to recognize their newest musical genius, ``Blind Lemon Blues'' and to pay tribute to the Legendary Father of the Texas Blues, ``Blind'' Lemon Jefferson.

Blind Lemon Blues celebrates the legacy of Blind Lemon Jefferson and his profound influence upon the development of American popular music. Blind Lemon Blues is set in New York City in 1948 at the last recording session of the legendary Huddie Ledbetter, better known as Lead Belly, and combines elements of traditional blues, gospel, rhythm and blues, soul, doo-wop, and rap to evoke the enduring legacy of Blind Lemon and his contemporaries, Blind Willie Johnson, Lillian Glinn, Hattie Hudson, Bobbie Cadillac, Lillian Miller and Lead Belly himself.

``Blind'' Lemon Jefferson was one of the most popular blues singers of the 1920s, and has been titled ``Father of the Texas Blues.'' Jefferson's singing and self-accompaniment were distinctive as a result of his high-pitched voice and originality on the guitar. He used Dallas as a base to launch an extraordinary blues career, during which he made over 80 recordings of his intricate melodic rhythms and influenced countless artists, including B.B. King. Other later blues and rock and roll musicians attempted to imitate both his songs and his musical style.

Often heralded as one of the most influential bluesmen of all time, ``Blind'' Lemon Jefferson was born blind near Coutchman, Texas, in Freestone County, near present-day Wortham, Texas, in September 1893. Jefferson was one of eight children born to sharecroppers Alex and Clarissa Jefferson. Jefferson began playing the guitar in his early teens, and soon after he began performing at picnics and parties. He also became a street musician, playing in east Texas towns in front of barbershops and on corners.

In the early 1920s, Jefferson traveled to Dallas, where he met Huddie ``Leadbelly'' Leadbetter and established the blues scene in Dallas' Deep Ellum district. Five years later, he was on the road of instant success. Between the years of 1925 and 1929, Jefferson made over 80 recordings for Paramount Records and became the first commercially successful male black artist. Some of his most notable recordings are ``Black Snake Moan,'' ``Boll Weevil Blues,'' ``Matchbox Blues,'' and the song that would become his trademark, ``See That My Grave Is Kept Clean.''

Jefferson died from mysterious circumstances on the streets of Chicago on December 22, 1929, and was buried in the old Wortham Negro Cemetery. His grave was unmarked until 1967, when a Texas state historical marker was dedicated to him. He was inducted in the Blues Foundation's Hall of Fame in 1980. In 1997 the town of Wortham began a blues festival named for the singer, and a new granite headstone was placed at his gravesite--a fitting tribute to the man who

sang ``. . . Lord, there's just one favor I ask of you, see that my grave is kept clean.'' In 2007 the name of the cemetery was changed to Blind Lemon Memorial Cemetery.

So Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues join me in recognizing the good work of Director and Choreographer Akin Babatunde and Producer Alan Govenar for such a magnificent rendition of the life of Blind Lemon Jefferson and those Blind Lemon Blues.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to take some time out to honor an incredible community leader and important figure on the national stage, Olga A. Mendez.

Mendez, who passed away Wednesday, July 29 after a long battle with breast cancer, was the first Puerto Rican woman elected to state legislature in the mainland United States, serving in the New York State Senate from 1978 to 2004. She was a passionate leader and legislator that fought for not just the people of her beloved East Harlem, but for all people of humble backgrounds. We became good friends working for our constituents and while we may not have seen eye-to-eye on all issues over the years, there was never a doubt that she gave everything she had to public service.

Born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico in 1925, Olga earned a bachelor's degree at the University of Puerto Rico and eventually earned her a doctorate in education from Yeshiva University after she moved to New York in the 1950s. She soon became involved in community issues and politics, going from being a Democratic convention delegate in 1972 and a deputy commissioner of the Agency for Childhood Development in New York City to the office of the New York State Senate in 1978.

The first Puerto Rican woman elected to state legislature in the mainland United States, Olga was soon on the frontlines of numerous battles to make sure that people were given the resources and opportunities to improve the lives of their families and their communities, no matter where their country of origin or their background. At a time when so few women occupied positions of power on any level, she smashed stereotypes and opened doors so that a new generation of leaders could be more diverse and open-minded.

In her 26 years in Albany, Olga brought in thousands of dollars in state funds to her district. We became good friends, collaborating together to bring not just city and federal aid to East Harlem and the South Bronx, but also private dollars to assist residents, especially families and seniors. As she worked hard to reduce truck emissions and the alarming rates of asthma in urban neighborhoods, she also reached out to developers on initiatives that would create jobs and expand opportunities for local business. Those seeds are continuing to bear fruit, most recently in projects like the East Harlem Automall and East River Plaza, a facility along the river on E. 116 St. that will soon open with tenants Home Depot and Costco. The fact that she was willing to risk her standing late in her political career to switch parties was just another example of her willingness to do anything for her constituents.

Madam Speaker, I will be among many in New York and across the Nation that will miss Olga's passion and straight from the hip commentary. I know that she will be leading the cheers in heaven when we see our native daughter, Judge Sonia Sotomayor, finally confirmed as a Supreme Court Justice. Thankfully, Olga's legacy can be found in her numerous legislative victories, including our state minimum wage, various worker protection laws and in the dozens of education, health and affordable housing projects that she helped fund. And it will certainly be remembered as we see a new cadre of Latinas ascend into our Nation's leadership circles, their achievements built on the foundation of expectations she helped create.

I am submitting a July 30, 2009 tribute editorial from New York's premier Spanish-language newspaper, El Diario/La Prensa which describes Olga's career and importance to our community.

[From www.eldiariony.com, July 30, 2009]

A Legendary Pioneer

As New York stands ready to celebrate one of its daughters

joining the Supreme Court, it also mourns the loss of one of

its most fearless leaders.

Yesterday, former New York State Senator Olga Mendez died

at the age of 84 after a long battle with cancer. Mendez

represented El Barrio and sections of the South Bronx in the

Senate until 2004, after serving for 13 consecutive terms.

Born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Mendez understood well the

challenges Judge Sonia Sotomayor has faced and will continue

to face as a Hispanic woman. The judge withstood grilling

from white, male conservatives and she will become one of

only two female justices on the Court.

In 1978, Mendez made history as the first Puerto Rican

woman elected to a state legislative office in the United

States. Her victory in representing Puerto Ricans and a

district the state neglected should have landed the wide

respect of her colleagues. Instead, Mendez, one of only a few

women then in the state senate, found herself wrestling with

the boys' club politics of New York.

Mendez was brash, bold and aggressive because she had to

be. She cut her teeth in the Senate and became a battle-ready

politician. And she balanced what few politicians were able

to do well--an on-the-ground constituency services with the

ability to achieve critical legislative negotiations. This,

in a Senate that was controlled by Republicans during the

entire 26 years she served.

Despite all of the disadvantages, Mendez successfully

fought for an increase in the state's minimum wage, ushered

in legislation that provided basic rights to migrant farm

workers, and secured funding for senior citizen centers. She

also fought for resources for early childhood development and

gained bipartisan support for affordable housing and economic

development initiatives in her district.

Mendez provoked many criticisms, some valid. She opposed

abortion rights and was accused of making homophobic

statements about a political opponent. Controversies like her

party switch contributed to her eventual political demise.

In 2002, she registered as a Republican in a bid to bring

resources to her district, a maneuver that today seems to be

acceptable depending on who is making the move. Mendez

complained that Democrats were taking Latinos for granted and

saw herself as handling the business of her district.

For her faults, the legendary senator, who was widowed

early and had no children, sacrificed a family life for the

political commitment she made. She used her rich background

in education, her political experience, and above all, her

passion for her community to help many people.

Mendez never minced her words. Anyone who came into contact

with her was left with a lasting impression. But it would be

a mistake to remember Mendez as simply a colorful personality

instead of who she truly was--a fierce politician who did not

back away from a bare-knuckled fight.

First, let me thank Congresswoman Woolsey and Congressman Ellison for sharing their hour with us on Ways and Means. We have been blessed in having such dedicated members of our committee coming down here in support of H.R. 3200.

You heard from Bill Pascrell, John Yarmuth, the dynamic John Lewis. We had Dr. McDermott. He spends so much of his life on this very sensitive subject. Soon we will be hearing from Congresswoman Schwartz, and you may have noticed that our discussion has been on a subject that the whole world has wrestled with in the United States, and that is health insurance for Americans.

Tomorrow night, we hope to be able to go back to our congressional districts to discuss this very serious and complex subject, a subject that many Presidents have looked at and hoped that we could provide some decent way to take care of American citizens. But we do believe that this courageous President has not only talked about the problem but brought together the stakeholders--the doctors, the insurers, the nurses, the hospitals, the unions, the private sector, the businesspeople--all coming together to

see how they collectively would be in the position to tackle this problem once and for all. They even went as far as to suggest that we could, over 10 years, save $2 trillion and stop the hemorrhaging of the cost of health insurance by working together, Republicans and Democrats. I say that, notwithstanding the fact that it appears as though the public debate has the Republicans fighting against the Democrats.

The fact is, you can't fight against anybody's ideas if you don't have any of your own. And it's tragic and unfortunate that during the next month, it will appear as though the Republicans are just attacking us because they don't have any way to resolve this serious problem on their own.

Having said that, we intend to move on. The Ways and Means Committee, as you have heard, has passed on a bill that we are so proud to present them. We have two other committees that have jurisdiction: the Education and Labor Committee--they have passed out their bill--and we do hope that tomorrow, we have every reason to believe, that the Energy and Commerce Committee will be passing out their bill.

That means that the House would have completed its work, the three committees would have one bill, and that in September when we come back and blend these bills and merge these bills, we will be able to have a bill that we believe we can go into conference with the Senate as they wrestle with two pieces of legislation over there. And then we hope in September, or certainly soon thereafter, we will be able to present to the President of the United States a bill that tackles this very, very serious problem.

This problem really--everybody listening and everybody in this House of Representatives has had some horror story, some story about what has happened with the insurance that they thought they had, the insurance that they lost, the insurance costs that have just soared, or even people who can't even think about leaving their jobs for fear that they would lose their insurance.

It shouldn't be, in this great country of ours, that people have to worry about education and health care as we try to compete with people throughout the world. It should be in this country that the least thing that you have to worry about if you are sick is how you're going to pay for it. And in a country as industrialized and as wealthy as we are, we shouldn't be included among a handful of countries that don't take care of its people's health.

So in this bill we provide health care for some 50 million people. And believe me, we're providing the insurance that they're getting one way or the other. They're getting health care. It's not the best health care. Sometimes they're afraid to go into the emergency rooms. Sometimes they can't afford to talk to doctors. Sometimes they end up worse off in terms of illness than they would have been if they did have some insurance. But nevertheless, the State governments, city governments and the Federal Government pay for it; and you pay for it too. That's part of the reason why your insurance premiums are going up, because the hospitals are going to charge those that have insurance for it; the insurance companies that are not getting paid, they're going to charge you for it; and ultimately, you're going to find out that this fiscal crisis that our Nation has is just going to be hemorrhaged more by sharp increases in health care. So it's not just a moral problem. It's not just a health problem. It's a national interest problem in terms of the direction in which this great country of ours is going. But just imagine the relief that all of us will have to know that if we do get sick, the insurance company would not be able to come and tell you that you're not covered. Just imagine, if you want to get insurance, no preexisting illness would prevent you from getting insurance. Just imagine, if you want to leave your job, you won't have to look at your insurance policy to see whether or not you are going to lose that and not be able to get another one. So this is really just the beginning.

The month of August is going to be America's month, a month to analyze what these bills mean, what it means to you, how it can save you money, protect your health, and protect our country against illnesses that we hope we never have; but sometimes when we are hit, people have lost their homes, lost their bank accounts and ended up in dire financial need because they couldn't afford it. Tonight we hope to share with you some of our thoughts.

I would like at this moment to yield to one of the dynamic Members from Pennsylvania, a member of our committee, Ms. Schwartz. She has worked so hard in this area before she got to Congress, while she has been in Congress and has made an outstanding contribution to the Ways and Means Committee. At this time I yield her such time as she may consume.

I would like to recognize Dr. McDermott because when people have nothing to compete with, I think it's natural just for them to be critical. I hear talk, Dr. McDermott, that this plan that we're creating for all of America is actually a takeover of all insurance plans by the Federal Government. They say that the Congress and the Federal Government want to get in between a patient and their doctor and to watch out because the government is coming. It bothers me that they would say that because it would appear as though we're only talking about Democrats who are sick and have doctors. We're trying to help all Americans. Could you share with us the public option, what this does for America and what opportunity it gives to people who don't have insurance?

How could the government get in between the doctor, the hospital and the patient? What are they talking about?

Well, why would the private insurance companies be against the public option? I mean, if the Congress is saying--and the President wants--that we have 50 million people out there with no health insurance, another 25 million with low health insurance, and we are now going to give them a subsidy, we are going to give them enough money so that they can walk in and get the type of health plan they want, why would the health insurance companies out there fight against, campaign against, put ads against the public option? Why would they do this?

Well, let me ask Congresswoman Schwartz. If, indeed, the private insurance companies are fighting against the public option, does our legislation demand that a person has to join the public option? How does that work in our legislation?

Well, Dr. McDermott, I've heard Republicans say on this floor, in this House of Representatives, and others on television, that this public option that's being offered to people to take if they want it is really a Democratic socialistic, communist attempt to knock out the private sector. Where do they get this idea, and what do they mean?

Well, some of the private insurance companies say we just don't have enough resources to take care of all these poor folks that you're giving subsidies to. Let me ask you, Congresswoman: Is there anything that we're doing to provide the workforce and to provide the environment so that sick people can feel secure in getting health care once they have the subsidy?

Dr. McDermott, before you came here you've practiced, you've been out here, you've worked with patients and doctors and hospitals. One of the most frightening thoughts that we have is that you get sick and you don't have enough coverage--or you don't have any coverage--you face bankruptcy, you lose your home, you lose your dignity, and sometimes even lose your family merely because you didn't have the resources to deal with a catastrophic illness. What provisions are in this legislation to protect Americans against that?

Well, let me thank the speaker and Mr. Ellison and Ms. Woolsey for giving us an opportunity to share what's in our bill. We will be back tomorrow. And we hope during August all Americans can look forward to the President of the United States signing a bill that will give them confidence that wellness is the top priority for this Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.