Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today in special tribute to an outstanding public servant and community leader, Paul Navarro. Today it is my honor to join the Members of the East Harlem Asthma Working Group, Inc. (EHAWG) and the public service sector of the City of New York to pay tribute to a courageous New Yorker and exceptional human being, for his commitment, and tireless efforts, in improving the lives of so many affordable homeowners and renters throughout my Congressional District and beyond.

Born and raised in the South Bronx, where he still lives, Paul graduated from Lehman College in 1980 with a degree in Public and Group Communications. Troubled by the poverty and urban blight that plagued his neighborhood, Paul got involved in community activism by becoming an active member of his Community Planning Board; he also served as President of his Homeowner's Association for 15 years; created a green thumb garden; and helped to identify buildings which required renovation and repair and improved the quality of the life of the surrounding neighborhoods. He later became an executive board member and treasurer of the Diego-Beekman houses, a thirty-one building development housing over 1200 families in the South Bronx.

Paul joined Mayor Koch's Division of Labor Services in 1980, responsible for monitoring equal employment opportunities and prevailing wage rates in the construction industry. His career continued with the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) as a Property Manager in East and Central Harlem, helping tenants with rent and repair issues. In 1987, Paul was named Director of the Crisis Management Unit in East Harlem.

During the 1990's, while living through kidney failure, dialysis treatments and receiving a kidney transplant, Paul served as HPD's Director of Anti-Abandonment Program for the Borough of Manhattan. In 1999, late and former New York City Council Member Philip Reed presented Paul a special Citation for Outstanding Service to the Community for all of his positive efforts in the Anti-Abandonment Program.

In 2001, as a member of the East Harlem Asthma Working Group (EHAWG) Paul shared a City Council Proclamation from former City Council Speaker A. Gifford Miller. In 2006, New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly presented Paul with the prestigious Isaac Lieberman Award for Outstanding Performance by a Civil Service Employee. Paul continues to stand up for fair and decent housing

today as Director of the Green Point-Williamsburg Tenant Assistance Center in Brooklyn, and his team have assisted over 1300 families with landlord/tenant disputes and submitted an amazing 983 Section 8 applications.

Paul has two daughters, Elaine and Nancy, six grandchildren, four great grandchildren and despite his own health issues, along with his brother Rick, they take care of their 85 year old mother, Maria, who suffers from dementia. Let us all salute a great New Yorker, Paul Navarro.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Father's Day Real Men Cook, which takes place simultaneously in 10 leading cities throughout the nation, in the Bahamas, on the continent of Africa, in London and Paris, and of course in my Congressional District in Harlem, New York.

Founded by Kofi and Yvette Jackson Moyo in 1990, Real Men Cook has become the largest family celebration in the country, presented annually on Father's Day. Real Men Cook includes average dads and father figures, leading celebrities and elected officials, like Eddie and Gerald Levert, and Marc Morial, President of the National Urban League, and I have cooked, served and hosted Real Men Cook events. President Barack Obama as a United States Senator is among the thousands of men who have rolled up their sleeves and donned a Real Men Cook bandana, apron or chef's hat to make a difference and change the way Father's Day is celebrated for the benefit of others.

Today, Real Men Cook is the leading urban Father's Day experience. It is a food tasting family celebration featuring men volunteering to cook for and serve in their communities. Proceeds from ticket sales are enjoyed by partnering non-profit organizations throughout the ten cities. I am pleased to announce that the Real Men Cook event in my Congressional District will take place in the plaza of our historic Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Harlem State Office Building, featuring Iron Chef Dizzar and other renowned Harlem culinary artists. The proceeds raised from this event will benefit Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement, Inc.'s Computer Clubhouse for children ages 10 to 18, the New York City Mission Society and Real Men Cook Charities.

Madam Speaker, let me also thank and recognize our sponsors Mr. Willie Walker and the New York State Office of General Services; Lucile McEwen, President and CEO, HCCI; Affinity Health Plus; TD Bank; MACY's; and WBLS for continuing to make a difference for all of my constituents, especially our children and families struggling during these tough economic times.

Happy Father's Day to all of the participating fathers for giving up Father's Day pampering to make a difference, not only in my district, but throughout this nation and the world.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to promulgate the notion of a unified Caribbean, where an island nation may assist its neighbor nations in prospering culturally, economically, and socially. There is so much we can do together, so much that binds us--a common humanity, a desire for advancement, a love of country and culture. It is by staying true to these commonalities, while celebrating--not ignoring--our differences, that true cooperation and exchange can flourish in the Caribbean region. Our divisions are nowhere near as salient as those elements that draw us closer.

We are finally making headway in improving our relations with Cuba. After decades of turning a cold shoulder to the Cuban people, we are poised to allow more of our American essence to penetrate the Cuban bubble. Our Cuban American brothers and sisters are no longer hamstrung by a cruel travel ban that allowed them only one trip to the island every three years, forcing them to miss weddings, funerals, and births happening only 90 miles away. The Obama Administration has opened itself up to talking with the Cuban government. Nothing has to be off the negotiation table, but we get nowhere when we outright reject all dialogue. Five decades of failed policy have mired us in the same 1960s arguments and rhetoric to the benefit of neither nation. It is time for a fresh, bold approach.

We should wholesale lift the travel ban for all of our citizens and legal residents. Wherever Americans travel, they bring their values, their morals, and democratic mores to bear. Cuba needs more of this, not less. We should end an embargo that has proven to be a scapegoat for the Cuban government and a detriment to the Cuban people--all the while our economy and our farmers suffer the brunt of an untapped market. We should be supplying the island with much-needed food, and medicines, and charity.

Cubans and Americans have had a love affair for decades. The affinity between the two peoples has developed naturally, from our shared musical influences to our predilection for baseball. The island has such a rich history of heroes and heroines, from independence fighters such as Jose Marti to salsa innovator Celia Cruz. May we celebrate the distinct Cuban cultural imprint, while looking forward to a new, improved Caribbean region that fosters intercultural ties and smart, responsible policy.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in commemoration of Caribbean Heritage Month and in particular to bring to the forefront the island nation of the Dominican Republic which is the country of origin of and home to thousands of my constituents in northern Manhattan. As is the case with Puerto Rico, also the land of origin of a sizable part of my constituents, these islands are indeed in the Caribbean although in the Spanish speaking minority. I am calling upon all of the nations of the Caribbean regardless of the differences among them to come together especially in these times and form a solidarity which cannot be broken. It is through the common bonds of

experience and tragedy that the lasting relationships of this world have been founded. The Caribbean itself is no stranger to struggle and tragedy regardless of what language they may speak. All of these nations have experienced the exploitations of slavery, the annihilation of its indigenous people and the colonization of a world power--yet they are still standing and striving to develop economies that can sustain development and compete under the new rules of globalization.

It is this common bond of fortitude and resilience that must be recognized and cherished. Nonetheless in an effort to solidify, we have become divisive. Something as powerful as language is often used as a tool to divide. The variety of cultures found within the Caribbean should not be used as boxes to contain the cultures of nations but rather as connecting bonds that will link them in a chain that will anchor their nations as a whole.

I call upon the Dominican Republic to be a leader in the Spanish speaking Caribbean and to pick up the torch to set ablaze the cauldron of solidarity amongst the Caribbean. Being Caribbean transcends the lines of language and ethnicity to the broader scope of history and culture. From the food--arroz y habichuelas or rice and peas, to the music--reggaeton or reggae, everywhere one can see the bonds that unite us. I believe that the Dominican Republic, as well as the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, is in a strategic position to initiate this dialogue and I urge them to lead.

Madam Speaker, I stand before you today to pay homage to the Republic of Haiti, during this month when we celebrate Caribbean American Heritage Month. The country is of great significance to all who support the free world, as they stand as the second free nation in the history of the Western Hemisphere, second only to the United States. In addition, the Haitian Revolution also produced the first black republic in the world, which is acknowledged as a sense of pride and honor to all people of color around the world.

Haiti does not only share a historical relationship with the U.S., but has been a long-time friend and ally, even supporting us with additional troops during the American Revolution. This level of sacrifice by a country should not be forgotten, especially during times of economic need and hardship.

This is why it is particularly important for us to remember, at this time, the thousands of non-criminal Haitians who currently have ``final orders of removal''--or stand to be deported back to a country that is in no position to receive them. Sending 30,000 Haitians back to a country that, in past hurricane season, has been ravaged by consecutive storms is un-American and will be a missed humanitarian opportunity. As Americans, we should support our President in this humanitarian effort by offering these Haitians the opportunity to work and provide food and clothing to their families.

Persons with final orders of removal are ineligible for work authorization. This means that there are approximately 30,000 Haitians living in the U.S. who are not permitted to earn a living to take care of their families in the U.S. and abroad. As you know, remittances make up 1/4 of Haiti's GDP so this is a direct impact on the economic stability in Haiti. Just last month, the Huffington Post reported that Haiti had seen a decrease in remittances with a ``dramatic dip this January falling to $69 million from $104 million the previous month''. The World Bank, IMF, Inter-American Development Bank and money transfer offices are all predicting a thinning flow of remittance money into Haiti in the coming months. Based on these facts, it is no coincidence that we are hearing about more Coast Guard interdictions. These individuals are obviously desperate to find ways to feed their families.

Haiti also played an indirect role in helping the United States grow, as a nation. The defeat of the French Napoleon Army by the Haitians, albeit indirectly, helped America expand its territories towards the West with the Louisiana Purchase. At the time, Haiti was the producer of 40 percent of the world's sugar, was the most profitable colony the French owned and in fact the wealthiest and most flourishing of the slave colonies in the Caribbean. This was a tremendous loss to the French, and as a result, France was forced to sell off some of their land in the new world. The outcome for the U.S. was significant -the land included in the purchase, now famously known as the ``Louisiana Purchase'', comprises of around 23 percent of the territory of the United States today.

The historical relationship and the humanitarian concerns are important facts to consider when developing policy towards the country of Haiti.

Madam Speaker, I hope that our government will take this time, during the month when we honor our Caribbean American Heritage, to make the right decision regarding the granting of Temporary Protective Status, TPS, for these Haitian nationals.

Haiti has been a friend of ours for many years, and I hope that we exercise our friendship during this time of hardship.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of our brave men and women in the Armed Forces who are returning to our nation in increased numbers to find that their employment prospects are limited because they have chosen to fight for our great nation. The detrimental effect of multiple deployments upon our soldiers has been increasingly seen and documented in an effort to ameliorate the situation. Yet those soldiers who have chosen the route towards getting help whatever their ailment may be, from physical wounds to psychological are now being ostracized.

It is our duty as a nation and government to protect those who have so valiantly fought for our freedoms. Our objectives should be to make sure that they are included in the process of reestablishing our economy in the most vital way possible--employment. Not only should we fight for their inclusion, but we should also help them in providing the tools necessary for them to fairly compete in the job market whether it is psychological counseling for trauma experienced while in combat or job training to bolster the unique skill sets they have acquired during their time in the service.

Our fellow soldiers are part of the fabric that weaves the story of our great nation. They are the seams of the garment that bring us all together despite our backgrounds or cultures. Without them we as a nation will fall apart. It is up to us to reinforce the stitching that keeps us together--we need to do whatever it takes to keep them strong and viable.

This is why I am in support of H.R. 466 which advocates for the end of discrimination towards our soldiers who have left the service with more than they enlisted. Many return to us suffering from the trauma of the wars and others with wounds that only time may be able to heal. I call upon the Members of Congress and the nation to support our men and women in uniform.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in tribute to our nation's youngest and littlest public servants--in stature, perhaps, but certainly not in heart--the Boy Scouts of America. For a century, these young boys and their counselors have been on the front lines, safeguarding and protecting America and her values: democracy, tolerance, compassion, and generosity, just to name a few. Heralded as the largest youth scouting organization, the Boy Scouts has inspired and motivated a cadre of young men to love this country, to work-- tirelessly and humbly--without ingratitude, and to give of themselves to their communities and to the downtrodden. The organization has left its mark, a mark that runs a full century deep into the annals of this country's history, touching the lives of generations of boys and of those they have helped.

Next February 8, the Boy Scouts will celebrate its centennial anniversary, honoring its inception in February of 1910 by a Chicago publisher, William Boyce. Since that day, 111 million men have joined the ranks of the Scouts, committing to 12 hours of community service every year. America benefits from 30 million hours every year due to the toil of these youngsters. That means more hands at our airports, and ports, and schools, and hospitals. It means greater numbers of servers at a soup kitchen, of planters at a forestation drive, of readers at a local school. It means America is that much stronger, that much safer, and that much more prosperous because of the sacrifice of a dedicated few. They have earned our gratitude and deepest respect.

The adult volunteers who these kids look up to deserve unique and emphatic praise themselves. Youngsters are eager to have role models-- and in some quarters of our country, there are not many to choose from. Men and women willing to dedicate the time and care to lead these kids at a time of overwhelming change and insecurity are heroes and heroines. They have, no doubt, saved lives, and there can be no greater gift than setting right a life heading wayward.

May we speak with one voice today in salute to these boys, many of whom are now men raising sons and grandsons of their own, and mark February 8, 2010 as the day for recognition of the Boy Scouts.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize Bette Midler and the New York Restoration Project who for the last 14 years has been revitalizing underserved parkland and community gardens in my Congressional District and throughout the City of New York. Restoration of our beloved parks and gardens has promoted in my community a sense of ownership and civic pride leading residents to preserve their beloved recreational areas.

Bette Midler first got the attention of this Congress when she took to national syndicated television in 1994 and confessed that if she had not gone into entertainment she probably would have pursued a career as an urban planner, and she certainly has moved to the forefront in promoting livability with her personal advocacy and investment.

This was most apparent when she spearheaded the rescue of 112 parks and community gardens in New York City when then Mayor Rudolph Giuliani threatened to auction these small gardens to the highest bidder for redevelopment. Had Bette not stepped in, along with the Trust for Public Land and the New York Restoration Project (NYRP), a great number of New Yorkers would have lost their sprawling parks and adored gardens.

New York Restoration Project was founded by Bette Midler in 1995 as the ``conservancy of forgotten places.'' NYRP reclaims, restores and revitalizes neglected parks, community gardens and waterfronts throughout New York City--focusing especially on underserved neighborhoods. NYRP is also the lead non-profit partner of Mayor Bloomberg's PlaNYC MillionTreesNYC, the most ambitious public-private initiative in the country, dedicated to planting one million new trees in New York City by 2017.

For 14 years, NYRP has recognized that the challenges facing New York City's natural environment are significant. Dramatic increases in population, shortage of green spaces, insufficient tree canopy, and unsatisfactory environmental education are some of the compelling obstacles facing our great city, especially in low-income neighborhoods. As a result of these pressing issues, the City is facing dangerously high rates of obesity and diabetes; dramatic climate changes with rising temperatures and sea levels; devastatingly poor air quality and growing asthma rates; and lack of knowledge of, and respect for, the natural environment among younger generations. NYRP is able to combat the negative effects of these concerns through five core initiatives: Park Reclamation and Beautification, Community Garden Design Excellence Program, Community Outreach, Environmental Education Programming, and MillionTreesNYC Tree Planting and Stewardship.

As a permanent operational partner with local communities and city agencies, NYRP supplies labor, materials, project design and management, and environmental educational programs throughout the city's green spaces. NYRP has removed more than 1,900 tons of garbage and debris from New York City parks and public spaces; created Swindler Cove Park on the Harlem River, on the site of what was once an illegal dumping ground; planted more than 200,000 trees as part of MillionTreesNYC, a public-private partnership between the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and NYRP; undertaken the care of Fort Washington Park, Fort Tryon Park, Highbridge Park, Bridge Park, and Roberto Clemente State Park; saved 114 community gardens from commercial development; and served thousands of youth and families with after-school and school-day outdoor learning and public programs.

So Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues join me in recognizing my good friend Bette Midler for all her contributions to our parks and such a remarkable and impressive organization like the New York Restoration Project who, under the leadership of Executive Director Drew Becher, has transformed and beautified the parks and community gardens of my district and the city of New York.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to comment on the remarkable achievements of the government of Taiwan in moving forward a new era of peace in the Pacific.

One year ago, the new President of Taiwan took office amid increasing tensions between China and Taiwan. Today, because of the initiatives of President Ma ying jo, Cross Straits relations have improved to such an extent that they have now produced a series of agreements to enhance mutual cooperation between Taiwan and China.

For too long Taiwan, opposed by China, has been excluded from the World Health Organization. As a result of the conciliatory efforts of President Ma and the recognition by authorities in China of the need to have Taiwan represented, Taiwan now has achieved status by the World Health Assembly. Good work President Ma. With the new health crisis the world faces with Swine Flu, politics must not impede mutual cooperation in combating this dreadful problem.

Increased communications, charter flights and postal agreements negotiated through the initiatives promoted by President Ma in his first year in office have lessened tensions to the extent that day to day contacts have replaced confrontation.

It is in the interest of the United States that this progress, which we understand is the hallmark of President Ma, continue. Peace in the Pacific is an essential ingredient of world progress.

Good luck Mr. President. May the successes of your first year in office be the forerunner of many years to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to salute and congratulate my dear friend, Lillian ``Diamond Lil'' Pierce as an ensemble of Harlem Legendary entertainers gathers to perform a special tribute at the famous Alhambra Ballroom on Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Boulevard.

Affectionately known in Harlem as ``Diamond Lil,'' she was born in Cameron, North Carolina, and graduated from Pinckney High School in Carthage, North Carolina. Lil came to New York in 1958 and enrolled at City College. She later worked at the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles followed by a brief stint at a bar on Broadway, which proved to be a solid stepping stone to her becoming a co-owner of Carl's Off the Corner in West Harlem. But it was ``Diamond Lil's'' 21- year tenure at Showman's Cafe where she established her reputation and earned the appreciation of countless customers and musicians.

During her many years as a barmaid at Showman's, Lil heard and entertained a veritable Hall of Fame of Jazz and popular musicians, and Showman's Elite personalities. Showman's, originally located next to the World Famous Apollo Theatre over the years has been the home club of choice and hangout for many of Harlem's renowned entrepreneurs and personalities. Since 1942, Showman's Jazz Cafe has showcased top musicians for Harlem and International audiences, as Mona, Co-owner and retired Son of Sam New York City Police Detective Al Howard, and our Crown Jewel ``Diamond Lil'' refers to as ``family.''

Madam Speaker, the Friends of Showman's roster include luminaries and entertainers like Count Basie, Billy Eckstine, Sammy Davis, Jr., Charles Honi Coles, Leroy Myers, Gregory Hines, Pop Brown, Nat Davis and Savion Glover. Personalities like Jesse Walker, Joe Yancy and Jimmy Booker. Performers like Bill Doggett, George Benson, Seleno Clarke, Irene Reid, Jimmy ``Preacher'' Robins, Gloria Lynne, Joey Morant, Akiko Tsuruga, Grady Tate, Frank Dell, Bill Saxton, Annette St. John, Wolf Johnson, Pat Tandy and the Prince of Harlem Lonnie Youngblood. Among the elected officials who graced her bar and thrilled to her service were Governor David Paterson, Assembly Members Denny Farrell and Keith Wright, State Senator Bill Perkins, Councilmember Inez Dickens, former Borough President C. Virginia Fields, my brother and former Mayor, David N. Dinkins, and me.

Yes, diamonds are forever and so is our extraordinarily precious Lillian ``Diamond Lil'' Pierce.

Madam Speaker, I rise with great sadness as I remember the life of my dear friend Dr. Elias Karmon who recently passed away. As I speak with profound sorrow, I ascend to celebrate a life well lived and to remember with fondness the accomplishments of a remarkable man who, over his many years in our community, etched his name in history as a visionary who erected institutions and forever transformed the quality of life of his fellow Bronxites.

Mr. Bronx, as he was affectionately called, was born on March 4, 1910 and until his death on October 21, 2008, he was doing what he loved the most--attending to the needs of The Bronx community. His death at the age of 98 years old does not signal an end to a dedicated career of serving his community, but the beginning for those whose lives were touched by Dr. Karmon to continue his work.

The Bronx is full of busy men, but most of us found the activities of Dr. Karmon astonishing. He took time to work with dozens of groups and organizations in keeping The Bronx a good place to work and live, and all of that on a ``volunteer basis.'' This had been a ``working together'' story with people of all groups. Dr. Karmon was one of the most deeply involved residents of our borough. For all his work, Dr. Karmon was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by Lehman College, the Presidential Medallion by Bronx Community College, and the first Hostos Community College Presidential Medal.

A graduate of New York University, Dr. Karmon worked as an accountant, a manufacturer of clothing and as a clothing retailer on Prospect Avenue. The business, Hollywood Clothes, was a Bronx Institution for over 30 years. He was also a builder of parking lots, developer of buildings for use by public and private agencies and was very active in many phases of real estate. Dr. Karmon served The Bronx for 68 years in many business, civic, health, service and humanitarian organizations. He served on the organizational committee that brought about the Einstein College of Medicine and he continued to work on behalf of the College until his death.

Dr. Karmon served as an officer or chairman in The Bronx Rotary Club, The Bronx Council of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, American Jewish Congress, Bronx Division, Bronx Boy's and Girls Clubs', Visions and Community Services for the Blind and the Bronx YMCA. Dr. Karmon served as President of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce for four consecutive terms after serving on its Board since 1953. He played an instrumental role in organizing the South Bronx Board of Trade, which greatly aided minority businesses and was one of the founders of the Ponce de Leon Federal Bank in 1959.

For twenty-two years, Mr. Karmon served as a member of the Lay Advisory Board for Lincoln Hospital, nine of those years as its chairman, and he played a pivotal role in the establishment of the new Lincoln Hospital. Dr. Karmon was also credited with helping to create the first building of Hostos Community College.

Elias will be long remembered for his extraordinary commitment, 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 in and around music. I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to observe and experience his example as a personal inspiration.

Madam Speaker, rather than mourn his passing, I hope that my colleagues will join me in celebrating the life of Dr. Elias Karmon by remembering that he exemplified greatness in every way.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my appreciation and excitement that the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works has passed my bill, H.R. 837, which would designate a new State Department building in New York City as the Ronald H. Brown United States Mission to the United Nations Building in honor of the late Commerce Secretary. The 26-story building, located at 799 United Nations Plaza, across the street from the United Nations (U.N.) General Assembly, will house the United States Delegation to the U.N., which carries out the

Nation's participating activities in the world body. The building is expected to be completed this fall.

This legislation, which I have introduced in the past three Congresses, is long overdue. Thanks to the leadership of Chairman Barbara Boxer of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, and the support of my New York colleague, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who serves on the Committee, the bill now awaits passage by the full Senate. If successful, it would go to the President to be signed into law. I feel very hopeful that Congress will finally and rightfully recognize this great public servant as one of the greatest international salesmen of the United States in our history.

As Secretary of Commerce under President Bill Clinton's cabinet, Ron Brown became one of the greatest ambassadors that the American government ever had abroad. He did more than just extend trade and get people to buy our goods and services. He extended love, attention and sensitivity, especially in the developing countries where our government had not spent the time that we should have. Secretary Brown not only sold our wares, but he was able to sell our reputation as a country that wanted to help other countries.

I went with him to South Africa and saw how he negotiated with political leaders there. He did more than talk about which South African party was right or wrong or how to bring about solidarity. He asked how we could help the people get clean water, medicine, and food. Secretary Brown let them know that our multinational companies were there not just for their shareholders, but for the shareholders of the world.

Secretary Brown, a native of Washington, D.C., grew up in Harlem where his father once worked as manager of the community's famous Theresa Hotel. I was proud to be a desk clerk at the time that Ron and his family were living there. So I know that Ron never forgot Harlem. Throughout his life, Ron Brown broke many barriers. He was the first African-American to serve as Secretary of Commerce and the first African-American Chairman of a national political party.

In addition, he advanced civil rights as Deputy Executive Director at the National Urban League, served four years in the U.S. military, and, as Democratic Party Chairman, played an instrumental role in the revival of the Democratic Party and the 1992 election of Bill Clinton as President of the United States. Secretary Brown died in a plane crash in 1996 on a trade mission requested by the State Department to boost economic reconstruction of the war torn region of former Yugoslavia.

It would be fitting that when people come to New York, they would see diverse peoples of different colors, languages, and cultures, and the U.S. Mission to the United Nations Building bearing Ron Brown's name. There could not be a sight that would be more reminiscent of the man and the contributions he made to my community, this country, and the world.

Mr. Speaker, on any given day there are nearly a half million children in our nation's foster care system. These children have endured more pain and suffering in their short lives than many of us could ever imagine. Not only do they experience the physical and emotional trauma that is connected to their mistreatment, but they also face the grief of being separated from their siblings, extended family, friends, and their community. The foster care system serves as a safe sanctuary for these young people and provides services and support to help ease their suffering. It is in the foster care system that children find the help they need to address their pain, and where families can receive the services they need to safely restore their bond with their children. And when it is not possible to safely reunify a child with their parents, it is through the foster care system that a child finds a permanent home with a relative caregiver or an adoptive family.

The month of May is National Foster Care Month. It provides the nation with an opportunity to acknowledge the wonderful contributions of the countless men and women who dedicate their lives to assisting children and families, such as case workers and administrators, child and family advocates, researchers, volunteers, and community organizations such as the Child Welfare Organizing Project, which is doing fantastic work in my district. National Foster Care Month provides us with an opportunity to commend those individuals and families who open up their homes and lives to our most vulnerable children by becoming a foster parent. Foster parents step in to serve as a surrogate mom and dad to children when their parents are not there to comfort and care for them. Their services are invaluable in helping these children overcome their grief and move forward in their lives.

National Foster Care Month also provides us with an opportunity to evaluate our foster care system. Congress made great strides last fall in passing comprehensive, bipartisan legislation that strengthened the child welfare system. The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act provided new resources to the system and included policy changes aimed at improving the outcomes of children in care. The legislation has significantly improved the lives of foster children by facilitating their connection to extended family, supporting grandparents and other relative caregivers who care for these children, providing support to older youth in their transition to adulthood, ensuring the health care and educational needs of every child are met, ending the discriminatory practices against Native American children who are under the supervision of tribal governments, enhancing federal training assistance for child welfare workers and court personnel, and strengthening the federal adoption assistance program. The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act represented the most significant reform in the child welfare system in over a decade. I am proud of the bipartisan work that the Committee on Ways and Means did in developing the underlying legislation that led to the comprehensive bill. Nevertheless, there is still a great deal of work that needs to be done.

Despite the success of last fall's legislation, Congress needs to remain committed to further strengthening the foster care system and addressing some of the problems that have plagued it for years. Children of color are disproportionately over-represented in foster care. African American and Native American children are removed from their homes and placed in foster care at much higher rates than their white peers. Tragically, once they are removed from their homes, they are more likely to remain in the system for longer periods of time. This problem transcends urban areas and occurs across our nation, affecting not only New York, Michigan and Illinois, but States such as Iowa, Washington State and Minnesota. Many of the provisions included in the Fostering Connections the Success and Increasing Adoptions Act will help to begin to address this problem, yet more reform is still needed.

I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating National Foster Care Month by saluting the people who come to the aid of our most vulnerable children and families, as well as the men and women who are, or were formerly in, the foster care system. These individuals represent some of our bravest men and women who have overcome a level of grief and suffering that some will never experience in their lifetime. Yet, these remarkable people go on to lead successful lives, often exceeding their wildest expectations. Many of them now volunteer their time and expertise to efforts to improve the lives of those children who are currently in the system, championing their cause in State legislatures and throughout the halls of Congress. I salute these fine men and women for the example that they set for all Americans.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in somber remembrance of Jack Kemp, who on and off the field, played his position with sure hands and a compassionate heart. That position--as I called it--was Quarterback for Freedom, a role he assumed effortlessly and

selflessly throughout the span of his career. He was a conservative through and through, of that there was no question, but he possessed a great sense of empathy and community, of respect and a fondness for diversity that uniquely set him apart. The story goes that his time on the football field enamored him of his Black colleagues and etched into his mind how repugnant inequality and discrimination could be.

That experience undoubtedly moved him. But it is my belief that such reverence for the dignity of man--regardless of skin color, race, or ethnicity--came innately and naturally to him. For Jack, ``compassionate'' was not a buzz word placed in front of ``conservative'' without thought or care. He lived, embodied, and applied compassionate activism to his impressive life's work, a work outmatched only by his intensity of spirit and undeniable warmth.

``Civility cannot return to our country unless every person feels that they have an equal shot at the American dream,'' he once said. ``How in the name of American democracy can we say to eastern Europe that democratic capitalism will work there, if we can't make it work in East L.A., or East Harlem, or East Palo Alto, California? How can we tell South Africa and the new Mandela government that democracy and private property and limited government and the rule of law and civility will work there, if it's not working in our own backyard here at home or the South Bronx? How can America go into the next century and leave so many people behind?''

Jack was not an ideologue or political lecturer. He emerged as a statesman instead, far more committed to improving the lot of the American people than scoring cheap points in some political game. While we disagreed on some of the issues, most notably his enthusiasm for the Reagan tax cuts, we were in absolute lockstep in our commitment to rebuilding our cities, particularly in terms of housing and economic development. As Housing and Urban Development secretary, Jack met with minority groups, championed public housing, and worked with members like myself, who sat across the aisle, on issues such as revitalizing inner-city neighborhoods through empowerment zones. He served on the Howard University Board of Directors for 14 years, lending his support to President Swygert and the school, including significant personal financial contributions.

When he ran for vice president, Jack campaigned in Harlem, a visit billed as the first from a Republican candidate for president in at least half a century. Many expected raucous demonstrations from the residents in my community--more because of the ``R'' before his name than because they knew much about Jack Kemp to begin with. No such exchange occurred. I warmly greeted Jack at the local restaurant named Sylvia's and we traded good-natured barbs: He told me that in a Bob Dole Administration, I would be drug czar; I responded that in a Bill Clinton Administration, I would be Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee.

Jack was a veritable hero and inspiration. It is in that light that we remember him today; in awe of his dedication to accomplishment, in reverence of his conviction.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in awe of all the amazing work our nation's nurses accomplish--from the battlefield in Iraq and Afghanistan, to the late-hours in the local hospitals of our communities. These men and women on the frontlines of our health care system deserve our utmost praise, and in this week, we salute their herculean efforts. But in the coming months, as we ambitiously attempt to bolster and reform America's health care, let's keep their concerns and their voices at the forefront. Let's do right by them, as we should by the 45 million uninsured Americans who need our help.

The elimination of health disparities is a central goal of health reform. Minorities are more likely to be uninsured and often experience worse health outcomes. This is unacceptable and has been the case for far too long. If we do health reform right, we have a great opportunity to address the fundamentally inequitable health disparities that plague our nation. The first major step is to get everyone insured, but that is not enough. We must ensure that we have enough primary care, specialty doctors, and registered nurses to serve everyone. We must take steps to improve the health workforce and infrastructure so that insurance veritably translates into access to high-quality care. In addition, we must ensure that the millions of people who are Limited English Proficient have access to culturally and linguistically appropriate providers and care.

The nearly 2.9 million registered nurses in the United States comprise our nation's largest health care profession. They are an indispensable component in the safety and quality of care for hospitalized patients, and are prepared to meet the different and emerging health care needs of our community. As a founding member of the Congressional Nursing Caucus, with a mandate to educate Congress on all aspects of the nursing profession and how nursing issues impact the delivery of safe, quality care, I will continue to advocate on behalf of these notable professionals.

I honor registered nurse's accomplishments and efforts to improve our health care system, and we should all show our appreciation for the nation's registered nurses--not just this week but at every opportunity throughout the year.