Joe Crowley

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my friend, the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler).

Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kind). (Mr. KIND asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, I yield myself 2\1/2\ minutes. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 59, as amended. I would like to commend the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) for introducing this resolution. Fifty years of membership in this extraordinary alliance has reaffirmed that NATO is at the heart of American national security. The original resolution passed our committee unanimously back in March. Understandably, in the wake of the military conflict in Kosovo, the full House postponed consideration of this matter. I am glad today we can resume deliberation on this worthy resolution. This resolution, as amended, makes technical changes to update the bill's chronology and to reflect the success of the Washington summit earlier this year. In addition, the resolution now expresses the sense of Congress about the building efforts among our European allies to create a stronger European Security and Defense Identity, ESDI, and a Common Foreign and Security Policy, CFSP. I once again commend the majority for cooperating with the minority in crafting this language on this issue. I also want to thank the chairman for allowing us this 10 minutes of debate. Along with the administration, we in Congress support these efforts by our European allies to shoulder a greater burden of military activities within NATO. In concert with the administration, we stress that these new efforts build on and compliment existing cooperation between the North American and European allies. Our partnership has provided security on the European continent for half a century. Today, in the aftermath of a Cold War, a strong NATO is as important as ever. If Bosnia and Kosovo have taught us anything, it is that security problems and the threats of war have not evaporated from the heart of Europe simply because the Soviet Union no longer exists. As I have said many times, we should always keep a door open for future membership for nations that will strengthen NATO and the security outlook in Europe. At the same time, we must also look to continually strengthen our relations with Russia and our partnership with them in the Ukraine in building long-term peace in Europe. Madam Speaker, I again commend the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) for including this language in the resolution. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CROWLEY. Yes, I am, Madam Speaker.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the combined D.C. and Labor, Health and Human Services appropriations conference report. First Mr. Speaker, linking a Labor HHS conference report to another rider laden conference report is wrong. But even more egregious, is the fact that this House did not consider a Labor HHS bill. Instead, the Republican leadership sent it straight to conference, leaving Democrats with no opportunity to amend the bill. This is tantamount to denying my constituents representation in Congress! I strongly believe each member should have the opportunity to debate and amend this extremely important appropriations measure. Instead, we have a Labor HHS bill, which has: 1. A 21 percent across the board spending cut; 2. Guts the class size reduction initiative this Congress funded last year; 3. Denies funding to after-school centers--centers that keep our children off the streets; 4. Cuts title I funds which help disadvantaged students; 5. And, dramatically underfunds bilingual and immigrant education. What is the impact of an across the board budget cut? It means that Head Start programs will service almost 5,000 fewer children and their families. It means that more than 70,000 fewer women, infants and children will benefit from food assistance and nutrition services. It means that over 117,000 disadvantaged children will have their reading and math assistance programs eliminated! I don't know about my Republican colleagues, but the thought of allowing over 70,000 women, defenseless infants, and children be malnourished so we can give tax cuts to the rich makes me sick. Mr. Speaker, the real truth is that a Democratic-led Congress created the Social Security Program, and it was signed into law by a Democratic President, despite fierce opposition from Republicans. Now we are expected to believe that Republicans are protecting Social Security? Something they never wanted in the first place. The Republicans are clearly playing games with the budget--games with the lives of the American people. Does this Republican leadership care? No. They tout the ``tax relief'' packages, which only help the top one percent of wage earners in the country. Does the Republican leadership care about Social Security? If so, it is not evident in this bill, which does not extend social security by one day. Instead, this budget would still exceed the discretionary caps set by this leadership, thereby dipping into the social security surplus. The Congressional Budget Office reports that $17 billion in excesses in this year's budget will be taken from the social security surplus. How does this indicate a Republican Party who purports to care about saving social security? Additionally, Mr. Speaker, this bill provide one penny for prescription drug benefits to our financially strapped seniors. In fact, this bill takes food out of their mouths and services from them. This Labor HHS bill cuts the Meals-On-Wheels Program, resulting in over 1.3 million fewer meals being delivered to the elderly. What about other cuts in this bill? Schools in my district are bursting at the seams. I now have to go home and tell these schools that the little relief they have received from the class size reduction initiative will be reduced. Schools that are already operating at 119 percent over capacity will lose funds. School districts that are seeing a growth of 30,000 students every five years are losing funds for class size reduction, after-school programs, and title I assistance. Furthermore, this bill does not even address the national crisis that our school infrastructure is in. With walls and ceilings sagging, paint peeling, and antiquated heating systems--in my district they still have coal burners for heat--our Nation's schools need help. But do we have any school modernization fund assistance here? No. Did we have it in the Republican tax package? No. This bill is a travesty Mr. Speaker, and I urge all Members to vote against it. Don't take food from the mouths of infants, seats from our students, or services to our elderly. Vote against this Labor-HHS conference ``agreement.''

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, on October 7, 1999, for the 11th year in a row, the Board of Visitors of the Bronx Psychiatric Center held its ``Patient Recognition Day.'' This day recognizes those who have significantly progressed on the path toward eventual discharge back to the community, and have made a positive impact on the lives of their peers in their wards. The dedication of the professional staff at Bronx Psychiatric Center has contributed to the recovery process of the patients by putting great care and pride in their work. The family and friends of the patients who lend so much support and understanding are also recognized, but the greatest honor is reserved for the patients who, in having trusted and worked with the staff, have made great strides on their journey towards recovery. Mr. Speaker, in honor of the 11th anniversary of Patient Recognition Day at the Bronx Psychiatric Center, I would like to recognize Samuel Lopez, the President of the Board of Visitors, as well as Sylvia Lask, Nellie Neazer, and Richard Somer who oversee the center, as well as the patients.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, Senator George Mitchell resumes talks today with pro Good Friday Agreement political leaders from Northern Ireland. Since the Good Friday Agreement was signed on April 10, 1998, we have seen some progress towards a lasting peace in Northern Ireland. The Patten Commission has issued its report on Policing in Northern Ireland and the cease-fire has remained intact. Despite these positive events, the agreement's foes have consistently sought to delay and derail implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, particularly David Trimble, the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party. The most recent effort to derail the peace process centers around the debate on decommissioning. Even though the Good Friday Agreement contains no provision that the IRA begin decommissioning before Sinn Fein can take its place on the Executive Committee, First Minister and UUP leader David Trimble has linked the two issues together in clear violation of the Good Friday Agreement. In the words of Mr. Adams, the Unionists need to ``get real'' and enter into the power-sharing executive as called for under the agreement. And Britain's new Secretary for Northern Ireland, Peter Mandelson, has warned politicians, and I quote ``the people of Northern Ireland will not forgive them if they put barriers in the way of permanent peace.'' Mr. Speaker, if the Good Friday Agreement should fail, it may prove disastrous for the peace process because there is no alternative. It is a dangerous game the Unionists are playing with real lives at stake. It is my hope, and that of so many Irish Americans, that this game of brinkmanship by the Unionists will end before it is too late for the Good Friday Agreement.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to talk about some distressing recent developments in the wake of the tragic death on September 28 of environmental medicine pioneer Dr. David Platt Rall. Dr. Rall tragically died late last month from injuries sustained in a car accident while vacationing in France. His wife, Gloria Monteiro Rall, was badly injured in the accident, but is recovering. I know the thoughts and prayers of many of us go out to her and Dr. Rall's entire family. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Rall was a giant in the world of science. His credentials are long, but the highlights include running the federal National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and the National Toxicology Program (NTP) simultaneously, Assistant Surgeon General in the U.S. Public Health Services, scientific counselor to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, chair of the World Health Organization's Program on Chemical Safety, foreign secretary of the National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine, board member of the Alliance to End Childhood Lead Poisoning and the Environmental Defense Fund. He had conducted breakthrough cancer research early in his career at the National Cancer Institute and he was husband, father and a grandfather. Kenneth Olden, the current director of both NIEHS and NTP, calls Dr. Rall, ``a pioneer, who established the credibility of our two federal environmental health organizations and set the paces. We are standing on his broad shoulders.'' This man accomplished far more than many of us will manage to do in our lives. And, all of this work was devoted to advancing the cause of human health--and millions of people are the better for it. It is a sad sign of our times, Mr. Speaker, when the death of such an individual becomes an invitation for cheap political attack to those who found his brilliance and accomplishments threatening. One such person is chemical industry lobbyist and Cato Institute Adjunct Scholar Steven Milloy, who turned Dr. Rall's tragic death into what can only be seen as a callous, self-promotional opportunity. Mr. Milloy runs a web site that features a cartoon of himself in devil costume, complete with horns, and tail. He calls himself the ``Junkman,'' and junk certainly seems to be his main product. His self- appointed job is to denigrate the research of public interest groups and serious, accomplished academics. But the Junkman reached a new low when on October 2, he posted a mocking ``Obituary of the Day,'' on Dr. Rall's death, saying, and I quote, ``Scratch one junk scientist''. The Cato Institute was alerted to this language by an outraged public interest group. President Edward H. Crane responded with--what seemed at the time--class and dignity, saying Milloy had an ``inexcusable lapse in judgment and civility'' with his ``appallingly offensive comments.'' In the face of that unequivocal rebuke, what did Mr. Milloy do? He refused to apologize, then posted even more vitriol the following day. His web site on October 12 said, ``As far as David Rall is concerned, he was a bad guy when he was alive . . .'' and that, ``Death did not improve his track record.'' Mr. Speaker, if this language isn't outrageous enough, the response of the Cato Institute to this second round of remarks was worse. When 11 heads of public health, consumer and environmental groups wrote Mr. Crane to sever his ties to Mr. Milloy, Mr. Crane chose not to respond. When Dr. Rall's surviving brother and two environmental group heads wanted to meet with Mr. Crane, Mr. Crane flatly refused. His rationale? The offensive web material had come down and he thought the matter was ``closed.'' The matter, Mr. Speaker, is far from closed. There are still no apologies to the Rall family, and Cato has taken no position on this second round of highly offensive comments. Never mind that the ``junkman's'' junk is out in the press now, posted on the Internet for friends and loved ones of Dr. Rall to read--along with the rest of the world. The Cato Institute, with its silence and inaction tells media, the public and this Congress that Cato accepts this behavior and will reward the ``Junkman'' with a continued institutional home--no matter how badly it denigrates someone else, no matter how great the person who is being denigrated. I call on the Cato Institute to show the same class and dignity they showed when first alerted to this situation and take additional, stronger action. Doing so would send an important message that while someone is free to say what he or she wants--however offensive--there are consequences for such actions. This is an especially libertarian view that I am sure the Cato Institute can understand.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I, too, wanted to rise on this amendment, the Roemer- Quinn-Kelly-Etheridge amendment, et al. Increasing Title I by $1.5 billion will go a long way. It will not go far enough as far as I am concerned where in New York City only one-third of the eligible students for Title I actually receive Title I funding. There is more we have to do to help education in this country. We have to build more classrooms, lower class size, get more funding from the Federal Government for school construction and modernization. But I think even more importantly, we have to make sure there is money there in this budget for all children who are entitled to Title I education program funding.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, it is time for a history quiz. Who created Social Security in April 1935? The answer, a Democratic President and a Democratic-led Congress despite fierce opposition from the Republican Party. In fact, only one Republican voted in favor of maintaining Social Security. Now we are expected to believe that the Republicans are going to save Social Security, something they never wanted in the first place? Let us just listen to Republican Majority Leader Dick Armey. During his first campaign for the House in 1984, Armey said that Social Security was a ``bad retirement'' and a ``rotten trick'' on the American people. He continued, and I quote, ``I think we're going to have to bite the bullet on Social Security and phase it out over a period of time.'' That was from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram in 1984. In January 1985, Armey said, and I quote, ``One thing that is very clear to us from the history of the Social Security system in this country is that the Federal Government is incapable of administering a compulsory retirement program in a manner that gives the public a secure and predictable future.'' The GOP's own CBO estimates say that the Republican budget already dips into Social Security by more than $18 billion.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my objections to the FY 2000 Commerce, Justice, State Appropriations Conference Report. The Conference Report before us today is deficient in two key areas: it lacks the Hate Crimes legislation that was included by the Senate version and it withholds payment of our financial obligations to the United Nations unless the State Department Authorization bill is first signed into law. Mr. Speaker, the Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 1999 is cosponsored by myself and 184 of my colleagues and has passed the Senate. It is disappointing that the Conferees receded to the House on this measure, when it enjoys such broad support and is so sorely needed. Just a few weeks ago, our Country was shocked when a gunman entered a Jewish Community Center in Los Angeles shooting at innocent children. His intent ``sending a message by killing Jews.'' One year ago, in Laramie, Wyoming, a young man named Matthew Shepard was killed. The reason, because he was gay. Now, with the removal of the Hate Crimes provision by the Conferees on the anniversary of his brutal murder, it is a double tragedy for his family. In Jasper, Texas, a man was murdered and dragged through the streets because he was African-American. All of these incidents are Hate Crimes, and they do not just affect the group that was killed, they affect all Americans. This is especially troubling to me because of the rash of anti- immigrant billboards and posters in my district, which falsely blame immigrants for societies problems. Having spent my entire life in Queens, I recognize the problems faced daily by minorities and strive to eliminate any form of discrimination still present in our society. I believe the ``Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 1999'' is a constructive and measured response to a problem that continues to plague our nation--violence motivated by prejudice. This legislation is also needed because many States lack comprehensive hate crimes laws. Now, I know 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 1997, when 8,049 hate crimes were reported in the United States. And, 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 no premeditation. Committing armed robbery carries a higher punishment than petty larceny. There are degrees to crime. And committing a crime against someone because of their race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity or other group should warrant a different penalty. These crimes are designed to send a message. We don't like your kind and here is what we are going to do about it. So why can't we punish crimes motivated by hate differently than other crimes? Mr. Speaker, this legislation does not punish free speech as some have contended. Nowhere does it say, you can't hold a certain political view or believe in a particular philosophy. What it does say, is that if you commit a violent act because of those beliefs, you will be punished. Hate crimes laws are also constitutional. The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Wisconsin v. Mitchell unanimously upheld a Wisconsin statute which gave enhanced sentences to a defendant who intentionally selects a victim because of the person's race, religion, color, disability, sexual orientation, or nation of origin. Once again, I would like to express my disappointment and frustration at the actions of the Conferees for failing to include this provision. Mr. Speaker, the second area of deficiency in this legislation is the provision withholding the U.S. payment of our financial obligations to the United Nations until the State Department Authorization bill is signed into law. I am both saddened and troubled by this provision because in all likelihood, this legislation will not be signed into law because of the continuing fight over linking the unrelated issue of family planning to our U.N. arrears payment. For several years, critical funds earmarked for payment of America's debt to the U.N. have been linked to the unrelated issue of U.S. bilateral family planning programs. These issues deserve to be considered on their own individual merits and should not be linked. Withholding money from the United Nations damages the financial viability of this essential institution. In addition, it jeopardizes our relations with even our closest allies, who are owed millions in peacekeeping reimbursements that have gone unpaid due to the financial shortfall at the U.N. created by the more than $1 billion in U.S. debt. Our credibility has been damaged. We must stand by our legal responsibility and moral obligation to pay our outstanding debts to the U.N. The U.N. plays an important role in the world today. Efforts to reduce infant mortality, immunize children, eradicate deadly diseases, protect innocent civilians in war torn nations, and feed starving families serve to clearly demonstrate that supporting the United Nations saves lives. I believe we should do everything we can to prevent and reduce the number of abortions. That is why I am committed to de-linking the Smith amendment policy from UN arrears. U.S. law already states that no money can be spent on abortions; this includes our overseas funding. And, neither the United Nations nor United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA, which provides voluntary family planning services to poor countries) provide abortion services of any kind, nor do they promote abortion as a method of family planning. UNFPA actually reduces the number of abortions by teaching women how to practice safe and effective birth control. The Smith amendment policy is a prohibition on activities supported by USAID, not the United Nations. Put another way, the Smith amendment language relates to US-supported family planning activities in other countries, not the activities of the United Nations. There is no link whatsoever between the Smith amendment and the United Nations. This policy doesn't apply to the United Nations because, as I said, the UN does not promote or perform abortions. Nonetheless, some Members of the House have consistently linked it to the UN, creating the US debt to the UN of more than $1 billion. Mr. Speaker, the issue of our UN arrears is a serious one. The United States has been quick to criticize the UN for a host of perceived failures. The slow response to the needs of refugees from Kosova, the failure to stop Slobodan Milosevic and paramilitaries in East Timor, and the list goes on. But what many fail to realize, is that for the UN to succeed in its endeavors, it takes the necessary resources. By failing to pay our obligations, we limit the UN's ability to prevent the spread of violence. And in the end, this costs the U.S. more money. How much would we have saved if we didn't need to fight an air war in the Balkans? How much would we have saved if the UN had the resources to prevent the crisis in Bosnia? And how much money would we save if the UN had the resources to prevent future crises before they start? By not paying our obligation, we are costing the American taxpayer more in the long run. Mr. Speaker, when we fail to pay our financial obligation to the United Nations, we are also hurting America's credibility. Many have made this statement, but what does it mean? It means that the US's ability to effectively influence international treaties and conferences is being negatively impacted. It means countries want us off the UN Budget Committee, where many of the US's criticisms about the UN are debated. And, even worse, it means the US is in danger of losing its vote in the General Assembly. There will be no vote on this, no one to sway or cajole, the UN charter is clear, members who do not meet their financial obligations for two years lose their vote. How can the US promote its agenda when we can't even vote on the outcome? Who will listen to us on such vital issues as gaining Israel admittance to the Western Europe and Other Group at the UN? Who will take our reform efforts seriously? How would my colleagues feel if a deadbeat dad said our system of child support payments needed to be reformed? Well, that is how our allies feel about us. We are the deadbeat dad at the UN. We helped create this organization. We helped instill it with democratic principles. We ensured our place on the Security Council where the most important UN decisions are made. And we have shut off our support. This must stop. Mr. Speaker, I do not speak for myself alone on this, I speak for a vast majority of the American people. According to our best polling data, Americans support the United Nations. In fact, 73 percent of Americans support paying our UN dues and believe UN membership is beneficial to the US. This issue is too important to ignore and hope it will go away. As we debate this issue, UN employees are being killed, UN resources are dwindling and US credibility is melting away. It must stop and I am casting my vote against this Conference, like many of my colleagues, because it fails to live up to our international commitments. Mr. Speaker, while the failure to include Hate Crimes legislation and the provision preventing US payment of our financial obligations are two key issues for my opposition to this Conference Report, I am also concerned about two other important provisions. First, the Conference Report under funds the COPS Initiative. The President had requested $1.275 billion to extend the COPS program and effectively put 50,000 more police officers on the street. This Conference Report only includes $325 million of that request. Second, I am concerned about the provision limiting the ability of the Census to move funds around from one activity to another when they have problems during the Census. Such a provision is unprecedented and places in danger an accurate census count of every American. A number of my colleagues and I have been working very closely with Census Bureau Director D. Kenneth Prewitt to make the 2000 Census the most accurate one in history. To include language preventing an accurate Census breaks the pact the US Government has with the American people to ensure they receive the services and representation they are Constitutionally entitled to through an accurate census. Mr. Speaker, the President has already indicated his intention to veto this legislation. I hope that when negotiations take place on this measure these important issues will be resolved favorably.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor an Irishman who has lived a long, full life of devotion to God and family, Patrick Harten, on the occasion of his 100th birthday. Patrick Harten, who is my great uncle, was born on October 17th, 1899 in the Parish of Mullaghoran in County Cavan, Ireland. He was the third child of eight children raised by Patrick and Rose (White) Harten. Patrick attended the Carnagh Upper National School, then later received training as a radio operator in Dublin. Around the age of 28, Patrick immigrated to Canada. Patrick lived for many years near Toronto, where he farmed and also worked as a lumberjack. Patrick's family in Ireland remembers his great kindness and generosity during World War II. He never forgot his family thousands of miles across the Atlantic in war torn Europe, and sent many packages of fruit, tea, as well as other goodies for the children--items that would have otherwise been unavailable to them during those adverse times. Patrick's concern for his family is also related by his sister-in-law Mae who remembers the long letters the two would exchange as Patrick inquired about the family's well being. Several years after the war, Patrick returned to Mullaghoran to visit the Irish Hartens. Currently, Patrick resides at the Maynard Home in Toronto. Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Patrick Harten for a remarkable life on the occasion of his 100th birthday.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my sincere condolences to the family of Valentin S. Krumov, who's life was cut tragically short in Kosova where he worked for the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNIMIK). Valentin arrived in Kosova on Monday, October 11 and was killed at 9:00 p.m. local time by a group of Albanian teenagers who brutally beat and then shot. According to police reports, Valentin had responded to a question posed to him in Serbian. Although he is a Bulgarian national, Mr. Krumov once lived in Queens, which I am proud to represent. Mr. Krumov was 38 years old and a respected scholar who received his doctorate in political science from the University of Georgia. He dedicated his adult life to the disciplines of international relations and economics, going to Kosova to help restore democracy and rebuild that war-torn land. According to the United Nations, police are still investigating this terrible and cowardly crime. I am hopeful that the perpetrators will be brought to justice soon. Mr. Speaker, this tragedy only serves to illustrate that although the bombing has ended in Kosova, the violence has not. The United Nations has a difficult job before it and must have the resources to do it properly. Before this first session of the 106th Congress ends, I hope that we have appropriated the money necessary to help rebuild Kosova and make it safe.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today and speak in favor of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 1999, which is cosponsored by myself and 184 of my colleagues. Recently our country was shocked once again when a gunman entered a Jewish community center in Los Angeles, California, shooting at innocent children and workers with the intent of sending a message by killing Jews. Last year in Laramie, Wyoming, a young man was killed only because he was gay. In Texas, an innocent man was murdered and dragged through the streets of Jasper just because he was an African-American. All of these incidents are hate crimes, and these do not just affect the group that was killed, but they affect all Americans. I believe the Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 1999 is a constructive and measured response to a problem that continues to plague our Nation, violence motivated by prejudice. I know 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 figure from 1997, when 8,049 hate crimes were reported in the United States.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today and speak in favor of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 1999 which is cosponsored by myself and 184 of my colleagues in this House. Just a few weeks ago, our country was shocked when a gunman entered a Jewish community center in Los Angeles, shooting at innocent children. His intent, and I quote, ``sending a message by killing Jews.'' What kind of message was he sending? A message of hatred. One year ago yesterday, in Laramie, Wyoming, a young man named Matthew Shepard was killed. The reason? Because he was gay. In Jasper, Texas, a man was murdered and dragged through the streets because he was an African-American. All of these incidents are hate crimes. They do not just affect the group that was killed, they affect each and every one of us. This is especially troubling to me because of the rash of anti- immigrant billboards and posters in my district of late which falsely blame immigrants for all of society's problems. Having spent my entire life in Queens County in New York, I recognize the problems faced on a daily basis by minorities who strive to eliminate any form of discrimination still present in our society. Unfortunately, the billboards of late only tell that discrimination is alive and well. I believe the Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 1999 is a constructive and measured response to a problem that continues to plague our Nation. Violence motivated by prejudice. This legislation is also needed because many States lack comprehensive hate crime laws. I understand there are some people who believe that hate should not be an issue when prosecuting a crime. They say our laws already punish the criminal act and that our laws are strong enough as is. I answer with the most recent figures from 1997, when 8,049 hate crimes were reported in the United States, 8,049 crimes, because of hate. According to the FBI, hate crimes are underreported. So the actual figure is much, much higher. 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 no premeditation. Committing armed robbery carries a higher punishment than petty larceny. There are degrees to crimes. Local governments and State governments and the Federal Government recognize that. And committing a crime against someone because of their race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity or other group should warrant a different penalty. These crimes are designed to send a message, ``We don't like your kind and here is what we're going to do about it.'' So why can we not punish crimes motivated by hate differently than other crimes? Mr. Speaker, this legislation does not punish free speech as some have contended. Nowhere does it say you cannot hold a certain political belief or view or a particular philosophy. What it does say is that if you commit a violent act because of those beliefs, you will be punished and punished differently. Hate crime laws are also constitutional. The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Wisconsin v. Mitchell unanimously upheld a Wisconsin statute which gave enhanced sentences to a defendant who intentionally selects a victim because of the person's race, religion, color, disability, sexual orientation, sex or nation of origin. I believe we ought to stand up as a Congress and as a country to pass the Hate Crimes Prevention Act to make our laws tougher for the people who carry out these heinous crimes. The Senate has already included it as part of the fiscal year 2000 Commerce-Justice-State appropriations bill. I would urge the House conferees to recede to the Senate on this section. At the very least, H.R. 1082 should be brought to the House floor for consideration. We must end the hate that is permeating our society.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 2723, the Bi-partisan Consensus Managed Care Reform Improvement Act of 1999 and against any attempts to weaken its provisions. I also want to express my dismay at the political maneuvering by the Republican leadership to defeat this bipartisan legislation before it even came to the floor. Mr. Chairman, the American public needs our help. All too often, a constituent will contact my office at the end of their rope. They, or someone in their close family, will have received a devastating medical diagnosis. They attempt treatment, only to have their insurance company deny coverage--coverage they are entitled to! Our constituents are facing a declining quality of care and have basic medical decisions being made not by qualified medical professionals, but by insurance plan administrators. As United States Representatives, we cannot allow this to continue. Quality health care is a right, not a privilege. Those who have coverage by a Health Maintenance Organization deserve better than bureaucratic decisions. Additionally, access to health care is something that should be available to all Americans, not just those who can afford it. I am proud to be a cosponsor of the Norwood-Dingell bill which extends patient protections to the 161 million Americans who are covered by private health plans. Norwood-Dingell will make health plans accountable, offer more protections for women and children and prohibit gag rules. Overall, the Norwood-Dingell bill provides comprehensive reform which assures individuals of emergency services coverage; access to specialty care; chronic care referrals; ob/gyn services; continuity of care' access to clinical trials; access to prescription medications; internal and external appeals processes plus a utilization review; anti-gag and provider incentives; payment of health claims in a timely manner; paperwork simplification; and importantly, insurer liability-- giving patients the right to sue over insurance made treatment decisions that result in injury or death. The three substitutes do not provide the comprehensive reforms contained in H.R. 2723. The Boehner substitute fails to cover all privately insured Americans. It leaves out millions in the individual market. Additionally, its external appeals process does not provide for an independent and timely appeal. The Boehner substitute does not provide for access to specialty care. It provides for clinical trials for cancer victims, but not for those suffering from other debilitating diseases, such as multiple sclerosis. And finally, the Boehner substitute does not allow patients to hold their plan accountable if it causes injury or death. It allows HMOs to remain immune from accountability for their actions. The Coburn substitute grants sweeping judicial powers to private medical review bodies to determine harm and proximate cause, with no rights or due process requirements for the patient. The finding by the entity would not be subject to challenge or appeal, but would become legally binding in all judicial venues. Additionally, the Coburn substitute purports to add an untested federal remedy to the current range of judicial remedies under both ERISA and state law for cases involving patient injury. But the substitute would effectively give managed care companies a complete shield against any further medical malpractice cases under state law. Finally, the Coburn substitute only permits actions against individuals who have the authority to make the final determination of coverage. This provision could shield from liability a utilization review company under subcontract to the HMO, thereby undercutting any incentive to ensure better utilization review procedures. Lastly, here is the Houghton substitute, which is basically Coburn- Shadegg revisited. It would strike the Norwood-Dingell state court accountability and put in its place a very limited and untested federal cause of action. The Houghton substitute does not allow for punitive damages at all, even compensatory damages are unavailable if the external review agrees with the HMO. The Houghton substitute in effect creates yet another system for hearing these claims by also allowing for binding arbitration. Mr. Chairman, the only true Patient's Bill of Rights is contained in the Norwood-Dingell Bi-Partisan Consensus Managed Care Improvement Act. I urge all my colleagues to put aside the partisanship and the political maneuvering and institute reforms that will help the majority of Americans.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, did you know that anyone with access to a computer and a modem could buy or sell firearms and explosives over the Internet with little or no federal regulation? And, did you know that, as a result of this loophole, children and career criminals are illegally purchasing firearms and explosives right now? Unfortunately, obtaining the instruments of violence over the Internet is as easy as ``point, click, ship.'' For far too long, gunfire in our homes, our communities, and in our schools has continued to steal young lives and destroy families. As scenes like Columbine High School and the North Valley Jewish Community Center killing spree continue to haunt America, we must step-up our efforts to protect children from gun violence. One important step in the process of protecting our children from gun violence is closing the dangerous loophole that allows guns to be purchased from unlicensed dealers over the Internet. To accomplish this, I am introducing the ``Electronic Commerce Crime Prevention and Protection Act.'' This much-needed legislation would ban all sales of firearms, ammunition and explosives over the Internet. I would like to thank Congressman Brad Sherman, Congressman Robert Brady, Congressman James Moran, Congressman John Larson, Congressman Martin Meehan, Congressman Richard Neal, Congressman Robert Menendez, Congressman Nancy Pelosi, and Congressman Joseph Hoeffel for joining me as original cosponsors of this important legislation. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to cosponsor my legislation to ensure that the Internet remains a wonderful mechanism for commerce, communication and learning, and not a means for obtaining the tools of violence.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call attention to the work UNFPA is doing in Kosovo. UNFPA is helping Kosovo rebuild from the war, improving medical care for men, women and children, making deliveries safer, and providing a full range of healthcare services. While the war is over, UNFPA is continuing its work to improve the quality of life and healthcare for Kosovar Albanians. Mr. Speaker, to answer critics who are questioning their work and commitment in Kosovo, I submit the following explanation of their work into the Congressional Record. UNFPA's Work in Kosovo The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is working in Kosovo as part of the United Nations humanitarian and development effort. The United Nations has set up a civil administration in the province of Kosovo, under Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999) of 10 June 1999. UNFPA is working along with other United Nations agencies in Kosovo and is a cooperative partner in the health sector under the leadership of the World Health Organization (WHO). As in all its programmes, UNFPA strictly adheres to internationally agreed human rights conventions and standards and to the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development, held in Cairo in 1994. unfpa's emergency relief operations When the refugee crisis in Kosovo began, UNFPA responded quickly to ensure that those fleeing the province had access to critical reproductive health services. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the lead United Nations agency responsible for refugees, formally asked UNFPA to serve as co-ordinator for reproductive health service. The Fund conducted a rapid needs assessment from 6 to 13 April 1999; sent materials, supplies and equipment for safe delivery, safe blood transfusion, treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, management of miscarriages, and treatment for victims of sexual violence. Also, a total of 350,000 packets of sanitary towels and 14,000 pairs of underwear were purchased for distribution during the crisis. In essence, UNFPA's major contribution to meeting the needs of the Kosovo refugees was to supply emergency reproductive health kits and other reproductive health equipment to refugee camps in Albania and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and to maternity hospitals throughout Albania. UNFPA procured emergency reproductive health kits to meet the needs of approximately 350,000 people for a period of 3 to 6 months. In Albania, emergency reproductive health kits were supplied to refugee camps in Kukes, Korca and Elbasan and to a total of 10 hospitals and maternity clinics. In addition, UNFPA facilitated the donation of two ultrasound machines from a private company to the Albanian Ministry of Health. UNFPA's emergency reproductive health supplies included: Individual clean delivery kits for use if medical facilities are unavailable. The kit includes soap, plastic sheeting, pictorial instructions and a razor blade to cut the umbilical cord; Delivery equipment--for use by trained personnel to deal with both normal and complicated deliveries, as well as referral-level equipment to be used in hospitals to perform Caesarean sections and to resuscitate mothers and babies; Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) kit--intended to diagnose and treat STDs and explain how to prevent contraction; Safe blood transfusion equipment; Then, in early May, UNFPA sent an expert on the treatment of sexual violence and war trauma to assess the needs of women victims of such violence. Interviews with them showed that a considerable degree of sexual violence had occurred and that there were urgent needs for the treatment and counselling of women, their families and communities. UNFPA set up a training programme for health and relief workers of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working with refugees and for international and national medical staff in Albania and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Rehabilitation of Kosovo Following the cessation of hostilities and the return of refugees to Kosovo, UNFPA, along with other United Nations agencies, quickly established an office in Pristina, the capital of the province. As part of the civil administration authorized by the United Nations Security Council, UNFPA is a member of the Joint Civil Commission on Health, which is responsible for developing health policy and which includes representatives from the United Nations and from all of the communities in Kosovo. UNFPA heads the Reproductive Health Policy Task Force of the Joint Civil Commission and the Reproductive Health Coordination Committee, which includes representatives of all the United Nations bodies, NGOs and bilateral aid agencies working in reproductive health. The Policy Task Force has worked with the Kosovo Institute of Public Health, a local organization, to draw up a Reproductive Health Policy, which will guide the work of all organizations as they undertake the rehabilitation of the province. UNFPA's Priority Areas The main concern of the United Nations in the area of health is to help reestablish the public health system in the province in order to meet the health needs of all the people of Kosovo. The overall needs throughout the province are overwhelming, and most of the health infrastructure has not been properly maintained; much of it was destroyed or removed during the recent hostilities. Equipment in hospitals is either obsolete and/or broken, including such basic equipment as washing machines and incubators for premature babies. Many health facilities have been left in decay, with broken windows, useless heating systems, and little or no functioning equipment. The maternity, obstetric and gynecological clinic in Pristina delivers some 30 to 40 babies per day; it is on target to deliver 12,000 babies in the coming year, which would give it the largest number of deliveries of any hospital in Europe. It is achieving this with one broken-down washing machine and a shortage of sheets, gowns, incubators and ultrasound machines. On particular busy days, it does not have enough cribs in which to put the newborns, even when they are doubled up. Many of the deliveries are premature, born to women who suffered great trauma and stress during the hostilities. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that almost 50 percent of premature infants born in the Pristina Hospital do not survive. Other problems related to the effects of the hostilities are a higher-than-normal incidence of miscarriages and still births, both of which put the lives of mothers at risk. Conditions are equally poor, if not worse, in maternities and health centres outside Pristina. In light of the above, it is essential to upgrade the equipment of the maternity at the Pristina Hospital and in other regions of Kosovo, as a critical first step in safeguarding maternal and child health within the overall context of the rehabilitation of the health system of Kosovo. UNFPA is playing a key role in the area of reproductive health by helping to assess reproductive health conditions and needs; by supplying urgently needed equipment, materials, and medicines for hospitals, primary health facilities and mobile clinics; by providing training and support for health staff; and by supporting health information and education programmes. UNFPA has begun work with its other partners in Kosovo in drawing up a standard reproductive health-training curriculum for health workers in the province. It is designed to raise their awareness of reproductive health needs and to provide basic and refresher training in basic reproductive health skills. The issue of sexual and other violence against women in Kosovo is a very serious issue. UNFPA has sent an expert on sexual violence to the province to report on ways in which the health system and health workers in Kosovo can address these issues in a culturally sensitive manner. Another component of UNFPA's strategy in the area of health, education and community services focuses on mental health, particularly the mental health of women. Violations of human rights and human dignity have been used as a systematic way of conducting war and have left profound scars that may not disappear. Victims of torture or violence, be it physical, sexual or psychological continue to suffer from significant trauma. To provide counselling and to prevent ostracism and exclusion of the victims from their own communities, UNFPA will continue to help strengthen local community capacity to provide care and support to women and men in distress. There is an urgent need in Kosovo for demographic and health status of Kosovo since the return of the refugees in June this year. Given the new situation, all prior census and other data--if they can be found--are obsolete. All relief organizations working in the province are looking for such information to use in their operations. To that end, UNFPA and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) jointly organized a preliminary mission to assess the feasibility of a cluster sample population survey in Kosovo. The two organizations have developed a proposal for a survey of about 9,500 households. The results of the survey will be made available to all interested agencies and to the public. Therefore, as priority measures for emergency relief and rehabilitation in Kosovo, UNFPA is preparing to undertake three crucial projects in the short term: upgrade the equipment of the maternity/OB-GYN department of Pristina hospital, and to provide basic equipment and supplies to maternities and ``birthing centers'' elsewhere in the province; strengthen local capacity to identify members of the community who need psycho-social support and to provide care and support to these women and men; and undertake an urgently needed demographic, socio-economic and reproductive health survey of the province.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I do not necessarily oppose the rule before us, but today I am forced to cast a very difficult vote against the conference report to the Fiscal Year 2000 Foreign Operations Appropriations bill. It is unfortunate that strong supporters, like myself, of foreign assistance to countries such as Israel, Columbia, Armenia, India, and Egypt are being placed in a position where it is necessary to vote against assistance for those priority countries. This legislation also has important contributions to UNFPA and other international programs, which I fully support and have urged my colleagues to support. In fact, I thank the conferees and the gentleman from Alabama (Chairman Callahan) for fulfilling the will of the authorizers and the intent of the House by including funding for UNFPA, which I offered as an amendment earlier this year. However, a no vote on this bill is a vote in favor of a strong U.S. foreign policy and a vibrant foreign assistance program. Mr. Speaker, the numbers in this report are clear. They speak for themselves. This legislation is nearly $2 billion below the President's request for foreign assistance. Almost every major account is underfunded. The conference report does not include the $87 million for debt relief initiatives for the poorest countries, and it cuts $200 million from economic development and democracy-building programs in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, to name just two important initiatives which will be hampered by this report. Additionally, this legislation has no money, not one single dollar, to fulfill our commitment to the Wye agreement to the Middle East Peace Process. I have a great deal of respect for the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) and APAC, and I am sorry to disagreewith my Chairman, but as the gentleman has stated there is no Wye funding in this bill at this time, and it ought to be there. Mr. Speaker, the President has made his position crystal clear; increase funding for foreign assistance and include the Wye funding or he will veto the legislation. I know it. My colleagues know it. The Republican leadership knows it. Yet, here we are, with legislation that fails to fund U.S. foreign policy priorities and threatens stability in the Middle East. Mr. Speaker, this conference report is bad for America, it is bad for the Middle East peace process, and it is just plain bad policy. I urge my colleagues to live up to our commitments, support the President and vote against this antiforeign aid bill.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1906 the agriculture Appropriations Bill for FY2000. Mr. Speaker, I understand the concerns of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who have concerns about this bill. Farmers truly are facing a crisis in his country. From the drought of the Northeast to the recent flooding in North Carolina, more federal funding is needed to insure the livelihood of the American family farmer. But there is also an agriculture crisis in our cities. This bill funds important agriculture programs which help provide more greenery in our cities, trees to fight pollution and make the air cleaner and Federal research monies against plant and tree pests. I am supporting this bill because it addresses the needs in urban areas, and New York City in particular, which have been severely impacted by the Asian Long Horned Beetle. This predator, which is a non-native species came to New York and other areas through packaging materials in shipping crates. This infestation has led to the destruction of thousands of trees in Queens, New York and most recently was found in Central Park in Manhattan. I thank Chairman Skeen, Ranking Member Kaptur, and the House and Senate Conferees for including $2.1 million for the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) for eradication of the Asian Long Horned Beetle in New York City. This money is an important step to stop this pest which left unchecked will destroy the trees of New York City which provide my constituents with much needed shade and greenery.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Etheridge) for holding the special order this evening. There are many issues that affect my community. I could argue that I probably have the most diverse community in the United States, most ethnically diverse district in the country. This is the number one issue, the status of our schools in New York City. We are able to build roads. This Congress helps to build roads. It helps to build bridges. It helps to build tunnels. It helps to build airports. It even helps to build hospitals. But the most important infrastructure our country knows, our public schools, this Federal Government does not do enough in terms of helping build and modernize old schools in this country. The average school age in New York City is 55 years of age. One out of every five schools is over 75 years of age. Schools start to deteriorate after 30 years of age. So my colleagues can have a sense and idea of the state of the schools in New York City. I have shown pictures here on the floor of children in closets, in bathrooms, in hallways. It is just incredible. I want to applaud Reverend Jackson. Reverend Jackson went to Chicago and took inner city schools and took them out to the suburbs and showed them what they had. They were awed. But more than importantly, he took suburban children back into Chicago and showed them what inner city children do not have. It caused some of those children to come to tears. Because they think children are very fair minded, and they know when something unfair is happening. I think they recognize what was happening in Chicago. The same thing is happening in Queens and in the Bronx. We have a school, a high school in the Bronx, Truman High, that has a swimming pool that has not had water in it for the past 3 years. It is almost as bad as having no swimming pool at all, the idea that one has a swimming pool, but it is not being used. It is incredible, but that is what we are living in in New York City. Those are the circumstances. It is only getting worse. We project 30,000 students each year in New York City public school system. In Queens alone, we expect a 66 percent rise by the year 2007. We are looking at almost 60,000 more students in Queens alone. If we build all the schools that the city and State want to build, we are still going to be 20,000 seats shy. That is why we have to do something in this House, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the help of the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Etheridge).

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 297, a resolution expressing sympathy for the victims of the devastating earthquake that struck Taiwan on September 21 of this year. On that date, Mr. Speaker, an earthquake registering 7.6 on the Richter scale hit the Nantou and Taichung counties of Taiwan. Thousands were killed and even more were left homeless. Mr. Speaker, I have the honor of representing Flushing-Queens, New York. Many of my constituents have family and friends living in Taiwan. The prayers and thoughts of my constituents and myself are with the Taiwanese people at this time. The United States Agency for International Development has responded to Taiwan's call for international assistance by sending technical experts from their office of foreign disaster assistance and the Fairfax, Virginia search and rescue team. I would like to thank these brave men and women who participated in this international rescue operation as well as the other nations which lent their assistance. Although the earthquake crippled Taiwan's infrastructure in the hardest hit areas where phone, power and water lines were knocked out, I have confidence that Taiwan will be able to rebuild quickly and continue to play an important role in the Asian and world economies. Mr. Speaker, as a Member of the House Committee on International Relations, I stand ready to assist Taiwan with its rebuilding efforts. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this worthy resolution to express the House's sympathy for this terrible, terrible disaster.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Lofgren motion to instruct for juvenile justice conference. Mr. Speaker, I find it hard to believe that despite the overwhelming desire by the American people for reasonable and common sense limitations on access to guns, this Congress has still not passed and sent to the President the Senate version of the juvenile justice bill. The parents of America are concerned, and given the tragedies that have occurred across this Nation, they have a right to be. They are concerned about the proliferation of guns, of kids gaining access to guns without trigger locks, of guns being bought and sold at gun shows and flea markets without adequate background checks, and of the ability to buy guns anonymously over the Internet. They are concerned, Mr. Speaker, because current U.S. law is inadequate to prevent guns from easily falling into the wrong hands. They are concerned and want action by this Congress. In fact, Mr. Speaker, they demand action by this Congress. I would urge all of my colleagues to support the Lofgren motion, which instructs the conferees to include a loophole-free system that assures murderers, rapists, child molesters, and other criminals do not gain access to guns, and instruct them not to weaken existing gun safety laws.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. This is a very serious subject we are addressing this afternoon, and I just want to say for the record that I was supportive of my friend from New Jersey's request for additional time. I am glad, however, that we will not have to use that, for the sake of the other business here today. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2367, and I just want to address the House for a number of minutes. The legislation before the House today authorizes critically important domestic and international programs that provide relief to victims of torture. Specifically, the bill increases from $7.5 million to $10 million the annual authorization for AID to provide assistance to treatment centers and programs in foreign countries regarding the physical and psychological rehabilitation of victims of torture. These funds support programs in countries like South Africa, Liberia, and Rwanda that meet the medical and psychological needs of traumatized and tortured civilians. This assistance has been particularly important to the children of Africa, because many of them have witnessed or experienced unspeakable horrors as child soldiers in the civil strife that has wracked these countries. USAID is also training health providers and trauma counselors to deal with the enormous psychological and medical needs in Kosovo. One of the most devastating accounts was that of an 8-year-old boy in Kosovo who was forced to listen to the screams of his 2-year-old sister as she was burned alive when the Serbs set fire to his house after killing the rest of his family. He was unable to help his younger sister because the Serbs had shot him also. The legislation also increases from $7.5 million to $10 million the annual authorization for HHS to provide relief activities domestically. The U.S. is working to meet the needs of refugee survivors of torture living in the United States by training community service providers who work with refugees to recognize survivors of torture and provide appropriate mental health referrals for them. This bill also increases the annual authorization for the U.S. contribution to the U.N. Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture from $3 million a year to $5 million. In recent years, the United States has been the single largest contributor to the United Nations Voluntary Fund, established by the U.N. General Assembly in 1981. The U.N. fund provides worldwide humanitarian assistance to meet the medical and psychological needs of torture victims and their families. One center receiving assistance from the U.N. fund is the Center for Victims of Torture based in Minnesota. This center established an innovative training program for school teachers whose students are survivors of torture or who have family members who are survivors. There are now nearly 200 centers supported by the U.N. fund working to meet the unique needs of survivors of torture around this world. Finally, the legislation expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should support, one, the U.N. Voluntary Fund to find new ways to rehabilitate victims of torture; two, the work of the Special Rapporteur on Torture and Committee Against Torture; and, three, the establishment of a country rapporteur or similar mechanism to investigate human rights violations in any country that has been found to have a systematic practice of torture. The United States has been in the forefront of providing assistance to torture victims, including through the many centers in the United States that address the dreadful effect of these barbarous practices. This legislation will ensure that the U.S. continues to play this vital leadership role. While it is unusual for Congress to authorize funds in advance, as this bill does, it will send a message that this committee believes that a stable funding base is necessary for these important programs to work and to continue. Madam Speaker, let me add that it is unfortunate that this legislation is needed at the dawn of the year 2000 in the 21st century; that humankind can be as cruel today in many respects as it was during the time of the Spanish inquisition and Nazi Germany, when torture became institutionalized. Hot spots today include Rwanda, Burundi, Algeria, Colombia, Kosovo, East Timor, just to mention a few. And they are not just governments, but militias and rebel groups that are also involved in acts of torture. They are engaging in torture to produce a political outcome beneficial to their cause. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2367; and I thank my good friend, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), for his work on this legislation; the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) for his work, our ranking member, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Gejdenson), the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), and the many, many others who were involved in creating this legislation and seeing it pass today. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. Smith of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I want to thank my good friend from New York for his excellent statement and his good work on the subcommittee. I would like to point out, Madam Speaker, that it is not the intention of the supporters, the prime sponsor of the bill or anyone else that this legislation should result in any decrease whatsoever in the resources available to other programs of the Office of Refugee Resettlement. I would also note for the Record that Lavinia Limon, Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement, is doing an outstanding job. She testified before our subcommittee. She did the work at Fort Dix as the ethnic Albanians were making their way during the Kosovo crisis. We have to make sure that the money that is available by way of HHS, that the money be found so that this is not a zero-sum game. We have to make sure, and I would encourage our appropriators to make sure, that this money is in addition to and does not take away from the other good work that the Office of Refugee Resettlement does.

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