Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, today I rise to congratulate the 2007 graduating class of Senn High School. At a time when immigration reform is at the forefront of America's conscience it is important that we take a moment to recognize the important role immigrants have played in the growth of this country and the vital part they will continue to have in our development as a society.

The graduates of Senn High School represent this bright future. Demonstrating that the American dream is alive and well, the graduating class is made up of students from 60 different countries and speaks 46 different languages. The diversity and richness that these students bring from their families' culture adds so much to our community.

Like so many Americans, I am a first-generation American and I believe that we need to continue our tradition of welcoming immigrant groups from all over the world into our communities. I am so very proud of each and every one of these exemplary graduates, many of whom, in addition to be the first in the family to graduate from high school, plan to attend college as well.

Madam Speaker, as we continue to debate the merits of immigration reform, I hope that we will not lose sight of what is truly important, and that is the profound impact that immigrants have on all of us, making this country a richer and better place to live.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the McGovern-Lewis amendment. It is time to close the School of the Americas, or WHINSEC. After so many decades of human rights abuses and threats to democracy, the U.S. should not be giving a privileged position to Latin American militaries by maintaining a special school in the United States just for them. Nearly every month in Latin America, a perpetrator of human rights crimes, corruption, or drug-trafficking is found to have attended the School of the Americas. There's a reason that the SOA has been called the ``School of the Atrocities.''

WHINSEC, as well as current U.S. foreign policies, are making the United States lose ground with the people of Latin America. Our relations with Latin America are at their lowest ebb in several decades. The Abu Ghraib scandal, the doctrine of preemptive war, secret prisons and the debate over detentions in Guantanamo Bay are reported widely and critically in Latin American media. I have traveled to Latin America and seen for myself that the WHINSEC, as the direct heir of the School of the Americas, is viewed throughout Latin America as a symbol of the U.S. priority of strengthening brutal military regimes instead of encouraging development.

Suspending part of the aid to the WHINSEC would show that the United States wants to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. Such a move would be a significant and positive step forward in repairing our damaged image and credibility. It would also be a blow to those who have strengthened themselves politically by accusing the United States of hypocrisy on human rights and democracy. A more cooperative, less unilateral foreign policy, including the suspension of funding for WHINSEC, will clearly demonstrate our respect for international human rights standards and would help the United States regain influence and build connections in Latin America.

The United States should work with Latin American nations on common solutions to common problems, and our programs should invest in helping Latin American communities help themselves. Instead of providing funds to train human rights abusers, we should provide assistance for clean water, vaccinations for children, micro-credit, technical assistance for small farmers and small business, shelter for refugees and generous disaster relief to build goodwill with our neighbors.

Just last month Nobel Peace Prize Recipient Oscar Arias, President of Costa Rica, announced that Costa Rica would no longer send its police to the WHINSEC for training. We should join Costa Rica (and other Latin American countries who have withdrawn their police from training at WHINSEC) in changing course by withdrawing funding from this criminal training ground.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the realignment of funding for Colombia in the FY2008 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill. I would like to begin by thanking Chairwoman Lowey for her leadership on the issues facing Colombia and for crafting such a forward-thinking piece of legislation.

I visited Colombia a few years ago, and learned so much about that beautiful country. On that trip I heard chilling accounts of the tragedy that our policies have created. A lot has changed since my trip, but many of the fundamental problems still exist, and in some cases, have worsened.

I heartily support the new balance of aid in the FY2008 Foreign Operations bill. As outlined in the bill, now 55 percent of aid for Colombia will go toward military functions while 45 percent will go to rural development, social development, and strengthening the judicial system. This new approach is a dramatic change that will help remedy the problems that our policies have caused.

Just this month, the Office of National Drug Control Policy announced that more than 387,900 acres of coca were detected in Colombia in 2006, an increase of 32,120 acres from the previous year. The increase in coca production is a huge blow to the proponents of Plan Colombia, which was created in 2000 to reduce drug cultivation.

This Foreign Ops bill recognizes the failure of past policies-- especially our counter-drug initiatives, and moves U.S. policy in the right direction. The funding in this bill will help families persecuted by paramilitaries, farmers struggling to grow crops other than coca,

those displaced by fighting, and the Colombian justice system, which is valiantly struggling to bring justice to victims of violence.

Thank you, once again to Chairwoman Lowey. I urge all of my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, on June 30, 2007, Fast Track trade authority will expire. Now is the time for Congress to replace an outdated system that removes congressional authority, as set out in the Constitution, ``to regulate commerce with foreign nations.''

As it stands with Fast Track in place, Congress has no control over the content of trade agreements. We can vote on trade agreements only after they have been negotiated and signed, but we are responsible for trade agreements negative effects. Over 3 million American manufacturing jobs have been lost.

American wages have stagnated. We have lost our family farms, and we have failed to encourage income equality in the developing nations with which we have trade agreements. That's after Fast Track.

Let's replace Fast Track with a better system. Congress should be able to decide with whom we negotiate trade agreements and what goes into those agreements. Let's restore the balance of powers on trade established in the Constitution.

Madam Speaker, June 22 will be a bittersweet day for me and for all of Team Schakowsky. That is the day that Robert Marcus, Legislative Assistant, will be leaving our office. After a summer in Israel, Robert will attend graduate school at the Fletcher School of International Affairs at Tufts University, where we know he will make an outstanding contribution.

In his more than 4 years on my staff, Robert has been an invaluable member of the team, serving as the point person for foreign affairs, in particular U.S.-Israel relations, the war in Iraq, Haiti, Darfur, and Colombia. He has been in charge of veterans affairs and has played a major role in shining a bright light on and drafting legislation addressing the growing role of private military contractors.

Robert's influence has extended far beyond Capitol Hill and well beyond the borders of the United States. In 2005, Robert worked with an Illinois synagogue and its Rabbi, Bruce Elder, to bring a Torah to its former home in the small Czech Republic town of Lostice. It was one of 1,500 Torahs that had been confiscated by the Nazis during World War II. Robert made the arrangements for the visit and joined members of the Congregation Hakafa when the Torah was opened and read at the synagogue, which is now a community center. Though no Jews remain in Lostice, the people had protected the building and came out to welcome the visitors with songs sung in Hebrew. Dignitaries from across the Czech Republic participated and it became a highly publicized story with a powerful message of remembrance and tolerance that will long be remembered. Robert Marcus made it happen.

Robert Marcus has been addressing the problem of deforestation in Haiti in a very practical way. Haiti is almost completely deforested, with only one or two percent of its original forest cover remaining. Working with Haitian-American leaders as well as an organization led by Wyclef Jean called Yele Haiti, Robert brought another important organization to the table to help with a new Haitian environmental initiative that combines tree planting with alternative energy. The Jewish National Fund, at Robert's initiative, is now providing technical expertise from their extensive and successful experience with tree planting in Israel.

Robert will be missed not only for the exceptional work he has done, but for his incredible kindness, (sometimes quirky) sense of humor, his contagious friendliness, and, of course, his rugged good looks.

If you ``Google'' Robert Marcus, you will find over 14 million separate entries. True, not all of them are about OUR Robert Marcus, the real Robert Marcus, (particularly the one that reads ``Robert Marcus: Real Threat or Just Another Stupid Clam?''), but we know he will make a huge mark in the world. We just hope he will always remember his days with Team Schakowsky. I know I will never forget him. I say, ``Thank you, Robert Marcus. I love you very much.''

Mr. Speaker, first, I want to express my enormous appreciation to Congresswoman Diana DeGette.

This morning Speaker Pelosi said, this is really a great day, not only in the United States Congress but for the American people around the country. Many times we deal with issues that are either sort of lower on the list of importance. We name post offices. We give certain honors to individuals. That's all good. But today we're dealing with an issue that affects millions, over 100 million Americans, really not a family that's not touched by Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, as Diana DeGette's daughter is. And like many mothers who come to the Congress and ask us to address issues that have affected their children, Diana DeGette is in a position to actually make something happen, and she has, in the most educated, illuminated, compassionate way, to bring this legislation to the floor of the House of Representatives today.

I also rise in the name of our beloved friend and part of our congressional family, Lane Evans. Lane is one of the million Americans who suffers from Parkinson's disease, who has had to cut his career short. His leadership and dedication to making progress with stem cell research was inspiring. He understood the hope that embryonic stem cell research holds for so many like him. It's time that we pass this bill for people like Lane Evans; a hero, a Marine, someone who has fought all his life. And now we need to fight for him.

I also rise in support of this bill for my friend, Bonnie Wilson, and her daughter, Jenna, who's one of the 7 million American children living with diabetes. Stem cell treatment may be her only hope. It's time that we finally make progress, put aside ideology, and, yes, it is about ideology versus science, and pay attention to the science. And I want to thank all the children and parents, the children who have diabetes who have come to me year after year after year after year to my office, told me about the shots that they take, the parents waking up several times during the night to check the levels on their children; worrying day and night that they are going to get that phone call that there has been some disaster. It's for them that we do this. And so we're standing today on the brink of incredible scientific breakthroughs that are going to address the issues that plague all our families. My family has been plagued by the early loss of my daughter- in-law, Fiona, to cancer.

Let me just say then, for Fiona and for my grandchildren who were left motherless at a very, very young age, and all the families, I'm not alone. No one's alone in this; that we stand together today to say we believe in a cure. We want to support a cure. We, the American people, through our taxpayer dollars, what could be a better expenditure of that? Should we throw away unused embryonic stem cells? Should we toss in the garbage, literally, the possibility of these cures? I don't think so. Let's take that leap today for our children and future generations.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 964, the Securely Protect Yourself Against Cyber Trespass Act--the SPY Act. It is a strong consumer protection bill, of which I am an original cosponsor, that will help us in the fight against identity theft.

With today's vote, the House will have passed the SPY Act three times. Let's hope that the third time's a charm--and that today's passage means this bill will finally get signed into law.

The SPY Act is important because it protects consumers from spyware, the unwanted and sneaky software that is so powerful that it can steal information from, monitor and control others' computers--without the computer's owner even knowing the software has been installed.

The SPY Act would put the control of computers back in the hands of consumers--where it belongs. It prohibits indefensible uses of the software, like phishing and logging every keystroke entered, and requires that consumers be notified and opt-in before software is installed on their computers. Furthermore, the SPY Act gives the Federal Trade Commission the additional power it needs to pursue deceptive uses of the software.

I believe that this bill will go a long way toward protecting consumers from having their valuable and personal information stolen by purveyors of spyware. I am glad that I was part of the bipartisan process that brought this bill to the floor today. I urge my colleagues to support its passage. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 152, which recognizes the 40th anniversary of the reunification of the City of Jerusalem.

This week Israel is recognizing the 40th anniversary of the Six-Day War. On June 7, 1967, Israel reunified the city of Jerusalem, opening it to worshippers of all nationalities and religions.

On that day Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Dayan declared: ``This morning, the Israel Defense Forces liberated Jerusalem. We have united Jerusalem, the divided capital of Israel. We have returned to the holiest of our holy places, never to part from it again. To our Arab neighbors we extend, also at this hour--and with added emphasis at this hour--our hand in peace. And to our Christian and Muslim fellow citizens, we solemnly promise full religious freedom and rights. We did not come to Jerusalem for the sake of other peoples' holy places, and not to interfere with the adherents of other faiths, but in order to safeguard its entirety, and to live there together with others, in unity.''

Mr. Speaker, even 40 years after Israel's overwhelming victory in the June 1967 War--a war fought to preserve Israel's very existence in the face of enemies determined to destroy it--Israel's stability is still threatened. At this critical time in Israel's history we must focus on what is of the utmost importance--furthering the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

Congress must fully analyze and consider the Arab League Peace Initiative which offers Israel full normalization of relations with the Arab world and is widely viewed in Israel and around the world as an important opportunity and a real basis for negotiations that could end the Israeli-Arab conflict. While not perfect, this plan sets the table for fruitful negotiations and a final resolution of the conflict.

We must also consider negotiations with Syria. If successful, such negotiations could have significant positive impact with respect to limiting Iran's sphere of influence, calming the situation in Lebanon, weakening the support network for Hamas and Hezbollah, and delivering real security to Israel on its northern border.

We must call on President Bush to invest in serious, sustained, and effective efforts to improve the security situation on the ground today and re-establish a viable peace process that can deliver peace and security to Israel, and international acceptance of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Mr. Speaker, today I call on all of my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 152, and I pledge to continue to work to maintain Jerusalem as Israel's indivisible capitol and to promote the policy of the United States to support a peaceful, two-state solution to end the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 422, which calls on the Government of the People's Republic of China to use its unique influence and economic leverage to stop genocide and violence in Darfur, Sudan. I traveled to Darfur in February 2006. I will never forget what I saw, nor will I relent in my work to end the ongoing genocide.

China, if it chose to, could play a critical role in ending the genocide in Darfur. The President's Special Envoy to Sudan, Andrew S. Natsios, has said that ``China's substantial economic investment in Sudan gives it considerable potential leverage, and we have made clear to Beijing that the international community will expect China to be part of the solution.'' China has a close relationship with the Government of Sudan, economically and militarily. It purchases 70 percent of Sudan's oil. China has agreed to cancel nearly $100 million if Sudan's debt to the country, and it has invested over $10 million in the Sudanese energy sector over the last two decades. China, already the main supplier of arms to Sudan with $83 million exported there in 2005, recently agreed to cooperate more closely militarily ``in every sphere.''

With this resolution we are asking China to acknowledge and condemn the violence taking place in Darfur, Sudan. Additionally, we are calling on China to cease all military arms and equipments sales to Sudan. Finally, we are strongly encouraging China to suspend economic ties to Sudan until the Government of Sudan stops attacking civilians, complies with U.N. Security Council resolutions, and enters into peace negotiations with rebel groups. China has the ability to end the genocide and horror. I hope it chooses to act immediately.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to support this important resolution.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 413, which recognizes the service of United States Merchant Marine Veterans. I encourage all of my colleagues to support this important resolution.

United States Merchant Mariners played a critical role during World War II, delivering troops, tanks, food, airplanes, fuel and other needed supplies to every theater of the war. The Merchant Mariners were the necessary link between the supplies that were manufactured in the U.S. and used overseas.

The Merchant Mariners took part in every invasion from Normandy to Okinawa and suffered the highest casualty rate of any of the branches of the Armed Forces. Despite their valiant service, the U.S. Merchant Marines were not included in the 1944 G.I. Bill of Rights. In 1988, they were finally granted veteran status, but some portions of the G.I. Bill have never been made available to the Merchant Marines and the lost benefits can never be recouped.

In April I had the opportunity to deliver testimony to the Veterans Affairs Committee on behalf of my constituent, World War II Merchant Marine veteran Bruce Felknor, urging support of H.R. 23, the Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2007. I hope that the 110th Congress will enact that important legislation into law as well.

I'm so pleased that the Merchant Mariners are finally getting the respect and attention they deserve for their service and sacrifice to our country. For more than 40 years, their remarkable and distinguished service has gone by virtually unnoticed by our government and people.

Again, I urge all of my colleagues to support H. Res. 413.

Madam Speaker, I rise on behalf of the entire Women's Caucus, Co-Chairs Lois Capps and Cathy McMorris Rodgers and my co-Vice Chair, Mary Fallin, to honor four women who have served our Nation with honor and distinction. Today, the 10th Annual Women in Military Wreath Laying Ceremony hosted by the Caucus, was held at Arlington Cemetery. The purpose is to honor our Nation's servicewomen and women veterans for their courage and achievements, and to remember the women who have died in service to the United States of America.

SFC Barbara Clavijo, United States Army, distinguished herself by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as the Multi-National Division Baghdad Force Protection Vulnerability Assessment Team NCOIC, 4th Infantry Division, Camp Liberty, Iraq from December 2, 2005-November 15, 2006 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

While assigned as the Multi-National Division Baghdad Vulnerability Assessment Team NCOIC, SFC Clavijo was directly responsible for the development and execution of the Division's force protection program. Without hesitation and with great enthusiasm, and despite the inherent threats and dangers, she continuously navigated the MND-B's battle space to conduct vulnerability assessments. These assessments required SFC Clavijo to plan, coordinate, and participate in over 125 ground and air movements in support of these missions. During the course of these assessments she was forced to travel many routes known to be covered with Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs. During one of these assessments she had the unlucky fortune to have her vehicle targeted by an IED. For this reason she was awarded the Combat Action Badge. Her awards also include the Bronze Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Drill Sergeant Badge, and Combat Action Badge. I am truly pleased to honor SFC Barbara Clavijo for her service and dedication.

Master Chief Ann L. Tubbs began her career with the U.S. Coast Guard in July 1980 when she graduated from the Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May, New Jersey and was assigned to Coast Guard Station Jonesport in West Jonesport, ME. Later, she was assigned aboard the Coast Guard icebreaker Glacier where she made 2 trips to Antarctica as part of Operation Deep Freeze. After leaving Glacier, Master Chief Tubbs spent 2 years in Mobile, AL., as a small boat engineer running search and rescue boats in the Gulf of Mexico.

In August 2001, she accepted an active duty position in the Office of Reserve Affairs at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, DC. In 2002, she advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer and was assigned as the Enlisted Gender Policy Advisor to the Commandant. She advanced to Master Chief Petty Officer on January 1, 2005. She assumed her current job as Special Assistant to the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard in October of 2006. Master Chief Tubbs' military awards include the Coast Guard Commendation Medal, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal with Operational Distinguishing Device, the Commandant's Letter of Commendation, the Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal and the Reserve Good Conduct Medal, and the Antarctic Service Medal. I am so pleased to recognize Master Chief Tubb's today.

SSGT Cassie L. Lucero began her career with the Marines in 1998. During her career in the Marines, she has been decorated with numerous medals, including the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, three Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medals, two Joint Meritorious Unit Awards, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, two Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and three Sea Service Deployment Awards. It is my pleasure to honor SSGT. Cassie L. Lucero for her service.

CMSGT and Barbara S. Taylor is the Chief of Supply for the United States Air Force Band, Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C. Originally from Kingsport, TN, her military career began in 1982. CMSGT Barbara S. Taylor was assigned to the United States Air Force Heritage of America Band at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. There, she was both a euphonium and vocal soloist. She was the band's Director of Operations from October 1995 until her reassignment to the United States Air Force Band in January 1997. In 1993 and 1996, Chief Taylor was named the Air Combat Command Band's Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, and in February 1997 she was named the Air Combat Command Noncommissioned Officer of the Year for the band career field. Chief Taylor was also awarded the Commandant's Award at both the Airman Leadership School and the Noncommissioned Officers Academy. I am so honored to recognize Chief Taylor for her dedication to the United States.

Madam Speaker, it is with great admiration and pride that the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues honors these four servicewomen and their extraordinary accomplishments. In a time when our military faces especially difficult challenges both at home and abroad, these four women have shown exceptional courage, ability and loyalty to the Armed Services of the United States of America. They are true shining examples of the numerous women serving in our military today.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Last week I accepted the Food Stamp Challenge, living for the past week on the average food stamp benefit of $1 per meal or $21 for the entire week.

I did it in order to draw attention to the persistent problem of hunger in America. I didn't realize just how hard it would be, but on my first shopping trip to Safeway, I quickly found out. It was hard enough to buy basic staples, but once I got to the produce section, it was impossible to buy much of anything. There was no way to eat a nutritious diet. Fruits and vegetables were simply out of my price range.

For me, it was a learning experience. For 26 million Americans and 1.2 million Illinoisans, it is a way of life. I wonder how parents on food stamps can stretch their budgets so their children have enough to eat or how seniors with chronic illness afford both eating nutritious meals and purchasing adequate medication. The answer for many is they simply can't.

In the richest country in the world, the fact that families face these sort of trade-offs is unjust and I would say it's immoral. The United States is spending merely $3 billion each week in Iraq, yet we expect hungry Americans to eat on $3 a day?

We need to pass Representatives Jim McGovern's and Jo Ann Emerson's Feeding America's Families Act which would strengthen America's anti- hunger safety net programs, including food stamps, at a reasonable and affordable cost of about $4 billion per year. These are the kinds of provisions that ought to be part of the farm bill which includes the food stamp program.

I just ended this challenge yesterday. I am looking forward to a big salad for lunch where I include all kinds of vegetables at the salad bar that's in the cafeteria, adding whatever I want to that salad rather than having to carefully pick and choose what I had last week, which was one head of lettuce and one tomato and a few carrots, and that was about it. My snacks were water and, on a good moment, ice water.

It was an interesting and instructive week for me, but imagining my children and grandchildren having to live that way made it very, very clear to me that this really ought not to be a forced option for so many millions of Americans.

We can do better. This is a matter of priorities. We can change those priorities. We can make sure that with pride we say that no one in this country goes hungry, that everyone in this country at least has the opportunity to make healthy choices about the food that they eat and the food that they serve their children.

How can a child learn in school when they come without an adequate breakfast? How can they achieve in life without the nutrition that they need as their bones are growing and as their minds are growing? I am very hopeful that the experiment that I did with Congressmen McGovern and Emerson and Tim Ryan will prove to be helpful in making sure that we are able to pass more humane, and important to all Americans, legislation that will provide nutritious and affordable food for all of our residents in the United States.

I thank the gentleman whose leadership I appreciate so much on this very important issue. You have beautifully filled the footsteps, the shoes, of your predecessor, Congressman Lane Evans, who was also a champion for workers' rights, for the rights of ordinary people. And I appreciate that you are standing up for millions of American workers who have suffered from the trade policies that we have had.

I think it is important to note that the new class of Members who joined this Congress, far from being unsophisticated, understand that the trade policies that have been negotiated have harmed their constituents not just in the Rust Belt of the Midwest but around this country and brought those issues to their constituents and, vice versa, listened to their constituents.

Look, we all understand that this is a global world, that globalization is a reality, but now we need to control it and this Congress now has to reassert its authority over U.S. trade policy. We have an opportunity to do that now, to make sure that it works not only for the wealthiest multinational corporations but for workers and for our environment. So I appreciate very much the leadership that others have shown, particularly you, Mr. Hare, tonight with this special order.

On May 10, 2007, the Bush administration officials and congressional leaders announced a new trade deal. While the agreement does show real progress in terms of moving the Bush administration in the direction of enforcing labor and environmental standards, the details of the negotiated package and their real-life impact are not clear and are troubling.

So while I want to applaud the work of Chairman Rangel and others to make major improvements to the labor and environmental provisions, I have to say, frankly, that I have no confidence that the Bush administration, the same administration that has relentlessly attacked the rights of workers right here at home, let alone in other countries, would enforce those standards.

We have yet to see the text of the proposed agreements, ``the deal,'' but a detailed description has been made available by the Ways and Means Committee and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and I am concerned that an outdated trade model that has decimated U.S. manufacturing remains intact.

Over 3 million manufacturing jobs have been lost since NAFTA took effect. I think many of those who voted for NAFTA would agree that it has not worked out in favor of the United States and its workers, or Mexican workers either, for that matter. American wages since then have stagnated and our trade deficit has ballooned to a staggering $717 billion. It is not a model we want to mimic. It is no wonder that no union or environmental group or small business has supported the deal, while all of big business has.

There are those who suggest that those of us who have serious questions about the deal on trade are just mad about being left out of a press conference or, similarly, are wasting time so we delay the process. But the truth is there are substantive critical issues that affect these millions of Americans that we are speaking for tonight.

The deal provides no assurances, for example, against a free trade agreement with Colombia, the country with the world's highest rate of labor union assassinations, or countries like Korea that continue to use every means to block American products, or the renewal of Fast Track trade authority.

Instead of delivering on the public's demand for a new trade policy, the deal facilitates more Bush trade deals that contain the worst provisions of NAFTA and CAFTA. Even if the deal is 100 percent implemented, resulting trade pacts would extend the NAFTA-CAFTA model.

The deal would ban U.S. efforts to prohibit offshoring jobs and to ban buy-American policies. How could Democrats, who have been fighting to expand and preserve such important U.S. policies, support a trade agreement that explicitly bans those very same policies?

The deal does absolutely nothing to address the free trade agreement threats to Federal and State prevailing wage guarantees. Nothing was done.

The deal allows the country of Peru to be sued if they dare to reverse its failed social security privatization plan. Seeing that Democrats actually beat back the Bush proposal for privatization of our Social Security plan, Peru's labor federation asked democratic trade leaders to fix this problem. Yet it is unaddressed in this deal.

The deal fails to remove the outrageous NAFTA Chapter 11 foreign investor privileges that create incentives for U.S. firms to move offshore and expose our most basic environmental, health, zoning and other laws to attack in foreign tribunals. We won't as a sovereign state even be able to protect those kinds of important laws.

The deal does nothing to address FTA- and NAFTA-style agricultural rules that will foreseeably result in widespread displacement of peasant farmers, increasing hunger, social unrest and desperate immigration. We talk about immigration and people crossing our border, and yet we have trade policies that impoverish farmers in Mexico, who quite naturally are going to do anything they can to protect their families and are willing to risk their lives in the desert to come to the United States. Trade is part and should be part of our immigration debate. This deal does absolutely nothing.

Mr. Speaker, what I want to say is that this is a moment of opportunity where a Democratic majority in Congress can get a grip on these trade policies to set a new direction that raises all workers around the world, that respects our environment at such a critical moment in history, that really does good, not just for the rights of multinational corporations who show no loyalty to any country but to our workers and hard-working people around the world.

We can do better, we should do better, and we have an obligation to our constituents to do better. That is all we are asking for. Let's go back to the drawing boards, not forever, not for an unlimited period of time, but let's go back to the drawing boards and create something that we all can be proud of in this country.

Thank you so much, Mr. Hare, for your leadership.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to congratulate Niles Township High School District 219, which is in the Ninth District of Illinois, for being named the best fine and performing arts program in the United States by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. District 219 was singled out for its outstanding arts education programs on April 17 when it was presented with the 19th annual Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network and National School Boards Association Award at the National School Boards Association annual conference in San Francisco. Since 1989, only 38 school boards in 23 States have received this prestigious award, which recognizes achievements in arts education, from the Kennedy Center.

The Niles Township High School District 219 does not take arts education for granted. District 219 recognizes that it is fortunate to be able to dedicate $2.1 million--or 4.5 percent--to the art programs. Students are given the opportunity to take a range of classes and instruction and even drive the arts curriculum that is offered.

With such commitment to the arts by the school, faculty, and students, the arts programs continually receive honors and awards from noteworthy organizations. For example, Niles North High School, located in District 219, has been honored three times with the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, NARAS, designation as a Grammy Signature School. District 219's theater programs have been invited twice by the American High School Theater Festival to perform at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. And, numerous arts teachers have received ``teacher of the year'' honors.

Madam Speaker, I am so proud of District 219 because it understands the importance of bringing the wonders of the arts to a broader community, especially to our young adults. Niles Township High School District 219 is truly a model for arts education in Illinois and nationwide. Once again, I congratulate them on their latest achievement.

[From the Chicago Tribune, Apr. 25, 2007]

One Fine Fine-Arts Program: Schools' Dedication Pays Off in a National

Award for Programs and Immeasurable Benefits for Students

(By Lisa Black)

On any given day at Skokie's two public high schools, you

might find a student stretching goat skin over a hand-crafted

drum, or a math class learning geometric concepts through art

mosaics.

A fashion class could be designing costumes for the

schools' elaborate plays and musicals, while others listen to

a renowned resident artist.

At Niles North and Niles West High Schools, the diverse

collection of students celebrates the arts with a passion

more in keeping with the reverence for football in West

Texas.

At home, more than half the students speak a language other

than English--led by Korean, Urdu, Assyrian, Spanish, Tagalog

and Russian--yet when it comes to the arts, they share a

language.

Now, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in

Washington, D.C., has singled out Niles Township High School

District 219 and its school board for having the nation's

best arts program, calling it ``a model for arts education in

Illinois and throughout the country.''

The Kennedy Center presented the award, along with $10,000,

during the National School Boards Association's annual

conference in San Francisco last week.

``It's an amazing accomplishment,'' said Lori Real, fine-

arts teacher at Niles North, as her students painted on silk

screens. She pointed out handcrafted African instruments,

called doumbek drums, that her students also are working on.

``The arts provide that hands-on experience our students

crave,'' Real said. ``It's that hands-on experience of

connecting with yourself. I think we're kind of a

disconnected society now.''

The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is a public-

private partnership that has given out the award for 19

years, basing its decision on a school district's quality and

breadth of programs, student involvement and parent support,

quality of teaching, and partnerships with the community.

Students filled the gymnasiums at both Skokie campuses

Friday, cheering student artists, actors, musicians, dancers

and their teachers.

``This is the first time I think we had a fine-arts

assembly,'' said a delighted school board President Robert

Silverman. ``The kids in fine arts were on the gym floor

being recognized. I think it made them feel terrific.''

While athletes may rule the roost at other schools, in

District 219, it's the arts students who get the most

attention.

``It's nice to have a few of my jock friends come to see a

production and really be blown away,'' said Clayton Fox, 18,

of Skokie, president of the Niles North Thespian Troupe.

The arts have long been treasured in District 219, but in

2004 the school board decided to push the program to a higher

level by creating a position of fine-arts director. Before

that, the position combined the job of director for the

English and Fine Arts Departments, officials said.

The 4,800-student district pulls from a robust tax base in

Skokie, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove and Niles and devotes $2.1

million--or about 4.5 percent of its annual instructional

budget--to the arts. That's about $442 per student, according

to district figures. That compares to arts spending of 2 to 3

percent of school budgets statewide, according to a 2005

survey of school administrators.

In 2006 District 219 spent $17,422 per pupil in operating

expenses, ranking it third among all districts in statewide.

High school districts spent an average $12,365 per pupil,

according to the Illinois State Board of Education.

Within the past two years the District 219 equipped both

schools with $250,000 fine-arts resource laboratories, each

with 25 computers, keyboards, a teacher workstation and

specialized art and music software. Before that, the district

completed black box theaters at each school. They are small,

unadorned rooms with dark floors and curtained walls that

provide an intimate and versatile performing space.

Some District 219 teachers and students said they felt a

bit guilty about the award, because it reminds them of the

disparities between their school and the less affluent. Real,

who taught in the Chicago Public Schools for 12 years, said

District 219 participates in student exchange programs with

inner-city schools.

The Kennedy Center judges noted that the depth of courses

allows students to take art classes during all four years of

high school and that many programs are student-driven, said

Barbara Shepherd, director of the center's national

partnerships division.

On a recent afternoon at Niles North, students in jeans and

flip-flops plunked down on band room chairs, lifted their

stringed instruments and dove into a Brahms piece. Their no-

nonsense orchestra director, Pam Hendrix, grabbed a late slip

from a new arrival without missing a stroke of her baton.

The district has just added guitar lessons and digital

piano to its music program, ``filling a niche for students

who don't fit into traditional band and choir,'' Hendrix said

later. ``The kids want to jam.''

In the same classroom wing, Tim Ortmann led a drama class

for students with physical and mental disabilities in the

black box theater.

Ortmann, the school's theater director, led his students

through sweeping motions and vocal exercises, prompting

giggles when he asked students to say, then sing the phrase,

``Open-Pit barbecue sauce.''

``Do I have to come and push your tummy?'' he joked when

one student's song came out high-pitched and breathless.

Niles North and Niles West students present about eight

musicals and plays at each campus per year, designing their

own

costumes and sets. The theater program has twice been invited

by the American High School Theatre Festival to perform at

the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Students said they are thrilled, but not surprised, that

their district won the Kennedy Center award.

Sari Weintraub, 17, a junior at Niles West who plays oboe,

described her school's concerts as a multimedia affair,

complete with audiovisual presentations and musicians who

move around the auditorium for a ``surround sound'' effect.

``He likes to incorporate everything,'' she said of her

band director.

``It keeps people from getting bored.''

Fox was one of three students chosen as a member of the

Niles North ``director's circle'' this year.

After being selected through an extensive audition, the

circle members produce and perform the first play the

following school year. In return, they serve the theater

department, completing tasks and mentoring other students,

throughout the rest of the year. ``He will push you as far as

you can possibly go,'' Fox said. ``He wants you to be the

best. And once you get there, no one will give you more

respect than he will. It's tough love. He wants to see us

succeed.''

Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 369, had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Amendment No. 15 Offered by Mr. Moran of Virginia