Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember Vivian Cantrell, and to celebrate her tireless devotion to her community, her faith, and to justice. Vivian passed away after a battle with cancer, but her spirit will live on in the people and organizations fortunate enough to have known her.

Vivian never passed up an opportunity to challenge the status quo. She was an outspoken civil rights advocate, and frequently could be found advocating for equal treatment for all school children or lending her voice to community organizations. Vivian was an engaged citizen; not only was she active in political campaigns, but she demanded accountability from those candidates to ensure that the community got the attention it deserved.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in remembering Vivian Cantrell, for a life spent in service to the community. May Vivian's humor, strength, and zeal for justice live on in all those who knew her.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize William J. Norris for 29 years of civil service with the Social Security Administration. Bill has been an invaluable asset to my office for many years, and he retires from the SSA with my gratitude and the heartfelt thanks of thousands of Northeast Ohioans who have been helped by him.

Bill began his career with the SSA as a claims representative in Mansfield, OH. Bill's enthusiasm, work ethic and commitment to his clients carried him through the ranks quickly, and before long he reached the role of supervisor. In 2002, Bill was named the District Manager of the Cleveland Southwest office, a position he has held for 5 years.

Bill also volunteered with the Indian Guides when his children, William and Elizabeth were younger. He remains involved with the Knights of Columbus, and still finds time to devote to his favorite hobby, fishing.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring William J. Norris for his distinguished career of civil service. As he leaves for his well-deserved retirement to spend more time with his wife Mary, I thank him on behalf of the thousands of social security beneficiaries who have been touched by his compassion and dedication.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Petty Officer First Class Dana M. Gaines, United States Navy, for twenty years of active duty naval service.

From his entrance into the navy in 1987 all the way up to his retirement twenty years later, Petty Officer Gaines exemplified what it means to be great leader. Early on in his career, he became the first sailor to be appointed President of the Army's Better Opportunity for Single Soldiers' program. In this role, he oversaw the service of over 1500 soldiers and sailors. Later in his career, Petty Officer Gaines was commissioned to Fort George G. Meade in Maryland where he served as the lead instructor and course manager for report writing course IS- 222.

Petty Officer Gaines' great achievements in the U.S. Navy have not gone unrecognized. His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Award, the Armed Forces Service Medal, as well as six overseas service awards, among others.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognizing Petty Officer Dana M. Gaines for twenty years of active duty naval service. As he retires from active duty to spend more time with his wife Kristy and children Christopher and Jarin, I and the country are grateful for his service.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Detective Robert T. Soltis on the occasion of his retirement, and to thank him for thirty-seven years of service protecting the citizens of Garfield Heights.

Detective Soltis joined the force on January 1, 1970. Since that day he has been dedicated to making Garfield Heights a safer and more vibrant community. Detective Soltis took his obligation to his community seriously, and never has wavered in his commitment to public safety.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the distinguished career of Detective Robert T. Soltis. As he retires to spend more time with his wife, Juanita, and children Robert, Sharon, Lenny, Pamela and Jennifer, I congratulate him for his career of distinction. May his commitment to protection of the public good serve as an example for future generations.

, Mr. Speaker, I wish to make clear my opposition to H.R. 3356, the Improving Foreign Intelligence Surveillance to Defend the Nation and the Constitution Act of 2007, and S. 1927, both of which I proudly voted against.

This legislation must be opposed because the Bush administration cannot be trusted with

any additional surveillance powers. This administration has actively violated the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act by engaging in surveillance of Americans without warrants. And the administration violated our Constitution by hiding this fact from Congress and the American public.

The only legislation that should come to the floor in this Congress is legislation that would limit the powers of this rogue presidency. Democrats must challenge the President and take back the power granted to Congress by the Constitution.

Instead this Congress has given into the fear tactics of the administration. Those who use fear to gain power are themselves subverting democracy. This Congress must not accept this false choice and defend Americans and their Constitution from the politics of fear.

The Democrats cannot shrink from this fight. We must demand that the President cease his attacks on our civil liberties.

For these reasons Mr. Speaker I opposed this legislation and I will oppose all future attempts by this body to pass gratuitous, fear provoking legislation that sanctions oppression against the American people.

Mr. Speaker, 3 years ago this Congress passed H. Con. Res. 469, which condemned the attack on the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and expressed the concern of the United States regarding the continuing decades-long delay in the resolution of the case. I voted for that resolution because I believe that justice deferred is justice denied, and all those who are responsible certainly must be brought to justice.

I joined my colleagues in saying that we don't condone terrorist actions or military posturing by any nation, nor have I seen any evidence that suggests that those who have been accused are innocent.

But responsible foreign policy means thoughtful and insightful discussion between nations that reflects a desire for both peace and security here at home, in the Middle East, and around the world.

In the 110th Congress, the House of Representatives has passed several bills calling into question the actions of either the country of Iran or the leaders of Iran with respect to their foreign or domestic policy. Today, this Congress has brought up, under suspension of the rules, an additional three bills designed with the same intent.

This continuous renewal of U.S. objections to Iran's and foreign domestic policy can easily have the effect, intended or not, to beat the drum for war against Iran. I mean, isn't this very familiar?

The U.S. House of Representatives treats these resolutions today as being uncontroversial. Let this Congress be warned that the Bush administration can use these resolutions against this body and declare the passage of these resolutions as a green light to engage in aggression against Iran, and Iran could then be the next Iraq.

I believe this House is better served by demanding sensible and responsible diplomatic foreign policy initiatives from the Bush administration; that we should demand that the administration engage immediately in high-level diplomatic negotiations.

By continuing to neglect this duty and engaging in the ongoing condemnation of Iran, without opening of diplomatic channels, what we're doing is systematically destroying every available route to restoring peace and security in the Middle East.

We know that Iran is guilty of belligerent statements. We need to look no further than the second in command, President Ahmadinejad, to recognize the escalation of rhetoric and escalation of provocation between Iran and other nations.

But we also need to look at what's happening in our own country, with the actions of our Vice President, to know that the U.S. Government hasn't been exactly clean on these matters. On March 7, 2006 in reference to Iran, Mr. Cheney stated: ``For our part, the United States is keeping all options on the table in addressing the irresponsible conduct of the regime, and we join other nations in sending that regime a clear message. We will not allow Iran to have nuclear weapons.''

Now when he said that, it's very clear and unambiguous what that means. When you say all options on the table, you mean a military attack included, including the use of nuclear weapons. This is widely understood to be what the context of that statement was.

So here we are talking about trying to take a direction in foreign policy that would protect this country, and at the same time, we're jeopardizing our very troops in Iraq by rattling the sabers of war against Iran.

And so I think you cannot look at these resolutions apart from the context of administration policy. The same sentiments regarding Iran are reiterated by the Vice President on February 24 at a press briefing in Australia where he said, ``I've also made the point, the President made the point, all options are still on the table.''

Now I think that we have to be careful that this House isn't really acting as a pawn of the administration or emulating irresponsible examples when it comes to our Nation's foreign policy.

Last week the administration announced plans to sell $20 billion worth of U.S. weapons to Saudi Arabia and five other Middle Eastern countries. Arms groups, as well as human rights groups, question this decision, as well they should. The distribution of more weapons in the region when the United States purports to desire peace in the Middle East is counterproductive and counterintuitive.

So we really have to look at this doctrine that we're operating under, and I think this Congress has to demand responsible foreign policy initiatives, whether it's in regard to the Middle East or any other part of the world.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 515) congratulating the Oregon State University Beavers baseball team for winning the 2007 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I College World Series.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for Members to have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

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

I want to congratulate the Oregon State University Beavers for their win in the 2007 National Collegiate Association Division I College World Series.

On June 24, 2007, Oregon State University captured its second baseball national championship in as many years by defeating the University of North Carolina Tar Heels two games to none in the best of three series. College baseball fans, student athletes, and the general public were treated to an exciting College World Series.

I want to extend my congratulations to the student athletes and coaches for attaining back-to-back national championships.

I want to extend my congratulations to the University of North Carolina Tar Heels and their student athletes for a great season. The Tar Heels had a season record of 57 wins and 16 losses, and they were Atlantic Coast Conference champions.

Winning back-to-back championships has brought national acclaim to Oregon State University's outstanding athletic program, and I know the fans of that university will remember this very special moment for many, many years to come.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to Congresswoman Darlene Hooley.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 511) congratulating the men's volleyball team of the University of California, Irvine, for winning the 2007 NCAA Division I Men's Volleyball National Championship.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for all Members to have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

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

I want to congratulate the University of California, Irvine, for winning the NCAA Division I Men's Volleyball National Championship.

On May 5, 2007, the University of California, Irvine, won the 2007 NCAA Division I National Championship by defeating Indiana-Purdue University, Fort Wayne, known as IPFW in Columbus, Ohio. I want to congratulate the student athletes and coaches on an excellent season. We all take great pride in these athletes.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2707) to reauthorize the Underground Railroad Educational and Cultural Program, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this important legislation that will reauthorize a competitive grant program administered by the Department of Education to research, display, interpret and collect artifacts relating to the history of the Underground Railroad.

During one of the darkest eras of American history, a group of courageous Americans, both black and white as well as free and enslaved, bound together to form what would be known as the Underground Railroad. For example, the Father of our Nation, George Washington, complained in 1786 about how one of his runaway slaves was helped by a society of Quakers formed for such purposes.

The Underground Railroad was a decentralized network of people who helped fugitive slaves escape to the North. The railroad consisted of many individuals who knew only of the local efforts to aid fugitives, and none of the overall operation. Amazingly, the railroad effectively moved hundreds of slaves northward each year. According to one estimate, the South lost 100,000 slaves between 1810 and 1850.

This racially integrated movement to bring about social change has familiar heroes, such as Harriet Tubman, John Rankin and Susan B. Anthony; but there are thousands more who risked their lives to help others escape the clutches of slavery as they fled to the North.

For the slave, escaping to the North was anything but easy. The first step was to escape from the slaveholder. For many slaves, this meant taking great risks while relying on his or her own resources. The fugitives would move at night and travel between 10 and 20 miles to the next station, where they would rest and eat, hiding in barns and other out-of-the-way places. The journey was difficult, but the determination to gain freedom was immense.

The Underground Railroad Educational and Cultural Program Act of 2007 would provide competitive grants to nonprofit organizations around the United States to shed light on one of the most important and courageous social movements in our history, while preserving and interpreting artifacts found from this critical era.

Moreover, this important legislation would ensure a strong public/ private partnership exists to supplement and leverage Federal resources along with funds collected at the State and local levels. Since 1999, over $15 million has been appropriated to seven different institutions. For example, in my home State of Ohio, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center has delivered highly interactive learning experiences for over 130,000 school children from around the country. This is an important effort to educate citizens across the country and around the world about the Underground Railroad movement in America.

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

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

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this bill, in large part because of its support for NASA. The Committee did an admirable job of finding money to keep NASA healthy and balanced in the face of a destructive budget request from the Administration.

Ultimately, inadequate funding puts at risk NASA's most valuable asset, its workers. It is the workers who have won the awards and have driven the incredible accomplishments the agency has amassed. When its world class work force gets a message from Congress or from the Administration that funding is not reliable, the workers often feel the need to leave the agency. When given the choice, no worker wants to worry about whether their job will be there next year. When employees leave, they not only take their award winning talent and intelligence, but their deep institutional knowledge. These losses are dents in NASA's armor that take years, if not decades, to repair.

That is why I am so glad to know that the committee has acted to protect NASA. This bill

prevents unnecessary layoffs, it funds Aeronautics and Exploration in order to fulfill the agency's mission, and it prevents the administration from moving large chunks of money around the agency against the will of Congress.

I am proud to represent the NASA Glenn Research Center in Brook Park, Ohio. Its economic impact is felt throughout the entire state. In FY04, the year for which we have the most recent data, the economic output of NASA Glenn alone was $1.2 billion per year. It was responsible for over 10,000 jobs and household earnings amounted to $568 million.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill and to protect NASA.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember Paul M. Wells, Sr. for a life dedicated to his family, country, faith, and fellow brothers and sisters. Paul passed away July 13, but the mark he left on the Cleveland community will endure.

Paul has always demonstrated a commitment to serving others. After completing his service to our country in the United States Army, Paul returned to Cleveland and started his career in public service, working for the City of Cleveland in the Division of Streets. As his career progressed, Paul sought more opportunities to serve. He became a union steward in an effort to improve working conditions and protect his fellow brothers and sisters. Paul eventually was elected Local 1099 President in 1971, a post he held for over 25 years. Over the course of his career, Paul spearheaded numerous efforts that led to historic gains for union workers.

Paul's faith guided him throughout his life. Paul is reunited in faith with his high school sweetheart, Nita Ruth Murray, to whom he was married for over 50 years. He is survived by his four children Pauletta; Constance; Paul, Jr.; and Eric, as well as seven grandchildren.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in remembering Paul M. Wells, Sr., for a life spent in service to his community. Paul seized every opportunity to improve the lives of others. May we all follow his example.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Saints Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Church, on the occasion of their 90th anniversary, and to celebrate their contributions to the Cleveland community.

Since its founding, Sts. Peter and Paul Church has been a cornerstone of the Cleveland community, faithful to the Biblical imperative of concern for neighbor. Despite all the changes that our community has endured, Sts. Peter and Paul Church has been a lynchpin of the community, strengthening the fibers that have made Cleveland one of the most culturally diverse cities in the Nation.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring Saints Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Church as they celebrate their 90th anniversary. May their faithful stewardship and service to the community endure for another 90 years.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of Sue Walters, loving mother, grandmother, community activist, and dear friend and mentor to many. Her passing marks a great loss for her family and friends, and also for our entire Cleveland community, whom she served with the highest level of commitment, concern, integrity and honor.

Mrs. Walters worked tirelessly in support of the democratic process. Her involvement in several local campaigns, including my own, infused a vital level of energy throughout the process, and inspired everyone around her. ``Susie,'' as she was affectionately known by friends and co-workers, reflected an exceptional sense of humor, and her consistently sunny outlook naturally drew others to her--elevating the spirits of all of us.

Madam Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and remembrance of Sue Walters, whose boundless love for life served as a source of inspiration and joy for everyone who knew her well. I extend my deepest condolences to her beloved husband, Thomas; her children, Michelle and Thomas; her grandchildren, Jill Marie and Anthony Thomas; and also to her extended family and many friends.

Mrs. Walter's immeasurable heart, sparkling personality and focus on social action has forever touched the lives of countless individuals, young and old, and her unbridled spirit and vital work will soar forever in the hearts of those who knew and loved her well, especially her family, friends and the people of Cleveland, Ohio.

Mr. Chairman, I regret that due to a sudden illness I missed rollcall vote No. 630 through vote no. 655. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall votes 630, 631, 632, 633, and 634. I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall votes 635, 636, 637, 638, 639, 640, 641, 642, 643, 644, 645, 646, 647, 648, 649, 650, 651, 652, 653, 654, and 655.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Polish American Congress, Ohio Division, for their many years of service to the Polish-American community in the great State of Ohio.

The Polish American Congress, since its founding in 1944, has been a symbol of the strong relationship between the United States and Poland, and a testament to the contributions of the rich Polish culture.

For many years the Polish American Congress has worked to unite and to support Americans of Polish origin in the United States, regardless of political, religious, or other affiliation. This great organization provides all Polish groups of Ohio the opportunity to express pride and celebrate their heritage and culture through educational, artistic and cultural events.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the Polish American Congress, Ohio Division, for their continuing support of the Polish American people in Ohio, and for their important efforts in helping people to connect to their heritage.