Elijah Cummings

Mr. CUMMINGS

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, the American people know that when it comes to class size, less is more. More personal attention, more teacher instruction rather than discipline, and as the Tennessee Star and Wisconsin Sage and other studies have shown, increased academic achievement, with students actually moving from the 50th to the 60th percentile. To break this down in terms we can all understand, we know that no sports coach in his right mind would try to teach 150 players one hour per day and hope to win the championship game. No, a coach has several assistants and small, special teams. Yet, my Republican colleagues want to ask one teacher, all alone, to teach several overcrowded classes and then expect children to win the academic game of life. Parents and teachers want, and our children deserve more teachers, smaller classes, and academic coaching for our children to win this wonderful game of life.

Mr. CUMMINGS

Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I join the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh) in his comments with regard to honoring this wonderful former postmaster. As a member of the Committee on Government Reform, I am pleased to join him in consideration of H.R. 2307. H.R. 2307, introduced by the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern) on June 22, 1999, seeks to honor Mr. Thomas J. Brown. Mr. Brown is the former postmaster of the town of Hopkinton, Massachusetts, and past president of the Boston Athletic Association. Hopkinton, Massachusetts, is the starting point for the Boston Marathon, and Mr. Brown has been extensively involved in this race in his capacity as president of the BAA. Designating a post office after a former postmaster is an excellent way to honor Mr. Brown's achievement. Madam Speaker, I could go on into further detail about the numerous community activities Mr. Brown is involved in, but I would prefer to yield time to the sponsor of H.R. 2307, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern). Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, I yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern).

Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern) for his statement. One of the things that he pointed out, Madam Speaker, is that Mr. Brown is also a veteran. I think so often our veterans play such significant roles while they are in the military and when they leave. And here is another example of a veteran when he left the military to go on and do some very, very significant things to help people. The gentleman also talked about Mr. Brown being the starter, the person who started the race, and that is very significant when we think about what is happening today. He went on to talk about how this Post Office is much larger so it could serve so many more people as the town has grown. The fact is that our honoree, Mr. Brown, was one who was there way back when, and now he has seen not only the race grow but he has seen this wonderful town grow. And so it is with great honor and privilege that I take a moment today to, number one, thank Mr. Brown for all that he has done. I also want to thank the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern) for being so sensitive to all of those people who are supporting this wonderful and very important legislation. I again thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh), the chairman of the Subcommittee on the Postal Service; and I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah), the ranking member of that subcommittee; and of course the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman), the chairman and ranking member respectively. Madam speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CUMMINGS

Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, Payne Stewart, who was an 11-time winner of the PGA Tour and stood eighth in the world golf rankings, died on his way to do what he loved best, died on his way to look at a field with regard to golf. Payne Stewart was on his way to Houston for practice rounds in advance of the Tour Championship when his plane crashed in South Dakota. Mr. Stewart died with five others, two pilots of the plane Michael King, 43, Stephanie Bellegarrigue, 27, his agents Robert Fraley and Van Ardan and Bruce Borlan, a golf course designer. As expressed by this resolution, our condolences go out to all of the families affected by this terrible crash. Mr. Stewart, winner of the United States Open at Pinehurst, North Carolina, also played on the Ryder Cup team that won an inspiring comeback victory over Europe in September. He won the Professional Golfer's Association championship in 1989, and in 1991 captured his first U.S. Open title at Hazeltine in Minnesota, after an 18-hole playoff. Tim Finchem, the PGA Tour Commissioner, is quoted as saying that, ``Payne represented the best of golf. He was a man of great faith, a devoted, compassionate, and most energetic husband and father, and a man of tremendous generosity.'' Tiger Woods, upon hearing the news of Stewart's death, commented, ``It is shocking; it's a tragedy. There is an enormous void and emptiness I feel right now.'' That void and emptiness was felt by the 3,000 people attending Stewart's memorial service, over 100 of which were PGA Tour players and officials. At the memorial service, Paul Azinger, a close friend of Stewart's pulled a tam-o'-shanter cap over his head and rolled up his trousers to knickers length, revealing a vibrant pair of argyle socks, a poignant tribute to the distinctive sports clothing Stewart was known for wearing. At the start of the PGA Tour Championship that Mr. Stewart was scheduled to play in, a bagpipe played the Scottish lament ``Going Home''. Payne Stewart once said, ``I'm going to a special place when I die. But I want to be sure my life is special while I'm here.'' Payne Stewart is home now, and his life here on Earth was, indeed, special. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega).

Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega) and the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Ryun) spoke about Payne Stewart's religious faith. It is interesting to note that, after the 1998 U.S. Open, when Mr. Stewart failed to come in first, many did, in fact, accuse him of choking. But the fact is he did not choke. He just did not win. It is interesting that, after the 1999 U.S. Open, when he did come in first, he said something that I think should become a part of the DNA of every one of us. He said, ``I have got to give thanks to the Lord for giving me the ability to believe in myself. Without that peace I have in my heart, I would not be sitting here today.'' Those are very profound words because those are words of a true champion. So often champions lose and have to dust themselves off, get back up, and come out the next day. What Mr. Stewart was saying is that, although I may not have come in first in 1998, I just thank God for giving me the peace to continue to believe in myself so that I can come in first in 1999. I think that is a lesson that he leaves with all of us, for our children, and for our children's children, and for everybody who plays this wonderful sport called golf, or any other sport for that matter, that we must hope and pray that we have the peace, the simple peace, and the belief in ourselves to always come back the next day and be victorious, and even if we are not, just the idea of knowing that we still have that peace. With that, it is a great honor that I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CUMMINGS

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, it is interesting to hear the tales that have been spun about Shoeless Joe Jackson. Called one of the saddest figures ever to play baseball, Joe Jackson was reported to be an illiterate country boy who only knew how to play baseball. As it turns out, Joe Jackson died a successful businessman at age 61, earning between $50,000 to $100,000 a year. During an interview, Jackson is quoted as saying, ``All the big sports writers seemed to enjoy writing about me as an ignorant cotton-mill boy with nothing but lead where my brains ought to be. That was fine with me. I was able to fool a lot of pitchers and managers and club owners I wouldn't have been able to fool if they'd thought I was smarter.'' How and why Shoeless Joe Jackson got his name is exaggerated. One day, after getting blisters from his new baseball cleats, Jackson played one game in his stocking feet. One game. Not a season and not because he could not afford to buy cleats, as is widely reported. Then, there is the well-known refrain, ``Say it ain't so, Joe,'' that supposedly took place after Jackson was arrested for conspiring to throw the 1919 World Series. As the story goes, a boy approached Joe and pleaded, ``Say it ain't so Joe,'' and Joe replied, ``Yes, kid, I'm afraid it is.'' As Jackson would later tell it, that tale is just that. There was no kid, and no arrest. Charlie Owens, a reporter with the Chicago Daily Times made the story up and published it. What is the truth about Joe Jackson? He was a rising baseball star until he was banned from baseball for allegedly participating in the 1919 Chicago White Sox gambling scandal. In 1921, Jackson was acquitted of all charges and left the courtroom an innocent man. However, despite three attempts by his home State of South Carolina, Joe Jackson was never reinstated. The only interview Joe Jackson conducted regarding the Chicago White Sox scandal was in the 1949 edition of Sport Magazine. In the article, entitled ``This Is the Truth,'' Joe Jackson maintains his innocence and states, ``I have never made any request to be reinstated in baseball, and I have never made any campaign to have my name cleared in the baseball records. This is not a plea of any kind. This is just my story. I am telling it simply because it seems 30 years after the World Series, the world may want to hear what I have to say.'' He goes on to say, ``Baseball failed to keep faith with me. When I got notice of my suspension 3 days after the 1920 season, it read that if found innocent of any wrongdoing, I would be reinstated. If found guilty, I would be banned for life. I was found innocent, and I was still banned for life.'' It would seem that you are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, but not in baseball. The South Carolina delegation recently sent a letter to baseball commissioner Alan Selig to have outfielder Joe Jackson posthumously reinstated. They have also introduced this resolution, expressing the sense of the House to appropriately honor Joseph Jefferson Jackson. I urge my colleagues to join me and the South Carolina delegation in supporting this resolution. It is time for the truth to be told. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. DeMint) for his comments in shedding additional light on the life of ``Shoeless'' Joe Jackson. I think the thing that comes through clearly, Mr. Speaker, is that the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. DeMint) and the South Carolina delegation and many others merely want to right a wrong and give someone their due. And clearly, ``Shoeless'' Joe Jackson has earned, has earned, the right to be appropriately honored as the resolution states. So I want to thank the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. DeMint) and I want to thank the South Carolina delegation because I think what we are attempting to do here today sends a clear message that, when we see wrong, we will do what we can to right it. It may be many, many years later, but we can bet our bottom dollar that there is someone who is looking at what we are doing and saying that they admire us for taking up the time, we can be doing a whole lot other things, but they are taking up the time to make sure that a wrong is made right. And so, with that, I want to thank the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton), chairman of our committee, and the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman), our ranking member, and I want to thank the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Terry), and I want to thank certainly the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Scarborough) in his absence, the chairman of our subcommittee. The fact is that I think that this is a very, very good resolution. I urge all of my colleagues to vote in favor of it. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CUMMINGS

Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, as a member of the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, I am pleased to join the gentleman from New York (Chairman McHugh) in the consideration of two postal naming bills, H.R. 3189, to designate the United States Post Office located at 41071 Peyton Drive in Chino Hills, California, as the Joseph Ileto Post Office, and H.R. 2307, to designate the United States Post Office located at 5 Cedar Street in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, as the Thomas J. Brown Post Office Building. H.R. 319, introduced by the gentleman from California (Mr. Gary Miller) on November 1, 1999, seeks to honor a fallen postal employee, Mr. Joseph Santos Ileto. My colleagues will remember that Mr. Ileto was slain on August 10, 1999, by a gunman who shot and wounded five children and employees at the North Valley Jewish Community Center in suburban Los Angeles. Mr. Ileto was a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service. While he lived in Chino Hills, California, he worked at the Chatsworth Post Office, located at 21606 Devonshire Boulevard in Chatsworth, California. A letter carrier for just 2 years, he was remembered by the Chatsworth Postmaster, Ramona Franco, as a good employee with a wonderful sense of humor. According to Postmaster Franco, Mr. Ileto was the recent recipient of a Special Achievement Award and recognized for his outstanding performance. Joseph Santos Ileto was born on March 10, 1960, in Legaspi City, Philippines, and named after St. Joseph, the patron saint of workers. A Dodgers and Lakers fan, Mr. Ileto was a master chess player who was murdered by white supremacist Buford Furrow while delivering mail on his mail route. Joseph Santos Ileto was a fine man who loved his family and friends. My colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Gary Miller), is to be commended for recognizing a man who was proud to wear the uniform of the United States Postal Service letter carrier. I would agree with the gentleman from New York (Chairman McHugh), it is so appropriate that we take this time to honor this postman. The thing is that so often when we name buildings, they are not named after the people who do not normally make the front pages of the Washington Post or local papers, but this was a gentleman that so often I would take it that, like many other Post Office people, that we take for granted. They are the people who deliver our mail every day through the cold, the sleet, the wind, the sun, whatever. They are there. I join the gentleman from New York (Chairman McHugh) when he says that we want the family to know of our sympathy, and we want them to know how we feel so strongly about Mr. Ileto. Here is something else that needs to be said, and it is simply this, that in naming this Post Office after this postman, hopefully when people pass that Post Office and see that name up there, they will be reminded of what postmen and postwomen do every day in making sure that our mail is delivered, and making sure that correspondence, which is the lifeblood of any kind of communications process all over the world, is taken care of and taken care of in a very excellent fashion. To that end, it is indeed a fitting tribute to name a soon-to-be- opened postal facility in Mr. Ileto's hometown in Chino Hills, California, after its fallen son. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Guam (Mr. Underwood).

Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, the gentleman from Guam, for making a very significant point. That is that, unfortunately, in our country we are still seeing the results of hate crimes. Unfortunately, our friend, Mr. Ileto, died as a result of a hate crime. It is very, very sad. It is a fact that we are hoping that by taking this moment on the part of the United States Congress to recognize this wonderful, wonderful man, we will say to all of America that we, the Congress of the United States, will not stand for that kind of conduct. As we lift him up and say to Mr. Ileto and to his family that we are grateful for his service and all that he has given us, we also say to all of those who want to wander throughout our country committing these kinds of offenses that we will not stand for it, and we will do everything in our power to stomp it out. To that end, Madam Speaker, I would urge my colleagues to vote for this very, very important piece of legislation. I thank the chairman, the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh), the ranking member of our committee, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah), the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman), and the chairman, the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton). Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CUMMINGS

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce this bill to designate five United States Postal Service buildings after five individuals who made significant contributions to Baltimore and the State of Maryland. I believe that persons who have made meaningful contributions to society should be recognized and honored. The naming of a postal building in one's honor is truly a salute to their accomplishments and public service. These individuals are Samuel Lacy, Judge Robert Bernard Watts, Judge Harry Augustus Cole, Frederick Dewberry, Jr., and Flossie McClain Desmond. I will give a brief biographical description of the individuals and the locations of the post office being named. The ``Samuel H. Lacy, Sr. Post Office Building'' will be located at 919 West 34th Street, Baltimore, Maryland. Samuel H. Lacy was a renowned sports writer and editor for the Baltimore Afro-American Newspaper since 1944. He spent 60 years in journalism, working with radio, television, and the print media. The ``Judge Robert Bernard Watts, Sr. Post Office Building'' will be located at 3500 Dolfield Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland. Judge Robert Bernard Watts, Sr. was the first African-American to be appointed full time to the Bench of the Municipal Court of Baltimore City. Judge Watts, who was born in West Baltimore, graduated with honors from Morgan State College in 1943 and then served in the Army until 1945. He earned a law degree from the University of Maryland in 1949. Judge Watts was at the center of the Civil Rights Movement and worked closely with the NAACP. His dedication to civil rights led him to a long working relationship with the late Justice Thurgood Marshall. Judge Watts was instrumental in desegregating numerous theaters, restaurants, department stores, hotels and the Gwynn Oak Amusement Park. Watts was the first judge in Maryland to open hundreds of adoption records reuniting numerous families. The ``Judge Harry Augustus Cole Post Office Building'' will be located at 900 E. Fayette Street, Baltimore, Maryland. Judge Harry Augustus Cole was the first African American Assistant Attorney General in Baltimore City, the first African American to be elected to the State Senate of Maryland, the first Chairman of the Maryland Advisory Committee to the United States Civil Rights Commission, and the first African American to be named to Maryland's highest court, the Maryland Court of Appeals. Educated in the Baltimore City Public School System, Judge Cole graduated from Morgan State University in 1943. While at Morgan, he was the President of the Student Council, and Founder and first Editor-in-Chief of the Spokesman College Newspaper. A World War II veteran, Judge Cole graduated from the University of Maryland School of Law and practiced criminal and civil rights law. The ``Frederick L. Dewberry, Jr. Post Office Building'' will be located at 1001 Frederick Road, in Baltimore, Maryland. Frederick L. Dewberry, Jr. was born and raised in Baltimore City. He is a graduate of Loyola College and received a law degree from the University of Baltimore. A World War II veteran, Mr. Dewberry held the post of Chairman of the Baltimore County Council from 1964 to 1966. From 1979 to 1984, Frederick Dewberry was the Deputy Secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation. The ``Dr. Flossie McClain Desmond Post Office Building'' will be located at 1908 North Ellamont Street, in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Flossie McClain Desmond earned a bachelor's degree in English from Fisk University, received a Master's degree from Columbia University and pursued post graduate studies at Ohio State University and Catholic University of America. She served in teaching and administrative positions at Allen University, Benedict College, Knoxville College, Morgan State University, and Coppin State College. Dr. Desmond spent 31 years working at Coppin State College, where she served in numerous roles. Upon her retirement, the honor of ``Dean Emeritus'' was bestowed upon her. In 1993, Coppin's first residence hall was named after her and is called, `The Flossie M. Desmond Center For Living and Learning.' A talented musician, Dr. Desmond composed the Alma Mater for Allen University and the song is still in use today. Muhammad Ali, the greatest boxer of all time once said that ``service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.'' Samuel Lacy, Judge Robert Bernard Watts, Judge Harry Augustus Cole, Frederick Dewberry, Jr., and Flossie McClain Desmond have paid their rent. I am honored to submit this legislation saluting five people from my district who spent their lives giving service to others. I urge my colleagues to support this worthwhile measure.

Mr. CUMMINGS

Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, earlier this year, the Subcommittee on Civil Service held a hearing on the Office of Government Ethics which gave the subcommittee an opportunity to establish a record of how the agency is operating. OGE's mission is not only to prevent and resolve conflicts of interest and to foster high ethical standards for Federal employees, but also to strengthen the public's confidence that the government's business is conducted with impartiality and integrity. OGE does this by reviewing and certifying the financial disclosure forms filed by presidential nominees requiring Senate confirmation; serving as a primary source of advice and counseling on conduct and financial disclosure issues, and by providing information on the promoting and understanding of ethical standards in executive agencies. OGE and its staff are well regarded by the Federal agencies with whom they do business. There is no question that they do an outstanding job. Witnesses at the hearing testified that OGE has played an essential and significant role in fostering the public's trust in the integrity of government. Therefore, I support the 4-year reauthorization of OGE and urge my colleagues to do the same. I want to thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Scarborough), our subcommittee chairman, for all of his efforts, our chairman and our ranking member of the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, and certainly the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh) for his comments today. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CUMMINGS

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, this evening I stand before my colleagues with a heavy heart in the wake of the EgyptAir Flight 990 tragedy. The unsettling news of the plane crash struck a particular cord within me, as several of the passengers on that flight were in some way connected to my home district in Baltimore. Arthur and Marie Simermeyer were both active and upstanding seniors who were citizens of my home district and were on that plane. They volunteered at the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Glyndon and were described by family and friends as having a kind and giving nature that was surpassed only by their love of life even in their elder years. These were people who made positive contributions to the community and helped keep the neighborly spirit, which can sometimes be rare, very much alive among those who knew them. Yes, this tragedy was indeed a major loss. But the Simermeyers were special people who gave to a special location. We also had some students that were killed in the EgyptAir flight. They were exchange students from Egypt. As I thought of the situation over in my head repeatedly, I searched for an answer, a positive amidst the sea of disaster and despair, any silver lining that would help me and others feeling the pain of this tragedy pass this deep and dark cloud. Then I realized that, just as there is a lesson in everything, there is something that we all can take away from this unfortunate occurrence. We can all at some point identify with the loss of a loved one, a friend, or a dear community member. Still, just as we here in the United States grieve over the death of those Americans on Flight 990, we must remember those teenagers returning home and show our support to the Egyptian communities that mourn their deaths as well. This is an important opportunity for the strength and support from one person to another to transcend ethnic, racial, and national boundaries. This is the time where we must come together across international lines and show our sympathy and compassion as we all share in the unexplainable loss of good and innocent people. Just as pain knows no color, country, or social class, support, compassion, and comfort should not know the difference between nations, either. Just as we mourn the loss of the Simermeyers and the other passengers on that flight, our hearts and prayers are also with the families and friends of those Egyptians who also perished in this tragedy. We must seize this opportunity before us and learn the lesson that we must all come together to help each other cope with the results of disaster. As I close, I feel compelled to focus on the newly developed friendship between a Baltimore teen, Shantell Rose, and Walaa Zeid of Egypt. The two had been inseparable as they lived, studied, shopped, and played together for 2 weeks as a part of the exchange program. At the end of this precious time, Shantell stated that, as they parted, they said, ``I love you.'' In describing this experience, she said that they had started a relationship that will last for decades and cross continents. I say to Shantell Rose, other students, and to all the loved ones of those that have departed us in this tragedy that the journey of life takes us through many times of happiness and sadness. We remember the happy times as the most loved and enriching experiences of all. Although the sad times do not outwardly appear to benefit us, they are, in reality, what builds strength and character in all of us. Remember that our relationships will still last decades and the new relationships that Americans and Egyptian families will make will continue across the continents. These relationships will build your strength and character and allow you to say these simple words: Do not cry for me, for the time we shared will always be.

Mr. CUMMINGS

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, as we near Halloween weekend, it is clear that the GOP has put on its mask and is ready for a masquerade ball where they can pretend to be who they are not. But masks come off at the end of the ball and will reveal that the true face of the GOP is one of hypocrisy. Fortunately, unlike the GOP, the Democratic face is that of the American people. The Democratic face wants a budget that protects Social Security and pays our national debt, a prescription drug policy that provides prescription drugs for those who cannot afford them, 100,000 new teachers, 50,000 more police to combat crime. Mr. Speaker, the Democrats understand as lawmakers, we are a reflection of the American people and should not attempt to alter that mirror image. And so I urge the GOP to leave their mask at home and try to wear the face of the American people.

Mr. CUMMINGS

Mr. CUMMINGS. I yield to the gentleman from Maryland.

Mr. CUMMINGS. I thank the gentleman very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman for what she had to say. As I was listening to the gentlewoman, I could not help but remember, in law school one of the things we learn early on is before one gets to court, they have to exhaust their administrative process first, so they do play a very important role. Many cases are resolved before they get to the courts. Our courts would certainly be clogged if they were not resolved. I want to thank the gentlewoman for her comments. I am sure it means a lot to all of our administrative law judges who might be listening or may read this transcript. Mr. Speaker, again, I would urge all Members to vote in favor of this very important legislation. I also want to thank the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert) for her efforts with regard to this, and also the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Scarborough), the chairman of our subcommittee, and certainly the chairman of the full committee and the ranking member. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, Federal administrative law judges, often referred to as the Federal Administrative Trial Judiciary, perform judicial functions within the Executive Branch of Government. In adjudicating cases before them, administrative law judges conduct formal trial-type hearings, make findings of fact and law, apply agency regulations and issue either initial or recommended decisions. There are over 1,300 ALJs assigned to 31 Federal agencies. The agency employing the largest number of ALJs, over 1,184, is the Social Security Administration, which has its headquarters in my district in Baltimore. I am pleased that the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Gekas), the author of the legislation before us today, was able to work with the Office of Personnel Management to craft a bill that has bipartisan support. H.R. 915, a bill to authorize a cost of living adjustment in the pay of administrative law judges, makes a needed improvement in the ALJ pay system. Under current law, both Federal judges and ALJs are paid under the Executive Schedule, as are Members of Congress. ALJs are the only executive branch Federal employees whose pay is linked to Members of Congress. From 1993 through 1996, ALJs and Federal judges received no cost of living adjustments because Congress prohibited those subject to the Executive Schedule from receiving a COLA. When Executive Schedule pay goes unchanged, so does the basic pay for ALJs. Consequently, ALJ pay levels have not kept pace with those of other groups of Federal employees, such as the General Service and the Senior Executive Schedule. Under H.R. 915, the pay adjustment process for ALJs would mirror the process for setting the basic pay rates for the Senior Executive Schedule. The structure of the ALJ pay system would remain unchanged. The bill would retain the minimum and maximum rates for the ALJ pay range, while eliminating the specific linkages to executive pay within that range. The President would be authorized to adjust ALJ pay within that pay range at the same time as SES basic pay rates are adjusted, which is the time of the annual GS pay adjustment. The top ALJ pay rate could still not exceed the statutory maximum, which would remain the rate for the executive Level IV. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and bring the pay of administrative law judges in line with other groups of Federal employees. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), one who has been at the forefront of protecting the rights of Federal employees and who has been a mentor to me in regard to those kind of issues and many other issues.

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would just take a moment to urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this very important legislation. As the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) just stated, one of the things we are most concerned about is making sure that we attract the very best to the administrative law judge system. Certainly, as much as we might not want to think it, pay is very important. It is something that does attract. We want to make sure that they are treated fairly. They do do an outstanding job over and over again, and are sometimes overlooked because they are on the administrative law judge level. The fact is, they do a very important job.

Mr. CUMMINGS

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time each side has.

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I yield 5 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Bishop) to make his presentation.

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Barrett), another one of our colleagues from the Fifth District.

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as I sat here listening, I could not help but think about how wonderful it is that we from both sides of the aisle stand here today to recognize a great American, and I say that very clearly, a great American. Hank Aaron has certainly touched the lives of so many, and just listening to the statements that were just made from my friend, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner) and my friends from Georgia and from Wisconsin, those are only three States. I am sure that Hank Aaron touched the lives of many, many boys and girls, women and men, throughout all 50 States, touched them in some way or another, all being in a very positive way. The wonderful thing about this resolution is that it acknowledges Hank Aaron for all the things he has done and all of the things he continues to do. Even on his 25th anniversary of breaking the major league baseball career home run record established by Babe Ruth, quiet and unassuming Hank Aaron holds more major league batting records than any other player in history, including most home runs and most runs batted in. In 1970, Mr. Aaron became the first player to compile both 3,000 career hits and more than 500 home runs. In 1972, Mr. Aaron's salary increased from a lofty $125,000 per season to a hefty $200,000 per season, at the time, unbelievably, making him the highest paid baseball player in baseball history. He accomplished all of this despite the enormous amount of hate mail received prior to breaking Babe Ruth's record. If anyone has had an opportunity to listen to Mr. Aaron talk about the pain that he felt during the time that he was trying to break the record, if one could hear him talk about the threats that were made on his life and the threats made on his family's life, one would have to add another very important word to describe him. He is indeed a courageous man, for he went out and he did what he had to do anyway; and while he was doing it, it may have caused him pain, but it surely brought him glory and it surely put an imprint, a positive spirit, in the DNA of every cell of every baseball fan throughout the country. Today, Mr. Aaron divides his time among many jobs. For Turner Broadcasting, he serves as corporate vice president of community relations and is a member of the Turner Broadcasting board of directors. He serves as senior vice president and assistant to the president of the Atlanta Braves. Mr. Aaron also spends a great deal of time working with young baseball hopefuls from underprivileged Atlanta communities. He often talks about the situation the way it was when he came up, the fact that many opportunities to play baseball were not there; and he has made a tremendous commitment never to forget from whence he has come. He has made a commitment, and he has synchronized his conduct with his conscience by lifting others up as he has gone up the ladder of life. The Hank Aaron Rookie League, coordinated with the Atlanta Housing Authority, has gotten many youngsters off the street and on to the playing fields. He has also worked extensively with Big Brothers and Big Sisters organizations throughout our country. Despite all that he has done, Hank Aaron does not classify himself as a role model because of his athletic abilities. He is quoted as saying, Role models are something you have to be careful about. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is a role model. Abraham Lincoln is a role model. A teacher can be a role model. My mother is a role model to my seven brothers and sisters. I played baseball. I just happened to have a gift that I was blessed with. But Hank Aaron the baseball player is not necessarily a role model. Hank Aaron considers Abraham Lincoln a role model. Little does he know that the House Committee on Government Reform considered this resolution at the same time H.R. 1451 honoring Abraham Lincoln was being considered. Both bills passed out of the committee on a voice vote. The bill honoring Abraham Lincoln passed the House just 2 weeks ago. Hank is right. He is not a role model because he was a great baseball player. He is a role model because, in addition to being a great baseball player, he has integrity and courage. He has fought to break color barriers and still, to this day, continues to give back to his community. As did Abraham Lincoln, Hank Aaron has contributed to the colorful and diverse fabric of this Nation, and he did so when the tide was against him. So to you, Mr. Aaron, we say, thank you for all that you are and thank you for all that you are not. I urge all of my colleagues to support H. Res. 279 honoring Hank Aaron, a true legend.