Floor Statements

I want to thank my friend, Mr. Sablan, and the Members for pursuing this important legislation. I rise on behalf of not just myself but of a now departed World War II combat veteran by the name of Frank J. Kucinich, Sr. He was proud to serve this country. He served in the Pacific theater. But all veterans come together to pay respect not only to those who served but to a President who on June 6, 1944, as the Nation was preparing for that D-day invasion, said the following, ``With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogances. Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister nations, into a world unity that will spell a sure peace--a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all of men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil. Thy will be done, Almighty God. Amen.''

Those words by President Franklin Roosevelt, upon the occasion of D- day, June 6, 1944, should not only be inscribed--as my friend in his work will make sure of it, with the consent of this Congress--on a plaque for a suitable presence in the memorial, but should also be reflected upon on a daily basis to remind us of the sacrifices that people have made for this country and to remind us that the ultimate objective of those sacrifices is peace, peace within our Nation and peace among people around the world.

And so it is in that spirit of human unity and in recognition of the importance of this legislation that I ask all of our colleagues to join with us in approving it.

I agree with Representative Capps in that we shouldn't wait. We have to move quickly to eliminate any uncertainty that American families have in planning their budget or any uncertainty that they may have as to whether or not they're going to get unemployment benefits.

We in this Congress have certainty in much of our lives, especially with the fact that we get paid every month. But if you are out there and you have a really tight budget or you are unemployed or you are a senior trying to make sure you can go to your doctor of choice, this motion that the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps) has is very important because we need to recognize that the middle class has been under enormous financial stress. With the wealth of the country accelerating upward, middle class people have been looking for a break.

If I'm right, this legislation will provide up to $1,000 for the year for a middle class family, which would be a great break for many families. This middle class tax break is imperative. Unemployment benefits for those who have not been able, despite their best efforts, to find a place in the job market are absolutely essential. There are 13 million people who are unemployed. There are a tremendous number of unemployed people in my own State of Ohio. They are looking to see, are we going to help them eliminate the uncertainty? That is why the Capps amendment is important, because we move forward quickly to show them, we are there for you. And the senior citizens, they want to make sure they can get their doctors of choice, and doctors want to make sure they are going to paid what is appropriate.

So I rise to support this amendment. Let's remember the middle class taxpayers. Let's remember those who are unemployed. Let's remember seniors who want to see the doctor of their choice. Let's remember doctors who want to get paid a fair amount. And let's pass this Capps amendment.

I thank the gentleman from Oregon for yielding.

On its surface, the resolution seems to make sense about making sure we pass a budget, and that's of national importance. I think that all of us who

are here understand the underlying politics that have made it very difficult to bring a budget forward.

Of course, budgets are all about priorities, what are our Nation's priorities. When we get to the point of passing a budget, here's what we ought to be telling the American people: that the middle class will be protected; that the social safety net will be protected; that Social Security will be protected; that benefits will not be cut; that the cap will be lifted; that there will be no privatization; that Medicare will be protected; that there will be a fix so that doctors can get a fair shake; that we'll do something about Medicare Part D, which blew a hole in the Medicare budget; that we'll begin to cut back our military presence around the world, and that we start to take down this military industrial complex that General Eisenhower warned about so many years ago; that we'll begin investing in new technologies so that we can grow the economy of the future.

Budgets are about priorities. And while we still debate whether or not we're going to pass a budget, we need to set those priorities that will enable America, when it finally has a budget, to move forward into the future with a country that's going to be serving everyone, not just a few at the expense of the many.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Mr. Joe DeCaro, an iconic produce vendor at Cleveland's West Side Market for almost 80 years.

Joe's parents, Italian immigrants, opened the DeCaro vegetable stand at Cleveland's West Side Market in 1934. Joe began working at the produce stand at the age of seven with his siblings. Throughout college at The Ohio State University, he would come home to work the stand on weekends. The only period of time in which Joe did not work at the DeCaro stand was during his service in World War II.

For seventy-seven years Joe has been a fixture at the West Side Market, taking the stand over when his parents passed away. He has run the stand by his motto, which is mounted above his produce: ``Good food is not cheap and cheap food is not good.''

Today, Joe is the patriarch of a large and close-knit DeCaro family. He is married to his wife Rhea, and together they raised nine children. Joe is also the proud grandfather of 23 and great-grandfather to 14 children.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring Mr. Joe DeCaro, one of the West Side Market's most iconic produce vendors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 102nd birthday of Captain Harry Anderson who celebrated his birthday on October 5, 2011.

Captain Anderson was born in Sweden on October 5, 1909. He emigrated to the United States at the age of ten in 1919. He had a passion for the sea at an early age and served as a Second Mate with the United States Merchant Marines during World War II. He eventually became a Captain with the Cleveland Cliffs in 1963 where he was Master of the Cliffs Victory, the Cadillac, the Frontenac, the LaSalle, the Pontiac, and Walter A. Sterling, the Edward B. Greene and the William G. Mather. He retired as a Captain from the Cleveland Cliffs in 1974.

Following his retirement, Captain Anderson spent his time volunteering on the William G. Mather, which was docked as a museum on the shores of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland. He is the oldest member of the International Shipmasters Association's Cleveland Lodge Number 4.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognizing Captain Harry Anderson and wishing him a happy 102nd birthday.

Mr. Speaker, I submit the following. My name is Dennis Kucinich, K-u-c-i-n-i-c-h. Oh, and also, one other, n-o. I'm here as the Congressional Representative of the people of this area. I'm also here as the ranking Democrat in the United States Congress and the subcommittee that has jurisdiction over the EPA. I want to state for the record that regarding some of the questions that have been asked here, (I'm) totally dissatisfied with the way that this process has been conducted. The community has not been involved but it will be involved, I can promise you.

I want to announce here tonight, that I am going to work to bring representatives of our Domestic Policy Subcommittee in the Congress here for a full Congressional hearing where preliminary to that we will gain access to the EPA's documents on this. I can promise you that, that we'll gain access to information that has not been brought forward in a full way with respect to the toxic emissions, with respect to public health impacts, with respect to the way that this thing has been set up, that the public has a right to have their health protected. And that as the person who has responsibility and jurisdiction over the EPA, I've already sent a letter to EPA Administrator Jackson to let her know that there are environmental health issues here, public policy issues, and also environmental justice issues.

We look very closely at the census track that this particular facility would be recycling. And there are compelling reasons under environmental justice principles why this should not be built. We need to involve the larger community here. It's good that you're all here tonight. We need to make sure that all of these questions that you have are on the record, are brought forward in the record and we'll put them in the Congressional Record.

And I can make one other prediction. There was a few years ago when people were rushing to try and get rid of what was then called Muni Light, now it's Cleveland Public Power, and there was someone who stood in front of the community and said, you know what? You may say that you're going to sell that system, but it's never going to happen. The people in this community made sure of that. The people in this community were the ones that helped protect what is now Cleveland Public Power.

I'm going to give the EPA a little bit of advice. If I know the people in this community, you're not going to shove this down their throats. Your bureaucratic process might be okay to satisfy some legal minutia, but it's not going to the satisfy a community that is intent on protecting the quality of the air, the quality of the water, their children, their schools, their neighborhoods, the quality of health. Welcome to Cleveland.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Mr. Tony J. Sustarsic, the former Mayor of Euclid, Ohio.

Born in 1925, Tony was a lifelong resident of Euclid, Ohio and graduated from Euclid Central High School. Before he began his career in politics, Tony bravely served his country as a member of the U.S. Army's 3d Armored Division during World War II. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and the Normandy Invasion. During his service, he suffered almost a dozen injuries and was later honored

with a Purple Heart and four battle stars. Following his military career, Tony helped establish the Euclid Veteran's Club. He was also a member of the American Legion Euclid Post 343, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1056 and was an inductee to the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Class of 2008.

Mr. Sustarsic was appointed to the Euclid City Council in 1954 and served until 1968 when he was appointed Administrative Director. He was elected as the ninth Mayor of Euclid in 1975. During his term as mayor, Mr. Sustarsic expanded senior programs and facilities, and oversaw infrastructure improvements and the opening of Euclid Square Mall.

I offer my condolences to his wife, the former Helen Palsa; children, Jerry and Judy Malachowski; two grandchildren, Tony (Pam) and Paula (George); and great-grandchildren, Eddie, Alex, Tony III, Jordon and Joey.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the memory of Mr. Tony J. Sustarsic, who bravely fought for his country and valiantly served the residents of Euclid.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and memory of Sergeant Aaron Bennett, a highly decorated U.S. Army sergeant.

Sgt. Bennett was born in Mississippi and raised in Hawaii and Ohio. He attended Valley Forge High School in Parma Heights, where he was a member of the swim team. He graduated in 2003.

Sgt. Bennett joined the U.S. Army in 2007 and served as an infantryman with the 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division. He completed a yearlong tour in Iraq in June of 2011. Additionally, Sgt. Bennett was a member of the Presidential Honor Guard and was recently selected to participate in Scouts and Ranger Sniper School.

Because of his bravery and service to the country, Sgt. Bennett was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, an Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal and the Iraqi Campaign Medal. Sgt. Bennett was also the recipient of the Army Achievement Medal which he earned by saving the lives of two soldiers injured in a mortar attack.

I offer my condolences to his wife, Michelle; parents, David and Sally; and sister, Rachel.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the memory of one of our country's heroes, Sergeant Aaron Bennett.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and memory of Mr. Robert M. Seelie, a former councilmember and council president for the City of Lakewood.

Mr. Seelie was born and raised in Lakewood, Ohio by his father, a police officer for

the City of Lakewood, and mother, a nurse at Lakewood Hospital. He attended St. Edward High School, where he played on the hockey team. He later earned bachelors' degrees in political science and communications from Cleveland State University. He also earned a master's in public administration degree from CSU in 1991.

Mr. Seelie dedicated his life to serving the residents of Lakewood and Cuyahoga County. He was a youth services coordinator for the county in 1979 and in 1980 began working as a county employment service specialist. In 1985 he began a seventeen year stint as an assistant in the county administrator's office.

Mr. Seelie served the City of Lakewood, Ohio as a councilman and council president from 1992 until 2007. He was elected as a councilman to Lakewood's Ward 3 in 1991, which he represented for 16 years. He was eventually chosen by the council as the council president for 10 years.

I offer my most heartfelt condolences to his children, Kelly and Patrick; two grandchildren, three brothers and his sister.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the memory of Mr. Robert M. Seelie, his service to the City of Lakewood will not be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Mr. Thomas F. O'Malley, Sr., a man who bravely served his country and selflessly worked on behalf of his fellow residents in Northeast Ohio.

Mr. O'Malley was born on May 13, 1928 to Thomas E. and Marie E. O'Malley. He was raised in Parma and graduated from St. Ignatius High School in 1946. He went on to Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland State University's Cleveland Marshall Law School. Mr. O'Malley served bravely with the U.S. Army before returning to Cleveland and beginning his career in law. He was the former law director for the cities of Fairview Park and Brooklyn. Overall, Mr. O'Malley practiced law for more than 52 years.

I offer my condolences to his wife, Colleen; children, Jackie Needham (John), Judge Kathleen O'Malley (Ray Gallucci), Brigid O'Malley, Judge Thomas F. O'Malley, Jr. (Kelly), Dr. Martin J. O'Malley (Marina), Joseph P. O'Malley (Cathy), and Jamie Farina (Gerald); grandchildren Kathleen Dunham (Josh), John and Tom Needham; Brian and Michael Cuiffo; Thomas III, Joseph, Farrell and Jack O'Malley; Quinn, Olivia, Micaela, Emmett and Cecelia O'Malley; Lauren and Colin O'Malley and Gennaro Farina; great-grandchildren James Dunham; siblings Carol Henry (Thomas), and the late Jeanne Schneider and Jack O'Malley.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the memory of Mr. Thomas F. O'Malley. His contributions to Northeast Ohio and the country will be missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and in memory of Mr. Walter T. May, a former Captain with the Cleveland Police Department and president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 8.

Walter was born on December 11, 1958 in Cleveland, Ohio to his parents, Walter ``Matt'' E. and Sally May. He graduated from St. Joseph High School and later attended Cleveland State University.

Walter was appointed to the Cleveland Division of Police on February 9, 1987 and served for more than 25 years. He worked as a Patrol Officer, Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant and was promoted to the rank of Captain in 2000. In March 2006, Walter was appointed Commander of Community Policing.

In addition to his career, he was the president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 8 which serves its members as the labor representative for the supervisors of the Cleveland Division of Police. Walter was also an active member of the Retired Irish Police Society and Anchor Club Branch 17.

I offer my most sincere condolences to his wife, Terry; son, Jake; sister, Patty; nephew, Chris, many nieces and nephews; and his canine companion, Maggie May.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the memory of Mr. Walter T. May, who served his community with honor and dedication.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor of the memory of Mr. Donald Louis Ferfolia, a man who was dedicated to his family and the Catholic Church.

Mr. Ferfolia was born on February 11, 1929 to his parents, Louis and Theresa Ferfolia. He was a licensed embalmer for 61 years and eventually became the president and chief executive officer of Ferfolia Funeral Homes.

Mr. Ferfolia was a dedicated member of the Catholic Church. He was a member of St. Wenceslas Church until its closing when he became a parishioner at St. Basil the Great Catholic Church in Brecksville. He was a member, and at one time the president, of the Maple Heights Catholic Club. Donald was also a founding member of the Callistian Guild, ``an organization dedicated to the fundamental principle that the poorest of God's children are entitled to be buried with dignity.''

I offer my condolences to his wife of 61 years, Alice; children, Donald B. Sr. (Margaret), Donna (the late C. Richard III) Mark L. Sr. (Christine) and Mary (Jeffrey A. Sr.); grandchildren, Donald B. Jr. (Dawn), Maureen, Joseph (Leanne), Allyson, Michelle (Michael), Megan, Colleen, Jeffrey (Erin), Kristin, Brian (fiancee, Anne), Meredith, Mark Jr., Rachael, Alex, Amy, Jeffrey Jr., Christina, Susan, Richard and Paige; great-grandchildren Ryan, Lauren, Donna, Caroline, Isadora and Julia; brother-in-law of Robert (Donna), Elaine and the late Carol Bandsuh (the late Richard).

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the memory of Mr. Donald L. Ferfolia. His contributions to Northeast Ohio and the Catholic community will be missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Kathleen ``Katie'' Devring who dedicated her life to those in need.

Katie was the second child of John and Margaret Devring and grew up on Cleveland's West side. She attended St. Rose Elementary School and began high school at St. Peter's.

She graduated from West Tech High School in 1966.

Throughout her life Katie was known as a compassionate soul that dedicated her life to those less fortunate. She worked tirelessly as a case worker for the Cuyahoga County Welfare Department for 25 years.

In addition to her work, Katie was a longtime volunteer and advocate for the LGBT community. She worked with the Northern Ohio CoDA Intergroup (NOCI) for decades arranging events and fundraisers to benefit the marginalized and disenfranchised of Northeast Ohio.

I offer my condolences to her brothers, John, Bill (Margie), Eddie and Marty (Mary); as well as her nieces, nephews and many friends.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the memory of Kathleen ``Katie'' Devring.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. Frank Castelli's retirement as the Service Director for the City of Middleburg Heights after 25 years of dedicated service.

Mr. Frank Castelli was born in Jefferson, Ohio and graduated from Geneva High School. He later continued his education by attending Cleveland State University. Mr. Castelli and his wife, Delia, have been married for 45 years and have one daughter, Claudia, and two sons, Marc and Matt. Frank also has two grandchildren, Marcella and Pete.

Mr. Castelli is a veteran of the United States Army and served in Germany during 1955 and 1956. Following his service in the Army, Mr. Castelli worked in the insurance industry for nearly 30 years as a claim adjuster and commercial insurance agent. He also spent 16 years as the co-owner and operator of Trans Ohio Insurance Agency with his brother, Ron. In 1986, Frank became the Service Director for the City of Middleburg Heights, Ohio.

In addition to his careers serving his country, fellow Ohioans and residents of Middleburg Heights, Mr. Castelli has been a leader in the community. Since 1976 he has served as the president of the Misty Lake Condominium Association and at one time served as a member of the Planning Commission. From 1976 to 1986 Frank was a councilman for Middleburg Heights, Ward 1. He has also been serving as the president of the Middleburg Heights Democratic Club since 1998 and is an active member of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party Executive Committee.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring Mr. Frank Castelli as he celebrates his retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 1254, the Synthetic Drug Control Act of 2011 because it will do little, if anything, to curb abuse of synthetic marijuana. It will, however, unnecessarily burden the criminal justice system and inhibit important scientific research on synthetic substances. It will also impose further unnecessary costs onto taxpayers as the federal criminal code is expanded.

Evidence suggests that criminalizing substances, as this bill envisions, does not change demand or prevent health harms that stem from their use. The deaths and injuries that result from abuse of any substance and the destruction that drug abuse inflicts on our families and communities is heartbreaking. I support comprehensive drug education programs which promote clear information for children and adults about how to recognize drug abuse and the risk factors that promote it. It is important to recognize that drug abuse proliferates differently depending on the socioeconomic conditions that exist in a given community, which makes it all the more important for the federal government to assist state and local governments in addressing this public health problem. This bill does nothing to boost real public health and education awareness campaigns which must be a part of addressing substance abuse.

Instead, H.R. 1254 would place a number of synthetic substances under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. As Schedule I is the most restrictive, placing substances on it makes research on these substances vastly more difficult. Scientific researchers have warned Congress that this legislation will impede research on treatments for a range of diseases and disorders, including Parkinson's disease. In addition, the Drug Enforcement Agency already has the power to place substances on the Schedule I list.

Finally, criminalization of another group of drugs will engender an expansion of the criminal justice regime. Our present system of criminal justice already places a far too large and disproportionate burden onto poor and minority communities. Marijuana arrests in the United States cost on average $10,000 per individual from arrest to adjudication, according to public policy researcher John B. Gettman at the George Mason University School of Public Policy. The prosecution and prison terms that will necessarily arise from enforcement of this bill will impose enormous costs on taxpayers at a time when resources are scant. I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing this legislation.