Julia Carson

Ms. CARSON of Indiana

Ms. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, before September's explosions of hatred, we needed hate crimes legislation to help local jurisdictions across the country deal with crimes motivated by prejudice. After, as we experienced the hate-filled behavior of some of our own people, the need is underscored. Since then, word has come to us at home and on the Hill of wanton attacks upon Americans of Arab and Muslim descent. In my hometown, young people fueled by hatred brutally attacked a young Hoosier Air Force veteran of Thai descent, intent upon vengeance. Hatred is a thing bad in itself. Unchecked, it is our bitter enemy. When it powers violence, its reach is extended into the realm where terror is born, multiplying its victims. 202 of us have cosponsored H.R. 1343. I implore those who control the flow of business here to let us vote, Mr. Speaker, to underscore the determination of this House that hatred has no home in our land.

Ms. CARSON of Indiana

Ms. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank the two gentlemen who have put in laborious time in crafting legislation which admittedly does advance, does progress the electoral system. We attempted last night through the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings) to offer an amendment that was rejected because of the closed rule. I wanted to come to the floor and speak in a bipartisan way, those veterans who are Democrats and those who are Republicans and perhaps those who are libertarians but who form this bipartisan coalition of suffering posttraumatic stress and who end up after war, who have been there protecting this country, who end up homeless, who end up in prison. As we know, many States deny those individuals who have been convicted of felonies from ever having the right to participate in the electoral process. We do not deny Members of Congress from coming to Congress because they are convicted felons, but we do deny people who have sacrificed their life and their well-being. Our amendment had the support of the Vietnam Veterans Coalition and many others. I would just encourage that we defeat the rule so that we can ascertain that democracy does indeed work.

Ms. CARSON of Indiana

Ms. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman Smith for his hard work in making sure this measure was considered by the Senate so it could become law in this session of Congress. I also want to thank Chairman Stearns and Ranking Member Filner of the Health Subcommittee for their hard work on this legislation. The Stuart Collick-Heather French Henry Homeless Veterans Assistance Act establishes as a national goal an end to chronic homelessness among veterans and encourages all governmental and private agencies to work together to achieve this goal. It is the responsibility of the federal government to see to the needs of homeless veterans and the responsibility of federal agencies in meeting those needs. This bill does this by authorizing 10 new Domiciliary for Homeless Veterans programs; $285 million over four years for the Homeless Grant and Per Diem program; $250 million over five years for the Labor Department's Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program to expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans into the labor force; and it earmarks $10 million over three years for medical care for homeless veterans with special needs, including older veterans, women, substance abusers and those with post-traumatic-stress disorder. I believe so strongly in this issue that I donated personal property to the cause. The Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation has worked hard to make my dream a reality. The house assists homeless veterans by supplying transitional housing as well as needed supportive services. We must work together. I have been touched by the number of people who are asking to help since they saw the story on the news. I am pleased that this measure is being considered this session and urge its passage.

Ms. CARSON of Indiana

Ms. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, these are times to especially honor civic commitment of the sort that serves as powerful example to all Americans. Today I am privileged to commend to the nation two distinguished citizens of Indianapolis, Indiana, David and Meta Kleiman, who will be specially honored this evening at the Indianapolis-Israel Dinner of State. True friends of the city, the Kleimans have lived their lives as models of civic virtue for all to emulate. David has served on many Jewish organizations, including the Jewish Federation of which he was president from 1981-84. He has also served as president of the JCCA, the Indiana Jewish Historical Society, and B'nai B'rith Lodge No. 58. A leading partner with the law firm Dann, Pecar, Newman & Kleiman, Mr. Kleiman's life has featured even greater commitment to the community at large, including distinguished service as Chairman of United Way, President of the Indiana Repertory Theater and leadership roles in diverse Indianapolis community organizations of great value to the life of the city. Meta stands with David in her own commitment to civic virtue. She has served as President of IHC's Sisterhood and has chaired the Federation Women's Division and the Federation's Committee on Aging. Her advocacy for the elderly was marked, as well, by her service as President of Park Regency. On the national stage, Meta has served on the boards of the Association of Reform Zionists of America and the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods, chairing the Sisterhood's Israel Committee. The Kleimans have been recognized in their home community with the Mossler Community Service award and the Ivan Chalfie award, important honors in the city of Indianapolis. In addition, Meta has received the L.L. Goodman award and David has been recognized as B'nai B'rith Man of the Year. Individually and together, the Kleimans'contributions to the United States, to Indiana, to Indianapolis and to Indiana's 10th Congressional District are in the highest tradition of selfless public service. I ask, Mr. Speaker, that you and my colleagues in the People's House join in commending each of the Kleimans for their lives of service, celebrating their civic virtue and commitment.

Ms. CARSON of Indiana

Ms. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to thank Chairman Walsh and Ranking Member Mollohan for taking a reasonable first step in responding to the escalating concerns parents have voiced over the effects of arsenic-treated wood playground equipment on their children. Included in the VA-HUD conference report is a provision requested by myself and Senator Ben Nelson of Florida. The provision directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency to report to the committee within 3 months on their most up-to-date understanding of the potential health and safety risks to children playing on and around arsenic-treated wood playground equipment. The report will also include the steps the EPA and the Consumer Product Safety Commission are taking to keep state and local governments, and the public, informed about the risks associated with arsenic-treated wood. It responds to a study released today by the Environmental Working Group and the Healthy Building Network, which estimates that one our of every 500 children who regularly play on swing sets and decks made from arsenic-treated wood will develop lung or bladder cancer later in life as a result of these exposures. It is important in these times of changing priorities that the health and well-being of children remain foremost in our minds. The parents of Indianapolis and communities all over the Nation are looking forward to the findings of this report.

Ms. CARSON of Indiana

Ms. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank my dear friend, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings), who is certainly a superhero on behalf of the citizens of this country and across this Nation. Mr. Speaker, when Thomas Edison was attempting to invent the light bulb, history suggested he tried thousands and thousands of ways, maybe 8,000, maybe 10,000. Nobody said that Thomas Edison failed to invent the light bulb. They said he simply discovered 10,000 ways that it would not work. So I am here because I know I have to be very careful about the words that I use about the manager's amendment, so I cannot call it shameless or callous or indifferent or dispassionate because that may intrude upon House rules. So let me simply say that it will not work. I am here to represent people that are out of work and who need to work. I am here to represent people who ride the airplanes on a daily basis and are waiting for Congress to provide some common sense to protect those riders who have to fly across America, from sea to shining sea as we would wave our flag. I support the Oberstar substitute amendment because it will work.

Ms. CARSON of Indiana

Ms. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, this House, ordinarily the United States Congress, passes what they call a Sense of Congress resolution. I am proposing a Sense of Congress resolution which I believe is a good-sense resolution in behalf of the United States Congress. What it says is very simple, that the United States Government will pay $5 million to any person who supplies information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who are responsible for placing anthrax spores in the United States mail system through to the United States Government mails, which have worked their way into the United States Government offices and into the lives of people in the United States. Mr. Speaker, I was appalled, as I am sure other Members were, to learn that we have lost yet another citizen, a lady out of New York who has now expired at 1 o'clock this morning because she had inadvertently inhaled anthrax. It is the right approach for the United States Government because of the assault against the United States Government to post a $5 million reward for those who are responsible for this vicious, vicious act.

Ms. CARSON of Indiana

Ms. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, on a daily basis we come in and put our right hand over our heart and say, ``I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.'' For the Democratic Party to be criticized for being opposed to this cruel hoax that passed the House of Representatives under the guise of an omnibus economic stimulus bill is a cruel hoax played upon America. Mr. Speaker, there is not a day that we do not see scripts at the bottom of the screen on television about people losing their jobs. Yesterday, Hershey closed down, 1,100 people immediately lost their jobs. We bailed out the airline industry, only to see all of these airline people getting laid off. This House has not done anything for the very least of these people. We are spiritual, I believe; but Members are going to have to help my belief.

Ms. CARSON of Indiana

Ms. CARSON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Thomas Johnson, a professional truck driver for Roadway Express and proudly one of my constituents. Mr. Johnson was recently invited into the ranks of the Individual Million Mile Safe Drivers, a small group of truck drivers who have driven their vehicles more than one million miles without accident. To put what Mr. Johnson has done into perspective, the average car driver would have to travel around the world at least 40 times to equal this milestone. This is a remarkable accomplishment, and is an outstanding safety achievement. I rise today to congratulate Mr. Johnson for his hard work and for the example he sets for other professional truck drivers and regular motorists. Mr. Johnson has been with Roadway Express for over 8 years and I know that they are as proud of him as I am. I wish Mr. Johnson, his family, his company all the best for the future and hope that he will keep on trucking safely for many years to come.

Ms. CARSON of Indiana

Ms. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, when we come in on a daily basis, we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight in support of the Displaced Workers Assistance Act, and any other measure that is pending before this Congress; and I am here to enlist the eyes, ears and hearts for support for the Displaced Workers Act and any other measure that may be out there. Mr. Speaker, how would my colleagues, Members of the United States Congress, feel if we appropriated billions of dollars to this institution, and show up the next day once that measure had been enacted, only to find that we are no longer employed, that our employment has been abruptly terminated without notice, that we are no longer receiving a paycheck or severance pay or insurance or benefits. That is why I believe that any delay in assisting those workers who were dramatically affected by the September 11 incident would be a delay in justice and thus a denial of justice to the numerous people who were affected by the horrendous and tragic September 11 event. In 1900, Mr. Speaker, when Wilbur Wright designed this remarkable instrument that would eventually annihilate space and circumscribe time, the Wright brothers' idea some 98 years later, sought and obtained billions of dollars in bail-out funds from this Congress. We preserve the Wright brothers' marvelous invention. Now with equal haste it is imperative, I believe, that we treat our brothers and sisters right. So I rise tonight, Mr. Speaker, to suggest that we have fewer people flying, and with fewer people flying we have fewer planes in the air. With fewer planes in the air, we need fewer people to fly and man and maintain these airplanes. I have heard heartbreaking examples all over the place about people who suddenly and abruptly lost their jobs. I have a lady in my district who had been employed by the airlines for some 38 years. Her daughter and her husband met a very tragic accident and lost their lives; and she is trying to maintain the family, and they left behind some five children, school-aged children. Suddenly she became unemployed. She has no benefits and has yet to get any kind of support to support the children whose mother and father died prematurely. Mr. Speaker, the Congressional Black Caucus this weekend had an event at the Grand Hyatt; and I heard the sorry, sad stories of the employees there and wanted to applaud the Congressional Black Caucus for going ahead with the event. I am glad we did not suspend it because the hotel held a few employees over to handle the event, and they lost their jobs at the end of the Congressional Black Caucus weekend. These were maids. They were service workers, they were counter agents, and just an abundance of workers lost their jobs. I understand at Washington National the figure goes all over the place, some 10,000 people. I had a lady call me because she would see me coming in and out of the airport from Indianapolis on a weekly basis, and shared with me the sad situation she faces, a disabled husband hurt on his job, and they are living off a meager worker's compensation check that will expire in the next 2 or 3 weeks. While I understand the rationale in part for assisting the airline industry, we cannot wait any longer to assist the employees, the sky caps that were on the curb, the baggage handlers, the cargo handlers, the ticket agents, all of these people who have been affected by that tragic situation on September 11. We helped out the airline industry. Let us help out the people who are we the people of the United States who are in dire need. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the honorable gentleman from Florida for allowing me to speak on behalf of this measure and to applaud him for having the foresight and the insight to try to help all of those who have been so severely affected.

Ms. CARSON of Indiana

Ms. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois for yielding me time. I certainly also thank the honorable gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella). Mr. Speaker, I am not going to be redundant, because there are so many wonderful accolades that we could give retiring Tony Gwynn in this hour. But in deference of time, let me just very briefly give honor to whom honor is due. I have known Tony Gwynn; his wife, Alicia Gwynn; their son, Anthony II; and daughter, Anisha for many years. As a matter of fact, they have dual residence. They also have property in Indianapolis, Indiana; and truly Alicia and Tony have been very generous to the community in Indianapolis, Indiana. They undergird the principle unto whom much is given, much is required. Tony is fifteenth on the all-time hit list, with over 3,140 hits. He has won eight batting titles and is a 15-time All Star. He will join the baseball Hall of Fame on the first ballot. He is only the fifth National League player and seventeenth overall to play at least 20 seasons in the Major Leagues with one team. In 1994, Tony hit for the highest average, .394, since Ted Williams hit above .400 in 1941. Behind all these baseball achievements, Tony is a man who cares and supports the community. As we have heard from previous speakers, he has been acclaimed in so many ways. He won the Roberto Clemente Man of the Year Award, which recognizes the player who best combines sportsmanship and community involvement with excellence on the field. He is a man who received the 1999 Lou Gehrig Memorial Award, given annually by the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity to the Major League player who best exemplifies the character and the leadership of the Hall of Fame first baseman, both on the field and off. He has been inducted into the World Sport Humanitarian Hall of Fame in Boise, Idaho, and received the Branch Rickey Award as the top community activist in Major League baseball. Mr. Speaker, if I was a publicist for Tony Gwynn, I think I would make it very simple and simply say ``Gwynn wins,'' because Tony Gwynn has won a place in the hearts of all of the sports enthusiasts across the country, across the world, and Tony Gwynn wins the hearts of all of the young people that he has touched and that he has been a wonderful example for throughout his lifetime. As we celebrate America, let us celebrate an extraordinary American, Tony Gwynn, who stands for all that is right in America; a true sportsman, a man who exudes family values in the very highest sense. I am blessed that I know the Gwynn family. I have won by knowing the Gwynn family.

Ms. CARSON of Indiana

Ms. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, ``character.'' Webster's New World Dictionary, Third college Edition defines ``character`` as ``moral strength, self-discipline, fortitude.'' The pillars which guide ethical decision-making, which make up character are: Trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, citizenship. Trustworthiness includes morality, honesty, truthfulness, sincerity, candor, loyalty and integrity. Respect includes civility, courtesy and decency. Being responsible means being in charge of our choices and, thus, our lives. It means being accountable for what we do and who we are. Fairness involves issues of equality, impartiality, proportionality and openness. Caring is ultimately about our responsibilities toward other people. A person who really cares feels an emotional response to both the pain and pleasure of others. The concept of citizenship includes civic virtues and duties that prescribe how we ought to behave as part of a community. The good citizen gives more than he or she takes. As leaders of this great nation, especially at this time, we must be examples of strong, moral unblemished character and encourage the young people of this nation to replicate these attributes in all their ways and conduct.

Ms. CARSON of Indiana

Ms. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank the other members of the Indiana delegation who are gathered here in one place and in one accord in support of naming a Federal building in honor of the Honorable Lee Hamilton. I had the benefit of having two Congresspeople. I worked at Cummings Engine Company, headquartered in Indiana, for over 10 years. While I was at work during the day, Mr. Hamilton was my Congressman. When I would travel back to Indianapolis, Indiana, Andy Jacobs was my Congressman. So I had the benefit of having a dual congressional honor, if you will: two very famous men in the halls of Congress. We have named a post office after the Honorable Andy Jacobs; and now today, with the help of the two distinguished Senators from Indiana, we will do the same for Mr. Hamilton. Let me put a different spin on this, however. We know what a brilliant mind Lee Hamilton has now. We understand he was a basketball star, and even won the prestigious award for his basketball expertise, called the Trester Award. But Mr. Speaker, on today's schedule, the resolution immediately preceding the Lee H. Hamilton Federal Building and the United States Courthouse Designation Act, was a resolution expressing the sense of Congress regarding the establishment of a National Character Counts Week. We hear a lot of diatribe at these microphones about family values and condemning people's behavior and all that, but Lee Hamilton has an unblemished, uncompromising solid moral character. He is a man who has had the joy of being married to Nancy for countless years, has a beautiful family. So he is the type of individual who does not extol big messages about family values. But he characterized family values in a very positive way. It is for that reason, and many others, that I am very proud to join my colleagues in support of this resolution naming the post office for Lee Hamilton in New Albany, Indiana.

Ms. CARSON of Indiana

Ms. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I think the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Green) has done a yeoman's job in detailing the needs of this legislation. Let me reinforce a part of his message, and that is, the dire need for affordable, decent, safe housing for our aging population. Since I am probably one of them, this is probably a conflict of interest as I speak. I rise in support of this bipartisan legislation, which extends the life of the ``Commission on Affordable Housing and Health Facility Needs for Seniors in the 21st Century,'' commonly referred to as the Seniors Commission. The Seniors Commission was established on a bipartisan basis in the last Congress. It is charged with studying and proposing recommendations dealing with the challenges of developing aging in place strategies for the housing and health care needs of our Nation's senior citizens. Originally, the commission was charged with issuing a report by December 31 of this year, and with wrapping up all business by June 30 of next year. However, more than a year passed after the bill's enactment before commissioners were actually named. This makes meeting the original statutory deadlines unrealistic. Without a change in deadlines, the commission simply cannot do a thorough job of completing the tasks they are charged with. Therefore, this legislation provides a 1 year extension on the report deadline, to December 31 of next year, and a 9-month extension on the commission's termination, to March 31 of 2003. In addition, the bill authorizes the detailing of Federal personnel to the commission on nonreimbursable basis. Currently, such detailing can only be done on a reimbursable basis. This is a noncontroversial bill, and I urge its adoption. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all my colleagues to give their enthusiastic support in extending the life of the commission.

Ms. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. CARSON of Indiana

Ms. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bipartisan legislation which extends HUD's authority to reduce above-market rents on expiring section 8 projects and to restructure federally insured mortgages on these properties which the lower rents can no longer support. The bill before us differs somewhat from the bill passed by voice vote in the Committee on Financial Services in July. However, the changes represent informal bipartisan, bicameral discussions that have taken place over the last few months. The final product is a good consensus bill with bipartisan support; and, certainly, therefore, I would urge my colleagues to adopt it. H.R. 2589 extends for 5 years HUD's authority to conduct ``mark-to- market'' activities and extends for three years the Office of Multi- Family Housing Assistance Restructuring also known as OMHAR. This extends OMHAR's authority to continue the carry out mark-to-market activities. The purpose of market-to-markets is to reduce the level of project based section 8 rental assistance for affordable housing projects to rent levels commensurate with local market rents. The end result is that this process saves money for the Federal tax payers by reducing our section 8 expenditures. However, the statutory authority for mark-to-market activities and for OMHAR is set to expire at the end of this month. According to the GAO, 1,588 properties have entered the mark-to-market program but only 500 of these properties have completed rent reductions. Thus, over 1,000 properties have yet to have their rents reduced. As more contracts expire, there will be additional properties that need to go through rent restructuring. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, it is essential to extend the program at this time. I would note that this legislation is estimated to save over $300 million through the reduction of rents. I would also note that since this bill saves money, there is a reasonable possibility that it will later be attached to the VA/HUD appropriations conference report in order to receive a credit from the savings from this bill. If that occurs, we would urge appropriators to reinvest these savings in affordable housing programs instead of being diverted to other programs as is often the case. With respect to the specific provisions of the bill, we have struck a balance between giving OMHAR the tools it needs while retaining accountability. We have also included a number of good provisions to further housing affordability including providing technical assistance to tenant groups and increasing flexibility for nonprofits to operate. So in conclusion of my remarks, Mr. Speaker, I am heartened by the bipartisan way we have developed the first major piece of housing legislation in this Congress. I am urging a ``yes'' vote. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank), a very distinguished, knowledgable, articulate and dynamic friend of mine.

Ms. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. CARSON of Indiana

Ms. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for yielding me this time, an individual for whom I have the highest admiration and respect, and certainly, Mr. Speaker, with respect for those who are painfully and tragically affected by the terrorist assault on America the Beautiful. Let me simply say amen to the eloquent prose and profound statements of all of the colleagues that have preceded me in supporting this resolution. President Abraham Lincoln reminds us that the world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what happened here. The date, September 11, or 9-1-1, a day that the 911 system was perhaps used more in the aggregate than at any time since its inception; September 11, or 9-1-1, summons the brave, the selfless, the life preservers, if they could they would. I have heard it said that perhaps airport security will include eliminating curbside baggage service. We are checking around now to see how we best enhance airport security. Does the idea of no baggage curbside check- in really enhance our well-being? What happens to the well-being of the skycaps in an idea like that? They have long been a service and fixture at airports, as long as the airports have been there themselves. Mr. Speaker, from time to time down through our history, our Nation has been tested. Certainly today our peaceful way of life is being tested again in a most cowardly fashion. So in the face of this great tragedy, it is time that we renew our prayers for peace around the world, rededicate ourselves to the work of citizenship, and sustain the quality and integrity of those who seek to serve us in the capacity of public service.

Ms. CARSON of Indiana

Ms. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, it is with both sorrow and appreciation that I submit these remarks on behalf of the life and memory of Mrs. Mamie L. Harrington Townsend who departed this life last Saturday, July 28, 2001. First I am grateful that Mrs. Townsend was loaned to us for such a long time. I feel a special kinship to her and was saddened when I learned that she had taken a flight to California and whereupon she took another flight to heaven. We were similar in so many ways: Her mother's name is Julia. We both attended Crispus Attucks High School and IUPUI. We both love children, family, community, state and nation. We have backgrounds that reflect diverse employment and have been honored by many of the same organizations. Mamie was universal in her commitments and volunteerism. She has been acclaimed Woman of the Year by her sorority and received the prestigious Sagamore of the Wabash; distinguished citizen, outstanding businesswoman, ``Who's who among women'', Sojourner Truth award, and Mary McCloud Bethune award among her many awards. Her greatest reward is yet to come. Time and space does not accommodate her many achievements. She was simply a unique, tireless, and selfless person. Mamie was my friend. She had a beautiful spirit. She was a continuous helper to more than we would ever know about. The great book reminds us that there is a time for all things under the heaven. That there is a time to be born--she was born not once but twice. There is a time to die--she died--in the arms of Jesus. She has enriched the lives of many--she inspired me especially. To her family: thanks for sharing Mamie with us. Be strong and of good courage. You have so much to be proud of and to celebrate.

Ms. CARSON of Indiana

Ms. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, an article published in The Washington Times of Monday, July 30, 2001, by Mr. Bill Richardson, has especially impressed me. While world attention focuses on major nations, Mr. Richardson reminds us of the strategic importance of a lesser-known, but truly significant nation, Kazakhstan. We remember Bill Richardson as a former member of this body; as our nation's Ambassador to the United Nations; and, as Secretary of Energy, all excellent credentials for his incisive assessment and powerful reminder of the critical geopolitical importance of Kazakhstan, bounded by Russia, China and Iran, and the enormous store of energy it holds for the world. I commend the article and urge that my colleagues give it their attention. [The Washington Times, Published 7/30/01] Crazy for Kazakhstan (By Bill Richardson) As secretary of energy and ambassador to the United Nations during the Clinton administration, I traveled three times to Kazakhstan to underscore the importance of this key Central Asian country to U.S. interests. Of all the countries rising from the ashes of the Soviet Union, few offer the promise of Kazakhstan. In terms of both economic potential and political stability, Kazakhstan is critical to the long-term success of the Central Asian nations. The Bush administration should continue our policy of engaging Kazakhstan to ensure that this key country moves towards the Western orbit and adopts continued market and political reforms. From its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 to the present, Kazak leaders have made the difficult and controversial decisions necessary to bring their country into the 21st century. In May 1992, President Nursultan Nazarbayev announced that Kazakhstan would unilaterally disarm all of its nuclear weapons. In the aftermath of the Soviet Union's collapse, Kazakhstan was left with the fourth-largest nuclear arsenal in the world, a tempting target for terrorists and other extremists. Mr. Nazarbayev's courageous decision to disarm in the face of opposition from Islamic nationalists and potential regional instability was one of the fundamental building blocks that have allowed Kazakhstan to emerge as a strong, stable nation and a leader in Central Asia. Then President George Bush hailed the decision as ``a momentous stride toward peace and stability.'' Since that time, Central Asia has become an increasingly complex region. Russia is reemerging from its post-Soviet economic crises and is actively looking for both economic opportunities in Central Asia as well as to secure its political influence over the region. China is rapidly expanding its economic power and political influence in the region. Iran, despite recent progress made by moderate elements in the government, is still a state sponsor of terrorism and is actively working to develop weapons of mass destruction. Many of the other former Soviet republics have become havens for religious extremists, terrorists, drug cartels and transit points for smugglers of all kind. In the center of this conflict and instability Kazakhstan has begun to prosper by working to build a modern economy, developing its vast natural resources and providing a base of stability in a very uncertain part of the world. With the discovery of the massive Kashagan oil field in the Kazak portion of the Caspian Sea, Kazakhstan is polseci to become a major supplier of petroleum to the Western world and a competitor to Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). It is critical that we continue to facilitate western companies' investment in Kazakhstan and the establishment of secure, east-west pipeline routes for Kazak oil. This is the only way for Kazakhstan to loosen 'its dependence on Russia for transit rights for its oil and gas and secure additional, much needed, oil for the world market. American policy in the region must be based on the complex geopolitics of Central Asia and provide the support required to enable these countries to reach their economic potential. We must continue to give top priority to the development of Kazakhstan's oil and gas industries and to the establishment of east-west transportation corridors for Caspian oil and gas. We must also remain committed to real support for local political leadership, fostering rule of law and economic reforms and to helping mitigate and solve the lingering ethnic and nationalistic conflicts in the region. Only through meaningful and substantial cooperation with Kazakhstan, will we be able to realize these goals. There are many challenges ahead for Kazakhstan, but there are enormous opportunities for economic and political progress. Mr. Nazarbayev has taken advantage of Kazakhstan's stability to begin transforming its economy from the old Soviet form--giant, state-owned industries and collective grain farms--into a modem, market-based economy. We have much at stake in this development. Will Kazakhstan become a true market-oriented democracy, or will it slip into economic stagnation and ethnic violence like so many of its neighbors? The stability of Central Asia and the Caucasus depends on how Kazakhstan chooses to move forward. The United States must do its part to enhance U.S.-Kazakhstan cooperation and encourage prosperity and stability for the entire region.

Ms. CARSON of Indiana

Ms. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, if anyone defined poetry in motion, it was Mohammed Ali. During his 25-year career in the boxing ring from 1960 to 1981, Ali danced, bobbed and rope-a-doped into most of his opponents with early-round knockouts. It was a beautiful sight to behold. Mohammed Ali sits on anyone's short list of the greatest athletes and most dedicated humanitarians of the 20th century. In fact, Time Magazine listed him as one of the top 20. Mr. Speaker, I urgently request that my colleagues join me in the bill that I have to award Mohammed Ali a Congressional Gold Medal.

Ms. CARSON of Indiana. I yield to the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands.

Ms. CARSON of Indiana

Ms. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the rule and my remarks are on Indiana Daylight Savings Time. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak against the rule and to deplore the failure to consider an amendment that would make great energy sense for Indiana and for the cities and towns and states that breathe the air emitted by Indiana's smokestacks. Indiana is mixed up when it comes to time. I offered an amendment to bring the energy-saving benefits of Daylight Saving Time to all of Indiana, repealing the ``Indiana amendment'' to the Uniform Time Act to help my constituents and other Hoosiers be in better touch with the world, build our economy, save money and improve the nation's air. Energy savings and uniformity of timekeeping through Daylight Saving Time were the aims of the 1966 law. But, since a change in the early 1970s, much of Indiana has been out of synch with the rest of the world in terms of time and as been denied those benefits. The USDOT put 10 counties on Central Standard Time and the other 82 on Eastern Standard Time. The 10 counties in the Central Time Zone observe DST--and they wouldn't have it any other way--but the other 82 are not permitted to, though some set their own time. Confusion and waste are the results. Our businesses with relations elsewhere are out of touch and out of synch with the larger world, constrained in communication and growth. A 1975 DOT study, still cited today, concluded that reduced electricity demand in areas affected by Daylight Saving Time could save consumers $7.5 million, yield reductions in carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide emissions, and help to clear the air in Indiana and to the east and northeast. And this was a plan that is sensitive to state government: it gives the Indiana General Assembly the last word to: (1) vote to preserve the status quo; (2) vote to repeal the exemption from DST; or, (3) do nothing and exempt the entire state--including the counties in the Central Time Zone--from Daylight Saving Time. An energy bill that does not avail itself of conservation opportunities like Daylight Saving Time for Indiana, a plan with other benefits, as well, is flawed. Mr. Speaker, I am not done. Indiana's business, our industry, our employers and our workers deserve this leap forward, want to save energy, and need to be in better touch with the nation and the world.

Ms. CARSON of Indiana

Ms. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I rise in enthusiastic and fervent support of the amendment of the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur) to fund the Public Housing Drug Elimination Program. It strikes me, Mr. Chairman, or it reminds me, it is reminiscent of the mathematical maxim that the whole equals the sum of its parts. We want safe communities. We want productive and mature and healthy children. We want public housing to thrive and to ultimately move those residents out into the economic mainstream. We want to continue to work on ways where we can reduce the size of the jail population, recognizing that the majority of inmates in jails in my district, and certainly around the country, are there because of drug-related offenses, which bears a humongous cost to taxpayers. The Public Housing Drug Elimination Program has successfully enabled housing authorities to work cooperatively with residents, local officials, police departments, community groups, boys and girls clubs, drug counseling centers, and other community-based organizations to develop locally supported anticrime activities. There is good public housing in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis housing agency, under the leadership of Bud Myers, has demonstrated expertise in administering the system. They received $2.2 over the last 4 years to help them in their work of drug elimination. The housing department has set up youth programs that focus on building self-esteem and reliance, and primary preventative kinds of activities to stop housing residents from getting involved in drug activities in the first place. It is up to us as civic leaders and responsible citizens to instill a sense of value, dignity, and pride in today's youth. It is impossible, Mr. Chairman, for these people that work in the community to eliminate drugs, for people who work in public housing to do this without proper support. Using the Public Housing Drug Elimination Program, our housing agency has been able to reduce criminal activity by 60 percent since 1995. The grants from this program have enabled IHA to implement a visible community policing effort, and thus has enabled these properties to be among the safest in the city. Imagine public housing safe in the city.

Ms. CARSON of Indiana. I yield to the gentleman from Michigan.