Gary Ackerman

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the conference report to accompany H.R. 1561. This bill is veto bait and ought to be sent back to committee. H.R. 1561 requires the elimination of three foreign policy agencies, the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency [ACDA], the United States Information Agency [USIA], and the Agency for International Development [AID], merging their functions into the Department of State. Under the bill the President must submit a plan to accomplish this reorganization by October 1 of this year in order to abolish these agencies by March 1, 1997. The President's plan must save $1.7 billion over the next 4 years. Mr. Speaker, the problems with this bill are many. H.R. 1561 forces the President to consolidate agencies, even though he is provided with waiver authority for two of the three, the funding levels are low enough that he will be forced to consolidate other functions in order to adhere to the authorization levels in future years. In addition, the bill requires an unrealistic timetable for presenting a plan and then actually closing agencies within a year from now. The transition provisions are so inadequate that they do not even provide for useful methods of downsizing such as employee buy-outs, which have proven popular at other agencies. H.R. 1561 also contains a variety of provisions which will harm our ability to participate in a number of international organizations ranging from the United Nations to the Inter-American Indian Institute. By either terminating our membership outright or requiring that we withhold a significant portion of our assessment, the bill ties the President's hands and hinders our ability to play an effective role in the international arena. There are many Members who agree that the United Nations is in need of reform. Many will agree that our assessment should be lower and most will agree that an independent U.N. Inspector General would be a valuable step. But to withhold our contributions and in effect bully the United Nations to go along will likely jeopardize progress already made in the areas of U.N. budgetary and management reform. Mr. Speaker, the President has said that he will veto the conference report. I say let's save him the trouble by defeating a bad bill and bringing back a genuine bipartisan State Department authorization bill that we can all support and the President can sign.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the conference report to accompany H.R. 927, the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act. The shooting down of unarmed U.S. civilian aircraft over the Florida Straits is the heinous and unforgivable act of a rouge regime that ignores international law. Such wanton disregard for human life cannot go unanswered. Today, Congress is responding in the form of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act. The bill sends a clear signal to Cuba by strengthening the United States embargo of Cuba, authorizing assistance for democratic elements within Cuba, directing the President to prepare to support a transition to democratic government in Cuba, and increasing protection for the rights of United States nationals whose property has been illegally confiscated in Cuba. Mr. Speaker, some have raised objections that this bill will impinge on our allies' ability to trade with Cuba and that it will only strengthen Fidel Castro's ability to retain power. I do not believe that we should reward the murderer of four American citizens by relaxing the current embargo. We should, and we will, strengthen the embargo and strangle the Castro regime. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 927 and strike a blow for the freedom of Cuba.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to decry the actions of Fidel Castro over the weekend and extend my condolences to the family members of the four victims. Clearly, the shooting down of unarmed U.S. civilian aircraft is the heinous and unforgivable act of a rogue regime that ignores international law. Cuba's action is inexcusable and is, as Ambassador Albright said, ``cowardice''. Brothers to the Rescue is a private group engaged in the humanitarian mission of plucking Cuban rafters out of the shark infested waters of the Florida Straits. The Brothers were on another such humanitarian mission last Saturday, in international airspace, when the Cuban Government scrambled two MiG fighters to intercept the three Cessnas. With only the vaguest of warnings, the fighters locked onto the small planes and blasted them from the sky leaving only oil slicks on the water below. Mr. Speaker, such wanton disregard for international law cannot go unanswered, so the response to this appalling attack has been swift. The U.N. Security Council has condemned the Cuban actions, as has the European Union, the President has suspended charter air travel and will ask Congress to use some of the $100 million in frozen Cuban assets to compensate the families of the victims. In addition, the conferees yesterday reached agreement on H.R. 927, the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act. These steps, taken together, will dramatically increase the pressure on the Castro regime. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in condemning the shooting down of civilian planes and to continue our work for a free and democratic Cuba.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of the American people a potentially ominous situation for a region of the world to which the United States attaches great importance. It has always been in the interests of the United States to promote a balance of power in the Middle East and the peaceful flow of oil in the Persian Gulf. Stability and security has always been in the interests of our allies in the region as well and for the last 50 years has generally been a high priority in the execution of American foreign policy. However, the recent sale of advanced cruise missiles by the People's Republic of China [PRC] to Iran is a threat to that same stability and flies directly in the face of American nonproliferation efforts. I highlight this sale, and emphasize its possibly destabilizing effects, for my colleagues and all Americans for several reasons. First, the sale of these weapons by China is a blatant violation of the Missile Technology Control Regime [MTCR], a global accord that was enacted in the hope of halting the spread of advanced missiles around the globe. With this recent weapons sale, China has clearly violated the agreement. The repercussion of this sale in the region is undeniable. Iran's purchase of these weapons gives it the possibility of dramatically influencing, and potentially gaining control of, the gulf's important and lucrative shipping lanes--something Iran has sought for 17 years. There is no doubt that we must take this sale for what it is--an attempt by Iran to gain hegemony over the distribution of the region's valuable oil reserves. Iran's violent and aggressive recent past cannot allow us to be deceived into thinking that these weapons are to be used for any other but offensive purposes. This is pure and simple an offensive threat to both our, and the region's, commercial shipping industry. Our interest in the region, and our past expense of resources to defend those interests, dictate the importance of not overlooking this recent action. We must ensure that the potential for any increased peaceful trade, due to the Middle East peace process, not be disrupted. We cannot allow the promise of a bright economic future for the Middle East and the Persian Gulf suffer at the hands of the despotic rulers in Iran. To counter that, I have recently cosponsored legislation that would deeply affect Iran's ability to do business and I strongly urge all my colleagues to do the same. These proposed economic sanctions will show that the United States has no intention of abandoning the gulf region to the terroristic whims of Iran's mullahs.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in reluctant support of House Resolution 349, the Flow Control Act of 1996. I am reluctant because of the circumvention of the normal committee process and because there are provisions in this bill that are so narrowly drafted as to affect only one town in my district. In fact, to my knowledge, it's the only town in the country so affected. The bill generally grandfathers all communities in New York and other States which have actually designated waste management facilities pursuant to duly enacted State and local legislation. The single exception to this situation is the section entitled ``Facilities Not Qualified for Flow Control'' incorporated into the bill. This section provides that flow control may not be exercised with regard to any facility if the following conditions are met: The ordinance was determined to be unconstitutional by a State or Federal court prior to May 16, 1994, and before the date of enactment of the legislation; The facility is located over a sole source aquifer and within 1 mile of a coastal zone; and The facility is not fully permitted and operating in compliance with Federal, State, and local regulations. As I understand it, the bill was further modified in this extraordinary process to ensure that it applied only to facilities within 5 miles of a public beach and 25 miles of a city with a population of 5 million or more. Clearly a reference to New York City. By its terms, the provision applies to only a single town in the State of New York: North Hempstead. It would not apply to neighboring towns such as Hempstead, Babylon, or Islip, although waste disposal conditions are virtually identical in these towns and the need to manage solid waste is similar. Only North Hempstead would be denied authority to utilize its flow control ordinance in support of a waste management plan. On its face the bill is unfair. North Hempstead meets the conditions set out in the bill for other towns to take advantage of flow control yet the amendment would deny North Hempstead this authority for no legitimate reason. The bill will shift from waste companies to residential taxpayers much of the approximately $10 million annual cost of furnishing waste management services. By denying flow control authority to North Hempstead, the bill will threaten the fiscal solvency of the town because the tipping fees currently generated by the town's flow control ordinance are utilized for the following: $6 million per year for debt service on property purchased by the town's solid waste management authority for an incinerator project which was not constructed; $60 million over several years for remediation of landfills in Port Washington, NY, one of which is a Superfund site and the other which requires closure under Federal environmental regulations; and $6 million in construction cost for a new solid waste transfer station. The loss of flow control authority for North Hempstead is particularly egregious in view of the fact that the villages which would benefit utilized the town landfill for 40 years, and should thus bear some of the remediation costs which are now being paid for with flow control tipping fees. Mr. Speaker, it is because of provisions such as this that the bill should have been considered by committee and should not have come to the floor under suspension of the rules. Mr. Speaker, flow control authority is crucial to cities and towns across the country. So I hope that as we go to conference with the Senate, this onerous provision will be dropped, providing flow control to all the municipalities that need it.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my sincere congratulations to Norma Mathes Knight on being named the Kings Park, NY, Chamber of Commerce 1995 Woman of the Year. In 1963, Norma Mathes Knight, her husband Harold (Harry) Mathes and their daughters Patricia, Marilyn, and son Bill moved to Fort Salonga in Suffolk County, NY. Patricia was then a freshman at Immaculate College in Pennsylvania, Marilyn a freshman at Kings Park High School, and Bill a student at Ralph J. Osgood Elementary School. In 1970, Norma and Harry opened Mathes & Son, Inc. at 95 Pulaski Road in Kings Park. In 1980, they bought the building at 101 Pulaski Road where their business Mathes & Son Auto Parts Supply became a familiar sight and an integral part of the hamlet of Kings Park. This year will mark the 25th anniversary in business of Mathes & Son. Norma was one of the founding members of the Kings Park Chamber of Commerce. In 1971, she became one of its original directors. She is presently the vice president of the chamber. Her participation in all aspects of the functioning of the chamber has not only been an integral part of Norma's life, but has served as an outstanding contribution and benefit to the entire community. Norma has dedicated herself to improving the quality of life for others. She has demonstrated this over and over through her involvement and deep commitment to community service. She is also a member of the Fort Salonga Civic Association, St. Charles Hospital Auxiliary, and the Smithtown Professional Women's Network. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting Norma Mathes Knight for her outstanding commitment and selfless dedication to her community, and to extend our best wishes and congratulations on her being named 1995 Woman of the Year.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to one of the very finest diplomats it has been my pleasure to work with during my tenure on the House International Relations Committee, India's Ambassador to the United States, Siddhartha Ray. I worked closely with Siddhartha during my service as chairman of the House International Relations Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, and we have enjoyed a close friendship for the last 4 years. During his years in Washington, Siddhartha worked tirelessly to improve Indo-United States relations, and to promote policies designed to reduce tensions between India and Pakistan. In both of these areas, he was enormously successful. Ambassador Ray and his embassy effectively publicized the importance of the Indian market to American business. It was during Ambassador Ray's tenure that the United States Secretary of Commerce led a high level business delegation to India. Ambassador Ray was equally effective in helping to curtail the South Asian arms race by effectively arguing against the administration's plan to transfer advanced fighter aircraft to Pakistan. Siddhartha and his delightful wife Maya were an extraordinary team in Washington. They came to this post after distinguished careers in law and government. Siddhartha came to understand the workings of the U.S. Congress as only a former Member of Parliament could. I join my colleagues in wishing Siddhartha and Maya Ray the very best of luck in their future endeavors, and we hope to see them back in Washington often.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with constituents of the Fifth Congressional District and the members of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Flushing, NY in celebrating the 10th anniversary of service of Mrs. Athena Kromidas, principal of the church's Greek Afternoon School. Mrs. Kromidas has long promoted the role of the Greek community educator who strives to instill into our youth an effective education based upon Hellenic traditions. Through her efforts, parents have taken an increased measure of involvement in their children's education. She has guided the Greek-American parents of the Greek Afternoon School to mold their children into citizens who will have a positive impact upon our entire community. A native of the island of Chios, Mrs. Kromidas has consistently worked to perpetuate the Hellenic roots of second and third generation Greek-American children. She strongly believes in having her pupils remember their roots as a way of establishing and supporting their faith. In 1994, Mrs. Kromidas, in cooperation with a local public high school, was successful in establishing a course in the modern Greek language. As a person who has toiled in the vineyards of selfless dedication to the community, Mrs. Kromidas has consistently struggled to infuse a strong and dynamic sense of family values and tradition into the entire school community. There already exists a growing list of both students and families who have credited this most outstanding educator with bringing stability and success to their lives. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me in recognizing Mrs. Athena Kromidas for an inspiring decade of dedication and devotion to the children and parents of our community.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with my constituents and the members of the Great Neck Lawyers Association as they meet to present Robert Rosegarten, mayor of the village of Great Neck Plaza with their most prestigious Community Service Award. While maintaining an active business enterprise, Mayor Robert Rosegarten established a model of civic responsibility and participation that served to enhance the lives of all the citizens of Great Neck. He has received both State and national acclaim for developing the economic revitalization programs in the downtown shopping region of Great Neck Plaza and for his work to enhance the beautification of Great Neck Plaza. He has served as mayor of the village of Great Neck Plaza since 1992, and as its deputy mayor for 8 years. Under his leadership, the village of Great Neck Plaza has emerged as an effective municipal government with many of its programs being replicated throughout New York State. In his role of enhancing the village of Great Neck Plaza, Mayor Rosegarten has shared his many talents with a wide array of community organizations providing both leadership and creativity in addressing community concerns. Among his many community roles, Mayor Rosegarten serves as president of the Great Neck Village Officials Organization, commissioner of the Great Neck Central Police Auxiliary, and board member of Great Neck's United Community Fund, Chamber of Commerce, and the Great Neck Arts Center. In addition, he is the vice-president of the Great Neck Plaza Management Council and director of the Water Authority of Great Neck North. In 1988, Mayor Rosegarten received the Great Neck United Community Fund's prestigious Leo M. Friend Award for community service. Mayor Rosegarten's guiding tenet in public service has been to make a positive difference in the lives of his village's citizens. In that undertaking, he has dramatically succeeded. I am most proud to join with so many in honoring him.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to one of the very finest diplomats with whom I have had the pleasure of working during my tenure as former chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Asia and the Pacific. Hemayetuddin is truly an outstanding diplomat. He represents his country with dignity, pride, and warmth. His knowledge of the workings of the U.S. Congress and the American body politic would be impressive for a citizen of this country, nonetheless for a foreign diplomat. It was through cooperation with His Excellency Ambassador Humayun Kabir and his very able Minister Hemayetuddin that our Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific held the very first hearing ever on ``The Other South Asia--Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and Afghanistan.'' Perhaps Hemayet's greatest contribution to diplomatic life in Washington is his passion for his native Bangladesh. It was through Hemayet and Ambassador Kabir that my staff and I first learned of the tremendous economic reforms and opportunities for American business in Bangladesh. It was from Hemayet and his colleagues that I learned of Bangladesh's commitment to a secular, pluralistic society. And it was from Hemayet and Ambassador Kabir that I learned of the tremendous commitment Bangladesh has made to improve child labor practices in a nation struggling to develop. While Hemayetuddin is unquestionable a diplomat of the highest caliber, he is also one of the finest gentlemen it has been my pleasure to work with in Washington. He, his lovely wife, Zeenat Jahan, and their beautiful children have indeed left their mark on this town. I know my colleagues and I on the House International Relations Committee will miss Hemayetuddin and Zeenat. We wish them well at their new post in Beijing. All of us who know and admire Hemayet fully expect to see him back in Washington as his Nation's Ambassador some day.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with the members of the Suffolk Association for Jewish Educational Services [SAJES] and my constituents in the fifth congressional district as they gather to honor Kenneth R. Kornhauser, Fred Milstein, and Leonard Cooper for distinguished service in advancing the cause of Jewish education in Suffolk County, NY. Through innovative and creative leadership, Kenneth R. Kornhauser has provided a solid basis of support to the advancement of quality Jewish education. A member of Temple Beth Torah, Kenneth is an involved board member of an array of Jewish organizations that include the Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center, the Gurwin Jewish Geriatric Center, the United Jewish Community Center of Long Island, and SAJES. Honoree Fred Milstein also is being recognized for his endless dedication to the Suffolk Jewish Community. He has exemplified himself and enhanced the community through his active and effective participation as a member of the Suffolk Jewish Center, and as a board member of SAJES, the Solomon Schechter Day School of Suffolk County, B'nai B'rith, the World Jewish Congress, and the Suffolk Jewish Communal Planning Council. Extraordinary is a word that befits SAJEs' third honoree, Leonard Cooper. Because of his extraordinary talents for enhancing the Suffolk Jewish Community, SAJES confers upon him an award of special recognition. Leonard has served with great distinction and effectiveness as the first president of the Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center, and he is also a board member of the Gurwin Jewish Geriatric Center. In addition, he has served as campaign chairman for the United Jewish Appeal on eastern Long Island. Without compensation or demand for recognition, these men have given of their great skills and talents to the uplifting and betterment of our community. It is with great pride that I call upon all my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in paying tribute to Kenneth R. Kornhauser, Fred Milstein, and Leonard Cooper. May their good works and selfless deeds serve as an example for all Americans to follow.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with the members of the Suffolk Association for Jewish Educational Services [SAJES] and my constituents in the Fifth Congressional District as they gather to honor Kenneth R. Kornhauser, Fred Milstein and Leonard Cooper for distinguished service in advancing the cause of Jewish education in Suffolk County, NY. Through innovative and creative leadership, Kenneth R. Kornhauser has provided a solid basis of support to the advancement of quality Jewish education. A member of Temple Beth Torah, Kenneth is an involved board member of an array of Jewish organizations that include the Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center, the Gurwin Jewish Geriatric Center, the United Jewish Community Center of Long Island, and SAJES. Honoree Fred Milstein also is being recognized for his endless dedication to the Suffolk Jewish Community. He has exemplified himself and enhanced the community through his active and effective participation as a member [[Page E 2228]] of the Suffolk Jewish Center, and as a board member of SAJES, the Solomon Schechter Day School of Suffolk County, B'nai B'rith, the World Jewish Congress, and the Suffolk Jewish Communal Planning Council. Extraordinary is a word that befits SAJE's third honoree, Leonard Cooper. Because of his extraordinary talents for enhancing the Suffolk Jewish community, SAJES confers upon him an award of special recognition. Leonard has served with great distinction and effectiveness as the first president of the Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center, and he is also a board member of the Gurwin Jewish Geriatric Center. In addition, he has served as campaign chairman for the United Jewish Appeal on Eastern Long Island. Without compensation or demand for recognition, these men have given of their great skills and talents to the uplifting and betterment of our community. It is with great pride that I call upon all my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in paying tribute to Kenneth R. Kornhauser, Fred Milstein and Leonard Cooper. May their good works and selfless deeds serve as an example for all Americans to follow.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from New York [Mr. Gilman] and the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Hastings] for bringing this to the floor. Mr. Speaker, I rise in the strongest of support for this resolution.Almost 2 months ago, I was asked to speak during a synagogue service in New York about the hopes and dreams of both the American and Israeli people for an enduring and secure peace. The assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin last Saturday night cut to the very heart of those hopes and dreams. During my remarks, I shared the profound experience I had with another assassination. I talked about how I rushed from school to my mother's apartment in Flushing when I heard the news that President Kennedy had been shot. We were part of an America that feared that we had lost our hopes and our dreams. Flying to Israel for the funeral of another great leader gunned down for his beliefs and principals, I wondered whether Israel and its people would itself fall into hopelessness. On Monday morning, the day of Mr. Rabin's funeral, my question was answered. There was despair, but there was hope as well. There was hope, because you cannot kill dreams with bullets. That hope was rekindled by the sight of presidents, prime ministers and ambassadors, who gathered atop Mount Herzl in Jerusalem from places across our planet. That hope was strengthened by the sight of international leaders wearing yarmulkes and listening to the recitation of Kaddish, the Jewish mourner's prayer. By the sight of Islamic leaders wearing Kafias. That hope was rejuvenated by the vision of former enemies gathered between Israeli flags unfurled in a soft breeze at the foot of the coffin of a former enemy-general, now felled in the war for peace. And despite the nightmare of this assassination, the dream of peace was sustained, and even strengthened, at the extraordinary sight of Egypt's President Mubarak and Jordan's King Hussein reaching out to console the widow of a slain Israeli Prime Minister. The King calling her his sister, just as they have reached out to console the widows of their own citizens lost in the futility of the wars of the past. The world must learn from this horrible deed. We must learn that words have consequences. That fundamentalist zealots on all sides are not part of any legitimate debate, and that those who encourage them have joined with the forces of darkness. And that real dialog is necessary. Mr. Chairman, we honor the memory of Prime Minister Rabin by staying the course, and continuing our quest for a secure peace. Mr. Speaker, the world has lost a leader. Many of us have lost a friend. But I am certain that the United States and Israel will continue to build on the hopes and dreams of both our people.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with my constituents and with the members of the American Jewish Committee as they honor Farooq Kathwari, who will receive the Institute of Human Relations Award on November 2 in Manhattan. This prestigious award is presented annually by the American Jewish Committee to an individual who represents the bold and humanitarian beliefs and ideals that foster civil and human rights and promote democracy. The Human Relations Award embodies the practices of a pluralistic society and the belief that the goals of justice, freedom, and democracy for one group will be achieved only by guaranteeing them for all peoples. Mr. Speaker, Farooq Kathwari is a most fitting recipient of this high honor. His story illustrates what our great country stands for, and the bountiful opportunities the United States offers its citizens. Farooq Kathwari came to America 30 years ago as a political refugee from Kashmir, and he now leads one of the Nation's largest home-furnishing companies. He arrived in New York City at age 20 armed with a BA in English and political science, and with a determination to live and grow in a free society. Two years later he earned an MBA, went to work for Newcourt Securities, where he rapidly rose to the position of vice president, and simultaneously launched his own importing business. Soon thereafter, Ethan Allen purchased an interest in his company. In 1980, the firms merged, and Farooq Kathwari became vice president of Ethan Allen. By 1989, he had risen to the post of chairman, president, and CEO. While becoming a leader in the American and international business communities, Mr. Kathwari did not forget his origins. He enthusiastically undertook a variety of projects supportive of freedom and human rights. Of special note is his work as founder of the Council for Human Rights in Kashmir. Through this organization, Farooq Kathwari has dedicated himself to help foster a dialog for peace in this much- troubled region, and to promote human rights around the world. Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me now in honoring Farooq Kathwari, a most compassionate and selfless citizen. May his good works serve as a model for countless others to follow.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong support of this extremely important resolution, and I want to commend the leadership for bringing this bill, a bill that is 47 years overdue, to the floor for consideration today. Mr. Speaker, in the last half century, the United States has rightly shown its support and respect for our most loyal ally in the Middle East, and one of our best friends in the world, in just about every area--except for one. That, of course, is in the matter of proper diplomatic recognition. Yes, we obviously recognize the sovereignty of Israel, yet by not placing our Embassy in Israel's declared capital, we do a great disservice to her, as well as to us. Israel is the only nation, out of 184 with which we maintain diplomatic relations, in which we do not have our Embassy in its declared capital. I think it is highly inappropriate to continue this overt, and undiplomatic gesture on our part. This issue as a whole is intrinsically emotional and complex. However, the bottom line is that Jerusalem has been and always will be, the capital of Israel. Undeniably speaking, the Middle East peace process is a fragile entity. It is a process that has been almost a century in the making. Just as Israel has greatly committed to the success of this venture, so too have many in the Arab world. However, the future of Jerusalem has never been in doubt to the Government of Israel, nor to the millions of Jews still living in the Diaspora. It has been clearly stated time and again that Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the State of Israel, and to a larger extent, the Jewish people. This issue goes to the heart of relations between the United States and Israel. What we are accomplishing with this bill is something that should have been accomplished 47 years ago--when the United States became one of the first countries to recognize and support the State of Israel, after its declaration of independence in May 1948. What we are finally doing here today is setting right a wrong of the largest magnitude.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank my colleague, the gentleman from New York, for bringing this to the attention of the House in the form of a special order. Unfortunately, we are not here today to celebrate, but rather, to commemorate a horrible tragedy perpetrated upon an American--for the sole reason that he was a Jew. Today marks the 10th anniversary of the brutal slaying of Leon Klinghoffer, an elderly, wheelchairbound, American Jew, who was, with his wife Marilyn, celebrating his wedding anniversary on the Italian luxury liner Achille Lauro. The horrible days of the 1980's when terrorist hijackings abroad were becoming the norm, have dissipated. And yet now, on our own shores, we are being subjected to attacks by devious operants with dark agendas. Recent tragedies have made it clear that Americans are no longer immune to terrorist attacks, even upon our own soil. However, rather than lamenting the situation, there is something we can do about it. What we can, and should do is send a strong united message from this country. This message needs to be clear in stating our complete and unquestionable intolerance against any perceived threat to our national security and domestic tranquility. We need to make these people who would undermine that security and tranquility understand that we will punish them severely for what they do. As a democratic Nation, we have always prided ourselves on the time- honored tradition of healthy dissent and debate. The actions promulgated by these terrorists are in direct opposition to that tradition. It flies in the face of everything that this country represents. Therefore, I say enough. We need to tell these people that they have no place in our society. We need to tell these people that they will never receive either shelter or any other assistance from the United States or the American people. We need to tell these people that America will forever be a bastion of freedom and democracy. Therefore, we stand together--as Americans and as human beings--in commemoration with Leon and Marilyn's two daughters, Lisa and Ilsa. Two women who are determined to preserve the memory of their father, and prevent a recurrence of this tragedy for another American family. We thank these two brave women for their work and their tireless spirit, and we reach out to them on this anniversary of grief, while we look forward to a celebration of unity against the forces of terrorism.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I call to the attention of my colleagues the obituary of Aditya Birla, which appeared in the October 3 edition of the New York Times. Aditya Birla, the chairman of the Birla Group, one of India's largest industrial conglomerates, died on October 1 in Baltimore. His death at the young age of 51 was a tragedy because it cut short a prolific life of entrepreneurship and leadership. Mr. Speaker, Aditya Birla was one of the foremost advocates of expanding Indian economic activity abroad and opening India's vast consumer marketplace to foreign investment and competition. When India began its historic market reforms in 1991 under the leadership of Prime Minister P.V. Narsimha Rao and Finance Minister Manmohan Singh, many observers felt that Mr. Birla, whose company is one of the largest manufacturers of automobiles in India, would resist the entry of foreign companies into the India marketplace. Aditya Birla, however, proved the observers wrong. He became a strong proponent of the reforms and entered into many important joint ventures with American companies. Most recently Aditya Birla signed agreements with AT&T to provide cellular and local telephone service in India. Mr. Speaker, Aditya Birla was a visionary. His untimely death has left a void in the Indian corporate world that will be difficult to fill. I know my colleagues join me in sending condolences to the Birla family. His wife, son, and daughter should know that our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share with my colleagues in the House of Representatives the importance of recognizing October as National Dental Hygiene Month. The Dental Hygienists Association of the State of New York will celebrate its 75th anniversary October 20-22. With the advent of this anniversary, we should take note of this outstanding association. The Dental Hygienists Association was developed to improve the oral health of the public; advance of the art and science of dental hygiene; maintain the highest standards of dental hygiene education and practice; represent and protest the interests of the dental hygiene profession; improve the professional competence of the dental hygienist; to foster research in oral health and finally, to provide professional communications. Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me now in saluting the members of the Dental Hygienists Association of the State of new York for their dedication to their profession and to the oral hygiene of the people of this United States of America.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Chairman, it is not quite Halloween but the majority is already playing trick or trick. In the spirit of the season, the Republicans are about to commit the Medicare massacre. My colleagues on the other side would have us believe that Medicare is in some unprecedented state of crisis and that without their meat cleavers and chain saws the program will cease to exist. In fact, most of their bill's Medicare cuts will not be dedicated to the so-called trust fund crisis, not one penny of the cuts the bill makes in Medicare part B, and not one penny of the increases in part B premiums paid by beneficiaries will go into the trust fund--the only part of Medicare that needs propping up. The trick, Mr. Chairman, is that the bill will force seniors and doctors out of fee-for-service medicine by arbitrarily limiting the growth in Medicare, as people live longer, not for reasons of health care policy, but simply to meet budget targets. In addition, the bill's failsafe mechanism, this gimmick that automatically reduces payments if the targets are not met, only cuts from the fee-for-service portion of Medicare, not from the HMO's. The bill also allows doctors, for the first time, to ``balance bill'' senior citizens for the difference between what Medicare pays and the providers' actual costs. The other trick, according to our Republican colleagues, is that they are protecting the solvency of Medicare for future generations. But as we all know, the bill cuts three times the amount the Medicare trustees say is necessary. In reality, the Republican bill extends the solvency of the trust fund until 2006. Precisely where we would be if we adopted the trustees', and not the Republicans' level of cuts. Mr. Chairman, the trick under the Republican Medicare plan is that seniors will pay more and get less. The treat--I guess will have to wait until next year.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, October 10 marks the anniversary of the birth of the Republic of China [ROC]. On this occasion, I wish to send my greetings and congratulations to the leaders on Taiwan, and especially President Lee, whom I have had the good fortune to meet with both in Taiwan and in the United States. When President Lee of Taiwan came to Cornell in June, I had the opportunity to talk with him and discuss Taiwan's relationship with the United States. He thanked me for the incredible congressional support he had received prior to his visit, and reiterated his people's strong respect for the United States. He reaffirmed our bilateral friendship, and the desire of Taiwan to continue that friendship into the next century. Taiwan is and has been a loyal ally and trading partner in Asia. Its people participate in and fully subscribe to the principles of freedom and democracy. They have worked with us on issues ranging from endangered species to trademark infringements. They look to us for guidance and protection. President Clinton will be meeting with President Jiang at the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the United Nations. It is ironic that the two Presidents will meet in honor of the United Nations, a body in which the 21 million people of Taiwan have no voice. I ask my colleagues to join with me in urging President Clinton not to enter into any agreement which would further restrict our ally Taiwan, or compromise its growing democracy. Better relations with the PRC must not come at the sacrifice of the 21 million people on Taiwan who must depend on us to defend their interests. The October 10 celebration should mark the continuance of the friendship between our two countries, as well as the founding of a nation. Again, I congratulate Taiwan on the occasion of its National Day.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with my constituents and the members of Queens County Chapter 1203 of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees as they gather on October 15 to honor their president, Arthur Sachs. Born in the Bronx, NY, Arthur began what may be called the classic American success story. After his graduation at age 18 from James Monroe High School, a most natural desire for involving himself in the community took hold and Arthur enlisted in the U.S. Merchant Marine. This led to a strong recognition on his part of a need to serve his country. Following his stint in the Merchant Marine, Arthur enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served valiantly in both World War II and the Korean war. Upon his separation from active military service, Arthur again followed his desire to serve the community and began a career in the U.S. Postal Service. It was in this function that Arthur's dedication and leadership talents truly came to fruition. He not only became a most effective member of the Postal Service, but also rose to the rank of vice- president of the New York Metropolitan Postal Union, one of our Nation's largest postal employee organizations. Serving as both a postal employee and the leader of a professional organization, Arthur was able to assist his colleagues in creating a truly effective service organization. Not being one to sit idly by, Arthur's retirement from the U.S. Postal Service was highlighted by his participation in the National Association of Retired Federal Employees [NARFE]. As a member of the Queens County Chapter of NARFE, his organizational and leadership talents were quickly recognized and he became the Legislative Director of Queens County Chapter 1203 of NARFE. In an almost natural progression based upon Arthur's ability to lead, he was elected chairman of the chapter. Mr. Speaker, in an age when we search for leaders to bring our communities and nation forward in the finest sense of America's true values and traditions, it is most assuring that we have Arthur Sachs to fill such a need. I ask all of my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me now in paying tribute to Arthur Sachs for an exemplary life of public service.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute the National Center for Disability Services, which is located in Alberston, NY. The National Center for Disability Services is a recipient of the U.S. Department of Labor's 1995 Epic Award, in recognition of its formidable success in assisting corporate America recruit and employ individuals with disabilities. For over 40 years, this facility has demonstrated that people with disabilities can participate fully in our society if given the opportunity. This center provides a comprehensive array of services for people with disabilities, including a school for children, and career evaluation, training and placement services for adults. Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me now in congratulating Edmund L. Cortez, the center's president and chief executive officer, along with his entire staff, for this remarkable achievement.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in the strongest of support for H.R. 1872, the Ryan White CARE Act amendments of 1995. By adopting this legislation today, we can stop sending women and infants home from the hospital without knowing their HIV status. Language included in this bill for the first time would require all newborns in America to be tested for HIV if the infant's mother was not voluntarily tested during her pregnancy. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1872 encourages voluntary HIV counseling, testing, and treatment of pregnant women as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and forbids insurance companies for terminating the insurance of anybody who undergoes tests for AIDS. I want to pay special tribute today to the gentleman from Virginia, Chairman Bliley, and the gentleman from Michigan, Mr. Dingell, the gentleman from Florida, Chairman Bilirakis, the gentleman from California, Mr. Waxman, and especially the gentleman from Oklahoma, Dr. Coburn, for his tireless efforts on behalf of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, make no mistake about it, with regard to this aspect of the legislation, there is not a person that I have met who does not prefer to encourage every pregnant woman in America to voluntarily be tested, to know her HIV status so that she might be treated with AZT, so that in at least 65 percent of the cases the in utero transmission of the virus will not be passed on to the yet-to-be-born child. This has been a national tragedy, Mr. Speaker. For years our country has been testing newborn infants anonymously to determine whether or not they have their mother's antibodies for HIV and then allowing those infants and mothers to go home from the hospital, never being told that the child tested positive, never allowing that child, that newborn infant, to access the medical system so that his or her young life might be made a little bit more comfortable. Usually, the first time that that mother, whose child had been tested for six or seven other kinds of diseases, such as hepatitis B, or syphilis, or so many other things, was told that the child tested positive to anything that the States required testing for but we were silent, absolutely silent if the child tested positive for the mother's antibodies to HIV, that mother thought she was taking home an otherwise healthy child, the next time that that child often appeared in the health care system was when he or she began dying of AIDS. That is absolutely unconscionable. And that test, Mr. Speaker, has now been stopped. But we must deal with this problem, the problem of transmission to thousands of young lives, newborn infants. And how do we do that? First, we try to get the mothers to undergo voluntary testing. But in some cases the mothers do not volunteer. We are all hopeful there will be 100 percent who would be willing to know what their status is and what the status of their newborn infant is, but that does not happen. Some mothers show up at the health care system the very first time when she is about to deliver. Other mothers, for whatever reasons, decide they do not want to know themselves and refuse testing. What happens to the children of those mothers should they be condemned to death? Should not somebody be advocating for those young people? If their mothers are not advocating for them, who will act in loco parentis? For the first time, Mr. Speaker, we address that problem, and, hopefully, it will be a very, very small percentage, because those mothers will undergo voluntary counseling and testing. What we do in this legislation, which this House should be so proud of, is we take all of those infants whose mother's status is not known, which is, hopefully, a very small number, and make sure that they get tested. Some have advocated that the mother has a right to privacy, and in testing the child we have inadvertently or deliberately tested the mother to determine her status, and that the mother has a right to remain ignorant of her status if she so chooses. That may be so, but the child has a right to live. In this complex and complicated society, so often rights conflict. We must make tough decisions, and we have made this decision before, certainly in the case of those mothers, in those cases where a family has their own religious beliefs and does not believe in [[Page H 9060]] medical intervention and their religion calls for the divine intervention instead. If the life of the child is threatened and the mother refuses to allow the medical community to assist the child because of her religion, we have made the decision that the life of the child takes precedence. Every ethical panel has made that decision. Certainly if the right of the child to survive is more important than the constitutional right of freedom of religion, certainly it is equally important as the mother's right to remain ignorant. We deal with this problem squarely in this legislation. And I want to caution this House, because this legislation has been brought together by people who are liberals and conservatives, Republicans and Democrats, parents and not, people of good will, but this should not be just delivering the mother a death certificate and saying, ``Your child is ill and is going to die.'' There is no substitution for care. There is no substitution for treatment. There is no substitution for the kind of resources this Nation is going to have to put behind any effort to eliminate and eradicate this dreaded disease. I urge all of our colleagues in the House to support this legislation. For the very first time since the Ryan White bill has been enacted in this House, we deal with the problem of those newest of Americans, those newborn citizens, who before had no access to the health care system, had no access to Ryan White money, and we treat them the same as if they were anybody else. I think that is pretty important. Mr. Speaker, I thank all of those who have worked on this legislation, and urge strongly passage of this bill.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with my constituents and members of [[Page E 1747]] the New York State Department of the Jewish War Veterans, and with American veterans everywhere, to celebrate with pride and admiration the 100th anniversary of the Jewish War Veterans. Formed in the post-Civil War era to help counter obstacles faced by Jewish soldiers who fought in that war, the JWV not only serves to support the concerns of the many veterans who fought for their country, but also acts as a service agency to foster social action and concern among all our citizens. The organization has been made both dynamic and effective through a succession of dedicated and highly competent leaders. It is because of such dedicated Americans that members and supporters of the JWV will gather on the evening of Sunday, October 1, 1995, to rejoice in a century of dedication and achievement. Allow me to briefly note the accomplishments of some outstanding New Yorkers who have proudly served as JMV national commanders. Benjamin H. Chasin entered the service in 1942, rose to the rank of captain, and received numerous awards while serving in the Pacific theater. After many years of service in the reserves, he retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1970. Concurrently he rose through the ranks of the JWV, and served as national commander form 1957-58. Ralph Plofsky entered the service in 1942 and saw action with the 10th and 77th Division. After his discharge in 1945, he again served his country on active duty in Korea. Discharged as a captain of the infantry in 1951, Commander Plofsky joined the White Plains Post of the JWV and in 1964 was the first Korean war veteran to be elected national commander of the JWV or any other veterans organization. Jerome D. Cohen got his first taste of the military at age 10, when he served as a drummer in the Sons of the JWV. At 17, he enlisted in the Navy; among his many assignments was his service for 3 years as coxswain on General MacArthur's whaleboat on the U.S.S. Nashville. He was involved in the war in Asia, was wounded and received several citations, including the Purple Heart. After separation from the service, he began a distinguished law career. At age 22, he was elected commander of the Cohen-Lehman Post of the JWV. Demonstrating outstanding leadership abilities, he quickly rose in the JWV ranks, and in 1971 was elected national commander. Another such distinguished commander, Nathan M. Goldberg, served in the U.S. Navy as an enlisted man and officer. He was released with the rank of ensign. He readily became active in the Albany Post of the JWV, served as its post commander and became involved in the JWV on a national level, becoming national commander in 1978. While he has served in a number of community-oriented posts in Albany, he has had major impact in his tenure as president of the National Jewish Military Museum in Washington, DC. The distinguished past National Commander Stanley W. Zwaik served in this office from 1982-83. Initially a resident of Jamaica, NY, Commander Zwaik entered the Armed Forces in 1941 and received his commission as a second lieutenant in the military police. He was active in the South Pacific, New Guinea, and the Philippines. At the close of the war, he joined the reserves and retired in 1964 with the rank of lieutenant colonel. It was in 1946 that he joined the JWV and soon became a county commander. As his leadership talents became widely recognized, he was elevated to a number of State and then national posts, resulting in his elevation to the post of national commander. Edwin Goldwasser, national commander, 1986-87, first became involved with the JWV in 1961 in Spring Valley, NY. A most dynamic leader, he became post commander in 1967. He moved into active leadership positions in the JWV, first in New York State and eventually on the national level. Utilizing the prestige and impact of the JWV, Commander Goldwasser has undertaken many compassionate and humane projects on behalf of JWV causes, both in the United States and internationally. One such mission led him to the Vatican to assist in locating an Israeli MIA, Zachary Baumel. It was to the great honor of the JWV that Vice President Albert Gore invited Past National Commander Warren S. Dolny to accompany him as part of the U.S. delegation to the ceremonies commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising. Commander Dolny was also honored to be invited by the White House to attend the signing of the Israel-PLO peace accords. In 1951, Warren Dolny was drafted into the Marines. After discharge with the rank of sergeant, he became a member of the Fred Hecht Post in Spring Valley, NY. His unique leadership capabilities were quickly recognized, and he was elected post commander. Rising steadily in the ranks of the JWV, Dolny filled a variety of county, State, and national posts, culminating in his election as national commander in 1992. Mr. Speaker, all Americans can be justly proud that our country has produced such men as these commanders of the Jewish War Veterans. I ask all my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me now in paying tribute to these outstanding patriots, and in congratulating the members of the Jewish War Veterans on the 100th anniversary of this marvelous organization.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate with the members of the Long Island Division of Israel Bonds as they gather at the Woodbury Jewish Center in Nassau County, NY, to honor Marlene Post as the recipient of the Jerusalem 3000 Award. Marlene Post, the National President of Hadassah, emerged from college with a strong sense of dedication and social concern to begin a career as a nursing educator in a variety of health-care institutions. Today, she serves in an exemplary fashion on a number of advisory boards in the field, such as the New York State Commission for the Disabled; the Israel-based Association of Organizations of Persons With Disabilities, which she chairs; and the Israel Sport Center for the Disabled, where she is a national vice president. Marlene Post has distinguished herself by providing more than 25 years of inspiring service to Hadassah. During her tenure as Hadassah's national treasurer, the organization raised over $80 million for its service program. Before that, Ms. Post served Hadassah in a variety of important positions: National Chairperson of Hadassah's Membership, Organization and Outreach Departments; National Chairperson of Young Judea, Hadassah's youth organization; and National Convention Chairperson in 1989 and 1990. In addition, she has served as the chairperson of the Long Island Israel Bond campaign and currently serves on its advisory board. Mr. Speaker, under her brilliant leadership in these various roles, Marlene Post has extended the services of Hadassah to thousands of needy individuals, and has helped Hadassah intensify its programs that serve our youth, as well as those dedicated to American and Israeli women's issues. I ask my colleagues to join with me now in paying tribute to Marlene Post, and in thanking her for her many years of dedicated service.