Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, what a great day this is for this House of Representatives to set this moment in time aside to honor one of the world's most distinguished citizens. Born into searing, piercing poverty in 1930 at the start of the Great Depression; born when he could fully see, but by the time he was 7 years old he was completely blind; lost his brother at age 5, his mother at age 15, his father absent, Ray Charles, alone in the world.

But he had a genius. He had a gift deep inside of him. And his mother had the good fortune of placing him in the Florida School for the Blind, and there Ray Charles found his way to a piano. And then he learned how to play the guitar, the saxophone, the drums. What a musical genius. The hits came: ``Hit the Road, Jack,'' ``That Lucky Old Sun,'' ``I Can't Stop Loving You.'' All of these great songs were manifested by the arena and the environment in which Ray Charles grew up. He got the gospel from the church. He got the blues from the honky tonks and the juke joints. He got his classical training where he could play Chopin, Strauss, and Beethoven. No musical genre did Ray Charles not capture. The beauty of it all was that Ray Charles transcended racial lines, economic lines, so that no matter where your standing in life, when you heard Ray Charles' voice, you felt it deep in the marrow of your bones.

Mr. Speaker, I am so pleased and so delighted to be here to join with my other colleagues in giving this genuine hero, who survived and achieved in spite of the odds, his due recognition. So many songs he sang, ``That Lucky Old Sun'' and, of course, ``America the Beautiful'' which touched everyone; but there was no song that captured Ray Charles as much as ``Georgia on My Mind.''

I first met Ray Charles as a member of the House of Representatives. We invited him on the floor and he had that piano there because in 1979 when I was in the Georgia House, we passed a resolution not just honoring Ray Charles but making ``Georgia on My Mind'' our State song. I can see Ray Charles there now at that piano stool, swaying to and fro and saying:

Georgia, Georgia, a song of you

Comes as sweet and clean as moonlight through the pines.

Other arms reach out to me

Other eyes smile tenderly

Still in peaceful dreams I see

The road leads back to you.

Georgia, Georgia, no peace I find

Just an old sweet song keeps Georgia on my mind.

Just an old sweet song will forever keep Ray Charles on our minds and in our hearts, for he has left us a rich legacy of music, of culture, of art that will live on forever. It was Frank Sinatra, Old Blue Eyes himself, Chairman of the Board, who said it best about Ray Charles: ``Ray Charles is the only genius in our business.'' No more apt words coming from Frank Sinatra himself.

Mr. Speaker, Ray Charles was not just an American treasure. Ray Charles is and will forever be a world's treasure. We thank God Almighty for blessing us mightily by sending Ray Charles our way. God bless Ray Charles, and we thank Ray Charles.

Mr. Speaker, it is indeed a pleasure to stand to recognize the great original music genre, the blues, born in the Delta and having made its way up through Chicago, throughout this Nation and around the world, brought the legacies of such great giants as B.B. King and Muddy Waters, and paved the way for folks like Elvis Presley.

As a matter of fact, Elvis Presley once said, ``I wouldn't be Elvis Presley if it weren't for the blues and if it weren't for gospel music.''

The great contributions have been unparalleled in terms of American music. Rock and roll, even our jazz components, are based upon our music.

Grown from the pains of the South, of black slaves working on plantations in the hot sun, only a song in their mouths was what kept them going. Blues emanated from the struggles and from the hard lives of African Americans in this country. So, indeed, when we celebrate the blues, we celebrate the overcoming of the African American people, in spite of.

Once when B.B. King was asked what makes the blues, B.B. King said, ``You make the blues by singing to make you happy when often times you are sad. When you have trouble in mind and you are blue, you can say I won't be blue always, because the sun is going to shine at my back door some day.''

The blues, a great contribution to America. I am proud to join with my colleagues in recognizing this great musical genre.

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

First of all, I want to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Gary G. Miller) for his sterling leadership on this issue and for this piece of legislation as we recognize June as National Homeownership Month.

Today the House takes up this important housing resolution to recognize National Homeownership Month and the importance of homeownership in the United States. In addition to the gentleman from California (Mr. Gary G. Miller), I certainly want to recognize and thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Oxley), our distinguished chairman of the Committee on Financial Services, for his leadership; the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank), our ranking member; the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters), our ranking member on the Housing and Community Opportunity Subcommittee; and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ney), our chairman on the Housing and Community Opportunity Subcommittee.

Mr. Speaker, homeownership is a dream that millions of Americans strive to achieve every year. Our national homeownership rate has risen dramatically during the past 50 years and now stands as a record 68.8 percent. This is an extraordinary accomplishment that all Americans should be very proud of.

But in the midst of this record housing boom, there are yet millions of American families, particularly low-income families and minority households, who have been left behind and unable to make this dream a reality.

So as we celebrate June as National Homeownership Month, this Congress must seize on opportunities to help more Americans reap the benefits of owning their own home.

I will just enter into the Record this article from the front page of my home newspaper, the Atlanta Journal Constitution, yesterday, which is headlined ``Black Women Find Places of Their Own,'' written by Janet Frankston, an Atlanta Journal Constitution staff writer. And it starts with this story that I think is very appropriate as we start this. It says: ``The day before she closed on her three-bedroom house, Thommi Odom couldn't eat. `Even at the day of closing, I was physically sick,' said Odom, a 30-year-old information technology manager originally from Savannah. `Just the whole process, knowing I'm ultimately responsible, was very scary.'

``Now, more than 5 years later, Odom has tripled her income and is looking for her second house, an upgrade from her 2,036 square foot home in Lithonia. And now she's not even blinking at the finances.''

She is building wealth, but it started with the purchase of a home.

America's families and neighborhoods and our national economy all prosper from homeownership. Homeownership enables families to build wealth that transcends generations. Homeownership transforms neighborhoods into centers of civic engagement and community strength, and housing is a vital part of the national economy, accounting for about 14 percent of the gross domestic product. Indeed, it is housing that has played an essential role in the economy and the economic recovery over the last 2 years, creating new jobs and serving as an engine of economic growth.

And there is such great news from my home area of metro Atlanta, which I represent. And I represent 11 counties, and of those 11 counties, eight of them are among the fastest-growing counties in terms of homeownership in this Nation. The number of African American homeowners, for example, has increased by 97 percent in the 1990s; yet there is a lot of work to do with African American homeownership that is fluctuating as we speak.

For Hispanics it increased 258 percent, and for Asians it increased 241 percent. These numbers compare to an increase of 38 percent for white homeowners. From 1997 to 2002, conventional mortgage loans to African American women increased by 114 percent.

Clearly, the homeownership gap is closing, and this Congress should be proud of the work that we are doing. But there is much more work to do. We must pass the Financial Literacy Act, which I introduced, and I am working with the gentleman from Ohio (Chairman Oxley) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ney), subcommittee Chair; and the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Kanjorski).

The House of Representatives can take an important step to expand homeownership opportunities by also passing H.R. 3755, the Zero Downpayment Act of 2004. This legislation, which I introduced with the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Tiberi), would help thousands of families get into homes by helping them overcome one of the top obstacles of homeownership: assembling the necessary funds for a down payment.

H.R. 3755 enjoys strong bipartisan support and passed by the House Committee on Financial Services by voice vote. By swiftly passing this legislation, the House will be paying fitting tribute to National Homeownership Month by helping thousands join America's ownership roster.

[From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, June 21, 2004]

(By Janet Frankston)

The day before she closed on her three-bedroom house,

Thommi Odom couldn't eat.

``Even at the day of closing, I was physically sick,'' said

Odom, a 30-year-old information technology manager originally

from Savannah. ``Just the whole process--knowing I'm

ultimately responsible--was very scary.''

Now, more than five years later, Odom has tripled her

income and is looking for her second house, an upgrade from

her 2,036-square-foot home in Lithonia. And she's not even

blinking at the finances.

``Making the payments is easy,'' she said, sitting in her

living room with a group of black girlfriends who are also

homeowners. ``The maintenance is difficult.''

In 2003, unmarried women were nearly twice as likely to buy

homes as unmarried men. Single women make up the second-

largest group of homebuyers, according to a nationwide survey

by the National Association of Realtors. In metro Atlanta,

Odom's demographic, single African-American women represent a

particularly fast-growing group.

From 1997 to 2002, conventional mortgage loans to black

women increased in 114 percent in metro Atlanta, a draw for

middle-class blacks from across the nation. That growth

greatly outpaced mortgage loans to white men and white women,

which increased in the region by 35 percent and 26 percent,

respectively. Mortgage growth in the region was highest among

single black men, but they bought fewer homes than single

black women.

Women are buying homes as they gain access to more and

better-paying jobs. They like the tax advantages and want to

start building wealth. And they benefit from a societal shift

that accepts their marrying later or not at all. That shift

is especially prevalent among black women, 64 percent of whom

reported being single in the most recent nationwide census

survey.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee), who has consistently provided sterling leadership to make sure that all Americans have access to home ownership.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis), who is a strong voice for working people, to make sure all people have access to housing, and especially those in the lower income and housing projects, of which he represents 80 percent.

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

Mr. Speaker, as has been pointed out in this afternoon's discussion on this very, very important piece of legislation, to own a home is the foundation for wealth building in our country. We are making great progress, but there is yet much more that we have to do, especially when it comes to the minorities, African Americans, and Hispanics, particularly.

But I am so proud to be a part of the Committee on Financial Services and on the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, for we are making great progress, and not only making sure that we address the issue of homeownership, but, in addition to that, making sure that we put policies and programs in place that will make sure they maintain those homes and to build on that progress.

A measure that we have in our committee, the Financial Literacy Act, is to make sure that people are not taken advantage of when they do own a home. Very important. A key point of that bill is to set up a toll- free number so that individual homeowners will have access to get information and know where to call to get information before they sign on the dotted line. And it is so important that at the other end of that phone line that there be a human being, not a recorded voice, but a human being answering and responding to that measure. We are very proud of that bill.

Our housing counciling bill under the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ney); our zero down payment which eliminates the down payment for those FAA- guaranteed mortgages; and again, an issue that was pointed out by my distinguished friend, the gentleman from California, as well as my ranking member, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank), and that is we must expand FHA loan limits to include high-cost areas like California and Massachusetts; and we are working on that.

Mr. Speaker, free credit reports, and some financial education creative matters that we are working on that I want to mention very briefly as I close. We have got to get down to the nitty-gritty with our young people and start financial literacy programs in the early grades; and I am proud to work with my distinguished colleague, the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert), in putting forward a piece of legislation that will require financial literacy, age-appropriate, K through 12; and we will get that funded by using the Global Fund of Securities and Exchange Commission. And the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier) is working to make sure that we set aside monies in the Treasury Department to make people aware of financial literacy programs.

Mr. Speaker, this Congress is doing a wonderful job, and I am so delighted that we are here with this legislation, H.R. 658, to recognize Homeownership Month as the month of June.

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

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning on behalf of the entire United States Congress to commend and give special recognition to Delta Airlines on the celebration of its 75th anniversary. Exactly 75 years ago on June 17, 1929 at 8 a.m., Delta's very first passenger flight took off from Dallas Airport in Dallas, Texas, heading for Jackson, Mississippi with intermediate stops in Shreveport and Monroe, Louisiana.

That initial passenger service trip took 5 hours to cover those 471 miles. And today, 75 years later, Delta now has 2,000 flights all across this country and carries a daily load of passengers of 300,000. What a remarkable story of American free enterprise. Delta Airlines, with 75 years of distinguished service, has grown the reputation of being the world's leading airline, but they did not get that way easily. They had to go through many challenges.

Mr. Speaker, to all of the 100,000 individuals that work at Delta, we in the Congress of the United States want to say congratulations on your 75th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, today we remember a true leader, a statesman and a great man who led our country with dignity, with grace and with strength. President Reagan was the quintessential American who exemplified unbridled optimism, a strong sense of faith and the idea that our Nation was a true beacon for the world.

There is no doubt that among his greatest achievements was his resolve to end the Cold War so that other Nations could experience the glory of freedom and the power of democracy. His combination of political strength and personal appeal, his ability to communicate set the forces in motion for the walls of communism to crumble, and for this he will always be remembered.

However, President Reagan should also be remembered, especially in this House, for his willingness to fight in the political arena with dignity, with respect for his opponents, and his strong belief that democracy was for all of our citizens, even those with whom he might have disagreed. President Reagan exemplified civility and honor in an arena that is often lacking in both, and because of that he earned the goodwill not only of his supporters, but often of his friendly adversaries. In the end we remember a man, Ronald Reagan, not only as a great leader, but as a good and decent man.

My condolences and prayers are with his family and with his wife Nancy, who shared him with our country.

Mr. Speaker, we are all called by God for a special purpose with this turn at light that he gives us. Some nobility of purpose is embedded in each of us with that calling, and as it is the case with Ronald Reagan, there will be on his tombstone 1911 to 2004, but the most important thing on his tombstone will be the dash in between. For the fundamental call from God is always what will we do with the dash.

Ronald Reagan did great things with his dash. For those 93 years in that dash was actor, head of a union, broke down the barriers of communism, the Star Wars defense system, his legacy of rebuilding the Republican Party.

Yes, Ronald Reagan was a great man, and he, as so many of us, have heeded the call, and as I think of Ronald Reagan, I am reminded of the great prophet Isaiah who said in that great conversation when God called and said, who will go for us and whom shall we send, that great prophet Isaiah said, at no hesitation, here I am, Lord, send me.

Ronald Reagan responded the same way. I can almost see it. When the Lord called and said, who will go for us and who will we send to perform that nobility of purpose in life that Ronald Reagan did, which is the legacy of his Presidency, I can see him getting to attention and saying, here I am, Lord, send me.

God bless Ronald Reagan.

Mr. Speaker, due to a death in the family I missed several votes last week. Had I been present:

Rollcall No. 162 (on motion to recommit H.R. 4279), I would have voted ``yea''.

Rollcall No. 163 (on passage of H.R. 4279), I would have voted ``yea''.

Rollcall No. 164 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Con. Res. 352), I would have voted ``yea''.

Rollcall No. 165 (on motion to recommit H.R. 4280), I would have voted ``yea''.

Rollcall No. 166 (on passage of H.R. 4280), I would have voted ``yea''.

Rollcall No. 167 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree, as amended to H. Con. Res. 378), I would have voted ``yea''.

Rollcall No. 168 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Con. Res. 409), I would have voted ``yea''.

Rollcall No. 169 (on agreeing to the Tanner amendment to H.R. 4275), I would have voted ``yea''.

Rollcall No. 170 (on passage of H.R. 4275), I would have voted ``yea''.

Rollcall No. 171 (on motion to instruct conferees on S. Con. Res. 95), I would have voted ``yea''.

Rollcall No. 172 (on agreeing to the Kind amendment to H.R. 4281), I would have voted ``yea''.

Rollcall No. 173 (on motion to recommit with instructions H.R. 4281), I would have voted ``yea''.

Rollcall No. 174 (on passage of H.R. 4281), I would have voted ``nay''.

Rollcall No. 175 (on motion to suspend the rules and pass H.J. Res. 91), I would have voted ``yea''.

Rollcall No. 176 (on agreeing to the resolution H. Con. Res. 414), I would have voted ``yea''.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Frost) for yielding to me, for being kind and generous for this moment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise really with a heart of sorrow. I rise to ask to be excused from voting so that I may be able to attend a funeral for my wife's sister, my sister-in-law, Gloria Aaron in Mobile, Alabama, who passed on Mother's Day weekend, Saturday. The funeral will be tomorrow and the wake this evening.

Of course, voting is paramount and most important to us here and I wanted to make sure it is a part of the Record as to why I will miss voting.

And while I am here, Mr. Speaker, I would like to say just one word about Gloria Aaron. She was more than just a sister-in-law. She was a sister, very strong in her faith and belief in God, worked very hard in the church in Mobile at Morning Star Baptist Church. She leaves a mother, Estelle Aaron; one sister, my wife, Alfredia; two brothers, James and Hank Aaron. Our family are deeply in remorse. I thank the Speaker for giving me this opportunity. And of course for Gloria, she indeed fought that good fight. She kept the faith. She finished her course, and I am sure that there is a crown of righteousness in heaven for Gloria Aaron.

I thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding, and I thank the Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor General Larry R. Ellis, Commanding General of U.S. Army Forces Command, on the occasion of his retirement from military service on May 7, 2004. His distinguished military career spans more than 35 years and as a four- star general and Commander of United States Army Forces Command he is the highest ranking African American officer within any branch of the United States military.

General Ellis assumed his current post as Commander, U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM), at Fort McPherson, Georgia on November 21, 2001. FORSCOM, the Army's largest major command, consists of more than 750,000 Active Army, U.S. Army Reserve and Army National Guard soldiers. FORSCOM trains, mobilizes, deploys and sustains combat ready forces capable of responding rapidly to crises world-wide. The FORSCOM commander functions as commander of the Army forces of this unified command and plans for and, on order, provides military support to civil authorities, including response to natural disasters and civil emergencies.

As the Army service component commander for U.S. Joint Forces Command, General Ellis has been responsible for the training and readiness of Army forces stationed in the continental U.S. and with the mission of performing as the Department of Defense's premier force provider, meeting the needs of Combatant Commanders worldwide. Therefore, General Ellis has overseen the preparation and deployment of every active duty division in the United States. In addition, he has commanded the mobilization, training, and deployment of more than 225,000 reserve component soldiers in more than 550 units across the nation.

Previously, General Ellis commanded the 1st Armored Division in Bad Kreuznach, Germany from May, 1997 to July, 1999. Following this division command, General Ellis served as Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, and Plans from August, 1999 to November, 2001. When terrorists attacked the United States on September 11, 2001, General Ellis was responsible for Army operations, planned and executed the Army's role in the National Military Strategy, and developed and implemented the Army's Transformation Campaign Plan. The Army's Transformation Campaign Plan serves as the Army's roadmap into the 21st century which General Ellis devised as a comprehensive modernization of the Army's doctrine, training, leadership and education, organizations, soldiers, personnel, and facilities through the year 2010. As part of this project, he oversaw the research, development, and fielding of the Stryker family of vehicles and designed ``Task Force Soldier'' which codified the Army's warrior ethos and fostered the redesign of basic combat training.

General Ellis devised the Army's initial response to the September 11th attacks which involved the deployment of force protection and security units to Washington, D.C. and the Capitol region, chemical and munitions storage facilities, airports and other transportation terminals, military installations across the world, and the nation's borders. He also led the deployment of Army forces to combat the war on terror in Afghanistan.

General Ellis has served in the United States, Vietnam, Germany, the Republic of Korea, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. His command assignments include lst Armored Division, Germany; Multinational Division (North), Bosnia and Herzegovina; Assistant Division Commander, 2d Infantry Division, Korea; Brigade Commander, 3d Infantry Division, Germany Battalion Commander, 5th Infantry Division, Fort Polk, La.; Company Commander, 101st Airborne Division, Vietnam; and 82d Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

General Ellis' awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the National Defense Service Medal with three stars, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with three stars, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry/Palm, the Korean Cheonsu Medal, the German Armed Forces Honor Cross (Gold), the NATO Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Senior Parachutist Badge, the Office of Secretary of Defense Staff Identification Badge, the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge, and the Army General Staff Identification Badge.

General Ellis received a Bachelor of Science degree from Morgan State University and a Master of Science degree from Indiana University. He is married to Jean and has two daughters, Renee and Debra. Ebony Magazine recently recognized General Ellis as one of the ``100 plus most influential people in America.'' General Ellis enjoys physical fitness activities, traveling, and playing golf. Responding to an inquiry about his future plans, General Ellis says he is ``sprinting to the finish line, moving 101 miles per hour, and has not slowed to consider what he will do following retirement.''

Due to his honorable military career, I am pleased to honor him and his service to this great country. God bless General Larry Ellis and his family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize April as Financial Literacy Month.

I have joined with Congresswoman Judy Biggert to introduce H. Res. 578 to recognize the goals of Financial Literacy Month. As a member of Congress who has an MBA from the Wharton School of Finance, I believe that there are several steps that Americans can take to gain access to the financial mainstream. The first and most important step is to have fundamental financial literacy. With that knowledge, a consumer can increase access to good credit, home ownership, and be able to invest money for retirement security.

The JumpStart Coalition, which is a financial literacy advocacy organization, estimates that only approximately 15 percent of high school graduates in the United States have taken a course covering basic personal finances. Through my work as a member of the House Financial Services Committee, I have come to recognize the importance of integrating economics and personal finance into the K-12 curricula, and the positive impact this can have on millions of future investors. I have also seen the need for continued financial education for consumers at all economic levels.

Last year, the House last year passed H.R. 2622, which will allow any American to receive a free copy of their credit report each year. This tool will help consumers give their credit a check-up before they apply for a loan, buy a house, or make a major credit purchase. We cannot even begin to encourage low and middle wage earners to use these tools, invest in the stock market or consider a home mortgage if they do not have a basic economic understanding of savings and credit.

By having a good understanding of finances, Americans can help prevent identity theft and protect themselves from being victims of predatory lending practices. Understanding finances also helps consumers know how to start saving money for retirement and higher education. Information is needed to inform tomorrow's investors so that they can make sound investment decisions in a variety of market and economic conditions. The best way to prevent future economic scandals is to create smarter investors. This April, Members of Congress have a good opportunity to put a spotlight on economic education.

I hope my colleagues will join me by recognizing Financial Literacy Month and supporting passage of this resolution.

Mr. Chairman, I join the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Isakson) and other colleagues in supporting this very important bipartisan amendment.

Without our amendment, highway users in Georgia and other States would lose billions of dollars. Already, right now, highway users in Georgia and other States, like California and Texas and Florida, are contributing billions of dollars to other States to help with their transportation needs. For example, in the previous transportation bill, Georgia contributed $1 billion to highway improvements to other States, at a time when we have growing unmet needs for congestion relief and access improvements of our own.

In my own district, for example, I represent five of the fastest growing counties in this country, with untold transportation needs. All of the interstate systems intersect in my district, and yet we gave $1 billion in highway improvements to other States.

We are not asking to change any of this. We do not mind helping other States. We just do not want to take a step backwards. We want to maintain the status quo, hold on to what we have, and this bipartisan amendment would do just that. It will prevent a loss of $500 million just for Georgia and similar large losses for other States.

Our amendment simply prevents a 93 percent to 84 percent reduction in scope of number of programs that fall under the minimum guarantee, the provision in the reauthorization bill that guarantees that each State receives at least 90.5 cents for every dollar its motorists send to Congress through their gas and other taxes. Governors in California and Texas and

Florida are not wrong. We must not take a step backwards.

I urge my colleagues to please pass this important bipartisan amendment.

Mr. Chairman, during rollcall vote No. 90, on the Hensarling amendment, I mistakenly recorded my vote as ``yea'' when I should have voted ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support Taiwan, a democracy and a dependable friend of the United States. In fact, the United States is Taiwan's largest trading partner, while Taiwan is the seventh largest United States trading partner. In the year 2000, total U.S.-Taiwan trade was approximately $65 billion, with a Taiwan surplus of approximately $16 billion. Taiwan's chief exports to the United States include clothing and footwear, toys, and various electronic products. In recent years, Taiwanese government officials have attempted to accommodate increased United States pressure on trade issues. They met many U.S. demands for greater market access for U.S. goods and services and responded to U.S. complaints by taking stronger measures to protect U.S. copyrights and other intellectual property rights.

At the same time, Taiwan's political system had undergone dramatic changes, including a transition to democratic political pluralism. The combination of these developments led to subtle changes in U.S.-Taiwan ties, including deepening economic, military, social, and other contacts. Today, the United States is an important investor and trading partner for Taiwan, with United States markets receiving about 25 percent of Taiwan's exports. Taiwan continues to enjoy Export-Import Bank financing, Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) guarantees, most-favored-nation status, and ready access to U.S. markets.

Beijing regards Taiwan as a renegade province of China, and PRC officials have grown particularly upset over the statements and positions taken by Taiwan's democratically elected president, Chen Shui-bian, who increasingly has referred to Taiwan as a sovereign independent country. These statements and positions have contributed to an intense domestic debate in Taiwan over its national status. President Chen also has been a strident proponent of using the scheduled March 20, 2004 presidential elections to hold an unprecedented national referendum on several policy issues. Beijing strongly opposes a referendum in Taiwan, fearing it could be used to gauge support for--and possibly to declare--Taiwan independence.

In recent years, the PRC has steadily increased its missile build-up along the south China coast opposite Taiwan, now deploying close to 500 missiles. As Taiwan faces military threats from China, the people of Taiwan plan to express concern over their wellbeing and security in a proposed referendum on March 20, 2004. Therefore, as the world's leading democracy, we must support the people of Taiwan and their right to hold this referendum.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). Congress designated each October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month in order to increase the public's awareness of the contributions and skills of American workers with disabilities. Various programs carried out throughout the month also highlight the specific employment barriers that still need to be addressed and removed. People with disabilities face many barriers to employment, including everything from transportation to contending with the prevailing attitude surrounding the disabled, but many of them want to work. They want the opportunity. The key is to focus on the abilities of the person, not the disabilities.

This effort to educate the American public about issues related to disability and employment actually began in 1945, when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year ``National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.'' In 1962, the word ``physically'' was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to ``National Disability Employment Awareness Month.'' This year's theme for National Disability Employment Awareness Month was ``America Works Best When All Americans Work.''

I am also grateful to Wayne McMillon, CEO of the Bobby Dodd Institute, Lori Nipp, Board Member of the Bobby Dodd Institute, Megan Dakake of the Bobby Dodd Institute and Dorothy Cochran, CEO of Clayton County Worktec who work actively to prepare individuals with disabilities for employment, to expand employment opportunities available to them and to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities in Georgia. Each of these individuals work on behalf of the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program which provides employment opportunities for nearly 40,000 Americans who are blind or have other severe disabilities.

The Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Program uses the purchasing power of the Federal Government to buy products and services from participating, community-based nonprofit agencies dedicated to training and employing individuals with disabilities. In the United States, the program serves 40,000 people with disabilities and 972 Georgians with disabilities earned nearly $3 million in wages last year as a result of JWOD.

A coordinated effort on behalf of the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled (the Federal agency that oversees the Program), National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and NISH-Creating Employment Opportunities for People with Severe Disabilities, the JWOD Program provides people who are blind or who have other severe disabilities the opportunity to acquire job skills and training, receive good wages and benefits and gain greater independence and quality of life. Through the JWOD Program, people with disabilities enjoy full participation in their community and can market their JWOD-learned skills into other public and private sector jobs. It is with great pleasure that I recognize the great contributions of American workers with disabilities and I encourage others to do the same every day of the year.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Turner) for their excellent remarks.

Mr. Speaker, as the sponsor of this legislation today, I am pleased to speak on the House floor regarding H.R. 3029. This legislation honors a Georgia entrepreneur and restaurateur and a great American, S. Truett Cathy, the founder, chairman and CEO of Chick-Fil-A, Incorporated. This legislation designates the post office in Jonesboro, Georgia, in my district, as the S. Truett Cathy Post Office Building. I appreciate the support of the entire Georgia congressional delegation, which has cosponsored this important legislation.

The Chick-Fil-A story began in 1946 when Truett and his younger brother, Ben, spent $10,000 to open a tiny 24-hour restaurant called the Dwarf Grill in Hapeville, Georgia; and the Dwarf Grill still stands in Hapeville, Georgia. In 1967, Mr. Cathy opened his first Chick-Fil-A restaurant at Atlanta's Greenbriar Mall, which established the in-mall fast-food quick-service restaurant concept in this Nation. Today, Chick-Fil-A is the third largest quick-service chicken restaurant chain in the entire United States based on annual sales. Currently, there are more than 1,080 restaurants in 36 States and in Washington, D.C.

Truett Cathy is a devoted religious man who built his life and his business based upon hard work, humanity, humility, and Biblical principles. Based on these principles, all of Chick-Fil-A's restaurants operate with a closed-on-Sunday policy, without exception, to allow the employees of Chick-Fil-A to attend services on Sunday. When not managing his company, Cathy donates his time to community efforts and teaches a Sunday school class to 13-year-old boys, as he has done for more than 45 straight years.

Chick-Fil-A's official statement of corporate purpose says that it exists ``to glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us and to have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-Fil-A.'' That is why Mr. Cathy invests in scholarships, character-building programs for kids, foster homes and other community services.

Mr. Cathy has established the WinShape Centre Foundation, the Leadership Scholarship Program, and the WinShape Homes Program. The WinShape Center Foundation annually awards 20 to 30 students wishing to attend Berry College in Georgia with $24,000 scholarships that are jointly funded by the Rome, Georgia, institution. Through its Leadership Scholarship Program, the Chick-Fil-A chain has given over $17.5 million in $1,000 scholarships to Chick-Fil-A restaurant employees since 1973. As part of his WinShape Homes Program, a long- term care program for foster children, 13 foster care homes have been started in Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and even in Brazil. They are operated by Cathy and the WinShape Foundation.

S. Truett Cathy is a dedicated husband and family man. He is a father and grandfather. Cathy and his wife, Jeanette, have 12 grandchildren and more than 125 foster grandchildren. Due to inspiring his life story and his dedication to community service, I am pleased to honor this great Georgian and his legacy in this manner.

I especially would like to thank my colleagues from Georgia, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Kingston), the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Bishop), the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Marshall), the gentlewoman from Georgia (Ms. Majette), the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis), the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Isakson), the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Linder), the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Collins), the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Norwood), the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Deal), the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey), and the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Burns) for their support in joining me as sponsors of this legislation.

In addition, I would like to thank the members of the Committee on Government Reform and the committee staff for including my bill in the list of suspension bills today. I would especially like to thank my good friend, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis), for managing this bill on the floor, and the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Deal) for all his efforts as a member of the committee on behalf of my legislation.

I encourage all of my colleagues to support this legislation and pass this bill in the House today. I look forward to working with Senator Miller and Senator Chambliss and the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee and the entire Senate in order to gain quick passage of this bill in the Senate.

What an outstanding story, what an outstanding life, what an outstanding man is S. Truett Cathy. We humbly honor this great servant of God by naming this post office in Jonesboro, Georgia, after him.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with others in expressing my support for breast cancer survivors and their families as we recognize the month of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

As the husband of a breast cancer survivor, my courageous wife, Alfredia Scott, I join with countless others in honoring the courage of other breast cancer patients as they fight to overcome this devastating disease. We honor their families, as they stand with them, hurting just as badly, as they watch over and support their loved ones through their treatment. We honor the doctors, the nurses, and the health care professionals who provide critical help for these patients.

Almost everyone in America has been touched by this disease, which strikes one in nine women; and it is the second leading cause of death for women. As many of my colleagues have already noted, our Nation will lose 40,000 people this year. Almost 212,000 new cases will be diagnosed.

We, as legislators, have a responsibility. We must do whatever we can to stop this disease.

As a Georgia State senator, I fought for funding for breast cancer research, and I authored the law that gives breast cancer patients the right to determine their length of stay in the hospital and the medical treatment they receive rather than the insurance companies.

Our inspiration is great: breast cancer survivors who have won their fight, and the friends and families of those women who did not. I urge us to work harder and make sure that we bring a cure to this deadly disease.