Corrine Brown

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about a bill that I will be offering later this week that honors the beginning of two new women's professional basketball leagues: the American Basketball League and the Women's National Basketball Association, also known as the ABL and the WNBA. Historically, women's basketball has come a long way. Even though the first national women's basketball tournament took place in 1926, college educators opposed basketball for women. They believed that women were not adequately prepared for such a rough game and that the game of basketball was not an appropriate sport for women. The stereotype of women's inability to play basketball carried into the second half of the century. By the 1970's, only 1 out of every 27 women participated in any kind of high school sports. It was not until 1972, with the passing of title IX to the Higher Education Act, when women's participation in basketball began to increase. It was this amendment that guaranteed the success of women's sports and created a fair, level playing field for sports equity. Now in 1997, it is the 25th anniversary of title 9 of the Higher Education Act. One out of every three high school girls participate in a sport. And basketball is recognized by girls as the most popular youth participant sport in the Nation. In college, participation and attendance at the women's basketball games have been at the highest ever. Since 1982, women's attendance at National Collegiate Athletic Association sports events have steadily increased from 1.1 million to 4.2 million. Because the female student-athlete participation rate is at its highest ever, there were more women's basketball teams sponsored by NCAA institutions than men's basketball teams in the 1995-96 season. In fact, 97 percent of the NCAA active institutions sponsored a women's basketball program, making it the most sponsored NCAA sport during the 1995-96 season. Women's basketball is also gaining ground in the media. In 1997, the Women's Division One NCAA Basketball Championship was the highest rated and most watched basketball event in cable television history. In general, women's college athletes have improved greatly. Women's athletic programs at NCAA member schools have increased in participation, scholarship dollars, coaches' salaries, and recruiting expenditures over the past 5 years. As a result, the average number of women athletes per school in the NCAA Division One increased from 112 to 130 over the past 5 years. Internationally, women's basketball has also become very popular. Many people may not realize it, but 80 million women play basketball worldwide. Let me repeat that; 80 million women play basketball worldwide, an amazing figure. Last year, I saw firsthand how talented some of those women are when I attended one of the Team USA women's basketball games at the Olympics in Atlanta. It was very exciting and wonderful to see such a large crowd at this event. The USA female basketball team went on to win the gold medal. It is obvious that American women are the best players in the world. The success of women's sports has proved that America is ready for women's professional basketball. We have built a generation of talented players who can compete internationally, and now it is time to showcase this talent here in our own country. These leagues will offer role models to younger women and promote greater chances for female athletes, continuing the tradition of gender equity in sports, first promoted through title IX. This Saturday the WNBA will begin its first season, while the ABL is gearing up for a second successful season in the fall. As a Member of Congress, we should honor these professional women athletes and support them. As we congratulate the ABL and the WNBA on their inaugural season, we should also recognize the sponsors, owners, and fans of the leagues' teams for their commitment. Mr. Speaker, it is my hope that Members of both parties will sign on as original cosponsors to my bill and pass this resolution in the near future.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, Unfortunately, I was unavoidably detained and could not cast my vote in support of the flag desecration amendment. Had I been present, I would have voted for the amendment. As a member of the Veterans Affairs Committee, I continue to pledge my support to protect the veterans of our country, as well as the flag of the United States of America. The flag is the most esteemed emblem of this country--and this amendment will restore the authority to Congress to regulate the treatment of our most precious symbol. To our Nation's veterans and their families, the flag is more than a symbol of our country. It is the cloth under which they defended our country and risked their lives. I truly believe that there should be a means by which we can show our love and respect for the flag--while at the same time monitoring the treatment of this highly important part of America.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, during rollcall vote No. 202 on House Joint Resolution 54, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea.''

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Chairman, my amendment addresses one of the most basic issues that ties together every country in this globe. This issue is respect for human rights--including the rights of people accused of crimes. My amendment expresses the sense of Congress that the Governments of the Andean countries, including Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Columbia, and Venezuela, should respect the rights of prisoners, including United States Citizens, for timely legal procedures and international standards of due process. This is a simple amendment--one that would be difficult to vote against because it simply asks for due process, nothing more. On my recent trip to Ecuador, I witnessed extreme human rights violations in this nation's prisons, and in their justice system. I traveled to Ecuador to visit American prisoner James (Jim) Williams in the Guayaquil Penitentiary. Jim Williams is a businessman from Jacksonville, FL, and he has been held in this prison for the past 9 months. On my trip one factor became very apparent. Like several other South American countries, Ecuador's judicial system--including the courts and prisons--is in shambles. It is a country where poverty is the norm and typewriters are a luxury. Thousands of people linger in prisons for years without a trial. Officials related to me that because of U.S. pressure for drug suspects to be apprehended, there is a focus by an overwhelmed local police force to bring in anyone suspected of drug use, drug trafficking, or money laundering. Local police lock up persons who associate with even suspected drug dealers. Hence, prisons are overcrowded with suspected drug users, drug dealers, or money launderers. But because of the rampant, corruption and bribery, the most dangerous narcotics offenders--the traffickers--are able to buy their freedom. Because of the rampant corruption and bribery, most people sit in jail for years without every going to trial. And some of the most dangerous drug dealers buy their way out of the system. Within this corrupt system are Jim Williams, Sandra Chase, and 40 other Americans. They are in jails where most people have no toilets. There are only six public defenders for 10 million people. Most prisoners become hopelessly lost in a broken judicial system. Children grow up in prisons with imprisoned mothers. The prison I visited in Guayaquil has 2,500 prisoners; only 400 have ever received a trial. Because of the extensive bribery, simply getting a trial can cost the prisoner up to $30,000. Wealthy people simply buy their way out. But Jim Williams has insisted on proving his innocence. Unfortunately, those who plead innocent spend more time in the system battling the charges than if they had first plead guilty to the crime and served their time. The good news is that we can make a difference. When I was in Ecuador, I met one prisoner who had been in jail for 4 years on charges that he had a single marijuana cigarette. He was 16 when he entered this prison. Last week, he and 11 other prisoners who spent years in jail without a trial, were released. I believe this is a direct result of the publicity we brought to these prisoners, and I am even more committed that we can work with our neighbors in Latin America to ensure that all people have access to due process. I ask my colleagues to support this amendment, and send a message to our neighbors that the U.S. Congress will not stand by while prisoners lie suffering, waiting indefinitely for justice. Ecuador's judicial system is in shambles. There are few typewriters, cases lie in paper heaps on office floors where there is no air conditioning and the humidity is usually at very high levels. Poverty in Ecuador is the norm. U.S. officials in Ecuador have an overriding role to combat drug trafficking. Local police lock up persons who associate with even suspected drug dealers. Because of bribery, wealthy drug offenders go free. Forty Americans are imprisoned within this system. Ecuador has 6 public defenders for 10 million people. One prisoner was in jail for 4 years without a trial for having one marijuana cigarette. The jails have no phones and no toilets. Children grow up in prison with imprisoned mothers. Each lingering case represents a person out of work and a family that suffers. I visited a prison with 2,500 prisoners--only 400 had ever received a trial. A trial can cost $30,000. Comite de Internos, Del C.R.S.V.-G., Guayaquil, 31 de Mayo de 1.997. Ms. Corrine Brown, Congresswoman of the U.S.A., Washington. My dear lady: Thanks to your visit to this Penitenciary some changes have occurred and we, the inmates, wish to thank you for your kind intervention and interest in our plight First of all, we wish to inform you that the inmate Jose Ayala Gomez, after 4 years and 6 months of prison, for possessing one marijuana cigarrette, was finally released. He went to the press and T.V. to publicly thank you for your help. On the other hand, we have seen that judges have started to take depositions from the inmates and some progress seems to be underway. This all has happened after your visit to this center. Two thousand prisoners that have been relegated and remain without sentence for years are still waiting for justice. We wish to ask you to keep your kind interest in our suffering so that the international organization of Human Rights pressures the Ecuadorian authorities to comply with the law and cease the abuse of the civil and human rights of Ecuadorian citizens. We are pleased to remain yours very truly. Francisco Baquerizo Villao, President. Robert Vera, Secretario.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. I yield to the gentleman from New York.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Mr. Kenneth Burrough, who will be inducted tomorrow into the Southwestern Athletic Conference [SWAC] Hall of Fame. A native of Jacksonville, FL, Kenny graduated from William Raines High School in 1966. In every sport he participated, he excelled. In his senior year alone, Kenny received All-State honors in every sport and received 85 4-year college scholarships in football, basketball, and track. His teachers also remember him as a successful and hard working student. Kenny was a true student-athlete. In the Fall of 1966, Kenny travelled to Houston, TX, to attend Texas Southern University [TSU] on scholarships for football and track and field. Playing for the Tiger football team, Kenny--also known as double zero [``00'']--won the team's most valuable freshman award. His skill and talent as a wide receiver earned him the all-SWAC outstanding back and all-SWAC football awards as a sophomore as he led the conference in receptions and receiving yards. Later that same year, Kenny won all-conference honors in track and field as a member of the 440-meter relay team and the 100-meter dash. In 1968, Kenny was honored as Texas Southern University's most valuable player by leading the football conference again in receptions and receiving yards and winning all-SWAC honors in the 440-meter relay and 100-meter dash. For his outstanding track and field efforts, Kenny received an invitation to the 1968 U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials. By Kenny's senior year, he was voted TSU's most valuable player, had earned All-SWAC honors, and received the All-American Award by the Sporting News and the Pittsburgh Courier. To finish off his incredible college career, Kenny played in the senior bowl and in the all-stars game against the Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs. By 1970, Kenny had become one of the most coveted football players in America. Later that year, Kenny was selected by the New Orleans Saints as one of National Football League's first round drafts picks. After 1 year with the Saints and being selected to the all rookie team, Kenny was traded to the Houston Oilers in exchange for 5 players. While in Houston, he left the league in receptions for 7 years and yards gained for 5. As he concluded his 13-year NFL career, Kenny's success with Houston had earned him four trips to the Pro Bowl. Currently, Mr. Burroughs lives in the Houston, TX area where he works as a motivational speaker with an emphasis on public relations and sales. In his spare time, Mr. Burroughs speaks at local schools and recruits major corporations to sponsor community development programs. It is a true honor for Mr. Burroughs to be one of nine former collegiate and professional stars inducted. Mr. Burroughs' accomplishments, present and past, clearly demonstrate why he is so special and deserves to be a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame. Congratulations to Mr. Burroughs and to his family on this most special of occasions.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, a few years ago I had the opportunity to visit Taiwan and I became an admirer of President Lee Teng-hui. He was graceful, charismatic, knowledgeable, and visionary as well. He deeply impressed me with his firm grasp of world events as he articulated his vision of a modern Taiwan that is economically prosperous, politically free, and internationally respected. President Lee has certainly maintained Taiwan's spectacular economic growth. Politically he has introduced many reforms, including the upcoming debate on Taiwan's constitution. In terms of achieving greater international recognition for Taiwan, I have learned that Foreign Minister John Chang is succeeding in making the world see the injustices of excluding Taiwan, a major economic power, from many important international organizations. As for Taiwan's relationship with the United States, Taiwan certainly has many friends on Capitol Hill due to the efforts of Ambassador Jason Hu and his staff. Congratulations to my good friend, the President of Taiwan, on the occasion of his first anniversary of his first elected term of office. He will always have my support and best wishes.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the amendment of the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Shuster] and the gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Oberstar], which directly addresses the issue of truth and honesty in the transportation budget. In President Clinton's State of the Union message he talks about building a bridge to the future and to the 21st century. Well, I got news for my colleagues. They cannot build a bridge without money for transportation and infrastructure needs. Thirty percent of American urban highways are congested. This damaged air quality, increased travel time and cost travelers in the largest city more than $43 billion in delays and excess fuel consumption area. The future of this country is intermodal. Our economy is not based on Florida competing against Georgia or even California. It is a global marketplace, and we are competing with countries like Japan and Germany. These countries have a highly developed transportation and infrastructure system to move goods, people, and service. Mr. Chairman, I support the President's commitment too, 100 percent. Let us build the bridges to the 21st century and let us make sure everyone can travel it safely.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to speak in favor of the Congressional Black Caucus budget and against the proposed budget resolution. I am so disappointed with this proposed budget. I think we should rename it the fudge it budget resolution. All this resolution does is fudge numbers here and there and paint a rosy colored picture of a balanced budget with a surplus by the year 2002. What it really does is to continue what I call reverse Robin Hood, robbing from the poor and working people to give a tax break to the rich. Look at what this proposal will do to Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payments in my home State of Florida. These payments go to hospitals in my district that greatly assist the poor and needy who cannot afford health insurance. But under the fudge it budget resolution, we will cut payments by $548 million over 5 years, a 42-percent reduction in what Florida has received over the past 5 years. Florida already ranks 42d in the Nation for Medicaid costs per recipient. This budget proposal will only make the situation worse. But on the other hand, the Congressional Black Caucus budget takes other things into consideration and it is really the American people's budget. It supports children, seniors, and veterans. Let me give my colleagues two or three ideas about some of the proposals in the Congressional Black Caucus budget: Pell grants, $2,700 to $5,000 per student; eliminates the COLA delay for Federal Civil Service workers; makes no, let me emphasize this, makes no cuts to Medicaid and fully funds a child health initiative to cover 10 million uninsured children; fully funds Head Start and the WIC Program; includes an additional $591 million than the so-called budget deal to ensure that veterans will receive additional benefits. Mr. Chairman, let us not fudge it. Let us vote for the Congressional Black Caucus budget.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, a few years ago, I had the opportunity to visit Taiwan and I became an admirer of President Lee Teng-hui. He was graceful, charismatic, knowledgable, and visionary as well. He deeply impressed me with his firm grasp of world events as he articulated his vision of a modern Taiwan that is economically prosperous, politically free and internationally respected. President Lee has certainly maintained Taiwan's spectacular economic growth. Politically he has introduced many reforms, including the upcoming debate on Taiwan's constitution. In terms of achieving greater international recognition for Taiwan, I have learned that Foreign Minister John Chang is succeeding in making the world see the injustices of excluding Taiwan, a major economic power, from many important international organizations. As for Taiwan's relationship with the United States, Taiwan certainly has many friends on Capitol Hill due to the efforts of Ambassador Jason Hu and his staff. Congratulations to my good friend, the President of Taiwan, on the occasion of his first anniversary of his first elected term of office. He will always have my support and best wishes.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment, but the important point on this amendment is that it never should have been included in the welfare reform bill. It is a cruel way to attack the helpless people in this country. When I went to South America last month, I heard plenty about this provision. The message that we are sending out about this country is that we are mean-spirited and racist. Is that the kind of message we want to send? Let us support this amendment. Let us be fair to all of the people in this country.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the problem of human rights in Ecuador and the larger region of Latin America is of concern to so many people throughout America and in other countries. I enclose for the Record a letter from a Canadian who lives in Nova Scotia: Committee for the Release of Mel Souter, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, May 14, 1997. Hon. Corrine Brown, Member of Congress, Third District Florida, Congress of the United States, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Honourable Congresswoman Brown: Honourable Congresswoman Brown, I bless you and thank you on behalf of all Canadians for your courage and efforts on behalf of all those imprisioned without trial in Ecuador and elsewhere, and we would deeply appreciate it if you would read this into your motion to the House this afternoon. To the Chair:--Hon. Members--A Petition to the Government of the United States of America on behalf of Mel Souter in Prision without trail in Ecuador. Mel Souter a Canadian citizen from Vancouver, Canada, is in the same prison and in the same conditions as Jim Williams from Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Mel was interrogated continuously for thirty (30) hours and then forced to sign a statement he was not allowed to read after two hundred and eight (208) days, he has not even been given a ``Summary'' decision, which is required by law within sixty (60) days. As a Canadian, what is even more disturbing to me is that Mel Souter's arrest and detainment was instigated and coordinated by the U.S. government through the agencies of the FBI and the DEA. The Ecuadorians now say the case is bogged down because of lack of evidence which the DEA promised to provide. This case which was known as ``PESCADOR'' is now being dubbed ``FIASCO-DOOR'' by the locals. What you do to your citizens inside or outside of the United States is your business--and we do not presume to advise you,--but what you do or cause to be done to my Canadian brother does concern me--and in this case--saddens me and offends me. After eight (8) months, it is now clear there is no case against this gentle 53 year old Canadian father and grandfather. As your Canadian neighbours and friends we urge you now to move with speed to undo the wrong that has been done--you cannot allow your agency just to walk away and call Mel Souter ``collateral damage''. We urge you to give a clear and direct order to the DEA in Ecuador to request his release from the Ecuadorian authorities. I am assured by the Ecuadorian authorities that if the request is made by the U.S. Government through the proper channels, it will be responded to in a positive way. Please listen--please!! We are Canadian-- You know the friendship and respect we have for America and its people. We rescued your brothers in Iran in 1968--Our sons flew along side yours in Dessert Storm--Treat us like the friends we are--and show us your nobility, by making sure that MEL SOUTER is at the HEAD OF THE LINE when they walk through the Green Door and into the arms of their families. Yours with friendship and respect Mel Earley, Chairman, Committee for the Release of Mel Souter.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. They did not care. In fact, when I talked to the police and the judges and the public elected officials, one of the things that was said to me was that we need help. We need help, and help is not just financial; judges to come over and help them set up guidelines, workshops, expertise, training to train more judges. Mr. Speaker, it is a system that is drowning. I went to one of the judge's offices, and it was amazing, papers piled up to the top of the ceiling. No computers, no fax machines. Old typewriters. So it is an antiquated system that cannot comply.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. I thank the gentleman very much. Mr. Speaker, as I come to the close of this special order, I just want to think about these children that I met. The children are innocent. In many cases the families, the male or female, could be innocent, but this system does not distinguish the innocent from the guilty, or the misdemeanors from the major. So we have the responsibility to do what we can to make the system better. As Americans, we may be thinking tonight, well, what does that have to do with me? Do Members know, this is a global world. We used to think the world was big, but the ship is very small. We are all in the ship together. We are going to sink and swim together, so I am going to do all I can, working with my colleagues, to make things better for the children here on this side of the border, and the children that live in the Third Congressional District of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record a letter to me from James Gordon Williams. The letter referred to is as follows: Penitenciaria, Guayaquil, Ecuador, Thursday, May 8, 1997. Hon. William Clinton, President of the United States of America, Washington, DC. Dear President Clinton: I am writing from my cell in the penitentiary in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Writing the President of the United States was never something I imagined that I would do, but then again neither was spending eight months in a South American jail. I am charged with money laundering for a Colombian that I did business with for a number of years. This man, Jose Castrillon is the target of an FBI investigation in the US. I am an innocent man. If Mr. Castrillon was involved in drug trade, I never saw any evidence of it during the years that I did business with him. The charges against me in Ecuador are based on lies and fabrications by the Ecuadorian National Police. My case would be thrown out of any real court of law in the world. My arrest along with seventeen other persons was documented as the number one accomplishment in the United States Department of State, Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, in their International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, dated March 1997. In this publication, it states that with the help of the US Government, the Ecuadorian National Police dismantled a band of narcotics traffickers led by Castrillon. The persons mentioned in this report are workers, accountants, maids, fishermen, lawyers and businessmen. No evidence of drugs has been related to any of these persons in Ecuador. This US State Department report also contains lies and fabrications. I would like to relate several facts that have been primarily obvious to me by this experience. 1) Judges, Policemen and Politicians in Latin America can not live on the salaries that they are paid. Corruption is a way of life within these institutions. It has been this way for many years. This knowledge is sine qua non for doing business in Latin America. If drug trafficking and money laundering is a form of corruption in one of these countries then look first to the above institutions for the real culprits. If funds are given to these institutions to fight corruption it would be analogous to giving Al Capone funds to help fight corruption in the US seventy years ago. 2) The US Agencies that are responsible for US drug enforcement in Latin America seem to have become more concerned with funding than enforcement. At least some of the reports produced by these Agencies are erroneous and misleading. 3) The pressure that is being applied to Latin American Countries by Certification does not hinder drug traffickers who have no interest in that country's real economy, but it definitely creates strong anti American feelings and distrust among the citizens of these Countries. 4) The ``War on Drugs'' is not a winnable war as it is being fought today. Billions of US tax dollars are being squandered. In Latin America, thousands of innocent persons are being killed, tortured and illegally detained by corrupt forces that are supported by the US. Meanwhile, drugs continue to flow at an ever increasing rate. The suffrage from drug use in the US is a result of the addicts lack of education. If we can not blame the addict then we must blame our society. The torture and killing of innocent persons in Latin America is also the result of ignorance, but not of these tortured citizens nor of their society. I have lost my business, and my life's savings because of mistakes made by Ecuadorian and US Law Enforcement Agencies. Congresswoman Corrine Brown recently made a trip to visit me in Ecuador. She is doing her best to help me get a fair and expedient trial in Ecuador. The stigma associated with the words ``drugs'' and ``Colombian'' scared other US representatives away from my case. Congresswoman Brown was able to see first hand some the results of police brutality and injustice in Ecuador. I beg of you, for the sake of tortured souls in Latin America and for the integrity of our Great Nation, please reconsider your policies on the ``War on Drugs''. Respectfully, James G. Williams.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Absolutely. I want to thank the gentleman for his help and leadership on this matter, also. It is just such a vicious cycle as far as the whole criminal justice system in Ecuador. It is very unfair, particularly to the Ecuadorans. We are talking about the 16 Americans, but it is harsh on the Ecuadorans who have no money, so they just sit in prison.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, let me say about my amendment, it has been ruled in order, and it does a couple of things. One, it gives language to the President when he reports to the Congress on the status of drug trafficking. And we also want to know when he reports to the judiciary reform, we need to know how that is also working, and also appropriate case management that separates misdemeanor from serious offenses and eliminate corruption. In other words, we want to know what they are doing as far as doing away with briberies and other things that is really embedded in these systems. Also, there is another aspect: Can Americans and other foreign individuals operate businesses in these countries? According to generally accepted business and human rights provisions, without the fear of arbitrary arrest, without criminal evidence, and without legal representation or a trial.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. June, okay. Well, I hope my amendment will still be in order.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, let me mention one other thing. I have an amendment that I think was ruled in order on the bill that is coming up, and I guess it is going to come up in the foreign bill.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, that is right. I knew when I came home, I was just glad to be home and glad to be an American citizen. At this point I would not recommend going to some of those South American countries, including Ecuador, until we can straighten out this system.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Well, I did learn of something today that may be helpful to us. I met with the second person in charge of our operation there, the State Department, Mr. Curt Struble. He indicated to me that there is a treaty to date, as we speak, over in the Senate waiting for ratification. What that treaty would do is that the Americans over there could be transferred to American prisons in the United States once we expedite the treaty, and that is a ray of hope. Mr. Speaker, a lot of times we take this great country for granted.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I think it is revenue-raising for the bribery and that system, but it certainly does not look like it is revenue-raising for the country. But those people that are working in that system, for example, Sandra Chase, they paid $20,000. Where did that money go to? Richard Parker paid $10,000. Where did that money go to? He was found innocent. However, he was asked to pay another $30,000. The family refused. He was found guilty and given 8 years in these conditions that we just talked about. He has contracted tuberculosis.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, at any stage there is no jury system whatsoever. There is no bail, and there is no misdemeanor.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. There is no jury whatsoever.