Gary Ackerman

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Chairman, I am in opposition to the amendment offered by the gentleman from Indiana. I only regret that we do not have as much time to put the light of truth to so many of the things that he said, because we have not been given equal time in this debate. That being said, the House has rejected the gentleman's amendment on repeated occasions, and I do hope and expect it will do so again today. I think it should be clear to all by now that punishing India by cutting our assistance is not a policy that this U.S. Congress will adopt. The Burton amendment is the wrong amendment at the wrong time. In the wake of the President's successful visit to India, the U.S. and India have a new opportunity to build a broad-based relationship. Instead of applauding India for establishing a joint working group with the U.S. to fight against terrorism, the amendment would punish India by cutting crucial assistance. The gentleman makes a great many allegations about human rights abuses in India, but conveniently ignores the fact that the people of India are the major victims of terrorism perpetrated by groups supported and trained in Pakistan and associated with Osama bin-Ladin. In fact, after the Kargil incursion and the hijacking of an Indian Airlines plane to Afghanistan, the Pakistani-backed terrorists have stepped up their attacks on innocent civilians and security forces in Kashmir. To characterize India's struggle against terrorism as a violation of human rights is not only unjust, but also provides aid and comfort to the terrorists who have claimed thousands of innocent victims in India. That there are things that go wrong in any civilized society, including India, are true, and some of the things the gentleman points out are true, but these are not done by the government of India. Mr. Chairman, churches are bombed and burned here. People are killed every day here. Women are raped every day of the year here. These things are terrible, but it does not mean that our government is responsible. The best way for us to help India continue to improve its human rights record is to engage in positive and constructive dialogue, one great democracy to another, not with punitive sanctions and cuts. The momentum that we have gained in relations by the President's visit needs to be strengthened and sustained. For Congress to act now to stigmatize India for alleged human rights abuses would send the wrong signal to the 1 billion democratic people in India. I urge all of our colleagues to reject this amendment.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Bayside Times, a weekly community newspaper in Bayside, New York in the borough of Queens, which is hosting its 65th anniversary celebration on Thursday, July 13, 2000. The Bayside Times was launched by the Alison family early in the last century. The first issue hit the newsstands on July 2, 1935 with the front page headline ``Bayside's Own Newspaper Makes Its Appearance.'' That first edition included stories on local marriages and birthday celebrations, the Bayside American Legion and the Bayside Pet Show. The newspaper attracted many loyal readers and established a strong identity in the area. The ``Bayside Times'' was actually the first community newspaper that I had ever seen. Then on July 10, 1989, Steve Blank, who had a vision of creating a daily newspaper that published once a week, purchased the Bayside Times from David Allison Jr., a second generation owner of the publication. Steve Blank brought years of experience in the newspaper business to the Bayside Times. After graduating with a journalism degree from Boston University, he held positions at weekly newspapers in the Massachusetts area, the Daily Record in his native New Jersey and the Post Standard in Syracuse, New York. He was also a court house correspondent and an award winning investigative reporter for the Kansas City Star. In addition, he obtained experience on the business side of the industry as a media buyer for Savermart, a major chain of consumer electronics stores. Steve Blank used his impeccable credentials to transform the Bayside Times into a model for community journalism. Under his leadership, the quality of writing and reporting of local news events became second to none. Steve Blank also afforded local businesses and merchants, the opportunities to reach their customers in an efficient and cost- effective manner. He redesigned the periodical to give it a more contemporary look and reorganized it to make it easier for readers to find information. He also boosted the newspaper's circulation, computerized its operation and increased the editorial and business staff. From 1991 to 1998, Mr. Blank expanded his operation to include newspapers throughout the Borough of Queens. Operating under Queens Publishing Corporation, Steve Blank presently publishes 13 newspapers in the Times/Ledger chain. Yes, from Humble beginnings--including loading newspapers into the trunk of his car--to winning numerous local and state journalism awards, Steve Blank has built the Bayside Times into a newspaper heavyweight in the new millennium. Yet he continues to stay on the original mission that the Bayside Times set 65 years ago--to provide local news coverage in a fair, accurate and balanced manner. Whether through the breadth of its stories, the quality of its editorials, the informative advertisements, the Q-Guide or its web site-- www.timesledger.com_the Bayside Times remains on the cutting edge of community journalism. Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me now in congratulating Steve Blank and the entire staff of the Bayside Times and the Times/Ledger newspaper chain for a terrific 65 years of service to the Bayside community. I am confident that the Bayside Times will continue to enjoy success for many more years to come.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to bring to the House's attention the 40th anniversary of the Korean-American Association of Greater New York, a community institution representing the interests, hopes and dreams of thousands of Korean-Americans. Mr. Speaker, the Korean-American community in New York epitomizes the American dream. Decades ago, thousands of immigrants, fleeing from war, poverty and desolation came to our nation's gateway of opportunity: New York City. Without knowing the language, without great wealth, but with strong family ties, robust community support and countless hours of hard work, Korean-Americans, like waves of immigrants before them have taken root and thrived in America. Critical to their success was their ability to organize themselves for mutual support and assistance. At the heart of the Korean-American community's efforts were organizations like the Korean-American Association of Greater New York. Beginning in 1960, the Korean-American Association of Greater New York has helped Korean immigrants in learning English, organizing themselves within the blue-collar industries where they were able to find work, registering to vote, and developing youth and government outreach programs. Now, as is obvious to anyone who travels in the New York metropolitan area, second generation Korean-Americans have moved into every branch and comer of American life and have succeeded beyond the wildest expectations of their ancestors, who came to this country with so little in tangible goods, but with a wealth of determination and perseverance. As we recalled so recently, on the anniversary of the Korean War, Korea and the United States are joined inseparably by a bond of allegiance formed in war and bound in the blood of the fallen soldiers of both nations. Similarly, Korean-Americans, whose presence here in the United States is tied with the great tragedy of that war, remember the great sorrow of the war for Korea together with an immeasurable appreciation for their adopted homeland. The courage and loyalty of the American soldier in answering the Republic of Korea in its hour of need is now matched by the devotion of Korean-Americans to this nation. Just as the Republic of Korea and its relations with the United States have flourished and grown stronger in the years since the war, so too the Korean-American community has prospered and given back to this nation double what they have received. Nowhere is this fact more obvious than in New York. I am honored, therefore, to pay tribute in this House to the Korean- American Association of Greater New York and its president, Sie Jong Lee, for their critical role in the success of the Korean-American community. I would also like to recognize all the current officers of the Association, Yong Sang Yoon, Jeong Ho Kim, Bok Ja Chang, Heon Gae Lee, Jay Joonseok Oh, Piljae Im, Hyun Woo Han, Myung Sook Chun, Daehong Kim, Mi Kyung Choi, Young-Joo Rhee, and Bo Young Jung, and to wish them all the best of success in the decades to come.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to rise in support of the Bonior-Campbell amendment, which is an absolutely necessary measure to root out an on-going government practice which should be offensive to all of us as sworn defenders of the Constitution. The very idea of ``secret evidence'' should alarm us as a nation that cherishes the rule of law. That our government, a government built on transparency and due process, should incarcerate people indefinitely and by executive fiat, and deprive them of the basis to defend themselves, is an affront to the Constitution. Our nation's justice system is a source of pride, not because of the efficiency of its operations, or its effectiveness in convicting the guilty, important as these things are. We are appropriately proud of our justice system because of its unyielding insistence on due process for the individual against the state; because of its strict adherence to Constitutional requirements necessary for government action and limitations on state authority. In criminal matters, before the federal government deprives anyone, citizen or non-citizen, of their right to life, liberty or property, the Constitution demands--demands, not requests, not suggests, not proposes--demands, that the government detail the charges to be prosecuted; produce its witnesses for cross- examination; provide compulsory means for the defense to obtain its own witnesses; and settle the matter of guilt or innocence by decision of a jury of ordinary citizens. This is the American standard of justice. Some will argue that detention and treatment of aliens is a category of government action apart from Constitutional mandates. I disagree. The Constitution is not to be considered mute as a matter of convenience. The actions of the executive branch are always bound by the strictures of the Constitution; there is no free-play zone for non- citizens. A decision by the Federal Government to deport, to grant asylum or residency, or to detain a non-citizen does not exist in some extra- Constitutional universe. The Executive Branch is not compelled by law to hold people on secret evidence. There is no legal obligation for the government to detain aliens indefinitely. If the state is concerned that judicial proceedings would require the disclosure of classified information to the detriment of the nation, the government always has the flexibility not to act. Prosecution is a political decision and is done at the discretion of the government's attorneys. Hard choices are part of life. It may be that precluding the use of secret evidence will lead to the release of some dangerous individuals. This is a regrettable but necessary price we must pay for a free society bound by the rule of law. Sometimes releasing the guilty or the dangerous is the unfortunate result of limited government. The threat of terrorism is real, and our government should do all it can to preempt and punish those who would do violence to our people and interests. But in doing so, we must not do harm to the Constitution, which is exactly what the use of secret evidence does. I urge my colleagues to support the Bonior-Campbell amendment.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and honor Rabbi Dr. H. Joseph and Chana Simckes on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of their association with the Hollis Hills Jewish Center. It is with great pride that I pay tribute to two people who I have known closely, and with whom I have worked with on numerous issues critical to the Jewish community and beyond. Joseph and Chana Simckes have made the Jewish sage Hillel's ancient dictum, ``Do not separate yourself from the community,'' a living guide for their lives and the basis for their continuing efforts to promote social justice and human dignity from within and beyond the walls of the synagogue. Rabbi Simckes has been an exemplary spiritual leader, teaching Jewish values and providing moral guidance by his personal example, and I confidently expect that he will continue to be a source of leadership, learning and compassion for his congregation. Rabbi Simckes came to the Hollis Hills Jewish Center from a pulpit in Massachusetts and has been an energetic community leader in Jewish philanthropy, Jewish education and pro-Israel advocacy. Holding a doctorate in Pastoral Counseling, with experience in psycho-therapy, Rabbi Simckes has been a source of counsel and comfort for hundreds of my constituents, sharing his great wisdom and boundless compassion. Equally, Chana Simckes has won the hearts and respect of the Hollis Hills Jewish Center, and the larger Jewish community beyond, through her commitment and involvement in sustaining Jewish continuity and values. A refugee from Nazi Germany, Chana Simckes has embodied the American dream: graduating from Columbia University, succeeding as a professional in Jewish education, and rising to the leadership of numerous Jewish community organizations, all while raising a growing family. Joseph and Chana Simckes have elevated and improved the lives of their community, providing those around them with guidance, education, support and leadership. Stalwart advocates of social action, tireless champions of the Jewish people and the values of the Torah, I am honored to share with this House their marvelous example, and to hold them up for the recognition they both so richly deserve.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mary Petro as she is honored by the Jefferson Democratic Club of Flushing for her many years of dedicated service as a District Leader. The Jefferson Club is one of the oldest Democratic clubs in Queens County, New York. Mary Petro served valiantly and with great distinction as a District Leader from 1976 until she stepped down last year. In this capacity, Mary played an instrumental role in local New York City politics for nearly a quarter of a century, through devoted service to her community, to the Borough of Queens, to the Jefferson Club and to the Queens County Democratic Organization. Mary's service to her community and her involvement in civic affairs are legendary in the Borough of Queens. In 1968, Mary moved to Flushing, and immediately became an active member of the community. Mary has volunteered her time and her energies to countless community organizations and charitable endeavors, preeminently among them the Police Athletic League. For her work as the chief PAL fund-raiser for the 109th Precinct, and as an officer of the 109th Precinct's Community Council, Mary was named a ``Civilian Patrolman of the Month.'' Despite her tireless community service, Mary Petro has been a faithful employee of Con Edison for more than four decades, and a caring and devoted wife to her husband, Jimmy, for more than 30 years. Mr. Speaker, I have had the pleasure of knowing Mary Petro for a quarter of a century. I have been constantly amazed by her boundless energy, and her innumerable good works done on behalf of her community and her party. Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me now in extending our thanks and appreciation to Mary Petro as she is honored by the Jefferson Democratic Club of Flushing for her many years of service to the people of Queens County.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I share a poem written by my constituent Mr. Sol Axelrod of Commack, New York. The Merchant Marines have served as the sixth Armed Force of our country. Mr. Alexrod beautifully describes our ocean-going Patriots who have laid down their lives for freedom. As Memorial Day approaches, I thought his words were particularly moving. Forever at Rest Yes, I recall that fateful day A mighty force had struck my way. Being thrust upon the deck, With no feeling in my legs or neck ``Abandon ship'', a voice cried out I could not stir or even shout. Merchant seamen rest in the deep Heroes in eternal sleep Confined to a watery grave. Patriots, bold and brave. To my regret, I cannot leave. There is no consolation for those who grieve-- Here forever, I am part of the sea Having given my life for others to be free.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for the House Concurrent Resolution, H. Con. Res. 293, which calls on parties to the Hague Convention on Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction to abide by the provisions of that agreement. The State Department reports that nearly 1,000 children a year are abducted by a parent and taken outside of the United States. According to a report recently released by the General Accounting Office, despite the efforts of the Federal Government, Americans have little chance of regaining custody of children abducted by a parent and taken to a foreign country. Success in these tragic situations is often elusive because it largely depends on the willingness of foreign governments to cooperate. The 1980 Hague Convention outlines procedures for resolving international child abduction disputes among 54 countries. However, international child abduction remains a serious problem. The denial of parental visitation of children, and the failure of several contacting countries to fully implement the Convention, deprives the Hague Convention of the spirit of mutual confidence upon which its success depends. Countries that deny parents access to their own children merely reward abducting parents and endangers the well-being of abducted children for the rest of their lives. Several families in my Congressional District in New York have personally experienced the terrible psychological and financial strains of international child abduction. The wrongful retention of American children abroad touches not only left-behind parents and their families but also our entire Nation. Mr. Speaker, it is time that we all focus our collective attention on missing children and support H. Con. Res. 293

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to Mrs. H. Bert Mack, who will be honored by The Hillcrest Jewish Center at their 60th Anniversary dinner dance on Sunday, May 21st, 2000. Ruth Mack has devoted over 50 years of her life to maintaining the high standards of excellence for which The Hillcrest Jewish Center is known throughout the Jewish communities of Queens County and New York. Ruth and her late husband, H. Bert Mack, have both been major benefactors to The Hillcrest Jewish Center. In fact, Mr. Mack was a guarantor of the original mortgage to construct The Hillcrest Jewish Center youth building. It comes as no surprise that The Hillcrest Jewish Center's main building has been named after H. Bert and Ruth Mack. Mr. Speaker, Ruth Mack continues to carry on the philanthropic legacy that she and her husband valued so greatly. She is a generous contributor to many Jewish organizations including: The Eldridge Street Synagogue and the Museum of Jewish Heritage in Battery Park. She is also a benefactor of the esteemed Long Island Jewish Hospital. In addition, Ruth Mack has given generously of her own time, and she has spent many years teaching Hebrew to adults. Growing up in the community, I can personally attest to the high esteem in which Ruth and her entire family are held by the multitudes who know and love her. On this special day it is also a privilege to be able to acknowledge Ruth Mack's four children: William, David, Earle and Frederick, as well as her six grandchildren: Steven, Richard, Andrew, Beatrice, Jason and Haley. During my eighteen years of service in the U.S. Congress, I have been honored to speak and attend services at The Hillcrest Jewish Center on numerous occasions. The friendly and spiritual environment that I associate with The Hillcrest Jewish Center could not be possible were it not for the charitable contributions provided unselfishly by Ruth Mack. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me today in honoring Mrs. H. Bert (Ruth) Mack for her loyalty and dedication to The Hillcrest Jewish Center.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. There are a lot of things fishy going on on the floor today, Mr. Chairman. The gentleman from Connecticut I think might know that I personally did go to North Korea, and I did begin the negotiation with the then dictator of North Korea, Kim Il Song, and it was a very difficult conversation, believe me. It was at a time when they were fully active with their heavy water nuclear reactor, when they were refusing to let the IAEA in to do the inspections and we had those constant standoffs at the airport and they did not want to budge. To get them finally to agree that they would build down and take away and do away with their heavy-water reactor and switch to a light-water reactor, which we wanted them to do which would reduce the possibility of nuclear risk was a very difficult thing. The only thing that they wanted from us in return is to have the face, to be able to save face and not be able to say, well, the South Koreans and the Japanese of who they are not enamored with were bailing them out. They wanted it to look like an international effort. So our contribution is basically funding the oil to heat their country while one reactor is turned off and the other one is turned on. This is really about trying to embarrass the Clinton administration. This is really about establishing a strawman, a bogeyman to have an enemy to rally around and the North Koreans are very, very easy suspects to fill that role. What is going on here is basically to tear down the framework agreement. If we did not have the framework agreement, Mr. Chairman, this would be a much more dangerous world in which we live. This is critical that we go through with this. If this fails and they go back to their heavy-water reactor, where will we be? We will really need every bit of that $60 billion for Star Wars and all of those other things that we are talking about. This is the ounce of prevention that will save us megatons of cure.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time, and I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert), the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster), as well as the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Mrs. Johnson) for her leadership. I also want to thank my colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Lazio), who has done a lot of work on this, and the rest of the Long Island delegation, the gentleman from New York (Mr. King), the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. McCarthy), as well as the gentleman from New York (Mr. Forbes), who has now managed to cosponsor this bill from both sides of the aisle. I am proud to represent an area that borders the Long Island Sound. The Sound is one of our Nation's natural treasures with important environmental, recreational and commercial benefits. Its value as an essential habitat for one of the most diverse ecosystems in the Northeast cannot be understated. Residents and vacationers alike enjoy the Sound for swimming and boating, and the approximately $5 billion in revenue generated by commerce relating to the Sound is vital to the region as well as to individuals who base their livelihood on the benefits of the Long Island Sound. Unfortunately, the effects of millions of people on the shore and in the Sound are evidenced by the deteriorated water quality. Over the last several years, the Long Island Sound has suffered from numerous forms of pollution which has caused a dramatic drop in the Sound's fish population. As a result of the pollution, the Sound's multibillion dollar a year fishing industry is in jeopardy. The most recent devastating example that we have heard about is the unexplained and widespread lobster die-off. We must supply adequate resources to address this crisis and to examine possible problems in the water that could have caused the crisis. Preservation of the Long Island Sound is not a parochial issue but a national one. Its inclusion as a charter member in the National Estuaries Program, the Sound has been designated as one of only 28 estuaries of national significance. The time to act is now. When I first introduced this legislation by this name in 1992, and again in every subsequent Congress, the price tag was $50 million. Now it is $80 million. It will not get cheaper if we wait any longer. I am pleased to say and to note that both the States of New York and Connecticut are prepared to match the $80 million authorization with State funds, and I am confident that these funds will have a significant impact on the ongoing efforts to improve the quality of the Sound. We must do everything possible to ensure the continued funding of these efforts, and this legislation is the appropriate means for achieving the desired end. I urge all of our colleagues to join with us in supporting this legislation.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to Ayhan Hassan who will be honored by the Residents For A More Beautiful Port Washington at its Annual Spring Gala on May 7th. Ayhan Hassan truly exemplifies a person who has achieved the American dream. He was born in the Turkish portion of Cyprus, and became a citizen of the United States in 1982. During that year, Mr. Hassan opened Shish Kabab, one of the most successful restaurants in Port Washington and on Long Island. In 1995, Mr. Hassan's Fish Kebab restaurant debuted across the street and in 1995 he created a third successful business in downtown Port Washington, the Mediterranean Marketplace. In addition to being a prominent restauranteur, Mr. Hassan has been a major contributor to the beautification of downtown Port Washington. Ayhan Hassan has incorporated the beauty of the natural environment within his restaurants by using the trees, shrubs and flowers of Port Washington into the decorum of these properties. Mr. Hassan has invested his time and also has used his own money to restore many of the old buildings in downtown Port Washington to play host to his three businesses. He has consulted many times with the members of the Residents For A More Beautiful Port Washington to inquire about how they would effectively make Port Washington a more enjoyable place to shop, eat and live. Ayhan Hassan is indeed a man dedicated to improving the quality of life for his community. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me today in honoring Ayhan Hassan for his many years of active service to Port Washington and in wishing him many more to come.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I want to call to the attention of my colleagues and submit for the Record an article regarding Representative Stephen Chen, who serves as the head of the Taipei Cultural and Economic Representative Office in Washington. The article, which ran in on April 3 in the New York Times, is a fitting tribute to Taiwan's unofficial Ambassador, who has worked diligently to promote and expand relations between the United States and the 22 million citizens of Taiwan. Mr. Speaker, Ambassador Chen is a thorough professional who has enjoyed a long and distinguished life as a career diplomat. He has represented his government all over the world, including postings in the Philippines, Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia. His experience in the United States also is extensive, during the past twenty-five years Ambassador Chen served in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles and he has spent the last three years the Representative in Washington, D.C. Mr. Speaker, I am certain my colleagues would agree that Stephen Chen's charm and quiet demeanor have served Taiwan well. Whether meeting Members of Congress in their offices or Executive Branch officials in a more neutral setting, Ambassador Chen has always worked to make certain the United States and Taiwan remain strong friends. Mr. Speaker, as the article notes, Ambassador Chen is planning to retire shortly. I am certain all of my colleagues join me in congratulating Stephen Chen on a distinguished diplomatic career. We in the Congress are indeed fortunate to know him, and we wish him well in the years ahead. [From the New York Times (on the Web), Apr. 3, 2000] Public Lives--A Diplomatic Outsider Who Lobbies Inside Washington (By Philip Shenon) WASHINGTON--AT an embassy that is not an embassy, the ambassador who is not an ambassador can only imagine what it is like to be a full-fledged member of Washington's diplomatic corps. ``In the evenings, you attend cocktail parties, champagne dances,'' Stephen Chen said wistfully of the black-tie world from which he is largely excluded. ``This is the very routine, beautiful picture of the diplomat in a textbook.'' Mr. Chen, the director of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office, the de factor embassy here for the government of Taiwan, is a charming pariah. While he represents the interests of 22 million of the freest and richest people in Asia, the 66-year-old diplomat might as well be invisible, at least as far as many of the State Department's China experts are concerned. The snubs, Mr. Chen suggested, are an obvious effort to appease Beijing, and they are more than a little unfair to a government that is only weeks away from a peaceful transfer of power from one democratically elected leader to another, the first time that has happened in almost 5,000 years of Chinese history. ``There is a kind of unfairness,'' Mr. Chen tells a visitor, the wall behind his desk decorated with a painting of the delicate blossoms of the winter plum, Taiwan's national flower. ``We have been a model student for freedom, democracy and a market economy.'' ``We don't mind if the United States has rapprochement with mainland China--we think it's good to bring the P.R.C. into the family of civilizations,'' he says of the People's Republic of China, Because the United States has no diplomatic relations with Taiwan and has recognized the Communist government in Beijing as the sole representative of the people of China, Mr. Chen and his staff of nearly 200 are barred from the premises of the State Department. They are not invited to diplomatic receptions at the White House, or to most of the dinner parties and glittery balls held at the embassies of nations that recognize Beijing. When Taiwanese diplomats want to talk with Clinton administration officials, the meetings are often held in hotel coffee shops. ``We must meet in a neutral setting, that is the rule,'' says Mr. Chen, explaining the awkward logistics of the job. Relations with China have been especially jittery since Taiwan's election last month of the new president, Chen Shui- bian, a former democracy activist who long advocated Taiwan's independence and whose victory ended half a century of Nationalist rule. On the eve of the election, Chinese leaders all but warned of an invasion if Mr. Chen and his party were victorious. Since the election, both Mr. Chen and Beijing have softened their rhetoric, and Mr. Chen has recently insisted that he sees no need for an independence declaration. Stephen Chen, who is not related to the new president, welcomes the moderated rhetoric from Taiwan's new government. The Communist leaders in Beijing, he says, would strike only `` if they should be unnecessarily provoked.'' ``We have been dealing with them for more than 60 years,'' he said. ``We knew when they are bluffing, when they are not bluffing. If we don't give them an excuse, I don't think they're going to attack.'' Mr. Chen, who was born in the Chinese city of Nanjing, last saw the mainland in 1949, when his family was on the run from the victorious Communist forces of Mao Zedong. They fled to Taiwan, his father a diplomat in the service of the Nationalist leader, Chiang Kai-shek. His father was assigned to the embassy in the Philippines when Mr. Chen was 15, and he remained there for more than a decade, attending college in Manila, marrying his Chinese- Filipino high school sweetheart and becoming fluent in English. In 1960, he returned to Taiwan and passed the foreign service exam. He was first sent to Rio de Janeiro, and then to Argentina and Bolivia. In 1973, he was named consul general to Atlanta, where he remained until the United States severed relations with Taiwan and recognized Beijing six years later. Mr. Chen said he can remember sitting in his living room in Atlanta, watching the televised announcement by President Carter that the United States would recognize the Communist government. ``I felt that I was being clobbered,'' he recalled. ``A baseball bat on the head.'' ``It seemed very unfair,'' he continued. ``It was as if the United States wanted to reward a bad guy, the lousy student, and to punish the good student. That was my feeling.'' In the years since, he said, Taiwanese diplomats have learned how to innovate, especially in Washington, where they employ some of the city's most powerful lobbyists and retain close ties to many prominent conservative members of Congress. Mr. Chen says his office has an annual budget for lobbying of about $1.2 million an contracts with 15 firms. ``They help open doors, they make appointments for us,'' he said. ``But we make the presentations.'' Under a 1979 law, Taiwan can continue to buy American weapons. And Mr. Chen has been a frequent visitor to Capitol Hill in recent weeks as his government seeks Congressional approval for the sale of a wish list of sophisticated weapons. ``If we are deprived of basic defensive weapons, then of course we are thrown to the wolves,'' he said. Mr. Chen is considering a visit to the lair of the wolves. After 40 years in the diplomatic service, he is nearing retirement, and he is planning a vacation on the mainland, which is now permitted. ``I tell you very frankly, I would like to see the Great Wall,'' he said. ``This belongs to the legacy of China. It has nothing to do with Communism.''

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to join with so many of my colleagues in recalling the horrors visited upon the Armenian people and to take a stand against those who would deny the past in order to shape the future. The Armenian Genocide, which occurred between 1915 and 1923, resulted in the deliberate death of 1.5 million human souls, killed for the crime of their own existence. A shocking forerunner of still greater slaughter to come in the 20th century, the Armenian Genocide marked a critical point in history, when technology and ideology combined with the power of the state to make war on an entire people. The Ottoman Empire's campaign to eliminate the whole of the Armenian population existing within its borders was no accident, no mistake made by a minor functionary. Genocide was official policy and 1.5 million corpses were the result. The innocent, the harmless, the blameless, without regard to age, sex or status, they were the victims of deportation, starvation and massacre. When we here, in the House of Representatives, recall the deaths of the innocent of Armenia, we stand as witnesses to history and recognize the common bond of humanity. We acknowledge not just Armenians, but all the victims of vicious nationalism, ethnic and religious hatred, and pathological ideologies. The double tragedy of the Armenian Genocide, is first, that 1.5 million lives were snuffed out, and second, that the world, including the United States, not only did nothing, but again stood by as genocide took place on an even vaster scale across Europe only 16 years later. ``Never again.'' This is the simple lesson we as a nation have learned from the unprecedented slaughter of the innocent in the last century. Our armed forces are serving nobly around the world to make this dictum more than just words. If we are to be a just and honorable nation, we must do more than shrug our shoulders at atrocities. We, as a nation, must bear witness to history, and having acknowledged the horrors of the past, commit ourselves to preventing their repetition. Mr. Speaker, I am here today for one simple reason: to recall publicly that eighty-five years ago one-third of the Armenian people were put to death for the crime of their own existence. To deny this reality is to murder them again. We can not, we must not, allow their deaths to be stripped of meaning by allowing the crime committed against them to slowly slip into the mists of lost memory. Thanks to the strength and commitment of America's citizens of Armenian descent, their memory will not be lost. The victims of the Armenian Genocide will not be forgotten. I'd also like to commend and thank my colleagues Congressmen John Porter and Frank Pallone, the co- chairmen of the Congressional Caucus of Armenian Issues. Thanks to their leadership, this House has again honorably fulfilled America's commitment to memory and justice.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to indicate my strong support on behalf of H.R. 1776, The American Homeownership and Economic Opportunity Act. This important bill opens the prospect of homeownership to many deserving American families, particularly in my area of Northeast Queens, northern Nassau County and Northwestern Suffolk County, New York where homeownership opportunities have lagged because of affordability concerns. Despite a strong economy and record percentages of Americans who own their own homes, in my district we continue to experience gaps in homeownership especially among our middle-income professionals-- teachers, police officers, firefighters, and corrections officers. These deserving individuals have the necessary income to make their monthly mortgage payments but not enough cash for the downpayments necessary to purchase the home in the communities where they work. H.R. 1776 appropriately addresses this problem. The legislation contains important provisions that will now permit deserving Queens and Long Island teachers and public employees to obtain mortgages with just one percent downpayment requirement through the Federal Housing Administration. Plus, H.R. 1776 allows qualifying homebuyers to defer the payment of the upfront mortgage insurance premium--customarily two percent of the mortgage amount. As a result of these beneficial provisions, qualified borrowers can expect to save thousands of dollars in upfront costs when they purchase a home. I cannot begin to imagine how valuable the savings will mean for ownership in the Queens and Long Island areas as a result of H.R. 1776. Mr. Chairman, housing is the foundation on which everything else is built. In Queens and Long Island, homeownership holds many tangible benefits that range from increased educational attainment for children residing in an owned home to homeowners maintaining a more active interest and involvement in the communities in which they reside. H.R. 1776 certainly contributes to these important positive outcomes and I wholeheartedly urge my colleagues to vote in support of this important legislation.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I want to call to the attention of my colleagues an article regarding Representative Steven Chen, who serves as the head of the Taipei Cultural and Economic Representative Office in Washington. The article, which ran in today's New York Times, is a fitting tribute to Taiwan's unofficial Ambassador, who has worked diligently to promote and expand relations between the United States and the 22 million citizens of Taiwan. Mr. Speaker, Ambassador Chen is a thorough professional who has enjoyed a long and distinguished life as a career diplomat. He has represented his government all over the world, including postings in the Philippines, Brazil, Argentina, and Bolivia. His experience in the United States also is extensive. During the past 25 years, Ambassador Chen served in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and he has spent the last three years as the Representative in Washington, DC. Mr. Speaker, I am certain my colleagues would agree that Steven Chen's charm and quiet demeanor have served Taiwan well. Whether meeting Members of Congress in their offices or Executive Branch officials in a more neutral setting, Ambassador Chen has always worked to make certain the United States and Taiwan remain strong friends. Mr. Speaker, as the article notes, Ambassador Chen is planning to retire shortly. I am certain all of my colleagues join me in congratulating Steven Chen on a distinguished diplomatic career. We in the Congress are indeed fortunate to know him, and we wish him well in the years ahead. [From the New York Times, April 3, 2000] A Diplomatic Outsider Who Lobbies Inside Washington (By Philip Shenon) Washington.--At an embassy that is not an embassy, the ambassador who is not an ambassador can only imagine what it is like to be a full-fledged member of Washington's diplomatic corps. ``In the evenings, you attend cocktail parties, champagne dances,'' Stephen Chen said wistfully of the black-tie world from which he is largely excluded. ``This is the very routine, beautiful picture of the diplomat in a textbook.'' Mr. Chen, the director of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office, the de facto embassy here for the government of Taiwan, is a charming pariah. While he represents the interests of 22 million of the freest and richest people in Asia, the 66-year-old diplomat might as well be invisible, at least as far as many of the State Department's China experts are concerned. The snubs, Mr. Chen suggested, are an obvious effort to appease Beijing, and they are more than a little unfair to a government that is only weeks away from a peaceful transfer of power from one democratically elected leader to another, the first time that has happened in almost 5,000 years of Chinese history. ``There is a kind of unfairness,'' Mr. Chen tells a visitor, the wall behind his desk decorated with a painting of the delicate blossoms of the winter plum, Taiwan's national flower. ``We have been a model student for freedom, democracy and a market economy.'' ``We don't mind if the United States has rapprochement with mainland China--we think it's good to bring the P.R.C. into the family of civilizations,'' he says of the People's Republic of China, Because the United States has no diplomatic relations with Taiwan and has recognized the Communist government in Beijing as the sole representative of the people of China, Mr. Chen and his staff of nearly 200 are barred from the premises of the State Department. They are not invited to diplomatic receptions at the White House, or to most of the dinner parties and glittery balls held at the embassies of nations that recognize Beijing. When Taiwanese diplomats want to talk with Clinton administration officials, the meetings are often held in hotel coffee shops. ``We must meet in a neutral setting, that is the rule,'' says Mr. Chen, explaining the awkward logistics of the job. Relations with China have been especially jittery since Taiwan's election last month of the new president, Chen Shui- bian, a former democracy activist who long advocated Taiwan's independence and whose victory ended half a century of Nationalist rule. On the eve of the election, Chinese leaders all but warned of an invasion if Mr. Chen and his party were victorious. Since the election, both Mr. Chen and Beijing have softened their rhetoric, and Mr. Chen has recently insisted that he sees no need for an independence declaration. Stephen Chen, who is not related to the new president, welcomes the moderated rhetoric from Taiwan's new government. The Communist leaders in Beijing, he says, would strike only ``if they should be unnecessarily provoked.'' ``We have been dealing with them for more than 60 years,'' he said. ``We know when they are bluffing, when they are not bluffing. If we don't give them an excuse, I don't think they're going to attack.'' Mr. Chen, who was born in the Chinese city of Nanjing, last saw the mainland in 1949, when his family was on the run from the victorious Communist forces of Mao Zedong. They fled to Taiwan, his father a diplomat in the service of the Nationalist leader, Chiang Kai-shek. His father was assigned to the embassy in the Philippines when Mr. Chen was 15, and he remained there for more than a decade, attending college in Manila, marrying his Chinese- Filipino high school sweetheart and becoming fluent in English. In 1960, he returned to Taiwan and passed the foreign service exam. He was first sent to Rio de Janeiro, and then to Argentina and Bolivia. In 1973, he was named consul general to Atlanta, where he remained until the United States severed relations with Taiwan and recognized Beijing six years later. Mr. Chen said he can remember sitting in his living room in Atlanta, watching the televised announcement by President Carter that the ``It seemed very unfair,'' he continued. ``It was as if the United States wanted to reward a bad guy, the lousy student, and to punish the good student. That was my feeling.'' In the years since, he said, Taiwanese diplomats have learned how to innovate, especially in Washington, where they employ some of the city's most powerful lobbyists and retain close ties to many prominent conservative members of Congress. Mr. Chen says his office has an annual budget for lobbying of about $1.2 million and contracts with 15 firms. ``They help open doors, they make appointments for us,'' he said. ``But we make the presentations.'' Under a 1979 law, Taiwan can continue to buy American weapons. And Mr. Chen has been a frequent visitor to Capitol Hill in recent weeks as his government seeks Congressional approval for the sale of a wish list of sophisticated weapons. ``If we are deprived of basic defensive weapons, then of course we are thrown to the wolves,'' he said. Mr. Chen is considering a visit to the lair of the wolves. After 40 years in the diplomatic service, he is nearing retirement, and he is planning a vacation on the mainland, which is now permitted. ``I tell you very frankly, I would like to see the Great Wall,'' he said. ``This belongs to the legacy of China. It has nothing to do with Communism.''

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in reluctant support of H.R. 3908. With this bill, we are today embarking on a new course in our involvement in the counter-narcotics effort in Colombia. I support the bill because I believe we have an obligation to support democracies when they are threatened. Colombia is the oldest democracy in Latin America and is clearly under siege. But Colombia is not fighting a traditional insurgency whose followers claim some ideological justification for violence. It was once that way, but it isn't anymore. The guerrilla movements in Colombia have abandoned their ideology and instead provide protection to the narcotics traffickers who poison our children. The guerrillas also resort to kidnaping and extortion. From both these activities, the guerrillas generate substantial income making them the best funded insurgency probably in the history of the world. So the first point I would make to my colleagues is that we should be clear about the real purpose of this bill. It is not only to support a counter-narcotics strategy, it also supports a counter-insurgency strategy. It is designed to punish the guerrillas and their drug-trafficking allies in order to drive the guerrillas to the negotiating table and, with luck, arrest the traffickers. We also need to consider who we are providing our assistance to. The Colombia national police have an outstanding human rights record. They are an organization we should be proud to assist. But the bulk of this package will go to the Colombian military, which has one of the worst human rights records in the hemisphere. On top of that, there are credible allegations of ongoing cooperation between elements of the Colombian military and the paramilitary organizations. The good news is that our assistance will be provided to battalions that have been vetted and trained by us. In addition, it appears to me that the leadership of the Colombian military genuinely wants to address human rights issues. We should demand that our assistance be contingent on genuine efforts to arrest and prosecute abusers of human rights. Lastly, I am concerned about the direction of our counter-narcotics strategy. As we have seen in Bolivia and Peru, when there is success with eradication and interdiction in one area the traffic merely moves to another area. In a very real sense, much of the turmoil in Colombia is our fault. Our citizens consume the drugs grown and produced in Colombia, and unless we intensify our efforts to reduce demand here, a supply-side strategy is doomed to failure. In a larger sense, we are faced with a choice all of us would prefer not to make. None of us wants to become more deeply involved in another civil conflict in Latin America, yet doing nothing imperils not only Colombia but her immediate neighbors as well. On balance, I believe we should support the assistance package to Colombia as the best of the options available but we should understand the obligations this policy places on us and we should be aware that we will be involved in Colombia for a very long time.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to Robert Rosegarten upon his retirement as Mayor of The Village of Great Neck Plaza, NY, on Friday, March 24th. Mayor Rosegarten's work in Great Neck Plaza has been recognized on both the national and state level. His work to revitalize the downtown Great Neck shopping area is a model for local municipalities nationwide. Under the mayor's dynamic supervision, the village of Great Neck Plaza has not only experienced financial success, but is also highly regarded for its aesthetic beauty. Mayor Rosegarten's service to the community will undoubtably be used as a measuring stick for future Great Neck public officials. Prior to his distinguished service as mayor of Great Neck Plaza for the past 8 years, Mr. Rosegarten held the position of deputy mayor for 8 years and was also a village trustee for 2 years. Mayor Rosegarten has further distinguished himself in the Great Neck community as president of the Great Neck Village Officials Association, commissioner of the Great Neck Central Police Auxiliary and member of the executive board of Great Neck's United Community Fund. In addition to his work in the village of Great Neck Plaza, Mayor Rosegarten has been a successful executive in the advertising industry for over a quarter of a century. Robert Rosegarten is an avid sculptor and painter, whose art works have gained wide attention by appearing in many local galleries on Long Island. Mayor Rosegarten is a loving father of three sons and a proud grandfather to six grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me today in honoring Robert Rosegarten as he completes another milestone in his career and in wishing him many more years of active service to his family and his community.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Robert Rosegarten upon his retirement as mayor of the village of Great Neck, NY, on Friday, March 24th. Mayor Rosegarten's work in Great Neck has been recognized on both the national and State level. His work to revitalize the downtown Great Neck shopping area is a model for local municipalities nationwide. Under the mayor's dynamic supervision, the village of Great Neck has not only experienced financial success, but is also highly regarded for its aesthetic beauty. Mayor Rosegarten's service to the community will undoubtedly be used as a measuring stick for future Great Neck public officials. Prior to his distinguished service as mayor of Great Neck for the past 8 years, Mr. Rosegarten held the position of deputy mayor of Great Neck for 8 years and was also a village trustee for 2 years. Mayor Rosegarten has further distinguished himself in the Great Neck community as president of the Great Neck Village Officials Association, commissioner of the Great Neck Central Police Auxiliary and member of the executive board of Great Neck's United Community Fund. In addition to his work in the village of Great Neck, Mayor Rosegarten has been a successful executive in the advertising industry for over a quarter of a century. Robert Rosegarten is an avid sculptor and painter, whose art works have gained wide attention by appearing in many local galleries on Long Island. Mayor Rosegarten is a dedicated husband, a loving father of three sons and a proud grandfather to six grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me today in honoring Robert Rosegarten as he completes another milestone in his career and in wishing him many more years of active service to his family and his community.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Viviana Risca in honor of her reception of the first-place prize in this year's prestigious Intel Science Talent Search, America's oldest and most highly regarded pre-college science contest. Viviana is first in her senior class of 292 students at Paul D. Schreiber High School, in Port Washington, NY. Her award-winning computer science project was chosen from over 1,500 submitted entries, reviewed by a board of ten distinguished scientists who judged the entries for their research ability, scientific originality and creative thinking. Using DNA as the medium, Viviana studied steganography, a data encryption technique that embeds secret computer messages within large amounts of seemingly innocent information. For her molecular computing project, Viviana encrypted the secret message ``JUNE 6__INVASION: NORMANDY,'' and then inserted it in the gene sequence of a DNA strand. Over the years, more than 115,000 students from American high schools in all 50 states and overseas have completed independent research projects and submitted entries. More than 100 of the world's most coveted science and math honors have been won by alumni of this program. Five finalists of this contest have gone on to win the Nobel Prize, and thirty have been elected to the National Academy of Sciences. I had the pleasure of meeting Viviana while she was in Washington, D.C. for the final phase of this year's competition. Viviana is a talented young woman and she is a fine example of the amazing potential of our nation's youth. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me today in congratulating Viviana Risca upon receiving the first place-prize for her outstanding scientific capabilities and tremendous innovation.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 211. First let me thank Mr. Gejdenson, Mr. Lantos, Mr. Brown, and Mr. Hastings for co-sponsoring this resolution. Mr. Speaker, the contrasting events in India and Pakistan over a single 24 hour period speak eloquently about the new challenges and opportunities that we face in South Asia. In India, we have seen hundreds of millions of voters enthusiastically exercise their votes in a free and fair election. In Pakistan, we witnessed a military coup. This resolution, Mr. Speaker, recognizes that the people of India have a deep and abiding commitment to democracy and it salutes them for the passion with which they choose their own destiny. No country reflects our own values more in that part of the world than does India. It is high time we seriously begin to recognize this fact and graduate from mere platitudes to some tangible policy changes toward India. I believe that it is time to re-examine our basic premise regarding U.S. policy in South Asia. We should abandon old paradigms and Cold War hangups and see that India, a democracy, is our natural ally in the region. The best way to demonstrate our commitment to the people of India is by ensuring that the President travels to India as soon as possible, as the resolution urges him to do. I urge my colleagues to support the resolution.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 900, the Financial Services Modernization Bill. This is indeed a momentous day as we prepare to pass this historic legislation. S. 900 achieves many goals in financial modernization to better serve consumers and businesses. The measure creates one-step shopping for bank accounts, insurance policies and securities transactions, requires banks to disclose bank surcharges on ATM machines and on the screens of ATM machines before a transaction is made, and ensures that banks lend to all segments of their communities with the continued applicability of the Community Reinvestment Act. I was particularly proud to be a conferee on the financial privacy section of this bill. After months of negotiations, we have crafted, what I believe, is a strong provision which will enhance the privacy that consumers want and deserve. Four provisions in particular evidence the achievements in the bill. The first provision addresses disclosure requirements. Currently, financial institutions do not have to disclose their financial privacy provisions to their customers. Consumers have a right to know what the policy is, and S. 900 will require these institutions to inform all new customers of their policy and to update existing customers at least once a year. Second, the bill allows in most instances for consumers to ``opt- out'' of their financial institution's information sharing agreements with unaffiliated third parties. This arrangement strikes a balance between protecting consumer privacy and facilitating regular financial activities. Third, the measure expressly prohibits financial institutions including banks, savings and loans, credit unions, securities firms and insurance companies, from disclosing a customer's bank account or credit card numbers to unaffiliated third parties for telemarketing, direct mail marketing or electronic mail purposes. And finally, this legislation bans, with minor safety exceptions, the despicable practice known as pretext calling. This blatantly criminal activity in which an individual impersonates another in order to trick an institution into providing confidential information, would be punishable by both imprisonment and fines. I applaud the hard work and dedication of the Conferees from the House and the Senate, as well as the Department of the Treasury, the Federal Reserve and the White House. Without this cooperation, we would not be here today voting on S. 900. I encourage my colleagues to join with me and vote for the Financial Services Modernization bill, S. 900.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Robert G. Fonti as he is honored by the Saul Weprin Democratic Club on Sunday, October 17th, 1999 at the club's 42nd annual dinner dance. Robert Fonti is an active member of the Board of Governors of the Saul Weprin Democratic Club. He is the President and the CEO of the Vincent James Management Company where he specializes in Real Estate Brokerage and Property management. An alumni of St. John's University, Robert Fonti earned a Bachelor and a Master of Arts in Government and Politics as well as a Certificate in Public Administration. He is actively involved in professional organizations such as the National Realty Organization, the Real Estate Board of Education, the New York Association of Realty Managers and the National Asbestos Council. As a real estate consultant to the Town of Huntington, Robert Fonti advises the Town Board on all trustee and land use matters. He also serves as the VP of Budget and Finance for Respect for Law Alliance Inc. Aside from his professional duties, Robert Fonti donates his time and energy to such worthy causes as the New York State Order of the Sons of Italy in America, the Coalition of Italian American Organizations, and the Boy Scouts of America. Robert is a devoted husband to his wife, Barbara, and father to his daughters, Barbara Olivia and Lauren Anne. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in extending my congratulations to Robert Fonti as he is honored by the Saul Weprin Democratic Club for his years of active service to his community.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Joan Kron as she is honored by the Saul Weprin Democratic Club on Sunday, October 17th, 1999 at the club's 42nd annual dinner dance. Joan Kron has been a long time member of the Board of Governors of the Saul Weprin Democratic Club. She is an experienced educator who has been employed by the New York City Board of Education for twenty four years. For the last twenty years, Joan Kron has been the Resource Room teacher at P.S. 186 in Bellerose, Queens. An alumini of Lehman College, Joan Kron earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and a Master of Arts in Special Education. She is currently pursuing a Certificate in Supervision and Administration from Queens College. For the past year, Joan Kron has served as the UFT representative for her school and has been involved with various union issues. She is a passionate community activist who has given both of her time and her energy to a number of worthy causes. Joan Kron is a devoted wife to her husband, Barry, and dedicated mother to her daughter, Beth, and her son, Jonathan. Beth is currently attending SUNY College at Oneonta and Jonathan attends Townsend Harris High School. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in extending my congratulations to Joan Kron as she is honored by the Saul Weprin Democratic Club for her years of dedicated service to the community.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment. (Mr. ACKERMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)