John Conyers

Mr. CONYERS

Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I thank the Members that have participated in this activity. We will have 5 days to continue to introduce our comments into the Congressional Record, and I also remind those that would like to join in the cosponsorship of Congressman Lewis' resolution, they still have an opportunity to do so. Madam Speaker, I will introduce into the Record five articles dealing with Dr. King. One is from the Washington Post entitled, ``From Dr. King, a reminder on Iraq.'' Another from the same source, ``The quest to keep King's legacy alive.'' Another, ``Walking just like King did.'' Another, ``Democrats hail civil rights leader King.'' Finally, the last one, ``Martin Luther King papers go on display.'' Madam Speaker, what I would conclude with is the pleasure that I have in seeing this holiday increasingly observed from year-to-year. Martin Luther King's birthday is not a shopping day. It is not a day off. It is not a day that you worry about getting some things done around the house. There are untold thousands of celebrations, some large, some small, some in churches, some signified by marches. There are so many different ways that he is being observed. I was so pleased yesterday to be at the church that Dr. Martin Luther King had the privilege of addressing on numerous occasions. Then earlier I was with some very young people who were just learning about Dr. King, and they were taking a day on instead of a day off. They are working with schools and other youngsters in parks and recreation, in the City Year agency led by Penny Bailey. So, Madam Speaker, I am pleased that the Congress under the leadership of the gentleman from Georgia would have this resolution brought to the floor today. [From the Washington Post, Jan. 13, 2007] The Quest To Keep King's Legacy Alive (By Hamil R. Harris) On Monday, the country honors the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., who would have been 78 years old. The civil rights leader, who was assassinated in 1968 at the age of 39, launched many of his efforts from the pulpit. To mark his birthday, religious leaders were asked: Is King's legacy of social activism still alive in the faith community today? The Rev. Jesse Jackson, founder of the Rainbow/Push Coalition: ``The activist black churches are still the conscience of our nation. . . . I was with Dr. King on his last birthday. We must remember that a lot of churches didn't support King then. He was expelled from the National Baptist Convention. Our mission today is to green line a red-lined America. It is good to talk about raising the minimum wage in Congress, but for those who don't have jobs, the issue doesn't touch them. We need to continue to work on an urban agenda.'' Rabbi Marla J. Feldman, director of the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism: ``Dr. King's legacy is very much still alive and his legacy continues to inspire the faith community across the country. I know that . . . reformed congregations around the country will do something special for the King holiday to honor his legacy. . . . There will be congregations all over the country involved in social activist enterprises, including in the Washington, D.C., area. All of the rabbis that I know will be preaching about Dr. King and the issues that we are wrestling with today, such as economic justice and the war in Iraq.'' The Rev. Artie L. Polk, assistant pastor of Mount Gilead Baptist Church in the District and founder of the Martin Luther King memorial breakfast celebration in Prince George's County: ``It is a real challenge to keep the King legacy alive, especially in light of this new prosperity gospel where preachers are talking about name it and claim it. Too many people are focused today on themselves instead of keeping alive King's legacy of service and commitment to the least of these.'' Mohammed Shameem, a broadcast engineer from Bowie who volunteers at the Prince George's Muslim Association in Lanham: ``More so than ever before, people of the faith community should adhere to Dr. King's principles in terms of equality and unity in the community because our civil rights are being eroded today, and the civil rights of Muslims are being trampled upon. Social activism calls for pointing out injustice. Hardworking and innocent Muslims are being profiled just because of their faith. A group of imams were stopped in the airport because they were being profiled.'' Bishop Adam Jefferson Richardson, prelate of the 2nd Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church: ``The movement is still regarded as effective for that time, but that style has changed. The frightful part is that in the old days, there was a theological mandate to do social activism, now among Generation Next, there is an emphasis on acquisition and materialism, much to the exclusion as to what is good for the whole community. There is nothing wrong with a prosperity message, but you have to guide people to understand the whole gospel, which also includes helping others; it can't be selfcentered, it has to be others- oriented.'' Rabbi Douglas Heifetz of the Oseh Shalom Congregation in Laurel: ``Yes! King's legacy is alive today. It needs to be spread far and near. For example, the Jewish community has been extremely active in working with a coalition of other groups to call for an end to the genocide in Darfur because this is massive human rights abuse on a wide scale. We are called to follow King's legacy because the Hebrew Bible calls for ongoing social transformation to affect the lives of people, paying special attention to the lives of those who are most in need.'' Auxiliary Bishop Martin D. Holley of the Archdiocese of Washington: ``King's dream is very much alive today. It is very prophetic, especially his letter from the Birmingham jail. Here was a man who believed so much in the dignity of the human person that he was willing to go to jail for it He led by example. He went beyond making statements. He paid a heavy price. He gave his life for all people.'' Cain Hope Felder, professor at the Howard University School of Divinity and founder of the Biblical Institute for Social Change: ``I am sick and tired of hearing Dr. King's 'I Have a Dream' speech when the daily reality is that for an increasing number of Americans, and the African American poor in particular, living is a nightmare. Dr. King's legacy is barely alive today. There needs to be a vigorous effort for religious leaders to be far more proactive than they have been in the past two decades of co-optation.''

Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. CONYERS

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4, which would allow the government to negotiate prescription drug prices on behalf of our senior and disabled citizens. Aside from the bipartisan group of Members, an overwhelming majority of Americans favor allowing the government to negotiate prescription drug prices for the Medicare program. Eight-five percent of the 1,867 adults polled in a survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation this past week, revealed they were in favor of such negotiations, including majorities of Republicans, Democrats, and independents. I along with many of my Democratic colleagues promised to repeal this provision in the 2003 Medicare drug benefit law that prevents the government from engaging in drug price negotiations. Our time has come to do so. The administration refused to take action on behalf our citizens desperately in need of affordable health care, offering them little hope for quality health care. Requiring the government to negotiate drug prices on behalf of our citizens requires some more details which can easily be sorted out through the experts at HHS. Under the current Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Program, which enrolled 22.5 million people this year, dozens of private insurers offer Medicare drug plans in every state, competing on monthly premiums, choice of drugs and access to pharmacies. This has placed tremendous financial pressure on insurers, through their pharmacy benefit managers, to negotiate the best prices they can with drug companies and pharmacies, a fact confirmed by experts within the system. There is no reason why the government cannot sort out difficulties, to mimic the few programs that are providing affordable drugs through pre-negotiated drug prices, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs. This department by law receives a mandatory discount on drugs, and also negotiates effectively to secure better prices for the 4.4 million veterans who use its drug benefit. With as many as 43 million beneficiaries, Medicare will have the ability to do the same. Therefore I strongly support H.R. 4.

Mr. CONYERS

Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, tonight I rise to pay tribute to a champion of humanity. Dr. Rachel Hannah Celestine Boone Keith lived an exemplary life, one filled with kindness and caring towards others. She was an exceptional woman who genuinely cared about those around her and was always quick to lend a helping hand. I have known Dr. Keith for over 40 years. She was the wife of my dear friend, Judge Damon Keith. Judge Keith and I have been great friends for a very long time. I initially met Judge Keith when he was the law partner of my brother, Nathan Conyers. It is with a heavy heart that I make this tribute to Dr. Keith who gave so generously in life; she was a wonderful person and physician, she acted on behalf of those who could not help themselves, and she advocated vociferously for the health care rights of the community at large, she will truly be missed. Rachel Hannah Celestine Boone was born on May 24, 1924, in Monrovia, Liberia. Her father and mother were Baptist medical missionaries who founded a church, ran a school, and provided medical services. She returned to the United States at the age of three, relocating with her family to Richmond, Virginia. She graduated from high school at the age of 13 and was the class valedictorian. Tragically, her mother died that same year. This loss is what prompted her to decide to become a doctor. After her mother's death, she relocated to Boston to live with her aunt, Dr. Bessie B. Tharps. Following in her aunt's footsteps, she attended the Boston University School of Medicine, where she attained the highest score ever recorded on a medical school exam. In 1951, she relocated to Detroit to become only the second African- American female doctor to serve as a resident physician at the Detroit Receiving Hospital. It was soon after beginning her residency that she met Judge Keith, who was a young lawyer at the time. They were soon married and remained married for 53 years. My friend Damon has said of his wife, ``She was the sweetest woman in the world. Her life was a by- product of how she was raised. She was very religious. She was not pushy or demanding. She saw her life as one of service.'' Judge Keith and Dr. Keith had three wonderful daughters, Cecile, Debbie, and Gilda. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who taught her children that they were raised to live a simple life. Professionally, Dr. Keith gave tirelessly to her patients. She was a trained internist who was in private practice over 40 years. During that long tenure, she never turned any patient away based on their inability to pay. Though she was a strong supporter of her husband and gentle in demeanor, Dr. Keith was exceptionally effective as a leader in developing community unity, and in developing and establishing new ways to deliver health care. She was an early health care activist and far ahead of her time in understanding the importance of health care being universal to all. In addition to being a strong medical presence in the community, she was heavily involved in civic and social matters. She served on the board of over 20 medical organizations and 18 non-profit groups. She was also honored with numerous awards and honorary degrees. Madam Speaker, the world is a better place because Dr. Keith was here; she will be deeply missed, but her spirit and love that she shared with others will live on indefinitely. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to enter the homegoing celebration program of Dr. Rachel Hannah Celestine Boone Keith into the Congressional Record. Dr. Rachel Hannah Celestine Boone Keith Rachel Keith was born Rachel Hannah Celestine Boone on May 30, 1924, in Monrovia, Liberia. Her parents, Reverends Clinton C. Boone and Rachel Tharps Boone, were Baptist medical missionaries. Her grandfather, Reverend Lemuel Washington Boone, was a founding trustee of Shaw University. Rachel came to the United States at age three and began her schooling at Paul Laurence Dunbar Elementary School in Richmond, Virginia. She graduated from Armstrong High School in 1938 at the age of 13 as valedictorian of her class. That same year, she lost her mother and moved with her aunt, Dr. Bessie B. Tharps, to Rhode Island. In 1943, as the only African-American student at Houghton College in upstate New York, Rachel graduated magna cum laude and second in her class. Thereafter, she completed postgraduate studies in biology at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Rachel attained her medical degree from Boston University's School of Medicine in 1949. Also in 1949, Dr. Rachel Boone was featured in a Look Magazine story about Boston University's home medical service and in The Boston Globe for scoring the highest ever on a national board test. After completing her internship at Harlem Hospital, she served at Brooklyn's Coney Island Hospital before moving to Detroit in 1951. In 1953, she married attorney Damon J. Keith. Dr. Keith completed a 2-year residency in Internal Medicine at Detroit Receiving Hospital in 1953. In 1954, she joined the staff at Detroit Memorial Hospital and entered private practice. During her half century of medical practice, Dr. Keith was also affiliated with Burton Mercy, Detroit Riverview, Detroit Receiving, Harper, Hutzel, and Sinai hospitals. A member of Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church for 53 years, Rachel Keith was a deeply religious woman who lived her faith. She served her family, her patients and her community with dedication and tenacity. As a physician, she gave every patient her full attention and complete care. She was a loving and nurturing mother to her daughters, Cecile, Debbie and Gilda and an exemplary role model who taught them to give back and help others. Her devotion and love for her husband of 53 years, Judge Damon J. Keith, was steadfast. As a member of the Detroit community, she as an active participant in numerous civic and social organizations, always with the intent of making life better for others. She was a true pioneer in the medical community, a civil rights activist, a compassionate mentor and a strong advocate for her patients, the poor and uninsured. In addition to her immediate family, Rachel Boone Keith is survived by her brother, Rev. Clinton C. Boone, II, her granddaughters, Nia and Camara Brown, in whom she took great pride, her son-in-law, Daryle Brown, her niece and nephew, Rane Boone Franklin and Rev. Clinton C. Boone III, and a host of loving relatives and friends. Opening Hymn, ``Blessed Assurance'', Tabernacle Combined Choirs. Scriptures: Matthew 25: 34-36, II Timothy 4:6-8, Reverend Nicholas Hood, Sr., Pastor Emeritus, Plymouth United Church of Christ. Prayer, Reverend Dr. Oscar R. Carter, Inkster Springhill Baptist Church. Musical Selection, ``The Lord Is My Light'', Walter McLean. Remarks, The Honorable Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor, State of Michigan, The Honorable Kwame M. Kilpatrick, Mayor, City of Detroit, Dr. James Brown, Longtime Medical Partner. Family Tribute, Cecile Keith Brown, Daughter. Silent Reading Of The Obituary, Musical Selection, ``I Really Love The Lord''. Musical Selection, ``His Eye Is On The Sparrow'', Virginia Winters. Eulogy, Reverend Dr. Charles G. Adams, Senior Pastor, Hartford Memorial Baptist Church. Hymn, ``Great Is Thy Faithfulness'', Congregation. Closing Prayer, Reverend Nathan Johnson, Senior Pastor, Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church. Recessional, ``God Be With You Till We Meet Again'', Tabernacle Combined Choirs. Dr. Keith's medical affiliations included: American Medical Association; Beaumont Hospital; Blue Care Network; Blue Preferred; Comprehensive Cancer Center of Metropolitan Detroit; Detroit Department of Health; Detroit Gastroenterological Society; Detroit Medical Center; Detroit Medical Society; DMC Care; Eastwood Clinic Chemical Dependency Unit; Michigan Board of Medicine; Michigan State Medical Society; National Medical Association; Omnicare; Professional Plaza Health Care Center P.C.; University of Michigan Hospitals, Public Advisory Board; Wayne County Medical Society; Wayne State University College of Nursing; and Wayne State University School of Medicine. Dr. Keith's civic and cultural affiliations included: African American Association of Liberia; African Development Fund; American Leprosy Mission; Coleman A. Young Foundation; Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan; Detroit Community Music School; Detroit Institute of Arts; Detroit Science Center; Detroit Symphony Orchestra; Governor's Commission on the Future of Higher Education; Links, Inc.--Great Lakes Chapter; Mayor's Committee for the Cultural Center; Mayor's Emergency Relief Committee; Metropolitan Area Service Organization; NAACP--Lifetime Member; National Council of Negro Women, Inc.; Top Ladies of Distinction; and World Energy Conference. She received numerous awards including: Boston University, Rebecca Lee Award; Boston University, Honorary Degree, Doctor of Humane Letters; Central Michigan University, Honorary Degree, Doctor of Public Service; Mary McLeod Bethune Award; Sinai Hospital Recognition Award; and Zeta Phi Beta Woman of the Year. Honorary Pallbearers: Robert and Maggie Allesee, Herman Anderson, Dr. William Anderson, Hon. Dennis W. Archer, Hon. Trudy Archer, Leon Atchison, Edward Bailey, Anita Baker, Don and Bella Barden, Dr. and Mrs. Hiram Bell. Mr. and Mrs. Werten Bellamy, Sr., Dr. Lerone Bennett, Dave Bing, Black Judges Association of Michigan, Alberta Blackburn, Catherine Carter Blackwell, Raymond H. Boone, Charles Boyce, Joe Brown, Dr. Waldo Cain. Dr. Benjamin A. Carson, Marvel Cheeks, Hon. Carolyn Cheeks- Kilpatrick, Dr. Aram V. Chobanian, Dr. June Christmas, Hon. Erie L. Clay, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Pres. William Jefferson Clinton, Hon. R. Guy Cole, Jr., Prof. James Coleman, William Coleman, Jr. Pres. Mary Sue Coleman, Dr. Julius V. Combs, Congressman John Conyers, Nathan Conyers, Leon Cooper, Dr. Wendell Cox, Peter D. Cummings and Julie Fisher Cummings, David DiChiera, Congressman John and Debbie Dingell. Walter E. Douglas, Eugene and Elaine Driker, Prof. Michael Eric Dyson, Esther Gordy Edwards, Bishop Charles H. Ellis, III, Douglas Ellman, Myrlie Evers Williams, Hon. Edward Ewell, Jr., Hon. John Feikens, Oscar Feldman, Dr. Otis Ferguson. Howard Fitts, Sylvia Flanagan, Rev. Kenneth Flowers, Edsel and Cynthia Ford, Mr. and Mrs. William Clay Ford, Jr., W. Frank Fountain, Aretha Franklin, Dr. John Hope Franklin, Roderick G. Gillum, Dr. Holly S. Gilmer-Hill. Tom and Carol Goss, Thomas A. Gottschalk, Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm and Daniel Mulhern, The Greater Detroit Links, Forrest Green, Dr. Rosalind Griffin, Prof. Lani Guinier, Elliott Hall, Ronald E. Hall, Sr. Mr. and Mrs. Steven H. Hamp, Carmen Harlan, Al and Kathy Harrison, Hon. Erma Henderson, Prof. Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham, Oliver W. Hill, Jimmy Hoffa, Jr., Dr. Melvin L. Hollowell, Sr., Melvin ``Butch'' Hollowell, Jr., Dr. Benjamin Hooks. Willie Horton, Charles Hamilton Houston, III, Corrine Houston, Joseph and Jean Hudson, Dr. Ann Marie Ice, Mike and Marian Ilitch, Dr. Lonnie Joe, Dr. Arthur L. and Chacona Johnson, E. Christopher Johnson, Hon. Sterling Johnson. Hon. Nathaniel R. Jones, Vernon E. and Ann Jordan, Eleanor Josaitis, Dr. Darnell and Shirley Kaigler, Peter and Danialle Karmanos, Emory King, Joe W. Laymon, Otis K. Lee, Senator Carl Levin, David Baker Lewis. Diana Lewis, Dr. Ronald Little, Samuel Logan, Hon. Conrad L. Mallett, Jr., Richard and Jane Manoogian, Mrs. Thurgood Marshall, Hon. and Mrs. William McClain, Mrs. Wade McCree, Jr., Aubrey McCutcheon, Jr., Rodney O'Neal. Genna Rae McNeil, Jesse Jai McNeil, James Nicholson, Steve Palackdharry, Nancy Parson, Dr. Robert E.L. Perkins, Dr. William F. Pickard, Vivian Rogers Pickard, Sharon Madison Polk, Gen. Colin and Alma Powell, Waltraud E. Prechter. Dr. Irvin D. Reid, Roy S. and Maureen Roberts, Dr. Alma Rose, Dean Kurt L. Schmoke, Alan E. and Marianne Schwartz, The Shaya Family, Roger Short, Tavis Smiley, Senator Debbie Stabenow, Elaine Eason Steele. Marc Stepp, Emanuel Steward, Chuck Stokes, Herbert Strather, Pres. H. Patrick Swygert, Frank Taylor, Dr. Natalia Tanner, A. Alfred Taubman, Dr. Lorna Thomas, Reginald M. Turner, Jr. Abe Venable, Richard Wade, Irene Walt, Hon. JoAnn Watson, Rev. Lance Watson, Dr. Charles Whitten, Gov. Douglas Wilder, Hon. Ann Claire Williams, Lt. Kenneth Williams, Mrs. Stanley Winkelman, Robert Hughes Wright, Dean Frank Wu, David N. Zack. Pallbearers: Luther Alton Keith, Gregory Sims, Reverend Clinton C. Boone, III, Terrence Keith, Martinzey Sims, Alex Parrish. Flower Bearers: Great Lakes Chapter of the Links, Inc. and friends. Final Arrangements Entrusted to: Swanson Funeral Home, Inc., 14751 W. McNichols Road, Detroit, Michigan, (313) 272- 9000. Interment: Roseland Park Cemetery, Berkley, Michigan. Fellowship and Repast: Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church (Following the Interment). Acknowledgment: The family of Dr. Rachel Boone Keith, deeply appreciates your expressions of sympathy and acts of kindness. Your love and support have been a great comfort. Contributions can be made to: The Dr. Rachel Boone Keith Prize Fund at the School of Medicine. Checks should be made payable to: ``Trustees of Boston University'' Note: Rachel Boone Keith Fund Address: BU School of Medicine, 75 Albany Street, L219, Boston, MA 02118. The Rachel Boone Keith Prize Fund is a permanently endowed fund established as a tribute by her family to provide annual awards to one or more forth year African-American female students who demonstrate excellence in performance at the Boston University School of Medicine.

Mr. CONYERS

Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, last night, the president announced that he will escalate the war in Iraq. Still in his cloud of denial, Mr. Bush seems to believe that he can achieve some ill-defined ``victory'' by perpetuating America's involvement in a bloody civil war halfway around the world. It is unclear what such a victory would look like, let alone how it might be achieved. Mr. Bush's ``troop surge'' is not a strategy; it is a desperate, last-ditch effort to allow the president to avoid admitting that his war of choice has been a failure. Generals and foreign policy experts alike agree that adding 21,500 more troops to the quagmire in Iraq will have little effect on either our chances for ``victory'' or the safety and stability of the Iraqi nation. Indeed, President Bush chose this course of action against the unanimous opposition of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and most of the commanders on the ground in Iraq. Everyone except the president seems to realize that the essential problem in Iraq requires a political solution, not a military one. The American people understand it, as they demonstrated overwhelmingly last November. Yet the president wants to put even more American troops in harm's way for no strategic advantage. He persists in his foolhardy escalation, apparently more concerned with preserving his legacy as ``the president who didn't lose Iraq'' than with the well-being of either our brave troops or the Iraqi people. An escalation in Iraq will do nothing to improve America's security; on the contrary, it will undermine it. Our military is already stretched to the breaking point, and Mr. Bush's ``surge'' will cause additional damage that will take billions of dollars and many years to fix. Exactly none of the military's active duty or reserve brigades is considered ``combat ready.'' Only thirty percent of equipment considered ``essential'' to homeland security is on-hand here at home. Should disaster strike here at home or elsewhere in the world, we will be left virtually defenseless while our troops and equipment are bogged down in an unwinnable war that threatens to drag on for years, if not decades. While Mr. Bush claims to have been ``listening'' to the advice of military and foreign policy experts over the last months, he seems to have emerged as stubbornly committed to his failed policy as ever. It is up to the Congress to put an end to this madness. I particularly want to call on my friends on the other side of the aisle to listen to the voices of their constituents, the everyday Americans who understand what we have at stake in this war in a way that the president has proven himself incapable of doing. We cannot throw away more American lives. We cannot mortgage our children's futures to further enrich war profiteers. We cannot continue to contribute to the devastation of Iraq. The president seems unable to comprehend that American military might is not the answer to all the world's problems. But the American people do understand. They know that there is only one way forward in Iraq. We must begin the phased withdrawal of American troops in the next four to six months. We must change our mission from combat to training and logistical assistance for Iraq forces. We must provide the economic assistance the Iraqis need to repair their devastated society and give whatever help they require in moving their political process forward. This is the only way to achieve any sort of victory in Iraq.

Mr. CONYERS

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank and congratulate the gentlewoman from California, Ms. Waters, and her partner from California for the great work that they have done here. Ladies and gentlemen, I call your attention in this discussion tonight to what happened on Page 1 of the New York Times. And I read this to you for your consideration: ``Inviting a Battle on Capitol Hill. In making the effort to step up the American military presence in Iraq, President Bush invites an epic clash with the Democrats who run Capitol Hill, whose leader promised to force a vote on his plan. While Congress cannot force a change in the White House plan, Mr. Bush's initiative shows that he is ignoring the results of the November elections, rejecting the central thrust of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group, and flouting some of the advice of his own generals. ``The move is in essence a calculated gamble that no matter how much hue and cry his new strategy may provoke, in the end the American people will give Mr. Bush more time to turn around the war in Iraq.'' Well, ladies and gentlemen, my suggestion is that, after last night's performance, he is not going to be given more time by the American people and that, from a popularity rating at an all time low of 26, my prediction is that he will have fallen even lower as a result of last night's performance. So I think that this is quickly turning into the President's war. There are those on all sides around him, including within the Republican Party, Members that will not go along any further. We have run out of steam. We have run out of illogic. We have looked through the exaggerations. So I conclude my remarks by just letting you hear about the editorial in the New York Times: ``We have argued that the United States has a moral obligation to stay in Iraq as long as there is a chance to mitigate the damage that a quick withdrawal might cause.'' This is the editorial. ``We have called for an effort to secure Baghdad, but as part of the sort of comprehensive political solution utterly lacking in Mr. Bush's speech. This war has reached the point that merely prolonging it could make a bad ending even worse. Without a real plan to bring it to a close, there is no point in talking about jobs programs and military offenses. There is nothing ahead but even greater disaster in Iraq.'' This is the media talking now. It is time that the Executive branch recognize that the majority of the American people, most of the Congress, the media itself are all telling him that President Bush's private war is not going to go anywhere, and to deliberately refuse to accept the decision and determination of the American people on November 7 means that he is now stepping beyond the democratic process. Madam leader, Ms. Waters, I thank you so much for yielding.

Mr. CONYERS

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3, the DeGette-Castle stem cell research bill. Our Nation's top scientists agree that embryonic stem cell research has the potential to unlock the doors to treatments and cures to numerous diseases, including diabetes, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, ALS, multiple sclerosis and cancer. Tens of millions of Americans and their families stand to benefit from this life-saving research. Current policy allows Federal funds to be used for research only on those stem cell lines that existed when President Bush issued an executive order on August 9, 2001. However, few of the stem cell lines authorized by President Bush are now useful for research. According to the National Institutes of Health, of the 78 stem cell lines that were declared eligible for Federal funding in the President's executive order of August 2001, only about 22 lines are now still available for researchers; and, many of these 22 ``available'' stem cell lines are contaminated with ``mouse feeder'' cells, making their therapeutic use for humans uncertain. H.R. 3 authorizes government support of research involving embryonic stem cells that meet certain criteria, regardless of the date on which the stem cells were derived from an embryo. The bill creates an ethical framework for this research. It prohibits funding for research unless the cell lines were derived from excess embryos that were created for reproductive purposes and would otherwise be discarded. It also requires voluntary informed consent from the couples donating the excess embryos and prohibits any financial inducements. H.R. 3 represents real hope to the tens of millions Americans suffering from devastating illnesses, and I encourage my colleagues to support it.

Mr. CONYERS

Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my colleague and fellow Michigander, President Gerald R. Ford. I had the privilege of serving alongside then Congressman Ford in the United States House of Representatives for nearly a decade, and was able to observe firsthand the character and integrity of this ``congressman's congressman.'' Congressman Ford's exemplary service was confirmed by the support of the people of Grand Rapids, Michigan, whose love for him endures to this day. As minority leader of this body, President Ford demonstrated the collegiality and uprightness he would draw upon to lead our Nation through a dark time in our history. I disagreed with some of President Ford's decisions. Along with most of the American public at that time, I disapproved of the way he pardoned his predecessor before trial proceedings had been initiated. I also disagreed with many of his policy positions. However, time has shown that the man some have called the ``accidental president'' was the right person to take the highest office in the land at a critical time for our Nation. Gerald Ford's honor and integrity were the qualities we needed to restore trust and openness to a damaged Presidency. His humble and steady leadership brought our democracy back from the brink of a constitutional crisis. The citizens of the state of Michigan and of our great Nation will not soon forget the important contributions of this man of integrity and honor.

Mr. CONYERS

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 2, the Fair Minimum Wage Act. After the longest period since the enactment of this law without an increase--over 9 years--America's poorest working families must get the raise they need and deserve. During this period in which Congress has failed to act to raise the wage of America's poorest workers, CEO and top executive pay has soared: the average annual compensation for a CEO at a Standard & Poor's 500 company rose from $3.7 to $9.1 million. Meanwhile, 28 States have seen the light and raised their State minimum wage to a level higher than the current Federal minimum wage of $5.15. A full-time minimum wage worker in 2006 earns only $10,712 before taxes--nearly $6,000 below the Federal poverty line for a family of three. This situation is unacceptable and immoral, as the wealth of our Nation, the richest in the world, continues to be built on the backs of the working poor. Working families in America are struggling to meet the rising costs of health care, gas, and housing, and $5.15 an hour is simply not enough. It's time for Congress to stop turning a blind eye to the plight of those workers making minimum wage and to address their needs. That is why I supported increasing the minimum wage in the 109th Congress, and that is why I am an original co-sponsor of the Fair Minimum Wage Act in this the 110th Congress. H.R. 2 will increase the Federal minimum wage to $7.25 per hour in three steps over 2 years. Sixty days after enactment of this legislation, the wage would rise from the current $5.15 per hour to $5.85 per hour. One year later, it would rise to $6.55. And a year after that, it would finally rise to $7.25 per hour. The minimum wage needs to be raised not just for the goods and services it enables a person to buy but for the self-esteem and self- worth if affords. Wages must be adequate for workers to provide for themselves and their families with dignity.

Mr. CONYERS

Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, today I come before this body to reintroduce the Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African- Americans Act. I have advanced the Commission bill for over 15 years to direct attention to a historical wrong that warrants substantial consideration and discussion. Since introduction in 1989, I have never intended to spark controversy or promote division. Rather, I have worked to further a national dialogue on the plight of African Americans in the context of slavery, Jim Crow, and other legally sanctioned discrimination. As a result, our dialogue has become more substantive and afforded us invaluable knowledge over the years. This Congress I intend to continue such discourse. I will also work to ensure that more people understand the benefit and the promise of a Commission. Unfortunately, there are too many that do not understand its purpose. This means that we must dispel the myths and correct the mistruths surrounding the Commission bill. Each Congress, the conversations and efforts surrounding the Commission bill become more mature and sophisticated. Today we have a better understanding of slavery and its implications than we did 16 years ago. Since 1989, over forty states and cities have passed legislation in support of the Commission bill. In 2002, lawsuits were filed against U.S. corporations for their role in perpetuating slavery. The following year, in 2003, Brown University created the Committee on Slavery and Justice to assess the University's role in slavery and determine a response. And in 2004, a federal appeals court ruled that statute of limitations prevented redress in the case of the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot, but opened the door for legislative recourse. Most recently, on December 13, 2006, a federal appeals court ruled that U.S. corporations can be found guilty of consumer fraud for failing to disclose their roles in slavery. Just a few weeks earlier, on November 27th, Prime Minister Tony Blair condemned the African slave trade and Britain's participation. As Brown University prepares to act on Committee recommendations in February, and on the eve of the 200th anniversary of Britain's prohibition of slavery in March, productive discussions on both the national and global levels seem promised. However, as this dialogue continues to grow, one entity is noticeably absent--the federal government. The Commission would ensure proper participation in this conversation, in addition to taking us giant steps towards closure on this matter. The truth is that the institution of slavery will continue to tarnish the American national story until we confront this part of our history. While a Commission will not erase the past, it can bring us closer to racial reconciliation and advancement. A Commission would not only examine the institution of slavery, but the legacy of slavery that weighs heavily on this country. Just last Congress, a bipartisan collective reauthorized the Voting Rights Act because racial inequities and injustices are a reality. This reality is the result of the social, economic, and political disenfranchisement African Americans have endured throughout our experience in this country. For a majority of this nation's history, this disenfranchisement was mandated by law. Disparities in education, housing, healthcare and other critical aspects of society have resulted. After examining the issues, the Commission would recommend appropriate remedies to Congress. There is this common misperception that ``remedies'' means monetary compensation. Let me be clear, the Commission bill does not mandate financial payments of any kind. Recommendations would be at the sole discretion of the Commission. It is unfair to dismiss the idea of a Commission based on a fear that monetary reparations will be warranted. We need to understand that a reparations discussion goes beyond money. We must also recognize that understanding slavery and its modern day implications is in the best interest of our society. This nation should serve as an example for corporations, universities, and other countries. In the 110th Congress, I look forward to open and constructive discourse about the Commission bill.

Mr. CONYERS

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to mourn the passing and commemorate the life of Dearborn, Michigan's Mayor Michael Guido. Mayor Guido, 52, passed away Tuesday night at his home surrounded by his family. The son of Italian immigrants, Michael Guido got his start in politics in 1978 when he was elected as the youngest Councilman in Dearborn history. Eight years later, in 1986, Councilman Guido followed up this historic first by being the youngest person in Dearborn history to be elected mayor--a capacity in which he served until his last days. Despite being diagnosed with cancer in February 2006, Mayor Guido remained on the job every day, continuing to work long hours at City Hall and around town, attending public events throughout his outpatient treatment. He even found the strength to serve as 64th President of the United States Conference of Mayors, proving himself many times over as the leader of this bipartisan force for our nation's mayors. Mayor Guido initiated outstanding improvements to City services, especially in public safety areas, directed the construction or renovation of notable city facilities, and oversaw the completion of dramatic private developments that improved the city's tax base and long term viability. He was serious about his commitment to exceptional public service. He set high standards, and initiated many programs that were innovative upon their implementation. Among those are curbside recycling and composting, loose leaf collection, and a myriad of public safety initiatives--advanced life support, an emergency warning system, and an automated notification system. As a believer in technology to provide efficient public service, he knew that there is no replacement for personal contact and required employees to not just follow-up with residents, but to solve their problems. During his tenure as Mayor, he changed the facade of Dearborn by initiating development projects that revived the critical downtown areas, including West Village and West Village Commons in the west end, and Georgetown Commons in the east end. His drive to keep Dearborn attractive for families and young professionals in the face of competition from newer communities culminated in the construction of the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center in 2001. Other significant projects included the expansion of the Dearborn Ice Skating Center, the construction of a new Police Headquarters, the expansion of the Robert Herndon Dearborn Hills Golf Course, the redesign of Ford Woods Park, improvements to Camp Dearborn and neighborhood pools and parks, and expansion of Esper Branch Library. While he will be remembered for his accomplishments, he will also be remembered for his humor and ability to relate to people. As an accomplished speaker, he adeptly incorporated jokes into formal presentations, and his conversation was pointed yet entertaining with quips and impersonations. Mayor Guido's impact upon the City of Dearborn and will continue to be recognized within his community and nationally. During an interview years ago, he said he wanted his epitaph to be ``He loved the people of Dearborn, and they loved him . . .'' We will all miss his leadership and will remember his legacy in the City of Dearborn.

Mr. CONYERS

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. (Mr. CONYERS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of S. 3821, which makes professional visas available for certain athletes and entertainers who are needed for work and competition in the United States professional athletic industries. Historically, minor league athletes enter our country as part of the H-2B seasonal worker program. These visas are capped at 66,000 per year, and they often run out well before the year is out. So we, through this legislation, will allow sport franchises and companies to bring minor league baseball players, hockey players and ice skating performers into the country to perform or compete when they are needed, without being barred by the visa cap. It shifts these talented people from the H visa category to the P visa category, the same one currently used by highly skilled professional athletes. With this change, the United States will no longer lose these talented athletes to other nations because visas are not available at the right time. This is a necessary piece of legislation to fix our visa categories, and I am glad that we are able to get the support of both Chambers in a bipartisan fashion to pass this at the very end of the 109th Congress. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CONYERS

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of the Respect for the Funerals of Fallen Heroes Act, a bill that would promote respect for the funerals of fallen heroes by prohibiting disruptive activities at funerals of deceased members of the Armed Forces. This bill would build on the respect for America's Fallen Heroes Act by providing similar protection for the funerals of all deceased members or former members of the Armed Services, not only at Federal cemeteries but also at private cemeteries, funeral homes, and houses of worship. I think that we have found that this bill is consistent with constitutional considerations, and I urge that the House support this suspension. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I would yield to the gentleman from Oregon as much time as he may consume.

Mr. CONYERS. I wanted to thank the gentleman for yielding, and recall that he was a distinguished member of the Judiciary Committee himself for a considerable period of time. We will keep in mind the conversations that we have had here tonight in the closing hours. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CONYERS

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Of course we support this legislation, because the bill merely amends the extent to which small nonprofits can keep the profits of inventions they develop in conjunction with the Federal Government. Under the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980, the Federal Government will provide funds to nonprofits, including universities, for the purpose of conducting important research. Because the government is not equipped to do so, the nonprofits are allowed to patent any discoveries, sell and license the inventions, and keep a portion of the profits. Currently, the nonprofit can keep an amount of the profits up to 5 percent of its annual budget; the balance of the profits must be returned to the taxpayers. Because of the unique situation of small universities, the bill would permit them to retain a higher percentage of the profits. While small universities may have small budgets, their research and development costs might not be small and can have a significant impact upon their budgets themselves. This legislation would permit small entities, those with a budget of less than $40 million, could retain a higher portion of the profits, up to 15 percent of their budgets. This is a simple, straightforward proposition, we have heard no objection to it, and I am pleased to urge that it be passed this evening Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. CONYERS

Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, the following letter from American University, Washington College of Law Professor Andrew F. Popper outlines the problems and concerns with this legislation. American University, Washington College of Law, Washington, DC. Hon. John Conyers, Ranking Member, House Committee on the Judiciary, Washington,

Mr. CONYERS

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to mourn the passing and commemorate the life of Dearborn, Michigan's Mayor Michael Guido. Mayor Guido, 52, passed away last night at his home surrounded by his family. The son of Italian immigrants, Michael Guido got his start in politics 1978 when he was elected as the youngest Councilman in Dearborn history. Eight years later, in 1986, Councilman Guido followed up this historic first by being the youngest person in Dearborn history to be elected mayor--a capacity in which he served until his last days. Despite being diagnosed with cancer in February 2006, Mayor Guido remained on the job every day, continuing to work long hours at City Hall and around town, attending public events throughout his outpatient treatment. He even found the strength to serve as 64th President of the United States Conference of Mayors, proving himself many times over as the leader of this bipartisan force for our Nation's mayors. Mayor Guido initiated outstanding improvements to City services, especially in public safety areas, directed the construction or renovation of notable city facilities, and oversaw the completion of dramatic private developments that improved the city's tax base and long term viability. He was serious about his commitment to exceptional public service. He set high standards, and initiated many programs that were innovative upon their implementation. Among those are curbside recycling and composting, loose leaf collection, and a myriad of public safety initiatives--advanced life support, an emergency warning system, and an automated notification system. As a believer in technology to provide efficient public service, he knew that there is no replacement for personal contact and required employees to not just follow-up with residents, but to solve their problems. During his tenure as Mayor, he changed the facade of Dearborn by initiating development projects that revived the critical downtown areas, including West Village and West Village Commons in the west end, and Georgetown Commons in the east end. His drive to keep Dearborn attractive for families and young professionals in the face of competition from newer communities culminated in the construction of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in 2001. Other significant projects included the expansion of the Dearborn Ice Skating Center, the construction of a new Police Headquarters, the expansion of the Robert Herndon Dearborn Hills Golf Course, the redesign of Ford Woods Park, improvements to Camp Dearborn and neighborhood pools and parks, and expansion of Esper Branch Library. While he will be remembered for his accomplishments, he will also be remembered for his humor and ability to relate to people. As an accomplished speaker, he adeptly incorporated jokes into formal presentations, and his conversation was pointed yet entertaining with quips and impersonations. Mayor Guido's impact upon the City of Dearborn will continue to be recognized within his community and nationally. During an interview years ago, he said he wanted his epitaph to be ``He loved the people of Dearborn, and they loved him . . .'' We will all miss his leadership and will remember his legacy in the City of Dearborn.

Mr. CONYERS

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. I am today joined by a number of my colleagues in expressing strong opposition to this measure in the manner in which it comes before us today. This proposal, introduced only 2 weeks ago, has conveniently made its way here to the House floor without the benefit of a single hearing, markup or any other consideration or discussion by our committee. Now, one could understand the need to circumvent the safeguards embodied in the traditional legislative process if this measure proposed to solve some of the problems of the 46 million Americans who every day go without health insurance. One could also understand the need to rush the bill through if it sought to improve our local schools, proposed to make college more affordable, or attempted to enhance the standard of living of roughly 38 million people in America who currently live in poverty. Unfortunately, this bill fails to address any pressing public policy problems, but instead its sole aim is to influence the decisions of a local government located several thousand miles away in Paris, France. As many may know, the details surrounding the conviction of Mumia Abu-Jamal for the murder of Police Officer Daniel Faulkner are filled with a great deal of controversy. Legal experts have questioned the numerous irregularities that occurred during the course of the trial, including the failure to conduct adequate ballistic tests on Abu- Jamal's gun and the clearly contradictory testimony given by at least two of the prosecution witnesses. Yet and still, and regardless of one's personal feeling with respect to Abu-Jamal's guilt or innocence, we should not be using the precious time we have to address the needs of the American people with a resolution such as this. Let us agree to let the French Government focus on the needs of its people while we focus on the needs of everyday, hardworking people here in America. We can start by providing better jobs, better schools, more affordable health care, not by passing this resolution. I must note that since his imprisonment, Abu-Jamal has continued his political activism and has completed his bachelor of arts from Goddard College, has earned a master of arts from California State University, and from his cell has made commencement speeches to graduating classes in a number of colleges across the country. He was a guest speaker on the immortal techniques on the musical album. The organization, Access of Justice, interviewed him for their job. Vanity Fair wrote that a supporter of Mumia's, Phillip Block, visited him in prison and asked Jamal whether he regretted shooting a cop, to which Mumia allegedly answered yes. Block, who otherwise supported Mumia, stated he came forward after he grew concerned about the vilification of Officer Faulkner, and this story goes on. I think this is not one of the great suspension matters which we should be bringing to the floor at this particular time. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may need to the gentleman from Virginia, Mr. Bobby Scott, a distinguished member of the Judiciary Committee.

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman, Ms. Schwartz, 4 minutes.

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott). (Mr. SCOTT of Virginia asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)