Steve Israel

Mr. ISRAEL

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bill to designate the Deer Park Post Office as the ``Raymond M. Downey Post Office Building.'' New York lost many heroes on September 11th, but the loss of Chief Downey is an especially difficult one. During the thirty-nine years he was a New York City firefighter, Chief Downey rescued countless people from what befell so many at the World Trade Center. The most decorated member of the City's fire department, he led a FDNY rescue team to Oklahoma City and directed the recovery effort at the World Trade Center bombing in 1993. He will be sorely missed. I ask my colleagues to support this bill and to join me in remembering Ray Downey.

Mr. ISRAEL

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I am extremely pleased to rise today to offer my sincere congratulations to the six alumni recipients of the 2001 George M. Estabrook Distinguished Service Award. These six individuals are receiving Hofstra University's most prestigious alumni award for all of their excellence in the categories of career and service to society. Thomas J. McAteer, Honorable John Pessala, Edward P. Mangano, Mindy Dragovich, Lauren Hanley and Steven B. Aptheker all represent an extremely impressive group and truly deserve their award tonight, December 1, 2001 at the Hofstra Annual Alumni Award Dinner. Congratulations again to this fine and outstanding group of candidates.

Mr. ISRAEL

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Chairman, New York's economy is in deep trouble. We lead dozens of States in economic decline. Jobs are being lost. Small businesses are going under. Municipal governments are going back into debt. Fire and police budgets are strained. I do not represent New York City; I represent Long Island, but my district sends thousands of commuters into New York City every day, and our jobs depends on jobs in New York City. Our economies are linked. This House has just approved a $25 billion retroactive repeal of the alternative minimum tax for the richest corporations of America. If we can find the money for Enron and we can find the money for IBM, we should be able to find the money for people who have lost their jobs and their health insurance and their unemployment insurance and the small businesses who are being forced out of business in New York today. We have done it for others. It is time to do it for New York.

Mr. ISRAEL

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to recognize one of New York's outstanding young students, Anthony Perez. This young man has received the Eagle Scout honor from his peers in recognition of his achievements. Since the beginning of this century, the Boy Scouts of America have provided thousands of boys and young men each year with the opportunity to make friends, explore new ideas, and develop leadership skills while learning self-reliance and teamwork. The Eagle Scout award is presented only to those who possess the qualities that make our nation great: commitment to excellence, hard work, and genuine love of community service. Becoming an Eagle Scout is an extraordinary award with which only the finest Boy Scouts are honored. To earn the award--the highest advancement rank in Scouting--a Boy Scout must demonstrate proficiency in the rigorous areas of leadership, service, and outdoor skills; they must earn a minimum of 21 merit badges as well as contribute at least 100 man-hours toward a community-oriented service project. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the recipients of these awards, as their activities are indeed worthy of praise. Their leadership benefits our community and they serve as role models for their peers. Also, we must not forget the unsung heroes, who continue to devote a large part of their lives to make all this possible. Therefore, I salute the families, scout leaders, and countless others who have given generously of their time and energy in support of scouting. It is with great pride that I recognize the achievements of Anthony and bring the attention of Congress to this successful young man on his day of recognition, Friday, November 2, 2001. Congratulations to Anthony and his family.

Mr. ISRAEL

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to recognize one of New York's outstanding young students, James Lehane. This young man has received the Eagle Scout honor from their peers in recognition of their achievements. Since the beginning of this century, the Boy Scouts of America have provided thousands of boys and young men each year with the opportunity to make friends, explore new ideas, and develop leadership skills while learning self-reliance and teamwork. The Eagle Scout award is presented only to those who possess the qualities that make our nation great: commitment to excellence, hard work, and genuine love of community service. Becoming an Eagle Scout is an extraordinary award with which only the finest Boy Scouts are honored. To earn the award--the highest advancement rank in Scouting--a Boy Scout must demonstrate proficiency in the rigorous areas of leadership, service, and outdoor skills; they must earn a minimum of 23 merit badges as well as contribute at least 100 man-hours toward a community oriented service project. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the recipients of these awards, as their activities are indeed worthy of praise. Their leadership benefits our community and they serve as role models for their peers. Also, we must not forget the unsung heroes, who continue to devote a large part of their lives to make all this possible. Therefore, I salute the families, scout leaders, and countless others who have given generously of their time and energy in support of scouting. It is with great pride that I recognize the achievements of James and bring the attention of Congress to this successful young man on his day of recognition, Friday, January 4th, 2002. Congratulations to James and his family.

Mr. ISRAEL

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to recognize one of New York's outstanding young students, Gregory Porter. This young man has received the Eagle Scout honor from their peers in recognition of their achievements. Since the beginning of this century, the Boy Scouts of America have provided thousands of boys and young men each year with the opportunity to make friends, explore new ideas, and develop leadership skills while learning self-reliance and teamwork. The Eagle Scout award is presented only to those who posses the qualities that make our nation great: commitment to excellence, hard work, and genuine love of community service. Becoming an Eagle Scout is an extraordinary award with which only the finest Boy Scouts are honored. To earn the award--the highest advancement rank in Scouting--a Boy Scout must demonstrate proficiency in the rigorous areas of leadership, service, and outdoor skills; they must earn a minimum of 23 merit badges as well as contribute at least 100 man-hours toward a community oriented service project. I ask my colleagues to Join me in congratulating the recipients of these awards, as their activities are indeed worthy of praise. Their leadership benefits our community and they serve as role models for their peers. Also, we must not forget the unsung heroes, who continue to devote a large part of their lives to make all this possible. Therefore, I salute the families, scout leaders, and countless others who have given generously of their time and energy in support of scouting. It is with great pride that I recognize the achievements of Gregory and bring the attention of Congress to this successful young man on his day of recognition, Saturday, November 24, 2001. Congratulations to Gregory and his family.

Mr. ISRAEL

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, this weekend we will commemorate veterans, honoring those who have served in America's armed services in times of peace and times of war. Tragically, this same weekend will mark the 2- month anniversary of September 11, 2 months since international terrorists declared war on the United States and the civilized world. The veterans of America's war on terrorism are fighting today in Afghanistan. The veterans of America's war on terrorism are also our courageous first responders: our firefighters, our police, our emergency hospital personnel, our school administrators, even our school nurses. Our first responders are in the trenches, and it is our job in Congress to ensure they have all the resources they need to defend themselves and defend our people. That is why I am urging my colleagues to join me in sponsoring the Bioterrorism Protection Act of 2001, providing both long-term and short-term strategies for fighting our new war, from laboratories to police stations, to firehouses and nursing tables. We may not completely destroy the war on terrorism in 2 months or even 2 years. We may have to be on guard for 2 decades. But we shall prevail and American children will be secure because of our efforts.

Mr. ISRAEL

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to recognize one of New York's outstanding young men, David Fucaloro. The Boy Scouts of his troop will honor him as they recognize his achievements by giving him the Eagle Scout honor on Friday, December 7th 2001. Since the beginning of this century, the Boy Scouts of America have provided thousands of boys and young men each year with the opportunity to make friends, explore new ideas, and develop leadership skills while learning self-reliance and teamwork. This award is presented only to those who posses the qualities that make our nation great: commitment to excellence, hard work, and genuine love of community service. Becoming an Eagle Scout is an extraordinary award with which only the finest Boy Scouts are honored. To earn the award--the highest advancement rank in Scouting--a Boy Scout must demonstrate proficiency in the rigorous areas of leadership, service, and outdoor skills. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the recipients of these awards, as their activities are indeed worthy of praise. Their leadership benefits our community and they serve as role models for their peers. Also, we must not forget the unsung heroes, who continue to devote a large part of their lives to make all this possible. Therefore, I salute the families, scout leaders, and countless others who have given generously of their time and energy in support of scouting. It is with great pride that I recognize the achievements of Mr. Fucaloro, and bring the attention of Congress to this successful young man on his day of recognition. Congratulations to Edward and his family.

Mr. ISRAEL

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the generosity and kindness of one of my constituents, Scott C. Schwartz, DDS. Scott is an orthodontist in Deer Park, LI, who has brought much happiness--and beautiful smiles--to thousands of children and adults in Long Island. He now would like to continue to bring that happiness and those smiles by offering his services to all of the children of Suffolk County who lost a parent in the World Trade, free of charge. It is so very heart-warming to see a person helping to get America to smile again. I applaud and thank Scott for his kind and heart-felt actions. I ask my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. ISRAEL

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2945, the Ancillary Airline Industry Relief Act of 2001. Soon after the September 11th attacks, this body passed a bill to save the airline industry from economic disaster. I supported that legislation because of the impact airlines have on our national infrastructure. But while the airlines received billions in aid, other related industries have been left to pick up the scraps. Among those groups are the travel agents. Industry leaders say as many as 100,000 could lose their business. These men and women are the backbone of our tourism industry. They arrange for most of the air travel and almost all of the packaged tours and cruises. Even considering travel web-sites, airlines simply cannot manage the burden of arranging travel without travel agents. Immediately following the attacks, travel agents were indispensable to their clients--helping thousands of stranded passengers. We should not leave them behind now. If we are to get America traveling again, we need to address the needs of America's travel agents. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. ISRAEL

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to recognize one of New York's outstanding young men, Joel Lipsy. The Boy Scouts of his troop will honor him as they recognize his achievements by giving him the Eagle Scout honor on Sunday, November 18th. Since the beginning of this century, the Boy Scouts of America have provided thousands of boys and young men each year with the opportunity to make friends, explore new ideas, and develop leadership skills while learning self-reliance and teamwork. This award is presented only to those who possess the qualities that make our nation great: commitment to excellence, hard work, and genuine love of community service. Becoming an Eagle Scout is an extraordinary award with which only the finest Boy Scouts are honored. To earn the award--the highest advancement rank in Scouting--a Boy Scout must demonstrate proficiency in the rigorous areas of leadership, service, and outdoor skills. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the recipients of these awards, as their activities are indeed worthy of praise. Their leadership benefits our community and they serve as role models for their peers. Also, we must not forget the unsung heroes, who continue to devote a large part of their lives to make all this possible. Therefore, I salute the families, scout leaders, and countless others who have given generously of their time and energy in support of scouting. It is with great pride that I recognize the achievements of Joel Lipsy, and bring the attention of Congress to this successful young man on his day of recognition. Congratulations to Joel and his family.

Mr. ISRAEL

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to recognize one of New York's outstanding educators, James A. Ruck, who has received the Golden Apple Award from his peers and the Suffolk County Council in recognition of his achievements. The Golden Apple Award is presented only to those who possess the qualities that make our nation great: commitment to excellence, hard work, and genuine love of community service. Receiving the Golden Apple Award is an extraordinary achievement with which only the finest educators are honored. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Mr. Ruck, as his activities are indeed worthy of praise. His leadership benefits our community and he serves as a role model for our youth. It is with great pride that I recognize the achievements of James Ruck and bring the attention of Congress to this successful educator on his day of recognition. Congratulations to you and your family.

Mr. ISRAEL

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to add the following article to the Congressional Record. It appeared in the New York Times on Friday, October 12, 2001, on page A23. Bush to bin Laden (By Thomas L. Friedman) The White House has asked U.S. networks to limit broadcasts of statements by Osama bin Laden. I wish that instead of censorship, the president would respond to him. Here's what Mr. Bush could say: Dear bin Laden: I've listened to the statement you released through Al Jazeera TV. Since I know that no Arab or Muslim leader will dare answer you, I thought I would do it. Let met be blunt: Your statement was pathetic. It's obvious from what you said that you don't have a clue why we're so strong or why the Arab regimes you despise are so weak. You spoke about the suicide attacks on us as being just revenge for the ``80 years of humiliation and disgrace'' the Islamic nation has gone through. You referred to the hijackers as a Muslim vanguard sent ``to destroy America,'' the leader of the ``international infidels,'' and you denounced the Arab regimes as ``hypocrites'' and ``hereditary rulers.'' What was most revealing, though, was what you didn't say: You offered no vision of the future. This was probably your last will and testament--I sure hope so--and you could have said anything you wanted to future generations. After all, it was your mike. Yet you had nothing to say. Your only message to the Muslim world was whom to hate, not what to build--let alone how. In part it's because you really don't know much about Islamic history. The Muslim world reached the zenith of its influence in the Middle Ages--when it preserved the best of classical Greek and Roman teachings, and inspired breakthroughs in mathematics, science, medicine and philosophy. That is also when Islam was at its most open to the world, when it enriched, and was enriched by, the Christian, Greek and Jewish communities in its midst--whom you now disparage as infidels--and when it was actively trading with all corners of the world. Your closed, inward, hate-filled version of Islam--which treats women as cattle and all non-Muslims as enemies--corresponds with no period of greatness for Islam, and will bring none. It was also revealing that the only Arab state you mentioned was Iraq. Interesting--Iraq is led by a fascist dictator, Saddam Hussein, who used poison gas against his own people, who squandered Iraq's oil wealth to build himself palaces and who raped Kuwait. But you are silent about all that. What bothers you is our targeted sanctions to end such a regime--not the regime itself. In other words, you not only don't understand the Muslim past, you don't understand its present. The reason these past 80 years have been so stagnant for the Arab-Muslim world is not because we in America have been trying to keep you down. Actually, we haven't been thinking about you much at all. No, the difference between American power, Chinese power, Latin American power and Arab-Muslim power today is what we've each been doing for these past 80 years. We and others have been trying to answer many questions: How do we best educate our kids? How do we increase our trade? How do we build an industrial base? How do we increase political participation? And we judged our leaders on how well they answered all those questions. But people like you want Arabs and Muslims to ask only one question of their leaders: How well did you fight the infidels and Israelis? I know that who rules Jerusalem is a deeply important part of your heritage, and every Arab-Muslim leader must address it. But it can't be the only question. Yet, because people like you have reduced it to the only question, and tried to intimidate ever Arab who wanted to ask other questions, you have allowed your region to be led by scoundrels, like Saddam. Yes, you've wreaked some havoc, bin Laden, but don't flatter yourself into thinking you can destroy us. You have to build something strong to destroy something strong. But you can't. Because all the intellectual and creative energies in the Arab-Muslim world--which are as bountiful as in any other region--can never reach their full potential under repressive regimes like Iraq or leaders like yourself. Stalin and Mao killed a lot of their own people, but even these thugs had a plan for their societies. You, bin Laden, are nothing but a hijacker--a hijacker of Islam, a hijacker of other people's technology, a hijacker of a vast Arab nation's anger at its own regimes. But you have no vision and no plan for your people. Which is why your epitaph will be easy to write: Osama bin Laden--he destroyed much, he built nothing. His lasting impact was like a footprint in the desert.

Mr. ISRAEL

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, this article appeared in Newsday on Tuesday, October 23, 2001, on page A7. I would like to sincerely thank and commend Jean Gioglio for her generosity and kindness in donating her son Michael Gioglio's clothes to the World Trade Center rescue workers. Washing Away Grief Mother donates deceased son's clothes to rescue workers (By Nedra Rhone) It was nearing some ungodly hour, and as rescue workers labored at Ground Zero hoping to find traces of the missing, Jean Gioglio labored over her washing machine. Suds from a homemade cocktail of detergent and disinfectant bubbled about and the piles of clothing seemed to grow before her eyes, but she was determined to finish. The weatherman had predicted rain for the next day, and Gioglio wanted to get the clothing to rescue workers by morning. As the machine rumbled in her Bay Shore home, Gioglio wrote a letter. ``I cannot fathom how you have the strength to carry on, but from the bottom of my heart, I am grateful to you!!'' Into every sleeve, every trouser leg and each pocket she tucked the note explaining exactly where the items came from. ``These are Mike's clothes; you see, he doesn't need them anymore . . . he died three years ago . . . I've asked Michael to be your guardian angel.'' Michael was Gioglio's 19-year-old son. And in the three years since his death, she has held on. Held on to his clothing, his possessions, his life. Two nights after the attack on the World Trade Center, Gioglio was ready to let go. ``It hurts me that I'd been holding on to Mike's clothes. I was thinking about how tired the rescue workers must be, how shocked. I was stuffing letters into the shirts and just wanting them to put them on, find that piece of paper, and not feel anonymous,'' Gioglio said. When Michael Gioglio was 16, Timothy McVeigh bombed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. ``He wanted to jump on the plane right then,'' Gioglio said. He wanted to help the rescuers there in what was then the worst act of terror in America. ``He was too young, how could I just take a kid into that environment?'' Michael gave logical reasons, Gioglio said. He was strong, level-headed and willing to follow direction, he told her. But the answer was still no. Michael never said another word about it. Then, three years later, he committed suicide, and with time, Gioglio started the process of healing. But she never was able to part with her son's belongings. ``Being surrounded with Mike's things made it a little more comforting,'' she said. ``It gave me a feel for what was.'' Michael was an athletic young man. The walls of his bedroom still display the more sentimental reminders of his life-- football photos, lacrosse pads, a golf iron. People told her that when the time was right to let go, she would know. It just never seemed to come. Until the moment in mid-September, when Michael had a second chance to help. She found herself in his old room pulling long-forgotten clothing out of drawers and closets. ``Humanity is dying,'' Gioglio said about her sudden motivation, ``and the simplest things are going to get all of us to a better place.'' It had taken years for Gioglio to get to this point, but as she packed her son's belongings, which had remained in his bedroom untouched, her state-of-mind surprised her. ``I was comfortable with it; I'm not heartbroken at all,'' she said. In fact, it felt as if Michael had tapped her on the shoulder and told her to do something, she said. Family members who had watched Gioglio grieve over the years thought it was wonderful that she was able to give away her son's material possessions, Gioglio said. ``Sometimes people need something, some significant event, to jump-start some type of healing or resolution,'' said Jill Rathus, associated professor of psychology at Long Island University's C.W. Post campus. The World Trade Center attack may have helped push Gioglio to the next phase of healing. The tragedy could have many different effects on people who previously experienced the loss of a loved one, Rathus said. For some it may prove a setback, with the event serving as confirmation of their already altered world view and flooding them with painful memories. Others, like Gioglio, may believe their mourning is shared and find a greater sense of community with those now experiencing loss. On Sept. 22, Michael would have turned 23 years old. ``I know there would have been no stopping him now,'' Gioglio said. Her son was no bleeding heart, she said, but he did care about animals, the environment and kids. ``You wouldn't pick him out in a crowd and say `He's a humanitarian,' '' Gioglio said, ``but he is there quietly in the background doing what he can.'' This time, his work in the background offered some form of comfort to weary firefighters, police officers and emergency workers. Piece by piece, Gioglio ironed, folded and labeled Michael's clothing, bundling size 34 pants and large-sized sweatshirts into neatly wrapped piles that she delivered to Island Harvest, the Long Island based organization that maintained a warehouse for donations. ``It just stood out because it was clear that somebody went through a lot of trouble to make sure this was going to get to the firemen,'' said Tom Waring, president of the group, whose volunteers organized about 300,000 pounds of tools, medical supplies, food and clothing. Waring later called Gioglio to thank her. It was pouring rain the day local volunteers distributed Michael's clothing to rescue workers. A number of people called or wrote letters that same day to say, yes, her note really had helped them feel better. One rescuer had just wiped the soot from his face and arms with baby wipes and reached for Mike's clean, dry shirt, when the letter fluttered out. ``He said to me, `I want to run home and hug my kids, but first I wanted to tell you that this is definitely a hug from yours,' '' Gioglio said. She believes that Michael is there at Ground Zero-- hopefully as a guardian angel to workers doing the job he once dreamed of doing. ``Letting go of Mike's possessions, I believe, is somehow sending out the troops,'' Gioglio said. ``Maybe I bit off more than Michael can chew, but we definitely have him on the case.''

Mr. ISRAEL

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time. Mr. Speaker, we know that this bill is not the silver bullet in our war against terrorism, but it is a vital tool for our law enforcement community. I want to thank the chairman and the ranking member for getting this good strong bill to the floor with such dispatch. Mr. Speaker, September 11 we have learned a great deal about Osama bin Laden and the al-Qaeda terrorist network. We know that in addition to a complex global financial network, there are many, many sources of funds and a personal fortune of $300 million that Osama bin Laden has. Alarmingly, evidence suggests that organizations in the United States and abroad have cloaked themselves as charitable organizations to help funnel those funds to al-Qaeda. The President has already frozen the assets of the Wafa Humanitarian Organization, the Al Rashid Trust, the Makhtab al-Khidamat, and most recently, the Society of Islamic Cooperation. These were groups that were supposedly charitable organizations, but were mere conduits for raising money for the treacherous acts of September 11. In committee, Mr. Speaker, I introduced an amendment that the chairman and the gentleman from New York (Mr. LaFalce) were gracious enough to accept. It is an important measure. It simply tells the Treasury Department to scrutinize how terrorists use charitable non- profits and other groups to fund these activities. If we are going to win the war on terrorism, we must fight it on every front. This is an important bill in that battle.

Mr. ISRAEL

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to recognize one of New York's outstanding young students, Stephen Edward Monsees. This young man has received the Eagle Scout honor from their peers in recognition of their achievements. Since the beginning of this century, the Boy Scouts of America have provided thousands of boys and young men each year with the opportunity to make friends, explore new ideas, and develop leadership skills while learning self-reliance and teamwork. The Eagle Scout award is presented only to those who possess the qualities that make our nation great: commitment to excellence, hard work, and genuine love of community service. Becoming an Eagle Scout is an extraordinary award with which only the finest Boy Scouts are honored. To earn the award--the highest advancement rank in Scouting--a Boy Scout must demonstrate proficiency in the rigorous areas of leadership, service, and outdoor skills; they must earn a minimum of 23 merit badges as well as contribute at least 100 man-hours toward a community oriented service project. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the recipients of these awards, as their activities are indeed worthy of praise. Their leadership benefits our community and they serve as role models for their peers. Also, we must not forget the unsung heroes, who continue to devote a large part of their lives to make all this possible. Therefore, I salute the families, scout leaders, and countless others who have given generously of their time and energy in support of scouting. It is with great pride that I recognize the achievements of Stephen and bring the attention of Congress to this successful young man on his day of recognition, Friday, October 12, 2001. Congratulations to Stephen and his family.

Mr. ISRAEL

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to recognize one of New York's outstanding young students, Steven Fucaloro. This young man has received the Eagle Scout honor from his peers in recognition of his achievements. Since the beginning of this century, the Boy Scouts of America have provided thousands of boys and young men each year with the opportunity to make friends, explore new ideas, and develop leadership skills while learning self-reliance and teamwork. The Eagle Scout award is presented only to those who posses the qualities that make our nation great: commitment to excellence, hard work, and genuine love of community service. Becoming an Eagle Scout is an extraordinary award with which only the finest Boy Scouts are honored. To earn the award--the highest advancement rank in Scouting--a Boy Scout must demonstrate proficiency in the rigorous areas of leadership, service, and outdoor skills; they must earn a minimum of 23 merit badges as well as contribute at least 100 man-hours toward a community oriented service project. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the recipients of these awards, as their activities are indeed worthy of praise. Their leadership benefits our community and they serve as role models for their peers. Also, we must not forget the unsung heroes, who continue to devote a large part of their lives to make all this possible. Therefore, I salute the families, scout leaders, and countless others who have given generously of their time and energy in support of scouting. It is with great pride that I recognize the achievements of Steven and bring the attention of Congress to this successful young man on his day of recognition, Friday, November 2, 2001. Congratulations to Steven and his family.

Mr. ISRAEL

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to recognize one of New York's outstanding young men, Evan Brownell. The Boy Scouts of his troop will honor him as they recognize his achievements by giving him the Eagle Scout honor on Sunday, October 7th. Since the beginning of this century, the Boy Scouts of America have provided thousands of boys and young men each year with the opportunity to make friends, explore new ideas, and develop leadership skills while learning self-reliance and teamwork. This award is presented only to those who posses the qualities that make our nation great: commitment to excellence, hard work, and genuine love of community service. Becoming an Eagle Scout is an extraordinary award with which only the finest Boy Scouts are honored. To earn the award--the highest advancement rank in Scouting--a Boy Scout must demonstrate proficiency in the rigorous areas of leadership, service, and outdoor skills. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the recipients of these awards, as their activities are indeed worthy of praise. Their leadership benefits our community and they serve as role models for their peers. Also, we must not forget the unsung heroes, who continue to devote a large part of their lives to make all this possible. Therefore, I salute the families, scout leaders, and countless others who have given generously of their time and energy in support of scouting. It is with great pride that I recognize the achievements of Mr. Brownell, and bring the attention of Congress to this successful young man on his day of recognition. Congratulations to Evan and his family.

Mr. ISRAEL

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, recently I attended a candlelight vigil at the Deer Park High School on Long Island on behalf of those missing and lost on the attack on the World Trade Center. Following that ceremony, I have had the privilege of meeting with the Szewczuk family. Jessica Szewczuk gave me a poem she wrote about the Trade Center attack. Her words are particularly poignant because her father is a New York firefighter, one of the countless heroes who has saved lives in the true spirit of America. On behalf of all of those heroes, I would like to read Jessica's poem to my colleagues. She writes: When the Twin Towers were hit Everyone was in shock People screaming and running Not believing what was happening to us We the nation of strength and teams The nation that gives hope and dreams The nation that was built with confidence and care. The nation that will always be there When this tragedy occurred everyone went mad The city was in chaos, really bad People said that everyone would be torn They were right for we continue to mourn This tragedy will be hard to mend But never have we been so close Everyone is everyone's friend This terror that happened just brought us tighter Boosted up our confidence and made our hearts brighter We are all working as a team, we're all helping out The city is slowly being fixed and there is less doubt So there goes to show that whatever may be Our people will always be confident and free Nothing can ruin our foundation No one can take apart this nation No one can kill America's heart Nothing can rip our bond apart Our flesh and blood has built this great nation Our hearts and mind have created America's foundation So whatever happens and whatever goes on America will always continue to be strong Nothing can make us weak Only help build our strength to the highest peak No one can ever put us to defeat For America's heart will always continue to beat. I am privileged to represent the Szewczuk family in the United States Congress.

Mr. ISRAEL

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to recognize one of New York's outstanding young men, Robert Eisner. The Boy Scouts of his troop will honor him as they recognize his achievements by giving him the Eagle Scout honor on Friday, October 12. Since the beginning of this century, the Boy Scouts of America have provided thousands of boys and young men each year with the opportunity to make friends, explore new ideas, and develop leadership skills while learning self-reliance and teamwork. This award is presented only to those who posses the qualities that make our nation great: commitment to excellence, hard work, and genuine love of community service. Becoming an Eagle Scout is an extraordinary award with which only the finest Boy Scouts are honored. To earn the award--the highest advancement rank in Scouting--a Boy Scout must demonstrate proficiency in the rigorous areas of leadership, service, and outdoor skills. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the recipients of these awards, as their activities are indeed worthy of praise. Their leadership benefits our community and they serve as role models for their peers. Also, we must not forget the unsung heroes, who continue to devote a large part of their lives to make all this possible. Therefore, I salute the families, scout leaders, and countless others who have given generously of their time and energy in support of scouting. It is with great pride that I recognize the achievements of Mr. Eisner, and bring the attention of Congress to this successful young man on his day of recognition. Congratulations to Robert and his family.

Mr. ISRAEL

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, on September 17, as the smoke still rose above the site of a terrorist attack on America, I convened a meeting of veterans throughout New York's Second Congressional District. I wanted to hear from them, firsthand, how our Nation should respond at this fateful moment in our history. I asked for their opinions because these are the men and women who have already seen battle. They have already responded to America's call. They have already paid a price for freedom . . . and many saw their comrades pay an eternal price. Mr. Speaker, this group of veterans was unified on two essential points which I share with my colleagues in Congress today. First, the American people, the Congress, and the administration must provide our armed forces with the sustained support they will need to ensure that no terrorist has the capability of inflicting damage on America ever again. Not at any time. Not in any place. Never again. That means pursuing justice until we clean every cave, every tunnel, and every training base where terrorists threaten our country. Second, we must understand our obligation to our armed forces as we send them into battle . . . and after they return home. There's been a lot of talk about postponing America's domestic agenda. And I agree that we must be focused on our national and economic security. But as we send American troops into conflict, now is not the time to cut veterans benefits. Now is not the time to reduce services at our veterans hospitals. Now is not the time to cut health security or income security for our veterans. We must send a strong message to our armed forces that when they take care of America in battle, America will take care of them in peace. The maxim of battle is ``leave no soldier behind.'' When the battle is over, let us leave no veteran behind. Mr. Speaker, no group of people can provide more valuable insight about the struggle to come than those who have bravely served in struggles before. I appreciate the counsel that the veterans of New York's Second Congressional District have provided.

Mr. ISRAEL

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, last week, our country, this community, was struck by tragedy. We lost family and friends, firefighters and police, loved ones and heroes. For our families, we offer our prayers. For President Bush, Major Giuliani, and Governor Pataki, we offer our thanks. For the cowards who committed these atrocities, we submit our resolve. On Friday, the President asked me to join with him at ground zero. In the wreckage of the World Trade Center, we saw a place of war . . . but also a place of great hope. We saw, we smelled, we heard the signs of war: twisted metal . . . shattered windows . . . acrid, smoking ruins. As our Air Force jet passed, the clouds were low, and smoke billowed from the wreckage below, casting a gray shroud over lower Manhattan. But amidst the devastation, we also saw the signs of the true America. As our motorcade drove slowly down the west side highway, the clouds broke, and the sun shined brightly on the Statue of Liberty, reflecting the very best of our country. Amidst the devastation, rescue workers planted small American flags, in their battered helmets. They were weary from digging to save lives for three days, yet still able to raise their arms high and shout, ``USA, USA, USA'' when our President arrived. I met our neighbors--one from East Islip, the other from Huntington Station--who had been working in that rubble since the calamity struck, defiantly insisting on hope with every brick they moved. I salute them and all of our unsung heroes who continue to provide comfort in a time of tragedy and save lives in a time of war. Ladies and gentlemen, that is the America that was in my mind later that night, after I returned to Washington, and voted to give our President the authority he needs to protect the freedoms we hold so dear, the freedoms our Constitution offers us in its very first words, the Preamble: ``To establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.'' We didn't choose this fight. It chose us. And now we have no choice but to respond for the lives lost . . . and to preserve a uniquely American way of life: Americans saw blood . . . and then lined up for hours to give it. We saw disaster . . . but not defeat. We felt fear . . . but now we join together in faith. Our American democracy built by Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Lincoln will not be weakened by cowardly terrorists. As Alexis de Touquville said over a century ago: ``Americans are great--because they are good.'' And we know well that good always triumphs over evil. Ladies and gentlemen, that night, when I cast my vote on the Floor of the House to authorize the use of force, I was conscious of all these things. And I was aware of the fact that sixty years before, from that very same place, President Roosevelt summoned America into a monumental crusade against evil. We remember his speech, calling that day one of ``infamy.'' But I want to leave you with other words he proclaimed in the very same speech: ``With confidence in our armed forces--with unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph, so help us God.'' We triumphed then. We will triumph now. So help us God.

Mr. ISRAEL

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to recognize one of New York's outstanding young students, Kelly M. Ramirez. On September 20, 2001, the women of Girl Scout Troop 801 will recognize Kelly for receiving her gold award. Since the beginning of the last century, the Girl Scouts of America have provided thousands of young women each year with the opportunity to make friends, explore new ideas, and develop leadership skills while learning self-reliance and teamwork. These awards are presented only to those who possess the qualities that make our Nation great: commitment to excellence, hard work, and genuine love of community service. The Gold Award represents the highest awards attainable by junior and high school Girl Scouts. I ask colleagues to join me in congratulating the recipient of this award, as her activity is indeed worthy of praise. Her leadership benefits our community and she serves as a role model for her peers. Also, we must not forget the unsung heroes, who continue to devote a large part of their lives to make all this possible. Therefore, I salute the families, scout leaders, and countless others who have give generously of their time and energy in support of scouting. It is with great pride that I recognize the achievements of Kelly, and bring the attention of Congress to this successful young woman on her day of recognition.

Mr. ISRAEL

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to recognize one of New York's outstanding young students, Evan Christian Brownell. On October 7, 2001, the Boy Scouts of Troop 292 in Brentwood will recognize Evan's achievements by giving him the Eagle Scout honor. Since the beginning of this century, the Boy Scouts of America have provided thousands of boys and young men each year with the opportunity to make friends, explore new ideas, and develop leadership skills while learning self-reliance and teamwork. The Eagle Scout award is presented only to those who possess the qualities that make our nation great: commitment to excellence, hard work, and genuine love of community service. Becoming an Eagle Scout is an extraordinary award with which only the finest Boy Scouts are honored. To earn the award--the highest advancement rank in Scouting--a Boy Scout must demonstrate proficiency in the rigorous areas of leadership, service, and outdoor skills; they must earn a minimum of 23 merit badges as well as contribute at least 100 man-hours toward a community oriented service project. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the recipient of this award, as his activities are indeed worthy of praise. His leadership benefits our community and he serves as role model for his peers. Also, we must not forget the unsung heroes, who continue to devote a large part of their lives to make all this possible. Therefore, I salute the families, scout leaders, and countless others who have given generously of their time and energy in support of scouting. It is with great pride that I recognize the achievements of Evan and bring the attention of Congress to this successful young man on his day of recognition. Congratulations to Evan and his family.

Mr. ISRAEL

Mr. ISRAEL. I thank the gentleman for yielding time. Mr. Speaker, today I also join the President of the United States and Democrats and Republicans from this House in a place of war and a place of hope. In the wreckage of the World Trade Center, we saw the signs of war, twisted steel, shattered windows, smoking ruins. But, Mr. Speaker, amidst the devastation we saw the signs of America: small flags planted in the rescue workers' helmets, people weary from digging to save lives, yet still able to raise their hands high over their heads and chant ``USA, USA'' when our President arrived. I met with Long Islanders, my constituents, one from East Islip, the other from Huntington Station, who had been on the scene tirelessly since this calamity in a heroic effort to save lives and rebuild our city. I salute them and all of our unsung heroes who continue the efforts to provide comfort in a time of tragedy and save lives in a time of war. Mr. Speaker, we did not choose this fight, it chose us; and now we have no choice but to strike back in the defense of our lives, to defend our way of life, and to remember throughout the ordeal to come what this fight is about, the lives that were lost and the freedoms and liberties that we preserve.