Floor Statements

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

In celebration of 43 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.

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.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Dawn Staley, a three-time Olympic and World Championship gold medalist who is also the outstanding coach of the Temple University women's basketball team. The team, the Temple Women's Owls, just last week captured the Atlantic Ten Conference NCCA tournament championship. The Owls team has won a school record 27 games which includes the last 24 which represents the longest current winning streak for any Division I basketball team, men's or women's.

As a member of the 2004 U.S. Olympic team Ms. Staley was voted by other U.S. team Olympic captains to carry the flag and lead the U.S. delegation into the coliseum, in Athens, Greece. A fixture on U.S. basketball teams since the 1989 Junior World Championship, she competed in the old American Basketball League (ABL) from 1997-1999 where she was a two-time all ABL honoree. She is also just one of three University of Virginia Cavaliers to have their number retired. She twice was named National Player of the Year, during her junior and senior seasons at UVA.

Born in North Philadelphia, as a young girl Ms. Staley played basketball with the boys as a way of staying out of trouble. She attended Dobbins High School and the University of Virginia, where she was all-American. As a sports phenomenon she strives to be the role model that she says she was in search of as a child. In 1996 she created the Dawn Staley Foundation whose mission is to create a future of hope for at-risk youth by providing opportunities to help them realize their dreams and become productive and responsible citizens. Because of her efforts to give back to

her community she was awarded the 1998 American Red Cross Spectrum Award and she also received the 1999 WNBA Entrepreneurial Spirit Award.

Dawn Staley is an outstanding athlete, coach and inspiration. She is a champion in the truest sense of the word.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Philadelphia's own, Bernard ``The Executioner'' Hopkins. Mr. Speaker, my hometown is one of the greatest sports cities in the world. We have honored many champions over the years. But none of them is more revered than the undisputed Middleweight Champion of the world, Bernard Hopkins.

Bernard always dreamed of being a champion. He first showed his championship form at an early age, winning the Pennsylvania Junior Olympics at age nine. Mr. Speaker, Bernard Hopkins' name is frequently and properly mentioned in the same breath as the best middleweights in history. Men like Sugar Ray Robinson, Carlos Monzon and Marvelous Marvin Hagler. Even his latest opponent, Oscar De La Hoya once said that Hopkins is ``one of the great talents we've had in this generation.'' De La Hoya, who lost and was ko'd by a Hopkins left hook to the body, called the champ one of the top 5 boxers in history. And, like his championship, that description is undisputed. After all, he has won 45 professional bouts, 32 by knockout.

Let's put his record into perspective. Carlos Monzon formerly held the seemingly unbreakable record for successful title defenses, beating back 14 attempts to take his crown. But, Hopkins shattered that record back in 2002. Altogether, he has successfully defended his title 19 times since January, 1996.

This record is historic and he should be proud of it. But, Mr. Speaker, Philadelphians don't simply love and respect Bernard Hopkins the fighter. They love and respect Bernard Hopkins the man. He rose from humble beginnings to reach greatness. And he never left behind the city of his birth.

Bernard is a true role model. He works tirelessly with offenders, especially youth, to help them get on and stay on the straight and narrow. He is a husband and a father and great American.

Mr. Speaker, I know that all my colleagues join me in honoring a great champion, and an even greater person, Bernard Hopkins.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a lion in the fight for workers rights, my brother, Charles Moneypenny. With over two decades of service, Charlie is well known to our colleagues as the go- to guy when it comes to issues of our nation's rails.

Charlie is retiring as the Railroad Director and Legislative Representative of the 135,000 member Transport Workers Union of America. During his tenure at TWU, Charlie had primary responsibility in the union's collective bargaining and government affairs operations.

Mr. Speaker, Charlie Moneypenny is a passionate advocate on behalf of the people who keep America moving. He has visited many of our offices, working tirelessly to provide us with the facts we need to legislate on behalf of those workers. He is well known for his knowledge of rail safety, worker's rights, funding for passenger service and winning fair pay for a full day's work.

Before he came to Washington in 1995, Moneypenny was president of TWU Local 2054 in Boston, where he served with distinction on behalf of the members who elected him. As a 27-year railroad veteran, Charlie knows how to roll his sleeves up when there's work to be done. And you can bet that Digna, Che' and their expected new addition will put that work ethic to work full time now that he's going to be around a lot more.

Mr. Speaker, we will all miss Charlie. But, our loss is his family's gain. I know that all my colleagues join me in wishing him and his entire family well.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the accomplishments of journalist, former Congressional staffer, Pennsylvania State NAACP Vice President, Philadelphia NAACP President, and activist Jerry Whyatt Mondesire. Mr. Mondesire has consistently proven himself to be a proponent of civil rights and an agent of social activism here in the United States and around the world.

Mr. Mondesire's career as a journalist began in college, where he discovered that each of his school's four student newspapers intentionally overlooked the concerns and affairs of the school's African-American student minority. In response to this negligence, and to address the diverse needs of the student body, he helped found an Afrocentric magazine. Within a year, Mondesire took control of one of the campus' weekly papers and set up a fully integrated staff.

Mr. Mondesire's post-collegiate journalistic career was further marked by the activism that had so deeply characterized his years in college. After a decade in mainstream journalism, he concluded that the ``glass ceiling'' that denied African-Americans to work and excel to their full potential was present in that field. He left his editorial position at a major Philadelphia newspaper in order to become Chief of Staff for the Majority Whip of the U.S. Congress; there he was able to utilize his talents to combat both foreign and domestic social inequities. After spending 12 years in the most prestigious Congressional staff position, he rekindled his passion, revitalized his journalistic career and sought to address the issue of the journalistic glass ceiling by helping start The Philadelphia Sunday Sun.

In the past twelve years, Jerry Mondesire has become the host of a radio public affairs program on WDAS FM, the host of a cable television program called ``Freedomquest'', President of the Philadelphia National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and Vice President of the Pennsylvania state NAACP. This gentleman is clearly an example of social activism at its best.

It is a privilege to recognize someone whose ambition, motivation, and desire for social equality are an inspiration to all Americans. I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in commending Mr. Mondesire for his lifetime of activism, journalistic integrity, and perseverance.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to set the record straight on the issue of dredging in the Delaware River Main Channel. I fear that some of my colleagues have been misinformed as to the economic and environmental impacts of dredging in the Delaware River.

Mr. Speaker, Delaware River's regional ports handle approximately 58 million tons of cargo yearly. More than 54,000 jobs in the region are dependent upon the Port of Philadelphia alone. The ports in my district bring $3.5 billion into the regional economy, creating $1 billion in wages, and contributing $486 million in state and local revenues. Those effects are not just felt in my district, or in the City of Philadelphia, or even just in Pennsylvania. They are felt in suburban Philadelphia, and in our sister states, Delaware and New Jersey. This project is economically sound and a good use of the taxpayer's money. In February 2004, a supplement to the Comprehensive Economic Reanalysis Report identified $24.2 million in annual benefits and $21 million in annual costs, yielding a net benefit of $1.15 for every $1 spent on the project.

Shipping is a volatile industry, which is increasingly moving toward larger ships. Today's container ships can be more than 1,000 feet long and require at least 45-foot channel depth.

Ports in the United States and throughout the world have undertaken projects to deepen their channels in order to accommodate larger vessels. In order to remain competitive with other ports across the Eastern seaboard, the Delaware River's Main Channel must be deepened.

And, this project is not simply about jobs and the competitiveness of my region's ports. The dredging of the Delaware River main channel is vital to the nation's energy needs and to our ability to wage the war on terror.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Defense selected the Port of Philadelphia as a Strategic Seaport for the Northeast Corridor of the United States. Since that selection, material has been shipped from Philadelphia in support or our troops under fire. We must have a deep, clear channel in the event that larger vessels are required to meet DoD's needs.

Military logistics often rely heavily on commercial shipping and thus are impacted by industry trends toward larger vessel.

Three quarters of the East Coast's refinery capability is located in the Philadelphia region. Due to the Channel's shallow draft, oil tankers cannot reach the Port of Philadelphia and must off-load oil on to small ships through a process called ``lightering.'' This is environmentally hazardous. Every time oil is off-loaded, there is a real risk of a spill. By deepening the Delaware, oil tankers will be able to sail straight to port, cutting the chance of a spill.

And when some raise the specter of environmental damage due to dredging, I must point out that Several series of tests were conducted using EPA testing procedures which mixed and stirred Delaware River sediment with Delaware River water to approximate dredging, and no toxic releases were found. New York EPA Region 2, and Philadelphia EPA Region 3, have both independently analyzed the river sediment and found the claims of toxic sediment false. Furthermore, both Pennsylvania and New Jersey Departments of Environmental Protection have evaluated the sediment to be dredged and also found it to be not toxic.

It is true that the dredged sediment from the existing Delaware River maintenance project has been placed at Tamaqua, PA, as one of my friends has stated on the floor of this House. However, it was placed there at the request of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in order to prevent pollutants from entering streams from existing, unused mines. Mine reclamation is the reduction of acid mine drainage, which is the number one cause of stream degradation in PA. Before being used, the material was tested and passed inspection by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protections. And we are safely using this material even now in my district. The City of Philadelphia is using these so-called spoils to reclaim unusable wet lands at our old Navy Yard and for pier reclamation. And we'll take even more in the future. So, let's put to rest this false rumor about Philly sludge being dumped up state or in New Jersey. We're taking our fair share.

Mr. Speaker, the Delaware River deepening project is important for my constituents, for our region and for the entire nation. I trust that, when they examine the facts about it, every one of my colleagues will join me in supporting it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the lifelong service of Dr. Maryanne Longo. Dr. Longo has been an important participant in the education system of the City of Philadelphia for the past 35 years.

Dr. Longo has served as a loyal leader of William H. Hunter Elementary School. She has proved her self able to juggle the role of both educator and student in that she earned a doctoral degree from Temple University while serving as an elementary classroom instructor. Dr. Longo's pursuit of the establishment of a positive educational foundation for the youth of Philadelphia, led her down a path that extended beyond the boundaries of classroom walls and into the community. She has received many honorable awards during her years of service and remains a positive role model for the young inner-city children.

Dr. Longo has set an admirable standard for new teachers on the verge of beginning their educational journey. She is a primary example of what a teacher and a leader of a community should strive to contribute in order to positively influence the lives of those around them.

Dr. Longo will be honored by the City of Philadelphia Department of Education on the occasion of her retirement on June 4, 2004. To extend our utmost gratitude and thank Dr. Longo for her service, I ask that you and other distinguished colleagues rise to congratulate her on her retirement today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the efforts and the success of Girls Incorporated of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. This non-profit agency has provided services to girls and families in high risk situations for over 40 years.

The agency was established in 1961 with the admirable cause of delinquency prevention in adolescent girls. It continued on to become a full member of the National Organization, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Inc. in 1979, and an associate member of the national organization, Girls Inc., in 1998. With its extensive collection of programs in mentoring, community building and in-house counseling, the agency provides services to more than 1,400 girls and families each year. The presentation of the Williams Award for Excellence from the Philadelphia Foundation and the Better Business Bureau Award for Most Dramatic Growth for a Non-profit agency exemplifies the agency's excellence in aiding adolescent girls and their families.

Girls Incorporated of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey continues to advance their cause and to strengthen their community by aspiring to open a Girl's Center for Philadelphia. Undoubtedly, an extension of this organization's current services will help to improve the overall well-being of youth in our community. I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues rise to congratulate the organization in recognition of all its accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the lifelong service of Mrs. Angela Cinquino. A dedicated civil service employee, Mrs. Cinquino has worked for City of Philadelphia Register of Wills Office for twenty-four years.

Mrs. Cinquino began her career with the City of Philadelphia in January 1980 as a Record Clerk II in the Register of Wills. For the next two and half decades, she provided Philadelphia with exemplary service as a Record Clerk III, Account Associate I, and Receptionist Clerk. In addition to her professional success, Mrs. Cinquino has remained involved in her local community by serving as a committeewoman for the past thirty years and serving as a member of Democratic Women for the past seventeen years.

Mrs. Cinquino will enjoy the fact that retirement allows her to spend more quality time with her wonderful family. I am sure that her husband Joseph, her two children Nicholas and Angela, and her four grandchildren, Nicholas, Noelle, Mia Nicollete, and Santino are all very proud.

Mrs. Cinquino will retire from the City of Philadelphia Register of Wills Office on May 19, 2004. In recognition of her years of service to the Philadelphia community, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues rise to congratulate her on her retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Chairman Young and Ranking Member Oberstar, for introducing H. Con. Res. 420, which properly applauds the men and women who keep our country moving--the American transportation workers.

There can be no doubt that the transportation sector is the most critical sector of our economy. We cannot produce or sell goods, agricultural products or raw materials if we cannot move them throughout our great land, or ship them overseas. And yet, despite the importance of these workers, they now find themselves under attack from within and without. But, their government has, at best, abandoned them in their hour of need. In some cases, the Federal government has actually joined in--and even led--the assault on their safety, their livelihoods and their rights.

Mr. Speaker, we can never forget that the very first victim on September 11, 2001 was a flight attendant, sliced by a box cutter our lax security measures allowed on board. And yet, three years later, these underpaid and overstressed workers find themselves fighting for proper security training and for safer conditions. Will we ever truly honor the dead of that infamous day as long as these citizens are at risk? And today, two years after it expired, the flight attendants of Southwest Airlines continue to work without a contract, victims of the alliance between management and the National Mediation Board (NMB), the agency responsible for administering the Railway Labor Act (RLA) which governs their work class. Management has refused to offer a new contract after the rejection of woefully inadequate opening offers. However, NMB has refused to declare an impasse, which would allow workers and the Transport Workers Union, which represents them, to move forward in exercising their rights.

And the Southwest Flight attendants are not the only victims of the recalcitrance of the NMB. Despite the fact that the current round of national rail negotiations is well into its fifth year for thousands of workers, the NMB has refused to move the bargaining process along in a timely manner. Specifically, the NMB has refused to ``release'' the International Association of Machinists (IAM) and the Sheet Metal Workers International Union (SMWIA) from mediation despite the fact that both unions have reached an impasse with management and further talks would be fruitless. It is intolerable for our government to force a rail worker to wait five years for a new collective bargaining agreement.

The NMB, whose three members are appointed by the President and confirmed by the other body, is responsible for providing bargaining and mediation assistance, and fostering productive collective bargaining between labor and management. The NMB's ability to either advance or delay labor-management talks is a power the agency should use fairly and with great care. The NMB is well known for touting its own record of having parties reach agreements without resorting to ``self-help'' such as strikes or lockouts.

In fact, the statute has survived since 1926 because it can work well if implemented fairly. But by failing to act on a release in the JAM and SMWIA case, the NMB is ignoring its own policy of expediting the bargaining and mediation process. Forcing employees and their unions to stay at the table well beyond the point of any productive negotiations frustrates the rights of workers and denies settlements within a reasonable time frame. The problems surrounding these excessive delays have little to do with the RLA, but rather with the manner in which the NMB administers the process. By failing to change the endless cycle of delay in rail bargaining, the NMB is denying basic due process. In other words, justice delayed is justice denied.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to truly honor America's transportation workers by helping to make them safe on their jobs and secure in their contracts.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the accomplishments and contributions of Mr. Gabriel Bevilacqua, Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association. It is a privilege to recognize an individual that strives to ensure that Philadelphia is always at its best.

Mr. Bevilacqua is a member of the litigation team for Saul Ewing, LLP as well as an involved leader of numerous professional and civic organizations. Mr. Bevilacqua has held various leadership positions that include being Chair of the firm's Health Law Litigation Committee, serving 7 years as a member of the Philadelphia Bar Association's Board of Governors, and serving as the Bar Association's Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer. He currently serves as a Trustee for the Philadelphia Bar Foundation and is a respected former President of the foundation.

Mr. Bevilacqua has remained active outside of the professional arena by being an active member of the Nazareth Hospital Board of Trustees, and by serving on the Board of Directors for Nazareth Hospital, St. Mary's Hospital, and Holy Redeemer Hospital Home Health Agency. Gabriel Bevilacqua was selected as ``Pennsylvania Super Lawyer'' by Philadelphia Magazine for 2004 for successfully upholding a professional and personal commitment to the Greater Philadelphia area.

It is my honor to recognize a person whose dedication to the community has enriched the lives of countless individuals in both my district and the state of Pennsylvania. I hope that all of my distinguished colleagues will join me and his family in honoring Mr. Gabriel Bevilacqua.

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to highlight the accomplishments of a Philadelphia labor legend, Mr. Patrick J. Eiding. Mr. Eiding is President of the Philadelphia Council of the AFL-CIO and a representative of the working man and woman. He has effectively and consistently fought for the rights of the great citizens of Philadelphia.

Mr. Eiding rose through the ranks of leadership throughout his career, holding positions such as President of the Asbestos Workers Middle Atlantic States Conference and President of the Mechanical Trades Council in Philadelphia and New Jersey. He currently serves as an official for both the Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Building Trades Councils, as well as the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO.

Mr. Eiding represents the interests of working families through his involvement on numerous labor boards and commissions. He co-chairs the Philadelphia Area Labor Management and serves as Commissioner for the Philadelphia Housing Authority and the Philadelphia Planning Commission. He is a member of the Executive Committee for the Philadelphia Workforce Investment Board and sits on the Board of Directors for organizations such as the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania and the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Since being elected President of the Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO, Mr. Eiding has spread the message of the working family, co-hosting the weekly ``Labor to Neighbor'' radio show whose goal is to educate listeners on the issues affecting the current working family and to voice the needs and opinions of the community.

I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in commending Mr. Patrick Eiding for his career of service and dedication to the working families of Pennsylvania's First Congressional District.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a respected member of the Philadelphia community. Mr. William Galbraith recently turned 90 years young.

Mr. Galbraith celebrated his 90th birthday this April 14, 2004. He has led an exemplary life filled with admirable achievements. Whether it be graduating from the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science or becoming the head of a carpet mill, Mr. Galbraith has been an exemplary figure for our great city.

This nonagenarian wisely has continued to show a real zest for life. Until recently, Mr. Galbraith remained an avid golfer, skier, and tennis player. He has traveled extensively including a trip to China to teach workers how to use mill equipment.

Married to Anna, Mr. Galbraith's family includes his nephew Clyde Galbraith and his niece Joyce Burke. I am quite sure his entire family is very proud of his numerous accomplishments.

Along with her family and friends, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in congratulating Mr. William Galbraith during his 90th birthday celebration.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the accomplishments of Virginia Tech junior Kevin Jones, one of the fastest players in college football. Mr. Jones has become one of the most accomplished players in Virginia Tech history due to his tireless team spirit and incredible skill as a running back. Mr. Jones achieved recognition and greatness as a Hokie, becoming both a Doak Walker Award finalist and a Heisman Trophy candidate

Kevin Jones was the most highly-rated recruit in Virginia Tech history. In 2000, while playing at Cardinal O'Hara High in Springfield, PA, he was ranked as the Nation's top high school player by agencies such as Super Prep and Student Sports. He was the number one running back and number one overall player in the East Region and won the first-ever high school Heisman award for the Northeast region.

Kevin helped his Virginia Tech football team complete an outstanding season which culminated in advancing to the Insight Bowl. Despite only starting one season, he secured a position on many of his team's record lists. Although recorded in the books as a great running back with impressive numbers, Mr. Jones is best known for his great work ethic and love of his team.

Kevin Jones' exceptional talent led him to a difficult decision. He has had such an extraordinary career with the Hokies that he has opted to forego his senior season and declare himself eligible for the 2004 NFL draft. It is expected that he will be drafted in the first round. I wish Kevin the best in his pursuit of his dreams. He is a talented individual with the drive and determination to do anything that he puts his mind to.

It is a privilege to recognize Mr. Kevin Jones. I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in commending him for numerous achievements in his football career.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the accomplishments of Saint Joseph's University senior Mr. Jameer Nelson, who will go down in history as one of the greatest basketball players to have ever graced the court of St. Joseph's University. This 5'11" point guard recently completed a sweep of the National Player of the Year awards, winning honors such as the John R. Wooden Award, the award for Associated Press Player of the Year, and the Pomeroy Naismith Award.

This unanimous AP All-American selection led the Hawks to an incredible 30-2 season, topping the team in points, assists and steals, while simultaneously becoming Saint Joseph's career leader. His four- year class secured the most wins in school history with a 98-27 record and rallied the support of people in the greater Philadelphia area with four consecutive post-season appearances. This year, he and the Hawks attained their first-ever number-one seed in the NCAA tournament and advanced to the Elite Eight. In recognition of Mr. Nelson and his monumental career at Saint Joseph's, his number 14 will be retired.

As a Chester, PA native, Mr. Nelson has had an outstanding collegiate career and is now preparing for a professional basketball career. His talents and many awards provide him tremendous opportunity in the NBA and in life.

It is a privilege to recognize a young person whose ability, leadership, and commitment have brought success to his school and team. I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in commending Mr. Jameer Nelson for achievement in his basketball career.