Mike Ferguson

Mr. FERGUSON

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join over 70 of my House colleagues in cosponsoring H. Res. 393, a resolution condemning the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe. The disturbing trend of hatred, intolerance and cruelty on the continent of Europe demands our immediate attention and action. We are all aware of the horrors faced by Jewish people in Europe a little more than a half century ago. For this reason, we must keep Europe's troubled history in mind and scrutinize the numerous anti- Semitic attacks on Jews in Europe over the last 18 months before these sentiments are allowed to escalate to more disturbing levels. It is wise not to ignore history for fear of being doomed to repeat it. Of the many despicable attacks that have occurred over the past 18 months, I would like to single out the brutal beating in Berlin, Germany of two Yeshiva students from my home state of New Jersey. These students traveled to Germany in the youthful pursuit of an education and the desire to exchange ideas with another culture. They did not envision being singled out for their religion and brutally beaten by bigoted thugs. We must not ignore this event and the many that have signaled a rise in anti-Semitism across the European continent. We are at the birth of a new and uncertain century. Unfortunately, we have already seen a rise in narrow-mined hatred, evidenced by the horrific terror attacks on our Nation on September 11th. As a freethinking and compassionate people, we must insist that our allies follow the American ideals of tolerance and understanding. At the very least, we must speak out to protect the basic human rights of people who face persecution based on their religion. Therefore, I urge our European allies to draw their attention to the rise in anti-Semitism on their continent and take whatever steps necessary to curb this disturbing trend.

Mr. FERGUSON

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me the time. We have heard a lot tonight about facts and figures and partisan rhetoric and attacks and misrepresentations. Some of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle earlier tonight suggested that we talk about or focus on senior women. I would like to do that for a second, one in particular, my mother. My mother, Roberta, was diagnosed almost 5 years ago with cancer, deadly form of cancer, should have been dead by now. She is alive today, thank God, because she has had access to good medical care and prescription drugs that have saved her life. Why is that so important? Because without it, she never would have met her grandkids. Our kids, 3 and 2 years old, she never would have met them. Thank God she had access to these life-changing, life-saving products, because of scientists and researchers and companies who invest hundreds of millions of dollars, indeed billions of dollars, to find the miracle cures of tomorrow. We have to make these miracle products affordable and accessible to everyone because our seniors are too important to let this opportunity sneak by. Our grandmothers want to meet their grandkids. Let us make it happen. Pass this plan tonight.

Mr. FERGUSON

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dr. Arun N. Netravali on being named a 2001 National Medal of Technology Laureate. Given each year by the President, the National Medal of Technology is the highest honor that our country can bestow upon America's innovators. Enacted by Congress in 1980, the National Medal of Technology was first awarded in 1985 to honor those scientists who through their work push the bounds of technology with the goal of benefiting humanity. Dr. Netravali's career achievements are certainly deserving of the highest acclaim. He is a pioneer in the field of digital technology. Serving from 1999 to 2001 as the ninth president to Bell Labs' history, Dr. Netravali is currently the company's chief scientist and has been the head of the research and development team working on Bell Labs' high definition television (HDTV) effort. He has authored more than 170 technical papers and co-authored three books. He holds more than 70 patents in the areas of computer networks, human interfaces to machines, picture processing and digital television. With great minds like Dr. Netravali working along the frontier of technology, we can only expect to be amazed by what will be achieved in the near future. I commend Dr. Netravali for his lifelong dedication to science and his unrelenting pursuit of the unimaginable.

Mr. FERGUSON

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rise today in recognition of National Nurses Week. Every year, National Nurses Week is celebrated from May 6 to May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, founder of nursing as a modem profession. During this week, we recognize the accomplishments and tireless efforts nurses make in order to improve our healthcare system. Nurses are devoted to their profession and to people in need. They serve our country on the front lines of care in our doctor's offices, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and schools. As we in Congress work to strengthen Medicare and ensure that all people have access to first class healthcare, we are reminded of the long hours of hard work that nurses endure, the sacrifices they make everyday to contribute to the health and well being of our communities. With a large population of Americans aging, the continuing expansion of life-sustaining technology, and the explosive growth of home health care services, the nursing profession will become increasingly important. In fact, it is estimated that our country will need more than one million new nurses over the next decade. In order to encourage individuals to enter the nursing profession and support care for our loved ones, we must promote education programs, provide information to recruit individuals and highlight the role of nurses in the community. As such, I ask you to join me in honoring nurses for their commitment to the principles we value. While they serve as the foundation of our Nation's healthcare system, nurses' dedication to their work and compassion for all patients exemplify the best of America's spirit.

Mr. FERGUSON

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank and recognize the volunteers of the Chaplaincy Committee of the Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey. The Chaplaincy program provides services to Jewish residents in nursing homes and patients hospitals in central New Jersey. The committee also works with the nearly 100 volunteers doing either Bikur Holim (visiting the sick) or Kabbalat Shabbat (a service to welcome the Sabbath) for residents in area nursing homes. The volunteers range from all over central New Jersey. On May 8th, the Chaplaincy Committee plans to recognize and thank the volunteers for their hard work, as I am here to do the same today. I commend the Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey for the good works they have helped to provide to central New Jersey, and to the volunteers themselves--they have my deepest gratitude. There is no greater gift to the community than your time and service.

Mr. FERGUSON

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, on July 18, 1958, the United States Congress passed Public Law 85-529 and designated May 1 of each year as ``Loyalty Day.'' I am pleased to join my fellow Americans today in confirming our allegiance to the United States of America by celebrating this important occasion. Now more than ever, it is vital that we stand together as a nation and remain committed to the common good of our people. As we speak, the courageous men and women of our Armed Services stand firm across the world, protecting our freedom from all those who threaten its existence. Like their predecessors who fought for our nation in years past, today's service men and women need our support and require our loyalty. However, Loyalty Day should not be confined to support of our military. The spirit of Loyalty Day can extend throughout our daily lives. Strong devotion to our country can be shown through service to fellow citizens and participation in government. By voting, by fighting for a cause and by helping your community, you are showing loyalty to our nation by honoring the virtues our great country was founded on. An organization exhibiting the true essence of Loyalty Day is the Bay Leaf Post No. 6807 Ladies Auxiliary in Garwood, New Jersey. I commend the ladies of Post No. 6807 for their continuing support of veterans in the 7th District of New Jersey. Their actions to benefit veterans stand as an example of true loyalty to our nation. Organizations such as this are instrumental in keeping the American spirit alive by serving and remaining devoted to our great country. Today, I commend all the Americans celebrating Loyalty Day and congratulate all those who have served and continue to serve our great country.

Mr. FERGUSON

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this rule and certainly as a strong supporter and core sponsor of the underlying legislation. I am also proud today to stand with my colleagues to express our solidarity with the people of Israel and our steadfast support in their fight against terrorism. The people of Israel have become a target of a sustained campaign of violence that does not discriminate between soldier and citizen, and will yet target the innocent. The victims of this violence are citizens who put themselves in danger merely by going to work or conducting their daily routine. They are indiscriminately struck down as they go to the market, eat at a cafe, or simply walk down the street. This barbarism cannot and will not be tolerated. And as a country that loves freedom, we can only be supportive of our friends in Israel during their time of need. Our partnership began with Israel at its very birth as a nation in 1948, and it remains strong today. Israel is the sole democracy in the Middle East; and, therefore, the United States and Israel share a common bond. Our connection is strong and deeply rooted in our citizens' love for freedom. The connection between our two countries is now extended because of a new similarity, our common destain for terrorism and our commitment to stop those who perpetuate it. Mr. Speaker, last August I had an opportunity to visit Israel for my second trip; and as I left my wife was understandably nervous, concerned about violence in the Middle East. And upon my return, just a few weeks later here on our own soil, Americans, and particularly so many communities in my district in New Jersey, were devastated by the attacks of terrorism. We understand now firsthand the pain, the emotional pain, the physical pain, the economic loss and all of the problems and the heartache that come with terrorism. It is now our opportunity to stand today to support this rule and to support our friends in Israel by standing in solidarity with them.

Mr. FERGUSON

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the Sanders amendment. The goal of protecting U.S. jobs is a good goal; but this amendment, if implemented, would actually result in a reduction in U.S. jobs over the long term, jobs that would be sent overseas or lost altogether. The fact is that every transaction that the Ex-Im Bank is involved with helps to maintain U.S. jobs. Now, I understand that the author of this amendment is opposed to the Ex-Im Bank. My friend, the gentleman from Vermont, has never been a fan of the Ex-Im Bank; and I have a sneaking suspicion, I have not been here very long, but I have a sneaking suspicion that this amendment is actually a poison pill that is targeted at trying to kill the underlying bill rather than trying to be helpful. If this amendment were to be accepted, it would frustrate the main mission of the Ex-Im Bank in general and severely hinder the ability of the bank to support U.S. exports and U.S. jobs. The adoption of this amendment would limit the ability of U.S. companies to compete in the global marketplace. If we reduce the number of U.S. firms eligible for Ex-Im Bank financing, the number of firms that would be available for financing through this amendment, we are also going to reduce the number of U.S. workers who manufacture U.S. goods for export. Now, I represent a district in a State, New Jersey, where we have seen a tremendous hemorrhaging of high-tech jobs from some of our companies in the high-tech sector and telecom sector. These are companies whose lifeline in many ways is the work of the Ex-Im Bank. Some people talk about corporate welfare. This is not corporate welfare. This is investing in American companies and giving them the opportunity to be able to provide jobs and to provide manufacturing for goods all around the world, particularly at a time when we are trying to expand our economy, to expand job creation. Some on the other side of the aisle have been talking about raising taxes. We are not going to tax our way to economic prosperity and job creation, and certainly by trying to kill or hinder the Export-Import Bank from doing the great work they do, we are not going to be creating jobs or helping our economy to grow either. I stand in opposition to this amendment. I am a strong supporter of the Ex-Im Bank and the good work of this bill. It is so important during a time of economic recovery. If we are going to get Americans back to work, continue to be able to create the manufacturing and jobs that are so vital to this recovery, we are going to need to be able to continue to support the work of the Ex-Im Bank. Defeat this amendment.

Mr. FERGUSON

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Chairman, I want to commend the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Oxley) for his great work on this legislation and for also working so closely with the major investigators: the Justice Department, the SEC, the Enron and Andersen internal teams, to achieve the goal that we have been able to achieve with this legislation. The Committee has heard from a diverse group of witnesses representing a broad spectrum of views from across America regarding the securities markets and the government's role in protecting investors. The distinct differences in the testimony, including former SEC officials and the securities industry and a leading consumer organization and the accounting industry, have confirmed that the committee and the members on the committee have taken the necessary steps to improve the current regulatory system with this legislation, the CARTA legislation. This legislation is a product of a multitude of views and months of work by the committee to improve the public's confidence in our capital markets and to strengthen the overall financial system in the most appropriate manner. It is effective because it gets to the heart of the issues that will prevent future Enrons from happening in this country, without drowning our businesses in a sea of red tape. It is important that this legislation avoids the temptation to overreact and to over-legislate in a manner that is going to cripple the entire business community. In fact, the Federal Reserve Chairman, Alan Greenspan, recently testified that the Enron collapse has already generated a significant shift in corporate transparency and responsibility, highlighting the market's sometime ability to self- correct. Clearly, over-legislating would be counterproductive and make it impossible for our markets to function properly. Clearly we need to legislate, and I think we have done that in this bill. But legislating should not be the end of the Congress's role in addressing these issues. The collapse of Enron represents a combination of irresponsible actions on the part of some decisionmakers with knowledge of the company's financial well-being, and a meltdown of the financial safeguards that we have used to identify problems at a stage when corrective action still might be possible. We have to continue to work directly with the private sector to instill a spirit of corporate responsibility. We must challenge America's business leaders to meet the highest standards of ethics and responsibility to their employees and their shareholders. There have been dozens of legislative measures introduced by both sides of the aisle to address these issues. It is time we put partisan wrangling aside and to move forward with the practical solutions that will actually help. We need to increase the American people's confidence in our capital markets, because by doing so, we will increase their confidence in our economy at a time when our economy needs to continue to grow. I urge my colleagues to support the CARTA legislation.

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 108, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. FERGUSON

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand with my colleagues today to remember a terrible chapter in human history, the Armenian genocide. April 24 holds as a reminder of the Armenian intellectuals and professionals in Constantinople who were first rounded up and deported or killed so many years ago. This action was a precursor to the attempted genocide of an entire people. From 1915 to 1923, a million and a half Armenians were killed and countless others suffered as a result of the system and deliberate campaign of genocide by the rules of the Ottoman Empire. Half a million Armenians who escaped death were deported to the Middle East. Some were fortunate enough to escape to the United States. Mr. Speaker, I am thankful that more than a million Armenians managed to escape the genocide and establish a new life here in the United States. In the Seventh District of New Jersey, I am proud to represent a number of Armenian-Americans. They make incredible contributions to the area and enrich every aspect of New Jersey life, from science to commerce to the arts. Our statements today are intended to preserve the memory of the Armenian loss and to honor those descendants who have overcome the atrocities that took their grandparents, their parents, their children, and their friends. We mark this anniversary each year to remind our Nation and to teach future generations about the horrors of genocide and oppression endured by the Armenian people. Let us stand today, united in our remembrance of those who died and committed to ensuring that future horror as, like those faced by the Armenian people, never happen in our world again.

Mr. FERGUSON

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the players, coaches and administration of the Bound Brook Little League on the 50th anniversary of Little League Baseball in Bound Brook, New Jersey. Nothing symbolizes the springtime and the onset of warmer weather like the first pitch of the baseball season. A season's first pitch is always a special moment, but on Saturday, April 20, the first pitch ceremony of the Bound Brook Little League commemorates 50 years of little league baseball in the community. Over the years, little league baseball has become a fixture in Bound Brook. The little league does more than merely teach the youth of the area about our national pastime. It fosters camaraderie with teammates, instills respect for fellow competitors, and teaches youngsters that sports are about much more than winning and losing. On April 20, the community of Bound Brook will come together to have a parade followed by exhibition baseball games to mark the 50th anniversary of the little league. This day of celebration will bring together former and current players and is symbolic of the organization's meaning to the area. The little league brings the community together to give adults the opportunity to share their love of baseball and teach kids lessons that they will carry throughout their lives. I commend Bound Brook Little Leaguers, past and present, and the many friends of the little league that have helped mold the lives of so many youngsters throughout the past 50 years.-

Mr. FERGUSON

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor all Irish Americans and to wish everyone an early happy St. Patrick's Day, which we will celebrate this weekend. I also would like to pay tribute to Mr. Michael Anthony Pecora, the first prize winner in the 2002 Morris County, New Jersey, St. Patrick's Day Essay Contest. Michael is currently a ninth grade student at Delbarton School in Morristown, New Jersey, a school of which I am a proud alumnus. Entrants in this contest were asked to discuss the contributions that Irish Americans have made to the betterment of our country. Michael wrote of the ways that Irish Americans have helped to shape our political system, our education system, and our national literature and theater and sports. He spoke of the unique prominence of women in Irish communities, and the accomplishments that many women of Irish heritage have achieved in our country. Michael eloquently described the persistence of Irish Americans in the face of ethnic and religious prejudice, and to overcome these obstacles and to make lasting and important contributions to American society. I commend Michael Pecora for his award-winning essay about Irish Americans, and congratulate him on his accomplishment. Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record the essay by Mr. Pecora. The document referred to is as follows: The Contributions of Irish-Americans to the Development of the United States (By Mike Pecora) The many contributions of Irish-Americans to the development of the United States have enriched the true meaning of what an American citizen represents today. Although these accomplishments are numerous and varied, there are spheres of endeavor in which Americans of Irish birth or ancestry have distinguished themselves throughout our country's history. Public service, politics, and governance comprise one domain of American life in which the Irish, by their overwhelming numbers, clearly left their impact on our national life. As exemplified by the Kennedys of Massachusetts, Irish-Americans have generally come from strong, stable, and large families. But even more remarkably, we find a pattern of increasing upward mobility from one generation to the next. The key variable in this upward march has been education, particularly the education of women. During the twentieth century, the Irish have been at the forefront of the nation's public and parochial educational systems. Indeed, coming into a society dominated by Anglo- Saxon Protestants, the Irish took the lead in the creation of a distinctly American Catholicism. The collective cultural achievements of Irish-Americans, from literature and theater to sports and popular entertainment are legend. Given that some forty million Americans claimed some Irish ancestry in the 1990 census, the collective record of Irish-American achievements does not seem surprising (Meager 1999, p. 280). But to get to where they are today, Irish-American have had to surmount major obstacles, including entrenched ethnic and religious prejudice. By doing so, not only did the Irish successfully assimilate into American society; they had a major part in the making of the ``melting pot'' itself. Long before the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s, substantial numbers of Irish immigrants came to the shores of North America (Griffin 1973, p. v). By the time of the American Revolution, there were an estimated 250,000 individuals of Irish descent living in North America, many of them laboring in the construction of the country's rapidly growing transportation infrastructure (Meager 1999, p. 280). In 1857, Irish nationalists living in the United States formed the Irish Republican Brotherhood, the forerunner of the ``Fenian'' movement abroad, recruiting former state militia members into their ranks. When the Civil War erupted, the nucleus of Irish regiments already been organized. During the Civil War, ``Ireland provided the largest proportion of foreign born troops in the South and probably ranked equal with Germany as the source of the largest immigrant element in the Union armies'' (Blessing 1980, p. 536). The vast majority of Irish-Americans in this conflict served the North, wearing sprigs of green in their caps as they marched into battle (Blessing 1980, p. 536). In the First World War and the Second, units such as the famous ``fighting sixty- ninth'' extended this legacy of Irish-Americans answering the call to military duty. In the 1920s, D.W. Brogan noted that the Irish had come to constitute the ``governing class'' of America (cited in Meager 1999, p. 286). At this time, white Anglo-Saxon Protestants of English and Germanic ethnicity made up the ``ruling class'' of the United States, but is was the Irish who led the way in public service (notably, in the police and fire departments of the country's developing cities) and in the nation's political life. The 1880s and 1890s witnessed a wave of Irish majors; by 1910, Irish governors, like David Walsh of Massachusetts, Edward Dunne of Illinois, and Alfred E. Smith of New York were elected to the highest posts within their own states. Al Smith's selection as the Democratic Party's nominee for the presidency in 1928 was a milestone for both the Irish and for all Catholic Americans. Smith was defeated in this bid, but some three decades later, John F. Kennedy completed the breakthrough (Vinyard 1997, p. 468). In the 1968 presidential contest, his brother, Robert Kennedy challenged Eugene McCarthy to become the Democratic standard- bearer; only for Kennedy to be assassinated, and McCarthy to be defeated in the primaries. Nevertheless, in that same year, Irish Catholics held both positions of Speaker of the House of Representatives (John McCormack) and majority leader of the Senate (Michael Mansfield). Given their Catholic faith, it is not surprising that Irish-Americans have generally come from large and stable families; the frequency of divorce among the Irish has been significantly lower than that of other ethnic groups (Blessing 1980, p. 541). But the success of Irish families is even more evident when we consider patterns of generational upward mobility. During the nineteenth century, Irish-born immigrants did not fare well in the industrial capitalist economy of the United States, Indeed, the ``famine'' Irish of the 1850 and 1860s had a ``dismal record of movement up the occupational scale'' (Blessing 1980, p. 531). Nevertheless, second- and third-generation Irish-Americans far exceeded the accomplishments of their parents and grandparents. By 1980, with each successive generation of Irish-Americans, we see upward leaps in years of completed schooling, occupational status, and household income (Blessing 1980, p. 542). One especially important aspect of Irish-American support for education revolves around gender. ``Irish families often gave their daughters more education than their sons; accordingly, second-generation Irish women were able to take advantage of opportunities becoming available to females'' (Vinyard 1997, p. 466). Irish-American women were heavily over-represented within the ranks of public school teachers during the Progressive Era and thereafter (Vinyard 1997, p. 466). Moreover, Irish nuns and priests have been important leaders in America's parochial school system. In the mid-nineteenth century, the Irish established themselves as the dominant ethnic group within the American Catholic Church, and have held that status ever since (Vinyard 1997, p. 462). In 1970, for example, over 50 percent of the bishops and 34 percent of the priests of the American Catholic Church reported an Irish background (Blessing 1980, p. 542). Such outstanding individuals as Cardinal William O'Connell of Boston, Cardinal Francis Spellman of New York City, and Spellman's successor, Cardinal John O'Connor, honorably led the Catholic Church through the transition of Vatican II. The Irish, therefore, left an unforgettable imprint upon American Catholicism, creating a model for both national and religious allegiance. ``Immigrants, but more often second- and third-generation Irish, helped to create a new American urban culture that emerged in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries'' (Meager 1999, p. 288). Irish Americans were highly visible in the theater during this period. Playwrights like Eugene O'Neill, and novelists like James T. Farrell, Edwin O'Connor, and, in the 1920s, F. Scott Fitzgerald, made world-class achievements in American literature. At the same time, the Irish excelled in sports: John L. Sullivan in boxing and such individuals as Connie Mack, John McGraw, and Charles Comiskey help to transform baseball into America's pastime. It is only been in the second half of the twentieth century that the scope, and depth of Irish contributions to America has been given its full recognition. In January 1897, when the founders of the Irish American Historical Society issued that organization's founding statement, they lamented that their countrymen had received ``but scant recognition'' from U.S. historians and attributed this neglect to ``carelessness, ignorance, indifference or design'' (American Irish History Society, in Griffin, 1973, p. 121). Despite their English-language advantage, the Irish were subjected to both ethnic and religious prejudice. This anti-Irish bias unfolded in waves, increasing during the immigration period of the 1840s, the Progressive Era at the turn of the century, and into the 1920s with the revival of the anti-Catholic Ku Klux Klan. As historian Patrick Blessing has put it: ``The Irish were the first major immigrant group to threaten the stability of American society. Out of their interaction with the host society, came a more diverse and tolerant America'' (Blessing 1980, p. 545). Despite decades of bigotry and repression, the Irish assimilated into the American ``melting pot''. Indeed, not only did they serve as a model for other immigrant groups, in the process of becoming full-fledged Americans, they altered, enlarged, and enriched the very definition of an ``American.'' references American Irish Historical Society. ``Announcement of the Organization of the American Irish Historical Society, January, 1897. ``The Irish in America. Ed. William Griffin, Dobbs Ferry, NY: Oceana Publications, 1973, 121-122. Blessing, Patrick J. ``Irish.'' Harvard Encyclopedia of American Ethnic Groups. Vol. 1. Ed. Stephen Thernstrom, Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1980, 524-545. Griffin, William. ``Editor's Foreword.'' The Irish in America. Ed. William Griffin, Dobbs Ferry, NY: Oceana Publications, 1973, v-vi. Meager, Timothy J. ``Irish.'' A Nation of Peoples: A Sourcebook of America's Multicultural Heritage. Ed. Elliott Robert Barkan, Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1999, 279-293. Vinyard, JoEllen McNergney. ``Irish.'' American Immigrant Cultures: Builders of a Nation. Vol. 1. Eds. David Levinson and Melvin Ember, New York: MacMillan, 1997, 460-469.

Mr. FERGUSON

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Theodore Blum, a resident of Hillsborough, New Jersey, on his recent nomination to the National 4-H Hall of Fame. Mr. Blum will be one of the inaugural 100 members of the National 4-H Hall of Fame, which has been created to commemorate the 100th anniversary of this world-renowned service organization. Known by many as ``Mr. 4-H,'' Theodore Blum served as Somerset County, New Jersey's 4-H agent from 1956 to 1984, the longest anyone has held that position since the county program began in the mid-1920s. As county agent, Mr. Blum oversaw the construction of a 20,000- square-foot facility in Bridgewater, New Jersey, which is the largest 4-H center in the state. He initiated a program that enrolled six through eight year olds in a 4-H prep program that inspired similar programs throughout New Jersey. Mr. Blum also oversaw the growth of the county 4-H Fair to its status now as one of the largest free fairs in New Jersey, and tirelessly promoted the 4-H and their activities by distributing pamphlets to local newspaper and schools. But most importantly, Theodore Blum helped enrollment in Somerset County 4-H programs from 500 to 2,500 members, paving the way for greater involvement by young people in their community. Today I commend Theodore Blum, who recently has turned 75 years old, for his leadership and congratulate him on being named as one of the first one hundred members of the National 4-H Hall of Fame.

Mr. FERGUSON

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Monsignor Peter Vaghi for his dedicated service to St. Patrick's Church here in Washington, D.C. Monsignor Vaghi was born here in Washington, D.C., and attended Gonzaga College High School and the College of the Holy Cross, where he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to attend the University of Salzburg in Austria. Returning home to America, he went on to get his juris doctor at the University of Virginia Law School and worked in Washington, D.C., before he answered a calling to the priesthood and attended the Gregorian University in Rome, Italy. Monsignor Vaghi was ordained a Catholic priest on June 29, 1985, and designated a ``Prelate of Honor'' by Pope John Paul II on November 13, 1995.NOTICE--DECEMBER 20, 2001 A final issue of the Congressional Record for the 107th Congress, 1st Session, will be published on January 3, 2002, in order to permit Members to revise and extend their remarks. All material for insertion must be signed by the Member and delivered to the office of the Official Reporters of Debates, Room 1718 Longworth House Office Building by noon January 3, 2002. The House Office of the Official Reporters will be open in 1718 Longworth House Office Building December 26, 27, 28 and January 2 and 3 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. The final issue will be dated January 3, 2002, and will be delivered on Friday, January 4, 2002. None of the material printed in the final issue of the Congressional Record may contain subject matter, or relate to any event that occurred after the sine die date. Members of Congress desiring to purchase reprints of material submitted for inclusion in the Congressional Record may do so by contacting the Congressional Printing Management Division, at the Government Printing Office, on 512-0224, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. daily. By order of the Joint Committee on Printing. MARK DAYTON, Chairman. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to welcome Monsignor Vaghi to this House. He is not only a family friend, but he also gave my wife Maureen and me the honor of officiating at our wedding in 1996. I thank him for being here today. His presence and his blessing on this House and on our work here means so very much to me and to every Member of this body.

Mr. FERGUSON

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to honor the Clan Currie Society of New Jersey. For more than 15 years, the Society has promoted Scottish heritage and culture through their community-based arts programs and education outreach efforts. Mr. Speaker, the Clan Currie Society encourages both Scots and also those of non-Scottish roots, to embrace this great culture's values, art forms and sense of civic responsibility. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have been invited to join the Society for their Pipes of Christmas musical celebration. I thank Mr. Robert Currie for that kind invitation, and look forward to next Sunday, December 16, when I'll have the opportunity to enjoy bagpipe music and share the holiday spirit with good friends and good neighbors. Mr. Speaker, this Christmas season in particular, when so many of us are facing tough questions about the world we live in, I think it's important to look back and remember where we come from. I believe looking toward our roots and better learning about our past is the best way to face the future. Mr. Speaker, the fine men and women of the Clan Currie Society, through their hard work and dedication, make it easier for us all to learn about ourselves. For that, I thank them and wish them continued success, a Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year.

Mr. FERGUSON

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, the ranking member, and members on both sides of the aisle for working on this important legislation. On September 11, our Nation and the world was struck with tragedy. But for 81 families in the district that I represent in New Jersey, it also meant the loss of a loved one in their own family. They have been struggling for 3 months to put their lives back together. People, Americans across the Nation and people around the world have stepped up to help them in many different ways: People have donated their time, their energy, their blood, their money. They have been assisted in many ways. But as we know, as time goes on, the attention begins to wane and the realities of life, of mortgage payments, of credit card payments, of tuition bills and other commitments, long-term real-life commitments, begin to build up. We have to make sure that we do not forget those who have experienced this tragedy firsthand. As my colleague, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Frelinghuysen) mentioned a moment ago, we have had an opportunity to meet with scores of, unfortunately, mostly widows from our districts, from New Jersey and from around our region, who are now dealing with the aftermath. They are not only dealing with the emotional and the physical excruciating pain of the loss of a loved one, but they are also struggling to rebuild their lives, to help their kids to think about the future and not simply to think about these tragedies of the recent past. We need to do our part in this Congress, and that is why I am delighted and proud that we worked so hard and so quickly 2 days after this tragedy to pass this important legislation out of this Chamber and to send it to the other body, and am pleased now that the other body has done their work and that we have brought this back. I am pleased that now, today, we will be able to say to these families that we have not failed them, we continue to stand by them, and we will be here with them today and tomorrow and next month and next year to help them. Whether it is tax relief or education relief or simply being a friend and neighbor, we are there to support them and support their work in rebuilding their lives. I thank this Congress for working.

Mr. FERGUSON

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, the scene is one that we know all too well: mindless terrorists attacking the young and the innocent, fleeing civilians with terror in their eyes, and once again, Mr. Speaker, scores of young people, their lives ended by the violent hatred of terrorism. We saw this on our own soil on September 11, and we saw it again this past weekend in Israel. Mr. Speaker, September 11, while devastating for us, also gave us a sense for what our friends in Israel have been dealing with for decades; but beyond our new understanding of Israeli suffering, September 11 also gave us a new responsibility, to support Israel's own war on terrorism. I applaud President Bush and the recent comments from Secretary of State Colin Powell. They have recognized that Israel has a right and a responsibility to defend itself. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in Congress and the American people to support our friends in Israel as they struggle for peace and security.

Mr. FERGUSON

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, preparing and educating our students for the global economy of the 21st century must be one of America's top priorities. As a father and a former teacher, I am increasingly concerned about the shortage of technology in our Nation's schools. While there are some 8.2 million instructional computers in our elementary and secondary schools, the additional resources that are needed are startling. At least 5 million new computers are needed at this time, and the number will be higher tomorrow and next month and next year. There is widespread concern about the academic performance of students in the United States relative to their counterparts in other nations. It is time that we have a clear and focused vision to bring educational technology to the classroom for the sake of our most precious resource, our children. This week I introduced legislation, House Resolution 295, calling for a commission on technology and education that is comprised of educators, parents and tech industry leaders to help bring technology into the classroom. If we can do this effectively, students will learn the skills they need to prepare for a successful future in our high- tech world. Let us pass this resolution and give our kids another chance for a brighter future tomorrow in our increasingly competitive world.

Mr. FERGUSON

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, this past summer I spoke on the floor of this House and voted with my colleagues overwhelmingly to ban human cloning. Two weeks ago I stood at this podium and urged our colleagues in the Senate to act on and pass this important legislation which would ban this mad science. This past weekend, as we all know, it happened. American scientists announced that they had cloned a human embryo. Mr. Speaker, now is the time. Now is the time to choose between reckless science and a respect for human life, the time to choose between courageous action and silence. Mr. Speaker, the message to our colleagues in the Senate must be to act now to ban human cloning. We can afford to wait no longer.

Mr. FERGUSON

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, time is running out. With each passing day, scientists come closer and closer to cloning a human being. Step- by-step, they are completing a process whereby human life, the most sacred of gifts, is cheapened and devalued through mass production. Mr. Speaker, I applaud my colleagues in the House for their hard work earlier this year in passing the Human Cloning Prohibition Act. But now is not the time to rest. Now is the time to continue our work and urge our Senate colleagues to listen to the voice of the American people and to vote to ban human cloning. Mr. Speaker, I am proud of the Senate's compromise to bring this bill to the floor in a few months. Unfortunately, the time line for cloning science is set to outpace our own schedule. Therefore, I urge my Senate colleagues to act now to bring this bill to a vote and to outpace this unethical misuse of science that would demean nature's work and degrade human life.

Mr. FERGUSON

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for the immediate consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 224) honoring the New Jersey State Law Enforcement Officers Association.

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation, H. Res. 224, honoring the New Jersey State Law Enforcement Officers Association. This legislation recognizes the bravery and honor of the law enforcement officers of New Jersey and the service those officers provide to the communities that they serve. The New Jersey State Law Enforcement Officers Association was formed in 1938 and celebrates a history of service and dedication to our citizens. Any person who enforces the law of their State or the ordinances of any municipality is eligible for active membership in this association. Currently, the association includes members from Federal, State, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies, including special and auxiliary police. Each year, the New Jersey State Law Enforcement Officers Association holds an Annual Awards and Recognition Dinner to pay tribute to law enforcement officers who have demonstrated heroic or unselfish acts of bravery while in the line of duty. This past March the association celebrated its 10th awards dinner in recognition of the top officers in New Jersey and acknowledged their dedication in protecting and serving the State. Mr. Speaker, the events of September 11, 2001 have shown all Americans that our law enforcement officers serve at great risk to their personal safety. We are indebted to law enforcement officers everywhere who are willing to die to protect the innocent and to risk all of their hopes and their dreams to ensure the safety and well-being of our families. Many of our law enforcement officers in New Jersey have given their lives in the line of duty, and I stand today with my colleagues in the House of Representatives to honor and praise these fallen heroes. The thoughts and prayers of this Congress and the country remain with their families. The men and women in New Jersey's law enforcement community are an integral part of our society who have earned the public's trust. They are on the frontline in our schools and in our streets preserving the right of children to learn in schools that are free from violence and the rights of our citizens to safe communities everywhere. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing the bravery and honor of the law enforcement officers of New Jersey and the services of those officers to their communities. I would like to commend my colleague from New Jersey for joining me in support of this important resolution. I would also like to thank personally the gentleman from New Jersey for his leadership on this and a range of other issues that benefit all of the citizens of New Jersey.

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding to me. I again want to commend my colleagues for joining us here on the floor of the House to offer our praise and recognition for these men and women who work so hard to protect us and protect our families. Our districts, Mr. Speaker, in New Jersey are not far from New York City. So many of our constituents and families, people that we represent, were affected very directly by the events of September 11. In my district alone we lost 81 people. That is 81 families and communities who are grieving over the loss of loved ones. To see, in the hours and days and weeks following these tragedies, to see the incredible service, the dedication, the sacrifice of those who wear a law enforcement uniform has been truly extraordinary. Some statistics, just to highlight the incredible service of our men and women in uniform: There are approximately 740,000 sworn law enforcement officers serving in the United States today, the highest figure ever, and about 12 percent of that number are women. There are a total of 1,555 law enforcement officers that died in the line of duty in the last 10 years. That is an average of one death every 57 hours, or about 156 a year. There were 150 police deaths in the year 2000, which represented a 12 percent increase from the 137 officers who died in 1999. These figures include the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Based on the most recent figures, some 300 public safety officials are missing, they are missing, as a result of the September 11 tragedies, including more than 50 law enforcement officers. Crimefighting has taken its toll. Since the first recorded police death in 1792 there have been more than 15,000 law enforcement officers who have given their lives in the line of duty. These are some startling numbers, staggering numbers, but statistics are secondary when we see in real life the service and the dedication of the men and women who serve us in law enforcement. We are very, very pleased and I am very, very pleased to join my colleagues in offering this resolution this evening.

Mr. FERGUSON

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I stand in support of H. Con. Res. 243. Earlier this year we had the opportunity to create the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor. Today we have the obligation to use this medal to honor those who have served the public safety of our Nation. Mr. Speaker, this bill does more than urge the president to award the Medal of Valor--the highest honor for public safety officers--to those who were killed in the terrorist attacks of September 11. It also honors those who displayed valor above and beyond the call of duty through their heroic actions on that fateful day, and during the rescue and recovery missions that followed. These brave souls, although not public safety officers, still acted in line with and gave their lives for the highest ideals of that fine profession. Mr. Speaker, I think of the courageous men and women of the Port Authority who, because of where they worked, felt empowered and compelled to risk and, in some cases, sacrifice their lives to help their fellow workers in the World Trade Center. By going above and far beyond the call of duty, these real heroes gave us something to be proud of and someone to look up to. These valiant individuals are also public safety officers, employed by a situation out of their control and paid by an opportunity to serve their fellow man. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to offer my thanks and praise to New Jersey Port Authority Chairman Lew Eisenberg. I struggle to imagine what these past weeks would have been like without his leadership and caring attention to the technical and human concerns we have all shared. I can think of no more fitting tribute to these men and women than the awarding of the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor. I ask my colleagues to remember their support for the creation of this medal, and ask them to recall why we did it. I believe it was for such an occasion of bravery as September 11 inspired that we voted Yes on that day, and why we must also vote Yes today.