Stephanie Jones

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield on just that point?

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Even in Cuba, Mr. Speaker.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Last year when my mother was very ill, she had to get five prescriptions on her health care plan. I went to the pharmacist to pick up these various drugs. Three were within the plan. One cost $10, another $10 and another $11; but two were not within the formulary and so one cost $263 for 30 days and the other cost $250. Seniors can choose what prescription drug they will cover. So, for example, my mother had congestive heart failure and kidney failure, and her doctor prescribed some of the newest drugs treating those types of conditions, but those drugs were not covered by the formulary; therefore, they were paying significant dollars, and I anticipate that will be the same problem for seniors.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding to me. And the shame of it all is here we have seniors who are in the twilight of their life. The last thing they want to do is to be surfing the Internet or looking through booklets trying to figure out where to buy their drug, what discount they want, how will they choose. It is really just ridiculous. It is a shame that we would put the burden on the backs of seniors to require them to negotiate through this process. Even with this proposal that will allow lower-income seniors a $600 benefit, they are probably going to spend so much time trying to manipulate or make it through the process that they are not going to be payable able to benefit from this at all. It is almost like the lottery. One gets a lottery ticket and they scratch off on it. Does this work? No, that does not work. Let me go to the next scratch off, and I am going to scratch off again. And it is almost similar to how much benefit we in Ohio got from the lottery in terms of education right now, and here we are imposing upon the seniors across this country the responsibility to figure out not only what plan to go to, but how do they figure out the benefit, and then in 2006 they are going to have to go back and figure out what plan to take and what plan will benefit them or not benefit them. It is a shame that we are not standing up for seniors and saying, seniors, just like Medicare used to go to work, they can go to the doctor, get their Medicare. They can go to the pharmacist, get their prescription, and they can move on without all this hassle. And I agree with the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown) that we ought to make sure seniors understand the dilemma they have been placed in by this legislation.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman will yield just for a moment, can we imagine if the seniors in Ohio had been able to ask these same questions of President Bush when he was parading through Ohio. Can we imagine if they had been able to say, President Bush, what am I getting from this prescription drug benefit? I mean, the day that the card was issued, here he was parading around Ohio, but he was not talking about the nonprescription benefit. He was talking about the jobs that we did not get in Ohio as well. So those seniors could have said, President Bush, President Bush, I need a prescription drug benefit. Can you help me?

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, as a proud Collinwood High School alumna, I would like to congratulate some of my fellow alumni on their induction into Collinwood's Hall of Fame. The mission of Collinwood High School, in partnership with parents and community, is to provide a challenging academic and technologically based atmosphere with a commitment to literacy that encourages academic excellence and prepares all students to become productive members of a diverse society. The alumni that I am honoring today certainly reflect the success of this mission. Ten people will be inducted into the Collinwood High School Alumni Hall of Fame on May 5. They are Francine Bruening, class of 1960, former Lake County domestic relations judge; Joseph Cannavino Jr., 1953, former Ohio State football star and basketball coach; Michael Cannavino, 1945, retired teacher and coach; Primo Del Calzo, 1952, retired speech, hearing and language teacher; Dan DiLiberto, 1966, Eastlake mayor; Dr. Albert Iosue, 1958, doctor and former chief radiologist in a Florida hospital; Milton Schalois, 1949, an insurance executive; Elinor Scricca, 1949, retired teacher, Principal and schools superintendent; Rocco Scotti, 1939, singer, noted for his rendition of the national anthem; and Mildred Teuscher, 1951, former Lake County commissioner. A pre-induction dinner will be at 4 p.m. at Redeemer on the Avenue Hall, 15901 St. Clair Ave., with the induction at 6 p.m. in the high school auditorium. It is my pleasure to join with the Collinwood High School community and the citizens of the 11th Congressional District of Ohio in honoring this group of Hall of Fame inductees for their remarkable achievements. I encourage them to continue to demonstrate outstanding professionalism and leadership and thank them for the contributions they have made to their communities.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Madam Speaker, time will show and time will tell that the John Kerry that I know and the John Kerry that I have worked with and that I traveled with is a man of substance, a man of strength, a man who wants to see this Nation back on its feet and wants to see this Nation be a leader in the international arena that will lead other countries back to greatness and not be misled by other countries as well. In that strength, I am sure he will do well. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for this exchange of words.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Madam Speaker, at this point I would like to commend my good friend, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings), for his leadership, his tenacity, and his great performance as the chairperson of the Congressional Black Caucus. I call him my brother, and he is doing such a fantastic job, and I am so pleased to be part of his team. Earlier, before we began our hour, I came in at the end of the Republican Special Order, and I was just stunned. I could not believe what I heard my colleagues saying about Senator John Kerry. I spent yesterday, all day, with Senator Kerry. He visited the State of Ohio, and we talked about jobs, jobs, jobs. We started in the City of Youngstown, where a little company that used to make wire hangers went out of business because wire hangers were being made cheaper in China and in Youngstown these poor folks were out of jobs. I have spent quite a bit of time over the past 2 years in Youngstown because of the steel companies that were going out of business and the steel workers in Youngstown who are losing their jobs. They all were out at this rally looking for an opportunity to talk to someone who understood what it meant to be out of work and without a job. We moved from the City of Youngstown on to the City of Cleveland, where mayors from all across the State of Ohio were talking about the issue of loss of jobs. We had the mayor of the City of Columbus, Michael Coleman, we had the mayor of the City of Cleveland, Jane Campbell, we had the mayor of the City of Parma, Dean DePiero, we had the mayor of the City of Toledo, Jack Ford, and we had the mayor of Chillicothe and other suburban mayors seated out in the audience, and all of them talked about the impact of the policies of this Bush administration on their ability to administer their own cities: the tax cuts, the lack of jobs, which meant lack of income to their budgets. In the City of Cleveland alone, since George Bush took office, we have lost 70,000 jobs. In the State of Ohio since he took office, we have lost 160,000 jobs. As we talk about that, we talk about the impact that it has on a school system. In the City of Cleveland, our public school system has a $100 million deficit as a result of loss of income from people out of work in the City of Cleveland, as a result of loss of income of businesses who are losing their tax dollars, or losing income and, therefore, not able to pay the tax dollars. We talked about the fight that cities across this country, because their budgets are low, are having to lay off firefighters, are having to lay off police officers, and at a time when we are fighting the war on terrorism one would think that this administration would have an economic policy that would allow the frontline defenders, the first responders to be able to handle the jobs that they have to handle. It is a terrible situation. We are talking about laying off teachers as well. Well, the thing that I will say is that John Kerry has an economic plan to deal with job loss in this country. He is unveiling a comprehensive economic agenda that will unleash the productive potential of America's economy to help create jobs, 10 million jobs in his first term. He believes that Americans should not subsidize moving jobs overseas. He will eliminate tax breaks for companies that create jobs overseas and use the approximately $12 billion in annual savings to cut the corporate tax rate. Under his plan more than 99 percent of tax-paying companies will see their taxes go down. He would jump-start manufacturing job creation with a new jobs tax credit that would pay the employers' share of the payroll taxes for any net new jobs created by the manufacturers and other businesses affected by outsourcing and small businesses in 2005 and 2006. As President, he will take our country into a different direction on trade enforcement. Rather than turn a blind eye to clear trade violations when American jobs are on the line, he will make clear through his actions that when the U.S. enters into a trade agreement we will expect our partners to live up to their side of the deal, unlike what we are dealing with right now where, for example, with steel, we are having steel dumped into our country and there are no policies through the World Trade Organization that will support our country. I was just stunned, as I came in this room earlier today, and the speaker on the Republican side was talking about John Kerry. He could not be talking about the John Kerry I traveled with yesterday. He could not be talking about the John Kerry that fought in Vietnam, that was in a boat, and he got ready to leave and he heard that one of his crew was back there and harmed and he went back to pick up the crew member that he had lost and got shot in the process. He could not be talking about the John Kerry I know that received bronze medals, that received Purple Hearts, and came back to this country to speak up on behalf of all of those fighting over in Vietnam. He has been supportive of a strong and responsible military his entire career. I would challenge, when we are going to compare records, Vice President Cheney or President Bush to compare the type of record that John Kerry has of serving in the military. Madam Speaker, I could go on and on and on, but what I want to say here is I am so pleased to be here this evening with my colleagues from the Congressional Black Caucus. We are the voice of the people who are left out and locked out of this process. We are the voice of those who need an extended unemployment tax benefit. We are the voice of those who have been perhaps in trouble with the law and need an opportunity to get gainful employment and have an opportunity to make their lives right. We are the voice of the people who are not heard, who need the support of Members of Congress like the Congressional Black Caucus to make a difference. I am proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with the chairman, and I will be here every time he needs me. But I want the people who are listening to us to understand that it is about jobs. It is about jobs. It is about jobs.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Madam Speaker, the same issue is being raised by Barbara Byrd-Bennett, the CAO of the Cleveland Municipal School District, the need to have to raise class sizes. It is so very important that we educate our children. One of the things that we have learned since 9/11 is that one of the reasons that terrorism happens or flourishes in many countries is because people are uneducated or they have been brainwashed into one direction, that they feel like they are left out and locked out of the process that they have no control over, so they figure out who are they going to point the finger at, and if they start pointing the finger they start pointing it at the United States. But as important or more important is that we must educate our own. I want to see the people in Iraq, I want to see them get better. I want to see them have a school system and health care and roads, but not as much as I want the people of the United States to have a health care system, to have education, and to have roads. And we need to be directed towards an agenda or a policy that will allow our people to back to work, that will allow our people to rebuild our own country, the roads, the sewer systems, the bridges. That is a back-to-work agenda. That is what we need for the United States.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Absolutely not. And that is one of the things that as a Congressional Black Caucus, we represent the Congressional Black Caucus but we also represent constituencies that are not totally African American. My congressional district in the City of Cleveland is probably 50 percent African American, but I represent Latinos, I represent Caucasians. There are 84 different ethnic groups in my congressional district that come from all over. I represent a district that is very, very poor and some of it is very, very rich. But at that rally in Youngstown yesterday there was a rainbow of folks, all kinds of people, all out of a job. And when you are out of a job, your color, when you start talking about the issues of being unemployed and locked out, the color, there is a rainbow of colors. It is not just black folks, it is not just white folks, it is not just brown or yellow folks. All people, a lot of people of all races are out of jobs and they were there at that rally yesterday saying jobs, we need jobs, we need jobs.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for yielding me this time. I say now is the time to get back the money we gave to all those rich folks when we gave them the tax cut because we really need it. We could use it to pay for some of the equipment that the folks in the armed services need right now. But let me speak more specifically to the legislation that we are here to talk about. I rise in support of the Rangel substitute amendment, which not only makes permanent marriage penalty relief for millions of hardworking families eligible for the earned income tax credit but also provides that relief immediately, not 3 years from now like the Republican bill. In 2001, the marriage penalty relief that was enacted was phased in over a long period of time. Last year, the economic stimulus legislation that was enacted accelerated the phase-in of the 2001 marriage penalty relief provisions except for the marriage penalty relief in the earned income tax credit. I ask, why not? Why was immediate relief for the most needy neglected and not accelerated like the other marriage penalty provisions? The earned income tax credit assists lower and middle income earners. In Cleveland, Ohio, more than 80,000 individuals filed for the credit. In the State of Ohio, more than 700,000 individuals took advantage of the credit. Nationwide, about 18 million Americans utilized the credit. These hardworking Americans should not be penalized because they are married and they should be provided relief immediately, not 3 years from now. We should accelerate their relief just like the other marriage penalty provisions. Those eligible for the earned income tax credit are in the most need and we should make sure that they get relief as soon as possible. An in-depth study on the earned income tax credit was conducted by an Ohio think tank and Ohioans were asked what they would do with the extra money they would receive through the earned income tax credit. They provided the following responses: ``I would spend it on the kids and on visits to the doctor. I have health insurance but my youngest has to see a foot specialist and the shoes are not covered by insurance. They cost $140.'' As I said, I rise in support of the Rangel substitute and would ask all of my colleagues to consider it the best thing for us to do.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of my colleagues the important and essential role that oncology nurses play in the care of patients diagnosed with cancer. As anyone ever treated for cancer will tell you, oncology nurses are intelligent, well-trained, highly skilled, kind-hearted angels who provide quality clinical, psychosocial, and supportive care to patients and their families. In short, they are integral to our Nation's cancer care delivery system. Cancer is a complex, multifaceted, and chronic disease, and people with cancer are best served by a multidisciplinary health care team specialized in oncology care, including nurses who are certified in that specialty. This year alone 1.3 million Americans will hear the words ``You have cancer.'' In addition, 556,500 will lose their battle with this terrible disease. Everyday, oncology nurses see the pain and suffering caused by cancer and understand the physical, emotional, and financial challenges that people with cancer face throughout their diagnosis and treatment. Oncology nurses play a central role in the provision of quality cancer care as they are principally involved in the administration and monitoring of chemotherapy and the associated side-effects patients may experience. The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) is the largest organization of oncology health professionals in the world with more than 30,000 registered nurses and other health care professionals. Since 1975, the Oncology Nursing Society has been dedicated to excellence in patient care, teaching, research, administration and education in the field of oncology. On behalf of all the people with cancer and their families in Ohio's 11th Congressional District, I would like to acknowledge Molly Loney for her leadership within the Oncology Nursing Society. For the past 2 years, Molly has served on the ONS Board of Directors as Secretary. Through Molly's and ONS' leadership, our Nation is charting a course that will help us win the war on cancer. The ONS has 9 chapters in the great state of Ohio. These chapters serve the oncology nurses in the State and help them to continue to provide high quality cancer care to those patients and their families in the State. I commend the Oncology Nursing Society for all of its efforts and leadership over the last 29 years and thank the Society and its members for their ongoing commitment to improving and assuring access to quality cancer care for all cancer patients and their families. I urge all of my colleagues to support them in their important endeavors.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I will miss votes on Tuesday, April 27, 2004, due to an activity. Had I been present, the Record would reflect that I would have voted: Roll 131, H.R. 3942--To redesignate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 7 Commercial Boulevard in Middletown, Rhode Island, as the ``Rhode Island Veterans Post Office Building.''-- ``yea.'' Roll 132, H. Res. 399--Honoring the life and legacy of Melvin Jones and recognizing the contributions of Lions Clubs International.-- ``yea.'' Roll 133, H. Res. 578--Supporting the goals and ideals of Financial Literacy Month.--``yea.''

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I missed votes on Thursday, April 22, 2004, due to a representational activity. Had I been present, the record would reflect that I would have voted: roll 128, Larson No. 1 amendment; ``aye''; roll 129, Larson No. 2 amendment, ``aye''; roll 130, Final Passage H.R. 2844 Continuity in Representation Act, ``nay.''

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Edgar B. Jackson, Jr., M.D. in celebration of the establishment of a $1.53 million endowed chair position in his honor at University Hospitals in Cleveland, OH. His dedicated work over the past 38 years with University Hospitals and Case Western Reserve University is exemplary. Dr. Jackson began his work as a laboratory assistant at Western Reserve University, where he received his medical degree in 1966. He remained active at the university and became the first African-American at Case to become a professor of clinical medicine. One of Dr. Jackson's passions in life was to provide better health care for underprivileged Clevelanders, and he acted on this passion by establishing medical centers in Glenville in the 1970s and Fairfax in the 1990s. Dr. Jackson went on to serve as the Chief of Staff and Senior Vice President of clinical affairs at University Hospitals. A true professional and family man, he is still practicing medicine but will begin to focus more of his time and attention on his grandchildren. The Edgar B. Jackson, Jr., M.D. Endowed Chair is the first chair to be named after a black doctor at University Hospitals and will be funded by over 200 prominent Cleveland donors. Dr. Jackson served as my personal internist and is also a close friend. I would like to honor Edgar Jackson for the establishment of his endowed chair and thank him for his support and encouragement over the years. On behalf of the people of the 11th Congressional District of Ohio and the United States Congress, I pay tribute to the leadership, dedication, support, and commitment of Edgar B. Jackson, Jr., M.D. to University Hospitals and to the community.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank my colleague, the gentleman from North Dakota (Mr. Pomeroy), for yielding me this time. I want to add my condolences also to our colleague, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Hulshof). I had an opportunity to speak with him yesterday, and as well as he can be he is doing okay, and for the Record, we did win the basketball game for the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Hulshof) last night against the Georgetown faculty. He is a member of my team. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 3550 as it currently stands but ask that we take into account the need to do some work in conference. Transportation is a crucial aspect of our economy. This bill is not only a transportation bill, but it is also a jobs bill. We must work together to put forth a comprehensive highway bill. I want to give my colleagues some general economic facts. Maybe I will skip over a few. According to the American Road and Transportation Builders Association, the transportation construction industry employs 2.5 million Americans and generates more than $200 billion in U.S. economic activity. A $100 million investment in highway and bridge improvements yields 4,750 jobs across the economy, with less than 25 percent of those in the actual construction field. This same level of investment also generates $200 million in family income, $54 million in Federal income tax and Social Security and more than $6 million in State and local tax revenues. Assuming a similar effect in the great State of Ohio, the Ohio Department of Transportation's 2004 major new construction program totals $400 million, and that will support the employment of 19,000 people. The top 12 percent of Ohio's most congested freeway sections experience 45 percent of all freeway accidents in the State. The Ohio Department of Transportation's major new construction program is expected to total $400 million during the next several years, and it will help to improve many of these high-crash and congested locations and reduce accidents by between 30 and 50 percent. There is one place right in my congressional district that is called Dead Man's Curve, and the reason it is called Dead Man's Curve is because the curve is so distinct that it has caused the death of so many truckers and regular passengers or drivers through my area. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that each critically injured survivor of an auto accident costs an average of $1.1 million in medical costs and lost productivity. Each fatality of a crash represents a loss of $977,000 in lifetime economic costs to society. Ohio is only 35th in geographic size but has a disproportionately large transportation system. Ohio has the Nation's tenth largest highway network, the fifth highest volume of traffic, both car and truck traffic, the Nation's fourth largest interstate network, and the second largest inventory of bridges. Ohio has such a large transportation system because it is a populous State with a manufacturing economy, and it lies in the middle of America's population and economic centers. Within a day's drive, Ohio is accessible to 50 percent of North America's population and 70 percent of North America's manufacturing capacity. Ohio's transportation supports the vast Ohio economy. If Ohio were a nation, it would be the world's 20th largest economy. Ohio faces unprecedented transportation challenges. It must expand its 1960's transportation system to meet the 21st century demands. Ohio's vast interstate system was built from 1950 to 1960 to meet the demands of the 1980s. It is now 2004, and nearly all of our urban interstate routes are over capacity. Mr. Chairman, I just want to close with this: This bill is so very important to the State of Ohio. We are a donor State. We want to see that this gets done. We need the jobs in Ohio, and I encourage all of my colleagues to work in support of this legislation. Let us get to conference. Let us take care of the issues and get it done. Jobs are needed in Ohio.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Harman), for yielding me this time and giving me the opportunity to be heard this afternoon. I stand here representing the 11th Congressional District of Ohio. In the Iraqi war, I lost two of my constituents. I read to my colleagues now the statements of the father of one of those constituents, and this is from an article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer: ``The soldier's father feels betrayed. On March 17, the President told the country intelligence gathered by this and other governments leaves no doubt that the Iraq regime continues to possess and conceal some of the most lethal weapons ever devised. A week later, Private Brandon Sloan, 19, was killed in Iraq. On Sunday, February 8, Brandon's father heard the President hedge about Saddam Hussein: `We thought he had weapons. He had the capacity to make a weapon.' ``The Reverend Tandy Sloan believes there is a key difference between having no doubt a country possesses weapons of mass destruction and having the ability to make them. A minister, he calls that difference the eighth commandment: `Thou shalt not bear false witness.' It bothers him deeply that the President apparently has no regrets for overstating the danger for weapons of mass destruction that do not appear to exist. Sloan says, `At least we admit we were wrong. I want the President to say that mistakes were made that cost lives.' ``It has been almost a year since that Sunday night knock on the door when military uniforms brought news that Brandon was missing. Days later, Sloan learned that his son was dead. Months later a brigadier general told him what happened to the 507th Company, made famous by Jessica Lynch. `He basically told us the military goofed,' Sloan said. `The President wanted a hard, fast hit,' the general said. Brandon's unit, hauling trucks, water, tools and gear, couldn't move fast enough to keep up with the other units, so they left it behind. ``Sloan said, `You let my son down. My son did not sign on to be left behind.' '' I stand here on behalf of the parents of private Brandon Sloan and other young people killed across this country. Let us not politicize whether or not we are safer without Saddam Hussein or not safer. Let us celebrate the young people who lost their lives in this war and let us move forward to make the United States a safer Nation.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, on the vote on House Resolution 557, I spoke on the floor in opposition to H. Res. 557 and by mistake voted ``yes'' on the floor. I seek the record to be clear that I intended to vote ``no.''

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I missed votes on Tuesday, March 2, 2004 due to the Ohio Primary. I respectfully request an excused absence for this date. Had I been present, the record would reflect that I would have voted: ``Yea,'' on Roll 33, H. Res. 526 on the Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree, Expressing the sympathy of the House of Representatives for the victims of the devastating earthquake that occurred on December 26, 2003, in Bam, Iran, and ``Yea,'' on Roll 32, H.R. 3769 on the Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, Ben Atchley Post Office Building.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 1997, the Unborn Victims of Violence Act. A pregnant woman is one of the most vulnerable members of our society. Nearly one in three women report being physically assaulted during pregnancy and murder is the leading cause of death among pregnant women. H.R. 1997 does nothing to protect pregnant women from violence; rather, it creates a new cause of action on behalf of the unborn. The result would be a step backward for victims of domestic violence by once again diverting the attention of the legal system away from efforts to punish violence against women. The legislation would apply in a limited set of circumstances involving members of the Armed Forces and anyone who injures or kills a fetus during the commission of a crime under Federal jurisdiction. But it should be noted that similar bills have been introduced in various States that would cover anyone who harms or kills a fetus under any circumstances. Injury inflicted upon a fetus is accomplished by an assault on a woman; therefore punishment for such crimes should be prosecuted as crimes against women. Changing the criminal system to include independent prosecution for harming a fetus is a dangerous legal precedent, which could have broad implications in limiting women's rights. H.R. 1997 creates controversy around the issue of violence against women where none exists and therefore exposes the true intention of the bill's sponsors. Congress should take strong measures to protect all women from violence rather than using this backdoor approach to restrict a woman's right to choose. If we really want to punish violence against pregnant women, it should be done in a way that does not entangle this issue with the abortion debate. H.R. 1997 is the first step toward outlawing abortion. The real purpose of this legislation is not to deter and punish criminal conduct but to erode the reproductive rights of women. This bill is a thinly veiled attempt to undermine Roe v. Wade by establishing a distinct legal status for a fetus in Federal law. H.R. 1997 marks a major departure from current Federal Law by elevating the legal status of a fetus at all stages of development. It is an obvious attempt to add to Federal law the anti-choice definition of an ``unborn child'' as ``a member of the species homo sapiens, at any stage of development, who is carried in the womb.'' Recognizing the fetus as an entity with legal rights independent of the pregnant woman would create future fetal rights that could only be used a against a pregnant woman, possibly putting the woman and fetus in conflict and placing the health, worth and dignity of the woman on a lower level than a weeks-old embryo. For example, this legislation could make it possible for a pregnant woman to be prosecuted for failing to protect her fetus from domestic violence committed against her. We all agree that criminals who attack pregnant women--including especially heinous attacks aimed at ending the pregnancy--should be punished for their actions. But H.R. 1997 is not needed to allow the vigorous prosecution of anyone doing harm to a pregnant woman. In fact, the measure does not even mention harm done to pregnant women. Any bill intended to battle such wanton criminal acts of cruelty should, as the legislation offered by Representatives Zoe Lofgren and John Conyers, Jr., does, speak of criminal acts ``interrupting the normal course of pregnancy'' or ``ending a pregnancy,'' not by trying to define a fetus as an ``unborn child.'' If the supporters of H.R. 1997 were sincere about protecting a woman's pregnancy, they would not have stacked this bill full of language that serves no other purpose than to further their attempts to eliminate reproductive choice for U.S. women. H.R. 1997 shifts the focus from violence against women and elevates the fetus--even a zygote, blastocyst or embryo, perhaps before its existence is known to the woman--to a status equal with that of the adult woman, a full member of society, who suffers both the physical assault and the possible loss of a wanted pregnancy. Mr. Speaker, I rise to reiterate my opposition to H.R. 1997 and the blatant assault on a women's right to choose.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the nine honorees of the 57th Annual Public Servants Merit Awards Luncheon, held Friday, February 13, 2004. This event was hosted by the Cuyahoga County Bar Foundation and the Cuyahoga County Bar Association. Tim Brennan currently serves as the Civil Division's Assistant Personnel Director/Acting Office Manager for the Clerk of Courts, Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas. Tim assists with interviewing applicants for the Clerk's office, promoting employees, and assisting in resolving personnel disputes. Tim and his wife, Janene are Lakewood residents and have been married almost as long as Tim has worked in the Clerk's office. They met as employees of the Clerk's office and have three children, Patrick, Megan, and Molly. Tim is very active in Lakewood and Cuyahoga County Democratic Party activities. He became interested in politics at an early age, as the son of Judge Hugh P. Brennan. Also, Tim has been active for many years with St. Mark's Church. Despite his many accomplishments in work and politics, Tim feels that his greatest achievement is securing the love and support of his family. Since 1974, Tom Bykowski has been an office mainstay for the Cleveland Municipal Court. As a supervisor in the office, he is responsible for drafting the judgment entries and other pleadings. Tom attended St. John Cantius High School and Cuyahoga Community College. He is a longtime Old Brooklyn resident and lives with Helen, his wife of more than 25 years, and their children Benjamin and Kate. Tom is devoted to his family, but still has found time to be active in his local community development corporation, his parish school, as well as his ward & county Democratic Party activities. He often spends his days asking the tide of people passing through the Clerk's office, ``How can I help you'' because he enjoys contact with the public. Richard L. Gray has been employed at the Lakewood Municipal Court since 1974. He began his tenure in the Criminal Division and, for more than 20 years, has been the Clerk of Court. Richard has been honored by many organizations for his work, and is particularly proud of his 1991 nomination as the Outstanding Clerk by the Ohio Association of Municipal Court Clerks. He is a past President of that organization, as well as past President of the Northeastern Ohio Municipal Court Clerk's Association. He remains an active member in both organizations. Richard is also an Army veteran of the Vietnam campaign and a graduate of Baldwin-Wallace College. He and his wife of more than three decades, Janice, live in Lakewood where they raised their two children, Jessica and Alissa. Terri Lynn Hudak is a Deputy Clerk/Supervisor in the Cuyahoga County Probate Court's Data Entry Department. She began her employment with the Court after graduating from Parma's Valley Forge High School, 23 years ago. Terri and her department are responsible for entering new filings on the court's docket, organizing files for transmission to the Court of Appeals and assisting the public in locating court records. She still lives in Parma with her husband Paul and their children Matthew and Valerie. She is active in St. Charles school events, parish activities, and her neighborhood block committees. Terri says that raising her family, supporting her children's sporting events, and working full-time are her most outstanding accomplishments. Dorothy Lawson began her work with the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court as a typist in the court constable's office. She then went on to serve as a scheduler for as many as four judges at one time. For the past 15 years, Dorothy has served as the personal bailiff, first for Judge William E. Mahon and currently for Judge Brian J. Corrigan. She views her 1989 promotion to personal bailiff as one of her greatest accomplishments in life. A Euclid resident, Dorothy lives with John, her husband of almost a quarter century. She spends much of her time evaluating the creativity of the excuses given by tardy lawyers. However, she fundamentally believes that her three decades of service has allowed her a deeper understanding of the judicial system. Regina Laura Mandanci has worked for Domestic Relations Court for 24 years. She is the nominee of Administrative Judge Timothy M. Flanagan. For the past two years, Gina serves as Personal Bailiff to Judge James P. Celebreeze, after over 20 years in the Central Scheduling Department. Gina, a Florida native and Brecksville High School graduate, lives in Brecksville with her children, Nickolas and Jessica. She is proud of her service in the Domestic Relations Court, which she started with just out of high school. Mary Jo O'Toole is a Judicial Secretary at the Eighth District Court of Appeals with 17 years with Judge Ann Dyke. Nominated by Judge Kenneth A. Rocco and Presiding Judge Michael J. Corrigan, Mary Jo, after a brief detour into the private sector, has worked in the courts for over 20 years, shortly after her graduation from Holy Name High School. Mary Jo and Patrick, her husband of 16 years, live in Avon with their two children, Megan and Brian. The family enjoys weekends at their cottage and spent many years renovating their residence, a century home. Carolyn Penn, nominated by Juvenille Court Administrative Judge Joseph F. Russo, is a Probation Manager at the Court's Bedford Heights office, where she manages a staff of probation officers and administrative assistants who deal with delinquent, unruly and violent children living in the southeast portion of Cuyahoga County. A graduate of Central State University with a master's degree from Case's School of Applied Social Sciences Administration, Carolyn lives in Cleveland Heights. The widow of James E. Penn, Jr., and the mother of a grown son, James E. Penn III, Carolyn was also honored by a Cleveland Mayoral proclamation for her years of service to at-risk children and the community. Carolyn volunteers with senior citizens and participates in charities, along with actively supporting individual political candidates and social service ballot issues. She takes pride in her work and protecting her community. Pauline Pope is the Assistant Chief of Security in the Bailiffs Department of the Cleveland Municipal court, where she has worked since 1986. Presiding and Administrative Judge Larry A. Jone's nominee, Pauline previously worked for the City of Cleveland, as part of more than a quarter century of public service. She works hard to assure that the employees and the public enjoys a safe environment in the Court. Pauline came to Cleveland after graduating from high school in South Carolina. She is active in ministries, nursing homes and prisons. Early in her court employment career, she was assigned to provide security to the late Judge Carl B. Stokes. On behalf of the people of the 11th Congressional District of Ohio and the United States Congress, I pay tribute to the leadership, dedication, support, and commitment of the 2004 Annual Public Servants Merit Award honorees.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. I rise today to pay tribute to a highly gifted and innovative African-American whose inventions play an integral role in public safety all across the world. I would like to take a few moments to recognize Garrett Augustus Morgan's contributions that have improved public safety today, and forever. Garrett A. Morgan was born in Paris, Kentucky on March 4, 1877. Although Morgan was born into poverty and attained only a fifth grade education, he aspired to be successful. In 1895, while he was a teenager, he moved to Cincinnati and then to Cleveland, Ohio to pursue his ambitions. Morgan started off working in a sewing factory later established his own sewing factory. Morgan was curious by nature and began to venture into other projects. In 1909, he discovered a substance that straightened hair and made African-American's his target patrons. This product was sold to African-Americans through his own G.A. Morgan Hair Refining Co. He later achieved the financial security to pursue other ideas. Morgan received national attention for using a gas mask he had invented to rescue several men trapped during an explosion in a tunnel that was being built to ease congestion under Lake Erie. Many fire departments became interested in these gas masks, because they filtered the air in the tunnel. These masks were later used in World War I, and Morgan received a patent for a Safety Hood and Smoke Protector in the following years. Among other awards he received for this invention were a gold medal at the International Exposition of Sanitation and Safety, and a gold medal from the International Association of Fire Chiefs. In 1920, Morgan collaborated and established a newspaper for African- Americans, called the Cleveland Call, which is now known as the Call and Post. After first running a sewing firm, inventing the gas mask, and creating the Cleveland Call, Morgan gained a great reputation as a worker and entrepreneur. But it was Morgan's invention of the traffic light that he is most remembered for. After observing an accident between a vehicle and horse-carriage, Morgan was zealous to improve public safety. In the early 20th century, many accidents were common partly because animal transportation, pedestrians, and vehicles shared streets. Instead of being satisfied with his prior achievements, Garrett A. Morgan subsequently was granted a patent for the traffic signals. He later sold his rights to his traffic signal to the General Electric Corporation for $40,000. Garrett A. Morgan died on August 27, 1963 at the age of 86. Due to his safety inventions, the world is much safer. I ask you all to take a moment to ponder on how many lives have been saved due to Garrett A. Morgan's innovative inventions. I like to salute a Cleveland Legend, businessman, inventor, and hero. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a very special person, athlete, and role model in African-American history: Jesse Owens. Born ``James Cleveland,'' Jesse Owens was the son of a sharecropper and the grandson of a slave. He was born into a modest household in Alabama, and moved to Cleveland, Ohio, with his family at the age of nine in hopes of finding better employment for his father. During his first day of school in Cleveland, his teacher mistook his name to be ``Jesse''; and that nickname stayed with him for the rest of his life. Jesse went on to attend East Technical High School in Cleveland, where his natural talent for running was immediately recognized by the school's track coach. Jesse was unable to attend after-school track practices because of the numerous jobs he held on the side, including delivering groceries, loading freight cars, and working in a shoe repair shop. Realizing Jesse's abilities, the track coach agreed to meet with Jesse before school. With the refining of his natural talent, Jesse was able to set world records in high school for the 100-yard dash, 220-yard dash, and broad jump. After being aggressively recruited by top universities, Jesse chose to attend the Ohio State University to continue his athletic and academic career. As Ohio State did not give out track scholarships at this time, Jesse continued to work several part-time jobs to provide for his education, himself, and his wife, Ruth. He juggled his employment with his studies and an intense practice and competition schedule. Jesse continued to excel in track and field, despite the discrimination and segregation he faced on a daily basis. He was forced to live off-campus in housing designated for African-American athletes, and he was not allowed to eat with the rest of his teammates when they were on the road and ate at ``whites only'' restaurants. Overcoming all of these obstacles, Jesse continued his record-setting career in his first year in college, as he set world records for the 220-yard dash, the 220-yard low hurdles, and the broad jump and tied the world record for the 100-yard dash. Prior to his record-breaking broad jump, Jesse boldly tied a handkerchief at the height of the previous world record and then confidently jumped an entire six inches above it. Wanting to take his competitive skills to the next level, Jesse entered the 1936 Olympics, which were to be held in Berlin, Germany during the reign Adolf Hitler. Jesse was used to the discrimination he felt at home and was determined to show Hitler's Germany, and the world, that there was no such thing as a ``dominant race.'' He did just that. Jesse swept the competition by winning the 100-meter dash, the 200-meter dash, and the broad jump. He was also a member of the gold medal-winning 400-meter relay team and set three world records during the competition. His performance placed him permanently in the history books as the first American to win four track and field gold medals in a single Olympics. Perhaps more importantly, Jesse's unprecedented performance caused many people around the world to reconsider their notions of race and capabilities. Unfortunately, when Jesse arrived home to the United States, the racial barriers that he left were still in place. ``I wasn't invited to shake hands with Hitler, but I wasn't invited to the White House to shake hands with the President, either,'' he said. Showing his grace and class, Jesse did not turn bitter, but rather went on to become a public speaker and advocate for youth sports programs in disadvantaged neighborhoods. His humanitarian efforts were not carried out in vain, as he was awarded the Medal of Freedom from President Gerald Ford in 1976, the highest honor a U.S. civilian may receive. On March 31, 1980, Jesse Owens passed away after a battle with lung cancer. He left behind his wife and three daughters, numerous world records, and a legendary performance in Germany that reshaped the world's notions of race. He gave America hope during a time when America gave him a seat in the ``blacks only'' restaurant and a place to stand on the bus. During this month in which we honor Black History and the significant achievements of African Americans, it is proper and fitting that we recognize Jesse Owens as a champion of track and field and, more importantly, humanity.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, today I want to celebrate Black History Month and the upcoming 50th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education. In 1954 the U.S. Supreme Court stated that separate is inherently unequal. The Court concluded, ``that in the field of public education, the doctrine of `separate but equal' has no place. Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.'' The Court found that the evils of racial segregation affected students' motivation and retarded educational and mental development. Education is a right, not a privilege. The Court wrote: ``. . . it is doubtful that any child may reasonably be expected to succeed in life if he (or she) is denied the opportunity of an education. Such an opportunity, where the state has undertaken to provide it, is a right which must be made available to all on equal terms.'' In the 11th Congressional District of Ohio, Barbara Byrd-Bennett, CEO of the Cleveland Municipal School District continues this legacy Brown v. Board of Education, championing the rights of our young people and working to ensure that they are afforded the best education possible. Six years ago, in 1998, the Cleveland Municipal School District ranked last among Ohio school systems, and was placed in academic emergency status. Under the direction of Ms. Byrd-Bennett the Cleveland Municipal School District now stands as one of Ohio's ``most improved school districts.'' Under Ms. Byrd-Bennett's leadership academic successes are clear. Reading scores have increased by more than 30 percent. Children have breakfast and lunch at school at no cost, and over 93 percent are immunized. Graduation rates have increased by 10 percent and 74 percent of last year's graduates went on to college. Suspensions are down nearly 45 percent, expulsions are down 9 percent and assaults on students are down 13 percent. Reading results were up 19 percent and 28 percent, respectively, in one academic year, in the 4th and 6th grades. Only 22 percent of 4th grade students passed the State reading test in 1998 compared to 59 percent passed, in 2003, an increase of 37 percent from 5 years ago. Reading performance at the 6th grade has improved by 32 percent. I believe that education is the key to success. I am working on behalf of all the constituents of the 11th Congressional District in Ohio to make sure that public education remains the number one issue in America. I want for those who have a desire to go to college to be prepared and equipped with the tools necessary for success. While highlighting successes and recognizing achievements, we must also focus on current realities to further aid us in shaping national education priorities. According to the National Education Association: Poor and minority children risk doing poorly in school. Contributing factors include: rigorous curriculum, teacher preparation/experience/ attendance, class size, technology-assisted instruction, school safety, parent participation, student mobility, birth weight, lead poisoning, and nutrition. In 1994, 31 percent of black, 24 percent of Hispanic, and 35 percent of American Indian high school graduates took remedial courses, compared to 15 percent of whites and Asians. Few minorities have access to or are enrolled in Advanced Placement courses. Student achievement gap still wide. Only 5 percent of African American 4th grade students and 4 percent of 8th grade students met national proficiency standards in 1996. In addition, under the Bush budget $9.4 billion less for education than was promised in the No Child Left Behind Act; this means that 2.4 million children will not get the help with reading and math they were promised. Under the Bush budget 56,000 teachers won't get training and 1.3 million children won't get the after school programs they were promised. According to the National Education Association, the budget eliminates funds for 38 pro- grams, including dropout prevention and gifted and talented education, and once again fails to increase Pell Grants for our nation's poorest college students. Yet, incredibly, the President wants $50 million for a national experiment with school vouchers, which take away much needed resources from public schools, and trillions more in tax cuts continue to flow to the wealthy. We have come a long way; however, we still have a long way to go. Today I rise to celebrate the anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education. 1 am proud to be an American. I salute African Americans like Barbara Byrd-Bennett who believed in the fight for justice, believed in their dreams for equality and continue to pave the way for a better tomorrow.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I first of all want to thank the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter) for yielding me this time. I rise, Mr. Speaker, in opposition to H.R. 1997, the Unborn Victims of Violence Act. A pregnant woman is probably one of the most vulnerable members of our society. Nearly one in three women report being physically assaulted during pregnancy and murder is the leading cause of death among pregnant women. However, H.R. 1997 does nothing to protect pregnant women from violence. Rather, it creates a new cause of action on behalf of the unborn. The result would be a step backward for victims of domestic violence by once again diverting the attention of the system away from punishing violence against women to punishing violence against an unborn fetus. I heard my colleague earlier talk about compassion and talk about justice and try and stir this body to pass legislation that is absolutely not needed, to pass legislation that only curries favor with a certain portion of the people of these United States. I compare it to the currying of favor with those who would oppose same-sex marriages. I would say to my colleagues that if we spent all of the time that we spend on legislation like this and talking about constitutional amendments and directed it towards guaranteeing every child in the United States a right to an education, or guaranteeing every person in this country a right to health care, or guaranteeing every person in this country a right to a job, or guaranteeing every person an opportunity to live in a home that is safe and in a safe neighborhood, we would spend our time a whole lot better. H.R. 1997 marks a major departure from current Federal law by elevating the legal status of a fetus at all stages of development. We could have passed several of the alternatives that were proposed by my colleagues that would have dealt squarely with the issue that is before us versus inflaming a division or running a knife between parts of this country on divisive issues such as abortion, such as same-sex marriages. I just call upon my colleagues to stop putting forth legislation whose real intentions are covered by the intentions that they put forth in the legislation or put forth on the floor. I would encourage all of my colleagues to vote against the rule and vote against the underlying bill. If we really want to protect women, let us fund the COPS program so that there will be more police officers out on the street. If we really want to protect women, let us fund fully the Violence Against Women Act. If we really want to protect women, let us begin to teach young men, and young women as well, the importance of playing fair and not being involved in violence and other things. But this legislation will not do it.