Howard Berman

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a good friend and an outstanding educator, Alex Reza. In May 2002, Alex retired after 34 years of service with the Los Angeles Unified School System. Alex was one of the founders of the Mexican-American Studies curriculum at San Fernando High School where he has taught since 1968. He has a unique ability to clearly communicate history and make it relevant and understandable generation after generation. Known for his infectious passion when it comes to civil rights, Alex has made it a priority to ensure that his students learned about civil rights and labor leaders such as Cesar Chavez, Martin Luther King, and Walter Reuther. A charismatic leader, Alex always manages to enlist numerous faculty, students and community members in his many initiatives and projects. His accomplishments and successes are legion. He helped found the Cesar Chavez March, co-sponsored the San Fernando High School chapter of MEChA (a national Chicano organization), and volunteered in the fund raising campaign for the Cesar Chavez Memorial. In recognition of his service to his community, Alex received the first Cesar Chavez Service Award in the City of San Fernando. Alex's integrity, enthusiasm and strong consensus building abilities have made him a role model to many and an inspiration to many more. Over the years I have witnessed firsthand Alex's genuine concern for youth and their surrounding communities. I have met many of his former students whose interest in history, government and politics were inspired by his enthusiasm. In fact, three of those students now serve on my staff. Lawyers, doctors, activists and leaders, including the President of the Los Angeles City Council, proudly count themselves as alumni of Alex Reza's classroom. Alex has created a living legacy through his students and in turn, he has earned the respect of his colleagues and his community. Over the years, even though I never had the privilege of being a student in Alex's class, I've grown to trust his advice and counsel. In 2000, I designated him as my elector in the Presidential primary. He represented me well, and served with enthusiasm and professionalism. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct pleasure to ask my colleagues to join me in saluting my good friend, Alex Reza, for his extraordinary service to the hundreds of students he has inspired in his distinguished career.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding educator and leader--my very good friend, Day Higuchi. On June 22, 2002, Day will be honored at a luncheon held by his friends and colleagues to celebrate his thirty-two years of tireless work on behalf of the public schools of Los Angeles. While serving as President of United Teachers of Los Angeles, Day has also devised a number of new and innovative ways of teaching that can be used throughout the many subjects he has taught in his career-- science, drama, English and film making. He is recognized for his creativity and the unique manner in which he has continually refined his instructional methods, as he designed, then redesigned an innovative interdisciplinary team teaching program with three of his colleagues. Day has also improved instruction for students by creating school-to-career centers, increasing standards based instruction, and creating effective reading and math programs. In addition, he developed a system to improve teaching quality through internships for new teachers, and Professional Development Programs (PAR, NBC, ISCA, Education Advisory Committee, and Task Force on the Professional Work of Teachers). It is no wonder that I have long turned to him as a prime advisor on issues relating to education. He is a distinguished expert on improving the performance both of students and of teachers. Day's leadership within the United Teachers of Los Angeles has resulted in dramatic improvements in the working conditions of educators. He first served as Chapter Chair from 1973 to 1987, then moved on to become a member of the UTLA House of Representatives from 1974 to 2003, the Board of Directors from 1984 to 1988, the Director of East Area from 1988 to 1991, the UTLA/American Federation of Teachers Vice-President from 1992 to 1997, and President from 1997 to 2003. Day's accomplishments as an advocate and leader are legion. He successfully fought for the rights of Union Members and for an increase in important benefits. He helped defeat the breakup of the Lomita district, negotiate raises averaging 23 percent, defeat propositions to silence labor, defeat the Draper initiative for vouchers and pass important school bonds measures. Day is a remarkable man who has been a great asset to the Los Angeles Unified School District. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to ask my colleagues to join with me in paying tribute to Day Higuchi, who has dedicated his life to our children and their education.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the memory of Guadalupe S. Ramirez for whom Los Angeles Mission College recently dedicated a new Collaborative Studies Building. Guadalupe was an outstanding community activist who died in January of 2000 at the age of 84. Born in El Paso, Texas, Guadalupe had to end her formal education in the seventh grade to care for her ill mother. Soon after her mother passed away, Guadalupe relocated to California in the 1930's. She later married Manuel C. Ramirez. The couple partnered in many community efforts and they worked together to establish the San Fernando Valley chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens. Even with their deep involvement in the community, the Ramirez's dedicated themselves to family, raising and caring for more than 35 children, including their many foster children. Guadalupe's many accomplishments involved helping found both the first Head Start childcare program in the Valley, and the Chicano Studies Department at Cal State University, Northridge. She also helped develop the North Valley Occupational Center. In the 1970s Guadalupe led the campaign to place a proposed community college in the northeast San Fernando Valley. Her tireless effort proved successful, and in 1975 Mission College was founded in San Fernando. Dubbed as ``the mother of Mission College'' for her efforts on behalf of the community and the college, Guadalupe is remembered and loved by the greater Northeast San Fernando Valley community. The dedication of the Collaborative Studies Building in Guadalupe's name serves to acknowledge her role in bringing an institution of higher learning to the northeast San Fernando Valley while at the same time advancing the goals and values she held so dear. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct pleasure to ask my colleagues to Join me in saluting Guadalupe S. Ramirez, whose life is an inspiration to all.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join the Hillel Councils of CA State Northridge University (CSUN) and Valley and Pierce Community Colleges in paying tribute to my good friends, Jack Koszdin and Georgia Mercer, who are being honored this evening at Hillel's Gala Dinner. Jack Koszdin and Georgia Mercer are very special people who have generously given their time, effort and dedication to Hillel and to our community as a whole. Jack is a practicing attorney with whom I had the privilege of practicing law for nearly six years. He is one of the most skilled and knowledgeable practitioners in the field of worker's compensation in the entire country and is a relentless defender of the judicial rights of our labor force. Before entering the legal field as an attorney, Jack was a great teacher with a huge heart and a wonderful sense of humor. He counts teaching at UCLA and serving as a law a professor at the University of West Los Angeles among his many accomplishments. Jack is continually striving to resolve issues in our educational and legal systems. He is a member of the Board of the San Fernando Valley Child Guidance Clinic and one of the Board of Directors of the Cerebral Palsy Association. He has been a legal advisor to the Valley Labor Political Education council and has held numerous prestigious judicial positions including Judge pro Tem of the Workers' compensation Appeals Board and Municipal Judge Pro Tem for the San Fernando Valley. He also participates in the State Insurance Commission Study of Workers' Compensation and Medical Benefits. Georgia has more than 25 years of experience in education, communications and public affairs. Her accomplishments are legion and her energy boundless. She now serves as the Chair of CSUN's Hillel's Board of Directors as well as on the Boards of the CSUN Foundation, Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services, Valley Trauma Center, Valley Alliance of the Jewish Federation Council, and Friends of the Family. She is also an elected and distinguished member of the Community Board of Trustees. As President of this Board from 2000-2001, she led a campaign for a $1.2 billion facilities bond measure for upgrading the modernizing all nine college campuses that ultimately won 67% voter approval. Georgia is a gifted and dedicated activist who knows how to get things done and who never fails to take on a challenge. During the past several decades, I have been privileged to work with Jack and Georgia on issues of concern at local, State and Federal levels and have valued their friendship and counsel. It is my distinct pleasure to ask my colleagues to join me in saluting Jack Koszdin and Georgia Mercer for their outstanding contributions to our community and thanking Hillel at CSUN, Valley and Pierce Community Colleges for its great work generally, and for making tonight's Gala Dinner a wonderful success.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding educator, Carlos Nava. On Friday, May 17, 2002, Los Angeles Mission College will honor Carlos for his 33 years of service with the Los Angeles Community College District; 27 of those with Los Angeles Mission College in Sylmar, California. Carlos was one of the founding administrators who helped open Los Angeles Mission College in storefronts in the City of San Fernando in 1975. He has been with the college ever since. Initially, Carlos held the position of Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. He was later appointed as the Acting Chief Instructional Officer in 1985. He then gained a quick promotion a year and a half later and became the Chief Student Services Officer--a position which he still holds today. As a member of the senior staff, Carlos is responsible for all student support programs including those of Admissions and Records, Financial Aid, EOP&S, the Child Development Center and Student Government. Carlos is also in charge of recruitment and marketing, an area where he has proven very effective as enrollment has grown steadily over the last five years. A charismatic leader, Carlos has successfully organized and implemented many projects, always working inclusively with faculty, students, community, and various organizations to achieve success. He pioneered curriculum for Chicano Studies and has implemented several community service programs. His familiarity with the diverse populations that the college serves has been extremely valuable to its growth and success. Carlos's integrity, enthusiasm and strong consensus building abilities have made him a role model to many and an inspiration to many more. Over the years I have attended and enjoyed many programs at Mission College and have witnessed firsthand Carlos's genuine concern for students, the campus and the surrounding community. He has earned the respect of his students, his colleagues, and the community and its leaders. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct pleasure to ask my colleagues to join me in saluting Carlos Nava for his extraordinary service with the Los Angeles Community College District.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize an outstanding Jewish educational institution, the Hebrew Union College--Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) on the historic occasion of its first rabbinic ordination. This weekend's ordination, taking place on Sunday May 5th at Wilshire Boulevard Temple, will be the first of its kind on the West Coast and it bears testament to the significant growth and importance of the Reform Jewish movement in California and the West Coast. I am proud of HUC-JIR's accomplishments, proud of the rabbis who will be ordained this weekend and proud of the fact that from this weekend forward, Reform Rabbis will be ordained in my home city, Los Angeles. HUC-JIR is the nation's oldest institute of higher Jewish education and the academic, spiritual and professional development center of Reform Judaism. It is an organization dedicated to providing leadership for and strengthening the growing Jewish communities and Reform Congregations throughout the West Coast. The HUC-JIR has a long, well known, and successful history educating men and women for service to American and world Jewry as rabbis, cantors, educators and communal service professionals and offering graduate and postgraduate degree programs for scholars of all faiths. It is also known for its vast array of scholarly resources, including a renowned library, archive and museum collections, biblical archaeology excavations, and academic publications. The College-Institute makes its resources available to the community and also provides an assortment of cultural and educational programs that help illuminate Jewish history, culture and contemporary creativity. I am very pleased that the Los Angeles Rabbinic Program has been expanded to become a comprehensive program culminating in ordination, and I am pleased to recognize the inaugural class of newly ordained Rabbis: Shawna Elise Brynjegard-Bialik, Miriam Lisa Cotzin, John Rothschild Fishman, Melissa Lynn Fogel, Robert William Haas, Tali Esther Hyman, Kennard Kipman and Karen Shahon Strok. I wish the best for each of these new Rabbis and I am confident they will accomplish great things. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct pleasure to ask my colleagues to join with me in saluting Hebrew Union College--Jewish Institute of Religion on this historic event and in congratulating the first class of Reform Rabbis to be ordained on the West Coast.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, today marks the 87th anniversary of the beginning of the Armenian Genocide. I rise today to commemorate this terrible chapter in human history, and to help ensure that it will never be forgotten. On April 24, 1915, the Turkish government began to arrest Armenian community and political leaders. Many were executed without ever being charged with crimes. Then the government deported most Armenians from Turkish Armenia, ordering that they resettle in what is now Syria. Many deportees never reached that destination. From 1915 to 1918, more than a million Armenians died of starvation or disease on long marches, or were massacred outright by Turkish forces. From 1918 to 1923, Armenians continued to suffer at the hands of the Turkish military, which eventually removed all remaining Armenians from Turkey. We mark this anniversary of the start of the Armenian Genocide because this tragedy for the Armenian people was a tragedy for all humanity. It is our duty to remember, to speak out and to teach future generations about the horrors of genocide and the oppression and terrible suffering endured by the Armenian people. We hope the day will soon come when it is not just the survivors who honor the dead but also when those whose ancestors perpetrated the horrors acknowledge their terrible responsibility and commemorate as well the memory of genocide's victims. Sadly, we cannot say humanity has progressed to the point where genocide has become unthinkable. We have only to recall the ``killing fields'' of Cambodia, mass ethnic killings in Bosnia and Rwanda, and ``ethnic cleansing'' in Kosovo to see that the threat of genocide persists. We must renew our commitment never to remain indifferent in the face of such assaults on innocent human beings. We also remember this day because it is a time for us to celebrate the contribution of the Armenian community in America--including hundreds of thousands in California--to the richness of our character and culture. The strength they have displayed in overcoming tragedy to flourish in this country is an example for all of us. Their success is moving testimony to the truth that tyranny and evil cannot extinguish the vitality of the human spirit. The United States has an ongoing opportunity to contribute to a true memorial to the past by strengthening Armenia's emerging democracy. We must do all we can through aid and trade to support Armenia's efforts to construct an open political and economic system. I am very pleased that this year's foreign aid bill earmarks $94.3 million in aid for Armenia, including, for the first time, $4.3 million in military assistance. This signifies a new stage in the U.S.-Armenia relationship. Adolf Hitler, the architect of the Nazi Holocaust, once remarked ``Who remembers the Armenians?'' The answer is, we do. And we will continue to remember the victims of the 1915-23 genocide because, in the words of the philosopher George Santayana, ``Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.''

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, that illustrates the point I was making, and I will just conclude because we have some very knowledgeable people on the floor tonight to speak to this issue, and to say that I ask my colleagues and I ask those people who care about Israel's survival and security, to understand the context in which this present incursion is taking place, the critical importance of it being completed in a fashion that enhances survival, and understand that when presented with a true opportunity for a true peace, be it with the Palestinians or a comprehensive peace, I have no doubt that the Israeli people and its government will be able to make the compromises necessary to make that happen.

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman very much for yielding to me. It is very good to be here with all of my colleagues, and I do not have a prepared comment. I just want to make a few points and then yield back to my friend from Florida and the others who took this special order. First, to thank the gentleman for taking this special order. I am getting a lot of comments from my colleagues in this Chamber, I am getting a lot of mail and phone calls from my constituents who are watching television, who are seeing pictures and reading stories and are very distressed by what they have seen in these past few weeks, and I thought it would be good to come back to a couple of very basic points. For me, as a Member of Congress, one of my priorities is to work for the survival and the security of the State of Israel, and I say that and I do that with no embarrassment because I very much believe that that position is a position that is strongly in the interests of the American people, and I think that as we look at the context of this conflict, some of the points illustrated by the gentleman from Florida with his maps remind us of several critical points. The first point is that every single time that the people of Israel have been presented with an option which involves compromise on their part and the hope and promise of peace, they have chosen that option rather than pushing for maximalist demands and a continuation of conflict. It started in 1948 with the partition plan sponsored by the United Nations where Israel and the people of Israel accepted far less than they hoped to get in that partition plan, and as the gentleman from Florida pointed out correctly, the Arab neighbors of Israel rejected that partition plan and went to war. It occurred again in the wake of Anwar Sadat's statement that he would make peace with Israel if they would withdraw from all the territory that they had occupied as a result of the 1967 and 1973 wars. Within an instant, Israeli public opinion rallied around the call by this courageous leader of Egypt for peace and set through a process to withdraw from the entire Sinai peninsula, to uproot settlements and to pull back just in the hope that they could engage in a lasting peace with the country of Egypt. It occurred again in 1993 in the context of Oslo where all Israel got for all the compromises that they agreed with and the process that they agreed to go through and the compromises that they subsequently made, all they got was the promise that the dispute between Israel and the Palestinian peoples would be resolved through negotiations, there would be an end to terror and that a series of steps would be taken, all of which involved Israel withdrawal, Israel retreat, and in the context of Oslo, the Israeli government did things that they had indicated they would never do. They indicated a willingness to negotiate with Yasser Arafat, a position no Israeli government had ever taken before. They indicated a willingness to recognize the PLO as the organization representing the Palestinian people. They agreed to Yasser Arafat's return to the Palestinian areas, first the Gaza, then to Jericho and finally the headquarters in Ramallah. They agreed most incredibly to the arming of 50,000 Palestinian police under the direction of the Palestinian Authority to maintain order as they pushed out of every area of major Palestinian population and, again, without even getting into the details of the willingness of Israel, to opt for withdrawal from the Golan Heights in the context of trying to get a peace with Syria or their unilateral withdrawal from southern Lebanon, notwithstanding the continued barrage that Israel was facing from Hezbollah forces, supported by Syria and Iran, against not only their Armed Forces, but against the civilian population of northern Israel. Finally, with the offer Ehud Barak made in the American-mediated Camp David process where a whole series of positions that no one ever thought they would see a leader of Israel offer were made at that table, only to be spurned by the Palestinians. For a long time, 20 years now, I have believed that in the context of obtaining this peace and the right solution, there would have to be compromise. I want a Jewish homeland and I want it to be a democracy, and if for no other reason than the demographic facts, I recognize that in a context where Israel's survival and its security could be maintained, there would need to be land, but I believe that that is the position of the vast majority of the people of Israel as well as the vast majority of American supporters of the state of Israel. So when we see the present images and the consequences of the Israeli effort to deal with the sources of terror that have taken so many lives, the homicide bombings that have continued relentlessly, the clear unwillingness, notwithstanding his words of Chairman Arafat to end terror as a tool of the efforts to provide for the aspirations of the Palestinian people, the uncovering of the documents that indicates top Palestinian authority approval for the funding of explosives and bombs and weaponry of very significant magnitude. This is no longer the intifada of 1988 and 1989, an intifada of stones. This is of mortars and explosives and bombs and rockets. When we see all of that, when we learn that as a result of the Israeli efforts, dozens of bomb factories have been uncovered, huge caches of weapons have been uncovered, all to be used notwithstanding the promises under Oslo and the commitments made to try and settle this issue through force, I think my colleagues have to understand that context to understand what Israel feels it needs to do.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am greatly honored today to pay tribute to one of my most unique and closest friends, Lynne Silbert, who has been chosen to receive the prestigious Human Spirit Award from the Wellness Community of West Los Angeles. It is hard to find words to adequately describe Lynne. Lovely and charming, inside and out, she has touched a myriad of lives. She is warm and generous, but truly defined by her enormous desire to serve humanity. She is funny and fun; a companion to do something crazy with and a friend so loyal and so sensitive that your moment of need is the moment she is at your side. She approaches life as she approaches her work, with passion and a great heart. As an aside, my wife Janis and I will always remember her opening her home to us for our wedding. The daughter of distinguished and philanthropic parents, Lillian and Harvey Silbert, Lynne chose--as a young widow with two small children-- to go back to school. She received her degree in counseling and started her career with a small nonprofit organization that provided support, education and hope to cancer patient and their families. She has helped that organization grow from a small yellow house in Santa Monica to an international organization with facilities throughout the United States and in Japan and Israel. Over 19 years later, Lynne is still with the Wellness Community. She has led thousands of support groups, and has infused thousands of cancer patients with hope and determination. Especially noteworthy is her work with children--both the kids of cancer patients and those who suffer with cancer themselves. Beloved by adolescents because she never has lost her own youthfulness, she has both created and facilitated hundreds of groups to support young people battling this dread disease. It takes enormous skill, empathy and grace to do this difficult work. Lynne has an abundance of each of these attributes. Her good works aren't limited, however, to the Wllness Community. She is a member of the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Board of Governors and is active with the American Friends of Hebrew University. She is the mother of two accomplished daughters: Jill and Gina and, although you'd never know it, the grandmother of four. She is married to a distinguished member of Los Angeles' medical community, Dr. Seth Weingarten. Mr. Speaker, distinguished Colleagues, I ask you today to join me in saluting Lynne Silbert and congratulating her this honor, which she so richly deserves. She embodies the Spirit of Humanity. To know her is to be greatly blessed and to find your life immeasurably enriched.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 3 minutes. Mr. Chairman, just on the good chairman's last point, he wants to give people a day in court. As the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank), the author of the amendment, just pointed out, without this amendment, there is no day in court. They file their class action in State court, the defendants remove it to Federal court, the Federal court refuses to certify it, remanding it back to the State court, they pursue it in State court, and they remove it again back to Federal court. They never get a chance to try it. If this bill is about trying to have cases, legitimate Federal class action cases, heard in Federal court and not in State courts, then the amendment does nothing to destroy the focus of this bill. If this bill is about removing the ability of local judges, rather than Federal judges, to give hometown kinds of decisions and rulings, there is nothing in this amendment that hurts this bill. It is only if one accepts, which I believe is true, that the only purpose of this bill is to eliminate any State or any of the 50 States' ability to decide there are certain kinds of class actions they want to hear that come outside the scope of rule 23, and that, in effect, this bill wipes out the right of all 50 States to make that decision, and defines rule 23 in the Federal courts as the only place to ever bring a class action, that is the only reason to oppose this amendment. It is hard for me to believe that States' rights-loving adherents to federalism who see a role for the Federal courts and the State courts could, with a straight face, promote this bill, which, in effect, preempts and sucks up all class action rights, forces them into Federal court, eliminates a State legislature and a State judiciary's ability to decide that, there are situations and circumstances where we want a State class action body of law to exist that go beyond the Federal rule 23. I urge an ``aye'' vote for this amendment. I think it is essential. With this amendment, this bill truly becomes an effort to get the true Federal class action cases into Federal court and still allows the States to decide if there are areas left out where they want to allow at least some jurisdiction so that the person can have his day in at least one court. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, we rise today to honor our good friend Marcia F. Volpert who will be presented with an award for Exceptional Community Leadership at the Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles (JFSLA) annual award dinner on May 19, 2002. This prestigious award, known as the ``Fammy'' award is given to one exceptional person each year who has served both the JFSLA and the community at large. We have known Marcia for many years and know firsthand of her dedication, commitment and numerous accomplishments. For more than twelve years Marcia helped guide, grow and promote JFSLA as an actively engaged Board Member. She also served as its Secretary and Vice President while at the same time playing a valuable role on key committees including Strategic & Planning and Public Relations & Marketing. Marcia has been active with many Jewish causes and organizations. She has served as both the Vice President and Chair of the Jewish Federation Council of Greater Los Angeles and the Jewish Community Relations Committee. In addition she has held a number of very important positions including Chair of the LA Jewish Population Survey, Vice Chair of the Jewish Federation Strategic Planning Committee and Chair of the Statewide Jewish Public Affairs Committee. Also, she is well known for her leadership within the Soviet Jewry Movement. In addition to her prodigious work with Jewish organizations, Marcia has given her time and energy to many other civic and public services. She served as a Los Angeles Civil Service Commissioner, a Water and Power Commissioner and President of the Los Angeles County Board of Education. She is currently a member of the committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California. To say that Marcia has earned this Fammy Award is an understatement. She is a remarkable person who we are privileged to know and to call a friend. It is our distinct pleasure to ask our colleagues to join us in saluting Marcia F. Volpert for all of her outstanding achievements, and to congratulate her for receiving this year's Fammy award.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America, on its 90th anniversary. I have enormous professional respect for Hadassah, I also have a deep personal affinity: my mother was a very active member, and some of my other relatives were officers in important Hadassah chapters. Founded in 1912 by Henrietta Szold, Hadassah has become the largest women's and largest Jewish membership organization in the United States, with over 300,000 active members in all 50 states. Hadassah's greatest achievement is its network of world-renowned medical and educational institutions in Israel. Their flagship project, the Hadassah Medical Organization, provides the highest quality health care to more than 600,000 patients a year from throughout the Middle East--regardless of race, religion or nationality--and is a resource for training health care professionals around the world. It also supports a variety of world-class research projects that have resulted in significant medical advances, particularly in the areas of breast cancer and the treatment of various genetic disorders. Over the years I have strongly supported the U.S. Agency for International Development's American Schools and Hospitals Abroad program, which provides a key source of funding for Hadassah's health care activities. In addition to their outstanding work in Israel, Hadassah supports many important health, education and women's initiatives here in the U.S. These include a nationwide breast cancer awareness and detection campaign, Jewish family programs, and efforts to promote greater civic participation and awareness of key public policy issues. Through these activities, Hadassah's devoted volunteers strengthen our partnership with Israel, promote the unity of the Jewish people, and truly change people's lives. I commend Hadassah for its excellent work over the past ninety years, and look forward to continuing my work with the organization to ensure an even brighter future.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise to join the distinguished gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), the Chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary and support passage of S. 1888. S. 1888 appears to be a wholly technical, noncontroversial bill. Thus, while the Committee on the Judiciary did not consider and report out the bill, I believe it is appropriate to move this bill on suspension today. In essence, S. 1888 corrects a drafting error made when Congress passed H.R. 1085 in 1998. H.R. 1085 codified into title 36 of the U.S. Code certain preexisting provisions of U.S. law, including those which gave the United States Olympic Committee exclusive use of Olympic symbols such as the five interlocking rings. It is somewhat important to move this legislation now before the Olympics in Salt Lake City begin. U.S. Customs officials have expressed concern that they will not be able to prosecute infringement of the Olympic symbols in Salt Lake City unless this legislation is passed. In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, it is apparent that while technical in nature, S. 1888 is an important piece of legislation. It is also apparent that its passage is somewhat time-sensitive with the Olympics shortly due to begin. I have much more to say on this legislation, Mr. Speaker, but given the critical importance of the special order which will commence as soon as we are done with this bill, I will yield back the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I urge an aye vote.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise to join the distinguished chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary in supporting House passage of H.R. 2336, as amended by the Senate. This bill allows a Federal judge to request redaction of her financial disclosure forms, but only if redaction is necessary to protect the judge against an identified security threat. Such authority exists under current law, but sunsets on December 31. The September 11 tragedy and events thereafter heighten the security concerns that make this legislation necessary. On October 16, the House passed a slightly different version of H.R. 2336 under suspension of the rules. The House-passed version permanently extended the ability of judges to request redaction of their financial disclosure reports. The Senate version on which we vote today extends the redaction authority for only 4 years. While I continue to believe permanent extension would be preferable, the looming December 31 sunset of the redaction authority makes it imperative that we move quickly to enact the Senate amendment. This redaction authority is appropriately limited, and, thus, does not raise concerns about undo restrictions on public access to financial disclosure reports. A judge's report may only be redacted if the Judicial Conference and the U.S. Marshals Service find that revealing personal and sensitive information could endanger that judge. Furthermore, the report can only be redacted to the extent necessary to protect a judge and only for as long as a danger exists. It does not appear that the redaction authority has been abused to date. Of 2,350 judges filing reports in calendar year 2000, only 6 percent had their reports redacted, wholly or partially. Typically the information redacted is limited to such things as a spouse's place of work, the location of a judge's second home, or the school at which a judge teaches law. It is obvious how a person with ill will could misuse this information to harm a judge or her family. The law requires that the Judicial Conference, in concert with the Department of Justice, file an annual report detailing the number and circumstances of redactions. This statutory reporting requirement enables Congress to monitor for any abuse of the redaction authority. I think enactment of H.R. 2336 is necessary to protect the security of our Nation's judges, and I urge my colleagues to vote for it. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, today, I join Representative Coble in introducing the Intellectual Property Protection Restoration Act of 2001. Introduction of this legislation coincides with introduction of a companion bill in the Senate by our distinguished colleague, Senator Patrick Leahy. These bills will rectify a serious inequity in intellectual property protection resulting from recent Supreme Court decisions. These recent decisions held that, under the Eleventh Amendment of the United States Constitution, states have sovereign immunity in state and federal courts against money damages suits for intellectual property infringements. The Supreme Court came to this conclusion despite unequivocal Congressional intent to abrogate state sovereign immunity through enactment of the Copyright Remedy Clarification Act (CRCA), Patent Remedy Act (PRA), and Trademark Remedy Clarification Act (TRCA) in 1992. While immune from suit for money damages when they infringe the intellectual property rights of others, states can still secure protection for their own patents, copyrights, and trademarks under federal law, and can sue infringers of their rights for money damages. I believe it is a serious inequity to allow a State to sue infringers of its intellectual property rights when the State itself can infringe the rights of others with impunity. Last month, the GAO released a study entitled ``Intellectual Property: State Immunity in Infringement Actions.'' This report provides strong evidence of the need for the legislation we introduce today. Since 1985, at least 58 intellectual property lawsuits have been brought with a State as one of the defendants, and a larger number have been settled out of court. It is important to note that when these suits occurred, it was largely assumed, or explicitly mandated in federal law, that states were subject to suit for intellectual property infringement. While I do not believe states will become rampant, willful infringers as a result of the recent Supreme Court decisions, it is reasonable to assume that the incidence of State infringements will increase. Conversely, the dramatically growing patent, copyright, and trademark portfolios of State entities foretell a corresponding increase in intellectual property suits brought by States. In other words, the facts indicate that the inequity will increase as time progresses unless Congress takes action. As I noted, Congress previously passed legislation to correct the inequity created by State immunity from suit for intellectual property infringements, and the Supreme Court struck down these Acts on constitutional grounds. The legislation my colleagues and I introduce today represents a well-considered attempt to correct the identified inequity in a constitutionally permissible manner. Senator Leahy, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and his staff deserve the greatest measure of credit for their hard work in developing this legislation. Also deserving credit are the many constitutional scholars, policy advocates, and government agencies that contributed their time, thoughts, and drafting talents to this effort. I am pleased that a consensus emerged among the various collaborators in support of the ``waiver'' approach embodied in the legislation. During a hearing before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property last summer, I opined that the ``waiver'' approach appeared the best mechanism to rectify the inequity in our intellectual property laws. By creating a ``waiver'' requirement--that is, requiring a State to waive its sovereign immunity from suits for intellectual property infringement in order to secure the ability to bring such suits itself--we avoid constitutional pitfalls and still manage to create an even playing field for all intellectual property owners. Though we developed this bill in a highly collaborative and deliberative manner, I by no means maintain that it is a ``perfect'' solution. Thus, I will remain open to suggestions for amending the language to improve its efficacy or rectify any unintended consequences. However, I am firmly committed to moving this legislation during the remainder of the 107th Congress.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend to my colleagues a beautifully written article by Benjamin L. McKean recounting the success earlier this year of the Harvard Living Wage Campaign. Mr. McKean is a remarkable young activist who joined with many of his classmates in support of the campaign of low-wage workers at Harvard University to improve their wages, benefits, and working conditions. At a university which prides itself on training future leaders for the world at large, Mr. McKean and his young classmates decided to exercise leadership right at home on behalf of the less privileged in the Harvard community. I submit Mr. McKean's article for insertion into the Congressional Record. [From the Crimson, May 9, 2001] The Beginning of the End (By Benjamin L. McKean) We have organized and won something tremendous in Harvard Yard these past three weeks. Since I entered Massachusetts Hall on April 18, workers at Harvard have seen countless victories. As part of the sit-in settlement, our janitors will begin negotiating a new contract more than a year early and any future pay increases will be retroactive to last week. The University committed to a good contract for our dining hall workers. The administration completely backed off from its threat to reclassify more than 100 of our dining hall workers at the Business School. They agreed to increase access to its English as a Second Language program and to immediately consider health care premiums for low-wage workers. Harvard agreed to a moratorium on outsourcing directly hired employees to subcontractors--and outsourcing has been the primary way the University has slashed wages and benefits for years. Alumni have donated more than $10,000 to the Harvard Workers Center, which provides free legal aid and support to Harvard's poverty wage employees. And the University agreed to a committee to discuss the living wage with student and worker representation. Whatever concerns I have about this committee, it makes a big difference knowing that some of the people on the receiving end of Harvard's poverty wages will be there to tell the other members of the committee exactly what that's like. Perhaps most importantly, it is no longer possible for power to operate at Harvard without acknowledging the principle that people deserve a living wage. Our community has a responsibility to treat all its members decently, and we have told the people who thought they led our community that they must do that. Everyone in the Harvard Living Wage Campaign--workers, students, faculty, alumni, area residents--said no to indecent treatment, and to poverty wages. We said stop. All of us. The past 21 days are not significant just because dozens of people occupied the President's office. The past 21 days are significant because of what happened outside of this building. Dining hall workers electrified Harvard Yard; worker-student solidarity is so strong that they want to have one of us help bargain their new contract. Faculty came together; about 400 of Harvard's famously individualistic professors together signed a letter calling for a living wage, and supporting the sit-in. Undergraduates turned out in record numbers for the largest rallies that the Yard has seen in decades, and students from every single graduate or professional school organized themselves in support in a completely unheralded way. Thousands of alumni called University President Neil L. Rudenstine, and even temporarily occupied the Harvard Club of New York. And our janitors and custodians organized rallies, trained themselves in civil disobedience and demanded decent treatment. And we all did it together. And so in the last 21 days we have won two victories; one in the form of substantive gains for Harvard workers, and the second a promise made today by this community--a promise to continue to fight for a living wage. But our extraordinarily modest and simple demand for $10.25 an hour makes a world of difference. On this campus, in this country, people have long fought for the principle that people should be treated without regard to race or to gender or to sexuality. That's because respecting the dignity of all people is the fundamental principle of any community, especially of an educational community. We think an education is valuable because we think people are valuable enough to educate. And for the past 21 days, this whole community came together to say that every one of us is valuable. Every one of us deserves a living wage. And all of us together, in solidarity as never before, told the people who said no that they must say yes. We--all of us--have made this a time when power stopped. For 21 days, we occupied the offices of the people who thought they could block the consensus of our entire community. We asked power to justify its operation, and power found that it couldn't. For 21 days, the people who thought they could run this place without regard for students, for workers, for faculty, for alumni and for the Cambridge-area community--those people did not have a clue what to do. For 21 days it was not business as usual in the halls of power. We should have no illusions: this sit-in was all about coercion. We all decided that we would not go along with the Corporation's coercive power any more, that we would not let them force indecent poverty wages on members of our community. While this tremendous victory marks the end of one phase of our campaign for a living wage, we do not expect the Corporation's coercive power to disappear, and we do not expect this fight to end. We do not need to harbor a utopian fantasy in order to recognize that Harvards' administrators can and must treat people better and pay them better. So today's victory cannot be anything but partial. Recognizing that, all of us should look ahead together to the day when we have won a living wage for all Harvard workers, and to the fights beyond that. Together, we can change not just the dialogue, but the reality of the conditions of Harvard's workers. We can turn the coercive power of the Corporation with the force of our collective yes. Together, in solidarity, we can make Harvard's power productive, make it a positive force and take it for workers. We have organized and won something tremendous here in Harvard Yard, because we have organized and won each other. And to keep winning--to win a living wage for all Harvard employees--we've got to keep organizing. Workers, students, faculty, alumni, parents, all community members energized from this victory should together build from here until everyone joins us in saying: Living wage now!

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2454, designating the Congressman Julian Dixon Post Office in Los Angeles, California. Julian Dixon was a true statesman who served his constituents in California, and the people of the United States with great distinction for over 20 years. Julian cared passionately for the poor and worked to see that their interests were heard in Washington. With serene eloquence, Julian worked to increase diversity on the Hill, successfully initiated and funded residential programs for ``at risk'' youth in the inner city, and provided training and education to the high school students of his district in the high-tech defense industry for, as he once stated, ``what good is it to have high tech weapons and inadequate training for the kids who will be using them?'' I am grateful to have served with Julian Dixon and I know his constituents were grateful for his service. Julian was one of those all-too-rare Members of Congress who had the ability to approach the most difficult and divisive questions in a judicious, thoughtful, and non-partisan manner. Julian served with distinction in many roles in Congress, but his work as Chair of the Ethics Committee and Chair of the District of Columbia Appropriations Subcommittee perfectly illustrate his commitment to take on thankless tasks in an effort to make his country a better place. This was a man who truly connected with the people, regardless of where they lived. There was never a time when he was too busy to talk to those who wanted to bend his ear; the Rayburn subway driver, the committee secretary, and of course, there was always time to talk to a former staffer. To name this post office for Julian Dixon is to give proper tribute to a man who dedicated his life to public service.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, we rise today to pay tribute to Dr. Marlene R. Bane, who is being honored by the Action Democrats of the San Fernando Valley for her extraordinary dedication to democratic principles. Marlene is also a good friend with whom we have enjoyed working for many years. Marlene is President and owner of Marlene Bane Associates. Under her leadership the firm has flourished into a full service Government Relations and Consulting Firm. She has also held important positions in the California State Assembly including Senior Consultant and Administrative Assistant. In addition, Marlene has served as a member of the California Narcotic Addict Evaluation Authority; as assistant to the President, Council of S & L Financial Corp; as an interior designer and as a teacher. Marlene is an active member of the community who has contributed in a wide variety of ways. As Chair of the CA Lupus Appropriations Commission she was a warrior in the fight against Lupus. She serves on the CSUN Presidential Advisory Board and Board of Trustees which has greatly helped the development of the University. Also, she is well known throughout the Jewish community for her participation in groups such as the National Association of Jewish State Legislators; American Israel Public Affairs Committee; Anti Defamation League; Women's Alliance for Israel; and the Valley Jewish Business Leaders Association which she founded and helps run as a current board member. These groups are just a small sample of the many organizations in which Marlene actively participates. The hard work that Marlene puts into service is evidenced by the many honors she has accumulated. She has received honors from the council of State legislatures, the National Institute of Health, the State of California and the Mid-Valley College of Law. Marlene is also a published author whose work can be found in the Library of Congress. Marlene is an exemplary individual whose dedication to her community is legion. Marlene is not only a great leader, but also a loving mother and grandmother. Her late husband, Assemblyman Tom Bane, was a great man who shared Marlene's passion for democracy and good works. Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, please join us in paying tribute to Marlene R. Bane.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged today to ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to my friend, Madale Watson, who celebrated her 90th birthday last week. Madale has been a fixture in Democratic politics in the state of California since her service in James Harvey Brown's Assembly campaigns in 1948 and 1950. Born into a political family, her father was the District Coordinator for Congressman Jerry Vorhees. A pioneer and strong advocate for the participation of women in politics and governance, she twice was a candidate herself for the California Assembly. Building on her own political experience, she served as the treasurer of numerous campaigns for Democratic candidates. She was appointed to the Democratic State Central Committee in the 1950s and served as its Vice Chair. She was the treasurer of the California Democratic Party's Southern Division from 1971 to 1977. Coordinator of far too many political dinners to count, she won special notice for her work for President John F. Kennedy in 1962. She attended five national party conventions. This remarkable woman didn't confine herself to politics. She was also Chair of the California State Board of Registered Nursing and a Member of the Board of the California Public Employees Retirement System. Friend to innumerable political figures, none of them dared be self- important around Madale Watson. She knew exactly how to cut a person down to size. Her irrepressible personality, her endless energy and her quick wit made here much beloved by all privileged to know her. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in birthday greetings to a California legend--Madale Watson.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution. There are many facets of it, but I would only like to focus on one. We know the hijackers had ties to Osama bin Laden and his al Qaeda organization. We must do whatever it takes, including the use of military force, to track down bin Laden and destroy his organization. But this is not just about bin Laden. There are other radical groups that engage in terrorism, including Hezbollah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad. To win the war against terrorism, we must eliminate the entire infrastructure that sustains these organizations. This will involve getting tough with governments that aid and harbor terrorists. Syria allows Hezbollah to operate freely in southern Lebanon. Iran recently hosted a terrorist summit and routinely provides arms and ammunition and other assistance to Hezbollah and other radical groups. Bin Laden is a guest of the Taliban regime. The suicide bombers of Islamic Jihad and Hamas are nurtured by the Palestinian Authority. The time has come for these and other governments to make a fundamental choice: Will they continue to support those responsible for taking the lives of thousands of innocent men, women, and children? Or will they realize the error of their ways and end their financing, the facilitating, the harboring of terrorists and their organizational infrastructures and their state-sponsored incitement of terrorist attacks? For if they choose to continue their present course, they are not states of concern, they are not rogue states, they are America's enemies. I applaud the administration's efforts to assemble an international coalition to fight terrorism. We have a real opportunity to make the world safer for freedom and democracy.

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution, which authorizes the use of force against those responsible for planning and carrying out Tuesday's horrific terrorist attacks. I don't take this lightly. Authorizing the use of our military is one of the most awesome responsibilities we have as members of this body. But at this moment we have no choice. We know the hijackers had ties to Osama bin Laden and his Al-Qaeda organization, which also bombed our embassies in Kenya and Tanzania and attacked the U.S.S. Cole. The American people will no longer tolerate these barbaric acts. We must do whatever it takes, including the use of military force, to tract down bin Laden and destroy his organization. But this isn't just about bin Laden. There are other radical groups that engage in international terrorism, including Hezbollah, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad. To win the war against terrorism, we must eliminate the entire infrastructure that sustains these organizations. This will involve getting tough with governments that aid and harbor terrorists. Syria allows Hezbollah to operate freely in Southern Lebanon. Iran recently hosted a terrorist ``summit,'' and routinely provides arms and other assistance to Hezbollah and other radical groups. bin Laden is a ``guest'' of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. The suicide bombers of Islamic Jihad and Hamas are nurtured by the Palestinian Authority. The time has come for these and other governments to make a fundamental choice: Will they continue to support those responsible for taking the lives of thousands of innocent men, women and children? Or will they realize the error of their ways and end their financing, facilitating and harboring of terrorists and their organizational infrastructure, and their state-sponsored incitement of terrorist acts? For if they choose to continue their present course they are not states of concern, they are not rogue states, they are our enemies. I applaud the administration's efforts to assemble an international coalition to fight terrorism. Working with our allies and other nations concerned about this scourge, we have a real opportunity to make the world safer for freedom and democracy.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, today we come together as a nation to mourn the victims of yesterday's abominable terrorist attacks, offer our deepest condolences to their families and friends, honor the courageous rescue workers who lost their lives in the line of duty, and condemn in the strongest possible terms those responsible for these monstrous acts. No words can adequately express our shock, our sadness, and our tremendous loss from this terrible tragedy. The great promise of the new millennium has been forever tarnished by these unfathomable acts of barbarism. It is almost impossible to comprehend the hatred that motivated the perpetrators to take the lives of so many innocent men, women and children. This was truly an act of pure evil. We must never forget these heinous attacks and the many victims that perished. But even as we ponder the sheet horror of yesterday's events, we must not allow ourselves to become paralyzed by fear and apprehension. This is exactly what the terrorist hoped to achieve. We must deny them any semblance of victory. In these trying times, we are once again reminded of the strength and fortitude of the American people, and the power of our shared beliefs in freedom, liberty and justice. The firefighters and police officers who sacrificed their lives to help those in need, the thousands of people lining up around the country to donate blood, and the countless others that have come forward to offer assistance typify the essence of the American spirit. This is something no terrorist attack can even extinguish. We will spare no effort or expense in tracking down the cowardly thugs responsible for planning and carrying out these unprecedented attacks. There will be no place for them to hide, no sanctuary in which they can cower. We will seek them out wherever they are and see that justice is done. If our enemies believed that the American people would shrink in the face of terror, then they were wrong. Instead, they will learn--as our foes have learned in the past--that adversity only strengthens our resolve. We will fight and win the war against international terrorism, and from this battle will emerge a strong, safer American and a more secure, freer world.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an exceptional individual, Harry Pregerson. He is not only the oldest active Judge of the United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and a man of legendary accomplishments, he is a good friend whose wise counsel I rely upon. I am pleased that he will be honored by the San Fernando Valley Bar Association on September 29, 2001, with the prestigious Stanley Mosk Legacy of Justice Award. Judge Pregerson began his legal career, after graduating from Boalt Hall Law School, in private practice. In 1964, he was named to the Los Angeles Municipal Court and subsequently to the Superior Court. In 1967, President Johnson appointed him to the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Later, Judge Pregerson was named to the Ninth Circuit by President Carter. Each of these prestigious appointments were a direct result of his hard work, talent and dedication. During these years, he garnered an impressive reputation and earned the respect of his colleagues. In addition to his judicial career, Judge Pregerson has been a longtime advocate for the homeless, especially homeless veterans. He has overseen the construction of thousands of dwelling units for homeless veterans in Los Angeles County. In 1988, Judge Pregerson started the Bell Homeless Shelter, a shelter which today provides a full array of social services to homeless individuals in East Los Angeles. Recently, he helped bring together local law enforcement authorities, judges and county officials to create a new program that assists veterans convicted of minor violations complete a rehabilitation program and return to a productive life. His special affinity for helping veterans probably comes from his own distinguished military service. He himself is a war veteran who was seriously wounded in the battle of Okinawa during World War II. The San Fernando Valley Bar Association's recognition of Judge Pregerson is not surprising since the event commemorates commitment to the legal profession and the public. Judge Pregerson's distinguished service on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and numerous public service projects clearly demonstrate his very strong commitment to the law and the community. It is my distinct pleasure to ask my colleagues to join with me in saluting Judge Pregerson for his outstanding achievements, and to congratulate him on receiving this prestigious award.