Marcy Kaptur

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate a man in my district who embodied the spirit of America. Joseph Wlodarz died to this life on August 5, 1997 at the age of 85 years. Joseph ``Fudgie'' Wlodarz came to East Toledo when he was 13 years old. An all-city football player at Toledo's Central Catholic High School, Joe went on to play with local semi-professional teams, the Jack Frost Sugars, the Vargo Coals, and the Birmingham Ads. In addition to his passion for football, Joe also played basketball, baseball, and softball. He passed on his passion and his skill to hundreds of youngsters at Holy Rosary Church and School, where he coached children in these sports for 60 years. His son noted at his passing, ``He just loved to coach kids.'' Wlodarz Field at Ravine Park in East Toledo bears his name, a testament to his love of sport. Joseph Wlodarz worked for 27 years at the former Unitcast Corp. in Toledo, where he left his mark as well. While at Unitcast, he organized UAW Local 48, and served many times as the union's president. He also worked as the labor-management coordinator. Dubbed ``The Mayor of Birmingham''--(the close-knit Hungarian neighborhood of East Toledo in which he lived--Joe took an active interest in the neighborhood's community and civic affairs, although he never held an elected office. He was a founder of the Birmingham Hall of Fame, helped organize the 20th Ward Democratic Club, was a member of the East Side Recreation Board, served on the city of Toledo advisory panel for parks and recreation, and labored to establish the East Toledo Family Center where he also served on the board. Joseph ``Fudgie'' Wlodarz' life is perhaps best summed up in his eldest son's tribute to him, which is a most fitting epitaph, ``He was never too concerned about making much money. He was always for his community and neighborhood, union, and helping people.'' Our heartfelt sympathy to Joe's wife Garnet, his sons James, Jack, Joseph, Jr., and Steve, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We mourn your loss, but trust you will find comfort in his memory and the legacy of a life truly well spent and devoted to others.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to speak out of order for 1\1/2\ minutes.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 2 of rule IX, I hereby give notice of my intention to offer a resolution which raises a question of the privileges of the House. The form of the resolution is as follows: Whereas, Loretta Sanchez was issued a certification of election as the duly elected Member of Congress from the 46th District of California by the Secretary of State of California and was seated by the U.S. House of Representatives on January 7, 1997; and Whereas A Notice of Contest of Election was filed with the Clerk of the House by Mr. Robert Dornan on December 26, 1996; and Whereas the Task Force on the Contested Election in the 46th District of California met on February 26, 1997 in Washington, D.C. on April 19, 1997 in Orange County, California and October 24, 1997 in Washington, D.C.; and Whereas the allegations made by Mr. Robert Dornan have been largely found to be without merit: charges of improper voting from a business, rather than a resident address; underage voting; double voting; and charges of unusually large number of individuals voting from the same address. It was found that voting from the same address included a Marines barracks and the domicile of nuns, that business addresses were legal residences for the individuals, including the zoo keeper of the Santa Ana zoo, that duplicate voting was by different individuals and those accused of underage voting were of age; and Whereas the Committee on House Oversight has issued unprecedented subpoenas to the Immigration and Naturalization Service to compare their records with Orange County voter registration records, the first time in any election in the history of the United States that the INS has been asked by Congress to verify the citizenship of voters; and Whereas the INS has complied with the Committee's request and, at the Committee's request, has been doing a manual check of its paper files and providing worksheets containing supplemental information on that manual check to the Committee on House Oversight for over five months; and Whereas the Committee on House Oversight, subpoenaed the records seized by the District Attorney of Orange County on February 13, 1997 and has received and reviewed all records pertaining to registration efforts of that group; and Whereas the House Oversight Committee is now pursuing a duplicate and dilatory review of materials already in the Committees possession by the Secretary of State of California; and Whereas the Task Force on the Contested Election in the 46th District of California and the Committee have been reviewing these materials and has all the information it needs regarding who voted in the 46th District and all the information it needs to make judgements concerning those votes; and Whereas the Committee on House Oversight has after over nine months of review and investigation failed to present credible evidence to change the outcome of the election of Congresswoman Sanchez and is pursuing never ending and unsubstantiated areas of review; and Whereas, Contestant Robert Dornan has not shown or provided credible evidence that the outcome of the election is other than Congresswoman Sanchez's election to the Congress; and Whereas, the continuation of this investigation discourages full participation of American voters in the electoral process. Whereas, the Committee on House Oversight should complete its review of this matter and bring this contest to an end and now therefore be it; Resolved, That unless the Committee on House Oversight has sooner reported a recommendation for its final disposition, the contest in the 46th District of California is dismissed upon the expiration of November 7, 1997.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recall the life of Dr. Robert Jackson of Toledo, OH, a rare and outstanding citizen, a man of letters. In special tribute to his life and work, he will be remembered in a memorial service in Toledo on September 6, 1997. Our dear friend, Bob, died to this life on July 30, 1997 at age 88. Bob Jackson was a generous and gifted human being, a genuine brother to us all, a confidante, a soulmate. He relished being a trusted political advisor to many including myself. He understood that community involvement requires commitment. Perhaps it was this sense of civic responsibility which prompted him--at age 85--to be the precinct captain for his neighborhood and work hard to get out the vote. He loved politics and he loved being a Democrat. He pondered the endless possibilities presented to each of us as Americans. He mused always with piercing humor about our body politics, its greatness and its foibles. A voracious reader and devoted educator, Bob Jackson was elected to the Toledo Board of Education and had retired from the mathematics department of the University of Toledo. An Arkansas native, Bob graduated from the University of Oregon, was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, and earned his Ph.D. in mathematics from Harvard University. A complicated man with a boundless sense of humor, he also was a retired naval officer along with being a proud member of the ACLU. While his education and social position could have taken him to elite surroundings, he used his considerable talent to teach youth at Scott High School in Toledo. Bob and his wife, Agnes, together pursued commitments to causes dear to their hearts, especially to help those whose voices in the public weal were weak. They advocated on behalf of family planning initiatives for which they labored in order that mothers and fathers and children would have a better chance at successful family life, childhood, and adulthood. Even after Agnes' passing, Bob carried on their work. In poignant tribute to his wife, Bob created a living testament to her while at the same time dedicating himself to their mutual love of nature and of neighborhood: he created the Agnes Reynolds Jackson Arboretum, a truly splendid yet tranquil garden setting adjacent to what was their home in an area of grand old homes in the central city. The arboretum is a place to find true beauty and peace, and now stands as a most fitting memorial to both Agnes and Bob, their love for each other and their lives of service. When his friends and family gather to memorialize Bob Jackson--and remember Agnes as well--we will do so in that arboretum. As we share stories and remembrances, together we will recall and enjoy the legacies left by two who lived spirited lives dedicated to others. How we will miss him as we miss her and know we are privileged to have considered them friends.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 125th anniversary of the University of Toledo. Throughout its history and into the present, the University of Toledo has been cause for great pride and growth in our community, educating our citizens and providing brighter futures as a result. In its first 125 years, the University of Toledo has developed tremendously. UT is a nationally recognized public university with a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs serving students across Ohio, all 50 States, and 98 countries. The University of Toledo is a leader in enrolling National Merit Scholars. In further testament to its success, it has grown from only one building on one campus to more than 60 on several campuses today. The mission of the University of Toledo is manifold. UT strives for excellence in research and scholarship and is equally concerned with disseminating this knowledge through its academic programs. The University is highly committed to helping students achieve their highest potential by providing open access to the institution and challenging course work within its programs. Further the University of Toledo holds the promotion of pluralism, racial diversity, and gender representation as high priorities, making the University a place in which all types of people and viewpoints are valued. Renaissance writer John Heywood captured the spirit of UT's philosophy when he wrote, ``The very spring and root of honesty and virtue lie in a good education.'' The University's guiding principles of freedom of expression and social justice make clear that UT proudly operates by the same belief system. I am pleased to join the community to recognize, with gratitude, the University of Toledo's 125 years of excellence in education. I know my colleagues join me in wishing the University a happy 125th anniversary.

Ms. KAPTUR

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

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, I thank the chairman very much for his leadership on this entire measure. Congratulations on a fine bill, and I want to thank the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Stokes], the ranking member, as well.

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I thank our ranking member, the gentleman from Cleveland, OH [Mr. Stokes] for granting me this time, along with our chairman, the gentleman from California [Mr. Lewis], who has been very gracious. Mr. Speaker, I rise to engage the chairman in a colloquy on the proposed VA cemetery, Veterans Administration Cemetery in Guilford Township, Ohio. I am concerned about the potential conflict that could arise between Federal and local land and water uses between Medina County and Wayne County related to the development of that new veterans cemetery. As ranking member of the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations and a member of this VA-HUD subcommittee as well, I have heard from many local officials and citizens in the community concerned about farmlands preservation being essential to the maintenance of a sound rural economy in this region of Ohio. Before the final Federal water contracts are negotiated, I would urge the Veterans Administration to meet with township and other local officials in both counties to ensure that local land use is respected, the impact of the proposed VA water acquisition on productive farmland is assessed, and the best water source for the new national cemetery is developed.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Missouri [Mr. Skelton].

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to observe for the Record that the gentleman from Missouri [Mr. Skelton] took off his field boots in order to give his remarks this afternoon. So we thank him very much for being down here on the floor.

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for their forbearance here. I feel privileged to join the gentleman from New Mexico [Mr. Skeen], our subcommittee chair, and all of our committee members in supporting this conference report on H.R. 2160, our fiscal year 1998 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and related agencies appropriation bill. I just want to say that this bill truly represents a bipartisan, bicameral compromise in our efforts to provide critical support for the Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, and other agencies funded in this bill. This will help our Nation remain at the leading edge for food production, fuel production, fiber and forest production, as well as agricultural research, trade promotion, and food and drug safety. Mr. Speaker, there cannot be too many places in this Congress where one is privileged to serve on a committee where in a week he can talk about windmills and lambing season, child nutrition, and coyotes all at the same time. We are very pleased that the additional funding that is included in this bill will help us on our important research programs, our conservation programs, and our rural housing and development programs. The agreement also fully funds the budget request for youth tobacco prevention and food safety initiatives under the Food and Drug Administration. I would like to acknowledge and thank the very talented and hard- working subcommittee staff: Tim Sanders, Carol Murphy, John Ziolkowski, JoAnne Orndorf, Doug Lawrence, Sally Chahbourne, and Roberta Jeauquent. We all rely on these individuals' experience and expertise in agriculture programs; and without their help, we would not be on this floor today. I have to say to the gentleman from New Mexico [Mr. Skeen], my good friend, the chairman, I shall always remember that he has been the chair of this committee during the first year that I served as its ranking member, and these moments will remain among my treasured moments in this Congress. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Stenholm]. (Mr. STENHOLM asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I might just mention that we have one request for time on this side.

Ms. KAPTUR

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

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for his consideration and also the gentleman from West Virginia [Mr. Mollohan], the ranking member. The fiscal year 1997 House report and conference report on Justice Department appropriations included language urging the Department of Justice within funds available for Byrne grants to give favorable consideration to funding for the community security program of the Local Initiative Support Corporation. As a result, Justice is now working with LISC to form partnerships in a number of communities in which local community-based organizations are willing to work with law enforcement officials to promote a more livable neighborhood. Using funds from private philanthropic organizations and corporations, LISC has had great success in promoting local community security efforts in New York and Seattle. There is great interest in this program in my State, and I am particularly pleased that LISC is working in Toledo, OH. It is my hope that Justice will once again be asked to give proposals from LISC favorable consideration.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to discuss the importance of maintaining trade fairness and how that fairness has been restricted in our trade relations with Japan. Some of you may know about the market access case the United States Government filed against the Government of Japan before the World Trade Organization concerning consumer film and photographic paper. Eastman Kodak Company has been routinely prevented from competing fairly in Japan by the Japanese Government, which has been protecting Fuji film, the domestic film manufacturer. For over 30 years, the Japanese Government has worked closely with Japanese business, using non-tariff barriers, unspoken agreements, and implicit understandings to keep foreign competition out of the Japanese market. This case has far-reaching and precedent-setting ramifications. Why? First, this case highlights the nature of our trade relationship with Japan, where trade fairness has been a recurring concern. Japan is America's second largest trade partner but maintains America's largest trade deficit, which is 43 percent of our total trade deficit. Second, this case centers around the future of the WTO as an effective forum to settle international trade conflicts. The ramifications of the photographic film and paper case before the WTO are immense. At stake is the future of free and open market access not just for film, but, for all companies looking to trade with Japan. I urge the administration to press the WTO to bring this complaint to a conclusion.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I just wanted to mention that for Members who are listening on the floor or maybe listening to these remarks over their televisions in their offices, if you look at the budget issue involved here, and I wanted to place this on the record because it is important, voting for this motion to instruct is a very responsible vote. Both the House and the Senate have decided within their respective appropriations committees for different marks, different funding levels for agriculture functions. In the Senate, the Agriculture Subcommittee allocations were much higher than in the House. In fact, they have $30 million more in budget authority and over $200 million more in outlays. As we go to conference, we have to conference on that as well. So I want to assure my colleagues that the flexibility within the budget exists and we are not asking for anything unreasonable in this motion to instruct. We are again asking our House colleagues to agree with what the Senate has done and to instruct our conferees to agree to the $34 million youth tobacco prevention initiative. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas [Ms. Jackson-Lee].

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the motion to instruct conferees so that we can go to the conference with a strong position from both the House and the Senate and really do something for the young people of this country and help prevent additional addiction which will cost millions of lives in the future and billions of dollars. Let us do what is right for our children and give them a helping hand. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the motion to instruct conferees. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Connecticut [Ms. DeLauro], a distinguished member of the Committee on Appropriations.

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I offer a motion to instruct.

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, the motion I offer today instructs the conferees on the fiscal year 1998 Agriculture Appropriations Act to agree to the higher funding levels provided by the Senate for the Food and Drug Administration's Youth Tobacco Initiative. Just this morning, Mr. Speaker, the Senate agreed to provide $34 million, which was the full budget request, for the Food and Drug Administration Program to assist our States in enforcement and outreach efforts related to rules to prevent children, our children, from purchasing tobacco as minors. The House bill included $24 million for this important program, and originally the Senate had only provided $4.9 million. But this morning, in an act of great wisdom, the Senate, on an amendment that was voiced after substantial approval was given and a motion to table defeated, voted in the Senate to raise the level to $34 million, which was the full budget request. Mr. Speaker, our bill here in the House included $24 million for this important program. Our motion would simply instruct our House conferees to agree to the funding levels for the Food and Drug Administration provided by the Senate, therefore, fully funding this important initiative to protect our Nation's children. Mr. Speaker, I do not need to point out, I suppose, that nearly 90 percent of adult smokers in our country began doing so before the age of 18. In fact, at current rates, more than 5 million children under age 18 who are alive today will be killed by smoking-related diseases. So we are talking about the lives of millions of our children. We know that every year more than $1 billion in tobacco products are illegally sold to minors. I underline ``illegally'' sold to minors in this country. And as much as $50 billion is spent every year in our country on smoking-related medical care. Providing $34 million, $10 million more than in the House agreement but meeting the full budget request, will help our States set up enforcement programs and educate retailers and the public on the new Food and Drug Administration youth tobacco rules. It seems to me this is the least we can do to protect our country's future and our children. I urge my colleagues to support this motion, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Ms. KAPTUR asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I wish today to pay tribute to a man of rare commitment and resolute conviction. Calton ``Cal'' Krueger of Toledo, OH passed away on May 24, 1997. We shall miss him and his leadership as an unwavering voice for the powerless and exploited. He loved all of God's children and sought to protect them. Cal was a minister in the United Church of Christ for 38 years before retiring in 1990 from First United Church of Christ, whose congregation he led for 25 years. A deeply moral, strong, and compassionate pastor, and a veteran, Cal was most known for his social activism. He was deeply involved in world affairs, particularly in Central America, and belonged to Pastors for Peace, Veterans for Peace, the Toledo Metropolitan Mission, the Interracial Religious Coalition, the Interfaith Justice and Peace Center of Northwest Ohio, and the Toledo Area Committee on Central America. Promoting desegregation and racial harmony in our communities' neighborhoods, peace for all nations, refugee resettlement, nuclear disarmament, and many other social and global causes, Cal was part of an elite corps of clergy who truly lived out the words and deeds of Christ and His teachings. Cal was a man emulated by many but equaled by few. Our community extends its sincere sympathy and deepest admiration for the Krueger family. to his wife Gena, his children Geoffrey, Jill, Stephen, Jonathan, and Amy and his grandchildren, thank you for sharing this gifted man of faith with us. His depth of understanding about international politics and his own commitment to make a difference were precious and inspiring. We are honored he dwelt among us.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 125th birthday of Fayette, OH, located in western Fulton County, OH in America's heartland. On August 2, 1997, this proud rural community will commemorate its milestone with a parade and festival, combined with the rural community's annual Bullthistle Festival. The ``History of Fayette, Gorham Township, and Fulton County, Ohio'' notes that ``Fayette is located on a beach ridge. It crosses the west line of Franklin Township, a half mile north of the Fulton line, and runs northeast to Fayette and thence to the Michigan line. An ancient shore of Lake Erie came almost to Fayette. The beach ridges have but a small area. Interspersed with these are marshes and west prairies.'' The publication goes on to note that ``The first to settle within the present Fayette was Renesselear S. Humphrey.'' From the hardship and hard work of those earlier settlers, Fayette grew over the years into a thriving and vibrant community. It features the best of both worlds, a rural community but convenient to larger cities. It is a close-knit and good-hearted community of neighbors with agrarian and urban roots. As part of the annual Bullthistle Festival, the citizens of Fayette will come together in a special ceremony commemorating the town's first 125 years. As flag flown over the U.S. Capitol will be presented to them during this ceremony. I will be pleased to join the community to remember 125 years of growth, and commit ourselves to its future. I know my colleagues join me in wishing the village of Fayette a Happy 125th Birthday.