Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Jesus M. Sierra, beloved husband of Catherine. M. Mass Sierra for 24 years, loving father of Jesus M. Sierra Jr., Abraham Sierra, Marta I. Sierra, Janina E. Sierra, Nicholas Sierra, and Adam Eric, and caring grandfather of 11, who passed away on Sunday August 13, 2006.

Dr. Sierra was the founder and former Executive Director of the Asociacion Puertorriquenos en Marcha (APM). A tireless advocate of Latino rights, his contribution to his dearly loved Puerto Rican community cannot be measured. His deep belief in the provision of critical needs: health, human services,

and housing drove his work with the APM. Jesus was a pioneer in his efforts to help Philadelphia's poorest citizens advocating the use of economic development tools to fight racism, create equal opportunity for Latinos, and to generate change.

His founding of the APM is an accomplishment that will continue to have a positive impact into the future. Jesus headed this organization for 33 years and his indefatigable labors in building it from a two person office on Germantown Avenue to the largest non-profit development corporation in Pennsylvania is to be admired. His work directly saved countless lives and has contribution will continue to provide hope to thousands more. In tribute to a wonderful father, husband, and pillar of the Puerto Rican Community, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues rise to honor him and all of his accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate my friend Anthony Stagliano's 50th year in America. Fifty years ago a 9- year-old Anthony said goodbye to his father in Naples, Italy and boarded a ship to the United States of America. Little Anthony came to America seeking a land of opportunity and found it in Philadelphia. Anthony quickly mastered the English language and went on to graduate from Bok Vocational High School.

Anthony is a devoted family man married to his beloved American beauty Joanne. They have been fortunate to be blessed with four children--Maria, Angela, Gina, and Anthony, Jr. who have each graduated from college.

Anthony Stagliano served his country in the United States Army from 1961-1963. He also took an interest in civic affairs, having served as a committee person for over 30 years. He was an exemplar Temple University Corrections officer, Philadelphia Housing Authority officer, and was on the Court tipstaff. He is currently serving the Philadelphia City Council as the Sergeant-at-Arms.

It is an honor to recognize a person who exemplifies the positive impact immigrants can have on the United States. Anthony's service to the City of Philadelphia, military service, and wonderful family are to be praised. I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in commending Anthony Stagliano for his 50 years of contribution to our country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life, dedication and contributions of Mr. Leo Sherlock Holmes, who passed away on July 21, 2006.

Mr. Holmes served the U.S. Army as a member of the 99th Fighter Squadron of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, and in November 1965 he became the first African American to be elected to Chester City Council. Mr. Holmes served as an inspiration for many people. Because of his trail blazing, the impossible became possible and a reality.

Aside from his career on City Council, Mr. Holmes was also a City Treasurer, a math teacher at Frederick Douglass Junior High School, and a deacon at Bethany Baptist and, later, Calvary Baptist Church. It could never be said that Leo was not an active person. He loved people and lived under the motto that he would be a better person when he reached out to help others.

Mr. Holmes served as a Councilman for the City of Chester for 14 years. He then served as Personnel Director before retiring as City Treasurer on January 10, 1986. Believing and accepting that the people of Chester entrusted him in this position, Leo worked hard to address the issues and answer to the call of the people to the best of his ability. In September of 1990, Leo was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Chester Water Authority and served for 12 years before retiring due to increasing health problems.

Mr. Holmes was dedicated and devoted to the Masonic Order. His journey there started on December 3, 1955 until he his failing health forced him to leave his Masonic office in October of 1990. Upon his resignation the Grand Lodge unanimously voted that he be recognized as the Right Worshipful Grand Secretary Emeritus of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania.

Throughout his career, Mr. Holmes has led by example and we all have benefited from his leadership, intellect and integrity. Mr. Holmes' passing represents the loss of a powerful and committed voice, and it is for these reasons I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues rise to honor him.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and contributions of Mr. Marty Berger, who died June 18, 2006.

A board member of the Action Alliance of Senior Citizens of Greater Philadelphia and president of the Pennsylvania Alliance for Retired Americans, Mr. Berger was a man of action. In fact, he was a dynamic 77-year-old man of action who inspired hundreds of labor, civil rights, women's rights and senior citizen activists.

Because of Mr. Berger's efforts, senior citizens throughout Philadelphia and across Pennsylvania are coming together in increasing numbers in a common effort to address their own needs and influence the legislative process to affect social, political and economic change.

All who knew him are saddened by the passing of Mr. Berger. But, I and those he worked so hard to empower will continue to struggle to make a better world for our senior citizens so they can live out their final years with justice and dignity.

More than ever seniors need a powerful voice: to demand affordable, quality, and accessible health care for all senior citizens; to protect Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid; and to ensure social and economic justice and full civil rights for our most vulnerable citizens. Mr. Berger's passing represents the loss of a powerful and committed voice, but his legacy of dedication continues, and it is for these reasons that I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues rise to honor him.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Jonathan A. Saidel, former Controller for the City of Philadelphia.

Jonathan Saidel served as Philadelphia's City Controller for 16 years, winning reelection most recently in 2001 with 87.5 percent of the vote. As Controller, he has won local and national plaudits for reforming and professionalizing the Controller's office, his dedication to fiscal discipline, and proposing innovative ideas to grow Philadelphia. His 1999 book ``Philadelphia: A New Urban Direction'' continues to be used as a textbook in college level urban studies courses.

Jonathan Saidel has been called ``a taxpayer's best friend'' for his outspoken advocacy of reducing Philadelphia's crushing tax burden in order to spur economic development and stop the exodus of people and jobs from the city. His work with then Mayor Edward Rendell in the early 1990's helped return Philadelphia from the brink of bankruptcy. His groundbreaking audits and proposed government reforms have saved the taxpayers over 500 million dollars since 1990.

Jonathan Saidel is a great humanitarian involved with political causes and organizations too numerous to mention, serving on the Special Olympics, Boy Scouts, Salvation Army and the Variety Club. He is a Lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania's Fels Center of Government and teaches Government Finance as an Adjunct Professor in the MBA Program at Drexel University.

Mr. Speaker, Jonathan Saidel has long been recognized for his outstanding community and civic involvement, and it is for these reasons that I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues rise to honor him.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Porter's Day Care & Educational Center on the occasion of its 25th Anniversary.

Porter's Day Care & Educational Center is dedicated to provide quality day care to infants, toddlers, pre-school children of low- income working families, in Philadelphia.

In 1981, Deborah Porter-Greasham's shared her dream of opening a daycare with her family. With their support and help of family members, Evelyn & Sultan Porter, Sr. (parents), Sultan Porter, Jr., Tyrone Porter & Darlene Porter Davis, Brenda Robinson Porter & Edward Porter, Deborah's dream became a reality with the opening of Porter's Day Care and Educational Center.

Since the opening of Porter's Day Care & Educational Center major expansions over the last 25 years have taken place with the opening of the Broad Street Academy; a private school which emphasizes ``back to basic'' accelerated academic programs, which enhances values and socialization skills while providing an environment that stimulates each child to reach his/her potential, was one of numerous programs created to further help children. Following the opening of the Broad Street Academy, Porter's Youth development Program, Educational Child Care Center, the Latchkey Program, and a Summer Camp Program were implemented to better the lives of needy children.

Porter's Day Care & Educational Center mission for improving the quality of life and education has continued with the opening of the ``Journey Through Literacy'' library, housed within the 25 room campus with full-size playground during this year.

I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues join me in congratulation Porter's Day Care & Educational Center, for the past 25 years of service and dedicated commitment to the community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to the Stoddart-Fleisher Middle School, located in North Central Philadelphia. The Stoddart-Fleisher School will be closing this summer after providing 80 years of service to our community.

Throughout its history, this fine school has played an important role in the community and it has always provided a quality education to its attending students. Stoddard-Fleisher was the product of a merger in 1950 of the Stoddard and Fleisher schools. Both schools have a history of providing vocational and regular academic training for students in the area of North Central Philadelphia. In recent years, Stoddart has been a neighborhood school for seventh and eighth grade students.

The continued growth of kindergarten through eighth grade schools throughout the city as well as a population shift to other parts of the city have resulted in declining enrollment for Stoddard, especially within the past 5 years. This summer will mark the end of a great era in public education for North Central Philadelphia and we are sad to see our community lose such a respected institution.

On June 16th, there will be a commemorative reception and program for Stoddard's closing and hopefully other schools will pay close attention to and follow in the tradition of the Stoddard-Fleisher Middle School.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Consular Corps Association of Philadelphia.

In celebration of 44 years of promoting international understanding, I extend congratulations to the first Consular Corps in the United States, the Consular Corps Association of Philadelphia.

With the founding of the Corps, now one of the largest diplomatic associations in the Nation, a model was created that allows us to

reach beyond geographic boundaries to strengthen international relations.

Thirty-seven countries are represented in the Philadelphia Association and as a result there are increased opportunities for business, educational and diplomatic partnerships.

The Consular Corps Association of Philadelphia has also provided humanitarian aid. Its members aided relief efforts for Asian and African victims of the tsunami disaster and survivors of civil war.

On the educational front, the organization has developed innovative cultural exchange programs, including partnerships with the World Affairs Council, the International Visitors' Council and the Bodine High School for International Affairs. As a result of these outreach programs, many area young people now see themselves as world citizens with a greater appreciation for cultural and racial diversity.

Mr. Speaker, the Consular Corps of Philadelphia helps us understand that by reaching beyond our geographic boundaries, there is hope that we can learn to share more fairly in the world's bounty and it is for these reasons that I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues rise to honor them.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a great Philadelphian, Charles W. Bowser.

A respected attorney, civil rights advocate and humanitarian, Mr. Bowser has made an indelible imprint on Philadelphia's civic and political landscape. Understanding that freedom is not free, for nearly 50 years Mr. Bowser has advanced the cause of freedom and justice. His path-clearing campaigns for mayor of Philadelphia in 1975 and 1979 launched a movement that ultimately helped to elect W. Wilson Goode, the city's first Black mayor.

A man of action, Mr. Bowser utilized his legal acumen and his journalistic skills to lead the fight for justice and inclusion but also to articulate the dreams and rights of the politically unempowered. Equally comfortable in a neighborhood community meeting, the board room of his legal firm or a mayor's cabinet meeting, Charles Bowser has had the same steady and strident voice raised against injustice.

In celebration of his 70th birthday he wrote, ``My generation of African Americans was guided by the belief that we had to be united to oppose racial injustice. Racial injustice was our enemy and we knew that the great hope of freedom could only begin with the end of injustice. Our unity began in our churches, in our homes, in our schools and in our dreams. We believed that ensuring the great hope of freedom was our personal responsibility.''

Throughout his career Mr. Bowser has led by example and we all have benefited from his leadership, intellect and integrity. Because he understood that freedom is not free, he has consistently demonstrated his willingness to contribute his share of the price of the hope of freedom, and we are indebted and it is for these reasons that I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues rise to honor him.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate St. Casimir's Catholic War Veterans Post #652 on the occasion of its 60th anniversary.

The Catholic War Veterans of the United States of America, Inc., (CWV), was founded in 1935 with the National headquarters located in Alexandria, Virginia. CWV joined other organized groups that were formed to guard the rights and privileges of veterans and included the protection of all our freedoms. Service programs help those who are sick and disabled and care for our hospitalized veterans.

St. Casimir's Post #652 Inc., Chapter of Philadelphia, Department of Pennsylvania, of the Catholic War Veterans of the United States of America, was established on the 2nd of April, 1946. The home post is located at 1524 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

In 1984, the Catholic War Veterans of the United States of America, Inc., was Congressionally Chartered and its Service Officers were accredited to the Department of Veterans Affairs. They are authorized to represent veterans and advance their claims to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

To quote the Post's constitution, it was established ``to promote faith, hope, and charity with prudence, justice, fortitude, and to enjoy the blessings of liberty, to sustain domestic tranquility, and to develop peace and good will.''

St. Casimir's extends help to veterans in hospitals and assists their families with any hardships; has honor guards at funerals of deceased veterans; and helps family members with red tape regarding burial arrangements. The Post also holds benefits to help veterans and their families who are in need.

I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues join me in honoring St. Casimir's Catholic War Veterans Post #652 for their 60 years of service and dedicated commitment towards our war veterans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Delaware River Power Squadron on the occasion of its 90th anniversary.

Delaware River Power Squadron is dedicated to boating safety through education and civic activities in several locations in Philadelphia while also serving the boating public throughout southern Pennsylvania, the Delaware River, and the Chesapeake Bay.

First organized in 1915, it was not until May of 1916 that the Delaware River Power Squadron was formally recognized as a unit. Since then members of the Delaware River Power Squadron have formed an additional 20 squadrons in the District 5 region of United States Power Squadrons including eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

Delaware River Power Squadron has worked with the armed forces of the United States in time of war to provide training materials and patrol teams, and continues to work in partnership with government agencies such as the Coast Guard, the Army Corps of Engineers, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Ocean Service, the National Safe Boating Council, and others to provide safe boating education, reliable waterway charts, vessel safety examinations, environmental support, and homeland security.

Delaware River Power Squadron is a constituent of the United States Power Squadron, which is comprised of over 49,000 members in 448 squadrons and divided geographically into 33 districts. Membership is open to all interested persons 18 and older without regard to race, religion, gender, or any other characteristic protected by the non- discrimination laws of the United States.

I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues join me in congratulating the Delaware River Power Squadron for the past 90 years of service and dedicated commitment to the community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ileen Green, daughter to Marilyn and Harry Griver, a sister, a teacher, a mother, a peace activist, and most recently, a grandmother.

Ileen Green has spent the majority of her adult life giving to others in many special ways. Her dedication to Philadelphia students is the easiest to pinpoint. She has been a dedicated teacher in middle school and elementary school for over 20 years. Shortly after she started her career in teaching she taught one of the first desegregation classes here. She fought for everyone to have a fair opportunity for and good education. She was an activist. She became pregnant a few years later, having to leave her job as a school teacher, temporarily. She named her daughter Kelly, after an African American male student who was in her first desegregation class. ``He was very gifted and special,'' she always said.

As a single mom and, without any outside support, Ileen raised her family, at the time women lacked many equal rights. She was unable to even sign a lease for an apartment unless a man signed it as well. There were limited opportunities for women in business and childcare was an expense she couldn't afford. Ileen worked from home, telemarketing, and made just enough to pay the bills. Her family struggled over the years. Ileen decided this wasn't enough. Ileen decided to go into business for herself and became a very successful saleswoman. This however required many travel obligations that separated her from her daughter. Ileen wanted to keep her family close and so she decided to return to teaching, where she has stayed.

Her loving daughter Kelly describes her as ``the type of mother all my friends wanted. She never hesitated to give advice, support, and hugs. Several times my mother took on the extended responsibilities of becoming a foster mom. All the while, active in women's rights groups, focused on her work, and yet always finding time to be her daughter's best friend and greatest supporter.''

Ileen has found herself in poor health for the last decade but through it all she returns to work finding strength in doing what she loves most, making a difference in the lives of children. Even now, in kidney failure, and facing serious decline in her health she still will not give up. She returns to the classroom, and provides the love, kindness, and education today's children desperately need. She teaches because she loves what she does and she does it well.

Ileen Green has been through her fair share of struggles. Single motherhood, survival of domestic abuse, and financial hardships have not been able to stifle her spirit. Through it all, she has continued to be a kind, loving, generous, and sincere woman and mother. The kind that her daughter, as a recent mother herself, hopes to be. In recognition of her years of service to her community I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues rise to honor her.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge that March is the American Red Cross Month for the Southeastern chapter.

The American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter was officially formed on January 22, 1916, to ``carry out a system of national and international relief in times of peace, and apply that system in mitigating the suffering caused by pestilence, famine, fire, floods, and other great national calamities, and to devise and carry out measures for preventing those calamities.''

The American Red Cross trained more that 11 million Americans in valuable life-saving skills last year, 64,144 of them right in Philadelphia. Of a population of 4 million, the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter, responded to 804 local disasters and provided relief services for 1,280 families and a total of 4,012 people. Operating 18 disaster shelters, helped 2,933 military families, and trained 61,822 individuals in Red Cross health and safety courses, and another 24,631 people in the community disaster education. The American Red Cross has housed 367 families whose homes were unexpectedly destroyed by natural disasters.

The American Red Cross has helped collect life-saving blood from 92,587 donors. 175,000 residents across the 5 counties on southeastern Pennsylvania have been a part of this to help their fellow citizens in times of need. The American Red Cross is the place that more than 25,000 people in these 5 counties turned to after the tsunami, and their contributions made it possible from 22,459 Red Cross volunteers from 40 countries to provide help and hope to 840,000 victims 2 continents away.

One in 5 Americans is touched by the Red Cross every single year. The southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Red Cross promotes economic self-sufficiency and community health through its Nurses Assistant Training program which educated 180 students last year.

I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues join me in recognizing March as the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter month.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Patrick Joseph Bradley, loving husband of Joan (Nicoletti), father of Jesse 21 and Nicholas 16 and brother of James, Daniel, Joseph and Allen Bradley passed away Thursday, February 2, 2006.

Pat was a devoted husband to his wife Joan and a wonderful father who participated in every activity concerning both his sons. Pat coached both Jesse and Nicholas' sports teams and tirelessly volunteered at the Water Tower Recreation Center. Thanks to Pat's efforts as a Democratic Committeeman and Board Member of the Chestnut Hill Youth Sports League he was able to secure thousands of dollars in funding for the Water Tower Recreation Center.

As a very active member in the community he served as a board member of Chestnut Hill Youth Sports League, a Democratic Committeeman to the 9th ward 4th division. As a pillar of the community he was also a founding member of Chestnut Hill Run for the Hill Member Jenks Home and School Association. In tribute to a wonderful husband, father, brother and pillar of the community, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues rise to honor him and all of his accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of myself and my colleagues, the gentlewoman from Wisconsin, Ms. Baldwin, and the gentleman from Massachusetts, Mr. Frank, I submit these remarks commemorating a very important anniversary in the historic struggle of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people for equal treatment under the law.

Thirty years ago, in 1976, the notion of organized activity to combat discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity was an extremely controversial one. Nowhere in America did lesbian, gay or bisexual people have any legal protections against being dismissed or otherwise disadvantaged in the job market. Eleven years before that, when Congress passed what was generally considered to be a liberalization of U.S. immigration law, that law included on the recommendation of Democratic Presidents and adopted without dissent in a Democratic Congress a tightening on the prohibition against gay or lesbian people even being tourists in the United States. Here in the Congress, no serious effort was underway to deal with the severe legal and other handicaps that were imposed on our fellow gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender citizens.

But the stirrings of change were apparent for those who look closely. One of the most important examples of this was an event little noticed at the time, but which has turned out to be of great significance in the ongoing battle against homophobia. On January 26, 1976, a courageous, thoughtful, committed young gay man named Mark Segal presided over the publication of the first issue of the Philadelphia Gay News.

PGN is now widely known for its leadership role in one of the great fights for social justice that has marked recent American history. It was started in a rundown building at 13th and Locust Streets in Philadelphia, a building which lacked plumbing and electricity. What it did not lack was heart and brains. From the outset, under the leadership of Mark Segal, PGN has been a strong force for fairness in our society.

It was under PGN's auspices that the first mayoral forum was held in Philadelphia where all of the candidates for that office spoke to the issues facing the LGBT community. Later PGN organized the first AIDS awareness day in the city, and it has grown both in size and influence throughout its history.

Mark Segal deserves congratulations for his role as the sole owner and publisher of PGN for 30 uninterrupted years--a longevity record for LGBT newspapers, and an admirable record for any media outlet in these days of increasing corporatization and the diminution of journalistic independence.

The work of Mark Segal and PGN has been honored by a wide range of organizations, including LGBT advocacy groups, and professional journalistic associations. They include the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation; the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association; The Society for News Design; and The Society for Professional Journalists.

Emblematic of Mark Segal's refusal to accept anything less than equality for himself and members of the LGBT community is the fact that he now sits on the Board of the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association, which for 15 years had refused to allow PGN even to join. Mr. Speaker, as the Member of the House in whose district PGN is published, I speak from personal experience of its importance as a respected and invaluable source of information, much of which would otherwise go unpublished. And I know that my colleagues from Wisconsin and Massachusetts share my high opinion of the extraordinary important role that PGN plays in our fight against prejudice.

Mr. Speaker, for 30 years, in the face of a good deal of initial hostility and subsequent indifference at best, Mark Segal and PGN have shone the light on sexual orientation and gender identity prejudice not just in the United States but in the world, and have helped to diminish it--although we obviously have a long way to go. I am very proud to be able to salute this important pioneer in the fight for social justice, and to express my confidence, and that of my colleagues from Wisconsin and Massachusetts, that as long as there is a need to combat homophobia, we will be able to count on PGN's leadership role.