Gary Ackerman

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Chairman, further reserving the right to object, I yield to the gentleman from New York.

Mr. ACKERMAN. In that case, I will be compelled to object, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Chairman, reserving the right to object, I would like to ask the distinguished chairman if he has discussed this at all with the minority.

Mr. ACKERMAN. I have to object; if the gentleman has two speakers and we have five, splitting the time equally would not be equitable.

Mr. ACKERMAN. We are not sure right now, but we would be delighted to discuss it with the gentleman. We think it is in the neighborhood possibly of anywhere from 4 to 6.

Mr. ACKERMAN. Reserving the right to object, Mr. Chairman, I just want to make it clear we are talking about this amendment specifically, and we are not amending the 5-minute rule to now be known as the 3- minute rule for the remainder of the debate on this particular bill.

Mr. ACKERMAN. We will try to exercise the maximum restraint possible. We are not interested in dragging this out, but we do have Members who have signed up.

Mr. ACKERMAN. Reserving the right to object, Mr. Chairman, I withdraw my reservation to object, but not to the 8 o'clock ceiling. But we will limit subsequent speakers to 3 minutes each.

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. ACKERMAN. If he will limit each of his speakers to 1 minute each and allow us the balance of the time, the answer is yes, but obviously we have more speakers than he.

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Chairman, I withdraw my reservation of objection.

Mr. ACKERMAN. You do not mandate he saves any money?

Mr. ACKERMAN. Tell me how that saves more money on balance.

Mr. ACKERMAN. If the gentleman will explain how much the cost that offsets that in avoiding or renegotiating existing contracts.

Mr. ACKERMAN. At what cost?

Mr. ACKERMAN. I can understand and appreciate the gentleman's strong aversion and opposition to study. But could the gentleman cite for me one penny's worth of savings in this bill that you do not want to study? Not a dollar, not a thousand, not a million, not a billion. One penny. Tell me where it is saved in this bill.

Mr. ACKERMAN. I think that we would be very amenable to discussing it on a staff level at this point while this amendment is being debated.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of the Development Fund for Africa. The DFA protects some of the most vulnerable people on earth. And efforts to slash it by $173 million are simply unacceptable. As you know, Mr. Chairman, the African continent represents one of the last untapped markets in the world. And the continent has seen tremendous progress, with new democracies taking root throughout:-- South Africa being the most shining example. If the DFA is cut by $173 million, not only will ordinary people suffer, but the U.S. image as a world leader will be seriously damaged: The aid program to South Africa--a role model of evolutionary change with respect for market economics--will be undermined. Should the United States cut and run after campaigning against apartheid for so long? The AIDS epidemic will worsen--an estimated two million additional people will become infected with HIV due to cutbacks in U.S.-supported programs. Programs that help prevent hunger by investing in sustainable farming will be decimated. And the expansion of United States exports to the African continent, which now amount to over $4.4 billion, will be hindered. Mr. Chairman, U.S. aid is not a give away; it's an investment that brings about exports to the developing world--exports which amount to 40 percent of all U.S. exports. But for there to be a market there needs to be healthy, educated and economically productive societies. Slashing the DFA to bits will not accomplish that goal. Not at all. That is why I am cosponsoring this amendment, along with some of my distinguished colleagues on the International Relations Committee, to raise the DFA to the fiscal year 1995 level of $802 million. Strangely enough, while this bill slashes lifesaving programs like the DFA, we are finding room to increase our military sales program. Unlike the DFA, this is not a program geared to help people that are starving, or are in the midst of democracy building. Maintaining aid to Africa is within our responsibility as a world leader and it is the least that we can do for people who are deserving of our assistance. I strongly urge your support for this amendment.

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas [Ms. Jackson-Lee].

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with my constituents of the Fifth Congressional District and many other citizens of New York as the Queens Council on the Arts celebrates its 29th anniversary by honoring the long-time Publisher of The Queens Tribune, Michael Schenkler. Mr. Speaker, Mike Schenkler epitomizes a success story that stands as a shinning example of dedication and achievement for the citizens of Queens County and its many communities. A product of the New York City schools, Mike first became involved in community affairs as a student at Queens College. Upon graduation, he began his professional career in the New York City school system, and quickly rose to the rank of principal. In 1978, when I needed someone to take over the day-to-day operations of the community newspaper I had published, I was fortunate enough to lure Michael away from a career in education and introduce him to the world of journalism and small business. This was a move that would have a major impact not only on Mike's own career, but on the borough of Queens as well. Mike departed from the school system and became totally immersed in the operation of The Queens Tribune, which quickly became the county's dominant weekly newspaper. In 1989, the Tribune merged with News Communications, Inc., and Michael rapidly rose to the rank of president and CEO of the newly formed company. From his start in the private sector in a small storefront operation in Flushing, Mike Schenkler now runs a publishing empire that employs more than 300 people and publishes 23 different newspapers and magazines throughout the New York metropolitan area and in Washington, DC. As the Queens Tribune grew, so did Michael's love for community, politics, the arts, economics, local sports and the many areas that join together to represent the dynamics of the borough of Queens. Testimony for this dedication can be found every week on the pages of his newspapers, which cover all aspects of the Queens community. The annual Guide to Queens and the historical anniversary editions have highlighted the paper's ability to cover all the news. The Queens Tribune is a living tribute to Michael Schenkler, his borough and the dynamic communities that thrive in Queens. The paper has received numerous journalism awards, including the New York Press Association Award for Mike's column, QUIPS. In 1994, Michael was named Businessman of the Year by the Queens Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Speaker, Michael Schenkler is a true American success story: a successful businessman, a warm and caring individual, a person dedicated to his family. I am truly honored to consider him my friend. I ask all my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join with me and the Queens Council on the Arts in extending our best wishes to Mike, his lovely wife, Lillian, and their two children, Lee and Allison, and in saluting Michael Schenkler for his energy, vision and tireless efforts on behalf of the people and the arts of the Borough of Queens.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Chairman, I withdraw my reservation of objection.

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Chairman, we have had a chance to take a look at the bill, and have had discussions with the gentleman from Indiana. We think he is on the right track, and we have no objections to the amendment.

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Chairman, reserving the right to object, we have had a chance to look at the perfecting language, and we have no objection, so I withdraw my reservation of objection.

Mr. ACKERMAN. I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina.

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Chairman, reserving the right to object, I would do so pending an explanation by the gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. Funderburk].