Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the challenges the Caribbean faces in this coming year by introducing the editorial, ``Looking to 2008 for Improved Economic and Social Conditions,'' published in the New York CARIB News on January 8. The article posits that the area will have to rely on the economic gains of the last few years, as it faces rising inflation and an economy that will prove to be less robust. It hails the Caribbean Single Market and Economy as vital and argues that efforts to strengthen it should help the region stave off the grim economic picture. It notes that the impact of rising crime, particularly homicides, merits acknowledgement and solutions, perhaps by tackling those social conditions--a pervasive drug trade, the flurry of guns, and poverty--that are fueling that rise.

As steadfast allies of the Caribbean, we friends of the Caribbean in this House should stay abreast of all developments out of the region, with a ready hand, an open heart, and an attentive ear.

Looking to 2008 for Improved Economic and Social Conditions, Caribbean

Region Expects To Consolidate Gains of Recent Years

The World Bank has warned of a slowdown in economic growth

in the Caribbean while the United Nations considers it the

Year of the Potato at a time when food prices throughout the

region, indeed, the world have gone through the roof.

By the middle of the first month of the year, Barbadians

would have selected a political party to run the country for

the next

five years while Grenada's electorate would have a chance

sometime soon to decide who should govern the Spice Isle.

What else can we expect in the year 2008?

Except for energy rich Trinidad and Tobago, the economic

picture of the region isn't expected to robust. Whether in

Jamaica, the Bahamas, Grenada, St. Kitts-Nevis, Barbados, St.

Lucia, Haiti, or the Dominican Republic the forecast calls

for expansion that would hardly cause elation, less than four

per cent. With energy and food prices seemingly spiraling

often out of control, inching towards record highs, the

various countries may have to consolidate economic gains of

prior years, instead of reaching for the stars.

The next 12 months should see rising inflation as consumers

throughout the English, French, Spanish and Dutch-speaking

nations and territories are forced to dig deeper into their

pockets for meat, cereals, rice and other essential items as

global demand outstrips supply. As importing countries,

Caribbean states, like the rest of the developing world are

feeling and will continue to feel the full brunt of the

impact of rising prices as they have to spend more, much more

to buy the same amount of essential supplies they paid for in

2006.

The problem isn't difficult to spot.

While food accounts for only about one-tenth of the

consumer price index in the United States, Canada and Europe

and prices are expected to rise at about five per cent in

2008, the poor nations, the Caribbean among them, food

accounts for almost 50 per cent or more of the consumer price

index. In Nigeria and Bangladesh it's about two-thirds.

That's why the big battle governments and central bankers in

the Caribbean are expected to fight in 2008 as prices

continue to rise is going to be limiting wage increases, thus

creating continuing inflation. Don't be caught off guard,

then, if central banks tighten the money supply.

But food and energy prices aren't the only economic worries

in the Caribbean.

Coming on the heels of signing the controversial economic

partnership agreement with the European Union, Caricom states

and the Dominican Republic are entering a new relationship

with Europe, one which is putting the final nails in the

coffin of preferential trade. First it was the special

arrangement for bananas produced in the Caribbean, Africa and

the Pacific. Then it was sugar's special price being phased

out. Now, they must perform in a different trade and

investment climate that would force the nations to open up

their markets to more European goods. Admittedly, they will

have a grace period in which to do so, depending on the

commodity and the product.

And that's happening at a time when Caricom is moving ahead

with its efforts to strengthen the Caribbean Single Market

and Economy, CSME. Having officially launched the Single

Market, the ``economy'' portion of the integration effort may

prove to be the biggest challenge as countries seek ways to

finance their continued development through taxes and other

measures on intra-regional trade. That's where plans for the

Caribbean Development Fund come in this year. With an

anticipated pot of more than $200 million that would be

earmarked to finance economic and social expansion in the

less developed states, the members of the Organization of

Eastern Caribbean States in particular see the Fund as a

carrot that would encourage them to commit fully to the

Madam Speaker, I rise today to call attention to the pressing matter of increasing violent crime in the Caribbean and to introduce a New York CARIB News editorial that eloquently elucidates the problems and speaks to possible solutions. A conflux of drugs, guns, disaffected youth, and poverty has gripped the area's island nations, particularly Jamaica, with a world-leading 59 homicides for every 100,000 people. This is an issue neither solely endemic, nor of sole concern, to the Caribbean. The international community, rather, must accept its contribution to the problem, in the way of an aggressive international drug trade and the rampant sale of small arms. The Caribbean itself must do its part to draw its youth away from criminality and hopelessness, and invest in their educations and financial security.

Guns, Drugs and Murder a Lethal Combination in Caribbean--Where Is the

International Community and Gun Makers?

``The Caribbean Sun, sea and murder.''

That unsettling headline atop an equally disturbing story

about violence in the Caribbean was summarized in a shocking

fashion by The Economist, one of the English language's

leading weekly news publications.

``Indeed,'' it stated, ``the Caribbean better known for its

blue skies, cricket and rum punch, is the world leader in

violent crime.''

While that may be something of an over-statement, the fact

of the matter is that the picture is deeply troubling and

needs urgent attention, not simply by Caribbean governments

but the international community.

Some numbing figures tell much of the story about homicides

in a part of the world where people and their government are

wedded to law and order, tranquility and democracy. With 59

homicides for every 100,000 persons in the country, Jamaica

heads the list as ``the world's most murderous country,''

according to the magazine. Some distance away were St.

Vincent & the Grenadines 36; Belize 33; St. Kitts-Nevis 32;

Trinidad and Tobago 30; the Bahamas 25; and Antigua & Barbuda

23 for every 100,000 persons.

It's not difficult to figure out why this tragic situation

has evolved in a part of the world that's known as a bit of

paradise on earth. Drugs, guns and disaffected youth sum up

the story. Add poverty to the mix and the situation comes

into proper perspective.

The Caribbean has been the soft underbelly of the

international drug trade for decades. Illegal narcotics,

especially cocaine and some heroin are ferried through the

region from South America by Colombia, Bolivia and Venezuela

and destined for North America and Europe.

In addition, some Caribbean states, including Jamaica and

St. Vincent & the Grenadines are considered by law

enforcement authorities in the United States and Canada as

significant marijuana growers.

Because guns and ammunition are companions in the nefarious

drug trade, it shouldn't come as a surprise to learn there is

a flood of small arms in the region. Almost every country has

reported a rising incidence of the use of guns in criminal

activity. Law enforcement authorities are reporting more and

more cases of drug-related offences in which guns are a

factor. Next are the armed robberies; kidnappings, shootings,

and as the story indicated homicides.

The countries seem unable to stem the drug tide and the

importation of guns. With wide open waterways and beaches,

most of them find it virtually impossible to put a dent in

violent crime. Perhaps the most dramatic and frightening

incident in recent years was the massacre in Lusignan, the

East Coast Demerara village of East Indians late last month.

Eleven men, women and children were slaughtered in their

homes by criminals. The killing of a soldier by a merciless

gang brought the death toll to an appalling dozen persons.

What then can be and must be done?

Caribbean governments are already diverting scarce

resources from education, health, roads, bridges, services to

the elderly and the youth in order to boost law enforcement.

They recognize two things: (1) their nationals and businesses

must be able to feel safe on the streets, stores, offices,

factories and homes, and (2) the vital tourism industry can

be undermined if visitors stop going to the beautiful

destinations because of a fear of crime.

Interestingly, crime and violence aren't always seen by the

populace as pressing issues. They barely registered on the

political radar screens during recently general election

campaigns in the Bahamas, Jamaica and Barbados. But in

Trinidad and Tobago where kidnappings and killings drive fear

into people's hearts, there are growing calls for the use of

capital punishment as something of a deterrent.

Already, the prisons in almost every nation are overcrowded

and except for the acquisition of sophisticated equipment,

more powerful guns and better training of cops, there is

nothing that the countries have not already tried.

Crime has featured prominent at the summits of the region's

heads of government and the subject is expected to be raised

again.

But the international community must also do its part.

Until the United States and Europe in particular address the

issue of the demand for illegal narcotics, the Caribbean

would remain highly vulnerable. Washington must also re-

evaluate its stance at the United Nations and elsewhere on

the sale of small arms. The Caribbean isn't a producer or

exporter of guns, yet deadly weapons are in the hands of

people everywhere. At a time when the U.S. is said to be

fighting terrorists at home, most of the guns being used to

kill people next door in its neighbors have a made in U.S.

label on them.

The world's rich countries can ill-afford to turn a blind

eye to the peril caused by the twin evils of guns and drugs.

Of course, the Caribbean must deal with the problem of

disaffected poor youths, most of them males, who have

seemingly lost their way and have little desire for an

education that would enable them to become productive

citizens. That's a dangerous trend because in the years

ahead, the islands and coastal states would have hundreds of

thousands of people who are unprepared for the challenges of

life in a highly sophisticated world. That would heighten

frustration and can lead to more crime.

Bringing back hanging isn't going to solve anything. The

death penalty has never been an effective deterrent to curb

crime.

The international community must consider rising crime in

developing countries as a global issue that requires

financial and other resources. The poorer states too must

join hands to tackle the problem.

Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados are acting wisely

in strengthening their coast guard and other security forces

to ``choke the influx of drugs, and guns,'' recognizing that

success in a few countries would simply mean the narcotics

merchants would find another route to ply their trade.

Madam Speaker, the time has come to enact the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act. We need to end discrimination against those with mental illness and substance use disorders, just as we have worked to end discrimination more broadly. I regret that I could not be here to vote on its passage out of the House.

If you cannot be moved by a sense of compassion to support this important legislation, then maybe you can be moved by the statistics. More than 57.7 million Americans suffer from mental disorders. That's one in five Americans--people in our families, our friends, and coworkers. Mental disorders and addictions affect us all--regardless of race, gender or socioeconomic status. H.R. 1424 ensures that health insurers and group health plans treat mental disorders and addiction no differently than any other disease.

This is not a mandate. The Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act simply says that if plans choose to offer mental health coverage, then that coverage must not be subject to different standards than the coverage for treatments of physical disease. Parity will ensure that treatment for mental disorders and addictions will be no more restrictive than treatment limits applied to comparable medical and surgical benefits.

Opponents of true parity claim that H.R. 1424 could result in decreased access to employer provided health insurance. That is merely a scare tactic designed to undermine the broad-based support for the bill. In fact, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has estimated that the impact on premiums is just two-tenths of one percent. Statistics show us that depressed workers lose 5.6 hours a week of productive work time. This translates into tens of billions of dollars annually in lost productivity for employers.

We also know that every dollar spent in treatment saves up to $12 in health care and criminal justice costs alone. Do the math, and you'll see that treating mental health and addiction disorders is a wise investment. No one in this day and age should lose years of their lives in the fog of mental illness and addiction when help is available. We would never think of denying diabetes patients insulin. Yet, it seems to be acceptable to erect financial barriers or take other steps that ultimately deny patients with physical and chemical imbalances treatment for their mental illness. That

is wrong, and this legislation would end these discriminatory practices. I look forward to negotiating a strong compromise with our Senate colleagues.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Coogan's Restaurant's 10th Annual Salsa, Blues & Shamrocks 5K Run, a local institution in my district that was founded on the premise that ``kids who run, do better in school.''

Coogan's Annual Salsa, Blues & Shamrocks 5K Run is a celebration of the strong community ties and rich cultural diversity of northern Manhattan. The scenic route circles the historic Cloisters and returns to 169th Street. The New York City Road Runners Organization, organizers of the New York City Marathon, calls this ``the best road race outside of Central Park.''

More than 2,500 runners of all ages including world class competitors along with local celebrities participate in the race. A collage of over 20 different musical groups including gospel, bagpipes, meringue, salsa, and brass bands will serenade the runners along the route. Hundreds of kids running their hearts out all receive their Olympic style medals awarded by local firefighters and policemen.

Races ``within the race'' include the Captain Frederick Ill, Jr. Uniform Services Race created in memory of a local firefighter who lost his life in the World Trade Center attacks on September 11, 2001. Participants from the Fire Department, Police Department, and Uniformed Services will compete for the Captain Frederic Ill, Jr. FDNY Victory Cup.

Another race within the race is the Norbert Sander High School Open named after Dr. Norbert Sanders, M.D., founder of the Armory Foundation. This race features teams of high school students competing for trophies and awards. Winners receive $500, to be donated to their high school sports programs.

Coogan's Annual Salsa, Blues & Shamrocks 5K Run was founded in 1998 by the managing partners of Coogan's Restaurant: David Hunt, Peter Walsh, and Tess O'Connor McDade. This five kilometer running party has been an extraordinary event ever since, packed with the pulse and flavors of one of New York City's most diverse neighborhoods.

On the 10th anniversary of this momentous race, I congratulate and offer my best wishes for the continued success of the race and its organizers. What began as a run to help children do better in school has become a remarkable accomplishment that should inspire other communities across our great Nation to pursue similar goals with devoted persistence.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and mourn the passing of Johnnie Carr, a true champion for civil rights. I am humbled and inspired by the change Johnnie Carr was able to realize over the course of her pioneering life. For nearly a century, she fought for equal treatment--remaining never complacent, never satisfied. She was the childhood friend of Rosa Parks and fought alongside her in the historic Montgomery bus boycott. She succeeded Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1967 as president of the Montgomery Improvement Association (the leading force behind the boycott) and she ably served at that post until her passing earlier this month.

But it was her dynamic message of unity--a call to arms that appealed to everyone--that set her apart as a one-of-a-kind healer, a matriarch in a movement as relevant today as it was then.

May we carry with us the exuberance and energy she maintained and aspire to live up to the ideals to which she devoted her extraordinary life of activism.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate two birthdays.

Wilbert ``Bill'' Tatum never shies away from a good fight. The publisher emeritus of Amsterdam News, starting in 1978, ran editorials excoriating then-Mayor of New York, Democrat Ed Koch, once a week-- every week--on the paper's front page. The recurring, and unrelenting, box read: ``Why Koch Should Resign.'' By the time Koch left office a decade later, Tatum had turned his attention to another New York mayor, this time Republican Rudolph Giuliani. He demanded his resignation, too.

Throughout his life, which this year eclipses the 75-year mark, Tatum has been unafraid to show his mettle. He has railed against one-time popular policies--the invasion of Iraq and racial profiling--and defended unpopular, often controversial figures. The man who forged a niche for himself in black journalism, and broadened the field with his editorial perspective, is all about developing big ideas--and sticking to them. ``Don't worry about your beliefs if they are yours,'' Tatum writes in a recent column. ``If you have to depend upon somebody else's beliefs, then you have no beliefs at all.'' On the anniversary of his birth, it is that unflappable spirit we celebrate, honor, and uplift.

He's a self-billed ``pragmatic idealist.'' As the director of community relations for the city's building department, he fervidly sought to develop new housing in poor neighborhoods. He spent a winter's night in 1967, huddled in an evacuated and unheated Queens housing development, just to highlight the plight of tenants. He, years later, lobbied then-Governor Mario Cuomo to establish a toll-free telephone line that gave residents tips, and accepted their complaints, about drug trafficking. But over the past quarter century, he's made his mark in the media.

He owned financial interests in Inner City Broadcasting Corp, Apollo Theatre, and two radio stations, WLIB and WBLS. He served a brief stint as co-publisher of the New York Post in 1993, alongside real estate developer Abe Hirschfeld. And through the pages of the Amsterdam News, the Harlem-based Black weekly that came under his direction in 1982, Tatum developed his own voice.

That paper projected a critical and focused voice of its own, particularly at a time when issues of concern to African Americans were largely ignored by the mainstream media. It all began nearly 100 years ago--with nothing but $10, six sheets of paper, a lead pencil, and a table as its initial capital--and, in short order, it became New York's largest and most influential Black-owned, Black-operated business. At its zenith, its circulation peaked 100,000 and by the 1940s, it had become a leading black paper along with the storied Pittsburgh Courier, the Afro-American, and the Chicago Defender. Greats like W.E.B. DuBois, Roy Wilkins, and Adam Clayton Powell contributed to its pages. As one of the most frequently quoted black weeklies in the world, it says its

strength lies in its ``shaping the advancement and realization of Black aspirations.''

It now commands an irrefutable spot on the mantel of American Black history. It made visible the invisible; gave speech to the voiceless. It championed the causes of civil rights, amplifying the too-often muffled calls from the community. It fought for integration in the Armed Forces during World War II and was at the forefront in covering events such as the Montgomery bus boycott in Alabama. Tatum, himself, has been lauded for taking the paper in a new, fresh direction-- harkening back to its history while remaining modern and relevant. He's expanded its coverage of international affairs, attracting a wide variety of new readership from all corners of the local, national, and even international market.

Tatum was born in January 23, 1933, in a three-room shack in Durham, North Carolina, 10th out of 13 siblings, against the backdrop of segregation and summers of tobacco-field toil. He today boasts a degree from Pennsylvania's Lincoln University, the oldest Black university in the U.S., a master's in urban studies from Occidental College in L.A, and a National Urban fellowship at Yale. Out of work in segregationist America, ``too well-educated'' to land a post as a janitor at any of the New York newspapers, and instead, tried his luck as a reporter and columnist in Europe.

But he has since carved out a safe space of his own, assuming the leadership of a historic paper and injecting his powerful voice into the dialog. He has all our best wishes on his birthday and in this year, as his paper celebrates a milestone--a century's worth of scoops, awards, exclusives, and history-making. We are all the better for it.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of Dr. M. Elizabeth Carnegie, a champion of the cause of Black nurses, who passed away on February 20, 2008.

Born on April 19, 1916 in Baltimore Maryland, Dr. Carnegie received her initial nursing education through a diploma program. However, she went on to obtain her B.A. from West Virginia State College, and M.A. from Syracuse University, and a D.P.A. from New York University.

Some of Dr. Carnegie's major accomplishments include working on the editorial staff of the American Journal of Nursing, including being editor of nursing research during her last 5 years The third edition of her award winning book, the Path We Tread: Blacks in Nursing Worldwide, 1834-1994, has been published by the National League for Nursing, New York, and continues to be a critical source of the history of Blacks in nursing. In addition, she has had six honorary doctoral degrees bestowed upon her and held eight distinguished professorships and two endowed chairs at leading universities throughout the country The M. Elizabeth Carnegie Endowed Chair in Nursing Health Disparities has been established in the Howard University Division of Nursing.

Dr. Carnegie's affiliations include being past national officer of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority: chairperson emerita, American Nurses' Association Minority Fellowship Program Advisory Committee, board member. Nurses' Educational Funds: past president. American Academy of Nursing; member. National Black Nurses' Association: member. American Association for the History of Nursing. and past board member. Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. Dr. Carnegie was inducted into the Hail of Fame of the American Nurses' Association in June 2000.

Dr. Carnegie has been the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including the ANA Mary Mahoney Award; American Academy of Nursing Legend Award; and the Lillian D. Wald Award, New York Visiting Nurses Service.

Throughout her life, Dr. Carnegie fought against injustice and prejudice in the nursing profession, wherever she found it. She worked vigorously to ensure educational opportunites for Black nurses. When the Florida State Nurses' Association, FSNA, finally admitted blacks, Dr. Carnegie became a member of the board without the full rights of board membership. Her ongoing personality and determination to be heard led the board to grant her full rights within the FSNA. She was not a major figure in Black history, and most people do not know about her contributions, yet she had an indelible impact on the world. Today we pay tribute to the legacy she leaves behind in the field of nursing.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to the historical contributions that Africa has made to civilization. Too often their contributions are overlooked. Rulers and leaders such as Tenhamenin, Sonni Ali, Abram Hannibal, Chaka, Nelson Mandela, Julius Nyerre and Kwame Nkrumah, just to name a few, are often briefly mentioned or forgotten. Africa is a diverse continent, with natural resources, growth opportunity and a strong history, which needs more recognition and support.

In recognition of the importance of Africa, I am pleased that President George Bush has made his second trip to Africa, visiting Benin, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana and Liberia to encourage and support these countries' government stability and economic growth potential. During the spring district work period, March 17-26, 2008, I am leading a bipartisan Committee on Ways and Means delegation to South Africa, Lesotho, Uganda, Ghana and Mali to meet with government officials in regard to broadening and deepening trade and economic ties between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa.

As a result of the President's visit to Africa and mine, I hope that Americans will become more aware of the contributions made by Africans and the importance of this great continent so that their contributions to civilization will no longer be ignored or forgotten.

[From the Caribbean News]

Stories To Be Told and Chapters To Ensure That African Contribution to

Human Civilization Becomes Common Knowledge Around the World

(By Tony Best)

Turn back the hands of time.

It's 1066 and the man history later dubbed ``William the

Conqueror,'' the illegitimate son of Duke Robert of Normandy,

invaded England to claim what he saw was his inheritance and

was crowned King on Christmas Day of that year.

At the same time, Tenhamenin, the ruler of the vast Ghana

Empire, could place 200,000 warriors on the field of battle

in Africa and with precision and military strategy take on

all adversaries.

Fast forward to 1488, a period of feudalism in Europe. It

was in that year that the rulers of Songhay, the third of the

great African empires, conquered Mali and took control of the

fabled City of Timbuktu, the site of the University of

Sankore, an important international center of learning in the

world that attracted prominent scholars, both Black and

White. These are but two nuggets of history, long hidden from

global public view and scholarly research in the major

universities of Europe and North America.

Chances are thousands of students at some of America's

historically Black colleges and universities will hear this

month much about the empires of Ghana, Mali, Songhay and

Kanem that thrived on the African continent between the year

1000 and 16th century, promoting trade, developing seats of

learning and fostering the use of precio.

The focus on Black achievement in February brings to

center-stage the vital and multi-faceted roles played by

peoples of African descent in advancing human development

globally. From their ancestral homeland in Africa to North

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

world, people of color have been instrumental in improving

the daily lives of human beings everywhere.

It's a contribution that has been deliberately ignored,

downplayed or distorted by many white historians and

archeologists. Hence, the value of Black History Month in

North America.

Names that run the gamut from Pianky, the military genius

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

Antar, the African-Arabian poet and story teller; Sonni Ali,

the 15th century warrior king of Songhay, and Abram Hannibal,

the soldier and commander of 18th century Russia to Chaka who

led and forged the proud Black nation of South until his

assassination in 1828 and Estavancio, Arizona's African

``discoverer,'' dot the page of history.

Their presence and deeds underscore an essential reality:

Blacks have been part and parcel of world history, present

from exploration and revolution to scientific and other

technological achievements.

Along with the Hittites, Blacks from Africa pioneered in

the making of iron, fashioned precious stones into historic

ornaments, statues and valuable works of art and used oil-

bearing plants for both medicinal and dietary purposes.

They developed cereal and transformed a wild plant into

cotton, thus opening up the world the art of weaving.

They were among the world's first farmers, producing wheat,

groundnuts, yams, watermelons and possibly coffee.

During the heydays of Greek civilization, when Herodotus,

the famous historian wrote about the ``Black and curly-

haired'' soldiers in the army of Xerxes around 480 BC and

when the Roman Empire was at its heights and Kush was an

African province of Rome in the 4th century A.D. Blacks

weren't ignored.

In much later times when the Empires of Ghana, Mali,

Songhay and Kanem and when Europe was experiencing the ``Dark

Ages,'' African states were flourishing with established

governmental systems, proud universities and successful

commercial activity.

Today. after centuries of colonial and imperial domination,

Africa is emerging as a region with immense potential that

can be an example to the rest of the world in the decades

ahead.

After being brutalized by 19th and 20th century European

expansionism, civilization and bigotry, the African continent

succeeded in gaining self-rule, beginning with Ghana in 1957.

In the decades since then, a mix of the residual and

pernicious effects of colonialism and dictatorial rule,

derailed many of the dreams of hundreds of millions of people

in Africa and stifled progress.

But things have changed. More countries have embraced open

government, are abiding by the rule of law, the will of the

people and are harnessing their vast human and natural

resources for the upliftment of all.

In addition, towering international figures, including

Nelson Mandela, a global hero of courage and principle, the

late Julius Nyerre, the first President of Tanzania, Kwame

Nkrumah. who led the way by becoming the first African in the

20th century to Head an independent nation as colonial rule

began to crumble and Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya, have taken their

rightful places as leaders who gave direction and purpose to

the international community.

Unfortunately though, Kenya suffered a severe setback in

December 2007, when a scandalous hijacking of the

presidential elections by supporters of the incumbent leader,

Mwai Kibaki, triggered a bloodbath that left almost 1,000

dead and hundreds of thousands of Kenyans homeless.

But that is expected to be a temporary setback along the

road of progress.

As the story of the exploits of Black people emerges from

the bottom draw of history which recorded by Whites,

especially Europeans, the accurate picture that surfaces is

one not simply of grandeur of days past but of concrete

achievement and of a bright future.

Madam Speaker, today I join with the hundreds of thousands of Dominican residents of my congressional district and across our Nation to commemorate today, February 27th, the 164th anniversary of the Dominican Republic's Day of Independence. This celebration comes at the tail end of what has been a momentous Dominican Heritage Month.

Dominican Heritage Month gave us the opportunity to acknowledge and applaud the economic, cultural, and social contributions Dominican Americans have made to this great Nation. Dominicans living in our shores have been motivated by the value of hard work and the bonds of family--the same pillars of our society that has built this great Nation for over 230 years.

It also gave us an opportunity to consider the many Dominican achievements, on the island and in the United States. Many of our hemisphere's first institutions were established on the shores of Quisqueya, including the first cathedral and the oldest university.

Since the initial wave of Dominican migration in the 1960's to the most recent arrivals of today, Dominicans have worked hard to contribute to our national identity, educating us all on their culture and traditions and enriching the quality of our shared futures. Their contributions can also be found in every facet of U.S. life--from the many baseball stars in our national pastime, to fashion legend Oscar de la Renta to the thousands of professionals that do battle as soldiers, doctors, lawyers, journalists, educators, and public servants.

This past year, the Dominican community and I shared the loss of our fallen soldier, Cpl. Juan Alcantara, who lost his life tragically on August 6, 2007 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. We also shared the grief of Hurricane Noel, the deadliest storm of the 2007 hurricane season, responsible for at least 140 deaths and the displacement of more than 80,000 people in the Dominican Republic.

The Dominican people are known to triumph in the face of tragedy. They first began their campaign for the independence of the Dominican Republic in 1831 under the leadership of Juan Pablo Duarte, who formed a secret society named The Trinity. Thirteen years later, he succeeded in commanding a decisive uprising, which resulted in independence for the Dominican Republic. After the long and hard campaign for freedom had ended, a ceremonial musket shot fired on February 27, 1844 marked the Dominican Republic's first official Independence Day.

Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues join me in marking this celebration of not just the independence and triumphs of the Dominican people, but also the invaluable impact that they have had on our Nation and the world.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1001, I call up the bill (H.R. 5351) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax incentives for the production of renewable energy and energy conservation, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I have asked the nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation to make available to the public a technical explanation of the tax provisions of H.R. 5351. The technical explanation expresses the committee's understanding and legislative intent behind this important legislation. This explanation, document JCX-19-08, is currently available on the Joint Committee's Web site.

H.R. 5351 presents a step in the right direction as Congress moves to address the issue of climate change and energy security.

Mr. Speaker, we have an opportunity today to once again visit this important international and certainly national crisis that our country is facing today. Richard Neal, an outstanding member of the Oversight Committee, working with my dear friend, Phil English, was able to explore how the Congress might be more aggressive in dealing with this serious problem.

It is clear that one day our children and grandchildren will be asking us, during this period of time, what were we doing as relates to climate control. What role did we play to avoid our dependency on fossil fuel? How many lives have been lost as a result of our Nation feeling insecure about oil reserves throughout the world? Did we attempt to conserve? Did we protect the Earth? Did we create the jobs? Did we fulfill our moral obligation?

I hate to see that the record is going to say that here we go again, that we have done this before, that the Senate hasn't acted, or that other Members would take the time to talk about

other pieces of legislation instead of devoting all of their attention as to how we can make this issue one that the President can come to the table and join with us and attempt to resolve.

Mr. Speaker, we have an obligation to find renewable sources of energy, to conserve what we have, to test the winds, the waters, solar, to do all that we can to make certain that we meet the challenges that arise on our watch.

And so I reserve the balance of my time, Mr. Speaker, but I do hope that the discussion we have today, that Members realize that the whole world is watching, history is being made, and it is our choice as to whether we have made a positive contribution or whether some Members have preferred to be a political impediment to that progress. But no matter how many times we are rejected by the Senate, our Speaker and leadership are committed to be able to say that on our watch, while we were here, we have done all we could do in order to face and resolve this serious problem.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, referring to the threat of the national security of the oil producers in Venezuela is a clear example of a failed energy policy in this country, whether it is South America or whether it is the Middle East. But it should be pointed out for the record, as compiled by the Center for American Progress, profits during the Bush administration for oil companies have risen from $30 billion to $103 billion. We don't think it is asking too much for them to assist in partnership to find out whether there is a better way to fuel our energy needs.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin), an outstanding Member of the Congress and distinguished member of the Ways and Means Committee.

(Mr. LEVIN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Texas and the distinguished member of the Ways and Means Committee I think explained why there are such high profits in the oil industry, and if that is the explanation, I assume, if they are looking forward to continuous higher profits as they have been reaping during this administration, that they are in support of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. McDermott), a member of the Ways and Means Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).

I would like to yield 3 minutes to an outstanding Member of Congress who has worked so hard on the Ways and Means Committee, Ms. Schwartz of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, it seems as though a lot of attention is being given to Hugo Chavez and CITGO and, I guess, Castro and maybe Osama bin Laden, but when the final record is established, it would be that we have a lousy energy policy in this country. We just hope you would join with us in trying to protect our great national security.

I would like to yield 3 minutes to Richard Neal from Massachusetts, the subcommittee chairman of oversight, who has done a fantastic job on this subject, and for this your Nation is thankful.

(Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, when history is reviewed and we see where our Nation is and what bright light we have in not just identifying the problem but providing the solutions, the Speaker has given us all an opportunity to be a part of that great compromise in terms of working with the private sector and working with Republicans and Democrats. And it doesn't make any difference how many setbacks we have, the commitment she made continues. And until we can get a bipartisan ear in the White House, or until the Senate understands that our time has come to face up to the problems in terms of global warming and national security and in terms of the ever-increasing costs of fuel, and to be able to say on our watch we met the challenge and we moved forward, no one voice, no one leader has provided more of an opportunity for us to resolve this serious problem than the Speaker of the House of Representatives. It is indeed my privilege to yield 1 minute to her at this time.

I really want to thank the gentleman for the way you have raised the question. Rumor had had it that you intended to attack this provision of the bill.

I want to thank the gentleman for that, and what I was about to say, that it didn't surprise me that you did not attack it. I said rumor had it, but knowing the gentleman that you are and the concern you do have for sound fiscal policy, I want to first thank the gentleman for the way you raised the question and giving me an opportunity to share this provision with you. And if necessary, I will perhaps give myself additional time if you are not adequately satisfied.

First of all, I think we all agree when 9/11 occurred and the World Trade Center was hit----

If you are going to restrict my response, the general explanation for what you ask is in the President's budget. He has supported it in his budget, and the Joint Committee advisory opinion has been superseded by the chairman of the committee, which is me, has been authorized in support of requests by a Republican mayor and a Republican Governor.

Now, the answer to what you want is in the Department of Treasury report, 2008. If you don't want the details, then I yield back to you and I cannot answer any further.

I understand that, but you can't ask serious questions and expect not to get answers.

It is not an official earmark. And it can't be determined that, and the Record would so record that it is not an earmark.

Only because the opinion was considered officially and legally as an advisory opinion.

Let me make this abundantly clear. Earmark or no earmark, our country was hit, it was New York City, came to the rescue. Because of the way the bond issue was created, it expired, and the President of the United States believed, in fairness to the community that was hit, on behalf of the people of the United States of America, that there should be an extension of this. So we're not talking about any new earmark. We're talking about an extension of the compassion that this Congress has given my city and my community.

Let the record establish that the Chair has shared with you, and you can call the Parliamentarian or anyone else you want, this is not considered as an earmark.

But let me say further that even if it was, I would side with the President of the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Becerra), a part of the Democratic leadership in the House, an outstanding member of the Ways and Means Committee, and I welcome his being recognized.

I would like to recognize for 2 minutes the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett).

Mr. Speaker, I guess the Record should indicate that our failed energy policy is due to Hugo Chavez.

I would like to yield 2\1/2\ minutes to my friend from North Dakota (Mr. Pomeroy).

Mr. Speaker, I recognize Mr. Pascrell for 2 minutes.

(Mr. PASCRELL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

I would be glad to. And I would like to ask that the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Emanuel) be recognized for 2 minutes.

At this time, I would like to yield 2 minutes to the gentlelady from Nevada (Ms. Berkley).

I welcome the opportunity to recognize Mr. Van Hollen from Maryland for 3 minutes.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the gentlelady from Arizona (Ms. Giffords) for 2 minutes.

Mr. Speaker, first let me once again thank Mr. English for the diligent way that he addresses the problems that are before our committee. His working with Richard Neal makes me proud to be a member and chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. I do hope that at some point that we will be able to get past the barrier of partisanship to deal with a national security issue, a global climate issue, an issue that should challenge all partisanship as we move forward.

It defies common sense to believe that the oil industry that is receiving billions of dollars in profit would even consider the $14 billion that we are talking about. It is almost like grains of sand on the beach. We are asking them to be partners with us, not just for their shareholders, which they know how to take care of, but for their country, to be able to say that our foreign policy should not be directed by where oil is, to be able to say at the end of the day we can tell our kids and grandkids that we tried to protect the atmosphere of this great country, to be able to say that there are alternatives, that we don't have to rely on fossil fuels. We have the genius. We have the creativity. And this bill provides the incentives to see whether we can use the wind, the water, waste, solar, whatever it takes. We have the know-how given the opportunity which this bill will give to deal with it. We can create products that conserve energy. We can increase our surplus in terms of trade by being able to produce products that are far more competitive than what we are doing today. What a great opportunity for us.

And when we talk about potential recession or whatever the President wants to call it, we have to recognize the big role that the increase in the price of oil has played with families who used to consider themselves middle income and now are faced with ever-increasing home fuel costs, automobile costs and all of these things, and to find that we have to give them $159 billion because they don't have the ability to put food on the table or shoes on their kids' feet or to pay their rent or to pay their mortgage. All of this, we can handle these problems if we work together in a bipartisan way. We even go as far as to say in the bill that we don't have all of the answers. We provide tax-exempt bonds for mayors and Governors and people with exciting ideas of how to make greenhouses and increase the efficiency of our commercial buildings as well as our residents.

Why don't we give hope a chance and give the challenge to America a chance, force the Senate to come to meet with us and in a bipartisan way

in the House to be able to say that we are prepared to do these things.

And so I do hope that people would reconsider that did not support H.R. 5351. I do hope and congratulate the leadership and Nancy Pelosi, our Speaker, for never giving up and not giving in just because we face political obstacles. The record is going to indicate which side we were on, and it is abundantly clear, were you on the side of Big Oil or were you on the side of change and wanting to make certain that we met the challenges that we are forced to do.

General Leave

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on the bill, H.R. 5351.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage our membership to support this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I reserve a point of order.

I have a point of order at the desk and I insist on my point of order.

Mr. Speaker, I make a point of order that the motion to recommit is not germane to the underlying bill, and I insist on my point of order.

Mr. Speaker, I object. The proponent is not dealing with the question of the point of order but is dealing with another subject matter.

The proponent's speech is not related to the parliamentary question of the relevancy to the point of order.

Mr. Speaker, it is abundantly clear that the rules of the House are being abused for purposes of calling attention to another piece of legislation, and I insist on my point of order.

I would like to be heard in opposition.

Mr. Speaker, I have all the respect for the proponent of the motion to recommit on the subject matter that he is trying to bring to the attention of this House, but the Record has got to indicate that as this great Nation and this House try to deal with the serious problem of global warming, of loss of jobs, of national security, of a variety of things that we should be focused on, that if the rule should be used constantly throughout this debate for a purpose other than the reason why this bill is before this House, it not only violates the parliamentary rules, but the spirit in which we should be looking at this energy bill. So I insist on my point of order.

Mr. Speaker, I move to table the appeal.

Before I speak, may I have a parliamentary inquiry?

Notwithstanding the rhetoric of the sponsor, does this motion to recommit kill the underlying bill?

I am asking what would be the impact if this were to pass. Would it kill the bill?

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the motion.

Mr. Speaker, I oppose the motion, and I am a little embarrassed about an issue that came up during the debate on this bill as related to the unity and the support for my great city, New York. I oppose the motion for many reasons, but the prime one is that this actually kills the bill and prevents us from taking a vote, but I don't think that they seriously would want us to consider the provisions here that they have in the motion.

But having said that, I am embarrassed that one of the issues that is in the motion to recommit is that they not allow the City of New York, with the support of the President of the United States, and have it included in the President's budget, the opportunity to utilize tax- exempt bonds, bonds that were given for the specific purpose of assisting us in recovering from that tragic terrorist attack on September 11.

After study by the administration and conversations which they had with the Republican and Democrat mayor and Governor of our great State, they reached the conclusion that the fair and equitable thing, because of the impediment under which the original tax-exempt bond issue was written, that it was inaccurately written and it would expire if this provision wasn't there. Someone on the other side called it an earmark. Well, if it is an earmark, it is a compassionate earmark that is supported by the President of the United States and the Secretary of the Treasury.

I just ask you, in case somebody of good conscience would ask, Why would you do a thing like that in a motion to recommit? to give you the opportunity to say, I just didn't know that it was in there.

So for all of those reasons, I ask that we defeat the motion to recommit, Mr. Speaker.

Parliamentary Inquiries

Mr. Speaker, parliamentary inquiry.

If it was reported back, would it comply with the PAYGO rules of the House of Representatives, Mr. Speaker?

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my concern over President Bush's handling of the budget and to enter into the Record editorials from today's Washington Post, ``Budget Mess--President Bush's last spending plan only adds to a disastrous fiscal legacy'' and from today's New York Times, ``Lame-Duck Budget.''

President Bush was given a gift 7 years ago; the gift was a projected surplus of $5.6 trillion over the next decade. He has been neither appreciative nor responsible with this gift that America entrusted him with to make the lives of all Americans better. Instead his policies have benefited select groups and special interest. Case in point, his tax cutting agenda has greatly improved the lives of households with incomes totaling more than $450,000 a year. These are some of the wealthiest American households.

The national debt has grown by $2 trillion and the projected $725 billion surplus for the upcoming fiscal year (2009) has disappeared and in its place has appeared a $407 billion deficit. Based on Mr. Bush's recent budget submission, he proposes to pay for additional tax cuts through $397 billion deficit spending over the next 5 years.

Mr. Bush leaves behind a legacy of failed fiscal policies and priorities. Mr. Bush stated his budget plan would put the country on the road to balancing the budget by 2012. However, he mistakenly forgot to inform the American people that his plan only partially funds the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan for 2009, and starting in 2010, he has planned zero spending. This is a disingenuous attempt to make his budget plan seem plausible.

There are no winners with the Bush budget proposal; domestic spending programs will be cut or remain flat. There is no long-term planning for the alternative minimum tax and both Medicare and health care spending will suffer devastating cuts.

Given the uncertain economic future of the country Mr. Bush's budget proposal leaves his successor with a very difficult task ahead. This is especially disheartening since his predecessor left him with a surplus.

[From the Washington Post, Feb. 2, 2008]

Budget Mess

Seven long years ago, a new president submitted his first

budget--an optimistic document now relevant only as a

chastening artifact of a bygone era. In that ``Blueprint for

New Beginnings,'' George W. Bush grappled with the supposed

challenge of dealing with a projected surplus of $5.6

trillion over the next decade. The president proposed to pay

down the debt by $2 trillion during that time, which, he

said, was as much as could be responsibly redeemed. He

offered lavish tax cuts. And he vowed to ``confront great

challenges from which Government has too long flinched,''

putting Social Security and Medicare on solid financial

footing.

The final budget of Mr. Bush's presidency arrived

yesterday, and the contrast between then and now could hardly

be more sobering. Instead of being paid down, the national

debt has grown by $2 trillion. The $725 billion surplus once

projected for the coming fiscal year (2009) has evaporated.

In its place is a $407 billion deficit--an unrealistically

rosy number that omits billions in likely war spending and is

artificially reduced by including the $200 billion Social

Security surplus. The explosion in entitlement costs has been

left unaddressed and is therefore even more daunting. Indeed,

on entitlements, Mr. Bush's legacy will be to have added to

the long-term tab with the addition of an expensive Medicare

prescription drug benefit.

Some of this transformation, as the administration would be

the first to point out, is not Mr. Bush's fault. Even as he

submitted that initial budget, the economy was slowing. The

attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, further rattled the economy and

imposed huge unanticipated costs for homeland security and

military operations overseas. Mr. Bush tried to launch the

necessary debate on Social Security, and, although the

president can be faulted for having poisoned the well with a

relentlessly partisan legislative strategy, congressional

Democrats chose to respond with more partisanship.

But the fact remains that the purported surplus on which

Mr. Bush based his tax-cutting agenda was always something of

a mirage, and the president has never been willing to adjust

his agenda to the grim new fiscal reality. Yesterday's

promise of a small surplus by 2012 is once again premised on

omitting likely costs (zero is budgeted for operations in

Iraq and Afghanistan) and by assuming cuts to domestic

spending that are unachievable politically and, in large

part, unwise as a matter of policy.

As always, Mr. Bush pledges to press ahead with his tax-

cutting agenda: another $2.4 trillion over the next decade,

$3.7 trillion if relief from the alternative minimum tax is

included. The President argues that failing to extend his

previous tax cuts would result in an average tax increase of

$1,800. But Mr. Bush neglects to point out that the

overwhelming share of the tax cuts go to the wealthiest

Americans. The top 1 percent of households--those with

incomes of more than $450,000--would get 31 percent of the

benefits, with tax cuts averaging $67,000 by 2012. And Mr.

Bush does not even propose fully paying for these cuts: The

budget he submitted yesterday envisions another $397 billion

in deficit spending over the next five years because it would

devote more money to tax cuts than it would cut in spending.

Mr. Bush inherited a potential windfall--and squandered it.

The next president will inherit his mess.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to enter into the Record a February 14th editorial from the New York Times by Eliot Spitzer, Governor of New York, ``Predatory Lenders' Partner in Crime''.

This editorial talks about the role the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) had in preempting state laws designed to protect consumers from mortgage loans with deceptive ``teaser'' rates and hidden fees. Several states had enacted laws to protect consumers from these practices. Many low- and middle-income borrowers are not able to absorb monthly payment increases when variable terms reset, such as the expiration of teasers rates and/or interest rate increases. Many of these loan products are so complex, that the disclosures currently available are inadequate to protect consumers. The end result is that hardworking Americans are stripped of the equity they have built in their properties, and they lose their homes.

Who would have thought that the OCC would issue formal opinions in 2003 that preempted state laws designed to protect consumers from lending practices and would put consumers in jeopardy of losing their homes? This was so egregious that all 50 state attorney generals and state banking superintendents vigorously fought the new rules. The fight was to no avail--the Bush administration won and the banks were protected.

Greater regulatory oversight is necessary to ensure borrower confidence in the banking system, and the availability of quality loan products in the market place. The end result is where the U.S. finds itself today--with record rates of foreclosures and an economy in a perilous condition.

[From the New York Times, Feb. 14, 2008]

Predatory Lenders' Partner in Crime

(By Eliot Spitzer)

Several years ago, state attorneys general and others

involved in consumer protection began to notice a marked

increase in a range

of predatory lending practices by mortgage lenders. Some were

misrepresenting the terms of loans, making loans without

regard to consumers' ability to repay, making loans with

deceptive ``teaser'' rates that later ballooned

astronomically, packing loans with undisclosed charges and

fees, or even paying illegal kickbacks. These and other

practices, we noticed, were having a devastating effect on

home buyers. In addition, the widespread nature of these

practices, if left unchecked, threatened our financial

markets.

Even though predatory lending was becoming a national

problem, the Bush administration looked the other way and did

nothing to protect American homeowners. In fact, the

government chose instead to align itself with the banks that

were victimizing consumers.

Predatory lending was widely understood to present a

looming national crisis. This threat was so clear that as New

York attorney general, I joined with colleagues in the other

49 states in attempting to fill the void left by the federal

government. Individually, and together, state attorneys

general of both parties brought litigation or entered into

settlements with many subprime lenders that were engaged in

predatory lending practices. Several state legislatures,

including New York's, enacted laws aimed at curbing such

practices.

What did the Bush administration do in response? Did it

reverse course and decide to take action to halt this

burgeoning scourge? As Americans are now painfully aware,

with hundreds of thousands of homeowners facing foreclosure

and our markets reeling, the answer is a resounding no.

Not only did the Bush administration do nothing to protect

consumers, it embarked on an aggressive and unprecedented

campaign to prevent states from protecting their residents

from the very problems to which the federal government was

turning a blind eye.

Let me explain: The administration accomplished this feat

through an obscure federal agency called the Office of the

Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). The OCC has been in

existence since the Civil War. Its mission is to ensure the

fiscal soundness of national banks. For 140 years, the OCC

examined the books of national banks to make sure they were

balanced, an important but uncontroversial function. But a

few years ago, for the first time in its history, the OCC was

used as a tool against consumers.

In 2003, during the height of the predatory lending crisis,

the OCC invoked a clause from the 1863 National Bank Act to

issue formal opinions preempting all state predatory lending

laws, thereby rendering them inoperative. The OCC also

promulgated new rules that prevented states from enforcing

any of their own consumer protection laws against national

banks. The federal government's actions were so egregious and

so unprecedented that all 50 state attorneys general, and all

50 state banking superintendents, actively fought the new

rules.

But the unanimous opposition of the 50 states did not

deter, or even slow, the Bush administration in its goal of

protecting the banks. In fact, when my office opened an

investigation of possible discrimination in mortgage lending

by a number of banks, the OCC filed a federal lawsuit to stop

the investigation.

Throughout our battles with the OCC and the banks, the

mantra of the banks and their defenders was that efforts to

curb predatory lending would deny access to credit to the

very consumers the states were trying to protect. But the

curbs we sought on predatory and unfair lending would have in

no way jeopardized access to the legitimate credit market for

appropriately priced loans. Instead, they would have stopped

the scourge of predatory lending practices that have resulted

in countless thousands of consumers losing their homes and

put our economy in a precarious position.

When history tells the story of the subprime lending crisis

and recounts its devastating effects on the lives of so many

innocent homeowners, the Bush administration will not be

judged favorably. The tale is still unfolding, but when the

dust settles, it will be judged as a willing accomplice to

the lenders who went to any lengths in their quest for

profits. So willing, in fact, that it used the power of the

federal government in an unprecedented assault on state

legislatures, as well as on state attorneys general and

anyone else on the side of consumers.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to call attention to the University of the West Indies and its recent push to make publicly available those official papers penned by some of the Caribbean's greatest leaders. These papers shed invaluable insight into the area's national and regional public policy, and their availability would grant a host of students, citizens, and political analysts knowledge of their governments' inner workings. The New York CARIB News article, ``Give Us Your Papers, They Would Help Future Generations,'' published on Feb. 5, makes the case.

University of the West Indies to Former Caribbean Leaders: Give Us Your

Papers, They Would Help Future Generations

``Give us your official papers that deal with both national

and regional public policy.''

That appeal to former leaders of several CARICOM nations,

from P.J. Patterson of Jamaica, Dr. Kenny Anthony of St.

Lucia and James ``Son'' Mitchell of St. Vincent to Owen

Arthur and Sir Lloyd Sandiford of Barbados has come from Dr.

Nigel Harris, Vice Chancellor of the University of West

Indies. He told the Carib News in New York yesterday that

such papers would enhance the ability of future generations

of students, political scientists and researchers to

understand the development of the region's public policies.

``First of all such donations would be a service to the

region as a whole,'' Dr. Harris said. ``Secondly, it gives

enduring value to the University that this is a place that

our leaders see as being vitally important; understand its

enduring value; and in that context have a sense of comfort,

if you will that what they leave, that part of their life

that they are leaving to the University, will be preserved.

It will serve to inform future generations of our peoples

and our scholars.''

Dr. Harris was in New York for the glitzy annual awards

gala of the American Foundation for the University of the

West Indies. Almost 400 guests attended the Black Tie dinner

at the Waldorf Astoria in Manhattan where more than a dozen

people were honored for their contribution to the development

of the Caribbean or the societies in which they now live and

work.

So far Edward Seaga, a former Prime Minister of Jamaica has

donated his papers to the UWI's Mona campus; the papers of

the late Dr. Eric Williams, the father of Trinidad and

Tobago's independence, who helped to create CARICOM, are now

housed at the St. Augustine campus in Trinidad; while those

of Sir Shridath Ramphal, a former Commonwealth Secretary who

later became the University's Chancellor, are at the Cave

Hill campus in Barbados.

``We in the Caribbean need a place that scholars, students

and others can go to understand, read and learn about public

policy,'' Dr. Harris said. ``Such collections shouldn't be

stored in a willy-nilly fashion.'' The Vice Chancellor thinks

the papers of Patterson and Arthur would be vital to an

understanding of their approach to regionalism and to the

policies affecting people in Jamaica, Barbados and the rest

of the region.

In Arthur's case, he spent almost 14 years as the head of

the government with lead responsibility for the launching of

the Caribbean Single Market and Economy and Dr. Harris said

his papers were an ``extremely valuable'' source of

information and guidance for future generations.

``Owen Arthur has been one of the thought leaders, if you

will, with respect to the implementation of the CSME,''

Harris said. ``It was a charge that he took on. He was

engaged in a number of meetings and conferences, some of our

university people were there, in terms of thinking through

the CSME, the integration of the Caribbean and I think we can

learn a lot from that in the short term. We can also learn a

lot in the long-term in terms of the journey that we took, so

to speak, when it comes to Barbados' development at this

point in time and the journey we are going through right now

to achieve the Caribbean Single Market and Economy.''

Interestingly enough, Dr. Harris said that technological

development was making it easier to store and gain easier

access to the papers than ever before and that should be an

attraction to the donors and the users of such documents.

``Now that we can digitize material, which is what Mr.

Seaga is doing with his papers, digitizing hundreds of

thousands of pages, it is going to make it so easily

accessible and acceptable to scholars in years and decades to

come,'' was the way he put it. ``Just plain folks who are

interested throughout the region would be able to come in and

examine them and learn about how decisions were made and

positions taken. We have methods already that can readily

assemble and store masses of information in ways that would

be able to access easily.'' The UWI is celebrating its 60th

anniversary and many of honorees who received awards on

evening were hailed for their work in the Caribbean or the

United States. ``It was a very highly successful event,'' Dr.

Harris said. ``The American Foundation of the University for

the West Indies plays a vital role in our University's

continuing expansion.''

Sir George Alleyne, UWI Chancellor, described the gala as a

``special event'' one that was particularly true as ``our

university celebrates'' an important milestone in its

history. ``In a young institution like ours we must mark this

early milestone and use them not only to review what we have

done, but to see what else we may do and how much we can do

better when we are doing.''

During the gala awards were presented to Denis O'Brienm,

founder of Digicel; Dr. John Agard, senior lecturer in the

UWI's faculty of science and agriculture at St. Augustine;

Prof. Anthony Chen, professor of applied physics at Mona; Dr.

Leonard Nurse, a senior lecturer in the Center for Resource

Management and Environmental Studies at Cave Hill; Kenneth

DeGhetto, a former member of the Foundation's Board of

Trustees; Reggie Canal, first vice president of African

Heritage Banking at HSBC; Raymond Goulbourne, BET's Executive

Vice President; Noel Hankin, Senior Vice President of Multi-

Cultural Relations at Moet Hennessy USA; Roy Hastick, founder

and chief executive officer of the Caribbean American Chamber

of Commerce and Industry in Brooklyn; Marc Morial, a former

Mayor of New Orleans who is the President of the National

Urban League; Colbert Narcisse, chief administrative officer

of Global Investment Bank and the chief operating officer of

the Americas Investment Bank at Merrill Lynch; Paul Altman,

Managing Director of Altman Real Estate, the Caribbean's

leading real estate company; Winston Bayley, UWI's chief

financial officer; Dr. Rollin Bertrand, CEO of the TCL Group;

Stephen Cozier, Managing Director of ScotiaBank's Eastern

Caribbean operations; Vincent Hosang, founder of Caribbean

Food Delights and Royal Caribbean Bakery; and Minna Israel,

Managing Director for RBTT Bank Jamaica Limited.

Harry Belafonte, world famous entertainer and civil rights

activist, was also honored. Susan Taylor of Essence Magazine

accepted the award for him in his absence. Brenda Blackmon of

WWOR-TV, My 9; and Maurice Dubois of WCBS-TV were the gala's

hosts. The Rt. Rev. E. Don Taylor, Episcopal Vicar Bishop of

New York City delivered the invocation.

``We salute the immense contributions of our luminaries and

other awardees,'' said Karl Rodney, New York Carib News

publisher, chairman of the dinner committee. Michael

Flanagan, the Foundation's Chairman, said that the event and

the Foundation continue to ``focus on supporting the

University so that the institution can continue to expand and

meet demands and remain relevant to the societies it

serves.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Black History Month and to enter into the record an editorial from New York CaribNews for the week ending February 19, 2008, ``Harriet Tubman: Moses of Her People--She Demonstrated the Courage and Grit of a Freedom Fighter.''

Harriet Tubman was born a slave in 1820 on a Maryland plantation. In 1849 she escaped to Philadelphia and immediately began her mission of freeing as many slaves as she could on what became known as the ``Underground Railroad'', a network of antislavery activists and safe houses. Harriet Tubman is credited with rescuing over 300 slaves. The Underground Railroad operated at night with escaping slaves following the Northern Star. This enterprising operation involved the following states: Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland and ultimately was responsible for guiding more than 2,500 slaves to freedom.

Harriet Tubman was so successful that a $40,000 reward was issued for her capture, dead or alive. However, this was not a deterrent to her mission. Even with the enormous price on her head she returned south to free her family and made 19 additional trips while eluding her enemies. She was said to have never lost a passenger.

During the Civil War Harriet Tubman joined the Union Army and worked first as a cook and a nurse and later as a scout and spy. When the war ended Harriet Tubman took on the role of community mother taking care of elderly and needy Blacks while supporting the establishment of Southern Freed People's school. She continued caring for the community well into her 80's.

As Michael D. Roberts states at the end of his CaribNews essay, ``For all her toughness Harriet Tubman, who died at age 90, was first and foremost a decent, kind and loving human being who only wanted the best for her people.''

Harriet Tubman: Moses of Her People--She Demonstrated the Courage and

Grit of a Freedom Fighter

(By Michael D. Roberts)

This tiny but exceptionally brave Black woman commanded the

grudging respect of white southern slave owners. As a matter

of fact they put out a huge reward of $40,000 for her capture

dead or alive. In the north they called her the ``Moses of

her people'' because of her legendary exploits in getting

slaves out of the racist south.

Her name was Harriet Tubman and she was born a slave on a

Maryland plantation. Then in 1849 she escaped to Philadelphia

and immediately joined what has now come to be known as the

``Underground Railroad'' a complex and secret passage used by

abolitionists to conduct slaves to the free north.

It operated at night and followed the Northern Star. Its

conductors met and accompanied the runaway slaves leading

them through an intricate web of roads, barns, paths and

hideouts to confuse irate southern slaveowners hot in

pursuit. The states involved were Ohio, Indiana,

Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland. And the Railroad's

greatest conductor was Harriet Tubman. In a daring

enterprise, and with more than 3,200 people involved, this

Railway was responsible for guiding to the north more then

2,500 slaves between 1830 and 1860.

The story of Harriet Tubman began when she freed herself

and then returned, even with a price on her head, to the

hostile south to free her family. She made 19 additional

trips to the south and was able to elude her enemies by guile

and cunning. She became an embarrassment to the intelligence

organizations of the south as she avoided trap after trap and

earned the name ``Scarlet Pimpernel'' for her exploits. Her

trips to the south resulted in freedom for more than 300

slaves who were conducted by ``General Moses'' to the north

and Canada. Known for her great physical strength, Harriet

Tubman also became widely known for her courage and

resourcefulness. Always she was able to confuse the

slaveowners. For example, she once let loose several

chickens she had just bought in a southern market place to

avoid being recognized by a former master. And another

time she deliberately took a southern bound train to shake

off her pursuers. Said to be deeply religious, it was the

strength of her convictions that motivated her to do what

she did--she was convinced that she was doing the Lord's

work.

When the Civil War broke out Harriet Tubman enlisted in the

Union Army and became a spy and scout because of her

knowledge of the outdoors and her uncanny intelligence.

She was placed in this dangerous role also for her ability

to operate under extreme pressure and to handle difficult

situations. From all reports her dispatches were informative

and led to many successes for the Union forces.

Not one to remain complacent she also worked as a nurse in

a hospital for freed slaves and helped them economically by

raising money from the sale of eggs and chickens.

When the guns of the Civil War fell silent Harriet Tubman

made New York her home and cared for her aged parents. She

became something of a community mother because she took in

other needy Blacks who were struggling to make a new life in

New York.

Never able to read or write she nevertheless knew the value

of education and was shrewd enough to realize that Blacks

would have to educate themselves to make it in the United

States. She therefore supported the establishment of Southern

Freed People's Schools.

Well into the twilight of her years Harriet Tubman set up a

home to care for old and poor Blacks. It is correct to say

that she remained the Moses of Her People right on to the end

of her long life. When she set up the ``poor people's home''

she was at the ripe old age of 80 years. Harriet Tubman

proved that age was never a fetter to advancement and that

complacency and inaction were the greatest enemies of Blacks

in America. She demonstrated that conviction; determination

and bravery were necessary tools in fighting for human and

civil rights. Harriet Tubman has left an example on how to

love people. She did what no government or institution was

able to do for her people. She became in the process an

institution herself. Her exploits and bravery will always be

remembered as will be her humanity and compassion.

For all her toughness Harriet Tubman, who died at age 90,

was first and foremost a decent, kind and loving human being

who only wanted the best for her people.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Black History Month and to enter into the record an editorial from New York CaribNews for the week ending February 19, 2008, ``Celebrating the African-American Contribution to Black History--the NAACP--Then and Now.''

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), originally called the National Negro Committee was founded on February 12, 1909 by Ida Wells-Barnett, W.E.B. DuBois, Henry Moscowitz, Mary White Ovington, Oswald Garrison Villiard, William English Walling. The 6 founders, who comprised a multi-racial group of Americans, renewed the struggle for civil and political liberty. We now know the organization as the NAACP.

In the early years, the NAACP concentrated on using the courts to overturn the Jim Crow laws that permitted racial discrimination. The NAACP in 1913 organized opposition to President Woodrow Wilson's introduction of racial segregation into the federal government policy. The NAACP devoted a significant amount of energy after World War I and in the 1920s and 1930s to publicize the lynching of blacks throughout the United States and sought federal legislation against those states which refused to prosecute.

Today, the NAACP continues its mission to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.

(From the CaribNews, Feb. 19, 2008)

Celebrating the African-American Contribution to Black History--NAACP--

Then and Now

The NAACP was founded as the National Negro Committee on

February 12, 1909, by a multi-racial group of political

activists including W.E.B. DuBois, Ida B. Wells, Henry

Moscowitz, Mary White Ovington, Oswald

Garrison Villiard, and William English Walling. DuBois edited

the association's magazine, The Crisis, which reached more

than 30,000 people. One often overlooked aspect of the

NAACP's history is that the Jewish community contributed

hugely to the NAACP's founding and continued financing.

In 1914, Professor Emeritus Joel Spingarn of Columbia

University became Chairman of the NAACP and recruited for its

board such Jewish leaders as Jacob Schiff, Jacob Billikopf,

and Rabbi Stephen Wise.

In the climactic civil rights drives of the 1950s and

1960s, Jewish participation was all but overwhelming.

The NAACP's headquarters are in Baltimore, Maryland and it

has regional offices in California, New York, Michigan,

Missouri, Georgia, Texas, and Maryland. Each regional office

is responsible for coordinating conferences in the states

included in that region. Local, youth, and college chapters

organize activities for individual members. The NAACP is

governed nationally by a 64-member board of directors led by

a chairman. The board elects one person as the president and

chief executive officer for the organization.

Departments within the NAACP govern areas of action. Local

chapters are supported by the Branch and Field Services

department and the Youth and College department. The Legal

Department focuses on court cases of broad application to

minorities, such as systematic discrimination in employment,

government, or education. The Washington, D.C. bureau is

responsible for lobbying the U.S. Government. The Education

Department works to improve public education at the local,

state and federal levels. The goal of the Health Division is

to advance health care for minorities through public policy

and education.

As of 2004 the NAACP had approximately 500,000 members.