Floor Statements

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

Mr. Speaker, as a young child, I was taught that he or she who fails to plan, plans to fail. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, this resolution is very timely, given the sluggish economy and loss of jobs.

H. Con. Res. 176 supports the goals and ideals of Financial Planning Week. The financial planning process allows individuals to achieve their dreams by empowering themselves to identify and manage realistic financial goals, and to negotiate the financial barriers that arise at every stage of life.

Everyone can benefit from knowing about the value of financial planning and where to turn for objective financial advice. The Financial Planning Association designated the week beginning October 6, 2003 as Financial Planning Week, and with good reason.

Saving money has steadily declined in this country over the past 50 years, while borrowing has increased. In 1950, savings averaged 12.3 percent of national output. By the 1960s, it was down to 8.5 percent. By the 1980s it was down to 4.7 percent. In the early 1990s, it was only 2.4 percent. Americans need to work to achieve financial independence, and financial planning is crucial to that process.

Determining what you have, determining what resources you need for living, and setting goals are all part of the financial planning process. Experts suggest setting aside a goal to pay ourselves first, to plan and to manage our spending so that we will be able to save. We then should gradually increase the percentage of our income that we save. Over time, Americans should try to set aside enough savings to meet each of the following needs: Day-to-day living expenses, including debt repayment; common emergencies; large recurrent expenses; short- term goals; long-term goals; and special opportunities that would require substantial sums in the future.

We as individuals are responsible for becoming well-informed and for making thoughtful decisions that improve our prospects for financial security. H. Con. Res. 176 serves as a reminder of how important it is for us to save and to have a financial plan, so that we can improve not only our individual quality of life, but so that we can have a better outlook for our Nation and improve the quality of life for all Americans.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of October being the month to increase awareness of domestic violence, and educate individuals about the services available to assist victims. Therefore, it is significant that we recognize October as the National Awareness Month for Domestic Violence.

According to the United States Department of Justice, domestic violence can be defined as, a pattern of coercive behavior designed to exert power and control over a person in an intimate relationship through the use of intimidating, threatening, harmful, or harassing behavior. Partners may be married or not married, heterosexual, gay, lesbian, living together, separated or dating.

Over the last thirty years, there has been a radical change in not only the understanding of domestic violence, but also the acknowledgement of responses from individuals and

society. According to the most recent report from the' Department of Justice, there were almost 700,000 incidents of domestic violence in 2001. Approximately one-third of women who are murdered each year are killed by their current or former husband or partner. Children who are subjected to domestic violence too often grow up to inflict violence on others, creating a cycle of violence that must be stopped.

Nearly one in every three adult women experiences at least one physical assault by a partner during adulthood. Approximately four million American women experience a serious assault by an intimate partner each year. Six times as many women who experience violence by an intimate partner, 18 perecent, as by a stranger, 3 percent, do not report the crime. Several types of violence and abuse usually occur within the family; men who batter their intimate partners are more likely to abuse their children too. Unfortunately, every fifteen seconds in the United States, a woman is brutally battered by her partner. As you hear these words, a woman is being beaten.

Despite the increase reports of domestic violence in Chicago, the police and other related agencies receive an average of 560 domestic violence calls each day. About half the murders involved domestic disputes and approximately fifty percent of homicides are attributed to a domestic situation.

To bring attention to this horrendous issue, October has been designated as the National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Mr. Speaker, let all of us renew our Nation's commitment to prevent and punish the perpetrators of this despicable crime and bring hope and healing to those affected by it.

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

Mr. Speaker, the Chicago Bears, Bulls, White Sox and Black Hawks are all in my congressional district; but today, they take a back seat to the Marlins.

Inspiration is what we call this. That is the best way to describe the Florida Marlins, who rose from the ashes, going from 10 games under 500 on May 22 to winning the 2003 World Series.

The road to the World Series title was grueling and draining. The Marlins had to get by Barry Bonds and Company, the Giants, in the division series. Then after trailing 3-1 to the Cubs, again the Marlins came through, beating Mark Prior and Kerry Wood in back-to-back victories at Wrigley Field, sending Dusty Baker and the Cubs back into hibernation, saying wait until next year.

Then the Marlins, who captured the World Series in 1997, won the final three games against the Yankees. They kept their streak intact of never losing a series in the postseason with the help of a 23-year-old right-hander who dominated the playoffs. Josh Beckett threw a five-hit shutout, with nine strikeouts, to clench the World Series with a 2-0 victory over the Yankees in Game 6. Beckett was subsequently named the series Most Valuable Player.

Marlin's manager Jack McKeon said of Beckett, ``Whether it is 3 days or 4 days, guys have a tendency to lose a little, but this guy is special. This guy has got the guts of a burglar. He is mentally tough. I was not about to take him out. It is a spectacular job for a 23-year- old kid that has come on and matured in the postseason. And you are looking at a possible All-Star next year and a 20-game winner. This guy is going to be something special,'' end of quote.

In the 100th World Series game played at Yankee Stadium on the 100th anniversary of the first World Series, another team got to celebrate on the field other than the 26-time champions.

I am sure that that was not only an inspiration for all of the Marlins, but that was an inspiration to baseball lovers all over the country. That was a kind of rejuvenation, if you will, in many instances of the love of the game of baseball.

So we congratulate the Marlins.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Meek), who himself was an outstanding athlete at Florida A&M, playing outside linebacker before he became an outstanding elected official.

Mr. Speaker, I do not have any additional requests for time, but just simply the words of the Cubs: Wait until next year. And we congratulate the Marlins for an exciting year. We will see what happens in the future.

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

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman from Nevada for yielding me this time.

I rise in support of H.R. 1720, the Veterans Health Care Improvement Act. Incorporated in this legislation is a bill to rename the health care facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs located at 820 South Damen Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, as the ``Jesse Brown Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.''

I am pleased to have introduced this legislation with the ranking member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans.) This legislation is supported by the veterans community and all of my colleagues in the Illinois delegation.

The late Honorable Jesse Brown was sworn in by President Clinton as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on January 22, 1993. Secretary Brown directed the Federal Government's second largest Department, responsible for a nationwide system of health care services, benefits, programs, and national cemeteries for America's more than 26 million veterans. Under Secretary Brown's leadership, the VA expanded

benefits for veterans who were prisoners of war or were exposed to agent orange, radiation, or mustard gas. He successfully worked for the enactment of laws authorizing the VA to pay compensation for those with undiagnosed illnesses from the Persian Gulf War. His vision and commitment led to improved technology and redesigned work processes in an effort to reduce the backlog of veterans benefit claims. His leadership led to the first national summit meeting on homeless veterans. Out of the summit, the VA began to award grants to groups that aid the homeless and added homeless programs to medical centers.

Secretary Brown understood the plight of veterans as well as anyone because he was a veteran. He was a Marine who was wounded in combat in 1965 while patrolling in Vietnam. He was a true patriot, giving his best on behalf of his country. His work as executive director of the Disabled American Veterans prepared him for the challenges that he would confront at the VA. And let me add that his education at Chicago City College, Roosevelt University in Chicago, and Catholic University in Washington, D.C. helped to prepare him for his later success in life.

Perhaps Secretary Brown's greatest accomplishments would be that he was a family man, a man of integrity, and a father. The honor that we bestow on him by renaming the VA facility after him is symbolic in nature, but substantive in reality for the lives of the people he touched. He gave the best of himself in service to others. Now we say thank you.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the members of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs for moving this legislation. I personally happen to know several members of Secretary Brown's family, a professor from Roosevelt University, his mother, his sister and brother-in-law, the recently retired superintendent of police in Chicago, Terry Hilliard; and I know that they are all proud of his accomplishments and appreciate this recognition and would want to extend their thanks to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3232 and in support of making nutritious food available to our Nation's poor and low-income children and not to leave any hungry child behind.

The National School Lunch Program is just one step in developing our children into the prosperous, successful individuals we want them to become. Poorly fed children have more difficulty learning, are less attentive in class and suffer more chronic problems, such as absenteeism and tardiness, than children who are properly nourished. According to the Food Research and Action Center, proper nutrition improves a child's behavior, school performance, and overall cognitive development. All in all, properly nourished children more actively participate in the education experience, which benefits them, their fellow students, and the entire school community.

Studies have shown what we already know, that healthy school meals play a critical and positive role in students' development and learning. According to the United States Department of Agriculture in 2000, 10.5 percent of all households, representing 20 million adults and 13 million children, were considered food insecure due to a lack of resources. In 2001, Illinois reported 9.2 percent of households to be food insecure, which represents 3,239,229 children under the age of 18.

By making nutritious meals available to all school children, the National School Lunch Program should ensure us that every child who needs a healthy meal can receive one. Unfortunately, the plan does not yet do that. In a State like Illinois and a city like Chicago, where there are large numbers of low-income people, poor children, we need to make sure that we revise every plan and have every opportunity to have nutritious meals for these individuals without undue burden of paperwork that sometimes would cause them to be left out. I support this legislation and hope that we are going to make it easier to receive the benefit.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 378, recognizing Independent 529 plans for launching a prepaid tuition plan. These plans allow families to lower the cost of a private college or university education by locking in current tuition rates for future use at any of the participating private colleges and universities.

We all believe that every young person who would like to attend college should be able to do so. The benefits of receiving a college degree are continuous, not only strengthening the self-esteem of a person, but also allowing that individual to have a better and more secure lifestyle.

According to the United States Census Bureau, a person with a Bachelor's Degree will earn nearly 90 percent more on average than a person with only a high school diploma. Not only is the pay significantly better, but it is also more likely that occupations held by a person with a Bachelor's Degree will have additional benefits, such as health care and employer pension plans.

Most funding that colleges and universities receive has been reduced due to the extreme economic state of most States in our Nation and the debt of the Federal Government. However, to remain vital in competition, colleges and universities must pay for the best professors, keep technology current and keep buildings maintained. Unfortunately, these costs are now being passed down to the students. The Independent 529 plans serve as one way to help with this rising cost.

Currently over 200 private colleges and universities throughout the country have agreed to participate in these plans. Of the six participating colleges and universities in Illinois, I am proud and pleased that the Illinois Institute of Technology, which is in my district, is one of the 529 plan participants.

I believe that although the Independent 529 plans will not help all families achieve the dream of going to college, it will help a good number of families who dream of sending their children to private colleges and universities, and, for that reason, I support this legislation and urge its passage.

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

Mr. Speaker, rising tuition rates force families to borrow thousands of dollars to fund their children's college education. The debt that these families and new graduates face after graduation is daunting. The majority of college students today will have more loans over $20,000 by the time they graduate. Public and private employees who administer programs that could help employees reduce their college loan costs have a valuable recruitment and retention tool. The Federal Student Loan Program permits Federal agencies to repay federally insured student loans as a tool to attract or retain highly qualified employees.

Under current law, agencies may authorize a student loan repayment of up to $6,000 for an employee in any year and up to a lifetime limit of $40,000. An employee receiving this benefit must sign a service agreement to remain in the service of the paying agency for at least 3 years. If an employee leaves the agency before that time, he or she must reimburse the agency for the loan repayment. S. 926, the Federal Employee Student Loan Assistance Act, will increase the allowed annual loan repayment from $6,000 to $10,000 and the allowed life-time loan repayment allowed from $40,000 to $60,000. The increases reflect the rising college tuition costs since enactment of the original statute in 1991.

Several agencies have reported that the use of program has helped them achieve their recruitment and retention goals. However, the program is generally underutilized due to lack of agency funding caused by limited budgets. If government service is to become a viable and attractive option for college graduates and talented employees, the Federal Government must use all the tools and resources at its disposal to attract and retain these individuals. S. 926 is a step in the right direction; but without funding and without aggressive use of this and similar programs to promote Federal civil service,

the Federal Government will be left behind in the competition for top talents.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this legislation.

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

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

As a member of the Committee on Government Reform, I rise in support of H.R. 2744, legislation naming a postal facility located at 514 17th Street in Moline, Illinois, after David Bybee. H.R. 2744, introduced by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans) on July 15, 2003, was unanimously approved by our committee on October 8, 2003. The bill has met the Committee on Government Reform policy and has the support and cosponsorship of the entire Illinois State delegation.

Mr. David Bybee began his career with the Postal Service as a letter carrier. He was later elected president of the Letter Carriers Local 318. Mr. Bybee worked as the National Association of Letter Carriers' National Business Agent in Chicago, Region 3, for the last 25 years of his service, and in September of 2000, he retired after 33 years of working at the Moline Post Office.

A family man, David Bybee was active in the union and in his community. He served as a vice president of the Illinois AFL-CIO, was a fire chief, school board member and active in the Moline Elks Club. Sadly, he passed away on May 31, 2002.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague for seeking to honor the legacy of David Bybee and urge the swift adoption of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he might consume to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans).

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.

As a member of the House Committee on Government Reform, I am pleased to rise in support of H.R. 3175, legislation naming a postal facility located at 2650 Cleveland Avenue, NW, in Canton, Ohio, after Richard D. Watkins.

H.R. 3175, introduced by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula) on September 24, 2003, was unanimously approved by our committee on October 8, 2003. The measure has met the Committee on Government Reform policy and has the support and cosponsorship of the entire Ohio delegation.

Mr. Watkins, a lifelong resident of Canton, was born in 1930. He attended local schools and after college served in the United States Marine Corps. After serving his country, he returned to Canton and began an impressive career in public service. Richard Watkins was elected to the Canton City Council for six terms and served two terms as Stark County Commissioner. He was elected mayor in November of 1991 and reelected in 1995 and 1999.

In addition to public service, Richard Watkins was dedicated to a host of community service projects. He worked with the Boy Scouts, serving on their advisory board. He was a member of the National League of Cities, Urban Policy Committee, president of the Belle Stone Elementary School PTA and formed the Canton Community Clinic, a free health care facility which provides medical and dental care to thousands of people in need.

Mr. Watkins has also been very involved in local transportation and infrastructure projects and economic development.

I commend my colleagues for seeking to honor the accomplishments of Richard D. Watkins by naming a postal facility in his hometown of Canton, Ohio, and I urge swift passage of H.R. 3175.

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

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

As a member of the House Committee on Government Reform, I am pleased to join the gentlewoman from Virginia in rising in support of H.R. 3234, legislation naming the postal facility located at 14 Chestnut Street in Liberty, New York, after Ben Gerow.

H.R. 3234 was introduced by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Hinchey) on October 2, 2003. The bill has met the Committee on Government Reform's policy and has the support and cosponsorship of the entire New York delegation.

A lifelong resident of Liberty, New York, Ben Gerow was a successful businessman and politician. He owned a garage, operated a Cadillac dealership and tire business, and was a firefighter. He later served as county sheriff and in the New York State Assembly. In 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Mr. Gerow postmaster of the Liberty post office.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Hinchey), for seeking to recognize the legacy of Postmaster Ben Gerow by naming the Liberty post office in his honor. It is interesting to note that

this measure has been endorsed by a host of Liberty community leaders and organizations, including the village mayor, local chamber of commerce, and residents. I would urge swift adoption of this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Hinchey), the author of this legislation.

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

Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands for yielding me this time. As a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, I also want to commend my brothers for the tremendous work they have done on this project. I also want to thank the Committee on Resources for bringing this bill to the floor.

Every year, millions of Americans and visitors from across the world visit our Nation's capital. They visit the national Mall where symbols of our Nation's history and ideals stand tall and strong. In classrooms across the Nation as they study the history of the 20th century, besides our involvement in wars, the civil rights movement is the most influential stage in the development and evolution of our society. Yet besides the bust of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in the Rotunda of the Capitol building, there are no tributes recognizing the significance of the movement to our Nation's history. I am in support of S. 470 because I believe that a memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., would be fitting to not only remember this remarkable man but the civil rights movement itself, over 200 years of struggle for equality and to remind our citizens what great success can be achieved with nonviolent resistance.

Dr. King, as many of us know, was the most visible and effective advocate of nonviolence and direct action as methods of social change. In 1956, Dr. King became the president of the newly formed Montgomery Improvement Association, where he gained national attention for his and the association's role in the Montgomery bus boycott.

He encouraged black college students to continue their sit-in protests and freedom rides. In 1963, Dr. King led mass demonstrations in Birmingham, Alabama, where the demonstrators were met with violent opposition, getting the interest and attention of then-President John F. Kennedy who responded, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed. Dr. King became Time Magazine's Man of the Year in 1963 and the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. In 1967, he also initiated a poor people's campaign designed to confront economic problems that were not addressed under the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Dr. King's life of peace and change was suddenly ended on April 4, 1968, as he was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee.

Mr. Speaker, our Nation's capital makes history alive. Without having a memorial to Dr. King and the civil rights movement, it sends the message that this part of history is not still alive. As Dr. King once told his children, ``I'm going to work and do everything that I can do to see that you get a good education. I don't ever want you to forget that there are millions of God's children who will not and cannot get a good education, and I don't want you feeling that you are better than they are. For you will never be what you ought to be until they are what they ought to be.'' Our country will never be what it ought to be until we value and adequately display the contributions of African Americans who have made tremendous contributions to our history; and, of course, a tribute to Dr. King on the Mall would go a long ways in that direction.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1616. The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, located in Atlanta, Georgia, commemorates the community where the Civil Rights leader was raised. This community was rich with black commercial and residential areas with strong, prominent black religious institutions. It was these components that were said to have a lasting impact on King and other black community leaders. It is also known for greatly influencing the life path chosen by King, to challenge racism, poverty, and the denial of black civil rights.

There are several events and programs that take place at the Museum free of charge to the public. For instance, currently, there is a program called Confederate Currency: The Color of Money, which tells the story of the contribution of enslaved Africans to the American economy and expands the discussion with exhibits on reparations and racial healing. There are also events which are based around significant moments in Dr. King's life such as the King Holiday, Black History Month, an Assassination Remembrance and the `I Have a Dream' speech.

Unfortunately, this area rich with history and memories of Dr. King's childhood and a strong black neighborhood is land-locked and parts could easily be destroyed considering it has no emergency ingress, making it impossible for firefighting equipment to reach the Visitor Center and Museum. There is a lot owned by the National Park Service which could not only solve the problem by allowing street access to the Visitor Center, it will also serve as a great piece of property for the City to develop.

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague and friend Congressman Lewis for introducing this resolution and I urge all of my colleagues to support it as well.

Mr. Speaker, Gale Cincotta 30 years ago had a vision that led to the founding of the National Training and Information Center (NTIC) for neighborhood residents to become experts on identifying and resolving the issues on mortgage and insurance redlining, HUD/FHA abuses and community-level drug problems in the inner city. President Carter appointed Ms. Cincotta to the National Commission on Neighborhoods where she chaired the Reinvestment Task Force. In 1990, NTIC's work, along with that of 9 local organizations, on community-based anti-drug initiatives was recognized by President Bush senior at a White House luncheon. Ms. Cincotta served on the National Commission on Regulatory Barriers to Affordable Housing, established by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and she was a member of the Community Investment Advisory Council of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.

Ms. Cincotta and the National Training and Information Center established a multi-ethnic, multi-racial coalition of community organizations whose mission is to build grassroots leadership and strengthen neighborhoods through issue-based community organizing. NTIC helps build organizations with the resources and capacity to: (1) identify local issues that impact the urban areas, (2) develop effective strategies to address the root causes of issues, and (3) create opportunities for the organizational leadership to negotiate with business decision-makers. NTIC's primary focus is to provide training and technical assistance to a wide range of groups who are willing to promote and foster community organizing as goals for obtaining affordable housing for families, establishing drug prevention programs for the sick and assist in the fostering of neighborhood and community investments to improve better living conditions for people.

Mr. Speaker, I commend the efforts and achievements of Gale Cincotta and the National Training and Information Center for their 30th anniversary for empowering the people to organize to bring about change and progress in improving the lives of people from all walks of life.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the National Mammography Day during this month of National Breast Cancer Awareness. In 1993 President Clinton proclaimed the 3rd Friday in October of every year as National Mammography Day. Our Celebration of this day and month is a step forward in finding a cure for Breast Cancer in the United States and the world as a whole.

National Mammography Day is a day for many people in the United States who have not had mammogram screenings or do not have the opportunity to get the screening, to get them free or at a discount price at different participating facilities in their areas. This day gives hope to people in the United States who may have or are at risk of getting breast cancer. Studies have shown that having mammogram screening helps with early detection and treatment, thereby saving the lives of many people. Between 1989 and 1995 there was a significant decline in the death rate from breast cancer, where it dropped by 1.4 percent each year, and between 1995 and 1998 the decrease accelerated to a decline of 3.2 percent annually. Studies have shown that these improvements are due to early detection and improved treatment, which would not have been possible without mammogram screening.

Many people are becoming aware of the importance of mammogram screening including Congress. In 1992, Congress established the Mammography Quality Standards Act, requiring all mammography facilities to meet quality criteria in order to operate. Federal funding for breast cancer research has grown 600 percent, from $92.7 million in 1991 to $660 million in 1999. States also understand the need for health insurance coverage for mammogram screening. In 1985, Illinois the state I represent and Virginia required that health insurers cover the cost of mammogram screenings. As of 2002, 46 other states have followed suit by requiring insurance coverage for mammogram screenings.

We need to continue to make people aware of the importance of early detection and that it helps to save and prolong life, and one way to do this is via mammogram screening. People need to be aware that breast cancer does not discriminate based on sex; both women and men are at risk of getting breast cancer. Breast cancer does not discriminate based on color or ethnicity, Caucasian-Americans, African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, American Indians, Native Hawaiians and Alaska Natives are all susceptible to breast cancer. Breast cancer also does not discriminate based on age, people as young as 20 years old and as old as 80 years old are at risk for breast cancer.

Mr. Speaker, progress is being made in finding a cure for the disease and we should not give up hope. I have hope that we will find a cure soon for breast cancer. I want to commend those who have being doing research in finding a cure for the disease, providing emotional and financial support and treatment for people with the disease. Mr. Speaker, we should continue to recognize the importance of this day and month because the battle in finding a cure for breast cancer is not over, there is much work to be done.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3076, to reauthorize Title VII of the Higher Education Act to authorize graduate fellowship programs with the financial support necessary to complete advanced degrees in areas of national need and in the humanities, social sciences and the arts. I would like to commend Chairman Hoekstra and Ranking Member Hinojosa on their exceptional work on this resolution.

I am pleased that we are continuing to encourage our young people to persist with their education and obtain higher levels of knowledge. There are three types of graduate fellowship programs that are authorized: the Jacob K. Javitis Fellowships, the Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAAN) Fellowships and the Thurgood Marshall Legal Education Opportunity Program. We should be proud of these programs which are set up to give opportunity to individuals who may not have the change otherwise to gain a graduate degree.

Unfortunately, the Urban Community Service program, which was created to provide incentives to urban academic institutions to allow these schools to work with private and civic organizations to implement solutions to pressing problems in their communities, was eliminated. I understand that the program has not received funding since Fiscal Year 1996, yet this program is very rich on how urban colleges and universities can work with the surrounding area to strengthen and lift up the community by making it safer and a better place to live for both the students and the people in the community. At too many urban colleges and universities, the only safe place to be in the area is on the campus. I hope in the future we can try to implement this program or a similar program as a way to encourage urban academic institutions to not forget about the community that surrounds its campus and to proactively work with the community.

Again, I support the Chairman and Ranking Member for their efforts on this legislation. I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation.