Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life and work of a noted civil rights leader. Mr. Cecil Brown, Jr., who died earlier this week, was one of the first African Americans elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly, and ultimately became a national leader in the fight for equality and desegregation.

A lifelong Midwesterner, Mr. Brown was born in Chicago and also lived briefly in Iowa but was only nine years old when his family settled in Milwaukee during the depression, hoping to make a better life for themselves and their children. Mr. Brown graduated from North Division High school and went on to pursue a college degree at Marquette University. He worked as an accountant before he won a seat in the Assembly in 1954. His victory helped establish new opportunities for African Americans in elected office, giving rise to a cadre of strong elected officials that included Representative Lloyd Barbee, and County Board Supervisor Clinton Rose, among others. Serving a district that was predominantly white, Cecil Brown became known for his ethics and integrity, as well as exemplary civil rights leadership.

After serving briefly in the Assembly, Mr. Brown went on to become one of the foremost leaders of Milwaukee's civil rights movement. He founded the Milwaukee chapter of the Congress on Racial Equality, and worked alongside Father James Groppi and others to fight for desegregated housing and schools. Inspired equally by Martin Luther King, Jr. and Paul Robeson, he was deeply committed to non-violent strategies for social change. His wife, Loretta Brown, too, was a civil rights activist whom he met while participating in the Milwaukee United School Integration Committee.

All of us who are elected to public office stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. Mr. Brown is one of the giants in our state's history whose efforts enabled me to have a career in public service. I am honored to have this opportunity to pay tribute to his lifelong efforts to advance the African American community and to give thanks to him and his family for their unwavering commitment to equality and civil rights.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, Monday, June 19, on account of district business I was absent for votes on rollcall numbers 289, 290, and 291. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on each of these votes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 867, a resolution honoring the great late Dr. James Cameron, the only known survivor of a

lynching and founder of America's only black holocaust museum located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my 92 cosponsors, including the entire delegation from Wisconsin, in remembrance and to honor one of our Nation's true civil rights pioneers, a man who experienced the most horrific acts of violence in this country's history and who used that experience to promote social justice and racial healing. This resolution honors a man who at the tender age of 16 witnessed the lynching of his two friends. And although the lynch mob had looped a rope around his neck, his life was miraculously spared.

This resolution honors a man who spent most of his life after that point dedicated to the eradication of racism, the preservation of African American history, and the advancement of civil rights for all of us. Dr. James Cameron embraced the call of civil rights and social justice work despite several death threats, Mr. Speaker. He went on to found three NAACP chapters in Indiana and played a role in protests to end segregated housing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

In 1988, Mr. Cameron founded the Black Holocaust Museum after an inspirational journey to Israel in order to preserve the history of lynching in the United States and to use this knowledge to promote understanding and combat racism, fear, and violence.

Dr. James Cameron left us and passed away on Sunday, June 11 at the age of 92. This was almost one year to the day that the United States Senate honored Cameron as the only lynching survivor and passed its historic resolution formally apologizing for not passing anti-lynching legislation throughout much of the 20th century. Just yesterday we laid Dr. Cameron to rest on the symbolic day, Juneteenth Day, in commemoration for the ending of slavery in this country; also Juneteenth Day commemorating the 18th anniversary of the founding of America's Black Holocaust Museum.

Mr. Speaker, this is a significant week in civil rights and in black history. In addition to yesterday being Juneteenth, the House plans to consider the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act this week. Dr. Cameron's life exemplifies the imperative of the civil rights struggle, the call to listen to our humanity over and above our fear. Dr. Cameron taught us to be better, not bitter.

Years ago, Dr. Cameron placed me on his board of directors of America's Black Holocaust Museum, a relationship that I sought for personal resurrection, restoration, reconciliation, renewal, and regeneration as an heir of the shameful experience of slavery. However, Mr. Speaker, all, all of whom encountered Dr. Cameron throughout the world, including the family of the young victim on that August night, all who experienced Dr. Cameron experienced reconciliation, the reconciling and redemptive power of forgiveness.

I strongly urge my colleagues to continue to add to the historic significance of this week by supporting this resolution honoring the life and accomplishments of a man who had a life worth living, Dr. James Cameron.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of the 100th anniversary celebration of the City of West Allis. I am proud to serve this community, a portion of which lies within the Fourth Congressional District. Happy 100th Birthday to this remarkable community!

The City of West Allis was incorporated in 1906, but this vibrant community's roots go back much further. In the 1820s and 1830s, prominent visitors to the Honey Creek area, now the heart of West Allis, were impressed with its dense woods and abundance of fresh water springs. Settlement proceeded and by 1860, Honey Creek boasted a school, blacksmith shop, post office and chapel that served Baptist and Episcopalian worshippers. In 1891, the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society purchased the land that is now home to the State Fairgrounds, and by 1894, the Milwaukee Street Car Company had extended transportation routes to this destination. The Allis Company moved from the heart of Milwaukee to West Allis in 1900, fueling the engines of economic growth and development. Throughout its history, West Allis has been known for its strong community, numerous recreational amenities, and the work ethic that underlies its industrial economy.

With the decline of the regional manufacturing economy, West Allis has undergone fundamental changes. It is a testament to the strength of this community and its visionary leadership that urban redevelopment initiatives have brought new economic benefits without compromising the community spirit that characterizes West Allis. The award-winning redevelopment of the Allis-Chalmers campus, for example, has preserved the structures of West Allis' industrial history while creating an exciting and unique office park that has rapidly attracted new tenants to the area. The bike path, currently under construction, serves as a reminder that early settlers were attracted by the beautiful natural landscape. The farmers' market, due to open this year, promises to further strengthen residents' ties to the community.

I am proud to represent the community of West Allis, congratulate it on 100 remarkable years, and look forward to continuing to work with its leaders and residents as its revitalization continues.

Mr. Speaker, with the number of U.S. military deaths in Iraq reaching 2,500, it's disappointing that the best the GOP leadership can do is demand more of the same. That's exactly what this resolution does by calling for a vague open-ended military commitment in Iraq. This resolution reaffirms a policy that simply isn't working.

Instead of acknowledging the difficulties our troops face by offering clear alternatives to the President's ``business as usual'' approach, this resolution tries to cloud the debate by focusing on the ``war on terror.'' Indeed, Iraq isn't even mentioned until the eighth paragraph.

The real issue at hand is whether this particular U.S. military-led effort that we've been following under Secretary Rumsfeld will achieve lasting peace and democracy in Iraq. I can understand why the GOP would want to divert attention from this critical question--it is precisely because of the Administration's policy that Iraq has become a terrorist haven where none existed before.

Since President Bush landed on an aircraft carrier and declared ``mission accomplished'', the estimated number of insurgents in Iraq has quadrupled from 5,000 to 20,000. As a result, the average number of daily attacks by insurgents has climbed from 53 to 75, from May 2004 to May 2006.

This war is an expensive quagmire that's weakening the federal government's ability to meet our domestic needs. We have spent over $300 billion so far on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, which is costing us about $8 billion a month on average, according to the Department of Defense. It's no wonder that this Congress was recently asked to vote on a budget that cuts education, freezes funding for health care research, and shortchanges medical care for our nation's veterans.

The massive deployment of National Guard and Reserve units overseas has undermined our capacity to confront terrorist attacks or natural disasters here at home. We know that state officials in Louisiana and Mississippi struggled to overcome the absence of National Guard members from their states in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Despite these grim realities, politicians on the other side of the aisle are stubbornly restating that--no matter what--we must ``stay the course.'' I strongly disagree. The President and his allies in Congress should heed the words of military and diplomatic leaders who have warned that a continuing presence in Iraq will neither calm the violence nor lead to stability.

Mr. Speaker, it is incumbent on this body to offer and debate real strategies for the redeployment of American forces. Instead, this resolution allows only a phony debate on the ``war on terror'' which will not allow amendments that would offer alternatives to the Bush administration's policy in Iraq.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize one of our Nation's true civil rights pioneers, a constituent of mine who has graced Milwaukee with his work for justice and equality for over 50 years. Sadly, that man, Dr. James Cameron, died June 11, 2006.

When Dr. Cameron was only 16 years old, he was subject to a horrific, and horrifically common, episode of racial violence when a crowd lynched him and two friends. Though his friends perished in the ordeal, Dr. Cameron was miraculously released--an outcome that he attributed to divine intervention--making him the only known survivor of a lynching. Out of that experience, he built a life and a legacy dedicated to the eradication of racism, the preservation of African American history, and the advancement of civil rights for all.

Following his deliverance, Dr. Cameron focused his life on advancing the cause of equality and civil rights. He founded three chapters of the NAACP in Indiana in the 1940s, and served as first president in the Anderson, IN, chapter. He served as Indiana State Director of Civil Liberties until 1950, in which capacity he investigated and reported to the Governor of Indiana on violations of equal accommodation law. Despite receiving many threats and facing numerous acts of violence, he continued to work toward racial equality. He marched twice with Dr. Cameron and with many others then and later.

Inspired by efforts of members of the Jewish community to document their history of persecution, Dr. Cameron opened America's Black Holocaust Museum in 1988. The museum continues to document the devastating effects of slavery, lynching and racial violence. As a result of his life-long efforts, Dr. Cameron received a public apology from the U.S. Senate for its failure to take decisive action to end the epidemic of lynchings in the south.

Dr. Cameron acted as a courageous visionary. He endeavored to use the lessons of an ugly violent past to build a foundation for real unity. He worked to realize a world in which racism and violence are relegated to history. Dr. Cameron exemplifies the imperative of the civil rights struggle--the call to listen to our humanity over and above our fear. Despite his experiences, Dr. Cameron did not seek safety by trying to carry on a quiet, private life. He embraced the call to work publicly, despite the risks to his own safety, to secure full equality for all. He taught us to be better, not bitter--even though it would have been very easy for him to succumb to a life of anger after surviving such a violent and hateful experience. I am honored to have this opportunity to pay tribute to his singular courage, visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to stand with the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) and the 3 million women living with breast cancer in the country today, and urge my colleagues to push for passage of the Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act (H.R. 2231) by the end of this year.

Too many mothers, daughters, wives, and sisters are dying from breast cancer and we will not end this disease until we find out what causes it. H.R. 2231 would go a long way towards finding out what causes breast cancer and how to prevent it.

It is generally believed that the environment plays some role in the development of breast cancer, but the extent of that role is not fully understood. More research needs to be done in this area since it has been understudied in the past.

H.R. 2231 would authorize $30 million per year for 5 years for the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to award grants to study the relationship between environmental factors and breast cancer. The targeted research holds the promise for a better understanding of the causes of breast cancer, breakthroughs in prevention and treatment, and ultimately perhaps a cure.

Furthermore, this bill would create a new mechanism for environmental health research, and provide a unique process by which up to eight centers would be developed to study environmental factors and their impact on breast cancer. Modeled after the highly successful Breast Cancer Research Program, it would include consumer advocates in the peer review and programmatic review process.

There have been isolated studies looking at suspected environmental links to breast cancer. But overall, the issue of what causes breast cancer, and the association between the environment and breast cancer requires a collaborative, comprehensive, national strategy to study these issues. This bill makes that mission possible.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and enact it this year so that we can get closer to a day when no woman need worry about breast cancer again.

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. Chairman, earlier this year, the VA made a priority request for $32.5 million for urgent and necessary upgrades for the spinal cord injury unit at the Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee. However, the subcommittee mark made a point of zeroing out this project. My amendment would restore the funding for this requested priority.

Mr. Chairman, I can tell you that I am new to this body, so I was very curious as to why they would do this. Clearly the Zablocki spinal cord injury unit is not a ``bridge to nowhere.'' It is one of only 23 spinal cord injury units in the country, serving more than 500 veterans as in-patients and over 10,000 patients on an outpatient basis each year.

Nationally, there are over 44,000 veterans suffering from spinal cord injuries that are now paraplegic and quadriplegic. At such a critical time when we are at war and the number of injured soldiers continues to increase, I had to ask myself, Mr. Chairman, what are they doing and why are we doing this?

So what I did as a new Member is I went to something called the committee record, I believe, and what they said here is that they did this because this was of ``relatively low priority.''

Well, I was really confused then, Mr. Chairman, because I then checked with the budget documentation submitted by the Department of Veterans Affairs and discovered that they had listed this as their number one priority for fiscal year 2007. Further, they went on to describe the spinal cord injury unit at Zablocki as having by far received the highest score under their project scoring session.

Mr. Chairman, I don't stand under this E. Pluribus Unum boring Members on and on often. I am here because I truly am trying to understand how other projects with lower priority scores were, indeed, funded.

As a matter of fact, Mr. Chairman, I will submit for the Record this corroborating evidence that this indeed is a highest priority of the fiscal year 2007 projects.

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $283,670,000

for Construction, Major Projects for fiscal year 2007. This

is a decrease of $690,930,000 below the fiscal year 2006

enacted level and a decrease of $115,330,000 below the budget

request. When adjusted for supplemental funding, the

recommendation is $323,430,000 below the fiscal year 2006

enacted level.

The Committee recommendation does not include funding for

refurbishment of operating rooms at the Columbia, Missouri

VAMC, and refurbishment of the Spinal Cord Injury Center at

the Milwaukee, Wisconsin VAMC, both of which are relatively

low priority projects. The estimate submitted in the budget

for the Capital Region Data Center project includes a

contingency reserve of over 25 percent, well in excess of

needs for such a project. The funding for this project is

therefore reduced by $5,000,000, leaving 12.5 percent for a

contingency reserve. The Committee recommendation includes no

funding for the replacement hospital in Denver, Colorado. The

Committee notes that less than two years ago, when original

planning funds were appropriated for the Denver facility, the

estimated total cost of the project was $328,000,000. The

current estimate for the project is in the range of

$621,000,000, almost double the previous estimate. This is

not the only instance of large cost growth for construction

projects of the Department, but this is a project at a stage

where work can be halted before significant and irreversible

financial damage is done. The Committee is concerned with the

rapid escalation in the cost of building new facilities and

cautions the Department that few, if any, projects will be

approved in the future if such costs are not brought under

control.

The Committee recommendation also includes a general

provision which places restrictions on the use of funds

previously appropriated for a new facility in Biloxi,

Mississippi. It is the Committee's direction that no funds

can be expended on a new facility unless it is a joint-use

facility shared with Kessler Air Force Base.

The specific amounts recommended by the Committee are as

follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Committee

Location and description 2007 request recommendation ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Veterans Health Administration [VHA]:

American Lake, WA Seismic $38,220 $38,220

Correction, NHCU & Dietetics.

Columbia, MO, OR Replacement.. 25,830 0

Denver, CO Replacement Medical 52,000 0

Center Facility..............

Long Beach, CA Seismic 97,545 97,545

Correction, Bldg. 7 & 126....

Milwaukee, WI Spinal Cord 32,500 0

Injury (SCI) Center..........

St. Louis (JB), MO Medical 7,000 7,000

Facil Improv & Cem Exp.......

Advance planning fund: Various 39,255 39,255

locations....................

Asbestos abatement: Various 5,000 5,000

locations....................

Claims Analyses: Various 2,000 2,000

locations....................

Judgment Fund: Various 2,000 2,000

locations....................

Hazardous Waste: Various 2,000 2,000

locations....................

Facility Security Fund: 4,000 4,000

Various locations............

Mr. Chairman, I do, briefly.

Mr. Chairman, I understand that I will have to concede to the point of order, but I can tell you that I did not perceive that I had to provide an offset for this funding because it was deemed as the highest, the highest, priority.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the National Association of Letter Carriers as they prepare to stage their fourteenth annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive this Saturday. Letter carriers in over 10,000 cities and towns will participate in this effort, the largest one-day food drive in the United States.

In the Fourth Congressional District, the National Association of Letter Carriers Pioneer Branch 2 partners with the Hunger Task Force to ensure that all food collected gets distributed quickly, fairly and safely. Last year's effort netted over 1.29 million pounds of food, and solicited the participation of 800 volunteers. Thousands of families contributed food, and letter carriers throughout the Milwaukee area worked tirelessly to make the event a success. As a result, this annual food drive is a true community effort that enables all of us to serve our neighbors. I have no doubt this year's event will meet or exceed last year's impressive achievements, and thousands of Milwaukeeans will have access to food throughout the summer as a result.

It is simply unconscionable that so many Americans have insufficient food to meet their needs. Stamp Out Hunger is a true testament to the strength of our community and our commitment to ensuring the security of our most vulnerable residents. I am honored to express my gratitude to the Hunger Task Force, NALC Pioneer Branch 2, and the constituents of the Fourth Congressional District who give to this year's Stamp Out Hunger food drive.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and accomplishments of an extraordinary Wisconsin woman, Mrs. Ruth Bachhuber Doyle. Mrs. Doyle died May 6, 2006, after a long life dedicated to public service.

Born in Milwaukee and raised in Wausau, Ruth Bachhuber met Jim Doyle Sr. when both were students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the 1930s. They married in 1940, and had three children together, including the current governor of Wisconsin, The Honorable Jim Doyle. Though three generations of her family preceded her in political life, Mrs. Doyle was one of the first women elected to the state Legislature. As a result of her election, the Bachhuber family became the only one in Wisconsin history to see four generations serve in the state Legislature. Mrs. Doyle is also known for helping to revitalize Wisconsin's Democratic Party. She reenergized the party by engaging women as leaders and activists. She later served on the Dane County Board, and as the first woman president of the Madison School Board.

In addition to her exemplary political career, Mrs. Doyle and her husband--who served at one point as U.S. district attorney--raised four children. She was a true public servant in every meaning of the term, with a keen interest in education, and a strong commitment to acting always with integrity and maintaining and honoring the integrity of the democratic process.

Mrs. Doyle pioneered a new public role for women. I consider myself very fortunate to be one of those who has benefited from the trail she blazed. Women, men, and families throughout our state have been blessed by her quiet wisdom and sincerity and her constant efforts to safeguard the interests and needs of Wisconsin citizens. I am honored to have this opportunity to recognize her life and achievements, and send my condolences to her family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra, MYSO. MYSO was started in 1956, with assistance from the Junior League Children's Arts Program, the Milwaukee Art Center and later the Rotary Club. It has since grown into a valued community institution and the largest youth orchestra program in the Nation.

MYSO provides valuable education and character development for all of its young participants. Through participation in MYSO programs, young musicians develop discipline and creative problem-solving skills, and learn to work as part of a team. MYSO provides young artists with exposure to professional musicians and master teachers. Since its inception, the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra has become one of the most respected youth orchestras in the United States, serving almost 800 young musicians in a range of programs that include several large orchestras in additional to smaller and more specialized ensemble groups. MYSO alumni have gone on to distinguished careers as professional musicians, and have become accomplished and dedicated supporters of arts in the community.

MYSO has also made a significant commitment to bringing arts into the community. As

budget cuts trim funding for arts and music education in the Milwaukee Public Schools, MYSO has created new programs that ensure everyone has the opportunity to learn about and appreciate music. Programs like Progressions and MYSO Jazz Studies bring instrumental instruction and ensemble performance to students who might otherwise never have the opportunity to play an instrument or learn to read music. Together with several other youth arts organizations, MYSO collaborated to develop the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, creating a dedicated space for youth arts that fosters excellence and honors the creative talents of Milwaukee-area youth. This project has contributed to the revitalization of a key central city neighborhood.

For all of these good works, I am honored to commend the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra. I thank them for 50 years of exemplary leadership and teaching, and look forward to their continued efforts to provide Milwaukee's youth with outstanding arts education.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 139. I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a beloved member of the Milwaukee community, Ms. Rose-Marie Coggs.

The daughter of Calvin Jr. and Erma L. Coggs, Rose-Marie was born in Milwaukee on May 26, 1953. As a child, she was a student at Fifth Street Grade School, Robert Fulton Junior High School, and graduated from Rufus King High School. In addition, she graduated from Milwaukee Area Technical College in its metallurgist program.

Rose-Marie displayed her significant artistic talents in drawing and painting and exhibited her works in Milwaukee art showings. In addition she was known as an accomplished jewelry designer with a particular gift for watches and rings, of which she produced beautiful collections. An award-winning artist, she often featured in showings at the Inner City Arts Council and African World Festival and in fact, her work was a regular feature in art festivals throughout Southeastern Wisconsin.

Rose-Marie Coggs was a woman of many creative talents and interests, from modeling for the African World Center with the Bashir Family to antiquing as a licensed antique dealer and appraiser who traveled throughout Wisconsin and Illinois participating in shows and fairs. She worked in the hospitality arena at various locations, was employed at OIC-GM as a receptionist, and worked as a Community Organizer for Project Respect.

Rose-Marie prided herself in being a mother to her only child, son Ayinde J. Coggs. She was also blessed in having thirteen grandchildren: Ayinde Starling, Raymond Quesada, Ayana Coggs, Nielah Coggs, Ayinde Sprewell, Deonte Sprewell, Amber Coggs, Adanna Coggs, Brittney Harris, Angel Johnson, Lyric Elvord, Amani Carter and Naomi Noble. She was an extremely giving person who loved celebrating family events and faithfully remembered others' birthdays.

Mr. Speaker, so many of us in the Milwaukee community are saddened at losing her suddenly and much too soon. My thoughts and prayers are with her friends and loving family at this time, and I ask my colleagues in the House to join me today in remembering her life and many contributions to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a noted Milwaukee community leader, Mr. Art Heitzer, as his colleagues, friends, and family gather to celebrate his 40 years of activism. Throughout his life, Art has maintained an unwavering commitment to improving the quality of life for everyone in Milwaukee, while never losing sight of Milwaukee's connections to the wider world.

Art emerged as a compelling student leader while studying at Marquette University in the 1960s. As President of the Marquette Student Government, he helped organize student demonstrations that led to the creation of the Equal Opportunities Program, which provides low- income students and students of color with the academic support, tutoring and mentoring they need to succeed. A whole generation of community leaders who have since been educated at Marquette--myself included--are indebted to Art for leading this charge.

Art Heitzer is nationally known for his pathbreaking work in employment law, and has attained leadership positions in state and national professional associations as a result of his success. An active citizen, he has been a noted member of the Midtown Neighborhood Association, and a committed leader of Peace Action Wisconsin. He serves on the boards of the Fourth Street Forum and Ko Thi Dance Company, and is a member of Central United Methodist church.

A true citizen of the world, Art has been a longtime advocate for changes to U.S. foreign policy toward Cuba. A strong opponent of the travel ban, he has organized religious and civic delegations to visit Cuba, and has been instrumental in developing a sister city relationship between Milwaukee and Nuevitas. He has acted out of his passionate belief that increasing connections between U.S. and Cuban citizens can only improve the state of democracy and human rights in Cuba and at home. Mr. Speaker, it is truly a privilege to pay tribute today to Art, his wife Sandra Edhlund and son Franz, and to thank all of them for their commitment to improving Milwaukee and our world.

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, April 25 and Wednesday, April 26, I was absent for votes on rollcall numbers 100 through 108. Had I been present, I would have voted ``Yes'' on rollcall number 100, ``Yes'' on rollcall number 101, ``No'' on rollcall number 102, ``No'' on rollcall number 103, ``Yes'' on rollcall number 104, ``Yes'' on rollcall number 105, ``No'' on rollcall number 106, ``Yes'' on rollcall number 107, and ``No'' on rollcall number 108.