Stephanie Jones

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. I want to thank my colleague, the newest Member of the Congressional Black Caucus, who has joined us in the House, Congresswoman Laura Richardson, from the great State of California, who has joined us on the floor this evening, for her support. I also want to thank my staffer, Aaron Wasserman, for his work and research. Let me close out this Special Order with a few more statistics and a couple of statements. Can you imagine this: The amount of money that we've spent on the Iraq war so far, 270,850,440 children could benefit from receiving health insurance for 1 year. In addition, a Census Bureau news release stated that 8.7 million uninsured children in 2006 could be insured for 31 years with the amount of money that has been used in the Iraq war. The number of 4-year scholarships that could be provided, 21,927,497 scholarships could be provided to the children of the United States nationwide if we used the money from Iraq. And let's talk about, for a moment, the cost to the people of Iraq. A recent article by the Washington Post has said that Iraq needs 10,000 megawatts of electricity per day, but they're only producing 4,110. In civilian casualties, since April of 2004, the average number of Iraqis killed per day has grown from just over 20 to over 100. The total number of Iraqi casualties is estimated to be between 70,264 and 150,000 people. I am so pleased and honored to have an opportunity to be on the floor leading this Special Order on behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus. I personally am opposed to any permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq, and no control by the U.S. of Iraqi oil. I am opposed to the surge. The benchmarks not being met are, the GAO says three of 18 were not met, and I am opposed to continued funding for the surge. There is no military solution to this war, and only political and diplomatic solutions will actually work. We should not arm Iraqi security forces when the United States leaves, and we should not leave behind weapons that can be used to perpetuate violence. We have a moral obligation to help with Iraqi national reconciliation and reconstruction. I've been a Member of Congress now for 9 years, and I never thought when I ran for Congress that I would have the responsibility or obligation of attending deployments or attending funerals of my constituents, but as a Member of Congress I see it as my obligation. I'm so happy that even though I oppose this war, that I have a chance to go and meet with many of the Army Reservists and National Guards who have been deployed from my congressional district, and go to them with their families and say to them that I pray for their safe return, that when they return from their mission over in Iraq and Afghanistan, that they all come back. I remember one of the deployments I took a flag that I had flown over the Capitol and gave it to these young men. And I said, I pray that you will bring my flag back. I want you to fly it every day, but when you come back, bring it back, but bring every member of your group back with you. And you know what? They brought me my flag back, and every one of the members of that troop came back home. It was a wonderful thing. But I've witnessed the death of a 19-year-old, Officer Sloan. I've witnessed the death of a 38-year-old. I've witnessed the death of so many young men and women as a result of this particular war. And I say to the American people who are listening to our Special Order this evening, the Congressional Black Caucus believes and argues to the American people that you need to step up your protests. If you believe that this war is not correct and that our troops need to come home, you need to tell somebody. You just can't sit in your chair and be an armchair quarterback. You can't sit back and not say anything. The people, the Congress, the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate needs to hear from you. The President needs to hear from you to let him know that we do not support his continued effort over in Iraq. I am pleased, as I said, to be a part of this Special Order. I am pleased to represent the finest congressional district in the United States of America, the 11th Congressional District of Ohio. And I thank all of my constituents for writing, calling, e-mailing, faxing and saying to me, Congresswoman, it is your job to stand up and oppose this war. And ladies and gentlemen of Cleveland and northeast Ohio, that is what I'm doing.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests and join with my colleagues issuing condolences to the Gillmor family, and I yield back the balance of my time as well.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would yield time to Mr. Obey, the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, such time as he may consume.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, my first comments are to Karen Gillmor. Karen, I stand in your stead. Only 4 years ago, I lost my husband suddenly. All I can say to you is hold on to God's unchanging hand. He will help you through all of this. And as you think about all the wonderful memories and the wonderful opportunities and the blessing that you had to have Paul Gillmor in your life. To your sons and daughters, I say the same thing. I always talk to my son, and I say, ``Merv, just remember all the good times. Remember all the fun you had, all the things you learned, and cherish each and every one of them.'' As a Member of Congress, I rise to speak to honor the life of my colleague and friend, Paul Gillmor. Paul and I served on the Committee on Financial Services together. When I first came to Congress, Paul reminded me of the big bear, kind of a gentle bear. You don't even know he is really in the room until he kind of humbles into the room. I remember him saying on occasion, Stephanie, Congresswoman Jones, so forth and so on. I was pleased to have had the opportunity to cosponsor some legislation with him with regard to historic preservation. He and I both understood the importance of preserving historic buildings in this Nation and offered legislation that would have provided tax incentives for people to be able to shore up that legislation. Unlike Paul, I was not in the legislature when I first came to Congress. The advantage of having a colleague and a friend who has had some experience in the legislature works greatly. I can remember one time at a Financial Services hearing, as usual, I was going at a witness. Later Paul said, ``Now, Stephanie, just calm down a little bit. It ain't like you're in a courtroom anymore.'' We're all going to miss Paul Gillmor. The beauty of the United States Congress is that it is a bipartisan body where you have Democrats and Republicans who are there and who are able to argue or debate their particular issue. But the beauty also of a bipartisan body is that you have Democrats and Republicans who can get along, who understand the importance of raising the issues on behalf of their constituents, but also understand the importance of working together. I know everyone has already placed into the Record all of Paul's background, experience and things that he did to represent the great State of Ohio. Again, I stand here as a colleague and a friend to talk about my experiences with Paul Gillmor, to record them in my memory, and to smile, because at these times it is often hard to smile and lift up a time of laughter. But I call upon all of our friends and colleagues and his family to look to the good times, to look to all the great memories, and, over time, time will heal some of the wounds.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio, Tim Ryan.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney).

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Space).

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Good Saturday morning. Here we are in the House, and I'm proud to be part of that great Democrat majority in the House of Representatives, and already this year we have passed major bipartisan legislation and won real victories on behalf of the American people. For example, just last week, many American families received their first pay raise in a decade when the minimum wage increase passed earlier this year. Our Democratic majority also passed strong legislation last week to implement the 9/11 Commission's recommendations and make sure that America is protected from the threat of terrorism. And this week, the House sent a sweeping lobby and ethics reform measure to the President. This landmark legislation provides the toughest ethics reform in a generation. It will go a long way towards returning this House to its rightful owners, the American people, not special interests. Mr. Speaker, Democrats have worked very hard to make real progress on issues that are important to American families, and we're proud to be the Democratic majority.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I rise in celebration of the life of Thaddeus Edgar Owens, Sr., a great citizen, father, and friend who recently passed away at the age of 88. Thaddeus was born on January 7, 1919 to Alex Owens and Carrie Brown in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He enjoyed a happy childhood with his sister, Cleopatra, and a large extended family. An attentive student, he received a scholarship to attend Morehouse College in Atlanta, enrolling at the young age of sixteen. There, he played football and pledged Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. After graduation, Thaddeus lived and worked in New York until 1941 when he was drafted into the armed forces. He achieved the rank of a sergeant and worked as a clerk in the office of the Quartermaster. In preparation for work with the French Underground, Thaddeus was chosen to participate in a secret project at Hamilton College where he studied and became fluent in French. Despite their training, Thaddeus and his fellow African American soldiers were never permitted to participate in this aspect of the war. Thaddeus confronted the injustices existing within the segregated armed forces protesting the railroading of a fellow soldier. His actions resulted in him being accused of mutiny and reduced in rank. Despite this incident, he was honorably discharged in 1945 after receiving the Asiatic Pacific Service, Good Conduct and World War II Victory Medals. After the war, Thaddeus went on to obtain his law degree from Brooklyn Law School. He led an active life in local politics and community affairs for many years, serving on the Legal Redress Committee of the Brooklyn NAACP and a legal advisor in the Brooklyn Democratic Party. His legal career progressed when he won the election for Judge of the Civil Court of New York City in 1975. He became the first African American man appointed to the Supreme Court of Staten Island, and then returned to Brooklyn to serve as a fully appointed State Supreme Court Justice in 1982. Thaddeus retired in 1995. Thaddeus loved to read and was appreciated for his intellectual brilliance. Charming and outgoing, he was known for his quick wit and playful sense of humor. Thaddeus always put the care and well-being of his family first, his wife, Emma Louise Owens, his two sons, Thaddeus Jr. and David, and his two daughters, Michele and Priscilla. On behalf of the United States Congress and the people of the 11th District of Ohio, I express my sincerest condolences to the family of Thaddeus Edgar Owens, Sr. May his legacy of compassion forever live in our hearts.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I rise today in celebration of the 75th birthday of a man that had a profound impact on my life, Dr. James L. Phillips. A native of Sharon, Texas, Dr. Phillips was a skilled athlete and student and attended Washington & Jefferson College on scholarship earning a bachelor's degree in 1954. From there he went on to attend Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. In 1968, he became the first African American intern at the University Hospitals of Cleveland. He completed his residency in pediatrics at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital. Dr. Phillips spent 2 years at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Camp Pendleton, California before joining the Ohio Permanente Medical Center in Parma, Ohio. He remained there for 16 years before going to serve as associate dean for student affairs and minority programs and associate professor of pediatrics at Case Western Reserve University. While there, he created and directed the Health Careers Enhancement Program for Minorities at Case School of Medicine from 1988 to 1993. Currently, Dr. Phillips serves on the faculty of Baylor College of Medicine. In addition to his administrative and educational responsibilities, Dr. Phillips has served on a variety of boards including Chairman of the Harris County Hospital District's Medical Board from 1993 to 1999. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of William & Jefferson College, Bay Ridge Christian College, MidAmerica Christian University, Intercultural Cancer Council, and the Huffington Geriatric Center for Excellence and the Hispanic Serving Health Professions Schools. Dr. Phillips has received numerous honors and awards throughout his career. Dr. Phillips is married to Barbara Phillips, and lives in Missouri City, Texas. He is the proud father of three sons and six stepchildren. I first met Dr. Phillips in the late 80s when he was teaching at Case Western Reserve University. He was a stalwart in his support and encouragement of minority students and worked diligently to provide them with opportunities. I am proud to serve on the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, a position he encouraged me to seek. Dr. Phillips has and continues to be a role model, teacher, supporter and a dear friend. Therefore, on behalf of the Congress of the United States and the people of the 11th Congressional District of Ohio, I am pleased to join with the family and friends of Dr. James L. Phillips in celebrating his 75th birthday. May you be blessed with many, many more.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. I would like to thank my colleague, Mrs. Tauscher, for her leadership on this committee and on this issue. When I went to Congress, I never thought that I would be deploying troops or welcoming caskets back to my congressional district. What I am learning is most of the young men and women who get killed in Iraq are on their second or third or fourth tour. Clearly it must indicate that they need some rest and down time. I am here to say I understand, Mr. Leadership in the military, you think you know what you are doing, but I am telling you I sit with mothers and fathers and sisters and brothers and aunts and uncles who have lost people in the military. If all it takes to help them save their lives is to give them some rest, give them some rest. Does it need to be mandated? Apparently so. Let's mandate it. Let's give our young men and women the time they need, down time, to be able to do a good job. I support your resolution and am glad to stand up with you.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3162, the Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act. And for the Record, I want to compliment the Chair, Mr. Rangel; the ranking member, Mr. Stark; and the staff of the Ways and Means Committee for all of their hard work, because I was one of those at the table battling on behalf of a whole lot of people. This piece of legislation will be critically important to children. But while expanding access to health care for children is my key focus, I remain watchful of the provisions that could have adversely affected persons with end-stage renal disease. I'm pleased that there are provisions in the bill that will help measure and, hopefully, reduce racial and ethnic disparities in kidney care, bolster the health and health care of our low-income seniors and protect our Nation's hardworking health providers. As I have said many times before, the CHAMP Act is an example of a socially responsible and medically appropriate health policy that will improve the health and well-being of our Nation's most vulnerable residents. I call upon all of my colleagues to join us in supporting this legislation. Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, the House Ways and Means Democrats have put our nose to the grindstone and produced a well-balanced piece of legislation that will ultimately provide necessary and much improved care for both children and seniors. Along with providing health care to 11 million children, including five million who currently lack health insurance, it eliminates pending physician cuts in 2008 and 2009 and enacts a positive .5 percent increase in both years, providing for stability in reimbursement and ensuring that beneficiaries can continue to see the doctor of their choice. Additionally, the legislation expands preventive benefits including mental health services and physical, occupational and speech therapies, and reduces costs for seniors, people with disabilities and low incomes. Some of the most encouraging provisions of this legislation relate to health disparities. The legislation provides both incentives and instructions to our national health care providers on addressing the critical and debilitating phenomenon of health care disparities in the minority community. For the first time we identify, codify and target health care disparities with a goal toward eradicating these problems. Additionally, the bill proposes significant changes to the treatment of patients in End Stage Renal Disease and I have proposed a study on its impact on the African American community. Through this study we will learn how best to provide this most critical service to some of the nation's most vulnerable patients. I am pleased that we were able to secure a Medicare waiver for the Ireland Cancer Center of University Hospital Health Systems that will allow them to provide immediate care to Medicare patients upon operation. While I do have some concerns regarding provisions regarding wheel- chair access, oxygen and imaging services, I am confident that as we move toward enhancing our healthcare systems that these issues will be adequately addressed.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I rise today to applaud the efforts of Mr. Albert Blitstein and the Mitzvah Corps of Stone Gardens in Menorah Park who decided to commemorate the Holocaust with a living memorial. With donations from Mr. Blitstein's children and the residents of Stone Gardens, a memorial consisting of six weeping cherry trees representing the six million men, women, and children of the Jewish faith who perished during the Holocaust, was planted in a peaceful and reflecting setting. A published author, Mr. Blitstein provided the quote that was placed on the commemorative plaque: This living memorial is dedicated to the six million Jews who died in the Holocaust. It is to verify that we will never forget them. The six living trees planted in their memory are called weeping cherry trees. Although six decades have passed since the Holocaust, we still weep for them. I join with the residents of the Stone Gardens, family, friends and the Stone Garden Mitzvah Corps in dedicating the Stone Gardens Holocaust Memorial. As a world community may we never forget the lives of those who died and may their memories never stray far from our minds as we affirm that we will never forget. On behalf of the United States Congress and the residents of the Eleventh Congressional District, Ohio, I salute the Stone Gardens Mitzvah Corps for their dedication and generosity in the construction of this great memorial. May the Stone Gardens Holocaust Memorial be a lasting reminder and a living tribute to those who perished in one of the world's greatest tragedies.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2707 which acknowledges the necessity to continue funding the Underground Railroad Educational and Cultural Program. Reflecting upon the nearly four hundred years of slavery, another century and a half of severe violations of American civil rights and continued hardship experienced by minorities everywhere, I feel that this measure warrants our support. The time has come for tolerance and understanding to triumph over racism and bigotry. Our society is one that was formed by those who sought and dared to believe in freedom. Though these individuals committed transgressions of their own, they set the cornerstone for a union of states based on eminent documents and progressive ideals. Just to whom the notions of liberty, prosperity and happiness applied, would have to be settled in an undiplomatic nature, yet thankfully and virtuously the rights of all men prevailed. Before the Compromise of 1820 was agreed upon, a network now known as the Underground Railroad began to take form between those that wanted to gain and to give the ability to live freely. Now legally armed with the rights and privileges endowed to all men and women, we find our society struggling to remain committed to not only remembering the plight of those who struggled to gain their freedom but what freedom explicitly implies. The struggle of protecting one's civil rights and the capability to act in one's best interests now faces our nation. We have developed as a people but must not stop or even slow our progression forward. The themes of our Founding Fathers must ring in our ears and our souls as loudly today as they did through the fights for our national and personal independence. This legislation provides continued support for organizations such as the National Underground Freedom Center and the magnificent professionals who are dedicated to improving our community through education. I would like to thank my colleagues for their time and continued support for this institution of which I am proud to have been an original co-sponsor of its founding legislation back in 1999. This leg insures that The Underground Freedom Center and other institutions of the like will continue to educate and inspire generations to come.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 75th anniversary of Pierre's Ice Cream Shop. Pierre's Ice Cream Company was founded in the Cleveland area and has been a family-owned business since 1932. Pierre's founder, Alexander ``Pierre'' Basset was the inventor of the original recipe for their delicious gourmet ice cream. Three quarters of a century later, Pierre's Ice Cream Company continues to uphold a standard of excellence in customer service and quality products. It did not take long for Sol Roth, the owner of the Cleveland based Royal Ice Cream Company to recognize the value, uniqueness, and potential of Pierre's Ice Cream Shop. As time progressed, country clubs, restaurants, and other gourmet venues began marketing Pierre's brand of ice cream. In 1960, Roth acquired Pierre's Ice Cream Company and dedicated all of his resources to displaying and expanding its special recipe. In 1979, Roth requested his daughter Shelley to assist him with the business. In 1991, Shelley Roth became the president and chief executive of the company, overseeing 125 employees, the production, and distribution of more than 235 kinds of ice cream, sherbet, sorbet, frozen yogurt, and novelties. In 1995, Pierre's built a contemporary 40,000 square foot distribution center and 16,000 square foot office headquarters on the land it originally purchased in Cleveland, Ohio. Sol passed away in 2005; however, his daughter Shelley continues Pierre's outstanding legacy today. On behalf of the people of the 11th Congressional District, I wish to commend Pierre's Ice Cream Company on their 75th anniversary. Their existence is a true testament to family values and dedication, and the continuing legacy of the American dream.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 180, the Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007 of which I am a co-sponsor. Three years ago last week, Congress formally declared that genocide was taking place in Darfur. For many years now we have seen the devastating atrocities taking place in the Darfur region of Sudan. With the support of the Sudanese Government, the Janjaweed militia has ravaged the people of Darfur, raping, torturing, murdering, and forcing hundreds of thousand of Darfuris to flee to refugee camps in neighboring Chad and the Central African Republic. It is time that we begin to put in place legislation that will end this genocide. This legislation supports state, city, and university efforts to divest funds from, or restrict investments in, companies that conduct business operations in Sudan. This is a positive first step in achieving this goal. We saw the same devastation in Rwanda over a decade ago, and the American people have made their voices heard on this issue vowing never again to remain silent when humanity is threatened. A few months ago, an event was held in my congressional district regarding this issue. During the event it was noted that according to www.darfurscores.com I was receiving a grade of ``C'' in my support of ending the genocide in Darfur. While it may appear on the surface that I have not been supportive of these efforts, it is important that you know I am in total support of ending the genocide in Darfur. I along with many of my Congressional Black Caucus colleagues including Donald Payne and Barbara Lee were some of the first members of Congress to speak out about this issue. During the last Congress, we specifically addressed this issue with President George W. Bush in a meeting asking him to take immediate action. Additionally, I have co- sponsored and voted in favor of legislation as far back as the 108th Congress regarding this issue. Some of the bills I have supported included a bill for the appointment of a Presidential Special Envoy for Sudan and to prohibit companies that conduct business operations in Sudan from receiving government contracts. Most recently, I voted in favor of legislation calling on the League of Arab States and each Member State to acknowledge the Darfur genocide as well as signed onto a letter to the China government asking them to use their significant economic influence with the Government of Sudan to end these crimes against humanity. While I understand that there may be some gaps on paper with regard to my record on this issue, trust that my support for ending the genocide in Darfur has been unwavering. It is my hope that I will be able to work with the people of the 11th Congressional District and across this country to continue to let our voices heard on this issue. I encourage my constituents to contact me with your ideas and resources so we can continue to fight this injustice against humanity.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I have been waiting nearly 30 years for Congress to enact meaningful reentry legislation, as I have been deeply involved in prisoner reentry issues since my days as a judge and county prosecutor in Cleveland, Ohio before serving in Congress. While Cuyahoga County Prosecutor, I helped establish the ``Pretrial Diversion Program,'' as well as the ``Municipal Drug Court.'' Both programs, I am proud to say, still exist and continue to help ex-offenders move on with their lives and become productive citizens of society. Prisoner reentry is not a Democratic issue. It is not a Republican issue. It is a common sense issue. The facts are clear--meaningful reentry programs significantly diminish the chances that ex-offenders will return to prison. That saves taxpayer dollars and increases public safety. So why not invest in enhancing reentry programs in order to end the cycle of recidivism? That is exactly what the Second Chance Act does. In 2002, two million people were incarcerated in all federal and state prisons. Each year, nearly 650,000 people are released from prison to communities nationwide. Nearly two thirds of released prisoners are expected to be re-arrested for a felony or serious misdemeanor within three years of their release. The State of Ohio has one of the largest populations of ex-offenders re-entering the community, with about 24,000 ex-offenders returning to their respective communities annually. Of those ex-offenders, about 6,000 will return to Cuyahoga County and almost 5,000 will re-enter in the City of Cleveland. Statewide, about 40 percent of ex-offenders will return to prison. In Cuyahoga County, about 41 percent will return to prison. Such high recidivism rates translate into thousands of new crimes each year and wasted taxpayer dollars, which can be averted through improved prisoner reentry efforts. Today, I am proud to stand with my colleague Representative Danny K. Davis as an original co-sponsor of the ``Second Chance Act of 2007. This legislation allocates $360 million towards a variety of reentry programs. One of the main components of the bill is the funding of demonstration projects that would provide ex-offenders with a coordinated continuum of housing, education, health, employment, and mentoring services. This broad array of services would provide stability and make the transition for ex-offenders easier, in turn reducing recidivism. This legislation is critical to successful re-entry of offenders. The bill provides as a beginning the essential ingredients necessary to assure public safety and recovery. It will help begin the process of breaking down barriers to successful re-entry and allow offenders and their families the tools necessary to break the cycle of criminality. This is first-of-a-kind legislation that is critical to successful reentry of ex-offenders. It provides as a beginning the essential ingredients necessary to assure public safety and recovery. It will help begin the process of breaking down barriers to successful reentry and allow offenders and their families the tools necessary to break the cycle of criminality. A key component of the Second Chance Act is that it makes funds for reentry services directly available to state and local governments and non-profit organizations that offer reentry services. This is important because these are the groups that are committed to reentry and are ``on the ground.'' And if one thing is true, it is that that state and local governments and non-profits need more funds in order to provide reentry services more effectively. Let me highlight two entities that do wonderful reentry work in my State of Ohio and would stand to benefit from the Second Chance Act: (1) Community Reentry in Cleveland, Ohio, led by Charles See, and on which I sit on the Board of Directors, and (2) the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, formerly headed by Reggie Wilkinson, who devoted 33 years of public service to the Department. Community Reentry, which is part of the Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry, has served the City of Cleveland since 1973 by resettling people who have been involved with the justice system to reduce recidivism and enhance the quality of their lives and the life of the community. Community Reentry also provides prevention and intervention social services to youth in low-income public housing facilities who are at high risk for involvement in drug or gang activity and future incarceration. Community Reentry administers a variety of reentry services that benefit the Cleveland community. Let me underscore a few of their programs, all of which are comprised of ex-offenders. Care Team. Care Team members, also known as ``Red Jackets,'' that serve elderly people and people with disabilities who live in apartments managed by Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA). Care Team members escort residents to the market, doctor's offices and the bank, run errands and assist with light chores. When one elderly woman was asked how she feels about two of the members of her building's Care Team, she replied, ``They're not criminals. They are just like my sons!'' Care Team members are paid employees of Community Reentry. Full time employees receive a full benefits package that includes vacation, health insurance, and pension that is fully vested after 1 year. The recidivism rate for Care Team members is less than 5 percent. Friend to Friend. The Friend to Friend program recruits, trains and coordinates volunteers to visit men and women in prison. Male volunteers are matched with men at Lorain Correctional and Grafton Prison--both located in Lorain County, Ohio. Female volunteers are matched with women at the Pre-Release Center in Cleveland. The purpose of the program is to reduce social isolation of people who are incarcerated and to help prepare them for reentry into the community. Volunteers are not asked to do anything they don't already know how to do, and their only job is to be a friend to someone who needs one. Women's Re-Entry Network (WREN). WREN's mission is to enhance the quality of life for women involved in the criminal justice system, their families, and the community, by helping participants reenter society. The program enhances self-sufficiency and access to resources, increases positive social supports and family ties, overcomes barriers to goal achievement, and reduces the risk of recidivism. WREN provides a holistic network of mental health, education, employment, family and supportive services in a safe and welcoming environment. It is a place where women can begin the process of rebuilding their lives, reconnecting with family and reclaiming their place as productive members of the community. As a member of Community Reentry's Board of Directors, I can tell you that these reentry programs work, and investing in their expansion makes sense. I urge you to contact your Representatives and Senators so that they support the Second Chance Act and see that it passes the House and Senate as soon as possible.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Madam Speaker, today I ask you and my colleagues to join me in celebrating the life Thelma Newman Frazier on the occasion of her 90th birthday. The daughter of farm workers Eugene Newman and Kate Robinson, Thelma was born on July 26, 1917 in Richland County, AR. Thelma is truly a child of God having accepted Christ as her Lord and savior at an early age. She is a past member of Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church and currently attends Shalom Church City of Peace. Thelma was united in holy matrimony to Nathaniel Frazier, Sr. on April 17, 1941. To this union were born two children, Katie M. McKinney and Nathaniel Jr. Sadly, Nathaniel Jr. preceded her in death. In 1952, Thelma and her family migrated to St. Louis, MO. There she became active in the community. A devout member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Thelma worked tirelessly to carry out their mission. Mrs. Frazier has been rewarded in life by her hard work and dedication to family. She has a devoted daughter, Katie M. McKinney, son-in-law, Lewis L. McKinney Sr., 13 grandchildren, 22 great- grandchildren, and 7 great-great-grandchildren. Her hard work has influenced her family tremendously. She is proud of all their accomplishments. The matriarch of her family, Mrs. Frazier continues to live independently in St. Louis and is a constant support to her family through her unconditional love and encouragement. If only every child was blessed to have had a mother, grandmother or aunt like Thelma Newman Frazier, the world would be a better place. Happy birthday Mrs. Frazier, and may you be blessed with many, many more.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Thank you, Madam Chair, for that great presentation and for your leadership. Being uninsured means going without needed care. It means minor illnesses become major ones because care is delayed. Tragically, it also means that one significant medical expense can wipe out a family's life savings. There are millions of working uninsured Americans who go to bed worrying about what will happen to them and their families if a major illness or injury strikes. In my home State of Ohio, there are currently 1,362,000 uninsured, an increase of 18,000 people since 2003. We've also seen the strain on many of the local hospitals in my district when people are forced to use emergency rooms as their source of primary care. The problem is getting worse. As the price of health care continues to rise, fewer individuals and families can afford to pay for the coverage. Fewer small businesses are able to provide coverage for their employees, and those that do are struggling to hold on to the coverage they offer. It is a problem that affects all of us, and we cannot sit idly by while the people of this country continue to go without health insurance. I am pleased at this juncture to yield such time as she may consume to my colleague and good friend from the great State of Texas, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, the State Children's Health Insurance Program is one of the most important priorities for the Congressional Black Caucus. Let me give you some information about SCHIP. Of children living in rural areas, one in three children have health care coverage through SCHIP or Medicaid. More than half of all those whose family income is under $32,180 receive health care coverage through Medicaid or SCHIP. Of the 50 counties with the highest rate of uninsured, 44 are rural counties, with many located in the most remote and isolated parts of the country. Because SCHIP's goal is to reduce the number of uninsured children, reauthorizing and increasing support for this program will be crucial to helping the uninsured in these counties and reducing the 17 percent of uninsured. Let's talk about children living in urban areas. One in four children have health care coverage through SCHIP or Medicaid. More than half of all the children whose family income is under $32,180 receive health care coverage through Medicaid or SCHIP. Nineteen percent continue to be uninsured. Because SCHIP's goal is to reduce the number of uninsured children, reauthorizing and increasing the support will be crucial in this area. Let me talk about minority children just for a moment. SCHIP had a dramatic effect in reducing the number of uninsured minority children and providing them access to health care. Between 1996 and 2005, the percentage of low-income African American and Hispanic children without insurance decreased substantially. In 1998, roughly 30 percent of Latino children, 20 percent of African American children, and 18 percent of Asian American and Pacific Islander children were uninsured. After SCHIP's enactment, those numbers have dropped by 2004 to about 21 percent, 12 percent, and 8 percent. Half of all African American and Hispanic children are already covered by SCHIP or Medicaid. More than 80 percent of the uninsured African American children and 70 percent of the uninsured Hispanic children are eligible but not enrolled in Medicaid and SCHIP, so reauthorizing and increasing support will be crucial to insuring this population. One of the discussions that we have been having about the program is apparently the difficulty in getting young children enrolled in the program, whether they are African American, Hispanic, low-income, rural, or urban. One of the things that we have been talking about with the reauthorization is implementing new ways in which we can enroll children and get parents on board with providing health care to their children. The beauty of the program, as we have talked about previously, is the preventive arm of the program, so that children who have injuries or conditions can get treatment early in the process so that their problems will not escalate. One of the exciting things that is going on this weekend is the fact that the Congressional Black Caucus is going to be participating in health care disparity events all over the country. In South Carolina, Congressman Clyburn will be hosting a health and wellness event in Charleston this coming weekend. The 5th Annual Tri-Caucus Minority Health Summit will be held in San Diego, California. As I said previously, Representative Donna Christensen will be hosting an event in St. Croix, Virgin Islands. We continue to be concerned about the SCHIP program. We are supportive of reauthorization. We are not only supportive, we are demanding reauthorization and requiring that the amount of money that is put into the program be extended such that it will cover most of the young men and women, or children, excuse me, in America. There is some debate about whether or not pregnant women ought to be included in this process. But the reality is, if we don't take care of pregnant women, the children will suffer as a result. So we are moving forward with those issues, as well. I want to close with just a few more additional facts in and around the issue of health care disparities, because we can never say enough about the impact that it has. Let me talk to you for a moment about amputation. The differences in amputation rates reveal one of the many treatment disparities that exist between racial and ethnic minorities. In general, African Americans and Latinos have higher rates of lower extremity amputation than non-Hispanic whites. It brings to my mind an aunt that I have. Her name is Evelyn Shelton. She is in a nursing facility, having lost both of her legs as a result of a condition of diabetes. Among Medicare beneficiaries, the rate of amputation of all or part of the lower limb was 6.7 percent per 1,000 for African Americans and 1.9 percent per 1,000 for whites. Let's talk about asthma care. Asthma rates are disproportionately high among racial and ethnic minorities, particularly among the African American community. Moreover, disparities also appear to exist in how asthma is treated in minority populations, with racial and economic minorities often receiving inadequate asthma care. Insured African Americans with asthma are more likely than insured whites to be hospitalized for asthma-related health conditions and are less likely to be treated by an asthma specialist. African American children are about three times more likely to be hospitalized for asthma than their white peers, and about five times more likely to seek care at an emergency room. Among families in which parents lack any postsecondary education and do not have access to a primary care physician, African American and Latino children with asthma are more likely than white children to underuse routine medications, such as anti-inflammatory agents. There are other facts that I would like to go on and discuss at the moment, but I don't have the time. There are issues around cancer care, there are issues around, cardiovascular care, there are issues around HIV treatment. But I am pleased to stand this evening with my colleagues from the Congressional Black Caucus to discuss the issue of health disparity and to bring attention to those State Children's Health Insurance Program. This is the first of future hours that the Congressional Black Caucus will be hosting on issues that affect the African American community, and particularly but often affect the entire community of our Nation. Mr. Speaker, my colleague Baron Hill, we came to Congress at the same time, and I thank you for having the opportunity to speak out on these issues.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Madam Speaker, today I ask you and my colleagues to join me in celebrating the life Thelma Newman Frazier on the occasion her 90th birthday. The daughter of farm workers Eugene Newman and Kate Robinson, Thelma was born on July 26, 1917 in Richland County, AR. Thelma is truly a child of God, having accepted Christ as her Lord and savior at an early age. She is a past member of Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church and currently attends Shalom Church City of Peace. Thelma was united in holy matrimony to Nathaniel Frazier, Sr. on April 17, 1941. To this union were born two children, Katie M. McKinney and Nathaniel Jr., who preceded her in death. In 1952, Thelma and her family migrated to St. Louis, Missouri. There she became active in the community. A devout member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Thelma worked tirelessly to carry out their mission. Mrs. Frazier has been rewarded in life by her hard work and dedication to family. She has a devoted daughter, Katie M. McKinney, son-in-law, Lewis L. McKinney Sr., 13 grandchildren, 22 great- grandchildren, and 7 great-great-grandchildren. Her hard work has influenced her family tremendously. She is proud of all their accomplishments. The matriarch of her family, Thelma continues to live independently in St. Louis and is a constant support to her family through her unconditional love and encouragement. If only every child was blessed to have had a mother, grandmother, or aunt like Thelma Newman Frazier, the world would be a better place. Happy birthday, Thelma, and may you be blessed with many, many more.