Donna Christensen

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I also rise in support of S. 1752, the Coastal Barrier Resources Reauthorization Act. The amendments agreed to in conference with the other body improve upon similar legislation passed by the House last year. Of note, this legislation will finally codify the guidelines for determining undeveloped coastal barriers. This action is long overdue and should help clarify future determinations made by the Fish and Wildlife Service. I am also pleased with the provisions in this legislation that would authorize the voluntary donation of private undeveloped coastal barriers as additions to the Coastal Barrier Resources System. I also believe the digital mapping pilot program authorized by this bill is a very important innovation and first step towards modernizing all coastal barrier maps and improving their accuracy. The Fish and Wildlife Service should be encouraged to expedite the completion of this pilot program. This legislation is noncontroversial. The Coastal Barrier Resources Act has been effective at protecting both coastal resources and the taxpayer, and I urge all Members to support this bill.

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

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

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the purpose of this bill is to provide for the conveyance of the Palmetto Bend Project to the State of Texas. This legislation includes a list of six specific management measures the State of Texas must undertake as a condition of the conveyance. Specific conditions relating to fish, wildlife, and recreation management and existing obligations are detailed in the bill. These provisions in S. 1474 provide an important statutory foundation to assure protection of the public aspects of this project. We have no objections to the enactment of S. 1474.

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

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, 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 S. 698, a bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to do a study related to high altitude rescues of climbers on Mt. McKinley within the Denali National Park in Alaska. This Senate bill has not had a hearing nor a markup in the Committee on Resources. But since it only requires a report on the subject matter, I am not aware of any major controversy or opposition to the bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

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

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 1438. Our Nation's law enforcement officers are truly deserving of a memorial. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial is a powerful and poignant reminder of the importance of the service provided by the men and women who serve in law enforcement and the risks that such a career can entail. This legislation would authorize a private entity to construct and operate a museum adjacent to the existing memorial. The site for this museum is currently controlled by the District of Columbia and is bounded on all sides by other Federal buildings. As a result, construction of this facility will be complicated, and we have all been concerned that the language in this legislation fails to deal with these complications adequately. However, we do support this museum in concept, and it appears this legislation is the best product we can achieve at this time. Mr. Speaker, we look forward to working with our colleagues to make this museum a reality and urge adoption of S. 1438.

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

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this concurrent resolution would recognize the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri, as a national World War I symbol honoring those who defended liberty and our country through service in World War I. Begun in 1919 and completed in 1927, the Liberty Memorial is a magnificent monument and serves as the only public museum in America dedicated to the First World War. The Memorial has hosted many distinguished visitors. The dedication ceremony for the site marks the only time in history all 5 allied military commanders from World War I were ever in the same place. President Calvin Coolidge laid the cornerstone for the site in 1924; and the Memorial was rededicated by Presidents Truman and Eisenhower in 1961. World War I was obviously one of the turning points in American and world history. Formal recognition of this memorial as a symbol of the sacrifice and dedication of the more than 4 million Americans who served in that great war is appropriate. We urge our colleagues to approve this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

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

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

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. LaFalce).

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5375 would designate the 524 mile Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor in New York. We oppose this bill for substantive and procedural reasons. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5375 was introduced less than 3 weeks ago. It has had no hearings or markups in either the House or the Senate. Yesterday, the Department of the Interior sent up a letter expressing their serious concerns with H.R. 5375 as currently written, and I will include the letter in the Record. Three serious problems were pointed out, Mr. Speaker: first, the bill calls for a commission with members appointed by the governor that would have full Federal commission status in terms of funding, roles, and responsibilities. This is not how we designate management entities for heritage areas. Further, it is a violation of the appointments clause of the Constitution which requires Federal officials to be appointed by a Federal officer. Second, the bill has the National Park Service involved in designing, establishing, and operating visitor centers, museums, and interpretive exhibits. This is not an appropriate role for the agency. We have not provided such authority for any other heritage area. The National Park Service has neither the funds nor the manpower when the needs of the national parks are so great. Third, the bill contains open-ended funding authority for the Secretary, which opens the door for a future significant infusion of Federal funds. The bill's sponsor was warned of these problems, even before the bill was introduced, but chose to go forward without correcting these serious matters. Mr. Speaker, for this reason, we oppose this bill and urge a ``no'' vote. United States Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary, Washington, DC, October 23, 2000. Hon. James V. Hansen, Chairman, Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands, Committee on Resources, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: This letter is in reference to H.R. 5375, the ``Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Act'', introduced by Representative James Walsh on October 3, 2000. It has come to our attention that the Committee on Resources will bring this bill to the House floor today. The Department of the Interior has some serious concerns with the bill as introduced and revised. There have not been any congressional hearings on this bill at which the Department would have had the opportunity to testify and offer amendments. If the bill were amended to address our concerns, the Department would be able to support this legislation. Under a 1995 Congressional directive, the National Park Service undertook a special resource study on the 524-mile long Erie Canalway in New York State. The study found that the Erie Canalway was nationally significant and deserved Federal recognition. In the December 1999 transmittal letter to this Committee accompanying the special resource study, the National Park Service recommended that the management entity be a commission appointed by the Secretary of the Interior based upon state and local recommendations. If requested by the commission, the National Park Service could offer planning and technical assistance. The Department has serious concerns with H.R. 5375, as written, in three different areas. First, the bill calls for a commission with members appointed by the Governor that would still retain full Federal commission status in terms of funding, roles, and responsibilities. For example, in Section 4, the commission would have access to administrative services from the General Services Administration and the United States mails in the same manner as a Federal commission. This apparently would be in violation of the Appointments Clause of the Constitution, which requires Federal officials to be appointed by a Federal officer. The Department also is concerned with the precedent this hybrid model would set for future commissions. Second, the National Park Service does not have funds in its budget to construct visitor centers, museums or interpretive exhibits in heritage areas. Section 5(c)(2) could be interpreted to direct the National Park Service to construct and staff these centers, which is not an appropriate role for the agency in a non-park service unit. Section 7 states that prior to a Canalway Plan being approved, the Secretary may provide financial assistance to undertake educational and interpretive programs. The Department believes that National Park Service role should be limited to providing planning and technical assistance in the development of the Canalway Plan. The Plan would determine any additional role for the National Park Service in the heritage corridor and would be subject to the approval of the Secretary. Third, the open-ended funding authority in Section 10(b) that does not contain a ceiling on total funds authorized for this heritage area could be used to fund unlimited early action items from Section 7(c) including educational and interpretive centers and the provision of park rangers to provide services. Such decisions are premature pending completion of the Canalway Plan. Funding authorized by this section should be limited to technical and planning assistance only. Attached is a list of proposed amendments to H.R. 5375. If these amendments were adopted, the Department could support passage of the bill. The Office of Management and Budget advises that, from the standpoint of the Administration's program, there is no objection to the presentation of this report to the Congress. Sincerely, Stephen C. Saunders, Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks. Enclosure. Suggested Amendments to H.R. 5375, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Act H.R. 5375 calls for a hybrid commission with members appointed by the Governor, but with full federal commission authorities, funding and roles. The 1998 Special Resource Study and accompanying letter on the Erie Canalway recommended that the management entity be a federal commission with the members appointed by the Secretary of the Interior based upon state and local recommendations. This is the National Park Service preferred alternative. If H.R. 5375 is rewritten to include a commission with members appointed by the Secretary (i.e. a federal commission) then we offer the following amendments to the bill. Note: We are referencing the revised bill from October 13, 2000. On p. 5, line 15, strike ``entitled ``Boundaries of Canalway Communities'' numbered ERCA and dated .'' and insert ``entitled ``ERIE CANALWAY NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA'' numbered ERIE/80,000 and dated OCTOBER 2000.'' On p. 5, line 22, strike ``Nothing in this Act shall be construed to alter the ownership, operations, or management of the New York State Canal System,'' and insert ``The New York Canal System shall continue to be owned, operated, and managed by the State of New York.'' On p. 6, line 17, strike ``7 members, each of whom represents 1'' and insert ``7 members, appointed by the Secretary after consideration of recommendations submitted by the Governor and other appropriate officials, with knowledge and experience''. On p. 7, line 17, strike ``Governor no later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act'' and insert ``Secretary''. On p. 13, line 24, strike ``the National Park Service,''. On p. 17, line 16, strike ``and the Governor''. On p. 18, line 16, strike ``or the Governor''. On p. 18, line 17, strike ``or the Governor''. On p. 18, line 21, strike ``and the Governor''. On p. 18, line 25, strike ``and the Governor''. On p. 19, line 3, strike ``and the Governor approve'' and insert ``approves''. On p. 19, line 8, strike ``Plan with a focus on the comprehensive interpretive plan as required under section 6(a)(4).'' and insert ``Plan.''. On p. 19, line 19, strike ``technical, planning, and financial'' and insert ``technical and planning''. On p. 19, line 21, strike ``resources and to undertake an educational and interpretive program of the story and history of the Erie Canalway.'' and insert ``resources.''. On p. 20, line 14, strike subsection (f). On p. 22, line 19, strike ``year, to remain available until expended.'' and insert ``year.''. On p. 23, line 5, strike subsection 10(a)(2) and renumber the rest of the subsection accordingly. On p. 23, line 13, strike ``for the Secretary'' until the end of the subsection and insert ``for planning and technical assistance.''. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleague, the gentleman from Utah (Chairman Hansen), in supporting H.R. 5478. This bill would authorize the National Park Service to move the Hamilton Grange National Memorial from its current location to a nearby city park. The legislation authorizes the Park Service to accept up to one acre of the park as a donation from the City of New York. Commissioned in the late 1700s and completed in 1802, the Hamilton Grange served as Alexander Hamilton's home until his death. The Grange, named after Hamilton's ancestral home in Scotland, is the only home he ever owned. Unfortunately, the Park Service was forced to close the Grange due to its deteriorating condition. The site was recently reopened on a limited basis after desperately needed repairs. However, in order for the home to be fully appreciated as it appeared in Hamilton's day, it must be moved from its present location to the nearby park. Such a move is included in the General Management Plan for the site and the City of New York, the National Park Service, local community boards, churches, civic associations, preservationists and other relevant governmental agencies have all expressed their support for this plan. We, in the Virgin Islands, are proud that we are able to honor Alexander Hamilton in this way, who grew up in my island of St. Croix. Mr. Speaker, I commend the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel) for this bill, and I urge our colleagues to approve H.R. 5478. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

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

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, S. 2749 is a Senate-passed measure, introduced by Senator Harry Reid, that authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management, to plan, construct, and operate a visitor center along the California National Historic Trail near the city of Elko, Nevada. The administration supports S. 2749. In addition, there is significant local interest and support for the interpretive center as well. It is our understanding that non-Federal funds totaling $6 million have already been committed to the project. Mr. Speaker, the majority has also added two extraneous bills to S. 2749. The first is language from H.R. 150 regarding making land available for public schools. The second is the House-passed version of H.R. 2932 dealing with the Golden Spike/Crossroads of the West. Mr. Speaker, we support this bill, and we urge its passage. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on the Congress education agenda, or lack of one. Two months ago, the Nation's schools opened their doors to the largest number of students in history. Yet, the Nation began the 2000- 2001 academic year facing a national education crisis. Our teachers and students are struggling to teach and learn in underfunded, inadequate, substandard, and crowded conditions. The average American school building is now more than 40 years old, and the estimated price tag to bring our schools into good condition is $127 billion. Many of our Nation's communities, like my own, are working to build and modernize schools, but they lack or have very limited funding. Our President has proposed a school construction tax credit to help communities build and modernize 6,000 schools, and grants and loans for emergency repairs to nearly 5,000 schools a year for 5 years. This school construction relief has bipartisan support in the House of Representatives, and needs to be voted on. Mr. Speaker, there is also substantial support in the House of Representatives for H.R. 4094, the Rangel-Johnson bill, which would amend the Tax Code to provide incentives for school construction and modernization. It has more than 225 cosponsors. I ask my colleagues to include the provisions of that bill in the final agreement, as well. But school modernization and reconstruction is only a beginning. Mr. Speaker, in the district of the Virgin Islands, which I represent, just under 3,000 members of the American Federation of Teachers are in the fifth day of a strike for retroactive wages and better working conditions. When our teachers strike, our students suffer. We need the Federal government to help us in many areas so we can better address our teachers' very valid concerns and their long overdue salary increases. We in the Congressional Black Caucus have an important education agenda. We are calling for a public school emergency recovery program, which comprehensively addresses the needs of our poorest and most needy schools. It will cost $10 billion of the surplus. The schools in my and other districts need this help. It is more important than a tax break for the richest 1 percent in our country, and it is a much better and more effective way to address the needs of education than our vouchers, which at best is a risky deflection of funding from public schools, where most of our Nation's children are educated. Mr. Speaker, my daughter Rabiah is a second grade teacher at Barnard School here in the District, a school that would benefit from the CBC's proposed initiative. This week, she and other teachers are being sent home. She had 22 students in her class. Barnard School and many others need more teachers, not less, to meet the needs of their children. The time has come for us to send a message across the Nation that our children are a priority and that we value and will invest in the education that they receive. We need to pass a budget that reflects investment in school modernization, that addresses the needs of our teachers by creating smaller classes, by increasing opportunities for training, by giving them more support staffing and programs, and by providing incentives to keep good teachers in our classrooms. I urge our leadership to follow the will of the majority of the Members of this House by bringing to the floor and passing an education budget that fully responds to the real education needs of all segments of our Nation. I echo the President's call for continued work to strengthen accountability and raise test scores; to turn around failing schools or shut them down or put them under new management; to expand after school programs and college opportunities for young people; and to ensure a qualified teacher in every class. Mr. Speaker, as we come to the end of this session of Congress, we will be saying good-bye to several of our colleagues. One of them is a steadfast champion of education as well as labor, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay). As he leaves the House after his years of distinguished service, he leaves us in this country an outstanding legacy which includes enacting legislation to strengthen Head Start, elementary and secondary education programs, and college financial aid programs, as well as many other mainstays of American education. I can think of no more fitting tribute to his service than passing landmark funding for this Nation's public schools and creating the Congressional Black Caucus' public school emergency recovery program. Mr. Speaker, the outcome of our end-of-the-term negotiations this year must begin with an education budget that ensures a 21st century education for each and every one of our Nation's children, truly leaving not one of them behind.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate and pay tribute to my constituent, fellow Virgin Islander, the father of one of my Washington staff members and my friend, Valmy Thomas, on the occasion of his induction into the Puerto Rico Baseball Hall of Fame. Mr. Speaker, although Valmy Thomas was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico in 1925, he is a ``Crucian'' through and through. Valmy took to playing baseball as a youth even though the main sport of his father's generation was cricket. He remembers cutting his own bats in the brush and having to substitute a tennis ball for a baseball, because he wanted desperately to play ball. Valmy spent over seven years with the Navy, stationed in Puerto Rico, where he played baseball with a number of local teams. In 1950-51, he was Rookie of the Year with Santurce. In 1951 Valmy became another of the black players who went to Canada's Provincial League under a working agreement with the Pittsburgh Pirates who owned his U.S. rights. He played one year for St. Jean, a Montreal suburb but even though he was doing well, he left the club for economic reasons, even though it held up his progress to the majors. He pretty much ``voluntarily retired'' to protect his eligibility but played summers in the Dominican Republic from 1952 through 1954. Valmy's shot at the majors came courtesy of the friendly working relationship between New York Giants owner Horace Stonehman and Pedin Zorrilla. To make this happen, though, he had to go back and play the 1955 season in St. Jean. The Giants organization was able to draft him from the Pirates. Valmy's first stop in the majors was in Minneapolis, where the frigid early-season weather disagreed with his Caribbean blood. When the Minneapolis GM told him he was jeopardizing his chances of going to the big leagues, he replied that he would be increasing his chance of catching pneumonia if he stayed. He wrangled an assignment to the desert climes of Albuquerque and on the strength of his .366 average there, the Giants wanted to call him up the fall of 1956. Because he didn't want to go up and sit on a cold bench, he waited until the next spring to go up to the majors. Valmy's first season with the New York Giants was his best. He also saw good action for the San Francisco team and the '59 Phillies who had obtained him in a trade. He spent most of 1960 and 1961 in the minors, though he did some time with the Orioles and Indians. He became the first black to play in Las Vegas, which was partly segregated. He is the only major-leaguer to play five years, each in a different city. He was also an innovator, wearing a light flexible chest protector inside his uniform even when he was at bat. Valmy won two more championships with the Cangrejeros in Puerto Rico in 1958-59 and again in 1961-62, brining his total to five before he wrapped up his Puerto Rican career in 1962-63. After his retirement from baseball, Valmy returned home to St. Croix where he served as a sports consultant with the Bureau of Recreation for six years, setting up many baseball events. These included a series between pro-am Virgin Islands teams and Puerto Rican Winter Leaguers, exhibition games between the Red Sox and Yankees in Frederiksted, St. Croix and baseball clinic with the likes of Hank Aaron and Lou Brock. Valmy also became Deputy Commissioner of the Virgin Islands Department of Conservation and Cultural Affairs on St. Croix where he oversaw all recreation programs on the island. For the past 41 years he has owned the United Sporting Goods Store in Christiansted, St. Croix. Congratulations, Valmy on your much deserved recognition. You have been a teacher and inspiration to many Virgin Islands youth. Your friends and family in your beloved Virgin Islands salutes you.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2311, Ryan White Care Act. I am very thankful that were are acting on this very important bill, before we run out of time, to ensure that individuals living with HIV and AIDS will receive the health care and related supported services that they need. While, S. 2311 is not perfect, it does provide the necessary authorizations for appropriations and programmatic changes to ensure that the CARE Act is responsive to the evolving demographic trends in the HIV/AIDS epidemic and advances in treatment care. I am also pleased that one of my major concerns with the House bill to reauthorize the CARE Act, HR 4807, involving incentives for HIV testing of pregnant women and infants, is not in the bill before us today. I oppose mandatory testing of any sub-population, and I strongly believe, that this body must give full consideration to the IOM study as it relates to this issue. I am encouraged that S. 2311 also changes city and state funding formulas to encompass all who are infected with HIV and not just provide resources for individuals who have progressed to AIDS. This change responds to the changing nature of the epidemic and the newer treatment protocols, which begin medication earlier. It allows for treatment programs to begin and expand critical prevention efforts. This bill also more effectively represents the burden of the disease and the need for care. In addition, this measure makes a concerted effort to support the fact, that the funding ``needs'' to follow the trends of the disease (which are disproportionately and increasingly affecting people of color). It also encourages reporting of HIV infections by states (many do not now report). Such adherence to reporting, will improve our ability to be more progressive and get in front of this epidemic by increasing prevention and outreach efforts. Another major area that is of critical concern to the Congressional Black Caucus and the communities we represent (which are primarily people of color), is the community planning councils, their composition, effectiveness and operations. This process has not worked well for many disenfranchised communities under existing authorization. Community input is essential to effective service provision at the local level. Therefore, we are encouraged by the requirement in the bill that planning, priority setting and funding allocation processes must take into account the demographics of the local HIV/AIDs epidemic, existing disparities in access to HIV--related care. In this regard, I also encourage that African Americans and other people of color be appropriately represented in the clinical trials and investigator pools based on the trends of the disease. I would be remiss if, I did not say that based on the past epidemiology, and several studies and forecasts, FY 2001 funding for the all important ADAP program falls around $100 million dollars short of what will be needed to provide treatment to those infected. This dramatic shortfall represents the many low income, uninsured and under-insured Americans who will not receive appropriate care, and further puts this country far from where we need to be in fighting this epidemic and saving the lives of those infected and most at-risk. We in the Caucus and our partners in the Congress and the communities we serve, remain vigilant in the nation's fight against the HIV/AIDS crisis. The Ryan White Care Act is the lifeline to countless Americans infected with HIV and AIDS. It is our best ammunition in the war against this devastating disease that is plaguing our nation. Clearly, we in the U.S. Congress must not wait until this disease begins to mirror the pandemic in Africa. An enhanced, strengthened, responsive and adequately funded Ryan White Care Act is absolutely essential to intensified care, treatment, prevention and outreach. I urge my colleagues to support this much needed and important bill.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, the women in my district and women all across this country need to have the Violence Against Women Act of 2000 reauthorized. The act was first passed in 1994 and has been a lifeline to women who are victims of violence. The current act would go even further by improving existing provisions and adding new ones, such as dating violence, the provision of transitional housing, the creation of supervised visitation and exchange programs for children, and expanding services to reach the elderly and previously underserved populations. The new reauthorization was passed by this body on September 26, but it remains a top priority, because the other body has yet to pass it. Mr. Speaker, the Women's Coalition of St. Croix, the Women's Resource Center in St. Thomas, and the Safety Zone in St. John are depending on us, the women and the families they care for, especially their children who also become victims and have a high risk of themselves becoming perpetrators, are depending on us. I join the other distinguished women of the House and all of my 415 colleagues who voted for its passage in calling on the Senate to do the same and give us a Violence Against Women Act before we adjourn.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Dr. Andre Anthony Galiber, Sr., who passed away this week. Dr. Galiber was a great leader of the medical profession, particularly in the field of Radiology, an ideal family man, an outstanding citizen and a great humanitarian in my district, the community of St. Croix and the entire U.S. Virgin Islands. Dr. Galiber earned his Medical Doctorate in 1957 and completed a diagnostic and therapeutic radiology residency in 1963. His distinctive medical career began with an internship at the Howard University's Freedmen's Hospital, here in Washington, D.C. He also served as a Captain in the U.S. Medical Corps and was the Chief Radiologist at Fort Benjamin Harrison Army Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. Dr. Galiber opened his private Radiology office in 1967 and became the first full-time, board certified Radiologist, in the Virgin Islands. He was and remained the only regional Fellow of the American College of Radiology. Dr. Galiber became the Director of the Radiology Department at the Charles Harwood Hospital during the 1960's and 1970's, and became the Director of the Radiology Department when the hospital relocated to the new Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center, serving in that capacity until his ``so-called'' retirement in 1984. Dr. Galiber volunteered as a consultant at the new St. Croix Hospital and provided most of the technical training and professional services during the initial ten year growth period of clinical ultrasound. He performed and interpreted the first echocardiograms on St. Croix and was the first Radiologist licensed in Computer Tomography. He was a FDA accredited mammoradiologist and had been performing mammographys since he opened his practice in 1964. His untiring dedication to St. Croix was also directed at strengthening and advocating on behalf of the medical community. He was an active member of the Virgin Islands Medical Society for almost forty years, serving as President, Executive Secretary, Treasurer, Delegate to the American Medical Association, as well as Delegate to the National Medical Association. Dr. Galiber also served as President of the Croix Hospital Medical staff, was an elected officer Virgin Islands Medical Institute and presented, coordinated and monitored seminars for his peers. He was also the principal supporter of advanced diagnostic imaging capabilities at the Governor Juan Luis Hospital. Recently, he drafted legislation that was proposed by the Virgin Islands Medical Institute, to encourage Virgin Islands physicians training in the United States, to become licensed in the Territory. Most notably, he was a mentor and ardent supporter of students pursuing health science careers, of which I was one. Hurricane Hugo introduced several generations of Virgin Islanders to the devastation a hurricane could inflict. While most of the populace remained stunned in the aftermath, Dr. Galiber salvaged his radiological equipment, established electrical power and a safe habitat for essential medical operations and within nine days after the hurricane had passed, he was essentially ready to provide services to his patients. Dr. Galiber was a charter member of the St. Croix Power Squadron. He became a trustee for most of the schools on the island of St. Croix including St. Mary's Catholic School, Country Day School, Good Hope School and St. Dunstan's Episcopal School. Dr. Galiber was also the chairperson of the St. Croix Continuing Medical Education Committee which certified all eligible programs to do post-graduate training for physicians, and a member of the Eta lota lota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. As an entrepreneur, Dr. Galiber in 1974 became the Project Development Coordinator/Secretary Treasurer, of the first Medical Office Condominium in the Virgin Islands. He was one of seven owners of Medical offices in Island Medical Center Associates, and supervised the management of the entire complex along with managing and practicing his own radiology office at the same time. Dr. Galiber was an avid reader of non-fiction and a history buff of World War II, greatly admiring the deeds of Winston Churchill. For recreation he enjoyed golf, tennis, traveling, dancing, and classical music. He and his wife were Members of Friends of Denmark, an organization that strives to maintain the links established by more than two centuries of Danish rule. He and his wife also joined the Landmark Society, which preserves and promotes the various influences in our unique architecture that has developed over the centuries, and our local cultural traditions. He was also a member of the Virgin Islands Lung Association and the St. George's Botanical Garden. Dr. and Mrs. Galiber were also collectors of original art by local artists even collaborating in commissioning many of the items he eventually bought. He insisted on authenticity and accuracy, in the depiction of what to us now seems the simpler times of just a few decades ago. One such piece, that was the result of his direction, was selected by the Census Bureau, in its desire to have minority oriented art, as the poster for the Virgin Islands. The painting was a work-in- progress then entitled ``Good Day Ladies'', when first viewed by the Galibers. The new name ``Mr. Collins'', and other items of the painting were changed, to accurately correspond to names and events of the time. Dr. Galiber was the recipient of many honors, including the Distinguished Physician in 1986 by the Virgin Islands Medical Society and the American Cancer Society's Honoree in 1999. On June 9th of this year, the Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center conducted a dedication ceremony of the Andre A. Galiber, Sr., FACR, Radiology and Cardiovascular Laboratory Suite. The unit was dedicated in honor of his significant contributions to diagnostic imaging. He was also recognized at that ceremony for implementing the terminal digit filing system that is still used today. Some of his peers recognized that he single-handedly established the Radiology Departments at both the Charles Harwood and Juan Luis Hospitals and that due to him, the hospitals will soon have MRI capabilities. His legendary diagnostic skills were praised and appreciation was shown for the tireless work he performed in other areas of hospitals. His children consider themselves to be proud ``Virgin Islanders'' and claim that their father taught them to contribute their service to the West Indian community and to work together as a family. He encouraged them to develop their individual talents and actively fostered their personal development. He and his namesake, Andre Junior, won golf tournaments. Two others Dante and Cecile, played tennis at the Pan American Games. Lisa, a world renown fashion model, is multilingual and has a development consulting firm in San Diego. his daughter Cecile, a Banker and licensed realtor, heads the Financial Trust Company in St. Thomas. His wife of forty-four years, Edith Lewis Galiber, is a retired Director of Pubic Health Nursing in St. Croix. All four of his sons are involved in the field of medicine, one as a cardiologist, two are radiologist and the other is their business manager, and also a trained and registered Technologist in ultrasound. Dr. Andre Galiber's death on September 24, 2000, ended an illustrious life and work, but the contributions to his community, its culture and the field of Radiology live on. Mr. Speaker, I salute Dr. Andre A. Galiber for his dedicated service to his country, his profession and the Territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands. I thank his wife Edith, his seven children and fifteen grandchildren, for sharing him with us.