Michael Capuano

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2396, the Small Business Innovation Research Program Reauthorization Act of 1999. This important program has had a significant impact not just in Massachusetts, but many other states around the country. Literally thousands of companies have benefited from the SBIR program since its establishment in 1982. With the exception of some Internet and biotechnology companies, small technology businesses generally do not have the financial resources necessary to develop their most innovative ideas. Many businesses, in their early years and without much of a track record, have a difficult time finding the capital necessary to bring ideas to the marketplace, regardless of how good these ideas might be. The SBIR program provides these businesses with an opportunity to develop and implement their ideas with the goal of enabling these businesses to fully realize their commercial potential. When these companies succeed, they in turn strengthen the economy by providing the type of high quality jobs our country needs to prosper. While the SBIR program has been a tremendous help to the small business technology community, more can be done to improve upon the success of the program. Through H.R. 2396, we are promoting a number of program changes that will increase the chances of success for small businesses operating in the technological fields. In order for SBIR recipients to achieve success, it is important that participating agencies allocate a sufficient portion of its administrative expense budgets to the SBIR program. By reserving these funds, agencies could (1) conduct site visits to companies which have won Phase I or Phase II awards; (2) provide the opportunity for agencies to review a company's work; and (3) provide those firms with such assistance in meeting the requirements of the program as they may require. Such expenses require agency investment in SBIR beyond set aside funds. However, this investment is a necessary agency administrative expenditure if agencies and participating companies are to get maximum value out of the program. A great example of this type of investment already exists at the Department of Defense. Another change this legislation will make to the SBIR program is the addition of a National Research Council study. The Science Committee asked the NRC to examine a variety of questions which I and other Committee members feel will lead to a better understanding of the program's potential and encourage other beneficial program changes in the future. It is important that this study is done objectively, with a true understanding of the problems facing SBIR winners. We expect that the NRC panel that oversees this project will embody a wide range of expertise and experience, and include a respectable number of small high technology businessmen who have participated in the program. In closing I would like to reiterate the importance of this program and the need to pass this bill this session. In the Boston area, we have a number of great research universities and laboratories; each filled with bright, technically oriented people who are willing to take a chance on an idea that possesses great potential. It is in our best interest to do what we can to encourage these individuals to pursue their ideas to the fullest. With this in mind, I urge each of my colleagues to give this bill their strongest support.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Pediatric Graduate Medical Education (GME) amendment offered by Mrs. Johnson of Connecticut. The amendment, identical to H.R. 1579, The Children's Hospital Research and Education Act of 1999, would provide targeted Graduate Medical Education funding to our nation's freestanding children's hospitals by creating a fair and equitable financing system for pediatric physician training. In today's increasingly competitive health care marketplace, independent children's teaching hospitals face serious challenges in receiving adequate patient care reimbursement to cover the added costs of their GME program. Unlike other teaching hospitals, freestanding children's hospitals do not qualify for the one remaining, stable source of GME financing--Medicare--because they care for children, not the elderly. As a consequence, these hospitals receive less than 0.5% of the level of Medicare direct and indirect medical education support that all teaching hospitals receive. Boston Children's Hospital, located in my district, estimates the cost of GME to be in excess of $20 million of which only $2-3 million is reimbursed from the state's Medicaid program. This leaves $17 million in unreimbursed expenditures that the hospital is forced to absorb. This gap in federal support jeopardizes highly successful pediatric training programs and places these children's hospitals at increasing competitive risk. Comprehensive GME financing reform is needed by all hospitals, however, its achievement is several years away at best. This bill addresses the need for interim federal GME support for these children's teaching institutions which although accounting for less than 1% of all hospitals, train nearly 30% of all pediatricians and nearly half of all pediatric specialists. The passage of H.R. 1579 would allow for freestanding children's hospitals to receive an immediate source of financial assistance through a capped, time-limited appropriation that would provide GME payments to children's hospitals. The measure would authorize a $280 million grant in FY2000 and $285 million in FY2001. The passage of this bill would help sustain the vital role played by our Nation's freestanding children's teaching hospitals and would make payments to children's hospitals commensurate with those provided to other teaching facilities. Without a consistent source of financial support, children's hospitals cannot fulfill their mission--providing clinical care for the sickest and poorest children, training the next generation of care givers for children, and investing in research to improve children's health care. If we really care about our children's future, we must ensure that they have access to the best medical care in the world. With this in mind, I urge each of my colleagues to give this amendment their strongest support.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 202, the Preserving Affordable Housing for Senior Citizens and Families Act. This bipartisan legislation will help save thousands of units of affordable housing throughout America for seniors and working families. H.R. 202 provides several tools to help the Department of Housing and Urban Development deal with the loss of affordable housing, including authorizing the Department of ``mark-up-to-market'' the rents of those Section 8 properties that would otherwise opt-out of the program. Preserving these units is essential in maintaining a stock of high- quality affordable housing for future generations. Many times these Section 8 properties are the only housing option for low-income individuals. While this bill also provides enhanced vouchers for those tenants affected by Section 8 opt-outs, in many cities, including Boston, the cost of housing is so high and the vacancy rates are so low, vouchers are not a viable solution. Giving HUD the ability to keep these properties in the Section 8 program by offering these owners reasonable rent increases is essential to maintaining affordable housing in high-cost areas. In addition to preserving Section 8 properties, this legislation authorizes a commission that will study seven specific areas of concern related to elderly housing. One such concern is the issue of grandparents raising their grandchildren. It is estimated that more than 1.5 million children are being raised by their grandparents or other relatives. Many of these families live in public or subsidized housing in both urban and rural communities, although their unique needs may not be best served in these situations. A group in my District, Boston Aging Concerns/Young and Old United, has developed the first affordable housing in the country designated specifically for grandparents raising their grandchildren. This innovative development, called the Grandfamilies House, has a playground, computer learning center, and after-school programs to serve the children, as well as service coordinators, and exercise classes for the elderly residents. The staff of the Grandfamilies House has had inquiries from groups across the country interested in developing similar projects. It is my hope that the Commission will focus attention on this critical issue and develop recommendations to help us better serve these unique families.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, September 15, 1999, I filed the Medicare Vision Rehabilitation Coverage Act of 1999 which would reimburse, under Medicare Part B, vision rehabilitation professionals for services provided. September 15 is also National Vision Rehabilitation Day, established to raise awareness of the services available to those suffering from visual impairment. Currently 6.6 million Americans over the age of 65 report some level of vision impairment. My own mother, who suffers from vision impairment, benefited tremendously from the rehabilitation services provided by the Greater Boston Aid to the Blind. The training and therapy she received helped her to avoid the injuries and loss of independence that often accompany vision impairment. Unfortunately, Medicare does not currently cover programs like this and not all seniors can afford the services on their own. This legislation is designed to ensure that this situation is not repeated. Statistics provided by the American Council of the Blind project that by 2005, 1 out of every 6 Massachusetts residents over the age of 60 will either suffer from blindness or from partial impairment. Vision rehabilitation services teach seniors who suffer from permanent vision impairment how to continue living independently with this loss. Examples of services covered include independent living skills and training in safe methods of travel. Medicare beneficiaries who are blind or whose vision difficulties cannot be addressed by surgery, medication or corrective lenses could be eligible for services provided by certified vision rehabilitation professionals under the legislation. According to the National Vision Rehabilitation Cooperative, age- related visual impairment is second only to arthritis/rheumatism as a cause of disability. However, due to a lack of awareness about the services available as well as a lack of funding, only 2% of the visually impaired have benefited from vision rehabilitation services. Visual impairment is one of four major conditions contributing to a senior's loss of independence. The nonprofit Alliance for Aging Research has determined based on data from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey that a loss of independence by older adults costs the United States an additional $26 billion a year. The type of vision rehabilitation covered under this legislation could save the Medicare program millions of dollars in costs associated with injuries such as broken bones which are often caused by vision impairment. A person suffering from an injury such as a hip fracture is eligible for reimbursable therapeutic services. Why shouldn't a person who suffers from irreversible vision loss be afforded the same type of therapeutic services under Medicare? Loss of vision can be a devastating disability for seniors, who value independence foremost. Wonderful new therapies like vision rehabilitation not only save money, but more importantly give people back their quality of life.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure and profound admiration that I rise today to welcome the First Lady of Tanzania, Mama Anna Mkaba, to the United States. Mrs. Mkaba has gained international recognition for her extensive humanitarian work and efforts on behalf of charitable organizations. She has founded the Equal Opportunities for All Trust Fund (EOTF), a registered, non-profit, non-governmental charitable organization whose mission is to empower women through increased economic and educational opportunity. EOTF is dedicated to fighting and eradicating poverty by providing women, especially rural women, with access to credit, health care, job training, and market education. In addition, EOTF provides a forum for women to exchange ideas, express their concerns, and communicate with a larger network of national and international organizations. EOTF has also initiated a multidisciplinary program, Women in Poverty Eradication (WIPE.) This week, Mrs. Mkaba is visiting Massachusetts to meet with the Cambridge-based Sabre Foundation, Inc, in an effort to establish a partnership with the Foundation to promote a book donation and distribution project in Tanzania. This project is a testament to Mama Anna Mkaba's relentless desire to further educate and empower the people of Tanzania. With a population of over 30 million, and an increasing number of public and private schools, colleges, and universities, Tanzania is richly endowed with human and natural resources. The initiative between EOTF and the Sabre Foundation will contribute to Tanzania's remarkable intellectual development and will help her nation as it prepares for the 21st century. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to celebrate Mama Anna Mkaba's achievements and the cooperation of our constituents in her many good works, and I wish Mrs. Mkaba well in all of her future endeavors on behalf of the people of Tanzania.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to one of the most honorable and well-respected individuals in the 8th Congressional District of Massachusetts, Father Dajad Davidian. This past Sunday, September 12, marks the thirty-first anniversary of Father Davidian's arrival to the St. James Armenian Apostolic Church in Watertown, Massachusetts. Sadly, however, it also marked his retirement, and the end of a remarkable career of a man who unselfishly dedicated his life to serving his parishioners and his community. The son of Rose Davidian, an Armenian Genocide survivor, Father Davidian has been a courageous voice in the Armenian-American community for many decades. For the last thirty years, he has provided his parishioners with strong leadership that has resulted in the church playing an active role in various projects to aid the people of Armenia. During his tenure, the people of St. James have regularly held food drives and other activities that have raised money for the Armenian Relief Fund. Father Davidian is a man of great tolerance, respect and integrity. His strong conviction to love his fellow man is a model that all should follow. It is a principle that Father Davidian taught wherever he went. Recently, he spoke to students at Watertown High School. The theme was ``Respect for Differences Day'' and Father Davidian, reflecting on his personal experiences with discrimination, set the tone by telling students to ``judge the individual, not the group''. Father Davidian has dedicated his life to helping others discover goodness and the spirit of generosity. He is a man of vision and a man of compassion. The impact of his work has traveled well beyond Watertown and is felt by countless people around the world. His work was truly a labor of love. Mr. Speaker, it is with tremendous gratitude that I stand before Congress today to honor such a man, and I want to sincerely thank Father Davidian for all his service to the community and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Madam Speaker, 200,000 refugees, 3,000 people per hour leaving their homes and their country. Martial law imposed, paramilitary people roaming the countryside. Sound familiar? Four and a half months ago we did this in Kosovo. I thought the problem then was that this House did not have anything to say about it until we already had troops on the ground. I think we need to stand up now and say something about the massacres that are going on in East Timor. One way or the other I happen to think that we need to do something. I think America stands for democracy; I think we need to stand up. That is why today's resolution being filed already has 20 cosponsors. It was only drafted yesterday in bipartisan support, and I ask every Member to look at that resolution and to join us to have this Congress stand up before, before we commit troops either ourselves or the United Nations or SEATO or someone else. Stand up and be counted. Do our job.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the Rule for the VA-HUD and Independent Agencies Appropriations bill. This bill makes significant cuts in critical housing initiatives and will have a devastating effect on basic scientific research in this country. This legislation is a string of broken promises--promises to provide for those who need a place to live, promises to invest in research and development, and promises to provide quality health care for our veterans. The bill reported by the Appropriations Committee cuts funding for housing programs, cuts funding for basic research and NASA, and does not provide adequate funding for Veterans' health care. Last year, Congress authorized 100,000 new Section 8 rental vouchers to help families with worst-case housing needs, people who pay more than half their income in rent every month. This bill provides no new funding for this voucher program, denying 100,000 Americans affordable housing opportunities. The bill cuts $250 million in funding from the Community Development Block Grant program. Cities and towns across America will be unable to use these funds to create new jobs, invest in new housing opportunities, and revitalize neighborhoods. In addition, the Committee cut $20 million from the HOME investment partnership program, $10 million of which is targeted at providing counseling services to first- time homebuyers. The Committee also cuts funding for the most vulnerable Americans-- the homeless. It is estimated that more than 600,000 people are living in shelters and on the streets of this country. Many are families, children, veterans, and victims of domestic violence. Despite the overwhelming need for more shelter beds and supportive services for the homeless, this bill cuts additional funding from the Homeless Assistance grant program. Mr. Speaker, taking care of Veterans who bravely served our country should be one of Congress's top priorities. After reviewing this legislation, it is quite clear that Republicans do not believe this to be true. While this bill provides an addition $1.7 billion for Veterans Medical Health Care, it falls far short of the $3 billion increase necessary to ensure our nation's veterans with adequate healthcare. Without this additional funding, Veteran Health Care centers across the country will be forced to make even greater cuts in existing programs and will be prohibited from implementing additional programs. NASA and NSF have also taken a huge hit in this bill. By cutting $1 billion from the NASA program and $275 million from NSF, the science community has been dealt a serious blow. It is tragic that a country which prides itself on being number one in space exploration and the technological advances will suffer the devastating effects of these short-sighted cuts for years, and possibly decades to come. The $1 billion decrease to the NASA budget is the largest cut since the end of the Apollo program! Several programs have been severely reduced or zeroed out, which virtually guarantees their termination. This bill cancels funding for the Space Infrared Telescope Facility, and decreases funding for the Explorer program, Discovery program, and Mars missions support funding for research and technology for space science. At the same time, there are $122 million in non-requested earmarks within the bill. Existence of these earmarks worsens the impact of reductions to higher priority programs. By limiting funds, NASA will be forced to make drastic administrative cuts in ten of its centers and will be forced to close at least two centers. No doubt this will translate into several employees being laid off. By decreasing NASA funds, we will ensure the delay in development of the Crew Return Vehicle (CRV) which will subsequently setback the timetable when crew can board the ISS. Mr. Speaker, to make a long story short, this is a bad bill. It's bad for science; it's bad for Veterans; it's bad for working class families; it's bad for middle class families; and it's bad for seniors. I strongly urge my colleagues to defeat the rule and oppose this bill in its current form.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, today marks the 25th anniversary of a tragically historical point in Greek-Turkish-Cypriot relations. On July 20, 1974, Turkish troops began a campaign to forcibly evict nearly 200,000 Greek Cypriots from their homes in the northern part of the island of Cyprus. During the invasion, more than 1,600 men, women and children vanished, and to this day, the Turkish government refuses to provide information as to their whereabouts. After twenty-five years, Greek Cypriots are still prohibited from returning to their homes and remain refugees within their own country. Turkey has actively worked to change the demographic structure in Northern Cyprus by resettling 80,000 Turkish citizens there, mostly in the homes of evacuated Greek Cypriots. Additionally, in 1983, Turkey encouraged a ``unilateral declaration of independence'' by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). This declaration was condemned by the U.N. Security Council, as well as the U.S. government. To date the TRNC is not officially recognized as a sovereign State by any country except for Turkey. In light of the recent atrocities against the Kosovar people, it is time to confront the Turkish aggression against Greek Cypriots. With several failed attempts at a peaceful settlement on the island, the Greek Cypriots continue to suffer. The few remaining Greek Cypriots living in the TRNC are forbidden to attend school or work, seek medical assistance, or visit families living in the Republic of Cyprus. In blatant violation of international laws, Turkey has subjected these people to harassment and intimidation and violated their basic human rights. Despite the continuing efforts on behalf of the U.S. and the international community to negotiate a peaceful settlement, 35,000 heavily armed Turkish troops continue to occupy more than one-third of the island. In an interview on Turkish television this past Sunday, July 12, a government official claimed that ``the Cyprus problem ceased existing after the creation of the Turkish Cypriot state,'' and that ``the entire world has to understand the reality of an independent Turkish state on Cyprus.'' Clearly, Mr. Speaker, this is an affront to countless .U.N resolutions calling on Turkey to withdraw its forces and return all refugees to their homes, and for Turkey to respect the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity and unity of the Republic of Cyprus. This is an insult to the United States and the global community which has worked tirelessly to unify Greek and Turkish Cypriots in a peaceful manner. In light of the recent remarks by the Turkish Government, we must reflect upon the tragic incident that occurred 25 years ago when Turkey illegally invaded the Cypriot island. Despite these setbacks, the U.S. and the international community must continue to work to find a peaceful solution to this conflict that has torn Cyprus apart.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and remember the contributions of the 54th Massachusetts regiment. On July 18, 1863, 136 years ago this week, the 54th Infantry, which consisted exclusively of African American soldiers, led a gallant assault on Fort Wagner where they valiantly fought and sacrificed their lives for our country. Despite the controversy and discrimination directed towards them, the heroic 54th failed to retreat. Feeling the need to prove themselves capable soldiers, they fought harder and accepted fiercer challenges than the average soldier. Fighting for the preservation of the Union and against the enslavement of human beings, the 54th Infantry also succeeded in paving the way for African Americans to serve in the military and be commissioned as officers--an almost insurmountable feat! Mr. Speaker, I'm proud today to honor the memory of these soldiers, and recognize their accomplishments during the Civil War and to the future direction of our Nation. These men gave selflessly of themselves in our Nation's most brutal war for the right to be recognized as civilized men. They defended our Nation's freedoms without prejudice or apprehension, and I salute them.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to His Holiness Catholicos Karekin I. On June 29, the Armenian community mourned the loss of this Supreme Patriarch and leader of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Born Nishan Sarkissian in Kessab, Syria, Karekin I was ordained priest in 1949. Karekin I dedicated his life to preaching the message of the Armenian Church in a dynamic and creative manner by devoting himself to the instruction of a new generation of clergy which he dubbed ``Ambassadors of Christian Faith''. During the 1970's, Karekin I was the head of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church in New York. In this capacity, he motivated the spiritual and cultural life of Armenians and championed a modern vision within theological writings. In his most recent role as co-President of the Pan Armenian Committee, His Holiness was preparing for the celebration of 1,700 years of Christianity in Armenia. Without his contribution, this celebration would not have been possible. Sadly, Karekin I will not bear witness to the project's successful completion, expected in 2001. Karekin I made an impact on Armenians throughout the world, and particularly in eastern Massachusetts. When Karekin I was buried in his homeland of Etchmaidzin, Armenia, local Armenians residing in Watertown and Cambridge, MS, grieved with others around the world at his passing. Karekin I was a compassionate human being who affected the lives of Armenian Apostolic parishioners, particularly those whom he had visited at St. Stephen's in Watertown, and Holy Trinity in Cambridge, MS. Karekin I's spiritual teachings and services made a vital contribution to the cohesiveness that today exists among a people scattered throughout the globe. The Armenian international community has suffered a great and personal loss in the death of Karekin I, a man of eternal accomplishments.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to thank my colleague from Pennsylvania, Mr. Gekas, for arranging tonight's Special Order. It is essential that Congress moves forward in its commitment to double the medical research budget at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Researchers at the NIH are developing cutting-edge treatments for hundreds of diseases from cancer to Alzheimer's to diabetes. Increased funding for NIH research and development will allow millions of Americans to lead healthier lives. I would like to submit for the record letters from researchers in my District that have benefited from NIH-sponsored initiatives. Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, June 21, 1999. Hon. Michael E. Capuano, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Representative Capuano: I am writing to thank you for the opportunity to meet with you and your staff last week, as one of a group of young scientists I was pleased to be able to discuss with you issues concerning biomedical research and funding in this country. I greatly appreciate both your interest and concern in these matters and hope that you will be able to participate in the Special Order, scheduled for Tuesday, June 22nd, to discuss the need for doubling funding to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) over the next five years. My training in the department of Molecular Medicine at Cornell University was supported by the Federal Government through an Institutional Training Grant in Pharmacology awarded by the NIH. As a Postdoctoral Fellow in the department of Medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. I am currently the recipient of a National Research Service Award. My research regards the regulation of cell growth although very basic this type of work contributes to our understanding of cancer and will hopefully lead to more effective treatments for cancer in the future. it is an exciting time to be involved in biomedical research, the new cross discipline nature of the field allows for biologists, chemists and physicists to come together in multiple areas and has lead to the development of Programs in Chemical Biology such as the new Institute of Chemistry and Cell Biology at Harvard Medical School. These types of collaborative efforts should lead to new drugs and treatments in the future. The past commitment of our country has brought us to the forefront of biomedical research and medical care in the world. With our investment leading to new technologies and a highly trained work force we are now in a position to make this financial commitment payoff. The federal government's contribution to biomedical research has brought us to a new time of molecular approaches to medicine and with the human genome project well under way it seems feasible that we will soon be able to prevent, treat, and even cure many diseases from which our society suffers. As the single largest contributor to biomedical research the federal governments continued commitment is critical to realizing these goals and should allow for an improved quality of life for Americans and of course lead to a decrease in the expenditures for national health care in the country. Additionally expenditures for biomedical research on the governments part stimulate economic growth in the private sector creating jobs in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries, this is of particular relevance in the 8th district. It seems clear that staying to the goal of doubling the NIH funding in five years (H. Res. 89) we must find a way to increase the proposed $320 million increase to $2 billion in fiscal year 2000. Although current budget caps make this difficult I believe that the peoples interest would be served by a continued commitment to biomedical research by the federal government. The bipartisan support that this issue receives and the support of the public should justify the requested increased funding to keep us on track. Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any assistance to you and your staff on issues requiring scientific expertise or if you would like to form a scientific advisory committee to deal with complex scientific issues I would be happy to participate. Again thank you for your time and consideration in this important matter. Sincerely, Judith A. Glaven, Ph.D.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, today Boston is experiencing a great loss. It is losing the services and expertise of a man who not only helped to increase civic involvement within our Portuguese community but also played an integral role in its economic and social evolution. Dr. Luis Jose Moreira da Silva Barreiros' tireless work as the Consul General of Portugal in Boston has enriched this area in so many important ways that his presence will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure to work with him. Dr. Barreiros' distinguished work with the Portuguese foreign service began two decades ago and since that time, he has consistently demonstrated his devotion to the development of a strong Portuguese community. Dr. Barreiros has worn many hats during his career, serving first as the Embassy Secretary in Maputo, Mozambique and later with the Advisory Council for Economic and Development affairs to the Portuguese delegation at the United Nations in New York. His economic expertise led him to other key posts with the Institute for Economic Cooperation and the Secretary of State for Economic Cooperation. Since December 1994, Dr. Barreiros has served as Consul-General in Boston. It is for his work in this post that all of us here are profoundly grateful. The extraordinary relationship that Dr. Barreiros has forged with the Portuguese-American organizations in this area has been remarkable. He has worked with various committees in Boston to increase both Portuguese-American pride and civic engagement. Dr. Barreiros leaves Boston having changed it for the better, and it is for this reason that all of us here are so sorry to see him go. It is a fitting commemoration of his work here and of the ties he has forged between our two republics that the United States State Department this month extended the ninety day visa waiver program for citizens of Portugal. The people of Portugal will be fortunate to have him back in Lisbon, and we all know that he will flourish in his new assignment. Dr. Barreiros, we wish you nothing but the best, and on behalf of all my constituents, Portuguese-Americans and other Americans whose lives you have touched, I would like to sincerely thank you for all that you have accomplished during your time here. You will be missed.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained on the morning of June 25, 1999 and was therefore unable to cast a vote on rollcall No. 256. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 256.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize two extraordinary teachers from the eight Congressional District of Massachusetts, Brenda McDonnell and Helen Mooney. Both are educators at East Somerville Community School and have been selected to receive the Time Warner Cable's 1998-1999 National Teacher Award. These exceptional women are two of only fifteen teachers selected out of hundreds of entries from across the country. Ms. McDonnell and Ms. Mooney together organized a project for their seventh grade students called the ``Cable Enhanced Classroom.'' through this project, students were encouraged to explore an area of their interest that was related to the themes of National History Day: Science, Technology and Inventions. Over a ten-week period, forty-seven seventh-grade students prepared media presentations, plays, display boards, and research papers by referencing programs from sources such as A&E, the Discovery Channel, the History Channel, the Learning Channel, and the Internet. Time Warner Cable has recognized Ms. McDonnell's and Ms. Mooney's project as an example of exemplary teaching. Both teachers will share the $1,000.00 grant presented to them at an awards dinner honoring their initiative and achievement. These teachers have been a positive influence and an inspiration to other educators and students nationwide. Their achievement illustrates the significant impact teachers make when challenging their students with thought provoking assignments. Education is of great importance to me. In particular, I believe it is vital to attract and encourage enthusiastic teachers. Honoring dedicated instructors such as Mr. McDonnell and Ms. Mooney helps to reveal our immense appreciation and encourages the same innovation in future projects.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Louis David Brown. Louis was fifteen and a tenth grader in the fall of 1993. He dreamed about college and graduate school in aeronautical engineering. He dreamed about space travel and he worked in his community. On December 20, 1993, on his way to a meeting of Teens Against Gang Violence, he was shot dead, caught in the cross-fire of a gang fight. Louis's parents, Joseph and Clementina (Tina) Chery have coped heroically with their grief. They created in memory of their son, the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute. The Institute supports a variety of peace initiatives, including a literature-based high school curriculum and an elementary school arts program. Each year, high school essayists are chosen as Louis D. Brown Peace Fellows, honored for their writing and their community service. In Louis's memory, with thanks to the dedicated teachers who use and refine the curriculum, and with the deepest sympathy and respect for Joseph and Tina Chery, I have the honor to present excerpts from the writings of the Louis D. Brown Peace Fellows of 1998 (sic.): The person, who has peace in his or her heart, must be near to God . . . peace also means forgiveness, thankfulness, and patience.--Student: Mary Hanna, Grade 10, School: Health Careers Academy, Teacher: Bethany Wood. We chase after peace, why does it run? Is it too busy chanting and having fun, Or is it worse, does it run away in fear Worried we'll try to destroy it, rip and tear Thinking that once we have it we'll get upset If it doesn't turn out to be just as we bet?--Student: Meichelle (ADARKPOET) Ferguson, Grade: 12, School: Greater Egleston Community High School, Teacher: Terri Coyle. Peace is the strength you have to fight the negativity.-- Student: Johnnye Garcia, Grade: 9, School: Charlestown High, Teacher: Julia Jenkins. We are all from the same source, we bleed the same color, we breathe the same air, and we all share the same feature . . the human heart.--Student: Trell Payne, Grade: 10, School: West Roxbury High, Teacher: Daniel Jordan. Everyone [must] come together and make a change before it is too late--Student: Suzanne Morson, Grade: 10, School: Charlestown High, Teacher: Julia Jenkins. Peaceful Everlasting Actions Control Everything--Student: Kimberly Baia, Grade: 10, School: Charlestown High, Teacher: Julia Jenkins. . . . we will have peace when we all accept each other for who we are and not for what we look like--Student: Silea Williams, Grade: 10, School: Charlestown High, Teacher: Mrs. Ogluike. Peace can be simply participating in an after school program or caring for a younger brother or sister or simply helping an elder person when in need. Anyone can do it.-- Student: Andrea Stallings, Grade: 10, School: Jeremiah E. Bruke, Teacher: Kelly Mathews. This Louis D. Brown Peace Curriculum gives me a wonderful opportunity to express my feelings and thoughts to everyone.--Student: Ricardo Brown, Grade: 10, School: West Roxbury High, Teacher: Daniel Jordan. Start building a better living for the sake of our children . . . Lead'em, feed'em knowledge and the words of wisdom.-- Student: Thomas Hernandez, Grade: 12, School: Greater Egleston Community High School, Teacher: Terri Coyle. I, as a person, promote peace by rejecting violence. I don't fight, I settle my differences with people nonviolently, and I help out in my neighborhood with young children.--Student: Ciara Washington, Grade: 10, School: Health Careers Academy at Dorchester High School, Teacher: Bethany Wood. Sometimes they [teenagers] just need someone to love them, to hang out with them, and just show them what's right and what's wrong.--Student: Channell Burt, Grade: 10, School: Jeremiah E. Burke High, Teacher: Warren Cutler. I would love to see a more peaceful world, and it could happen if we talked more with love in our minds and hearts instead of using threats and weapons.--Student: Chermion Lawson, Grade: 12, School: Greater Egleston Community High School, Teacher: Terri Coyle. I do not want my kids to grow up in a world where countries are at war, family members are being killed or crippled and every one is in tears. I want my kids to grow up in a world where every body gets along with each other and helps each other out, and where guns do not exist.--Student: Lissy Baez, Grade: 11, School: West Roxbury High, Teacher: Daniel Jordan. The young teenagers today are surrounded by violence on television, music, ideas and movies, as well as in school and in the streets. Violence is almost becoming second nature to us.--Student: Nina Abdillahi, Grade: 10, School: West Roxbury High, Teacher: Daniel Jordan. If people knew how to cope with themselves, maybe instead of hitting or killing someone they would learn how to be more peaceful.--Student: Gilbert Perea, Grade: 10, School: West Roxbury High, Teacher: Daniel Jordan. . . . before we start working on getting rid of the hatred and violence in our streets and cities, and, hopefully the world, we are going to need to have peace with ourselves and our families.--Student: Sarita Manigat, Grade 10, School: Health Careers Academy, Teacher: Bethany Wood. I believe unlocking the door towards peace is a long and hard goal that no one race of people can achieve alone. We all have to meet each other halfway.--Student: Jason R. Walters, Grade 10, School: Health Careers Academy, Teacher: Bethany Wood. I help make peace by keeping a positive attitude in front of younger kids.--Student: Ezequiel Cardoso, Grade 10, School: Jeremiah E. Burke School, Teacher: Warren Cutler. Peace cannot be taught or enforced if it is not practice . . . peace can be the future we look forward to if children, parents, teachers, policymakers, and all humankind take action.--Student: Patricia Abdi, Grade 10, School: West Roxbury High, Teacher: Daniel Jordan. I think that peace is a very important part of the life of a community because it keeps it organized, it keeps your neighborhood calm, quiet and makes it a better place to live . . . To keep the peace we need good parents.--Student: Ebony Williams, Grade 10, School: West Roxbury High, Teacher: Daniel Jordan. . . . if you keep busy there's no room for thinking violently.--Student: Adina Sutton, Grade 10, School: West Roxbury High, Teacher: Daniel Jordan. I think that teaching kids about God will promote peace in the community because the kids will be going to church every Sunday instead of going somewhere else to get themselves into trouble or even getting killed.--Student: Joliane Charlotin, Grade 10, School: West Roxbury High, Teacher: Daniel Jordan. I . . . help many of my peers get involved in programs that keeps them off the street. This is the way I promote peace.-- Student: Raquel Pinto, Grade 10, School: West Roxbury High, Teacher: Daniel Jordan. I tried to influence [children] by setting a good example.--Student: Julia C. Austin, Grade 11, School: West Roxbury High, Teacher: Daniel Jordan. I devoted all of my knowledge to each one of these children to help them become a better person.--Student: Kevin Stallings, Grade 10, School: West Roxbury High, Teacher: Daniel Jordan. Instead of trying to see who is the jiggiest, who is the hardest, and who is down with whom, we need to be down for each other, unite as one and make and promote peace.-- Student: Gracie White, Grade 12, School: Greater Egleston Community High School, Teacher: Terri Coyle. . . . peace does begin with a simple friendship.--Student: Jada Reid, Grade 10, School: Health Careers Academy, Teacher: Bethany Wood.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I would like to submit the following article from The Boston Globe on December 4, 1998 for the Record. The conflict in Sri Lanka has existed for over 16 years without any solution. We must encourage the parties involved to stop the terror and to accept a third party mediation to end the war. [From the Boston Globe, December 4, 1998] A Chance for Peace in Sri Lanka For the first time in four years, there is a glimmer of hope for peace talks to end one of the world's bloodiest conflicts, the war between the government of Sri Lanka and that country's Tamil minority. Terrible suffering on both sides has induced a war-weariness that may become the prelude to peacemaking. A call for negotiations last Friday from the leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam drew a wary but welcoming response from Sri Lanka's main opposition party. ``This is a major move by the Tigers, and it is a very positive one to which the government must respond,'' said the leader of the United National Party. This response is promising because for too long the opposition and the governing People's Alliance of President Chandrika Kumaratunga have competed to appear the more inflexible foe of dialogue with the Tamils. Because Washington maintains warm relations with the Sri Lankan government, even providing training and arms sales to its armed forces, and since the Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran called for third-party mediation in his offer of negotiations, the United States could play a crucial role in ending Sri Lanka's long nightmare. The State Department has been reluctant to become involved in the conflict because neither side had been willing to accept the premise of a negotiated solution, as the antagonistic parties did for the Oslo accords in the Middle East and the peace talks that George Mitchell guided in Northern Ireland. Even now the State Department does not want to rush ahead of events. Nevertheless, Tamil intermediaries are sending exploratory messages to the Tiger leadership asking about the chances for a cease-fire. If the Tigers want to shed their well deserved reputation as incorrigible terrorists, they will accept the idea of a cease-fire. In return, the Chandrika government should agree to withdraw its troops from the northeast province. If these gestures of good will are made by the belligerents, the United States would do well to take on the role of third-party mediator in peace talks.

Mr. CAPUANO

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

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, earlier this year Jason Sadler, a 14-year-old from my district, witnessed an armed robbery. When questioned by the police, he did what his mother told him to do. He stood up and he told the truth. He identified the perpetrators and he agreed to testify. In return for his actions, Jason has received death threats, along with the rest of his family, from the perpetrators and their cohorts. Because funding for juvenile witness assistance programs must compete for priority with the need to hire assistant district attorneys, investigators, stenographers, and the like, Jason's mother has been forced to remove her son from school for the last 5\1/2\ months and place him in hiding. For doing the right thing, Jason will have to repeat the eighth grade, and for quite a while will have to hide in fear for his life. Shortly before Jason's case, in January of this year, another young boy, Leroy B.J. Brown from Bridgeport, Connecticut, stepped forth to do the right thing in his time, to assist local authorities in prosecuting drug dealers. Eight-year-old B.J. was scheduled to testify about a shooting that he had witnessed, but before he could testify, he and his mother were murdered. Both of these kids were good, law-abiding citizens who were willing to step forth and do something many adults are not ready to do, stand up against crime in their community. Our State and local prosecutors should be encouraged to develop programs to support such kids when they do the right thing. This amendment will do just that, and I hope it is adopted. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott).

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, due to inclement weather I, along with several other Members of Congress, was unavoidably detained in Massachusetts on the afternoon of May 24, 1999, and was therefore unable to cast a vote on rollcall votes 145 and 146. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall 145, and ``yea'' on rollcall 146.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, this week is National Teacher Appreciation Week, and I want to honor the teachers of the Eight Congressional District of Massachusetts. Almost 5,000 teachers in over 176 schools educate approximately 86,000 students in the 8th district alone. Many of today's schools are in disrepair. They are bulging at the seams. Students do not have chairs to sit on, let alone textbooks from which to learn. Despite limited resources, teachers persistently surpass these obstacles and devise new ways to stimulate our children to achieve. So many teachers go the extra mile to ensure that their students are learning. They provide a variety of additional services, from assisting a student after school hours with their homework to giving up their Saturday to coach basketball. Teachers are more than just educators. They serve as mentors, managers, counselors, confidants and friends. Although they are not always rewarded or even acknowledged for their daily selfless acts, teachers continue to give of themselves in order to instruct our children. In Cambridge, Massachusetts, several teachers have exemplified outstanding dedication to their jobs: Joseph Sullivan, who was bestowed with the honor of being elected to the Massachusetts Teacher Association board; Michele Owaross, who just recently led a group of 10th and 11th graders on a trip to China to study the society and culture of another country; Lucinda Leveille who brought six students to Russia recently and was honored for her attempt to promote international awareness by the Russian Government; and Jamalh Prince, Chelsea's indoor track coach who was named ``Coach of the Year'' by The Boston Globe. Likewise, in Chelsea, Massachusetts, Adele Lubarsky has been teaching at the Sokolowski school in Chelsea since 1972. In those 27 years, Ms. Lubarsky has certainly kept active. As a 3rd grade Spanish bilingual elementary school teacher, she has set high standards to guarantee that her students will achieve now and in the future. Ms. Lubarsky also serves as a ``mentor teacher'' whereby she models lessons for other teachers and assists newcomers. Due to her dedication, she was awarded the 1996 ``Outstanding Teacher of the Year'' award from Chelsea's school system. Mr. Speaker, there are far too many teachers to mention everyone by name, however I'd like to take a moment to thank all the teachers in Belmont, Boston, Somerville, Cambridge, Chelsea, and Watertown for tirelessly giving of themselves to educate our future leaders. Tomorrow, I will visit the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. school and the King Open school in Cambridge, and then I will attend a ground breaking at the Boston Latin school. Since becoming a Member, I have visited schools all over my district. However I am always amazed at the warm greeting I receive from students, and from teachers. For them, it does not matter who the visitor is, but rather that someone cares and recognizes the hard work they do. Mr. Speaker, while we discuss education priorities this year, I hope each Member of Congress will reflect upon the valuable commodity each and every teacher in his or her district represents, and work to include rewards for teachers as a part of the education agenda. I know I will.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose this particular proposal and to urge my colleagues to keep our eyes open. This conflict today, we may not like the cards we are dealt, but they are dealt. We may not like how we got there, but we are there. There are millions of people in Europe whose lives are at stake, whose happiness and soundness are at stake, and, if we walk away, if we walk away, we will have done the wrong thing, and you will know that today and you will know that 20 years from now. Many of us can debate how we got here, how we should do it the next time. I think those are good debates. I think we should discuss what should happen the next time, because there will be a next time. For those of you who did not have the opportunity today to read the papers, look at what is happening in Indonesia. We are about to send what they call ``police advisers'' from the United Nations to Indonesia. It is happening elsewhere across this globe, and I do think we need to discuss that. At the same time, we do not have the luxury to always deal the cards. We are sitting here today, we have to deal with it today. We have to support the efforts to bring those people home, to bring our men and women home, and to do the right thing by humanity, today, tomorrow, and every time we have to do it.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 84th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. On April 24, 1915, a group of Armenian religious, political, and intellectual leaders were summarily arrested, taken to Turkey and murdered, commencing a dark and solemn period in the history of Armenians. From 1915 to 1923, the Ottoman Empire launched a systematic campaign to exterminate Armenians. In eight short years, more than 1.5 million Armenians suffered through atrocities such as deportation, forced slavery, and torture. Most were ultimately slaughtered. And yet, despite irrefutable evidence, Turkey has refused to admit the Armenian Genocide occurred, and continues to harbor hatred towards its neighbors. In addition to denying the crimes committed against the Armenian people, Turkey continues to block the flow of humanitarian aid and commerce to Armenia. In the face of this tragedy, children and grandchildren of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide have gone on to positively impact society, while at the same time preserving their heritage and unique identity. Over 60,000 Armenian-Americans live in the greater Boston area. Within Massachusetts, many of these Armenians have formed public outreach groups seeking to educate society about Armenia's culture. One particular group, Project Save, operates out of Watertown, Massachusetts. ``Project Save collects photographs of Armenian people and places in the homeland and the world-wide diaspora.'' This remarkable organization preserves the Armenian culture and history through restoration of photographs from all over the world. Some of these photographs date back as early as 1893. Last year, the world, once again, united to condemn atrocities committed towards fellow human beings. Both the United Nations Human Rights Commission and the General Assembly adopted a resolution, introduced by Armenian Ambassador Rouben Shugarian, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the UN Genocide Convention. By adopting the resolution, member nations recognized that ``the crime of genocide [was] an odious scourge which had inflicted great losses on humanity and was convinced that international cooperation was required to facilitate the speedy prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide.'' Here in the United States Congress, I am a proud cosponsor of a resolution honoring the memory of the victims of the Armenian genocide and calling for the United States to encourage the Republic of Turkey to acknowledge and commemorate the atrocity committed against the Armenian population by the Ottoman Empire. It is sad and frustrating that at the beginning of this century, Armenians were murdered en masse, and now at the end of the 20th century the same type of brutal killing of innocent people continues. Since 1988, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has costs thousands of lives and produced over 1.4 million refugees. Let me say, that as a member of the Congressional Armenian caucus, I will continue to work with my colleagues and with the Armenian- Americans in my district. Together we will demand more accountability from Azerbaijan and Turkey for their persistent bullying of their neighbor and search for a way to end the Armenian people's suffering. We must continue to be viligant, we must preserve the cultural history of Armenians, and we must work towards ending crimes against all humanity.