Stephanie Jones

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Chairman, the arguments made by the supporters tug at the heart strings of the Nation. Yet we, as legislators, know better. We know that the American people want us to do justice, not just pontificate, or what makes a great sound byte, or as a shelter for the lack of work we have done in other areas. I have to compliment my colleague, the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Mrs. Wilson), for such an elegant and heartwrenching speech and presentation. Yet she missed the point. It is possible to address the issues of H.R. 2436 without trespassing on the reproductive rights of women in this country. None of the opponents of this bill have argued that abortion can be prosecuted under this bill. They keep saying that we are saying that we do not want abortion dealt with so we are opponents of the bill. We have not argued that, because we see clearly in the bill it deals with setting aside abortion as a possible offense. But what we are arguing is that the bill is an effort to erode a woman's right to choose. And it is. They said it. They know it. The paper knows it. Everybody knows it. They are trying to erode Roe v. Wade. Now, the other thing that must be made clear is, in the Arkansas situation that was argued, in the North Carolina situation that was argued, those were State offenses and there were no underlying predicate acts. In fact, in this legislation that is being presented today on the floor, there is no underlying predicate act in this bill. State law can be prosecuted without any further Federal legislation. What we are saying is, if this is a State law and this is a State issue, let it be dealt with in the State court. We do not need to pass any more legislation that is dealt with in State legislate. In fact, let us think about it like this. I think that is the argument that the gun proponents made when we were talking about passing the Brady bill, State law already handles it so why pass Federal legislation. In fact, I think that is the argument we made just the other day when we wanted more gun control, we do not prosecute enough gun control laws right now. Why pass any more? Same thing here, let us not pass any more laws that we do not need. State law deals with this.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to H.R. 2436, the Unborn Victims of Violence Act. According to its sponsors, the legislative intent is to protect pregnant women from violence. Instead of protecting pregnant women, this legislation focuses on giving legal protection to any ``member of the species Homo sapiens,'' and I quote, ``at all stages of development.'' This includes the zygote, a blastocyst, and an embryo or fetus. Instead of protecting pregnant women from violence, this legislation would impose the same sentence for attacking an unborn fetus which the Supreme Court has ruled is not a person as is imposed for attacking the victim, the pregnant woman, a recognized person under law. The true legislative intent of this piece of legislation is to bestow upon the fetus the legal standing of a person. The United States Supreme Court has already ruled an unborn is not a person and does not receive legal rights. Even Justice Antonin Scalia, a staunch opponent of Roe v. Wade agrees with this position. I rise to speak for a moment about some of the legal aspects of this bill, since it seems, so far, we have only been caught up in a discussion of things that pull on the heart strings of the American public. Not a person who stands on the floor today would say that it is unfortunate, it is a terrible incidence that a pregnant woman would be caused to lose her baby or even lose her own life. I quote the Justice Department, as follows: ``The Justice Department strongly objects to H.R. 2436 as a matter of public policy and also believes that in specific circumstances, illustrated below, the bill may raise a constitutional concern. The administration has made the fight against domestic violence and other violence against women a top priority. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which passed with the bipartisan support of Congress in 1994, has been a critical turning point in our national effort to address'' the issue. ``VAWA, for the first time, created Federal domestic violence offenses with strong penalties to hold violent offenders accountable.'' H.R. 2436 expressly provides that the defendant need not know or have reason to know that the victim is pregnant. The bill thus makes a potentially dramatic increase in penalty turn on an element for which liability is strict. As a consequence, for example, if a police officer uses a slight amount of excessive force to subdue a female suspect, without knowing or having any reason to believe that she was pregnant, and she later miscarries, the officer could be subject to mandatory life imprisonment without possibility of parole, even though the maximum sentence for such use of force on a nonpregnant woman would be 10 years. This approach is an unwarranted departure from the ordinary rule that punishment should correspond to culpability. As a former prosecutor, I was always alarmed when I saw Congress moving to legislate a new crime solely for the purpose of political leverage and attention, instead of looking to the real impact such legislation could have. I believe this is the case here. If this Congress was truly interested in protecting pregnant women, we would have passed gun control and gun safety legislation, because, as a result of domestic violence, guns are in our homes, and they are used against women who are pregnant or not pregnant. In light of the fact that it is a major target, domestic violence is a major target of Violence Against Women's Act, we need to address the many ways women are attacked at home. I would think that, if we were talking about doing something to assist pregnant women and protect unborn children, we would be talking about other issues on this floor instead of wasting our time talking about a piece of legislation that has, in fact, nothing but a political remedy to it. The gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) says ``moral imagination.'' The women in this House do not have to have moral imagination. Many of them have had children. Many of them may have, in fact, suffered from miscarriages or other incidents where they have lost their children. But it does not rise to the level where we want to change or put into effect a law that is unconstitutional.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Chairman, we have spent this afternoon talking about H.R. 2436, the pros and the cons. I have listened to my colleagues support H.R. 2436. If they can support H.R. 2436, they can support the Lofgren substitute, because it protects pregnant women. If they can support H.R. 2436, they can support the Lofgren substitute because it recognizes pregnant women as the primary victim of a crime causing the termination of a pregnancy without impacting Roe v. Wade or a woman's right to choose. If they can support H.R. 2436, they can support the substitute, because it creates a defense that protects women and punishes violence resulting in injury or termination of a pregnancy. If they can support H.R. 2436, they can support the Lofgren substitute because it provides for a significant penalty for a violation wherein a pregnant woman is harmed. Fifthly, if they can support H.R. 2436, they can support the Lofgren substitute because it requires a conviction for the underlying criminal offense.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I am back. Yesterday, on a motion to instruct conferees to craft juvenile justice legislation that would be loophole free so that guns would not reach the hands of those excluded by law from having guns; today, to instruct the conferees, as I said yesterday, to get it on. Yesterday, I spoke of delay and was chastised. But if as a Member of Congress I am talking about delay, I take part of that responsibility. Today, I speak of all deliberate speed. I speak to the desire of this Nation to see this issue through and to encourage the conferees to work openly. I do not want to breathe down the necks of the conferees. I want to be the wind beneath their wings. I want to be the engine that could. Make no mistake. I do not question the good faith of the conferees. I do not question anyone's intentions. It is the intentions of those who choose to defeat gun safety legislation, the spokespersons who continue to carry the NRA banner, those are the ones I am worried about. We believe that the conferees should meet in public session, that they be allowed to offer motions and amendments and meet substantively and recommend a substitute. We agree that it is the overriding purpose of this bill to do juvenile justice reform to protect our children. Mr. Speaker, my colleagues and I simply wish to pick up the conferees, to push them along, to encourage them, to urge them, to get them to understand that the time is now. Our children's lives rest in their hands. And by the way, Mr. Chairman, automobiles were not made to kill, guns were.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I do not mean to point a finger. What I want to say is the people of these United States want to hear from us. If I am part of the delay, I accept the delay. I am standing here saying let us get it on.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. With all deliberate speed.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to add my voice to the debate on juvenile justice. Mr. Speaker, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lofgren) has introduced this motion to instruct conferees. Since we approved the bill in the House on June 17, and the Senate on July 28, to date there has been no motion on the conference between the House and the Senate on this legislation. In the meantime, children across America die as a result of violent crime. My colleague has instructed the conferees that would require a loophole-free system. People keep saying, ``Well, what do you mean a loophole-free system?'' We are talking about the fact that under a 24- hour gun check in a gun show people whose records are not clear in records like on post cards or index cards in little communities might get a gun because if one does not reveal it within 24 hours, they still get a gun. That is what we are talking about, loophole-free, loop-free situations. Let me say this to my colleagues. Innocent children like those in Fort Worth, those in Columbine, and those across our country whose names unfortunately never reach the media because they die on the streets of this Nation unnoticed are worried about what is happening with this gun control legislation. I encourage all of my colleagues who are here on this floor within my voice to vote in favor of the motion.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, the big 5-0 can be very traumatic for some, but others relish the nostalgia-filled meandering down memory lane. So it is for Brecksville Women's Club (BWC), as the ladies gather to celebrate the group's half-century milestone. In the gold glow of post World War II, Brecksville Women's Club was born--an outgrowth of the Women's Committee of Brecksville Little Theater. Believing the community needed a cultural, philanthropic and social outlet for women in the area, 10 young women met on September 26, 1949 and founded the club. The years since then have proved it was a wise move. In the golden glow of a half-century of ``making members useful to society and helpful to each other'', BWC will mark the Big One September 23. Fiftieth Anniversary Chairman Annette Gorris and committee have arranged for the organization to take over Swingos-on- the-Lake's entire restaurant that afternoon. The Four Lads will guide the BWC lassies in a reminiscent sail through ``Moments to Remember.'' ``Although the celebration is a private party for members only, we are expecting recognition on the state and national levels'' said President Joan Kules. ``Governor Bob Taft has proclaimed Sunday, September 26 as Brecksville Women's Club Day. George Gintoli, CEO of Northcoast Behavioral Healthcare System (NBHS) is to present us with that proclamation and one from NBHS, where our members have volunteered for 50 years,'' she explained. At the beginning of this year Brecksville and Broadview Heights Mayors Jerry Hruby and Leo Bender issued proclamations naming ``1999 Brecksville Women's Club's 50th Anniversary Year.'' The formal presentations will be brief however and lighted-hearted merriment is expected to prevail as members recollect anecdotes about volunteering, fundraising, social gatherings and special events. Some are expected to appear in skits recalling humorous incidents chairmen have encountered in raising thousands of dollars to help hundreds of causes. Those attending will be asked to write a brief greeting to be put into a time capsule which will be opened by BWC in the year 2005. When the club was founded late in '49, the world was on the verge of a new decade and now, 50 years later, the world is on the verge of a new century. Marian Huefner, BWC's second President, and Mary Hoffman, BWC's third president, recall some turbulent but fun times for the fledgling group which numbered 35 by the end of 1950-51. (Of course, Brecksville was only a village then--it would be 12 years later that it reached city status with a population of 5,000.) In the 50's era when saddle shoes, poodle skirts and malt shakes were ``it'', the group often held social events with their husbands as guests. Marian, laughing, recalls being in charge of refreshments for one of these events, arriving at the party with her husband and not thinking about the desserts she left at home until it was refreshment time. Mary says she misses the camaraderie of the smaller membership when everybody knew everybody else. Today with a membership of 300 women from 35 Northeast Ohio communities and Florida, it is more difficult to know everyone. Both ladies treasure friendships they have made throughout the years and as charter members they will be awarded Lifetime Memberships at the celebration. The late Betty Hoffman, first president and founding leader, was awarded a Lifetime Membership when the Club marked its 30th anniversary in 1979. There are currently 19 past presidents on the active roster and 31 ladies who have belonged for 25 years or longer! Since 1949, a chief money-making event has traditionally been a luncheon fashion show. At first these were in the form of garden parties with the members doing all the work. ``There was no such thing as rain insurance and the weather was undependable,'' said Orah DeHamm, past president and a member for more than 40 years. She remembers scrambling into a member's home when the rain hit the backyard party. These events were moved indoors, but ``minor calamities'' also happened that weren't weather related. ``Old-timers'' recall one such incident when the food committee members all plugged in their electric roasters and blew out the lights in St. Basil's Church Hall. More often, the fashion fundraisers came off without a hitch. ``One year we each roasted turkeys at home and combined the meat in a main dish salad,'' said Margaret Mansbery, a past president. ``This was a lovely affair we held at Camp Cheerful's main auditorium in the Metro Parks.'' The fashion show fundraisers have been held at various places--the Holiday Inn, Landerhaven, Windham Hotel, etc. BWC's 50th major fundraiser is set for May 1, 2000 at the Hilton Hotel across from Summit Mall. In the fall of 1973, a second fundraising event--the President's Ball--became a part of the club's activities. After 10 years the ball's popularity declined and since then a variety of money-making affairs have been staged such as card parties, holiday bazaars, Day at the Races and a Celebrity Fingerpainting Auction. Profits from the fundraiser go into the philanthropic fund and are distributed at the end of each club year. BWC has given away more than $150,000 to a variety of causes with the largest percentage to education in the form of scholarships and education awards. In addition to monetary help, BWC purchased a washer and dryer for patients at the old Broadview Center, bought books for the library, obtained eyeglasses for needy students and provided for families who needed assistance during the Christmas season. When a fire damaged Brecksville Old Town Hall, the club gave $2,000 for kitchen repairs. It has purchased paintings for both Brecksville and Broadview Heights city halls. In its first year, the club began helping the less fortunate, staging monthly parties at Hawthornden State Hospital (now Northcoast Behavioral Healthcare System). Former president Mary Ann Celebrezze has chaired this project for the last five years and each month she and her workers take Bingo games, prizes and refreshments to the facility for the mentally ill. Ruth McMahon, a NBHS volunteer for many years, remembers that in the early days the parties were held in the evenings and in the segregated cottages--dancing and singing with the male patients and playing games with the female patients. ``In those days it was not unusual for a female patient to strip naked,'' Ruth said. ``We would just ignore her and a staff member would take over.'' Ruth also recalls one snowy evening the volunteer group came in the back entrance and the gate was closed they went to leave. There was nothing they could do but back up the steep hill to get off the grounds. Nowadays that gate is closed and the parties are in the afternoon with mixed groups. Throughout the years, BWC members have served as nannies for the babies of unwed mothers at Marycrest School and helped with the mentally handicapped at the old Broadview Center. ``In the early '70s, BWC received a great deal of recognition from the Federation of Women's Clubs of Cleveland for its volunteer work and types of projects,'' said Cecile Clarenbach, a former president. ``We won the first place award among 45 clubs numerous times over the years for our philanthropic events and volunteer efforts.'' The Federation was dissolved in the early '90s with the decline of women's clubs making BWC rather unique for its longevity and healthy operations. ``We had baby-sitting service for our members in the '70s,'' said Rita Morris, another past president. ``The cost of the baby-sitter was partly subsidized by the club so young mothers could attend the meetings,'' she explained. Nowadays, many of these members' children are grown. The group no longer prepares their own lunches and for the past seven years has considered St. Michael's Woodside Party Center as its headquarters. Many friendships have been built up in participating in bowling, bridge, golfing, antiquing, special lunch outings, bus tours, Cleveland Orchestra Concert series, and theatrical productions. These and many more activities through the years will give those attending the ``Moments to Remember'' celebration a true sense of renewed sisterhood and commitment to BWC.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to the Shaw-Calvert amendment. This bill requires candidates to raise 50 percent of their contributions from their own State. This bill makes it difficult, if not impossible, for candidates to remain competitive if they represent low-income districts, border or small geographic districts. When I rise to speak in Congress, I represent more than the 11th Congressional District of Ohio. I represent the hopes and dreams of the descendants of a host of African Americans who were enslaved, beaten, hung, brutalized and died, and are still underrepresented in the United States Congress. Their descendants, wherever they reside, should be able to contribute to my campaign. When I rise to speak in this House, I represent the United States as a whole. I recommend that a commission be appointed to study the impact this provision would have on the ability of Members to raise sufficient funds when they represent low-income, border and minority districts. Until such a commission is appointed, I urge my colleagues in this House to vote ``no.''

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the Doolittle substitute amendment, eliminating all Federal campaign contributions and public financing of presidential campaigns. In effect, the Doolittle amendment would be the kiss of death for H.R. 417, the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, because it guts the essence of the Shays-Meehan bill. Eliminating public financing of presidential campaigns in effect eliminates the ability of the little people to impact a presidential election at a time when voter apathy and participation is at an all-time low. Eliminating limits on contributions allows the haves to speak louder and places a gag on the have-nots. Eliminating campaign contribution limits will cause the House of Representatives to represent only the wealthy and leave the poor un- and underrepresented. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this amendment. All the proposed reporting is only a smoke screen to cover this attempt to turn public office and public officeholders over to the wealthy.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 408, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about something close to my heart, the Cleveland Browns football team. As many of my colleagues may know, Sunday marked the beginning of a new season for us, an important one, a historic day in Cleveland because this is the first season, since the departure of the original Browns for Baltimore, Cleveland has its own NFL franchise. Though the result of the game was decidely not what the fans assembled were hoping for, seeing our Browns take the field in a regular season NFL contest was extremely satisfying. We were welcomed back to the Dawg Pound, the brown and orange colors of the Browns, and the familiar uniforms of the team. Just being able to host the game was exciting for those of us from Cleveland. Hats off to Al Lerner, the owner, and Carmen Policy, its manager. Thank you. Cleveland Browns, we are going to win the rest of the season.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 401, had I been present, I would have vote ``yes.''

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the rule. In 1998 when I ran for Congress, I promised the people of the 11th Congressional District that I would come to Washington to fight to save Social Security and Medicare, fight for the Patients' Bill of Rights, fight to improve educational opportunity, and fight to continue debt reduction. This is my first opportunity to debate a tax conference report. I would not fulfill my commitment to the people of my district if I did not stand in fervent opposition to this report. My father, a skycap for United Airlines for 40 years, always said, ``Stephanie, never count your chickens before they hatch.'' This conference report does just that. It spends a surplus we do not even have. Domestic priorities are crushed. The seniors in my district want to have a prescription provision in Medicare, not a tax cut. The children in my district want to and deserve to go to schools where the roofs are not leaking, the classes are smaller, where they can be linked to the Internet and prepare for the new millennium. They do not want a tax cut. The working men and women in my district want assurance of health care coverage, not a tax cut. They want an increase in minimum wage that will be fueled by economy that continues to grow wherein there is no tax cut. Veterans in my district want greater assistance, not a tax cut. The proponents of this bill suggest that this cut will put money in the pockets of American people. Working men and women will get no money in their pockets. They are not telling the people that. They are only telling the people that someone will get a tax cut, but they are not telling whom. What they are not telling the people is that the money will come at the expense of Social Security, Medicare, educational opportunities, health care, and that the 10 cents that is put in their pockets will never buy them health care, will never buy educational opportunities, will never give them a tuition credit. I urge my colleagues in this House to vote against this rule, to vote against this irresponsible tax cut, and to vote to protect the people of America.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I announce the renaming of Health Hill Hospital for Children to the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation. Since 1998, Health Hill Hospital for Children has been part of the Cleveland Clinic Health System. Devoted entirely to pediatric development, Health Hill has one of the largest teams of pediatric therapists in the nation. in addition to being one of the world's preeminent medical research and educational facilities, the Cleveland Clinic Health System is northeast Ohio's foremost provider of comprehensive medical and rehabilitative services to children requiring long-term treatment. Not only does the hospital's pediatric staff provide excellent care to critically ill and disabled children, but they do so in a comforting and caring environment that eases the children's fears and worries. The primary goal for Health Hill is to create a more independent lifestyle for these children and their families. For example, by providing unique programs, like the Day Hospital Program, children can receive daily intensive therapy without having to be hospitalized. Day Hospital patients receive therapy, nursing and medical care, yet are able to return home to their families each evening and weekend. Providing patients with the opportunity to maintain their routines and home lives is so important in making a sick child feel as ``normal'' as possible. The hospital serves children with a variety of illnesses, ranging from spinal cord and head injuries, respiratory problems, feeding disorders, and burns to chronic or congenital medical conditions. Mr. Speaker, Health Hill Hospital has proven to be more than just a ``hospital.'' Their commitment to providing the highest standards of medical services for special needs children is why they continue to be a shining example of one of the best children's specialty hospitals. Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation is affiliated with the renowned Cleveland Clinic Foundation, ranked among the ten best hospitals in the nation by U.S. News and World Report's annual guide to ``America's Best Hospitals.'' It is exciting to see the resources of this prestigious hospital devoted to the care of children. Again, I am honored to announce the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation's new designation, and commend the Foundation's outstanding achievements throughout the past 78 years.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with the ranking member of the Committee on Banking and Financial Services in support of the motion to instruct the conferees. We need strong consumer protection for the final bill, H.R. 10. We need strong community reinvestment provisions in the final bill, because if the communities are like the City of Cleveland, CRA has had a significant impact in providing affordable housing for those people who have not had the opportunity previously. We need a bill that fairly and equitably represents, not only the financial institutions, but the consumers involved as well. Finally, we need the House version of this bill, because it is the best bill for all the citizens of America. I urge the conferees to pay attention to the House bill in the time that they have to come back to the floor with a bill.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, due to official business, I was unable to record my vote on the following two measures that were considered here in the House of Representatives on July 29, 1999. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall vote 348 as well as rollcall vote 349.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, due to official business, I was unable to record my vote on the following measures that were considered here in the House of Representatives today. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote 343. Mr. Speaker, had I been present for rollcall vote 344 I would have voted ``no.'' Mr. Speaker, had I been present for rollcall vote 345, I would have voted ``aye.'' Mr. Speaker, had I been present for rollcall vote 346, I would have voted ``no.'' Mr. Speaker, had I been present for rollcall vote 347, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Parker High School for its efforts in eliminating color barriers in public education in Birmingham, Alabama, and across the United States. I would like to thank my colleague, the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Hilliard), for joining me in this tribute to recognize Parker High School. Mr. Speaker, it is important to salute Parker for the significant contributions it has made in educating African Americans. My father, Andrew Tubbs, and my uncles, William Burns and Bernard Sherrell, are graduates of Parker High School. Parker High School was, at one time, considered the world's largest historically African American high school. The school was named after Arthur H. Parker, a teacher in Birmingham, who established the first school in 1899. Mr. Speaker, I have heard many good things from my family members about how this school has done an excellent job in preparing its students to be leaders in their respective fields. Parker High School boasts many firsts, for example, graduated the largest number of students at an African-American high school in U.S. history. And also boasts of an enrollment of 3,702 students fifty years ago. Many of their students participated in the Civil Rights Movement and have become well-known business, professional, and civic leaders in cities across our great Nation. During the 1950s, Parker High School raised its academic standard above all other schools in the State, which gave its students what many considered the best education in Alabama. Some of its graduates include Arthur Shores, the first African American admitted to the Alabama Bar; Bernice Spraggs, Chicago Defender Washington correspondent; James W. Ford, Communist candidate for Vice President in 1936; Shelton ``Sead'' Hemphill, the trumpet player for Duke Ellington; and Laura Washington, vocalist with Erskine Hawkins. Many of their alumni have been respected community leaders in New York, Chicago, and my hometown of Cleveland, which is part of the 11th Congressional District that I represent. I congratulate Parker's class of 1951, who will hold its reunion on Friday, July 30, in Cleveland, Ohio. As a guest speaker, I will help the class celebrate its history and discuss their theme of ``Crossing the Bridge to the 21st Century, By Passing our Legacy on to our Heirs.''

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening, and I had other comments prepared, but I do not want to be repetitious. I am kind of going to go from the cuff and say I have been blessed to be able to stand on the floor this evening with my colleague who put into practice title IX. And I say, Put into practice, because she was the one along with her colleague, Edith Green, that moved to have this legislation come to the floor, and I just want to take a moment to say: Congresswoman Patsy Mink, thank you so very much. I have been blessed on another occasion to have worked in the campaign of Congressman Lewis Stokes back in 1968, and to stand here as his successor is another great opportunity. So it is nice to see history in movement. I stand here, and I would have gone through some of the statistics that my colleague, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender- McDonald) went through in her presentation, but I am going to skip that. But I want to congratulate you, Congresswoman Millender-McDonald, for organizing this evening's activity. I will move on to say in the last Olympics held in Atlanta, female athletes gave an outstanding and noteworthy performance. The last Olympics featured the first appearance of the women's softball team. The women's basketball Olympic dream team took the gold medal. The introduction of the WNBA was just 2 years ago, and I am proud to say that women in the city of Cleveland are always out in support of the Rockers. Of the 44 gold medals won by the U.S., 19 were given to women, including 5 team efforts. In 1997, which marked the 25th anniversary of title IX, the women's addition of the National Directory of College Athletics asked people to give the most significant people or events which have effected women's inter-collegiate athletics since 1972. Of all the things presented, title IX was the one event in history that affected intercollegiate athletics. I was proud to be able to be here in these United States when, in 1999, not only did the Duke men go to the final four, the Duke women went to the final four. That was significant for us to be able to say that. I am almost out of time, only to say it is wonderful to turn on my television and see women athletes marketing sports products and setting the example for younger women. It is important for young women to build esteem and self-confidence, and I am pleased to say that my son, an athlete, is even proud of the women athletes that go to his school, and that is significant. I yield to the gentlewoman from North Carolina.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker due to official business, I was unable to record my vote on several measures considered in the House of Representatives on Monday, July 12, 1999. Had I been present I would have voted ``aye'' on approving the Journal; H. Con. Res. 144; H. Con. Res. 107; and ``aye'' on H. Con. Res. 117.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Madam Chairman, I would say to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach) and the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Watt), the sponsor of this amendment, I stood here, having been a freshman member of the Committee on Banking and Financial Services, going through H.R. 10, and wondered what was in it for the consumer. Under financial modernization, a bank can become an insurance company; an insurance company could become a bank? What would happen to the consumer? Thank God, thanks to the leadership of our ranking member and the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Watt) and other members of the committee, there were consumer protection provisions like this one that said that even if I get a loan from bank A, I do not have to get my insurance from bank A. So all the little old women walking into banks could say, someone is looking out for me. I am pleased to stand here in favor, Madam Chairman, of this amendment. I stand here in support of this amendment believing it will help H.R. 10 get closer to the bill that came out of the Committee on Banking and Financial Services.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, last week, our children and families were denied protection from guns. This week, and for 2 years, we have been denied protection from managed care. We have been denied a patients' bill of rights. I promised the people of the 11th Congressional District of Ohio that when I got to Congress, I would work for a patients' bill of rights and campaign finance reform. I am chagrined, however, that I have not had the opportunity to debate these two issues. This is the second discharge petition I have had to sign. Over 122 million Americans are not insured with enforceable patient protections without a Federal Patients' Bill of Rights. Over 5,960,000 persons in Ohio alone are denied that protection. I rise with my colleagues, my Democratic colleagues, to sign this discharge petition seeking a debate on a Patients' Bill of Rights that will allow patients access to needed care, allow them to have doctors make a determination with regard to their health care, and provide patients the opportunity to appeal.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, June 14, 1999, the Eleventh Congressional District and the Nation lost a medical pioneer and giant, Dr. Middleton H. Lambright, Jr., who was born in 1908, at the dawn of the 20th century, in Kansas City, Missouri. His father, Middleton Sr., was not only a medical doctor, but was a man of vision and hope for his children. Seeking greater opportunities for his son and daughter, Dr. Lambright moved to Cleveland, Ohio, at the end of World War I, when Middleton H. Lambright, Jr., was 12 years old. Young Middleton was also interested in medicine. From the time he was very small his father had permitted him to ride with him when he made house calls, visit the hospital and spend time in his office browsing through medical literature. Very early in his life, Middleton was given the opportunity to understand the meaning of success, duty, and commitment. His father was his example of an educated, successful black man fulfilling his dream of giving service to others through his medical practice. The son wanted to follow in his father's footsteps. Middie, as he was nicknamed, graduated from Glenville High School of the Cleveland Public Schools. He attend two prestigious historically black universities, Morehouse College and Lincoln University, before completing requirements at the Western Reserve University. In 1934, he entered Meharry Medical College. During his 4 years there, he became interested in the field of surgery and whenever possible spent time in the emergency traumatic service, on the wards, and in operating rooms. He was privileged to have professors and lifetime friends, several famous surgeons: Dr. John Hale, Matthew Walker, and Joseph L.B. Forrester. After graduating in 1938, he sought and was successful in an effort to receive an internship at Cleveland City Hospital. Following his surgical residency, he was appointed assistant clinical professor of surgery in the Department of Medicine at Western Reserve School of Medicine. This position entitled him to hospital privileges at University Hospitals and Mt. Sinai Hospital. He became the first black physician to receive a full staff appointment in any hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. He continued to fill his dreams by moving into the office with his father where he built a general and thoracic surgical practice while continuing as a visiting surgeon at University Hospitals. In ensuing years, he became involved in numerous activities, was elected President of the American Academy of Medicine in Cleveland in 1964. He became only the second African- American to head a local affiliate of the American Medical Association. He also worked with his father to found Forest City Hospital which enabled other African-American doctors to head up medical departments throughout the hospital. He believed in taking chances and seeking new opportunities. In 1971, he was offered and accepted a position as Dean and Associate Professor of Surgery in the College of Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina. He was quoted as saying: My father would have been extremely pleased to know that his son had been invited to join the staff and faculty of an institution he could not have hoped to enter in any capacity. He was speaking to the racial segregation in the State of South Carolina. After more than 25 years of practice, Dr. Lambright returned to Cleveland and entered his third career as the vice president of medical affairs for Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Here was a man who had a dream and who had his materialized and then had been granted the opportunity to expand the use of his success in many avenues. He believed that a man so blessed had a duty to his fellow man. Dr. Lambright might well have been guided by the words of Thomas Paine: The duty of man is plain and simple and consists of but two points, his duty to God, which every man must fill, and with respect to his neighbor, to do as he would be done by. His list of medical staff appointments would equal the list of several physicians combined, and included there is appointments to numerous hospitals in the city of Cleveland. He shared his knowledge and experience with young students eager to join his honored profession, serving as an instructor and clinical assistant professor at Case Western Reserve. Involved in numerous community activities, he was a trustee, grand jury foreman, a trustee of the American Red Cross. Here indeed was a man who dared to dream, who lived his dreams, and shared his vision. Anthropologist Margaret Mead ``measured success in terms of the contributions that an individual makes to his or her human beings.'' Booker T. Washington said ``success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.'' By either measure, Dr. Middleton H. Lambright, Jr., was a successful man. On behalf of the citizens of the Eleventh Congressional District of Ohio, I express gratitude to this outstanding citizen of Ohio for his life and service and extend my condolences to his family and friends. [From the Plain Dealer, June 19, 1999] Dr. Middleton Lambright, Overcame Racial Barriers (By Richard M. Peery) EUCLID--Dr. Middleton H. ``Middie'' Lambright Jr. was a pioneer who broke barriers of racial discrimination throughout his career. He was the first black doctor to attain full hospital privileges in Cleveland when he was admitted to the staffs of University and Mt. Sinai hospitals. He worked with his father to found Forest City Hospital, enabling black doctors to head medical departments. He was the second in the nation to head a local affiliate of the American Medical Association when he became president of the Cleveland Academy of Medicine in 1964. When he left Cleveland in 1972 to become assistant dean of the Medical College of South Carolina, he was welcomed to the state by Sen. Strom Thurmond, who had been one of the leading defenders of racial segregation in the nation. Dr. Lambright returned to Cleveland in 1984 to serve as a vice president of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Ohio. He retired four years later. Dr. Lambright died Monday at his home in Euclid. He was 90. He was born in Kansas City, Mo. When he was 12, his father moved the family to Cleveland so his children would not be subjected to segregated education. Dr. Lambright graduated from Glenville High School. He attended Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, but his graduation was delayed while he recovered from tuberculosis. He eventually received a degree from Western Reserve University in 1934. He decided to specialize in surgery while he was a student at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn., where he graduated in 1938. Dr. Lambright completed his internship at City Hospital, now MetroHealth Medical Center, and was serving a surgical residency there when World War II broke out. Although fellow residents joined the Lakeside Medical Unit that served under Gen. Douglas MacArthur in the Pacific, Dr. Lambright was not allowed to go with them because of the racial segregation in the military. Because the Army's only black medical training unit was full, he remained at City Hospital throughout the war. Dr. Lambright became an assistant professor of surgery at Case Western Reserve University and chief of surgery at Forest City Hospital. He was medical adviser for The Plain Dealer Golden Gloves tournaments and medical director for the Cleveland Boxing and Wrestling Commission. In addition to his memberships in numerous professional organizations, Dr. Lambright found time for civic activities. He served on the original trustee board for Cleveland State University. He was also a trustee of several local organizations, including the Automobile Association, Growth Association, United Appeal, American Cancer Society, Red Cross, Welfare Federation, Urban League, Cedar YMCA and Barons Hockey Club. He was appointed Cuyahoga County grand jury foreman in 1965. After he returned to Cleveland from South Carolina, he was a trustee of the Cleveland Scholarship Program He was a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. Dr. Lambright is survived by his wife, Willie Callaham Lambright of Greensboro, N.C.; a sister, Elizabeth B. of Euclid; and a granddaughter, Lodi of Providence, R.I. Services will be a 11 a.m. June 26 at the Mausoleum of Lake View Cemetery, 12316 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. Arrangements are by the E.F. Boyd & Son Funeral Home of Cleveland. Memorial donations may be made to the CWRU/Forest City Hospital Endowment Fund, Bolton School of Nursing, 10900 Euclid Ave., Cleveland 44106-4904; or to Meharry Medical College, Division of Institutional Advancement, 1005 D.B. Blvd., Nashville, Tenn. 37208.