Barbara Boxer

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the lifetime of achievement of Hardy L. Brown. His story is a true American success story and he stands today as a leader in his community. Hardy L. Brown was born in Trenton, NC, in 1942, the son of a sharecropper. After graduating from high school, Hardy Brown relocated to California where he found work as a laborer for Kaiser Steel in Fontana. He did not remain a laborer for long, and, in time, he took a management position with Kaiser Steel. During this same time, he also became actively involved with many community projects, always with a focus on community service. Hardy Brown was elected to the San Bernardino City Unified School District's Board in 1983 and served for 12 years. He served as president of the board and was the first African-American male to hold this position. During his tenure as board president, he was responsible for the re-opening of and the changing of names of two schools on the west side of San Bernardino. The banner of The Black Voice News, a weekly news publication focusing on issues surrounding the African American community, claims, ``The Black Voice News, serving the Inland Empire for 30 years.'' Cheryl and Hardy have, in fact, owned and operated the newspaper and served the Inland Empire for 28 of those successful years. He has also served on the board of the West Coast Black Publishers Association and has been active in the National Newspaper Publishers Association, which named him Publisher of the Year in 2000. He also has served as president of the California Black Media Association, an advocacy alliance for Black-owned newspapers, magazines, and radio stations. Hardy L. Brown has had a lasting impact on southern California both through his public service and through his weekly publications. His advice and counsel are often sought by leaders in education, and by civic leaders and by Members of Congress. In fact, Hardy served on the staff of the late Congressman George E. Brown, Jr. in the Inland Empire. He and his wife, Cheryl, provide an important and reliable progressive voice and insight to the community. I applaud Hardy L. Brown for his lifetime of public service and community leadership and I am pleased to honor him as he celebrates his 63rd birthday. Please join me in honoring a great American and a true community hero, Hardy L. Brown.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. I thank the Chair and my friend from Delaware. Mr. President, remember when Secretary Rumsfeld said he doubted the war would last 6 months, and when White House Budget Director Daniels said Iraq would be an affordable endeavor, and Condoleezza Rice used the imagery of a mushroom cloud to describe the threat of Iraq, and Vice President Cheney's now famous assessment of the insurgency: ``They are in their last throes, if you will''? That is a quote. Well, this administration has failed to lead in Iraq in a way that is ensuring a way out of this with a successful mission. Finally, the Senate is finding its voice today in both of these proposals in front of us. I am proud to say the Senate is standing up for a change in policy. The status quo is not working. In California, we have lost about 24 percent of the dead. We are suffering. Their families are suffering. Just to say, ``stay the course, stay the course, no matter how badly it is going,'' is simply not going to help our troops in the field. So, Mr. President, I view this day as a very important breakthrough for the American people. They are being heard. The Democrats are hearing them. The Republicans took the very words of our resolution, made a couple of changes, I think important changes, which mitigate in favor of ours, but I certainly will be voting for both. Thank you very much.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today I rise to pay tribute to 20 young Americans who have been killed in Iraq since October 7. This brings to 477 the number of soldiers who were either from California or based in California who have been killed while serving our country in Iraq. This represents 23 percent of all U.S. deaths in Iraq. Lance Corporal Sergio H. Escobar At age 18, Lance Corporal Escobar died October 9 from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Ar Ramadi. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Twentynine Palms, CA. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to the 2nd Marine Division. He was from Pasadena, CA. Staff Sergeant Jerry L. Bonifacio At age 28, Staff Sergeant Bonifacio died in Baghdad on October 10 when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his checkpoint. He was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment, Dublin, CA. He was from Vacaville, CA. Specialist Timothy D. Watkins At age 24, Specialist Watkins died in Ar Ramadi on October 15 when an improvised explosive device detonated near their Bradley Fighting Vehicle during combat operations. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, GA. He was from San Bernardino, CA. Lance Corporal Christopher M. Poston At age 20, Lance Corporal Poston died October 17 from a nonhostile vehicle accident in Hit. He was assigned to Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Camp Pendleton, CA. Lance corporal Chad R. Hildebrandt At age 22, Lance Corporal Hildebrandt died October 17 from small-arms fire while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Rutbah. He was assigned to 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to the 2nd Marine Division. lance corporal daniel scott r. bubb At age 19, Lance Corporal Bubb died October 17 from small-arms fire while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Rutbah. He was assigned to the 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to the 2nd Marine Division. Sergeant Arthur A. Mora At age 23, Sergeant Mora died in Balad on October 19 when his Humvee was struck by enemy indirect fire during patrol operations. He was assigned to the 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, GA. He was from Pico Rivera, California. Sergeant Jacob D. Dones At age 21, Sergeant Dones died in Hit on October 20 when his forward operating base was attacked by enemy forces using indirect fire. He was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Irwin, CA. Lance corporal Jonathan R. Spears At age 21, Lance Corporal Spears died October 23 from enemy small- arms fire while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Ar Ramadi. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Twentynine Palms, CA. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to the 2nd Marine Division. Sergeant James Witkowski At age 32, Sergeant Witkowski died on October 26 near Ashraf of injuries sustained there earlier that day when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee during convoy operations. He was assigned to the Army Reserve's 729th Transportation Company, Fresno, CA. Captain Michael J. Mackinnon At age 30, Captain Mackinnon died on October 27 in Baghdad when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee during convoy operations. He was a Regular Army soldier assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment, Modesto, CA. Colonel William W. Wood At age 44, Colonel Wood died in Baghdad on October 27 when he was directing security operations in response to the detonation of an improvised explosive device. During this response, a second improvised explosive device detonated near his position. He was a Regular Army soldier assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment, Modesto, CA. Captain Raymond D. Hill, II At age 39, Captain Hill died in Baghdad on October 29 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee during patrol operations. He was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment, Modesto, CA. He was from Turlock, CA. Sergeant Shakere T. Guy At age 23, Sergeant Guy died in Baghdad on October 29 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee during patrol operations. He was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment, Modesto, CA. He was from Pomona, CA. Sergeant First class Jonathan Tessar At age 36, Sergeant Tessar died in Al Mahmudiyah on October 31 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee during patrol operations. He was assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, KY. He was from Simi Valley, CA. Sergeant Daniel A. Tsue At age 27, Sergeant Tsue died November 1 from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations in the vicinity of Ar Ramadi. He was assigned to the 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, Camp Pendleton, CA. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to the 2nd Force Support Group. Petty Officer Second Class allan M. Cundunga Espiritu At age 28, Petty Officer Espiritu died November 1 from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations in the vicinity of Ar Ramadi. He was assigned to 2nd Force Service Support Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force. He was from Oxnard, CA. Captain Michael D. Martino At age 32, Captain Martino died November 2 when his Super Cobra helicopter crashed while flying in support of security and stabilization operations near Ar Ramadi. He was with Marine Light-Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Camp Pendleton, CA. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. Major Gerald M. Bloomfield, II At age 38, Major Bloomfield died November 2 when his Super Cobra helicopter crashed while flying in support of security and stabilization operations near Ar Ramadi. He was with Marine Light-Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Camp Pendleton, CA. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. Sergeant First Class James F. Hayes At age 48, Sergeant Hayes died in Taji on November 6 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee during patrol operations. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, KY. He was from Barstow, CA. Mr. President, 477 soldiers who were either from California or based in California have been killed while serving our country in Iraq. I pray for these young Americans and their families. I would also like to pay tribute to the two soldiers from or based in California who have died while serving our country in Operation Enduring Freedom since October 7. Private First Class Joseph Cruz At age 22, Private First Class Cruz died in Bagram, Afghanistan, on October 16, of non combat-related injuries sustained in an accident at Organ-E, Afghanistan, on October 15. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Infantry Regiment, Vicenza, Italy. He was from Whittier, CA. Petty Officer Third Class Fabricio Moreno At age 26, Petty Officer Moreno was killed Oct. 14 in a single- vehicle accident in Manda Bay, Kenya. He was assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3, Port Hueneme, CA. In support of Operation Enduring Freedom, he was deployed as part of a Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa construction team. Mr. President, 34 soldiers who were either from California or based in California have been killed while serving our country in Operation Enduring Freedom. I pray for these Americans and their families.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I am very pleased to take a few moments to recognize Ebony magazine as this venerable publication celebrates its 60th anniversary. In 1945, at a time when segregation was the law of the land, an outlet for the positive portrayal of Black life in American popular culture was long overdue. With the birth of Ebony, Publisher John H. Johnson forced the world to consider real African Americans, including their diverse success stories. These same stories, which filled each month's edition of Ebony, gave African Americans a deeper sense of pride in their heritage and their growing prosperity. Ebony also provided millions with a rich, firsthand account of key moments in the struggle for civil rights. Whether it was a sit-in at a lunch counter in the South or the historic March on Washington, the intrepid journalists and photographers of Ebony were present to bear witness and to report the news through a prism different from the mainstream press. In fact, it was an Ebony photographer who captured the now iconic photo of a grieving Coretta Scott King, with one of her children, at the funeral of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Not only did this photograph capture the emotions of a nation, but it resulted in the first Pulitzer Prize awarded to an African-American man. Since Ebony was founded 60 years ago, its circulation has grown from 25,000 per issue to 1.7 million per issue, and its readership has increased from 125,000 per issue to more than 12.5 million per issue. Although it has had the largest circulation of any publication targeted to African-Americans for the duration of its existence, Ebony is much more than a magazine. As just one example, its annual fashion extravaganza, Fashion Fair, has raised more than $58 million in its 48- year history for various charities, has provided an outlet for hundreds of talented clothing designers, and created work opportunities for African-American models, as well as spawned a line of cosmetics for women of color. I invite my colleagues to join me, and the millions of Americans who have been touched, inspired, and influenced by Ebony Magazine in celebrating the 60th anniversary of this great publication.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I am very pleased to take a few moments to recognize the many important accomplishments of Danny J. Bakewell, Sr., as he prepares to step down as CEO of the Brotherhood Crusade. Danny J. Bakewell, Sr. has spent the past 35 years building the Brotherhood Crusade into a nationally-recognized charitable organization in southern California. In that time, he has raised over $60 million to support a host of programs. Nurturing nonprofit groups and local small businesses is first and foremost among the Brotherhood Crusade's priorities. The venerable institution funds programs that provide services for adults seeking job training and job placement, young people looking to realize their academic potential, and families seeking to improve their physical health. The funding that Brotherhood Crusade provides is the lifeblood for many organizations, making it possible for them to be the catalyst in bringing change to communities and change to individuals. Danny's commitment to equality for all, fair representation in the media, and strengthening communities has been steadfast, as evidenced by his activist work. He was active in the struggle to bring a peaceable end to apartheid in South Africa. Danny galvanized a coalition of community leaders to change the way entertainment companies represented slavery on prime time television. Along with his family, Danny launched a foundation to uplift the lives of children during their treatments associated with leukemia and other life- threatening diseases. Danny Bakewell's success in the private sector have been important to under-served communities throughout Los Angeles county as well. He is the publisher of the Los Angeles Sentinel, the largest and oldest African-American owned newspaper west of the Mississippi River. Danny was the catalyst behind two development projects--the Compton Towne Center and Compton Renaissance Plaza--which have helped to bring economic vitality into an area that had been written off by many. In addition to creating much needed jobs for community residents and additional tax revenues for the city, these projects are giving residents a deeper sense of pride in their neighborhood. I invite my colleagues to join me and the thousands of people touched by his work in commending Danny J. Bakewell, Sr. for his great leadership of the Brotherhood Crusade and tireless advocacy throughout his lifetime.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I strongly oppose the reconciliation bill before the Senate. The bill would cut vital programs for the middle class, elderly, and poor in order to pave the way for yet another tax cut for the richest individuals in the county. Hurricane Katrina focused the Nation's attention on America's poor and displaced. In the wake of the storm, the people demanded that Congress act to help Americans in need and were justifiably angry at the administration's slow and inadequate response. Americans recognize that their government should aid those in distress in order to make this a better country for everyone. That is why I cannot believe only 2 months after Katrina, we have a bill that would cut Medicare and Medicaid by $27 billion, increase Medicare premiums for seniors, cut the availability of affordable housing, and cut support for our farmers by $3 billion. Even worse, the House of Representatives is looking to make even deeper cuts to Medicare and Medicaid and to cut the food stamp program, child support enforcement, the foster care program, and student loan programs. These cuts will harm millions of Americans. And why are the Republicans doing this? Not to reduce the deficit, which is spinning out of control, but to provide tax cuts for millionaires that will at the end of the day actually increase the deficit. The tax portion of the reconciliation package will provide $70 billion in tax breaks--$30 billion more than the proposed spending cuts. In a perversion of the budget reconciliation process, the Republicans will be adding to, not decreasing, the Nation's $8 trillion debt. The majority of those $70 billion in tax breaks will go to the wealthy. People making over $1 million a year will get an average tax cut of $35,491. In comparison, those making between $50,000 to $200,000 a year will get a break of $122. And those making less than $50,000 a year will get an average tax cut of $6. That means that people who are most hurt by the spending cuts--the middle class, seniors, and the poor--will get almost no benefit the tax cuts. The reconciliation package also is a windfall for big oil. It would allow them to drill in one of American's most pristine areas--Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Fragile wilderness will be opened, threatened, and ultimately ruined for the sake of 6 months' worth of oil. What makes America the greatest Nation in the world is our sense of community and compassion. Americans look out for each other, and our government should do the same. The budget reconciliation package reflects none of the core American values of compassion and equity. Instead, it harms those who are most vulnerable in order to benefit the rich and a handful of special interests. For these reasons, I cannot support the budget reconciliation spending bill and will vote against it.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, once again, the Senate will vote on whether to allow drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. If it passes now, this may be the last time we vote on the issue. This may be the last chance we have to save one of America's most pristine areas. So, I want to talk about what our Nation will lose if we allow drilling to go forward. In 1960, when President Eisenhower set aside 8.9 million acres to form the original Arctic Range, his Secretary of the Interior, Fred Seaton, noted that the area was ``one of the most magnificent wildlife and wilderness areas in North America . . . a wilderness experience not duplicated elsewhere.'' And the Coastal Plain, where oil drilling is proposed, is the area's ``biological heart''--a crucial habitat for hundreds of species of animals. The Porcupine Caribou herd migrates through the Coastal Plain each year, and--with a population of 130,000--it is the world's largest caribou herd. Its 800-mile-long migration between Canada and the United States is second only to the wildebeests of Africa. The Coastal Plain is the principal calving ground for the porcupine caribou, so they are especially vulnerable to oil drilling. The Arctic Refuge has the highest concentration of land polar bears on Alaska's North Slope. Polar bears are particularly sensitive to oil development because they den in winter--exactly the time oil companies want to drill. Millions of migratory birds--over 130 species--journey thousands of miles each spring to nest and feed in the wetlands on the Coastal Plain. The birds travel from six continents and every State in America. Oil drilling--with its associated roads, pipelines, processing plants, airstrips, and other industrial facilities--would disturb these species' nesting and foraging habitats. The birds in the backyards and skies in every one of our States could become fewer and fewer in number if we disturb the area they have depended upon for millions of years. Finally, I want to mention the muskox, which live year-round in the refuge. Oil development would displace them from their preferred feeding areas and would reduce calving rates. Mr. President, this is one of America's--indeed, one of the world's-- wilderness treasures. It is unique, pristine, and unspoiled. Why would we risk that? We don't even get that much oil--6 months worth of oil--and not until 10 years from now. But don't take my word for it--just look at the reaction from America's oil companies. BP, Conoco-Philipps, and Chevron-Texaco have all pulled out of Arctic Power, the lobby group trying to open up the Refuge to drilling. If the very companies that would put up the capital and resources do not care about drilling in the Refuge, how can anyone argue that we will be able to improve our oil supply? If we were really concerned about energy security, we would require better replacement tires on cars, close the SUV loophole on fuel economy standards, and increase those standards overall. Closing the SUV loophole alone would save us, in 7 years, the same amount of oil we would get from the Refuge. That is saving an Arctic National Wildlife Refuge every 7 years. Let me put it another way. In 20 years, we would save the equivalent amount of oil that we would get from three ANWRs. Given that there is only about 6 months of oil in the Arctic Refuge and that the oil companies do not want to go there, what is this really all about? I believe it is really about establishing a precedent for opening up other areas around the country to oil drilling. That means off the coast of California, the Carolinas, and Florida. That means in our national parks, the Rocky Mountains, and our wetlands. Ever since the Senate voted to pave the way for oil drilling in the Refuge back in March, this is exactly what we have seen--repeated attempts to allow drilling in areas previously off limits. If we can open an area as pristine, as unique, and as precious as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, what couldn't be opened up? And so I say to my colleagues, watch out: your backyard may be next. Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to support the Cantwell amendment, which will protect the Refuge for our children and grandchildren.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I thank my friend from Pennsylvania and my friend from Iowa for being courteous as we tried to work something out. It appears we are going to have to vote on this amendment. I urge my colleagues to support afterschool programs. I send a modification to amendment No. 2287 to the desk and ask for immediate consideration of the modified amendment.

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I will use a very short amount of time, knowing colleagues are anxious to get moving on this bill. I feel heavy in my heart because this Senate is such a wonderful institution when we authorize afterschool programs in the United States of America. We did that, and we have had a very sad response in terms of the funding that does not match the authorization. I think my colleagues know full well the FBI says there is no program that does more to keep our kids out of trouble than afterschool programs. That is why Senator Ensign and I teamed up originally to get the first of afterschool programs authorized by this Congress. But it has been very sad. I know the Senator from Pennsylvania supports this program. I know the Senator from Iowa, who heads this important subcommittee, supports these programs. Most Senators support these programs. But right now is a moment when we have to stand up for our kids. Look at what has happened. Despite the fact we are supposed to be going toward $2.25 billion, we are actually now funding afterschool at less than $1 billion--less than we were in 2002 because the afterschool programs have not been exempted from across-the-board cuts. What we will do today with this amendment is add back--this is very important--$51.9 million, which will get it back to the $1 billion area. At least we will take it back to where it was in 2002. This is a very sad day. I want to say something to my friend from Pennsylvania, the chairman of the subcommittee and someone whom I admire greatly, Senator Specter. What we have here is a real sadness for our children. We have a situation where we are actually cutting the funding of afterschool programs year after year after year while our children cry out for attention after school. The FBI tells us this is the best. The Bush administration's Drug Enforcement Agency takes taxpayer money and places ads all over America's televisions that say, It is 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Do you know where your children are? It is 3 o'clock, 5 o'clock. Make sure you know where your children are. They spend taxpayer dollars with one hand warning our families to take care of their kids after school and with the other hand we and they are complicit in cutting the afterschool programs. We are covering 1.3 million children. There is another couple million to 3 million who need afterschool care. The least we can do is add roughly $51 million to protect this program from inflationary costs and at least get it back to where it was in 2002. For the sake of our children, for the sake of our families--I am talking here about our poor families, our working poor families, our middle-class families, and our upper middle-class families, and, yes, frankly, even our wealthier families who also support these programs, I urge you to please vote aye on this amendment. I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, will the Senator yield briefly?

Mrs. BOXER. I know the Senator is a big supporter of the afterschool program because I remember when the President was looking to cut it in half. He and I were looking at this together, and we spoke. I think it was teaming up with Members on both sides of the aisle to help. I want to point out to my dear friend that when Senator Ensign and I got together and wrote the authorization part which you have been so wonderful to fund, we were very clear in our authorization--and everyone supported it--that, my God, to actually reduce the funding of this program is a big mistake. I say to my friend, getting this program to $1 billion occurred because we all worked together on the authorization, and we were fortunate to have appropriators who agreed with us. But in 2002, even with the best efforts of my friend, we haven't even protected this program from inflation from 2002 to today and to 2006. We actually have a cut in real dollars to the program below inflation. It is tragic that we will lose children from this program which the FBI says is so important. I want to make one more plea to my friend. I am not asking for $1 billion, which in fact we should have if we follow the authorization. All I am asking for is enough funding--such a small sum that it is an asterisk in this budget--to please add $51.9 million. That is all. We will at least bring it back up to $1 billion, because we haven't been protected from across-the-board cuts. I make a plea to my friend. I know everything around here is precedent setting, to do this or that or the other. These are real kids. There is real stuff going on out there, and they need these afterschool programs. I yield the floor and thank my friend very much for yielding to me.

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I appreciate that my friend is reluctant to raise this. I look forward to the conference, where perhaps we can find enough money to protect some of these kids. Pursuant to section 904 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, I move to waive the applicable sections of the act for purposes of the pending amendment. I ask again for the yeas and nays.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to the inspired life of an American icon, Rosa Parks, who died on Monday, October 24, 2005 in Detroit, MI, at the age of 92. Rosa Parks is often called the ``Mother of the Civil Rights Movement'' because of her courage in refusing to give up her seat in the black section of a Montgomery, AL, bus to a white man. Her refusal to tolerate racial prejudice paved the way for the civil rights gains that followed. On December 1, 1955, Parks was a tired seamstress on her way home from work, sitting at the front of the section reserved for black bus riders. When the bus started to fill up, Parks refused to give up her seat after the bus driver demanded she move despite the fact that three fellow black people moved from their seats. Parks was arrested and fined $14.00 for disorderly conduct and violating a city ordinance. Parks' family was harassed after the bus incident and she was fired from her job as a seamstress. To protest Parks' arrest and bus segregation, the African American community formed the Montgomery Improvement Association, headed by the young minister of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The group organized a successful 381-day boycott of the bus system during which time African Americans in Montgomery walked, took taxicabs and formed carpools. The boycott took quite a toll on the finances of the bus system and provided a model for successful nonviolent resistance against racism in the U.S. The boycott ended on November 13, 1956, after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling that Montgomery's segregated bus system was unconstitutional. However, it wasn't until the 1964 Civil Rights Act that all public places in the U.S. were desegregated. Of her refusal to move, Parks said, ``I only knew that, as I was being arrested, that it was the very last time that I would ever ride in humiliation of this kind.'' Rosa Parks was born Rosa Louise McCauley in Tuskegee, AL, on February 4, 1913, to James McCauley, a carpenter, and Leona Edwards McCauley, a teacher. In 1932, at the age of 20, she married Raymond Parks, a barber, and they remained married until his death in 1977. She attended Alabama State College, worked as a seamstress and housekeeper, and was active in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, NAACP, and the Montgomery Voters League to register and empower black voters. In 1943 she was elected Secretary of the Montgomery Chapter of the NAACP. In 1957 she and her husband moved to Detroit, MI, where they remained active in the NAACP and the Southern Christian, Leadership Conference, SCLC. In 1965, she went to work for Congressman John Conyers, Jr., a civil rights leader, managing his Detroit office. In 1987, in honor of her husband, she founded the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self-Development in order to motivate youth to reach their full potential through the philosophy of ``Quiet Strength.'' Parks remained active into her 80s, speaking to civil rights groups and accepting awards, including the Martin Luther King, Jr. Nonviolent Peace Prize, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal. I had the honor and privilege of meeting this incredible woman in the 1990s. She was dignified, brave and an inspiration to me and generations of Americans who care about equality, freedom and human dignity. Parks said it best in the following statement: ``To this day I believe we are here on the planet Earth to live, grow up and do what we can to make this world a better place for all people to enjoy freedom.'' Rosa Parks showed us that one person can change history and make a difference by taking a principled stand against injustice. Her legacy also teaches us that we must fight against continued inequality in America and around the world. We must never give up.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, California and the Nation have lost a unique leader with the passing of former Congressman Ed Roybal. In 1922, Ed Roybal moved to Los Angeles from New Mexico with his parents. He graduated from Roosevelt High School and attended UCLA before going off to fight in World War II. When he returned from the war, he returned to Los Angeles and joined the County's Department of Health Education in its County Tuberculosis and Health Association. In 1947, Ed Roybal decided to run for a seat on the Los Angeles City Council in a district that was remarkably diverse and included Boyle Heights, Bunker Hill, Civic Center, Chinatown, Little Tokyo, and the Central Avenue District. Though he lost this race, he returned in 1949, winning in the same district. In part, his victory was based on a well organized effort to register Latino voters in the district. With this victory, he became the first Latino to serve on the Los Angeles City Council since 1881. He would serve on the council until 1962, when he was elected to the U.S. Congress. When he took his seat in the House of Representatives in Washington, DC, Ed Roybal remembered his constituents and his roots. He worked tirelessly to ensure that Latinos were represented and that their interests were not diluted by redistricting changes. He often stood alone in these efforts. Ed Roybal was also a tireless advocate for the elderly, and the working poor. He served as chairman of both the Select Committee on Aging and the Subcommittee on Health and Long Term Care, guiding legislation on health care, Social Security, housing and human services. He also helped to establish important programs in southern California, including scholarship programs at local colleges and universities. In 1992, Ed Roybal was fourth in seniority in the House of Representatives and known as a legislator's legislator, crafting and passing landmark legislation. It was then that he opted for retirement, with his daughter, Lucille Roybal-Allard, running for and winning his seat. A generation of Latino leaders have followed in Ed Roybal's steps, including his daughter. It is very fitting that Congresswoman Roybal-Allard's office can be found in the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles. I ask my colleagues to join me in sending my deepest condolences to Congresswoman Roybal-Allard and her family on their personal loss. California and its leadership have undergone remarkable changes since Ed Roybal first ran and won a seat on the Los Angeles City Council in 1949 and was later elected to Congress in 1962. Following his leadership and example, Latinos are represented in the Congress, in the state legislature and lead our most populous cities. And people across our Nation who depend on Social Security, who need medical care and who work for fair and representative elections can be grateful today for Ed Roybal's vital service to our Nation.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today is a very somber day. The U.S. military death toll reached 2,000 in Iraq, a figure that I--and every American--hoped we would never reach. Our hearts go out to the families and friends of those who have lost loved ones. I pray for these young Americans, may they rest in peace; and I pray for their families, may they heal. Let us honor their lives and their memory. And let us honor the lives of those who continue to serve by developing a credible plan for Iraq. It is time for this administration to level with the American people and provide a strategy for success. As the current investigation into the leak of CIA agent Valerie Plame reminds us, this administration took us to war on false intelligence, misstatements, and exaggerations. This administration told the American people that we had no other option but to go to war because the regime of Saddam Hussein posed a threat to the security of the United States. However, no weapons of mass destruction have been found, and there was no serious link between Iraq and al-Qaida. The administration also provided rosy scenarios and false expectations about how the United States would be greeted as liberators in Iraq and how the war would be brief. In fact, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld actually said in February 2003 that the war ``could last six days, six weeks. I doubt six months.'' Yet here we are, 2\1/2\ years later, lamenting the death of the 2,000th soldier in Iraq. Of those 2,000 soldiers, 464 of these soldiers were either from California or based in California. Even as attacks on American soldiers continue, the administration refuses to level with the American people. In May 2005, Vice President Cheney proclaimed that: ``I think the level of activity that we see today in Iraq from a military standpoint, I think will clearly decline. I think they're in the last throes, if you will, of the insurgency.'' Since that day--since Vice President Cheney told us that violence was coming to an end in Iraq--more than 300 Americans have lost their lives. And the violence continues to escalate. Today we do not just lament the strategic disaster in Iraq, the loss of U.S. credibility around the world, and the overwhelming costs to the American taxpayer. Above all, we mourn the tragic deaths of 2,000 young Americans. These men and women voluntarily put their lives on the line to defend us when they put on the uniform of the United States Armed Forces. They put their trust in the Government that we would only send them to war if there was no other recourse. In rushing to war, in twisting and revising the case for war, and in failing to plan for the aftermath of the war, this administration broke the trust with these young men and women at a catastrophic cost. These 2,000 young men and women have sons and daughters, husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, friends and extended family, all of whose lives have been forever changed by the consequences of this reckless war. Today, let us remember these 2,000 brave Americans. Let us honor their lives and their memory by bringing this war to an end.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I am very pleased to take a few moments to recognize the many important accomplishments of John W. Mack, as the Los Angeles Unified School District opens a new elementary school on South Catalina Street in Los Angeles bearing his name. Earlier this year, John W. Mack stepped down from his post as president of the Los Angeles Urban League after 36 years of service. During his tenure, John led the venerable civil rights organization through an amazing period of growth and accomplishment. His ability to build coalitions with a wide variety of groups enabled him to keep the Los Angeles Urban League focused on providing opportunity to African Americans and other minorities over the years. Under John's leadership, the Los Angeles Urban League's budget grew from $1.7 million to nearly $25 million; providing funding for innovative, results-oriented job training, job placement, education, academic tutorial, youth achievement and business development programs, serving more than 112,000 people annually. Countless individuals credit John and the Los Angeles Urban League for helping them turn their lives around for the better, start businesses, and complete their education. John Mack has an innate ability to forge partnerships with elected officials, corporate leaders, local clergy, and community residents. His ability to build bridges has made him a highly respected advocate for equal opportunities in education, law enforcement and economic empowerment and has garnered him many awards. His coalition-building skills also proved useful during his youth, as he was an early leader of the civil rights movement with Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. I invite my colleagues to join me and the thousands of people touched by his work in commending John W. Mack for his great leadership and tireless advocacy throughout his lifetime. Naming an elementary school after a man who devoted so much of his life to bettering our Nation will remind all who walk through its halls about the importance of community service.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today I rise to pay tribute to 23 young Americans who have been killed in Iraq since July 29. This brings to 457 the number of soldiers who were either from California or based in California that have been killed while serving our country in Iraq. This represents 24 percent of all U.S. deaths in Iraq. SGT Milton M. Monzon, Jr., age 21, died on July 24 in Baghdad where an improvised explosive device detonated near his Bradley fighting vehicle. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, CO. He was from Los Angeles, CA. PFC Ramon A. Villatoro, Jr., age 19 died on July 24 in Baghdad where an improvised explosive device detonated near his Bradley fighting vehicle. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, CO. He was from Bakersfield, CA. PVT Ernesto R. Guerra, age 20, died on July 29 in Baghdad of injuries sustained on July 28 when his humvee was involved in an accident. He was assigned to the Army's 4-3rd Brigade Troops Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, GA. He was from Long Beach, CA. Petty Officer 1st Class Thomas C. Hull, age 41, died August 2 on board the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in the Arabian Gulf after being medically evacuated to the carrier for a noncombat related incident. He was an operations specialist assigned to the USS Princeton, homeported in San Diego, CA. LCpl Adam J. Strain, age 20, died August 2 as a result of enemy small-arms fire while conducting combat operations in Ar Ramadi. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to the 2nd Marine Division. He was from Smartsville, CA. SSG Ramon E. Gonzales Cordova, age 30, died August 8 as a result of enemy small-arms fire while conducting combat operations in Ar Ramadi. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to the 2nd Marine Division. LCpl Evenor C. Herrera, age 22, died August 10 from wounds received from the detonation of an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations near Ar Ramadi. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA. As part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to the 2nd Marine Division. SPC Brian K. Derks, age 21, died on August 13 in Baghdad when an improvised explosive device detonated while he was on mounted patrol. He was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Irwin, CA. SGT Nathan K. Bouchard, age 24, died on August 18 in Samarra, Iraq when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee following a mine assessing mission. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, GA. He was from Wildomar, CA. SPC Ray M. Fuhrmann, II, age 28, died on August 18 in Samarra, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee following a mine assessing mission. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, GA. He was from Novato, CA. SGT Joseph C. Nurre, age 22, died on August 21 near Samarra, Iraq when an improvised explosive device detonated near his M916 tractor during convoy operations. He was assigned to the Reserve's 463rd Engineer Battalion, Weirton, WV. He was from Wilton, CA. PFC Ramon Romero, age 19, died August 22 when the vehicle he was in was struck by an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations near Fallujah. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Twentynine Palms, CA. As part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to the 2nd Marine Division. He was from Huntington Park, CA. Cpl Timothy M. Shea, age 22, died August 25 in Husaybah, Iraq of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his position. He was assigned to the Army's 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, GA. He was from Sonoma, CA. Seaman Apprentice Robert D. Macrum, age 22, was reported missing on September 13 after failing to report to muster formation. It was concluded that he fell overboard and search and rescue attempts were unsuccessful. He was assigned to the USS Princeton, currently deployed to the Arabian Gulf conducting maritime security operations as part of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group. The USS Princeton is homeported in San Diego, CA. LCpl Shane C. Swanberg, age 24, died September 15 from an explosion resulting from indirect fire at Forward Operation Base, Camp Ramadi, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Twentynine Palms, CA. As Part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to the 2nd Marine Division. SGT Alfredo B. Silva, age 35, died on September 15 in Baghdad when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee during patrol operations. He was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment, 40th Infantry Division, Modesto, CA. He was from Calexico, CA. SPC Mike T. Sonoda, Jr., age 34, died on September 22 in Baghdad of injuries sustained on September 21 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle. He was assigned to D Company, 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Brigade, Army National Guard, Oakdale CA. He was from Fallbrook, CA. SGT Paul C. Neubauer, age 40, died on September 23 of injuries sustained in Baghdad when an improvised explosive device detonated and his patrol came under small-arms fire. He was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Oakdale, CA. He was from Oceanside, CA. SSG Daniel R. Scheile, age 37, died on September 24 of injuries sustained in Baghdad on September 23 when an improvised explosive device detonated and his patrol came under small-arms fire. He was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Oakdale, CA. He was from Antioch, CA. SGT Brian E. Dunlap, age 34, died September 24 from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Taqaddum, Iraq. He was assigned to the Marine Forces Reserve's 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Los Alamitos, CA. As part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to the 2nd Marine Division. He was from Vista, CA. PVT Elijah M. Ortega, age 19, died September 26 as the result of a non-hostile gunshot wound at Camp Baharia, Iraq. He was assigned to the 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, NC. He was from Oxnard, CA. SPC Joshua J. Kynoch, age 23, died on October 1 in Bayji, Iraq when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Bradley Fighting Vehicle during convoy operations. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, GA. He was from Santa Rosa, CA. PFC Andrew D. Bedard, age 19, died October 4 from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Ar Ramadi. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Twentynine Palms, CA. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to the 2nd Marine Division. Mr. President, 457 soldiers who were either from California or based in California have been killed while serving our country in Iraq. I pray for these young Americans and their families. I would also like to pay tribute to the two soldiers from or based in California who have died while serving our country in Operation Enduring Freedom since July 29. GySgt Theodore Clark, Jr., age 31, died August 4 when the vehicle he was in was struck by an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations near Gardez, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA. PVT Christopher L. Palmer, age 22, died on August 21 near Baylough, Afghanistan when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee during patrol operations. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, Vicenza, Italy. He was from Sacramento, CA. Mr. President, 32 soldiers who were either from California or based in California have been killed while serving our country in Operation Enduring Freedom. I pray for these Americans and their families.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise to recognize the dedication of the Federal courthouse building in Fresno, CA, which is to occur October 18. The magnificent Federal courthouse building will provide the much- needed space and capacity to effectively serve a region that is continuing to grow at a rapid rate. This building will help ensure the swift and efficient administration of justice to the people of the Fresno Division of the Eastern District, which covers the counties of Calaveras, Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Stanislaus, Tulare, and Tuolumne. Furthermore, this impressive edifice will be the most tangible and powerful symbol of the American justice system to the people of the region. In addition to meeting the needs of the court for additional space and related purposes, the Federal courthouse building will be a centerpiece and catalyst for the continued renaissance of downtown Fresno. The strikingly designed courthouse stands as part of the downtown skyline that continues to grow. I am particularly pleased that the Federal Government has been an integral partner in downtown revitalization with this and other projects. Together, they have brought thousands of employees to the area. I applaud the efforts of all those in the community who, through their commitment and dedication, helped make this latest addition to the downtown Fresno landscape a reality. I hope this courthouse will ultimately be named for Senior U.S. District Judge Robert E. Coyle, a man who is widely and greatly admired and respected for his work as a judge. Judge Coyle has had a distinguished career as an attorney and on the bench. Appointed to California's Eastern Court in 1982, Judge Coyle has served the Eastern District for 20 years, including 6 years as a senior judge. For over a decade, Judge Coyle has been a tireless champion of the effort to build this courthouse. He has been seen daily walking to and from the building site assuring that the job was done right, which I am proud to report is certainly the case. A courthouse building named in his honor will stand as a testament to the people of California of the distinguished career and the dedicated work of Judge Robert E. Coyle. I am proud to commemorate the dedication of the Federal courthouse building in Fresno, and wish its occupants and the people of the Fresno Division of the Eastern District a bright future as we continue to work to bring justice and equality to all.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I am pleased to submit a resolution today expressing the sense of the Senate that a ``Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day'' should be established. I join Representative Linda Sanchez in this effort and applaud her for previously submitting this resolution in the House of Representatives. Establishing this day would be an appropriate way to honor members of the United States Armed Forces who bravely and faithfully served during the Vietnam War. During the course of the Vietnam War, over 58,000 U.S. troops lost their lives. In addition, more than 300,000 were wounded. To date, more than 1,800 members of the United States Armed Forces remain unaccounted for in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. Those who did return home from Vietnam did not have the traditional welcome home ceremonies. And they continue to face many problems, including health problems related to Agent Orange exposure, prolonged risk for post-traumatic stress disorder, and homelessness. Of the 250,000 veterans who are homeless every night, the Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that 47 percent of them served during the Vietnam era. Veterans of the Vietnam War, and all veterans, are entitled to the best care and treatment the U.S. Government can provide. It is important that we honor and respect their service. It is especially important to do so now, at a time when we have so many new veterans returning home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. By honoring those who have served before, we show these new veterans how committed we, as a country, are to them and how much we value the sacrifices they make on our behalf. Establishing a ``Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day'' is one way we can accomplish this. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, will the Senator yield for a quick question?

Mrs. BOXER. Sure.

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I thank the Senator from Wisconsin, Mr. Feingold. I am very proud to be on his resolution which finally would hold this President and his administration accountable for the disastrous situation we find ourselves in in Iraq, a situation that has led to now nearly 2,000 dead, countless wounded, young people and not so young without limbs, without their full brain capacity. It is a stunning failure. Finally, in the Senate, we have a resolution that simply says to this administration: Do tell us, what is your plan? When are we getting out? Give us the milestones. And, what is the mission? I have a couple of questions I wanted to ask my friend. As my friend was talking, I wrote down the various missions that we have heard from the administration that we were supposed to have in Iraq. The first one was weapons of mass destruction. Remember when Secretary Rumsfeld said: I know where they are; I could point to where they are. No, there weren't any. Then they said: We have to get Saddam. He is a tyrant. We all agreed, he is a tyrant. Saddam is gone for all intents and purposes. That was the second mission. Then they said: We are going to rebuild Iraq, a disastrous situation over which Secretary Rice is in charge. I haven't seen much rebuilding. I have seen a lot of no-bid contracts. Then they said: We have to have an election. That is the next mission. They had an election. After that, everything fell apart. Then they said: We need to bring security. We are going to train the Iraqi forces. The Senator from Wisconsin and I agree with that. We want to see them trained--it seems to be taking forever--especially when we have the President saying: We will stay there as long as it takes. What kind of message is that to the Iraqis? We had a briefing yesterday. We can't discuss the details of that briefing, but it seemed to me there were yet other missions laid out. I ask my friend, does he see the situation the way I do: An ever- changing mission in Iraq, setting the bar higher and higher with no end in sight is where we are at the present time?

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I wish to thank my colleague for correcting me on the point that I missed that, yes, out of the five or six missions I named, I left out the very important one that he corrected me on, which is that there was a link between Saddam and al- Qaida and, in fact, there was al-Qaida all over Iraq. The Senator and I sit on the Foreign Relations Committee. I think he remembers this document that I put into the Record, because I remember he very much wanted it, which showed that about a month after September 11 when we were so viciously attacked by bin Laden--who, by the way, we were going to get dead or alive, and we need to do that--the fact is, the State Department in its own document said there wasn't one al-Qaida cell, not one, in Iraq. There were more cells in America than in Iraq, according to our own State Department. We have put that in the Record. Now, of course, it is a haven for terrorism because of this failed policy, this disastrous policy, this policy that is utter chaos with no end in sight, unless the Senate and the administration look at what my friend put forward, which is finally saying to the President: You need a mission, a mission that can be accomplished, and we need to end this in an orderly fashion. I wanted to ask my friend one more point, and then I will leave the Chamber. That is about the National Guard. Right now, there are fires raging in my home State, sadly. We have them every year at this time. It is heartwrenching. We need all the help we can get. We always get all the help we ask for. We have never had a problem. The National Guard is called out when it gets really out of control. Is my friend aware that the best equipment that the National Guard had at its disposal is in Iraq, not here at home? And when the people were crying out for help, not only were so many of the National Guard over in Iraq, my understanding is--and my friend can correct me-- approximately 40 percent of our troops over there are National Guard. That is my information. Not only that, the best equipment of the National Guard is over in Iraq. Don't our people deserve better than that so when they experience disasters, our National Guard can respond?

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I take this opportunity to recognize the Pontifical Visit of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, to my home State of California in October, 2005. The Catholicos represents the Great House of Cilicia, an historic Armenian religious center established in 1441. The Catholicosate was relocated to Antelias, Lebanon following the atrocities of the Armenian Genocide, which included destruction of houses of worship in Cilicia. Today, His Holiness Aram I represents hundreds of thousands of Armenian American Christians, as well as Armenians across the Near East. The Armenian faith is 1,700 years old and it is significant that Armenia was the first nation to officially adopt Christianity as a state religion in 301 AD. The Catholicos' spiritual, cultural and educational influence extends well beyond the Armenian people. His Holiness Aram I, who holds a Master of Divinity, a Master of Sacred Theology, a Ph.D., and several honorary degrees, has authored numerous articles and texts in Armenian, English and French, some of which have been translated into other languages. The Catholicos has worked to strengthen interfaith relations between Christian and Muslim communities. In 1974, the Catholicos was one of the founding members of the Middle East Council of Churches. His Holiness Aram I was elected as Moderator of the Central and Executive Committees of the World Council of Churches, WCC, a renowned organization which represents over 400 million Christians worldwide. The WCC brings together over 340 churches and denominations in more than 100 countries throughout the world. The Catholicos is the first Orthodox, first Middle Easterner and youngest person to hold this position and his unanimous re-election as Moderator in 1998 was exceptional in the history of the WCC. During his trip to California, which is titled ``Towards the Light of Knowledge,'' the Catholicos will visit churches as well as educational and cultural institutions in Los Angeles, Fresno and San Francisco. This momentous visit was initiated by His Eminence, Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America to commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and the 1600th Anniversary of the creation of the Armenian alphabet. I am honored to recognize this milestone visit to California by a distinguished Armenian and world leader. I wish both the Catholicos and the Armenian community in California a renewed sense of purpose and inspiration from this visit.