Floor Statements

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

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Nebraska for his leadership in bringing this resolution recognizing National Mentoring Month to the floor today. Since he arrived in Congress, the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Osborne) has worked to make youth issues a priority, and this resolution is another example of his dedication to this effort.

Without a doubt, Mr. Speaker, mentoring is a proven strategy that can change the lives of children and youth, and, I might add, adds additional value to the lives of those who provide the mentoring service.

When a young person is matched with a caring, responsible individual, this relationship makes a positive difference in the quality of life for that young person. For too long we have focused on providing remedies to problems that only address negative behavior rather than looking at ways that promote the positive and healthy development of our young people. This resolution directs us to focus on what children need to grow into healthy, safe, and well-educated adults, making sure that children have access to a caring and responsible adult relationship.

A recent report from the Greater West Town Community Development Project showed that nearly 18 percent of Chicago public school students drop out. Another report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation showed that more than 200,000 Chicago-area children are living in severely distressed neighborhoods. These are among the tens of thousands of Chicago area youth who could dramatically benefit from having a mentor, since without one, some would never be exposed to healthy, productive lifestyles and the development of real-life skills.

Research shows that young people who are mentored had a stronger attachment to school, have higher graduation rates and decreased involvement with drugs and violence. Mentoring opens young people's eyes to a brighter future, and every young person deserves that opportunity. But right now there are simply not enough mentors to go around.

This resolution brings much needed attention to the value of mentoring and encourages communities to focus their efforts on recruiting more adult mentors so that we can fill the gap that currently exists. I am proud of many of the great mentoring programs that are already in place in Chicago, such as Mercy Home's Friends First program, Sinai Mentoring Program which links Sinai professionals with youth from North and South Lawndale high schools, as well as the involvement of the Chicago Cubs headed by Coach Dusty Baker kicking off the celebration of National Mentoring Month in Chicago last week.

In Chicago and across the country, it is clear that the framework is in place. Now we just need more people to volunteer their time and help change the life of a child. I am very pleased to be associated with many groups and organizations, like the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, which has a great national mentoring program, and especially my local chapter Mu Mu Lambda. I am also pleased to be associated with the 100 Black Men of America who have mentoring programs in chapters throughout the Nation.

So I want to commend also the Chicago public school system, the board of education, for a program called Cradle to the Classroom where they have mentors who work individually with young parents, students who have become pregnant and who have children and yet have been able to finish their high school education and graduate with the help of a mentor.

So once again I would commend the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Osborne) for his insight, dedication, and continuous work with the development of young people as expressed in this resolution. I urge strong support for it.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Listening to the discussion reminds me of the fact that I spent some time as a big brother, and I think I may have gotten more out of the relationship than the young fellow who was my little brother. I remember a few years ago I got a call from a fellow who said to me that Vice President Al Gore was coming to town and did I want to meet with him. I said, well, I would not mind. He says, do you know who this is? I said, well, no, I really do not. He said, this is Courtney Miller, your little brother, and of course, Courtney had grown up and at that particular time was working for the Vice President of the United States.

I also served for about 12 years as the commissioner of Boy Scouts in my community, and just day before yesterday I was at a Martin Luther King celebration, and there was a young fellow there who had become a minister, Jonathan Carter. As Jonathan participated in the services, he says, well, you know, I used to be a Boy Scout when you were the scouting commissioner and I have now become what I am. He said, I remember you coming to our Eagle Scout celebration and talking about how great it was.

So my point is that oftentimes those who serve as mentors will get as much from the relationship as the young people that they associate themselves with.

I listened to the chairman talking about the fact that everybody can be a part of this. One does not really need to have a degree. One does not need to have a title. One does not need to be an elected official. One does not have to be anything special other than themselves.

We have just finished celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, and one of the things that Dr. King often would say is that everybody can be great because everybody can serve. When it comes to mentoring young people, no matter who we are and where we are, we can serve. We can be a part of helping to grow and develop the life of someone else.

So, again, I commend the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Osborne) for this resolution and urge its passage.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Connecticut for yielding me time.

Paul Simon was absolutely the head of that part of the Democrats in Illinois that I have been associated with for so long. As a matter of fact, he was like the Seal of Good Housekeeping. That is, if you could get Paul Simon to say something good about you or endorse you, then it was the highest honor. You could not get any better than that.

I have always remembered when I ran for the House, Senator Simon said to me, ``I don't endorse in primaries generally. This year I am going to make two exceptions. I am going to endorse Dick Durbin for my seat, who has been my protegee and worked with me. I am going to endorse you for the seat that you are running for.'' I have always counted that as one of the high moments of my political career.

Someone mentioned all of the town hall meetings that Senator Simon would hold. I can remember attending many of those. In many instances, there might be only 15 or 20 people there, sometimes 10, and I would be amazed that this United States Senator would be at a small town hall meeting with 10 or 12 people, in an African American community, a little church, a library, and he would stay there two, sometimes three hours, just talking to the two or three people, trying to educate, trying to stimulate, trying to motivate.

I can remember all the small receptions that he and his wife Jennie and the rest of us used to attend, always sort of swimming upstream. The last communication that I had from Senator Simon was just before he died. I got a letter from him in the mail and an article from the Chicago Tribune saying congratulations, I commend you all for the work you are doing on behalf of ex-prisoners, people who are coming home from jail. That was Paul Simon, always seeking to assist the underdog, those that society would sometimes look at the other way at; Africa, food, nutrition, hunger.

At his funeral, as it was coming to a close, I remembered the words of a song that we sometimes sing when a person has done what they can do, that says, ``If when you give the best of your service, telling the world that the Savior has come, be not dismayed when men don't believe you, he'll understand and say well done.''

Senator Simon, well done.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Bankers Life and Casualty Company on their 125th anniversary, which will occur on June 17, 2004. Established in 1879, Bankers Life and Casualty Company is one of the most esteemed insurance companies in the United States. Headquartered in Chicago, it is the oldest health and life insurance company in the city and is currently the largest tenant in the world-famous Merchandise Mart. Through Bankers' dedicated work over more than a century, thousands of Chicagoland employees have helped millions of people across the country achieve their vision of living happy, active, and financially secure lives.

I congratulate them for 125 years of service to the residents of America.

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained in my district had I been present, I would have voted yea on the following roll call votes:

Roll Call 650 (H.R. 1), Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act--On Motion to Instruct Conferees;

Roll Call 651 (H.R. 2660), Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2004--On Motion to Instruct Conferees;

Roll Call 652 (H.J. Res. 63), Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003;

Roll Call 653 (H. Con. Res. 209) Commending the signing of the United States-Adriatic Charter, a charter of partnership among the United States, Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia;

Roll Call 654 (H.R. 1828), the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003; and

Roll Call 655 (H.R. 253), National Flood Insurance Reauthorization.

Mr. Speaker I was unavoidably detained in my district. Had I been present, I would have voted yea on the following roll call votes:

Roll Call 620 (S.J. Res. 22), Recognizing the Agricultural Research Service of the Department of Agriculture for 50 years of outstanding service to the Nation through agricultural research;

Roll Call 621 (S.J. Res. 18), Commending the Inspectors General for their efforts to prevent and detect waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement, and to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the Federal Government during the past 25 years;

Roll Call 622 (H. Con. Res. 299), Honoring Mr. Sargent Shriver for his dedication and service to the United States of America, for his service in the United States Navy, and for his lifetime of work as an ambassador for the poor and powerless citizens of the United States of America, and for other purposes;

Roll Call 623 Motion--On Hour of Meeting.

Mr. Speaker, it was virtually impossible to live in Chicago and not be affected by Irv Kupcinet or Kup as he was fondly called. Kup knew everybody who had any public presence in Chicago and of course, knew powerful people and celebrities from around the world.

Kup was best known as a columnist for the Chicago Sun Times but was much more than a columnist, he was a communicator and used many mediums for that purpose. He had a television show, was a great emcee, was actively involved in civic, community, charitable and philanthropic activity. He was a fundraiser, a promoter, an icon, a legend.

Kup had the ability to make use of not only himself; but he was also able to rely upon others in very serious and strategic ways as he did with his assistant for 34 years, Ms. Stella Foster.

Kup was a creative genius who could take a mere occurrence and turn it into a great and glorious event. He was very open, comfortable and at ease with practically any and everybody. Kup grew up on the westside of Chicago, which is the heart of my Congressional District. He learned to walk with kings and queens; but never lost the common touch, yes, all men and women did matter with him but none too much. Over the years, Kup's column was distributed to more than 100 newspapers around the world. In 1982, he was elected to Chicago's journalism Hall of Fame. He broadcast Chicago Bears Football games with Jack Brickhouse for 24 years, he appeared in two movies and had a syndicated television program ``The Tonight Show,'' which ran from 1959 to 1986 and at one point was on 70 stations.

Kup never forgot the community of his birth, north Lawndale in Chicago which had some transitions and fell upon hard times. Kup was a star athlete, played football on a team with former president Gerald Ford and was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles. Kup was many things to many people, but most of all he was husband and companion to his beloved wife Essee, father to his children, grandfather, son to his parents, brother to his siblings and friend to many.

There was nothing quite like being mentioned in Kup's column, and if you were on the scope, you'd eventually get there.

Yes, Kup walked with Kings, Queens, Presidents, Stars and Captains of business and industry, but never lost the common touch.

Mr. Speaker, the poet Robert Frost is quoted as writing, ``Some people see things that are and ask why, I dream of things that have never been and ask, why not.'' Such was the life, such was the philosophy and such was the work of John Donovan, known to his friends as Juancho.

John was a former Catholic priest who found his niche in organizing, working with and working for people in our world known as being poor. He worked in Panama, in the Rogers Park and Uptown communities of Chicago before becoming executive director of the coalition to end homelessness. He also worked as a priest, administrator and teacher at Chicago's Visitation High School. He was educated with a bachelor and masters degrees from Saint Mary of the Lake University in Mundelein.

John was the recipient of many awards and honors and was featured in Studs ``Terkel's Hope Dies Last.'' In an interview with Studs, John said: ``Some people who are better off have the luxury of losing hope. But poor people never lose hope. They can't afford to. That's the only thing they can hold on to, and that's where hope springs eternal.'' Some people say, ``How can you continue to work with the homeless and the poor?'' That's where I get my energy because they never lose hope.'' ``I'm not practicing as a priest, but my ministry, remember is organizing. My job is organizing hope. There are people in the community who still have hope. That's the last thing they lose. I'm organizing hope for change.''

John Donovan, a man of hope, a force for change. May he rest in peace. I extend condolence to John's wife, their children, and other members of John's family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to one of the most remarkable and most successful men that this country has produced, Mr. Silas Purnell, who is credited with assisting more than 50,000 students to gain acceptance to colleges and universities. Silas Purnell was born on March 10, 1923, graduated from Wendell Phillips High School, received a degree from the Sheil Institute, attended Roosevelt and Northwestern Universities. Silas went to World War II, was a member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, got married to his wife Marilyn in 1946, and they had five children, Rosalind, Silas, Rosalinda, Ronald, and Donna.

Mr. Purnell took a job and worked 13 years for the Coca Cola Bottling Company. It was during this period that he began helping students get into college. He eventually went to the Ada S. McKinley Community Services Agency and established their education division. As director of this program Mr. Purnell hit stride and became one of the most knowledgeable persons in the country relative to the availability of grants, scholarships, special programs and opportunities for individuals who wanted to attend college.

Si Purnell developed such a reputation that people from all over the country would consult with him about getting into school.

By the time Mr. Purnell became ill and retired in the year 2000, it was partially documented and estimated on good authority that Silas Purnell had helped more than 50,000 individuals gain acceptance and receive some form of financial aid for college.

Mr. Speaker, there has never to my knowledge been a person to do more single-handedly to get individuals help with their educational pursuits.

If I can help somebody as I pass along, If I can cheer

somebody with a word or song, If I can steer somebody right

who may be traveling wrong, then my living will not have been

in vain.

I commend Mr. Silas Purnell for his passionate and effective work, extend condolences to his family, and urge passage of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I have heard my colleagues describe the prescription drug plan as ``not perfect'' and a ``step in the right direction.'' However, this legislation is neither. Our seniors will not gain better health coverage or a prescription drug benefit that is affordable. Instead the CBO estimates that approximately 2-3 million seniors, 107,000 alone in my state of Illinois, who currently have drug coverage from their employer, will lost that coverage. This bill lowers Medicare's assistance to the employers making it unaffordable to keep their retirees' coverage. The new cap on general revenue spending will cause reductions in provider reimbursement rates, higher out of pocket cost, or even raise the payroll tax--once again passing the buck along to future generations. Worst of all for our senior consumers, we do not even allow the Secretary of HHS to negotiate lower drug prices for them.

I am disappointed in this House for turning its backs on fulfilling our promise to seniors, but I am extremely disappointed that we are completely abandoning our Nation's most needy--our Nation's poor seniors. We are expecting our States to pay the Federal Government 90 percent of the cost of drugs for our low-income seniors. During a time when States are already faced with large debts and complicated decisions on what to cut next--how do we expect the States to afford 90 percent of the cost of drugs for our poor seniors? An estimated 6.4 million low-income and disabled people will have significantly worse coverage under this new plan. It is probably because this bill actually prohibits Medicaid from helping with copayments or paying for prescription drugs that are not approved by the private insurers. This means that certain, needed medications that are currently covered by Medicaid will no longer be available to seniors. This plan does not even provide assistance for our seniors that are between 150 percent and 160 percent of the federal poverty line that is an annual income of $15,300 to approximately $17,850.

Mr. Speaker, no one is saying that we should give our seniors something for free. But we are saying lets give them something that is fair, reasonable, and makes sense.

Mr. Speaker, it is said that the cruelest lies are often told in silence--in what you don't say. If that's the case, then the silence is deafening as the Medicare prescription drug legislation looms ever closer to final passage.

We promised the American people we would protect and strengthen traditional Medicare. This legislation does the opposite--it begins coercing millions of seniors out the common Medicare insurance pool into private HMOs.

It creates huge new tax shelters for the ultra wealthy with the ironic name of ``Health Savings Accounts.''

Meanwhile the very poorest seniors, those who also qualify for Medicare, will see their benefits slashed.

The bill places draconian new caps on future Medicare services and spiraling new tax burdens on middle income working families.

The bill inaugurates the process of means-testing and asset-testing seniors before providing them benefits--of checking their wallets before checking their health.

It would also add heavy new financial burdens to state budgets already strained to bursting by federal cutbacks.

All this in return for a pathetically inadequate prescription drug benefit and skyrocketing drug company prices and profits as far as the eye can see.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fooling our seniors shame on all of us.

Mr. Speaker, this Medicare prescription drug bill is not what it is advertised to be. It is a cruel hoax and a danger to the health and well-being of America's seniors.

As Representatives of the American people, we have a special moral responsibility to be honest with the people.

This legislation breaks that sacred trust. This bill deceives and dispossesses America's seniors.

I'm with Will Rogers: I'd rather be the man who bought the Brooklyn Bridge than the man who sold it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 6, the Energy bill that is before us today. I am against this bill due to repealing of provisions that will continue and empower the Enron's of tomorrow and will make our drinking water and air over time unsafe. However, with every bad, I believe there is some good.

Although I realize LIHEAP will be funded under the Labor-HHS Appropriations, I wanted to take a minute to mention section 121 under subtitle B in this bill. I am particularly happy with the amount of $3.4 Billion for each of fiscal years 2004 through 2006 considering that the Appropriations Committee proposed funding LIHEAP at $1.8 billion, which was $200 million less than the President's budget request. We can not let LIHEAP sustain any cuts at a time when projections predict that natural gas prices will be at least 50 percent higher in the coming winter as more than half of LIHEAP recipients rely on natural gas. Last year in Chicago, LIHEAP provided grants averaging $430 per household. No one should have to suffer from the cold this winter.

I am committed to ensuring that our low-income families do not have to rely on their oven or stove or a space heater to stay warm during the winter months.

Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, this bill does more damage than good for our energy resources, energy usage, and to our environment.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 411. This resolution honors the contributions which former UCLA coach John Wooden made to college sports and to education.

Coach Wooden is recognized as one of the most successful players and coaches in basketball history. He is one of only two individuals who have been enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and coach.

Coach Wooden finished his coaching career with an 885-203 record. He coached the UCLA Bruins to 88 straight victories. He coached the Bruins to championship wins in 10 out of 12 seasons. This record of athletic championship is legendary.

While Coach Wooden has been honored for his accomplishments on the court, he has also been recognized for his leadership and personal qualities. Coach Wooden was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation's highest civilian honor. In addition, he inspired his players to achieve success in their own right. He also is an accomplished author.

Coach Wooden has inspired us with his legendary ability to win on the court. But he has also inspired us with his ability to help young people develop into leaders in their own right. For that, this House and this country owe him our thanks.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would urge Members to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 391 and commend the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Johnson) for introducing this resolution.

This resolution recognizes the success of the University of Illinois men's tennis team. The Fighting Illini finished off its season with a rare Triple Crown, including national championships in the team tournament, singles tournament and doubles tournament. This marked the first team championship for the tennis team at the University of Illinois. In fact, this is the first national championship for the Fighting Illini in any sport since 1989. I congratulate Coach Craig Tiley and all of

the student athletes on the tennis team.

Winning a national championship is something to be proud of, not only for the university but for its students, faculty, and the surrounding community. The achievement that marks a national championship brings out the best athletic performance our collegiate sports have to offer. Everyone involved in this should be congratulated for their performances.

In closing, I would urge Members to support this resolution, and again I commend the University of Illinois men's tennis team, extend to them my commendations and extend to the President, President Stukel and all of the faculty, this is a rare occurrence for the University of Illinois. I know everybody in Illinois is indeed delighted that the university has reached this milestone.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, despite failing health, Pope John Paul II has continued to travel around the world promoting the cause of peace. He has made over 102 journeys outside Italy to 123 countries and territories to spread peace and God's word. He has used his moral authority to challenge dictators in his fight for human rights and dignity.

Pope John Paul II has been one of the most significant figures of the 20th century. Until John Paul II, most Popes confined themselves to Rome and the surrounding area. They were often distant and unapproachable. But John Paul has revolutionized the papacy. The Pope is conservative and is a champion of long-standing Church traditions. He is also the most traveled Pope in history and a man of the world. He has brought much attention to his role of helping and encouraging the Church around the world.

John Paul was instrumental in the fall of communism in Eastern Europe for support for the Solidarity movement in Poland where he is a national hero. With the collapse of the Soviet Empire and the subsequent visit of former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to Rome, the papacy reached a height of moral and political influence in the world. He has used that influence to further the cause of human rights so that people have the right not

to be fearful, the right to be able to work and to practice their faith.

This resolution urges the President to present the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Pope John Paul II for his contributions to the cause of freedom, human dignity and peace. He is certainly deserving of such an honor, and I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in consideration of H.R. 2130, legislation naming a postal facility as the New Bridge Landing. H.R. 2130, which was introduced by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Garrett) on May 15, 2003, was unanimously approved by the Committee on Government Reform on November 6, 2003. This measure has the support and cosponsorship of the entire New Jersey congressional delegation.

According to preservation New Jersey, New Bridge Landing has great historical significance. The Landing, an inland port situated on a strategic site, was an important shipping point for hundreds of years and was the scene of many fights during the Revolutionary War. Other historic structures that helped make up New Bridge Landing are the Steuben House, a stone Dutch mansion built in 1750; a 19th century swinging bridge; a tidal mill site; and the site of New Bridge Landing, a river embarkation point. Three other buildings were moved to the site to save them from demolition: The Demerest House, the Westervelt Barn and the Campbell-Christie House.

According to the Bergen County Historical Society, throughout the war the New Bridge was considered an important, strategic route, guarded by troops from both sides at different times. George Washington's retreat across this bridge on November 20, 1776, saved his troops from entrapment by advancing troops.

Mr. Speaker, given the historic nature of New Bridge Landing, it seems quite appropriate to redesignate this postal facility in River Edge, New Jersey. I urge swift passage of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I do not believe I am going to have any additional requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

As a member of the House Committee on Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in consideration of S. 1718, legislation naming a postal facility after Senator James B. Pearson.

S. 1718, which was introduced by Senator Pat Roberts on October 14, 2003, was unanimously approved by the Committee on Government Reform on November 6, 2003. The gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moore) is the sponsor of H.R. 3255, an identical version of S. 1718. H.R. 3255 has been cosponsored by the entire Kansas congressional delegation.

James Pearson was born in Nashville, Tennessee, and attended public schools in Virginia. He served as a pilot in the Navy during World War II, and after being discharged, he became an attorney and began practicing law in Mission, Kansas. He served in various legal positions before being appointed in 1962 as a Republican to the United States Senate to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Andrew Schoeppel.

Senator Pearson served in the Senate until 1978, working diligently as a senior member of the Foreign Relations Committee and ranking member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.

Mr. Speaker, this is indeed an honorable act that we take in naming this postal facility. I would urge swift passage.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.