Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise in commemoration of the International Children's Games being held in Cleveland this year. I also recognize the Games' founder, Professor Metod Klemenc of Celje Slovenia, who will be honored at the Slovenian Cultural Gardens in a ceremony to open up this year's Games.

I cannot think of a more appropriate person to honor in conjunction with the Games than Professor Klemenc, nor a better place to recognize the International Children's Games and Professor Klemenc than at the Slovenian Cultural Garden in Cleveland.

Metod Klemenc organized the first International Children's Games on June 5, 1968, in Celje. Born in Ljubljana, Slovakia, 70 years ago, Professor Klemenc is the spiritual father of these Games whose simple goal was bringing school age children from different nations to better understand one another. A Slovenian sports instructor, Professor Klemenc explained: ``My childhood suffered from the 2nd World War. It destroyed my family. Since I--within my possibilities--wanted to create a better world based on friendship, sports seemed to be one of the best means to bring together young people from different countries. Therefore you need willpower and friends who are enthusiastic about sports, and who are willing to give up their spare time.''

The Cleveland Cultural Gardens consist of 23 individual gardens, including the Slovenian Garden. The Gardens are an important part of the Cleveland's history, reflecting the ethnicities and cultures that were instrumental in the city's development. The symbolic meaning of the gardens is that people of diverse backgrounds, lifestyles, traditions, and religions can exist side by side in peace and harmony with the freedom to exercise their beliefs and cultures. Built in the 1920s and 1930s, these gardens stood for the unity among all people of all nations, and to this day remain a unique embodiment of that purpose.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, it is appropriate to open up the International Children's Games in Cleveland at a place in Cleveland that stands for international brotherhood and peace. And among these gardens, it is my pleasure to recognize the role Slovenians have played in building Cleveland, the Cleveland Cultural Gardens, and the International Children's Games. I ask you to join me in honoring Professor Klemenc, the founder of the International Children's Games.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Agnes Fronckowiak of Slavic Village, as she gathers with family and friends to commemorate her September 4th birthday, 90 years young, and as lively as ever.

With family central to her life, Mrs. Fronckowiak and her late husband, Casimir, raised 4 children, and taught them the significance of family, faith and giving back to the community. Today, these close family ties continue on with each new generation, as Mrs. Fronckowiak is blessed with grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Beyond caring for her family, Mrs. Fronckowiak has been an involved member of the community, and continues to dedicate her time and talents in service to others, efforts which are reflected throughout Slavic Village. She was a long-time member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parent Teacher Union and held the position of President of the St. Stan's Golden Agers for nearly 25 years. As an active member of the Golden Agers, Mrs. Fronckowiak plans and organizes senior trips and events. Her energy, agility and joy for living serve as a significant example that life's possibilities and joys abound for each of us, regardless of our age.

Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor of Mrs. Agnes Fronckowiak, as we gather together to celebrate her 90th birthday. Mrs. Fronckowiak continues to be an inspiration to everyone in her life-- especially to her family and friends. Her loyalty, friendship, convictions, boundless energy, and good works are invaluable gifts that she gives freely, and her dedication has uplifted the neighborhoods, churches and schools of Slavic Village. We wish her many blessings of continued health and happiness today, and all days to follow.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor and recognition of the 2004 International Children's Games, being held for the first time in the United States, in Cleveland, Ohio. I also honor and recognize the Games' founder, Professor Metod Klemenc of Celje Slovenia, who organized the first Children's Games on June 5, 1968.

Professor Klemenc, a peacemaker and visionary, has created a haven of international exchange for the children of the world--a bridge of unity, spanning oceans and mountains, that offers safe passage to children of distant places and distant cultures. His dream springs into motion every year, inspired by competition, sport and games. The International Children's Games gives these child athletes a deeper understanding of children and cultures from faraway lands, and illuminates a simple truth: that our singular hope, humanity, and dreams as children, and as nations, live within all of us.

The International Children's Games, endorsed by the International Olympic Committee, is the only worldwide, athletic event for youth that connects sports with cultural exchanges, educational programs and economic development. Three thousand young athletes will unite with teammates and coaches from across the globe, representing their cities as ambassadors of cultural exchange and good will. I am honored to welcome all the participants, volunteers and organizers of the International Children's Games to Cleveland, Ohio. The blend of cultures that has enriched the City of Cleveland mirrors the diversity of the

athletes that have journeyed here to learn, play, and carry these wonderful memories back to their communities across the seas.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me to honor, acknowledge and welcome everyone associated with the International Children's Games, especially the young athletes. Embracing the hope and vision of the Games' founder, Professor Metod Klemenc, these Games exist to promote the spirit of friendly competition, teamwork, dialogue and interaction between children all over the world. Let the day begin--let the games start.

Mr. Speaker, the U.S.-Morocco free trade agreement is bad for America.

The agreement prohibits the importation of lower cost pharmaceuticals, and delays the availability of lower cost generic drugs by creating new patent-like protections for drug regulatory data. Together, these measures will maintain high prescription drug prices in the U.S.

The agreement contains a side letter permitting Morocco to ignore enforcement of its labor laws with no penalty whatsoever. Under this loophole, American employers and workers under U.S. labor law could be at a disadvantage if actual conditions in Morocco are so lax as to create a much cheaper business environment.

The agreement prohibits the preferences for government contracts to be given for: employing U.S. workers, using recycled materials, paying prevailing or living wages. Furthermore, no criminal record of tax evasion, endangering the lives of workers, or pollution can disqualify a company for a government contract.

These flaws are not necessary for trade between nations. They are, however, elements in an anti-consumer, anti-worker, anti-environment and anti-democratic agenda. For these reasons, I oppose the U.S.- Morocco free trade agreement.

Mr. Speaker, continuing along with the concerns that the gentleman from Minnesota expressed, I have another matter to bring to the Members' attention that perhaps both the Chair and our ranking member with their experience can be of assistance. I am here to ask for help in remedying a situation on the Great Lakes that I have just been made aware of.

I received a letter today, as a matter of fact, from the Port of Cleveland raising serious concerns with a marine pilotage shortage that is causing shipping delays on the Great Lakes. Federal law and Coast Guard regulations require all ocean-going commercial ships to employ a marine pilot on board when navigating the Great Lakes. For reasons unknown, one of the pilotage associations has had trouble fulfilling its mission. This is beginning to create shipping delays. Since the beginning of this year, according to a study that has been provided to me, there have been over 582 hours of shipping delays according to the American Great Lakes Port Association and the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. A French cruise ship company has already ceased operations in the Great Lakes and other shipping companies are rumored to be wary of continued operations in the Great Lakes.

While I fully realize the Coast Guard must place a priority on safety and lifesaving, the Coast Guard can stop these delays. Since the Coast Guard regulates the pilot associations, I believe the Coast Guard must ensure that shipping delays are avoided when reasonably possible.

I ask the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), and the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) to work with me to explore this issue and to make sure that the Coast Guard is taking all necessary steps to avoid unnecessary shipping delays without impacting safety. To make this easier, I have provided both the chairman and the ranking member a list of delays and several letters of correspondence between the interested parties.

I yield to the gentleman from Alaska.

I yield to the gentleman from Minnesota.

I want to thank the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. LoBiondo), and the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) for their attention to this. The Port of Cleveland is essential to the economy of our region in northeastern Ohio. Their knowledge and cooperation is much appreciated here.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 4759, the United States-Australia Free Trade Agreement, and I wish to draw members' attention to Australia's unauthorized oil drilling for resources in the Timor Sea, at the expense of the world's poorest and newest nation, East Timor.

East Timor gained independence in 1999, and since then, has received a great amount of aid from the international community. Australia has been one of the more generous nations. East Timor is still one of the most impoverished nations in Asia however, and despite its modest government budget, it will accrue an estimated deficit of US $126.3 by 2007. This deficit cannot be good for East Timor.

Close off the coast of East Timor lies many rich oil and gas fields. But East Timor does not stand to profit. Instead, Australia claims sovereignty over the fields and is only half-heartedly negotiating with East Timor to arrive at an equitable sharing of the oil. In 2007, East Timor is expected to start collecting a small amount of revenue from just some of rich oil and natural gas resources that exist in the Timor Sea, just off the coast of East Timor. East Timor's rightful claim is protected by international law, the 1982 UN Convention of the Law of the Sea, which specifically says that the maritime boundary between two countries exists halfway between the countries. Despite this law, Australia has laid claim to the resources, citing an illegitimate treaty with Indonesia from 1972 that delimited Australia's maritime boundary as the continental shelf line, which exists much closer to East Timor than Australia. At the time the treaty was signed, East Timor was occupied by Indonesia. East Timor gained independence in 1999 thereby invalidating the treaty between Indonesia and Australia.

Between 1999 and 2002, Australia made $638 million from the Laminaria-Corallina oil fields, even though these fields are twice as close to East Timor than Australia. By 2007, Australia is expected to make $1.266 billion from these fields.

The Laminaria-Corallina oil fields are just some of the many rich resources that exist in the Timor Sea. The Greater Sunrise fields, located 150 km south of East Timor, and 400 km north of Australia, although not yet tapped, are expected to bring in over $30 billion. Certainly East Timor's economic future could improve considerably with these resources included in its territory.

Australia has proposed a Joint Petroleum Development Area, an area covering 40 percent of the energy fields in the Timor Sea, and specifically the Bayu-Undan field. In this Area, East Timor would receive 90 percent of the oil production, estimated by the Australian government to be valued at $300 million. The success of this production, however, is yet to be determined, as the resources will not bring in revenue until 2007. But as for the much richer Greater Sunrise field, expected to yield $30 billion, Australia claims the right to over 80 percent.

Australia claims to be negotiating with East Timor about their much needed maritime boundary in ``good faith.'' Yet it took over a year of pleading by the East Timorese government in order for the Australian government to finally concede to the negotiation process, and they only conceded to meet twice per year. East Timor has requested that the maritime boundary be determined within 3-5 years, a reasonable amount of time for settling this type of dispute, yet Australia has refused, claiming this dispute is much too complicated for a time limit to be set. In the meantime, Australia only benefits from time passing, as it continues to drill in the Laminaria-Corallina oil fields and has taken initial steps to guarantee drilling in the Greater Sunrise fields. It has been suggested to the Australian government that revenue from the resources extracted in the disputed area be held in escrow until the maritime border is determined between East Timor and Australia. Once again, the Australian government has refused, displaying ``bad faith'' in the negotiating process.

Australia is a strong and wealthy country, certainly the stronghold of the region. East Timor has very little, and any leverage it may have in negotiating with Australia over its rightful claim to the resources in the Timor Sea lies completely in its moral claim. I urge my colleagues to support the efforts of the world's newest independent state.

Mr. Speaker, rise today in honor of the Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center's presentation of the 36th Annual Puerto Rican Parade and Latino Festival, in honor and memory of Roberto Ocasio, held July 16 through July 18, 2004 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Once again, the leaders of our Puerto Rican community have organized an event that promises to highlight the magnificent history and culture of Puerto Rico. This wonderful production of Puerto Rican gifts will include traditional culinary offerings, arts, crafts, and dance and song. Clevelanders of all ages and of every ethnic background will gather in downtown Cleveland to share in the celebration of this joyous event.

Moreover, the 2004 Puerto Rican Parade and Latino Festival is dedicated in honor and remembrance of Roberto Ocasio. His musical genius paralleled his love for his family and community, and his generous heart and gift of song will forever be remembered by Cleveland's Hispanic community--and far beyond.

Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and celebration of the leaders, members and participants of the 36th Annual Puerto Rican Parade and Latino Festival. This wondrous summer celebration promises to create a bridge of celebration from Puerto Rico to Cleveland for all whom attend. The history and culture of the beloved island of Puerto Rico springs to life every summer as the sounds and sights of Puerto Rico rise in hope, joy and celebration in downtown Cleveland, enriching the diverse fabric of our entire Cleveland community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of the leaders and members of St. Mary Romanian Orthodox Cathedral of Cleveland, Ohio, as they celebrate one hundred years of faith, guidance and support, offered to generations of citizens within our Cleveland community.

St. Mary Romanian Orthodox Church of Cleveland is the first and oldest Romanian Orthodox church in the United States. The centennial celebration, to be held over the August 14th weekend, will be led by American Archbishop Nathanial and assisted by clergy from across the country and around the world.

This historic cathedral has been the focal point of visiting dignitaries from Romania and other European countries, and has also been the site of official visits from United States senators and ambassadors representing nations from around the world. Moreover, this sacred landmark is home to the Romanian Art Museum--a cultural haven for Romanian visual art, including the unique art form of iconography.

Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition of every leader and member of St. Mary Romanian Orthodox Cathedral of Cleveland, Ohio, as they celebrate one hundred years of fostering faith, hope and heritage for generations of families within our Cleveland community. We also honor the collective commitment to the culture, history, struggles and triumphs of the people of Romania. Moreover, we honor and recognize the commitment to America, as reflected in the lives of thousands of Americans of Romanian heritage-- Americans whose contribution and service to our Cleveland community and to our nation are immeasurable.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for giving me an opportunity to talk about the Stock Option Accounting Reform Act.

This is Alice in Wonderland. The notion that the legislation could be labeled with such a title originates in a statement by Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway.

Why does the second richest man in America oppose a bill that could conceivably make his company look more profitable? It is because the bill only makes the profit look better on paper, while the real bottom line does not change.

The bill perpetuates an accounting gimmick that has harmed far too many investors. Think Enron.

The bill's suggested method for valuing options could grossly underestimate their true value and provide an inflated view of a company's profits. That is misleading to investors who have a right to accurate information.

Take Intel as an example. If this bill were law, Intel would be able to overstate their profits by $991 million. If every company can overstate profits, as this bill allows, then no investor will have accurate information and our markets will be neither efficient nor truly free.

I ask my colleagues to vote against H.R. 3574. It is a misleading and irresponsible bill, and we ought to be here protecting small investors, and that ought to be a goal of the United States Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of United States Army Sergeant Joseph Martin Garmback, Jr., who courageously and selflessly answered the call to duty and made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our country.

Family, friends and service to others defined Sergeant Garmback's life. A gentle and kind soul, Sergeant Garmback lived his life with great joy, energy and compassion. He easily forged lasting friendships and was quick with a smile, kind word, or helping hand. He held a special place in his heart for our elderly--especially his grandmothers.

Aside from his tireless focus on work and service to country, Sergeant Garmback's family and friends were central to his life. He was a wonderful and cherished son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, and grandson. He gained personal strength and faith from those who knew him best and loved him most--his mother, Marylon Garmback; father, Joseph Garmback, Sr.; his sisters, Susan, Arlene and Christine; his grandparents, Orville and Myrtle Guinn and the late Dorothy Videc and Frank Garmback; his brothers-in-law, Luke and Robert; his nieces Gabrielle, Jacqueline, Denise, and Madeline; his nephews Shane and Ethan; and his cherished friend, Christiane Blass.

Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and remembrance of Sergeant Joseph Martin Garmback, Jr., whose honor, commitment and compassion for others will be remembered always. I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Sergeant Garmback. The significant sacrifice, service, and bravery that characterized the life of Sergeant Joseph Martin Garmback, Jr. will forever be honored and remembered by our Cleveland community and our entire Nation.

The bonds of love created in life by Sergeant Garmback will live forever within the hearts of his family and friends, and he will never be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, Victor G. Reuther was born January 1, 1912, in Wheeling, West Virginia, where his father, Valentine, was well known as President of the Ohio Valley Trades and Labor Assembly and as an active churchman. Victor was educated in the secondary schools of that state, and along with his brothers, by their father as well. The strong religious influence of Victor's early family life is revealed throughout his life in his continuing interest and activity in relating core ethical values to the broad field of social and economic life. Victor studied economics and sociology at the West Virginia University and at Wayne State University. Years later he was awarded the degree of Honorary Doctor of Laws by both of those universities.

In 1932 Victor joined his brothers Walter and Roy in Detroit for work in the auto industry. Between 1932 and 1935, Victor and his brother Walter, both unemployed, used their meager savings to travel and work their way around the world. They traveled by bicycle through Europe and Asia, lodging with farm families and at hostels, and visited relatives in Germany. They witnessed the beginning of the Nazi government in Germany and the growth of Stalin's despotism in Soviet Russia, where they worked at the Gorky auto factory. Those observations and firsthand experience led them to become strong, pro-democratic leaders for freedom and social justice. On return to the United States, Victor went to work on the assembly line of the Kelsey-Hayes Wheel Company in Detroit where he plunged into the struggle to organize the automobile workers in Michigan and Indiana.

In a break from organizational drives, Victor Reuther and Sophie Goodlavich were married on July 17, 1936, on the campus of the Brookwood Labor College--a rich marriage of shared labor, love, family, friends, and a common commitment to social justice of 60 years.

A member of UAW Local 174, Victor was a strike leader during UAW campaigns in Flint and Detroit. He first came to public attention through his role in the sit-down strike in the winter of 1936-1937 against General Motors in Flint where his voice from the sound truck rallied the strikers and the women who supported them. UAW success in that strike played a key role in establishing the right of workers to bargain with auto industry employers. From that time forward he was closely identified with the dynamic growth of industrial unionism, not only in the automobile industry, but throughout America's basic industries organized by the CIO.

With the onset of World War II, Victor served as Assistant Director of the UAW-CIO War Policy Division, a department created by the UAW-CIO to facilitate speedy and orderly conversion and mobilization of the nation's urgent defense production. In the spring of 1946, Victor Reuther was appointed Director of Education for the UAW. In this role he led a fundamental approach in the development and consolidation of pro-democratic forces in the UAW. In the years following World War II, Victor assisted in the location of trade unionists and social democrats throughout Europe who had escaped Nazi persecution, bringing them to the attention of Allied occupation forces in the search for leadership in the re-establishment of civil democratic government. He also represented the CIO on the Trade Union Advisory Committee in the conduct of the European Recovery Program--the Marshall Plan.

On May 24, 1949, in an attack identical to that against his brother Walter, Victor was shot by an unknown assailant while reading the evening paper in his living room. He suffered very serious injuries including the loss of his right eye.

Victor Reuther served as European Representative of the CIO, with headquarters in Paris, France, from January 1951 through 1953. His work led to a greatly expanded program of assistance to the free European labor movement. Representing the CIO, he implemented the program of trade union aid for the democratic European unions. Awards bestowed by the governments of Germany and Sweden, noted below, reflect the multiple contributions of Victor Reuther in international leadership and accomplishments in freedom, democracy, and social justice.

With their return to the United States in 1954, the Victor Reuther family made their home in Washington, DC--the family home for the next 50 years. That home not only served the family, but it served as a most hospitable refuge for friends, the extended family, trade union colleagues, social activists and international visitors for all those years.

On his return from Europe, Victor served as Assistant to the President of the National CIO and Director of the CIO's Department for International Affairs. Following the AFL-CIO merger, he served as Administrative Assistant to the President of the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW), and as Director, UAW Department of International Affairs. His contributions to international social development programs extended to Asia, Africa, and Latin America as well as in the United States. He worked intensively in India, South Vietnam, Israel and the Mediterranean countries for the purpose of initiating programs designed to deal with food deficits, the need for democratic leadership and skilled manpower requirements. One of these undertakings was the joint effort of the UAW with the Peace Corps under which the union participated in a mechanical training program in the African Republics of Guinea and Gambia and in Bolivia.

Victor Reuther retired from his formal responsibilities in the UAW in 1972, but he always remained a committed member of that union he loved. Throughout the following 28 years he continued to direct his heart, his mind and his voice in advocacy of democratic trade unionism, social justice, and understanding among all people. In his initial years of retirement he researched and wrote The Brothers Reuther, and the Story of the UAW, A Memoir, a history of family and of the UAW.

In the early 1980s, with the strong encouragement of his wife, Sophie, Victor returned attention to ongoing trade union issues. Joining with other activists he gave active support to the Association for Union Democracy and to Teamsters for a Democratic Union, which won major changes in unions. He maintained close fraternal contact with the Canadian Auto

Workers after they separated from the UAW, and he supported and became an active leader of the New Directions Movement within the UAW. In those endeavors, Victor Reuther drew on his passionate advocacy for the role of rank and file membership in democratic trade unionism. He understood well the pressures on trade union leadership and the critical role of the rank and file throughout organized labor.

Victor Reuther was active in the political life of the United States in many ways complementary to his goals in labor. He served in presidential appointments, in leadership in a wide array of political and social justice organizations, including support of the full scope of civil rights as we have come to understand those goals in social justice.

In the mid-1990s Victor again undertook a task in personal and historical research to write a second book, Commitment and Betrayal, Foreigners at the Gorky Auto Works, the story of the tragedy that befell foreign workers of Gorky under the Stalinist Soviet Union, English language publication pending.

In his 90th year, Victor chose to move to a retirement residence in Georgetown, a move that launched a reawakening of his well honed leadership skills. Responding to fellow residents, Victor agreed to lead a weekly discussion of current international affairs, and for nearly 2 years, that discussion group of 20 to 30 octogenarians deliberated every Thursday afternoon on the core international issues of the day.

In his 92nd year, on March 30, 2004, Victor Reuther accepted the ``Lifetime Achievement Award'' of Progressive Maryland before a cheering audience of 600 political activists. In his acceptance remarks--which became his last public remarks--Victor complimented the gathered members of Progressive Maryland on their commitment to the same goals in support of working people he advocated throughout his life. He then concluded with a charge to that audience of 600 political activists: ``Don't forget your love of and commitment to family.'' That perspective brings Victor and the Reuther family full circle to the nurturing environment of their parents, Valentine and Anna Reuther, a blessing for which we are eternally grateful.

Victor G. Reuther died on June 3, 2004. He was pre-deceased by his wife, Sophie, and his daughter Carole L. Hill. He is survived by his sister, Christine Richey, his sons Eric V. Reuther and John S. Reuther, and seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Awards and Honors

1972--Social Justice Award of the UAW; 1972--Cross of the Order of Merit, highest award of the Federal Republic of Germany Honorary Doctor of Laws, Wayne State University; 1979--Order of the First of May, Venezuela's highest trade union honor; 2002--Knight of the Polar Star, Sweden's highest civilian award; 2002--Honorary Doctor of Laws, West Virginia University.

Mr. Speaker, it is important whenever we talk about trade that we realize that the United States has a massive trade deficit of over $500 billion; and while the gentleman has been repeatedly citing the benefits to various States, my own State has lost 200,000 jobs during this administration. The United States, since the year 2000, has lost 3 million manufacturing jobs. So tell us about your free trade policies.

If this legislation were only about trade, I could spend the rest of the time demolishing the arguments that have been offered here about the advantages that this trade agreement offers, but there is something that we need to focus on. Like most things around this Chamber, what you see is not what you get.

The restriction on amendments imposed by Fast Track prevents Members of Congress from eliminating an extremely harmful precedent against lower cost pharmaceutical drugs set in the U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement. So my colleagues may think we are just voting about free trade here, but we are also voting on the issue of drug reimportation, because we cannot amend the trade agreement.

The administration was able to lay the groundwork, in the words of the trade representative, for thwarting the reimportation of lower-cost pharmaceuticals. That is because the U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement codifies current U.S. law which the administration has made sure prohibits drug reimportation.

So to all those people around the country who are wondering why can we not get lower price pharmaceuticals, this legislation is one of the ways in which they are going to ensure it will not happen. This is an element in the pharmaceutical industry's lobbying effort to keep prices high in the United States, and the administration has delivered for the industry at the cost of selling out Americans.

We can predict with 100 percent certainty that the Australia trade agreement's prohibition on drug reimportation will be replicated in subsequent trade agreements and that it will have the effect of making it impossible for the United States to change U.S. law because the trade agreements will threaten the U.S. with trade sanctions if Congress does allow drug reimportation.

This offense is so great and so threatening that this bill must be defeated. We must protect the ability to have drug reimportation.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. Chairman, I would ask the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Bonilla) to enter into a colloquy.

On January 7, 2004, the National Academies of Sciences released a report, ``Biological Confinement of Genetically Engineered Organisms.'' The study focused on biological methods for confining transgenic crop plants, grasses, trees, fish, shell fish, and insects. The study provides an evaluation of current scientific understanding of various methods, advantages of each method, reasons why methods fail, possibilities for minimization and mitigation of those failures, feasibility of large scale screening for failures, and ecological consequences of wide-spread use of these biological confinement methods.

On February 23, 2004, the Union of Concerned Scientists released a pilot

study, ``Gone to Seed: Transgenic Contaminants in the Traditional Seed Supply,'' which found genetically injured DNA is contaminating traditional seeds of three major U.S. crops: corn, soy beans, and canola. Seed contamination if left unchecked could disrupt agricultural trade, unfairly burden the organic industry, and allow hazardous materials into the food supply. These results show that confinement of existing transgenic crops has failed and make the National Academies of Sciences report critical.

In response, 15 Members of Congress, including me, sent a letter to the Secretary of Agriculture, Ann Veneman, on April 2, 2004, seeking a response by the USDA to the UCS pilot study. The letter raised several concerns, including the potential elimination of traditional, nongenetically engineered seeds, the threat to organic farming, and the potential contamination of food by pharmaceutical and industrial crops.

On June 23, 2004, the Under Secretary of Research, Education and Economics, Joseph Jen, in a letter agreed with the conclusion of the UCS report that contamination has occurred and even went further to say that it was not unexpected. Moreover, he further stated that ``testing larger sample sizes in other crops would likely yield much the same results: transgene DNA occurs in seed lots of 'nontransgenic' varieties at a frequency within accepted commercial tolerances.'' Essentially, the USDA admits that contamination is occurring.

In light of the USDA agreement that contamination is ongoing, I would like to work with the chairman and ranking member to take action necessary to minimize the contamination of nongenetically engineered seeds, protect organic farm production, and prevent contamination of the food supply by pharmaceutical and industrial crops.

I yield to the gentleman from Texas.

I thank the gentleman very much.

Amendment Offered by Mr. Weiner

Mr. Chairman, 9/11 was a great tragedy. An even greater tragedy is the destruction of our Bill of Rights.

The PATRIOT Act gives the government the right to search library reading lists. Our government should not care what people are reading; it should care that our people can read. Fear passed the PATRIOT Act, and fear will destroy our democracy.

When Francis Scott Key wrote that ``Star Spangled Banner,'' he raised a question: Does that star spangled banner yet wave, over the land of the free and the home of the brave? He made the connection between freedom and bravery, between courage and democracy.

This is a time for America to have courage. Courage, America. Freedom, America. Liberty, America. Support the Sanders amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Flake- Davis-Emerson-Delahunt amendment to the Commerce, State & Justice Appropriations bill. This bipartisan amendment would de-fund Commerce Department enforcement of its new anti-family regulations. These regulations set greater limitations on gift parcels that Cuban- Americans are allowed to send to their family members. Gift parcels are no longer allowed to contain such humanitarian aid items as clothing, seeds, personal hygiene items, veterinary medicines and supplies, fishing equipment and supplies, and soap-making equipment. Additionally, this regulation limits the delivery of gift parcels to Cuba to once per month per household, instead of once per month per individual recipient. The gift parcels can only be sent to the immediate family of a donor: grandparents, grandchildren, parents, siblings, spouses or children. All cousins, uncles, aunts, nieces, or nephews, or in-laws are excluded.

According to the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba, appointed by President Bush, gift parcels ``decrease the burden of the Castro regime to provide for the basic needs of its people'' which therefore allows the regime to ``dedicate more of its limited resources to strengthening its repressive apparatus.'' This is ludicrous. The reality is that there are many Cubans living in poverty whose only way of getting necessary living materails--soap, clothes, sustenance supplies--is through gift parcels from their relatives residing in the United States.

This regulation is a human rights travesty; it directly hurts Cuban people and their concerned Cuban-American relatives. Family ties stretch across borders, despite foreign policy mandates, and denying family members from sending aid to their relatives does not only show complete disregard to the value of human rights, but also to the value of the family institution. Support the Flake-Davis-Emerson-Delahunt amendment to de-fund Commerce Department enforcement of its anti-family regulations.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the food services workers of the Longworth, Rayburn, and Cannon House Office buildings, I submit for the record a letter signed by thirty-eight Members of Congress to Guest Service Inc. CEO/President Gerald T. Gabrys denouncing his decision to have his workers pay his company a day of wages on The National Day of Mourning.

The men and women who serve Members of Congress, staff, and the public each day in the House cafeterias are some of the most dedicated, hard working, and patriotic workers in our nation. They spend hours on their feet each day, ensuring that the House functions smoothly. Their characteristic smiles are a testament to the professionalism with which they go about their jobs.

But while the House food service workers have served Members of Congress for years--often without recognition--it has become time for Members of Congress to serve them. The rest of nation set aside June 11, 2004 to honor and pay solemn tribute to former President Reagan, but Guest Services Inc. (GSI) used the National Day of Mourning as a unique opportunity to extract compensation from its workforce.

Indeed, as federal employees across the nation were granted a one-day paid ``holiday'' on the National Day of Mourning, Guest Services employees were barred from reporting to work and required to expend a vacation or sick day to be paid for this previously scheduled day of employment. As a government contractor, GSI knew that Congress or the President could close the government at any time. This is a business risk inherent in GSI's relationship with the government. GSI passed the cost along to its employees.

The thirty-eight Members of Congress who signed this letter believe that decision was wrong. We have called upon GSI to pay its workers for the National Day of Mourning and return any vacation or sick time used as a result of their policy.

The House food service workers should be commended--not punished--for their admirable service to the federal government and our nation.

Congress of the United States,

Washington, DC, June 25, 2004.

Mr. Gerald T. Gabrys,

President/CEO, Guest Services Inc.,

Fairfax, VA

Dear Mr. Gabrys: We write to express our concern and

disappointment regarding the decision by Guest Services Inc.

(GSI) not to pay its food service workers on June 11, 2004,

The National Day of Mourning.

As you know, all executive departments, independent

establishments, and other governmental agencies were closed

on June 11th

so that our nation could honor and formally pay its respects

to the late former President Ronald Reagan.

While federal employees across the nation were granted a

one-day paid ``holiday'' for this purpose, non-salaried Guest

Services employees in the Longworth, Rayburn, and Cannon

House Office Buildings were summarily barred from reporting

to work, and GSI announced they would not be paid for this

previously scheduled day of employment. Instead, GSI

employees were told that they would be required to utilize an

accrued vacation or sick day.

What GSI has done is to compel its employees to effectively

pay GSI one day of wages for the National Day of Mourning.

This is extraordinary. As a government contractor, GSI must

have been aware of the possibility that Congress or the

President could designate a one-day National Holiday shutting

down the federal government at any time. But while the rest

of the nation set aside June 11th to honor and pay solemn

tribute to former President Reagan, GSI appears to have used

the National Day of Mourning as a unique opportunity to

extract compensation from its workforce in retaliation for a

cost inherent in GSI's relationship with the government.

We do not believe this was appropriate or within the spirit

of this historically important day. We request that you both

pay your workers for the day of June 11th and return any

vacation or sick leave utilized by employees in response to

your policy. Your employees should be commended--not

punished--for their hard work and dedication in service to

the federal government and our nation.

We look forward to your prompt response to this request.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.

Sincerely

Dennis J. Kucinich; Max Sandlin; Gary L. Ackerman; Jim

Cooper; Ellen O. Tauscher, Stephanie Tubbs Jones; Jim

McDermott; Karen McCarthy; Jose E. Serrano; Gregory W. Meeks;

Brad Sherman; Barbara Lee; Bernard Sanders; Sam Farr; Albert

Russell Wynn; Lois Capps; Betty McCollum; George Miller;

William D. Delahunt; Diane E. Watson; Patrick J. Kennedy;

Tammy Baldwin; Mark Udall; Neil Abercrombie; Sheila Jackson-

Lee; Jay Inslee; Fortney Pete Stark; Major R. Owens; Sherrod

Brown; Brian Baird; Michael E. Capuano; Jerrold Nadler; Tom

Udall; Rosa L. DeLauro; Raul M. Grijalva; Eddie Bernice

Johnson; Michael M. Honda; and Chris Van Hollen.