Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I would like to submit the following statement onto the floor in support of celebrating March 25, 2003, as Greek Independence Day. The ancient Greeks developed the concept of democracy, in which the supreme power to govern was vested in the people. The Founding Fathers of the United States drew heavily on the political experience and philosophy of ancient Greece in forming our representative democracy.

Greece is 1 of only 3 nations in the world, beyond the former British Empire, that has been allied with the United States in every major international conflict in the twentieth century. Greece played a major role in the World War II struggle to protect freedom and democracy through such bravery as was shown in the historic Battle of Crete and in Greece presenting the Axis land war with its first major setback, which set off a chain of events that significantly affected the outcome of World War II.

Greece and the United States are at the forefront of the effort for freedom, democracy, peace, stability, and human rights. Those and other ideals have forged a close bond between our 2 nations and their peoples.

March 25, 2003, marks the 182nd anniversary of the beginning of the revolution that freed the Greek people from the Ottoman Empire and it is proper and desirable to celebrate with the Greek people and to reaffirm the democratic principles from which our 2 great nations were born.

Mr. Chairman, it is with great regret that I voted to support the fiscal year 2004 House Budget Resolution. I did so because I appreciate the value of moving the process along towards a Concurrent Resolution with the Senate. I will not vote for a final Concurrent Budget Resolution that contains the same levels of funding as the House Budget Resolution.

It is my full expectation the cuts to Medicaid and Veterans programs will be restored in the final Concurrent Resolution. It is my intention to support a final Resolution that makes these programs whole again. New York hospitals face a Medicaid cut of $1 billion from New York State. It would be unthinkable for my hospitals to face a deep cut on the federal level at the same time. They have survived the 1997 Balance Budget Agreement cuts, but can stand no more. One of the hospitals in my district is already scheduled to close and I simply can't afford to lose another one.

I support the goal of a balanced budget and have even cosponsored the Balanced Budget Act, but a balance is just that: matching the merits on both sides. Indeed there is some waste in the current programs and it is time for everyone to do some belt tightening, but the current cuts cannot stand.

Mr. Speaker, on March 4, 2003, I missed rollcall vote No. 42. If I had been present I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Ted Maliaris and his mother, Ann S. Miller, for their patriotic effort in promoting their ``A Tribute to America Tour.''

Following the events of September 11, mother and son team Ann Miller and Ted Maliaris wrote and produced the song ``A Tribute to America--A 21st Century Anthem'' in hopes of lifting the spirits of the American public and members of our armed forces. these lyrics stand as a monument to the pride of the American people:

Our tears may fall and our hearts may be shattered, but deep

down in our souls we are

Strong, we are proud, we are bold.

We have freedom in our land, we will fight for our rights, we

will stand up for the brotherhood of man.

America America America

America you're Grand

We have the strength, we have the power, no terrorist could

ever withstand.

We will not hide, we will not cower, we will stand up for the

rights of our land.

We're America, America

Strong, Proud, Brave, Bold

We're America, America

Strong, Proud, Brave, Bold

America red, white and blue

America, this song we sing for you

In times of need, compassion fills our hearts, in times of

dismay we are strong. We're a land of freedom, a land

of peace, and no one can take this away.

We're America, America, America

America you're Grand

No one can destroy us through thick or thin we're a nation

that was built to survive

No terrorist plight can destroy our sight or the strength of

this motherland.

We're America, America, America

America you're Grand

God extended his hand and has given us faith, for we will

stand tall and proud.

We're a land of freedom, a land of peace, a land like no

other land.

We're America, America

Strong, Proud, Brave, Bold

We're America, America

Strong, Proud, Brave, Bold

America, America you're Grand America,

America you're Grand

Mr. Speaker, I respectfully urge the House to join me in paying tribute to these two fine Americans: Ann S. Miller and Ted Maliaris.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in order to recognize James Brown, a longtime resident of Gilboa, NY. Though, because of redistricting, Mr. Brown is no longer one of my constituents, it is with gratitude I stand before the distinguished Members of the House and salute his many years of tireless dedication to the Upstate New York community.

Since being elected to the House of Representatives, I have been privileged to work with Mr. Brown on my Service Academy Selection Committee. Mr. Brown labored diligently for ten years, charting the future for many of the 22nd Congressional District's most talented young men and women. As a veteran of the United States Air Force, Mr. Brown offered a soldier's perspective to this panel of notable citizens, proving himself a dedicated and insightful partner.

Mr. Brown's commitment to public service spanned beyond his tenure in the Armed forces and service on the Academy Selection Committee. Mr. Brown showed a great commitment to the betterment of his community, serving on the Schoharie Board of Supervisors since 1990 as Supervisor of the Town of Gilboa, holding the title of Board Chairman from 1994 until 2001. Mr. Brown has also answered the call of New York's Chief Executive, Governor George Pataki, by lending his keen insight and sense of community to the ongoing New York Watershed agreements.

Mr. Brown is a true public servant. He embodies those qualities that re-affirm my pride

in being a New Yorker and has carved an important niche in the landscape of his community. I salute Mr. Brown for his continued service to the people of Schoharie and Gilboa and thank him for the many years during which he worked to uphold the traditions of America's service academies. His contributions will be missed and I wish him the very best in all future endeavors.