Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to comment on the Bush Administration's report on the August 14 blackout that left millions of people in New York without power, some for days.

The U.S.-Canadian outage task force on November 19 issued a report titled ``Causes of the August 14th Blackout in the United States and Canada,'' saying 50 million people from Indiana to Massachusetts and Canada went without electricity because of untrimmed trees and a computer glitch. But the New York Times reported on November 25 that ``a variety of experts now say the [report's] findings were too narrow, ignoring the federal government's role in the recent reshaping of the power industry.''

We need to know what the truth is. The Times has reported on the blackout as thoroughly as anyone, so this report is very important. Maybe we need an impartial investigator to follow up on what they are reporting.

In the November 25 article, Alan Richardson of the American Public Power Association says that maybe the federal government didn't address what mistakes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) made in breaking up the utility industry ``because the answer is not one that's comfortable politically.''

Commenting on the organization the FERC approved to run the transmission wires in the Midwest, transmission expert Robert Blohm is quoted in the article as saying ``How come nobody has examined this horror story, of how they set up an entity 10 times more complex than any known one, in such a short period of time?''

John Casazza, a retired executive from a New Jersey utility, says in the article that ``There are a lot of aspects in this blackout that have not been touched by [the Administration's] report. . . . The root causes are what has happened as a result of our government policy.''

If the experts think policy set by the government is the cause of the blackout, why are the government officials who made these bad policy decisions the ones that are writing the report on what caused the blackout?

Back on September 23, the Times reported that ``Experts now think that on Aug. 14, northern Ohio had a severe shortage of reactive power, which ultimately caused the power plant and transmission line failures that set the blackout in motion. Demand for reactive power was unusually high because of a large volume of long-distance transmissions streaming through Ohio to areas, including Canada, that needed to import power to meet local demand.'' These long-distance transmissions were mainly by ``independent power producers,'' or IPPs, who often do not produce any reactive power. The article quoted Raymond Palmieri, who is responsible for transmission reliability in the Midwest, as saying reactive power ``is definitely a contributor'' to the blackout.

Who has been pushing for these long-distance transmissions by IPPs? The FERC. They had experts saying for at least two months before the official blackout report came out that it was a problem. But what did that official blackout report, which FERC and the DOE directed and wrote, say about the role of reactive power and IPPs? ``[T]he suggestion that IPPs may have contributed to the difficulties of reliability management on August 14 because they don't provide reactive power is misplaced.''

There is nothing wrong with independent power producers. They perform a valuable role in meeting the nation's electricity needs. But if the government's blackout report barely even mentions the role of reactive power, and doesn't mention at all whether, in light of more long distance transmissions, someone should have changed the rules to make sure there was enough of it, when experts say it was ``definitely a contributor,'' something isn't right.

While the FERC has been pushing for more long-distance transmission, Congress has been hearing from experts that the transmission system wasn't designed to operate that way, and that using it for long- distance transmission reduces reliability. At the House Energy and Commerce Committee's blackout hearing on September 4, Gene McGrath, the CEO of Consolidated Edison, said ``I think as an engineer and as an operator having the generation as close to the load center as it can be done is the best interest of everybody. . . . [A]s you separate generation from load you introduce another component. As you introduce other components you can introduce costs and you can introduce reliability problems.'' That is, generating the power two or three States away causes problems. We need to have the power generated close to where it is used.

Is that issue even discussed in the Administration's blackout report? No--not even a little bit.

Mr. Speaker, my constituents went without power on August 14. It's not just an inconvenience, it's a danger in many cases to be left without electricity. Life-support equipment, traffic signals, elevators, and so many other important devices all depend on electricity. But we seem to have a situation where our own government's review of the blackout steers away from even looking into what seem to be very important contributing factors.

FERC Chairman Pat Wood testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee many times in the past couple of years, telling

us that to maintain reliability for the wholesale markets his policies promote, we need to beef up the transmission grid. But now that we've had the biggest blackout in our history, FERC doesn't admit its policies that stress the grid had anything to do with it. Chairman Wood's Senate testimony on November 20 was ``the [transmission] operator's primary charge is to work the system you've got. . . . Markets do not compromise reliability.'' So no matter if FERC sprayed water on the road in the freezing cold, it's your fault if you crash your car.

If we don't get an accurate picture from government investigators about the causes of the blackout, we will be dooming ourselves to more disruptions, dangers, and inconveniences in the future. I am not willing to allow that.

I ask that we consider whether we need an independent investigation of the causes of the blackout so we can do what needs to be done to prevent the next blackout from occurring.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of the Reverend Dr. John L. Giles in recognition of his pastoral anniversary.

While Reverend Giles was born in the tiny town of Sanger, TX, located 38 miles southwest of Fort Worth, he considers himself a native of San Francisco. It was during high school that he joined St. Kevin's Catholic Church and learned the Catholic discipline. He was also a member of Bethel A.M.E. Church. Upon graduating from Balboa High School, he had saved enough money to attend college and support himself. Through his hardships, he learned independence, responsibility, the importance of healthy living, and helping others and his family.

Drafted in the Vietnam War, he spent 18 months in Friedberg, Germany where he earned the rank of sergeant in 15 months and he attended both Catholic and Protestant churches. He read the bible more and more and his favorite scriptures are Psalm 23, 27, and 121. In May 1997, Pastor Giles earned his doctorate in Holistic Ministry at the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH.

Upon returning to San Francisco, he joined the Solid Rock M.B. Church and was baptized. In August 1970, he was accepted at the American Baptist Seminary of the West in Berkley, CA. He also attended Morehouse School of Religion and served briefly at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta as a youth minister under the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Sr. Additionally, he has served at First Baptist in LaGrange; First African Baptist, Bainbridge and the Beulah in Quitman. He served as Chaplain at the VA Medical Center in Bay Pines, FL and as pastor of New Hope M.B. Church until 1994. Presently, he is the Pastor of True Faith Inspirational Baptist Church in Tampa, FL.

He is married to JoVanore Sims Giles, who serves as chairperson of the Deaconess Ministry and participates in the choir and other activities. They have two daughters, JoVanore Giles-Galbreath and Jenee Codallo-Nelson, and one son, Johnathan who is attending college at the School of the Holy Cross.

Mr. Speaker, Reverend Dr. John L. Giles has honorably served our Nation in the armed services and has provided spiritual guidance and leadership to several parishes across the country. As such, he is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly remarkable person.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to join me in support of the Wilson-Towns Hepatitis C Epidemic Control and Prevention Act, which I have introduced today with Representative Wilson of New Mexico.

The virus which causes Hepatitis C was first identified in 1989. Currently, about 4 million people in the United States are believed to have the Hepatitis C virus. However, exact figures are not available because of the stealthy nature of this virus. Often called the ``silent epidemic,'' people infected with the Hepatitis C virus can be virtually symptom-free for decades before realizing that life-threatening damage has occurred. Unfortunately, to date, there is no vaccine to prevent this disease.

When this virus first appeared, it was believed that only intravenous drug users were at risk. However, today we know that this disease is no respecter of persons. People from all walks of life have become victims of this virus. Our young people are particularly at risk because tattoos and body piercings have become the fastest growing mode of transmission for Hepatitis C. Many young people are unwittingly putting themselves at risk for contracting this disease. We must provide them with information which will enable them to make informed decisions about this risk.

Mr. Speaker, this bipartisan effort, which is modeled after a bill introduced on the Senate side by Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas and Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts, will direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish, promote and support a comprehensive prevention, research and medical management referral program for persons suffering from the Hepatitis C virus. If passed, this bill will represent the first federal effort to provide a strategic approach to combat this disease.

Mr. Speaker, this disease has affected almost 2 percent of the population of this country. We must take concrete action now before many more are needlessly subjected to this virus. Let us not miss this opportunity to avert this potential public health threat. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to introduce a Sense of the Congress resolution which will draw attention to a tragedy which affects thousands of women around the world each year.

Obstetric fistula is a major pregnancy-related complication. It occurs when a woman is in obstructed and prolonged labor without medical help. The prolonged pressure of the baby's head against the mother's pelvis cuts off the blood supply to the soft tissues surrounding her bladder, rectum, and vagina. Because of the prolonged and difficult labor, the baby usually dies. However, if the mother survives, the physical and emotional consequences are devastating. The injured tissue soon rots away, leaving a perforation, or fistula which causes the woman to lose control over urination and/or bowel function. Because of a lack of understanding about the cause and treatment of fistulas, women who are fistula sufferers are often abandoned by their husbands, forced out of their homes, and ostracized by family.

Although currently virtually unknown in the western world, fistulas were once common in the United States and Europe before the advent of widespread maternal healthcare and hospital births. The current estimates of one million fistula sufferers may be very conservative. Actual sufferers may number over 3 million throughout the developing world. This suffering can be readily ameliorated with reconstructive surgery. Fistula surgical repair has up to a 90 percent success rate and ranges in cost from $100-$400. Although this surgery is inexpensive by American standards, for women in the developing world, this cost is prohibitive. Even if the surgery is affordable, many women in developing countries are either unaware of treatment options or unable to access treatment.

A recent report, Obstetric Fistula Needs Assessment: Findings from Nine African Countries, commissioned by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) details fistula occurrence in nine countries in sub- Saharan Africa: Benin, Chad, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Uganda and Zambia. There are currently 35 hospitals in the aforementioned countries which have the capacity to conduct fistula surgery, but are without the financial resources.

The United States House of Representatives should address this issue. To that end, I am introducing a Sense of the Congress Resolution which acknowledges the need of the U.S. government to take steps to end the needless suffering of these women.

I request that my colleagues support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, let me begin by thanking the chairman of the committee, the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Tauzin), and of course the ranking member of the full committee, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell), and to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns), of course, and the ranking member as well, the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky).

Mr. Speaker, this legislation is long overdue. This legislation will allow sellers to work in coordination with optometrists and ophthalmologists across the Nation to ensure that every consumer has access to their prescription in a timely fashion while making the contact lens marketplace more competitive.

Consumers deserve the best possible prices and service. Therefore, Congress must involve itself, as it is doing with H.R. 3140. I am proud that both sellers and the doctors have come together in support of this legislation, and I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill.

In addition to my friend, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Burr), I would also like to thank the following: Kelly Zerzan, Jonathan Cordone, Jenny Hansen, and Jesse McCollum for their hard work on this bill as well.

Once again, I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 3140. It is a great bill and deserves the support of this House. Any time we can make life better for consumers, then we should be anxious and eager to do so, and there is no doubt in my mind that this legislation makes life a lot better for consumers. So I am delighted to support it and encourage my colleagues to do likewise.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Tauzin), the chairman of the committee; the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell), the ranking member; of course, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), the Subcommittee on Health chair; and of course, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown), the ranking member; and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Upton), who worked very closely with me and also the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman).

Poison control centers have always had broad bipartisan support, and I was delighted once again to join my good friend, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Upton), in sponsoring the House version of the reauthorization.

The role of these centers in basic public health care continues to grow. For example, the Academy of Pediatrics recently urged parents to contact the local poison control centers rather than using the time- honored method of inducing vomiting in children where poisoning is suspected. Our action today will ensure that poison control centers will be there to answer the call for those frightened parents.

Continued strong Federal funding will help to establish new centers as well. This effort is particularly critical at a time when we are increasingly concerned about poison being used as an element of bioterrorism. That is why, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that language was included to ensure that funds under this bill would go directly to the centers for their work and not diverted to costly and unnecessary studies.

I would like to thank the committee leadership and committee staff on both sides of the aisle for moving this legislation expeditiously, and I would urge our Senate colleagues to ensure that the bill is passed with the House modifications prior to our adjournment.

As a result of what we are doing here today, the lives of people will be saved. Not only that, we will save a lot of money because it is cost-productive.

Many times we have youngsters in particular who end up in the emergency room, and it costs a whole lot more to treat a person in the emergency room than to pick up the phone and call the poison control center and for them to tell that mother who has already panicked that all they have to do is take this and let their son or daughter go to sleep. Therefore, I am excited about this because it is cost-saving, and that is something that we should not forget. Anywhere, anytime we can cut corners and save lives at the same time, then I think we should not hesitate to do it.

Mr. Speaker, while I intend to support the Energy Conference Report, I want to emphasize the importance of flexibility in the new section, to the Federal Power Act, section 16031 on Electric Reliability Standards. Given the recent ``blackouts'' in areas like my home State of New York, it is critical that State or regional entities not be prohibited from adopting more stringent reliability standards as long as this action does not result in lesser reliability outside the State or region than what is provided by the Electric Reliability Organization's reliability standards. I recognize that compromise was needed to bring this bill to the floor today but I do not believe that reliability is an area where our standards can or should be reduced, particularly in areas like New York where reliability is so critical to preventing future blackouts.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Ralph and Gloria Dickerson in recognition of their commitment and service to their community.

Ralph Dickerson, Jr. has served honorably as the President of United Way of New York City since May 1988. As President of United Way of New York City, he has led the organization into the position of being the largest private funder of health and human services in New York City and as a major force in forging bold new solutions to the city's most critical human care challenges.

Under his leadership, United Way of New York City's revenue has grown from $75.1 million to $135 million, making it the largest United Way in the nation. In addition, United Way of New York City has used its extensive knowledge of community-based human service agencies to broker and partner with government, foundations and business in ground breaking initiatives that are successfully addressing the city's human care issues and the high dropout rate.

Ralph has held key executive positions for 30 years in local United Ways including St. Louis, Missouri; Madison, Wisconsin; Cleveland, Ohio; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration; and he received a M.B.A. from the University of Wisconsin.

Ralph and Gloria are the proud parents of two children, daughter, Maria Renee (deceased), and Ralph III. Their son, Ralph III and daughter-in-law, Michelle, have given them two grandsons, Cameron and Garrett and a granddaughter, Lauren.

Gloria is the President of Maral Enterprises, Inc., The Learning Tree, and Copy Bee, which she started in May 1988. Maral is a children's book distribution company while the Learning Tree, and Copy Bee are retail stores offering teachers, parents and children a full line of educational books, materials and learning guides. This entrepreneurial business came about as a result of Mrs. Dickerson's written bibliography and review of children's books mostly written by African-American authors.

Prior to this business venture, she served as Assistant Dean at the University of Wisconsin and Cleveland State University. She began her career as a special education teacher. Gloria holds a B.S. in Special Education, an M.S. degree, and completed her work toward a Ph.D. in educational psychology at the University of Missouri.

Gloria serves on educational, civic and volunteer organizations, boards and as a Trustee at her daughter's school, The Winchester Thurston in Pittsburgh. She is a member of several professional organizations including the Alpha Kappa Alpha National Sorority.

Ralph has served as a Director with several civic and corporate organizations and has received numerous city awards and honorary degrees. He was also inducted into the Alpha Kappa Psi Honorary Business Fraternity.

Mr. Speaker, Ralph and Gloria Dickerson have both made significant contributions to

their community through both their professional and voluntary endeavors. As such, they are more than worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring these truly remarkable people.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Charles E. Simpson, in recognition of his commitment and service to his community and his outstanding accomplishments in the field of law.

Charles is an attorney and a partner of Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf, LLP., and chairs the firm's Bankruptcy, Corporate Restructuring and Workouts Practice Group. He is also a member of the Litigation and Real Estate Practice Groups.

Since 1981, Charles has served as one of the counsels to the Honorable Edolphus Towns of the 10th Congressional District, Brooklyn, New York. In addition, he is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Brooklyn Children's Museum, the Brooklyn Red Cross, the Queens Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and the Brooklyn Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. From 1983 through 1987, Mr. Simpson served as Brooklyn's Representative on the Board of Directors of the then New York City Public Development Corporation. He also served as counsel to the Bed-Stuy/Crown Heights Area Health Plan and the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation. He was a member of the New York State Bar Association's Committee on Minorities in the Profession from 1987 to 1992.

Charles, who served in the U.S. Army from 1969-1972, graduated magna cum laude from Pepperdine University in Los Angeles, California in 1974 and received his law degree in 1977 from Harvard. He was named a Martin Luther King Jr. Fellow in 1974.

Mr. Speaker, Charles E. Simpson has dedicated his time to an array of local activities and causes, often using his legal expertise for the betterment of the community. As such, he is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly remarkable person.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Wesner Moise, M.D. in recognition of his commitment and service to his community and his outstanding accomplishments in the field of medicine.

Wesner is the director of Geriatric Medicine at Interfaith Medical Center. He has been a solo practitioner at the same Brooklyn location for 27 years. He earned his medical degree from the State University of Haiti. He joined St. Johns Episcopal Hospital, now Interfaith Medical Center, for a rotative internship after completing an additional six- month rotation in pathology. He spent the next three years in the Department of Medicine and became chief resident. He remained very active in the Institution and served on different committees: Quality Assurance, Infection Control and the Medical Executive Committee.

Wesner has always had a special interest in the elderly. He provides free seminars to senior centers, screening examinations and flu vaccine. He is also a founding member of the Haitian Association of Physicians Abroad (AMHE), New York Chapter and frequently lectures on health care issues affecting the Haitian community. He is a member of the American College of Physicians, the New York State Medical Society, Kings County Medical Society and American Geriatric Society.

Dr. Moise and his wife Mireille, an artist, have been married for thirty-three years. They are very proud of their three children who all graduated from Harvard University. Patrick, an entrepreneur, is developing a software company in Seattle, Washington. Astrid is an aspiring academic cardiovascular surgeon. She is presently doing research on stem cells and angiogenesis at the University of Pennsylvania. Michael, a financial analyst, is presently pursuing his MBA at Columbia University. The Moises are the quintessential ``Interfaith Family.'' His wife and four sisters all worked as registered nurses at Interfaith.

Dr. Moise's philosophy can be summarized as follows: Be all you can be, make a difference for your community, be a role model for your children, and be supportive of your family.

Mr. Speaker, Wesner Moise, M.D. has dedicated his time and medical expertise to the community through his own practice and his work at Interfaith Medical Center. As such, he is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly remarkable person.

Mr. Speaker, as the lead sponsor of the House version of S. 1590, I am pleased that we are considering this legislation today. S. 1590 would rename the post office located at 315 Empire Boulevard in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York, as the ``James E. Davis Post Office Building.'' I would also like to note that this bill has been cosponsored by the entire New York delegation, and I would like to thank my colleagues from New York for doing so.

On that tragic day when Councilman James Davis of Brooklyn was murdered in a violent shooting in City Hall, New York City, we lost a true public servant. He was an intelligent, passionate, and energetic young man who had an extremely bright future. He worked very hard and took his duties as a public servant very, very seriously. He was only 41 years old and had served almost one term in the New York City Council. But he had already made his mark.

I met James through the Youth March Against Violence that he organized. His commitment to this issue was genuine.

However, when I think of him, I remember one of the last conversations we had, which I think really embodies his approach to public service. We were meeting with housing authority officials, and he told them we weren't there to point fingers at every one. But if we didn't work together to get thing done, we would all take the blame. Sound advice that I think all public officials should take to heart.

With James, it was always about the community. He was dedicated to its betterment, having served as a police officer and district leader before being elected to the city council. One could always see the love he had for his neighbors and constituents. Naming a post office after him would be a lasting tribute to all of his hard work for the community that he loved so much. While we still have a heavy heart for losing such a good friend, the James E. Davis post office can help us celebrate his life. I think I can speak for all of Brooklyn when I say that the James E. Davis post office is something that we will all be proud of.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Edward Vasquez, Dino Anselmo and Brian Latimore; detectives of the 75th Precinct in Brooklyn, for their recent heroic efforts.

While we are rightly reminded about the heroism of police officers, and other first responders after 9/11, police officers risk their lives to save others' lives every day of the year. As an example of one such heroic effort, I am submitting for the Record an article published on November 3, 2003, in the N.Y. Daily News about how three Brooklyn detectives who saved the life of a young girl trapped inside a burning building. For their efforts, all of us from New York City, especially those from Brooklyn, are proud and grateful.

[From the New York Daily News]

Hero of the Month: Cops Donned Fire Hats

(By Patrice O'Shaughnessy)

(Hero of the Month spotlights those men and women, civil

servants and civilians, who go beyond the call of duty to

make New York a better place.)

Edward Vasquez, Dino Anselmo and Brian Latimore are three

longtime detectives in East New York, Brooklyn, used to

confronting gunmen and tracking down murder suspects. Racing

into a smoke-filled building recently to evacuate tenants

proved to be equally tense.

``It's just a reaction,'' Latimore said. ``You see a guy

with a gun, you don't think about it while you're doing it.

You just think about getting another gun off the street. We

saw the smoke; we all knew we were going to go.''

The result brought the same satisfaction. ``Everybody got

out safe; that's what it's all about,'' Latimore said.

For disregarding their own safety and rescuing a 4-year-old

girl and several adults from a fire, the three are the Daily

News Heroes of the Month.

``They could have just stood outside and called 911,'' said

Mariano Alvarado, whose daughter, Taija, was carried out by

the cops. ``They cared about getting people out. They ran in

themselves.''

The detectives, all of whom have young daughters, were

driving on Pitkin Ave. on their way to the 75th Precinct

station at 9:45 a.m. on Sept. 23, after searching for a

robbery suspect, when Anselmo spotted smoke.

Latimore turned their car down Ashford St., and they saw

smoke pouring out from the top of a three-story building.

It was raining hard. ``Not a soul was on the block,''

Vasquez said.

The building was run-down--the windows of the top floor

boarded up, tenants on the second floor, squatters living on

the first.

``I was pretty sure it was occupied, because I saw a Big

Wheels on the second-floor fire escape,'' Vasquez said. ``We

got out of the car and ran right in.''

They started banging on doors on the first floor. The smoke

was coming down the stairs and filling the hallway, which was

dimly lit to start with.

``The landing was all black smoke,'' Anselmo said. ``Brian

went to the car to get a flashlight. . . . I found three

adults in the rear apartment on the first floor. We asked if

anyone was upstairs, and they said a family and a little

baby.''

Vasquez went up. ``I was holding onto the wall going up

stairs. The plywood was hot. . . . I was afraid the stairs

would fall.''

He kicked an apartment door open and saw Alvarado waking up

in an apartment full of smoke. Alvarado said he had not

smelled any fire. ``I heard someone trying to kick in the

door. . . . My daughter was watching TV in the bedroom, my

wife and baby daughter were at the hospital and a detective

was in my kitchen,'' he said.

``He grabbed my daughter and another cop grabbed me. It was

pretty smoky in the stairs.'' Vasquez put his jacket over

Taija and Anselmo hustled Alvarado out. ``I could hear

crackling and crashing, and I started coughing, and then I

saw a little beam of light,'' Anselmo said. ``Brian got us

out.''

Taija was taken to a hospital and treated for smoke

inhalation. Anselmo was given oxygen, then he and Vasquez

went to the 102nd Precinct in Queens to interview some gun

suspects. Latimore went back to the squad room and finished

his shift.

``You reacted, did what you had to do and got back to

work,'' Anselmo said. ``Later, as people started to ask us

about it, it felt good.''

Alvarado and his family are in temporary housing; his

youngest child has high levels of lead from substandard

housing and requires medical treatment. ``I don't know where

we will go next,'' Alvarado said. They cannot return to 344

Ashford St. because the utilities have been shut off--the

building was declared dangerous to live in--and the apartment

has been looted of pipes and a new radiator, Alvarado said.

The three detectives were recognized by the police Honor

Legion. Vasquez said his 10-year-old daughter, Rachel, was so

excited that she kept trying on different dresses to wear to

the dinner. ``A lot of guys have done a lot of good things

here,'' Vasquez said. ``You feel great after the fact. And my

family was very proud.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Rev. Robert M. Waterman for his devout commitment to his congregation and dedication to his community.

Rev. Robert M. Waterman, the son of a Pentecostal preacher, was born in Brooklyn, New York. As a young man, he was reared in Hemingway, South Carolina, and steeped in both the Pentecostal and Baptist traditions.

In 1985, he was licensed to preach by Abundant Life Tabernacle. Rev. Waterman also served as the Associate Pastor and Youth Pastor at Union Baptist Church in White Plains, New York under the pastoral guidance of Reverends Robert L. Mason and Verlin D. Williams. He began his work at Antioch on November 4, 2001, and was officially installed as the church's reverend in May of 2003. During this time, Reverend Waterman graduated from the New York Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity.

Rev. Waterman has brought many talents to Antioch including a youthful exuberance, a commitment to getting the job done, and a quiet yet ebullient spirituality. With his leadership, new seats and carpet have been installed in the balcony, an after school homework program was created, the Wednesday night bible study was revived, and a large influx of new worshippers have come to the church. Since his installation, Reverend Waterman has worked closely with the youth ministry, forming Teens United for Fellowship (TUFF). He has also established leadership classes and retreats, reinstituted the Christian education department, spearheaded the purchase of a state-of-the-art sound system in the sanctuary, and revived the Antioch Community Service program for youth and seniors. He has also been instrumental in the building fund for the elevator project.

Spiritually, Reverend Waterman is known as ``The Preacher of Thunder'' as he encourages his congregation to know God so that hearts, and thereby lives, can be changed. His commitment to Antioch is demonstrated by his relocation to the Bedford-Stuyvesant community.

As Antioch Baptist Church celebrates its 85th anniversary, the church is stronger than

ever with the guidance and leadership of Reverend Waterman.

Mr. Speaker, in a short time, Rev. Robert M. Waterman has already made a positive difference in the lives of the Antioch Baptist Church congregation and the Bedford-Stuyvesant community. As such, he is more than worthy of receiving our recognition. I hope that all of my colleagues will join me in honoring this truly remarkable individual.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Dr. Waldaba H. Stewart, Jr. for his commitment to public service and active involvement in New York's civic affairs for more than 40 years.

While Dr. Waldaba H. Stewart, Jr. is a native of Panama, he has been a vital asset to the Brooklyn community for more than four decades. Starting with the Unity Democratic Club in 1960, he worked as an Election District Captain and Campaign Manager for the late Thomas R. Fortune, Executive Member. Dr. Stewart was a diligent member of the Unity Democratic Club advising and supporting in all political elections.

In 1968, he began his own political career as a successful candidate for State Senate, where he served for four years. From 1968-1969, he served as Statewide Chairman of the NAACP Political Action and Voter Registration Committee. He was also one of the founding members of the Board of Directors of the Commerce, Labor, and County of Kings Corporation that converted the Brooklyn Navy

Yard into an industrial park. Additionally, Dr. Stewart was a member of the New York State Governor Mario Cuomo's Advisory Committee on Black Affairs and a New York State delegate to President Jimmy Carter's White House Conference on Small Business.

Dr. Stewart has been very active in ensuring a strong future for Kings County Hospital. From 1984-1990, Dr. Stewart served as chairperson of the Community Advisory Board of Kings County Hospital and a member of the Medical Board. In 1984, he began a campaign for the rebuilding and modernization of Kings County Hospital, resulting in the current rebuilding program of more than $100 million, which was completed in 2002. In the community, Dr. Stewart has also served as the Chairperson of the Program Development Committee of the Community Advisory Board from 1980-1984, and 1991-1998.

Currently, Dr. Stewart is the director of the Southern Diaspora Research and Development Center (SDRDC), which is a non-governmental organization. The executive members, officers and all of the members of Unity Democratic Club salute Dr. Waldaba Stewart for his enduring and strong support.

Mr. Speaker, in a short time, Dr. Waldaba H. Stewart, Jr. has been a dedicated public servant for more than 40 years, demonstrating a real commitment to the community. As such, he is more than worthy of receiving our recognition. I hope that all of my colleagues will join me in honoring this truly remarkable individual.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Raul King for his success in the realty business, which has earned him the Thomas R. Fortune Business Award.

Raul King was born on March 17, 1946 in the Dominican Republic. The son of Rosa and Pedro King, and the second of five children, Raul came from modest and humble beginnings. At an early age, Raul learned the value of hard work.

He worked as a boiler mechanic on a locomotive train that would cross the town of Sanchez where he lived. In the summer of 1963, at the age of 17, Raul enlisted into the navy, earning the rank of Officer Petty Class.

In 1970, Raul made his first trip to the United States, where he arrived in New York. Once in New York he worked as a mechanic and obtained his G.E.D. at Bushwick High School.

In 1981, Raul got involved in real estate investments and through perseverance and trial and error, he became a promising real estate salesperson. By 1990, Raul obtained his license in real estate and became a licensed Realty Broker.

For the past decade, Raul has shown a passion for the realty business and he has no plans to retire.

Raul and his wife Beebis King have been married for 23 years. They now have four children and five grandchildren

Mr. Speaker, from humble beginnings, Raul King has come to this country and has become a successful realtor through hard work and dedication. As such, he is more than worthy of receiving our recognition. I hope that all of my colleagues will join me in honoring this truly remarkable individual.