Steve Cohen

Mr. COHEN

Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. Con. Res. 61, a resolution which recognizes the many contributions of private pilots and the general aviation industry to the Haiti earthquake relief efforts and encourages the continued generosity of general aviation pilots and operators in ongoing humanitarian relief efforts in Haiti. On January 12, 2010, a devastating earthquake struck Haiti, leaving up to 300,000 dead and 300,000 injured. Private pilots and businesses banded together to conduct an estimated 4,500 relief flights during the 30-day period following the earthquake. Business aircraft transported approximately 3,500 passengers and delivered over 1 million pounds of cargo and supplies to the Haitian people. General aviation aircraft were vital for getting help to smaller communities that otherwise faced great difficulty in receiving aid. Media accounts described pilots ferrying supplies between nearby countries, like the Dominican Republic, to small towns in Haiti. They would often land on not much more than dirt roads. General aviation aircraft transported critical supplies like food, blankets, medication, and medical equipment as well. The fuel from these aircraft was even used in some cases to help generators continue running. The aircraft carried medical staff and relief personnel from the United States to Haiti to assist in relief efforts, including a group that came from my hometown of Memphis, from LeBonheur Children's Hospital. They spent quite a bit of time down there. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting S. Con. Res. 61. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 61) expressing the sense of the Congress that general aviation pilots and industry should be recognized for the contributions made in response to Haiti earthquake relief efforts.

Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and add extraneous material as necessary on S. Con. Res. 61.

Mr. COHEN

Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I now yield such time as he may consume to the author of the resolution and a pilot himself, Mr. Boyd of Florida.

Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, with your indulgence, I recognize the gentleman from west Tennessee (Mr. Tanner) out of order for such time as he may consume.

Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Boyd and Mr. Ehlers for bringing this resolution, and ask that all Members unanimously support H. Res. 1284, as amended. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material.

Mr. COHEN

Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, I was detained from voting on Tuesday, May 4, 2010. If present, I would have voted ``yea'' on the following rollcall votes: rollcall 243, rollcall 244, and rollcall 245.

Mr. COHEN

Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, under the leadership of Speaker Pelosi, the 111th Congress has passed some of the most extensive and ambitious environmental legislation this country has seen since the 1970s. So it brings me great pleasure to be here in the House of Representatives to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Such legislation includes the Recovery Act, which I was proud to support and has made historic job-creating investments in a clean energy future that will provide hundreds of thousands of jobs. The House also passed clean energy jobs legislation that enhances the American manufacturing base and will make the U.S. a world leader in new energy technologies. Additionally, I recently introduced the 10 Million Solar Roofs and 10 Million Gallons of Solar Water Heating Act, which will provide valuable cash rebates for the creation of 10 million small power plants located on the roofs of American homes and businesses throughout the country. This legislation will also create an estimated 1.35 million direct and indirect jobs, lower energy costs, strengthen the economy, and put America on the path to energy independence. Corporate interests have spent millions espousing mistruths and presenting a false choice to the American people--the idea that efforts to preserve our planet and ensure our own survival will destroy the American economy. However, this Congress has exposed these claims for what they really are--lies. The 111th Congress has proven that we can indeed strengthen the American economy and ensure that all Americans can breathe cleaner air and drink cleaner water, and I am honored and proud to have been a part of such a historic effort.

Mr. COHEN

Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 62nd anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel, our friend and partner. After a process that began with the Balfour Declaration, the Mandate of the League of Nations and generations of struggling to regain their homeland, the United Nations passed a resolution on November 29, 1947 giving Israel the right to exist as a state. On May 14, 1948, Israel signed a proclamation creating the State of Israel, establishing it as a country that will ``ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex.'' That same night, the United States officially recognized Israel as a sovereign nation. Despite its unfortunate history of violence, the State of Israel has established itself as a world leader and a nation millions of Jews are proud to have as their homeland. Considering that Israel is the hundredth smallest country in the world with less than one thousandth of the world's population, what Israel has been able to accomplish is truly remarkable. What separates Israel from almost every other country is its truly innovative and entrepreneurial nature. With regards to education, Israel has the highest ratio of university degrees in the world, so it is no surprise that Israel has become a leader in the health, science, and technology fields. In fact, many of the technologies we rely upon in the United States were actually developed in Israel such as the cell phone, computer operation systems, and voicemail technology. As a result of these technological developments Israel has developed a $100 billion economy, which is larger than the combined economies of all its immediate neighbors. Therefore, I rise today to celebrate Israel's Independence and to pay my respects to those who have lost their lives defending the nation they loved. Although the State of Israel has experienced more than its fair share of trying times, it has never lost sight of the noble ideals upon which the state was founded: freedom, justice, equality and peace.

Mr. COHEN

Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, I was detained from voting after attending the funeral of Dr. Benjamin L. Hooks on Wednesday, April 21, 2010. If present, I would have voted ``yea'' on the following rollcall votes: rollcall 214; rollcall 215; rollcall 216.

Mr. COHEN

Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, today America mourns the loss of Dr. Dorothy Height, a civil rights pioneer, Presidential adviser, and woman's rights activist. For many years, this Freedom Fighter served as president of the National Council of Negro Women, the Young Women's Christian Association, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Dr. Height was the backbone of the civil rights movement and worked alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Whitney Young, A. Phillip Randolph, Roy Wilkins, and our own John Lewis. During the March on Washington, she was the only African American woman on the speaker's platform during Dr. King's historic ``I Have a Dream'' speech. In 1994, President Clinton awarded Dr. Height the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her selfless service to others. In 1995, in my hometown of Memphis, Tennessee, she received the National Civil Rights Museum's Freedom Award. In 2004, President Bush presented her with the Congressional Gold Medal. During Dr. Height's lifetime, the freedom gates were half ajar, yet she fought to open them full and wide for everybody. Our Nation mourns the loss of a great woman, a great African American leader, a great civil rights leader. Hers was a life well lived.

Mr. COHEN

Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mrs. Bertel Wachter Herz, an extraordinary woman who overcame war and the death of loved ones to become a successful entrepreneur in Memphis, Tennessee. She was born to Pepi and Bernhard Wachter on January 4, 1907 in Stolberg, Germany. Bertel Wachter Herz was the eldest of seven children, and the first to emigrate to the United States. Mrs. Herz first arrived in New York in April of 1939, and subsequently moved to Memphis with her husband, Arthur Sauerbrunn, at the request of Arthur's cousin, Phillip Belz. After settling in Memphis, Bertel worked to bring four of her siblings to the United States, providing refuge from the destruction of World War II and, thus, preventing the tragic fate that had already taken her parents and eldest brother. Mrs. Herz, being accustomed to the working realm, found life for women in 1940's America unsatisfying. Realizing she had a natural talent for retail, Bertel opened a shop on Union Avenue called Trousseau, a shop that still continues to provide sophisticated, European-style lingerie and linens. Her elegant pieces appealed to many brides, mothers and families, which furthered Bertel's reputation for her exquisite taste and distinguished vision. Devoted employees and loyal customers alike always had nothing but the best to say about Mrs. Herz, who worked tirelessly until her retirement at age 95. Bertel Herz was known as a woman who lived by a code of integrity, loyalty and love for her family. Her persistence and indomitable spirit served as an inspiration to her daughter and granddaughters to be strong, independent, assertive women. Even today, the third generation of women in her family continues to manage Trousseau, which will be celebrating its 61st anniversary this year. On March 14, 2010, Mrs. Herz passed away at 103 years of age. She is survived by her daughter, Eden, two granddaughters, Amy Friedman and Pesha Izenberg, and her sister, Regina Farber. Mrs. Herz will be remembered by her fellow Memphians for her hard work, dedication and service to Memphis.

Mr. COHEN

Mr. COHEN. I ask that all of my colleagues join me in supporting this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. COHEN. I appreciate the remarks of Congressman Poe, which were obviously heartfelt. Mr. Speaker, I think there is bipartisanship within this House in looking out for the victims of crime and in trying to see that there aren't more victims. Sometimes you hear speeches on the floor which are written or which are, maybe, not as personal in nature, but what Mr. Poe said was personal. His experience as a prosecutor and as a criminal court judge came through, and I am privileged to have listened to that and to be able to join in his thoughts of: That's just the way it is.

Mr. COHEN. I would just like to say I appreciate Mr. Royce's comments. Mr. Speaker, in Tennessee, I worked to pass an antistalking law and was successful in doing it. They are important. Whether it's Kathleen in southern California or Victoria in Texas, they need to be protected, and we need to make sure we have such laws. I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns) to address this subject.

Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California, my colleague in the National Conference of State Legislatures and my colleague here in Congress and the author of this resolution, Mr. Costa.

Mr. COHEN. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 1104 supports the goals and mission of National Crime Victims' Rights Week, celebrated this week, April 18 through 24. This year's National Crime Victims' Rights Week theme is ``Crime Victims' Rights: Fairness. Dignity. Respect.'' Every April individuals in communities across the country, with the support of the Department of Justice's Office of Victims of Crime, observe National Crime Victims' Rights Week. Rallies, candle-light vigils and many other commemorative events honor crime victims during this observance of victims' rights. National Crime Victims' Rights Week is observed to highlight the special needs of more than 21 million victims of crime and survivors of crime each year, including over 5 million victims of violent crime. Although the number of murder victims in 2008 fell by almost 4 percent from the previous year, we must remain vigilant in this fight against violent crime. During this week in April, we take time out to ensure that resources and services are available to help crime victims rebuild their lives and to acknowledge the impact of crime on individuals, families, and communities. Crime victims suffer not only from the losses that directly result from the crime, but also from the emotional trauma of being victimized. In 2007, total economic loss to victims across the country was $2 billion for violent crime and $16 billion for property crime. This week is also a time to make a commitment to providing more resources to victims of crimes committed in the workplace, in schools, and on college campuses. In addition, we should pay special attention to children and elderly victims of crime. National Crime Victims' Rights Week is an occasion to support crime victims. If we don't make a commitment to treating victims with the fairness, dignity, and respect they deserve, it makes it even more difficult for them to heal. For all these important reasons, I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COHEN. I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1104) supporting the mission and goals of 2010 National Crime Victims' Rights Week to increase public awareness of the rights, needs, and concerns of victims and survivors of crime in the United States, no matter their country of origin or their creed, and to commemorate the National Crime Victims' Rights Week theme of ``Crime Victims' Rights: Fairness. Dignity. Respect.''

Mr. COHEN

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

Mr. COHEN. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great lion, a leader, one of the golden throated warriors of the spoken word and one of the few silver tongued giants of oratory, and a great civil rights icon, Benjamin Hooks. He passed away in Memphis, Tennessee, on Thursday, April 15, 2010. Dr. Hooks was the fifth child out of seven born to Robert and Bessie Hooks. His grandmother, Julia B. Hooks was the second African-American female college graduate in the nation after graduating from Berea College in Kentucky in 1874. Following in her footsteps, Dr. Hooks attended LeMoyne College in Memphis where he studied pre-law. He continued his studies at Howard University in Washington, D.C. and at DePaul University Law School in Chicago, Illinois. He was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. After graduating from college, Dr. Hooks served in the Army during World War II and had the job of guarding Italian prisoners who were able to eat in restaurants that were off limits to him. He found this experience to be humiliating and it deepened his determination to do something about bigotry in the South. Dr. Hooks returned to Memphis after being discharged at the end of the war with the rank of staff sergeant. Dr. Hooks began practicing law in 1949 becoming one of the few African-Americans to practice in Memphis. In 1954, he appeared on a roundtable with Thurgood Marshall and other Southern African-American attorneys to formulate a possible litigation strategy days before the Supreme Court decision in Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka was handed down. Dr. Hooks served as assistant public defender of Shelby County from 1961-1965 until being appointed by Tennessee Governor Frank G. Clement to serve as a criminal judge in Shelby County, Memphis-- becoming the first African-American criminal court judge in the State of Tennessee. Rev. Benjamin Hooks was also the pastor at Greater Middle Baptist Church in Memphis and Greater New Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan. In 1956, while serving in the Baptist ministry, he joined the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. President Richard Nixon appointed Dr. Hooks to the Federal Communications Commission, making him the first African-American appointed commissioner. He served in this position from 1972 to 1977. From 1977 to 1992, Dr. Hooks was the Executive Director and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Under his leadership, the NAACP fought for affirmative action, led efforts to end apartheid in South Africa and addressed racism in sports and the Rodney King trial. He was awarded the Spingarn Medal in 1986 from the NAACP. Rev. Hooks served as chairman of the board of directors of the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis. He also taught at the University of Memphis where the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change was established in 1996. Dr. Benjamin Hooks was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George W. Bush at a White House ceremony in November 2007. Most recently, he gave one of his last lectures on civil rights and social justice as part of the premier lecture series of the Benjamin Hooks Institute for Social Change in the Judiciary Committee Room of the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, DC, on October 6, 2009. Always by his side was his beautiful and jovial wife, Frances. They were married in 1952 and renewed their vows for the third time after nearly 50 years of marriage on March 24, 2001. Dr. Benjamin Hooks was one of the greatest civil rights icons in American history and a community leader in Memphis. His commitment to justice on the bench in Memphis, his strong work with the NAACP to formulate strategies for eliminating barriers to civil rights and his leadership in promoting equal opportunity for all will always be remembered by the countless number of lives he touched. Rev. Benjamin L. Hooks is survived by his devoted wife Frances, daughter Patricia Gray, grandchildren and nephew Michael Hooks. His was a life well lived. Thank you for coming our way, Benjamin Hooks.

Mr. COHEN. I thank the gentleman for joining and relating those parts of Dr. Hooks' life. He was, as I said, a great orator who took the Southern tradition of politics and the ministry and wove it into a manner of speech that was unrivaled and to his last days could deliver a sermon or a speech that was unparalleled. He will be buried tomorrow at Elmwood Cemetery, where my father is buried and where I suspect I will be buried, and we will spend eternity together. I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution.

Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to comment, I appreciate Representative Poe's comments. He was a former criminal court judge and like Judge Hooks was a criminal court judge, they share that experience. I keep under the glass on my desk a picture that was taken of Benjamin Hooks as a lawyer with Russell Sugarman, A.W. Willis, I believe it was A.A. Latting and S.A. Wilbun, and appearing in city court in Memphis and defending individuals in Memphis charged with the violations of the law that were Jim Crow laws. It's a historic picture that people in Memphis know well; they stood up in a courtroom with just about a predominance of policemen around there and white visitors in the courtroom, but they stood for justice and they stood up. Leaders in Memphis like Maxine Smith and Russell Sugarman are getting older, but they continue the fight as Reverend Hooks has. He had a difficult last few days, but he knew his time had come and he was at peace. He tried to make it to the inaugural to see the inauguration of the first African American President, Barack Obama. He was here. I think the weather was such and the conditions that he wasn't able to make it to the inauguration, but he made a point of coming in here and wanted to participate. He was bipartisan. He came of an era when many African Americans in the South, if not most, were members of the Republican Party, the party of Lincoln. And he maintained a Republican allegiance through his appointments by President Nixon and a closeness to Senator Baker and others, but also had Democratic roots. President Bush recognized his talents, as has President Obama and President Clinton. He supported Hillary Clinton for President because he had been close to the Clinton family. But he was happy to see America come to the time when an African American could be elected President, as Dr. King had wanted that time to come, that people were judged by the content of their character and not the color of their skin. We saw part of that resolution in 2008, and Ben Hooks was pleased to be able to see it. As I said, he will be buried tomorrow at Bountiful Blessings where G.E. Patterson served as bishop of COGIC, and I know there will be many other people from around the world there to honor him. I would like to thank my friend John Conyers, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, who worked with me on this resolution and is unfortunately absent because of other commitments. He was close to Reverend Hooks in Detroit and other places fighting for civil rights over the years. I would also like to commend the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, Lamar Smith, for joining me in cosponsoring this resolution. I yield as much time as he may consume to Chairman Towns of New York.