Donna Christensen

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, I also rise in support of H.R. 645. I first want to commend the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and Oceans, and the ranking member, the gentleman from Guam (Mr. Underwood), for their leadership in international wildlife conservation and for introducing this legislation to authorize the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2001. Madam Speaker, rhinos and tigers remain some of the most charismatic and endangered species of wildlife anywhere on the planet. All subspecies are listed as endangered on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or CITES. They have also become emblematic of the great global conservation challenge of our time, and that challenge is how do we best rectify the demands of a growing human population with the needs of keystone wildlife species and the protection of their habitats. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently released a summary report concerning the Rhino Conservation Act, which succinctly captured this challenge in the report's introduction. Slightly paraphrasing the report, it reads as follows: ``Rhinos and tigers are included in the heritage of many cultures. They have made their way into storybooks, religions, medicines and ad campaigns. However, our attraction to these species and their habitats also threatens their existence. It has led to their killing for trophies and medicines and to the fragmentation and outright destruction of their habitat by people seeking timber and land resources. They are now among the world's most endangered species.'' Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support this legislation. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Guam (Mr. Underwood), the ranking member on the subcommittee.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 168 and commend its sponsors for their work in bringing it to the floor today. This resolution, which recognizes and honors the contributions of Native Americans, is long overdue. Mr. Speaker, the contributions of Native Americans have been crucial to the history of our nation and of the world and should be recognized. Acknowledging that many values of this nation were already widely held beliefs and practices among Native Americans and that they are not new ideas is an important statement and affirms the fact that Native Americans already had civilized and structured societies before the introduction of western culture. Traditional Native American legal systems have influenced today's Democratic ideals. Items such as checks and balances and a voting system are overtones of Native American traditional practices of government. It is only right that we honor and recognize Native American nations because they honor and recognize the United States. Many Native American Nations have long incorporated symbolic American items, such as the American flag, into their traditional ceremonies, but the respect and dedication that Native Americans have for this country goes way beyond the symbols they show consideration for. Their respect and dedication to this land is prevalent in Native American stories and cultural practices. Native Americans attitude toward the earth and this country's land in particular is highly respectful. Their respect for the earth can be seen today in Native Americans participation in environmental protection and conservation practices. Conservation and land protection practice is important to many Natives, especially because many still survive from the resources that this land provides. In addition, the land is also the location of their origin and the center of many creation stories. Hopefully this resolution will be a step in the right direction and the history taught in schools will be accurate and complete. In order to honor Native Americans accuracy is key in order to provide a dimension of history that will enrich the education that people of this nation receive. This resolution is a stepping-stone for other underrepresented voices to be heard and a chance for other unacknowledged history to become known. I urge my colleagues to support adoption of this important resolution.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pride and honor to rise today in support of H. Res. 97, a resolution to recognize the invaluable contributions and the monumental achievements of Ms. Shirley Anita Chisholm. I would like to commend my colleague, Representative Barbara Lee, for taking the leadership in this effort. As the first African American woman to be elected to Congress in 1968, Ms. Chisholm blazed the trail that opened many doors for women of color, particularly in the political arena. It is because of Ms. Chisholm that I, along with the other fourteen African-American Congresswomen, have sought elected office and dedicate our lives to public service. Ms. Chisholm gave women the courage, fortitude and inspiration to say, ``Women can do it too.'' She fought throughout her life for fundamental rights for women, children, seniors, African Americans, Hispanics, and other minority groups. First and foremost, Ms. Chisholm was an educator. She worked to improve our society as a nursery school teacher, director of a childcare facility, consultant for the New York Department of Social Services, and educator. Ms. Chisholm then used this experience and knowledge as a platform for her advocacy to improve education and increase the availability of childcare. In addition, Ms. Chisholm also served on many progressive causes. She was indeed a visionary. Ms. Chisholm is, perhaps, most remembered for becoming the first African American, the first woman, and the first African American woman to be a candidate for the nomination of the Democratic Party for the office of the President of the United States. She has truly created a legacy. Mr. Speaker, achievements and contributions such as those made by Congresswoman Shirley Anita Chisholm should never be forgotten or go unrecognized. I thank Ms. Chisholm for being a role model to me and the many little girls and women across the nation who aspire to make a difference in our society. I would also like to thank Ms. Chisholm for choosing the district that I represent, the U.S. Virgin Islands, as one of her homes. We hope that the beauty and warmth of our territory will bring you the peace, serenity and comfort of home away from home.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 37 would amend the National Trails System Act to update previously-completed studies of the Oregon, California, Pony Express and Mormon National Historic Trails. There have been public and private efforts to commemorate and interpret the history and resources of these historic trails. These preservation efforts have spawned additional research on the trails that has indicated there may be additional routes and cutoffs associated with each of these trails which merit designation as a segment of the existing national historic trail. The purpose of H.R. 37 is to examine those additional routes and cutoffs that were not considered in the initial studies of these trails to determine whether they do, in fact, merit historic trail designation. A hearing on H.R. 37 was held in April, at which time we received favorable testimony on this matter from the administration, as well as public witnesses. At the full Committee on Resources markup of H.R. 37 in May, a technical and conforming amendment to the bill was adopted by voice vote. Mr. Speaker, we support the amended bill and favor the passage of H.R. 37 by the House today. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, William Howard Taft served as the President of the United States from 1909 until 1913 and Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court from 1921 until his death in 1930. Taft is the only person to have served in both capacities. The Taft National Historic Site located in Cincinnati, Ohio, includes the house where Taft was born, restored to its original appearance, as well as exhibits on the former President's life and work. H.R. 1000 authorizes the National Park Service to exchange a parcel of Federal land at the site for a parcel owned by a nearby charter school. If completed, the exchange will allow visitors to park closer to the Taft home and facilitate a planned expansion of the charter school. In addition, the bill would alter the existing boundary on the Taft site to include another parcel of private property adjacent to the original Taft estate. The National Park Service has requested that the property be included within the boundary so that the land could be acquired if the owner ever decides to sell. President Taft, we would all agree, is a significant figure in American history, and we join our colleagues and the administration in support of this legislation to improve the Taft historic site. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the bill as well. As my colleague has explained, H.R. 1661, introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller), allows the States of California, Oregon, and Washington to continue to cooperatively adopt and enforce State laws to manage the Dungeness crab fishery in Federal waters along the West Coast of the United States. The States were first granted this interim authority in 1996 while future options for managing its fishery were explored. The compelling reason at that time was a need to accommodate the rights of Northwest Indian tribes to harvest a share of the crab resource off of the coast of Washington while the options for future management by the Pacific Fisheries Management Council were explored. The State management program worked well, and the Pacific Fishery Management Council has requested that the Congress allow the State management authority to be extended in lieu of a Federal plan. We have done that once already through legislation, and this bill would continue that authority indefinitely. It does not override the Council's authority in any way, as State authority would expire should the Council ever decide to develop a Federal plan. In the meantime, however, it ensures strong conservation and management of the Dungeness crab fishery, that it will continue, and is supported by all three States, the tribes, the processors and the fishermen. I urge Members to support the passage of H.R. 1661 today. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Sherman), who represents a portion of this area and is a cosponsor of this legislation.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area includes more than 150,000 acres between Los Angeles and the Pacific Coast. It is the largest urban unit of the National Park System, including five area codes and 26 zip codes. H.R. 640 would adjust the boundary of the recreation area to include an additional 3,697 acres. The purpose of the addition is to facilitate wildlife migration between the Santa Monica Mountains and several mountain regions in the north. Some have expressed concern that the addition of this acreage would place a number of parcels of private property within the boundary of NRA. It should be noted that such concerns are completely unwarranted since inclusion of private property within a federally-designated boundary does not alter the owner's private property rights in any way. In this particular instance, the relevant property owners are aware of the proposed boundary change and no opposition to the measure has developed. This is not surprising, given that the area last operated smoothly for years with thousands of private property owners living within the boundaries. We join our colleagues and the administration in supporting this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, as a social worker, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Rodriguez) has had a lot of experience with it as well. That is why we are glad to be able to collaborate with him on these and other health care issues.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for providing this hour for us to discuss this important issue and remember and look back over the 20 years since the first cases of then an unknown disease was being discovered. The gentleman and I were fortunate today to be able to spend some time at a symposium in Washington that was sponsored by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Ford Foundation to look back over those years to see how far we have come and how far we have yet to go. I want to take this opportunity to thank the Kaiser Foundation and the Ford Foundation for their work, the support that they provide to research, the support that they provide to community organizations and this country and around the world, to address this disease. We also heard the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi) earlier talk about the people who preceded her and we mentioned today how fortunate we were as we came to Congress in 1997 to have the work of the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), the work of the gentleman from Washington (Mr. McDermott), Lou Stokes, and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters), and many, many others to build upon. We have really seen a lot of wonderful advances in the last 20 years, but we still have a lot more that has to be done. We have seen the identification of what was then an unknown disease to advanced therapies that have transformed what was a death sentence to now what is almost a chronic disease. We have an improved quality of life for those who have been diagnosed with HIV. They can live comfortable and quality lives rather than just having to wait to die. Mr. Speaker, I am going to turn this Special Order back to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Rodriguez), and I will join him again later at the conclusion of his comments.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding to me. It is great to see how many people are coming out to address this issue. It is the tip of the iceberg for the real concern and commitment that many of our colleagues, particularly those in both the Hispanic and Black Caucus, have to addressing this disease in our communities and really around the world. I wanted to make mention of some of the things that have been said. The gentlewoman from California (Ms. Sanchez) talked about her family member. In these 20 years that have passed since the first cases were reported, there is hardly a family that has not been touched by this disease. In those 20 years, over 750,000 persons have been diagnosed and reported with AIDS, and about half a million have died. These are all people who are brothers, sisters, wives, mothers. We cannot forget, as we look at the large numbers, that these are human beings that all have people who care about them and love them, and are affected when they are infected. The gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs. Clayton) talked about our rural areas. That is an area that needs some special attention, because a lot of the programs that we do have and have brought about in these 20 years address the larger urban areas, but our rural areas are left out. That is a challenge for us as we go into the next decade. The gentlewoman mentioned the needle exchange. We talked about the fact that we went to the Kaiser Family Foundation and Ford Foundation symposium today, and one of the things that they report in their survey is that more than 58 percent of the people that they surveyed, a good statistical component that represents the American public, 58 percent supported needle exchange programs. Because we understand that it does prevent the spread of AIDS; therefore it prevents sickness and death. Many studies have proven, I think, conclusively that it does not increase the tendency to drug abuse, and indeed it brings people into treatment further. So I turn it back over to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Rodriguez).

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 1--the Leave No Child Behind Act of 2001, in large measure because the members of the Education and Workforce Committee were able to come together on a bipartisan basis to forge an agreement on a major education reform bill which would hold public schools accountable for improving the education of our children while offering substantial increases in Federal funds to help accomplish that goal. I applaud my colleagues the ranking Democrat on the Education and Workforce Committee, Mr. George Miller of California, for his work with Chairman Boehner and officials of the White House to reach a consensus on a bipartisan school improvement bill. As passed by the committee H.R. 1 authorizes $24 billion in funding on ESEA programs, representing a 29-percent increase over the current fiscal year and well above the funding levels provided for in President Bush's own budget. While these badly needed increase makes this is a good bill there still remain a number of political obstacles--such as the misguided budget reconciliation bill which this body passed last week--which must be overcome before we can have a sound bill. It is important to point out, that in their budget, the Republican leadership cut funding for education below even the President's request in order to pay for tax breaks for the wealthy. I would like to urge my colleagues on both sides of the isle not to forget to need for funding for school construction and modernization. Across the country, thousands of school buildings no longer function as effective places of learning, or even as decent places of shelter. Too many of our children are being left behind in schools with moldy walls, peeling paint, inadequate heat, poor ventilation, broken plumbing, leaky roofs, substandard electrical service, and rodent and insert infestations. School repairs are a massive and expensive problem that school districts cannot face along. They need Federal help. For this reason, Mr. Chairman, I would oppose any amendment to restore the President's choice proposal and I am disappointed at the adopted rule to block any amendment on school construction and modernization. My dear colleague Congressman Major Owens introduced one of those amendments. Congressman's Owen's amendment proposed $20 billion for school construction, renovation and repair, provide schools located in underserved communities with funding to repair leaking roofs and faulty plumbing; ensure that schools built before WWII do not continue to contribute to childhood illnesses; and modernize more than 150,000 schools nationwide. I would like to acknowledge and express my gratitude to Congressman Underwood for offering an amendment to title IV of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to include general assistance for certain outlying areas. The General Assistance Grant was established by section 4501 of the Elementary Act 1965, as amended, and provided for general assistance to improve education in, my district, the U.S. Virgin Islands. No appropriations have been provided fro this program since FY 1994, thus slowing almost to a halt, the incipient progress we were beginning to make in our education system. Mr. Chairman, while we fully recognize that it takes more than just money to make an educational system work well, this grant would give the Virgin Islands Department of Education, a tremendous and needed boost, in its ongoing efforts to improve the education it provides to our children. I am disappointed that the Rules Committee did not make Mr. Underwood's amendment in order.amendment This notwithstanding, the bill before us today is a big improvement over what the committee began considering. It provides substantial new resources, including $4 billion more for elementary and secondary education for next year compared to this year, in exchange for higher standards and tough accountability rules, which all of us want and support. I applaud the committee's Democrats as well as the Republicans who voted in committee to eliminate private school vouchers from this bill. Mr. Chairman, our public schools are plagued with enough problems already. We don't need to add to those problems by taking funding away from our schools in the form of vouchers. The bill we are considering today, Mr. Chairman, represents a compromise, which is what being a member of this body is all about. No side, neither Republican nor Democrat gets what they want all the time. That is what the Framers of our country intended when they created the principle of separation of powers. My constituents and the children of the Virgin Islands will benefit from the increased funding represented in this bipartisan bill. I urge my colleagues to support its passage.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, due to changes in the House schedule and my bill being on the Suspension Calendar today, I was regrettably unable to attend graduation at the University of the Virgin Islands this past weekend in my district. But I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the 324 graduates from both the St. Thomas and St. Croix campuses. Many in this first class of the millennium, overcame great hardships of health, finance, and family life to reach this milestone. Their perseverance and achievement speak well to the future of our islands, for they are our promise for tomorrow. Their spirit, knowledge, determination, commitment to excellence and compassion are the foundation on which we will reenergize our commitment to building our beloved community. So I am here this afternoon to extend my applause to them and their families. We wish them the very best life has to offer and God's richest blessings as they use their hard-earned degrees to serve humanity. Madam Speaker, I also want to add our appreciation and commendation to our outstanding institution, the University of the Virgin Islands, as it continues to fulfill a vital role in the development of our territory, our region, and our Nation.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise today in support of legislation I sponsored to name the Federal building on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands after my predecessor and the person who originated the office, Ron de Lugo. It is fitting that Ron be given this honor for his over 30 years of service to the people of the Virgin Islands, 20 years of which was spent as a Member of this body. Madam Speaker, Ron de Lugo's life has been almost entirely devoted to public service on behalf of the community in which his family put down roots more than a hundred years ago. The de Lugo family migrated from Puerto Rico to the Virgin Islands on April 26, 1879. Ron's grandfather, Antonio Lugo y Suarez was a merchant on St. Thomas, operating various wholesale and retail businesses. His father, Angelo de Lugo, who was born on St. Thomas in 1892, carried on the family business. Ron de Lugo was born on August 2, 1930. Ron attended school, as you have heard, in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico; and after a tour of duty in the U.S. Army, he returned to St. Thomas where in 1950 he helped to start the first radio station, WSTA. It was at WSTA that he created the popular wise-comic character ``Mango Jones,'' still fondly remembered 40 years later. In 1952, Ron led the revival of Carnival, a community institution and a lasting legacy of his early years as a radio personality. In 1955, Ron moved to St. Croix and the following year embarked on what was to become his life's work when, at 26, he was elected at-large to the Virgin Islands legislature, the youngest member to serve in that body. His local legislative career spanned 10 years, with one break to serve as St. Croix administrator. He served on the Democratic National Committee in 1959 and was selected as delegate to five Democratic National Conventions. In 1968, Ron was elected at-large as the Virgin Islands' first Washington representative and was reelected to the post in 1970. In 1972, he was elected and seated as the first Delegate from the Virgin Islands in Congress. The establishment of this office was a great step forward in the political development of the Virgin Islands and was achieved in large measure because of Ron's efforts here in Washington. He was reelected to Congress in 1974 and 1976 and left to run for governor in 1978. Ron regained his seat in Congress in 1980 and was reelected every 2 years thereafter until his retirement in 1994. With the organization of the 100th Congress in 1987, his hard-earned seniority qualified him for chairmanship; and he was elected to head the Subcommittee on Insular and International Affairs because of its importance to the people of the territory. It was as chairman of this distinguished subcommittee where Ron may have, in the words of one of his colleagues, ``left an indelible mark on the history of the United States territories and the freely associated States.'' Among Ron's accomplishments in this regard were: the implementation of the Compact of Free Association which allowed the former Trust Territory of Palau to become the Republic of Palau on October 1, 1984; the legislation implementing the covenant between the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; the Compact establishing the Federates States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands; the first bill to pass either House of Congress concerning the political status of Puerto Rico; Public Law 102-247 which made it possible for the Virgin Islands and the other territories to receive the same benefits as States from FEMA whenever there was a disaster, as well as many others. Throughout his political career, whether it was a right to write our own constitution or the authority to exercise the people-power rights of initiative, referendum and recall, Ron has been at the forefront of successful efforts to win greater control of their own destiny for the people of the Virgin Islands. For these and many other accomplishments too numerous to mention, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Delegate Ron de Lugo by naming the Federal building on St. Thomas, the Ron de Lugo Federal Building. Our appreciation and good wishes go out to him and his lovely wife, the former Sheila Paiewonsky of St. Thomas.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 116, to acknowledge the dedication and sacrifices of the men and women of the United States who were killed or disabled while serving as law enforcement officers. It is fitting that we acknowledge and commend the courage and dedication shown by our law enforcement officers who have given their lives for their fellow citizens. Mr. Speaker, sadly in the past year, 150 law enforcement officers gave their lives in the performance of their duty. In my own district, although we have been fortunate not to have lost officers in the line of duty in the past year I pause to remember and recognize Randy Stevens, Steven Hodge, Richard Callwood, Dexter Mardenborough, Wilbur Francis, Allen William, and Patrick Sweeney who were all killed as they sought to keep the streets and communities of the Virgin Islands safe. Mr. Speaker it was President Kennedy, who approved House Joint Resolution 730 in October 1962, which proclaimed May 15 of each year as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the Week of May 15th Police Week. Our Police Officers are the defenders of our communities because they bravely protect us from mortal dangers, in some cases at the cost of their own lives. For that we owe them all our deepest gratitude and respect. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H. Res. 116.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Udall). (Mr. UDALL of Colorado asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Chairman, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Chairman, we have no objection to the amendment as well.