Anna Eshoo

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, 56 years ago Lt. Hank Sciaroni led a group of U.S. troops through hostile Nazi territory after his bomber crash- landed on an Italian beach. His heroics went unrecognized until December 18, 2000 when he was finally honored for his valor with the Bronze Star. On October 20, 1944, when Lt. Sciaroni realized that his B-24 Liberator bomber wasn't going to make it back, he told his pilot to crash land on the Italian beach below because he knew that the B-24 was a heavy plane that would sink before the crew could get out. It was not the only time Lt. Sciaroni would have to think quickly. After the wheels-up crash landing, Lt. Sciaroni took command of one of the three groups created by the downed crew members. For the next two weeks Lt. Sciaroni used his training, his quick thinking and his ability to speak italian not only to evade capture and get his group back to safety, but to collect vital intelligence along the way. The other two groups of crew members were captured by German forces. Lt. Sciaroni would have been recommended for a medal, but by the time he made it back to his squadron his commanding officer who would have nominated him had been killed in action. Lt. Sciaroni went back into action and served out the War. When I became aware of this war time story, I committed myself to secure the honor which had evaded this young and brave Lieutenant for 56 years. While it is extremely rare for medals to be awarded so long after an episode has occurred, we searched the military archives for crew reports. Fortunately, Hank Sciaroni had saved a copy of a report the frontline unit made when he reached friendly forces. After petitioning the U.S. Army, they granted our request and Hank Sciaroni was finally honored. Mr. Speaker, it is a great privilege to honor Hank Sciaroni with the Bronze Star. He represents the collective courage many of our soldiers displayed during WWII and we are a grateful and better nation because of him.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I wish today to celebrate the life of a distinguished American and a beloved Californian, Brigadier General Homer A. Boushey, USAF (Retired). Brigadier General Boushey died on December 22, 2000, at the age of 91. He was a native of San Francisco and a graduate of Stanford University. He enlisted as a flying cadet at Randolph Field, Texas, where he became interested in Robert H. Goddard's studies of extreme altitude flying. He flew a postal route between Cleveland and Newark in an open cockpit bi-plane, and then returned to San Francisco where he flew bi-planes from Crissy Field. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroism in bringing in a Douglas 0-46 with damage to both ailerons and the main wing spar. With the outbreak of World War II, Boushey was assigned to a P-40 Pursuit Group, but was soon transferred to Research and Development to work on the development of jet engines and was instrumental in the development of the revolutionary Lockheed P-80. His life history is a litany of ``firsts'' and of honors bestowed. He commanded the first U.S. jet fighter group, and held briefly the ``over-water'' air speed record. He was listed in the Aerospace Museum's 1959 Laureates Hall of Fame for his efforts on behalf of a military space program and he was invited to the President's Astronauts' Dinner after the successful moon landing. Brigadier General Boushey, an ardent advocate of a strong national defense, was an early opponent to U.S. involvement in Vietnam, the arms race and nuclear proliferation. He sponsored California's Nuclear Freeze Initiative in 1982 and in June 2000, he was a signatory to the Global Security Institute's Joint Nuclear Reduction/Disarmament Statement. After his retirement, in addition to pursuing his hobbies of tennis and inventing, he supported his wife in her career as a Councilwoman and Mayor of Portola Valley. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring this great and good man whom I was proud to represent and to call my friend. I ask my colleagues to also join me in extending my deepest sympathy to Homer's beloved wife, Eleanor, and his children Annette, Helen, Boyd and Homer, Jr. We are indeed a better nation and a better people because of him.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, the Congress was set to vote on a historic resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide but it was pulled because the lobbying power of the Turkish Government has once again stifled it. Opponents have argued that passage of this resolution would severely jeopardize United States-Turkey relations. This resolution is not an indictment of the current Turkish Government nor is it a condemnation of any current leader of Turkey. It is an acknowledgment of genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire almost a century ago. In 1915, 1.5 million women, children, and men were killed and the Ottoman Empire forcibly deported 500,000 Armenians during an 8-year reign of brutal repression. Armenians were deprived of their homes, their dignity, and ultimately their lives. Yet America, the greatest democracy and land of freedom, has not made an official statement regarding the Armenian Genocide. I am dismayed and angered by this hypocrisy and I will not rest until this resolution passes the Congress. The Armenian Genocide has been acknowledged by countries and international bodies such as Argentina, Belgium, Canada, the Council of Europe, Cyprus, the European Parliament, France, Great Britain, Greece, Lebanon, Russia, the United Nations and Uruguay. All of these countries and organizations believed that recognizing this resolution out-weighed any potential repercussion from Turkey. We should be part of this honor roll of nations and organizations. Mr. Speaker, as the only Member of Congress of Armenian and Assyrian descent, I am very proud of my heritage. I sat at the knees of my grandparents and elders as they told their stories of hardship and suffering endured by so many at the hands of the Ottoman Empire. That is how I came to this understanding and this knowledge and why I bring this story to the House of Representatives. It is important to appreciate fully that the Armenian people have made great contributions to our nation. They have distinguished themselves in the arts, in law, in academics, in every walk of life and they continue to make significant contributions in communities across our country today. It is time, Mr. Speaker, that Congress begin to heal the wounds of the past. It's critically important for our nation to acknowledge what happened, but also as a nation it is important to understand that we are teaching present and future generations of the Armenian Genocide. In closing, I want to express my gratitude to the Armenian community for their hard work on this resolution. This work is not in vain because we've brought the genocide into our nation's consciousness against great odds. In another Congress, in another time, we shall complete this effort and I shall do everything I can to see that this resolution and all it represents will be the official expression of our nation.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a proud American and distinguished Californian, the Honorable Aram Severian, on the occasion of his retirement from the Superior Court of San Mateo County, CA. Aram Severian began his career in private practice, but soon moved to public judicial work. He became deputy district attorney of San Mateo County in 1971 and commissioner of the San Mateo County Superior Court in 1976. In December 1986, Governor George Deukmejian appointed Aram Severian to the San Mateo County Municipal Court. In 1989, he became the presiding judge and in December of that year, Governor Deukmejian again recognized Judge Aram Severian and appointed him to the Superior Court in San Mateo County. He has served with distinction as the presiding judge of the Superior Court since 1994. Judge Aram Severian has generously donated his personal time and energy to community service throughout his life. He served as director of the United Cerebral Palsy Foundation of San Mateo, coached Little League baseball in Foster City and he has been the chairman of the Parish Council at his Armenian Apostolic Church. Time and again Judge Aram Severian has given of himself and his talents for the betterment of our community. Aram Severian has an exceptional partner in life in Hasma Severian, who in her own right is a highly regarded member of our community, and is respected for her years of important advocacy and volunteerism and who today, remains devoted to the Redwood City Library. They are the proud parents of three grown children, Michael, Linda and Lisa. Judge Aram Severian's life of community leadership and public service is instructive to us all. His dedication to the ideals of democracy and his record of wise and fair adjudication stands tall, and it is therefore fitting that he is being honored on the occasion of his retirement from the Superior Court of San Mateo County. So today, Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues, to join me in honoring this great and good man whom I'm proud to call my friend for over 30 years. We are indeed a better country and a better people because of him.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a distinguished American who has been honored with the AMVETS Silver Helmet Americanism Award, Lincoln S. Tamraz. Lincoln S. Tamraz has been an active member of AMVETS for over 50 years. He has held numerous leadership positions, including being elected national commander of AMVETS. He worked successfully to establish the Assyrian American AMVETS Post No. 5. Mr. Tamraz is serving his second term as national president of the Past Association of National Commanders. In addition to his extraordinary leadership of AMVETS, Mr. Tamraz has also dedicated himself to spreading the ideals of the American flag. He has been an active member of the AMVETS Flag Day committee where he has assisted with the establishment of the Avenue of Flags, which places flags on the graves of veterans in Illinois cemeteries. He has also tirelessly worked to ensure that Chicago public schools receive an American flag each year. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Lincoln S. Tamraz and his superb leadership and patriotism of over half a century. I am exceedingly proud to know him and honor him for making our country a better place for all.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, when we passed the H-1B legislation recently, it was my deep regret that Congress missed an opportunity to grant long-awaited parity to certain groups of immigrants in our country. Today I rise to speak against the measure currently before us because we're heading for another missed opportunity. Significant portions of our Nation's population have been living, working, and raising families in the United States for many years. But they've been living in legal limbo, fearing deportation, because they were wrongly denied legal status to which they were entitled and which they qualified for in the 1980's Another group of immigrants has also been treated unfairly. In 1996 and 1997 Congress gave Nicaraguans and Cubans the opportunity to become permanent residents, but thousands of refugees from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Haiti were left with only temporary residency status. This group deserves the same opportunity to obtain American citizenship. The remedy for these problems, the Latino Fairness and Immigration Act, has been kept out of the Commerce, Justice and State appropriations bill. The Act is based on our country's basic tenet that people in similar situations should be treated equitably. It would keep immigrant families united through restoration of Section 245(i) of the INS Code. It would reward them for their hard work and recognize that they've paid their taxes and made other contributions to this country. It would also establish legal parity for all refugees who fled political turmoil in the 1990s. It is important to state that because of past congressional action and bureaucratic bungling, some who were eligible for a legalization program enacted in 1986 are now U.S. citizens, while others are facing deportation. If we pass the Latino Immigration and Fairness Act, we'd be rewarding people who have played by the rules, telling them that the U.S. Government is willing to correct its mistakes of the past, keep their families united and exercise fairness. What we're simply asking for is that a correction be made to an acknowledged wrong. Congress has taken this sort of action numerous times in the past when it has acted to legalize the residency of those who have been in America for many years. This fair remedy is long overdue. What has been brought to the floor is an incomplete, inadequate measure that rewards some and denies others. Its inadequacy and unfairness falls short of what we stand for as a nation and what in the name of fairness should be done. I ask my colleagues to reject the C-J-S appropriations bill for these reasons and instead support the Latino Fairness and Immigration Act.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 650, which encourages the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to make public its findings and recommendations regarding the electricity crisis in California. While I have no substantive objection to H. Res. 650, I'm disappointed that the Majority party failed to bring forward comprehensive electricity legislation this Congress which would help prevent another crisis next year. According to industry figures, power transactions across the national grid have jumped from 200,000 transactions in 1997 to over 1.5 million projected for this year. Reliability of energy, therefore, is likely to get worse without comprehensive action. We must have open and non-discriminatory access to transmission lines. We must ensure the reliability of the electricity market. And we must take action to stem the threat to stable prices caused by market manipulation If the leadership of this Congress had been willing to take a first step, we could have considered H.R. 4941, the National Electric Reliability Act, which I'm proud to cosponsor. The bill would create an independent organization to ensure the reliability of the interstate transmission grids. This legislation has already passed the Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support. Yet this House failed to consider any of these measures. Now it's likely that price spikes, power market abuses, and reliability problems will continue, especially in my state and in places like San Diego where there have been such problems. What a dismal outcome. Mr. Speaker, I support this resolution. For those who come from states who haven't yet felt the impact of higher energy prices, the failure of this House to take meaningful steps to ensure reliable electricity, prevent price spikes, and protect against market power abuses in the electricity market will come home to your state and your constituents as well. Mark my words. We'll be back here next Congress in a crisis mode because of the House leadership's failure to take on the hard challenges this issue confronts us with.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, today I honor an outstanding American, a devoted husband, a loving father, an exceedingly proud grandfather and a superb friend on the occasion of his 80th birthday--Frank Koplowitz. Born in New Britain, Connecticut on October 17, 1920, Frank has dedicated much of his life serving to our nation in the Air Force. Upon graduating from high school, he began studying airplane engine mechanics. He received his wings and graduated as a Second Lieutenant after his training at the University of Montana in Missoula and subsequent training in Santa Ana, California. During World War II, he was sent to overseas to England where he flew 37 missions as a bombardier with the 486th B.G. of B17s. On his 22nd mission, he was shot down over France and despite head injuries and a hospital stay, he requested that he be returned to his crew to finish his missions. He was awarded the D.F.C. and the Air Medal with six Clusters. Frank continued his service in the Air Force Reserve for 26 years and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. In addition to his service to our nation, he is a respected businessman who was in the jewelry manufacturing business for over fifty years. Today he remains active in many charitable organizations such as the Masonic Order and the City of Hope. Mr. Speaker, Frank Koplowitz is an authentic American hero, a distinguished member of our community and an individual who is genuinely loved and admired by everyone who has met him and knows him. It's a privilege to have the opportunity to pay tribute to him on the occasion of his eightieth birthday and to recognize him for his profound contributions to our nation. We are indeed a better country because of him.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, due to a family emergency, I was not able to vote during consideration of rollcall votes 500-530. Had I been present, I would have voted: ``yea'' on rollcall numbers 500-505, 507-518, 520-523, 525-528, and 530; ``no'' on rollcall numbers 506, 519, 524, 529.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a patriotic American and a distinguished leader in the labor movement, Thomas J. Sweeney. A native and lifelong resident of Oakland, California, Tom Sweeney was the devoted husband of Ann-Marie Sweeney for 51 years, the father of Susan Eldridge and the proud grandfather of four, including Teo and Michelle Eldridge. He served ably as Local 595's Business Manager, as an officer of IBEW's International Executive Council, as a Commissioner of the Port of Oakland and as President of the Building Trades Council. When Tom Sweeney's life ended on August 11, 2000, at the age of 78, he had raised his family, served his community, succeeded at providing countless opportunities for generations of working Americans and made his beloved nation a much better place. It is an honor for me to pay tribute to this good man and I ask Mr. Speaker, that my colleagues join me in offering our condolences to the family of Tom Sweeney and pay tribute to a life lived so well.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor Betsy Crowder, a well-known and loved constituent who distinguished herself in so many ways and whose life was cut short on September 29, 2000. Born in Boston, Betsy Crowder's love and appreciation for the environment developed early on when her parents would take their four daughters on camping trips in Canada during the summer. She met her late husband Dwight in 1949, when they were both members of the Stanford University Alpine Club and they were married a year later. In 1960, the Crowders built a home in Portola Valley and became very active in local conservation issues. Betsy Crowder served on numerous County and local advisory committees for land use and trails including the Portola Valley Conservation Committee, the San Mateo County Trails Advisory Committee, the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council, the San Mateo County Bikeways Advisory Committee, the Committee for Green Foothills and the Planning and Conservation League. Betsy Crowder also served as a Planning Commissioner for Portola Valley from 1972 to 1977 and as an environmental planner for the City of Palo Alto from 1972 to 1980. Since 1989, she was a member of the elected Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD), including two years as President of the Board in 1993 and 1998. During her tenure on the Board, MROSD's lands grew from 32,000 acres to 43,000 acres and she was a very active member on MROSD's Coastal Advisory Commission for the District's plan to annex the San Mateo County Coast. Mr. Speaker, Betsy Crowder was an exceptionally kind and selfless woman dedicated to her family, her community and her country. Her tireless commitment and stewardship of the environment inspired everyone. She lives on through her two children, two grandchildren, three sisters, 15 nieces and nephews, and through all of us who were blessed to be part of her life. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to a uniquely wonderful woman who lived a life of purpose and to extend our deepest sympathy to her daughters, Wendy and Anne, and the entire Crowder family.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support S. 2311, the Ryan White Care Act Amendments of 2000. Enactment of this legislation will truly make a difference in people's lives. The Ryan White CARE Act, without question, was the most important legislation Congress has ever enacted for people living with HIV and AIDS. Every year, CARE Act funds provide lifesaving medical and social services for tens of thousands of uninsured and underinsured Americans battling these devastating diseases. AIDS medications, viral load testing, treatment education, and case management are just a few of the essential support services provided by federal CARE Act dollars. Each of the programs created under the CARE Act services a specific need yet, combined, they make up the health care and social service safety net of last resort. Since it's creation in 1990, reliability and stability have been the two cornerstones of the Ryan White law. When we passed the House version of the reauthorization in July, I spoke out against a provision that ran directly contrary to this safety net principle. A 25 percent reduction in the ``hold harmless'' that was part of the original House bill would have caused a rapid destabilization of systems of care in the Bay Area and potentially around the country. I fought that provision and I'm so pleased that the bill before us today includes a more equitable formula that reflects the changing face of the disease without gutting funding to any one Eligible Metropolitan Area (EMA). More people than ever are living with HIV/AIDS and the CARE Act must keep pace with the increasing demands. When the CARE Act was passed in 1990, there were 155,619 AIDS cases. In 1996, there were 481,234 cases. Today, America has 733,374 recorded cases of HIV/AIDS. AIDS is the leading cause of death among African Americans between the ages of 25- 44 and the second leading cause of death among Latinos in the same age group. HIV/AIDS are still very much with us and we must ensure that all those infected get the medical and social services they need to live longer, more productive lives. And that's exactly what's been happening. Access to new medications and treatments, such as combination antiretroviral therapies, has significantly lengthened the life expectancy of people with HIV/AIDS. People with AIDS are living longer and those with HIV aren't progressing as quickly to full-blown AIDS. Thankfully, it's no longer necessarily a death sentence. This, in turn, underscores the increasing need for services. As people live longer, their dependence on CARE Act programs greatly increases; hence, the importance of reauthorizing the Ryan White Act. So, I thank my colleagues, Senators Kennedy and Jeffords and Representatives Brown, Waxman and Coburn, and their staffs, for their work on S. 2311 and for their dedication to reauthorizing the CARE Act this year. It's a good bill that will do wonderful things for people across this country. I urge my colleagues' enthusiastic support.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I'm proud to join my colleague from North Carolina, Representative Burr, in sponsoring H.R. 1795--legislation to create a new Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering at NIH. Dramatic advances in bioimaging and bioengineering have revolutionized medical practice in recent years. New noninvasive imaging techniques, such as Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT), have paved the way for earlier detection and diagnosis of disease, dramatically improving the quality of treatment. But, the next generation of breakthroughs will be longer in coming, or may not come at all, unless we modernize the structure at NIH. The MRI and CT were not developed here in the United States. The lack of a dedicated research effort makes us rely on other countries for breakthroughs in medical imaging and bioengineering. H.R. 1795 ensures the continued and rapid development of new diagnostic technologies by creating an independent research institute at NIH focused specifically on medical imaging and bioengineering. Establishment of a National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering will reduce duplication, lay the foundation for a new medical information age, and provide a structure to train young researchers who will make the breakthrough discoveries of the next century. At a time when Congress has committed to doubling the NIH budget, we must ensure that research dollars are expended more efficiently and effectively and that the fields of medical science that have contributed the most to the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease receive appropriate emphasis. This is the goal and the effect of H.R. 1795 and I urge the support of the full House.

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me the time. Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to join with the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Burr) in this very important effort, and I salute him for his leadership. I am pleased to have partnered with him, because I think this is a very important idea for the people of our country. So I am very, very proud of being the chief Democratic sponsor on H.R. 1795. This legislation, as Members have already heard, creates a new institute, a Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, at NIH. Dramatic advances in both of these areas have really revolutionized medical practice in recent years. New noninvasive imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging, MRI, and those three letters are mentioned with all the familiarity of patients across the country and many, many people speak of going in for an MRI; and also computed tomography, or CTs. These have both paved the way for earlier detection and diagnosis of diseases, and they have dramatically improved the quality of treatment for so many people across our country. But the next generation of breakthroughs, Mr. Speaker, will be longer in coming, or they may not come at all unless we modernize the structure at NIH. The MRI and the CT, I was really taken aback to learn that they were not developed in the United States. The lack of a dedicated research effort in our country has forced the greatest country in the world really to be relying on other countries for breakthroughs in medical imaging and bioengineering. And that really is the basis and the intent of the bill to change this. H.R. 1795 ensures the continued and rapid development of new diagnostic technologies by creating an independent research institute at NIH which is focused specifically on medical imaging and bioengineering. Establishment of a National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering will reduce duplication, it will lay the foundation for a new medical information age, and it will provide a structure to train young researchers who will make the breakthrough discoveries for the rest of this very new and promising century. At a time when the Congress is committed to doubling the NIH budget, we must ensure that research dollars are expended more efficiently and more effectively and that the field of medical science that has contributed the most to the detection, the diagnosis, and the treatment of disease receives appropriate emphasis. I am very fond of saying that the NIH represents our national institutes of hope. And I think that with this legislation we extend that hope in an area that really holds a great deal of promise not only for the genius of America but how that genius is applied to the betterment of our people and for the breakthroughs that they are counting on to be made to fight the war of diseases that have not yet been conquered. So, again, I want to compliment my colleague, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Burr), and everyone that has joined this effort. I think it is a worthy one, and I urge all of my colleagues to support it.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this legislation to exempt the widows of the Hmong veterans from certain citizenship requirements. The Hmong are a mountain people mainly found in southern China and northern areas of Burma, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. Beginning in the 1950s, Hmong soldiers fought the communist Pathet Lao movement in Laos and later assisted U.S. forces during the Vietnam War. The Hmong aided U.S. forces, collected intelligence, rescued downed American pilots, protected sensitive U.S. military installations monitoring the Ho Chi Minh Trail and tied down an estimated 50,000 North Vietnamese troops in Laos. When the war ended, the Pathet Lao took power in Laos and persecuted and imprisoned many of the Hmong allies of the United States. The Hmong come from a tribal society that, until recently, had no written language and many have found it difficult to naturalize because of their difficulty in learning English. This legislation would exempt them from this difficult requirement. Currently this same exemption has been given to those men and their spouses who served with a special unit, operating from a base in Laos in support of the U.S. military. It is time to extend this same exemption to the widows of these men. This is a great step for the widows who were not covered under the Hmong Veterans' Naturalization Act. The Hmong have faced insurmountable odds with the English language portion of the citizenship exam. This bill provides a needed form of relief in the citizenship process by exempting the widows from that portion of the exam. Mr. Speaker, these women are the same spouses of men who sacrificed everything to help us. Many of their husbands gave their lives to save U.S. pilots and other Americans. They fought side-by-side with the U.S. forces and then lost everything. This legislation represents what the Congress can do to provide for the widows of these brave men.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. I rise today in support of this Resolution which commends both groups for their progress towards implementing the Good Friday Peace Accords. This momentous peace agreement is just the first of many difficult steps that must be taken to ensure equality. The Peace Accords created an Independent Commission to make recommendations on the Northern Island policing forces. This Resolution urges the swift implementation of the recommendations of the Independent Commission. The Independent Commission calls for further integration of Catholics into the policing force to 16% in four years and 30% in ten years and for new badge and symbols free of the British or Irish states. It also includes a dramatic reduction in the size of the force from 11,400 to 7,500 full-time personnel. These recommendations are vital to the long-term stability of the peace agreement. It is crucial that the policing force somewhat represent the community that it is meant to protect. The Royal Ulster Constabulary is 92% Protestant and serves a community comprised of 56% Protestant and 42% Catholic. Mr. Speaker, Belfast is the last city in Europe to be divided by a wall. Let's take an important step and pass this Resolution to begin the movement for equality.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Charles R. Trimble, former C.E.O. and Chairman of Trimble Navigation, who is receiving the American Electronics Association's (AEA) forty-seventh Medal of Achievement for his leadership in advancing and commercializing global positioning system (GPS) solutions. Charles Trimble exemplifies the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit for which Silicon Valley is internationally recognized. In 1978, Charles Trimble left the comfort and security of Hewlett-Packard, where he helped develop significant scientific achievements in signal processing, high-speed analog-to-digital converters, and digital time measurement techniques, to establish his own start-up company, Trimble Navigation. Once housed in an old, reconstructed theater, Trimble Navigation now has 23 offices in 15 countries and annual revenues that exceed $270 million. It was the first publicly held company engaged solely in developing and distributing GPS solutions. His business acumen and success persuaded INC Magazine to name him ``Entrepreneur of the Year'' in 1991. During his 20-year tenure at Trimble Navigation, Charles Trimble democratized the use of GPS technology, putting it into the hands of different constituencies that have employed GPS products in ways not originally imagined. Trimble's GPS technology now accompanies pilots in the air, climbers on Mount Everest, farmers in the Mid-West and merchants at sea. Trimble's products have increased the accuracy of scientific research, hygrographic surveying and even golf course construction. Charles Trimble's ability to communicate his vision is the source of Trimble Navigation's great success. For his work, he earned the 1996 Kershner Award and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics' 1994 Piper General Aviation Award. But Charles Trimble is more than just a voice for his company--he is also a voice for his industry. Since 1996, Charles Trimble has served as Chairman of the United States GPS Industry Council, unifying the industry behind a common message to policy makers, industry officials and the media. Charles Trimble's expertise and influence extend beyond the GPS industry. He sat on the Vice President's Space Policy Advisory Board's task group exploring the future of the U.S. Space Industrial Base for the National Space Council. He is an elected member of the National Academy of Engineering. Charles Trimble was also a member of the Board of Governors for the National Center for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and a Member of the Council on Foreign Relations. AEA's Medal of Achievement award recognizes that behind all great scientific achievements are exceptional people. I join the Silicon Valley community and the electronics industry in recognizing Charles Trimble as one of the remarkable individuals that has shaped the direction of this new economy and this new era of technological advancement. I ask my colleagues, Mr. Speaker, to join me in honoring this great and good man whom I am proud to know and represent. We are indeed a better nation and a better people because of him.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, due to illness, I was not able to vote during consideration of rollcall 46-476. Had I been present, I would have voted: ``aye'' on rollcall numbers 460-465, 469, 471-472 and 475; ``no'' on rollcall numbers 466-468, 470, 473-474, and 476.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a proud American and distinguished Californian, Supervisor Mary Griffin, on the occasion of her retirement from the San Mateo County, California Board of Supervisors. Mary Griffin began her public service career in 1976 when she was elected to the Millbrae City Council. She served two terms as Mayor of Millbrae, from 1980 to 1981 and from 1984 to 1985. Mary Griffin continued her service to the people of Millbrae until she was elected to the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors in 1987. In 1988 and 1992, Mary served as Vice President of the Board, and in 1989 and 1993 she served as President of the Board. Mary Griffin has represented San Mateo County as a member of the Association of Bay Area Governments which works to solve problems in such diverse areas as transportation, housing, economic development, and infrastructure. Her leadership skills led to her being elected Vice President and President of ABAG in 1989 and 1991. She has worked on numerous Commissions to improve the state of transportation in San Mateo County, including the San Mateo County Transportation Authority Board, the Service Authority for Freeways & Expressways, the Regional Airport Planning Commission, and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. Supervisor Mary Griffin is known for her dedicated work on issues relating to aviation and the airports of San Mateo County. She is a representative on the Airport/Community Roundtable where she was instrumental in securing $650,000 in federal funds to insulate 45 homes against airport noise generated by San Francisco International Airport. She has also served as a member of the Airport Land Use Committee which addresses airport and land use compatibility for the Half Moon Bay Airport, the San Carlos Airport, and San Francisco International Airport. Supervisor Mary Griffin has worked tirelessly on behalf of the children of San Mateo County, improving services and programs on their behalf. As the child of a widow who worked for minimum wage, Mary Griffin has been unswerving in her advocacy to ensure that every child receives good healthcare, childcare and an improved quality of life. In 1987 she founded the Share-a-Bear Program which benefits abused and neglected children. She founded and chairs the Children's Executive Council, a first in San Mateo County history. Mary Griffin is the loving wife of Walter Ramseur, a retired United Airlines Pilot. They are the proud parents of three and grandparents of four. Mary Griffin is widely admired for her boundless energy, her effective work and her broad knowledge of every aspect of local government. Supervisor Mary Griffin's life of community leadership and public service is instructive to us all. Her dedication to the ideals of democracy and community service stands tall. It is therefore fitting that she is being honored on the occasion of her retirement from the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors. So today, Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues, to join me in honoring this great and good woman whom I'm proud to call my friend and my colleague. We are indeed a better County, a better Country and a better people because of her.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great Californian and a distinguished American, John McInerney, on the occasion of his retirement from the San Mateo County Bar Association. On July 3, 1967, John McInerney began his career at the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office as a Deputy District Attorney I. He excelled in this position and was subsequently promoted to Deputy District Attorney II in 1968. John McInerney then joined the Law Office of Ragan & Maguire in 1969, where he continued to work as a dedicated attorney and as an advocate for his clients. On July 3, 1971, John McInerney began his work for the San Mateo County Bar Association where he served as the Assistant Administrator of the Private Defender Program. He demonstrated his dedication, skill, and knowledge for the next nine years in this position and on October 1, 1980, he was promoted to the position of Administrator. He subsequently was appointed Executive Director of the San Mateo County Bar Association and Administrator of its Private Defender Program in 1983, and has held this position until his retirement on June 30th of this year. John McInerney has worked tirelessly to assist the lawyers of the Private Defender Program in providing excellent and uncompromising legal assistance to all residents of San Mateo County. John McInerney's life of leadership is instructive to us all. His dedication to the ideals of democracy and community service stand tall. It is fitting that he is being honored upon the occasion of his retirement from the San Mateo County Bar Association, and I ask my colleagues, Mr. Speaker, to join me in honoring this great and good man whom I am proud to call my friend. We are indeed a better County, a better Country and a better people because of him.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a distinguished American and proud Californian, Dr. Robert Drewes, in recognition of his extraordinary courage in saving the life of Abby Csaplar. In April, 2000, Dr. Robert Drewes was leading a 24 member California Academy of Sciences trip to Africa. One stop on the trip was the 360- foot high Victoria Falls where the accident occurred. Abby Csaplar was attempting to take a photograph of the Falls when she slipped on a rock and fell over the edge. She grabbed onto a bush, which prevented her immediate death and stopped her fall. Dr. Robert Drewes instantly dropped his pack and climbed down the side of the cliff in order to assist Abby Csaplar. Once he reached her, he supported her weight and helped her sit on a small six-inch ledge until help arrived. Victoria Falls park rangers brought a rope that was first secured to Abby Csaplar and then Dr. Robert Drewes, pulling them to safety. Dr. Robert Drewes acted selflessly and with great courage, reacting in a moment with extreme courage and saving the life of another individual. It is fitting that Dr. Drewes is being honored for this extraordinary act of bravery, and I ask my colleagues, Mr. Speaker, to join me in honoring this great and good man. We are indeed a better county, a better Country and a better people because of him.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the State of California and the innovations of its 14th Congressional District. California has numerous historical landmarks, but only one is a garage in Palo Alto where the technological revolution was born. A plaque proclaims this The Birthplace of Silicon Valley. In 1938, William R. Hewlett and David Packard rented a garage to found a fledgling electronic business and it was here that they produced their first commercial audio oscillator, an instrument that generates audio frequencies used by the broadcast and entertainment industries to test sound quality. Orders soon began to pour in from companies such as Walt Disney, and the Hewlett-Packard Company was born. By the end of 1939, sales had soared to almost $5,000 a year, and Hewlett-Packard was forced to abandon the garage for more spacious quarters to house their rapidly expanding company. Within 20 years Hewlett-Packard was manufacturing over 370 electronic products and in 1972, H-P introduced the first of its hand-held calculators which would cement the company's place in the forefront of the electronics industry. The company, of course, also manufactures computers and by 1994, H-P's sales in computer products, service, and support were almost $20 billion, or about 78% of its total business. The garage where Hewlett-Packard began still remains and is a reminder of how great inventions and companies can spring from humble origins. The 14th Congressional District has become the heart of a booming technological revolution that continues to change the world in which we live and expand the boundaries of human and scientific accomplishment. I'm proud to represent this distinguished district and I ask my colleagues, Mr. Speaker, to join me in honoring the 150th anniversary of the State of California.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, when I was first elected to Congress in 1992, I promised my constituents that I would do everything in my power to abstain from the spending spree that had run up the largest budget deficit in American history. I consistently voted against irresponsible spending bills and for legislation to balance the budget and bring our fiscal house back to order. Today, we're reaping the benefits of our fiscal restraint. We are now in our third year of budget surpluses and unprecedented economic progress. The United States is enjoying the longest economic expansion in history, the lowest poverty rate in twenty years, and the lowest unemployment rate since the 1970s. Whereas in 1992 we suffered under the weight of a $290 billion budget deficit, today we are buoyed by a $211 billion surplus. And yet, it seems that our Republican colleagues have forgotten the lessons we learned just eight short years ago and are spending the surpluses as fast as they come in. Last year, the Republicans tried to enact their tax cut agenda at a cost of $929 billion over 10 years. This sweeping bill failed because it was obvious that such a large package shoved aside all other priorities and put the nation's fiscal health in jeopardy. This year, Republicans have devised a more clever political strategy of breaking up their tax agenda, allowing them to focus attention on the same attractions of each part of their agenda while obscuring the total cost. But the cost is the same. So far this year, Republicans have pushed through tax cuts that would eat up $739 billion of the budget surpluses. When you add this to other tax cuts and spending increases they vow to bring up, the Republicans will have spent $88 billion more than is available once Social Security and Medicare are protected. Today, Congress is on its way to invading Medicare as well. While we are currently in an era of surpluses, we must not forget that Medicare's fiscal future is troubled. According to the most recent Trustees Report, Part A will begin running cash deficits again by 2010, totaling nearly $7 trillion by 2040. Despite these looming deficits, the Republicans have introduced yet another tax cut that robs the Medicare program of roughly $100 billion in dedicated revenues over the next ten years and $464 billion through 2024. The Social Security Benefits Tax Relief Act (H.R. 4865), repeals a portion of the tax on Social Security benefits thereby eliminating a dedicated source of revenues to the Medicare Trust Fund. Without this income, Medicare Part A will go into the red again five years earlier than under current law. The result will be a significant threat to the viability of the Medicare program for future generations, and an even greater squeeze on hospitals and other health care providers dependent upon Medicare payments. H.R. 4865 purports to replace the lost revenue to the Medicare trust fund from the projected on-budget surplus. However, while the revenue loss to the Medicare trust fund is guaranteed, the budget surplus exists only in projections and faces many other competing demands. Furthermore, the revenue loss to the Medicare trust fund would be permanent, while the projected budget surpluses are temporary. Once the projected surpluses run out, the Medicare trust fund will be left with a large hole unless a future Congress is willing to raise taxes or cut other programs. Perhaps most egregious, like other Republican tax cuts, H.R. 4865 only benefits the wealthiest Americans. The National Council of Senior Citizens calls H.R. 4865 ``an irresponsible political gesture to upper income persons which will have severe consequences for the Social Security system and the solvency of the Medicare Part A trust fund.'' The massive amount of general revenues that would be consumed by this bill will leave fewer resources extending the solvency of the Medicare program and creating a Medicare prescription drug benefit. The Democratic substitute amendment, on the other hand, provides the same tax relief as the Republican bill but offers it to more seniors at about half the cost. Whereas the Republican bill only benefits the wealthiest 20 percent of Social Security recipients, the Democratic substitute would provide tax relief to 95 percent of seniors. Rather than eliminating the tax for all seniors, the Democratic substitute keeps the tax in place for only the very wealthiest--singles earning more than $80,000 and couples earning more than $100,000 a year. The Democratic substitute is also more fiscally responsible. Unlike the Republican bill, the Democratic substitute protects Social Security and Medicare by conditioning the tax cut on a certification from the Secretary of the Treasury that the on-budget surplus is sufficient to replenish the lost tax revenue. Thus, it can't go into effect in years in which there is not enough of an on-budget surplus to replace lost revenues. We are at a historic ``fork in the road.'' If we continue down the path of irresponsible tax cuts for the wealthy, there will be nothing left for shoring up Medicare and Social Security, enacting a Medicare prescription drug benefit, or paying down the public debt. I urge my colleagues to vote yes on the Democratic substitute and no on the underlying bill. Congress must reverse its course and get back on the road to fiscal discipline.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2327, The Oceans Act of 2000. This important bill pays tribute to and increases support for one of the most important environmental resources we have--our oceans. This bill would establish a 16-member Commission on Ocean Policy to review existing federal ocean policy and make recommendations to Congress on a new, coordinated, comprehensive policy. The oceans play a vital role in the daily lives of millions of Americans. Not only do we go to the ocean for recreation but we also depend upon the resources for our survival. Coastal communities like those in my congressional district, use the ocean for fishing, tourism, and business, among other things. Our oceans also play an important role in the ecological system by providing habitat for numerous species of life and influencing whether we will reduce or worsen other environmental threats such as global warming, flooding, water pollution, endangered species survival, and coral reefs existence. The coasts and oceans have seen a flood of new development and population migration over the past few decades. In fact, approximately 50 percent of the United States population now live in coastal areas. This will only increase in the future with estimates expecting 75 percent of our population to live in coastal areas by 2025. We need to ensure that we have a coordinated policy to deal with the pressures our oceans and coastal areas face. Our last effort to update our national policies on oceans was the Commission on Marine Science, Engineering, and Resources--known as the Stratton Commission--in 1969. I'm pleased that many of the Commission's recommendations are now the law of the land, but it has been far too long since we last updated our ocean policies. State and local jurisdictions have enacted numerous laws and policies to deal with the environmental problems that have occurred in our oceans and coastal communities. This has resulted in overlapping and conflicting rules between the federal and state levels. The bill we consider today will help alleviate this problem by bringing ocean policy into the 21st Century by creating new coordinated and comprehensive policies. I'm proud to be a co-sponsor of the House version of The Oceans Act of 2000 that my good friend from California, Mr. Farr, introduced. His work on this issue has inspired me and has done a great deal to ensure that our oceans are taken care of. I urge all of my colleagues to support this important bill today and I thank the leadership for bringing it before the House for consideration.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman from Oklahoma yielding to me. Mr. Speaker, first of all to my colleague, we have had experience with the disease and in my own family. I have held someone in my arms and watched them die from it. So that is enough experience, I think, for anyone. But what this debate is about is not to say that the gentleman from Oklahoma is an unfair person. We are saying that this funding mechanism hurts an area that deserves the same kind of funding for the people that have HIV and AIDS.