Marcy Kaptur

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, it is my understanding that under the rules, this amendment is not in order and, therefore, I am forced to withdraw the amendment, but in no way do I wish to diminish the importance of the concept that I have been discussing here this evening. I would really beg for the Chair's consideration as time goes on and for the ranking member's consideration of this important issue of renewable biofuels as a critical part of what our Department of Agriculture should be involved in.

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, this amendment is called the Family Farmer Cooperative Marketing Act of 2001. For too long now, farmers in our country have been losing power in the marketplace, many times not even knowing it. Tens of thousands of family farmers produce commodities and provide services under contract arrangements with processing firms or handlers. Commodities currently produced under contract include fruits and vegetables, turkeys, chickens, hogs, popcorn, milk, and beef; and the list is likely to continue to increase. We need a fair balance of market power between the processors and the producers. That is why some States have already taken their own action and the Agricultural Marketing Service of our Department of Agriculture considers contracting and agriculture one of the most important issues of our day. Our amendment would strengthen the Agriculture Fair Practices Act of 1967 in the following way: it would require the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to establish a system of accreditation for voluntary, cooperative associations of agricultural producers. It would provide for good faith bargaining between processors or handlers and cooperative associations of agricultural producers. It would allow for mediation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to resolve impasses in bargaining, and it would provide investigative and enforcement authority for the Secretary of Agriculture. This amendment is very similar to H.R. 230 which I introduced earlier this year. The campaign for contract agriculture reform has said this bill enhances the power of producers and their cooperatives to stabilize farm income. The bill receives specific support from the National Farmers Organization and the National Pork Producers Council. The American Farm Bureau Federation also passed policy resolutions on the importance of contracting in agriculture. I also had submitted for the Record another amendment dealing with the need to provide the Department of Agriculture with the same authority over the poultry industry in this Nation that it already has over the beef and pork industries. There is great concentration in all of these sectors. Former Grain Inspection and Packers and Stockyard Administrator James Baker testified before our Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies, that this equivalent authority is most definitely needed to make sure our poultry producers are afforded the same safeguards as are available for beef and pork. Mr. Chairman, at this time if the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Stenholm) would engage, I understand that the committee may be willing to hold hearings on the concerns that many of us have about the needs for producers to have their rights to fairly and openly negotiate contracts with processors. If the gentleman is willing to commit that the Committee on Agriculture will hold a hearing on this issue and GIPSA's authority on poultry in the days to come, then I am prepared to withdraw my amendment with that assurance.

Ms. KAPTUR. I yield to the gentleman from Texas.

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that section 1031 that is a part of this amendment be replaced with the new version that was given to the desk and to both sides so that we could consider this in full.

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I rise to bring attention to a vital national issue, our energy security. America's greatest strategic vulnerability remains our dangerous dependence on foreign fuels. Imagine, we import over one-half of what it takes to fuel this Nation. The President's energy plan presented earlier this year gave precious little attention to the viability of renewable biofuels as an answer to our predicament, and it did not offer a single charge directly to our U.S. Department of Agriculture to lead us out of the woods. At a minimum, I would say that is gross negligence. American agriculture has the enormous capability to break our dependence on imported petroleum, but the bill before us today, with all due respect to the hardworking committee, does not lead us toward the maximization of biofuels and higher value-added production for our farmers. Forty years ago in this Chamber, President Kennedy made his famous speech challenging our Nation to think broadly. He set the goal of putting a man on the moon by the end of that decade. I will just read some of his words where he said, ``It is time for the Nation to take longer strides, time for great new American enterprise to clearly play a leading role in space achievement which, in many ways,'' he said, ``holds the key to our future on Earth.'' But he admitted we as a Nation had never made the national decisions or marshaled the national resources required of such leadership. Indeed, on the energy front, we are in the same predicament. It is time for us to take longer strides and create a new American enterprise. We have the resources and talent on every farm and field in this country; we have talent at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. We have our land grant universities, but we do not have a specified goal. We do not have a time schedule. Our resources are spread around with questionable coordination and, truly, no urgency. Consider that in 1985 we imported 31 percent of our fuel imports. Today, that is nearly double, nearly 58.5 percent. Our population is growing, our energy demands are growing, our energy dependency on foreign sources is growing. So what is our answer? What is our plan? How long can we wait? Do not the events of recent weeks remind us of how vulnerable our dependency has made us? In fact, the current recession was directly due initially to the rising cost of petroleum, imported petroleum that has rippled through this marketplace. Have we not heard from farmer after farmer that they would rather get their income from the marketplace rather than from government payments? Are we afraid of the challenge? Are we unable to commit to a goal? Mr. Chairman, the amendment before us today seeks to do two primary things. It seeks to establish a farmer-held biofuels feedstock energy reserve held by our farmers. By devoting a portion of our abundance to biofuels production, which is renewable and belongs to us, we provide the assurances that a fledgling industry needs to expand. Second, it gives the Secretary of Agriculture the authority to make or guarantee loans for the development, production, distribution, and storage of biofuels. If all corn, just taking corn, currently being planted was used for ethanol, based on current technology, we would get one-fifth of our vehicle fuel from ethanol, which is all we import. Obviously, as research improves and other cellulose and oil sources from our fields are added, we will get much more, just as we went from Mercury to Gemini to Apollo. So the farmer gets paid by the marketplace instead of government payments. We have also seen the positive impact of biofuels programs on the farm balance sheet. Last month, I was able to travel to Minnesota, the leading State in our country for ethanol and biofuels production, to see for myself what a difference the States' program, working hand-in-hand with the private sector and farmers in that State, has made over the last decade. It is truly impressive. Everyone in Minnesota is using ethanol, and farmers have found that they can get a dollar more per bushel because of the increased demand. Every one of our auto manufacturers produces vehicles that can use these fuels. It is a matter of national security, and I ask for support of the amendment.

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw the amendment in anticipation of those hearings.

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, if the gentleman will yield, I thank the chairman very much and the ranking member for participating in this discussion. Amendment No. 38 Offered by Mr. Kucinich

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support to the Boehlert-Kind- Gilchrest-Dingell amendment. It puts added emphasis on conservation programs, and offers more resources based on conservation to all farmers, rather than a limited group. There is nothing more precious than our land. Without it, we cannot sustain life. Without appropriate measures of assistance, too many producers of row crops, as well as fruits, vegetables and livestock-- all find themselves without the ability to undertake the full degree of conservation practices necessary. At the same time, one of the most significant issues facing our communities is urban sprawl. Across the Nation more than 90 million acres of farmland are threatened by sprawl, and we lose more than 2 million acres every year to development. Unplanned and inefficient development is consuming land at twice the rate of population growth. The Boehlert-Kind-Gilchrest-Dingell amendment provides funding for conservation programs that can help alleviate the consumption of valuable, productive agricultural lands. While putting greater emphasis on conservation. Why should funding be increased for conservation programs that protect farmland from development? Sprawl cost taxpayers more dollars for new infrastructure. Farmland or open space generates only 38 cents in costs for each dollar in taxes paid, whereas residential development requires $1.24 in public expenditures for every dollar it generates in tax revenues. Farms located near urban centers serve as the primary source of fresh, locally grown food. Seventy-nine percent of our fruit, sixty- nine percent of our vegetables, and fifty-two percent of our dairy goods are produced on high quality farmland that is threatened by urban growth. One-third of America's agricultural production occurs on farms near cities. America cannot afford to squander this resource. Cities and towns can save billions of dollars in municipal water treatment costs. Protecting wetlands and streams prevents costs of water treatment systems downstream. We know that there is great concern on the part of the Agriculture Committee about the offsets provided by this amendment. The sponsors of the amendment have attempted to target these reductions in a fashion to minimize the impact on over 90 percent of all producers receiving payments. But keep certain facts in mind. First, even though the last Farm Bill was for seven years, it did not go untouched during its life. If anyone of us here today truly believes that this is the last time we will visit the farm bill until 2011, you have far greater faith than I. There always remains room for improvement. Second, the emergency programs that we have seen in recent years did not treat producers fairly. Many growers in my district told me how unfair they thought they were, and this included some of the growers receiving the benefits. Even though the bill before us today suggest that it will avoid the problems of emergency bills, it still fails to correct many of the imbalances that exist in the current program, and it fails to provide a broad range safety net for other producers. Where is the Freedom to Farm in protection for some commodities but not for others? We are at a stage where we need a broad recasting of our farm policy. We need programs that promote conservation. We need to provide support for alternative products like biofuels. We need new thinking, higher value added not old hat solutions. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the Boehlert-Kind-Gilchrest-Dingell amendment.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2888, the emergency supplemental appropriations bill providing essential funds for recovery from and response to the terrorist attacks on New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania. I want to thank our distinguished Chairman, Mr. Young of Florida, and our ranking member, Mr. Obey, for their hard work in negotiating this essential package with the leadership of both bodies and the President. The mettle of a nation is tested at trying times, and the response before us today demonstrates that America, her people, and her leaders, are ready for this test. Today we provide $40 billion to start beginning to pay for the damage caused by the attack, to assist the victims who were impacted by it, to upgrade our security, and to begin the military preparations necessary for an appropriate response. $10 billion is available immediately for the President to use as he sees fit. Another $10 billion is available after the President specifies how he wishes to use the funding provided that the Congress concurs within fifteen days of that plan. Congress as part of our work on regular appropriations bills will expend the final $20 billion based upon a submission of a budget request by the President and further action in the weeks ahead. Mr. Speaker, there have been so many times when America has committed her resources to the causes of peace and in support of freedom. There can be no more appropriate time than when our homeland has been attacked and our citizens killed. I am one who believes that we should celebrate the victory that we had in the thousands of people who survived, and in the outpouring of the American spirit in support of the victims of the attack. No one will forget the devotion of the firefighters, police, and emergency medical technicians who braved the danger presented by the destruction. No one can ignore the determination of the iron, steel and construction workers who felt an obligation to donate their professional skills to the rescue effort. No one can doubt the conviction of the men and women of America's military who moved swiftly to safeguard our nation, or the thousands of Americans on reserve duty who stood ready for the call to action. The entire world is in awe of the outpouring of support of people, from the youngest children to our senior citizens who looked for things or money to But that is what America is. America is resilient. America is resourceful. America is at her very best when challenged and when angered. Others around the world often misunderstand America's resolve. Now the execution of that resolve will leave no questions. In this Capitol, we celebrate what makes our nation special. We revere the times when we can pursue those policies that we believe to be in the best interest of the United States. We have heated and principled debates in which we highlight, not hide, our differences of opinion. We cherish those moments because that is what freedom brings to us--the ability to advance those causes that are important to us, while openly disagreeing with those we dislike without the fear of retribution. And now, in a moment of historical significance, we also celebrate another matter that makes our nation special--the ability to come together as one when our precious freedom is attacked by those who either misunderstand or are fearful of freedom's power. In the days and weeks to come, this Congress will work together on behalf of our nation. We will have disagreements, and at the end of the day our nation and we will be better for it. Those who thought that they could infect our nation with ill will should remember the words of a great man who served in this very building, Hubert Humphrey: ``Freedom is the most contagious virus known to man.'' Let us use this challenge to create an opportunity for America to once again celebrate freedom, and to help spread it to others who for too long have been under the scourge of terror.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution condemning bigotry and violence against Arab-Americans. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this resolution introduced by the gentleman from Michigan, Mr. Bonior, and I thank the distinguished majority leader, Mr. Armey, for his active support of the resolution. This past week our precious nation has suffered a great amount of pain and sorrow inflicted by horrible individuals who have no respect for innocent life. America can ill-afford to have our own people unfairly and unjustifiably inflicting even more pain on other Americans or friends of Americans who are of Arab heritage or of the Muslim faith, and who bear no responsibility for the events of September 11th. In fact, they have joined with their neighbors in condemning this heinous attack. Arab Americans deserve to be recognized as the patriotic individuals they are, not victimized for their heritage. Indeed, the greatest enemy of a radical Islamic terrorist is a practicing Muslim. This past Tuesday evening, as the Toledo Blade reported in its September 19th edition, ``about 1,500 people, a . . . mix of Christians and Muslims, gathered . . . at the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo in Perrysburg Township to encircle the mosque, pray for the safety of those who worship within, and sing patriotic songs. ``American flags were everywhere--medium-sized ones along the driveways, a large one hanging from the mosque's roof, and small red, white, and blue stickers adorning everyone's clothing. ``The people making up the crowd, many of whom rarely cross paths, made an effort to reach out to one another in this time of national crisis.'' There will be many images that we recall from last week. One, which will always stand out for me, is the image of the Statue of Liberty erect in New York Harbor. More importantly, the values for which she stands are lodged deeper in our hearts. While Lady Liberty witnessed this assault on peace, she remains a beacon calling for our tired but valiant and indispensable rescue workers. She reassures our fellow citizens who lost their loved ones. And she encourages our huddled neighbors throughout America who are offering support for one another, as we discover who made this assault on freedom and why. She continues to lift her lamp beside the golden door of freedom. She increases our resolve as Americans. She lifts her lamp to celebrate the thousands who did survive, and to illuminate those who banded together in one of the most tremendous outpourings of selflessness in our nation's history. The depth of the American people's resourcefulness has been demonstrated to the entire world. Our nation will prevail over the most recent challenge to our liberties. We will actively embrace the precious diversity that is America. Our families hail from throughout the world, with religious convictions of every faith. Our diverse population offers the strongest nation in support of freedom in the world. Over the years, many people of Arab heritage have come to call the United States home. They are just as loyal as any other American and deserve equal treatment. I know in my own community of Toledo one could not have asked for a stronger show of patriotism than what I had heard from so many Arab Americans wanting to know what they could do to help the victims of Tuesday's assault. It was truly sad to hear the stories of Arab Americans around the nation, including some in my community, who were the targets of wrong- placed anger. I share the intense feeling that our nation and our people have been immeasurably hurt. But I firmly believe that as a people we must commit ourselves to fighting the terrorism that invaded our shores, not succumb to its infective powers by lashing out at the innocent. We need to honor the lives that were lost, celebrate the heroes that created another wonderful moment in our nation's stunning history, and emulate the people of Toledo who came together across faiths and across heritage to form what Hussein Barby described as ``like a family.'' Our American family has been hurt. And in the best American tradition, let our family band together at a time when our strength lies in our unity.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, our friends at the other cereal company may think they have something that's ``Grrreat'', but for nearly 25 years, true greatness has been present at General Mills in the form of one outstanding gentleman, Mr. Bob Bird. Bob is retiring after more heart- felt skirmishes than some of our greatest generals, and is being feted by friends and colleagues this evening for a career that is worthy of admiration. From his early days as a copyboy at The New York Post through his years with the Baltimore Sun and then writing for Jack Anderson and Drew Pearson, Bob Bird has had a keen appreciation for news. He went from reporting it to creating it during his days with Sargent Shriver at the U.S. Office of Economic Opportunity, then director of governmental relations for the National Center for Resource Recovery, and then with the Senate Subcommittee on Executive Reorganization under Senator Abraham Ribicoff. Many of our colleagues know Bob Bird from his stellar days with General Mills, where he has worked to represent one of our Nation's finest food companies in a most responsible and successful fashion. In particular, Bob's efforts on behalf of General Mills to support food assistance programs to critically at risk women, infants, and children, have earned him the respect and praise of colleagues, of food program advocates, and respected members of the nutrition community. Acting always as a true professional, no one could doubt that this gentleman of good humor was always acting in an honorable and forthright fashion. Bob likes to mention that a lesson he learned early in his career is that it is most important to listen, to hear the ideas of others, and to evaluate all information that may be at hand. This method of operation has allowed him to act as a well-informed advocate for General Mills who is welcomed by those who agree with him, as well as those who may have other views. A man of honor who knows how to operate in an honorable fashion is a precious commodity, so I assure you that he will be truly missed by all of us who have come to depend on him as an advisor. And those of us who may be fortunate enough to call him a friend will look forward to more contacts with him in the years to come, but will still miss having him come by as frequently as he had in the past. With his wonderful wife Lillian, and his family, perhaps Bob will have a better chance to continue his love of jazz, his voracious reading, or his skilled appreciation for thoroughbred horse racing. These relaxations are well earned. But I am also certain that this man of skills and commitment will have many more opportunities to leave his impression on important policy matters. So from one member who represents the Cheerios Capitol of the World, Toledo, OH, let me say to the man who helped make this Capitol cheerier on many days, Bob, thank you. We are blessed to have known and worked with you. We wish you the best and look forward to seeing your smiling self for many days to come.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, every time that I have the privilege of addressing this House, I am reminded of indeed what a privilege it is to represent constituents from my own State of Ohio and to vote on laws affecting our Nation and the world. This week in particular the magnitude of this privilege has come home to me again. I rise as a free citizen in the freest Nation on Earth, given the opportunity under our freedom of speech to speak my peace, but in a representative government. As I think about what happened to America this week, I think about the forces of the world that are outside of governments and have no representative decision-making in the way that the civilized world understands. I am reminded of what happens to the world when that kind of force is allowed to work its evil in our country and other places. As Members of Congress, we are given the privilege of traveling to many places. A few years ago, I remember going to one of the newly emerging nations of the world. During a session with the citizenry, I was asked, ``Congresswoman Kaptur, what makes you feel like a nation?'' And I remember stepping back from the microphone for a moment and pondering that, and trying to answer the question that I was asked, why do your people feel like a nation? This week, we have had many indicators of how deep our nationhood runs: the enormity of the valor that we have seen coast-to-coast, the thousands of acts of kindness and of decency that have accompanied this great tragedy that our entire Nation has suffered, and so many families have suffered so personally. This morning as we sat at the prayer service and then stood for the posting of our colors, and I looked at all the battle-flag ribbons that walked into the church, and I thought about all the blood that had been shed, all the families, including ours, that had been affected by prior wars and prior engagements, I thought about the red in our flag, and I thought about the enormity of sacrifice that has maintained this Republic over our existence. So many Americans have been writing me, my own constituents and others. We have been receiving letters from all over the world yesterday. I wish to enter into the record a letter of condolence and support from the Nation of Ukraine through the Ambassador from Ukraine. I hope the American people, through us, can understand the weight of public opinion and the weight of support that is on the side of justice as we move forward and try to eliminate and bring to justice those who would have caused such horror on our shores. I had one senior citizen who wrote me: ``Congresswoman Kaptur, I am elderly, I am disabled. I am too weak, I cannot give blood. What can I do?'' I wrote her back, ``You certainly can put a little flag in your front window.'' I am sure she does not have much money, but I suggested she might make a small donation to the scholarship fund that the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon) have put in the form of a bill for all the families in New York and Pennsylvania, other places in our country, and Virginia, that have been affected, for their children. I was thinking, during World War II, we had a massive savings bond campaign. I think every American can buy a savings bond. Every American can strengthen our country even more in meeting what lies ahead. So I would urge the President, in the additional funds the Congress has appropriated, to consider expanding some of the savings bond operations across this country; to work with our banks, our private institutions, the Internet, and allow the American people, at whatever level of support they might be able to give, to strengthen our Nation as we seek to meet the enemy. Let me also say that I would encourage many of our young people as they are considering their futures to think about enlistment in our Armed Forces, in our Reserves, in our guard forces across this country. Each of us in our own hearts, I know the Members of Congress, we know we are soldiers of freedom, too. We ask the American people to lend the kind of support that we will need to carry out the activities of a free people under a representative government. I ask people to consider joining our intelligence services. And, finally, let me say to the American people and to our youth in particular, study in your classes the roots of rage and the roots of those who would seek to harm the harbingers of freedom not just here at home but abroad. Take the time to learn America, indeed, will surmount this latest crisis.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman (Mr. Lantos) for yielding me this time. I rise tonight in strong support of this resolution to grant unprecedented authority to our President for the first time in U.S. history to deploy our Armed Forces against organizations and persons that are not nation states, as well as those that are nation states. We take this step with the certain knowledge that our first duty is to protect and defend our Nation against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Never have we been more united in our cause. We also take this step understanding the character of U.S. foreign policy for the last century has also yielded levels of hate against our Nation, by omission or commission, that demand deep and immediate reevaluation. We pray for our people who have had thrust upon them such unjust suffering. May God bless America and our allies with wisdom. Our unyielding causes are freedom and justice.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I thank our able leaders, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), and rise in strong support of this bipartisan resolution condemning yesterday's reprehensible acts of terrorism perpetrated against the people of the United States and freedom-loving people everywhere. Americans stand united in our firm resolve to seek out those responsible for this carnage and to bring them to justice before the entire international community. Our citizenry's valor, their order, and their dignity in face of this overwhelming tragedy shines to the whole world. Across America, our people are helping one another, honoring the dead, healing the injured, donating blood, picking up the wreckage and building for a new day. Across our world, words of encouragement pour into our Capitol. Tonight I wish to read some of these words into the record. From Russia: Dear Congresswoman: All of us in Russia, just the same as throughout the world, express our deepest condolences over the terrible losses suffered in the United States. We believe that this tragedy affects us all. We share the pain of the lost lives and know that we must unite our efforts to do everything in our power for this to never happen again. We should forget about all our differences, and focus together on the critical issues that need to be resolved in the world today. Our prayers are with you.--Andrei and all your other brothers and sisters in Russia. From Ukraine's Roman Catholic Vicar General, Bishop Stanislaw Szyrokoradiuk: Dear Congresswoman Kaptur: I would like to present to You and through You--to all American people--our condolences because of the terrible tragedy that has stricken the whole world. We have been very shaken to know about a series of acts of terrorism that happened in the United States of America yesterday. It has been an awful blow by its cruelty and scale that struck not only USA but all humanity. I received this notice during spiritual retreats in our Higher Spiritual Seminary in Vorzel, where all priests of our Diocese came. As a sign of our unity and sympathy in your grief we celebrated Holy Mass for the souls of the departed and prayed for all victims. May the Lord strengthen them by His grace that they may outlive this horrible disaster. In all our churches there are Divine Services and prayers said for the souls of the departed victims and for all those who have suffered. These days our hearts and our prayers are with your people. Sincerely yours, Bishop Stanislaw Shyrokoradiuk, The Roman Catholic Vicar General of Ukraine. From Western Europe: I cannot find the words to describe our feelings about what happened in NY and Washington! Our thoughts are with you and all American people. While obviously it's difficult to go forward together, it's the only way! Hope that nobody of your relatives/friends will be amongst the victims. Warm regards, Roos & Gerard. From Canada: America: The Good Neighbor This Canadian thinks it is time to speak up for the Americans as the most generous and possibly the least appreciated people on all the earth. Germany, Japan and, to a lesser extent, Britain and Italy were lifted out of the debris of war by the Americans who poured in billions of dollars and forgave other billions in debts. None of these countries is today paying even the interest on its remaining debts to the United States. When France was in danger of collapsing in 1956, it was the Americans who propped it up, and their reward was to be insulted and swindled on the streets of Paris. I was there. I saw it. When earthquakes hit distant cities, it is the United States that hurries to help. This spring, 59 American communities were flattened by tornadoes. Nobody helped. The Marshall Plan and the Truman Policy pumped billions of dollars into discouraged countries. Now newspapers in those countries are writing about the decadent, warmongering Americans. I'd like to see just one of those countries that is gloating over the erosion of the United States dollar build its own airplane. Does any other country in the world have a plane to equal the Boeing Jumbo Jet, the Lockheed Tri-Star, or the Douglas DC10? If so, why don't they fly them? Why do all the International lines except Russia fly American Planes? Why does no other land on earth even consider putting a man or woman on the moon? You talk about Japanese technocracy, and you get radios. You talk about German technocracy, and you get automobiles. You talk about American technocracy, and you find men on the moon--not once, but several times--and safely home again. You talk about scandals, and the Americans put theirs right in the store window for everybody to look at. Even their draft-dodgers are not pursued and hounded. They are here on our streets, and most of them, unless they are breaking Canadian laws, are getting American dollars from ma and pa at home to spend here. When the railways of France, Germany and India were breaking down through age, it was the Americans who rebuilt them. When the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central went broke, nobody loaned them an old caboose. Both are still broke. I can name you 5000 times when the Americans raced to the help of other people in trouble. Can you name me even one time when someone else raced to the Americans in trouble? I don't think there was outside help even during the San Francisco earthquake. Our neighbors have faced it alone, and I'm one Canadian who is damned tired of hearing them get kicked around. They will come out of this thing with their flag high. And when they do, they are entitled to thumb their nose at the lands that are gloating over their present troubles. I hope Canada is not one of those. Stand proud, America! Wear it proudly!! From an elderly and disabled constituent from our district: She can't give blood or send money, but has been trying to think what she could do to help in this situation. It came to her that everybody should fly their flag. It's a visible sign of our support of our nation and the perseverance of the citizens. Also all the tv and radio stations could be asked to play the national anthem once all at the same time. She's asking Marcy to ``get the word out'' so people could be asked to do this. May we? From Arab-American Muslims in my community, the strong resolution of condemnation that no political cause could ever be assisted by such immoral acts: We Deplore the Attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon We strongly condemn this morning's plane attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and express deep sorrow for Americans that were injured and killed. We sends out our condolence to all victims of this cowardly terrorist attack. There is no cause that justifies this type of an immoral and inhumane act that has affected so many innocent American lives. We support all efforts of the investigation in order to track down the people responsible for this tragic act of terrorism. ``Arab And American Muslims utterly condemn what are apparently vicious and cowardly acts of terrorism against innocent civilians. We join with all Americans in calling for the swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators. No Political cause could ever be assisted by such immoral acts.'' Hussein H. Shousher. From a Technical Sergeant at our Toledo Air National Guard, who suggests new safety technologies on airplanes using Internet video surveillance: In light of today's unfortunate events, I have formulated a logical solution to help prevent future catastrophes involving hijackings. An internet video surveillance system. The equipment to record movement and post to the internet is already available from http://www.x10.com/, and x10.com has been delivering affordable internet tools since 1997. I'm sure with a few simple adjustments, and an FCC pipe to the internet a plane could be equipped with the same surveillance system as a house. The system could continually post updates to the internet where the video could be monitored for the safety of the passengers and people on the ground. This would be a deterrent for future attacks. It would give passengers some peace of mind. And it would give us the opportunity to strike back and bring a commercial plane down before it was close enough to crash into a building that thousands of people were working in. I would be happy to help out with the development and installation of such a life-saving device. Thank you. Joseph A. Poirier, Toledo Air National Guard. From a constituent who e-mailed us: Dear Marcy. Some thoughts about what may be some of the gifts of this tragedy. I am grateful for the heart you have always brought to your leadership. Please lead for us in a new way. Find the power in collaboration. Power to create amazing solutions by bringing your differences together and relinquishing outcomes based on self-interest. Listen to each other and learn what the listening will teach. Let debate and fear-based grasping for power cease. Discover how to be powerful in coming together in dialogue and collaboration. Your singing on the steps of a sacred place of American government has far more substance and potential in it than patriotism stoked by attack. Lead us in learning what this tragedy can teach. Is it possible to defend us and secure the world community without adding to the fire of terror and violence? Just asking ourselves the question and hearing what comes forth might yield vital new methods to add to the old. This is a time when we can see who we are. Help us reflect the best of ourselves back to each other. The American people are responding to each other with such generosity and full hearts. A new world order may be able to emerge as we look at what generates order in the middle of chaos. We are watching it as we look at our television sets today. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Nancy Harshman. The outpouring of good will over evil is evident in every act, every letter, every call, every encounter. America will surmount this new test of her will and her freedom. God bless America.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, as the profound tragedies in New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington flashed before the world, I was struck again by the greatness of our people, their valor, their order, their dignity; indeed, their actions of honor, one by one, shown to the world, loving mercy more than life itself. As one Member, I can certainly say our Nation will not rest until the terrorists responsible for yesterday's carnage are brought to justice before the entire world. I have also been overwhelmed by the outpouring of sympathy that our office is receiving from throughout the world. We thank President Putin. We thank the Prime Minister of Great Britain, Tony Blair, and all the world leaders who are sending us condolences and sympathies to our people. But yesterday I received another offer of sympathy, this time from a Roman Catholic vicar general from the nation of Ukraine: I would like to present to you and through you, Congresswoman, to all the American people our condolences because of the terrible tragedy that has stricken the whole world. As the profound tragedies in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania flashed before the world, I was struck again by the greatness of our people--their valor, their order, their dignity. Indeed, their acts of honor--one by one shown to the world. At every turn loving mercy more than life. To America's enemies let me say; our Nation will not rest until the terrorists responsible for yesterday's carnage are brought to justice before the entire world. I have also been overwhelmed by the outpouring of sympathy coming to our people from throughout the world--President Putin, Prime Minister Blair of Great Britain. I would like to present to You and Through You--to all the American people--our condolences because of the terrible tragedy that has stricken the whole world. We have been very shaken to learn about a series of acts of terrorism that happened in the United States of America yesterday. It has been an awful blow by its cruelty and scale that struck not only the USA but all humanity. I received the notice during spiritual retreats in our Higher Spiritual Seminary [in Vorzel] where all priests of our Diocese came. As a sign of our unity and sympathy in your grief we celebrated Holy Mass for the souls of the departed and prayed for all victims. May the Lord strengthen them by His grace that they may outlive this horrible disaster. In all our churches there are Divine Services and prayers said for the souls of the departed victims and for all those who have suffered. These days our hearts and our prayers are with your people. Sincerely Yours, Bishop Stanislaw Shyrokoradiuk, Roman Catholic Vicar General Ukraine.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to include for the Record a letter that was sent today by myself to both President Bush and President Fox of Mexico. Tomorrow will be an historic day here in this Chamber as we welcome the President of Mexico, Vicente Fox, to hear his remarks as the new President of Mexico. Following that address, both Presidents will then travel to our home district, the Ninth District of Ohio, the greater Toledo area. With respect to their visit, we certainly want to extend an official welcome to both Presidents on their historic journey, and we look forward to their visit and to their remarks. We also hope that both Presidents will listen and learn as our citizenry attempts to draw them into a dialogue about the conditions of workers and education in our region, and other concerns on the minds of our citizens. We hope that, building on this trip, more important than any single day would be a request that we are sending to both Presidents to establish a working relationship between their administrations in the form of an intercontinental organization on working life and cooperation in the Americas, to actually set up a means by which we could deal with some of the unintended economic and social consequences of NAFTA in both nations. The serious dislocation of millions of industrial and agricultural workers, as well as small- and medium-sized firms, demands serious and compassionate action by those sworn to serve their fellow citizens. In our own region of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, since NAFTA well over 115,000 more good-paying jobs have been lost to the maquiladora zone, where workers in that region toil for hunger wages and have no job security. Ohio is among the top five States losing jobs to NAFTA, and nationally, since NAFTA, over 776,000 middle-class jobs have been relocated to the maquiladora zone. Most recently, Phillips Electronics in Ottawa, Ohio, where we hope both Presidents will ultimately visit, is the latest plant that has announced its shutdown of large portions of production, terminating hundreds and hundreds of middle-class workers, those jobs going to Mexico. Spangler's Candy in Bryan, Ohio, announced it will shift its candy cane line production to Mexico. Last week in Chicago, Brach's Candy, employing 1,500 people, with a major segment of Latino-American workers, announced it is shutting down its centuries-old factory there and moving production south to Mexico, or possibly Argentina. The displacement of high-paying middle-class manufacturing jobs across our country is fueled by NAFTA, and will only worsen if the proposed Free Trade Agreement of the Americas ignores the plight of workers. This is why we are pleading with both Presidents to set up a formal mechanism that intercontinentally deals with these serious distortions in our labor markets. There are 3,200 firms in the maquilladora zone, and most of those employ largely women workers, have no freely-lected labor representation, no job security, and people work in high-productivity poverty. The U.S.-Mexico border, meanwhile, is plagued more and more by alarming rates of tuberculosis on both sides, sewage effluent flowing into drinking water, moot environmental laws, and crumbling infrastructure that cannot bear the load being placed on it. The root causes of the illegal immigration crisis in our country lie in deep and continuing disparity between the compensation and living standards of workers on either side of the border. Our continent needs a common minimum wage and common labor standards and common environmental laws that are enforced. The chart that I have here this evening gives some sense of what has happened to the United States since NAFTA's passage. Prior to NAFTA's passage, we had a favorable trade balance with Mexico, which means that we were exporting more there than importing. Since that time, what has happened is we have been racking up historic deficits with Mexico, and in fact, Mexico has become the export platform that we predicted. What the trade deficit translates into are thousands and thousands of lost jobs from our country, and the exports that go down there actually U-turn. They come back to us in the form of finished goods. But the wages of the people in Mexico have actually gone down since NAFTA, and our wages have been stuck in this country for well over a decade. In the countryside in Mexico, over 30 million farm families have been removed from their land simply because the trade agreement provides no soft landing for people who have eked out a living on their small ajita lands. These people are moving across our continent. Hundreds and hundreds are literally dying, some at our border, some inside our country. We simply must have a task force on this international, intercontinental organization that I am proposing to deal with this agricultural issue. Mr. Speaker, we will invite both Presidents to travel with us to the sites that I am talking about in both the United States and Mexico. I include for the Record the formal letter we have sent to both of them, along with an article from today's Los Angeles Times entitled ``Toledo's Plea to Presidents Bush and Fox: Don't let trade cost jobs.''

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Schaffer) who co-chairs the Ukrainian Caucus with myself; we have several dozen Members who are participants in that. For dropping this resolution, H. Res. 222, congratulating Ukraine on the tenth anniversary of the reestablishment of its independence, we ask for the unanimous approval of the membership. Mr. Speaker, it is important to remind ourselves and think about the fragile beginnings of our own Republic, after 10 years, where were we. We did not even have a Constitution in place, and it took us almost a century more to grant civil rights to all of our people. And voting rights did not come until almost another 70 years later to women, then in the mid-20th century to minorities. So we see the struggle of this democratic Nation, this democratic Republic, to provide greater and fuller, more robust liberties to all of her people. We look at Ukraine after 10 years, she has been building broad and durable relations with the 1994 charter for Ukrainian- American partnership, friendship and cooperation, and also her distinctive partnership since 1997 with NATO. Ukraine has done many things that the West has asked, including dismantling her nuclear arsenal. On June 28, 1996, Ukraine's parliament voted to adopt a democratic constitution of the Ukraine, providing for presidential and parliamentary elections, and we are about to embark on the third set of parliamentary elections. Mr. Speaker, I would say to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Schaffer) and, indeed, our entire membership that Ukraine has been trying to pursue friendly relations with her neighboring countries and has been consistently pursuing a course of European integration with a commitment to ensuring democracy and prosperity for its citizens. The road has not always been easy. Mr. Speaker, it still has many rough bumps in that road, certainly the full development of free press and independent media; the development of a rule of law and a judicial system; a legislative branch of the government that participates fully and equally with the executive. And as we move this resolution forward, we want to walk alongside Ukraine on this journey, and we urge her to join with the community of freedom-loving nations and European nations, and hopefully in our lifetime see her fully integrated into the European and trans- Atlantic set of institutions that we have all come to respect and love. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and urge this resolution's swift passage. I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hastert), the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde), the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), the gentleman from California (Mr. Gallegly), the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel), all Members who have supported this resolution at the authorizing level, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Tancredo), and the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) who shares our interest in moving Ukraine forward.

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the passing of an Ohioan and American of note. Ruth Quackenbush Dodge died of heart failure earlier this year at her Maumee River Estate in Wood County's Middleton Township. Mrs. Dodge was 90 years old. Ruth Quackenbush Dodge was born into one of New York State's founding Dutch dynasties, and spent her childhood in New York City, Vermont and Connecticut, where she was graduated from Miss Porter's school in Farmington. After then attending classes at the New York School of Social Work, Ruth joined the Junior League of New York City at age 18, thus beginning her long history of volunteerism. A few years later, Miss Quackenbush met Henry Martin Dodge of Toledo. They were married shortly thereafter, and made their home at Elmbrook Farm in Perrysburg, making the new Mrs. Dodge, at age 22, the first member of her family to reside west of the Hudson River. In her new home, Mrs. Dodge continued her volunteer work, transferring to the Junior League of Toledo--for which she served as president from 1936 to 1938-- and organizing, in 1948, the Volunteer Bureau of the Toledo Council of Social Agencies. This organization was the forerunner of today's Volunteer Action Center of the United Way of Greater Toledo, which dedicated the Ruth Q. Dodge Volunteer Garden on the grounds of One Stranahan Square in 1994. It was my honor at that time as well to praise Mrs. Dodge's accomplishments before this body. Mrs. Dodge also pursued her passion for the environment, raising milk cows and soybeans in an environmentally responsible manner before the issue became mainstream, and helped further the exploration of Maumee River Valley history by opening her property for several archeological digs undertaken by the University of Toledo. A strong supporter of both the education and the arts, especially the Toledo Opera Association and the Toledo Museum of Art, Mrs. Dodge sat on the board of trustees of Miss Porter's school and served as president of the Country Garden Club from 1945 to 1946. These few words cannot truly do justice to the outstanding life of this woman who was so dedicated to the ideals of civic service and volunteerism. Remembered by her friend Mr. Lewis Heldt for ``all of her accomplishments over her long, active lifetime,'' as well as for her efforts in her role as Honorary Chairperson for the last Fallen Timbers Battlefield fund drive, Ruth Quackenbush Dodge and her good works will truly be missed. We extend to her son David, her five grandchildren, and her six great-grandchildren our deepest condolences. At the same time, we celebrate her remarkable accomplishments and honor her memory by trying to live by her exemplary pioneering and socially responsible spirit.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I would say to the gentleman from Akron, Ohio (Mr. Sawyer), thank you so very much. The gentleman was mayor of Ohio long before he was elected to this Congress and understands the importance of this program. He took time from a markup in another committee to be here this morning. We thank him so very, very much for his leadership and interest on this issue.

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, will the gentlewoman yield?

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah) for bringing up the important point, that in many communities across this country, until this program was enacted, local police were not policing. In fact, in many places in America the local police had no relationship with the authorities. This program has drawn in local policing, whether it is county, State officials, local police, on-site resident management that are trained now in working with the local residents. The relationship locally with the authorities was not always a good one. In many cases, and I cited Chicago in particular, which I never forgot after visiting there, the authorities were completely out of control. They were neglected. They neglected areas of our community. I want to thank the gentleman for pointing out the importance of this program in creating an appropriate bond with local authorities so that now there is security, and crime has gone down all over this country including in these very important neighborhoods.

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?