Alcee Hastings

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, as a Member in Congress from Florida, in a fairly subtropical type environment, we have come to know a number of hazards, ranging from simple molds all the way to Radon that may be hazardous to individuals. In that sense, I find it absurd that we are here debating something that has not been concluded scientifically, and that is the safety of indoor air. I rise in strong support of the amendment offered by the gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. Kennedy].

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall 683, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong favor of the proposed rule.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my outrage over the detonation by the Chirac government of a nuclear device in the South Pacific. The French have blatantly and egregiously ignored the environmental sovereignty of the region. I strongly object to the fact that France carried out these tests more than 10,000 miles from their mainland. If, as Mr. Chirac has stated, these tests pose no threat to the ecosystem, why are they being carried out 10,000 miles away from France? Why detonate atomic weapons in somebody else's backyard? Why not in central France? The United States, numerous countries and respected individuals in the region pleaded with the French not to carry out these ``experiments.'' But Mr. Chirac insisted that they are necessary. Why are these tests necessary? Whom are the French preparing to fight? Are they planning to drop a bomb on Algeria? What specter so haunts them that they need to test their nuclear weapons before they sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty? And what will this mean for the future of the treaty? Will other countries rush to detonate bombs before they finally renounce nuclear testing? Will rogue nations and terrorist organizations experiment with nuclear weaponry, claiming that they must protect themselves from French aggression? Mr. Speaker, I cannot adequately express my disappointment with the Chirac Government. Economic boycotts, political protests, editorial outrage and public opinion seem all to have failed in convincing Mr. Chirac that his policy is wrong. It is dangerous for the ecosystem, dangerous for the fragile marine environment, dangerous for the people living around the mururoa atoll, and dangerous for those who seek a nuclear-weapon-free world. As Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans stated: ``This is not the action of a good international citizen.''

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I am not a member of the Committee on the Judiciary, but I am interested in its findings. Mr. Chairman, H.R. 1555 assigns to the FCC the regulatory functions to ensure that the Bell companies have complied with all of the conditions that we have imposed on their entry into long distance. This bill requires the Bell companies to interconnect with their competitors and to provide them the features, functions and capabilities of the Bell companies' networks that the new entrants need to compete. [[Page H 8465]] The bill also contains other checks and balances to ensure that competition occurs in local and long distance growth. The Justice Department still has the role that was granted to it under the Sherman and Clayton Acts, and other antitrust laws. Their role is to enforce the antitrust laws and ensure that all companies comply with the requirements of the bill. The Department of Justice enforces the antitrust laws of this country. It is a role that they have performed well. The Department of Justice is not, and should not be, a regulating agency. It is an enforcement agency.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1555. This vital legislation makes long overdue changes to current communications laws by eliminating the legal barriers that prevent true competition. I am particularly pleased that H.R. 1555 will break down barriers to telecommunications for people with disabilities by requiring that carriers and manufacturers of telecommunications equipment make their network services and equipment accessible to and usable by people with disabilities. The time is past for all persons to have access to telecommunications services. H.R. 1555 assigns to the FCC the regulatory functions of ensuring that the Bell companies have complied with all of the conditions that we have imposed on their entry into long distance. This bill requires the Bell companies to interconnect with their competitors and to provide to them the features, functions, and capabilities of the Bell companies' networks that the new entrants need to compete. It also contains other checks and balances to ensure that competition in local and long distance grows. The Justice Department still has the role that was granted to it under the Sherman and Clayton Acts and other antitrust laws. Their role is to enforce the anti-trust laws and ensure that all companies comply with the requirements of the bill. The Department of Justice enforces the antitrust laws of this country. It is a role that they have performed well. The Department of Justice is not and should not be a regulating agency: It is an enforcement agency. Mr. Speaker, it is time to open our telecommunications market to true competition. This legislation is long overdue. I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 1555.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Lowey-Kolbe amendment to strike section 509 of this bill. I [[Page H 8374]] had drafted my own amendment to strike this section, but given the leadership that Representatives Lowey and Kolbe have shown on this issue, I will not offer my own amendment and I will support their efforts. It has been my understanding, since I was afforded the opportunity to join this August body, that authorizing language is attached to authorizing bills, and funding decisions are made in appropriations bills. Since section 509 is certainly authorizing language, and H.R. 2127 is an appropriations bill, I question the constitutionality of this section. But more importantly, Mr. Chairman, I am disgusted by the intent of this language. It is sickening that those persons who do not believe in a women's right to choose are using every legislative vehicle possible to chip away at the Supreme Courts' ruling in Roe versus Wade. They are using every opportunity, from denying Federal employees access to abortions, to this pathetic attempt to deny abortion services to women who are victims of rape or incest. This is not about transferring decisionmaking authority to the States. This is not about less Federal intervention. This is about finding ways to end the legal practice of abortion. This is about making it more difficult and more complicated for women to access any abortion services. It is outrageous that we will allow States to not provide abortions to women who have been raped! What if these women cannot pay for their own abortions? Should they be forced to bear the child of a rapist? This is a dangerous, sinister attempt to erode the civil liberties of women. Do not stand for it! Support the Lowey-Kolbe amendment!

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Skaggs amendment to title VI. This title is particularly hypocritical since some of the same Members who support this language are the ones who killed lobbying reform legislation last year. Why did they kill lobbying reform? Because they said it would have stifled grassroots lobbying efforts. But it is this language which will stifle grassroots lobbying and stifle free speech. This language restricts the use of private funds for lobbying by individuals and organizations. This is an insidious assault on the freedoms of all Americans who choose to avail themselves of the political process. This is clearly an attempt by Republicans to stifly the voice of the liberal-earthy - cunchy- labor- supporting-bran- ola-eating individuals and organizations which devote themselves to making America a better place by utilizing their constitutionally mandated right to influence the political process. The entire premise of this title is bizarre. There seems to be among conservative groups the misconception that nonprofit groups are using Federal dollars to lobby. This is illegal. There are already laws on the book that prohibit the use of Federal dollars to lobby. In fact, if it is found that Federal moneys have been used to lobby, the group found in violation must return the money. They are then prohibited from applying for future grants, and there is a serious risk that criminal procedures will be brought against them. I find it ironic that this language mandates stringent reporting requirements, when one of the goals of the restrictive Republican revolution has been to remove the Federal Government from the everyday lives of the American public. Requiring all Federal grantees to fill out lengthy reports is extraordinarily intrusive. I am amazed that the Republican Party, who tried to end the school lunch program because ``the Governement should stay out of the business of feeding our children,'' is the same party that wants to force the American public to report their political activities. Senator McCarthy is dead, but his legacy clearly lives on. The intent of this language is obvious. It is to send the message to labor-oriented persons, nonprofits, and grassroots organizations not to disagree with the conservatives. It tells those groups that they may participate in the democratic process only if they agree with the Republicans. Well, I for one will not support censorship. This is the United States of America, not Fidel Castro's Cuba. Support free speech by supporting the Skaggs amendment.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1555. This vital legislation makes long-overdue changes to current communications laws by eliminating the legal barriers that prevent true competition. I am particularly pleased that H.R. 1555 will break down barriers to telecommunications for people with disabilities by requiring that carriers and manufacturers of telecommunications equipment make their network services and equipment accessible to and usable by people with disabilities. The time is past for all persons to have access to telecommunications services. H.R. 1555 assigns to the FCC the regulatory functions of ensuring that the Bell companies have complied with all of the conditions that we have imposed on their entry into long distance. This bill requires the Bell companies to interconnect with their competitors and to provide to them the features, functions, and capabilities of the Bell companies' networks that the new entrants need to compete. It also contains other checks and balances to ensure that competition in local and long distance grows. The Justice Department still has the role that was granted to it under the Sherman and Clayton Acts and other antitrust laws. Their role is to enforce the antitrust laws and ensure that all companies comply with the requirements of the bill. The Department of Justice enforces the antitrust laws of this country. It is a role that they have performed well. The Department of Justice is not and should not be a regulating agency: it is an enforcement agency. Mr. Speaker, it is time to open our telecommunications market to true competition. This legislation is long overdue. I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 1555.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Colorado [Mr. Skaggs].

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Sisisky].

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from California [Mr. Dellums], ranking member of the Committee on Armed Services.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on July 22, Florida lost one of its finest citizens. I rise today to commemorate the life of community leader William Darden. Affectionately known as Boone, Mr. Darden had a long and distinguished career in law enforcement and public service. His career culminated in being named police chief in his hometown of Riviera Beach, becoming the first African-American police chief of a major city in Florida. Born in Atlanta, Mr. Darden began his service to his country as a military policeman in World War II. Following the war, he became one of the first African-American policemen hired by the West Palm Beach Police Department. Throughout his life, he continued opening doors closed to minorities. When he rose to the position of lieutenant, he became the highest ranking African-American police officer in the South. In 1971, he was called in by Riviera Beach city leaders to help quell the devastating violence and calm the atmosphere of anger created by the integration of public schools. Using his considerable mediation skills, Mr. Darden single-handedly brought peace to his fractured community. He was promptly named police chief of Riviera Beach and set to work cleaning up and revitalizing the chaotic police force which at the time was a symbol of racial division. A model of goodwill and a hero to many African-American youth, he was reknown for his community work with troubled children. His popularity spread across Florida and was widely regarded as a major force in State politics. He was the vice chair of the State Democratic Affirmative Action Committee and subsequently rose to hold a seat on the national executive committee of the Democratic Party. Having close ties to the Carter White House, Mr. Darden participated in a diplomatic trip to Algeria at the behest of President Carter. After a remarkable rise from patrolman to chief, Mr. Darden retired in 1983 to devote his time to his family. As well as being a respected community leader, Mr. Darden was a devoted family man, and he is survived by his wife, Rose, his daughter, Kimberly, two sons, William, Jr., and Darell; and a grandchild, Dominique. A pioneer, peacemaker, and a dear friend, Boone Darden was an exceptional man. Mr. Speaker, Florida has lost one of its great citizens with the passing of William ``Boone'' Darden. His courageous life is an inspiration to all of us, and a blueprint of the American dream. We can only hope that his life emboldens those that face their own mountains to climb.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, more importantly, I seek unanimous consent to amend the amendment as offered, to increase the measure as proposed by $33 million.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I am seeking an increase of $33 million. The gentleman's point of order says I am a million plus over. I now ask unanimous consent to amend my amendment to increase by $33 million the funding that I seek.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I accept the gentleman's admonition. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw the amendment at this time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. Watt] my friend, who wished to have been a cosponsor of this amendment.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer an amendment to increase by $35 million the funding for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. This amendment would bring the EEOC to the administration's requested level of $268 million. I have offset this increase by taking $37.5 million from Federal prisons, salaries and expenses, because I believe that fighting discrimination will yield greater results than buttressing the prison system. The committee increased the appropriation for Federal prisons by $236 million and recommended that $57 million of these dollars go toward activating 10 new and expanded facilities. In this particular matter, despite the effectiveness of reforms undertaken by the EEOC, I do not believe that they will be able to fulfill their duty in a timely manner unless they have the resources to do so. Every day new cases are added to the caseload of this agency. The committee report states that the committee is confident that the EEOC will be able to streamline the process and thereby reduce the case numbers. However, I do not share such blind confidence. There are approximately 771 caseworkers at the EEOC. This means that the average caseworker is handling more than 135 cases at one time. Gilbert Cassellas, chairman of the EEOC stated during the May 11, 1995 hearings before the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies, Committee on Appropriations, that even if the Commission took no more cases, it would still take the organization 18.8 months to finish its present caseload. Consider the fact that 97 percent of this country's Fortune 500 companies' senior management positions are filled by white males. Women and minorities still make significantly less than white males. In 1992, white women made 70 cents for every dollar white males made, and black males made 74 cents for every dollar made by their white counterparts. These facts demonstrate that considerable discrimination is continuing in this country, unfortunately. It is unconscionable that we create a commission such as the EEOC and not give them the tools to meet their goals. This country is divided over the issue of race and gender. We must not undermine programs that actively deal with such discrimination. The work of the EEOC is not complete, as evidenced by the fact that almost 100,000 complaints have yet to be examined. Given the recent attacks on affirmative action, I feel it is imperative that the EEOC is able to fulfill its mandate of protecting all American workers from discrimination. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to rise in support of this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Wynn].

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 15 seconds. Mr. Chairman, most respectfully to the gentleman from Kentucky [Mr. Rogers], I would urge him to be mindful that the Federal prison system had a carryover of $35 million from the 1994 budget and has a $2 billion budget; and I do not think that that can reasonably be argued that they cannot make their requirement. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to my good friend, the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia [Ms. Norton].

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote, and pending that, I make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Edwards]. (Mr. EDWARDS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank very much the gentleman from Kentucky [Mr. Rogers], and his staff and the ranking member, the gentleman from West Virginia [Mr. Mollohan], and his staff for being considerate of the circumstances giving rise to this hastily drawn but very important measure. Mr. Chairman, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from California [Mr. Becerra].