Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Bishop Chatard High School, Indianapolis, IN, on winning the Indiana State Boys Basketball Championship (Class 3A). Chatard's Trojans triumphed over Fort Wayne Elmhurst by a score of 78-44.

The Chatard Trojans won their first state basketball title ever on Saturday night to complete an outstanding season record of 22-2.

Congratulations to Coach Dan Archer and the Chatard Trojan players: John Loughery, Jamaal Wade, Dray Mason, Marques Presley, Ryan Baker, Mike Dury, Frank Halliburton, Greg Cage, Dan Cage, Tony Barnes, Jimmy Scheidler, and Jonas Coleman.

The Indiana State Boys Basketball Championship was played at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN.

The Trojans competitive spirit and remarkable sportsmanship contributed to an excellent season for the team. I applaud their skilled teamwork and hope next year's season will bring them another state final championship.

Again, an outstanding example of perfect teamwork.

Congratulations to the Trojans! Job well done. You've made us proud!

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Pike High School, Indianapolis, IN, on winning the Indiana State Boys Basketball Championship (Class 4A). Pike's Red Devils defeated the DeKalb Barons 65-52, to claim the championship and end the season with a perfect record of 29-0.

Congratulations to Coach Larry Bullington and the Pike Red Devils players: David Barlow, Dominic Collins, Michael Russell, Adrian Rosales, Torrian Bluitt, Robert Vaden, Darren Yates, Courtney Lee, Devin Thomas, Michael McCoy, Sydney McDaniel, Keith Davney, Justin Cage, and Parnell Smith.

The Indiana State Boys Basketball Championship was played at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN. This is the third title the Red Devils have won in the past six years.

It has been an outstanding year for the Red Devils whose hardwork and dedication has led the team to a victorious season. Although the Red Devils were runner's up during last years State Finals, their perseverance and desire to win has allowed them ultimate success in 2003.

Again, an outstanding example of perfect teamwork.

Congratulations to the Red Devils! Job well done. You've made us proud!

Madam Speaker, ``From within or from behind, a light shines through us on things, and makes us aware that we are nothing, but the light is all.'' Ralph Waldo Emerson.

A fitting tribute of behalf of Mr. Sam Jones on the occasion of his home going celebration, preceded first by a few days his 74th birthday.

In Indianapolis, Indiana this week, Madam Speaker, citizens of all walks of life, political, religious and philosophical persuasion, persons who represent every person and race imaginable, will celebrate the life of Mr.

Sam Jones on the occasion of his home going, and 36-year reign at CEO and president of the Indianapolis Urban League. He dedicated his life to God, family, and community. He was the dean of the Urban League chapters throughout the Nation. He is inducted into the courageous Hall of Champions and is celebrated for his unparalleled moral persuasion in promoting solidarity among all peoples for the common good.

History offers few examples of leaders who were gentlemen and genteel men all the while. There were many who will say so much about Mr. Jones's contributions to so many on behalf of so many.

But in summary, Madam Speaker, he lived not because but for a cause. In his unassuming manner, he followed the instruction of a wise man many years ago: ``Let your light so shine by your good works on Earth that it will be magnified on high.''

He will be missed by all. He challenged us to find a cure for leukemia. We can, if we will. We cannot afford not to. My love and appreciation and admiration is extended to the Jones family and especially to a very special wife, Pree, and an extraordinary family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana, President Bobby Fong, Coach Todd Lickliter, and the outstanding basketball team, affectionately named the Butler Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs, despite previous rejection from previous participation in the championship games, won last Saturday over Louisville by 79 to 71, to advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship.

Coach Todd Lickliter, son of a coach, led the Bulldogs to an outstanding season record of 27 to 5 overall. As winners of the Horizon League's regular season crown, Coach Lickliter and his team earned an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament.

I commend the Bulldog players whose outstanding teamwork has led them to the Sweet 16: Brandon Miller, Joel Cornette, Duane Lightfoot, Darnell Archey, Mike Monserez, Avery Sheets, Lewis Curry, Bruce Horan, Ben Grunst, Jeff James, Mike Moore, Andy Grunst, Nick Gardner, Rob Walls and Ryan Reynolds.

The Bulldogs face Oklahoma, No. 1 seed of the East, in the NCAA East Regional semifinals this Friday in Albany, New York.

Not only do I want to commend Butler University for their athletic achievements, but I also want to make note of their high academic standards by acknowledging them as having the highest graduation rate, 86 percent, of all schools remaining in the tournament.

It has been an exceptional season for the Bulldogs who have defied all odds and truly excelled as a team. I applaud the Bulldogs' excellent performance and sportsmanship and wish them good luck in this Friday's game.

Madam Speaker, I extend certainly my heartfelt appreciation to the honorable gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Strickland) for bringing this very crucial situation to the ears and eyes of America.

Madam Speaker, we come into this Chamber on a regular basis and we are faced with this wonderful display of the first President of the United States, George Washington. In 1789, General, President George Washington said, ``The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive veterans of earlier wars and how they were treated and appreciated by this country.''

How scary to think that that is still true today. It is hard to believe that those words, 200 years ago plus, have so much meaning today. We all know what President Washington was saying. We recognize and acknowledge the service of our veterans if we are to expect our young people to serve and to fight. The government must do its part with their benefits.

All of us as citizens must do our part; and the great corporations of this country need to do their part, too. After all, corporations are the direct beneficiaries of veterans services because, collectively, veterans have preserved the free enterprise system under which corporations operate.

Due to the limitation of time remaining, let me eliminate some of my comments and point up a few facts for edification.

Estimates are that homeless veterans run from 200,000 to 294,000, based on a VA fact sheet and the community homelessness assessment for veterans. Twenty-five percent of homeless persons are veterans. Thirty- three percent of male homeless persons are veterans. Seven hundred and seventy-five Reserve and National Guard personnel working in the VA were called up for active duty in Operation Iraq Freedom. This created a shortage in critical care nurses which may negatively affect veterans' care or add to the preponderance of the problems that veterans already face.

The Department of Defense announced today the identity of an Army soldier unfortunately killed in action March 24 in Iraq. Army Specialist Gregory P. Sanders, 19 years of age, Indianapolis, Indiana, was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor, Fort Stewart, Georgia.

A quote from a female soldier at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, who was waiting to get shipped out to the Persian Gulf, a future veteran, knows what the cost is and yet is willing to serve: ``People are dying over there. Let me go and do my job. I want to help my comrades.''

Ladies and gentlemen of America, there are some of us who came under fierce criticism for not supporting the resolution that passed last week because in part it commended the war in which America is now engaged; and, yes, indeed it did provide our support and our prayers to those noble women and men who are serving in Iraq for the safety of our country, but let me say very sincerely there is not a Member in the House of Representatives that does not support all of those women and men who serve in harm's way 24 and 7. We love you, we uphold you, we respect you, and we appreciate you for stepping out in that situation that most Members of Congress who are here today would not dare do.

But I am pained to know that, even in our prison system, those who are incarcerated today constitute a large proportion of veterans who were in the Persian Gulf, who were in Vietnam. We just had an execution in my State last week of a Persian Gulf War veteran who was convicted for murdering someone at the military camp. A terrible situation, an abominable situation, but what is America doing for our veterans? We support the troops by resolution, but what do we do in fact in terms of those noble men and women who return to this country?

Again, I thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Strickland) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters) so very much because I know they, too, love and admire the troops that are serving so fearlessly for the United States of America; and I am so grateful that they have called this very urgent and critical matter to the attention of all of the people in this country who love the troops but who need to recognize what happens to the troops when they return back to American soil and thus become veterans of America. I thank them so very much.

Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, March 19, 2003, I was unavoidably detained in my district of Indianapolis. Had I been present in Washington for votes, it was my intention to vote the following ways:

Rollcall No. 68--``aye.''

Rollcall No. 69--``aye.''

Rollcall No. 70--``aye.''

Rollcall No. 71--``aye.'''

Rollcall No. 72--``aye.''

Rollcall No. 73--``aye.''

Rollcall No. 74--``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the five Indiana teams competing in March Madness.

Mr. Speaker, for many, this is the best sporting day of the year, the commencement of ``March Madness.'' I rise to congratulate the five teams from the State of Indiana; IUPUI, Butler University, Indiana University, Purdue University, and the University of Notre Dame for their advancement to compete in the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship.

As some of you may know, the NCAA Headquarters and the Hall of Champion is located in my hometown of Indianapolis. I wish to commend Myles Brand on an excellent job as the NCAA president.

The Butler Bulldogs, coached by Todd Lickliter, were winners of the Horizon League's regular-season crown, ending the season with a 25-5 record. This earned them an at-large bid to the tournament. Congratulations of Coach Lickliter and the Bulldog players for their outstanding season. I wish the Bulldogs good luck as they face the No. 5 seed of the East bracket, Mississippi State, this Friday.

Indiana University of Bloomington, IN, the runner-up of last years championship, has also advanced to the NCAA Championship. Congratulations to Coach Mike Davis and the Hoosiers, who will play the 10th seeded Alabama Crimson Tide this Friday.

I wish to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of the Indiana schools competing in the NCAA tournament. You have made us proud!

I especially want to congratulate IUPUI and Butler University which reside in my hometown of Indianapolis.

Congratulations to Coach Ron Hunter who led the IUPUI Jaguars to a 66-64 victory over the Valparaiso Crusaders, earning an automatic bid to the tournament as champions of the Mid-Continent Conference. I would also like to congratulate the Jaguar players for their excellent performance and wish them luck as they take on the No. 1 seed of the Midwest bracket, Kentucky this Friday.

I yield to the gentleman from Texas.

a prayer for peace

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Beech Grove High School, located in the seventh Congressional District, on winning the Indiana State Girls Basketball Final. The Beech Grove Hornets beat St. Joseph's from South Bend, IN, 63-45.

Congratulations to Coach Dawn McNew who led the Beech Grove Hornets to a 27-1 record. I also want to congratulate her players whose teamwork implemented her system so well: Katie Gearlds, Emily Ringham, Joy Cromley, Stephanie Durbin, Clara Harris, Katie Ringham, Mandy Seward, Nicole Helfrich, Patty Collins, Maria Combs, Katie Lamping, and Jenni Moore.

The Hornets' stellar performance is an example of the benefits of superb teamwork and sportsmanship.

Beech Grove defeated North Harrison, Ramsey, IN, to advance to the Girls State Finals. The State Finals were played at Conseco Fieldhouse on Saturday, March 8th.

Beech Grove won its first state title, led by Hornets player Katie Gearlds, who scored a 3A title-record of 33 points. Katie, who has a scholarship to Purdue University, finished the season with 2,521 points, placing her fourth in state career scoring in Indiana.

This exceptional win by the Hornets is a perfect example why Title IX should remain as it is. Title IX has allowed the number of females participating in interscholastic sports to increase from 300,000 in 1971 to approximately 2.4 million in present day.

Congratulations to the Beech Grove Hornets! You have made us proud!

Madam Speaker, this is Women's History Month, where we underscore the contributions of women across this world, and we also underscore, Madam Speaker, the challenges that women face.

My subject matter this morning, Madam Speaker, is about heart disease. Cardiovascular disease is the Nation's leading killer among men and women of all racial backgrounds. Approximately 1 million Americans die of cardiovascular disease every year.

It is estimated that cardiovascular disease cost Americans almost $330 billion in 2002 for cardiovascular disease-related medical costs and disability.

In the United States, twice as many women die of heart disease and stroke as all forms of cancer, including breast cancer. In my home State of Indiana, a study was conducted regarding heart disease in women during 1991 through 1995. Findings revealed that close to 45,000 women in Indiana died from diseases of the heart during the study period. Overall, close to 85,000 people in Indiana died from diseases of the heart during the last 5 years.

I was delighted to participate in the Sister to Sister Women's Heart Day on Capitol Hill. It is the kind of information, education, and support that we all need.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce, along with my colleague, the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Hill) legislation naming the Federal Courthouse located at 46 East Ohio Street, Indianapolis, as the Birch

Bayh Federal Building and United States Courthouse.

Birch Bayh was born on January 22, 1928, in Terre Haute, Indiana. He is a graduate of Purdue. He holds a BS degree in agriculture and a JD degree from Indiana University School of Law. He is married to the former Katherine ``Kitty'' Halpin and is the father of two sons, Evan and Christopher.

Senator Bayh began his political career at age 26 when he was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives in 1954. He served as Speaker and 4 years as Democratic floor leader. Senator Bayh's career in the United States Senate from 1962 to 1980 is distinguished by his expertise in constitutional law.

As chairman of the Subcommittee on the Constitution of the Senate, Senator Bayh successfully authored and ushered two amendments to the Constitution, the 25th on presidential and vice presidential section, and the 26th amendment lowering the age from 21 to 18 years of age to enable people the right to vote.

No lawmaker since the Founding Fathers has authored two amendments successfully to the United States Constitution.

Senator Bayh wrote landmark legislation on behalf of women and minorities. He authored Title IX to the Higher Education Act providing equal opportunities for women, students and faculty. He was an architect of the Juvenile Justice Act to separate juvenile offenders from the adult prison populations. He played an integral and important role in the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Acts and the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

I believe this is the first time, Mr. Speaker, that we have had two Members, father and son, that served so prestigiously in the United States Senate. Senator Birch Bayh, for whom this building would be named, is the proud father of Senator Evan Bayh, who now serves with distinction in the United States Senate. This is House bill 1082, and I would encourage unanimous support, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Chairman, if Members would excuse my arrogance, I do not think anybody in this House knows more about running a welfare program than I do. I took over an agency that had a $20 million deficit, and left it with $7 million in the black when I came to Congress. We did not leave any child behind.

In order to get people out of poverty, they do not just need a hand out; they have to get a hand up. They need an opportunity to become self-sufficient.

Mr. Chairman, I support the Kucinich amendment because it is the make-sense amendment that is on the floor.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time; and thanks to my colleagues who had the compassion and the wisdom to bring forth this very vital resolution before the House today.

I wanted to add my gratitude and my applause to the Honorable Sam Johnson for the yeoman service that he has given to this great United States, the gentleman from Texas, and oftentimes when I have barely been able to get over to the floor, he walks through the tunnels with a great deal of pride and strength, and I just admire him so much. He does not know the many ways that he has given me the momentum to walk on here to the House.

Along with Congressman Johnson and all of the other wonderful women and men who have made this extreme sacrifice in terms of serving our country to preserve its freedom, I wanted to give my thanks and gratitude to that yeoman group of people and to pray for the safe return of those yet unfound.

I would also like to add, Madam Speaker, that I come from the State of Indiana. The lieutenant governor there is the Honorable Joe Kernan, and Mr. Kernan entered the United States Army in 1969 and served as a naval flight officer on the USS Kitty Hawk, and in May of 1972, he was shot down by the enemy when he was engaged in a reconnaissance mission over North Vietnam.

He was held as a prisoner of war for months. He was repatriated in 1973 and continued on active duty until December 1974.

For his service, the Honorable Joe Kernan has received numerous awards, including the Commendation Medal, two Purple Hearts and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He is also a graduate of Notre Dame in Indiana.

So there are countless unnamed and unrecognized heroes who are similarly situated, and I just wanted, on behalf of the people that I represent, the proud State of Indiana, to add my support to this needed resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I thank very much the distinguished gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee) for yielding time to me, a person from whom I derive a great deal of wisdom and insight, particularly as it relates to the area of science and space. She represents her area very well in that regard.

Mr. Speaker, the loss of the crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia is a tragedy to their families and loved ones, as well as to the United States, Israel, India, and to the NASA family. Peoples around the world have expressed both support and condolences.

I felt a great deal of pride when I traveled around Indianapolis with Colonel Wolf, former astronaut. The kids were so excited about him. I know that he and his family and his father, who is a doctor at one of the hospitals in my district, join in commemoration of this incredible crew.

I speak on behalf of the people of the City of Indianapolis. The astronauts were people who lived and worshipped in our communities and who had families much like ours. They were united in learning and sharing to make the world a better place.

They were extraordinary people: Rick Husband; William McCool; Kalpana Chawla; David Brown; Ilan Ramon, payload specialist; and Michael Anderson. The true tribute to these brave seven scientists, Mr. Speaker, and explorers lives in the memory and pride of parents, siblings, and loved ones. They will also live on through their sacrifices to science and math education.

In my congressional district, students at the Decatur Township Lynwood Elementary School will learn about these brave space explorers, the wonders of the universe, science, and mathematics at the EdVenture Lab. The EdVenture Lab at Lynwood Elementary School is the first in the Nation for grades kindergarten through fifth grade. It works in conjunction with the Challenger Center for Space Science Education using national and State standards.

Adventure Lab is a multi-media rich environment which enables limited inquiry opportunities for all ages.

So let me close, Mr. Speaker, in saying in the Book of Ecclesiastes it talks about a time for all things, a time to be born and a time to die.

These scientists in the short time that they had on Earth were using their time very wisely for the benefits of all of us, and their sacrifices and contributions will live in the lives of this world forever.