Joe Crowley

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call this the comity before the storm. It is interesting that we have such comity here in the House on the floor dealing with the FACT Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act. This has been a bipartisan piece of legislation. It is interesting that we will take up a bill later on this evening that will not be as bipartisan, and it certainly will be a more partisan bill. I want to thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Oxley) for his extension of his arm. I wish the other committee, the Committee on Ways and Means, would act in kind; and hopefully that will happen at some point. I want to thank the ranking member, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank), for his work on this bill; the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bachus), the subcommittee chairman; the ranking member, the gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Sanders). Although he has indicated he will not support the bill, he certainly acted in a very bipartisan manner in helping to craft the legislation. This bill represents the best of the House where Democrats, Republicans, and Independents work together to craft a bill that addresses real problems. But besides good procedure, this bill is also good policy. It will provide permanency to our Nation's credit grantors to ensure the easy and available flow of capital to our constituents. It toughens up the law with respect to identity theft and ensures that health information is walled off and cannot be used in any credit-making decisions, ensuring the integrity of one's health privacy. This bill is good for American consumers, and I am pleased to support it. I only wish that later on this evening I could also support a Medicare bill that was bipartisan as well.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 288, Honoring Seeds of Peace for its promotion of understanding, reconciliation, acceptance, coexistence, and peace among youth from the Middle East and other regions of conflict. I am a strong supporter of Seeds of Peace, which brings youngsters from conflict areas together to literally sow the seeds of peace and to develop the next generation of leaders. I have had the privilege of working with Seeds of Peace during my time in Congress and have seen the benefits of this program. During July, Seeds of Peace had a breakfast in Congress and I was able to participate and eat with several campers. During the breakfast I had the opportunity to speak with several second year campers. Two of these campers were an Israeli and a Palestinian, these two boys had become close friends and they told me that regardless of the violence going on around them at home they still made efforts to see each other. They told me about the difficulties they sometimes faced when security was tight entering Israel but they still made their efforts to stay in contact. The boys told me that while they don't agree on everything they still work together to find a solution to whatever problem may arise, they are able to work it out. Mr. Speaker, whether they are Arab or Jew, Greek or Turkish, Protestant or Catholic, Indian or Pakistani, bringing people together will achieve a lasting return in understanding and toleration. I firmly believe that by working together, conflict can be overcome. The United States Congress, and our country should continue to support these people to people partnerships, which lay the groundwork for cooperation, coexistence and ultimately peace in the future.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I stand today to express my frustration with the ongoing situation in Burma. For the past three years, the United Nations, with the full support of the United States, has attempted to spur talks between 1991 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi's political party the National League for Democracy, Burma's ruling military regime, and the country's ethnic groups. Let me be blunt--that effort and the effort of the U.N. envoy designated to carry it out has failed. It has failed mainly because the regime refuses to participate in the talks. While the regime promises, as it has for the past fifteen years, to make a transition to democracy, there is absolutely zero evidence to suggest that this is true. To make matters worse, the regime has been attacking and killing the very people they are supposed to be talking to. In May of this year, the regime attacked and killed scores of Aung San Suu Kyi's supporters. Just last month, the regime attacked and killed members of the Karen ethnic group. And, just a few days ago, the regime opened fire on a demonstration of Buddhist monks, killing one and injuring many more. We need to breathe new life into this United Nations process, and that will require a serious diplomatic effort. To start with, we need a new United Nations special envoy for Burma--the present envoy's efforts have failed and he as of late has done nothing more than provide political cover for the regime. Second, we need the United Nations Security Council to pass a resolution condemning Burma. Third, the State Department must unequivocally reject ``roadmaps'' that have been promised by the Burmese regime and their Thai counterparts. I believe that democracy is possible in Burma, and we agree with Secretary Powell when he said that we need to rally international support to stand up to Burma's ``thugs''. We need to move quickly to ensure that these words are acted upon.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this FAA reauthorization bill. While I know the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica), the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), and the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio) worked hard on this legislation, I rise in opposition to not what they have done in their committee and in the light of day, but in opposition to what the majority party of this Congress, both Houses, has done in back rooms. Mr. Speaker, as all of us who represent airports know, airport noise is one of the biggest complaints we hear about. It is deafening. As the Congressman for LaGuardia Airport, I represent the largest amount of Americans who are acutely affected by airplane noise. The FAA through the Airport Improvement Program helps to fund noise abatement programs from schools and religious institutions to community centers to private homes. It has let the local airport operating authority set the noise level parameters for communities to qualify. In section 189 of this bill, the former Senate majority leader thought allowing local airport operating authorities to set their own levels was not good enough. Section 189 says that only people who live in the areas with higher than 65 decibels of aviation noise, the noise of a power lawn mower, will receive funding for noise abatement programs, leaving millions of people without the funding needed to abate their homes. This was all done without a single vote here on the floor of the House or a single vote on the floor of the Senate. It was done in the, quote-unquote, ``conference committee.'' This is a bad bill. That is just one example. My colleagues have gone through the other issues. This is a bad piece of legislation. This is not the way to make sausage. It is not the way to make legislation, either. It should be done in the light of day and should be done in the democratic way. We should all have an opportunity to vote on these issues before it gets to this point, which is not democratic; and it is not giving us an opportunity to really have an effect on making this legislation.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this resolution. The statements made by the Prime Minister of Malaysia are shocking and show the anti-Semitism that exists around the world and is unfortunately growing at a frightening rate. Even after nations from around the world condemned his remarks, Dr. Mahatir continued to make anti-Semetic statements claiming that our condemnations of his remarks proved his statements to be true. That is just simply ridiculous. Madam Speaker, his statements only poison the thoughts of people, and incite hatred toward the Jewish people. While I would like to say that his remarks were unusual or surprising, the fact of the matter is that these sort of inflammatory remarks have become standard for the Malaysian Prime Minister. It is truly disheartening that the tremendous economic success of the Malaysian people is being overshadowed by the outrageous comments of its Prime Minister. It is sad but fitting that these forceful comments will be the most recent and strongest of memories of Dr. Mahatir as he begins his retirement.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Weiner amendment. This week this Congress sent a strong message to Syria bypassing the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act. We must ensure the United States does not provide funding to the nations that finance terrorism around this world. I am specifically speaking today about Saudi Arabia. The Saudis claim to be our allies; but at the same time, they offer assistance in our war on terrorism, they are funding the terrorists who desire to attack us. Saudi blood money does not only threaten the United States, but also our good friend and ally, the State of Israel. Saudi Arabia provides money for Palestinian organizations that kill innocent Israelis on what feels like almost a daily basis. In fact, if I were told tomorrow that the Saudis were helping support the terrorists that killed three Americans recently in the Gaza Strip, I would not be surprised. Mr. Chairman, we cannot decide that one country funding terrorism is any different from another. I urge all of my colleagues to pass this amendment and send Saudi Arabia the message that this Congress will not stand for their support of hate and terrorism anymore. We must hold the Saudi family accountable for their actions.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I would congratulate the gentlewoman and my good friend, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel), for their leadership here, and the ranking member of my committee, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), for his continued leadership on this issue. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this bill, the Syrian Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act. This legislation passed the House Committee on International Regulations by an overwhelming bipartisan vote. I want to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde), as well, for bringing this bill to the floor. I thank the leadership for bringing this bill to the floor and before the committee and ensuring that we have the opportunity to let Syria know that the United States will not allow a free pass any longer. Syria has been listed as a state-sponsor of terrorism since 1979. This is unacceptable for any country that wishes to be a responsible member of the international community, especially a country currently serving as a member of the United Nations Security Council. Unacceptable. Syria's role on the council make a mockery of the mission of the United Nations. Syria used its role recently on the Security Council to present the draft resolution condemning Israel's right to self-defense by destroying a terrorist training camp within Syria. Instead of drafting a resolution condemning Israel's justified attack, Syria should ensure that Israel will never need to attack a terrorist camp within Syria's borders again. Syria must cease all support for terrorist groups and close down all terrorist training camps within her borders. If their support for terrorism were not enough, Syria also has an arsenal of biological and chemical weapons and the missile capability to deliver those weapons to her neighbors. I hope our actions here today will show President Asad that our resolve is strong. Mr. Speaker, President Asad must change his country's ways and begin to contribute to international peace and security rather than undermining it. It is time for Syria to take her place amongst the righteous nations of the world, as well as give Lebanon the chance to take her place as a righteous nation in the world. I urge all of my colleagues to support this important legislation. Once again, I would like to thank the gentlewoman for yielding me time; the sponsor of this legislation, my good friend, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel). I thank him for his work on this. I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) for all he has done on committee by seeing that this bill gets to the floor today.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this motion and insert extraneous material thereon.

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

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

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, in closing, let me say in response to the gentleman from California (Mr. Herger), under the House bill that passed that I voted against, I actually, myself, personally, would become eligible for the tax credit. I would only become eligible for it if the House bill passed. I did not ask for it. I am not asking for it. I do not need it, but I have constituents in my district who are asking me for it. They do need it. I do not have a rich district. I do not have a wealthy district. I have a lower- to lower-middle-class district, and they are asking for this assistance. Today I rise in support of these working families and of their children and of similar families all across this country from New York City to California, from the State of Maine to Florida and Texas. Today, I rise in support of African American and Latino families in my district and across this Nation as well. Today I rise in support of our military families who are serving our country while trying to provide for a better life for their children. The Republican child tax credit package hurts all of those groups. A child tax credit package that goes out of its way to exclude those that need it the most, the families that need it the most, that it is actually most meaningful to, is not helpful to these families in our country, a child tax credit package that goes out of its way to exclude those that would actually spend the tax credit, putting those funds back into our stalled economy, it just simply is not helpful to those families and to our country that needs that stimulus. That is not a family-friendly package and that package is not helpful to our economy. Yet, my colleagues on the other side are still telling us that higher deficits and more tax cuts for the rich are the way to end this Bush recession. Republicans are still telling us that tax cuts for the rich are what will help working families. Well, the statistics tell us a different story and the people of my district, they understand there, and they know better. Since President Bush took office, America has lost over 3.3 million jobs. That is 3.3 million people hurt by reckless tax policies of this administration and this Republican Congress. And yet the Republicans still have the audacity to tell the working African American and Latino families that they, by and large, will be excluded from yet another tax break. Mr. Bush and House Republicans have the audacity to tell many working families who serve our military that they too will be excluded. Mr. Bush has the audacity to charge those families suffering the most under an economy he created and says he will not help. The Republicans have given us 3.3 million new unemployed in this country. The Republicans have given us a $500 billion deficit this year. The Republicans have given us high interest rates on our homes and cars through reckless economic policies. Yet the Republicans refuse to give American working families and the enlisted military personnel a much needed tax cut. It is unconscionable, and I urge my colleagues in this House to support this motion before us.

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, does the gentleman have any additional speakers? I reserve the right to close.

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I will point out that I think my colleague is euphoric over the victory yesterday of his party and the election in California. I know perfectly well what bill is before this House, what bill passed this House. I know that at that desk is a bill from the other body that is a clean bill, that will not cost any additional money above and beyond what the Senate has asked for to pay for the tax cut for the 6.5 million poor people that we are talking about that deserve and need this tax cut. The bill that passed this House will cost an additional $80 billion and support the wealthiest 1 percent in this country. I was very clear in my statement about that. I know what bill passed this House. I voted against that bill. I will support, and I would ask the gentleman if he will go to our leadership and bring down to this floor a bill that we can all support. The gentleman said it himself, he does not necessarily disagree with me that these 6.5 million people should get this tax credit, but he wants to pass a bill that will also tag on additional billions of dollars, increasing our national debt, an additional $80 billion to support the wealthiest 1 percent in this country. I think that is unconscionable. But, then again, in California we can look at the job loss rate. Since this President took office, they have lost 361,000 jobs in that State. I wonder if we ask any of the 361,000 people, who probably will not be eligible now for a child tax credit under their bill, whether they think this bill should pass or not. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Inslee). (Mr. INSLEE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, today I am offering a motion to instruct conferees on the child tax credit. Mr. Speaker, while many of my colleagues continue to believe that higher deficits and more tax cuts for the rich are the way to end this Bush recession, let us look at the facts. Since the beginning of the Bush administration, America has seen the loss of over 3.3 million jobs, of which 2.5 million have been in manufacturing. Moreover, taxes on working families have gone up. This is via interest rate increases that makes your monthly mortgage payments higher and increases your monthly car payments. The national deficit has soared to almost half a trillion dollars this year and is increasing. And what are you getting? Your tax dollars are paying over $300 billion this year alone on interest on the Bush tax cut for the rich. Finally, Democrats, working with Senate Republicans, put forth a bill to give working families a real tax cut: an extension of the child tax credit. The Republicans oppose it. They are opposing a tax cut on working families. The people missing out on this tax cut include 6.5 million working families and their 12 million children who are struggling to make ends meet. One in five of these children are from active duty military families, making even a Republican Senator from Arizona who, by the way, ran for President just 2 years ago, to say, and I quote, ``I don't understand how you, the Republican leadership and the President, left enlisted men and women out of this tax package. I do not get it.'' End quote. Additionally, this bill will disproportionately penalize African American and Hispanic children. Mr. Speaker, 2.4 million African American children and 4.1 million Hispanic children's families deserve this tax cut, but the Republican party refuses to give it to them, preferring tax cuts for millionaires and big business, this according to the Children's Defense Fund. This Republican tax package ignores the needs of working families; and by ignoring 6.5 million working families, it will have a devastating impact on these families and the children across our country. It will have a particularly devastating impact on Latino and African American families, those suffering some of the worst brunt of this Bush recession. We see 3.3 million U.S. jobs disappear in America since January of 2001. We see the unemployment rate for African Americans at 11.2 percent of the population. We see the Hispanic unemployment rate at 7.5 percent. On top of that, this most recent tax bill for the rich cut out child care tax benefits for the poorest children in America whose parents are working, not on welfare as the Republicans would have you believe, but are working people who can barely keep their head above water, thanks to the economic nightmare cast on America by this Republican party and President Bush. These are people struggling to provide for their families, and this Republican Congress refuses to fix it. Republicans are holding America's working families hostage by opposing any legislative remedy to help working families and instead by offering another huge tax cut for the richest 1 percent of Americans. Again, I believe it is shameful to be offering tax cuts to the rich while cutting benefits for the working poor, cutting benefits for our veterans, cutting benefits for seniors on Medicare, and allowing millions of American jobs to disappear since President Bush and Republicans began to set economic policy almost 3 years ago. President Bush's economic plan has failed the American people who should be some of the most cherished members of our society, our veterans, working families, and innocent children. President Bush's economic plan does more than ignore these groups. In my opinion, and many other people's opinion, it hurts them. As the Disabled American Veterans wrote in a letter to Speaker Hastert and the Republican Party earlier this year during consideration of the Republican budget, which mandated massive cuts in veterans' programs, Disabled American Veterans asked, ``Have you no shame?'' They were speaking to the Republican Party. Today I ask that same question on behalf of the working families of my district, the Bronx and Queens. The child tax credit bill passed by this Republican House leaves children and families in my district behind, particularly families of color. Families earning between $10,500 a year and $26,625 a year are excluded from claiming the child tax credit increase. What does this mean for Latino families? Half of all Latinos report having an annual household income under $30,000. Half of all Latinos report having an annual household income under $30,000. The House Republican child tax credit plan means most of these Latino families will be excluded, will be excluded from the child tax credit. It means that approximately 1.6 million or 30 percent of the eligible Latino families who might have otherwise benefited from the increase are being left out. This is on top of the fact that the Bush economic plan means more Latinos are out of work. Moreover, Latinos have a faster-rising unemployment rate than the general population. As of this summer it was 7.5 percent compared to roughly 6 percent for the average American. This is on top of the fact that the Bush tax cut on dividend income affects only 7 percent of Hispanics who own stock. Latinos in my district want to work, and they want to do what they can to provide good futures for their children. But many Latinos in my district are working in low-wage jobs or, thanks to the number of full- time jobs lost, are only working part time. They are being left out of the Bush tax credit. President Bush's priorities are clearly not working for Latino families, and they are clearly not working for African American families either. African American families are among the hardest hit by the Bush tax plan and the House Republican child tax credit. About 932,000 African American children under the age of 18, according to the Children's Defense Fund, live in extreme poverty. Given our economy, it is unfortunately not surprising that this statistic represents a 50 percent increase since 1999. African American families, like Latino families are disproportionately left out of the Bush child tax credit. African American unemployment is rising to above 10 percent. Those who are eligible to find work are often barely getting by. These are the families that need the child tax credit the most, and yet these are the families that the Republicans and this President are leaving out. A family earning $20,000 with two children is being overlooked by President Bush in favor of the family earning $200,000 a year who does not necessarily need the child tax credit. Yet a family earning $20,000 is the family that sincerely needs a $400 child tax credit. That credit would be equivalent to a 4 percent raise in pay. But that tax credit does not exist under President Bush's plan. President Bush's priorities are not the families that need the tax credit the most. President Bush continues to ignore the voices of Latino and African American families. Our national debt increases, our debt limit increases, and President Bush continues to increase tax breaks for those who do not need them. And I believe and all of this side of the aisle believe that that is wrong. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I offer a motion to instruct.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time to acknowledge the 92nd Anniversary of Taiwan National Day. I wish to join my fellow colleagues in commemorating and sending out our best wishes to Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bain and the Vice President Annette Lu, as well as all the people of Taiwan as they celebrate their National Day. As a representative of The United States, I would like to commend the President and Vice President for their continued support and participation in the international community. Taiwan National Day has a big significance in the lives of many people in Taiwan. Ninety-two years ago Taiwan became independent from Socialist China and strived to pursue a greater way of life as a democracy. There have been some setbacks and progress as with any developing democracy, but in the end democracy for this country prevailed. Just like the 4th of July in the United States, October 10th symbolizes freedom and liberty for the Taiwanese people. As a friend of Taiwan, I feel that we should honor them and their day. Mr. Speaker on this 92nd Anniversary of Taiwan National Day, it is imperative to remember that Taiwan has a strong relationship with the United States. We hope that by celebrating with them we can show our support for their independence, and strengthen our international ties with our friends in the Asia, and strong U.S. ally in the region. I wish Taiwan a happy National Day, and hope that our social, economic, political, and military relations continue to flourish into the future.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, subject to rule XXII, clause 7(c), I hereby announce my intention to offer a motion to instruct on H.R. 1308, the Tax Relief, Simplification, and Equity Act of 2003. The form of the motion is as follows: I move that the managers on the part of the House in the conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses on the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 1308 be instructed as follows: 1. The House conferees shall be instructed to include in the conference report the provision of the Senate amendment (not included in the House amendment) that provides immediate payments to taxpayers receiving an additional credit by reason of the bill in the same manner as other taxpayers were entitled to immediate payments under the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. 2. The House conferees shall be instructed to include in the conference report the provision of the Senate amendment (not included in the House amendment) that provides families of military personnel serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other combat zones a child credit based on the earnings of the individuals serving in the combat zone. 3. The House conferees shall be instructed to include in the conference report all of the other provisions of the Senate amendment and shall not report back a conference report that includes additional tax benefits not offset by other provisions. 4. To the maximum extent possible within the scope of conference, the House conferees shall be instructed to include in the conference report other tax benefits for military personnel and the families of the astronauts who died in the Columbia disaster. 5. The House conferees shall, as soon as practicable after the adoption of this motion, meet in open session with the Senate conferees and the House conferees shall file a conference report consistent with the proceeding provisions of this instruction, not later than the second legislative day after adoption of this motion.

Mr. CROWLEY

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

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen).

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 7 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Neal).

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, first of all, let me state how proud I am to stand here and manage the time on this important piece of legislation as a New Yorker. Jackie Robinson, as the gentleman from New York (Mr. King) pointed out, was as much a New Yorker as he was a baseball player. I also want to state my admiration for the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Neal). The gentleman and I have had the opportunity to work on many pieces of legislation during my 5 years here in Congress; and I want to suggest that it takes a tremendous amount of courage for a man from Massachusetts at this time, when a New York team is poised to defeat a Massachusetts team in a playoff series which is about to take place in a couple of days, to have the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Neal) offer this bill here today to honor someone who became an honorary New Yorker we all appreciate. We really appreciate the motivation and the efforts of the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Neal) to Jackie Robinson. Baseball player Jack Roosevelt Robinson, who is popularly known as Jackie Robinson, was born on January 31, 1919, in Cairo, Georgia, the youngest of five children. He spent his formative years living in near poverty in Pasadena, California, and later went on to attend the University of California in Los Angeles. His athletic gifts came to the fore when Jackie became the first athlete in UCLA history to letter in four sports: baseball, football, basketball and track. As a result, Jackie Robinson was considered one of the most versatile athletes of his generation and went on to prove it when he played for the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro leagues and later signed a contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1945, the first African American to do so for the majors in the 20th century. With the Dodgers, Jackie excelled in his game and inspired a generation of American fans and baseball players alike. The great home- run hitter of the Atlanta Braves, Hank Aaron, once remembered Jackie Robinson as an important influence in his life: ``I had just turned 20, and Jackie told me the only way to be successful at anything was to go out and do it. He said baseball was a game you played every day, not once a week.'' Jackie's career statistics tell a remarkable story. He helped the Brooklyn Dodgers win six pennants in 10 seasons. He was named Most Valuable Player in 1949 when he scored 108 runs, 203 hits, 16 home runs, and 124 RBIs. Jackie led the National League in stolen bases in 1947 and 1949 for a total career of 197. His career batting average was .311. For his achievements in the sport, he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962. Despite his remarkable achievements on the baseball field, Jackie still had to contend with the insidious racist environment of his time. While traveling with the Dodgers, he could not always stay in the same hotels, nor eat at the same restaurants as his white teammates. One park in Florida barred the Dodgers from playing an exhibition game because of their inclusion of Robinson on their roster. At another point, the Cardinals threatened to strike rather than play against Robinson and the Dodgers, but the National League president intervened and the Cardinals capitulated. Jackie Robinson received hate mail with death threats. Given the racial injustices in America at the time and the racial injustices he was subjected to as a black baseball player, it is no surprise that Jackie Robinson would later turn his attention to fostering racial justice in America. He urged Major League Baseball club owners to hire African Americans to serve as managers, coaches, and administrators in front-office positions. He traveled extensively to raise funds for the NAACP and was a strong supporter of the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai Brith. After retiring from baseball, Jackie became a businessman. He was vice president of Chock Full O'Nuts, chairman of the board and co- founder of Freedom National Bank of Harlem between 1962 and 1972, and founded a construction company in 1970. In both banking and construction, he sought to improve the living conditions of African Americans in urban areas. He also spoke out against drug abuse in America. He was one of the great heroes of the storied history of our national pastime. He was an inspiration to his generation, and his pioneer spirit and legacy are an inspiration to all of us and will be for many generations to come. His legacy continues to be honored by the good work of the Jackie Robinson Foundation, which his wife, Rachel, founded in 1973, one year after his death, which helps college-bound minority youth in developing their potential. I urge Members to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Texas for yielding me this time. I rise today to speak in strong support of this resolution. We have all seen the rise in violence against our fellow Americans, whether they are of Arab, Muslim, South Asian or Sikh descent, since the September 11 attack upon our Nation. Our Nation must not allow these attacks to continue. We need to work together to ensure that these types of crimes no longer occur. A family in my district in Queens fell victim to a hate crime of this nature in August of this year. The Singh family, a proud Sikh American family of Woodside, Queens, my hometown, was attacked simply because of the way they looked. I am proud that the neighbors of the Singh family called the police when this hate crime was occurring and even came to their assistance during the attacks. That is the neighborhood of Woodside that I know and love. A strong community is what it will take to stop these horrendous crimes from occurring in the future. It is hard for all of us to understand how people have so much hate in them, and we need to all work together to ensure that hate crimes stop. Whether they are against Sikhs, Blacks, Muslims, Jews or gays, hate crimes need to be stopped. The best way, I believe, to stop hate crimes is through education. By bringing this problem out in the open, we can start to solve it by educating our population. During July, I held a congressional briefing as the co-chair of the Caucus on India and Indian American Affairs about the rise of hate crimes against the South Asian population here in the United States. A representative of Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force, also known as SMART, attended this briefing and spoke with Members of the Congress on the importance of educating people so they understand the culture and will be less likely to participate in hate crimes. I commend SMART's efforts to work not only within the Sikh community but with all communities affected by hate crimes. We all must work together to ensure that these types of crimes no longer occur. I urge all of my colleagues to support this important resolution.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, as cochair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Irish Affairs, I am pleased to rise in strong support of the Walsh visa program. This program helps the truly disadvantaged of Northern Ireland and the six border counties of the Republic of Ireland by allowing them to live and work here in the United States for a short period of time. While in the United States, these young men and women are given the training they need to become skilled workers. At the completion of this short-term job training program, the participants return to their homeland and put into practice the skills they have learned here in the United States. These skills will help them to build a better life for themselves, a life that they may not have had but for this program and its opportunities. We are not just discussing job opportunities, but rather life opportunities and the ability to look to a brighter future. We all know the reality that Northern Ireland still faces is a very difficult one. The assembly is still dissolved and the elections look as if they will be further postponed. But this program provides hope to these people for a better future for themselves and their families. The United States needs to continue this program for the good people of the island of Ireland. I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Immigrant Workers' Freedom Ride and its participants. On September 20, hard-working men and women from every corner of this country set off on a journey in support of immigrant workers' rights. These men and women support our economy through their work. Men and women who support all of us with their dedication, their taxes, their skills. Men and women who are involved in their communities, in our communities. Much like the freedom riders of years past, they are calling for what many would consider to be just basic rights. They are calling for family reunification. They are calling for the restoration of labor protections for all workers in the U.S. They are calling for our country to acknowledge their civil rights. These men and women are as much a part of our Nation's history as they are a part of our Nation's present and future. For years they have proven their dedication to our country. They deserve more than a simple tour of our country. They deserve our respect.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, today marks the forty-third anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Cyprus, after 80 years of British colonial rule. Independence is particularly significant for the Cypriot people because of their ancient and extensive history of conquerors, empire builders, and invaders. Throughout history Cyprus has endured oppression and occupation by preserving its unique identity and culture. While this is a day of celebration for the progress and successes that the Republic of Cyprus has achieved, it is also a solemn reminder of the Turkish occupation under which 37 percent of the island struggles. Since Turkish troops invaded in 1974, Turkey has expelled 200,000 Greek Cypriots, moved 80,000 settlers from the Turkish mainland into Greek Cypriot homes in an attempt to change the demographics of the area and restricted the rights of the few Greek Cypriots who remain in the north. The United Nations Security Council and the European Union have condemned these actions by the Turkish government as explicit violations of international law. After 29 years of illegal occupation, the Turkish-Cypriot leadership under Rauf Denktash has proven itself unwilling to resolve this situation. Tens of thousands of Turkish Cypriots have demonstrated in the occupied areas of the north, urging Mr. Denktash to support the U.N. peace process. But Mr. Denktash has not only rejected the plan, he has refused to allow his constituency to voice their opinion through a referendum. Due to this intransigent policy, the opportunity has been lost for all Cypriots--both Turkish and Greek. However, throughout this long path towards peace, the people of Cyprus have held on to their independence and taken huge strides in building a prosperous and flourishing nation. Today--after 43 years of independence--Cyprus continues to grow economically, develop democratically and foster regional stability as it takes momentous steps toward joining the European Union. On April 16, 2003, along with nine other countries, Cyprus signed the Accession Treaty to the European Union with the intention of officially becoming a member-state of the EU in May 2004. The Accession of Cyprus will proceed whether it is as an island with a partition or as an island newly reunified. The positive impact of the forthcoming EU accession will bring great benefits to all Cypriots both Greek and Turkish. It will bring foreign investment; access to markets and jobs throughout Europe, and additional development assistance to the areas of northern Cyprus. Having looked out across the Green line during my last visit to Cyprus, I strongly believe that the unification of Cyprus into a bi-zonal, bi- communal federation--as called for by United Nations Security Council resolutions--is the only solution that can guarantee economic development and equal political representation for all inhabitants of the island. Globally--the United States, the EU and the international community and locally--the government of the Cypriot Republic, and the people of Cyprus, both Greek and Turkish, are committed to finding a peaceful settlement in the near future--it is time to work in good faith to make it a reality. Despite the ongoing conflict and the obstructionist stance of the Turkish-Cypriot leadership, the Government of Cyprus has continued to also strengthen its close partnership with the United States, and it has proven the strength of these ties by providing its support in our fight against global terrorism. Immediately after the September 11 terrorist attacks, Cyprus was among the first nations to express its solidarity with the U.S. Cyprus has granted blanket clearance for U.S. military aircraft to fly over Cyprus and to use its airports, and is sharing intelligence with and providing legal assistance to various U.S. agencies. Cyprus has also introduced tough new criminal laws and regulations to deter and punish terrorists and their supporters, taken measures to freeze the assets of terrorists and increased security measures at seaports and airports and at the U.S. Embassy in the capital of Nicosia. Cyprus has also endorsed and implemented U.N. Security Council Resolution 1373 (2001) to freeze the assets of terrorists and their supporters; implemented all other relevant resolutions and decisions of the U.N. Security Council, the EU and other international organizations; and ratified the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism. And most recently, on September 18, the United States and Cyprus signed a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty that will promote closer coordination between the two countries in the fight against global terrorism, organized crime, drug trafficking and related violent crimes. As an active member of both the Congressional Hellenic Issues Caucus and the House Committee on International Relations, I have supported a number of legislative initiatives to resolve the Cyprus dispute and promote the accession of the government of Cyprus to the European Union. I strongly support the accession of Cyprus to the European Union, whether or not a solution to the island's division has been reached beforehand. I have cosponsored legislation calling on the U.S. Government to support EU accession, and I have written to President Bush on this matter as well. I have co-sponsored legislation introduced in the House to end restrictions on the freedoms and human rights of the Greek Cypriot enclaves in northern Cyprus. I personally tried to visit the enclaves during a recent trip to Cyprus so I could see for myself the condition of the Greek Cypriots living there, but I was prevent from doing so by the Turkish Cypriot leadership. I support the Administration's allocation of $15 million each year to promote measures aimed at reunification of the island and designed to reduce tensions and promote peace and cooperation between the two communities in Cyprus. I believe it is critical that the Turkish Cypriot side provide information on the five American citizens of Greek Cypriot descent who have been missing since 1974. As a purely humanitarian matter, the Turkish side must make progress on this issue. My district includes a large Cypriot-American community in Queens and I have listened to their needs and concerns regarding their homes and families in Cyprus many times. On this day of independence and celebration for Cyprus, I believe that it is important that both the United States and the Republic of Cyprus renew the commitment towards strengthening relations and working towards a peaceful and durable settlement for this divided island. I sincerely hope that the Turkish Cypriot leadership decides to make the compromises necessary to end the division of Cyprus so that the entire island can continue to prosper and develop as an active member of the international community. Until that time comes, I congratulate the people of Cyprus on the 43d anniversary of their independence.