Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 3313, the so- called ``Marriage Protection Act.''

I was really tempted to offer an amendment mandating that every Member of Congress watch ``School House Rock'' before they are allowed to cast another vote. If you have kids, you are probably familiar with School House Rock. It is the old, ever-popular kids show that explains how American government works. It imparts information on basic civics in fun and easy to understand terms, for example, how there are three branches of government that provide the check and balances that are the bedrock of our country.

But then I decided that, although more of my colleagues than I ever believed possible desperately need this sort of basic primer on government, it didn't seem fair to waste Members' time, like our time is being wasted today as we are forced to debate and vote on this utterly absurd piece of legislation.

Our Founding Fathers established clear separation of powers between the three branches of government. Rep. Hostettler and the Republican leadership are trying to dictate to our formerly independent judiciary what cases it can or cannot consider. This is a court-stripping measure that could lead to Congress's removal of the courts' jurisdiction any time a controversial measure might come before the federal bench.

The Hostettler bill would ban any federal court, including the Supreme Court, from having jurisdiction over challenges to the Defense of Marriage Act. This would mark a nearly unprecedented effort by one independent branch of the federal government, the Congress, to limit the jurisdiction of the judiciary branch.

This is the Republican leadership's last ditch effort to get a vote on gay marriage in the House to effect the election this fall. We are considering legislation to pre-empt an action that has not taken place. The Defense of Marriage Act, which passed in 1996, is not being challenged. This is a cop out, not a compromise. They know they don't have the votes on the Federal Marriage Amendment so they are grasping at straws.

In Federalist Paper 78, Alexander Hamilton defended the need for an independent judiciary. As the only branch of the federal government not swayed by campaigning, Hamilton asserted that it was the branch best able to protect the Constitution from political meddling by the Congress or the President. He also foresaw just the type of action being attempted by Republicans in Congress today,

warning ``. . . there is no liberty, if the power of judging be not separated from the legislative and executive powers.

If this bill, by some miracle were actually to be signed into law, and by an even bigger miracle, was not immediately overturned because of its blatant unconstitutionality, it would be a horrible precedent in preventing the most basic redress available to the American people.

Imagine bill after bill being passed in Congress, with the same language tacked on at the end saying that once this law passes it can never be challenged in the federal courts, including the Supreme Court. Today the issue is gay marriage, but tomorrow the issue could be anything.

This bill is incredibly short-sighted and it goes against the very principles that so many of its supporters purport to honor as public servants. It really would be laughable if it weren't so scary.

I urge a ``no'' vote on this ridiculous, unconstitutional and frankly un-American bill.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the notable accomplishments of a remarkable woman in the 1st Congressional District of Colorado. It is both fitting and proper that we recognize Keller Hayes for her impressive record of business and civic leadership as well as her invaluable service to our state and community.

Keller Hayes has used her time, skill and energy to make Colorado a better place. She came to our community from a small ranch in rural Nebraska and graduated from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln with a degree in Journalism and Women's Studies. She worked for various publishing houses, including a trade publication in Minnesota and for Monterey Life in California before joining the Colorado Women's Chamber of Commerce.

For Keller, the economic empowerment of women has meaning. Whether advocating for passage of a pay-equity resolution at the statehouse or developing a Women's Business Certification program to allow women- owned companies to gain greater access to corporate and government contracts, Keller has been a champion for social and economic empowerment. She believes in the mission of the Colorado Women's Chamber of Commerce and during her tenure as President, she gave its mission new life and helped build a dynamic organization. When Keller took up the job, she and a part-time person were the only staff the chamber had. Today, the organization has eight staff people, boasts 1,700 members and has become the largest women's chamber in the country. Under Keller's leadership, the Women's Chamber created a structure that promotes the economic advancement of its members and provides meaningful leadership for women in business. Keller has opened doors and garnered respect for the women's business community. She has brought other women along and helped get them a seat at the table. Keller has fought for recognition of both the immeasurable contribution of women to our economy and the full value of women's abilities. As a result of her leadership, business women have become a more powerful force in our city and our state.

For her efforts, Keller was chosen the 2001 Outstanding Woman in Business Nonprofit by the Denver Business Journal and 2002 Women in Business Advocate of the Year in Region VIII for the Small Business Administration. But it takes a special person to reach a high level of professional accomplishment and still find the time and energy to give back to the community. Over the past six years, Keller has volunteered for the Rape/Spouse Abuse Crisis Center as an on-line counselor, volunteer trainer, speaker and public relations volunteer. Not only has Keller used her skills and talents to promote the economic empowerment of women, she has done much to advance the well-being of our people.

While I believe many of us are saddened Keller has left the Women's Chamber, I am confident that her leadership, skill and experience will be of great benefit to all of us in her new venture and we look forward to her continued involvement in our civic life.

Please join me commending Keller Hayes for her professional achievement, community service and active involvement in helping women attain professional excellence and a dynamic voice in public life. It is the strong leadership she exhibits on a daily basis that continually enhances our lives and builds a better future for all Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I voted against H. Res. 713 because I believe the intent of this resolution had nothing to do with Israel's best interests, nor with promoting peace in the Middle East. The text was written by the Republican majority with the explicit intent of trying to be as politically divisive as possible.

I strongly believe that Israel has the right to defend itself against terrorism. However, while the resolution expresses support for Israel's right to construct a security barrier, it is clear to me that this measure was a cynical attempt to divide people for political gain here in the United States.

There are legitimate questions as to the propriety and wisdom of the action taken by the International Court of Justice, ICJ, in this matter, and in fact I personally disagree with their decision. However, this resolution goes too far and condemns the ICJ for politicizing an issue, when the very reason the Republican majority brought this issue to the floor is for political purposes.

Over the past four years, the House of Representatives has passed, with my support, at least nine non-binding Resolutions in regards to Israel. I entreat the leadership to now expend the same effort and energy to craft meaningful legislation that actually takes substantive action to further the Middle East peace process rather than paying so much lip service, as we too often do on issues of importance.

Over the years, the United States has been a vital player in facilitating peace negotiations in the Middle East. I have long said that the U.S. should be the first to support Israel's right to protect its citizens. I have also taken the position that Congress should not formally endorse the security fence, nor should we oppose it. To do so, I believe, meddles in internal Israeli affairs and compromises the U.S.'s ability to be a player in future peace negotiations.

The future security of the Middle East depends on negotiating a just, permanent, and peaceful settlement between Israelis and Palestinians that both guarantees Israel's security and establishes a Palestinian state. I cannot support resolutions, such as H. Res. 713, that are detrimental to this process.

I believe that it is the responsibility of those who are pro-Israel, like myself, to support measures that advance the security of Israel. This legislation does not do that. My efforts and advocacy over the years on behalf of Israel speaks for itself, and my support for Israel will continue throughout my tenure as a Member. I urge the Republican majority to get serious about promoting peace in the Middle East and the security of Israel rather than wasting Congress' time with non- binding resolutions intended to make political points in an election year.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the notable accomplishments of Paul Mendrick. This remarkable gentleman merits both our recognition and esteem as his impressive record of leadership and invaluable service have improved the lives of countless people.

Paul Mendrick has devoted much of his time, skill and energy to making our State and our community a better place. Born to Joseph and Alice Mendrick in Pueblo, Colorado on October 23, 1948, he graduated from Pueblo South High School and attended classes at Southern Colorado State College. Paul enlisted in the United States Navy in 1970 and served as Yeoman to the Chaplin aboard ship until 1972.

Paul has been a labor leader, political activist and has remained in the vanguard of those dedicated to economic and social justice. During his distinguished career with the United States Postal Service, Paul served in various capacities with the Denver Metro Area Local of the American Postal Workers Union (APWU). He served as President from 1976 to 1992 and again from 1995 until his retirement in 2003. Under Paul's leadership, the Denver local became one of the most progressive locals, and he worked diligently to ensure that Postal Workers were represented fairly and their voices were heard in the United States Congress.

Those who know Paul know that fairness for the working people matters. He is well known for being forthright and a skilled leader not only within the APWU, but in the Labor Movement. For Paul, solidarity has meaning. In 1980, when the Air Traffic Controllers (PATCO) were on strike, Paul and other labor activists opted to travel to the APWU National Convention in Miami, Florida, by motor home rather than cross picket lines to travel by air. As a board member of the Denver Postal Credit Union, Paul was instrumental in lobbying Congress against a proposed tax levy on credit unions which still stands today. In 1986, he was among the delegates selected by the AFL-CIO to travel to South America to be part of a grassroots movement to build a worldwide Labor movement.

Paul has also dedicated his life to his family and recently became a grandfather. But for all of life's demanding pressures, Paul has found the time to give back to the community, and he has supported numerous charitable causes. He has spent endless hours working on behalf of the Special Olympics in Colorado and for Muscular Dystrophy. The APWU in Denver has always been a yearly participant in the March of Dimes Walk and, under Paul's leadership, the APWU has continually raised money to feed the homeless and take care of those less fortunate.

It comes as no surprise that Paul was recently elected Secretary- Treasurer of the Colorado AFL-CIO and continues to lobby for worker rights and a decent workplace. He has dedicated his life to working people and has brought both respect and dignity to the Labor Movement. He has used his inestimable skills and talents to advance the public good and the well-being of all our people.

Please join me in commending Paul Mendrick, a distinguished citizen. It is the strong leadership he exhibits on a daily basis that continually enhances our lives and builds a better future for all Americans.

Mr. Chairman, while I voted against the resolution authorizing the war with Iraq and whole-heartedly disagree with the way this administration has handled the conflict in Iraq, I strongly support our troops. Congress has been unwavering in its support for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, passing resolutions and giving speeches praising their sacrifice and courage. However, such words are hollow if Congress does not proceed with real action. For that reason, I have supported legislation in the past and will support the bill in front of us today because it provides our tireless troops with the benefits they so rightfully deserve.

This bill will make long-overdue changes to the current military pay and benefit rules for all members of the Armed Services. Among other things, this legislation will make permanent the increases in ``combat pay,'' the Family Separation Allowance and hardship duty pay that Congress passed on a temporary basis last year. More than any tax cut ever could, these increased benefits will provide substantive relief to the soldiers and their families in their time of need.

This bill also recognizes the vital contribution that reservists have made to our country's military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Indeed, our country has not depended on the members of the Reserve forces and National Guard as much as we do now since the Korean war. This bill appropriately ensures that, after uprooting these men and women from their lives and putting them in the line of fire, they do not return home without adequate benefits. This bill extends healthcare coverage to National Guard members and reservists and their families who lack health insurance. It also provides pay parity to reservists, ensuring that reservists are paid the same bonuses and special pay as active duty members are.

Not only does passing this bill keep our commitment to our troops, it also importantly keeps the promise we made to our country's veterans years ago. For years, the widows of veterans have unfairly seen their survivor benefit decrease after the age of 62, even though in many cases, retirees and survivors were never informed of the reduction when they signed up for the plan. This bill would rightly eliminate the reduction in the Survivor Benefit Plan annuities, thereby upholding our country's commitment and restoring the faith of our veterans who were unaware of the reduction.

While I do not believe this bill is perfect, I cannot in good faith turn my back on the courageous men and women who have so valiantly served to preserve the peace in Iraq and Afghanistan and protect our safety at home. Also, I am pleased to vote for a bill that delivers on a promise that we made to veterans and their families years ago--to provide surviving spouses the full benefits they deserve and the benefits that were promised to them.

Mr. Speaker, every so often in this body, I think it is important to talk about facts. Instead of legislating by an anecdote, I would like to actually look at some facts today.

Those on the other side would have us believe that limiting patients' access to the courts will relieve high malpractice insurance premiums. But the fact is there has been no increase in the rate of malpractice claims filed in recent years, and the fact is the average payout has remained steady for a decade. The fact is that California, the State that has been most successful in curbing malpractice costs, only did so after passing a voter initiative that also reformed the insurance system.

Despite this evidence, proponents of this bill continue to represent it as relief for physicians. In reality, it is a bald effort by the insurance industry to pass off their costs on already suffering patients. This bill will disproportionately affect women, low-income individuals, and children because the caps on noneconomic damages will affect them. Since they do not make a lot of money, they will not have a lot of economic damages to be awarded by the courts.

Real people will suffer a second injustice under this legislation, people like Heather Lewinski, who came before our committee and testified, a 17-year-old girl who suffered permanent facial disfigurement at the hands of a plastic surgeon who lied to her and her family. And this young woman came before us and said her greatest fear was she would never have a date. People like Linda McDougal. This is Linda McDougal in this poster right here. Linda McDougal's breasts were amputated after she had been misdiagnosed with cancer, and here she is today. She was completely fine. And the family of Jesica Santillan, a little girl who died because the hospital failed to ensure that the heart and lungs she was about to receive would be compatible with her blood type. Her family will be denied just compensation for her suffering.

If we really wanted to fix the crisis that is plaguing our Nation's doctors, we should take a good look at the insurance industries, as we heard from my colleague from Ohio. Instead, we are considering a bill that is akin to curing a headache by amputating an arm. Arbitrarily limiting patients' rights is not fair, and it will not solve the problem.

Let me talk for a minute about some of the anecdotes upon which we are basing this legislation. We heard that obstetrics wards were closing down because of liability insurance premiums. The example given by the AMA said that Pennsylvania's Jefferson Health System closed its obstetrics ward because of this reason, but 2 years later this obstetrics ward is still up and running and accepting new patients. In May, 2003, the AMA said that a group of 10 neurosurgeons in Washington State had been dropped by their malpractice insurer. As of 2004, the group is doing just fine and taking new patients. Finally, in January 2004, just a few months ago, President Bush said there was a doctor in Arkansas who stopped delivering babies because of rising insurance costs. That turned out to be completely untrue.

If there is a problem here, let us let the States fix it. Let us not put it on people like Linda McDougal.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the extraordinary life of a distinguished public servant, Elvin R. Caldwell, Sr. This remarkable gentleman merits both our recognition and esteem as his impressive record of civic leadership and invaluable service has moved our community forward and thereby, improved the lives of our people.

For Elvin Caldwell Sr., passion for social justice was not defined by the fanfare of public life. His passion was of lasting import. It was tempered by his calm bearing, firm resolve and a steady discipline which shaped civic accomplishments of immeasurable value to our community. Elvin Caldwell possessed the rare ability to transform the promise of equal justice and fair treatment into practicable reality and our lives have truly been enriched by his presence among us.

During his formative years in Denver, Caldwell knew both the racism and exclusion prevalent during the 1920's and 30's. At a young age, he participated in protest marches with his parents and the adversity he experienced forged a resolve and commitment to civil liberties that would sustain him through life's challenges. He recalled that ``Denver was a very prejudiced city at one time . . . I used to watch my father--no matter how tired he was--stand out there . . . [and] I realized that I had a debt to pay for what [he] fought to achieve.'' Elvin Caldwell Sr. made good on that commitment and built a legacy in which we take great pride.

He graduated from East High School in Denver and earned a track scholarship to the University of Colorado. Caldwell later married ``Frankie'' Harriett Webb and his marriage lasted for 60 years and produced four children. By 1950, he was a successful accountant and a member of the State legislature. He served three terms in the Colorado House of Representatives, but the barriers to passing progressive legislation proved to be considerable. In 1955, Caldwell chose to take on six primary opponents in a city council race and at the age of thirty-one, he became the first African American elected to the Denver City Council. He was elected council president five times and his tenure proved to be one that was defined by resourcefulness and statesmanship. Caldwell entered city government at a time when institutionalized discrimination was the norm. Qualified African American police officers couldn't climb through the ranks, there were no black judges, and the fire department was segregated--African Americans could only serve at one fire station. These deplorable conditions set in motion Caldwell's plan for change--to rid the civil service system of practices that either marginalized African American firefighters and police officers or excluded racial minorities from public service. City government needed to be opened up and Caldwell was up to the challenge.

Change did not come swiftly but the road to a more equitable society is never easy. He knew that change is unsettling and over the next decade, Caldwell's quiet persistence overcame obstacles and got things done. Even in the face of threats and militant confrontation by groups such as the Black Panthers, Caldwell remained courteous and unflappable. He once mused that ``On life's journey, it's better if you can resolve things in a calm, sensible manner . . . It may take longer, but you can usually get more done.''

Caldwell's leadership in city council created formal recruitment programs to bring more minorities into Denver's public safety departments and through his perseverance and skill, the State's first Fair Employment Practices Act was made law. He became a potent force in helping to revitalize the Five Points area and helped establish the Eastside Neighborhood Health Center as well as the Five Points Community Center.

His career on city council lasted twenty-five years and after seven terms, former Denver Mayor William McNichols appointed Caldwell Manager of Safety, making him the first African American to sit in a mayoral cabinet. He served on numerous community, State and national organizations including the Board of Directors of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. He is credited for opening doors for other African American leaders including former Mayor Wellington E. Webb and City Council President Elbra Wedgeworth. In 1990, the Denver City Council created the Elvin R. Caldwell Community Service Plaza and on April 26, 2003, the City and County of Denver named the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library in recognition of his lifetime of service to our community.

Recently, his portrait was hung in the library to honor him as a modest and dignified public servant who left a powerful legacy of social progress. Truly, we are all diminished by the passing of this remarkable gentleman. Please join me in paying tribute to Elvin R. Caldwell, Sr. His life was rich in consequence and his deeds serve as an inspiration to us all. The values, leadership and commitment he exhibited during his life set the mark and compel us to continue the work that distinguishes us as a nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support House Concurrent Resolution 408, which congratulates the University of Denver for winning the 2004 NCAA Men's Hockey championship. DU's national title, its first since 1969, came against the top-ranked Maine Black Bears, in a nail-biter that stunned the collegiate hockey world.

The championship game on Saturday, April 10, 2004 was college hockey at its best. I watched as the Pioneers took an early lead with a goal by Gabe Gauthier in the first period. The rest of the game was a scoreless defensive struggle. Hockey fans from the Rocky Mountains to the New England coast held their breath during the excruciating final two minutes of the game. In a sequence only fitting for the nationally televised season finale, Maine secured a Power Play while trailing Denver 1-0 when the Pioneers were assessed with two penalties, giving the Black Bears a two-man advantage. In the final minute of play, Maine pulled its goaltender to add another attacker, putting Denver at a 6-3 disadvantage. The clock slowly ticked down to zero, and DU emerged victorious, led by an extraordinary 24-save performance by goaltender Adam Berkhoel, who was named the NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player. His shutout was only the third in the history of the championship game.

It was a great way to end the season for the seven seniors on the Pioneer team. The class of 2004 won more games at the University of Denver than any since the 1973 graduating seniors. Head Coach Geoge Gwozecky is to be congratulated as well. He is the only person to ever win NCAA titles as a player, assistant coach, and head coach.

The Denver Post noted that the championship game between the University of Denver and the University of Maine was amazing because ``they proved that two mid-sized universities can excel in one of the country's mainstay sports.'' This year's champion Pioneers added a sixth hockey championship to the university's fine athletic record, which includes a record 17 Division I ski team championships, and two titles for the women's gymnastic program. Not only does the University of Denver excel in athletics, it is a prestigious academic institution as well. U.S. News and World Report recently ranked three DU graduate programs among the country's best.

The championship is especially poignant, because the University of Denver hockey program tragically lost one of its most famed alumni just before Christmas last year. Keith Magnuson, the captain of the last DU team to capture the national title 35 years ago, was killed in a car accident just four months ago. Still active with the University, Magnuson regularly attended hockey games, gave locker room speeches to the team, and even played in the school's homecoming game this season. Following his death, the team dedicated the season to his memory, but no one could have imagined the success the team has enjoyed.

Mr. Speaker, I was proud to sponsor this bill, which congratulates the University of Denver 2004 championship hockey team. I am happy to report that the entire Colorado congressional delegation cosponsored H. Con. Res. 408. I also wish to congratulate the Maine Black Bears for an excellent season, and a hard fought championship game. I look forward to a victory celebration for the Pioneers at the U.S. Capitol. I thank the Speaker for bringing this bill to the floor and urge my colleagues to support me in congratulating the University of Denver.

Mr. Speaker, while the recent reports and graphic photographs of the alleged prisoner abuse at the Abu Ghraib prison sound similar to the atrocities that occurred under the cruel dictatorship of Saddam Hussein, these unbelievable instances of brutality and inhumanity, instead, allegedly took place under American command, perpetrated by American troops. Sadly, the Abu Ghraib prison-- the very prison that epitomized all that was evil under Saddam Hussein's regime to the Iraqi people--still represents evil, only under a new name.

Accordingly, Congress must send an unwavering message to the Iraqi people and to the rest of the world that the United States will not tolerate the alleged atrocities that have occurred in the Abu Ghraib prison. While I will vote for this resolution, I do not want to simply join my colleagues who want to pay lip-service to a solution without any subsequent action. Congress must ensure that the perpetrators of the alleged brutality, as well as those leaders who let such inhumanity occur under their watch, be brought to justice. Just as importantly, Congress must investigate the scope of this problem; the increasing number of revelations of alleged prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib and other prisons in Iraq, leads me to believe that such brutality may not be isolated to six or seven individuals. We need to ensure that such abuse is not systemic within and outside of the chain of command by conducting a bipartisan Congressional investigation and by holding Congressional hearings.

Additionally, we must make sure that all people who participated in this alleged abuse are held accountable. This includes the private contractors who were allegedly involved in the brutality that took place at Abu Ghraib. While the Department of Defense has reportedly launched several investigations, none has yet to address the role that the private contractors played. In fact, several reports indicate that the private contractors who were named specifically in the classified Taguba report are still working as paid contractors in Iraq. Not only must Congress hold hearings to investigate the alleged role of the private contractors in the alleged prison abuses, the U.S. Department of Justice must also exercise its ability to investigate, and if warranted, prosecute those individuals to the fullest extent of the law.

Congress must also guarantee that this Administration is held responsible for its actions or more precisely, its inaction, and for its policies that may have allowed such atrocities to occur. The actions of Secretary Rumsfeld and the Pentagon, including the decision that the United States would no longer adhere to the Geneva Convention as well as the ruling that detainees would be held without due process, have arguably helped to create a standard for the treatment of prisoners, which allows for humiliation, torture and murder.

Even worse, Mr. Rumsfeld has not only not read the Taguba report in its entirety, he has failed on numerous instances to respond to other reports of alleged violations and abuse. There is no excuse for his woeful negligence. If Mr. Rumsfeld had responded to these reports, these abuses may not have occurred to this degree, or at all. Mr. Rumsfeld must be held responsible for his part and if doing so requires his resignation, such action must then be called for.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the extraordinary life and accomplishments of a remarkable gentleman from the 1st Congressional District of Colorado. It is both fitting and proper that we recognize Omar D. Blair for his impressive record of civic leadership and invaluable service.

Many people have made notable contributions to our community, but few have left a legacy of progress as Omar Blair. He once mused that he wanted to be remembered as one who tried. I would submit that Omar Blair molded a life of enduring accomplishment and proved to be a powerful force in transforming our community. His is an indomitable spirit and our lives have been truly enriched by his presence among us.

Omar Blair demonstrated that he had steel at an early age. Upon his graduation from Albuquerque High School in 1936, the school board determined that the six black graduates had to sit behind their classmates and would not have a spotlight shone on them as they received their diplomas. But Omar was not intimidated. He walked with dignity up to the stage in darkness to get his diploma to the ovation of his classmates. Years later, he was awarded ``Outstanding Graduate of the Past 100 Years'' by the same people who would not allow him to sit with his classmates forty-three years earlier.

Omar attended the University of California at Los Angeles prior to entering the Army Air Corps during World War II. Captain Blair belonged to the all-black 332nd Fighter Squadron--the famed Tuskegee Airmen-- where he developed a reputation for daring. His squadron had been called upon to escort bombers on a raid over Berlin, but their fighters needed bigger fuel tanks to go the distance and they were not available through normal channels. Captain Blair learned that the needed tanks were on an Army train coming from Naples. He organized a convoy, stopped the train and forcibly offloaded the tanks as they were critical to his squadron's mission. Captain Blair got the job done and the bombing raid went off without a hitch.

In 1951, Omar and his wife Jeweldine, came to Denver. He found work and started a family that grew to include three children. He also found time to get involved in public affairs and was elected to the Denver Board of Education in 1972. He served two terms and was voted the first African American to serve as president of the school board. He led our city through what was arguably the most tumultuous era for public education in Denver. The schools were under court order to desegregate and Mr. Blair and other board members became the driving force to implement the order through busing. But his tenure on the board was not about changing how kids got to school; it was about fundamental change and the quality of public education. For Omar Blair, integrating schools did not mean simply having students sit with one another. It meant integrating school resources, providing new textbooks, hiring more teachers and making sure schools were uniformly upgraded and maintained. In short, it meant equal education for all of our children.

Omar served as President of the Colorado Association of School Boards, Vice President of the National Caucus of Black School Board Members, and National President of the Council of Great City Schools. But his service was not limited to education. He served as a Commissioner of the Denver Urban Renewal Authority during the time when he and his colleagues initiated the 16th Street Mall Project. He was a founding member of the Greater Park Hill Sertoma Club and his work was recognized by Sertoma International. He served as President of the Owls Club of Denver and as a board member of the Denver Chamber of Commerce and the East Denver YMCA.

Omar was honored on numerous occasions and his accolades include: the American-Israel Friendship League's Partners in Education Award; the U.S. Department of Justice Award for Outstanding Community Service and an honorary ``Doctor of Public Service'' degree

from Metropolitan State College of Denver. His church, Shorter Community AME, dedicated its community room in his name and on April 26, 2003, the City and County of Denver named the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library in recognition of his lifetime of service to our community. But accolades don't tell the whole story. Omar once made a poignant reference in an article that after 52 years of marriage to Jeweldine, ``You can put this in big bold letters-- without her I would not be half the person I am and I know that.'' Not only was Omar Blair a man of accomplishment, he was a man who was well- grounded with a clear sense of what mattered.

Omar Blair was an unrelenting advocate for the causes that elevate the human condition. He burnished a reputation of being forthright, pragmatic, outspoken and ``taking on all comers.'' But ultimately, he was dedicated to our children--all of our children. He constantly reiterated that ``the kids are what it's all about'' and I believe his legacy to us is to never waver in our commitment to future generations.

Omar Blair lived a life of meaning and one that is rich in consequence. It is the character and deeds of Omar Blair, and all Americans like him, which distinguish us as a people. Truly, we are all diminished by the passing of this remarkable person. Please join me in paying tribute to the life of Omar D. Blair, a distinguished citizen. It is the values, leadership and commitment he exhibited during his life that serves to build a better future for all Americans.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of the Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users. The reauthorization of TEA-21 offers the opportunity to celebrate some of that landmark legislation's visionary projects.

The Southeast Corridor--or T-REX as it is affectionately known in my home district of Denver, Colorado--is one of TEA-21's best projects. It is currently on time, on budget and already providing essential transportation services. Upon completion in 2006, T-REX will connect the region's two largest employment centers through an improved interstate highway system and additional light rail transit. These roadway and transit improvements will significantly enhance inter- regional and intra-regional transportation of people and goods.

T-REX is quite literally driving Colorado's economic engine.

I would be remiss, however, if I did not express my disappointment with the funding levels of the bill before us. I concur with the State Departments of Transportation's assessment of our nation's infrastructure needs. That is why I am a proud cosponsor of this legislation as originally introduced by the estimable Chairman Don Young and Ranking Member Jim Oberstar.

It is unfortunate and dismaying that the President has chosen to wield the club of a veto threat on what is essentially the only jobs creation legislation before this Congress. I deeply regret the missed opportunity that the $275 billion price tag represents. We will be unable to address the donor state issue, which affects the transportation dollars Colorado receives, among other important changes we should be examining.

Having said that, I applaud the Committee on its excellent work. I appreciate their recognition of the gains embodied in TEA-21 and of the growing infrastructure needs our nation faces.

Mr. Speaker, war does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity or religion--it is indifferent to background or boundaries, social standing or political affiliation. War impacts all of those involved with an impartial voracity. Honoring our men and women for the sacrifice, strength and courage they have demonstrated while in Iraq should be as unbiased--it should not be mired in partisanship or petty politics.

With a unified voice, the House of Representatives should approve a resolution that acknowledges the bravery of the American men and women in Iraq and the sacrifices they and their families have made for the sake of our nation. It should recognize the 575 American soldiers who have lost their lives in Iraq, soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, as well as the more than 3,000 wounded troops who are struggling to recover from their injuries. We are deeply indebted to these men and women and grateful for the hardships they have endured. We should vote on, and unanimously pass, a resolution that unequivocally communicates this.

However, the Republican majority has presented a resolution that specifically and intentionally prevents unanimous support from this body. The divisive language alleging that the world is a safer place after the Iraqi invasion, is not only a point of great contention, it is a distraction from what should be the sole focus of the resolution: to commend our tireless troops in Iraq. Indeed, the Republican majority has squandered the opportunity to send a message of unwavering support to the American men and women in the field, instead opting to politicize the issue in order to advance its own political agenda.

In good faith, I cannot vote for a resolution that asserts that the world is safer since the U.S. invasion of Iraq when by every account, the world is glaringly even more vulnerable, as partly evidenced by the horrific bombing in Madrid last week. When our country chooses to unilaterally use force before exhausting all diplomatic avenues, we risk alienating ourselves from our allies and emboldening our enemies. Unfortunately, I believe our go-it-alone strategy in Iraq has done just that.

While I cannot vote for this resolution, I am steadfast in my support for the American men and women fighting in Iraq and believe we must support them both by word and action. We must fight to get our troops home quickly and safely while upholding the commitment we have made to the Iraqi people. The best possible way to achieve this is by working with the international community to rebuild Iraq. Additionally, we must ensure that our troops, in the field and once they have returned home, have the benefits they rightfully deserve, including increased access to medical care and deserved increases in the family separation allowance and imminent danger pay.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate Colorado Nonprofit Week, an annual event organized by the Colorado Association of Nonprofit Organizations (CANPO) and volunteer committees around the state. The purpose is to recognize and celebrate the vital impact Colorado's nonprofits have on our economy and quality of life.

In Colorado, there are over 16,000 nonprofits and nationwide there are over 850,000 charitable nonprofits. One-third of charitable nonprofits work in the area of human services, helping to meet the needs of all of our citizens through food banks, job counseling, shelters, domestic violence just to mention a few essential areas.

The other two-thirds of the nonprofit sector serve an even broader constituency--all of those who attend cultural performances, view exhibitions, visit galleries, take their children to museums, provide educational programming, work with animals and protect the environment, and many other vital, day-today parts of our lives.

The Colorado Association of Nonprofit Organizations has worked hard to make Colorado Nonprofit Week a success. Their goals have been to increase the visibility of nonprofits and

their important contributions throughout the state; to strengthen relationships between nonprofit leaders and public officials; and to encourage individual nonprofit leaders to see themselves as part of the greater nonprofit sector.

In 2001 (the last year data was analyzed) nonprofit expenditures totaled more than $9 billion in Colorado for the 5,400 largest nonprofits and $822 billion in the United States for the nearly 267,000 largest nonprofits.

The Colorado Association of Nonprofit Organizations represents organizations across the state that provide hope for thousands of Coloradoans. They educate youth, help the disabled, protect children, provide needed services to adults and promote culture and the arts. From bettering the lives of individuals to improving the overall economy of our entire state, there is almost no aspect of society that nonprofits do not touch. One thing is for sure; our state would not be the incredible place it is today if these crucial organizations did not exist.

Mr. Speaker, nonprofits in Colorado and across the country are an essential piece of the fabric of this country. I am pleased and proud to have this opportunity to salute them today.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the extraordinary life and accomplishments of a remarkable woman in Colorado. It is both fitting and proper that we recognize Sylvia Clark for her impressive record of civic leadership and invaluable service.

Sylvia was a dear friend and a stalwart leader who will be greatly missed. She lived her life on the front lines of progress and proved to be a powerful force in transforming the landscape of our State. Her indomitable spirit sustained her through many challenges and molded a life of genuine accomplishment.

Sylvia was born in St. Anthony, Idaho, and spent a good portion of her youth in Honduras where she saw first hand the impact of poverty on women and children. She studied nursing at Johns Hopkins University and went on to become a registered nurse, a certified nurse midwife, a certified obstetrics and gynecology nurse, and earned a master's degree in public administration. Sylvia came of age professionally at the time women were gaining their rights to forms of birth control previously considered illegal. She began an eminent career at Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains in 1967 and went on to become executive director where she guided the organization through turbulent political times and succeeded in building a preeminent reproductive health care agency, providing services to

over 100,000 clients through 35 health centers in six States.

No one has been more courageous and unrelenting in the struggle to make sure that every pregnancy is planned, that every child is wanted, and that every woman is assured access to reproductive health care. Sylvia's life is a testament to the principle that government should not interfere in the health choices of women. She was dedicated to the proposition that all women should be given the support they need to make wise decisions about their families. Despite numerous attempts to chip away at reproductive rights and health care services in Colorado, Sylvia never faltered and labored tirelessly to ensure that family planning practices in our State remain both respectful and voluntary. For these efforts, Sylvia was honored by the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice with the Alex Luken Faith and Freedom Award and the Anti-Defamation League's Civil Rights Award.

We are grateful for Sylvia's leadership in sustaining an ethic of family planning in our State and Nation. She was a fervent defender of rights that have deep roots in our democracy and our tradition of civil liberties. I believe Sylvia's message to us would be that we must be ever vigilant and continue the fight for the kind of America which respects these rights.

Sylvia Clark lived a life of meaning and one that is rich in consequence. It is the character and deeds of Sylvia Clark, and all Americans like her, which distinguish us as a people. Truly, we are all diminished by the passing of this remarkable woman. Please join me in paying tribute to the life of Sylvia Clark, a distinguished citizen. It is the values, leadership, and commitment she exhibited during her life that serve to build a better future for all Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Lofgren amendment and in opposition to the Unborn Victims of Violence Act.

Mr. Speaker, the majority of Americans are prochoice, and they depend on us to protect a woman's right to choose, while at the same time working to make abortion rare by making sure that all women have a full range of reproductive choices. They depend on us to pass legislation that will protect their reproductive freedom, and they depend on us to know the difference between legislation that truly protects women and legislation that is discussed as something that it is not, like, for example, the bill that is before us now.

Today, Members of Congress who truly care about the issue of violence against women can put their words into action by voting for the Lofgren substitute. The substitute provides for the deterrence and punishment of violent acts against pregnant women, and it does so while completely avoiding the controversial issues of abortion. It creates a new separate crime with tough penalties, up to 20 years to life, for an assault that causes the termination of a pregnancy.

So my colleagues can choose to vote for the substitute and actually accomplish a goal they care about, or they can go with the underlying bill, which is nothing but a poorly disguised vehicle to undermine Roe v. Wade.

We are not fooled by this legislation. Our constituents will not be fooled by this legislation. If Members of the House really care about taking steps to protect pregnant women and punish the people who commit horrible acts of violence against them, we will all join together and vote for the Lofgren substitute.

There is only one real difference between the substitute and the underlying bill, and it is this one thing that reveals the true goal of H.R. 1997. The underlying bill creates a Federal criminal offense that provides a pregnancy from conception to birth with the legal status separate from that of the woman. Regardless of what we are hearing today from proponents of the legislation, there is only one reason to vote for this bill, and that is to support defining a fetus or a fertilized egg, for that matter, as a person.

If the supporters of the legislation want to debate the merits of abortion, let us do it out in the open. But they should be embarrassed about cloaking their true intent in an issue that we all agree upon, protecting pregnant women from violence.

We keep hearing those who support the bill talk about two victims, but what they are omitting is the fact that this bill does not mention the main victim, the woman, another indication this bill is not really about two victims at all. The Lofgren substitute is the bill that truly focuses on women, because it creates a Federal criminal offense for harm to a pregnant woman.

I strongly urge my colleagues to vote yes on the Lofgren substitute and no on final passage.