Michael Capuano

Mr. CAPUANO

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

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, today the House takes up important housing legislation to help communities across America achieve homeownership. The bill we are taking up today was recently passed by a voice vote from the Committee on Financial Services. H.R. 4363, Helping Hands For Homeownership Act of 2004, introduced by the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Green) would make a technical correction for the Housing Opportunity Program Extension Act of 1996 to permit families who receive homes from groups such as Habitat for Humanity to fulfill the sweat equity requirements for receiving self- help homeownership opportunity program funds or SHOP funds by helping to build other Habitat homes in the community in addition to their own. SHOP provides competitive grants for groups such as Habitat to help with land and infrastructure expenses. This change fulfills the original intent of Congress and corrects the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development interpretation which create a hurdle to home ownership, the exact opposite of HUD's mission. In 1996, Congress created the SHOP program to provide grants to non- profit groups like Habitat for Humanity to help with land and infrastructure expenses. However, because of a new interpretation of SHOP by HUD, Habitat's involvement in the program was placed in jeopardy. Under the new interpretation, families are required to contribute sweat equity labor hours towards the construction of their own home. The legislation of the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Green) changes this to allow families to accumulate their sweat equity hours by working on both their own homes and other Habitat homes. These grants are essential in helping groups like Habitat carry out their mission of building stronger communities. By correcting this problem Congress, will remove a major barrier to home ownership for low income families and give them a chance to help other families in their communities. Habitat for Humanity's headquarters located Georgia provides information, training and a variety of other support services to Habitat affiliates throughout the world. Habitat for Humanity International is a non-profit, ecumenical, Christian housing ministry. They seek to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from around the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need. Habitat has built more than 150,000 houses around the world providing more than 750,000 people in more than 3,000 communities with safe, decent, and affordable shelter. They were founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller, along with his wife Linda. Mr. Speaker, I ask that this bill be passed. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, today, the House takes up important housing legislation to help Native American communities across America achieve homeownership. The bill we are taking up today is a direct result of a recent hearing held by the Subcommittee on Housing of the Committee on Financial Services, of which I am a member, in the Navajo Nation. With the leadership of the subcommittee chairman, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ney), and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters), the ranking member, the subcommittee learned of the significant housing challenges facing our Native American communities. Members who attended the hearing in the Navajo Nation came back to report enormous challenges in housing conditions that resemble those of some Third World nations. This bill is the first legislative result of that important field hearing. The legislation was introduced by the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Matheson), both of whom represent the Navajo Nation. I commend the leadership of both my colleagues on this legislation. Unfortunately, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Matheson) was unable to be here today at this time. And I am pleased to be here representing him in his absence on behalf of this important legislation that will, as I stated, help Native Americans achieve home ownership. The gentleman from Utah (Mr. Matheson) has exercised great leadership, not only in housing issues for Native Americans, but for giving his Navajo Nation constituents a strong voice in Congress. This bill sets the loan guarantee level at 95 percent for a vital Native American housing program at HUD. This is the level that has been used since its implementation. However, the law is currently silent regarding the loan guarantee level and HUD would be forced by administrative rule to lower that level to 80 percent, unless Congress sets the level at 95 percent, which this bill will accomplish for the purposes that ensure that the very important housing program will continue to be used to help our Native American friends. Again, I would like it to thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ney) and the ranking member, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters) for their leadership in convening the field hearing in the Navaho Nation that led to this important legislation. I commend the leadership of the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi) on this bill and his efforts on behalf of the Navaho people. I also would like to express appreciation to my esteemed colleague, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Matheson), for being a leader on this bill and for being a strong leader and advocate in Congress for all Native American items. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Speaker, I rise today to recognize William Boyan's leadership as Chairman of the Children's Hospital Boston Board of Trustees. Mr. Boyan has had a long and distinguished business career in my state, culminating as President and Chief Executive Officer of John Hancock Financial Services. No less impressive, however, is his work on behalf of the children of Massachusetts. Mr. Boyan recently completed a five-year term as Chairman of the Children's Hospital Board. He will remain as a Board member, where he has served with distinction for the past twenty-five years. Under his leadership, Children's Hospital Boston has continued its preeminent work in clinical medicine, research, and training, on behalf of our nation's youngest patients. As a true public servant, Mr. Boyan has lent his wisdom and expertise to many initiatives throughout Massachusetts. He also currently serves on the Boston School Committee, and his commitment to the city's children and their education is well-known. His passion for excellence and his philanthropic efforts on behalf of the schools have made a real difference in the lives of children in every neighborhood of the city. Children's Hospital has been a leading voice on behalf of children's health care needs. The hospital's many community service projects touch the lives of children and families throughout the state. Mr. Boyan's dedication has been an essential part of the hospital's success. Mr. Speaker, it is with pleasure that I recognize and honor William Boyan's efforts and achievements.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Larry O'Toole, founder and president of Gentle Giant Moving Company. Gentle Giant has received numerous accolades since it's incorporation in 1985, including the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce's 2002 Small Business of the Year award, the 2002 and 2003 Better Business Bureau Local Torch Award for Excellence, five time winner of both the Improper Bostonian's Best Moving Company award and Boston Magazine's Best of Boston: Best Moving Company. However, just this spring, Mr. O'Toole has been named the Small Business Administration's State Small Business Person of the Year from Massachusetts. Mr. O'Toole began Gentle Giant in 1980, with $17, a truck he borrowed from a friend and a single ad placed in a weekly Boston newspaper. By 1990, the company's revenue was $2 million; by 2000, it was $12 million. There is no special secret to Gentle Giant's success. Mr. O'Toole relies heavily on well trained, well conditioned moving crews; in fact, three Gentle Giant employees participated in the Barcelona Olympics. The company also consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty to assist those who are moving, to the point where Gentle Giant offers complimentary packing seminars on Saturday mornings. The result of Mr. O'Toole's business approach is sound--90% of Gentle Giant's business is either repeat or referral. However, there is more to running a successful business than profit and sound business strategy. There is also giving back to the community, and in this regard, Mr. O'Toole and Gentle Giant are nonpareil. Gentle Giant has partnered for years with the AIDS Action Committee, the Boys and Girls Club and the Somerville Homeless Coalition. Mr. O'Toole has started the Gentle Giant Rowing Club, offering free and subsidized rowing lessons to teens and adults. In fact, just this year, Gentle Giant sponsored 11 runners in the 2004 Boston Marathon. In closing, I salute Larry O'Toole for being awarded the Small Business Administration State Small Business Person of the Year for Massachusetts. It is a well deserved recognition.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to praise two of my most illustrious constituents, Henry Morgenthau III and Ruth S. Morgenthau. Harvard Hillel will honor them this weekend, on Sunday, May 2, with its Tribute to Excellence. Henry and Ruth Morgenthau are distinguished citizens of the 8th Congressional District, Massachusetts, and of our nation. They can be said, truly, to be also citizens of the world. They are cosmopolitan in the best sense, their knowledge and compassion embracing several continents. Ruth Morgenthau is Adlai Stevenson Professor of International Politics emerita at Brandeis University and Founding Director of its graduate program in sustainable development. She wrote an award-winning book on the politics of francophone Africa and became an early, persuasive advocate of micro-finance and micro-enterprise as development strategies. She organized Food Corps International to provide low cost, low-tech assistance to rural populations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. She serves now as Chair of the Board of Directors of PACT, an NGO that supports capacity building community projects in twenty countries. PACT is remarkable too, and here one sees Ruth Morgenthau's leadership, for its work in educating and empowering women. Henry Morgenthau III, the son and grandson of eminent public servants, has been a pioneer in public television. He early sensed the role it could play in our civic life, and he used it to deepen our understanding of ourselves as a people. He served as Executive Producer of Prospects for Mankind, the program that Eleanor Roosevelt hosted during the last three years of her life, interviewing, among others, Ralph Bunche, John Kenneth Galbraith, Adlai Stevenson, and, at Henry's urging, a young Senator from Massachusetts, John Kennedy. In the spring of 1963, he produced, for Boston's WGBH, an important series on The Negro and the American Promise, featuring interviews with Dr. Kenneth Clark, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, and James Baldwin. He has won many awards, including the Peabody, Emmy, UPI, EFLA, and Flaherty Film Festival Awards. Both Henry and Ruth Morgenthau achieved significant and enduring professional triumphs. But they were never too busy to help a friend, shelter a refugee, or further a good cause. Their house on Highland Street in Cambridge commemorates decades of public service. There are pictures of Henry Morgenthau, Wilson's ambassador to Turkey, who pleaded for the Armenians; Henry Morgenthau II who helped President Roosevelt shape the New Deal and defeat the Axis; family photos with Eleanor Roosevelt and other world leaders. Mrs. Roosevelt was a dear friend to them both and stood by the chupa at their wedding. Every year, on October 11, they celebrate her birthday, with a party, verging on a rally, that never fails to inspire all present. Today, I want, above all, to thank Ruth and Henry Morgenthau for their tireless efforts to make the world free and safe. They have kept hope alive and encouraged us all to carry on the struggle.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure but great sadness that I rise today to honor Daniel J. Wuenschel on his impending retirement from the Cambridge Housing Authority. Dan has served as executive director of the Cambridge Housing Authority since 1978. During his tenure, he has been a tireless advocate for affordable housing in the City of Cambridge. Dan's work in the reconstruction and redevelopment of the city's aging public housing stock has garnered several State and national awards and served as a prototype for a national public housing redevelopment program. He also directed CHA efforts to produce over 700 additional units of affordable housing in more than 15 different locations throughout the city. His work has been essential in ensuring that Cambridge has an economically diverse population at a time of skyrocketing housing costs in Massachusetts. Dan has been honored with the 1986 Governor's Design Award, the 1989 Massachusetts Historical Commission's Preservation Award, the 1990 Ford Foundation/Harvard University Innovations in State & Local Government Award, and a 1998 Boston Society of Architects' Citation for Urban Planning. The CHA has also been recognized many times for its superior work in providing service to its residents. Dan has also been an innovator in the public housing field. The CHA recently opened Neville Manor at Fresh Pond, a 71-unit, mixed-income assisted living facility and Neville Center, a 112 bed skilled nursing facility. He also secured a HOPE VI grant to rehabilitate the John F. Kennedy Apartments, a 69-unit affordable housing complex for seniors. CHA has also been instrumental in supporting numerous nonprofit affordable housing developers in Cambridge. As executive director, he led the Cambridge Housing Authority in its role as cofounder of the National Council of Large Public Housing Authorities. He became the first president of CLPHA, an office he held for 6 years, during which time CLPHA became the premier industry group representing housing authority interests at the national level and here in Washington, DC. Mr. Speaker, Dan Wuenschel has provided a home for thousands of families and my district and this country are the better for it. We are extremely grateful for all of his work, and he will be sorely missed. Dan, congratulations on a job well done.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, as Congress moves to consider a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, I would like to take this opportunity to submit for the Record the following letter from a constituent of mine, whose words and sentiments are echoed by millions of Americans throughout the country. Though this letter was addressed to the members of the Massachusetts State Legislature, I believe the passion and conviction this mother has for the rights and privileges of her children, and her gay son in particular, is extremely relevant to the debate that we may soon have in the U.S. House of Representatives. February 21, 2004. Members of the Massachusetts Legislature, State House, Boston, MA. Dear Senators and Representatives: I am the mother of four children. Our family values are evidenced by the concern they have for each other's well being. They are so alike in thought and deed that it continues to amaze me. They are outstanding, productive members of society and I am equally proud of all of them. However, passage of this discriminatory constitutional amendment will forbid my gay son from enjoying the same rights and privileges as his brother and sisters. I implore you to vote no. Sincerely, Elsie Frank. Thank you Mr. Speaker and I urge all of my colleagues to heed the words of Mrs. Frank.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my enthusiastic congratulations to the New England Patriots, Super Bowl Champions for the second time in three years. When the Patriots celebrated their first Super Bowl title in team history two years ago, the excitement that we all experienced was unparalleled. This year, with the team's second victory, we may have surpassed the joy of that first win. I think every New Englander was filled with pride yesterday, as a crowd of over 1.5 million fans turned out in chilly temperatures to fill the streets of Boston. We watched the fans on City Hall Plaza cheer as the Patriots, led by their team owner Bob Kraft, gifted Head Coach Bill Belichick, and players now known on a first name basis--such as Tom, Ty, and Adam--took to the stage. These fans were cheering more than just a Super Bowl victory. This team of New England Patriots exemplified hard work, determination, and humility. They worked together as a team above all else, and respected all of their opponents, regardless of their records. It was this dedication that led to their amazing streak of 15 straight wins, the longest winning streak in the NFL in more than 30 years. Throughout it all, they had a keen awareness of what their quest meant to the fans of New England who have supported them through the good years and bad ones. They were a source of joy, hope, and inspiration. We admire the Pats for their achievements and look forward to win number three.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, January 27, 2003, Louis Rabaglia, my 94 year-old Uncle and a former firefighter, required hospitalization and I had to remain in my District to address related concerns. Consequently, I was unable to cast votes on Rollcalls 6 and 7. Had I been present, I would have voted in the following manner: ``yea'' on Rollcall 6 and ``yea'' on Rollcall 7. I ask unanimous consent that the Congressional Record reflect my intended votes.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my strong opposition to H.R. 1, the Republican Prescription Drug Bill. This bill represents the first step in a Republican plan to end Medicare as we know it. Under the guise of providing seniors with the prescription drug coverage they so desperately need, this Congress is attempting to destroy the program that seniors have depended on for over 35 years to provide them with the affordable, reliable health care they need and deserve. Mr. Speaker, not only does this bill fall far short of what the senior citizens of this country expected of us, but it fails by the most basic of standards: it prohibits the federal government from negotiating for lower-cost drugs; it may lead to 3 million seniors losing the good prescription drug coverage they currently have through former employers; it subsides HMOs at 124 percent of what it pays to traditional fee-for-service Medicare; it creates new Health Savings Accounts, which benefit mostly the wealthy; and it sets up new ``cost- containment'' measures, designed to lay the groundwork for future cuts to beneficiaries and providers. But most alarmingly, this bill contains a massive demonstration program that it the first step toward the privatization of Medicare. The ``premium support'' demonstration project in this bill could force 7 million seniors to be subject to a social experiment that has never been tested. Under the demonstration program, HMOs could ``cherry-pick'' healthy and wealthy seniors citizens, leaving the poor and sick in the traditional program, undermining the social insurance pool. Premiums for those in the traditional program would be driven up, and they could also vary by region and fluctuate from year to year. This is an unacceptable assault on the Medicare program that will only result in higher profits for the insurance industry. There is no denying that some people may benefit from this bill. For example, it does provide some prescription drug coverage for those with the lowest incomes. Although instituting the first assets-test for low- income beneficiaries in Medicare's history, it will mean that many of these senior citizens now have access to prescription drugs. Further, as the Member representing many of the teaching hospitals in the Boston area, I am well aware of the important provisions in this bill that will provide essential funding for the world-class hospitals, dedicated doctors, and other health care professionals who work so hard to provide quality care to all the citizens of my district. However, the positive elements of this bill do not outweigh my concern for the damage this bill could do to a program that has become an integral part of our society. The steps toward privatization contained in this legislation are unacceptable. I am not willing to gamble with the health of our nation's seniors, placing their well being in the hands of the insurance industry. I do not believe this is a risk worth taking. Medicare has served us well for over 35 years. Its demise would mean an America where senior citizens are left to fend for themselves in the private insurance market without a safety net. While this bill may offer some appealing short-term benefits, the price could be the end of Medicare as we know ti. I cannot and will not be a part of it. I urge Members to vote ``no'' on H.R. 1.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mildred O'Neill, wife of the late House Speaker Thomas P ``Tip'' O'Neill, who passed away yesterday. Mrs. O'Neill was a great political partner for her husband throughout his career. She was Tip's sounding board and confidant. As Tip wrote in All Politics Is Local, ``Every election day as Millie and I left for the polls, I'd say, `Honey, I'd like to ask for your vote.' `Tom,' she'd reply, `I'll give you every consideration.' '' The constituents of Massachusetts' 8th district who were represented by Tip O'Neill benefited greatly from her dedication. As the current representative from the 8th, I regularly encounter people with a story to tell about Mrs. O'Neill's legendary commitment to her community and numerous worthwhile causes. Mrs. O'Neill was also a devoted mother, raising five children and instilling in them an appreciation for public service. She was involved with a number of organizations, including the March of Dimes, the Congressional Wives Club and the International Club. She also served as Chairwoman of Ford's Theatre in Washington, DC, receiving the Lincoln Award in 1984 for her fundraising efforts. She was also very active in the St. John's Church Rebuilding Fund and served as President of the parish Guild of St. John's Church--maintaining strong ties to her community. As Tip wrote in a chapter entitled Never Forget Your Spouse, ``My Millie certainly did it for me. When I was off to Washington helping run the country, she was back home running the family. When I was at my low point in politics, she was giving me a hug and telling me to go out and do my job. When I was in the spotlight taking the applause, she was in the background cheering me on. I love her for it.'' All of us from Massachusetts, but especially those from the 8th District, will miss Mrs. O'Neill greatly. Our thoughts are with her family during this difficult time.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3038, the Health Care Safety Net Amendments and Technical Corrections Act of 2003. This bill makes small but significant technical changes to the Health Care Safety Net Improvement Act that I co-sponsored in the 107th Congress. As a co-chair of the Community Health Centers Caucus, I would like to recognize a fellow co-chair of the Caucus, and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, Mr. Bilirakis, as well as the Ranking Member, Mr. Brown, for their work in bringing this bill to the floor. In the 107th Congress, this body passed the Health Care Safety Net Improvement Act of 2002 with strong bipartisan support, demonstrating a continuing commitment to the work of community health centers and the National Health Service Corps. The technical amendments in this bill ensure that the original goals of that legislation will be realized. It is fitting that we consider this bill today, as new Census Bureau figures released this week show that the number of uninsured Americans has increased at an even greater rate than anticipated. Community health centers play an invaluable role in serving this medically underserved population. In addition, a recent study by the George Washington University confirmed what many of us who have personally witnessed the work of health centers in our districts have long known, that the presence of community health centers in medically underserved communities reduces racial and ethnic disparities in key measures of community health. Researchers showed a clear association between the high penetration of community health centers in a state and narrower rates of disparity in infant mortality, access to prenatal care, and total death rates. The Health Care Safety Net Amendments and Technical Improvements Act will ensure that this essential work can continue. I urge my colleagues to support community health centers and vote yes on H.R. 3038.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the twenty years of service that Ward 6 Alderman, John M. ``Jack'' Connolly, has selflessly given to the city of Somerville, Massachusetts. Alderman Connolly was born and raised in Somerville and has become a pillar of the community and a champion of the people. Dedicated and hardworking, he has always had the best interests of Somerville at heart. As a true public servant, Alderman Connolly has been a consistent supporter of affordable housing and was instrumental in bringing subway service to Somerville's Davis Square, which aided in revitalizing the city in the 1980s. As a member of the Somerville community, Alderman Connolly is better known as ``Jack.'' In addition to his position on the Board of Alderman, he has been a referee for youth soccer and basketball leagues and is also active in the local chapter of the Kiwanis Club. It should not be a surprise that the proceeds from a celebration of his service to the city are being donated to benefit a free performance series for Somerville's children. Alderman Connolly is currently the Chair of the Board of Aldermen's Licenses & Permits Committee, and he has served twice as the Board's President and Vice President. Mr. Speaker, it is with pleasure that I recognize and honor Alderman Jack Connolly's efforts and achievements.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Chairman, I rise tonight in opposition to H.R. 2210, the School Readiness Act of 2003. Head Start has provided a strong foundation for millions of children over the past 38 years. The program was created in 1965 to help young children become more academically prepared for school and to encourage healthy families. Head Start, which currently assists over 900,000 children, is the only major federal effort to provide comprehensive social and educational services. Head Start targets the nation's poorest children, those living in families at or below the federal poverty level as well as children with disabilities and special needs. It emphasizes not only children's cognitive development but also their social, emotional, and physical development and encourages strong parent involvement. H.R. 2210 reauthorizes the Head Start program through Fiscal Year 2008. While the measure seeks to improve the school readiness by increasing the focus on academic performance, the bill's authorization provides only 2.9 percent more than the FY03 appropriation, just barely enough to cover inflation. I have other serious concerns with this reauthorization legislation. In particular, H.R. 2210 changes current law to permit religious organizations who run Head Start programs to discriminate in hiring employees based on religious affiliation. The bill also establishes a demonstration program that permits eight states to integrate their own preschool programs with the federal Head Start programs. This is the first step in a concerted effort by the Majority to block grant Head Start and take oversight away from the federal government. I believe block granting will weaken performance standards and ultimately could lead to a dismantling of the entire program. As a strong supporter of Head Start, I believe we should be focusing on ways to build upon the success of the program by strengthening school readiness, improving program quality and accountability, and expanding access to more eligible children. For that reason, I support the substitute offered by Representative Miller. The substitute strengthens Head Start's focus on preliteracy, language and pre-math skills while improving teacher quality by requiring 50 percent of Head Start teachers to have bachelor's degrees by 2008 and prohibiting new hires without associate's degrees after 2005. The Miller proposal creates salary and scholarship funds to ensure Head Start teachers are able to remain with Head Start for several years. Most importantly, it expands access to all pre-school students, expands access to Early Head Start and increases the flexibility of Head Start programs to meet community local needs. During a time where there is a lot of talk about ``Leaving No Child Behind'', let's truly stand up for the children who need our help the most. The research is clear--children who participate in Head Start arrive at school better prepared than low-income children who do not participate in the program. This high quality program must be preserved--it works and it works well. It is illogical to cut funding or weaken this proven program. I urge my colleagues to vote against H.R. 2210 and for the Miller substitute to ensure that vital, comprehensive services remain available to all Head Start participants.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the AmeriCorps program and in support of an increase in funding for this important initiative. AmeriCorps engages our citizens in service to meet the nation's critical needs in the areas of education, public safety and environmental protection. AmeriCorps enlists 50,000 people nationwide, 1,400 of whom serve in Massachusetts. As you know, the program faces a serious financial crisis and without additional funding, 20,000 new service member positions will be cut and hundreds of programs will be at risk. The other body has already added additional funding in its version of the Supplemental Appropriations bill. The House needs to act today to preserve this successful program. Without the full $100 million in additional funding, the service programs as well as the volunteers and communities that rely on them will be devastated. Teach for America and Habitat for Humanity will see a dramatic decrease in participants and the infrastructure of many programs in my district including, Just a Start, City Year and Youth Build, do not have the resources to sustain any cut to their budget. These important programs respond to the needs of communities and my district relies heavily on these AmeriCorps services. AmeriCorps members tutor children, serve as mentors for teens, renovate low-income housing, immunize children against preventable diseases, and restore parks. They work with community leaders and provide services to Head Start children, high school students and senior citizens. With a loss of funding, communities will no longer be able to provide these essential services. While I remain concerned with the recent accounting errors and mismanagement by the Corporation for National and Community Service's executives, I do not believe we should punish thousands of volunteers for the mistakes made by the Corporation's leadership. These destructive cuts come at a time when our nation is depending on AmeriCorps service members to meet critical education, safety, homeland security and health needs. My district counts on AmeriCorps volunteers and we should be proud of their service. Let's fully fund AmeriCorps.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize August 10-16 as National Health Center Week and in support of H. Res. 240, which seeks to raise awareness of health services provided by community, migrant, public housing, and homeless health centers. This year's theme ``Leading the Way to Accessible & Affordable Health Care'' recognizes the contributions of health centers in promoting health and preventive care in the nation's medically underserved communities. As a co-chair of the community health center caucus and a cosponsor of the legislation, I know firsthand the important contributions health centers make. Health centers tailor their services to fit the special needs and priorities of their communities. Their approach is to help people confront critical health problems while lowering the cost of services through primary care and prevention. They are vital resources to patients who do not have adequate access to medical doctors, dentists, mental health providers and other health providers and they help make health care affordable to everyone, with or without health insurance. In 2001, nearly 1,000 health centers served more than 13 million children and adults in 3,500 communities across the country, including 400 school-based sites. Community health centers are making an enormous impact in my Congressional district. They have significantly increased the use of preventive health services such as Pap smears, mammograms, and glaucoma screenings among the populations they serve. Health center employees have also worked to increase the number and proportion of immunized children, and have made significant strides in preventing anemia and lead poisoning. Furthermore, health centers contribute to the health and well-being of their communities by reducing the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, keeping children healthy and in school, and helping adults remain productive and on the job. National studies indicate that every dollar invested in community health centers provides an average savings of three dollars to the overall health care system. At a time when the number of uninsured Americans continues to increase and federal and state governments are facing budget shortfalls, community health centers continue to provide essential services at reasonable cost to millions of Americans. I urge my colleagues to support community health centers and vote yes on H. Res. 240.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Chairman Hyde) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), ranking member; the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce); and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne) for bringing this matter to the floor on this issue and for their great leadership on this issue and many other issues relative to the issues around the world, particularly with regard to the continent of Africa. I want the people at home listening to understand what we are talking about. The word ``slavery'' just kind of rolls off the tongue, and in many ways I think people sometimes think we are talking in a figurative manner. We are talking about literal slavery, old-fashioned slavery where the government of one country either directly sanctions or indirectly allows one group of people to enslave another, to put them up on an auction block and sell them as I would sell a bicycle. It is not figurative. It is not some hyperbole. It is actual real textbook slavery that I think most Americans, if we ask them, would think has been gone from the face of this Earth since the middle of last century. It is not gone and this is a government, a country, not just a few renegades. This is not a criminal activity that uses women for sex slaves and uses children for forced labor; this is not that. This is an actual government who allows this to continue and in many cases participates in it indirectly. That is what we are talking about here. What we are asking for is the United Nations to stand up. Just yesterday we took two votes on the United Nations. I pride myself on being a supporter of the United Nations, and I consider myself an internationalist. I think this country and the world is better off if we can talk to each other. I think the United Nations plays a valuable role. Yet the United Nations itself, a committee of the United Nations, said slavery is okay. I cannot be more offended than by that vote. I think it should be noted that the Chair of that commission is the country of Libya. An amazing coincidence. An amazing coincidence. This administration, the Bush administration, has done a good job on this, and I do not agree with them on many things. On this issue they have stood up tall and been right, and I appreciate that and I congratulate them for that. This resolution and my message on this resolution is to the United Nations. If they want people like me to continue to support them, I do not think it is a very high bar to say to them that they need to stand up against slavery. How is that a high bar? I cannot imagine an any lower bar. Yet they have not. Honestly from a United Nations perspective, I cannot think of another vote that they have taken that has more offended me particularly in modern times. This resolution is simple, and again I congratulate and thank the leaders of the Committee on International Relations for bringing this forward. This is really a message to the U.N. to get back on their game, stand up, stand up for the easiest issue in the world. If they do not, they jeopardize support from people like me and I think they undermine their credibility on every other issue around the world; and I find that to be absolutely the opposite of what the United Nations, what the United States stands for and our support for the United Nations.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Chairman, I would like to commend the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee Chairman and Ranking Democrat for their leadership in bringing this bill to the House Floor. I would like to express my appreciation for the continued funding of the Joint Diabetes Project in Army RDT&E, Medical Advanced Technology. This project, a collaborative effort of DOD, VA and Joslin Diabetes Center, is bringing advanced, state of the art diabetes detection, care and prevention to large portions of the DOD and VA patient populations. The Joslin Vision Network, enhanced by the Comprehensive Diabetes Management Program, has been proven to reduce costs while providing improved care.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to join my good friend Congressman Jack Quinn in introducing important legislation to help address an issue in our Nation that is only starting to receive national attention--grandparents raising their grandchildren. According to recent data from the Census Bureau, the number of intergenerational families increased more than fifty percent between 1990 and 1998. It is estimated that more than 2.5 million grandparents across America are raising their grandchildren. Many of these children have parents who have passed away, are in prison, or are suffering from drug or alcohol addictions, while some have been taken out of abusive homes. These intergenerational families or ``Grandfamilies'' live in rural areas, inner cities and suburbs. They come from all races and ethnicities, and live in every State in the Nation. Many of these grandparents survive on fixed incomes--social security, a small pension--and face not only the rising cost of prescription drugs, but also the cost of diapers, baby formula, toys, and school clothes. Unfortunately, our Nation's housing policy has not kept up with the unique needs of these families. There are very few housing developments specifically designed for intergenerational families. The Grandfamilies House in Boston, Massachusetts in my Congressional District offers apartments with special features for both grandparents and children, including childproof kitchen cabinets and handicapped-accessible bathrooms. There are also activities for seniors and children, an outdoor playground and an on-site computer lab. I am introducing the LEGACY Act in response to the growing number of communities throughout the Nation that have been working to build on the model of the Grandfamilies House in Boston. The title of the legislation was inspired by an Academy Award nominated documentary film chronicling the life of a grandmother raising her grandchildren and their struggle to move out of a Chicago housing project. The legislation creates demonstration programs through both the Section 8 Housing Certificate Fund and the Section 202 Elderly Housing program. These demonstration projects will enable housing developers and advocacy groups additional flexibility in securing financing for this housing and providing ongoing services to intergenerational families. In addition, the LEGACY Act clarifies that grandparents raising their grandchildren are eligible for family unification assistance, allows access to fair housing funds for education and outreach efforts about the legal issues surrounding many of these families. It also directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide specialized training for their employees focused on grandparent- and other relative-headed families. Many grandparents do not have access to the services they and their grandchildren need. These training and outreach efforts will help raise the awareness of the unique issues these families face each day. While this bill is a small step in recognizing the tremendous contributions of these grandparents, it is my hope that it will help bring this issue greater recognition. Affordable housing is only one of the many challenges these courageous grandparents face as they raise the next generation of Americans. Please join me in supporting these families by supporting the LEGACY Act.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, today we have the opportunity to provide our seniors with a real prescription drug benefit, but instead of giving seniors the plan they deserve, we are taking steps to dismantle a program that older Americans have known and trusted for 38 years. The Republican plan before us today fails to offer the types of guarantees that our seniors need and deserve. There is no defined benefit and no standard premium. So when my seniors ask now much their premiums will be or how much their drugs will cost, I cannot answer them. This is unacceptable. This bill allows private insurance companies to decide premiums, prescription drug coverage benefits and even where coverage will be offered. This proposal threatens to dismantle Medicare and replace it with private health insurance coverage for all seniors. This is precisely the problem many seniors face--they cannot afford private insurance, and depend on Medicare. This bill also provides additional funding for rural hospitals, but not urban teaching hospitals. This is a serious oversight. Urban teaching hospitals are facing incredible budget shortfalls. They play a critical role in training tomorrow's physicians, and their needs must also be addressed. If the Federal Government is going to offer additional funding to some hospitals, it must offer additional funding to urban teaching hospitals. The Federal Government has a responsibility to ensure that Americans who contribute to the Medicare program during their working years will have access to dependable, equitable, and affordable health coverage. The Democratic substitute does just that--it lowers drug prices, guarantees coverage and enables seniors to get their medicines at the pharmacy of their choice. The Rangel/Dingell substitute addresses my concerns more effectively and I will strongly support it.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to echo all the comments that have been made, but I want to make it clear. I want everyone to know what this gentleman has done. To me, this gentleman is clearly a hero. We have used the word, but understand what he did. Here is a gentleman who came from China, established a very successful, very comfortable life here in America: a wife and two children living in one of our best and most beautiful suburbs of Boston; well-respected in the community, well thought of, well loved. Very easy for him to live out the rest of his life in that comfort without any real concerns. He could speak any way he wanted to speak, feel any way he wanted to feel, do any work he wanted to do. But what did he do? He took himself voluntarily from that comfort on his own to go back to China to fight for democracy. If anyone here thinks they have the courage to do that, you are a better person than I am. I do not know that I would have the courage to do that. I wish I would, and maybe if faced with that someday, I hope I might be able to live up to those incredible standards. But I am not so sure. I am not so sure. This is a true modern hero, fighting for what we all talk about all day long. We are here, with all of our differences, with all of our agreements and disagreements, fighting for a better democracy. That is what we are all here for. He is fighting for a simple democracy. We cannot abandon him. The fact that this resolution is on the floor obviously shows the U.S. Congress stands with Dr. Yang, stands with the principles that I think he epitomizes. China, as a great country, has chosen to hold him without charges. There have been no charges. There is no lawyer assigned to him. No judge has heard this case. No jury has heard this case. No administrator has heard this case. His family has not been allowed to visit him. I went on an official delegation to China in January, and I was not allowed to visit him. No American official has been allowed to visit him. No doctor of the family, no representative of the family has been allowed to visit him. How can a great country ask us to treat them as a great country when they act in such a manner? Any crime he might have committed has already been paid back to China in the 14 months he has been held in the manner he has been held. This man should be released immediately and returned to the bosom of his family and to a welcoming and, hopefully, grateful Nation of the American people because of what he has done for us.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mayor Dorothy Kelly Gay, a friend and colleague who is celebrating 25 years of American citizenship. Hers is a story of the American Dream achieved. Dorothy Kelly Gay, born in Ireland, immigrated to the United States in 1968 to pursue a career in nursing. Today she serves as Mayor of my hometown Somerville, Massachusetts. Like so many others who left their homeland for the shores of this great Nation, Mayor Kelly Gay has never forgotten why America is a land of opportunity. Her accomplishments are a reflection of her commitment to making life's struggles a bit easier for others. As a professional nurse she fought vigorously on behalf of her patients for better healthcare services and received awards from the Massachusetts Nurses Association. This passion for helping others expanded to elective office when Mayor Kelly Gay served on the Somerville School Committee from 1986-1993. She served as an elected member of the Governor's Council from 1992-1998 and was a candidate for Lieutenant Governor in 1998. In 1999 she made history when she was elected Somerville's first female Mayor. Mr. Speaker, Mayor Kelly Gay has received numerous awards and achieved much during her years of public service. However, I think her personal story speaks volumes. During her 25 years of citizenship Mayor Kelly Gay has given back to this country in dedication what she received in opportunity. She is an asset to the City of Somerville and the residents she serves. I congratulate Mayor Dorothy Kelly Gay as she celebrates 25 years of American citizenship.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform my colleagues of the despicable attack on a key democratic figure in Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi, by Than Shwe and his brutal military regime. A few days ago, the political arm of Than Shwe's regime, the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), launched an attack against Aung San Suu Kyi's motorcade as she was traveling to give a speech about freedom in Burma. After stopping the motorcade and wielding machetes and sticks, USDA members beat on the doors of the motorcade and attempted to steal cameras and other items. This is only one of many recent occasions in which the USDA has harassed and intimidated Aung San Suu Kyi, her political opposition group called the National League for Democracy (NLD), and their supporters. In order to interfere with her efforts to speak about democratization in Burma, the regime has threatened her supporters with water hoses on fire trucks and blared loud music so that others cannot hear her speeches. Authorities have repeatedly deterred and prevented her supporters from attending her speeches by threatening them with arrest, and have turned back several busloads full of people. I find it appalling that Than Shwe's soldiers would threaten one of the world's great freedom fighters with blunt weapons. Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD are the legitimately elected leaders of their country-they won 82 percent of the seats in parliament in an internationally recognized election, even though the regime refuses to recognize the results. As an elected Representative of the citizens of Massachusetts, I simply cannot stand by while men like Than Shwe so grossly violate the very principles upon which this House was built. Than Shwe continues to terrorize the population of Burma. He and his regime have forced much of the population into modern-day slave labor, locked up about 1,400 political prisoners including students, monks, nuns, and 18 members of parliament, and recruited an astounding 70,000 child soldiers--far more than any other country in the world. Perhaps most disturbing, our own State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Rights, and Labor conducted an impressive investigation into rapes in Burma that confirmed the regime is using rape as a weapon of war. As we learned from Bosnia, using rape as a weapon is a war crime, and Than Shwe and his cronies should be brought to justice. Most importantly, Burma's regime has proven that its words cannot be taken seriously. It has denied the use of rape as a weapon, stated that is has no child soldiers, and refuses to acknowledge the detention and torture of political prisoners. For this reason, it should not be surprising that Than Shwe has ignored the promise he made over a year ago to enter into a dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi, facilitated by the United Nations, aimed at a transition to freedom and democracy. Instead, he has flaunted the good-faith efforts of the United Nations Special Envoy to Burma, Razali Ismail, and by extension, the entire United Nations General Assembly. I urge my colleagues to join me in condemning these recent attacks and urge the State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Rights, and Labor to register our condemnation of the regime at the highest levels.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Sage Family of Boston, Massachusetts as they celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Bisuteki Japanese Steakhouse in Cambridge, MA. For 30 years, the Sage family has offered diners a complete restaurant and entertainment experience at Bisuteki. Specially trained tepanyaki chefs prepare delightful four-course dinners right at the table, displaying showmanship and flair while flipping, chopping and serving freshly cooked, wholesome meals. The continued success of the Bisuteki Japanese Steakhouse is testament to the Sage family's ability to provide guests with a truly memorable experience. After 30 years, patrons continue to flock to the restaurant located inside the Radisson Hotel. Under the watchful eye of Head Chefs Vanhdy Vanlathanith and Hai Nguyen, who have overseen Bisuteki's tepanyaki grills for more than 20 years, the restaurant prepares flavorful, heaping portions of grilled filet and shrimp, as well as top quality sushi right on the historic Charles River. I congratulate the Sage family and wish them many more years of success with the Bisuteki Japanese Steakhouse.