Gary Ackerman

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to express my support for amendments adopted by the House last week to H.R. 3540, the foreign operations appropriations bill for fiscal year 1997. In the early years of this century, the Armenian people suffered horrible atrocities at the hands of the Ottoman Empire. The diplomatic record, from our own diplomats and from those of other countries, shows an orchestrated effort to rid Turkey of Armenians. It is time that the Turkish Government recognize the Armenian genocide and honor the victims in an appropriate manner. The House has spoken twice this past week on Armenian issues. The first time was to amend the Humanitarian Corridors Act to remove the President's authority to waive the provisions of the act which deny aid to a country blocking humanitarian assistance to a third country. Turkey has been blocking such assistance to Armenia but the President choose to waive the applicable provisions of the Humanitarian Corridors Act. The House has responded by overwhelmingly adopting an amendment denying the President future use of this authority. The House also spoke resoundingly when it adopted an amendment cutting by $3 million the economic support funds Turkey receives until the Government of Turkey acknowledges the atrocity committee against the Armenians and takes appropriate steps to honor the memory of the victims of the Armenian genocide. Mr. Chairman, these amendments will send a strong message to the Turkish Government that the United States expects the victims of the Armenian genocide to be recognized and that silence in the face of such atrocities is unacceptable.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with my constituents in the 5th Congressional District of New York, and the citizens of the village of Port Washington, in Nassau County, in recognizing the Port Washington Youth Activities [PYA] as it celebrates its sixth hall of fame dinner dance. This year, the PYA will honor three individuals, Bob Dayton, Mike Griffith, and Gene Sheridan for their dedication and support of youth activities in the community. These individuals will be inducted into the Port Washington Youth Activities Hall of Fame. Bob Dayton was a significant force in the developmental days of PYA; he served as coach, commissioner, officer, and director for more than 13 years. Mike Griffith is being cited for his athletic achievements in basketball at the collegiate level in the 1970's. Many of his skills and dedication to excellence were developed in his active days as a youth in the PYA basketball and baseball programs. Finally, Gene Sheridan is being honored for having distinguished himself as commissioner, director, and a coach of youngsters in the lacrosse, basketball and football programs for more than 12 years and still remains active today. All three of these gentlemen are being recognized for their individual and collective contributions to youth sports. Their achievements are an excellent reflection upon themselves, their families, and their community, and represent the true American spirit of dedication and voluntarism embodied by the PYA. These three men are most deserving of this honor, and merit the special appreciation of their neighbors and friends. Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me now in honoring Bob Dayton, Mike Griffin, and Gene Sheridan, and in congratulating the Port Washington Youth Activities for its generous contributions and dedicated service to the community.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in very strong support of H.R. 2579, the Travel and Tourism Partnership Act of 1995. The tourism industry makes up an enormous part of our economy, and in fact, it is our Nation's second largest employer. This industry also generates a total of $58 billion in taxes for our Federal, State, and local governments annually. The revenue generated by travel and tourism has made it our nations leading export. Additionally, the revenue that's been generated by domestic and international tourists has helped to ease the tax burden for American households. In past years the U.S. tourism industry has grown, while enhancing the economic prosperity of communities and cities from across the Nation, resulting in secure jobs and thriving businesses. The travel industry has exploded worldwide, to the point where it now employs 10 percent of the global work force. And it continues to grow-- at a rate 23 percent faster than the world's economy. In a competitive market like this, the United States cannot afford to fall behind in its attraction of world tourists. This was the impetus behind the establishment of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Administration [USTTA]-- the promotion of the United States for the international traveler, as well as for the tourist at home. The marketing techniques used by the USTTA allowed this nation to dominate and remain competitive in the world market. In April of 1996, however, USTTA was closed down in an effort to save money. However, the cost of our actions could be greater with the loss of some 177,000 jobs throughout the tourism industry, as well as the end of organized U.S. travel promotions efforts. Since 1993, there has been a huge decrease in international travelers inbound for the U.S., while at the same time, an increase in U.S. residents traveling abroad. The obvious result of these trends have led to a loss of revenue, a loss of jobs and a loss of our ranking in the world tourism industry. Clearly, since the closing of the USTTA our Nation has suffered a loss in tourism revenue while the rest of the world benefits in an increase in tourism. New York State alone generated $4.8 billion in tax revenue collected from international and domestic tourists, in 1993. Along with the revenue generated, there are 357,000 New York jobs that are supported by these tourists. Obviously, the tourism industry is an important source of revenue for the State of New York, collecting 11 percent of the $58 billion generated in the United States overall from the international traveler. Simply put, we need to attract international tourists back to the beautiful sites our country has to offer, while steering them toward use of U.S. companies. This is why I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2579--already cosponsored by a bipartisan group of 246 Members--to establish a U.S. National Tourist Organization. The organization will advise the President and Congress on policies that will increase U.S. competitiveness in the global arena, in the hopes of alluring the international tourist to the United States, and the American tourist back home.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. An election that did not gain that much attention because there were no very serious violent abuses during the entire electoral process. Over 400 million people going to the polls democratically, even turning out the controlling government 2 weeks ago. That is democracy in action. One out of every ten people on the planet going to vote; imagine that. At a point where India is struggling to form a coalition government right now, this is a terrible message to send. There are only very, very few countries within the purview of this legislation that we look to cap in any way from the pot of money that is provided. Those countries include North Korea, the Sudan, Iran, Iraq, Libya, and Syria. Certainly not even the most ardent of India-bashers can come to the floor and seriously suggest that the world's largest democracy, and getting more democratic all the time, belongs with such a group. This is an attempt to stigmatize and not an attempt to legislate.

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote and pending that, I make a point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Chairman, if the gentleman will yield, under this open rule, we have approximately at this point 8 Members who wanted to speak. However, we have reached an agreement on our side because of the late hour, we have agreed to have two more speakers for 3 minutes apiece, if that is okay with the chairman.

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, with this strong array of Members coming to the floor to oppose Mr. Burton's amendment, I have been trying to figure out what this is really all about. I think it was said during the opening minutes of this discussion by Mr. Burton himself, I think those Members who are interested in cutting aid of any kind have to listen to what Mr. Burton said. This is not about cutting aid, because no money is saved here. Not one dollar, not one penny, not one rupee is saved. What this does is it just limits the amount of money India can take out of an existing pot. We are all against human rights abuses, Mr. Chairman. We are all offended by the kind of things that we see in the pictures that Mr. Burton has brought before us. But I have to tell Members, when he says things or anybody says things over and over and over again, that does not make it so; and it does not necessarily make it true. We were all horrified by that picture that was up on the easel. Mr. Chairman, looking at the speaker, looking at the picture and hearing the words that this is the abuse that is taking place in India today right at this minute, that is the same picture we saw last year when we heard the same story. I have seen that same picture, 3 years in a row. I have even seen pictures that Members from the other side bring me that Members, say, the other terrorist did this and this is one of our guys. Three years in a row that guy died. Unless he is triplets, I am not sure what is guy died. I do not mean to make light about violations of human rights. But to say that this is going on and sponsored by the Government of India is not necessarily what is happening, Mr. Chairman. This amendment, which is not a cutting amendment, admittedly, by the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Burton], is meant solely and strictly to stigmatize a sister democracy, and that is not what we should be doing. India, according to the human rights report that Mr. Burton cited, and I will quote it, India, quote, ``has made significant progress in resolving human rights problems,'' end of quote. The Indian Government has responded to our initiative when we objected to one of the bills that they have, their Terrorist Destructive Activities Act. They no longer have that. Contrary to what our colleagues heard, the Indian Government has reached agreement with the International Committee of the Red Cross to permit visits to Kashmir. I visited Kashmir; I visited Kashmir again. Many Members of this body were there. My colleagues heard that we were escorted and monitored by Indian troops. I visited with the very people who oppose the Indian Government, I had dinner in their homes, I met with their council, I met with every single opposition group in Kashmir. I was stuck there during a blizzard in January. I met with more people I had not intended to meet with, and not once in the presence of Indian troops, and not once was anybody restrained in what they had to say to me. The insurgent violence in Punjab has largely disappeared, and there is visible progress in correcting the abusive practices by the police which has occurred. The National Human Rights Commission continues to play a useful role in addressing whatever patterns of abuse and specific abuses there might be. Last year the commission, which was not even referenced by the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Burton], prosecuted more than 200 cases. Economic reforms: India has done everything that we have asked of her. Since 1991 the Indian Government has substantially reduced inflation. Their budget deficit has been reduced. They have privatized. They have cut subsidies to inefficient state owned industries. They made the rupee convertible. In international trade they reduced tariffs and industrial licensing controls in order to attract foreign investment, and, as a result, United States investment in India, Americans investing over there as we do in all strong democracies, has gone from $500 million a year in 1991 to $5 billion this year alone. That is a thousand percent increase. That is the kind of confidence the American business people have in India and the reforms that are going on there. The United States is India's largest trading partner and largest investor. The democracy issue is probably the most important issue of all. India is, as has been stated, the world's largest democracy. They have a free press, they have civilian control of the military, they have an independent judiciary, they have active political parties and civic associations. The election that we have just seen was really ho-hum. It did not take a lot of attention.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with my colleagues, and the members of the Harry Van Arsdale Jr. Memorial Association as they present their Humanitarian Award to Joseph Jacobson. The Memorial Association recognizes individuals who pay tribute to educational and social projects that express the lifelong philosophy and personal commitments of Harry Van Arsdale, Jr., the long time, and much beloved labor leader. Throughout his life, Joe Jacobson has strived to help others. In 1921, Mr. Jacobson was initiated into the Local 3, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. From there he held a position on the Board of Directors of the Electrical Workers Benefit Society. He has served as president to the Electrical Welfare Club, and the Bronx Acorn Social Club. Mr. Jacobson was also a representative of Local 3, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and an employee representative of the Joint Industry Board of the Electrical Industry, and of the vacation committee. While becoming active in the community, he still remained a loving husband to his late wife Rose, and a father to his son Stanley, who has blessed the Jacobsons with three grandchildren and one great-grandson. This is not the first time Mr. Jacobson has been honored with such prestigious recognition. Mr. Jacobson's accomplishments were also acknowledged by the Electrical Industry Division of the State of Israel Bonds, the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of the Electrical Sign Division, and the United Jewish Appeal and the Bronx Council of Scouting. The dedication of this man to better his community continued even after his retirement on March 1, 1967. He was instrumental in organizing the thirteen chapters of the Retirees Association of Local 3, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He served as their first treasurer in 1969, and has served as president since 1975, while continuing to remain a board member on the National Council of Senior Citizens. He still remains active in his community, always putting others before himself. There is no doubt in my mind that this country would benefit by having more people like Joseph Jacobson. Mr. Speaker, it is with the utmost sincerity and gratitude, that I pay tribute to this man, and thank him for the generosity he has proffered on others throughout his life. He is an outstanding citizen and an inspiration to us all. Therefore, I ask my colleagues to rise with me, and the people of the Fifth Congressional District, as we extend to Joseph Jacobson our sincere appreciation for his life's work and dedication to others.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with my colleagues and members of the Environmental Law Institute and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as they gather on Thursday, May 30, to present Virginia Dent and Aurora Gareiss with the 1996 National Wetlands Award for volunteer leadership. For the past 30 years, Virginia and Aurora have initiated programs to save the considerable salt marsh and freshwater estuaries surrounding Little Neck Bay in Little Neck, NY. Their heroic efforts have led to the acquisition of a series of wetland complexes throughout Queens, including, but not limited to, the 135-acre Udalls Cove Park Preserve, now protected by the New York City and State park systems. However, Mr. Speaker, Virginia and Aurora's good work extends far beyond this valuable project. They have tirelessly strived to put an end to illegal dumping--a highly detrimental practice with far-reaching effects. Additionally, they have long tried to promote understanding of the causal link between environmental and physical health. In this vein, Virginia has served as the executive director of the New York State Northeast Queens Nature and Historical Preserve Commission, while Aurora has served as its commissioner. Furthermore, Virginia has spent the past 15 years on the Queens Borough president's Flushing Bay task force. Mr. Speaker, Virginia and Aurora have come to symbolize the American spirit of voluntarism and generosity. I ask all my colleagues to rise with the grateful people of the Fifth Congressional District in extending to Virginia Dent and Aurora Gareiss the highest accolades of appreciation and admiration.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in very strong support of this measure, and want to thank Mr. Funderburk for originally introducing it in the Asia and Pacific Subcommittee, and Chairman Gilman for expediting the legislation to the floor for passage. Mr. Speaker, the Chinese people on Taiwan have come a long way. Over a 10-year period of time, they have succeeded in instituting many of the democratic principles that we have enjoyed in this country for over 200 years. And they have done this through the hard work, perseverance and vision of one man: President Lee Teng-Hui. President Lee, who is the first native-born Taiwanese to govern Taiwan, has done remarkable things for his country and countrymen in this short span of time. Therefore, on March 23, 1996, President Lee was the first man in Chinese history to be popularly elected president of Taiwan. That is no small feat, considering Taiwan's recent history, as well as other adversities he had to overcome--in particular, China's bellicose attitude toward Taiwan's impending election. However, those adversities were overcome, and President Lee was elected with a vote of 54 percent--validating his leadership and allowing him to continue forward with his progressive policies. The American people have stood by Taiwan over the years, and I believe will continue to do so, as they continue to grow and mature into a full-fledged democracy. I have nothing but admiration and applause for President Lee and the people of Taiwan, and I recognize that the friendship between our two countries is a very special one, and should remain as such. I therefore tip my hat to President Lee on his election, and congratulate the Taiwanese people on achieving another great victory in the fight for freedom and democracy.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with my colleagues and the members of the New York Metropolitan Region Chapter of the American Society for Technion, the Israel Institute of Technology, as they gather on Wednesday, May 15, 1996, to pay tribute to Rosalind and Joseph Gurwin. The Gurwins have devoted a good part of their lives to the welfare of the Jewish people and the State of Israel. Recognizing the importance of technological development in Israel's future, Ros and Joe have been long time supporters of Technion, Israel's only comprehensive scientific university and center for applied research. In this vein, they have provided funding for Technion's Gurwin-I Tech-Sat satellite, a project stimulating telecommunications, meteorology and x-ray telescope technology, as well as serving as a key link in an Israeli-based computer network. However, Mr. Speaker, Ros and Joe's philanthropic efforts extend far beyond Technion to encompass the entire New York metropolitan community. The Long Island Jewish Medical Center and UJA-Federation have benefitted greatly due to their continuing support. Furthermore, Ros and Joe's commitment to the elderly has led to the construction of the Gurwin Jewish Geriatric Center in Commack, Long Island. Mr. Speaker, the Gurwins have come to symbolize the American spirit of volunteerism and generosity. I ask all my colleagues to rise with the grateful people of the Fifth Congressional District in extending to Rosalind and Joseph Gurwin the highest accolades of appreciation and admiration.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask all my colleagues to join me in supporting the Suffolk County police during their annual memorial service. The Suffolk County Police Superior Officers Association, the Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association, and the Suffolk County Detectives Association, will be honoring their fellow officers who have given their lives on the line of duty. In particular, the associations will be dedicating a commemorative footstone in memory of Sgt. Timothy Henck. Suffolk County Police Sgt. Timothy J. Henck passed away as a result of injuries received in the line of duty on August 6, 1995. Sergeant Henck sustained his injuries during a vehicle chase of a burglary suspect on the Long Island Expressway. Sergeant Henck came from a family with a history of law enforcement and followed his father, the late Lt. Thomas Henck of the Suffolk County Police Department, into law enforcement. Sergeant Henck began his career in January 1986, as a member of the New York City Police Department, serving in Brooklyn. Later that year, Sergeant Henck joined the Suffolk County Police Department, where he was assigned to the 3d precinct and quickly won 15 departmental commendations. In June 1994, Timothy Henck was promoted to Sergeant and earned the respect and admiration of all those who worked for and with him until his untimely death last year. Sergeant Henck showed the full measure of his devotion to law enforcement and made the ultimate sacrifice while in the performance of his duty. Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring Sergeant Henck and all the Suffolk County police officers who have given their lives in the line of duty.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the rededication of Temple Emanuel of Great Neck, which occurred on May 5, 1996. This day, hereby known as Emanuel day, culminates a 10 year effort that has served to beautify the synagogue, and enhance it as an ongoing source of inspiration to its congregants and the Great Neck community. Conceived by Rabbi Robert Widom, spiritual leader or Temple Emanuel, the project evolved into the design of six stained glass windows for the synagogue's sanctuary, a new ark and eternal light. The initial project, under the direction of Rabbi Widom, undertook a search that would last for 10 years until the appropriate artist was selected and the creative plans were developed. Through the combined efforts of the congregation's leadership team of president Lloyd Goldfarb, chair of the refurbishing committee, Paula Held Scharf, brotherhood president, John Holzer and sisterhood president, Carol Cohen, an extensive search was launched that yielded Paul Winthrop Wood, a Canadian born artist. Mr. Wood comes from a family of renowned architects and builders and brought to Temple Emanuel an innate understanding of the Old Testament and the many creative and imaginative themes that flow from it. It was his early upbringing by his mother that endowed him with a rich blend of talent and insight that would be brought to fruition by the many religious building challenges he undertook. In rising to the challenge of bringing to the synagogue a sense of love, understanding and compassion, Mr. Wood succeeded grandly. It is with great pride and love that the trustees of Temple Emanuel of Great Neck declared Sunday, May 5, as Emanuel day. As the hundreds of congregants of Temple Emanuel gathered on that day, it was most exciting and reaffirming that in the truest tradition of the American spirit, this beautiful congregation continues to so willingly give of itself, to its members and the community.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with my colleagues and the members of Temple Beth-El of Great Neck, as they gather on the weekend of May 10 and 11, 1996, to pay tribute to their president, Roger Tilles. The son of former Temple President Gilbert Tilles, Roger's devotion to Temple Beth-El stems from his childhood. In fact, his good work began early on when, as a teenager, he was president of the Junior Temple Club. However, Mr. Speaker, it is his charitable contributions that have been most noteworthy. Roger has been chair of the Temple's social action, building, and grounds and development committees. In 1985, he was elected a Temple trustee, eventually going on to become vice president and president of Temple Beth-El. Roger has long been a champion of family values, and he has utilized his tradition of leadership in this regard. To name but a few of these beneficial organizations, he was instrumental in launching the Beth-El Connection, a program dedicated to welcoming new families into the congregation, as well as the Family Life Program, a group devoted to strengthening the Jewish family. In fact, Roger's philanthropic activities extend far beyond the scope of the Jewish community to encompass the many faces of Long Island. He has been an active member of the Association for a Better Long Island. Furthermore, Roger has consistently been a strong supporter of the arts. It is his love of education and culture that led to the construction of the Tilles Center at Long Island University's C.W. Post campus. Mr. Speaker, Roger Tilles has come to symbolize the American spirit of voluntarism and generosity. I ask all my colleagues to rise with the grateful people of the Fifth Congressional District in extending to Roger Tilles the highest accolades of appreciation and admiration.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in full support of the conference report and want to take a moment to thank the chairman and the ranking member of the subcommittee and the full committee as well for the hard work and dynamic leadership that they have exhibited in bringing all parties and points of view together in this very, very important legislation. I want to especially take a moment to acknowledge the hard work and important work that has been done in what has been called the AIDS baby part of this legislation. This is a very, very important and creative first step that we are taking, first emphasizing as strongly as we can the voluntary aspects, to try to get as many pregnant women counseled and tested for the HIV virus and then absent that, or after that, to whatever extent that does or does not work, and we all hope that will be as effective a method as possible, to then take those neonates whose mothers' HIV status is unknown, and to mandatorily test them so as to be able to save additional lives and to put off the onset of so much tragedy and emotion in so many people's lives. I want to thank the members of the conference committee and urge everybody to support the report.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with my colleagues and the members of Temple Emanuel of Great Neck, as they gather on May 5, 1996, in Temple Emanual to celebrate Emanuel Day, the end of a 10- year effort that has served to beautify the synagogue, and enhance it as an ongoing source of inspiration to its congregants and the Great Neck community. Conceived by Rabbi Robert Widom, spiritual leader of Temple Israel, the project evolved into the design of six stained glass windows for the synagogue's sanctuary, a new ark and eternal light. The initial project, under the direction of Rabbi Widom, undertook a search that would last for 10 years until the appropriate artist was selected and the creative plans were developed. An extensive search by the rabbi and the congregation's refurbishing committee yielded Paul Winthrop Wood, a Canadian born artist, who comes from a family of renowned architects and builders. Mr. Wood brought to Temple Emanuel an innate understanding of the Old Testament and the many creative and imaginative themes that flow from it. It was his early upbringing by his mother that endowed him with a rich blend of talent and insight that would be brought to fruition by the many religious building challenges he undertook. A native of Port Washington, Mr. Wood continues the family tradition of building and design. He began his early studies in the Art Studies League and the National Academy of Design. Soon thereafter, he founded his own school, and began a career that would include the design and construction of more than 100 churches and synagogues throughout the United States and 30 houses of worship on Long Island. In rising to the challenge of bringing to the synagogue and sense of love, understanding, and compassion, Mr. Wood succeeded grandly. It is with great pride and love that the trustees of Temple Emanuel of Great Neck have declared Sunday, May 5, as Emanuel Day. As the hundreds of congregants of Temple Emanuel gather on this day, it is most exciting and reaffirming that in the truest tradition of the American spirit, this beautiful congregation continues to so willingly give of itself, to its members and the community.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise this evening to stand together with my colleagues in commemoration of the Armenian genocide of 1915- 23. Eighty-one years ago, while Europe was embroiled in war and the Ottoman Empire was crumbling, a concerted campaign to eradicate the Armenian people began. In the course of 8 brutal years, at least 1.5 million Armenian men, women, and children were massacred. What was the reason behind this deliberate and calculated effort to destroy any Armenian presence in Turkey? We will probably never know. The official Turkish Government position is that, during World War I, a series of internal conflicts contributed to the unfortunate deaths of many Armenians. In my opinion, that symbolizes a categorical denial of what really happened. It is the denial of an event that has been documented by scholars the world over. That denial is disrespectful to the memories of those that perished, those that survived, and to the civilized world. Quite simply, it is reprehensible. As a Jewish Member of Congress, and a human being, I cannot stand idly by while this denial continues to be perpetrated. It has been said that when Adolf Hitler was planning the Final Solution to the Jewish problem, he recalled the international reaction to the Armenian genocide: ``Who remembers the Armenians?'' he offered. In the same vein, who then would stand up for the Jews and remember them? Well, we do remember that Holocaust, as well as the innocent victims of the Armenian genocide, and we will continue doing so, that it may never happen again. The Armenian genocide was the first of the 20th century, but because the world did not learn its lesson, we were forced to endure the horrors of the Jewish Holocaust. Therefore, we have pledged, and stand together, as Jews, as Armenians, as people, that we will never allow this kind of tragedy to befall us again. I thank my colleagues, Congressmen John Porter and Frank Pallone, for leading this effort in the House of Representatives, and am proud to be a member of the Armenian Issues Caucus in order to work on this issue of concern to all human beings.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with my constituents and with the members of the Eastern Queens Democratic Club as they honor Honey Miller at the club's annual dinner at the Douglaston Manor in Queens County, NY. For many years, Honey Miller has been a model of what the term ``community activist'' should mean. While serving as deputy director of Queens community boards from 1985 through 1990, Honey used her expertise to help local boards address major, complex issues that impacted on the growth and development of the borough's many communities. While immersed in this ongoing role Honey developed a second field of expertise by becoming a professional volunteer. As a PTA leader, president of the Aviva chapter of B'nai Brith, a companion to children with emotional problems at the Creedmoor Hospital, a chairwoman of the adult-education program at the Marathon Jewish Center, a volunteer at the Queens County District Attorney's office, and a chauffeur for senior citizens at the Samuel Field Y, Honey Miller established a reputation as someone who could undertake any task and get the job done. Mr. Speaker, the community has not only benefited from Honey's dedication, but also has responded to her good works by presenting her with many and varied honors, including Woman of the Year for the northeast Queens Memorial Day parade, certificates of achievement from B'nai Brith and the Marathon Jewish Center, citation of achievement from the metropolitan region of the United Synagogue of America, the Community Service Award from the Glen Oaks Volunteer Ambulance Corp., and the certificate of merit from the Queens Women's Center. Fully understanding the workings of American government and responding in the true American spirit of voluntarism and civic participation, Honey has risen to a variety of prominent positions in the area of elected leadership. While currently serving as Democratic district leader for the 24th Assembly District, a position which she has held since 1972, Honey has also chaired the women's division of the New York State Democratic Committee, was treasurer of the Women's Executive Committee of the Queens County Democratic Organization, second vice chairperson of the Queens Democratic Committee, and served as delegate to the last five Democratic National Conventions. Mr. Speaker, Honey Miller has come to symoblize the truest example of the American participatory spirit. I ask all my colleagues to join with the grateful people of the Fifth Congressional District in extending to Honey Miller the highest accolades of appreciation and recognition.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in utter amazement that we are even going to consider repealing the assault weapons ban. Here are provisions of law designed to keep weapons of war off of our streets and to prevent citizens from being slaughtered and our law enforcement officials from being outgunned. Yet the majority party insists we would be better off without the ban. I find that difficult to believe. Mr. Speaker, when President Bush banned the importation of assault weapons in 1989, the number of such rifles traced to crime dropped by 45 percent. In the year of the ban on domestic assault weapons, the effect of such attacks has dropped an additional 18 percent. Despite these encouraging results, assault weapons still pose a major danger to Americans, particularly to our law enforcement officers, and I for one cannot turn my back on the valiant police officers in my district in New York City and Long Island. Mr. Speaker, I beg my colleagues, do not defile the memory of those who died in the massacre on the Long Island Railroad. Do not sell your vote for the blood money of the NRA. Listen to the painful and courageous cries of the victims, your constituents and our police officers, law enforcement officials, and not to the special interests and the blood money of the NRA.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I call to the attention of my colleagues an article entitled ``Hospitality is Their Business, Indian-Americans' Rooms-to-Riches Success Story.'' This article appeared in the business section of today's New York Times. Mr. Speaker, as this article correctly points out, Indian Americans are now the dominant force in the domestic hotel industry. Today, Indian Americans own 12,000 hotel and motel properties. This translates into 46 percent of America's economy hotels and 26 percent of the United States total lodging. This is truly an amazing and impressive accomplishment. Mr. Speaker, Congress is in the midst of a long and protracted debate on how to reform our Nation's immigration laws. Many of my colleagues have endorsed the idea of sharply reducing the number of legal immigrants to this country as part of this overhaul of our immigration policies. I believe that any Member who reads this article will have to seriously question and ultimately reject that proposal. We are a nation of immigrants. Immigrants have built this country into the economic powerhouse of the Western World. Indian Americans are one of our country's most visible success stories. As Joel Kotkin, a senior fellow at Pepperdine University, stated in the article, ``These Indians are modern Horatio Algers.'' Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to closely review this important article. I know my colleagues join me in saluting the Indian American community on its speculator success in the hotel industry. We need more entrepreneurs such as the Indian Americans described in this article who are willing to become self-sufficient, productive, and profitable members of our society. [From the New York Times, Mar. 21, 1996] Hospitality Is Their Business (By Edwin McDowell) In the quarter-century that people of Indian ancestry have been emigrating to the United States in sizable numbers, they have carved out a steadily bigger share of the nation's hotel industry. Starting with no-name motels, they soon graduated to Days Inn, Econo Lodge, Rodeway and other economy franchises. Today, with more than 12,000 properties, Indian-Americans own 46 percent of America's economy hotels and 26 percent of the nation's total 45,000 lodgings. ``We used to be isolated in a few states in the South,'' said Ravi Patel, whose Charlotte, N.C., company, Sree Inc., owns 20 hotels. ``Now we're almost everywhere.'' They are also moving up. A new generation is buying properties like Sheratons, Radissons and Hiltons, adding an upscale chapter to an immigrant success story. The first wave of motel ownership was propelled by the Indian-Americans' strong family ties, close-knit communities and a willingness to invest years of sweat. This latest wave represents a break with tradition and a willingness to tackle bigger, more complex challenges. But the original community still provides the backing, as today's entrepreneurs pool the resources of extended families and borrow from fellow Indian- Americans, for whom a handshake is often sufficient collateral. ``These Indians are modern Horatio Algers,'' said Joel Kotkin, a senior fellow at the Pepperdine University Institute for Public Policy in Malibu, Calif. ``They're willing to start in marginal and sometimes risky areas that native-born Americans are not interested in going into, and working incredibly long hours.'' Ramesh Gokal, who bought a 26-room hotel in North Carolina soon after coming to the United States in 1976, is now president of Knights Inn, a chain of about 180 franchised economy hotels. Children of the industry pioneers are establishing their own companies and using newly acquired knowledge of capital markets to build budding empires. ``My parents' generation did business by having x dollars, buying y goods and selling for z,'' said Karim Alibhai, the kinetic 32-year-old president and chief executive of Gencom American Hospitality, a family-owned hotel group in Houston. ``At the roadside hotels they ran, the management philosophy was get guests in and out, and have the maids clean the rooms.'' But these days, ``you have to know administration, management and how to use Wall Street to invest and to grow,'' added Mr. Alibhai, who was born in Kenya and majored in economics at Rice University. (Many Indian-American hotelkeepers came to America by way of Africa, where their families had lived for several generations in many cases.) In Mr. Alibhai's case, the big plans are not just talk. In September, he co-sponsored a $350 million initial public offering of a real estate investment trust, one of the largest in United States history. Paine Webber was the lead investment banker and Mr. Alibhai was initially the biggest individual shareholder. Today Gencom affiliates, which began with a single Best Western that Mr. Alibhai's parents bought in 1979 after emigrating from Kenya, own all or part of 47 hotels in 13 states. Properties include the 759-room Radisson New Orleans, the 650-room Sheraton Astrodome in Houston as well as Marriotts, Hiltons and boutique hotels in Boston and San Antonio. Revenues are expected to exceed $200 million this year. Like his parents, Mr. Alibhai said, he ``worked the desk, drove the shuttle van to the airport and learned to fix the sewer plant.'' In the three years after finishing college in 1984, years in which the Houston hotel industry bled red ink, he still did odd jobs at the hotel, but spent most of his time learning the business. ``Operating during that recession was my M.B.A.,'' said Mr. Alibhai, a trim, tennis-playing executive whose office is in a sleek Houston high-rise. In 1987, with the economy looking up but hotel values still down, Mr. Alibhai began buying distressed properties, often jointly with other Indian- Americans. ``That's when the real learning process began,'' he said, ``not just acquiring the properties but convincing lenders who had tightened their purse strings to finance me. I had to change their perception of Indians as being identified with low-end hotels.'' In many ways, Mr. Alibhai's world of revenue streams, variable inflation rates for assessing potential purchases and structuring deals with investment bankers is alien to the generation of his 60-year-old father, Akber, who is in charge of purchasing for Gencom. ``The older generation is still very cautious about sharing information, like the cost of hotels,'' said Jay Patel of Colorado Springs, a 43-year-old native of Zimbabwe who is part owner of seven hotels in Colorado and California. ``The younger generation is much more forthcoming.'' There are other differences. ``When you come from India and Africa, your view of labor is very different,'' Mr. Alibhai said. ``People are thankful just to have a job. That's their bonus. Here, employees also want to feel appreciated. I prefer this system.'' Most of Gencom's corporate employees are given stock or bonuses, he said. In the early years, Indian-Americans had problems typical of many newcomers in trying to get financing and insurance. By their account, insurers in the early 1980's suddenly canceled property insurance to all Indian hotel owners, believing them to be part of an Indian conspiracy to buy properties and burn them down to collect insurance money. ``We were turned down by about 200 insurance companies, until we convinced underwriters that these immigrants were outstanding risks,'' said Ron Thomas, a vice president of United Insurance Agencies in Muncie, Ind., who is widely admired by Indian hotel owners for his early efforts on their behalf. Discrimination also took other forms, including boasts by rivals that their properties were ``American owned.'' Much of the more blatant bias began to wane with the formation of an Indian hotel owners' association in 1989, vigorously supported by Henry R. Silverman, the chairman of HFS Inc., and Michael A. Leven, then president of Days Inn. Starting with about 100 members, the group now numbers more than 4,000 hotel-keepers. ``Indian franchisees have been the engine of growth for the entire economy-hotel sector,'' said Mr. Silverman, whose company's franchises include Days Inn, Knights Inn and Super 8. ``They were willing to build with their own capital when no one else was willing to.'' For all their success, though, Indian-Americans have stayed away from luxury hotels and five-star resorts, and often from full-service hotels, mainly because of their cost but also for cultural and religious reasons. ``Most Indian hotel owners here are Hindus from Gujarat state and don't do well with anything involving alcohol and meat,'' said Mr. Patel of Colorado Springs. (Most Hindus from the western state of Gujarat are vegetarians, according to the Indian Embassy in Washington, and most Gujarati women do not drink.) But younger Indians feel differently. ``They realize you can offer meat and alcohol to your guests, because it's all part of the hotel business,'' Mr. Patel added. ``Within the next five years you'll see a lot of us owning luxury properties, like Ritz-Carltons,'' said Tushar Patel, the 31-year-old president of Tarsadia Hotels in Costa Mesa, Calif. About half of Tarsadia's 13 properties--including the 440-room Clarion Hotel at the San Francisco airport--are full-service hotels, with restaurants and bars. Tushar Patel, by the way, is not related to Jay Patel of Colorado Springs, unless distantly, or to most of the thousands of other Patels who own hotels in the United States. Almost all Patels, even those from Africa, trace their ancestry to Gujarat, where hospitality is highly regarded. In the United States, many Indian immigrants turned to lodging because they could buy cheap motels, they could live rent free and the family could work the front desk, clean rooms, do laundry and make repairs. When they stepped up to franchised properties, for as little as $20,000 plus 8 percent of revenues, the Indians acquired not only toll-free reservation systems and the benefit of bulk purchases, but an education about prices, payrolls and bookkeeping. ``We'll soon have eight hotels and we're looking to open a 200-room one soon, and it's no big deal,'' said S. Jay (you guessed it) Patel of Alpharetta, GA. ``Now we're experienced enough to know we can handle it.'' His father, J.K. Patel, left a 10-year career with Barclays Bank in Kenya to come to America in 1978, spending six months looking for a business before buying a hotel in South Carolina. The elder Mr. Patel attributes the Indians' success in this country to ``the way we were brought up.'' Parents instilled the need for education and trust between families and among their own ethnic group. ``In January I did a deal with an Indian partner in Dallas for two hotels,'' said Mr. Alibhai of Gencom. ``We shook hands, and before the contracts were signed I wired him several million dollars.'' Arvind Patel, who with his wife, Bhavna, owns a 39-room Days Inn in West Point, Miss., cites another factor--the willingness of extended families and acquaintances to provide financial help. ``We work together as a team,'' said Arvind Patel, a native of Tanzania. ``A lot of families give you $10,000, even $30,000, without charging you interest and without any collateral. They figure one day you may help them.'' But like many Indians, these Patels are branching out and moving up, building an 81-room Wingate Inn and a 58-room Hampton Inn elsewhere in Mississippi. Meantime, both continue working a full shift each day behind the desk of their Days Inn, with their 12-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter pitching in on weekends. ``And if our help doesn't show up,'' Mrs. Patel said, ``my husband and I still clean the rooms.'' Many of the older Indian-Owned motels were long ago refurbished, if only to measure up as franchises--a method the Indians quickly saw as a route to financial independence. Some properties have been kept for the next generation, but most have been sold to a newer wave of Indian immigrants. When Indian-Americans graduate from college, many have chosen to become doctors, engineers, lawyers and accountants. ``But in most families at least one son or daughter will become hoteliers, because they realize it isn't the hard work it was for us,'' said J.K. Patel, the former Barclays banker. ``The difference is, we used to man the desk ourselves. The new generation likes sitting in the office and delegating the work.''

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to pay tribute to 802 brave American soldiers who lost their lives while defending freedom during World War II. Until recently, the tragic story of the 66th Infantry Division remained untold in U.S. history. These men made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and are worthy of a much greater tribute than the statistics or the footnotes in history books that have already been granted to them. As the worst troopship loss in World War II, and the third worst naval disaster in U.S. history, the story of the sinking of the Leopoldville deserves full recognition. On Christmas Eve, 1944, 2,235 American soldiers were crossing the English Channel as reinforcements to fight in the Battle of the Bulge, when their Belgian troopship, the Leopoldville, was torpedoed and sunk 5\1/2\ miles from Cherbourg, France. The result was a tremendous loss of lives--almost one-third of the division was killed. There were 493 bodies that were never recovered from the English Channel. Most of the soldiers who lost their lives were young boys, from 18 to 20 years old, barely out of high school. They represented 46 out of the 48 States that were part of the Union at the time. However, the most tragic and troubling part of this story is the American public's general ignorance of the facts. All of us, and particularly the family members of the lost soldiers, should be told the full story of their loved ones' valiant efforts in their fight to preserve democracy. Therefore, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering and honoring those that gave their lives in protecting the ideals that all Americans cherish. I would also like to remind my colleagues that this story should hold a special place in ever State's history. Simply put, the 802 soldiers that lost their lives deserve the proper respect and remembrance for their sacrifice, and those that survived need to be recognized for their valor.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, the Government of Pakistan continues to assure our Government that it is a staunch ally of the United States. Last year, Pakistan illegally purchased M-11 missiles and 5,000 ring magnets from China. The M-11 missiles are capable of delivering a nuclear warhead and the ring magnets are used to enrich uranium, a key component for making nuclear bombs. Both transfers violate several U.S. nuclear nonproliferation laws. The latest destabilizing act by Pakistan appears to have occurred earlier this month when authorities in Taiwan seized the cargo of a ship loaded with 34.8 tons of chemicals traveling from North Korea to Pakistan. According to an article appearing in the March 10 edition of the United Daily News, a leading newspaper in Taiwan, the materials ``could be used for massively destructive purposes.'' The cargo, which Taiwanese authorities are holding, is being treated as top secret. The actions of Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto are deeply troubling. Last year, Mrs. Bhutto travelled to North Korea. In addition, last year, Pakistan illegally purchased M-11 missiles from the People's Republic of China [PRC]. Earlier this year, news reports disclosed that Pakistan had 5,000 ring magnets from the PRC. Mr. Speaker, the administration is currently considering transferring $368 million worth of seized military hardware to Pakistan. The Congress granted that authority to the administration last year before it was aware of the seized cargo, the ring magnets, or the M-11 missiles. In light of these developments, it is imperative that the administration not proceed with the transfer. Tensions in South Asia are already very high. The United States needs to step back and reassess its position regarding Pakistan rather than continue on its present course.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise with my colleagues today to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the declaration of Greek independence from the Ottoman Empire, on March 25, 1821. I would also like to very much associate myself with the remarks of the distinguished gentleman from Florida, Mr. Bilirakis, and commend him for arranging this special order. His leadership on issues of concern to Greek-Americans has been unmatched in Congress, and I'm proud to work with him on this and other important matters. Mr. Speaker, the world has changed greatly since 1821, but at least one common theme seems to link these two eras--the fight for democracy and freedom as a precious way of life for all people. It was a long and hard-fought battle in 1821 for Greece, and it continues to be one in 1996, in countries all over the world, from Asia, to Africa to Latin America. Greece, as the founder of democracy as we know it, however, has a special place in the hearts of all those who cherish democracy and freedom. In that respect, Greece and the United States have always shared a close relationship, which continues up to the present time, in the form of NATO, and other such alliances and ties. And it doesn't stop there. The contribution of Greece and Greek society to American society is immeasurable. Aside from the neo-classical architectural gems that grace our Capital City, Greek immigrants have been providing contributions to all facets of our society, from medicine to law to education and sports, just to name a few. In fact, one of the greatest contributions that Greece has made to the international community will be commemorated and celebrated this summer in Atlanta: the 100th anniversary of the modern Olympics. This of course is only a small token of expression of support for Greece and Greek-Americans, but it is something upon which I, and many Americans across this country and across all political spectrums, fervently hold forth. Simply put, without the democratic ideals that originated in ancient Greece, we would not have had an American Revolution. And without the contributions of Greek immigrants over the last 200 plus years, we simply would not have the America that we have today.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in stong support of House Concurrent Resolution 149, which condemns the bombings in Israel, and in solidarity with the people and Government of Israel. This recent spate of bombings was a series of heinous and cowardly acts, perpetrated by elements of the Palestinian society that have been rejected by the majority of Palestinians, and completely reviled by the international community. During this period of grief and mourning by Israelis and Jews the world over, I am pleased to see that we can all come together like this, in bipartisan fashion, to speak against these acts of evil, and support the Israeli people in their efforts to combat terrorism. However, we are faced with a complex question: How can we best combat the evil of terrorism, as it continues to indiscriminately victimize the people of Israel? I think the appropriate follow-up to that would be: How do we then fight this evil effectively, without completely derailing the peace process? That to me is a quandary, but it's one that I think is not completely unsolvable. In fact, I think we've seen some recent steps that would lead us to believe that we're in the best position, since the beginning of the process, to resolve this human tragedy of gigantic proportions. It has finally become apparent to the international community that we are all linked in a common struggle; a struggle to eradicate terror from the face of this planet. Without a doubt, we all have a vested interest in fighting the spread of terrorism, and that is why I welcomed last week's Summit of Peacemakers in Cairo as a positive step in that direction. The importance of forging as broad a coalition as possible to repel these enemies of peace can not be emphasized enough. It no longer suffices to have world condemnation, we must have world action as well. We have avoided this issue long enough; and in our interdependent and inextricably linked international community, we can no longer afford to do so. However, we must also take careful note: we are not attacking Islam, or the Moslem community--we are attacking terrorism, and terrorism has no religion. We are, in sum, fighting against the enemies of peace, and that fight transcends all ethnic and national borders. We have all, in effect, partaken in a momentous and irreversible process. We can not be deterred from continuing on. As Hasan Abd Al- Rahman, chief representative of the Palestinian Authority in Washington, said in a statement to a recent International Relations Committee hearing on the commitments made by the Palestinians to the peace process: ``It's the struggle between those who have placed their lot with peace and those who seek its death.'' Therefore, I urge all my colleagues to continue to work together, to be vigilant, and to have faith that we can overcome these recent tragedies. Otherwise, the dark forces poised against us can claim their greatest victory.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with the members of the Young Leadership Committee of the New York chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, as they hold their seventh annual masked ball honoring Hugh Miller. Known as an astute businessman in the world of finance, Mr. Miller is president and CEO the Delta Funding Corp., a company dealing primarily with the origination, purchase, and servicing of nonconforming residential mortgage loans. Indeed, the industry has looked to Mr. Miller for leadership, and he has served in that capacity as a representative of the National Home Equity Mortgage Association, National Mortgage Brokers Association, Executive Enterprises, American Community Bankers, Information Management Network, and Mortgage Bankers Association of America. Yet despite the ongoing demands on his time and talents, Hugh Miller has vigorously and effectively undertaken a myriad of social responsibilities. Many diverse organizations including the National Kidney Foundation, Police Conference of New York and Nassau County, DARE, the American Cancer Society, the Leukemia Society of America, Hofstra University Scholarship Funds, and the Huntington's Disease Society of America have greatly benefited from his service. His experience in this regard has emerged as a yardstick by which all such future dedication is measured. Furthermore, in conjunction with the Interfaith Nutritional Network, Delta Funding has created the Delta Funding Inn, which caters to the needs of disadvantaged youths. Mr. Speaker, in a time when we search for heroes and leaders, it is most reassuring to know that people such as Hugh Miller are tirelessly striving for the betterment of society. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Hugh Miller for his constant dedication in the regard.