Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to speak out of order for 5 minutes.

Madam Speaker, so much tonight has been said about Tom Manton and so much more can be said.

What I would like to do for a couple of minutes is focus on my personal relationship with him and what role he played and the conversations we had about what he saw in the future of the county of Queens and the future of New York politics.

As we know, in our American political system, different generations bring forth different communities wanting to share in the American political dream. And as we know, politics is at the very foundation of our full American system.

From the day I came here in March of 1990, and I came in a special election, Tom Manton was one of two people that stayed very close to me, the other being Mr. Rangel. In fact, Mr. Rangel and Tom Manton teamed up a couple of years later to make sure that New York City received a seat on the Appropriations Committee, and it is no secret that Tom Manton and Charlie Rangel accomplished that for me.

But as part of the conversations that we had throughout the years that he

was here and after that, Tommy Manton always made it clear that he understood fully what it meant to be a New Yorker and the history of New York City. He would sit down and talk to me and say, You know, my dad used to tell me about how the Irish wanted to participate in politics. And he said, I know folks will tell you about the struggles from members of the Jewish community to participate in politics and members of the Italian American community to participate in politics. And he said, It is no different. In Queens and New York City and in this country, there are Asians and Hispanics, and much earlier, African Americans who want to participate in politics, not with a desire to uproot the leadership or to destroy anything but to be part of it. And he understood from the first day I met him, he knew the first time I spoke to him, that this was healthy for our party, and it was even healthier for our society.

It has been said here that he gave sort of a rough impression at times. Very direct. Not too many words. But he was always finding a way of bringing about change. When you look at his history, the fact that he was a New York City policeman, the fact that he goes to law school, the fact that he runs for public office and wins, it is a career that tells you that there is dedication and there is concern. And I remember when he sat down with me one day and he said, Queens is seen by many folks as sort of a politically forgotten borough. We have got a lot of numbers, but all the action that is New York City is happening elsewhere. And he said, Watch Queens in the next few years as it begins to include people.

And I think that is important to use the word ``include'' and ``inclusion'' because Tommy Manton was not about meaningless tokenism. He was about honestly bringing people in.

And so now because of Tommy Manton, the Asian community, the Hispanic community, the African American community, and a county that not long ago people would bet would never see that kind of inclusiveness and that kind of change, now you see the change and you see the inclusion of people where Asian Americans had been elected in Queens County before they were elected anywhere else. Where an African American woman was elected as the borough president, chief executive of the county. That is Tommy Manton's legacy.

And depending on what your take on life is, and part of mine is that the only thing that still hurts our country is the inability for all folks to get along, that everything else we can deal with, all other issues we can deal with, but the lack of unity at times haunts us, then what better legacy to have been a leader who understood that people had to be included, and people had to be part of the process.

If nothing else is said about what Tom Manton accomplished, let it be said that he understood that everybody had to be at the table and everybody had to share.

After he left here, he kept in touch with me, and after he left here we spoke often. But I will always remember him as a straight-shooter, a class act, a nice human being of few words and a coalition builder.

Mr. Rangel and I have discussed this many times. I have only one prerequisite when supporting a political candidate: Are they a coalition builder? If they are not, including members of my own community, then I am not supporting them. That is what Tommy Manton was. That is why we will miss him, and that is why our thoughts and our prayers are with his family and with the whole Queens community.

Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise and pay tribute to the seventeenth annual Bronx Dominican Parade and Festival which will take place Sunday, July 16, 2006. This famed event is eagerly anticipated by both Dominicans and the greater Bronx community every year. It is a wonderful celebration of the spirit and richness of Dominican culture.

Under the leadership of Felipe Febles and Rosa Ayala, the Bronx Dominican Parade, Inc., (La Gran Parada Dominicana de El Bronx) has grown into an important institution that increases the self awareness and pride of the Dominican people in order to promote economic development, education and cultural recognition.

As the second largest Latino community in New York City, Dominicans have made valuable contributions to the city, as well as to the entire nation. Although the highest concentration of Dominican people live in Washington Heights, a significant number have enriched the Bronx with their unique culture and spirit. Dominican culture is characterized by, among other things, diverse multi-culturalism, strong family values, distinctive art, rhythmic and soulful music and unique cuisine. I am grateful that so many Dominicans have made the Bronx their home.

Mr. Speaker, the roots of Dominican New Yorkers lie in a country with a rich history and arresting landscapes bound by water. The Dominican Republic is home to a number of people from various heritages. As a result, the culture is charged with strong African, Taino and European influences. One visit to the Dominican Republic will put to rest any questions one might have as to why Dominicans in America retain such a strong sense of pride in their homeland and never stop missing it.

The achievements and contributions made by the Dominican community has spanned the realms of politics, science, the Armed Forces, literature, public service, and the arts, undoubtedly making them an integral part of American society. The Bronx Dominican Parade and Festival is a great opportunity to celebrate the culture, history, and bright future of the Dominican people.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to please join me in honoring the 2006 Bronx Dominican Parade and Festival.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of the Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006.

Mr. Speaker, this is an historic moment. I am honored to be on the floor of the House today as we take the next small step on the march toward equality that Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., began just over half a century ago.

The Voting Rights Act is nothing less than the cornerstone of our commitment to government of the people, by the people, and for the people--all the people. For free peoples there is no right or duty more vital than the right to vote. By enacting the most significant civil rights statute in our Nation's history, Congress spoke loud and clear in 1965 that voting is a fundamental right of all American citizens.

The VRA made it the sacred duty of the Federal Government to enforce this right not only by protecting the individual voter, but also by evaluating the actual effects of voting law changes on minority influence. In so doing, the VRA created opportunities for members of all communities, regardless of race, color or creed, to serve their fellow citizens in government.

Today, we have the opportunity to take stock of the gains we have made and to reaffirm this country's commitment to tackling the challenges that remain ahead. When President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the VRA in 1965, he said that ``to seize the meaning of this day, we must recall darker times.'' Unfortunately, those dark times are not completely behind us. Despite the steady progress of the last 41 years, there is very little doubt in my mind that we still very much need section 5 and section 203 of the Voting Rights Act, which would sunset if this Congress neglected to act.

For reminders that Dr. King's march from darkness is not yet finished, we need only look to recent changes to maps and voting requirements in Texas and Georgia. The Supreme Court struck down portions of the new Texas congressional map just 2 weeks ago, and a ruling on new discriminatory election practices in Georgia have seriously eroded the Justice Department's ability to enforce section 5. The bill before us today, thankfully, restores the statute to the original intent of Congress.

I should note that I represent a district covered by section 5. Although the VRA was originally built upon the blood and activism of heroes who lived in a very different time, all of my constituents in my majority minority congressional district have a greater voice in this country today because of their sacrifices. Therefore, my Latino constituents are keenly aware that section 5 is as important to their political empowerment as the section 203 requirement for certain jurisdictions to provide language assistance.

Now I am aware that there is a small minority of Members here today who will try to strike section 203 from the reauthorization bill before us today. They will argue that providing language assistance at the polls somehow discourages immigrants from learning English. To this argument, I say first that I have never met any immigrant, much less one who became a citizen, who did not want to learn English or understand that learning English is their key to the American dream. In my city of New York, there are not enough English as a second language courses to go around for all the folks who want to take them.

Second, this argument ignores the fact that the majority of voters who utilize language assistance are natural born U.S. citizens. Persistent inequalities in our education systems see to it that even those who speak, read and write English in their everyday lives are not always equipped to deal with often complex ballot instructions. Section 203 is a measured, targeted solution that speaks to a principle that all Members of this body should agree on: that all eligible citizens, regardless of their access to education, have the right to cast an informed vote.

That is why we must renew section 203, along with section 5 and the other expiring provisions, without delay.

Twenty-five years from now, we may be able to file away voter discrimination, like slavery before it, as nothing more than a painful memory in our troubled past.

Twenty-five years from now, the conditions that drove Dr. King and others to begin their march may be nothing more than faint scuff marks on the boots of those of us who continued that march.

Twenty-five years from now, we may live in a country in which no racism, no cultural intolerance and no partisan ambition will impel any American to attempt to strip any other American's right to make his or her voice heard.

Twenty-five years from now, six decades after President Johnson declared with his pen that ``there is no room for injustice anywhere in the American mansion,'' we may finally be able to declare that we have completely banished discrimination from our democratic process.

But that day is not yet upon us, Mr. Speaker. For that reason, I applaud Chairman Sensenbrenner and Ranking Member Conyers for bringing this momentous renewal to the floor.

I also want to thank both of them for their receptiveness to the concerns of the Black, Hispanic and Asian Members of this body, many of whom would not be in this House if not for the Voting Rights Act.

The version of the bill reported by the Judiciary Committee is a magnificent product of bipartisanship, and I strongly urge my colleagues to support it in its entirety and reject any amendments that would weaken the commitment of this Congress to civil rights.

Mr. Chairman, the gentleman from Arizona's use of certain ethnic words like ``cannoli'' and ``prosciutto'' indicate that he takes this more lightly than he should. This is a serious thing that he is trying to do here. I know he is on this mission to destroy every bit of dollar that is sent by Members of Congress.

Let me start off by saying that I am a firm believer that Members know the needs of their districts best, and I am proud to be on the floor today to talk about this project so important to the Bronx.

The Arthur Avenue Retail Market is one of the most prominent, well frequented and historic business locations in my district. It represents a little bit of Italy in the midst of the Bronx. This space serves as an incubator for food-related businesses.

It is, however, not a grocery store, but, instead, a building owned by the City of New York. I think that is important to note. These dollars don't go into these businessmen's pockets or businesses for that matter; it goes into a building owned by the City of New York.

In 1940, during the time of Mayor LaGuardia, Arthur Avenue Market, the first enclosed retail market in the Bronx, was built to house street vendors who were crowding the sidewalks of the borough's Belmont community. Today, it is a local landmark.

So let me be perfectly clear. This is not a privately owned real estate venture but a public market which gives many new merchants a starting point as they work towards full economic participation in the country. This is a place where merchants running their own small businesses sell specialty products to people from the surrounding areas to visitors from throughout the tristate area and to local restaurants. As you know, I represent the poorest congressional district in our country, which is located in the middle of the richest city on Earth.

However, this market is a bright spot, and it is vital to the economic success of the Bronx. It is a place where vendors and other small business owners can fully participate in our economy. This small amount of funding that is being highlighted today is for continued facility improvements and maintenance to keep this historic market running.

Specifically, this funding, which will be used for refurbishments of the market, will include electrical and plumbing upgrades. The Arthur Avenue Retail Market owned by the City of New York is responsible for the maintenance.

The purpose of the Small Business Administration is to assist our small businesses. This is exactly what this market does, help small businesses in the Bronx to flourish and grow.

So I would ask my colleague, Mr. Flake, where his outrage was when lending institutions and insurance companies were taking billions of dollars from the borough of the Bronx in the 1970s and early 1980s through redlining and other forms of disinvestment. Where was he when one of the few commercial locations remained viable in spite of that?

I would also like to take the occasion to personally invite the gentleman

from Arizona to come to the 16th District. You said you had one Italian restaurant in your district. I feel sorry for you. You should have more than one. I can take you all over the Bronx where you could see people hard at work.

Lastly, on a more serious note, I wish you would be as outraged about other things as you are about this one. You voted to rebuild areas of Iraq with markets, schools and everything else you can think of, and yet you would pick on something like this, which helps a small group of businessmen stay vital in the Bronx.

Mr. Chairman, I am sorry Dr. Weldon is reluctantly rising.

But, first of all, I notice that three of the gentleman's 10 amendments are directed at New York. I do not know what you are angry about; the Diamondbacks beat the Yankees in the World Series, so you shouldn't be that upset. But the fact of life is that the more you get up on these, sir, the more I realize that you do not know what you are talking about because you seem to spend so much time on either the wording or how it appears when, in fact, you do very little to understand what it is.

The Bronx Council on the Arts is a private, nonprofit membership organization that has been in existence for over 40 years and is the official cultural agency of Bronx County. It is recognized nationally as a leading art services organization, serving a multicultural constituency of more than 1.2 million residents.

Now, I know that the big problem the gentleman from Arizona has is the word ``arts'' because there seems to be some belief by a lot of Members of Congress, or some, that we should not in any way be involved in promoting the arts, and if the arts express themselves in a way that we do not like, then we shouldn't even go close to them. So I wish that I could just always not call it something like the arts, but I do because that is what it is.

In this case the word ``arts'' is used in conjunction with the words ``small business.'' This funding belongs in the small business account because it will be used to grow our small businesses that have arts- related portfolios. It will specifically promote an Artisans Initiative which will facilitate business

development among local Bronx artisans, especially newly arrived immigrants, and help them establish their own small business. It will help with their skills development and assist their product marketing. It will also be used to train Bronx artists to market their skills and to develop business plans.

Small businesses devoted to the arts have an important role to play. For example, the Bronx Council on the Arts has had success in training the unemployed and underemployed residents of New York City as professional art handlers. Some have gone on to start their own small business as independent contractors.

Let me conclude by saying that I represent, as you know, the poorest congressional district in the Nation. I make no excuses about getting the Federal Government to earmark dollars into that district. Let me repeat that again: I make no excuses about the fact that I earmark dollars to go into the poorest congressional district in the Nation, which is situated in the richest city on Earth.

If the gentleman from Arizona wants to have an impact on our deficit, an impact on how we spend dollars, then let him stand up there the next time we are paying for the war in Iraq, a waste of money that is going to build all kinds of facilities in Iraq, a war based on lies told to this Congress. Then you stand up there and you cut at least 1 billion from the over $400 billion that we are spending in Iraq already. But I never saw you get up and complain about the fact that we are building arts facilities in Iraq, that we are building supermarkets in Iraq, that we are promoting basketball in Iraq, that we are promoting baseball in Iraq. You haven't said a word. But a couple hundred thousand dollars to one group of American citizens, that is a problem for you.

Yes. And I told you it was and I used the name that is appropriate for it. Call it a typographical error.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this bill, and before I go any further, I want to join the well-deserved chorus of folks who have praised the chairman, Mr. Wolf. For 4 years I was his ranking member, and I have never met a gentleman who can be, in the middle of differences on issues, so fair and so humane. And Chairman Wolf knows that on many issues we didn't disagree and still don't disagree. But the way in which he handled them, the way in which he treated me, and the way in which he treated the minority party really says a lot about who you are. And if we took a poll over here, you would find out that we wish we could change the rules to make sure you remain in your position, as ranking member next year, but certainly in your position. And that is the kind of person that you are.

It is also a great pleasure for me to work with our ranking member, Mr. Mollohan. And the respect that we have for each other has really made our working together a good experience. And I thank you for that.

This bill is such a huge bill that a lot of times when we stand on the floor and we speak about it we will say that there are 25 good things in it, then we will say there are 10 things that need fixing or vice versa, and people will say, well, they are being negative about a bill. But the public and a lot of Members just do not realize how many agencies are covered by this bill; and, in spite of what at times is a very difficult allocation, Chairman Wolf, with the assistance of Ranking Member Mollohan, has been able to do wonders within this bill.

Just to give you some of the things that I pay attention to: A large increase in funding for the National Science Foundation as part of the American Competitive Initiative. Funding levels on which we can build for NOAA as we move through conference and full funding for the National Weather Service. Full funding for the crucial work that the Census Bureau must do in preparation for its next census, which we all know is mandated by the Constitution.

And if I may add to the comments that the ranking member made before,

there will be many amendments tonight, and I take this opportunity to say that some of those amendments will have offsets, I think, hurting the Census Bureau and hurting the Bureau's ability to conduct the next census. So I hope when Members put forth amendments, they will realize where the offset is coming from. It is not just this particular one but other agencies that would be hurt by the offsets. We all want to put money in certain areas. I surely will speak about that tonight. But we have to be careful where those dollars come from.

Forty million dollars in funding for the Drug Courts, which is at the fiscal year 2005 level. The full amount requested on the Diplomatic and Consular Programs for worldwide security upgrades and for security projects under the Embassy Security, Construction and Maintenance account.

Now, within the Department of Justice account, I continue to be concerned about the dwindling level of support we are providing to our State and local governments. And here is where the issue is and it is such a difficult issue. We, since September 11, and I come from New York City and I understand this issue well, have focused a lot of attention, and rightfully so, on the war on terrorism. But if you get the FBI and speak to them, they will even admit that they have had to focus a lot of their attention from other issues that they used to go after, other crimes, to focus on the war on terror.

So when you represent a district like I do in the South Bronx, you wonder just how long we can go without paying full attention to the war on drugs, to the war on crime, to the war on blue collar crime, to the war on crime in our streets. That is why recently, as we know, the FBI admitted that violent crime had spiked for the first time last year since 2001, and I believe it is a direct consequence of the war on terror. So one of our challenges for the future is to see how we can deal with and strike that balance.

Although the full amount requested was provided for international peacekeeping activities, I worry that there will not be sufficient funding for what we all know will be additional peacekeeping needs as we move forward in the fiscal year. I also regret the inability to fully fund our membership obligations to international organizations.

And, lastly, I have joined our committee ranking member, Mr. Obey, in saying that the Legal Services Corporation is a program that needs to get the full funding that it deserves. We have come a long way when you realize that I am standing here defending a program that was created by Richard Nixon but which affects a community like ours to a great extent, the ability to have people who ordinarily cannot afford a lawyer be represented in the court.

As I said before, the bill strikes a balance. We wish, as we all know, that we had more funding. But in spite of the shortcomings, the bill that was put together by the committee and under the leadership of Mr. Wolf is a good bill and one that I will support and vote for.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Sgt. Jose M. Velez, a brave young man who made the ultimate sacrifice serving in Iraq.

Sgt. Velez grew up in East Harlem and made the Bronx his home. In 2004, he enlisted in the U.S. Armed Forces in order to serve and protect the country he loved so dearly.

Sgt. Velez was assigned to the 773rd Transportation Company, based in Fort Totten, Queens. Unfortunately, on June 9, 2006, he met an untimely death as he was killed in the line of fire only one month after touching down in Iraq.

A truck driver by profession, Sgt. Velez was described by those who knew him best as honorable, kind, intelligent and fearless. He leaves behind two children, Melody and Christopher Velez. May they read these words that I speak today and be proud of the tremendous sacrifice their father made for his country.

The death of Sgt. Velez once again reminds us of the great cost of war. As I speak before you today, 2,500 American troops have given their lives in this war, which has no end in sight. Like so many other children, Melody and Christopher have lost a father and like so many other parents, Mr. and Mrs. Velez have lost a son. And, sadly, with the falling of another soldier, America has lost more of its potential to become an even greater Nation.

Mr. Speaker, Sgt. Velez has inspired me with his courage and conviction. Learning of his valor in the face of adversity has further motivated me to push relentlessly for peace.

As we mourn the life of this brave soldier, let us remember the sacrifices of all our service members and work to ensure that their heroic deeds are never forgotten.

For his heroism and service to his country, I ask my colleagues to join me in mourning the loss of Sgt. Jose M. Velez.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about Iraq, a failure built on the lies of this Administration.

I am opposed to H. Res. 861, because contrary to what it states in this resolution, I believe that it is in the best interest of the United States to bring our troops home now.

I voted against our involvement in Iraq, and I have opposed funding the conflict. For years, I have been calling for the return of our soldiers. This war has been a mistake, and our continued participation will not change this basic fact.

I have the utmost respect for our former Secretary of State Colin Powell. He was a truly outstanding Secretary of State: However, I will never forget how this great American was sent to the United Nations to sell a fabrication and to convince the world that this was a just endeavor with what we all now know was deliberately falsified evidence. This was just one part of a continuous effort to deceive the American public into believing that a conflict, that even many in our military had misgivings about, was the right thing for our nation to do.

The image of our President standing on the aircraft carrier and proclaiming ``mission accomplished'' is one that I continue to associate with this failed effort. Since that fabricated public relations moment, both our nation and the nation of Iraq have suffered great personal loss.

The American public no longer supports our involvement in Iraq, and we as their representatives, must respect their wishes and bring our troops home.

I am saddened and heartbroken when I think about how many brave young men and women have died in this conflict that was never in our nation's interest. Many of these courageous young soldiers who have lost'' their lives came from the Bronx, from my own community, and so it is partly on their behalf that I believe I am now speaking. Too many American soldiers have died, too many innocent Iraqi civilians have suffered and lost their lives, and too many reporters have been killed--all as a result of this failed policy.

As I thought about what I wanted to say on the floor today, I went back to the remarks that I spoke on this floor on October 9, 2002, when this House was voting on the authorization for the use of military force against Iraq. At that time I certainly couldn't anticipate what the conditions would be now in June of 2006. However, I said at the time, ``When we engage as a nation in a unilateral military action against an Arab Nation, an action that our allies are cautioning against, how will the United States be viewed in the Arab world? Perhaps the result will be an increase in Al Qaeda 's membership and a renewed hatred toward Americans.'' I think that this has come true and that our image as a nation has certainly been tarnished as a result of this conflict. I regret that--because I know that we live in a nation that does not want to be seen as an enemy by those who live in Arab nations.

What has also come true is that Al Qaeda continues to flourish and to find new recruits as a direct result of our nation's actions in Iraq. Although Al Qaeda had at most a negligible presence in Iraq before this conflict, it is now a well established force there. For every terrorist that our nation works so hard to capture, another one is motivated to join out of hate for our nation's involvement in Iraq.

This conflict has resulted in worldwide images that I doubt our nation can ever overcome. The pictures associated with the Abu Ghraib prison scandal are firmly etched on the minds of our next generation of youth around the world. Although soldiers of low rank were prosecuted for these atrocities, our leaders at the top never took responsibility.

Now an investigation is being conducted into our activities at Haditha, where it seems as though innocent civilians died. These actions are all a direct result of a failed policy and have come at great cost to our image in the world. No longer do nations look at us as the ultimate protector of human rights.

As everyone here knows, I am a part of the city that was a target on September 11th. When this Congress was debating the resolution on the use of force against Iraq, I did not believe at the time that in attacking Iraq our country was taking the right course, and I didn't know what words to use that would change the step towards war that our nation seemed so determined to take. I was filled with emotion and I ended my speech that night by saying, ``I cannot agree with the course that our great nation is embarking on, one that brings the threat of war closer and the goal of peace further away.''

So now once again we in Congress are debating this war. However, now we have the perspective of time and we can look at all that happened in Iraq, the suffering and the failures, as an unfortunate part of our nation's history. As I once again struggle to find the words that can bring this conflict to an end--I am again filled with emotion. Let us bring our brave American soldiers home now and let us once again embrace the goal of peace.

Mr. Speaker, as New York City prepares to host the 48th Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade, a celebration or Puerto Rican culture and heritage, I would like to rise to pay tribute to Mr. Orlando Marin. A great Puerto Rican musician, Orlando continues to excite audiences with his masterful play that has earned him the title: the Last Mambo King.

Mambo was exploding in the early 50s when a young Orlando, captivated by its rhythms, developed a keen interest in Latin percussions. At the age of 16, while preparing for a career as a cartoon illustrator at New York's prestigious High School of Industrial Arts, he formed a small band. The band quickly evolved into a ten-piece orchestra and was the first of the Bronx-born Latin Dance ensembles to achieve solid commercial success, appearing in such renowned venues as New York's fabled Palladium Ballroom. The youthful ensemble, appropriately nicknamed La Orquesta de la Juventud (the Orchestra of Youth), included 14 year old Eddie Palmieri on piano and 15 year old Joe Quijano on vocals, both of whom were destined to become Latin Music greats in their own right.

Orlando soon began to emerge as a Mambo star, recording ``Mi Mambo'' with the Plus label and ``Arriba Cha Cha Cha'', and ``Let's Go Latin'' with Fiesta Records. However, in 1958 his quick assent to stardom was interrupted as he was drafted by the U.S. Army to patrol Korea's DMZ as part of the U.N. occupation forces. Although stationed in Korea, Orlando was determined to keep his music alive. He entered the All Army Talent Competition, winning first prize in the Pacific Command. A musical tour of Korea and Japan followed, with a trip to Washington DC for the finals, capped by a performance on The Ed Sullivan Show. `` While still in uniform and stationed in California, Orlando once sat in for Tito Puente on timbales at the Hollywood Palladium. Years later he appeared with Tito at the Palladium, this time each leading his own orchestra, and dueling on timbales.

Following his military service, Orlando returned to New York and was featured at various New York dance venues, including the Limbo Lounge and the Bronx's renowned Hunts Point Palace.

Orlando's maturation as an artist became evident with the release of the albums: ``Se Te Quemo La Casa'' ``Que Chevere'' and ``Esta en Algo'' which included his smash hit ``Aprende a Querer'', hailed by his peers to be his best. However, Orlando demonstrated his true musical genius when he began to move outside of the familiar Mambo box, releasing ``Out of My Mind'', the first Boogaloo album ever recorded, and ``Saxaphobia'', which contained arrangements for five saxophones but none of the traditionally Latin trumpets.

Orlando's music is appreciated not only by the denizens of New York's traditional Latin dance venues, but also by non-Latin fans throughout the five boroughs and beyond. In 1999, the Governor of New York presented Orlando with the Bobby Capo Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his dedication to Latin music and his fans for nearly a half century.

Perhaps what is most impressive about this remarkable musician is his willingness to devote time and energy in order to help those who are less fortunate than he. Orlando has served as an employment counselor for community based organizations, including the National Puerto Rican Forum, thereby helping countless young men and women find the road to success. In addition, he spends a great deal of his time performing for those who cannot come to see him, such as hospital patients, inmates of correctional facilities, and nursing home residents throughout the New York area.

Mr. Speaker, for his masterful play, innovative genius, and devotion to his fellow man, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Mr. Orlando Marin, the Last Mambo King.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to pay tribute to the 48th Annual National Puerto Rican Day Parade, which will be held on June 11, 2006 in New York City. This parade, which celebrates the heritage of the Puerto Rican people, is one of the largest outdoor events in the United States.

The first New York Puerto Rican Day parade, held on Sunday, April 12, 1958 in ``El Barrio'' in Manhattan, was a wonderful event in the heart of the city's Puerto Rican community.

In 1995, the overwhelming success of the parade prompted organizers to increase its size, and transform it into a national affair now known as the National Puerto Rican Day Parade. This magnificent New York institution now includes participation from delegates representing over 30 states, including Alaska and Hawaii and attracts over 3 million parade goers every year.

The great success that this parade has enjoyed over the years is a result of the tireless efforts of many individuals from all walks of life who are dedicated to preserving and celebrating Puerto Rican heritage and culture. Leading this effort is the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, Inc. a non-profit organization founded in 1995 with the mission of increasing the self-awareness and pride of the Puerto Rican people as a way of addressing issues of economic development, education, cultural recognition, and social advancement.

The parade up New York's Fifth Avenue, while certainly the most visible aspect of the celebration of the Puerto Rican people, is not the only event associated with the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, Inc.'s activities. Each year more than 10,000 people attend a variety of award ceremonies, banquets and cultural events which not only help to highlight, but also strengthen the special relationship shared by Puerto Ricans and the City of New York. Over the years, the two have developed a symbiotic relationship--Puerto Ricans sharing a vibrant and beautiful culture that has helped turn New York into a bilingual city and the City of New York helping Puerto Ricans to flourish economically, politically and culturally. The annual parade captures the spirit of this special relationship and celebrates its success.

Mr. Speaker, as a Puerto Rican, a New Yorker, and a Member of Congress, it is an honor to participate in this national event in which thousands of individuals march along Fifth Avenue in celebration. The National Puerto Rican Day Parade is a communal cultural treasure, national in scope and impact, which unites all New Yorkers. I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the Puerto Rican people and to all who have worked to ensure that the upcoming parade is a success.

Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. Chairman, first, I want to thank the chairman and ranking member again for their hard work on this bill. The challenges of this bill and this subcommittee include not only setting these essential priorities for our country's security, but also keeping a close watch on the Department to make sure that those priorities are carried out and that the resources provided are well spent.

Chairman Rogers and Mr. Sabo have done a great job on both accounts, and it is in recognition of their past vigilance that we now raise our concern.

As my friend from New York mentioned, last week the Office of Grants and Training, and I should note that this office has changed management and changed names twice in 3 years, announced the State allocations under the Urban Areas Security Initiative. The allocation for the State of New York through this program is 42 percent less than its allocation from last year.

Mr. Chairman, we all know that the process for distributing these funds is a complicated one, but here is also what I know. I know that New York City remains the highest density urban area in the country and by far dedicates more of its own funds to fighting terrorism than any other municipality. I also know that New York City continues to be the financial center of the country. It is the site of Yankee Stadium and Shea Stadium, the site of the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty, and the former site of the World Trade Center.

I know that as the Department is still working out its processes for determining risk and threat, there is much room for error.

I would ask the chairman of the subcommittee if he shares my concerns and if he would be willing to hold additional hearings into this matter to make sure that every homeland security dollar is protecting as many Americans as possible.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this bill, and I applaud the leadership and the hard work of Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Sabo in bringing this bill to the floor.

I would like to begin by saying that the budget resolution has created inadequacies in this bill from the start. Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Sabo have done a fine job of distributing the scarce funding that is available. They have been able to accomplish this difficult task despite the OMB's use of a proposed new aviation security fee, which was a budgetary gimmick that the Administration knew this Congress would not support and probably did not even support itself.

This fee was yet another attempt by the Administration to fool the American people into thinking that we can pass out money to the wealthy while sinking hundreds of billions into the quagmire in Iraq, and that none of it will hurt. But again, I want to emphasize that Chairman Rogers and Mr. Sabo are not at fault here.

In fact, I congratulate them for being able to restore much of the funding in this bill for our states and localities, which have always been on the front lines of our battles against terrorism. Mr. Speaker, I understand we have a problem in this government with short attention spans, but it is outrageous to me that not even half a decade after Sept. 11, the Administration proposed to cut state and local assistance by over 20 percent. It completely eliminated the SAFER program, which helps our struggling local fire departments fulfill ever increasing homeland security missions.

Just because we haven't needed our first responders on the scale of Sept. 11 in a while, doesn't mean that the needs are not there. We cannot afford to wait until a tragedy hits to realize that we did not do enough for them.

I am glad that this bill recognizes this reality by partly restoring the cuts that the Administration made to the grant programs such as Metropolitan Medical Response System, Firefighter grants, and Emergency Management Performance Grants. I know that my own City of New York is making good use of all these grants, including those provided through the High Threat Urban Areas program, and that they are doing so expeditiously within the accounting requirements of the Department.

I do have some concerns about the requirement that part of this funding go toward emergency medical services, because I believe our states and localities should be able to distribute all the funding to where it is needed most. But I hope to work with the Chairman and the Ranking member on these concerns in Conference.

In a related account, the bill also restores funding for the Urban Search and Rescue teams that were so crucial to not only our country's response to 9/11, but the devastation caused by last year's hurricanes as well. That is a much-needed restoration.

Beyond helping our state and municipalities, I would also like to express my support for the attention that Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Sabo have paid to balancing new demands on the Department with its ongoing missions. These critical missions, such as stopping the flow of illegal drugs and approving visas, have not gone away since 9/ 11 or since Fox News started sowing paranoia about our southern border. This bill properly recognizes this reality.

In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, I believe that the bill does a good job within the amount provided for its top line. I would have wished to see more funding provided for all functions across the department, especially for assistance to our first responders. We cannot continue to move the baseline lower and lower year after year, and expect the Department, our states, and our cities to do more with less.

Until the Budget Committee passes a realistic budget resolution, however, we must play the cards that we are dealt, and this bill does a good job of that. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to honor The New York Botanical Garden as it celebrates the grand opening of the Pfizer Plant Research Laboratory on May 16, 2006. The opening marks the completion of the Garden's science campus, and is the only one of its kind at any botanical garden in the country.

Founded in 1891, The New York Botanical Garden is one of the world's great collections of plants, the region's leading educational center for gardening and horticulture, and an international center for plant research.

The Botanical Garden's presence in the Bronx adds to the borough's diversity and provides a temporary oasis from the ubiquitous presence of concrete and steel in the city.

Realizing the integral role it must play in the quest to unlock the secrets of plants in order to cure diseases and protect the earth, the Garden has created the Pfizer Plant Research Laboratory at The New York Botanical Garden with leadership support from Pfizer Inc. and The Pfizer Foundation.

The Pfizer Plant Research Laboratory marks a new era of scientific research at The New York Botanical Garden's International Plant Science Center. The laboratory is the latest addition in The Botanical Garden's comprehensive 15-year renaissance and will further its urgent mission to discover, decipher, document, and defend Earth's vast biodiversity.

The two-story, 28,000-square-foot laboratory provides highly advanced scientific research facilities, including robotic workstations and a high-throughput DNA sequencer. It forms a center for collaborative research in molecular systematics and plant genomics, serving scientists and graduate students not just from The Botanical Garden, but also from the region and indeed the whole world. The Pfizer Laboratory is the largest and finest laboratory research facility in any botanical garden in the United States, enabling scientists to reconstruct the genealogy of plants and fungi and to probe the mysteries of genes and genomes.

Mr. Speaker, it is only fitting for a structure that will house such important and groundbreaking work to be an architectural gem. Indeed, the Lab designed by Susan T. Rodriguez and Polshek Partnership Architects is nothing short of breathtaking. The free-standing building is located on a site across from the Steere Herbarium and overlooks the scenic Twin Lakes. The building's integration into its natural setting reinforces the vital importance of the natural world in the scientists' research. The exterior of the laboratory complements the design and materials of the adjacent Steere Herbarium and Library Building. Large windows in the labs and graduate study suites look out on the built and natural landscapes, and an inviting courtyard provides space for all types of gatherings.

I salute The New York Botanical Garden for its continued efforts not only to provide a beautiful museum of plants but also an environment for important research and development. I also salute Pfizer, a product of our sister borough, for its commitment to further mankind's understanding of the plant world. It is their shared hope, and indeed, mine, that one day this research will yield beneficial knowledge to curtail human suffering.

Mr. Speaker, may the collaboration of these two respected institutions provide fascinating and useful discoveries for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, it is with joy that I rise today to once again pay tribute to Bronx Community College, which will hold its 28th Annual Hall of Fame 10K Run on Saturday, May 6, 2006.

The Hall of Fame 10K Run was founded in 1978 by Bronx Community College's third president, Dr. Roscoe C. Brown. Its mission is to highlight the Hall of Fame for Great Americans, a national institution dedicated to those who have helped to make America the nation that it is today.

One of the Bronx's most anticipated yearly events, the race contributes to a strong sense of community within the Bronx and helps to promote healthy living by placing emphasis on physical fitness and achieving athletic goals.

The tradition continues under the leadership of President Carolyn G. Williams, the first woman president of Bronx Community College. Dr. Williams has endorsed and follows the commitment made by Dr. Brown to promote physical well-being as well as higher education.

As one who has run the Hall of Fame 10K Run, I can attest that the excitement it generates brings the entire borough together. It is a celebration and affirmation of life. I am happy that more than 400 people will share this experience this year--one that will surely change many of their lives forever. I salute the hundreds of joyful people who will run along the Grand Concourse, University Avenue and West 181st Street and savor the variety of celebrations. There is no better way to see our wonderful Bronx community.

I am also pleased to note that the Annual Run is also joined by a 2 Mile Fitness Walk which allows for as many people as possible, regardless of their athletic ability, to get involved and support the Hall of Fame.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing the individuals and participants who are making the Bronx Community College's 28th Annual Hall of Fame Run possible.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the undefeated national basketball champion Monroe College Lady Mustangs. On Saturday, March 18, the Lady Mustangs (36-0) beat Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) 100-70 to become 2006 National Junior College Athletic Association, Division III National Champions. Monroe's men's team, led by Coach Jeff Brustad, also had a successful season, compiling a record of 35-5 and finishing 8th in the national tournament.

There is an old saying: ``Everyone has the desire to win, but only champions have the desire to prepare.'' Under the outstanding leadership of Coach Seth Goodman, the Lady Mustangs worked tirelessly in the off-season to prepare themselves physically and mentally for the season ahead. Their dedication and unrivaled work ethic helped to ensure that their third consecutive appearance in the tournament was a charm.

The Lady Mustangs earned Monroe's first ever national championship in athletics with a tenacious defense and potent offense, a combination that worked for them all season long. Although the tournament was played in front of MVCC's hometown fans in Utica, New York, the Lady Mustangs were not intimidated--they promptly quieted the crowd with stifling defense, holding their opponents to only 2 points for the first seven minutes of the game.

Mr. Speaker, the success that these young ladies enjoyed on the court is not only a reflection of their skills with a basketball, but more importantly, a reflection of their character. To reach the level of competition that they have achieved, one must acquire certain qualities that will not only help in sports but in life as well; qualities such as discipline, patience, and perseverance. While I am excited that they have proved to be champions on the court, I am more excited to know that they have developed the skills necessary for them to become champions in life.

I want to compliment everyone associated with Monroe College Women's and Men's Basketball for the courage and class they exhibited throughout the entire season. Athletics is about much more than winning. It is about learning how to work with others to overcome adversity. The men's and women's basketball programs have shown that they have learned this valuable lesson. I am very proud of Monroe Basketball for the great strides it has made in the pursuit of excellence. May these programs continue to serve as an example of what heights can be reached when you combine patience, hard work, and dedication.

For their strong work ethic and mental toughness on and off the court, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the Monroe Lady Mustangs for winning the 2006 NJCAA, Division III National Championship and to congratulate the Monroe Men's team for an impressive run at the national title.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of an extraordinary individual who spent his life serving his country and fellow man. On April 15, 2006, Mr. William B. Welling passed away at the age of 82. A man of great sincerity, integrity, humility, courtesy, wisdom and charity, Mr. Welling was a trusted friend and mentor to many and will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

A man of many hats, Bill was a historian, photographer, editor, writer, author and WWII Veteran. His love of knowledge coupled with his strong work ethic helped him to find success in all of his endeavors.

After honorably serving his country in WWII, Bill returned to the U.S. and earned a degree from Yale University. Upon graduating, he put his many talents to work. His extensive career included serving as a reporter/aviation editor for the Baltimore Evening Sun, account executive for a New York advertising agency, and chief of technical publicity for the Baltimore Division of the Martin Company. He also edited a quarterly for the North American employees of the Danish owned Maersk line and regularly contributed articles to trade and professional media.

Aside from his business career, Bill was recognized as a photo historian both in the U.S. and overseas. For five years he edited Photographica for the American Photographic Historical Society. This followed the publication of his Collector's Guide to Nineteenth Century Photographs, which was the first book for the photography collecting market published in the U.S. He is also the author of Photography in America, The Formative Years 1839-1900 and East Side Story which was privately published on behalf of the Boys Brotherhood Republic of New York.

His strong belief that he had an obligation to help the youth of his community drove Bill to spend many years working with the Boys Brotherhood Republic, a youth recreation center on the Lower East Side. The organization teaches inner city youth the principles of self government and the value of education as a means to transcend the perils of negative youth activity. The 6 to 18 year old citizens of the Boys Brotherhood Republic (BBR) elect their own mayor and city council, and administer their own police and court systems. Under Bill's guidance these young men became adults, learning how to solve everyday problems as responsible committed citizens.

Mr. Speaker, Bill's greatest assets in life were his intellect and sense of humor. His exceptional ability to pass on knowledge with constant wit and charm always made him the ``life of the party'', leaving all whom he encountered feeling not only joyful but more intelligent as well.

There is an old saying: ``If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it.'' The book on the life William B. Welling was completed on April 15, 2006. He can no longer offer advice, make us laugh, or personally pass on his vast wisdom to younger generations; however, his indomitable spirit lives on through the countless candles he helped others to light. Surely that is the mark of a meaningful life.

For unyielding service to his country, family, friends and community and for being an inspiration to us all, I ask my colleagues to join me in bidding a final farewell to a great American, Mr. William B. Welling.