John Conyers

Mr. CONYERS

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield for a unanimous consent request to the delegate from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen). (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott), an eminent member of the Judiciary Committee, who has done great work on the Voting Rights Act.

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Scott), who was permitted to sit in on the proceedings in the Judiciary Committee in the House on the Voting Rights Act.

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters), an important member on the development of the Voting Rights Act that is before the floor.

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Meehan), a distinguished member of the Judiciary Committee.

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel) and recall that he was originally a member of the House Judiciary Committee and served with great distinction on it. (Mr. RANGEL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to observe that the leader of the present civil rights movement and a friend that worked in the organization of Dr. Martin Luther King is in the balcony today, the Reverend Jesse Jackson; and I am so pleased that he is watching over this activity. Mr. Chairman, I would yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) who has worked as an activist and as a legislator in California, as well as the leader of the Progressive Caucus in the House of Representatives.

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chairman, could we be advised how much time remains on each side?

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Jefferson).

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Davis), a distinguished Member.

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson).

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chairman, it is now my privilege to yield 1 minute to the distinguished minority leader from California (Ms. Pelosi).

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chairman, could you confirm that we on this side have 7 minutes remaining.

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah), who has worked with the committee in a very generous way.

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased now to recognize for 1 minute my neighbor and colleague from Ohio, Marcy Kaptur.

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the ranking member of Homeland Security from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson).

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased now to recognize for 1 minute the distinguished gentleman from Illinois, Mr. Rahm Emanuel.

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased now to invite John Lewis, the conscience of the Congress, the gentleman from Georgia, the remaining time on our side.

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen of the committee, I think it is very, very important that we realize that the coverage formula in this bill does not need to be changed, as is being proposed by the gentleman from Georgia, in order for it to be up to date. Jurisdictions free of discrimination for 10 years can come out from under coverage. There is a bailout provision. Let's continue to use that, because I think it is so important. Now, during the course of all the hearings and testimony and witnesses, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Norwood) never testified before the committee. This issue has been explored very carefully. When we crafted this bill, we wanted to make sure that it would stand the test of time, and this trigger in 4 that governs section 5 is so important. The Supreme Court has spoken. There must be congruence and proportionality before the injury to be prevented or remedied, and the means adopted to that end.

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chairman, we have to remember one historical fact. For 400 years, we have been dealing with the problem of discrimination and racism in America. I think it would be simplistic in this Congress that we would think, after 40 years, we do not need to worry about it that much anymore and shorten the period of time. It is going to take a while for us to evaluate the progress that is being made, and I am proud to say progress is being made, but the bailout provision is there and it works quite well. Now, in addition, we have to be very careful about the fact that some jurisdictions will play the wait-out game. They will wait out for the 10 years to expire, and then we will be back in a big problem again. Keep this a 25-year measure.

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chairman, this Westmoreland amendment has some huge problems. I would like to remind you that a 25-year veteran of the Department of Justice Voting Section commented that the bailout amendment proposed is completely unworkable unless the staff of the Voting Section is tripled or cuts corners in making its determination. There is no way the existing staff can possibly do what this calls for and make a binding determination of eligibility for bailout. And plus, we do not include one dime in this proposal to take care of all of this. We turn section 5 on its head, and we will not be stopping voting discrimination. This amendment would cripple the Voting Section at the Department of Justice, making enforcement of the Act nearly impossible. There are 900 jurisdictions covered by section 5. How could we do a report on them every year? Reject the amendment.

Mr. CONYERS

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the achievements of the Reverend Dr. Jim Holley, who has just been elected, by the members of the board of police commissioners, on July 1, 2006 to the position of, Chairman of the Board of Police Commissioners, Detroit, Michigan. Reverend Dr. Jim Holley, was initially appointed to the Board of Police Commissioners in January 2004. Chairman Holley currently serves on the Citizens Complaints and Promotional Appeals Subcommittee and served as Vice Chair of the Commission prior to his election as Chairman of the Board. Reverend Dr. Holley is the President of the Historic Little Rock Baptist Church. He has been pastor of the church for over 20 years. During this period of leadership, he made major accomplishments, such as: the creation of a facility for job training, development, and placement: acquisition of Little Rock Baptist Village, a housing development, and the acquisition of buildings in the community, as part of his outreach ministry. Reverend Dr. Holley is the President and CEO of COGNOS Advertising Agency, at one time the only full service agency in Detroit. He is President and CEO of County Preacher Foods, Inc., the largest minority food distributor in the world. He is the Founder and Chairman of the Detroit Academy of Arts & Sciences. Chairman Holley is the Founder and President of East/West Cargo Airlines. He is also the Founder and President of Valet Systems of Michigan, a valet parking Company. Chairman Holley holds several degrees. He has a Doctorate in Philosophy in Higher Education, from Wayne State University; and a Doctorate in Ministry in Economic Development, from Drew University. He holds three additional masters degrees and two bachelor degrees. Reverend Dr. Holley is the author of several books, and is rated by the Detroit Free Press as one of the top five ministers in Michigan and was named Michiganian of the Year by the Detroit News and by Crain's Business magazine as one of the ``Foremost Voices in Detroit.''

Mr. CONYERS

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate United Auto Workers International Union Vice President Gerald Bantom on the occasion of his retirement. Having joined the UAW in 1964, Mr. Bantom's career is a testament to hard work and dedication. While excellent leaders are waiting in the wings to continue the work Gerald started, his leadership in negotiating for quality benefits in these trying times with Ford Motor Company will certainly be missed. A Detroit native, Bantom joined UAW Local 600 in 1964 when he started at the Specialty Foundry at Ford Motor Company's River Rouge complex. Quickly gaining the respect of his peers in Local 600, in 1971 he was elected to the bargaining committee of the Specialty Foundry Unit of the local. Having excelled in this he was reelected to a second term in 1975 and as chairperson in 1978. When the Specialty Foundry was closed in 1980, Mr. Bantom transferred to the Dearborn Engine Plant where his leadership abilities were immediately recognized. He was appointed as a district committeeman in 1980, and the next year he won election to the plant bargaining committee. In 1982 Gerald was appointed as an international representative and was assigned to the UAW-Ford National Development and Training Center where he stayed in varying capacities until 1986. Beginning in 1988 Mr. Bantom served as an administrative assistant to two successive UAW vice presidents and directors of the union's National Ford Department, Stephen P. Yokich and Ernest Lofton. During this time, when Ford Motor Co. was earning record profits and had hired more than half its current workforce, Gerald played an integral role in negotiating landmark collective bargaining agreements. Following this hard work he was elected and served as director of UAW Region lA--a position he would represent with distinction until the UAW's 33rd Constitutional Convention on June 5, 2002 in Las Vegas, NV, were he was elected vice president. After becoming vice president, Gerald Bantom immediately faced the difficult task of negotiating supplemental agreements for workers at Visteon and Automotive Components Holdings, changes in the UAW-Ford health care plan, and early retirement packages for UAW's Ford workers. While his retirement leaves a void in the UAW leadership that will be difficult to fill, his work in mentoring a new generation of UAW leaders means that a significant part of his legacy has yet to be written. Regardless of how Gerald Bantom's final story will be, the leadership and passion he has brought to the UAW has provided a sterling role model for future labor leaders. On behalf of working Americans and a grateful Congress, Mr. Bantom, I thank you.

Mr. CONYERS

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, on June 14, 2006, James Settles Jr. was elected first vice president of the United Automobile Workers International Union at its 34th Constitutional Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. My colleagues, today I rise to honor this fellow Detroiter on his elevation to the post and wish him the best of luck in his new position. While James is joining the union's national leadership at a critical juncture in its history I believe he has the necessary motivation and determination to guide the UAW into a prosperous future. In some ways one could argue that James Settles, Jr. was a born labor leader. A third generation Ford Motor Company employee and son of James Settles, Sr., a well-known Detroit civil rights activist and labor leader, Settles' involvement with the UAW began in 1968, when he joined Local 600 after being hired at Ford's Dearborn Iron Foundry and Michigan Casting Center. Just two years later, in 1970, he was elected to the General Council of Local 600 and in 1973 he was elected District Committeeman and Unit Recording Secretary. Over the next decade, he served in a variety of union posts and as a delegate to three UAW conventions. In 1982, he took a staff position at Local 600 and later was elected its first vice president in 1987. As James Settles earned the respect and loyalty of his UAW brothers and sisters he has quickly and continuously risen through the UAW ranks. In 1992 he was first appointed to UAW International Staff and in 2002 he was elected director of Region 1A. Having been a member of the UAW-Ford National Negotiating Committee since 1990, Mr. Settles brings a good deal of contract negotiating experience to the post of Vice President. This experience is especially important today given the current attack many workers are seeing on their collectively bargained contracts. I firmly believe that this expertise will help him in his job of overseeing several of the national organizations that operate in conjunction with the UAW and the over 115,000 technical and professional workers he will represent. These workers come from all across the country from a range of industries and professions, including the healthcare industry, individual universities and university systems, an array of professional service and non-profit agencies. 20,000 of these workers are employed by the State of Michigan. While Mr. Settles is a prominent leader in the UAW, his involvement in the community extends far beyond the factory walls. James is active in a wide range of community and civic organizations. He is a member of the Detroit-Wayne County Board of Authority, the Trade Union Leadership Council, the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists and a Life member of the NAACP. He serves on the boards of the Henry Ford Community College Employment and Training Development Center, the Detroit Public School Compact Association at McMichael Middle School and the North Rosedale Park Civic Association. He is a former member of the board of the Rouge Employees Credit Union. In conclusion, Mr. Settles I congratulate your election and once again wish you the best of luck.

Mr. CONYERS

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding to me. Ladies and gentlemen of the House, H.R. 4111 can also be considered Abramoff's revenge. Because as the Cato Institute itself, not the most liberal think tank around, has suggested, we are doing exactly what he wanted us to do. What he wanted us to do is to push this bill as the anti-Abramoff bill, which is quite disingenuous. The Abramoff stuff is just latching on to the backlash to try to push it through. And so for all of you who thought that we were doing something that he might not approve of, I just want you to know that this measure offers the gambling bill as something that he would now support in its present form. It is a very critical point to consider. It is a bill that he would have supported in 2000. And though the bill is being rationalized as a way to exorcise the demons of 2000, the reality is the bill serves the client, his clients or ex-clients' interests indeed. I am hopeful that the Members, particularly my friend from Iowa, will recognize that what they are trying to do and that we know about his past involvement in the killing of the 2000 bill is now just the reverse. July 11, 2006. Dear Colleague: ``Lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his team were beginning to panic. ``An anti-gambling bill had cleared the Senate and appeared on its way to passage by an overwhelming margin in the House of Representatives. If that happened, Abramoff's client, a company that wanted to sell state lottery tickets online, would be out of business.'' (``How a Lobbyist Stacked the Deck: Abramoff Used DeLay Aide, Attacks On Allies to Defeat Anti-Gambling Bill,'' Susan Schmidt and James V. Grimaldi, Washington Post, October 16, 2005) If he were still lobbying and not on his way to jail, Abramoff and his former client would have no reason to panic about H.R. 4411, the revised Internet gambling bill scheduled for a vote on Wednesday. That's because H.R. 4411 contains precisely the loophole for state lotteries that Abramoff was hired to secure in 2000. The bill's supporters often invokes the defeat of his bill in 2000 and lobbyist Jack Abramoff's role in that defeat as a reason to enact this year's bill. However, supporters conspicuously fails to note that Abramoff's goal was to preserve the ability of his then-client, ELottery.com, to bring state lotteries onto the Internet. He only worked to defeat the Goodlatte bill when it was clear that state lotteries would not be exempt from the ban. He would be able to rest easy today. That's because H.R. 4411 contains an amendment to the Federal Wire Act that would allow states (and companies working with those states) to sell lottery tickets online so Iong as certain minimal conditions are met, e.g. the State must specifically authorize online lottery ticket sales. Given that some states already are looking to sell tickets online in order to boost revenues, the new version of the bill will give those states a green light. H.R. 4411 is Abramoff's revenge. It is a bill that he could have supported in 2000. And though passage of this bill is rationalized as a way to exorcise the demons of 2000, the reality is this bill serves his client's interests.. Sincerely, John Conyers, Jr., Ranking Member.