Joe Crowley

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this measure. Mr. Speaker, I would first like to commend the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), the chairman of the Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights, for introducing this important resolution; the gentleman from New York (Chairman Gilman) for moving it through the legislative process; also the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer); and the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson) as well for their help in moving this measure to the floor today. Mr. Speaker, August 1 of this year marked the 25th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, which created the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, which has since been renamed the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. The 1957 Helsinki Final Act has played a critical role in ensuring that respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms was recognized by all countries in Europe and was at the top of the agenda of discussions between European countries. The Helsinki process that resulted from the act ensured that there was a wide-ranging dialogue on issues ranging from migration and military security to the environment and independent media. Although CSCE had no permanent headquarters and no enforcement capability, it made important progress in setting standards for the protection of human rights during the Communist era. The CSCE also increased confidence between East and West through the advanced notification of military activities and the exchange of military information. With the end of the Cold War, all CSCE countries, for the first time, accepted the principles of democracy and free markets as the basis for their cooperation. This made it possible for CSCE and later OSCE, to explore ways to act on its rigorous principles and to ensure that they were upheld. Mr. Speaker, OSCE and CSCE have been on the forefront of the new post Cold War Europe as a peacemaker, election observer, and a conscience of democracy. I am proud that the Helsinki Commission, established by Congress to follow the implementation of the final act, has made a significant contribution to this process. The resolution before the House today recognizes the important contributions the CSCE and the OSCE have made since the adoption of the Helsinki Final Act 25 years ago. The resolution also calls on the President to issue a proclamation which recognizes this anniversary, reasserts the commitment of the U.S. to implementation of the Final Act, urges all states to abide by their obligations, and encourages Americans everywhere to mark the observance of this important anniversary. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.J. Res. 100. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 8 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the ranking member of the Helsinki Commission.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), and the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson) for bringing this measure before us this afternoon. Mr. Speaker, the people of Serbia have spoken. They want change for their country and for their people. Our patience has certainly paid off. We have waited a long time for this. Mr. Milosevic has declared war over and over again against his own people, in Serbia, in Croatia, in Bosnia, in Herzegovina, in Kosovo, and I have seen firsthand what Mr. Milosevic and his regime has done to his own people. It is time for the bloodshed to end, Mr. Speaker. It is time for Mr. Milosevic to relinquish power before more blood is shed. Mr. Milosevic, your people are telling you they want no more persecution. They want no more refugees. Mr. Milosevic, they want no more death. Your people, Mr. Milosevic, have voted, and they have voted for life. Give them that life and relinquish power now.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in strong support of this resolution. I would first like to commend the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) for introducing the legislation before the House today. The U.S. is facing many foreign policy challenges in the Asia-Pacific region, challenges which are certain to grow in importance in the years ahead. On the human rights side, political dissidents and religious minorities continue to be persecuted in China. Burma has tightened its control on political dissidents, and East Timorese refugees are living under horrible conditions in camps ruled by armed militias. On the security side, North Korea missile and nuclear programs continue to pose a threat to the U.S.; managing the defense relationship with Japan requires high level attention; Taiwan's security is under increasing threat from the PRC; and we must decide whether to cover certain Asian countries under a theater missile defense. On the economic side, our trade deficit with China continues to grow to unprecedented levels; U.S. firms continue to face great difficulties operating in the Japanese market; and we must decide how the U.S. will deal with calls for greater economic integration among the Asian nations. The Pacific Charter Commission created by the legislation before the House today could help the administration and Congress get the information and analysis needed to craft effective and informed foreign policy in that region. The commission will also closely review U.S. policy toward the Asia- Pacific region and make recommendations to increase its effectiveness. Given the complexity of the political, security and economic problems facing U.S. policymakers in the region, the commission can help give voice to Asia-Pacific experts outside of the executive and congressional branches of government as well. Obviously, the commission will only be as effective as its chairman and commissioners, but with strong leadership, the commission could help the U.S. pursue human rights, democracy, trade and security matters in Asia. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4889.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Wisconsin (Ms. Baldwin).

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Berry). I also want to thank the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Agriculture of the Committee on Appropriations, the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur), for her comments as well. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Kilpatrick).

Mr. CROWLEY. I thank the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Kilpatrick) from the Committee on Appropriations for her kind remarks. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Green).

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my friend from Vermont for his words and his leadership on this issue, as well. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro).

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I could not think it more apt that we Democrats begin our special order on prescription drugs just after hearing the Republicans finish their remarks on the very same subject of prescription drugs. I was most interested to listen to the remarks of the Republican House majority leader, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Armey), who ridiculed Democrats like Al Gore and Joe Lieberman for being out in so many words to deprive seniors of prescription drug coverage. This is laughable, and I hope everyone at home will stay tuned and listen. I can think of no better message than letting Americans compare the thoughts of the Republicans on prescription drug coverage for seniors, those of allowing the private sector and the HMOs to continue to drop seniors and let prices for drugs skyrocket, versus the opinions of the Democrats like myself who are working to strengthen Medicare with a drug benefit and work to immediately lower the cost of prescription drugs. The GOP believes lowering the cost of drugs is wrong and the destruction of Medicare is good. I believe lowering drug prices is the right thing to do for Americans. I hope Americans enjoy this debate and the debates by Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney and Mr. Gore and Mr. Lieberman over the next 7 weeks. We Democrats gather here to discuss an important issue with regard to lowering prescription drug costs and providing greater access to medications to every American who needs those medications. As Democrats, we have continually championed the addition of a prescription drug benefit under Medicare, but the Republican majority opposed that plan, believing Medicare has been a failure. We Democrats disagree and believe that Medicare has been an overwhelming success story in the United States. As Democrats, we have continually come out in support of the Prescription Drug Fairness for Seniors Act sponsored by the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Allen). This would pass along to Seniors the same discounts given by the pharmaceutical industry that they give to the Federal Government and HMOs. Under his bill, they would also have to give those same benefits to pharmacies. In turn, they could pass these savings on to their customers. Again, the Republican leadership opposed that. The Republicans apparently believe that seniors are not paying enough for their prescription drugs. Well, my constituents, quite frankly, tell me otherwise. Now, we Democrats are working to change the Federal law which prohibits the reimportation of safe FDA-approved drugs from countries like Canada back into the United States. We think it is unfair that seniors pay twice as much, on average, for their medications than their counterparts in places like Canada and Mexico. The Republican leadership thinks it is okay to send seniors to jail for trying to obtain more affordable drugs from other countries to improve the quality of their lives. This chart demonstrates the real price gouging going on in the drug industry here in America. Here I have three of the most popular drugs used by seniors in America. We see that seniors right here in America, and in my case in Queens County and Bronx County in New York City, pay hundreds of dollars more a year than seniors in Canada for the same FDA approved drugs. Seniors pay $359.93 more annually than their friends in Canada for Zoloft; $793.20 more than their friends in Canada for Prilosec; and $369.42 than their friends in Canada for Zocor. In fact, I have received many letters from my constituents. I had a letter from a constituent from Jackson Heights who pays $409 for a 3- month supply of Prilosec for his wife. The same drug, the same manufacturer, the same everything costs $184 for the exact same drug in Canada. And why is this? Because the American pharmaceutical industry is gouging Americans. This is wrong, and we are here to stop it. Congress has a great opportunity to stop it now. While the GOP has prevented any real action on a drug benefit under Medicare, or the opportunity to pass along discounts to seniors on drugs, we are now working to allow Americans to reimport prescription drugs once they have been exported out of America. Essentially drugs that are researched, patented and made in America oftentimes cost twice as much here in the States than they do when they travel abroad to places like Canada and Mexico. It is like a reverse tariff. Once that drug crosses the international lines, the price for it is drastically reduced. The drug manufacturers say that Americans' standard of living, our standard of living, is one of the chief reasons for this increase and that America should subsidize international sales of their drugs. I think putting the price burden on American seniors is wrong, and we Democrats are here to say enough is enough to the drug industry. Right now, even though drug prices are half as much in Canada and Mexico, the only way Americans can take advantage of this is if they slip over the border in the dark of night and sneak some medications over for their own personal use. We should not be making criminals out of our seniors. Therefore, during House debate on the agricultural appropriations act, I offered an amendment to allow for the reimportation of prescription drugs into the U.S. I was pleased that this amendment passed the House with overwhelming support. Since then, the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Berry), a trained pharmacist, the gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Sanders) as well as Republicans like to Jo Ann Emerson, Tom Coburn, a medical doctor; and Gil Gutknecht) and I have been working together to allow not only individuals to travel across the border to get less expensive FDA- approved drugs of the same quality but also to allow pharmacists and wholesalers to do so as well. This way they can pass on these savings to their customers, ease the financial burden on seniors who must take one or more of these prescriptions on a regular basis, lower drug prices by anywhere from 30 to 50 percent overnight, all without costing the taxpayers a single dime. It is safe. Any change would mandate strict safety standards equal to those we enjoy here in the United States. Reimportation enjoys the support of groups as diverse as the National Community Pharmacists, AIDS Action, the American Medical Association, former FDA Commissioner David Kessler, and Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala. I urge my colleagues to ignore the misleading ad campaigns of fear and distortion lead by the Pharmaceutical Research Manufacturers of America, known as PhRMA. By allowing our Nation's citizens, trusted local pharmacists, and certified wholesalers to reimport FDA approved drugs, we can drastically lower the cost of drugs for all Americans who need prescription drug coverage. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would yield as much time as he would consume to the minority leader, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Gephardt).

Mr. CROWLEY. I thank the minority leader for joining us. Mr. Speaker, I now would like to yield to the gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Sanders).

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs. Clayton).

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her moving remarks and for all her work and leadership on this issue and thank her for being here today. Let me point out, if I may briefly before I turn the microphone over to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Berry), that the drug industry's scare tactics are ironic. Because, since 1992, pharmaceutical firms' importation of drugs for consumer consumption have increased by 350 percent, totaling $13.8 billion last year, imports from Canada have grown by 400 percent, and those from Mexico by 800 percent according to the National Community Pharmacists Association. Here is one of those ads my colleague was talking about. This was in one of the trade magazines down here. It says that 11 former FDA commissioners think all Americans deserve to be protected. Well, we found out that well over the majority, some seven former FDA commissioners now find themselves being employed by the pharmaceutical industry. Do we expect any other answer but this answer?

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, that just adds more weight to my point. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Berry) who himself is a pharmacist.

Mr. CROWLEY. I thank the gentlewoman from Wisconsin (Ms. Baldwin) for the remarks. I appreciate that very, very much. Mr. Speaker, in closing I want to thank you for the patience and your steadfastness, and I appreciate all of the speakers who gave their time this afternoon on the issue of prescription drugs. Mr. Speaker, I just want to mention that this is not only on one side, there are Members on the other side who I am working with, the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Emerson), the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Coburn), the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Gutknecht), as well as members in the other House. We are all working together to try to get this amendment that has passed here in the House passed in the Senate. It was improved in the Senate, approved in the conference committees, we have to do it now, we do not have much time left. We are told we will be out of here in a couple of weeks. We need to pass this amendment so that seniors can get the prescription drugs that they need at a rate of 30 percent to 50 percent less than they are paying right now. We need to pass a patients' bill of rights, and we need to improve upon the Medicare coverage that this country provides to seniors throughout this land.

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Sanders) for his comments. He and I share border States with Canada. Something I have been saying over and over again, it is time that Americans do not have to go to Canada and Mexico to be treated like Americans when it comes to the cost of prescription drugs. And it is something we do deal with even in the Bronx. There has been a bus that goes from the Bronx to Canada for solely the same point that the gentleman does and he has taken constituents on.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I have a constituent in Queens, New York, who pays $409 for a 3-month supply of Prilosec for his wife. The same drug, the same dosage, same everything, would cost him $184 in Canada. But it is illegal for him to purchase this medication in Canada and reimport it back into the U.S. The only crime I see here is the high prices being charged by drug companies. They are truly gouging Americans. Therefore, I am working with a number of my colleagues to allow individuals, pharmacists, and wholesalers to reimport prescription drugs back into the U.S. and pass the tremendous savings on to all Americans. The GOP Congress will not pass a Prescription Drug Fairness for Seniors Act. The GOP Congress will not pass a prescription drug benefit under Medicare. Well, now I challenge this Congress to allow for the safe reimportation of FDA-approved drugs for Americans. It would lower drug costs by 50 percent overnight without costing the Government of this country one single dime. Let me say this to America: The drug companies oppose this plan, this bill. Therefore, we all know it must be good for America.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, time will not permit me to read my prepared remarks, Senator, so I will just summarize them. As a veteran of Hell's Kitchen, I went to Power Memorial High School in Hell's Kitchen, so we have that in common. As a veteran of World War II, as a veteran of academia, as a veteran of four administrations serving as a cabinet official or sub-cabinet official, as a veteran of the U.N. and as a veteran of the United States Senate, what a career, what a life, a life that would be admired and is admired by all Americans. But especially we in New York admire you for your service to our State, to our city and to our country. You have been an inspiration to millions of Americans, especially to the poor, for your work in dealing with the poor and helping those who are least fortunate. Really, I believe following through on the beliefs that you were taught as a young man I am sure and throughout your entire career, you have stuck to them, always looking out for the most unfortunate among us. We are going to miss you here in Washington, but we are going to have you, we hope, a lot more back in New York where we can all cherish you as we have right now. In the words of our ancestors, let me summarize by saying, may the road rise up to meet you, and may the wind be always at your back, your wife Liz's back, and your entire family. God bless you, Senator.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Conyers motion to instruct conferees on the Defense Department authorization bill to recede to the Senate position and retain the inclusion on the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act, which is the Senate's version of H.R. 1028, the hate crimes legislation. Now, I notice some people believe that hate is not an issue when prosecuting a crime. They say our laws already punish the criminal act and that our laws are strong enough. I answer with the most recent figures from 1998 when 7,755 hate crimes were reported in the United States. According to the FBI, hate crimes are under reported, so the actual figure is much higher. And I say to my colleagues, penalties for committing a murder are increased if the murder happens during the commission of a crime. Murdering a police officer is considered first degree murder, even if there was not premeditation. Committing armed robbery carries a higher punishment than petty larceny. There are degrees to crime and committing a crime against somebody because of their race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, and ethnicity or other groups should warrant a different penalty. These crimes are designed to send a message. We do not like your kind, and here is what we are going to do about it. So why cannot we punish crimes motivated by hate differently than other crimes? I believe we must stand up as a Congress and as a country to pass hate crimes legislation to make our laws tougher for the people who will carry out these heinous acts.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4115, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Act. As the only Member of the New York State delegation to serve on the Committee on Resources, I was pleased to co-sponsor this legislation. Seven years ago, the Holocaust Museum was opened in Washington D.C. as both a stark testament to the sheer brutality of the Holocaust and as an appropriate way to learn from the past so that we never repeat it. I believe the words of General Dwight David Eisenhower dating from April 15, 1945 express the horrors of the Holocaust best and reaffirm why this Institution is needed. His quote, as it is inscribed on the walls outside the Museum, states: The things I saw beggar description . . . the visual evidence and verbal testimony of starvation, cruelty, and bestiality were overpowering. I made the visit deliberately in order to be in position to give first hand evidence of these things if ever, in the future, there develops a tendency to charge these allegations merely to quote ``propaganda.'' I encourage all Americans to visit this Museum in our Capitol City and witness firsthand the powerful images of both hope and hatred expressed in that building. From the railroad car that transported human beings like chattel to the concentration camps, to the powerful testimonies of real survivors, the images are real, stark and bitter. On my first visit, I was most struck by the fact that, as you begin the tour, every visitor is provided an identification card of a real victim of the Holocaust. As you walk through the Museum, you turn the page of ``your'' life story. As I reached the end, I felt personally connected to my ``identity'' and was disturbed to learn of ``my'' fate. Unfortunately, the lessons and the educational seminars of the Museum today are still needed as we still witness genocide on our planet today. Here, I remember back to the opening ceremony of this Museum. Holocaust survivor and author Eli Weisel was one of the principal speakers and he stood and challenged President Clinton, sitting next to him, to address the new Holocaust of the 1990's--Bosnia. He spoke about the true mission of the Museum--to teach us about our past so that we will never repeat them in the future. That is not only a Museum of the past but of the present and the future. Unfortunately, our world continues to witness mass death, genocide and violence driven solely by hatred of an individual based on one's race, religion, ethnicity or sexual orientation--like we saw under Hitler. While I proudly stand in support of this legislation--the Holocaust Museum is more then a Washington landmark. It is a reminder of what our world has witnessed and a testament that more work is needed so that no more memorials need to be erected to victims of genocide and hate. I also want to thank two of my colleagues. The first is my current colleague, Representative Tom Lantos, a Holocaust survivor and a moral voice for all of us in this Chamber. I would also like to acknowledge the work of a former colleague, someone I have not had the pleasure to serve with, but whom, without his leadership, the Museum may not be standing today. That person is Congressman Sid Yates. The first time I visited the Museum, I was joined by his successor, Representative Jan Schakowsky, who has carried on his dedication and support for this fine institution. Congressman Lantos, I honor you. Congressman Yates, I remember you today.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Social Security Benefits Tax Relief Act of 2000. This legislation will reduce the tax burden on millions of older americans who are enjoying their golden years. In 1993, the Congress and the Administration recognized that in order to shore up our nation's Medicare system and pay down the ballooning deficits caused by the fiscal imprudence of President George Bush, some unpopular decisions would need to be made. In 1993 and today, I salute the actions of the Democrats in Congress and President Clinton to address the pressing needs of Medicare and our nation's budget concerns. Six years later, thanks in large part to the first Clinton administration budget and the brave Democratic Party that took the right, yet politicallly unpopular path, our nation is enjoying unparalleled economic growth. Budget surpluses are projected for the next decade, unemployment rates are at their lowest peacetime rate in American history, homeownership is at a record high, most importantly, and every community in America is benefiting from increased wealth and job creation. This is a far different picture from the dark days of the last Republican Administration of President George Bush. President Bush provided our nation with high debts, a bankrupted Medicare system and high unemployment rates. Today, thanks to the great work and keen insight of President Bill Clinton, Vice President Al Gore and the Democrats in Congress, we now enjoy a budget surplus that continues to grow beyond even the wildest and most optimistic scenarios of every credible economist regardless of ideology. These funds allow Congress the ability to scale back the heavy tax burden on working families, senior citizens and small businesses. For that reason, I am pleased to rise in support of this legislation to provide sensible tax relief to American seniors. This bill will ensure that those middle class seniors, many of whom also benefited from the repeal of the Social Security Earnings Limit earlier this year, will now be able to keep more of their income. I am pleased to work in a bipartisan way today to support this legislation and provide the seniors of my Congressional district in Queens and the Bronx, a tax cut on average of $1200 a year. In the best traditions of the Democratic Party, I will support this legislation to improve the quality of life for our nation's seniors.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, today, I am introducing legislation, along with Congresswoman Nita Lowey, in an effort to correct a grave injustice being committed against our friend and ally in the Middle East; Israel. Many of my colleagues may not be aware that a number of nations have not established full diplomatic relations with Israel. Israel currently maintains diplomatic relations with 162 countries. Approximately 25 countries do not have any diplomatic relations with Israel at all. Another 4 countries have only limited relations. In order for Israel to be a full member of the world community, she must establish diplomatic relations. The Israeli Embassy tells me that Israel is actively seeking to establish and upgrade their relations with several countries. This has proven difficult with many of the Islamic nations, such as Pakistan and Indonesia. In 1994, Representative Lee Hamilton had language included in the State Department Foreign Relations FY94-95 Authorization bill that stated the Secretary of State should make the issue of Israel's diplomatic relations a priority and urge countries that receive U.S. assistance to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel. Unfortunately, despite this provision, the U.S. government has not made this issue a priority. At the beginning of this year, during an International Relations Committee hearing, I asked Secretary of State Madeleine Albright about Israel's diplomatic relations with countries receiving U.S. assistance. The Secretary replied that she considers Israel's relations with the world community and other nations essential to peace and stability and has been actively encouraging countries, such as Indonesia, to establish full relations with Israel. I could not agree more. I believe the U.S. should be doing everything possible to help Israel establish these relations. In fact, Congresswoman Lowey and I worked together to include a provision in the Report to the FY 2001 Foreign Operations Appropriations bill that urges Israel's Arab neighbors to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel. However, more needs to be done. That is why Congresswoman Lowey and I are introducing the ``Israel Diplomatic Relations Act,'' to help promote Israel's role in the international community. Our legislation spells out clearly the importance of Israel's status in the international community and the need for Israel to receive the recognition she deserves. It also requires an annual report to Congress by the U.S. Department of State on U.S. government activities to help promote Israel's diplomatic relations in the world community. This report is of critical importance because it will require our embassies to focus attention on Israel's diplomatic relations. I urge my colleagues to help us promote peace and stability in the Middle East by supporting and cosponsoring this critical legislation.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Ryan White CARE Act Amendments of 2000. This legislation reflects a number of key priorities for my constituents in Queens and the Bronx, New York City by reauthorizing the most important and most widely encompassing set of programs for people with HIV and AIDS. On May 23, the AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth and Families held its annual ``Lobby Day'' in Washington to fight for increased resources for those people living with HIV and AIDS. At this meeting, I had the opportunity to speak with Ms. Martha Diaz of the Montifiore Medical Center in the Bronx, New York, in my Congressional District. Ms. Diaz deals with children and youths suffering from HIV and AIDS. Instead of actually lobbying me on the issue of reauthorizing Ryan White, she had her guests do the talking--over 100 mothers and children, many suffering from the affliction of AIDS. Their words were more touching than anything I can state on the floor today. But I am here to support this reauthorization for them and the thousands of Americans who battle this virus everyday of their lives. In New York, the AIDS crisis is particularly acute. New York City AIDS cases represent over 85 percent of the AIDS cases in New York State and 17 percent of the national total with 180,000 deaths from AIDS and AIDS related illnesses in 1998. Sadly, this horrible disease has disproportionately affected minorities. The majority of individuals living with AIDS in New York City are people of color. African Americans are more than eight times as likely as whites to have HIV and AIDS, and Hispanics more than four times as likely. The most stunning fact I have come across is from the U.S. Department of health and Human Services in October of 1998, when they reported that AIDS is the leading killer of black men age 25-44 and the second leading cause of death for black women aged 25-44. Together, Black and Hispanic women represent one fourth of all women in the United States but account for more than three quarters of the AIDS cases among women in the country. These are horrible statistics, but the Ryan White CARE Act is battling to change this story to bring down these horrendously high numbers. Specifically, this legislation also deals with one of my key projects, that of Babies born with AIDS. I have long worked in my community notably with Assemblywoman Nettie Mayersohn of Flushing, Queens, New York. Assembly-woman Mayersohn and I have been active, both in Albany and now in Washington, in working to address the issue of newborns with AIDS. This legislation will amend the current Baby AIDS grant program by adding treatment services for pregnant women with HIV to the list of authorized uses, which include counseling, voluntary testing and outreach for pregnant women with HIV and offset of State implementation of mandatory newborn testing programs. I ask my colleagues to support this legislation and send a signal to those living with HIV and AIDS that this Congress is not ignoring their needs.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2919, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Act. This bipartisan legislation, offered by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Portman) and the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Jones), will accomplish two important goals in the preservation and commemoration of the Underground Railroad. I would also like to thank the chairman of the Committee on Resources, the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young); and the ranking member, the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller); for working together to forge a compromise and bring this bill to the floor, a bill that meets the needs of protecting and enshrining the history of the Underground Railroad. I was happy to play a minor role in moving this bill through committee. This legislation will allow the creation of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Ohio. The center will be dedicated to communicating to the public the importance of the quest for human freedom that provided the foundation for the historic and inspiring story of the Underground Railroad. Additionally, this legislation will create a $2.5 million annual program to preserve and restore historic properties associated with the Underground Railroad throughout our Nation. The Underground Railroad, which consisted of a number of routes leading from deep Southern States, like Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, to free States in the North, like Ohio, Pennsylvania, and my home State of New York, was made up of safe houses where slaves who escaped could rest, get fed, and hid from those people who were seeking to return them to a life of slavery. The creation of the Freedom Center, as well as the new Federal investment in other sites involved in the history of the Underground Railroad, will play a key role in educating our diverse society about slavery, the origins of the abolitionist movement, and the story of African Americans in the early years of our Republic. Again, I am pleased that the committee has been able to work out a compromise that will benefit our Nation's history and allow for the protection and preservation of many more Underground Railroad sites. I ask all Members to support this legislation.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support doing everything possible to strengthen retirement savings and help Americans achieve a secure retirement. The first task before us here in Congress is to ensure that Social Security will be solvent well into the future. My Democratic colleagues and I are working hard to achieve this goal. Our second task is to make it easier for the American people to save for their retirement. Today there are over 35 million people over the age 65. By 2050, the number of people aged 65 and older is estimated to rise above 81 million. We must do everything possible to strengthen individual retirement savings that help Americans achieve a financially secure retirement. Additionally, we must help employers establish and maintain employee retirement plans. The Comprehensive Retirement Security and Pension Reform Act, of which I am a cosponsor, contains provisions to increase IRA's and help small employers offer pension plans, as well as other changes to make it easier for Americans to save. Introduced by Representatives Portman and Cardin, H.R. 1102 increases the amount that individuals may contribute to traditional and Roth Individual Accounts (IRA's) from $2000 to $5000. Additionally, H.R. 1102 will encourage small employers to provide pension coverage by streamlining regulations and making it less expensive for small employers to set up pension plans and increasing their allowable contributions. H.R. 1102 will also enhance retirement security by reducing pension vesting requirements to three years; make retirement savings portable when workers change jobs; and allowing older workers to make catch up contributions to retirement savings plans. Additionally, it helps individuals with several employers by changing the regulation to eliminate the 100% of average compensation for the highest three-year provision under multi-employer pension plans. I firmly believe that H.R. 1102 helps hard working middle class families plan for their retirement. This legislation received widespread, bipartisan support from Members of Congress and employer and employee organizations and unions. I also supported the Neal substitute, as I believe it is important to ensure that lower income families receive the benefits of this legislation. However, I support final passage of the Portman-Cardin bill because I believe it will help many Americans earning below $50,000 a year by allowing them to put away up to $5000 a year in IRA and to increase the limits on their employer pensions. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of the Comprehensive Retirement Security and Pension Reform Act.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise today to recognize the 26th anniversary of Turkey's tragic invasion of Cyprus. Cyprus gained independence from Great Britain in 1960 but its success as a new republic only lasted until 1963. After years of turmoil and violence between the majority of Cypriots of Greek ethnic origin and the minority of Cypriots of Turkish ethnic origin, Turkish troops invaded the island in 1974. Over 1,400 Greek Cypriots have been missing since the Turkish invasion and all remain unaccounted for. Today, Turkish troops continue to occupy 37 percent of Cyprus' territory. The invasion led to the widespread dislocation of the Cypriot population and to numerous related refugee and property problems. Nearly 200,000 Greek Cypriots were forcibly evicted from their homes and became refugees in their own country. Over the last three decades, Turkish authorities in Cyprus have waged a ceaseless campaign of systematic harassment and intimidation of Greek Cypriots. The flagrant human rights abuses by Turkey have been condemned repeatedly by international authorities. Turkey is a member of NATO and an ally of the United States. We should use all of our influence to further a negotiated settlement in Cyprus and support the United Nations in its efforts to do so. Applications by the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey to become full members of the European Union may present a fresh opportunity to resolve the conflict. Let us take this chance. My fellow colleagues, I urge your continued support for the people of Cyprus. I also join my colleagues in encouraging President Clinton to continue his efforts to promote peace in Cyprus during his last months in office. After 26 years of forcible division it is high time to take firm steps to reach a peaceful settlement of this ongoing conflict.