Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to emphasize the importance of art therapy, especially in treating older adults. In my work as co- chair of the Congressional Arts Caucus, I have long emphasized the therapeutic benefits of the arts. Art therapy is a profession that serves people of all ages with a means of expressing emotion and coping with life issues. Emotions are often difficult to convey in words and an artistic avenue can serve as an effective way to communicate inner thoughts and feelings.

The elderly in particular face many emotional difficulties including loss, isolation, disability, dependency, and concerns about healthcare and treatment. Gerontology studies have shown that engaging the elderly in artistic activity may improve health and quality of life by decreasing the incidence of depression, anxiety, medical visits and related medications.

In addition to the emotional gain and sense of dignity and self- esteem achieved, the elderly can benefit from art therapy in clinical ways. In seniors who suffer from memory loss or cognitive impairments caused by Alzheimer's disease and stroke, levels of function can be maintained and improved. One woman who worked with an art therapist was able to remember and depict aspects of her life that she could not communicate verbally. Others who have difficulty concentrating due to dementia and disorientation show improved attention through the creative process. Cognitive stimulation and social interaction contributes to alertness and orientation. Art therapy therefore has many implications for health maintenance and cost-containment for the elderly.

Art therapists are master's level mental health practitioners, specially trained to combine psychology and psychotherapy with the visual arts. They work with older adults in hospitals, psychiatric, rehabilitation, community and wellness facilities, nursing homes, residential living communities, as well as in private practices and environments for younger clients. The American Art Therapy Association, founded in 1969, establishes national standards for education and clinical practice.

This week, the American Art Therapy Association is hosting an exhibit here on Capitol Hill called, Creative Aging: Beyond Words. This event will display artwork by older adults in art therapy programs from across the United States. The exhibit highlights the ways art therapy contributes to meeting and managing the challenges of later life, and cultivating the strengths of elders. Paintings, drawings and sculptures eloquently convey the multitude of problems confronting elders, and the wisdom of those who have lived full lives. The artists were guided by trained clinicians in the exploration of themes and content for enhanced understanding of personal issues, improved outlook and quality of life.

Art-therapy remains under-recognized as a viable treatment. Many older Americans are unable to access such services due to lack of awareness, insurance coverage and insufficient employment of art therapists. I encourage my colleagues in Congress to recognize and support the profession of art therapy and to broaden conventional thinking about services to elders.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be present for rollcall votes 227 and 228. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall votes 227 and 228.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of The Kentuckians of New York. This congressional recognition will be presented on June 3, 2004 in New York City to a gathering of more than 325 persons at a Gala Dinner Dance. On the occasion, the following six Kentuckians will be honored for their distinguished careers in their chosen field, for their contributions to their community for public service, and their impact both nationally and globally: Owsley Brown II, John Y. Brown, Jr., Martha Layne Collins, Bob Edwards, Phil Simms, and Bill Samuels, Jr.

The Kentuckians of New York was organized on April 27, 1904. The first president was John C. Carlisle, who served six years. During the turn of the century, several state societies were formed. Those who had chosen New York as their new home longed to maintain contact with persons from their home state. The Kentuckians of New York is one of the few, which remain today and have reached this milestone. In the early days, it was a men's organization, which met periodically to enjoy fellowship and sampling of some of the principal Kentucky products, tobacco and bourbon.

During the term of President James C. Bowling (1974-76), Peggy Silhanek and Myra Leigh Tobin became the first two women members. I joined the organization soon after membership was opened to women. I met, not one, but all four criteria for becoming a member: born in Kentucky, lived in Kentucky for at least five years, graduated from a Kentucky college or university, and a son or daughter of a Kentuckian.

The society currently has both resident and nonresident members. The primary purpose of the organization is to share fellowship and the love of our Kentucky heritage at two dinner meetings each year. At these meetings, a reception is followed by dinner and a talk about some aspect of Kentucky by a distinguished speaker from Kentucky or with ties to Kentucky.

I was invited to be a speaker in October 2001, which followed the terrorist acts on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. It was a very somber time in New York City and in the country. The Kentuckians of New York lost two of its members, James R. Paul and Thomas W. Hohlweck, Jr., who worked in the World Trade Center. My remarks focused on re-assuring members that Members of Congress were addressing terrorism and were concerned about the safety and security of its citizens, and in bringing justice to those who committed the terrorist acts of 9/11.

Many illustrious speakers have addressed the organization. One memorable evening was the time when former Governor A.B. ``Happy'' Chandler was speaker, following his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Former President Richard Nixon came to the reception unannounced to extend his congratulations to ``Happy'' Chandler and to extend greetings to The Kentuckians of New York.

Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of The Kentuckians of New York's 100th Anniversary, I join with its members and other Kentuckians who will celebrate in its contributions to New York, to Kentucky, and to our nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Brown Family Farm in Waterport, NY, now know as Orchard Dale Fruit Farms and

Brown's Berry Patch. The survival of this family farm over two centuries is a remarkable store of passion and hard work.

In 1804, Elijah and Bathshua Brown bought a 100-acre farm along the Oak Orchard River, just south of Lake Ontario, in what is now Waterport, NY. While moving his family to their new home, Elijah died, and Bathshua was left to settle her five sons and seven daughters in the unbroken wilderness of Upstate New York. Elijah Jr., planted the first apple trees in the county, and thus the Brown Family Farm began.

Bathshua began to build what would become one of the most historic and celebrated farms in Upstate New York. Years before, during the Revolutionary War, the British pillaged and burned the Browns' first farm on Fisher Island, CT. During the War of 1812, British war ships again threatened the Brown family as they patrolled the shores of Lake Ontario. In a remarkable coincidence, the very same captain who had burned the Brown's first farm was captured on the shores of Oak Orchard River and brought to Bathshua, the area's matriarch, for judgment. She let him go with a warning never to return.

Leadership of the Brown Family Farm passed from generation to generation. In 1895, Brown descendants Harry and Pearl began growing fruit on the farm. At one point, the family was said to have the largest quince orchard in the world. In the 1940's, the family transitioned out of growing fresh fruit, and began selling apples, quince, cherries, pears and plums for processing. Around 1980, Robert Brown II and his wife Deborah again transitioned the farm back into one that produced fresh fruit for consumption. They planted strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries for people to come pick themselves.

Today, under the leadership of Robert II and Deborah Brown, and Eric and Margy Brown, Brown's Berry Patch is one of the most popular agritourist destinations in Western New York, and a highly successful direct marketer of fresh produce. In 2003, the North American Farmers Direct Marketing Association Conference chose Brown's Berry Patch as a Farm Direct Marketer of the Year Finalist.

Visitors to Brown's Berry Patch come away not only with fresh, nutritious produce, but with memories that will last a lifetime. In an age when so many family farms struggle to survive, it is gratifying to know that Brown's Berry Patch is thriving, continuing to provide Western New York with fresh fruit and a greater understanding of traditional American agriculture. I congratulate Brown's Berry Patch on their 200th anniversary, and for their dedication to promoting tourism and agriculture in Western New York.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

(Ms. SLAUGHTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Pryce) for yielding me the customary 30 minutes.

Mr. Speaker, I am troubled by recent actions taken by the Committee on Rules and the possible consequences for this democratic body. Otto van Bismarck said, ``Laws are like sausages. It is better not to see them being made.'' Republicans on the Committee on Rules have devised and employed new ``sausage-making'' rules over the past several weeks. These rules take several bills, grind them up, and shove them into a new legislative casing and make a new bill.

H. Res. 638 provided for the consideration of three bills under the same closed rule, restricting the amount of time for floor debate and deliberation. Once the bills were passed, the rule required the bills be ground and repackaged as one bill.

H. Res. 645 provided for the consideration of five bills, again limiting the time for floor debate. Once the bills were considered and passed, the text of all five pieces of legislation were ground together to make one large bill to send to the other body. I would think that the parliamentarians of the House of Representatives would take some interest in what is going on here.

Today we are faced with a new device, a Frankenstein rule. Last night, the Republicans cobbled together bad pieces of rules, concocted a few other pieces, and then passed everything as one big monster rule.

The text of H.R. 444 is replaced with the text of H.R. 4444. None of the four amendments before the committee is in order, debate on the legislation is limited to 1 hour, and, outrageously, the rule appends the text of two unrelated bills, bills not considered by the Committee on Rules, just simply written in.

H.R. 4409 is on the suspension calendar, which would reauthorize title II of the Higher Education Act of 1965. H.R. 4410 is the Teacher Shortage Act of 2004, which would increase the amount of student loans which may be forgiven for highly qualified teachers in math, science, and special education. Now the merits of these legislative appendages have not even been considered by the Committee on Education and the Workforce, having held no hearings on it. And last night the Committee on Rules did not hear any testimony on either one of them.

When the rule was passed out, a staffer gave us a copy of the bills. We discovered whichever one of those two suspensions passes first will be cobbled into this bill we are doing today. The other one, I do not know what happens to it. I think it is tabled and forgotten about.

Mr. Speaker, it is destructive to us because we have no rules to go by any more. It does not matter what they want to do. Somewhere in the Capitol, people are devising byzantine and awful rules to shove down Members' throats.

This bill today, though, is really only a feel-good bill. There is no money authorized for it. It does nothing for the 1.2 million people who are unemployed and have lost their benefits.

Mr. Speaker, 8.2 million Americans are unemployed; and the unemployment rate remains the same. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, since December, 2003, the unemployment rate has been 5.6 or 5.7; and extended unemployment benefits expired last year. However, the unemployment trust fund has $20 billion in it. Congress simply refuses to allow the unemployed to tap into that money which is already there. Every dollar spent on unemployment benefits immediately creates more than $2 in economic growth.

Instead of using the billions of dollars that are already there untouched in the unemployment trust fund, this underlying bill creates a pilot program for personal reemployment accounts. The goal is to help people get back to work to provide $3,000 for job training, transportation and job search expenses. The fact that there is only one job for every three seekers is not considered here. The problem is it does nothing to create jobs. It trains people for jobs that do not exist, jobs which have been outsourced overseas. According to the Economic Policy Institute, these PRAs are a response to a problem that does not exist. The concept assumes there are plenty of jobs, but the unemployed workers are so comfortable getting $250 a week in unemployment benefits that they will not go back to work. So the problem is the failure of job creation, and these PRAs will be of no help. It is insulting to workers to believe they have to be given a grant to go look for work.

As I said before, over 1.5 million Americans exhausted their benefits, and they will not be eligible for this pilot program. If a person uses this PRA, he or she is no longer eligible to receive the benefits of other programs under the Workforce Investment Act, which can be worth as much as $10,000. Any money used from PRAs will be money used from WIA funds, because additional funds are not authorized for this program. Let me say that again. This wonderful program here to put people back to work has no money authorized for it.

Why are we not considering real help for the unemployed? This body should be passing legislation to extend unemployment benefits. I urge my colleagues to vote against this Frankenstein rule, so the House can act to help the millions of unemployed Americans and their families.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ryan).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews).

(Mr. ANDREWS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, we have heard a lot of rhetoric today about how the economy is on the upswing and how it has improved and how jobs are beginning to return. But I can tell my colleagues that people in my hometown and communities across America remain unemployed. There are 8.2 million people out of work in this country, and there is now only one job opening for every three unemployed individuals. No matter how you spin it, the bill before us today will not do a single thing to create more jobs.

That is why I urge Members to join me in defeating the previous question. If the previous question is defeated, I will offer an amendment to the rule making in order an amendment that was not accepted by the Committee on Rules by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ryan) to train 100,000 new first responders.

That is 100,000 new policemen, firemen, emergency response personnel, medical personnel, and scores of other citizens who keep this country safe every day and would, of course, create jobs.

I offered this amendment in the Committee on Rules last night; but as is usual practice these days, it was defeated on a straight party-line vote.

Now, this bill is supposed to be about helping the unemployed. Well, I can tell my colleagues if they really want to help them, they will do everything they can to find ways to create new good-paying jobs. And that is what the Ryan amendment will do. So I urge my colleagues to vote today in favor of job creation, in favor of protecting our communities by voting ``no'' on the previous question.

Let me be clear, Mr. Speaker. A ``no'' vote will not prevent us from considering the bill before us today, but by voting ``yes,'' Members will be denying this House a chance to create 100,000 new jobs for unemployed Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the amendment be printed in the Congressional Record immediately before the vote.

Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to vote ``no'' on the previous question.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor three brave soldiers from the 28th Congressional District of New York who lost their lives while serving in Iraq. These three men, all from Buffalo, left loving families, promising careers and secure futures to serve our Nation in the Armed Forces. They traveled thousands of miles across the world to make the ultimate sacrifice for their country. I am humbled to have served them in Congress.

Private First Class Tamario D. Burkett was killed in the line of duty just days after combat operations began in Iraq, on March 23, 2003. While securing bridges near Nasiriyah, Pfc. Burkett and his fellow soldiers came under heavy fire. Pfc. Burkett, who lived with his family on Peace Street, was just 21 years old. His family continues to celebrate his memory and to mourn the promise of his young life.

On October 17, 2003, Specialist Michael L. Williams was killed near Baghdad when the vehicle he was riding in ran over an explosive. Specialist Williams, 46, reenlisted in the Army National Guard after witnessing the horrendous attacks on September 11, which also happened to be his birthday. He died doing what he had dedicated his life to: protecting and serving the American people. He left behind a wife and four daughters.

Private First Class Charles E. Bush, Jr., was killed just days before Christmas on December 19, 2003, when a bomb exploded beneath his vehicle. Pfc. Bush, 34, was a cook in the Army, but he had volunteered as a door gunner to help protect the convoy. He could have stayed back, but he chose instead to ride along that day to defend his fellow soldiers. He left behind a devoted family and a young daughter.

This Memorial Day, we will pay respect to all the soldiers who have lost their lives defending our nation. It is a tragedy that across the nation, the legion of those we honor will now include hundreds of new names--names of fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, siblings and children who volunteered to serve their nation and who will never return home.

In Buffalo, this day will be especially tragic as we honor these three brave soldiers. Private First Class Tamario D. Burkett, Specialist Michael L. Williams and Private First Class Charles E. Bush, Jr. will forever be remembered for their patriotism, their valor and their sacrifice. I pray with all the families who have loved ones that no more lives will be lost and that all our soldiers will arrive safely home soon. We cannot stand to lose any more.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4200, Fiscal Year 2005 Defense Authorization. The House Armed Services Committee deserves recognition for producing a bill that addresses the critical needs of our Armed Forces at a time when we are engaged in major military campaigns in both Iraq and Afghanistan. The bill also makes provisions to ensure the long-term strength of our military readiness and improve the livelihood of our military families.

Specifically, I am pleased that this measure eliminates the Survivor Benefit Penalty to spouses of deceased members of the Armed Forces. Not only is this annuity essential to the livelihood of many surviving spouses, but it provides much-needed peace of mind to our dedicated military personnel.

Additionally, I am pleased that this bill contains $400 million for individual body armor. I have long been concerned about this issue since receiving several phone calls and heartfelt letters from parents in my district whose children serving in Iraq have no body armor. There is no excuse for us to send our soldiers into harm's way without this most basic protection. H.R. 4200 commits substantial resources to ensure that our troops have the body armor they need.

Next week, we will commemorate Memorial Day and remember the courageous men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Regrettably, since the beginning of the campaign in Iraq, we have added 793 to their ranks. More troubling is that potentially one in four of these fatalities could have been avoided if our troops had had the armored equipment they needed.

This bill makes a commitment not only to the memory of the soldiers we have lost but also the ones that continue to be in harm's way in Iraq. We owe it to their memory and those who answer the call to service to do everything in our power to minimize the risk of loss of life.

I also want to rise in opposition to H. Res. 648, the rule for consideration of this bill. In Rules Committee, I offered three amendments that would have substantially improved the underlying bill. Regrettably, the Committee decided to deny this body the opportunity to consider two of my amendments.

My first amendment would have ensured that the Department of Defense had a steady stream of domestically produced electronic equipment. These components are vital to the maintenance of some of our most sophisticated weapons and communications systems.

My second amendment would have allowed individuals to apply for benefits under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Act if they developed diseases from their work at facilities that had residual contamination, after the Manhattan Project had been completed. It is long overdue to do right by this aging and ill population.

Our men and women in uniform are bravely serving all over the world because their country has called on them. In return, we must ensure that we are doing everything within our power to provide them with what they need. This bill makes great progress toward meeting the needs of our soldiers and their families.

For this reason, Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support for H.R. 4200.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I thank the gentleman from Missouri very much for his leadership.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of an amendment to the fiscal year 2005 DOD authorization bill which I am offering with the leadership of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues and my good friend, the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito).

This bipartisan amendment will help us take a first step in addressing the problems of sexual assault within the military. Last Thursday, the DOD Task Force on Care For Victims of Sexual Assault released its report and recommendations concerning the problem based on a 90-day study. The Slaughter/Capito/Solis/Brown-Waite amendment is based on the report findings and will help to implement several of the recommendations made by the DOD task force.

Specifically, it would require the Secretary of Defense to develop a comprehensive policy for DOD on the prevention of and response to sexual assaults involving members of the Armed Forces. This comprehensive policy would be based on the recommendations of the task force. In addition, the amendment would require the DOD to take related measures to address sexual assaults in the military, such as reporting the improvement of DOD's capability to respond to sexual assaults, applying the comprehensive policy to all military departments instead of each branch having its own, modifying the policies and procedures of the military departments, annually assessing the policies and procedures, and issuing reports to the Senate and the House Committee on Armed Services.

On March 31 of this year, the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues held a forum on sexual assaults in the military and submitted its report from the caucus to the Secretary. The Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues has committed to continuing to take a leadership role in addressing this issue.

Mr. Chairman, 120 women have already come back from Iraq saying they have been sexually assaulted by their fellow soldiers. Only 20 of them reported it in the military because of the fact it would end their career. We want to change this attitude and this culture.

Now, a similar version of this amendment has already been included in the Senate version of the fiscal year 2005 DOD authorization bill and has good bipartisan support in the Senate. It has been developed in consultation with the Pentagon and is intended to help the Pentagon start implementing the concrete proactive measures that are outlined in the task force's report.

We want to help, because the Pentagon, in previous reports, has stated

over and over again the problem; but very few solutions have come from it. It is by no means intended to be a quick fix to the problem of sexual assault, but, instead, is intended to be a positive first step towards remedying this terrible problem.

Along with my colleagues on the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues, I also plan to introduce a comprehensive legislation package to deal with other aspects of this issue based on the findings from the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues hearing, additional research and information that we have been gathering, as well as the task force report.

We look forward to continuing to work together in a productive manner to eliminate sexual assaults of our United States servicewomen. Again, it is a first step, and I encourage my colleagues to approve this amendment to the fiscal year 2005 DOD authorization bill.

Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Solis), the vice chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues on the Democratic side.

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker. I rise today on behalf of myself, Congresswoman Capito and the entire Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues to recognize the 7th Annual Women in the Military Wreath Laying Ceremony hosted by the Caucus at Arlington National Cemetery. The purpose of this event is to honor our nation's servicewomen and female veterans for their courage and achievements, and to remember women who have died in service to the United States.

Today, we have the opportunity to recognize five outstanding female servicewomen, one selected from each branch of the military. These women serve their respective branches with honor, dignity, and courage. These highly decorated leaders chose to defend our freedom and embody the spirit of those that served before them.

From the U.S. Coast Guard, we will honor Senior Chief Storekeeper Corzetta ``Cozy'' Calloway, who is currently assigned to the Coast Guard Recruiting Command (CGRC), Coast Guard Personnel Command in Arlington, Virginia. In her position as a supervisor and a Coast Guard recruiter, SCSK Calloway helps to manage the online recruiting program and provides guidance to prospective applicants via the Coast Guard website.

Senior Chief Calloway also acts as assistant to the chief of the Recruiting Command's leasing department for all Coast Guard recruiting offices. In this capacity, SCSK Calloway performs essential duties in selecting qualified individuals and subsequently in the development of Coast Guard servicemen and women. She has shown incredible commitment to enhancing the diversity of the Coast Guard workforce. SCSK Calloway distinguishes herself as a leader in both recruiting qualified individuals and applying her specialty in supply organization and logistics. Her impressive awards that she has received include the Coast Guard Achievement Medal for serving on the Women's Advisory Council, the Coast Guard Letter of Commendation for recruiting, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Humanitarian Service Medal.

Senior Chief Calloway plans to retire soon from the Coast Guard with 30 years of service, and she will be remembered for her commitment to improving the Coast Guard and her dedication to service. She continues to distinguish herself as an invaluable leader in the Coast Guard, and it is an honor for each member of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues to recognize the courage and commitment of SCSK Calloway and all women in the military.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of myself, Congresswoman Capito and the entire Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues to recognize the 7th Annual Women in the Military Wreath Laying Ceremony hosted by the Caucus at Arlington National Cemetery. The purpose of this event is to honor our Nation's servicewomen and female veterans for their courage and achievements, and to remember women who have died in service to the United States.

Today, we have the opportunity to recognize 5 outstanding female servicewomen, one selected from each branch of the military. These women serve their respective branches with honor, dignity, and courage. These highly decorated leaders chose to defend our freedom and embody the spirit of those that served before them.

From the U.S. Navy, we will honor Master Chief Kelly D. Williams. A native of Texas, Master Chief Williams has an Associate in Arts with Honors degree from City Colleges of Chicago. She began her career in the Navy in Meridian, Mississippi, where she attend Storekeeper Class ``A'' School. She successfully completed Instructor Training, Storekeeper Independent Duty Afloat and Command Career Counselor training in 1991, and also graduated from training in Shipboard Uniform Automated Data Processing Systems.

Serving the U.S. Navy at a variety of stations and duties, Master Chief Williams should be especially recognized for her commitment during her time assigned to the staff of the Commander, Naval Surface Group Mediterranean, in Naples, Italy. Her diligence and dedication as Assistant Replenishment Officer earned her the Navy Achievement Medal for her direct contribution to assuring Sixth Fleet combat effectiveness and readiness during Operations Noble Anvil/Allied Force. She is currently assigned as the Assistant Head to the Navy Uniform Board and has been a vital contributor to the Navy's first-ever Navy Uniform Task Force.

Among her many achievements, Master Chief Williams has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4 awards), Navy Achievement Medal (3 awards) and various service and campaign awards. Master Chief Kelly D. Williams continues to distinguish herself as an invaluable leader in the Navy, and it is an honor for each member of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues to recognize the courage and commitment of Master Chief Williams and all women in the military.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of myself, Congresswoman Capito and the entire Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues to recognize the 7th Annual Women in the Military Wreath Laying Ceremony hosted by the Caucus at Arlington National Cemetery. The purpose of this event is to honor our nation's servicewomen and female veterans for their courage and achievements, and to remember women who have died in service to the United States.

Today, we have the opportunity to recognize five outstanding female servicewomen, one selected from each branch of the military. These women serve their respective branches with honor, dignity, and courage. These highly decorated leaders chose to defend our freedom and embody the spirit of those that served before them.

From the U.S. Marine Corps, we will honor Sergeant Major Barbara J. Titus, who enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves on March 3, 1978, and graduated from the Women Recruit Training Command, Company ``L'' at Parris Island, South Carolina. She has distinguished herself through her commitment and dedication to the Marine Corps. Sergeant Titus reported on active duty to the Headquarters & Headquarters Squadron 90, Marine Air Traffic Support Group (MATSG) 90, Naval Air Station (NAS), in Millington, Tennessee. She successfully attended the Aviation Electronics and Air Traffic Control Maintenance Schools, where she dedicated her training to becoming an Air Traffic Control Navigational Aids Repairman.

Among other achievements, Sergeant Titus has distinguished herself by her commitment to enhancing her education and training. She graduated from Drill Instructor School at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), Parris Island, South Carolina, where she quickly excelled from Drill Instructor to Senior Drill Instructor and ultimately Chief Drill Instructor. She returned to Millington, Tennessee in August of 1991 as an instructor at the Air Traffic Control Maintenance School, where she clearly demonstrated her leadership skills.

Having served the U.S. Marine Corps in various capacities here in the U.S. as well as abroad in countries like Japan, Sergeant Major Barbara J. Titus continues to dedicate herself to the Marine Corps and to protecting our nation. She is an invaluable leader in the Marine Corps, and it is an honor for each member of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues to recognize the courage and commitment of Sergeant Titus and all women in the military.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of myself, Congresswoman Capito and the entire Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues to recognize the 7th Annual Women in the Military Wreath Laying Ceremony hosted by the Caucus at Arlington National Cemetery. The purpose of this event is to honor our nation's servicewomen and female veterans for their courage and achievements, and to remember women who have died in service to the United States.

Today, we have the opportunity to recognize five outstanding female servicewomen, one elected from each branch of the military. These women serve their respective branches with honor, dignity, and courage. These highly decorated leaders chose to defend our freedom and embody the spirit of those that served before them.

From the U.S. Army, we will honor Command Sergeant Major Debra L. Strickland, who first entered the Army in 1973 from Coral Gables, Florida. Command Sergeant Major Strickland has served the Army at a variety of duty stations and capacities. Among other accomplishments, she distinguished herself early in her career by becoming the first female reserve advisor for the Readiness Group in the Fort Sill, Oklahoma, readiness region and assumed responsibilities over a three state area. She also utilized her experience working at the USAREUR Headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany, and in the office of Leadership to effectively manage the USAREUR Sergeant Morales Program. CSM Strickland has also been a strong MACOM proponent for uniform regulation. One of her many achievements includes an assignment at the Pentagon from 1988- 1989, where she was one of few enlisted proponent action officers for an army publication, AR 670-1, the Army Uniform Regulation.

CSM Strickland has successfully completed Sergeants Major Academy and the Command Sergeants Major course. She is Drill Sergeant qualified, a member of the USAREUR Sergeant Morales Club, and is completing a degree in management. She is also the recipient of The Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (First Oak Leaf), Meritorious Service Medal (6th Oak Leaf) and Humanitarian Service Medal.

Command Sergeant Major Debra L. Strickland continues to distinguish herself as an invaluable leader in the U.S. Army, and it is an honor for each member of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues to recognize the courage and commitment of CSM Strickland and all women in the military.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of myself, Congresswoman Capito and that entire Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues to recognize the 7th Annual Women in the Military Wreath Laying Ceremony hosted by the Caucus at Arlington National Cemetery. The purpose of this event is to honor our Nation's servicewomen and female veterans for their courage and achievements, and to remember women who have died in service to the United States.

Today, we have the opportunity to recognize 5 outstanding female servicewomen, one selected from each branch of the military. These women serve their respective branches with honor, dignity, and courage. These highly decorated leaders chose to defend our freedom and embody the spirit of those that served before them.

From the U.S. Air Force, we will honor Chief Master Sergeant Margaret C. Burgess, who is currently serving as the Superintendent, Intelligence, 920th Rescue Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida. Sergeant Burgess has served the Air Force at a variety of duty stations and capacities. She distinguished herself early in her career by meritorious service during her first assignment as Target Intelligence Specialist at the Royal Air Force Bentwaters, England, where she made outstanding contributions to the wing's combat mission folder program, significantly contributing to the wing's combat readiness. Her thorough understanding of United States Air Forces in Europe and North Atlantic Treaty Organization war plans, and her in-depth knowledge of A-10 combat deployment, made her a key member of the intelligence team during exercises and evaluations.

Sergeant Burgess has repeatedly demonstrated outstanding performance, leadership and devotion to the U.S. Air Force. Of note, Sergeant Burgess engineered the intelligence repatriation process of returned isolated personnel to Ahmed Al Jaber Airbase, Kuwait, and operated successfully during the repatriation of an F-14 aircrew that had ejected over southern Iraq. She demonstrated superb organizational skills by developing comprehensive, all-source ground order battle files of Iraq that were later adopted as the standard by other theater intelligence assets, which resulted in the successful completion of 5 combat rescues, 4 combat recoveries and more than 16 combat support sorties. Among her many achievements, Sergeant Burgess was also awarded the Bronze Star for her work during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Chief Master Sergeant Margaret C. Burgess continues to distinguish herself as an invaluable leader in the Air Force, and it is an honor for each member of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues to recognize the courage and commitment of Sergeant Burgess and all women in the military.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4193, which the House is considering today under suspension of the rules.

I want to take a moment to recognize the work done by my colleague, Representative Quinn, who introduced the original bill, H.R. 840, which serves as a basis for H.R. 4193. I was proud to be an original cosponsor of the earlier bill, which would expand the areas of Renewal Communities based on more recent census information.

Teh Renewal Communities Initiative combines tax credits and other provisions designed to revive some of the nation's more impoverished distressed areas. These cities can take advantage of federal wage credits, tax deductions, capital gains exclusions, and bond financing to stimulate economic development and job growth. Each incentive is tailored to meet the particular needs of a business and offers a significant inducement for companies to locate and hire additional workers.

We have come close before to enacting this commonsense change, but this time we cannot fail.

This is too great an issue of importance to the country, and in particular, my district in Western New York.

Due to a loss of population in the 1990's, my area would greatly benefit from this change.

Out of five Renewal Communities designated in New York State, three are in my district: Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and Rochester.

According to Fannie Mae, this technical change would allow 14 more census tracts to qualify in Rochester, 16 more tracts in Buffalo- Lackawanna, and seven additional census tracts in Niagara Falls.

Each city in my district needs these incentives to expand jobs and promote business investment in our downtown areas. The statistics from my district paint the bleak picture.

The March 2004 employment figures released by the U.S. Department of Labor in late April revealed that the Buffalo-Niagara Falls market had the highest unemployment rate increase over the past year among all major metropolitan areas with one million or more residents.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Buffalo's unemployment rate in March was 7.4 percent, up 1.1 points from 6.3 percent a year ago. The number of unemployed was 42,000 this year. In March, Rochester's unemployment rate was 6.7 percent according, with 700 more area people employed in March than in February. However, that is still 4,400 fewer people than had jobs in March 2003.

Manufacturers have slashed about 4,600 jobs in the last year. The biggest dip was in jobs producing nondurable goods such as film--an 8.7 percent drop. This decease was mainly a result of Eastman Kodak Co.'s continued downsizing.

The Renewal communities program seeks to entice businesses to develop commercial property and hire local employees. I strongly believe that the federal government can be an important partner in local efforts to spur economic development. The program provides critical tools to help with that partnership.

The expansion of the Renewal Communities program would give these cities the necessary spark to reignite their economic engines. I strongly urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4193.