Dale Kildee

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Flint, Michigan and Togliatti, Russia as they celebrate 10 years as Sister Cities. A ceremony will be held tomorrow in Flint to commemorate this event. Sister Cities is a program to encourage persons and groups to engage in citizen diplomacy. President Dwight Eisenhower gave the idea impetus at a ``People-to-People'' conference in 1956. President Eisenhower's hope was that the personal relationships between individuals would lessen the prospect of future world conflicts. Born out of this idea, Sister Cities International has established municipal associations throughout the world, promoting an environment of cultural, educational, professional and technical exchanges between communities. Flint is the birthplace of General Motors and Togliatti is the home of the Volzhsky Automobile Plant (VAZ), Russia's largest automotive manufacturer. This mutual interest in the automotive industry was genesis of the Sister City relationship between the two towns. The partnership has been very active since the beginning 10 years ago. The University of Michigan-Flint School of Management and the Togliatti College of Business and Banking exchange faculty and students. The Community Foundation of Flint and the C.S. Mott Foundation were instrumental in helping Togliatti organize the first Russian Community Foundation. The Flint Area Chamber of Commerce assisted in the development of Togliatti's Chamber of Commerce and the Flint Rotary helped found its counterpart in Togliatti. Remembering not only the relationships between organizations, Flint and Togliatti will also celebrate the flourishing exchange of their citizens and the friendships that have blossomed as a result of the Sister Cities program. Flint will honor this milestone with events between September 6 and September 10th. Togliatti will commemorate the anniversary with events between September 20 and September 24th. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Flint, Michigan and Togliatti, Russia for embracing the spirit of the Sister Cities program. The affinity that has evolved between these two communities is an example to everyone that people everywhere can live in harmony and realize their aspirations through friendship and goodwill.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to pay tribute to a wonderful man who passed away on August 19, Dan Neeley. Dan was a dear friend and his passing grieves me deeply. Dan began working for Buick Motor Corporation on September 12, 1963. He was a dedicated employee and a dedicated citizen. He was honorably discharged from the United States Army in 1967 after serving two years. After returning to his job at Buick, Dan became active in the UAW. As a member of Local 599 he was elected in numerous posts until he passed away. Between 1971 and his passing Dan served as Alternate Committeeman, Committeeman, Shop Committee, Alternate Shop Committee, Alternate Benefit Representative, the Jobs Bank Coordinator, and he was a delegate to UAW Constitutional Conventions and Bargaining Conventions. He was a member of the Civil Rights Committee, the FEPC Committee and the CAP Committee, and he was a founding member of the ``Unity for Justice Black Caucus.'' His determination to provide equal representation to all persons led him to be involved in the community. Dan held in his heart the words of Reverend Jesse Jackson, ``Educate yourself on all levels: academic as well as political for knowledge is power.'' His belief in the power of those words persuaded Dan to organize the ``Get Out the Vote Center'' in Flint. His support for minority owned business brought about the ``Black Business Awareness Day.'' His ideas and involvement were the genesis for greater union recognition of the contributions of minorities. He led marches to promote the inclusion of minorities in Joint Programs jobs and he was instrumental in advancing minorities in leadership positions. Dan loved people and the community acknowledged this love. Dan was especially proud to have received the Drum Major Award from the City of Flint and the Walter Reuther Twenty Year Distinguished Service Award from the union. His family, friends and the community will remember the compassionate man devoted to helping those in need. We will hold in our hearts and minds his goodness, his fire, his keen intellect and strong desire for justice. I ask the House of Representatives to rise and join me in honoring Dan Neeley and his lifelong pursuit of a better world.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a good friend and a wonderful person, John Yorko. John was honored on August 21st in my hometown of Flint, Michigan by his friends, and former co-workers for his dedicated service to the United Auto Workers and its membership. John started working at the Fisher Body 1 plant on February 2, 1934. He joined the CIO the next year and in 1936 he participated in the historic Sit Down Strike. He was inside the plant until the strike ended on February 11, 1937 with an agreement between the union and General Motors. John's career as a lifelong advocate for working men and women was born in that fateful event. Shortly thereafter he was elected as an alternate committeeman and served in that capacity until the plant was converted to World War II production. During the war he worked in the aluminum foundry at Buick, building the Allison airplane engine. He served as a Local 599 committeeman for the duration of the war and returned to Fisher Body in 1946. He remained at Fisher Body for the next forty years and was elected to numerous committees and groups culminating in his repeated election as President of Local 581. John served as that Local's president more times than any other individual. From there he was elevated to President of Region 1C. He worked tirelessly on statewide and national committees for the United Auto Workers to bring about tolerable working conditions, equitable pay, and a humane environment for the workers of our country. On October 1, 1974 he retired from Fisher Body with 40.8 years of service but his union career was just getting its second wind. He organized the Flint Area Retired Workers Council in 1978 and served as its president for 22 years. His work with the United Auto Workers retirees led him to one of his greatest achievements. Instrumental in compiling a written record of the Flint Sit Down Strike in 1987 for its 50th Anniversary, John is recognized by the community as the historian who captured the memories of that event for future generations. He took the recollections of the men and women who acted with courage and boldness in 1936, and ensured that their words and actions will live forever. Our children and grandchildren will be able to learn about the valor of these individuals who changed our world forever. Our debt to him is immeasurable. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise today and pay tribute to one of the great men. John Yorko's humility, compassion, and forthrightness have inspired many to follow in his footsteps. I am proud to call him my friend.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rise before you today on behalf of the congregation of Welcome Missionary Baptist Church in Pontiac, Michigan, to recognize and congratulate Reverend Douglas P. Jones, who celebrated his 13th anniversary as the pastor of the church on June, 18, 2002. Upon graduation from University of Cincinnati, Pastor Jones continued his studies in pastoral care administration at Cincinnati Bible College. On April 8, 1989, the Church voted to call Reverend Jones as their pastor. Pastor Jones accepted and was installed on June 18, 1989. During his years of service, he has earned certificates in various workshops and counseling sessions, as well as special training in administration, management, and planning. Pastor Jones' time and dedication with the ministry has allowed him to develop strong support that extends throughout the city of Pontiac, including serving as the Chaplain of the Oakland County Sheriff Department, and acting as a board member for the United Way Oakland County. Additionally, the diligence he has shown over the years has led to the expansion of the church and its congregation. Pastor Jones is more than deserving of the numerous honors and awards that he has received over the past 13 years, including commendations from the City of Pontiac and the State of Michigan, among many others. The work that Pastor Jones has accomplished on behalf of the community is tremendous. Through his creation of the Greater Pontiac Community Coalition, he has helped generate programs that have guided our youth to a brighter future. Programs such as Youth in Government and Invent America, as well as scholarship programs through the Church and the Coalition, have helped open doors of success for hundreds of young men and women. Mr. Speaker, Pastor Douglas P. Jones' devotion to spreading God's Word is an inspiration to us all. As a former seminarian, I understand the important role the Church plays in our lives, and I am proud to call him my colleague and my friend. Self-evident is his lifelong commitment to enhancing the dignity and nurturing the spirits of all people, and our community is a much better place because of him. I ask my colleagues in the 107th Congress to join me in congratulating Pastor Jones.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Chairman, we strike the pre-1985 accounts and then give them some vague promise that we may restore that, and I have been working in Indian matters now as a legislator for 38 years, and many promises have been made.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, as cochair of the Congressional Native American Caucus, I strongly urge the House to support the amendment to strike the provision in the Interior appropriations that would limit government accountability to Indians by restricting an historical accounting of Indian trust funds. This provision would limit the legal claims against the Federal Government for mismanaging Indian trust funds by limiting the accounting from 1985 forward. Further, the provisions would presume the balances as of 1985 are correct, even though the government admits the money has been mismanaged for decades. It would also overturn a central provision of the American Indian Trust Management Reform Act, legislation enacted in 1994 after many hearings and deliberations on this issue. That act requires that the Secretary of the Interior provide a full accounting for ``all funds held in trust by the United States for the benefit of the Indian tribes or individual Indians.'' The Federal courts have also mandated that the government provide Indians with an historical accounting based on trust principles that apply to all Americans. The D.C. Federal District Court and a unanimous D.C. Circuit have already ruled that the government owes Indians an historical accounting of all funds from the date the funds were deposited into Federal accounts for Indians. To overturn the earlier mandate of the Congress and the Federal courts for this important act of government accountability fails the poorest Americans: Indians, who rely on money from their lands to whom the Federal Government owes a trust responsibility. This provision also raises new claims that this proposed congressional action constitutes an unconstitutional taking of Indians' property: their money. Mr. Chairman, this is the Indians' money, not the government's. It is not from a Federal program or entitlement, but from the leases of Indian lands. Money comes directly into the Interior Department in trust from Indians from payments for use of Indian lands for grazing, timber, and mineral royalties. The United States has admitted that it mismanaged and lost the money. This amendment would absolve the government for accounting for that mismanagement while opening up the government to new legal claims based upon unconstitutional taking of property. In effect, this provision we seek to strike legalizes years of malfeasance, misfeasance, and nonfeasance. In some instances, it legalizes actual theft of Indian property. Right now, a Tribal Task Force on Trust Reform is currently working with the Department of Interior on a trust fund proposal that, upon completion, will be submitted to the committees of jurisdiction for review. Let us let them finish their work, and we are working with them. I have been in contact with them, this Indian task force and the Department of the Interior. They are seeking a solution to this themselves. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment to strike these provisions from the Interior funding bill. Mr. Chairman, we spend $16 billion a year on foreign aid. Should we not at least be willing to render justice to our Native Americans at a much less cost when it is their own money?

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Chairman, as cochair of the Native American Caucus, I would like to express my strong opposition to provisions included in the fiscal year 2003 interior appropriations bill relating to establishing a commission on Native American policy. I support the bipartisan amendment of the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Hayworth), whose knowledge and concern of Indian matters is of the highest order, and his credentials among Indians are held in the highest regard. The commission proposed in this bill would address several areas including Indian gaming examined recently by the National Gambling Impact Study Commission. In 1996, Congress authorized $5 million to fund this study. In fact, since 1980, more than 70 federally funded reports have been published that address the same areas that the commission would study. Provisions similar to the amendment are included in H.R. 2244, a bill pending in the Committee on Resources, the committee of jurisdiction. These provisions will take Federal funds from badly needed Indian programs. The funding for the commission would come from the Bureau of Indian Affairs operation of Indian programs line item, which pays for welfare assistance payments, housing improvements, roads, education, tribal courts, law enforcement, and other programs that improve the quality of life and the economic potential of those on Indian reservations. Congress does not need another study to tell us that these programs require more funding, not less, to assist tribes and their members. Millions of Federal dollars have already been spent studying the same areas that the proposed commission would study. Congress should not waste taxpayers' dollars by duplicating studies on the same subject matter. Congress should not take Federal dollars from Federal programs designed to assist tribal governments that continue to suffer from high unemployment rates, inadequate educational systems, poor road conditions, and insufficient health care systems. I urge my colleagues to support the Hayworth amendment to strike these provisions.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Chairman, I think what we do with this language that we have in the bill is just invite new litigation with more cost to the government, because as soon as this becomes law, new litigation will break out because we are taking property unconstitutionally.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Chairman, may I make my next point then?

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this rule, and associate myself with the words of the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), the former chairman of the Committee on Resources. The Committee on Appropriations has breached rule XXI which forbids legislating on an appropriations bill. They have breached it in two places in a very delicate, complex area of Indian law which is under the jurisdiction of the Committee on Resources. We have been working on that area of law very carefully and over a number of years, and have within sight, I believe, a solution to the problems which they seek to address in this appropriations bill. I went to the Committee on Rules last night asking them not to protect these two breaches of rule XXI, but they would not give me that protection, would not give the House that protection. Therefore, I oppose this rule. I think this breach is an insult to the authorizing committee, and it is really an affront to the Native Americans of this country with whom we have worked closely on the Committee on Resources to resolve their problems.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor two dear friends, Tony and Muriel Mansour, who will join with family and friends this Saturday, June 29th to celebrate their fifty years of marriage. My wife, Gayle, and I want to add our congratulations to Tony and Muriel on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary. I have known the Mansour family since I was growing up on the east side of Flint, Michigan. The Mansour's lived one street over from the Kildee's, and the Mansour and Kildee children played together. Mr. Speaker, both Tony and Muriel have been active members of our community in the City of Flint and Genesee County for many years. Tony was a distinguished attorney for many years before being elected Genesee County Circuit Judge in 1968. He served with great distinction until he retired from the bench. In addition to resuming his successful law practice, Tony has been active in the Flint Rotary Club, being elected Club President in 1996. Tony is a past President of the Men's Club at Flint Holy Rosary Catholic Church and of the Knights of Columbus in Davison, Michigan. Tony has also been a leader in Flint's large and diverse Arab-American community, helping to found the Arab- American Heritage Council. Muriel has been active in her own right. She has served as president of Heartbeat of Flint, as well as president of the Flint chapter of the American Business Women's Association. Muriel has also served on numerous community organization boards including the Children's Museum of Flint, the Catholic Social Services, the Genesee County Bar Auxiliary, the Flint Osteopathic Hospital Auxiliary, and Allegro (the volunteers for the Flint Institute of Music). For the past eight years, Muriel has worked as a volunteer at the Genesee-Lapeer Chapter of the Red Cross. Mr. Speaker, the City of Flint and Genesee County is a much better place in which to live due to the efforts of Tony and Muriel Mansour. Gayle and I value them as dear friends and wish them well on the occasion of their golden wedding anniversary.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. KILDEE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, H.R. 4103, introduced by the chairman of the Committee on Resources, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen), would direct the Secretary of the Interior to transfer public land in Natrona County, Wyoming, to the Corporation of the Presiding Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It was on a part of this land, a site known as Martin's Cove, that a group of Mormon immigrants in 1856 took shelter from an early winter storm. Many died there in what is considered the single greatest loss of life as part of the western migration. Martin's Cove was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. It is located in close proximity to four national historic trails. The sale of this land, as proposed by H.R. 4103, has generated considerable public interest and concern. The Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands held hearings here in Washington, DC, and in Casper, Wyoming, to ensure public input on this matter. As a result of those hearings and other input that the Committee on Resources received, a number of changes were made to the bill to address legitimate concerns with the legislation. The changes made by the amendment adopted by the Committee on Resources involved altering the size of the parcel to be transferred, providing for an agreement that requires perpetual public access and historic preservation. The amendment also directs use of the proceeds of the sale. The form of these changes, Madam Speaker, go a long way in addressing the concerns that have been raised by some individuals and organizations. Madam Speaker, H.R. 4103 has the strong support of the ranking member of the Committee on Resources, the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall). I know the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall) joins me in looking forward to working with the chairman, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen), on sacred-sites legislation to also protect the cultural and spiritual aspects of lands important to Native Americans. Madam Speaker, I support this legislation; and I appreciate the efforts of the chairman and his staff on this bill. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I commend the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) for his continued and strong support of the preservation of Native American historic sites.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. KILDEE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, H.R. 3936, which was introduced by the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen), would designate a series of off-road vehicle trails on Federal, State and private land in north central Utah as a national trail. The Committee on Resources held a hearing on H.R. 3936 in April. While it was obvious from the hearing there was a measure of support for a trail designation in this area, there were also a number of issues and concerns that had been raised with the legislation regarding use and access. Madam Speaker, I want to compliment the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) and his staff for their willingness to work with the minority to address the concerns and issues raised with the bill. The amendment in the nature of a substitute that the Committee on Resources adopted contains language worked out with the minority. The amendment slightly alters the name of the trail, designates only routes that are currently open and eligible for ORV use, minimizes user conflicts, and eliminates conflicts with other trail laws and policies. I would note the change in the name of the trail to the James V. Hansen Shoshone National Trail. I am very pleased with the change in the name. The gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) is one of the finest Members of this body. The gentleman is a Member of great civility, a Member of great integrity, a gentleman whom I am proud to number among my personal friends. If we had more James Hansens in this House, we could get more done rather than sitting around shouting at each other. I am very pleased, as I say, to have him among my personal friends. The name change was the result of an amendment offered by the ranking member, the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall), who wanted to recognize the chairman for the work he has done on this and many other pieces of legislation. Madam Speaker, I believe that with the changes made by the Committee on Resources, we have a bill that everyone can support. I am pleased that the House will proceed to pass this legislation today. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. KILDEE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, H.R. 1906 was introduced by the gentlewoman from Hawaii (Mrs. Mink) and cosponsored by my colleague on the Committee on Resources, the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Abercrombie). The bill would amend the act that established the Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park in Hawaii to provide for the addition of important archaeological lands to the park. The park preserves an ancient sacred refuge or sanctuary site and includes numerous archaeological and historical resources dating back to 1100 A.D. It contains spectacular shore scenery as well. However, significant archaeological sites associated with the park remain outside the park boundary. H.R. 1906, as amended, is identical to S. 1057, which passed the Senate last year and has been referred to the Committee on Resources. H.R. 1906, as amended, adds 238 acres of land in the park and authorizes the future addition of another 159 acres upon acquisition. The lands added by H.R. 1906 would provide for the inclusion of an ancient coastal village within the park, an addition recommended by a 1992 boundary study. Madam Speaker, the language of H.R. 1906, as amended, is supported by the administration and members of the Hawaiian delegation. I also support the amended bill and urge its adoption by the House today. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Hawaii (Mrs. Mink).

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my strong support for H.R. 2880, the Five Nations Citizens Reform Act and the Hansen substitute. This legislation affects the restricted land allotments of citizens of the Cherokee, Creek, Seminole, Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations in Eastern Oklahoma. I want to thank the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Watkins) who arrived here in Congress with me a few years ago, the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Carson), the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen), the chairman of the Committee on Resources, and the ranking member, the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall) for their support and their efforts to bring this bill to the floor today. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this bill. Mr. Speaker, for more than 90 years the land allotment owners of the Five Tribes have been the object of special laws applicable to only their lands. These laws have afforded these lands much less protection than is afforded the trust allotments elsewhere in the United States. Under the current Federal law, the State courts of Oklahoma have jurisdiction over probating, petitioning and transferring restricted lands. This situation often places a great financial burden on Indian families who must hire private attorneys to probate estates or transfer interest in restricted land. For this reason, many estates in Eastern Oklahoma that include restricted lands are not being probated and land ownership has become increasingly fractionated. Elsewhere in the United States, the Department of Interior is responsible for probating estates, partitioning land and effecting other transactions involving allotted lands. This bill would do the same for the restricted allotments of the Five Tribes, and in general would give these allotments the same protection and treatments given allotted Indian lands in the rest of the United States. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and the Hansen substitute.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Chargers of Flint Powers Catholic High School, on winning the 2001-2002 Michigan High School Athletic Association Class B State girls basketball championship. The Chargers defended their 2000-2001 championship in a repeat of last year's final game, defeating the Detroit Country Day Yellowjackets 54-53. It was certainly an exciting game that showcased some of the best talent the state of Michigan has to offer. The Chargers are a true testament of what hard work, determination, and a passionate desire to win can accomplish. Under the guidance of 26-year Head Coach Kathy McGee, and Assistant Coaches Brad Terebinski, Betsy Kreston, and Kae Edison, the championship served as a wonderful finish to a remarkable year, marked with a perfect record of 28-0. In addition, the Michigan High School Coaches Association named Coach McGee Women's Basketball Coach of the Year. The Chargers' roster includes: seniors Rachael Carney, Rebekah Sirna, Ellen Tomek; juniors Brittney Brindley, Elizabeth Flemming, Jessica Guilbault, Michelle Landaal, Victoria Lucas-Perry, Shannon Rettenmund, Ann Skufca; sophomores Erin Carney, Lauren Goggins, Maddison Snow; and freshmen Tia Duncan, Cari Pigott. These young women, led by team captains Carney, Lucas-Perry, and Tomek, proved to be leaders in the classroom, the basketball court, and the community. They are all shining examples of the Lansing Diocese's strong commitment to success in all aspects of life. Mr. Speaker, I salute the accomplishments of the Powers Chargers, and share the joy of their victory with Powers students and alumni and especially the people in my hometown of Flint. I ask my colleagues in the 107th Congress to join me in congratulating these fine ladies.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Huskies of Pontiac Northern High School, on winning the 2001-2002 Michigan High School Athletic Association Class A State boys basketball championship. The Huskies defended their 2000-2001 championship by defeating the Detroit Redford Huskies 66-58 in the final game, becoming the 15th team in state history to win consecutive titles. It was certainly an exciting game that showcased some of the best talent the state of Michigan has to offer. The Huskies are a true testament of what hard work, determination, and a passionate desire to win can accomplish. Under the guidance of Head Coach Robert Rogers and Assistant Coaches Craig Covington, Phillip Dada, Kevin James, and Tim Webb, the championship served as a wonderful finish to a remarkable year, marked with a tremendous record of 23-4. The Huskies' roster includes: seniors Sean Moore, Dominique Hardiman, Derrick Ponder, David Stephens, Lester Abram, Debon Johnson; juniors Anthony Rogers, Bates Gay, Antonio Bones, Quan Dillahunty, James Smith, Mike Morris, Brian Abram; and sophomore John Cantrell. These young men, led by team captains Abram and Ponder, proved to be leaders in the classroom, the basketball court, and the community. They are all shining examples of the Pontiac School District's strong commitment to success in all aspects of life. Mr. Speaker, I salute the accomplishments of the Northern Huskies, and share the joy of their victory with Northern students and alumni and especially the people of Pontiac. I ask my colleagues in the 107th Congress to join me in congratulating these fine gentlemen.