Rosa DeLauro

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern).

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Tierney).

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, let us talk about the energy crisis. Let us talk about electricity costs in California. Let us talk about what the White House is going to do. Take a look at what CNN said the other day in an article by Major Garrett: ``Power of advertising fights electricity rate gaps. Worried GOP White House give blessing to utilities California campaign. The major United States utility companies, at the behest of senior congressional Republicans and with White House approval, are going to launch a multimillion dollar advertising campaign to fight the Federal caps on electricity prices in California.'' That is how they are going to handle the energy crisis in California, is by getting their friends in the special interests to launch a media campaign against doing something about energy prices in this country, and particularly in the State of California where it has been an overwhelming burden on families with what their electricity costs have been. This is the way this administration handles the crisis, not by giving any help to Californians. They have walked away and said, ``California, drop dead.''

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to join the Connecticut Federation of Educational and Professional Employees, AFT, AFL-CIO in paying tribute to their president of twenty- two years, and my dear friend, George C. Springer as he celebrates the occasion of his retirement. His outstanding leadership and unparalleled dedication has made a difference in the lives of thousands of families across Connecticut. I have always held a firm belief in the importance of education and a deep respect for the individuals who dedicate their lives to ensuring that our children---our most precious resource---are given a strong foundation on which to build their futures. As a twenty year veteran of the New Britain, Connecticut school system, George made it his personal mission to help our students learn and grow---touching the lives of thousands of students. During his tenure in the New Britain school system, George also served as an officer and negotiator for the New Britain Federation of Teachers, Local 871. Twenty-two years ago, he was elected to the position of state federation president. As the state president, George has been a tireless advocate for his membership and their families. I have often said that we are fortunate to live in a country that allows its workers to engage in efforts to better employee standards and benefits. George has been a true leader for teachers across the state, providing a strong voice on their behalf. George set a unique tone for this organization, extending their mission beyond the fight for better wages, better work environments, and more comprehensive health benefits. He has led the effort of the Connecticut chapter to become more involved with the larger issues of how to improve our schools---for teachers and for students. Though we will miss him in the long battle ahead, George's leadership and outspoken advocacy on behalf of our public school system will continue to be an inspiration to us all. In addition to his many professional contributions, George has also been involved with a variety of social service organizations in the community. The John E. Rodgers African-American Cultural Center, New Britain Boys Club, Amistad America, Inc., Coalition to End Child Poverty, and the New Britain Foundation for Public Giving are just a portion of those organizations who have benefitted from his hard work and contagious enthusiasm. It is my great honor to rise today to join his wife, Gerri, their four children, ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, as well as the many family, friends, and colleagues who have gathered this evening to extend my deepest thanks and appreciation to George C. Springer for his outstanding contributions to the State of Connecticut and all of our communities. He will certainly be missed but never forgotten.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, each and every day all across America families are paying higher energy prices. In my State of Connecticut, a gallon of gas now goes for $1.82. In Illinois, the price has gone as high as $2.39. California citizens are being held hostage by out-of-state generators who have held down the production of energy in order to increase their own profits. In fact, if the price of milk had increased at the same rate as California's energy prices a gallon would cost $190. No family would accept such price gouging. Consumers need help with energy costs and they need it now. What does the President and the Republican leadership do today in the midst of this crisis? They are locked behind closed doors deciding how much of a tax cut to give to the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans, while working- and middle-class families spend more of their hard- earned dollars on unfair gas and electricity prices. Republicans remain focused on passing a tax cut that does little for these families but lines the pocket of people making more than $300,000 a year. The Vice President says the energy crisis is only an issue of supply and demand. His friends in the energy issue have the supply, and they are demanding an arm, a leg and family savings for it.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, America's families are struggling with high energy costs, but the Bush administration is more interested in catering to the needs of big oil and energy companies, rather than helping the working- and middle-class families that need their relief now. We need long-term solutions that encourage exploration, increase refining capacity, and help Americans conserve energy. But, in the short term, we need to aggressively protect consumers, investigate price fixing, and consider releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to moderate the effects of price spikes. The administration has rejected these options out of hand. What is their solution? What does the President say? Drill in the Arctic National Reserve and relax clean water and air standards. Last week, the President suggested that his tax cut will solve the energy crisis, a bizarre and a disconnected idea. That hard-earned refund, my friends, should not go into the pockets of the energy executives who are already making outrageous profits at the expense of hard-pressed American families. I call on the President to say ``no'' to his big oil and big energy friends. Say ``yes'' to America's families that need help with rising gas and energy prices.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, the family planning programs our country supports provide critical reproductive health care for millions of women around the globe. Family planning assistance prevents unwanted pregnancies and yes, helps to prevent abortions. These family planning programs are the only health care these women and their families have. The President's executive order dictates to these groups that they must forfeit their right to determine what they do with their own private funds: you must not talk about certain things, you must not perform certain health care services, you must report to us what you do with your own money. If we were to impose these mandates on domestic groups, they would be struck down as unconstitutional. The gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), my colleague, acknowledged that in 1997 on this floor. He also said at that time that he would like to impose this gag rule on these domestic organizations. The United States Government does not fund abortions here or abroad. We have not done that for decades. We have now begun to restrict what groups can do with their own money. Who suffers when we penalize the funding for these groups? Women and children, some of the most impoverished women and children in the world. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to reject the Hyde amendment, save women's lives, and promote democratic values.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, middle- and working-class families need and deserve a tax cut this year. Democrats believe that we should cut taxes for all families within the framework of a fiscally responsible budget that strengthens Social Security, allows for a Medicare prescription drug benefit, works down the national debt, and allows us to address pressing needs in education and health care and in national defense. We support a responsible plan that meets the needs of all of America's families. Regrettably, the Republican leadership has chosen a different path. They have rejected bipartisanship, they have turned aside efforts to reduce the size of the tax cut that goes to the wealthiest wage earners in this country so that we can invest in education and a prescription drug benefit. Mark my words, the President and the Republican leadership have no intention of abiding by a $1.3 trillion tax cut that is contained in their budget. They are going to move things around. There will be some creative accounting. And they are going to try to fit more than a $3 trillion tax cut into this $1.3 trillion bag. They have no intention of stopping. That is not responsible and it is not what is best for all of America's families. We make it impossible to meet the needs of Social Security and Medicare or to invest in education. We roll the dice on a set of budget projections that are not just wrong some of the time, these projections are wrong all of the time. This is a recipe for budget deficits, for more debt, and less economic growth. It is the wrong plan for America. It is not the answer for working families, for middle-class families. They are the folks who need the tax cut the most. The tax cut we consider today is totally skewed to the wealthiest at the expense of everyone else. Forty-five percent of the Bush tax cut goes to the wealthiest 1 percent. What do working Americans get? Nothing. 12.2 million working- and middle-class families with 24 million children get absolutely no tax cut under the Bush plan. It is unfair. And the notion that the tax cut will solve our energy problem is a bizarre and a disconnected idea and wrongheaded.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, as someone who loves baseball, I want to say thank you to the President for bringing tee ball to the White House. Seeing those youngsters enjoy themselves on the White House lawn was really terrific. But let me just say that the President should put his money where his photo op is. The budget that the President and the Republican leadership are pushing through this House cuts important programs that affect our children's education, health and well-being, all for the sake of a tax cut that provides 43 percent of its benefits to the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans. Who gets cut? Pediatric graduate medical education, training for future pediatricians to care for our kids, gets cut by $35 million. No new funding for Head Start, a program that helps to prepare youngsters for school. No new funding for reading and mathematics education programs that serve our children, and not a dime more in this budget for that program for the next 10 years. There are 7 million children between the ages of 8 and 13 who go home alone every single day. Yet the President cuts the 21st Century Learning Center program that provides after-school educational opportunities for our kids. The President slashes $1.4 million from the universal newborn hearing screening program, an 18 percent cut. Photo ops are one thing, but you have to put your money where your values are. That is what budgets are about. They are about values. It is not about programs. There are some fundamental American values at stake in this debate, values that say everyone should have a chance to succeed, every child should have the best education and a secure retirement. Those values, every child should have the best education, the best health care, and every single senior should have a decent and secure retirement, those values, for all of the President's rhetoric, are not in the President's budget. This is reflective of the priorities and the values of this administration. They are not focused on American families or American children.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Bonior), for organizing this evening's discussion on so critical an issue as international workers' rights. The gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Bonior) has been a champion for workers' rights at home and abroad, and I am proud to join him in this discussion. Work is fundamental to our existence. It gives our life meaning, and it is necessary so workers can provide for even the most basic human needs, like food, shelter and clothing. We say that women and men share the same fundamental rights when they are at work. We say that the new global economy is creating unprecedented opportunities and new-found rights for workers, especially women, including the right to work free from gender discrimination, yet clearly we are not doing enough to make this a reality. Gender wage discrimination is a national and international atrocity which continues to hold our global community captive and hinders further progress. From the United States to Japan, from South Africa to the Netherlands, women are paid less than men. What is worse is that there is no indication that this will soon change for women worldwide. Across the globe, the United States Congress has the ability to protect workers' rights, including the right to work free from gender discrimination. As the most powerful nation in the world, we have the responsibility to influence other governments to defend workers' rights, to ensure that women workers are paid a fair wage so they can support their families. It is time that we live up to these responsibilities. For decades women have been fighting for their right to enter the labor force, and progress has been made in terms of women in the workforce. With the globalization of the economy, women have assumed extraordinary responsibilities and have adapted to the duties of providing for the security of their families. They have taken on roles in the workplace and in their communities, oftentimes to lessen the harm from local and national crises, for example, the women that enter the agriculture sector in Africa in order to alleviate their families from the burdens of famine that have plagued Africa. For the past 2 decades, the level of women's participation in the labor force has been increasing. In fact, in 1994, approximately 45 percent of the world's women from the ages of 15 to 64 were economically active. The rate at which women are becoming economically active is almost twice the rate for men. In the United States, Canada and the Scandinavian countries, women now make up nearly half the active population, with activity rates of over 70 percent in core age groups. Unfortunately, this is only half the story. It is simply unacceptable that not all women have been able to choose to enter the workforce and those that do encounter additional barriers and violations of their rights. Although women have benefited a great deal from the changing global economy and newly created jobs, unequal pay remains a problem and job equality has declined. I cannot believe that the majority of women worldwide continue to earn on the average only 50 to 80 percent of what men earn. In Japan, the Republic of Korea, women's salaries are roughly half of men's salaries. In developed countries, including the United States, the pay gap varies between 30 percent to slightly less than 10 percent. Worldwide, women earn an average of 75 percent of men's pay in nonagricultural work. These are outright violations of workers' rights, and the injustices persist despite undeniable success which women have achieved in accessing education and vocational and professional training. We can no longer assume that the women arriving in the job market have fewer skills and less training than men. In spite of numerous international conventions and laws guaranteeing the quality of opportunity and treatment, discrimination between the sexes persists. Women still assume the double burden of family and employment obligations. Women's pay remains lower than that of men; and women remain in the minority in decision-making and managerial posts. The dramatic increase of women in the labor market has driven public opinion and the governments of many countries to acknowledge that they need to fight against these inequalities. The United States Congress needs to be doing more to ensure that our government and those across the globe adopt legislation which represents the real political will that exists to eliminate inequality of opportunity on the basis of gender. We need to pass legislation like the Paycheck Fairness Act, which I introduced in the 107th Congress, to ensure that protections against gender discrimination are enforced. It is a matter of human rights, of social justice, and sustainable economic development to make sure that women are paid in the same way that men in our society are paid.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. I would like to just add a voice to the prior issue that was discussed on the floor, H.R. 182, the Eight-Mile River Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2001. I want to compliment my colleague, the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Simmons) for sponsoring the bill and spearheading the protection effort. The Eight-Mile River is a vast watershed with farms and villages. It is an incredible resource and a treasure that the State of Connecticut has. It was once described as the Nation's best-landscaped sewer, and thanks to hard-fought clean-up and protection efforts over the last 30 years, it has been designated a Last Great Place by the Nature Conservancy. We have made great strides in reversing years of neglect. Much remains to be accomplished. It is seriously endangered by incremental unplanned growth and pollution. What we want to do is to provide the localities there and the communities with the tools they need to balance the needs of conservation and growth to protect this national treasure.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding Connecticut business leader and my dear friend, Paul Polo, who has been honored by the Italian American Historical Society of Greater New Haven with their 12th Annual Distinguished Service Award. Each year, the Italian American Historical Society of Greater New Haven honors members of Connecticut's Italian American community for their service and dedication. The Distinguished Service Award is a reflection of their commitment to the Society and to it's mission-- preserving the culture and heritage of Italian-Americans. Throughout his life, Paul has demonstrated a unique commitment to public service in both his professional and philanthropic efforts. Paul's contributions to the Italian-American community are innumerable. For over four decades, Paul has been a member of the Order Sons of Italy in America, serving as president of the nation's largest and oldest Italian American organization for two years. Under his leadership, the organization raised millions of dollars that was contributed to education, medical research, and social awareness issues. Paul now serves as the president of the Sons of Italy Foundation, where he has again played a crucial role in fund-raising efforts on behalf of a variety of service organizations. In addition to his work on the national stage, Paul is also involved in several organizations in Connecticut. A member of the Knights of Columbus, Elks, Mount Carmel Society, the Chamber of Commerce, and as an organizational representative of the American Society of Association Executives, Paul has dedicated much of his life to making a real difference in the lives of others. An avid political activist, Paul has long been a figure in Washington as well as Connecticut. In 1991, Paul met with former President Bush as a representative from the Order Sons of Italy in America during an Oval Office meeting to discuss initiatives for social equality. In addition, he served on President Bush's policy round table. Former President Bill Clinton named Paul an alternate delegate to the U.S. Small Business Administration. Currently serving as the chairman of this year's Democratic National Convention and co-vice chairman of the Italian American Democratic Leadership Council--an organization which he helped to establish--Paul remains an active participant in public affairs. As a respected business leader, volunteer, an political activist, Paul has left an indelible mark on the State of Connecticut. His commitment and dedication has gone a long way to enrich our communities and strengthen the bonds we share. It is with great pride that I rise today to join his children, Paul Jr., Daniel and Michael; grandchildren, Daniel Jr., Anthony, Philip, Nicole and Emily; family, friends, and colleagues in extending my sincere appreciation and congratulations to Paul Polo for his outstanding service to Connecticut and our great nation.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Chairman, a budget for America should reflect the values of America. It should be realistic. Above all, it should be responsible. It should balance the need for tax cuts for working and middle-class families against the need to provide a world-class education for our children, a Medicare prescription drug benefit for our seniors, and strengthening our national defense. And most of all, America's budget should do nothing to break faith with millions of seniors who rely on Social Security and Medicare, so that they can grow old with respect and the dignity that they so richly deserve. But the Republican budget is neither responsible nor balanced. Based on inflated projections for economic growth, it places a nearly $2 trillion tax cut that benefits largely the wealthy ahead of Medicare, Social Security, education, defense and agriculture. In fact, Republicans spend more on a tax cut just for the wealthiest 1 percent than they spend on nearly every other need in the budget. And worst of all, the leadership budget raids Medicare to pay for this unfair tax cut. With accounting gimmicks to mask the fact that the numbers just do not add up, the Republican budget attempts to hide the fact that it raids Medicare to pay for a tax cut. This is just plain wrong. By dipping into Medicare money to pay for an irresponsible tax cut, the Republicans break faith with millions of our parents and grandparents who rely on Medicare to meet their health care needs. At a time when we should be strengthening Medicare, adding a much-needed prescription drug benefit to it, the Republican budget would shortchange seniors who have paid into Medicare their entire lives. In the end, what happens if all the budget projections are wrong, as they always have been in the past? We are back in a time of budget deficits, debt, higher interest rates, fewer jobs, less growth and a less secure future for our children. This is a time for prudence. This is a time to think about our future and not to repeat past mistakes. We should reject the Republican budget. We should support the Democratic alternative. We ought to provide tax cuts for working middle-class families in this country and not crowd out education and prescription drugs.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today to honor one of New Haven, Connecticut's most treasured residents and my dear friend, Rose Sorrentino, as she celebrates her 80th birthday. Throughout her life, Rose has been an inspiration to all of those who have known her. I have often spoke of the importance of volunteer work and the tremendous impact volunteers have on our communities. When I speak of the time and dedication that they give, I often think of all the good work Rose has done. A founder and past editor of the Bella Vista Reporter, Rose continues to write for the residential publication, ensuring that residents are informed about those issues most important to seniors. Rose has been the President of Bella Vista's 321 Club for over twenty years and she continues to volunteer as a courtesy caller-- making several calls each morning to check on her friends and neighbors. For the past thirty years, Rose has dedicated her energy and enthusiasm to giving a strong voice to the residents of Bella Vista and the elderly. In addition to her work at Bella Vista, Rose has also given her time to numerous local and State committees and service organizations. She continues to be an active member of the Committee on Aging for the State of Connecticut, the Committee Supporters of Hospice, and the Committee of the Elderly for the City of New Haven. Over the course of three decades, Rose has established herself as one of the most vocal advocates for Connecticut's elderly. Rose is known throughout the City of New Haven for her work as Democratic Ward chair for New Haven's 13th Ward. Her vibrancy and fervor is contagious--exhibiting the energy and tenacity one would see in someone more than half her age. Rose's commitment to public service is undeniable and she has certainly left an indelible mark on the local political arena. A mother of four, grandmother of three, and great-grandmother of three, I am continually in awe of the seemingly endless commitment and dedication Rose shows each day. I am proud to stand today and join her children, Penny, Peggy, Ernestine, and Susan, family, friends and community members in extending my sincere thanks and appreciation to Rose Sorrentino for her many contributions to our community. My warmest wishes for many more years of health and happiness. Happy birthday!

Ms. DELAURO

Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, every year, millions of hard-working Americans are injured on the job, men and women who do not have anyone looking out for them. They work two jobs, three jobs. Many do not have health insurance. Many make the minimum wage. They are meat packers, poultry workers, cashiers, assembly line workers, sewing machine operators. My mother was a sewing machine operator. They do the jobs that Members of Congress do not want to do. They are the face that the Republican leadership today does not want us to see. They are the ones who will pay with their livelihood when we roll back these workplace safety rules. In Connecticut, over 11,000 workers suffered workplace injuries in 1998. They were forced to miss one day of work. The cost to Connecticut's economy was $1 billion a year. The President, the Republican leadership have decided that these workers do not deserve basic protections. The Wall Street Journal told us why yesterday. They said that the big industries that bankrolled the Bush campaign have now lined up looking for, and I quote, a return on their investment. That is what this is all about today. That is why we are rolling back worker-safety laws. Stand with the people of America and not with the special interests. Vote against this bill today.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure, though a sad heart, that I pay tribute to an outstanding leader in geriatric medicine and a tremendous asset to the VA Connecticut Health System, Dr. Margaret Drickamer, as she retires from her service to the United States Veterans Administration. It has been nearly fifteen years since Dr. Drickamer first came to the VA Medical Center in West Haven, Connecticut as the Medical Director of the then Nursing Home Care Unit. In that time, Dr. Drickamer has been responsible for the complete reorganization of the department as well as the expansion of services available to Connecticut veterans---making a real difference in lives of many. Today, the section of Geriatrics and Extended Care is a multi-faceted program which provides a continuum of inpatient, outpatient and consultative services. When Dr. Drickamer first came to the VA, she was charged with the oversight of the Nursing Home Care Unit, an inpatient unit which provided long-term, residential nursing care for several dozen veterans. Under her leadership, this small unit has been transformed into a successful continuum of care, including an extended inpatient care unit, a geriatric day hospital program, an expanded geriatrics clinic, a homebased primary care program and a palliative care program. The multitude of services now offered by the Geriatrics and Extended Care section have had an extraordinary impact on thousands of Connecticut veterans. Dr. Drickamer's success can be attributed to her endless commitment to the patients of the Medical Center and the outstanding compassion she demonstrates each day. Each time I visit the Medical Center, I am told by patients how much they depend on Dr. Drickamer, both as their doctor and, more importantly, their friend. Equally important is her dedication to her staff. Their enthusiasm and generosity a reflection of the example she has set for over a decade. Led by her innovative vision, Dr. Drickamer has ensured that Connecticut's veterans are receiving quality care. In addition to her work at the VA Medical Center, Dr. Drickamer is widely recognized for her work as an educator in her field. Articles and abstracts published in the American Journal of Medicine, the New England Journal of Medicine, and the Annals of Internal Medicine are only a few of her many professional accomplishments. She has been honored with a myriad of awards and honors---a true testament to her unparalleled dedication. It is my great honor to join friends and colleagues in thanking Dr. Margaret Drickamer for her many years of service to the West Haven VA Medical Center and our community. Her innumerable efforts on behalf of our country's veterans have left an indelible mark on our nation. My best wishes to you on your future endeavors.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I applaud President Bush for setting a positive tone for the country and for trying to find areas of agreement where we can make progress. I am going to be looking closely and constructively at his proposals in education, prescription drugs and Social Security. While I agree with many of the priorities the President outlined, I am very concerned about his overall budget. It risks the fiscal discipline that has been important to our strong economy, and it fails to make the investments that our families need. The President's tax plan would weaken our economy, and it fails to provide fair and significant tax cuts for those who need it the most. Instead of cutting taxes for working and for middle-class families, the President's budget gives 43 percent of the benefit of his tax cut to just the top 1 percent of wage earners. If we act responsibly, we can have a significant tax cut for all Americans and still meet the Nation's other pressing needs such as education, Social Security, a Medicare prescription drug benefit, and national defense. The President's tax cut, however, makes meeting these needs impossible. We should be able to come together on a fiscally responsible budget that meets the needs of all Americans. While the President's plan does not meet this goal, I look forward to receiving his full budget and working together to do what is right for our country.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I today join the many friends and family members of my dear friend, Isadore Temkin, in extending my warmest wishes as he celebrates his 80th birthday. Throughout his life, he has been an outstanding leader in his community, always demonstrating a deep commitment to public service. Issie, along with his wife Zena, has been actively involved in Connecticut's political arena for over forty-five years. Many of Connecticut's elected officials have benefitted from his support including former Governor Ella T. Grasso, former Senator Abraham Ribicoff, current Senator Christopher Dodd and myself. His invaluable friendship is a tremendous gift we have all cherished. In the many years that I have known Is, I have continually been in awe of the incredible commitment he has to his hometown of Torrington, Connecticut. Though he has never held a public office, there are few that have had a greater impact on this community. For sixty years, he has been at the forefront of every major issue that has faced this eclectic New England city. With an enduring need to enrich this small community, Is was instrumental in the founding of two of the City's most famous treasures. Under the direction of former Parks and Recreation Supervisor Carl Bozenski and Is, the magical charm of Bozenski's Christmas Village came to life. A Christmas tradition for fifty years, this charming village is open only during the month of December offering children a chance to visit with Santa and explore his workshop, complete with elves and live reindeer. As one of the original founders of the Nutmeg Ballet, he helped to bring the love of arts to Litchfield County. Internationally recognized for dance training for twenty years, the Nutmeg also offers instruction in music and drama. Both Christmas Village and the Nutmeg Ballet have become Connecticut landmarks, much in part to Is Temkin's efforts. Throughout his professional career, Is has practiced dentistry in the Torrington community and is continuing to do so today. Serving as a member of the Connecticut State Dental Commission, the regulatory board for dentistry, he ensured that residents received proper care from dentists practicing in Connecticut. Keeping true to his endless efforts to improve his community, he opened a clinic in memory of his brother and brother-in-law, both deceased dentists. For five years, the Dental Clinic at Brooker Memorial has ensured that hundreds of uninsured children are provided with the dental care they need. His unparalleled dedication and compassion is an inspiration to us all. Through his innumerable good works, Is has left an indelible mark on the Torrington community and the State of Connecticut. I am honored to rise today and join his wife Zena, his children; Alan, Nan, and Bruce; family, friends, and colleagues in paying tribute to Isadore Temkin as he celebrates this wonderful occasion. My best wishes for many more years of health and happiness. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I pay tribute today to a man whose tireless efforts have left an indelible mark on the State of Connecticut. Today, after nearly 40 years of dedicated service to the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 478, Wayne Gyenizs will celebrate his retirement. Over the course of his career with IUOE Local 478, Wayne's innumerable contributions have strengthened the voice of tradesmen across the State of Connecticut. One of his most impressive achievements has been the establishment and continued expansion of Local 478's Joint Apprentice Training and Skill Improvement School. Each year, the Joint Apprentice Program provides training, skill enhancement, and refresher courses to over 600 apprentices and journeymen. This program give individuals the ability to acquire a skilled trade and lifetime opportunity--giving working families the sense of contentment that comes with economic independence. As the present of the Local 478 for the past decade. Wayne has provided a unique combination of leadership and commitment that has promoted stability among his membership and in the union's relations with its local employers. In addition to his work with the Local 478, Wayne has been an active voice in local and national labor activities. As a member of the AFL- CIO Executive Board and the State Building and Construction Trades Council Wayne has fought for better wages, more comprehensive health benefits for workers and their families, steady and substantive employment, and safer work environments. He has been a true leader for our working families, giving them a voice during the hardest of economic times. Wayne's generosity and commitment extends beyond his professional contributions. Serving in the U.S. Air Force for 12 years, Wayne dedicated over a decade of his life to protecting the fundamental freedoms we so often take for granted. As a member of the Easter Seals Board of Directors, Wayne has given his time and energy to improving the lives of some of our most vulnerable citizens. Throughout his life, Wayne has demonstrated a unique commitment to public service and to improving our community. I would like to extend my deepest thanks and sincere appreciation to Wayne for his many years of service of working families throughout Connecticut. I am proud to stand today and join his wife, Judy; Sons, Glenn, Garry, and Gregg; family friends; and colleagues in saluting my dear friend, Wayne Gyenizs as he celebrates his retirement. My best wishes for many more years of health and happiness.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the bill, and I want to thank Chairman Young, Mr. Obey, and Chairman Porter for their tireless work in getting us, finally, to this day. They are not to blame for why it took so long, but they deserve our thanks for delivering a bill that, while it is not everything I had hoped, makes a number of critical investments in America's children and health research. Because we worked together, this bill will make the largest single investment in education in a generation, helping reduce class size with funds to renovate and repair 3,500 schools and to hire 8,000 new teachers. And it will help prepare those teachers with a more than 50 percent increase in funding for teacher training. These are important steps toward strengthening America's public schools and make every classroom a place of learning and discipline. Child care also receives a tremendous boost with a 70 percent increase in the Child Care Development Block grant program. By lifting funding to $2 billion, more families will have access to high quality, affordable child care. How much more information do we need about the critical zero to five years of a child's life before we ensure that EVERY child in America will learn and grow in an enriching child care environment. By supporting child care in America--and by providing a nearly $1 billion increase for Head Start--we help ensure that every child in America gets the right start in life. The bill before us will also support a number of organizations in my district that help to make our community stronger and more caring. I am particularly grateful that the Committee chose to support the efforts of Connecticut Children's Hospice, which provides much needed help and care to families and their children in very difficult and tragic times. And because of a bipartisan commitment to health research, this bill keeps us on track to doubling research at the National Institutes of Health with a 14 percent increase this year. That is a tribute to the members of the subcommittee, and particularly, to our chairman, John Porter. He leaves behind a great legacy, and I thank him. We should be proud of the achievements in this bill, but a great deal of work remains. Even with this record investment, too many children and families will not have access to high quality child care. Medical research into chronic disease remains underfunded. Bipartisan legislation to support school modernization efforts with construction bonds should be on this floor. Yet I am pleased with the progress we have made, and I will support the bill. It represents progress, but we can, and should, do more.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise to share the sorrow of my colleagues on the loss of our colleague and our friend Julian Dixon. I am not a Californian. I have not served the length of time in this body that Julian Dixon did. I did sit with him on the Committee on Appropriations. As someone who was senior to me on that committee, I sat and I listened and I observed and I watched him. And when he stood and he spoke, which was not often, he spoke with great authority, he spoke with great dignity, he spoke with great passion and with determination, because he understood, better than most, the potential of this institution and its effect on the lives of people that we represent in this institution. He was never afraid to stand tall and to speak softly or loudly and with great passion about what this institution can mean in the lives of people in this country. For that, I respected and admired and viewed him as a role model. But this institution can often be cold and it can be very impersonal, not only for people outside of it but for people inside of it. And if you needed someone to get some advice from, someone to help you build your own confidence, you could go to Julian Dixon, and he never said no to the time that you might have needed, and to respond to when you extended your hand. He reached out and took your hand, and he always had time to show you the way. He did that for me as a newcomer to this great institution. It is something that I will not forget, and it is something that I will share with his family in telling you how much he meant to those of us who serve here. We send you our thoughts; we send you our prayers. And for those of us who serve, he was someone that we could take heed from, that you should stop and spend a moment of friendship with the people that you serve with and to give to those who do not serve with us the intent that we will stand tall and speak loudly and with determination on your behalf. He will be someone that we sorely miss and someone that I will miss.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to rise today to pay tribute to the Saint Andrew's Society, an extraordinary institution in my hometown of New Haven, Connecticut as they celebrate their 100th Anniversary. Founded in November of 1900, the Saint Andrew's Society quickly became an essential part of our community. In the century since, the group has grown dramatically while retaining its character as an active local force and preserver of tradition. In fact, earlier this year, as a tribute to their invaluable presence in the New Haven community, I was pleased to designate St. Andrew's Society as one of our Local Legacies for the Library of Congress' Bicentennial Project. The members of the St. Andrew society have assumed a critical responsibility--maintaining the Italian heritage that thousands of Greater New Haven residents share. Members meet each month in an effort to lead the historic Wooster Square neighborhood that is the focus for Italian-Americans in New Haven. For as long as I can remember, St. Andrew's has played such an important role in forging the bonds of our community. Some of my fondest memories are of the times that I have spent with the people of St. Andrew's. Each year, St. Andrew's keeps our community spirit alive by organizing an annual feast where we celebrate our traditions, history and culture, bringing memories of ``the old days'' back for all of us. It is through efforts such as these that we renew our history and help pass it along. The generosity of the St. Andrew's Society members extends far beyond our tight-knit community. Over the last century, members have raised millions of dollars to preserve some of our most treasured monuments-- St. Michael's Church, New Haven's oldest Italian Church and the ninth- century Amalfi Cathedral in Italy. It is through such efforts that we remember our history, celebrate our friendships, and continue to strengthen the bonds of our community. Forged through the bonds of family, St. Andrew's Society now includes fifth and sixth generation members and while none of the founding members are with us today, their decedents continue to be active in the society. The invaluable contributions of the Saint Andrew's Society are still apparent today as we gather to celebrate their centennial anniversary. It is with great pride that I stand today to extend my deepest thanks and warmest congratulations to the members of the Saint Andrew Society on their 100th Anniversary.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to pay tribute to a community leader, a philanthropist, a humanitarian, and a great friend, Murray Lender, on the occasion of his 70th birthday. Murray's father, Harry Lender, introduced bagels to the people of this country. Murray continued that tradition as chairman of Lender's Bagel Bakery, the world's largest bagel bakery. He revolutionized the bagel industry when he began the process of freezing bagels in the late 1950s, bringing to life his father's dream of ``a bagel on every table.'' His astute business sense was recognized by the National Frozen Food Association, which inducted him into the Frozen Food Hall of Fame, only the sixth person to be so honored. He also received the International Deli-Bakery Association's Hall of Fame Award and has been selected Man of the Year by numerous industry associations. But these achievements are dwarfed by what Murray has done for the people of Greater New Haven, of Connecticut, and of this country through his myriad of philanthropic and humanitarian works. Murray's efforts in New Haven have truly been exceptional. He and his family have given generously of their time and resources to Quinnipiac University. Murray was given the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1991. His family's efforts have provided students with a top-notch business program that allows students to benefit from the practical knowledge, business acumen, and impressive record of success that Murray and his family have achieved. In 1997, Murray was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from his alma mater, Quinnipiac College. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Quinnipiac, where his contributions to that institution continue. In addition, he serves as co-chair of the Yale University School of Medicine Cardiovascular Research Fund. Murray has also had a tremendous impact on our community through his work with a variety of service organizations including the New Haven Jewish Community Center, the American Heart Association, the Leukemia Society of America and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. While he built an incredibly successful business, Murray contributed not just money but, more notably, his time, to these worthy efforts. Murray has also been an active member of our nation's Jewish community, participating in numerous events, contributing time and financial resources, and forwarding the cause of peace in the Middle East. The Anti-Defamation League has bestowed upon him its highest honor, the Torch of Liberty Award, in recognition of a profound record of public service. In every way, Murray has been an outstanding citizen and community member. He serves as a role model to us all. He has had a profound effect on our community and our nation. I am honored to stand today and join his brother, Marvin; his children, Harris, Carl and Jay; along with other family members and friends; in wishing him many more years of health and happiness. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MURRAY!

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I pay tribute to a community leader, a philanthropist, a humanitarian, and a great friend, Murray Lender, on the occasion of his 70th birthday. Murray's father, Harry Lender, introduced bagels to the people of this country. Murray continued that tradition as chairman of Lender's Bagel Bakery, the world's largest bagel bakery. He revolutionized the bagel industry when he began the process of freezing bagels in the late 1950s, bringing to life his father's dream of ``a bagel on every table.'' His astute business sense was recognized by the National Frozen Food Association, which inducted him into the Frozen Food Hall of Fame, only the sixth person to be so honored. He also received the International Deli-Bakery Association's Hall of Fame Award and has been selected Man of the Year by numerous industry associations. But these achievements are dwarfed by what Murray has done for the people of Greater New Haven, of Connecticut, and of his country through his myriad of philanthropic and humanitarian works. Murray's efforts in New Haven have truly been exceptional. He and his family have given generously of their time and resources to Quinnipiac University. Murray was given the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1991. His family's efforts have provided students with a top-notch business program that allows students to benefit from the practical knowledge, business acumen, and impressive record of success that Murray and his family have achieved. In 1997, Murray was awarded an honoray Doctorate of Humane Letters from his alma mater, Quinnipiac College. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Quinnipiac, where his contributions to that institution continue. In addition, he serves as co-chair of the Yale University School of Medicine Cardiovascular Research Fund. Murray has also had a tremendous impact on our community through his work with a variety of service organizations including the New Haven Jewish Community Center, the American Heart Association, the Leukemia Society of America and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. While he built an incredibly successful business, Murray contributed not just money but, more notably, his time, to these worthy efforts. Murray has also been an active member of our nation's Jewish community, participating in numerous events, contributing time and financial resources, and forwarding the cause of peace in the Middle East. The Anti-Defamation League has bestowed upon him its highest honor, the Torch of Liberty Award, in recognition of a profound record of public service. In every way, Murray has been an outstanding citizen and community member. He serves as a role model to us all. He has had a profound effect on our community and our nation. I am honored to join his brother, Marvin; his sons, Harris, Carl and Jay; along with other family members and friends; in wishing him many more years of health and happiness. Happy birthday Murray.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, the fact of the matter is that we have spent 2 years here, 2 years; and the majority in this House that told us the trains were going to run on time, the train has crashed into the barrier here because they have not been able to have the trains run on time. We did pass in this House a bipartisan bill for a Patients' Bill of Rights. We passed a bipartisan bill for campaign finance reform. We have bipartisan agreement on common sense gun safety legislation. We could have done something about a Medicare prescription drug benefit where all of our seniors were covered. The very fact of the matter is that the Republican leadership of this House is in the pocket of the special interests, refuses to pass any of this legislation, could not pass all of their appropriations bills, cannot get a budget off the ground, and do not know what to do to get out of here. They do not have a program; and if they had a program, they cannot get themselves organized to get it passed in this body. A failed Congress by any sense of the imagination.