Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the members of St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church in Jersey City, New Jersey. On Sunday, September 26, 2004, they will be celebrating 60 years of community ministry with a re-dedication ceremony.

St. John AME Church was founded in May 1944 and its members have served the people of Jersey City through their outreach to children, families, and seniors; their involvement in neighborhood initiatives; and their dedication to meeting the needs of the community in which they live.

They worked with the Communipaw Avenue Block Association and the Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy to restore the historical Rev. Dr. F. Webb Park, and they are a member of the Communipaw Avenue Block Association and Garden Club. They have developed a Spiritual and Social Plan dealing with fair housing, financial problems, and other neighborhood matters. The have been active in the Morris Canal Redevelopment Area Development Coalition Plans and have planted trees in local parks.

St. John AME Church has developed a Voter Education and Registration Project and Database, and is building a Community and Cultural Center for Senior Citizens and Youth. They have an Uplifting the Brotherhood of Men Ministry for fathers and their children, a cell phone ministry for battered women, an Outreach Golden Senior Citizen ministry, and are a member of the Today I Must Excel (TIME) program for Inner City families and youth.

They have a DSL computer lab for children and have developed an Adult and Youth Job Training Center. Every year they hold a Health Fair addressing minority health matters, an October Harvest Feast for Community Youth and their families, and a Profound Black Leaders Lecture Series.

Under the leadership of Rev. Charles W. McNeill, Jr., these outstanding citizens continue to fulfill the legacy of community service that St. John AME Church has exemplified for the last 60 years.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me as I recognize these men and women who are dedicated to making our community a better place, and I encourage my colleagues to join me in sending our best wishes for many, many more years of service and ministry.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a cultural innovator in my district, Mr. Cecil Brooks III. A world renowned jazz artist, drummer, band leader, composer, arranger, and record producer, Mr. Brooks and his wife Adreena have recently established a jazz club in West Orange. Opening in late June 2003, Cecil's is quickly establishing a reputation as one of the most prestigious addresses in northern New Jersey.

Mr. Brooks is responsible for bringing internationally acclaimed entertainers to our community, including renowned jazz saxophonist Don Braden and American comic legend Bill Cosby.

Mr. Brooks achieved international prominence as a Goodwill Ambassador, and is considered one of the most popular and innovative figures in the world of modern jazz, as well one of the most prolific record producers and band leaders on the scene today. He has been credited with numerous recordings which have been ranked in the Top Ten of the Gavin National Radio Airplay Chart and has worked for several labels including Muse and Highnote/Savant records.

He has been recognized in the Downbeat Magazine Critic's Poll as ``Producer Deserving Wider Recognition,'' and has performed on world tour with jazz icons such as Houston Person and Etta James, Pharoah Sanders, Stanley Turrentine, the Mingus Dynast Big Band, the Dizzy Gillespie Reunion Band, and was the drummer for The Bill Cosby Show.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in extending my thanks to my neighbors Cecil and Adreena Brooks for their contributions to the civic and cultural life of our community, and I invite my colleagues to join me in sending our congratulations for their outstanding achievements which celebrate jazz, the truly American art form, and have brought such positive recognition to the city of West Orange.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support the Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act, H.R. 4571, that addresses the problem of frivolous lawsuits in a constitutional manner. As an OB-GYN, I am very aware of the damage frivolous litigation is causing small businesses and medical practitioners. Frivolous lawsuits filed by unscrupulous trial lawyers can drive small businesses into bankruptcy and force doctors to abandon their medical practice. These lawsuits inflict the greatest danger on consumers who must pay more for goods and services and medical patients who cannot find needed medical services in their communities.

H.R. 4571 reduces frivolous lawsuits by exercising Congress's constitutional authority to establish rule of civil procedure for federal courts. Specifically, H.R. 4571 restores mandatory sanctions for attorneys who file frivolous lawsuits. Among other sanctions, attorneys who file frivolous lawsuits may be required to pay the other side's attorneys fees. The possibility of having to pay attorneys fees is an important factor in discouraging ``nuisance'' suits--lawsuits filed in the hopes of extorting cash settlements from defendants who have decided it is better to settle quickly than face the possibility of a lengthy and costly legal proceedings. This form of legal blackmail is one of the most abhorrent practices plaguing our legal system today. I am pleased to see Congress taking action to address it.

H.R. 4571 also ends the practice of forum shopping. Forum shopping is an abuse of Federal ``diversity jurisdiction'' that allows a trial attorney to pick a venue known for awarding large cash awards for spurious claims. All too often, a plaintiff's attorney will choose a forum that has a very tenuous or insignificant relation to the main case, but has a reputation for awarding huge victories to the plaintiff's bar. Forum shopping is especially a problem in class action suits. H.R. 4571 addresses this problem by requiring cases be filed in the Federal district or State where the plaintiff resides, the State or Federal district where the plaintiff was injured or the State or Federal district where the defendant's principal place of business is located.

Mr. Speaker, frivolous lawsuits endanger small business across the country. I am pleased to see Congress today addressing the

litigation crisis, not by attempting to nationalize tort law, but by exercising our constitutional authority over the rules of Federal civil procedure and diversity jurisdiction. I, therefore, urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 4571, the Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues here in the House of Representatives to join me as I rise to congratulate Mr. and Mrs. Albert Johnson, Sr. on their 60th wedding anniversary. A celebration in their honor is being hosted by their children at the Galloping Hill Caterers in Union, New Jersey on Friday, August 27, 2004.

Albert Johnson, Sr. and the former Loretta Cobb were married in Newark, New Jersey on August 24, 1944. This blessed union produced six children, fourteen grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. The Johnsons made their home in Newark before moving to Hillside, New Jersey in the late sixties. Mr. Johnson retired from the United States Post office after working there for many years. Mrs. Johnson was a homemaker and childcare provider. She delighted in providing a warm and nurturing environment for her young charges.

Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are deeply religious and they celebrate their faith at the Emanuel Missionary Baptist Church in Newark. Mr.

Johnson is a deacon there and Mrs. Johnson is a deaconess as well as a church mother. This couple embodies the spirit of matrimony and faith as they travel together to visit the sick. They also hold weekly prayer service at a facility for senior citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson inspire others with their words of encouragement and their harmonious demeanors.

Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in letting Mr. and Mrs. Albert Johnson, Sr.'s family, friends and congregation know that their 60th anniversary is indeed a cause for celebration.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Barbara Kukla, an outstanding member of my community who has been the lifeblood of the community spirit and cultural vitality of my hometown of Newark.

She is a writer, a journalist, a historian, a mentor, and was the award-winning Star-Ledger Editor of ``Newark This Week,'' a 4-page weekly section that highlighted events important to original Newarkers, helping to make local events more successful and creating a community meeting place for all our citizens. Barbara's thorough and sustaining coverage of Newark news generated public interest in local events, contributing greatly to the growth and development of our city.

Her love for Newark is not only limited to current events, but includes its rich past. She shared a great friendship with Miss Rhapsody, a legendary Newark jazz singer, who introduced her to many local musicians and piqued her interest in the thriving music scene. Barbara's involvement led to countless hours of research and writing, establishing her as the preeminent historian on Newark's prominence from the 1920s to the present, and inspiring her first book, Swing City. Her second book, Defying the Odds, follows the lives of eight of Newark's most distinguished women, and includes the biographies of 180 others.

Among her many honors, Barbara has received a Recognition Award from the Newark Preservation & Landmarks Committee, the Newark Community Development Network's Charles E. Cummings Award, the Newark Do Something's Lifetime Award for Community Leadership, the Metropolitan Baptist Church of Newark's Living Legend Award, and the John Cotton Dana Distinguished Lecturer Award, named after the founder of the Newark Museum and Library.

In support of the Barbara Kukla Scholarship Fund, Barbara will be hosting Newark Stars on Parade for Newark Students, a star-studded event which will feature a wide-ranging array of music by artists who were either born in Newark or have long-time ties to our city. Stars such as Gloria Gaynor, Melba Moore, the Monotones, Drinkard Singers II, Yvette Glover, the South Side High School Madrigals, Robert Banks, Carrie Smith, Kevin Maynor, Don Williams and Lady CiCi, Gwen Moten, BJ Plus Forty, Pam Purvis and Bob Ackerman, Carrie Jackson, and Gil ``Bebop'' Benson will all be on hand to showcase their musical talent in support of our students. The proceeds from this extravaganza will be used to provide college scholarships for Newark high school graduates and to aid others who are struggling to stay in school.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in extending my thanks to my neighbor, Ms. Barbara Kukla, for her contributions to the civic and cultural life of our community, and I invite my colleagues to join me in sending our congratulations for her outstanding achievements which celebrate what is best and brightest about our city, and have brought such positive recognition to the city of Newark.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a landmark achievement of the hardworking men and women of New Jersey. This month, the New Jersey Building and Construction Trades Council will be holding its

100th convention at Caesar's Resort and Casino in Atlantic City, NJ.

The skilled craftsmen and women of the building trades have formed the backbone of New Jersey's labor movement for more than two centuries. It was the building trades, in particular the carpenters at the Hibernia Iron Works in 1774, who were the first to band together and strike for better working conditions. It was the building trades unions who consistently provided for the city and county trade federations that formed in the mid-19th century, for New Jersey's Knights of Labor assemblies, and especially for the New Jersey State Federation of Labor that grew into New Jersey's AFL-CIO.

The New Jersey Building and Construction Trades Council and its unions led the fight for the 8-hour day, better and safer working conditions, strong pension and health benefits, and a living wage.

The NJBCTC and its unions built the modern State of New Jersey, from the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway, to Newark Airport and the Meadowlands. They built the high-rise casinos that light up Atlantic City's skyline, the new skyscrapers rising up on Jersey City's Gold Coast, the hospitals in which we care for our sick, and the schools in which we educate our children.

Mr. Speaker, the men and women of the New Jersey Building and Construction Trades Council and its unions deserve our gratitude, and I would like to offer my congratulations to President William Mullen and his vice presidents, representing each of the construction trades. I also invite my colleagues to join me in recognizing their predecessors who built the NJBCTC into what it is today, and to the tens of thousands of building trades craft unionists of generations past and present, who have built strong unions and a strong New Jersey.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to add to the overwhelming support of this House for this resolution honoring former President Bill Clinton as he celebrates his 58th birthday.

President Clinton is a gifted and charismatic leader who has devoted his professional life to public service.

His administration was marked with great economic success, transforming quadrupled budget deficits into a budget surplus. He achieved the lowest unemployment rate in 28 years, the lowest percentage of Americans on welfare 29 years, and the lowest inflation rate in 33 years.

During his presidency, the economy expanded by 50 percent in real terms, and when he left office, the U.S. had a gross national product of $10 trillion--one-quarter of the entire world economic output.

During his administration, 15 million jobs were created and average wages rose. Home ownership rates were the highest in history. Funding public education, saving Social Security, and ensuring health care for all Americans were priorities.

Our economic success was a sign of stability that sparked growth in domestic and international markets.

He was a great supporter of human rights and promoting peace through humanitarian relief efforts, refugee assistance, and aiding in peace process negotiations.

I was honored to accompany President Clinton on historic trips to Northern Ireland and Africa. We went as ambassadors of peace and reconciliation, and it was heartening to see how well received we were by our international hosts. The people of this country were welcomed and well respected abroad.

I have great respect and admiration for him personally and for his outstanding leadership of our great country, and I believe his legacy will long enjoy the approval of a grateful nation.

I extend to him my best wishes for a happy birthday, and I offer my wholehearted support for this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory and legacy of the Reverend Dr. Theodore R. Goyins, Pastor Emeritus of Heard A.M.E. Church, Roselle, New Jersey.

When Dr. Goyins passed away on June 24, 2004, he left behind a lifetime of achievements to church, family and community. During his

pastorate, Dr. Goyins demonstrated a vision that will have a lasting impact on all those who knew him. As a result of his caring and dedication to serving the will of God, Dr. Goyins was the recipient of many awards, honorariums, and resolutions.

As Dr. Goyins is remembered during a Memorial Service on July 21, 2004, many will recall his sense of humor and his desire to create a synergy between the church and the community. His efforts to assist in creating affordable housing in Roselle stand out as one of his many accomplishments. Dr. Goyins was also a strong advocate of education, having organized HOPE, Help Our Public Education. He established the Heard A.M.E. Federal Credit Union which was chartered in 1980.

Dr. Goyins also organized the Heard Food Store and started the Heard HIV/AIDS Commission, which was the recipient of a federal grant. Dr. Goyins served as the impetus behind many other projects and initiatives, and countless people will be forever grateful to him for all of his good deeds.

Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in assuring Dr. Goyins' family, friends and congregation that his memory will always be honored and cherished.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) for the outstanding work he has done as the ranking member of the Committee on International Relations. I stand very proudly today to urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 436, commending a decade of democracy and majority rule in the Republic of South Africa.

I did not believe when I visited South Africa in the 1970s that we would see a transformation of that apartheid-run racist government transformed by peaceful means. When the first elections were held 10 years ago, I recall the lines of people who waited for hours and hours in order to vote.

Let me say that South Africa has transformed from an apartheid state to a nonracial, peaceful and democratic form of government. The country successfully held democratic elections in 1994 to elect its first democratically elected president.

After being imprisoned for 27 years, Nelson Mandela became South Africa's first democratically elected president. As the first democratically elected president, Mr. Mandela laid the foundation for more reliable government and an economically viable country and is seen not only as a leader in Africa, but as we all know, as a world leader.

Before 1994, only 40 percent of the people in South Africa had electricity; now more than 70 percent of the households in South Africa have electricity. South Africa has made a significant advance in housing by constructing 1,600,000 houses for the poor in South Africa, a remarkable, remarkable feat.

From 1994 to 2004, secondary school enrollment in South Africa increased from 70 percent to 85 percent and students in South Africa now learn in a racially integrated school system. Also, during this time, 9 million people in South Africa have gained access to clean water. In addition, the Government of South Africa has established nutritional and educational programs to benefit the youngest and the poorest.

As the world's leading democracy, we should applaud the Government of South Africa for the reforms it has substituted to better serve its people. South Africa has served as an inspiration for other African nations striving for democracy and peaceful cooperation through their many ethnic groups in their individual countries and look to South Africa as the example.

The 1990s saw the spread of democracy across the continent of Africa, once dominated by military dictators and authoritarian leaders. Nigeria held its second multiparty election this month, and despite reported irregularities, the elections were largely peaceful. The world also witnessed the end of white minority rule and subsequent democratic elections in South Africa, as we talked about. And Mr. Mandela has taken his leadership to try to find prospects for peace in Burundi.

Now Mr. Thabo Mbeki is leading that cause. Mr. Mbeki has done an outstanding job as the president, following Mr. Mandela, and his leadership is second to none on the continent. So it is a pleasure for me to join with my colleagues to say that the example set by Mr. Nelson Mandela serving one term and stepping down, I think, is an example we are all proud of.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlemen for yielding me this time.

I rise in support for H. Con. Res. 694 condemning the attack on the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in July, 1994, and to express the concern of the United States regarding continuing, decade-long delay in the resolution of this case.

I think it is important to remember that whenever we see injustice anywhere, it is an attack on injustice everywhere. I think with the horrendous act in July of 1994, and with the lack of support or urgency of the Organization of American States, without the pushing of international organizations, that we leave a message that people can do what they feel like they want to do and get away with it. So I strongly urge that organizations responsible for seeing that justice is done worldwide would focus their attention on this.

It was 10 years ago that the genocide was going on in Rwanda. While we celebrated 10 years of independence for South Africa, we looked around with other terrible things happening.

Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) for this resolution. We must continue to be vigilant because injustice anywhere is an insult to justice everywhere.

Mr. Speaker, let me commend our leaders in the Committee on International Relations, Chairman Hyde and Ranking Member Lantos, for their tireless work in bringing this historic resolution declaring genocide in Darfur, Sudan to the floor. Many people have held back on using the word ``genocide'' out of fear that it is really a declaration that they try to step around, but I really am so proud that this House of Representatives is standing up and calling it like it is. As my colleague from Colorado said, it is genocide. Let me just say that this would have been impossible without the Tancredos and the Wolfs and the Royces on the other side and fighters on our side such as the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky) and all of the members of the Congressional Black Caucus and our dean, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers).

This is something that we did not do 10 years ago when genocide was happening in Rwanda. We looked the other way. But we are not going to look the other way in 2004. We must also impress upon the world community, the AU, the EU, the Islamic Front, all of the groups, that they must come together and that they must declare and work towards having civility return to Sudan.

But I want to remind the Congress that although we need to act now in Darfur, that once the crisis is under control, we cannot rest on our laurels and fool ourselves that this type of thing will not happen again. Let me just remind the Speaker that this same government gave sanctuary to Osama bin Laden from 1991 to 1996, allowing him to build his terror network worldwide. In fact, I would argue that al Qaeda was conceived and created in Sudan in the 1990s. Other terrorist acts are also linked to the current officials still sitting in Sudan that have not even been questioned.

It is important to recall that the government of Sudan's involvement in international terrorism goes back a decade. The Sudanese government was directly involved in the World Trade Center bombing in 1993. The mastermind of the 1993 bombing, Sheikh Abdel Rahman, who was sentenced to life in 1995, received his visa from the same Khartoum government. He was a guest of senior Sudanese government officials several weeks before that happened at that time. Of the 15 men indicted for this terror act, five were Sudanese nationalists. These Sudanese nationalists had strong ties with Sudanese diplomats stationed right here in New York at the Sudan Embassy at the United Nations.

In 1995, members of an Egyptian terrorist group tried to assassinate President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt when he was attending a meeting in Ethiopia at the OAU summit. The 11-man assassination team had been given safe haven in Sudan to prepare for the mission to kill the Egyptian president. The weapons used in the assassination attempt were reportedly flown into Ethiopia on Sudan Airways. The passports used by the assassins were also prepared in Khartoum, according to a United Nations report.

The point of listing all of this is to show a pattern. This is a regime that does not care about human lives and to think that they will stop at Darfur, we are fooling ourselves. We must begin to get serious about our dealings with the government of Sudan. No more coddling them because they have oil or because they have links to Islamic countries, no more allowing the African Union to give excuses, no more allowing the EU saying, What are we doing here?

We must act now. We must continue the pressure. I urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 467, declaring genocide in Darfur.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. David Tawei Lee. Dr. David Tawei Lee, Taiwan's premier diplomat in Europe, has been reassigned to replace Representative C.J. Chen as Taiwan's top representative in Washington. Dr. Lee will be in charge of Taiwan's Washington office and serve as Taiwan's de-facto ambassador in Washington.

Dr. Lee is uniquely qualified for this top post. He began his Foreign Service career in Taiwan's Washington office from 1982 to 1988. From 1993 to 1996 he was Director General of Taiwan's office in Boston. In 1996 he was Director-General of North American Affairs at Taiwan's foreign ministry. Subsequently he was Taiwan's spokesman from 1997 to 1998 and Taiwan's deputy foreign minister. For the last few years he was Taiwan's number one diplomat in Europe, responsible for liaisoning with all European countries.

Dr. Lee received his Ph.D. in political science from the University of Virginia and did research work at Harvard University. In 2000 Oxford University Press published his monumental study, The Making of the Taiwan Relations Act which offers an unprecedented look into the legislative history of the Taiwan Relations Act.

I am pleased that the Taiwan government has assigned Dr. Lee to represent Taiwan in Washington. In the months ahead, Dr. Lee will continue to strengthen the relations between Taiwan and Washington. I am sure that he will do an excellent job given his strong professional and academic credentials. Many of us look forward to welcoming him to Washington.

Like many of my colleagues, I have enjoyed working with the outstanding diplomats from Taiwan. I have also enjoyed working with Professor Nathan Mao. Having written a number of books and articles on Chinese subjects, he is a China expert. His knowledge as well as his communication skills are highly respected on the Hill.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in extending a warm welcome to Ambassador David Tawei Lee and his wife Madam Lin Chih and I invite my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, my colleague, Mr. Pitts and I, would like to welcome King Mohammed VI of Morocco to the United States and wish him well during his visit. We strongly urge His Majesty to uphold and implement his nation's agreements regarding the conflict over the Western Sahara. In addition, we urge His Majesty to uphold U.N. Security Council Resolution 1541 as a tribute to former Secretary of State James A. Baker III, who promoted international legality and justice while responding to the true long-term interests of both parties concerned in this conflict. His Majesty's support for the former U.N. Special Envoy Baker's Peace Plan would be the best contribution to peace and stability in the region. In addition, upholding the Peace Plan would demonstrate the effectiveness of the pursuit of national aspirations through non-violence in the greater Middle East, a region that has been the target of much violence.

Mr. Speaker, last week, a number of Members sent a letter to President Bush requesting that during his meeting with the King, he strongly encourage His Majesty to implement the United Nations Settlement Plan in order to achieve a just, peaceful, and lasting resolution to the conflict over Western Sahara. The letter welcomed United Nations Security Council Resolution No. 1541 adopted April 29, 2004, which reaffirmed support for the Peace Plan for Self- Determination of the People of Western Sahara devised by U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan's Special Envoy, James Baker, and shared deep regret over the departure of Mr. Baker and the circumstances that led to his resignation.

In addition, the letter welcomed the confidence-building measures taken by the Polisario Front which released a further 643 Moroccan POWs since July 2003; the number of POWs the Polisario has liberated since 1991 now totals 1,760. However, the Members of Congress expressed their regret that the Government of King Mohammed VI has not reciprocated in a commensurate way. The fact that the Sahrawis have opted for non- violence in the affirmation of their identity and have respected the terms of the cease-fire signed in 1991 between their representative and Morocco, is telling in terms of who is committed to settlement of the conflict.

Further, the letter expressed great concern that if the conflict between these two parties is left unresolved, it has the potential to disrupt peace and stability in the Maghreb region, thus threatening the interests of the United States. The Members expressed that the United States should use its unique influence in that region to press the Moroccan Government and the Polisario Front to agree to the Peace Plan and to implement it under the supervision of the United Nations. Although U.S. attention is primarily focused, as it should be on Iraq and on the war against terrorism, the letter underscores the concern of the Members that the Western Sahara conflict needs to be addressed urgently and fairly to the benefit of the peoples of the region and in the interest of the United States. A peaceful, successful resolution of the conflict over Western Sahara will provide a signal to the Broader Middle East and North African region that in the 21st century there are successful alternatives to violence in the pursuit of national aspirations.

Mr. Speaker, we again extend our welcome His Majesty and strongly urge him not to stand in the way of progress towards the peaceful resolution of the conflict over Western Sahara.

Mr. Speaker, it is with sorrow that I rise to inform my colleagues of the sudden passing of Derek T. Winans. Mr. Winans, a direct descendent of William Wheeler, a founder of Newark with Robert Treat in 1666, lived in my hometown of Newark for over 40 years. He was known for his deep commitment to civil rights and was a major figure in organizing and winning support for anti-poverty, alternative education, and community development programs.

He was a graduate of St. Paul's in Concord, NH, and of Harvard College. His senior thesis at Harvard received a magna cum laude. His own success in education inspired him to devote himself to providing similar opportunities for the youth in our community. Derek founded the Newark Day Care Council/Springfield Avenue Community School, the Ironbound Community Corporation/Ironbound Children's Center, and the Community Mobilization Center. He was co-founder of the Newark Community Project for People with AIDS, served as secretary of the Newark Coordinating Council, was active with the Newark Community Union Project, and acted as a spokesperson and planner for many civil rights and community-based organizations in Newark. He worked as deputy director for the International Youth Organization (IYO), planning director of the United Community Corporation, and was the staff person for Councilman Donald Tucker during his founding of the NJ Black Issues Convention.

Derek was not only involved locally but he also made an impact nationally. He was very active with Congressman Barney Frank of Massachusetts, a Harvard classmate, on the enactment of the Ryan White Legislation in the early 90's, which significantly increased funding for education and treatment of HIV and AIDS. Earlier this year the House of Representatives approved a proposal written by Derek: The New Jersey Underground Railroad Cultural Heritage Project, for which IYO is serving as the lead agency. It was my privilege to work with Derek not only on these two projects but many others mentioned earlier.

Derek loved public policy, believed in the power of people to govern well, and possessed a long history of civic and political involvement. He was an important figure in many New Jersey political campaigns, with State Assemblyman George Richardson, Mayor Ken Gibson, and the Newark City Council campaign of the late Jesse Allan. He was truly a great friend of mine.

Derek was the son of the late Elizabeth Carrington and James Dusenberry Winans. He is survived by his stepmother, Polly Dudley Winans Beischer of Lakewood, NJ; a brother, Pete Torrey Winans of Amelia Island, FL; two stepbrothers; a stepsister; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in remembering the life of this remarkable man, and I encourage my colleagues to join me in recalling his lifelong commitment to service, integrity, and compassion. I express my condolences to his family and friends as they grieve his passing.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a distinguished public servant from my district. It gives me a great deal of pleasure to recognize Councilman Donald Tucker for his 30 years of service to the City of Newark. This is a major accomplishment, and its celebration is a well deserved honor for Councilman Tucker. Having served on the City Council and Southward Democratic Committee with Councilman Tucker, I can attest to his dedication to our community and would like to share a few of his many passions, projects, and accomplishments with you today.

Since 1974, Councilman Tucker has devoted his time and energy to the pursuit of enhancing the quality of life for the residents of Newark. As the senior member of the City Council, he has the historical perspective that makes him a nationally prominent municipal leader. In addition to serving as the President of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBCLEO) for four years, he was on the Executive Board of the National League of Cities. He has been pro- active in his efforts to assist in making Newark a ``Model City.'' Councilman Tucker is founder and State Chairman of the renowned Black Issues Convention (NJBIC). Under his leadership, NJBIC is the longest serving State Black Issues Convention in the country. He is the main operative of the annual ``Newark Day'' observance in Atlantic City during the State League of Municipalities Convention.

In addition to his duties as a Councilman, Donald Tucker finds time to serve the community in other ways. He serves on several advisory boards and has received numerous awards and citations for his dedicated service. Always an advocate for children and senior citizens, Councilman Tucker is the founder of The Centre, Inc., a community services multipurpose center that serves these individuals.

I salute Councilman Tucker for his dedication to our community and I am proud to have him in my district. Mr. Speaker, please join me in extending my thanks to Councilman Tucker, and I invite my colleagues to join me in sending our sincere congratulations and best wishes as he celebrates 30 years of service to Newark's deserving citizens.