Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize St. Herman's House of Hospitality, on the occasion of their 30th anniversary, and to celebrate their dedication to serving Cleveland's most vulnerable citizens.

Since its founding on September 27, 2007, St. Herman's has been an oasis for the homeless of Cleveland, providing warm meals, clothing, shelter, and a welcoming and compassionate environment. As the homeless among us get pushed to shadows of our society, St. Herman's has reached out to them, heeding the Gospel imperative to clothe the naked and feed the hungry.

St. Herman's, a monastery of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, provides shelter for hundreds of men a year and feeds thousands of people. When they cannot provide the services that their guests need, they direct them to people who can meet their needs.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in celebrating St. Herman's House of Hospitality. For 30 years St. Herman's has reaffirmed the basic dignity of all human beings in their service to the homeless. May we all follow St. Herman's example in our treatment of the most vulnerable citizens in our midst.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Josephine B. Grendell, whose selflessness and tireless devotion to her family made her a role model for other mothers.

Josephine was the wife of the late Edward J. Grendell and the mother of Dr. James H. Grendell, as well as Ohio State Representative Timothy J. Grendell. She was the grandmother of Kate, Mary Jeannette, Patricia, Michael and James and the great-grandmother of Patrick Joseph.

Also known as ``Mrs. G'' or ``Aunt Jo,'' Josephine truly was a special lady. She embraced everyone she encountered with love and joy. She was always energetic and smiling.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in remembering Josephine Grendell, a woman whose warmth and kindness were an inspiration to all who knew her.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express deep concern about the administration's involvement in an oil deal announced on September 9, 2007, between the U.S. company Hunt Oil and the Kurdistan Regional Government. This oil deal appears to benefit a large Republican donor and ally of President Bush and Vice President Cheney.

The recent oil deal between the U.S.-based Hunt Oil Company and the Kurdistan Regional Government raises numerous questions. Hunt Oil, a privately held oil company based in Texas, and its founder, Ray Hunt, have close ties to Vice President Cheney and are large donors to President Bush. The deal appears to undercut the goal of oil revenue sharing but is predictably consistent with the administration's attempt to privatize Iraqi oil assets.

This war is about oil. The Bush administration desires private control of Iraqi oil, but we have no right to force Iraq to give up their oil. We have no right to set preconditions for Iraq which lead Iraq to giving up control of their oil. The constitution of Iraq designates that the oil of Iraq is the property of all Iraqi people.

The Administration has misled Congress and the media into thinking that pending Iraqi oil legislation before Iraq's Parliament was about the fair distribution of oil revenue. But the Hunt Oil deal with Kurdistan exposes the real intent of that legislation, promotion of a privatization scheme.

The Hunt Oil deal with Kurdistan suggests the war has made foreign access to Iraqi oil a reality. Because the connections between Hunt Oil Company and the Bush administration are numerous, I have asked the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to investigate Hunt Oil's ties to the Bush Administration and Halliburton.

The contract between Hunt Oil and Kurdistan would be the first of its kind in the Middle East where oil has been nationalized for decades and foreign oil companies have had no presence. The lack of consensus on how to manage the Iraqi oil resources suggests that the Hunt Oil Company deal could lead to greater instability within Iraq.

I have sent a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urging an immediate investigation into the implications of the Hunt Oil Company's recent production sharing agreement for petroleum exploration with Kurdistan on U.S. and Iraqi national security.

Congress should put a stop to the outrageous exploitation of a nation already in shambles due to U.S. intervention. I will soon introduce legislation to prevent all U.S. companies from gaining financial interests in Iraq's oil resources. I hope my colleagues will join me to ensure that the people of Iraq are not made to endure greater suffering and injustice that has already occurred because of this illegal and unjust war.

Congress of the United States,

House of representatives,

September 18, 2007.

Hon. Condoleezza Rice,

Secretary of State, Department of State, Washington, DC.

Dear Secretary Rice: To assure the national security of the

U.S. and Iraq I urge an immediate investigation into Hunt Oil

Company's recent production sharing agreement for petroleum

exploration with Kurdistan. The Iraq Central Government

reportedly considers this agreement illegitimate. As such, a

thorough investigation assessing the threat posed by the

agreement to U.S. and Iraqi national security interests

should be conducted promptly.

The Constitution of Iraq designates that the oil of Iraq is

the property of all Iraqi people. Thus, it is unsurprising

that the Iraqi Central Government believes that the oil

production sharing agreement between Hunt Oil Company and the

Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is illegal. The agreement

is reportedly based on oil law passed by the KRG and is the

subject of much legal debate. The lack of consensus on how to

manage the Iraqi oil resources suggest that the Hunt Oil

Company deal could lead to greater instability within Iraq.

As you are undoubtedly aware, the contract between Hunt Oil

and the KRG would be the first of its kind in the Middle East

where oil has been nationalized for decades. Foreign oil

companies have had no presence in the Middle East for

decades. The legality

of this matter is of obvious importance to the people of Iraq

who have a constitutional right to the oil resources of Iraq.

Furthermore, close ties between Hunt Oil Company and the

Administration's top officials coupled with this precedent

setting agreement appears morally debased. The following will

assist in clarifying this connection: Ray Hunt, CEO of Hunt

Oil Company, was twice appointed to a seat on the President's

Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board (PFIAB). Mr. Hunt raised

campaign funds for President George H.W. and George W. Bush.

He also personally donated $20,000 to the Republican National

Committee's Victory Fund for the current President Bush. Ray

Hunt gave $100,000 toward the 2001 Bush inaugural

festivities and one of his corporations, Hunt

Consolidated, gave another $250,000 toward the Bush 2005

presidential inaugural gala. In addition, Ray Hunt donated

$35 million toward the Bush library/think tank to secure

additional property for the project.

This unmatched deal struck by the Hunt Oil Company coupled

with the company's ties to the administration could be viewed

as hostile to the interests of Iraq amidst growing knowledge

of Iraqi opposition to privatization and sale of Iraq's

national oil reserves.

Your investigation should address how the agreement will

affect Iraqi public sentiment toward the Iraqi and U.S.

governments, insurgent efforts, the stability of Iraq and the

stated goals of U.S. policy to bring peace and stability to

the region.

I look forward to your timely response and the conclusions

of your investigation.

Sincerely,

Dennis J. Kucinich,

Member of Congress.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of one of our former colleagues, Congressman Charlie Vanik. For 26 years, he was an admirable spokesman not only for the people of his district, but for the Nation.

During his time in office, Congressman Vanik was one of Congress's most vocal advocates for human rights. In 1974, he co-authored an amendment to a trade law that required the United States to assess the human rights records of foreign countries before granting them special privileges. This law put pressure on the Soviet Union to allow freer emigration, and as a result, more than 2 million people were able to leave the Soviet Union in search of a better life.

While he was a Member of Congress, he never forgot where he came from or the people he represented. During his time in office he helped to pass several Federal programs, including the Federal school lunch program, that would help the people in his district and throughout the country improve their livelihoods. In addition, he is remembered by his former colleagues as a savvy, gifted speaker who had the ability to make every person in a room smile.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in remembering the life of Congressman Charlie Vanik. May he rest in peace, and may his service to his country and to this body always be remembered honorably. He is survived by his wife, Betty; his son, Jon; his daughter, Phyllis; and two grandchildren.

The recent oil deal between the U.S.-based Hunt Oil Company and the Kurdistan Regional Government raises questions since Hunt Oil, a privately held oil company based in Texas and its founder, Ray Hunt, have close ties to Vice-President Cheney and are large donors to President Bush. The deal also appears to undercut the goal of oil revenue sharing but is predictably consistent with the administration's attempt to privatize Iraqi oil assets. Both Hunt Oil Company and Kurdistan are strong allies with the Bush administration.

As I have said for 5 years, this war is about oil. The Bush administration desires private control of Iraqi oil, but we have no right to force Iraq to give up control of their oil. We have no right to set preconditions for Iraq which lead Iraq to giving up control of their oil. The Constitution of Iraq designates that the oil of Iraq is the property of all Iraqi people.

I am calling for a congressional investigation to determine the role the administration may have played in the Hunt-Kurdistan deal, the effect the deal could have on the oil revenue sharing plan and the attempt by the administration to privatize Iraqi oil.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Martin Savidge for his 27 years of service to the American public, through his role as a news anchor and national correspondent for many prominent news networks.

Martin, who is currently a correspondent with NBC News, does regular reporting for NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, the Today Show, and MSNBC. Prior to NBC, Martin was a news anchor and a national correspondent for CNN, based at the network's world headquarters in Atlanta.

Martin graduated from Rocky River High School and earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from Ohio University. He began his broadcast career as an anchor and reporter for WCIA-TV in Champaign, IL in 1980. He then moved on to work as the prime-time anchor for WMBD-TV in Peoria, IL Martin also worked as a reporter for the Associated Press, as well as a special projects reporter and anchor for WJW-TV in Cleveland.

Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Martin reported from New York City's Ground Zero on the search and rescue mission and the ongoing recovery efforts. In 2003, Martin delivered on-the-ground coverage of the crises in Iraq as one of CNN's embedded journalists. Martin most recently served as NBC's primary correspondent in New Orleans,

covering Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath along the Gulf Coast.

Martin has been honored with some of broadcast journalism's most prestigious awards, including two Headliner Awards, two Edward R. Murrow Awards, a Peabody Award, a DuPont Award and an Emmy. In October 2002, the National Journalism Education Association named Martin its Media Person of the Year for his support of scholastic journalism.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring Martin Savidge for his dedication to informing the public about important national and world issues, and his commitment to educating future journalists.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of the 40th year of the Western Campus of Cuyahoga Community College. In the time this institution has been in existence, it has served hundreds of thousands of people in the community as an institution of higher learning. It is a shining example of the quality education such an institution can provide to a local community.

The campus currently serves between 11,000 and 12,000 credit students each term, as well as many more non-credit students. It is considered one of the top community colleges not only in the state of Ohio, but in the United States.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognizing Cuyahoga Community College for its 40 years of dedication to affordable, quality education. May they continue to be stewards of minds of all ages, and may their commitment to northeast Ohio grow even stronger.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to reflect on the life of a courageous and passionate man, Joseph Stephen Zoretic, who dedicated his life to fighting for sensible drug policy and to free others from suffering. Along with his devoted wife, Dee Dee, he was a founding member of the Ohio Patient Network and its lobbying component, the Ohio Patient Action Network.

Joe started his life-long residency in the Cleveland area on December 25th, 1968. He became an active figure in the medical marijuana movement in the 1990s, when his wife was diagnosed with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy and needed cannabis to relieve the pain other medications could not. Since then, Joe provided policy ideas and inspiration to the state marijuana legalization activist community, from speaking at mainstream political events to testifying for better drug policy. Even if it meant going to jail, Joe stood up for what he knew: that love and bravery can overcome injustice.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring and remembering an extraordinary husband, father, citizen, and activist, Joseph Stephen Zoretic, who demonstrated the power we all possess to make change in this world.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Mary V. Kaser, who served the residents of West Park for thirty-eight years as a school crossing guard. Over the years, Mary developed many wonderful relationships with the families of her community. The people of West Park will always have a place in their hearts for this quick-witted woman, who was always willing to lend a helping hand.

Mary embodied what community is all about. In addition to protecting hundreds of children, she took on the role of Democratic Ward Club president and helped found the Bellaire-Puritas Development Corporation. Community members recount that Mary was a spirited woman with a heart of gold. Always in the thick of the action, this vibrant woman left a mark on Ohio that will never fade away.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in remembering the life of Mary V. Kaser, whose memory will be cherished by all who had the fortune of knowing her.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the Muslim holiday of Ramadan, and to celebrate the Community Iftar held by the Council on American-Islamic Relations of Ohio.

In the Muslim tradition, the month of Ramadan is one of contemplation and spirituality. Muslims throughout Northeast Ohio and the world endeavor to deepen their individual faith and grow as a community. Muslims do this through conscious efforts to refrain from thoughts and actions that would stunt their spiritual growth. They also read the entire Qur'an.

Muslims also bring themselves closer to this spiritual ideal through their observance of the Sawm, or fast. The Sawm is a cleansing and invigorating practice that renews the spirit. To break the fast and make a renewed commitment to their family and community, Muslims gather for the Iftar dinner. Keeping with the intention of the holiday, the Iftar is an opportunity for spiritual growth in the continued pursuit of peace and understanding.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in celebrating Ramadan. As Muslims throughout Northeast Ohio gather for CAIR's Community Iftar, I wish them all peace and happiness on their spiritual journey.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of President Lech Walesa of Poland, and to celebrate his 64th birthday. As I, along with millions of celebrating Poles, recognize one of the great leaders of our time, we should look back at the contributions this man has made to his native Poland and to the world.

As the first elected leader of a democratic Poland, President Walesa laid the foundation for a Poland that remain both strong and free to this day. He worked with leaders from all around the world to promote the welfare of the poor and downtrodden. As the leader of the opposition movement, he helped his country gain independence through nonviolent means.

As a champion of labor, he led several worker strikes, risking both his livelihood and his life in the process. He fought for the rights of workers and his struggle gained worldwide recognition. His efforts won him, among other accolades, the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983. Even today, he remains a shining example of freedom and democracy in action.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring President Lech Walesa for his service to his country and to the world. Thanks to his efforts, Poland has thrived and has become a strong voice in the international community. May future democracies be inspired by his actions and his spirit.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the notable career of one of the Three Tenors, Luciano Pavarotti, who passed away September 6.

Pavarotti was able to bring diverse audiences together like no one else could. His voice was captivating. Pavarotti's renowned career, which spanned four decades, touched more than 1.5 billion people and his charming performances came to represent what the opera is all about.

But Pavarotti wasn't just a remarkable tenor. He was also well-known for his dedication and extraordinary efforts spent raising money for refugees and the Red Cross. He used his astounding voice to raise funds for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent movement. In 2005, Pavarotti received the Freedom of the City of London and a Red Cross Award for Services to Humanity.

Pavarotti's humanitarian efforts didn't end there. He joined forces with Diana, Princess of Wales, to raise money for the elimination of land mines and performed benefit concerts to raise money for victims of tragedies. In 1998, Pavarotti was appointed the United Nation's Messenger of Peace. He used his prominence to raise awareness of the Millennium Development Goals, HIV/AIDS, child rights, urban slums and poverty.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, Pavarotti's strong and harmonious voice will be greatly missed but the charitable work he did will be remembered always.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H. Res. 643, the September 11 resolution. I honor the memory of those who died on September 11 and extend sympathies to their family members and to those who lost their lives trying to save lives. And I support the troops.

I believe the best way to honor the memory of those who died on September 11 is to tell the truth of what the Administration did in the wake of September 11. The Bush Administration launched a war against Iraq, conflating the true tragedy of September 11 with lies about weapons of mass destruction.

On this, the sixth anniversary of September 11, it is important that Congress wake up to the truth and exercise its obligation under the Constitution to save our nation from being destroyed from the lies that took us into Iraq, the lies that keep us there, the lies that are being used to set the stage for war against Iran and the lies that have undermined our basic civil liberties here at home. The September 11 resolution that Congress considers today should have made reference to those matters. It does not, so I cannot support it.

This Administration long ago politicized the September 11 attacks, distorted it, and dishonored it. If Congress really wanted to honor the memory of those who died on September 11, we would cause the full truth to be told to the American people. If Congress really supported our troops we would bring them home and not provide more funding for the war.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Reverend John J. Bryk, on the occasion of his retirement as pastor of St. Hedwig's Parish in Lakewood, Ohio. Father John has devoted his entire life to the work of the church, and Cleveland has been blessed with Father John's commitment to living the gospel imperative of service to and love of others.

Since his ordination in 1953, Father John has been a faithful servant to the Cleveland community. As a parish priest, Father John has been responsible for the spiritual well-being of a whole community, a responsibility he took very seriously and fulfilled with enthusiasm and total commitment to his congregation. As an educator, Father John imparted to Cleveland's youth the wisdom to be well-rounded, upstanding adults committed to serving all humans. As a former student of Father John at Saint John Cantius in Cleveland, I have firsthand experience of Father John's ability to affect the lives of those around him.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring Reverend John J. Bryk's 54 years of ministry to the city of Cleveland. I am grateful for his dedication to the spiritual and communal needs of Cleveland. May his simple and abundant love of his congregation and Cleveland serve as an example for us all.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of R. John Herrington, and to celebrate all his contributions to Cleveland. John passed away July 24, but he will live on in the hearts of everyone he touched.

As a soldier in the U.S. Army, John worked the night desk for the Associated Press in Tokyo, as well as with Stars and Stripes. After completing his service to our country, John worked in California, Missouri, and even London, England. By the time he arrived in Cleveland in 1968, John was already a seasoned and well-traveled reporter. And for the next 25 years, Cleveland had the fortune of benefiting from all that experience. After 3 years at WKBF, John joined the team at WKYC Channel 3, and was even the anchorman for Cleveland's first 10 p.m. newscast. In 1995, the Cleveland Regional chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences recognized John's contributions by inducting him into their Silver Circle.

John stayed just as active in retirement, acting in community theater and serving in various capacities in his church community.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in remembering R. John Herrington, a mainstay of Cleveland broadcasting for over 25 years. John is survived by his wife of 27 years, Carol Ann, and my thoughts go out to her and their whole family. May John's spirit and live on in the lives of those who were fortunate enough to know him.