Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, this Democratic Congress, with our President, has begun to turn around the terrible job situation we inherited. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is working. Can you imagine where we would be without it? Private-sector employment has increased for 6 straight months, 35 percent of household wealth lost in the Bush administration has been recovered. Finally, the Senate overcame Republican objections and extended unemployment to help tide millions of people through these tough times. But that is not enough.

The American people need jobs. My community needs jobs. While unemployment overall has improved, there are too many communities which still have double-digit unemployment, and African Americans and young people are the hardest hit.

So to the other party on the other side of the Capitol: Pass the small business bill to fuel the engine of our economy, now. Pass funding we have included for youth jobs, now. Pass funding to keep teachers in our classrooms and policemen on our streets, now. Pass funding for black farmers, now.

This country thrives or falters on the strength of our working men and women. Senate Republicans: forget politics. Let's put America back to work.

Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the late Lorraine L. Berry, who made her final transition on July 19th. She was born on St. Thomas on November 15, 1949, the eldest of nine children. Her mother, Emelda, and father, Joseph, provided their children with a sense of responsibility and commitment to their community.

Lorraine developed an interest in politics as a teenager, inspired by the riveting and profound words of Dr. Martin Luther King in his ``I Have a Dream'' speech during the August 8, 1963 march on Washington, DC. His remarks made an indelible mark on Lorraine and she never wavered in her zeal to someday make that dream a reality.

Lorraine got her feet wet as the president of the PTA of Joseph Sibilly Elementary School (formerly known as the Robert Herrick School). Her aggressive agenda and her assertive and dedicated commitment to the improvement of the school so impressed the late Governor, Cyril Emanuel King, that he encouraged her to get involved in politics and join his party, the Independent Citizens Movement. She took his advice to become politically active, but because of the strong impression she had established in the community, she was drafted by then Senator Earle B. Ottley and political activist, Roy Gottlieb to serve on the Democratic Party Territorial Committee.

During her political career, she founded Virgin Islanders for Democratic Action Club (VIDAC) to raise the community's consciousness and provide the basis for political and legislative initiatives and promoted responsible and responsive political leadership. Her most recent symposium was on the ``Responsibilities of Political Leadership'' and she encouraged women to become involved in the process and run for public office.

Virtually from the time she entered the labor force, Lorraine has been a dedicated public servant. She served in several governmental posts including Manager of the St. Thomas District Office the Virgin Islands Delegate to Congress, Ron de Lugo. In 1982, she successfully ran for a seat in the St. Thomas District of the Virgin Islands Legislature.

Senator Berry gained vast experience in her service as the Chair of the Committee of Government Operations in the 15th Legislature; Chair of the Committee on Finance in the 17th, 18th and 23rd Legislature; Majority Leader of the 18th Legislature; Chair of the Committee on Health in the 19th and 20th Legislatures; President of the 22nd and 26th Legislatures; and Vice-President and Chair of the Committee on Public Safety, the Judiciary, Homeland Security and Justice in the 25th Legislature

In her twenty-four years as a lawmaker, Senator Berry's courageous leadership shepherded passage of landmark legislation that critically impacted on the political, economic and social fabric of our society. The initiatives she enacted provided much needed support for families, economic development incentives for investors, public safety of the community, business opportunities for residents, employment opportunities and public sector employment for Virgin Islanders.

Over the years, one of the most challenging issues was the state of the health care system. Senator Berry supported the establishment of semi-autonomy for our hospitals, and the use of Tobacco Settlement funds for a cancer center on St. Thomas and the cardiac center on St. Croix, both of which are fully operational and successful facilities today providing services that Virgin Islanders would have to go off island to receive.

In 1986, Senator Berry sought the Democratic Party primary bid for Governor of the Virgin Islands, along with her running mate for Lt. Governor, Senator St. Clair Williams. She fostered a progressive platform that included mandatory education for the children of the Virgin Islands as a birthright. She waged war against the ``four horsemen of the apocalypse''--fiscal irresponsibility, corruption, cronyism and rampant waste. Although, she did not prevail, she remained committed to establishing a government that provided services to its citizens, while remaining fiscally viable.

Because of her strong advocacy for women and the obstacles in sexism she had endured over her lifetime, she agreed to join gubernatorial candidate Judge Edgar Ross to run in the 2006 Democratic primary. She wanted to raise the political bar for women in the Virgin Islands. She felt that the Executive Branch had eluded women for far too long, and it was her obligation to enter the race to stimulate women's interest in running for higher office. Although the Ross-Berry team was defeated, their message was positively received by the public and to this day, have a core group of loyal supporters that remain committed to the principles that they ran on.

As she battled with her illness, Senator Berry was unwavering in her concern for the lack of women in the political process and the welfare of our young people. She believed that no future Legislature should be without women. Women make up more than 55% of the population, but over the past 10 years, there has been only one woman in the Senate. She felt that women must encourage and support women in and out of public office if the issues of women, children, and families are to be adequately addressed.

Lorraine leaves behind a legacy that will be difficult to match. The entire Virgin Islands community owes a debt of gratitude to her.

To her husband, Richard, and her children, Roxanne and Curt, thank you for giving her the support as she fought for the Virgin Islands. As you struggle to adjust to Lorraine's passing, please find comfort in knowing that many of us remain dedicated to ensuring that she will never be forgotten.

On behalf of the 111th Congress, my staff and my family we offer our heartfelt sympathy. May her soul forever rest in eternal peace.

Mr. Speaker, I came to the floor originally to reassure our seniors about Democrats' determination to save Social Security as it approaches its 75th birthday, but I must respond to my colleague who raised the issue of the ATF Agent William Clark.

Neither he nor I know exactly what happened the day that Agent Clark shot and killed Mr. Sukow. Yes, he did come to the aid of a lady who was at least being verbally assaulted by the victim, and the victim had a flashlight in his hand.

But the investigation raised serious questions about the level of the threat and whether the reaction of Agent Clark was excessive. Given the information received by witnesses, an attorney, and a security guard, as well as the medical examiner and the police investigation, our attorney general acted responsibly by charging the agent.

Agent Clark has and will continue to have a fair hearing in our courts, and Congress should not do anything to interfere with the judicial process. We wish the incident did not happen.

In the meantime we are working with Federal law enforcement to make sure that the authority under which they carry out their duties will be clear. We respect their work, and we ask that they respect the Virgin Islands' law enforcement in return.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a talented young Virgin Islander, Megan C. Hodge, a member of the U.S. National Volleyball Team and a senior member of Penn State University Nittany Lions who was recently named the 2010 Penn State Female Athlete of the Year and was also a co-winner of the prestigious Honda-Broderick Cup, awarded to the Top Collegiate Woman Athlete in the country. Megan is the first Penn State University student athlete to win the Honda- Broderick award in the school's 155 year history. Megan, who is an outside hitter led the Penn State Nittany Lions to an unprecedented third straight NCAA title in December 2009, the crowning moment of a 102-match winning streak. She was named the 2009 American Volleyball Coaches Association Division I National Player of the Year, College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All American of the Year for Volleyball, and Big Ten Player of the Year. Megan is part of the winningest class in the Penn State volleyball program history with a career record of 142-5.

Madam Speaker, Megan excels off the court as well as on the court. She graduated last month with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Penn State University. She was honored as an ESPN the Magazine Second Team Academic All-American in 2008 and garnered first team accolades in 2009. Later that year, she went on to become Academic All American of the Year for volleyball. She is a three time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.

Madam Speaker, today, Megan will be welcomed home to the Virgin Islands by her friends and family and proud Virgin Islanders who commend her achievements as a star athlete and a star student. The daughter of Michael and Carmen Samuel Hodge, who themselves are former members of the U.S. Virgin Islands National Volleyball team, Megan who grew up in North Carolina, returns to the islands for a much needed rest and relaxation.

Madam Speaker, I proudly rise to congratulate Megan and her family on her achievements on and off the volleyball court. She exemplifies the ideals of excellence that we all wish will inspire other young people in the Virgin Islands and around the country that hard work, dedication and a commitment of being nothing less than the best is the standard that we all should live by.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 33) to provide for the reconsideration and revision of the proposed constitution of the United States Virgin Islands to correct provisions inconsistent with the Constitution and Federal law.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in

which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the joint resolution under consideration.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, Senate Joint Resolution 33 was introduced by the chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Jeff Bingaman, to respond to concerns raised with the fifth proposed constitution for the United States Virgin Islands.

In order to encourage the adoption of their own constitutions, Congress in 1976 enacted legislation to authorize the people of the Virgin Islands and Guam to convene constitutional conventions and write their own local constitutions. This act, Public Law 94-528, sets out parameters that the supremacy of the United States Constitution must be recognized and adhered to as well as a process for the Federal review of any proposed constitution, including 60-day periods for both Presidential and congressional reviews. We are at the very end of the time prescribed for congressional action.

The U.S. Virgin Islands, an unincorporated territory acquired by the United States from Denmark in 1917, is one of only two U.S. States and territories that does not have a constitution written by the people who determine its basic governmental organization and structure. Instead, for more than half a century, the Virgin Islands have been under the governance of a Federal law known as the Revised Organic Act of 1954. Since 1964, the people of the Virgin Islands have attempted five times to write a constitution that brings the territory governance from the people. The first four efforts were unsuccessful.

On December 31, 2009, the Governor of the Virgin Islands submitted to President Obama a constitution drafted by the Fifth Constitutional Convention of the United States Virgin Islands. As required by Public Law 94-584, the President transmitted the constitution to Congress on March 1, 2010, for consideration.

In his submittal letter to Congress, President Obama indicated that he asked the Department of Justice, in consultation with the Department of the Interior, to provide their views on the proposed constitution. The Department of Justice, in a memorandum which accompanied the President's submittal letter, concluded that several features of the proposed constitution warranted analysis and comment and outlined at least eight areas in the proposed constitution that the Department of Justice believes should either be removed from the constitution or modified.

The resolution we are considering today attempts to respond to the concerns about the proposed constitution raised by the Justice Department by providing for its reconsideration and revision to correct provisions that are inconsistent with the United States Constitution and Federal law. It is a clear statement from Congress that the convention should consider these provisions; although, it does not dictate what the outcome of the ``reconsiderations'' should be.

This resolution also represents a compromise, and because of the importance of this document and the process to my constituents and to me, I would like to explain the journey that I have gone through as their Representative in the only branch of local or national government with the authority to make any changes.

Regardless of my personal opinion or understanding of the unique circumstances of the U.S. Virgin Islands, the document adopted by the convention does not meet the dictates of the act which authorized its creation.

My initial position was that we as a Congress should exercise our authority and amend it before sending the document back to the people of the Virgin Islands to vote on. I still feel strongly that the people at home are entitled to and deserve a constitutionally sound document upon which to come out and cast their votes. That has not changed.

Yet, after listening to the testimony given in the Congress--and when at home--to the many sides of the issue and after listening to the varied opinions of a broad cross-section of my community, a different position evolved. Despite my misgivings on the constitutionality of the document, my views became more consistent with my long held stance that the people of the territories should be the ones to decide on issues of their self-governance.

The people of the Virgin Islands voted for delegates to the Constitutional Convention. We as a Congress and I as their elected Representative should honor their position and their work on the people's behalf. Further, any provision that is unconstitutional would not stand, and therefore, no one need fear that any rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution would in any way be abridged.

The Senate felt differently. There was a degree of outrage at what appeared on the surface to be a denial of equal protection under the law. Although they first thought to reject the document outright, that was not an option, and so they were prepared to amend it.

The resolution which is before us today represents a compromise that I negotiated and which protects the right of the people of the Virgin Islands to draft and adopt a constitution of their own writing; and I do believe that, although the definitions of native and ancestral could be included to follow the dictates, however, of the authorizing act, any rights and privileges ascribed to them would need to be amended in the reconvening of the convention. There is precedent for the convention's reconvening to address administration concerns, as it happened in the case of the fourth constitutional draft document.

As I stated in my testimony before the Senate, it had been my hope that, once reconvened as prescribed in this resolution, no matter what was or was not done, the resulting document would go directly to the people of the USVI for the vote. I did not prevail in that argument, but given the constraints of time imposed by the other body's late action and the delays in reaching agreement on the resolution's being placed on the suspension calendar, I hope that we will get this to the people in time for the constitution to reconvene.

With that, I ask my colleagues to support the passage of this measure so that we can get it done today and get it to the President for his signature.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I thank my colleague for his support. As we said, we are at the very last few days with which the Congress has been prescribed to act, and I ask for support of this measure.

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

Thank you for yielding, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, this is not what we should be doing. What is needed is a permanent fix for the SGR. But I do urge my colleagues to vote for at least a short-term measure that would stop the 21 percent cut in physician reimbursement.

As a family physician who had a practice that was at least one-third Medicare patients, I know how low the reimbursement is for the important work we do after long years of training. That cut and the one slated to follow would have cause many physicians to close their doors to some of the individuals who need it most. Even when I was in practice over 14 years ago, the fees were so low that I was one of a handful of doctors who saw Medicare patients. It has only gotten worse since then.

And it is not that doctors don't want to take care of the elderly and disabled patients, it is what we went into the profession to do; but to be able to do that, we have to be able to meet our overhead, pay staff, purchase supplies, and take care of our families. The 2.2 percent increase is a start, but doctors need certainty and stability.

The other body and our colleagues on the other side of the aisle need to step up and support what Democrats tried to do during health care reform. We need to help doctors provide the care that they want to provide to our seniors. Let us fix the SGR once and for all, even if we have to do it as part of a supplemental. Ensuring the care of some of our most vulnerable is that important and that urgent.

Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute and honor Mr. Larry Lucas--who is retiring from his position as vice president, Government Affairs, of Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association, PhRMA--for his dedication and illustrious career which, over many decades, has always championed the improved health and wellness of all people, but particularly of the underserved.

During his tenure at PhRMA, Larry honed his expertise and energy around coalition building and grassroots development, and developed strong and strategic partnerships with African-American and Latino state legislators throughout the country. But Larry also worked with a diversity of Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle on issues that were and remain critically important to expanding access not only to medicines, but also to quality health care information, services and treatments. He launched numerous efforts to work with a broad coalition of key stakeholders--from patients, to healthcare providers and administrators, to for-profit and not-for-profit health organizations-- to raise greater awareness about the factors that exacerbate the racial and ethnic differences in access to quality health care, as well as in health preferences and health outcomes. Ever the communicator--Larry did a stint in radio as a young man--he also wrote a nationally syndicated monthly column about new developments in the pharmaceutical industry.

Larry's incredible accomplishments, however, began long before he joined PhRMA. Not only did he receive a bachelor of science degree in education from Jackson State University in Mississippi and honorably serve the Nation in the United States Air Force, but he conceptualized and launched a landmark outreach campaign at the Bureau of Census for the 1980 census program that involved over 86,000 government jurisdictions. One testament to the success of this effort--which is but one of many during his 16 years with the Bureau--is that the program was replicated in the 1990 and 2000 censuses.

Recently appointed to the Africa Diaspora North Initiative Strategic Planning Committee Board, as well as to the board of trustees for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, NAACP-- where he is involved in their contribution fund and health committee-- Larry holds numerous leadership positions on the boards of directors, as well as advisory boards and councils of some of the Nations' most influential and prominent organizations. Among them are the following: the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc., the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, the National Hispanic Medical Foundation and The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. Larry Lucas also serves on the boards of directors for the Congressional Black Caucus Political Education and Leadership Institute, the Providence Health Foundation Providence Hospital, Yale University's School of Nursing External Advisory Board, and is a founding member of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators' Business Board of Advisors.

Through his commitment to excellence and unwillingness to accept mediocrity, Larry is highly regarded as a respectful, trustworthy, prepared and savvy federal and state legislative affairs expert. Through his perseverance and unrelenting focus on and dedication to reducing racial and ethnic, gender and geographic health disparities, Larry is widely known as one of the Nation's most passionate health equity champions. And, through his continued support of the efforts of not only the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust, but of the Congressional TriCaucus, Larry is not only a brilliant mind, but a great mentor and friend who will be missed, but who also will serve as an inspiration to so many others for many decades to come.

On behalf of all those who have been touched and informed by Larry Lucas's efforts, and whose health, health care, wellness and thus life opportunities have been improved by his myriad professional and personal successes, I thank, honor and congratulate Mr. Lucas today, and wish him health and happiness during a long retirement with his loving wife Camille, family and friends.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 966 that will designate September as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month and raise awareness around addressing childhood obesity.

As this public health crisis continues to grow, we can point to a host of factors that are complicating efforts to reduce childhood obesity such as: prominent advertising of unhealthy foods, the popularity of big-portions meals that are high in calories and fat accompanied with sugary beverages, spending more time in front of the television and sedentary electronic games and fewer school physical education programs. Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years. A recent CDC report found that about 14 percent of low- income, pre-school-aged children in the Virgin Islands are obese, which is also the U.S. average.

Childhood obesity disproportionately affects low-income and minority children. Obesity rates are higher in African American, Native American, and Mexican American adolescents than in White adolescents. Type 2 diabetes is disproportionately seen in Hispanic, Native American, and African American adolescents.

Children that live in low-income neighborhoods often do not have access to recreational facilities, parks, or even sidewalks to walk on, limiting virtually any possibility of being physically active.

They often don't have access to grocery stores to buy fruits and vegetables; rather gathering their nutritional content from fast food restaurants and convenience stores. These food deserts are prevalent in poor communities all over the country.

As a physician I have also seen the adult consequences of childhood obesity: overweight and obese children grow up to be overweight or obese adults at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, and some cancers--all of which are increasing exponentially, especially in communities of color.

The time to intervene is now! We must continue to champion legislation and initiatives that will reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity. So on behalf of our Nation's youth, I support this resolution that will bring awareness to this epidemic in hopes of securing brighter, healthier futures for children all across the country.

Madam Speaker, I rise to pay posthumous recognition and tribute to the late Major General Jean Augustine Romney, former Adjutant General of the United States Virgin Islands National Guard, for dedicating his life to the needs of the community in which he lived and the Nation that he served with distinction.

Major General Jean A. Romney was born on December 14, 1941, and raised in Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. He attended and graduated from St. Mary's Catholic School before enlisting in the U.S. Army. He did his basic training at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina and his advance training at Ft. Benning, Georgia. He was then assigned to the 1st Battle Group, 15th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division, in Bamberg, Germany. He concluded Active Duty in the 7th Army NCO Academy as Sergeant and the 1st Battle Group, 28th Infantry Division, AKA ``The Big Red One''.

Major General Romney returned to the U.S. Virgin Islands and enrolled in the Catholic University of Puerto Rico, in Ponce, Puerto Rico from 1963 to 1966, receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration. He was a member of the prestigious Phi Epsilon Chi Fraternity of Puerto Rico. He continued his education and earned a Master's Degree in Interpersonal Relations and Personal Management at the Inter American University of Puerto Rico Graduate School in San German, Puerto Rico.

Major General Romney served as a Senator in the 11th Legislature of the U.S. Virgin Islands from 1975 to 1977. In Apri1 1977, he resumed his military career by joining the Virgin Islands National Guard and receiving a direct commission as Captain. In 1978 he attended and completed his Officer Advance Course at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland.

Although employed by the Virgin Islands National Guard, he was on loan from the Federal Government to the Virgin Islands Government from 1980 to 1984, during the Administration of Governor Juan F. Luis, serving as the Christiansted Administrator.

In 1988, he completed the Command and General Staff College and later attended a Battalion/Brigade Pre-Command Course at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. From 1993 to 1994 he attended the United States Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He graduated with the Class of 1994 and was a lifetime member of the Army War College's Alumni Association.

He held the following military positions before being appointed the Adjutant General of the United States Virgin Islands National Guard: Commander, 652nd Heavy Equipment Maintenance Company; Personnel Administrative Officer; Detachment Commander, Headquarters TERARC; Assistant Chief of Staff Personnel; Commander, Troop Commander; and Assistant Chief of Staff Logistics and Services.

Major General Romney's military decorations and awards include the following: The Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster; The Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Army Reserve Component Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters; Good Conduct Medal; Army of Occupation (Berlin); National Defense Service Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Humanitarian Service Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster; Army Service Ribbon; Army Reserve Overseas Deployment Training Medal; Virgin Islands Long and Faithful Medal with First Clasp; and, the Virgin Islands Emergency Service Ribbon with Number.

Major General Romney was married to the former Beverly Cedelle Walcott of Christiansted, St. Croix,Virgin Islands. At the time of his passing, they had two daughters, Ayanna and Chivonne and two grandchildren, Marcus and Makeda. We, the Nation and the Territory of the United States Virgin Islands are indebted to him and to them for his dedicated service.

I thank my colleague from North Carolina for yielding.

Mr. Chair, I rise in support of this amendment because it corrects the chief concern I have had about this bill--that Commonwealth is not given fair treatment in the base bill, H.R. 2499.

A cleaner process would have allowed all of the possible options to be on the ballot in one vote, with Commonwealth included.

In the first vote where one is asked to choose the status quo or change, first of all the deck is stacked against commonwealth, by those who support statehood, independence or free association.

I have reason to believe that most Puerto Ricans want Commonwealth with new enhancements, which is not the status quo. Therefore someone even voting for change in the first ballot might still have Commonwealth as their preference. But they would have no opportunity to vote for it. This is grossly unfair to what I think is the majority of the population.

H.R. 2499 is slanted toward statehood. For every option to have a level playing field Commonwealth must be added in the second vote.

I urge my colleagues to support the Foxx amendment.

Thank you for yielding.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this amendment.

I agree that the people of Puerto Rico deserve the opportunity to have a process whereby they can indicate their status preference, but I also agree that the way the vote is set up in the base bill is slanted towards a statehood outcome. This is the third Puerto Rico status bill that has been introduced since I've been in Congress, and while I consider H.R. 2499 to come closest to providing a plebiscite in which all options would be equally treated, it is not quite there yet.

Whether one supports commonwealth or improvements of the current commonwealth or not, I think everyone would agree that the process should be fair and that it should enable the people of Puerto Rico to express their preference for clear, equally treated options. This amendment does that, and I think the runoff with the two receiving the most votes and none of the above provides an additional level that ensures that no one is forced to choose between options, neither of which they support.

I look forward to supporting the status option that the people of Puerto Rico select, but I would have reservations in doing so if it were arrived at through a flawed process. This amendment is an attempt to fix that flaw, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Madam Speaker, now that our colleagues on the other side of the aisle have completed their hour of speaking of how that long-needed, hard-fought for health insurance and preventive services for those who have had little or no access to health care ought to be taken away, praising the AGs, as they were, who are challenging the law through which we Democrats provided the opportunity to every American for health and wellness, we are now going to turn to remembering two individuals who all of their lives worked to ensure that access to health, education, and economic opportunity was available for all.

Some of my colleagues spoke of the life and legacy of Dr. Dorothy Irene Height last week when Congresswoman Fudge's resolution was on the floor, but the Congressional Black Caucus wanted to use this time this evening to continue that tribute and also pay tribute to Dr. Benjamin Hooks. I consider it a great honor and pleasure to anchor this hour of tribute to two of our Nation's trailblazers, two drum majors for justice, to incomparable human beings whom we mourn because they are no longer physically with us, but who will forever be with us in spirit and through the rich legacy that they both have left.

Individually, as communities of color and as a Nation, we are far better because they passed this way and touched our lives during their earthly journeys. The people I am speaking of are Dr. Benjamin Hooks and Dr. Dorothy I. Height.

On Dr. Hooks, although I had the honor of meeting him, I didn't get to know Dr. Benjamin Hooks personally. But everyone knows or ought to know of the little old country creature that he referred to himself as, but which surely grossly understated the measure of this luminary of civil rights and champion for a better America.

A native Tennessean, civil rights leader, Baptist minister, attorney and judge, in fact, the first black judge to serve in that position in Tennessee and in all of the South after reconstruction, he, like Dr. Height, has made an immeasurable contribution to this country that will continue to reverberate for generations to come.

His life experiences in high school, and particularly in World War II, and his conquering of them all, I think is what served to fuel his passion and his determination to ensure equality and justice for everyone in this country regardless of race, color, religion, creed or nationality.

In a different and less strident partisan time, he was appointed to the FCC, the first African American commissioner, by President Richard Nixon, as was my father to the Federal district court in the Virgin Islands.

That Congressmen Rush, Butterfield, and I must continue to raise the same issues today that he championed: the need for more minority ownership of radio and TV stations, for more diversity in employees in the industry, as well as for more positive image of African Americans in the media, is not at all reflective of the cogency of his argument or the determination of his effort, but more of the depth and intransigence of the institutional racism that continues to exist in this country.

An unrelenting supporter and advocate for self-help, he revived the NAACP during his legendary tenure of 20 years, while furthering and strengthening its missions, goals and ideals. He, like Dr. Dorothy Height, is the recipient of both the President's Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal.

It is not enough that the University of Memphis works to carry on his league see through the Benjamin Hooks Institute for Social Change, it is up to those of us on whose behalf he served to live his life and these words of his: ``If anyone thinks we are going to stop agitating, they better think again. If anyone thinks we are going to stop litigating, they had better close up the courts. If anyone thinks we are not going to demonstrate and protest, they had better roll up the sidewalks.''

The Congressional Black Caucus, through our positions, our advocacy, and our legislative efforts here in Congress, live those words every day and

are proud to join the NAACP in taking up the torch he has passed to us with pride.

Let me say a few words about Dr. Height. This country is indebted to her for so many rights and privileges that we enjoy today, from her work opening doors at YMCAs, to her empowering of communities in Mississippi and elsewhere, to her leadership in the struggles for women's rights and civil rights, her uplifting of the African American families through the Annual Family Reunions, her enrichment and advancement of the National Council of Negro Women, and all of the many ways she helped shape policy and found ways to address old and new ills in our community. There is not anyone who has not benefited from her life of service.

I want to spend my time, though, talking about the times and ways in which I was privileged to play what was but an infinitesimal part in her work. First, it was always an honor to be in her presence. But in addition to the invitations, the receptions, meetings, social activities, she also pulled me into her work with young women and health. I was able to be part of her efforts on HIV and AIDS. I had the opportunity to address her town halls, most recently a little over a year ago, a town hall on preventing obesity and lead poisoning in children in black and other poor communities.

And I got to be a part of her planning and developing the 12 or so sites for her anti-obesity programs across the United States. She always made sure that my district, and she did in this case, the U.S. Virgin Islands, was a part of it.

But it wasn't always just the big national issues. She understood the demands of leadership, especially on black women. And so she brought us together to counsel, support, and encourage us from time to time.

It's hard to put in words the deep pride and yet the humble gratitude that I had the opportunity in some small way to get to know Dr. Height, to be one of her countless mentees, to be even a small part of her efforts that I was in recent years. To have had her smile on me was a great blessing that will stay with me and continue to encourage me and guide me as long as I live.

In a few minutes I am going to yield to some of my colleagues and our chairwoman, Barbara Lee. I want to just read a couple of quotes here, first on Dr. Hooks. This is a quote from President Bush, who bestowed on him the Presidential Medal of Freedom: ``For 15 years, Dr. Hooks was a calm, yet forceful voice for fairness, opportunity, and personal responsibility. He never tired or faltered in demanding that our Nation live up to its founding ideals of liberty and equality.''

Julian Bond, the chairman emeritus of the NAACP, praised Dr. Hooks at the time as well, saying: ``Benjamin Hooks had a stellar career--civil rights advocate and leader, minister, businessman, public servant-- there are few who are his equal,'' Bond said.

And another quote on Dr. Benjamin Hooks from the president and CEO of the Joint Center on Economic and Political Studies, Dr. Ralph B. Everett. And he said: ``Throughout his life and career, the Reverend Dr. Hooks never flinched in the face of enormous challenges, and his expansive dreams were always grounded in the concerns and aspirations of the least fortunate. As we carry on the work of building a better and more inclusive society that affords opportunity to all, we all have Dr. Benjamin Hooks' shining example to keep us on the right path.''

Dr. Marian Wright Edelman wrote of Dr. Height on her passing. She started with a quote from Dr. Dorothy Height which reads: ``We African American women seldom do just what we want to do, but always what we have to do. I am grateful to have been in a time and place where I could be a part of what was needed.'' And we are really grateful that she was in a time and a place where she was needed. Dr. Edelman says, and I quote again: ``When she passed away on April 20 at age 98, we all lost a treasure, a wise counselor, and a rock we could always lean against for support in tough times.''

At this time I am joined by the chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congresswoman Barbara Lee. And I would like to yield her such time as she might consume as she joins me in these tributes.

Thank you, Congresswoman Lee, and thank you for your leadership of the Congressional Black Caucus. And we know that under your leadership we will take up the mantle, take up the torch that they have left for us and carry on their legacy.

I would like to say to Mrs. Frances Hooks, who is always at her husband's side, his right hand and probably his left hand too, you were an integral part of all that your husband accomplished, and we thank you too for your contributions. On behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus and on behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands, we extend condolences to you and the family. We in the Virgin Islands have also benefited by the work of Dr. Hooks.

And to Dr. Height's sister Anthanette Height Aldridge, and her family, to the council, to the Delta Sisterhood, and especially to two outstanding women who I consider to be Dr. Height's daughters, the Honorable Alexis Herman and the Reverend Barbara Williams Skinner, we extend condolences on behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus again and on behalf of my Virgin Islands family and the gratitude of all us for allowing and welcoming us into the life of Dr. Dorothy Irene Height.

As many people have said, both Dr. Hooks and Dr. Height leave big and awesome shoes to fill, but their lives continue to speak to us and what they are saying, what I hear them saying, is step right into those shoes, fill them any way you can, and keep marching on until victory is won.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues in support of this resolution honoring Dr. Dorothy Irene Height, who is the godmother of the women's movement, a leader in the fight for equality and justice for all Americans, one of the civil rights movement's greatest pioneers, and a true drum major of justice to the very end. It is because of her unwavering dedication, dogged determination, and invaluable leadership that many of us stand proudly here today. She motivated and inspired men and women of all creeds and colors here and the world over.

Today, our entire Nation stands with us to commemorate the passing of our beloved leader. While we mourn her loss, we joyously celebrate her full giving and meaningful life and her selfless visionary and rich legacy. She has passed the torch to those of us who remain. Let us carry it with pride.

My family, my staff, and the people of the Virgin Islands join me today in extending our deepest condolences to her family and loved ones.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the memory of two distinguished native sons of my district, the U.S. Virgin Islands, who during their productive lives distinguished themselves in the fields of medicine, education, literature, history, and public service. It is my honor to remember the lives of Darwin Creque and his brother, Dr. Lauritz Cludgemann Creque who attended Morehouse College and who are being honored there this week with the establishment of a memorial

scholarship in their name that will help young men of color enter the health professions.

Mr. Darwin Creque distinguished himself as a literary scholar, historian, newspaper founder and editor, economist, business man, health administrator and a commissioner of housing. He was born on St. Thomas on August 30, 1912 and graduated in the Charlotte Amalie High School Class of '32. He then attained a Bachelor of Arts from Morehouse College in 1936 and a Masters of Arts in Economics from Atlanta University in 1938. Upon returning to the Virgin Islands, he became head of the social science department of Christiansted High School and later Assistant Price Economist, Office of Price Administration, Tax Assessor, Water Commissioner, and Territorial Director, Office of Price Stabilization.

He then pursued further education in the field of health care and attended Harvard University, where he received a Masters in Science in Public Health Administration in 1954. After an internship in Hospital Administration at Harvard University School of Medicine in 1956, he received a certificate in Business and Industrial Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1955. He returned to St. Thomas and there served as Executive Health Administrator at the Department of Health. He then returned to his training as an economist, becoming Assistant Commissioner of the Department of Commerce where he organized and headed the Division of Trade and Industry. During the administration of the late Governor Melvin H. Evans, the first elected Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands, he served as the Commissioner of Housing and Community Renewal.

Darwin Creque led a multi-faceted life. He was at one time, the editor and co-owner of the St. Croix Avis and owner of a Main Street business called ``The Smart Shop.'' He loved music and played the violin. He contributed to the historical and literary canon of the U.S. Virgin Islands, the most notable of which was The U.S. Virgin Islands and the Eastern Caribbean. He also prepared research papers for the Federal and local governments and served on many boards and commissions, including the V.I. Banking Board. He was a long time member of the Grand Lodge of England (Harmonic Lodge 356) and past president of St. Thomas Rotary II. For his years of dedicated service, he received many awards and citations including from his fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma, the Virgin Islands Legislature and the Federal Department of Commerce. He was named a Paul Harris Fellow by St. Thomas Rotary II for his commitment of service and to world harmony.

Madam Speaker, Darwin Creque's brother, Dr. Lauritz Cludgemann Creque lived an equally distinguished life. Born on St. Thomas in March of 1917, he too was a gifted musician, writer, and teacher who became a medical doctor after obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Morehouse College in 1948 and a medical degree from Meharry Medical College in 1952 with a specialty in general surgery. During his early career, he served as Chief of Staff of Kate Bitting Memorial Hospital, an African American Hospital serving diverse populations. He also served as Medical Examiner and County Coroner as well. He was a Member of the American Medical Association, the President of the North State Medical Association, the Twin City Medical Society and induction into the American College of Physicians and Surgeons. He worked to keep hospitals that served the African American community open after many of them were being absorbed into mainstream institutions. Dr. Creque went on to complete his training in pathology at Columbia University in New York and remained on the clinical faculty at Columbia University for almost 20 years. Fluent in three languages, he served diverse populations to include being the Director of the Blood Bank of Harlem Hospital and operating an independent clinic for Hispanics in Hunts Point, Bronx, New York.

Madam Speaker, with their scholarship, professionalism and service to others, the Creque brothers exemplify the best of what it means to be a Virgin Islander. I ask my colleagues to join me in this salute to their contributions.

Mr. Speaker, tonight the Virgin Islands will welcome one of our stars, Laverne Jones-Ferrette, home to St. Croix. I regret that I will not be there to join them, so I rise proudly to offer my congratulations on behalf of this Congress and Virgin Islanders everywhere to Laverne, the current world leader in the 60- meter sprint with a time of 6.97 seconds, the first woman to run that distance in under 7 seconds in over a decade, and the silver medal winner at the International Association of Athletics Federations World Indoor Championships in Doha, Qatar.

The Virgin Islands, with a population of roughly 120,000, has produced legends in every field, and these outstanding men and women have made contributions that have brought worldwide recognition to them, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting again Laverne Jones-Ferrette and her teammates, and wishing them Godspeed as they continue to shine.

The legislation that we have before us will take insurance companies out of the doctor/patient relationship. There will be more incentives for doctors. There will be more National Health Service Corps positions, more loan repayments to bring doctors into the system, and doctors will go into neighborhoods where they've never gone before because Medicaid will pay more and Medicare will pay more.