Joe Crowley

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Sanders- Crowley-DeLauro-Paul-Rohrabacher amendment. This language offered today is the same language I offered last year in the agriculture appropriations bill. We again offer this amendment as a first start to provoke a discussion and get real reimportation language enacted into law. This is the only way Democrats and Independents can get heard on this issue. The GOP-controlled House authorizing committees are not doing their jobs. All we have seen to date was a hearing held earlier this month in the Committee on Commerce on the horrors of reimportation, and the arguments of that hearing have hardened my resolve in supporting reimportation legislation. Why? In part because of the comments from that hearing, such as the opening statement of the chairman, the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Tauzin), where he remarked on June 7 of 2001, ``The problem of counterfeit drugs is not just a phenomenon of the developing world. Our lucrative market and ineffective import controls are increasingly making the United States an attractive target for drug counterfeiters and diverters. ``Last month three counterfeit prescription drugs were found in the shelves of pharmacies of several States. It is not known whether these fake drugs were made in the United States or overseas, but such a cluster of counterfeits has not been seen for years in this country.'' The hearing proved that the FDA is unable to assure the U.S. public that it can prevent unsafe imports from entering this country at this point in time. Yes, in fact counterfeit drugs are making their way onto the shores and onto the shelves of pharmacies around this country. The legislation that was enacted to stop it, the Prescription Drug Marketing Act enacted in 1987, which included Section 801(d)1 that we are striking funding for today, has not been successful in protecting consumers. It has been tremendously successful in protecting, though, the interests of the drug companies. We as Democrats have been trying to pass legislation to find a remedy, a legislative remedy to address the spiralling cost of medications. Each time the leaders of the Congress have rebuffed us. The GOP passed a fake prescription drug bill benefit last year so weak that 178 of their Members later backed my amendment to the agriculture appropriations bill last year making the reimportation a better alternative to lowering the price of prescription drugs than their party's plan. This year, Congress expressed a collective round of laughter at the drug proposal advanced by the White House, representing one of the greatest feats of bipartisanship in recent memory.

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. I rise in strong support of the Sanders/Crowley/DeLauro/Paul/ Rohrabacher amendment. This language offered today is the same as language I offered last year. We again offer this amendment as a first start to provoke a discussion and get real reimportation legislation enacted into law. This is the only way Democrats and Independents can get heard on this issue--the GOP controlled House authorizing committees are not doing their jobs. All we have seen to date was a Commerce Committee hearing held earlier this month on the horrors of reimportation--and the arguments from that hearing have hardened my resolve in supporting reimportation. Why? In part because of the comments from that hearing, such as Chairman Tauzin's opening statement where he remarked on June 7, 2001: The problem of counterfeit drugs is not just a phenomenon of the developing world. Our lucrative market and ineffective import controls are increasingly making the United States an attractive target for drug counterfeiters and diverters. Last month, three counterfeit prescription drugs were found in the shelves of pharmacies of several states. It is not known whether these fake drugs were made in the United States or overseas. But such a cluster of counterfeits has not been seen for years in this country. Yes, in fact, counterfeit drugs are making it onto our shores and the legislation that was enacted to stop it--the Prescription Drug Marketing Act (PDMA) enacted in 1987, which includes section 801(d)(1) that we are striking funding for today, has not been successful in protecting consumers. It has been tremendously successful in protecting drug company profits though. We, as Democrats, have been trying legislative remedy after legislative remedy to address the spiraling costs of medications--and each time the leaders of this Congress have rebuffed us. The GOP passed a fake prescription drug benefit last Congress--so weak that 178 of their members later backed my amendment to Agricultural Appropriations last year making reimportation a better alternative to lowering drug prices then their Party Plan. This year, Congress expressed a collective round of laughter at the Drug proposal advanced by this White House--representing one of the greatest feats of bi-partisanship in recent memory. I recognize the safety concerns advanced by Commerce Chairman Tauzin and Ranking Member Dingell are legitimate and I greatly respect their diligence on this issue and their hard working in protecting American consumers--their motives cannot be questioned here. But the current laws are not working, as we all readily admit. Something new must be done. We cannot protect people from medications by not allowing them to have any access to affordable drugs at all--and unfortunately that is more and more the case throughout the U.S.A. I remember the thoughts of a local pharmacists who told me that American seniors pay the highest drug prices on Earth. Some Members will oppose this amendment on fair grounds and for valid reasons--but we offer it as a starting point for discussion to get Congress to act and act this year to lower drug prices for Americans-- especially our seniors. Let me put this in perspective, I have a constituent in Long Island City, NY who must purchase 100 capsules of Prilosec every three months for his wife. He pays almost $400 for these drugs. I have this letter from a gentleman who writes ``Isn't that an outrageous price for a medication my wife will have to take on a regular basis''. Yes it is, sir. Especially, in light of the fact that this same drug that costs $400 in Queens New York, would have cost him $107 in Mexico and $184 in Canada. Price gouging is wrong and needs to be stopped. Price Gouging medications is illegal in Canada and Mexico, and-- surprise--their drug prices are half the cost of what they are in the U.S.--even for the same drugs, with the same FDA-approved label. This amendment this year will allow for reimportation of FDA-approved drugs and will serve as an important place marker for more comprehensive reimportation language to be included by the Democratically-controlled Senate. Americans are turning more and more to giant super stores for their consumer needs--because they can get great bargains at places like WalMart--but they have no such large wholesaler to purchase their medications. Something that is not a luxury but a necessity. What upsets me most is that the drug companies get away with it--they give super discounts to seniors in every other country in the world, because they know those governments would never allow for price gouging of their elderly. But knowing full well they can commit gouging in the U.S.--they mark up their products well beyond what any reasonable senior can afford. This price gouging must stop. We can no longer, in good conscience, as a nation allow our seniors to ration their medications, or have to choose between paying their rent and purchasing their drugs. Representative Sanders and I are offering this reimportation amendment as the first of a three pronged approach to helping America's seniors afford their medications. Besides reimportation, we argue for the passage of the Prescription Drug Fairness for Seniors Act by Congressman Tom Allen of Maine. And I hope that all of the sponsors of this amendment will join me in this fight--the goals are the same here--lowering drug prices and protecting American seniors. This legislation would automatically lower the drug prices paid by American seniors by an average of 40% overnight at negligible cost to the Government by mandating that the drug manufacturers sell drugs to seniors at the same price they sell them for in the other six major industrialized nations. These two approaches lead us to our final and long term goal--that of a prescription drug benefit under Medicare. We cannot have millions of Americans go without their medications. We need to pass real reimportation language this year--and begin to lower the skyrocketing costs of drugs for Americans.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my colleagues, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Grucci) and the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney), and thank them for offering this resolution to memorialize John Downing, Brian Fahey, and Harry Ford, three of New York's bravest. They were members of the New York City Fire Department who were killed in the line of duty on Father's Day, Sunday, June 17. Each of these men was a decorated veteran of the fire department. Harry Ford was a 27-year veteran; Brian Fahey had served for 14 years; and John Downing had served for 11 years. Words alone cannot express the sadness that we all feel about the deaths of these men. I can only begin to express my sympathy for their families, especially the eight children now left behind. All of these men worked in my district in the Seventh Congressional District in Queens. Harry Ford and Brian Fahey worked at the elite Rescue 4 Unit just up the block from where I grew up, and John Downing of Engine Company 163 also stationed in Woodside, although lived on the Island, grew up in Woodside, was schooled in St. Sebastian School, and was buried out of St. Sebastian's Church on Friday. Mr. Speaker, last Friday I had the opportunity to attend the funeral of John Downing, and I sat with his family and the families of the other firefighters that were killed, the Ford and Fahey families. I sat with his colleagues, including my first cousin, Battalion Chief John Moran, who was injured in that fire and spent 2 days in the hospital himself after smoke inhalation trying to recover Mr. Fahey's body. Mr. Speaker, I was reminded by this experience that the New York City firefighters were the bravest men and women in the United States. Heroic action taken by the men and women of the New York Fire Department is something that occurs on a daily basis. To those who worked alongside them, I want to take the opportunity to say thank you for the job that they do every day. I am heartened to see the outpouring of sympathy and affection that has been expressed throughout New York and in my home district of Woodside for these brave men who fell in the line of duty on Father's Day. Mr. Speaker, I hope we can let the example of these three heroes serve as an example for all of us. Mr. Speaker, these heroes made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. I know Members join me in paying tribute to their incredible bravery. Mr. Speaker, last night my cousin was on Dateline, and he recounted a saying that he was taught in the department before he took the job. It goes along the lines of this, the only act of bravery or heroism is the day that they sign up and take the job in the fire department; every other day is just a normal, line-of-duty day. That is the attitude these men and women have. Mr. Speaker, may God bless them and keep them; and may God bless and keep their families.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky) for yielding me such time. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the energy and water bill before us today. I want to thank and congratulate the gentleman from Alabama (Chairman Callahan) and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky), the ranking member, for their great work in crafting a solid bipartisan bill that will meet some of the important energy and infrastructure needs of our Nation over the next year. In particular, I want to thank the committee for including $4.4 million in this bill for the cleanup of Flushing Bay and Creek in my congressional district in Queens. This funding will be used for the badly needed dredging of parts of this water body to clean up old sediment and other debris that has built up in the bay and creek which has hampered economic development and the free flow of commerce, as well as trapped pollution and pollutants and other contaminants in that body of water. The pollution build-up in Flushing Creek Bay and creek has resulted in foul odors and water discoloration, making this body of water a blight on our community, but this investment by the committee in the cleanup will make Flushing Bay and its creek the envy of Queens County. Mr. Chairman, once again, I want to thank the gentleman from Alabama (Chairman Callahan) and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky), the ranking member, for their hard work and support of this project for the people of my district in Queens, New York.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in firm support of the transportation appropriations bill for fiscal year 2002. I would like to commend Chairman Rogers and Mr. Sabo for crafting a bill that addresses the unique transportation needs in this country. Though this bill takes into account the demands and constraints of the current transportation network throughout the country, I would like to make special mention of certain aspects of this bill that have a tremendous impact on my constituents in the 7th Congressional district of New York. I want to thank Mrs. Lowey, Mr. Serrano, Mr. Hinchey, and Mr. Sweeney for their assistance in securing the inclusion of $250,000 for the Long Island City Links Project. The LIC Links research funded in this bill will lead to a comprehensive network of pedestrian, bicycle and transit connections between Long Island City residential and business areas and new parks, retail stores, and cultural institutions. These innovative improvements will help reduce automobile traffic and improve our neighborhood air quality. Furthermore, this project will improve the overall social and economic conditions in Queens County. I would also like to thank the Committee for the inclusion of $10 million for the East Side Access Project. The East Side Access connection will involve constructing a 5,500- foot tunnel from the LIRR Main Line in Sunnyside, Queens to the existing tunnel under the East River at 63rd Street. A new Passenger Station in Sunnyside Yard, Queens will also be constructed to provide access to the growing Long Island Business District. The elements of this bill beneficial to my constituency is not limited to ground transportation. As representative of LaGuardia Airport in Congress, the issue of congestion in the air and on the ground is a problem that plagues residents in and around the airport on a daily basis. I am pleased that this bill has included two million dollars for the procurement of air traffic control equipment at LaGuardia Airport. It is my hope that these funds will help alleviate the traffic problems that plague one of the most congested airports in the country. In that same vein, I would like to commend my colleagues in the New York and New Jersey delegation for their work with regard to airspace redesign and the diversion of traffic to Stewart Airport. The idea of burden sharing of airports in the tri-state is essential to the future of LaGuardia Airport. Given that LaGuardia is completely saturated, the report initiated by Mr. Hinchey to increase service at Stewart Airport will be a welcome relief for travelers and residents of Queens alike. This is a reasonable and comprehensive bill that truly addresses the needs of Americans in the 21st century. Therefore, I strongly urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Smith of New Jersey for authoring this crucial and timely resolution. It troubles me to report that one of my constituents is among the many Chinese-Americans being held without cause by the government of the People's Republic of China. As an author and scholar, Mr. Wu would often travel to the land of his ancestry for business and research. However, on April 8th, Wu Jianming (Woo John-Ming) of Elmhurst, New York was detained by security forces while traveling in the People's Republic of China. He was taken to an isolated house outside the city of Guangzhou for questioning. Chinese authorities detained Mr. Wu for nearly a week before finally notifying the American consulate of the arrest in violation of standard protocol. Though the Consul General was finally granted access to assess the physical and emotional well being of Mr. Wu, the circumstances surrounding his captivity are simply unacceptable. He has now been held for nearly three months without being formally charged with any crime. Chinese diplomats here in Washington argue that Mr. Wu's case is a matter of national security, and provided no further details. Mr. Wu is a husband, a scholar, and a U.S. citizen. He is not a subversive element. For the sake of Sino-American relations, it is essential that he be immediately and unconditionally released. It troubles me to report that Mr. Wu's story is not an isolated incident. The recent detention of Chinese-American scholars has strained our relationship with Beijing. As members of the international community and partners of the United States, it is imperative that they be held to the same standards as all other nations. Therefore, I proudly join Mr. Smith in supporting the release of these men without further delay, and I urge my colleagues to join us in that endeavor.

Mr. CROWLEY

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

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

Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), for his words in support of this resolution; and I rise in strong support of this resolution. Madam Speaker, I want to begin by thanking the chairman of the full committee, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde); our distinguished ranking member, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos); my Republican colleagues, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Cantor), the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kirk), and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) for their work; and my other colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Ackerman), for helping to get this resolution to the floor for quick consideration today. In October 2000, Adi Avitan, Binyamin Avraham, and Omar Souad were abducted while on a routine patrol of Israel's northern border. A fourth man, Elchanan Tannenbaum, a reservist, was taken while on a business trip in Europe. At the present time, these men are believed to be held by the Hezbollah on Lebanese soil. The United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan and the International Committee of the Red Cross have made numerous overtures to Hezbollah in an effort to gain access to assess the physical condition and well-being of these prisoners. The Hezbollah has rejected these requests each and every time. The continued detention of these men by Hezbollah troops is unacceptable and must be addressed immediately. The conditions of their capture and the subject of detention run completely counter to the international standards and laws. Given that the State Department Report on Terrorism has named Iran and Syria as the patron states of Hezbollah, we must hold the governments in Tehran and Damascus responsible for the well-being of these men. As signatories to the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, Iran and Syria have a responsibility to the international community to take concrete steps to encourage Hezbollah to permit this visit to take place. President Khatami and President Assad have made statements regarding the desire to join the community of nations. If these statements truly represent the desires of Iran and Syria, I ask them to take the first step toward achieving that objective by exerting their considerable influence over Hezbollah to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross to do their job without further delay. I first met the families of these men on a visit to Israel earlier this year in January with Members from New York, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Weiner) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler). It was my hope that by the time we met again that their sons and fathers would be home. Last month, I stood beside them once again here in Washington, but the void left by their sons and fathers still remains. I know that the families are grateful that they need not fight for their sons and fathers alone. They are joined by well over 70 Members of the House and the Senate who have cosponsored this resolution before us. We send a strong signal to the patron states of Hezbollah; but most of all, we must send hope to Adi, to Binyamin, to Omar, and Elchanan and their families. We can do just that by passing this resolution today. Therefore, Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, no. I withdraw my amendment.

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, while I understand that the Parliamentarian will rule this amendment out of order, I would like to take this opportunity to offer my amendment and highlight a key educational issue not only for my district, for the Seventh Congressional District in Queens and the Bronx, but for congressional districts and local educational agencies throughout the U.S. At the end of my time, Mr. Chairman, I will then withdraw this amendment. My amendment would strike the $25 million under operations and maintenance account of the Army that has been requested for recruiting and advertising for this branch and would transfer this $25 million in badly needed funds to the U.S. Department of Education for the Magnet School Assistance Program. Magnet schools are specialized theme schools with innovative educational programs, often focusing in specific areas like math and the sciences while also providing some choice to parents and students. I have become quite familiar with and impressed by the successes of magnet schools after witnessing the students' achievements at Community School District 30 centered in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York in my congressional district. Community School District 30, which serves the student populations of Astoria, Long Island City, East Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, and parts of Corona and Woodside in Queens, is home to the most diverse ethnic population in the United States, according to the U.S. Census. These communities house over 120 ethnic groups and languages, making the ability to serve all of the educational needs very, very challenging, to say the least. But Community School District 30 has proven that serving these children is not impossible. They have achieved a number of successes through the operation of magnet schools. In the case of School District 30, they have created an interactive intra- and interschool learning community, employing all of the stakeholders in this issue: teachers, parents, students, and local universities. My amendment will provide additional funding to increase assistance to School District 30 and other local educational agencies to create and/or expand magnet schools in their communities, whether they be urban, suburban or rural. It is my hope that as this bill works its way through the process, that this Congress will find an additional $25 million for the Magnet School Assistance Program for the Department of Education. Mr. Chairman, I yield to my friend and colleague, the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney). (Mrs. MALONEY of New York asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

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

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I am greatly dismayed to see that desperately needed earthquake assistance to both India and El Salvador are missing from this supplemental appropriations bill. We have shortchanged the many men, women and children who lost their homes, their belongings, their very livelihoods because of these two devastating earthquakes. We all spoke so eloquently in their aftermath but, to date, have delivered a paltry $13 million from existing funds taken from child survival programs at US AID for Indian assistance. This is an embarrassment. The Gujarati Indians in my district in Queens and the Bronx are outraged that the U.S. government has done so very little for friends and family members who are suffering in the aftermath of the January earthquake after the promises made to them by our government. Until the people of Gujarat, India and El Salvador are provided the opportunity to rebuild their lives and their economy, those that were not lost in the earthquakes of January and February, we should not relent in our calls for assistance. This is a humanitarian issue. This is a political issue. This is an economic issue. Today's Asia times notes that India's gross domestic product is likely to slip below 6 percent in the current fiscal year. This is attributed, in part, to the significant impact of the earthquake in Gujarat. The people of India and El Salvador must have our help. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory and recognition of John Downing, Harry Ford and Brian Fahey--three of New York's Bravest, members of the New York City Fire Department, who were killed in the line of duty on Father's Day, Sunday, June 17. Every day, firefighters take risks by putting there own lives on the line in an attempt to save innocent people who may be trapped in a burning building or are otherwise endangered by a spreading fire. Heroic action taken by the men and women of the New York Fire Department is not an occasional event, but something that occurs daily. The routine risks they take are not recognized enough by the people who they protect. Unfortunately, it always seems to take a tragedy, like the one which occurred last weekend to fully recognize the heroism around us every day. I am heartened to see the outpouring of sympathy that has been expressed in New York and across the country for these brave men who fell in the line of duty. Working on Father's Day was just part of the job for these three heroes, who were entrusted with the responsibility of protecting the lives of the people of New York City. When tragedy struck, Rescue Company 4, which included Mr. Ford, and Mr. Fahey and Ladder Company 163 where Mr. Downing was assigned, were sent to fight a fire at a hardware store in Astoria, Queens. All three men, like their entire companies, were doing exactly what they were trained to do, the same thing they had done hundreds of times before. Unfortunately, this fire would lead to their deaths and the injury of 50 others. Although we think of them today as heroes because of their valor in the face of death, all three men were heroes long before this fatal Fathers Day. Harry Ford was a 27-year veteran of the New York City Fire Department. Along with his wife Denise, he was the father of three children, Janna, Harry and Gerard. During his distinguished career, he earned ten bravery citations, including one for rescuing a baby from a burning building. As the senior member of his Company, he was held in a certain reverence by every member of Rescue Company Four. Brian Fahey was a veteran firefighter of 14 years. He was also a member of the elite rescue team, whose most important job is to rescue their fellow firefighters imperiled in the process of saving the lives of civilians. He leaves behind three sons, Brendan, Patrick and James and is the husband of Mary. In 1992, 11-year veteran John Downing had a brush with fame. A plane trying to take off from LaGuardia Airport slid into Flushing Bay, killing 19 people. Firefighter Downing was captured on the front page of the Daily News the next day, heroically carrying victims away from danger. He is survived by his wife Anne, and their two children, Joanne and Michael. Words alone cannot express the sadness we all feel in the death of these men. I can only begin to express the sympathy I feel for their families and their friends, especially those who worked alongside them in their gallant profession. These men will continue to go on fighting fires, with this painful reminder of the great risk of their calling. To these men and women, I want to take the opportunity to say ``thank you'' for the job that you do, often without praise or acknowledgement. Keep up the good work. I hope we all can let the example of these three heroes, John Downing, Harry Ford and Brian Fahey serve as an example for all of us. I would also like to pay tribute to the 50 other people who were injured while fighting this deadly fire, including firefighters, EMS workers, police officers and civilians. My sincerest thanks and prayers go out to all of you, especially Firefighter Joseph Vosilla, an 11-year veteran of Ladder Company 116, who is still in critical condition at Elmhurst hospital, and Lieutenant Brendan Manning, a 19-year veteran of Battalion 49 who is in stable condition at New York Weill Cornell Center. Mr. Speaker, these heroes made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. I know the entire House joins me in paying tribute to their incredible bravery. May God bless them and their families.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Oxley) for yielding me the time and the gentleman from New York (Mr. LaFalce) for his diligent work on this bill as well. I rise in strong support, in favor of the Investor and Capital Markets Fees Relief Act. I want to thank the lead sponsors, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Fossella) and the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney), both from New York City, for introducing this legislation. These SEC charges are user fees and not taxes, and they currently bring in almost six times more than are needed to operate the SEC. It is fair to lower these fees and pass these savings on to the American people. While these fees appear small, they can have a substantial effect on Americans who purchase and sell stocks or those Americans who open mutual funds or 401(k)s or who are saving for a retirement in a public pension plan. In fact, these fees, with their excessive collections, have become an onerous form of taxation on investment, hindering investment and saving opportunities for Americans. Right now, under the current formula, the typical family will pay $1,300 in fees over their lifetime to the SEC. By lowering these fees and applying these same dollars to their investments, like pension funds and 401(k)s, this money could grow to over $11,000 in extra savings. In my home State of New York, the State's public pension program will pay over $14 million in the next 5 years in SEC fees if Congress does not take action, fees that are not needed for their intended purpose of financing and operating the Securities and Exchange Commission. That $14 million could be better invested into people's pockets for their retirement. As 50 percent of Americans now own stock and have some say in the actions of the financial markets, this bill will provide relief to Main Street, not just to Wall Street. Furthermore, this legislation will finally provide full pay equity to the hard working employees at the Securities and Exchange Commission, many of whom live in my district and throughout many of the metropolitan cities in America. This pay equity is not only fair but is also justified and is also badly needed. In fact, one SEC office in New York City has witnessed 100 percent turnover. This bill will help adjust the staffing problem at the SEC. As both the representative for the financial capital of the world and a lifelong resident of Queens, I recognize that investors of yesteryear wore wingtip shoes, but the investors today wear workboots. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Investor and Capital Markets Fee Relief Act and want to thank the lead sponsors Representatives Vito Fossella and Carolyn Maloney for introducing this legislation. These SEC charges are user fees--not taxes--and they currently bring in almost 6 times more than are needed to operate the SEC. It is fair to lower these fees--and pass these savings on to Americans. While these fees appear small, they can have a substantial effect on Americans who purchase and sell stock, or those Americans who own mutual funds or 401(k)'s or who are saving for a retirement in a public pension plan. In fact, these fees, with their excessive collections, have become an onerous form of taxation on investment, hindering investment and savings opportunities for Americans. Right now, under the current formula, the typical family will pay $1,300 in fees over their lifetime to the SEC. By lowering these fees and applying these same dollars to their investments, like pension funds and 401(k)'s, this money could grow to over $11,000 in extra savings. In home state of New York, the State's public pension program will pay over $13 million in the next 5 years in SEC fees if Congress does not take action--fees that are not needed for their intended purpose of financing the operations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. That $13 million could be better invested into people's pockets for their retirement. As 50 percent of Americans now own stock and have some say in the actions of the financial markets, this bill will provide relief to Main Street not just to Wall Street. Furthermore, this legislation will finally provide full pay equity to the hard working employees at the Securities and Exchange Commission, many of whom live in my district and in major metropolitan areas throughout the United States. They live in places like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver, Salt Lake City, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Fort Worth and, of course, Washington, D.C. This pay equality is not only fair and justified but also badly needed. Currently, the employees of the SEC-- the people making sure the securities industry is working for America-- are earning less pay than their counterparts at other federal regulatory agencies of the same field, like the Treasury, the Federal Reserve Bank, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.The result--massive staff turnover at the SEC. In fact, one SEC office in New York City has witnessed 100 percent turn over--this bill will help address this staffing problem at the SEC. As both a representative from the financial capital of the world and a lifelong resident of Queens, I recognize that the investors of yesteryear wore wingtips, but the investors of today wear workboots. This legislation is for the tens of millions of Americans who invest for their retirement, a child's education or a better life and to the hard working and dedicated employees at the SEC, who deserve equality and fairness in their compensation. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues, Congressman Joseph Knollenberg, Congressman Frank Pallone, and Congressman John Sweeney, in offering this House Concurrent Resolution. This resolution seeks to ensure a just and equitable regional arrangement that will strengthen political, economic and security ties among all the nations of the South Caucasus. Mr. Speaker, I am greatly concerned by the National Energy Policy Development (NEPD) (Group recommendation to support the Baku-Ceyhan (SAY-han) pipeline. Along with my colleagues, Mr. Knollenbert, Mr. Pallone and Mr. Sweeney, I will be sending a letter to the President urging him to reexamine the NEPD Group recommendations regarding the Caucasus. I am also asking that he review all current and future oil and gas pipeline routes to ensure that all countries of the South Caucasus are included. The proposed Baku-Ceyhan pipeline route originating in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku and terminating at the Turkish port of Ceyhan via Georgia, explicitly bypasses Armenia at the insistence of Azerbaijan. The demands by Azerbaijan to bypass Armenia come despite the knowledge that a trans-Armenia route is the most reliable, direct and cost-effective route, and certainly one of the most tangible actions in support of regional integration and cooperation. Armenia's exclusion from regional economic and commercial undertakings in the South Caucasus hinders U.S. policy goals of promoting regional stability based upon the development of strong political, economic and security ties among all countries of the Caucasus and the United States. Exclusion of one country in regional projects only fosters instability. Armenia must be included in regional and trans-regional economic plans and projects. Only then can stability in the Caucasus be fostered. Encouragement of open market economies, increased trade and international private investment will lead to regional prosperity for all the countries involved. No one country should be excluded. Moreover, it simply does not make sense to choose a far more costly option that excludes Armenia, because of political considerations that do not benefit either the countries of the region nor the U.S. The proposed Baku-Ceyhan pipeline is estimated to cost more than $2.7 billion. A pipeline that includes Armenia, a route that is more direct would reduce the pipeline costs by a minimum of $6 million. That is a significant savings. That is a cost savings not only for the region, but for U.S. taxpayers who are helping to fund planning and implementation of the South Caucasus pipeline projects. Finally, I should note that Armenia has been a strong ally of the U.S. in the region. With a well-educated and highly skilled population, it is a country moving towards democracy and an open economy. We simply cannot afford to alienate a proven friend and ally in the region. In closing, I want to urge the President to give additional thought to the proposed Baku-Ceyhan pipeline and to have the foresight to include Armenia in that project, both for the good of the region, and for the good of U.S. policy in the region.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I submit for the Record my statement from the Committee on International Relations Subcommittee on Europe hearing on June 13, 2001. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to have this opportunity to speak in strong support of the U.S. relationship with these three important countries: Greece, Cyprus and Turkey. However, I would like to speak, in particular, about two key issues which have no doubt been the focus of this hearing today--that of Cypriot accession to the European Union (EU) and the ongoing division of Cyprus. In its conclusions at Helsinki, the European Council, in December of 1999, welcomed the launch of proximity talks that year aiming at a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. The Council further noted that, while a political settlement of the Cyprus problem would facilitate accession of Cyprus to the EU, it would not be a precondition to accession. In his confirmation hearing held on March 20, Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Marc Grossman stated that we must impress upon the Turkish Cypriots and the people in Ankara that they have got to get involved in the stalled proximity talks. A settlement to the problem would surely be a welcome development for all the governments involved. Most of us understand that accession of Cyprus to the EU will provide a much-needed impetus to a political solution. But, what Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash must understand is that Cyprus will accede to the EU whether or not he returns to the negotiating table. Because Cyprus is divided, I fear the people living on the northern part of the island under Mr. Denktash's rule, will not benefit from EU membership. The north must rejoin the rest of the island so that its people can share in the wealth, both political and economic, which EU membership has to offer. Mr. Denktash's recalcitrance will not block the Cypriot government from reaching its goal. What Mr. Denktash must decide is whether or not he wants to be a productive part of Cyprus' future. I truly hope, for the sake of all Cypriots, that he elects to do so. The people of Cyprus, with their long and rich cultural and political history, deserve far more than to see their island forever divided because of misguided political aspirations. There must be a reunited Cyprus, one that is bizonal, bicommunal and federal, created on the basis of the United Nations Security Council resolutions. I urge Mr. Denktash to return to the negotiating table once again so that a negotiated settlement can be reached. EU accession for Cyprus will benefit everyone: the U.S., Greece, Turkey, and all of Cyprus' other allies. Cyprus must take its rightful place in the community of nations as a strong, unified country with the opportunity to grow and prosper economically, to be afforded the same legal, political and social rights as other nations. Cypriot accession to the EU will begin that process, but resolution of the political problem dividing the island will provide the ultimate closure Cyprus needs to move forward. In closing, I would like to commend my colleagues, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and Congressman Michael Bilirakis, for introducing a House Concurrent Resolution in support of Cypriot accession to the EU. I am proud to be a co-sponsor of that bill.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) for yielding me the time. Firstly, let me thank the gentleman from the Bronx, New York (Mr. Engel), my friend and colleague, for authoring this resolution. Let me thank the leadership and the Committee on International Relations and the leadership of the House for bringing this timely resolution to the floor so quickly. Mr. Speaker, I believe we must speak out quickly when tyranny raises its ugly head; and, once again, it has raised in Afghanistan. To require any minority to wear any symbol harkens back to another age of the subjection of religious minorities, the coddling of terrorism, the destruction of world treasures. We simply cannot let this go on without stating our opposition to that. It is shear, shear fascism. This fanaticism though has the potential to spread, unfortunately. Having talked to some friends in the Bangladeshi community, their concerns that this could possibly spread to other moderate Muslim countries in the region is also a concern of mine. This is a very, very difficult part of the world to begin with and to have this taking place there now is only going to exacerbate that. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues for bringing this resolution to the floor, and I will also wear this ribbon in remembrance of the Hindus of the Afghanistan.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise in support of House Resolution 97 honoring the great achievements and exemplary record of public service of Shirley Anita Chisholm. A consummate and ardent supporter of women and minorities in our society, Representative Chisholm is truly deserving of this honor. Shirley Chisholm was a pioneer in many ways. She was the first African American woman ever to serve in Congress and not only the first African American woman to run for President, but also the first woman to run for the nation's highest office. Shirley Chisholm was born to immigrant parents in Brooklyn, New York in 1924. She attended public schools and graduated from Brooklyn College with a degree in Sociology in 1946. She also went on to receive a masters degree in child education from Columbia University in 1952. Her service to our nation did not start with public service however. With a belief that a better future can be achieved through the proper education of our children, Shirley Chisholm dedicated herself to the education and development of young children in New York. She first worked as a nursery school teacher until she received her master's degree; in which she then served as the director of various child care centers in New York City. Her tremendous abilities and desire to serve continued to open up greater opportunities for her to serve as she entered her last job in the educational sector as an educational consultant for the New York Department of Social Services. In 1964 she decided that she could serve a broader segment of the population by entering politics and was elected to the New York State Assembly while campaigning for domestic workers to be included in the minimum wage laws. In 1968 she ran against a strong candidate and won a seat in the House of Representatives where she served with distinction until 1983. While in the House, Representative Chisholm developed into a strong opponent and critic of the seniority system and the Vietnam War. As an active member of the Black Caucus she became a champion of the downtrodden in our society. She sponsored or worked on types of legislation that sought to further combat discrimination in hiring practices, increase the availability of child day care to low and middle income families, and set up a national commission on consumer protection and safety. She also authored two books entitled Unbought and Unbossed and The Good Fight. Typical of Shirley Chisholm though, she decided that she could be of even greater service to the American people by running for President of the United States. She announced her candidacy in January of 1972 and thus became the first African American and first woman ever to run for the nation's highest office. Though she did not win the nomination, she did win twenty-eight delegates and received 152 first ballot votes at the Democratic Convention of that year. When she retired from serving in the House, she went back to her original field of work and accepted a teaching position at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts where she taught until 1987. She continues to remain active in politics however, as she helped to found the National Political Congress of Black Women and serves on the advisory board for the National Organization of Women. Mr. Speaker, clearly Shirley Anita Chisholm was a dedicated servant to our nation and to the people who needed a voice the most. She once said this about herself, ``When I die, I don't want to be known as the first black woman who was elected to the Congress, although I am. I don't want to be known as the first woman, who happened to be black, to make a serious bid for the presidency, although I am. I want to be known as a woman who lived in the 20th century, who happened to be black, and was a major catalyst for change for women. That's how I want to be remembered.'' She certainly will be remembered for all those things and more. Let us do the right thing to honor and give our thanks to Shirley Chisholm and pass this resolution.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to our departed colleague and friend, Joe Moakley. Joe was the type of person that just about everyone could relate to. His humor and his kindness set even his political critics at ease. Who didn't like Joe Moakley? I could relate to Joe on several levels--not the least of which being our common name. We both entered politics at about the same time in our lives, we both came from similar Irish neighborhoods--he from South Boston, myself from Queens, and I would like to think we both got into politics for the same reason. There is no mystery why Joe got into politics at the age of 25. He truly saw politics as the tool for action for the greater good. Joe always said that being elected to Congress was the greatest job of all, because he had the ability to directly impact people's lives. He wouldn't have had it any other way--as he often said--caring for the person ``upstairs, downstairs and across the back fence.'' His constituents describe him as the embodiment of his district in South Boston. Hard work on behalf of people defined Joe's life. He became an early defender of the environment in the Massachusetts legislature. Joe's long commitment to the clean-up of Boston Harbor carried over to his days in Congress where he helped secure millions of dollars in Federal funding to restore the harbor to the beautiful waterfront it is today. As a fellow Irishman, I respect Joe Moakley's distinguished record on Irish affairs. Joe came to Congress at the height of the violence in Northern Ireland. Over the years he was in Congress, he was instrumental in ensuring that the peace process succeeded. From the unrestrained aggression of the 1970s to the prospects for long lasting peace and reconciliation today, Joe Moakley kept his finger on the pulse of the Northern Ireland Peace process. In public service, Joe represented the ideals of St. Ignatius of Loyola--to be a man for others. Joe's legacy is not only bricks and mortar in South Boston, but his moral voice and commitment to service to our nation. For Salvadorans, including many in my district in New York, as well as human rights activists, Joe Moakley will always be most remembered for his work to end the abuses of human rights in El Salvador. After six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper and her daughter, were murdered in El Salvador in 1989, then House Speaker Tom Foley appointed Moakley to head a special task force to investigate the Salvadoran government's response to the killings. The Moakley Commission issued a report that revealed the involvement of several high ranking Salvadoran military officials in the murders. This report resulted in the termination of U.S. military aid to El Salvador and is often credited with helping to end the brutal civil war in that country. Joe remained passionately involved in the situation all his life. In a fitting homage, Joe's work to help end the decade long war which claimed 75,000 in El Salvador has been immortalized in the PBS documentary ``Enemies of War.'' I feel privileged to have served with Joe in this Chamber. I learned from his humor, his intelligence, and his heart. I join this Chamber in wishing our friend a fond farewell.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of this amendment offered by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kirk) and the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Larsen) to fully fund Impact Aid. I am proud to join them in this amendment and I commend these two freshman Members for their initiative and commitment to education for their constituencies. While many of us know Impact Aid is the Federal Government assistance program to local school districts where there is a large Federal presence, many of my colleagues may not know what Impact Aid means to cities such as New York City, my home city. $5.8 million goes to New York City annually in Impact Aid funding to help improve the quality of education for over 70,000 children who live in public housing. As representative of the largest public housing complex in the U.S. and of thousands of working New York families who make minimum wage and send their children to public schools, full funding for Impact Aid is critical to make sure that America provides educational opportunities to all of our children, no matter where they live and no matter what their income level is. While I thank the Committee on Education and the Workforce for recognizing the importance of Impact Aid to communities throughout the country, there is more that can be done. Last year $900 million was allocated for Impact Aid when the true need is closer to $1.5 billion. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to adopt this amendment and urge my colleagues to fight for full funding of Impact Aid in conference with the Senate.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Captain G. Russell Brown, a native of Astoria, Queens, New York. After almost 40 years of service, Captain Brown is retiring from serving our Nation in the United States Navy. During the course of his career, Captain Brown has been willing to make tremendous sacrifices for his country. He has given his life to service of his country in our Navy. He entered the Navy in 1962 and began to work at the Hospital Corps School 2 years later. He served our Nation in Vietnam and after his return, he served posts in the Navy throughout the world. During the last 30 years, Captain Brown has served in California, Germany, Italy and Midway Island. Throughout that entire time, he has always been willing to sacrifice for his country. Captain Brown, along with his wife, the former Gillian Ann Collett of Reading, England, has 2 daughters, Rebecca Evelyn and Heather Ann. On behalf of the people he has served for so many years, I would like to thank him for his service to our Navy and our country. I would also like to offer his family the best of luck as he moves into life outside of our Armed Forces.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to the Hyde- Smith amendment. What we are talking about today is not abortion. No U.S. tax dollars are used for abortions. Zero. Zilch. That has been the fact since 1973 and it is the same today. The Lee amendment does not change that one single bit. Mr. Chairman, we have all read stories in the newspaper and seen on television reports on the ravages of HIV/AIDS throughout the world. It is easy to forget those stories and the plight of millions of people around the world who are so far removed from today's debate. Last year I visited one of those far-off places, Malawi, in sub-Saharan Africa. I saw how in one location in a small village family planning is provided in the same place as immunizations for kids and HIV and TB testing for adults. With up to 35 percent of the population in some countries in sub- Saharan Africa infected with HIV/AIDS and with India and the South Asia region on the horizon as the next HIV time bomb, the U.S. must be more actively involved in funding programs. A one-size-fits-all solution is not what we need. What we need to do is work with the local NGOs and health care organizations to provide the highest quality of service, education, and care that we can possibly provide.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the amendment by my colleague and neighbor Representative Anthony Weiner. In January of this year I had the opportunity to travel to Israel on my third trip to that amazing country with my colleagues Anthony Weiner and Jerry Nadler. While American media has focused on the West Bank and Gaza and attacks carried out by Palestinian terrorists against Israeli military and civilian targets, the media and our own government misses the other part of the story. Ben Yehuda Street in Jerusalem is not Hebron. Dizengoff Square in Tel Aviv is not the Gaza Strip. Warnings from the State Department which lump trouble in the West Bank and Gaza Strip into blanket warnings for the entire State of Israel miss the larger picture. For the majority of Israelis who live inside the 1948 borders of Israel what is known as the Greenline, they live their life every day without disruption. For visitors to Jerusalem the eternal Capital, to vibrant Tel Aviv and to the Holy Galilee, by exercising common sense, they will have a wonderful, fulfilling visit. At a time when the U.S. people should be standing with Israel, we do not need alarmist bureaucrats dissuading Americans from visiting the Holy Land. It is time for the State Department to separate myth from reality. For American visitors travel to the major tourist sites and cities in Israel is safe. I urge my colleagues to support the Weiner Amendment and to support the State of Israel.

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in firm support of the amendment introduced by the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos). One year ago, the Israeli government put its own security at risk in the name of cooperation and reconciliation. Israel unilaterally withdrew its armed forces from the security zone on the Lebanese-Israeli border. The hope for a reciprocal response from Beirut never occurred. In conjunction with the Israeli withdrawal, the Lebanese Army was responsible for filling the vacuum left by the Israeli troops. In a location where law and order was meant to prevail under the watchful eye of the Lebanese Army, now exists chaos, disorder and lawlessness. The northern border zone is now occupied by Hezbollah troops, who filled the void when the Lebanese refused to take the action required by U.N. Security Council Resolution 425. Two weeks ago, I stood alongside families of three Israeli soldiers abducted by Hezbollah along the Lebanese-Israeli border. It is the Lebanese inaction that allowed that to take place. The State of Israel will continue to be at risk until Lebanon fulfills its obligation to the international community. I believe that this amendment is a proportional response to the current stance taken by the Lebanese government. It is an honor to train with American troops. That privilege should continue to be extended to those who play by the rules. That is a message this amendment will convey, and I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting it.