Floor Statements

Mr Speaker, I rise today to recognize Michael Delconte of Hughestown, Stauffer Heights, Pennsylvania for being named ``Person of the Year'' by the Italian-American Association of Luzerne County. I ask that my colleagues pay tribute to his achievements as he is honored at a dinner this Sunday, October 12, at the Woodlands in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

A member of the Italian-American Association of Luzerne County for ten years, Michael has served as the Secretary of the organization, and its President for the past two years.

Mr. Delconte is a 1951 graduate of Pittston High School and a retired federal employee. He worked at the Tobyhanna Army Depot for over 32 years serving as the Branch Chief Supervisor before he retired. He is a member of the Second Presbyterian Church of Pittston and a Past Worshipful Master of the Saint John's Lodge #233 Free and Accepted Masons where he currently serves as Treasurer. He currently serves as Sexton at the Second Presbyterian Church and as Secretary of the Pittston Red Devils athletic club.

Michael Delconte is the son of the late James and Rose Delconte. He has four living brothers, Matthew Colangelo, James, John and Robert Delconte. His brother Joseph Colangelo passed away in 1993. He has several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege and honor to represent a man who has displayed a lifetime leadership role in serving his community. I ask that my colleges pay tribute to Michael Delconte as he receives this well deserved honor.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my very good friend Raymond Angeli for being named ``Man of the Year'' by the Columbus Day Association of Lackawanna County. It is an honor to join the members of the association in paying tribute to his numerous achievements as he is honored at a dinner this Sunday, October 12, at Fiorelli's in Peckville.

Each year, the Columbus Day Association honors one local citizen of Italian ancestry who best represents the legacy of Christopher Columbus. Raymond Angeli represents this legacy of strong innovative leadership and of personal sacrifice. He has been the president of Lackawanna College since 1994 and had previously served on the college's board of directors. At the college, he has transformed this 107-year-old institution into a vital vehicle to shape the leaders of tomorrow and serve the community at large. With tremendous ingenuity and initiative, Ray developed specialized educational programs designed to meet the needs of employers, while keeping the college's tradition of small class sizes and personalized attention to each student.

Mr. Angeli also has a distinguished career in government. The late Governor Robert Casey drafted him into service for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania where he served as deputy, then cabinet-level Secretary for the Department of Community Affairs.

Raymond Angeli has also exhibited leadership and sacrifice in defense of our Nation. He is a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army where he served two combat tours of duty in Southeast Asia as a helicopter pilot and company commander. He received the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal, and Meritorious Service medals.

Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege and honor to represent a man who has played such a vital role in the Scranton community, northeastern Pennsylvania, and in defending the freedoms all of our Nation's citizens enjoy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Philips family of Stroudsburg for a combined 268 years of service to the Phoenix Fire Company No. 2 of the Stroudsburg Fire Company in Monroe County PA. I ask that my colleagues pay tribute this amazing legacy of service and dedication as this family is honored by the Borough of Stroudsburg Council at its meeting on Wednesday, October 15.

Mr. Speaker, I have the great fortune of representing a family that has over the years dedicated their lives in volunteer service to Stroudsburg and the surrounding communities as members of the Phoenix Fire Company. Herman F. Philips, Lloyd F. Marsh, and Thomas Philips served all their lives and were members until they passed away. Robert W. Philips, Sr., Robert W. Philips, Jr., Richard Philips, and Millard ``Skip'' Philips all currently serve in the department. The Philips family firefighters have also risen to leadership positions within the department. Skip and Thomas were both assistant chiefs and chiefs, and Robert, Sr. was chief twice.

Their service to both the community and the fire department is remarkable. Equally amazing is the number of volunteer firefighters from one family. However, their longevity in the department is also noteworthy. Robert, Jr., is currently the least experienced volunteer firefighter of the Philips family with only 32 years of service. Robert, Sr., and Richard both have over 50 years while Skip is approaching 50 years.

Firefighters play a critical role in protecting our communities throughout northeastern Pennsylvania. Volunteer firefighters not only faithfully conduct their duties in the fire department, they also are community leaders and volunteer for other activities. The Philips family is no exception. They are pillars of the Stroudsburg community and deserve recognition for their remarkable service over several decades.

Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege and honor to represent this family that has played such an impressive vital role in their community and in voluntarily serving others.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call the attention of the House of Representatives to the inauguration of Rev. Scott R. Pilarz as the new President of the University of Scranton. I am pleased to be joining the entire community of Northeastern Pennsylvania in welcoming him to the area this Friday, September 26, 2003.

Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., Ph.D. has a remarkable background and career. He entered the Society of Jesus in 1981 and was ordained a priest in 1992. He received his bachelor's degree in English from Georgetown University, and a master's degree in philosophy from Fordham University and in divinity and theology from the Weston School of Theology in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He went on to earn a Ph.D. in English at the City University of New York, CUNY, and his dissertation won the 1997 CUNY Alumni Achievement Prize for Dissertation Excellence.

As he was completing his studies at Weston, Father Pilarz served as a lecturer in the philosophy department of Ss. Peter & Paul Seminary at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. While completing doctoral studies, he was appointed to the English faculty of St. Joseph's University in 1994. In 1996, he joined the Georgetown faculty as an assistant professor of English. In 2002, he was appointed interim University Chaplain, where he served as a member of the President's Cabinet and was responsible for leading campus ministry efforts on Georgetown's Main, Medical and Law campuses. He worked with the President to promote Georgetown's Catholic and Jesuit character, sponsored inter-religious dialogue and coordinated interfaith activities on all three of Georgetown's campuses.

He was recognized by the Georgetown Alumni Association in 2002 with the William Gaston Award for Outstanding Service and was chosen by the graduating class of 1999 to receive the Edward B. Bunn, S.J., Award for Faculty Excellence, an award that recognizes outstanding teaching and service.

As a scholar, Father Pilarz has delivered numerous papers at scholarly conferences on various aspects of Medieval and Renaissance literature. He has also lectured and published on topics related to Jesuit education. His articles on John Donne, Robert Southwell and Medieval drama have appeared in academic journals and collections of essays, and his book, Robert Southwell, S.J., and the Mission of Literature 1561-1595: Writing Reconciliation, will be published by Ashgate Press.

In 1998, he received a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, and he has received three research grants and a competitive junior faculty research leave from Georgetown.

Father Pilarz serves on the boards of Boston College, Loyola University of Chicago, the Community Medical Center, Scranton, and Camden Catholic High School in Cherry Hill, N.J., from which he graduated. His professional memberships include the John Donne Society, the Renaissance Society of America, the Shakespeare Association of America, the Medieval and Renaissance Drama Society, the Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences of America, and the Modern Language Association.

Father Pilarz has served as a member of The University of Scranton's Board of Trustees since 2000. In April of 2003, The University of Scranton's Board of Trustees completed a national search and announced the selection of Father Pilarz as the next President.

Father Pilarz became the twenty-fourth President of The University of Scranton on July 1, 2003.

Mr. Speaker The University of Scranton is, by tradition, choice and heartfelt commitment, a Catholic and Jesuit university. Founded in 1888 as Saint Thomas College by the Most Reverend William G. O'Hara, D.D., the first bishop of Scranton, it achieved university status in 1938 and was entrusted to the care of the Society of Jesus in 1942.

On the inauguration of its newest President, I would like to pay tribute to the University of Scranton, its administration, trustees, faculty, alumni, and students. I would also like to wish Father Pilarz the best of luck as he leads this university into the future. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call the attention of the House of Representatives to the St. Peter's Cathedral Parish in Scranton, Pennsylvania as they celebrate their 150th Anniversary on Sunday, September 28, 2003.

Reverend Monsignor Joseph Quinn announced that a yearlong celebration of events will culminate this Sunday, the anniversary date of the dedication of the Cathedral, with a grand celebration of liturgy in St. Peter's Cathedral.

St. Peter's Cathedral and its parishioners have a storied history. In 1841, the Catholic faith was formally brought to Scranton by James Sullivan, a missionary priest who celebrated the first Mass in a house on Shanty Hill, located in what is now the South Side of the city. Within the next seven years the first Catholic Church had been built in that section and dedicated by Bishop John Kenrick of Baltimore.

In 1853, a small wood frame church was constructed on the corner of Franklin Avenue and Spruce Street in what would become downtown Scranton, to accommodate the growing number of Catholics in the Scranton area. It was named St. Vincent de Paul Church, and later renamed St. Peter's Cathedral. Before its completion, Rev. Moses Whitty became the first pastor of what was to eventually become known as St. Peter's Cathedral. With the establishment of the Diocese of Scranton in 1868, this parish began a history of faith that continues today.

With the rapidly growing number of newly arrived immigrants, it was soon necessary for Father Whitty to search for a site to construct a new church. Three lots in the 300 block of Wyoming Avenue were purchased for the sum of approximately $2,000, a large sum for its day, at the present site of the Cathedral. In 1865 ground was broken at the corner of Linden Street and Wyoming Avenue for the new church. Some deemed it to be ``in the woods'' as it was far removed from the primary commercial area of the community then located in the Bellevue and Hyde Park areas of the city.

On March 10, 1867, Bishop James Wood of Philadelphia blessed the new church. The establishment of the new Diocese of Scranton and the installation of its first Bishop followed quickly in 1868 with the consecration of the Most Reverend William O'Hara. A native of Ireland and the former pastor of Saint Patrick's Church in Philadelphia, Bishop O'Hara was to remain as the first head of the new diocese until his death three decades later on February 3, 1899.

Beginning in 1883, a project was undertaken to remodel and embellish the church, which was now the central church of the diocese. On September 28, 1884 upon completion of the project and satisfaction of all debt incurred, the new Mother Church of the diocese was consecrated by Archbishop P.J. Ryan of Philadelphia, and its name was changed to the Cathedral of St. Peter marking its new role in the still young diocese comprised of eight counties in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, on this 150th anniversary celebration, I would like to congratulate the parishioners of St. Peter's Cathedral. St. Peter's Cathedral, a Scranton landmark that has endured these many years, is a visible example of both the storied history of the City of Scranton and the role the Catholic Church played as an integral part of this community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call the attention of the House of Representatives to the Germania Hose Company in Duryea, Pennsylvania as it celebrates its 100th anniversary this Saturday, September 27, 2003.

Germania Hose Company was incorporated in 1903. As this company of volunteer firefighters approaches its centennial celebration, it continues to provide their community with the highest quality of service and protection. This all-volunteer company prides itself on a staff of over 60 members both active and retired. With approximately 35 active firefighters and fire police ranging from the age of 18-70, the Germaine Hose Company repeatedly holds successful annual fundraisers such as picnics and pancake breakfasts to help subsidize costs.

On this upcoming milestone for this fire department, I would like to recognize some of firefighters the Germania Hose Company considers its founding fathers. Paul Komenski, George Orenich, Henery Lewandowski, Charles Bartlow, Jim Steer, Mike Kosik, Ed Slatky and Ed Murzinski. Their founding fathers both living and deceased provided the initial training and support that has continued their reputation of tradition and excellence to the community.

Heading this volunteer fire company is Fire Chief, Mike Shovlin. Under his guidance and assistance, members of the fire company respond to more than 200 calls per year that range from structure to grass fires. They also run Mutual Aid assists to neighboring towns. In addition to fire fighting they also have a Scuba Search and Rescue Team that consist of 8 certified divers and the latest state of the art search and rescue equipment.

On their upcoming day of celebration, I would like to remind all House Members of the critical role firefighters and rescue personnel play in protecting our families and communities. Their profession, a dangerous and volunteer service, provides the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania the safety and security that so many take for granted.

Mr. Speaker, on their 100th anniversary, I pay tribute to both the effort and positive impact that the Germania Hose Company, Fire Chief Mike Shovlin and all the volunteer firefighters have on their community in Duryea and all of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sue Kluger of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania for making Leadership Wilkes-Barre what it is today. I ask that my colleagues pay tribute to her achievements as she is honored at a dinner this Wednesday, September 24, in Wilkes- Barre.

Established in 1981, Leadership Wilkes-Barre is an outstanding community development program designed for those in the field of business and industry, healthcare, social services, utilities, government, labor, education, and professional and volunteer organizations. Graduates of the program usually take on leadership roles throughout my Congressional District in Northeastern Pennsylvania, and throughout the United States.

Leadership Wilkes-Barre has a strong commitment to developing leadership skills and of informing class members about the issues confronting our community. It encourages its participants to address community needs by completing group projects, and the program instills a commitment and a personal responsibility to serve and strengthen our community. This program inspires people to get involved and lead their community toward a brighter future.

Sue Kluger exemplifies community involvement and leadership. She is a member of the founding Board of Directors of Leadership Wilkes-Barre and its Executive Director since 1983. She has assisted in the formation of 15 Leadership programs throughout Pennsylvania.

She is a member of countless organizations throughout the Wilkes- Barre area and has participated in many community projects throughout the years. It is no surprise that Sue has been recognized for her community leadership on several occasions. She has been honored as Woman of the Year by the Sisters of Mercy, won the Lifetime Achievement in Philanthropy Award from the National Society of Fund Raising Executives, was awarded the Preceptor Award from the National Association for Community Leadership, was included in the National Directory of Who's Who in Executive and Professional Women, and was the winner of the United Ways of Pennsylvania Volunteer of the Year Award. She has also received the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce Award for Outstanding Business Woman.

Mr. Speaker, I insert in my remarks at this point the complete text of a recent editorial honoring Sue.

[From the Wilkes-Barre Citizens Voice, Sept. 23, 2003]

Sue Kluger Radiates Leadership

Her tenure created 3,000-plus leaders, doers and friends.

If the Greater Wyoming Valley is well-supplied with

anything, it is with individuals who are groomed for

community leadership. This, to a great extent, is the result

of the career of one who has been called ``the leader of

leaders,'' Sue Kluger. Sue Kluger will be honored tomorrow

evening with a party and salute at the F.M. Kirby Center For

the Performing Arts on Public Square. The salute will be for

20 years of service as executive director of Leadership

Wilkes-Barre as she completes that tenure and takes up the

role of senior adviser to the organization.

During those two decades, Sue Kluger has headed this well-

known community program that identifies as many as 40

emerging community leaders each year and educates them about

needs and assets--ranging from economic development to local

government to social services. During the same two decades,

too, she has encouraged and helped the core program expand to

leadership training for high school students, college

students, executives and senior citizens through programs

called Junior Leadership, Intercollegiate Leadership, the

Executive Leadership Series and The Masters Leadership

Program. By way of all these programs, more than 3,000 local

people have gained understanding of our community and been

put into position to help it progress.

Equally as impressive as the large numbers of

``graduates,'' however, is the substantive result of their

participation. The boards of directors of scores of area

organizations and agencies are more diverse and more vital

because they include individuals who have gone through the

leadership programs. The actual leaders in training have

completed hundreds of class projects. They have done

environmental cleanups. They have organized recreational

events. They have held performances events promoting the arts

in Northeast Pennsylvania. They have held forums--attended by

several thousand people over the years--addressing community

concerns.

Too, the Leadership Wilkes-Barre program has been

personally enriching for those who participate in it. The

many alumni of the leadership programs have become a network

of friends who can call upon each other to advance community

goals.

Friendship, community activism, diversity, and belief in

the future of the Greater Wyoming Valley will fill the room

tomorrow night at the Kirby Center as the graduates and

friends of Leadership Wilkes-Barre gather. And it will

radiate--as it long has--from the woman being saluted, Sue

Kluger.

Mr. Speaker, It is a privilege and honor to represent a woman who has done so much for her community and for all of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call the attention of the House of Representatives to the 100th Anniversary of the Holy Family Parish in Sugar Notch, Pennsylvania on their centennial celebration on Sunday, September 14th.

One hundred years ago, Holy Family Parish was established when Bishop Michael J. Hoban named Father Stanislaus A. Dreier as the first pastor. The parish consisted of approximately 150 families. Life was hard, with many men working in the mines from dawn to dusk. With knowledge of the many accidents and various mine disasters, the strong roots of their Catholic faith helped them to endure their personal hardships.

In 1911, Father Franciszek Kasaczun, the second and most influential, pastor was named. His 31 years as pastor was during a time of heightened influx of immigrants from Europe who were looking to a church to meet their spiritual needs. These new immigrants established strong ties to the church, showing their loyalty to their new country, and keeping their ties with Poland. Because of his fluency in Polish, Lithuanian, and English, Father Kasaczun was just the man to accomplish this. He recognized the importance of education to help the immigrant families better themselves. The school began as just four rooms operating in the church basement, but through Father Kasaczun's efforts moved into the rectory. In 1916 Father Kasaczun invited the Bernadine Sisters of Reading, Pennsylvania to take over the work of teaching and caring for the Sanctuary and Sacristy.

Father Kasaczun organized many humanitarian efforts benefiting the community. Among many other accomplishments, he organized the Children's Relief Fund for Poland, helped WWI veterans with their transition back to civilian life, remodeled company homes, covered the swamps with clean fill, fixed the main street, and convinced the Lehigh and Wilkes-Barre Coal Company to build a playground for the children in the community.

On July 7, 1992, Father John S. Terry was named the sixth, and current pastor of Holy Family Parish. Father Terry, in addition to overseeing the renovation of the church, introduced new practices and devotions to the parish. Children's masses were celebrated monthly and on holidays. A special mass for the deceased would be held on All Soul's Day with the participation of family and friends. Meals were delivered to the shut-ins and needy during Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving.

The past one hundred years has brought many changes to the Holy Family parish and community. Gone are the coal, rail and garment industries that employed their parish members. They held together during the tragic world events that brought them unity and emotion. Today, The Holy Family Parish has become an important historical landmark in Sugar Notch, Pennsylvania, and a home to their growing population of parish members.

Mr. Speaker, on their 100th Anniversary, I recognize both the efforts and positive impact of Holy Family Parish and Father John S. Terry in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2622, the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003.

If we fail to extend the expiring provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act before the end of this year, conflicting State laws could place financial institutions in a difficult compliance position, and the current efficiencies in obtaining credit could significantly decrease. We would, moreover, create more difficulties for our already- struggling economy. For example, according to a recent report commissioned by the Financial Services Roundtable, the loss of national uniform credit reporting standards would produce a 2 percent drop in the gross domestic product of this Nation.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act in its 1996 amendments, in my view, have created a nationwide consumer credit system that works increasingly well. This law has expanded access to credit, lowered the price of credit, and accelerated decisions to grant credit. One reason that the law works so well is the establishment of the uniform system that preempts States from enacting miscellaneous and potentially conflicting requirements regarding credit reporting.

As my colleagues may recall, Mr. Chairman, I strongly supported creating these preemptions in the 102nd, 103rd and 104th Congresses. I also believe that we should extend them now. I do not, however, think that they should be made permanent. Consequently, I will offer an amendment later today to address this issue.

In addition to extending the expiring preemptions of State law, H.R. 2622 will make a number of important improvements in current law with respect to consumer protection. These provisions, among other things, will improve the accuracy of and correction process for credit reports and establish strong privacy protections for consumers' sensitive medical information.

Furthermore, identity theft is a growing problem in our country. A recent report by the Federal Trade Commission found that 27.3 million Americans have been victims of identity theft in the last 5 years. I am, therefore, particularly pleased that H.R. 2622 includes several provisions designed to combat these crimes and aid consumers.

Mr. Chairman, I think this legislation is a high mark for this Congress, and I want to compliment the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Oxley), chairman of the committee; the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank), the ranking member of the committee; the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bachus), the chairman of the Subcommittee of the Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit; and the gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Sanders), our ranking member on that subcommittee.

This legislation is a perfect example that good, spirited, bipartisan activity can accomplish much for this Congress and for this Nation. We have worked to try and work out all the efforts of so many individuals who would like favoritism or special interest reports and, in fact, have worked for the common good of both industry and the consumer; and I think, Mr. Chairman, we have accomplished that.

So I congratulate my several Members that I mentioned and the full committee and this Congress. This is an extraordinarily successful piece of legislation that we should be proud of on a bipartisan basis.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

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

Mr. Chairman, I strongly support the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act. Nevertheless, I believe that we should alter the legislation to sunset the key elements of the bill at the end of 2012.

The gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney) also joins me in sponsoring this pragmatic and reasonable amendment.

In June, I helped to introduce H.R. 2622 to extend the expiring provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act and to improve consumer protections. In my view, the 1996 amendments to create a national credit reporting system have expanded access to credit, lowered the price of credit, and accelerated decisions about getting credit. To continue this record of achievement, we need to extend the expiring provisions of this law before the end of the year.

While I support the FACT Act, I also continue to believe that we should amend the bill to include a 9-year sunset. As currently drafted, the legislation would permanently extend the seven expiring preemptions of State law within the Fair Credit Reporting Act. In my view, we should sunset the Uniformed National Consumer Protections Standards contained in H.R. 2622 at the end of 2012, and the Kanjorski-Maloney amendment accomplishes this narrow objective. Unlike current law, our amendment would not specifically allow States to enact additional credit reporting standards in the preempted areas after the 9-year sunset.

In referring to the U.S. relationship with the Soviet Union, Ronald Reagan once said that we should ``trust but verify.'' We have adopted a similar approach with H.R. 2622. We should trust that the participants in the credit reporting industry will continue to work to comply with the law but verify that the consumers continue to have appropriate protections with respect to their credit in years ahead.

Mr. Chairman, a sunset provision provides industry with incentive to continue to work to advance the interest of consumers. Moreover, without a sunset, we may well have trust until some major problem causes chaos in the credit reporting industry and forces Congress to revisit the issue in a haphazard way.

Furthermore, a sunset provision will allow us to evaluate the effectiveness of our credit-reporting programs and policies within a predetermined time frame and force us to decide whether to alter them. In fact, the sunset imposed by Congress in 1996 has allowed us today to review in a methodical and systematic manner the success of the current law and make necessary improvements to it to reflect changes in the financial system.

Identity theft, for example, has dramatically increased in recent years. Technology has also changed greatly in the last 7 years. Mr. Chairman, the FACT Act before us today addresses both of these developments. It, therefore, makes sense to ask the 112th Congress to review and reconsider our work in the 108th Congress and make further improvements to our credit reporting laws. A sunset at the end of 2012 provides sufficient time for industry to implement the reforms called for in this bill, establishes sufficient surety for our financial marketplace, and allows for new issues to arise on the public policy landscape.

In closing, Mr. Chairman, I encourage my colleagues to make a good bill even better by supporting the sensible and practical Kanjorski- Maloney amendment to sunset H.R. 2622 at the end of 2012.

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

Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney).

Mr. Chairman, can I inquire as to the time remaining.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I do not think we need our 3\1/2\ minutes. I have no other speakers, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Chairman, I guess I want to first say one of the privileges of serving in the House of Representatives is the opportunity to meet the Members of Congress on the other side of the aisle, and one of the Members of Congress that has been very instrumental in this bill is my good friend, the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bachus); and he and I do not agree on a lot of things philosophically, but he represents the type of qualities that this House needs more of. So it has been such a pleasure to see him cochair this subcommittee and accomplish the almost unanimous consent of this committee on this piece of legislation, and it goes a great deal to his innate abilities and his just Southern gentlemanliness of how to accomplish a good piece of legislation. So I want to compliment him.

I disagree on the proposition that it hurts to sunset things. I think my colleague and I probably agree and have voted for sunset provisions. I am probably on most of the committees I serve on known as the sunset person. I like to sunset everything. The reason I like to sunset everything is it forces the Congress of the United States to come back, reevaluate, restudy and bring up to date needs that otherwise are not driven by public recognition or by commonality in the public force to cause legislation to be addressed.

In my opening remarks, I said that it is important that we trust industry, and I think as a Member of my side of the aisle what I want to say is that I have met with all of the interested parties in the reporting industry and the financial industry, and I have found them all working toward a common effort to increase credit, to increase accessibility to credit, and increase efficiencies to benefit consumers. So we have no disagreements on that.

Between now and 2012 there will be changes in technologies and changes for needs, and in my opening remarks I also said I like the idea of trust but verify. There will be some elements of the society that want to take advantage or not comply with the act. It will give us an opportunity to evaluate that and find out methods that we can reward good practitioners of fair credit and at least bring into the limelight bad practitioners of good credit.

I just do also want to take one moment to respond to my gentleman friend from Ohio. He referred to the left coast, and I am not sure, was he looking north or looking south because he may have been attacking my hometown. I could be on the left coast if one is looking south.

The comment I want to make to my colleague is there is a fundamental illogic in his argument. He said that the left coast is having this recall and they are, and he seems to favor the recall. The recall probably is an element of sunset provisions, that is, the opportunity to require a revesting out there of an election of a Governor.

So if my colleague is in favor of not having sunsetting and not having recalling, then I suggest he talk to one of his fellow colleagues on his side, because I think he brought this about with the argument that the people should be protected with the right to recall.

I do not favor recall, but in the Congress I do favor a sunsetting provision because it will give us the opportunity to reevaluate, rejudge, and have oversight and correct some mistakes made in the initial legislation. So I urge all my colleagues on the Republican side, the Democratic side, and those that are Independent, in the middle, to support this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Offered By: Mr. Kanjorski

Amendment No. 1: Page 7, strike line 13 and all that

follows through line 24 and insert the following (and conform

the table of contents accordingly):

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Vermont for yielding me this time.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment. I appreciate the effort of the chairman and the ranking member to support this amendment.

What it basically does is, it allows us to refuse to expend moneys from the Veterans Affairs appropriation for the further advance of the policy to stop the outreach program which was most recently referred to in comment. Imagine, we have veterans out there who do not know the benefits that they are entitled to under health care, and the Veterans Administration determines a policy to say, Do not tell them, do not inform them, do not let them know.

The passage of this amendment will implement into law what H.R. 813, my original bill on this subject, would accomplish and send a message to American soldiers and veterans that we care and that we direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to stop interfering with the outreach program but to implement the outreach program once again.

Offered By: Mr. Kanjorski

Amendment No. 21: At the end of the bill (before the short

title), insert the following new section:

Mr. Speaker, this country has lost a great citizen. I rise today to pay tribute to an exceptional constituent of mine and the life he led by example. Nearly a year ago my very good friend, Attorney Patrick J. Mellody, passed away on August 29, 2002. He is deeply missed by his family and the entire community of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

A native of Scranton, he served his nation in the U.S. Army as a 1st Lieutenant. He married the former Patricia Lynch and raised five children: Patrick, Kathleen, Mara, Stephen, and Meredith.

An outstanding attorney, Pat often represented injured workers before me when I was an Administrative Law Judge for the state's worker's compensation fund. I quickly came to appreciate not only his excellent legal skills, but also his compassion. It was this natural empathy and desire to help others that drove Pat. He served as a trusted advisor and counselor to each of his clients.

The son of a Lackawanna county commissioner, Pat learned the importance of public service at an early age. He served as a hearing examiner for the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board for over sixteen years. He was also active in numerous community organizations, from the Boy Scouts of America to the American Heart Association, but it was his dedicated service to the Democratic Party for which he will be best remembered.

Never a candidate himself, Pat tirelessly supported Democratic candidates and developed the Lackawanna County Democratic Party into a source of strength and significance in local, state, and national elections.

Pat served as chairman of the Lackawanna County Democratic Committee from 1984 to 2002, the longest any individual has held the position. In 1989, a local political columnist wrote about Pat's great character, which showed through when he appeared on a local radio station's political show with his Republican counterpart. ``The listeners were struck by the civility and friendliness that dominated the program. Hey, the listeners reasoned, Democrats and Republicans can get along together, particularly if they're high-class gents. Listeners got a lesson in modern day political science--it is not necessary to downgrade the opponent. You can be nice to him, and vice versa.''

An article in the Scranton Times on September 7, 2002 Mellody was the glue keeping party together, Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Leader Robert T. Mellow, a great friend of Pat's for forty years was quoted as saying, ``He brought to the party very great leadership, absolutely no selfishness, no agenda.'' ``He was a very open individual with no personal agenda except to make sure the Democratic Party . . . would be successful.''

At the Lackawanna Bar Association's memorial, Attorney Sal Cognetti described, ``Pat as a cheerful, helpful, generous man who everyday aided and touched other human beings by and through his counsel and knowledge. His compassion made him care about the less fortunate. The strength of his personality and his unyielding dedication to good and equal government for all kept a diverse group of individuals united under the umbrella of the Democratic Party.''

Mr. Speaker, I insert in my remarks at this point the complete text of Pat's obituary.

[From the Scranton Times Tribune, August 31, 2002]

Attorney Patrick J. Mellody

Attorney Patrick J. Mellody, 59, of the Green Ridge section

of Scranton, died Thursday evening at home. His wife is the

former Patricia Lynch.

Born in Scranton, son of Rita Lestrange Mellody, Scranton,

and the late Lackawanna County Commissioner Patrick J.

Mellody, he was a 1962 graduate of St. Paul's High School. He

earned his bachelor of science degree from the University of

Scranton in 1966 and his juris doctor from Columbus School of

Law at Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., in

1974. He received American Jurisprudence Awards for academic

excellence.

Attorney Mellody maintained a practice in Scranton since

1974. He was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of

Pennsylvania, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District

of Pennsylvania, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third

Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Attorney Mellody had served as chairman of the Lackawanna

County Democratic Committee since 1984. He was also a member

of the executive committee of the Pennsylvania State

Democratic Committee and was elected delegate to the 1984,

1996 and 2000 Democratic National Conventions. A graduate of

Officer Candidate School, he served as a 1st lieutenant in

the Army from 1966 to 1969.

He was a member of numerous civic, educational,

professional and business associations, including serving as

chairman of the Keystone Chapter of the American Heart

Association and on the board of directors of the Pennsylvania

State Affiliate of the American Heart Association. He served

on the executive committee of the Friendly Sons of St.

Patrick and as vice president and a member of the executive

board of the Forest Lakes Council, Boy Scouts of America. An

Eagle Scout, he was a member of the Eagle Scout Association

of the Boy Scouts of America.

He was a member of St. Clare's Church, Scranton; the

advisory board of directors of the Green Ridge branch of Penn

Security Bank and Trust Co., Scranton; the Irish-American

Men's Association, the Sierra Club, the Knights of Columbus

Council 280, Scranton; the Green Ridge Business Association,

St. Paul's Booster Club and the executive board of the

Italian-American Democratic League.

Surviving in addition to his widow and mother are three

daughters, Kathleen, Arlington, Va., and Mara and Meredith;

both of Scranton; two sons, Patrick, Scranton, and Stephen,

Arlington, Va.; a sister, Mary Horan, Pleasant Valley, N.Y.;

two brothers, Charles Mellody, Bethesda, Md., and Jerome

Mellody, Rockville, Md.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by a brother, James Francis

Mellody, who died in 1989.

Mr. Speaker, Pat Mellody's integrity, industriousness, and devotion to his family and community mark him as an extraordinary man. May his life be an inspiration to us all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call the attention of the House of Representatives to the success of the Bloomsburg University Upward Bound Program, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary on Saturday, July 26th.

To celebrate this important milestone, the Bloomsburg University Upward Bound Program will hold a reunion with many of its graduates this Saturday, July 26th. Five years ago I spoke to this group on its twentieth anniversary, and I wish all of my colleagues could have witnessed the stories from graduates who told what the program meant to them and how it changed their lives. Most of all, I was impressed with the human connections that promising but struggling high school students found in the leaders of the Upward Bound Program. They found mentors who could start them on the path to success for life, and this is a wonderful and remarkable achievement.

Led by two outstanding women, Ruth Anne Bond and Maureen Mulligan, the Bloomsburg University Upward Bound Program has, over the last 25 years, fulfilled a vital role in the Bloomsburg community. The program gives young people opportunities and assistance in exploring their potential for academic, social and personal growth. Its purpose is to provide equal access to-post-secondary education for high school students by giving them adequate preparation to compete at the college level and beyond.

Students are provided with developmental work in areas where they need help, enrichment where they are strong, and exposure to new areas where they have yet to be challenged. Through tutoring for academic improvement, counseling to address career and personal matters, guidance on the college admissions and financial aid processes and training in test-taking skills, students gain the confidence and skills needed to succeed.

The program consists of three parts, the Academic Year Program, the Summer Program and the Bridge Program. During the school year, the program operates ten service centers, with an emphasis on tutoring, assistance with college and financial aid planning, local and national test preparation, cultural activities, and personal and academic counseling. The six-week summer residential program at Bloomsburg University provides intensive academic preparation, enrichment, career and college counseling, cultural experiences and personal and social growth opportunities. The Bridge program is another summer residential program for students between high-school graduation and the first year at college. The program allows them to obtain up to six college credits from Bloomsburg University and also offers participants advice and preparation for excelling in their upcoming freshmen year.

The Bloomsburg University Upward Bound program has an indisputable record of success, with 88% of its high school graduates going on to post-secondary educational institutions and a 72% retention rate at those institutions.

Mr. Speaker, just a small federal investment has allowed Upward Bound to change the lives of countless young people. I am especially proud of the success of the Bloomsburg University program, and I wish everyone associated with it all the best.

Mr. Speaker, today I call the attention of the House of Representatives to the 75th anniversary of Saint Anthony of Padua Parish of Exeter, Pennsylvania. The parish will celebrate this milestone with a Mass and dinner on May 18, 2003, with the dinner chaired by Attorney Charles J. Bufalino.

At the start of the 20th century, thousands of Italian immigrants came to America in search of a better life for themselves and their families. Many of them came to work in the coal mines of Northeastern Pennsylvania, with quite a few settling in the Exeter area. In addition to their common heritage and language, they shared a common faith, so they founded a parish where they could come together as a community.

The first church serving Saint Anthony of Padua Parish was built in 1928 and 1929, to be followed by a new church in 1963. Father Alphonse Manley, a diocesan priest, staffed the parish until the arrival of Father Emilio Boccalatte, O.S.J., an Oblate of Saint Joseph, in 1930. The Oblates of Saint Joseph have staffed the parish ever since. The present pastor is the Rev. Daniel Schwebs.

I am told it is quite common to find parishioners, young and old alike, in the church offering prayers throughout the day, and this is an example of the faith that abides at Saint Anthony's.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to call to the attention of the House the 75th anniversary of Saint Anthony of Padua Parish, and I extend my congratulations to all who are associated with the parish.