Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today, I am proud to join my colleagues in the United States Congress and world leaders in celebrating the creation of the State of Israel on this 56th anniversary of Israel's Independence Day. On this historic day, we honor the achievements of the Jewish people and the Jewish state, and salute a young and proud nation that has accomplished so much in so little time.

In the 56 years since independence, Israel has welcomed immigrants from all corners of the world as her population grew from 806,000 to 6,780,000 people, including over a million new immigrants from the former Soviet Union. Israel today is a vibrant democracy, the only democracy in the Middle East, and a world leader in technology and agricultural innovation for arid regions.

We must remember that these great achievements have come at a great cost. More than 20,000 Israel Defense Force members have died fighting for the cause of a Jewish state in the years since the war of independence--over 185 Israeli soldiers in the past year alone, since the last Remembrance and Independence Days.

And we must also honor and remember those innocent civilians who have been killed by terrorists trying to destroy the State of Israel and her people. In the last year, at least 176 people were murdered and 906 wounded in terrorist attacks.

On this Day of Independence, the United States of America and Israel stand side-by-side in our commitment to democracy, to peace, and to the State of Israel. The United States will never flinch and will never waiver in its support for the safety and security of the State of Israel and of her people.

Mr. Speaker, today I am proud to be joining Senator Corzine and my Democratic Colleagues from New Jersey in introducing the Preserving Access to Affordable Drugs Act to preserve the drug benefits that millions of seniors in our country currently enjoy. Unfortunately, the misguided Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, which was recently signed into law, threatens to reduce or eliminate the prescription drug benefits that millions of seniors across the country already have. Based on these and other detrimental provisions in the new law, which seniors continue to oppose vehemently, we should simply repeal the entire bill outright. But in the meantime, the bill I'm introducing today highlights the most egregious loss of benefits that seniors will suffer under the new law, and provides mechanisms to ``hold harmless'' those seniors who already have good drug coverage.

The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that as many as 1.7 million retirees could lose their employer-based prescription drug benefits as a result of the new Medicare prescription drug benefit. Also as a result of the new law, hundreds of thousands of seniors currently enrolled in state pharmacy assistance programs (SPAPs) will be forced out of those programs and into a private Medicare drug plan. Approximately 6 million seniors who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid will lose access to their Medicaid prescription drug benefits, which is more generous and has greater access to a variety of drugs. And, despite the fact that the new Medicare law has huge gaps in coverage, seniors who choose to enroll in the new drug benefit will be prohibited from purchasing Medigap coverage to pay for prescription drugs not covered by the new Medicare benefit.

In my home state of New Jersey, alone, 94,000 retirees will lose their employer-based prescription drug benefits. More than 150,000 low- income seniors in New Jersey who are dually eligible for, and enrolled in, both Medicare and Medicaid will lose access to the Medicaid drug benefits they currently rely on. And 220,000 New Jersey seniors who are currently enrolled in Pharmaceutical Assistance for the Aged and Disabled (PAAD) and Senior Gold, the state's pharmacy assistance programs for the aged and disabled, will face disruption in coverage and will likely receive less drug coverage than they currently receive.

It is my view--and based on what I have heard in town hall meetings in my district, the view of an overwhelming majority of seniors in this country--that no senior should be made worse off by the new Medicare law.

The legislation I'm introducing today will:

Preserve employer-based retiree prescription drug coverage by allowing employer expenditures on drug costs to count toward the out- of-pocket threshold of $3,600. By not counting toward the catastrophic cap any costs covered by employer-provided retiree benefits, those employers that maintain their retiree health benefits would see their retirees

receive less of a Medicare subsidy than a beneficiary without employer- provided benefits. Without this fix, approximately 94,000 New Jersey seniors and 1.7 million retirees nationwide will likely lose their employer-based drug coverage.

Enable states, if they choose, to administer the Medicare prescription drug benefit through their existing state pharmacy assistance program. This means that my home state of New Jersey could continue to provide prescription drug benefits to seniors through the very successful and popular existing PAAD and Senior Gold programs. As a result, these seniors will not have to enroll in the less-generous Medicare drug program, will be able to remain in PAAD and Senior Gold, and will experience no disruption in coverage.

Ensure that states can provide supplemental Medicaid prescription drug coverage to complement the Medicare drug benefit to seniors who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. Currently in New Jersey, 152,000 low-income seniors and disabled individuals who are Medicare eligible receive 100% of their drug coverage through the state Medicaid program. The Medicare bill replaces Medicaid coverage with more limited drug coverage and prohibits states from wrapping around the Medicare benefit with Medicaid coverage. This bill will enable states to completely wrap around through the Medicaid program.

Restore Medicare beneficiaries' ability to purchase supplemental drug coverage through the Medigap program. Under the new law, those who participate in the new Part D drug benefit are prohibited from purchasing supplemental drug coverage through the Medigap program.

Eliminate the premium support (Medicare privatization) demonstration program. This is particularly important for Gloucester, Camden, Burlington and Salem counties in southern New Jersey, which currently meet the qualifications to be selected to participate in this program.

Simply stated, a Medicare prescription drug benefit that chips away at the generous drug coverage that some seniors already enjoy is hardly a benefit at all. The new Medicare law is bad for seniors and should be repealed; but in the meantime, at the very least, we must do no harm. That's exactly what this bill intends to do.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Annual Bayonne Holocaust Remembrance Day Observance. On Sunday, April 18, 2004, the Inter-Faith Clergy and the Bayonne Jewish Community Council co- sponsored the Holocaust Memorial Observance Program held at 2 p.m., at Bayonne City Hall Council Chambers.

The Annual Bayonne Holocaust Remembrance Day Observance Program not only honored the victims of the Holocaust, promoted Jewish history and culture, but also served as an opportunity to bring together the Bayonne community to foster understanding among all people. The United Jewish Appeal Federation of Bayonne, the umbrella organization for the Jewish Community in Bayonne, has served to promote civic and communal duties, in order to enhance the quality of life in Bayonne.

The Annual Bayonne Holocaust Remembrance Day Observance Program was chaired by Alan J. Apfelbaum, an active and dedicated member of the Jewish community. Mr. Apfelbaum has been a constant figure at the Annual Bayonne Holocaust Remembrance Day Observance Program since its inception. The event included proclamations made by Mayor Joseph V. Doria, Jr., as well as keynote speaker Professor Harry Reicher from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

As Director of International Affairs and Representative to the United Nations of Agudath Israel World Organization, Professor Reicher has fought for international human rights, particularly religious freedom. Born in Prague and raised in Australia, Professor Reicher has done extensive research, focusing on Nazi legislation and its assault on the Jewish community.

Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Annual Bayonne Holocaust Remembrance Day Observance for remembering the victims of the Holocaust; and I ask that we, too, remember the Holocaust, its victims, and the ruthlessness of the Nazi regime. We must never forget.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Zoila Perez Robaina on her 90th birthday. On Sunday, April 18, 2004, Mrs. Perez Robaina celebrated this momentous occasion with her closest friends and family.

Zoila Perez Robaina was born in Consolacion del Sur, Pinar del Rio, Cuba on April 22, 1914. She was one of 11 children born to Encarnacion Robaina Gonzalez and Antonio Perez Robaina. At a young age in Cuba, Mrs. Perez Robaina took an apprenticeship in embroidery and fashion design. Once she was proficient, she began a private business from her home specializing in infant clothing and bridal accessories.

After sustaining 10 years under the Castro regime, Mrs. Perez Robaina, who met her husband Wilfredo Alfonso Ortega in Cuba, left the island with her daughter in 1969 and made her way to Newark, New Jersey. Her husband was forced to stay in order to be supportive of their son, Lazaro, who had been imprisoned for his political pursuits against the revolution. It was 4 years until the entire family was finally reunited in the United States.

Once in New Jersey, Mrs. Perez Robaina worked tirelessly at Koryette's Department store as an inventory clerk to provide for her family. She was a dedicated parishioner of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. After the passing of her husband in 1981, Mrs. Perez Robaina moved to the City of North Bergen where she began to attend Our Lady of Libera church. During her time at both Immaculate Heart of Mary Church and Our Lady of Libera Church, she was an active member of Mary's Legion.

Mrs. Perez Robaina is the loving mother of two children, Lazaro and Gloria, and the proud grandmother of 7 grandchildren. And at the age of 90 years, she is an integral part of her family, with her infectious energy and love.

Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Zoila Perez Robaina in celebration of her 90th birthday. I wish her good health and happiness in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Club Espana for continuing to promote Spanish culture throughout the City of Newark. On Saturday, April 17, 2004, Club Espana celebrated its 40th anniversary with a dinner/dance at 8 p.m., at 180 New York Avenue, Newark, New Jersey.

For forty years, Club Espana has served the city and community of Newark as a center for promoting Spanish culture. As the city continued to diversify, Club Espana has continued to provide a place to keep Spanish cultural tradition alive. Through music, traditional dance, and events, Club Espana has afforded generations of Spanish immigrants an opportunity to continue to practice the traditions of their native land and honor their heritage. Cultural centers, like Club Espana, provide communities with numerous opportunities to learn and participate in activities, and for friends, families, and strangers to meet and interact.

Club Espana not only serves as a Spanish cultural center, but has also been actively involved in its community. Located in Newark's historic Ironbound district, Club Espana has instituted several social programs for children, families, and seniors, in order to assist those who are less fortunate. One shining example is the youth members program, established to teach children about the history and culture of Spain. The programs offered by Club Espana provide a sense of community, as well as tools and assistance for our children to succeed in the future.

Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Club Espana for its distinguished public service, and its dedication to promoting Spanish culture in the City of Newark. I was truly honored to be Club Espana's guest of honor at the 40th anniversary Dinner/Dance event.

Mr. Speaker, I am in strong support of Taiwan's entry into the World Health Organization (WHO). It is once again time for Congress to stand up for a democratic Taiwan.

Secretary Powell has noted before the International Relations Committee that there should be ways for Taiwan to enjoy full benefits of participation in international organizations without being a member. H.R. 4019 only calls for the Secretary of State to initiate a United States plan to endorse and obtain observer status at the WHO for Taiwan.

Time and time again in recent years, Congress has passed similar legislation to provide for Taiwan's participation in the WHO. Yet time and time again, Taiwan has been thwarted from joining this international organization because of objections from the People's Republic of China. This most recently occurred last May at the World Health Assembly in Geneva; even after Congress enacted legislation authorizing the U.S. Government to implement a plan for Taiwan to obtain observer status.

In recent years. Taiwan has expressed a willingness to assist financially and technically in international aid and health activities supported by the WHO, but has been unable to render such assistance because Taiwan is not a member of the WHO. Last year's SARS outbreak in Asia should have made it perfectly clear how important it is to allow Taiwan to participate in the WHO. Taiwan offered to work with the WHO yet was denied; only later were two WHO experts dispatched to Taiwan.

Meanwhile, the WHO has allowed observers to participate in the activities of the organization, including the Palestinian Liberation Organization, the Knights of Malta, and the Vatican.

Along with many of my colleagues, I am extremely disappointed that Taiwan is not a full member of the U.N. and all international organizations that its democratically led government wishes to join. Although this resolution does not go anywhere near far enough to address this concern, it is a first step in addressing the problem that Taiwan faces.

Therefore, I urge every member of this House to support a democratic Taiwan by supporting this bill.

Mr. Speaker, the Davis motion to recommit increases the funding in this bill to the Senate level of $318 billion, and it does something about donor-donee issues which we have heard a lot about here. Unlike the previous objection that was originally heard, the Senate bill, which is in essence the way in which the gentleman from Tennessee has constructed this, is a fiscally responsible bill. There is no new gas tax in it, so let us not be deceived.

That increase to rise to the 318 is fully offset by what? By cracking down on abusive tax shelters and by preventing American companies from avoiding paying U.S. taxes by moving to a foreign country. It is not only fiscally responsible; it is responsible national economic development policy. It is going to create 1.8 million more additional jobs, and God knows we need those jobs in this country. And it is about national security policy.

The bill is supposed to be about a legacy. Do we want it to be a legacy of congestion and deteriorating infrastructure? Or do we want it to be about increased productivity and more good-paying jobs? About a Nation that has the redundancy and multiplicity of transportation infrastructure to respond to national emergencies on the scale of what happened on September 11 where after so many different modes of transportation were shut down, there is still one available to get people out of downtown Manhattan over to New Jersey into hospitals?

If you want more money to go to your State, if you do not want just to stop the decay of the Nation's infrastructure, but dramatically improve it; if you want to help create good-paying jobs, 1.8 million more jobs for the people of this country; if you want to have multiple avenues to evacuate people and for first responders to reach the site, God forbid, of the next national emergency, then you will vote for the Davis motion to recommit. It is fiscally responsible. It is about creating jobs. It is about the national security of the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I want to also commend the leadership of the committee in producing a bill within the constraints that they had and in keeping so many items that are of great, important policy intact.

But I oppose the rule because the committee does not allow the House to work its will on a higher funding level that the committee, on a bipartisan basis, recognize is needed for the Nation's infrastructure. Also, because of a critical issue on this bill that is also about jobs, the committee did also not accept my amendment which was a sense of the Congress that none of these jobs in transportation should be outsourced.

Now, it is very difficult to see billions of dollars going to Iraq for infrastructure funding and to leave America short of where we need to be. I believe, as does I think a majority, if they were given the opportunity, that the Senate bill of $318 billion is a fiscally responsible bill. I also believe that it is responsible national economic development policy, and I also believe it is responsible national security policy.

That is why I was pleased to have joined my colleagues in offering an amendment in the Committee on Rules that would have increased the funding of this bill to that Senate level of $318 billion and let the House work its will. We did not get that chance in this rule.

Now, transportation is about a lot more than simply moving goods and people from one place to another. It is about economic development in both the short and the long term. It is about good-paying jobs at a time that we desperately need those jobs. Having lost several million jobs during this administration, it would be great if we could have the resources to meet the infrastructure needs and create more good-paying jobs here in America.

It is about improving the environment by creating a transportation system that pollutes less and helps us achieve Clean Air Act requirements. It is about spending less time in traffic and more time with our family or on our work, being productive, and it is about security.

On September 11, my district, right across from mid-town, if it was not for the multiplicity of transportation modes, the people who were trapped in downtown Manhattan would have not gotten out but for a ferry system. When all the tunnels, all the bridges, all the trains were closed, security on that day came in the vehicle of a ferry system.

That is why this bill in this modern age is so important. That is why we should be having a higher funding, and that is why we should have the ability for the House to work its will on economic development, on jobs, on making sure those jobs are not outsourced and on the Nation's security in the context of transportation. That is why I oppose the rule; and, hopefully, we will be given the opportunity to have a vote on these issues and, in doing so, strengthen America financially, economically, jobs and security.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Democratic Caucus, I offer a privileged resolution (H. Res. 590) and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Chairman, I want to start off by thanking the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt) for his incredible work on this budget and for helping the American people understand what is at stake here. And as far as I have heard, it has been scored so it seems to me we are talking about different things here.

Here are the top 10 reasons we Democrats oppose the Republican budget resolution. First, it makes the ballooning deficit even worse.

It fails to protect Social Security. It spends every penny of the Social Security surplus over the next 5 years, $1 trillion.

It offers more of the same failed economic policies that have already caused the loss of 3 million private sector jobs during this administration.

It underfunds education and, specifically, the No Child Left Behind Act by over $9 billion less than was promised.

It provides for $1.3 billion less than the Veterans' Affairs Committee on a bipartisan basis recommended for our country's veterans.

It cuts homeland security at a time of national insecurity below even the President's request by nearly $857 million.

It fails to protect the Nation's environment.

It cuts funding for the National Institutes of Health, Maternal and Child Health.

It creates long-term deficits that will undermine economic growth and fails to extend unemployment insurance to those who have lost their jobs.

And during the war on terror, it actually cuts benefits to widows of military retirees, limits improvements to military housing, and discontinues last year's TRICARE for Reservists.

And the President's tax cut proposal is a gift that keeps on taking, taking from our children, our families, and our seniors. His tax cut takes from the next generation and replaces with that taking a mountain of debt on the backs of our children. America simply cannot be red, white and broke and meet its challenges at home and abroad; but that is exactly where the Republican budget takes us.

Therefore, it is the duty of Democrats to bring these wrong priorities for America to the light of day, and to offer an alternative that reflects the priorities of America's working families by stimulating the economy, by creating jobs, by expanding educational opportunity, by improving health care, by strengthening homeland security, those first responders we see the President take the pictures with, but then he goes ahead and cuts their funding dramatically. It is outrageous. Tell him to go see the firefighters now that he cut a quarter of a billion dollars, and after he basically zeroed out the Safer Act to help communities hire more firefighters, or the interoperable communications equipment that is necessary. Tell the firefighters how you are their friend and how you are their heroes with this budget.

We do all of our things, however, in a positive way by creating opportunities, and, yes, helping the firefighters and all those who provide emergency management for homeland security while bringing our budget into balance in 8 years.

In fact, over the next 5 years the Democratic budget is going to provide over $9 billion more for education and training than the Republican budget, $11 billion more for health care programs than the Republican budget, $17 billion more for environmental protection than the Republican budget, nearly $6 billion more for first responders for port security, for aviation security, and for border security than the Republican budget.

And the Democratic budget also targets $2 billion in fiscal year 2005 to support our troops and includes the full $2.5 billion increase that the Committee on Veterans' Affairs says is critically needed for our Nation's veterans.

It is time for Republicans to stop lamenting the deficit they recklessly created and join us in balancing the budget just like American families have to do every day of their lives, and give us an opportunity for a future of hope, growth and opportunity, not a future of debt and despair.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jose Rohaidy for his years of outstanding work and dedication to the Hispanic community. Mr. Rohaidy was honored by the Hispanic State Parade of New Jersey on Sunday, March 21, 2004, at the Fiesta Banquets in Woodridge, New Jersey.

Mr. Rohaidy was honored for his numerous contributions to the Hispanic community. Mr. Rohaidy was one of the pioneers of the Puerto Rican Parade in Paterson, New Jersey, and also Trenton, New Jersey. He was also one of the four founding members of the Hispanic Statewide Parade of New Jersey. For his tireless efforts and perseverance in the Hispanic community, Mr. Rohaidy has been the recipient of over 200 proclamations, awards, and citations.

Mr. Rohaidy was born in Zulueta, Cuba, to a Lebanese father and a Mexican mother. In Cuba, he worked as the Director of the news show Radio Nacional. While in Cuba, Mr. Rohaidy served as the President of Brigade 21 of the Red Cross. In 1968, when Mr. Rohaidy came to the United States, he continued his passion for journalism working for El Diario La Prensa, as Chief Editor of the New Jersey section of the paper. He also worked for Radio WADO covering the New Jersey area. Mr. Rohaidy owns Mini-Mundo Printing along with his wife, Magali.

Mr. Rohaidy received a Doctorate degree in Journalism from Essex County Community College and was the first Hispanic to do so. He is a loving husband for over 46 years to his wife, Magali, father to four children, and grandfather of seven grandchildren.

Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Jose Rohaidy, a true pioneer, outstanding leader, visionary, and dedicated servant to the Hispanic community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Miguel Rivera for his years of outstanding work and service with Verizon Communications. Mr. Rivera will be honored by the Friends of Mike Rivera Committee for 35 years of dedicated service to Verizon Communications and the Hispanic Community at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 19, 2004, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in North Brunswick, New Jersey.

Mr. Rivera is retiring from Verizon Communications after 35 years of service. Mr. Rivera started his career with Verizon as Facilities Engineer from 1968 to 1972. He also held the position of Systems Equipment Engineer from 1972 to 1977. From 1977 to his retirement, Mr. Rivera was Director of External Affairs, serving as the face of Verizon Communications to local government, consumer relations, and Hispanic relations in New Jersey.

As Director of External Affairs, Mr. Rivera was able to dedicate a great deal of time and resources to the enhancement of the Hispanic community in New Jersey. Serving as Corporate Representative of Verizon Communications with the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Rivera was able to bring increased prosperity to Hispanics throughout the state by forming new partnerships with Latin

America, bringing products and jobs back to New Jersey, and creating further economic development and business opportunities throughout our region.

Mr. Rivera currently is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Community United for the Rehabilitation of the Addict, Inc. (CURA), Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Puerto Rican Action Board, and Trustee for New Brunswick Tomorrow. Mr. Rivera's vast community activities are an example of his wide variety of concerns for his community, while showing his dedication and desire to improve his community through action.

Mr. Rivera received his bachelor's degree from the University of Puerto Rico. Mr. Rivera is a loving husband to his wife, Nina Rivera.

Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Miguel Rivera for his 35 years of distinguished service, outstanding leadership, and devotion to Verizon Communications and the Hispanic community.

I thank the distinguished gentleman for yielding me this time.

Mr. Speaker, I hear my colleagues now talk about human rights and brutality, and there is no question about that; but there is human rights and brutality in many parts of the world, and that has not caused American troops to intervene in those countries. One year after the U.S. invasion of Iraq, it is time to focus on the truth. Yet this resolution leaves out the administration's most important justification for the war in Iraq, weapons of mass destruction. This administration systematically misled the American public and Congress into believing that there were weapons of mass destruction and that we were under an imminent threat. According to the Carnegie Endowment For International Peace recent report, the administration systematically misrepresented the threat from Iraq's weapons of mass destruction by presenting the case as solid instead of expressing the uncertainty that existed in the intelligence assessments, and making the threat seem dire rather than minor by misrepresenting the inspector's findings.

In fact, a report by the minority staff of the Committee on Government Reform found the administration made over 200 misleading public statements on the Iraqi threat.

The truth is that this administration will not have the American people know what really happened with the intelligence until after the November elections, a year from today. Most importantly, this Republican Iraq resolution, crafted with no input from Democrats, makes no mention of the over 565 American men and women who gave their lives in Iraq to date and over 3,500 others who are wounded. I say we should honor those who gave their lives, not ignore them. This resolution should commemorate that ultimate sacrifice.

In the wake of the recent attacks in Spain, it is shameful that Republicans are acting as dividers, not uniters. It is shameful that the Republicans without input from Democrats on a crucial resolution that could express our collective sentiment as we did after September 11 seek partisan gain out of what should be a national embrace.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor John O'Donnell for his years of service and appointment as Grand Marshall of the 23rd Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 21, 2004. Mr. O'Donnell was honored by the Bayonne Saint Patrick's Parade Committee at the annual Grand Marshall Brunch at 11 a.m. on Sunday, February 22, 2004, at the Chandelier Restaurant in Bayonne, New Jersey.

Mr. O'Donnell has been an active member of the Bayonne Saint Patrick's Parade Committee since 1988. For 15 years Mr. O'Donnell has been a hard working, dedicated, and true proponent for the promotion of Irish culture through the annual parade. Mr. O'Donnell is a member of Ireland's 32 of Bayonne since 1984, serving as Secretary from 1990 to 1991 and as President from 1994 to 1996.

John O'Donnell displayed his leadership and commitment to promoting Irish culture by helping to save the annual post-parade party in 1993. His innovative idea of seeking financial support from local businesses helped preserve the tradition. Mr. O'Donnell is an active member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians Division #8 of Hudson County, serving as Vice President from 1998 to 1999 and President from 1999 to 2003.

Mr. O'Donnell is currently Sergeant with the Port Authority Police of New York and New Jersey. He is also the Offensive Coordinator for Saint Peter's High School Freshman Football team. Previously, Mr. O'Donnell was an English instructor at Marist High School from 1986 to 1988.

Mr. O'Donnell received his bachelor's degree and Master's Degree in Education from Seton Hall University. Mr. O'Donnell is a loving husband to his wife, Kathleen O'Donnell, and dedicated father to his six children, John Richard, Kelsey Marie, Shannon Kathleen, Tara Mary, Meghan Elizabeth, and Liam Charles.

Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring John O'Donnell for his distinguished public service, his dedication to promoting Irish culture in the City of Bayonne, and his outstanding leadership and devotion to his community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Alan Apfelbaum for his years of service and dedication to the Jewish community. Mr. Apfelbaum was honored at the 51st Annual Sustaining Dinner Dance on Saturday, November 1, 2003, at the Bayonne Jewish Community Center in Bayonne, New Jersey.

Mr. Apfelbaum has been an active member of the Bayonne Jewish Community Center for over thirty years. He is a past president and a prior honoree at the Annual Dinner. Mr. Apfelbaum chaired the Nominating, Day Camp, Policy, and Scholarship committees, as well as the Louis Greenberg Lecture Series for the Bayonne Jewish Community Center.

Mr. Apfelbaum's commitment to the Jewish community led him to serve as president of the Bayonne Zionist District and the South Hudson Lodge of B'Nai B'rith. He served as chairman of the United Jewish Appeal Campaign, and is also a dedicated member of the Jewish War Veterans and the Holocaust Remembrance Day Committee.

Mr. Apfelbaum is a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving one tour of duty. After his service, Mr. Apfelbaum joined the Army Reserves in 1976 until his retirement in 1998 with the rank of Sergeant Major. Mr. Apfelbaum has received several commendations for his bravery and service to his country, such as the Army Good Conduct Medal, United States Army Commendation Medal, Bronze Medal, Air Medal, and Vietnam Service and Campaign Medals.

Mr. Apfelbaum is currently the supervisor of the Social Services Department at the Hudson County Correctional Facility in Kearny. Previously, he was the owner of Bargain Bin, a small business in Bayonne from 1987-1994.

Mr. Apfelbaum graduated from his native Bayonne High School, and received his bachelor's degree in Hebraic Studies from Rutgers University. Mr. Apfelbaum also holds a Master's Degree from New Jersey City University in Student Personnel Services.

Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Alan Apfelbaum for his dedicated service to his country and his outstanding contributions to the Jewish community in Bayonne.