Stephanie Jones

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the Republican welfare bill, even though my colleague from Ohio is on the other side. I keep hearing stories about Alice and Mary and Stephanie who have done well off of welfare. I would like to line up all of the Johns and Alices and Marys that I know who have not had success, who have gone from welfare to poverty, to show Members their children who are suffering as a result of the fact that their mom or dad cannot get child care in order to go to work. It is an interesting discussion right now that we would talk about work for welfare recipients when in fact the people who have been working all along have no jobs, and we know the last person hired is going to be the first person fired. Right now would have been the opportunity in these low economic times to take this bill back to committee and take into consideration the fact that the economy is not in as good a shape as it has been, and maybe we could have put some incentives into this bill to have employers hire welfare workers, and maybe that might have stimulated our economy a little bit. We are in the worst economic times since World War II. Every city, every county, every State is laying off workers. I just read a story in the New York Times this morning about layoffs. So to say this is a great time to talk about moving from welfare to work is ridiculous, and it is ridiculous to have this discussion without taking into consideration the whole issue of the economy as it currently exists. All we have to do is ask Governor Taft, a good friend of the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner), what trouble the State of Ohio is in right now. Even with the programs of Medicaid, even talking about taxing the poor for getting a manicure or getting a hairdo or for going to the movies. To say we are going to put them in jobs where they make $5.25 an hour and have to pay additional dollars for all of these things is just ludicrous. I encourage Members to vote against this legislation because it does not do what it is intended to do.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, although no longer on the Committee on Small Business, I am still here to fight on behalf of small businesses, and I am pleased to join my colleagues today as we celebrate this piece of legislation coming to the floor. The passage of S. 141 is an important step that can be taken by Members to help small businesses. Over the past 4 years when I served on the Committee on Small Business, we worked hard to see that legislation that would assist small businesses would get to the floor and pass. It is wonderful that I will be able to say to my constituents, yes, one more time we have done something for small business. It is the first crucial step this body can take to provide the necessary infusion of capital to small businesses and help them retain and create jobs and provide a needed boost to our economy. In my congressional district, there are a number of people who are not counted in that number of unemployed because they have not been seeking a job because there are no jobs available to them. This is a wonderful step. The 7(a) program is very important, and it can make a difference for a lot of our entrepreneurs. While this is a first step in the right direction, it just begins to address some of our concerns. Among those is the issue of opening up the SBA 7(a) program to more credit unions. I have been working with credit unions across this country trying to make that available to them. Mr. Speaker, I am glad to have the opportunity to come to the floor and say to the chairman and ranking member, let us keep it up. I join my colleagues in support of this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to see the House of Representatives considering this legislation today. As we are too painfully aware, our economy is in a state of disarray, and among the many consequences of this is the struggle by many small businesses to stay in existence in these uncertain times. Passage of S. 141 is one important step that can be taken by Members of this body to help those small businesses that contribute so much to our economy, our entrepreneurial spirit, and our national well-being continue to thrive and grow. Small business is in fact big business, accounting for over 75 percent of the jobs held in this country and an equally large percentage of the gross national product. For small businesses to grow and create jobs, infusions of capital are critical. Yet recent actions by the Administration do little to increase the bottom line of America's small business, with less than 3 percent of the President's economic stimulus plan being targeted at small businesses. By focusing on such narrow concerns as eliminating dividend taxes, the Administration has left small businesses out of the equation for stimulating the economy. (Pause) The Administration has left a creator of 75 percent of the country's jobs out of the equation for stimulating the economy . . . focusing instead on incentives for investing in the stock market when incentives for investing in the job market are what is needed for a much needed stimulus. S. 141 is the first crucial step this body can take to provide that necessary infusion of capital to our small businesses, help small businesses retain and create jobs, and provide a needed boost to our economy. This bill will work to reverse the practice of taxing small businesses through use of a subsidy rate model that will more accurately reflect the cost of SBA loan programs, accelerate the use of this new subsidy rate, and allow the SBA to lift imposed lending caps to small businesses. Without this bill, small businesses will be left with the burden of overpaying an average of $15,000 for some of the loans they need to run and expand their businesses. And while this bill is a major step in the right direction, it just begins to address some of the concerns arising out of small business loan programs provided by the SBA. Among those is the issue of opening up the SBA 7(a) program to more credit unions, an action that the SBA Administrator's discretionary authority allows, an action that would give credit unions the same authority to offer SBA guaranteed loans enjoyed by other federally insured lenders. I am voicing my support for S. 141 because it will provide immediate relief for entrepreneurs in search of capital to finance their companies. And as these entrepreneurs are able to grow and thrive, so too will our economy. Remember, small business is big business and small business focuses on the ``market'' that matters--the job market. I thank my colleagues for joining me in supporting S. 141.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my condolences to the families of the crewmembers of the Columbia Shuttle Mission. I am truly saddened by the loss of these American heroes, and I will support efforts to ensure that the future of exploratory science research lives on for our future generations. The state of Ohio is known as ``The Birthplace of Aviation,'' and is also the home of 24 astronauts. This exclusive list includes individuals such as: John Glenn, Neil Armstrong, Carl Walz, Michael T. Good, and Tom Henricks. Cleveland, Ohio is the home of the NASA Glenn Research Facility; one of eight facilities that conduct ground-based research for NASA in North America. On March 1, 1999, NASA renamed its Cleveland center the ``John H. Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field'' in honor of John Glenn. John Glenn was the first American to orbit the Earth. He served as a United States Senator from Ohio and made a historic return to space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on October 29, 1998, returning on November 7, 1998. The mission included three microgravity science payloads from NASA Lewis Center. Ohio astronaut and Cleveland native Carl Walz spent six months in a home away from home: the International Space Station (ISS). Mr. Walz was a part of the Expedition 4 crew that traveled to the ISS aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour when it lifted off on December 5, 2001 to begin the STS-108 mission. He returned to earth on June 5, 2002 during the STS-111 mission. During their stay aboard the ISS, Walz and Expedition 4 crewmate Dan Bursch broke the U.S. space flight endurance record. Mr. Walz also holds the U.S. record for most cumulative time in space, spending 231 days. Since 1945, NASA Glenn has been a pioneer in rocket engine and propellant technology. This research resulted in the development of the Centaur upper stage, one of NASA Glenn's most significant achievements. The technology made significant contributions to the Apollo program, enabling the massive payloads to support human missions to the moon. Likewise, NASA Glenn has been a pioneer in low-gravity research. The NASA Glenn Research Center specifically developed experiments for the 16-day Columbia mission, STS-107, in the areas of biology, physics, chemistry, and Earth science. These experiments were located both inside and outside the Shuttle, and were the primary focus of the flight crew given that they made up over 60 percent of the mass and 45 percent of the crew time for NASA's Biological and Physical Research portion of the flight. Some examples of these projects included experiments on: Laminar Soot; Structure of Flame Balls at Low Lewis-number; Water Mist Fire Suppression Experiment; Combustion Module-2 Facility; Critical Viscosity of Xenon; and Space Acceleration Measurement System and Orbital Acceleration Research. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support efforts to ensure that the future of exploratory science research lives on for our future generations.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I support the recently enacted steel tariffs and urge support for the domestic steel industry, however, I ask that my name be removed from H. Con. Res. 507, a bill urging the President to request the United States International Trade Commission to conduct an expedited review of the temporary safeguards on imports of certain steel products.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to have my name removed as a cosponsor of H. Con. Res. 507.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Who could be against homeland security? I guess anybody out there in the public would want to know why should there even be a debate about what we do about homeland security. But the reality is that all of us are for homeland security. The question is how do we get there. That is what this debate is all about. About 2 weeks ago I participated in a debate on homeland security at Case Western Reserve University in my congressional district. On the panel with me was a gentleman from GAO and a professor who has looked over departments and consolidation over the years. One of the things that the professor raised was the fact that even with this new Department of Homeland Security, there are going to be so many more responsibilities placed on local governments, at the State level, at the county level, at the Federal level. And in this bill, though it is presumed that it is, there are not dollars there to support these local agencies to do that job. When I think about it, and we thought about it in the session, if something happens in Cleveland, Ohio, I am not going to call the FBI; I am going to call 911, and 911 is going to call the Cleveland Police Department. But in this legislation, I do not believe there is adequate increase of dollars going to cities. It would have been nice when we had the opportunity to continue the COPS program that we had given or designated more dollars to local police departments. Another question I have is coordination. Another question I have is this whole issue of public employees who have given their time and effort to the Federal Government losing their labor rights as a result of a consolidation. I think that all of us are concerned about homeland security, that all of us want to tell this world and the people that live in the United States that we are going to protect them. But before we rush down the line to make a decision on this new 170,000-person Department of Homeland Security, we must make a commitment to the people of the United States that we are really going to secure their homeland.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to honor the Whitney Young Middle School in Cleveland, Ohio for affording me the opportunity to visit with young students during my Third Annual Back-to-School Tour on Monday, September 23rd and Monday, September 30th of 2002. I would like to offer special thanks to Cleveland School Municipal District CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett, Superintendent Edward Dietsche and Principal Beth Haines-Hager for their leadership and kind hospitality. The tour was an educational experience for all who were in attendance. Whitney Young Middle School has set forth major academic goals for the year, which includes maintaining average attendance rates of 95 percent; improving social responsibility awareness; and improving parent communications. Recent accomplishments from last year include student attendance rates over 95 percent; and an award for the most parent and community response at authors and artists night among all Cleveland middle schools. I commend the Whitney Young Middle School for its commitment to education and will continue to fight for increased funding to improve the quality of public education for all students.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to honor the Miles Park Elementary School in Cleveland, Ohio for affording me the opportunity to visit with young students during my Third Annual Back- to-School Tour on Monday, September 23rd and Monday, September 30th of 2002. I would like to offer special thanks to Cleveland School Municipal District CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett, Superintendent Debra Brathwaite and Principal William Bauer for their leadership and kind hospitality. The tour was an educational experience for all who were in attendance. Miles Park Elementary School has set forth major academic goals for the year, which include increasing the percentage of students passing all five parts of the Ohio Proficiency and off-grade tests to meet targets at each grade level; creating a safe, nurturing environment; and improving the academic and social performance of all special needs students. Recent accomplishments from last year include above average on proficiency tests, and receipt of the Ohio Reads Literacy Grant. I commend the Miles Park Elementary School for its commitment to education and will continue to fight for increased funding to improve the quality of public education for all students.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Buckeye-Woodland Elementary School in Cleveland, Ohio for affording me the opportunity to visit with young students during my Third Annual Back-to-School Tour on Monday, September 23rd and Monday, September 30th of 2002. 1 would like to offer special thanks to Cleveland Schools Municipal District CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett, Superintendent Debra Brathwaite and Principal Barbara A. Kozak for their leadership and kind hospitality. The tour was an educational experience for all who were in attendance. Buckeye-Woodland Elementary School has set forth major academic goals for the year, which include establishing a focus on literary implementation of a comprehensive reading program; developing high standards for mathematics and science skills concepts; assessing student progress on an ongoing basis; and providing focused, organized opportunities for professional development. Recent accomplishments from last year include measuring student progress on an ongoing basis using the information to help students learn; providing individual student support; and providing teachers with organized and focused opportunities for professional development. I commend the Buckeye-Woodland Elementary School for its commitment to education and will continue to fight for increased funding to improve the quality of public education for all students.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to honor the Charles Orr Middle School in Cleveland, Ohio for affording me the opportunity to visit with young students during my Third Annual Back-to-School Tour on Monday, September 23rd and Monday, September 30th of 2002. I would like to offer special thanks to Cleveland Schools Municipal District CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett, Superintendent Kathy Wayne Carter and Principal Greg Henderson for their leadership and kind hospitality. The tour was an educational experience for all who were in attendance. Charles Orr Middle School has set forth major academic goals for the year, which include offering outstanding opportunities for field testing and innovative learning strategies to turn students into life- long learners; becoming more apt at meeting the educational needs of a diverse student population through comprehensive, long-range data-based planning; and seeking to recruit and train a special team of educators to learn how to reach and teach students regardless of where they are academically. Recent accomplishments from last year include significant improvement in students passing one or more portions of the state proficiency test, and more than 60 percent of students being eligible for promotion by the end of the first semester. I commend the Charles Orr Middle School for its commitment to education and will continue to fight for increased funding to improve the quality of public education for all students.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to honor the James Addams High School in Cleveland, Ohio for affording me the opportunity to visit with young students during my Third Annual Back-to-School Tour on Monday, September 23rd and Monday, September 30th of 2002. I would like to offer special thanks to Cleveland School Municipal District CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett, Superintendent Kathy Freilino and Principal Judith Leveckis for their leadership and kind hospitality. The tour was an educational experience for all who were in attendance. James Addams High School has set forth major academic goals for the year, which include increasing the percentage of students passing all five parts of the proficiency test to meet targets; creating a safe environment as indicated by significant increase in rates of attendance and parent involvement; and increasing the number of students graduating and successfully transitioning into post-secondary education and/or employment. Recent accomplishments from last year include a grant providing the school with long-distance learning; Read 180, which was established to build reading skills; grants awarded to fund the Accelerated Math program; and the addition of chemistry to the science offerings. I commend the James Addams High School for its commitment to education and will continue to fight for increased funding to improve the quality of public education for all students.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to honor the Luis Munos Marin Middle School in Cleveland, Ohio for affording me the opportunity to visit with young students during my Third Annual Back- to-School Tour on Monday, September 23rd and Monday, September 30th of 2002. I would like to offer, special thanks to Cleveland School Municipal District CEO Barbara Byrd Bennett, Superintendent Esther Johnson and Principal Eva Valez-Torres for their leadership and kind hospitality. The tour was an educational experience for all who were in attendance. Luis Munos Marin Middle School has set forth major academic goals for the year, which include targets to exceed standards by 5 percent in all parts of the proficiency test; improve attendance rate to 95 percent; and continue to increase parent involvement by 10 percent. Recent accomplishments from last year include being a Corridors of Excellence School; an across the board increase in test scores by seventh grade students; an increase in attendance by 7 percent; and an increase in parent involvement by 10 percent. I commend the Luis Munos Marin Middle School for its commitment to education and will continue to fight for increased funding to improve the quality of public education for all students.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to honor the Sunbeam Elementary School in Cleveland, Ohio for affording me the opportunity to visit with young students during my Third Annual Back-to-School Tour on Monday, September 23rd and Monday, September 30th of 2002. 1 would like to offer special thanks to Cleveland School Municipal District CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett, Superintendent Deborah Ward and Principal Hollis Munoz for their leadership and kind hospitality. The tour was an educational experience for all who were in attendance. Sunbeam Elementary School has set forth major academic goals for the year, which include creating a safe, nurturing environment for students; improving academic and/or functional living skills of all students; and implementing a middle school program within a K-8 structure. Recent accomplishments from last year include relocating the media center to a larger space; offering onsite social services; and 60 percent of sixth graders passing the reading portion of the Ohio Proficiency exam. I commend the Sunbeam Elementary School for its commitment to education and will continue to fight for increased funding to improve the quality of public education for all students.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to honor the Collinwood High and CompuTech Middle Schools in Cleveland, Ohio for affording me the opportunity to visit with young students during my Third Annual Back-to-School Tour on Monday September 23rd and Monday, September 30th of 2002. I would like to offer special thanks to Cleveland Schools Municipal District CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett, Superintendent Kathy Freilino and Principal Charita Crockrom for their leadership and kind hospitality. The tour was an educational experience for all who were in attendance. Collinwood High and CompuTech Middle Schools have set forth major academic goals for the year, which includes improving the passage rate of the Ohio 9th Grade Proficiency Test by 5 percent; improving literacy skills performance across all grade levels and increasing computer technology; increasing the number of students graduating and successfully moving into higher education, apprenticeships, technical training and employment; and promoting music technology in middle school classes. Recent accomplishments from last year include major construction of roof and building renovation; building new parking lot; Saturday tutoring program for all students who needed to pass the Ohio Proficiency Test; and a staff/faculty retreat. I commend the Collinwood High and CompuTech Middle Schools for their commitment to education and will continue to fight for increased funding to improve the quality of public education for all students.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, Today, I rise to honor the Orchard School of Science Elementary School in Cleveland, Ohio for affording me the opportunity to visit with young students during my Third Annual Back-to-School Tour on Monday, September 23rd and Monday, September 30th of 2002. 1 would like to offer special thanks to Cleveland School Municipal District CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett, Superintendent Debra Brathwaite and Principal Mary Ann Knapp for their leadership and kind hospitality. The tour was an educational experience for all who were in attendance. Orchard School of Science Elementary School has set forth major academic goals for the year, which include fostering improvement of the safe school environment; improving the passage rate on the reading/ writing, science, mathematics and citizenship portions of the Fourth Grade Proficiency Test and/or the Off-Grade Proficiency Test by 6.5 percent. Recent accomplishments from last year include all grades making improvement gains on the reading portion of the Proficiency Test and the Off-Grade Proficiency Tests; a $12,000 teaching grant to take fifth grade students camping; and students being able to attend the Space Camp in Orlando, Florida. I commend the Orchard School of Science Elementary School for its commitment to education and will continue to fight for increased funding to improve the quality of public education for all students.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise to talk about a piece of legislation that, if passed, will remove the barriers that have blocked many American citizens' right to vote. If Congress agrees to the passage of H.R. 3295, the Help America Vote Act of 2002, antiquated machines will be replaced, adequate assistance will be provided for our Nation's elections, nondiscriminatory and uniform requirements would be enforced, improved military and overseas voters ballot access will be provided, and the opportunity for young Americans to be involved in the voting process will be established. Without legislation that helps Americans to have their vote count, barriers of participation will continue to plague many of our communities, and; therefore, increase the growing number of outdated voting equipment, alleged intimidation by police and lack of translators, as mandated by law. As recent as the last Presidential election, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, NAACP, requested an investigation into the voting practices. The 14th amendment, which ensures equal protection under the law, was the basis for the Supreme Court's decision not to allow recounting in Florida. Ironically, an amendment designed in 1866 to protect the rights of minorities was used to protect a system which disenfranchised them in 2000. It is also interesting that in addition to the votes that were not counted in Florida, there were voting irregularities in the 11th Congressional District of Ohio. Thousands of voters on the mostly African American east side of Cleveland, OH, went to vote, only to be turned away. Because of a 1996 State law cutting Cleveland precincts by a quarter, their polling places had been changed. The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections said that it sent postcards to registered voters telling them of the switch. But of 85 African Americans who were asked about the postcards during 2\1/2\ days of interviews done by the Los Angeles Times, only one said he received notification. ``I never got a card, never,'' said Francis Lundrum, an East Cleveland native. He said he bellowed at an election worker: ``I am a veteran of the United States armed forces! I want to vote!'' It did no good. Lundrum and the others who were turned away should have been given provisional ballots, to be certified later. Among those who did not get a voting ballot was Chuck Conway, Jr., who stated, ``I think there was some stinky stuff going on.'' As a U.S. Representative, it truly saddens me to hear of voting irregularities, not only with my constituency, but to all who were not afforded the right to have their vote count. I urge my colleagues to seriously consider what will happen to the future of our democratic process if we do not pass this sensible piece of legislation. It is my hope that for our next general election cycle, Americans can proudly say that every vote does count. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 3295.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to compliment the gentlewoman from California for all of her leadership on this issue. One of the prior speakers asked where we were in 1991 and pulled out all these examples of what war was all about. I do not know where he was in 1991, but in 1991 I was back being a prosecutor in Cuyahoga County, but had I been here I would have said let us push and continue to push to reach a resolution and a peaceful resolution. I am not going to down anybody for their religion. I happen to be Baptist. I happen to be a Protestant, but whatever it is people are we all are a part of this world, and in this United States we talk about freedom of religion and our entitlement to be whoever we are, but all of us want peace, and if we are the big bully, if we are the big dog on the street, then we can afford to be the big dog and sit back and say come on to the table, let us use all of our resources. I question whether or not the United States has, in fact, in many instances, put all of its power to the U.N. to allow the U.N. to be as strong as it should be. Support the Lee amendment.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation. Thanks to my colleague, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Hobson), I have had an opportunity in the time that I have been in the U.S. Congress to visit a number of military bases; and I have been totally impressed with the people that I have had an opportunity to meet. It is so very, very important, having met them, that they have sufficient housing to live at least the kind of life that many of us are able to have in our own homes across this country. I was surprised when I went to a couple of bases when I saw the schools. I saw schools that looked like many other schools that existed in the 1960s when I was in school. The kids were still going to school in the trailer houses that, unfortunately, have become permanent schoolhouses for many of these young people. I think it is important that, as we move forward, we assure the young people across this country that we are going to be supportive of them in all that they do. I have a number of friends who have children who are now of age and are serving in military operations across this world, and I want to be able to assure my friends and their grandparents, who are the friends of my mother and father, that the young people we send out on our behalf are well taken care of. So I rise in support of this legislation, having seen some of the things we have been able to do. If I get too far along, I may be talking out of school, but we are moving from one-plus-one or two-plus-two or whatever the living arrangements for the military are right now. I want to congratulate the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Olver), who I also had a chance to visit some of these facilities with, and my good friend the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Hobson), on the great work they have done.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for that kind yielding of time to me. Mr. Speaker, this is a quote: ``I'm concerned about living with my conscience, and searching for that which is right and that which is true, and I cannot live with the idea of being just a conformist following a path that everybody else follows. And this has happened to us. As I've said in one of my books, so often we live by the philosophy `Everybody's doing it, it must be alright.' we tend to determine what is right and wrong by taking a sort of Gallup poll of the majority opinion, and I don't think this is the way to get at what is right. ``Arnold Toynbee talks about the creative minority and I think more and more we must have in our world that creative minority that will take a stand for that which conscience tells them is right, even though it brings about criticism and misunderstanding and even abuse.'' That is excerpted from a 1967 interview of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Mr. Speaker, I stand here today as a part of a creative minority in Congress who oppose this apparently inevitable resolution granting the President the authority to use force to remove Saddam Hussein from power. But I will not be a silent minority. I know who Saddam Hussein is. I know he has viciously killed hundreds of thousands of Kurds in northern Iraq with chemical and biological weapons. I know he has murdered members of his own cabinet; in fact, his own family. I remember vividly his aggressions in Iran and Kuwait and the SCUD missiles he launched into Israel in the Gulf War. I know the contempt he has shown toward the U.N. and its weapons inspectors as they attempted to enforce post-Gulf War resolutions; and I know that the world, and particularly the Gulf region, would be a better and safer place without Saddam Hussein in power and those of his ilk in power. But I also know that the resolution before us is a product of haste and hubris, rather than introspection and humility. I have seen President Bush confront the Iraq question with arrogance and condescension, initially bullying this Congress, our international allies, and the American people with accusations and threats and tales of terror eliciting fear in their hearts and minds. President Bush has told us that war is not inevitable, but does anyone really believe that? For months, this administration has marched inexorably towards an attack on Iraq, changing its rationale to suit the circumstances. I have no doubt that, regardless of what we do here or what Saddam does there, we will go to war. I pray I am wrong. The CIA today said Saddam is unlikely to initiate a chemical or biological attack against the United States and presented the alarming possibility that an attack on Iraq could provoke him into taking the very actions this administration claims an invasion would prevent. I know, too, who we are. America has never backed down from a just war. From the Revolutionary era to the Civil War, across Europe, Asia, and Africa, in two world wars, just a dozen years ago in the Persian Gulf, and countless missions to faraway places like Bosnia, Kosovo, Liberia, and Afghanistan, America fought. We fought with righteousness, determination, and vision. We fought because principles and freedoms were threatened. We fought because fighting was our last choice. America has always fought with a vision to the future and has been merciful and generous in our victories. But the White House has not offered any vision for post-Saddam Iraq. As a Nation founded on moral principles, we have a moral obligation to prepare a plan for rebuilding Iraq before we declare war. Iraq, like Afghanistan and many of the other nations in the Gulf region, is made up of many ethnic groups that will compete for power in the vacuum that is created by Saddam Hussein's ouster. But as important as the tactical plans to overthrow Saddam Hussein are, we must address how we intend to help the Iraqi people institute a democratic government. I ask the President, can he not answer a few simple questions: Have we completed the war on terrorism? What happened to Osama bin Laden? Do we know how long a war in Iraq would last? Has there been any assessment for the American people of how much a war in Iraq will cost our economy? Does he have any idea of the human loss we should expect in a war with Iraq? Instead of answers, he gives us bombast. Yes, we have all heard the rhetoric: Saddam is evil, Saddam hates America, Saddam must be stopped, and you are either with us or against us. If you are not with us, we don't need you. But when the rhetoric is peeled away, truth emerges. Mr. Speaker, I cannot go on but I say to all of my colleagues, let us be the creative minority. Vote against allowing force against Iraq. Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, please be advised that I missed votes on Tuesday, October 1, 2002 due to a funeral of an employee. Had I been present, the record would reflect that I would have voted: on rollcall No. 424, S. 434 Motion To Suspend the Rules and Pass Yankton Sioux Tribe of South Dakota and Santee Sioux Tribe of Nebraska, ``yea,'' on rollcall No. 425, H.R. 4125 Motion To Suspend The Rules and Pass Federal Courts Improvement Act of 2002, ``yea,'' and on rollcall No. 426 H. Res. 538 Motion To Suspend the Rules and Agree Honoring Johnny Unitas and extending condolences to his family on his passing, ``yea.''

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of my colleague Congresswoman Patsy Mink who served in the House of Representatives for twelve terms. She was the first woman of Asian descent to serve in the U.S. Congress. Representative Patsy Mink's ancestry is the classic story of immigrants seeking a better life in America for themselves and their families. Her four grandparents emigrated from Japan in the late 1800's to work as contract laborers in Maui's sugar plantations. Representative Mink began college at the University of Hawaii, but transferred to the University of Nebraska where she faced a policy of segregated student housing. Working with other students, their parents, and even university trustees, this policy of discrimination was ended. She returned to the University of Hawaii to prepare for medical school and graduated with a degree in zoology and chemistry. However, in 1948, none of the twenty medical schools to which she applied would accept women. She decided to study law and was accepted by the University of Chicago because they considered her a ``foreign student.'' Choosing not to inform the University that Hawaii was an American territory, she obtained her Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1951. Newly married, she became the first Asian-American woman to practice law in Hawaii. In 1956, she was elected to the Territorial House of Representatives. It was the beginning of a long and effective political life. In 1959, Hawaii became the 50th state. In 1965, Patsy Mink was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and began the first of six consecutive terms in the House of Representatives. She was the first woman of color to be elected to Congress. Representative Mink's ability to build coalitions for progressive legislation continued during her tenure in Congress. She introduced the first comprehensive Early Childhood Education Act and authored the Women's Educational Equity Act. In the early 1970's, she played a key role in the enactment of Title IX of the Higher Education Act Amendments. Written in 1972 to be enacted by 1977, Title IX, which prohibited gender discrimination by federally funded institutions, has become the major tool for women's fuller participation not only in sports, but in all aspects of education. Title IX is the reason why girls and women have made such gains in education and particularly in sports. In 1971, only 294,015 girls participated in high school athletics. Today, over 2.7 million girls participate in high school athletics, an 847 percent increase, according to the Department of Education. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to reiterate the importance the legacy of my dear friend Patsy Mink. Congresswoman Mink will be remembered for her deep concern and support of education, women rights, and Pacific Islander issues. Her struggles and accomplishments bear witness to the strength of the American Spirit.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, today, I am pleased to recognize Romeo James Robinson for turning 90 years young. Mr. Robinson was born on September 9, 1912 in Youngstown, Ohio, and throughout his life, he achieved many great accomplishments. In 1941, he earned the bachelor's of science degree in Chemistry from Youngstown State University, and after 30 years of dedicated service, Mr. Robinson retired from Youngstown Sheet and Tool in 1968. He has always been a beacon in his community, serving on the Organization for Protestant Men, Fraternal Order of Masons, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and the Deacons Board of the Third Baptist Church. Additionally, he is a lifetime member of both the National Advancement for Colored People and the Urban League. Mr. Robinson has two children, Myron F. Robinson, who currently serves as the president of the Urban League of Greater Cleveland, and Anita Gorham, who now resides in Detroit, Michigan. He is the proud grandparent of two and boasts often of his four great-grandchildren. Happy birthday, Mr. Robinson!

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for yielding me time. You know what, I am really tired of people not telling the truth on the floor of the House. Hospitals are not going to stay open any longer because of this bill. People are not going to get any better health care because of this bill. What is going to give them better health care is if this Congress will go ahead and give people universal health care. The fact is that H.R. 4600 introduced under the guise of fixing the problem of rising costs of malpractice insurance does not say anywhere that insurance companies will be required to reduce premiums. Nowhere does it assure that any savings that the insurance companies get will be passed along to the doctors. The shame of it all is it is taking away the ability of judges who served, like me, the ability to determine when punitive damages ought to be awarded. It is taking away the ability of people who are injured to have the ability to bring their claim in court. The reality is that this bill does none of the things that have been claimed by the other side. Now, the hospitals are going to be open in Cleveland, Detroit, New York as a result of this; and nobody is going to get better health care. I say to my colleagues vote against this legislation. It does nothing to help our patients.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great American, Charles B. ``Chuck'' Harmon, on the occasion of this Congressional Tribute to the Negro Leagues. Negro League baseball players were at the vanguard of efforts to demonstrate that what matters most is not the color of a person's skin, but character, skill, and determination. Negro League players surmounted obstacles of the day to prove their skills as ball players and the character of the American spirit. Chuck Harmon was one of twelve children born to Sherman and Rosa Harmon on April 23, 1924 in Washington, Indiana where he completed elementary and secondary school. He attended the University of Toledo for three and one-half years between 1942 and 1949 and served with honor in the United States Navy. Mr. Harmon has been married to Daurel Woodley Harmon for 54 years and has three children, Charlene, Charles Jr., and Cheryl. He also has two grandchildren, Danielle and Justin. Chuck Harmon was honored on May 15, 1997 by the City of Cincinnati, a day designated to honor both Jackie Robinson and Chuck Harmon on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball. The day doubled as a Golden Anniversary for Mr. Harmon, who signed his first professional baseball contract in 1947. Seven years later in 1954. Mr. Harmon broke the color barrier of the Cincinnati Reds baseball team. Chuck Harmon has maintained courage and composure throughout many adverse situations, being the first and only African American to play on many segregated teams. Mr. Harmon's strength of character and achievements have resulted in many honors and awards. He has been honored by the Governor of Ohio, George Voinovich, the Greater Cincinnati Urban League, the Cities of Golf Manor, Ohio and Washington, Indiana which have named streets and a park in his honor, and a host of other sports teams for which he played. For the past 25 years, Mr. Harmon has focused on public service within the First Appellate District Court of Appeals in Cincinnati, Ohio. Charles B. Harmon has lived a life characterized by a strict code of personal and public ethics, self respect, and respect for others. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today, and join with my congressional colleagues in congratulating player of the Negro Leagues and a great American from the State of Ohio, Charles B. ``Chuck'' Harmon.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman from California for yielding me this time. I have prepared comments, but before I get to them let me say that it is really wonderful that the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Wynn), the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Jefferson), the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn), and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns) would write a letter, but I am the gentlewoman from Ohio and there is the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. LaFalce) and a number of great Members of this Congress who oppose this legislation. Secondly, I do not care what a survey said about 67 percent intending to purchase or 87 percent did purchase. They are consumers, and as a Member of Congress, I am here to protect the consumers from the State of Ohio, California, New York, and anywhere else, and just because they responded to a survey as such does not mean they are being protected. A few days ago, Mr. Chairman, I stopped by one of those fancy coffee shops that serve enough coffee variations for nearly everybody's peculiar tastes. Instead of going with my usual black with two sugars, I decided to be a bit more adventuresome and ordered a double-decaf- triple-blend-nondairy-double-latte-hazelnut-cappuccino. But when I got my customized drink, I had to sift through a thick layer of fluffy foam in order to get to a few sips of coffee that were actually in my cup. All in all, my coffee adventure was a big letdown, just like H.R. 1701 is also a letdown, and once you sift through the fluff, it is clear that this bill advances the interests of the rent-to-own industry while leaving its customer in a haze of disinformation. The gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. LaFalce), my esteemed colleagues, have offered several amendments that would address the abuses in what can rightfully be classified as legal loanshark rates. Without their amendments, the rent-to-own industry becomes a form of debt slavery where customers pay and pay and pay but in the end they may never get anything for their money. We have heard the horror stories about the rent-to-own customers ultimately paying up to five times an item's actual cost before they can own it. Some in the industry have tried to skirt the issue of interest rates by claiming that these are not actually credit sales. But those claims conveniently ignore the ultimate goal of most rent-to- own customers, to own the product. The fundamental issue comes down to disclosure and H.R. 1701's advocates have tried to paint a picture of the excessive burdens that will come with disclosing some basic facts and answering simple questions about these transactions. But what is so burdensome about answering questions, as many of our amendments would do, such as what is the cash price if I buy today? Is that burdensome? Or what is my early purchase option? Or what is the effective interest rate if I make my weekly or monthly payment until I own the item? It is almost like those insurance policies that people of color used to buy in Alabama and they come by every day and pay 25 cents a week and month after month after month for 30 years and when they die they cannot even be put in the ground. What about what is the cost of any insurance of the services I pay? Or what about what are the guarantees in effect while I am still paying under a rent-to-own and after I purchase the item? Simple questions that we all want an answer to. The answers to these questions will allow customers to make better informed decisions when they are choosing between using a rent-to-own service or to buy an item outright. Where is the burden in that? While I recognize the rent-to-own industry may serve a legitimate purpose by allowing customers to have an item for only short periods of time or consider alternatives when deciding whether to purchase, H.R. 1701 as it stands right now only serves to advance the special interests of many of the economic scavengers in the rent-to-own industry who are looking to have a feast on unwitting consumers. I urge my colleagues to vote against this legislation.