Dennis Kucinich

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Ed Keating Center, a Northeast Ohio organization dedicated to helping those who are recovering from alcohol and drug addiction. The Ed Keating Center was founded in 1998 by Jack Mulhall, Phyllis Eisele-Curran and Dennis Eckersley. The Ed Keating Center is named for Edward J. Keating, a legendary sports agent, who conquered his own alcoholism, and is remembered for providing a chance at sober living to the most destitute of those addicted to alcohol and drugs. The Ed Keating Center is a non-profit organization and sober living facility for those addicted to drugs and alcohol that serves adults regardless of their financial well-being. It offers a six month in- house rehab program, a three-quarter house program and a work release program for its patients. At any given time, the Ed Keating Center is home to about 150 men and women. The Center's driving principles are that a chance for sober living should be available to any man or women with a sincere determination to overcome their alcoholism or addiction, without regard for their ability to pay. The Center also survives solely on the donations and support of individuals and organizations who believe in communities helping themselves. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in the important work performed by the Ed Keating Center.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. KUCINICH. I yield back the remainder of my time.

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. To my friend, Mr. Hastings, the technology which created the bomb cannot be separated from the horror which the bomb created. The celebration of the technology of the bomb bespeaks a moral blindness to its effects, which include not only the devastation of the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, but the $10 trillion Cold War between the U.S. and Russia and the tens of thousands of nuclear weapons which today hang over the world like so many swords of Damocles. At a time when we should be organizing the world towards abolishing nuclear weapons before they abolish us, we are instead indulging in admiration at our cleverness as a species. The bomb is about graveyards; it's not about national parks. The philosopher, Alfred North Whitehead once wrote: The major advances in civilization are processes that all but wreck the societies in which they occur. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KUCINICH. I shall continue then. When you walk into the Bradbury Science Museum at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, you're greeted on your immediate left by replicas of Fat Man and Little Boy, the two bombs that dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The space surrounding them does not include a picture of the leveled Japanese cities, pictures of children with massive birth defects, or stories of families and hundreds of years of history obliterated in the blink of an eye. It does not include a discussion of the health effects of worldwide distribution of radiation from the bombs or from the larger proliferation of nuclear technology that emanated from Los Alamos. I am speaking about the Bradbury Science Museum. The bombs reside in a section of the museum called Defense, which presents information on the nuclear arsenal, the nuclear stockpile, plutonium, and explosives. Other sections discuss how nuclear energy works and how the bomb was triggered, how the bomb was triggered. A substantive discussion of the myriad negative impacts of the technology that came out of the Manhattan Project is relegated to obscurity. A public forum tucked away in a corner provides space for public input. When the U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August of 1945, more than 200,000 people were killed instantly. In the years that followed, over 100,000 additional people died of radiation poisoning. The Japanese people today continue to experience the devastating and long-term effects of the bomb. It is now widely acknowledged by many top U.S. Government officials at the time of the war that dropping the bomb on Japan was completely unnecessary. I want to get into that section at this moment so that those who say, well, we need to create a memorial to the bomb because it ended the war, well, that's not true. I'm going to give you some quotes, Mr. Speaker. This is from Dwight David Eisenhower, who was general of the armies and also, later on, President of the United States. He said: In July 1945, Secretary of War Stimson, visiting my headquarters in Germany, informed me that our government was preparing to drop an atomic bomb on Japan. I was one of those who felt that there were a number of cogent reasons to question the wisdom of such an act. The Secretary, upon giving me the news of the successful bomb test in New Mexico and of the plan for using it, asked for my reaction, apparently expecting a vigorous assent. During his recitation of the relevant facts, I had been conscious of a feeling of depression, and so I voiced to him my grave misgivings, first on the basis of my belief that Japan was already defeated and that dropping the bomb was completely unnecessary, and secondly because I thought that our country should avoid shocking world opinion by the use of a weapon whose employment was, I thought, no longer mandatory as a measure to save American lives. It was my belief that Japan was, at that very moment, seeking some way to surrender with a minimum loss of ``face.'' The Secretary was deeply perturbed by my attitude. That's Dwight Eisenhower in a book called ``Mandate for Change,'' page 360. From General Douglas MacArthur. Norman Cousins was a consultant to General MacArthur during the American occupation of Japan. Cousins writes of his conversations with MacArthur: MacArthur's views about the decision to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were starkly different from what the general public supposed. Cousins continues: When I asked General MacArthur about the decision to drop the bomb, I was surprised to learn he had not even been consulted. What, I asked, would his advice have been? He replied that he saw no military justification for the dropping of the bomb. The war might have ended weeks earlier, he said, if the United States had agreed, as it later did anyway, to the retention of the institution of the Emperor. That's from a book called ``The Pathology of Power,'' Norman Cousins. Leo Szilard was the first scientist to conceive of how an atomic bomb might be made. That was in 1933. He speaks of a meeting with J. Robert Oppenheimer, the head scientist of the Manhattan Project: Szilard: I told Oppenheimer that I thought it would be a very serious mistake to use the bomb against the cities of Japan. Oppenheimer didn't share my views. Well, said Oppenheimer, don't you think that if we tell the Russians what we intend to do and then use the bomb in Japan, the Russians will understand it? They'll understand it only too well, Szilard replied. Brigadier General Carter Clarke, who was the military intelligence officer in charge of preparing intercepted Japanese cables: We didn't need to do it, and we knew we didn't need to do it, and they knew that we didn't need to do it, we used them as an experiment for two atomic bombs. This is quoted in Gar Alperovitz, ``The Decision to Use the Atomic Bomb.'' Alperovitz, by the way, who did 30 years of research on the subject, said: I think it can be proven that the bomb not only was unnecessary, but known in advance not to be necessary. Another quote. Henry H. Arnold, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Air Forces: The Japanese position was hopeless even before the first atomic bomb fell because the Japanese had lost control of their own air. Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander in Chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet: The Japanese had, in fact, already sued for peace. The atomic bomb played no decisive part from a purely military point of view in the defeat of Japan. The use of atomic bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki was of no material assistance in our war against Japan. The Japanese were already defeated and ready to surrender. This is Admiral William D. Leahy, chief of staff to President Truman: Certainly, prior to 31 December 1945, and in all probability, prior to 1 November 1945, Japan would have surrendered even if atomic bombs had not been dropped. That's from the U.S. Strategic Bombing Survey. This is from Major General Curtis LeMay: The war would have been over in 2 weeks without the Russians entering and without the atomic bomb. The atomic bomb had nothing to do with the end of the war at all. Now it's just not disputable that this technology was not necessary. So let's go back to the creation of a national park and the naming of the park after the Manhattan Project. May I ask how much time I have?

Mr. KUCINICH. Thank you. We have to now ask ourselves, since it can be widely disputed--and by top military officials--that the dropping of the bomb was not necessary, then why are we honoring this technology with a national park? It's really a legitimate question. When the U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August of 1945, again, 200,000 people were killed. And to have this discussion in the context of honoring a technology that created a bomb, I think, really raises questions about where we are with this country and where we are with the bomb. The splitting of the atom and the use of the split atom to create an atomic bomb actually bespeaks a split consciousness in this country. It was, in a sense, an intensification of dichotomized thinking, of us versus them, whoever they are. We then decided that all of our problems in humanity could be solved by technology, that the bomb then was put in place of reason, that the bomb was put in place of diplomacy, that the bomb was put in place of talking with each other and settling our differences. No, the bomb then became the metaphor for how technology rules over humanity. We're captives of our own machines. Now, Mr. Speaker, I remember as a young person going to elementary school and that children would have to do drills called duck-and-cover because we believed that the United States was going to be targeted by nuclear weapons launched by the Soviet Union. The fear drove an entire generation's dreams. The fear caused the United States to spend trillions of dollars on a Cold War that took away from the needs of the people. The fear resides in the world today when there are some who urge an attack on Iran. Why? Because they are said to be developing a nuclear weapon. Where does this stop? We cannot honor this technology. We cannot celebrate ingenuity that was used to put all of humanity at risk. We have to begin to reassess who we are as human beings and ask ourselves whether or not we have essentially reached the limits of our ability to develop technology which we can control. And it's not only about nuclear weapons. When you learn that the globe itself is experiencing tremendous upset because of the human activity, when you learn that science can now create genetically modified organisms that can change the nature of food. As a matter of fact, life itself can be changed through cloning. We act as these mini gods who can endlessly tinker with our planet and life itself and then name parks after it. No. In the scheme of things, someone will say, Dennis, this is just a park. What are you getting so excited about? This is about naming a new national park after the Manhattan Project. And we have to just stop and reflect on where this takes us. There should be a discussion about the full legacy of the Manhattan Project, including its devastating effects upon the Japanese people and upon the rest of the world. If there was going to be a new park, it should serve as a solemn monument to Japanese American friendship that rose from the ashes and the worldwide work for nuclear disarmament that continues to this day, rather than a celebration of a technology that has brought such destruction to the world. Failure to recognize this dimension, even in its first iteration, really is a significant injustice. I looked at the CRS report on this, and there's no mention of how this is going to be framed or phrased. The museum at Los Alamos is a celebration of the triumph of technology over humanity. It's a powerful illustration that we're developing technology at a rate that far exceeds our ability to manage it. Now we are faced with the choice to memorialize this point of view into a national park. I would ask how much time I have left.

Mr. KUCINICH. In the last 4\1/2\ minutes I want to read a poem by Henry Reed. He juxtaposes in this poem Japan before the dropping of the bomb and the technical aspects of the bomb itself. It's called ``The Naming of Parts'': Today we have the naming of parts. Yesterday, we had daily cleaning. And tomorrow morning, we shall have what to do after firing. But today, today we have the naming of parts. Japonica glistens like coral in all of the neighboring gardens, and today we have naming of parts. This is the lower sling swivel. And this is the upper sling swivel, whose use you will see when you are given your slings. And this is the piling swivel, which in your case you have not got. The branches hold in the gardens their silent, eloquent gestures, which in our case we have not got. This is the safety-catch, which is always released with an easy flick of the thumb. And please do not let me see anyone using his finger. You can do it quite easily if you have any strength in your thumb. The blossoms are fragile and motionless, never letting anyone see any of them using their finger. And this, you can see, is the bolt. The purpose of this is to open the breech, as you see. We can slide it rapidly backwards and forwards: we call this easing the spring. And rapidly backwards and forwards. The early bees are assaulting and fumbling the flowers: They call it easing the spring. We're naming a park today. Yesterday we had the naming of parts, and not just Japan but our humanity was obliterated. Do we get a chance to reclaim it? I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Cleveland City Councilwoman Phyllis Cleveland, who has been serving the Ward 5 community since being elected to the Cleveland City Council in 2005. Councilwoman Cleveland has been a longtime resident of the community which she now represents, which includes the Central, North Broadway and Kinsman Union neighborhoods. The Councilwoman has spent her life in public and community service, working for the Cleveland Tenants Organization advocating for fair and affordable housing for Cuyahoga County residents. In 2009, Councilwoman Cleveland was chosen by Council President Martin J. Sweeney to serve as Majority Leader in the City Council. Councilwoman Cleveland's goal for Ward 5 has always been to build a strong connection between residents and the community by keeping the neighborhood safe, clean, and affordable. To do this, she has supported programs to clear the city of vacant and abandoned housing, replacing it with new houses and businesses. She has continued the community and economic development started by Mayor Frank G. Jackson when he was the Ward 5 Councilman. Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honoring the accomplishments of Councilwoman Phyllis Cleveland.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Senator Nina Turner of Ohio's 25th Senate District. Senator Turner began her political career as a legislative aide in the Ohio Senate, followed by her tenure on the administration of former Cleveland Mayor Michael R. White. After working in the Mayor's office, she went on to advocate for city school children as Director of Government Affairs for the Cleveland Municipal School District. She was later elected as the first woman to represent Ward 1 in Cleveland's City Council. While serving in Ohio's 25th Senate District, Senator Turner has served as Senate Minority Whip and Ranking Member of the State and Local Government and Veterans Affairs Committee. She is a board member of the Great Lakes Science Center, the United Way of Greater Cleveland, and the Cleveland Police Foundation. Senator Turner has also been recognized three years in row by Inside Business Magazine as one of the ``Power 100: Northeast Ohio's Most Influential People.'' A first generation college graduate, Senator Turner stresses the importance of hard work and education. She not only supports education through legislation, she also serves as a professor of history at Cuyahoga Community College and a mentor to students and young people throughout the Greater Cleveland area. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the achievements of Ohio Senator Nina Turner.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Councilman Zack Reed, who has been representing the residents of the Mt. Pleasant and Kinsman neighborhoods in Ward 2 on Cleveland's City Council since 2000. Councilman Reed grew up in the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood of Cleveland. He began his career in public service working with local unions to help inner-city youth find jobs with the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Youth Apprenticeship Program. Throughout his time in office, Councilman Reed has focused on the revitalization of the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood and the safety of its residents. He was an active advocate for the zero tolerance for crime policy, gun buybacks and an increase in support for Cleveland police officers. Reed has also worked closely with community leaders in his neighborhood to revitalize small businesses and create an environment that supports economic development. Councilman Reed has been a strong advocate of workforce equality for the diverse population of Cleveland and has been an active member of the National Black Caucus of Local Officials. His work in the community has resulted in the rebuilding of a local elementary school and senior center along with the cleanup and development of the community. Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honoring the achievements of Councilman Zach Reed.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Dan Brady, a member of the Cuyahoga County Council serving the Third District. Dan Brady is a native of Cleveland, Ohio and has been active in public service for many years. He earned a degree in political science and history from Ohio University. He served on the Cleveland City Council from 1986 to 1996 before serving one term in the Ohio House of Representatives from 1996 to 1998. He left the Ohio House of Representatives to run for a seat in the Ohio Senate, in which he served until 2006. He was elected to the position of minority whip in the Ohio Senate in 2001. He now serves on the Cuyahoga County Council representing the Third District. Dan Brady's accomplishments make him a remarkable figure in state and local government. As a member of the Cleveland City Council, Dan helped manage the expansion of Cleveland Public Power. In the Ohio House of Representatives, he supported the Beck Center for the Performing Arts and opposed legislation that would have reduced benefits to injured workers. In the Ohio Senate, he fought for legislation to reduce the risk of HIV among hospital workers working with needles. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring Dan Brady, a member of the Cuyahoga County Council who is dedicated to serving the citizens of Cuyahoga County and the State of Ohio.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Councilman Kenneth L. Johnson, who has been serving Ward 4 on the Cleveland City Council since 1980. Councilman Johnson has served Cleveland with a focus on enriching Cleveland youth through recreational and academic programs. He is responsible for starting free overnight summer and winter camping trips where youth from the city have the opportunity to experience different environments. Johnson has always been an outspoken believer in quality recreational activities for young people to help them learn important lifelong leadership and social skills. Along with working for the Cleveland youth, Councilman Johnson has supported bringing new jobs to Cleveland through development and investment in the community. He has strived to give those seeking work new opportunities by starting computer training programs across the city. He also began a volunteer street cleaning, tree cutting, and overall beautification program for senior citizens and disabled residents in his ward. Councilman Johnson has been the only Council Member in Cleveland history to have a building named after him while still holding office. The Kenneth L. Johnson Recreation Center was dedicated in October 2001 and has established an area for young people to gather and develop in a healthy environment. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the hard work and dedication Councilman Kenneth L. Johnson has shown serving the Cleveland community.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Senator Michael J. Skindell of Ohio's 23rd Senate District. Senator Skindell graduated cum laude with a B.A. in business and political science from Walsh College before earning his law degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. Upon graduation, he served under Attorney General Anthony J. Celebrezze as an Assistant Attorney General. After providing legal representation to the Director of Health, serving as a hearing officer for the Ohio department of Health, and beginning his own practice, Senator Skindell turned to public service, becoming a councilman for Lakewood from 1998 to 2002. He was then elected to the Ohio House of Representatives for Ohio's 13th House district where he served four terms until being elected to the Ohio Senate. Throughout his career, the Senator has been known to advocate for protections for the consumer, more affordable prescription drug coverage, protecting the environment, providing opportunities for working class and poor families, universal health care and developing Ohio's renewable energy resources. Currently, he serves on the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, Lakewood Democratic Club, and Cuyahoga Democratic Party. Senator Skindell has been recognized as Environmental Legislator of the Year in 2004, Legislative Champion of Children by the American Academy of Pediatrics and Voices for Ohio Children, and the Legislator of the Year Award from the Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers in 2007. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the achievements of Senator Michael J. Skindell.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of EcoWatch, a non- profit organization that focuses exclusively on news from the grassroots environmentalist movement. Founded in 2006 by Stefanie Penn Spear, EcoWatch is a Cleveland-based non-profit organization dedicated to uniting the voice of the grassroots environmental movement on their website, EcoWatch.org. The EcoWatch website is a dedicated and neutral platform for nearly 1,000 grassroots environmental organizations that helps transform the ability of individuals to learn about environmental issues and take action. This news service provides timely access to relevant information that motivates individuals to become engaged in their community, adopt sustainable practices and support strong environmental policy. In addition to the website, EcoWatch's Next Generation program encourages students to be good stewards of the planet by providing free copies of the EcoWatch Journal to teachers of grades 6-12. On Friday, September 14, 2012, EcoWatch will be celebrating its Fourth Annual Green Gala at Cleveland, Ohio's Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. The event will feature the Blue Sky Riders, which is comprised of musicians Kenny Loggins, Georgia Middleman and Gary Burr. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognizing EcoWatch, a group dedicated to uniting and giving a voice to grassroots environmentalists.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Czech Catholics of Greater Cleveland on the occasion of their 89th Annual Feast of St. Wenceslaus on September 29, 2012 at St. John Nepomucene Parish. St. Wenceslaus is the patron saint of the Czech Republic. Every year, his feast day, September 28th, is celebrated by Czech communities around the world. St. Wenceslaus was the leader of Old Bohemia during the early part of the 10th Century. During his tenure as king, St. Wenceslaus took a vow of chastity and was devoted to his Christian faith. Killed by his brother, St. Wenceslaus was later canonized as a martyr of the Christian faith. St. John Nepomucene is one of only two Czech congregations left in the Cleveland Catholic Diocese, along with Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. The Czech Catholics of Greater Cleveland will gather together on September 29th for mass featuring the Most Reverend Bishop Roger W. Gries and will be followed by a celebration dinner and performance by the Hronek Czech Band. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognition of the Czech Catholics of Greater Cleveland on the occasion of their 89th Annual Feast of St. Wenceslaus. I offer my best wishes to the Czech Catholics of Greater Cleveland and all those who attend this joyous celebration.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of newsman James M. Naughton who died at the age of 73 from complications of prostate cancer. He is survived by his wife Diana, three daughters, one son, and four grandchildren. Mr. Naughton was born in Painesville, Ohio and earned his college degree from the University of Notre Dame while working summers at the local newspaper, The Painesville Telegraph. Upon his graduation in 1960, he served as a lieutenant in the Marine Corps for two years. In 1962, Naughton found himself back in Ohio writing about politics and urban affairs for the Cleveland Plain Dealer--a job he held for seven years. From 1969 to 1977, Mr. Naughton worked at the New York Times as a White House and national correspondent covering the Nixon, Ford and Carter eras. During his tenure on the Times, he covered such stories as when Senator Muskie emotionally responded to a New Hampshire newspaper's attack aimed at his wife, former Vice President Agnew's admission of tax evasion in order to avoid bribery charges, and the Congressional impeachment hearings that arose out of the Nixon Watergate scandal. He later served as executive editor of The Philadelphia Inquirer during the time they earned 18 Pulitzers in 17 years, and from 1996 to 2003, Naughton served as the President of the Poynter Institute for Media Studies in St. Petersburg, FL where he eventually retired. Jim Naughton was a ``prank loving'' reporter with a witty spirit. He was known for showing up to a presidential news conference wearing the head of a chicken costume, and often placed a wide variety of animals in his colleagues' offices; he always believed such a mischievous spirit provided for an atmosphere of creativity and cohesion. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the life and achievements of James M. Naughton.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 10th anniversary of Milestones Autism Organization, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families. Founded in 2003 by parents to promote life-long strategies for success for individuals with autism, Milestones Autism Organization has assisted more than 4,000 individuals throughout the past decade. Milestones trains parents and professionals using research-based techniques in order to improve the level of educational and therapeutic programming available for individuals with autism. Milestones offers parent workshops and training, professional development programs, school team training, consultation services, hosts an annual Autism/ Asperger's conference, and has launched a professional network, the Milestones Consortium for Autism Professionals. As Milestones Autism Organization celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, a special tribute will be given to its founding board members, Chantal Akerib, Bart Bookatz, Carol Lader and Sally H. Wertheim. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognizing a decade of training and support provided by the Milestones Autism Organization.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, in 1992, the Food and Drug Administration decided that genetically modified organisms were the functional equivalent of conventional foods. They arrived at this decision without testing GMOs for allergenicity, toxicity, antibiotic resistance, and functional characteristics. As a result, hundreds of millions of acres of GMO crops were planted in America without the knowledge or consent of the American people, no safety testing, no long-term health studies. The FDA has received over a million comments from citizens demanding labeling of GMOs. Ninety percent of Americans agree. Why no labeling? I'll give you one reason. The influence and the corruption of the political process by Monsanto. Monsanto has been a prime mover in GMO technology, a multimillion dollar GMO lobby here and a major political contributor. There is a chance that Monsanto's grip will be broken in California, where a GMO labeling initiative is on the ballot. Here in Congress my legislation, H.R. 3553, will provide for a national labeling bill. Americans have a right to know if their food is genetically engineered. It's time for labeling. It's time for people to know how their food is being produced.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. I certainly join with my colleagues in mourning the passing, under tragic circumstances, of Ambassador Stevens, as well as the deaths of Sean Smith and security officers Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty, as well as all those who were injured. I think that all of us can agree that what happened to Ambassador Stevens and the rest of the diplomatic staff should concern everyone, concern all Americans. These attacks were wrong, and it's appropriate that we honor Ambassador Stevens. The resolution, as I read it, is not complete, though, because this discussion that we're having here on the floor is missing some elements; and I'd like to bring them forward right now. We have to ask the question: Why was that consulate in Benghazi, Libya, so lightly defended to begin with? Did anyone know that Benghazi was still a flash point? I mean, we overthrew the government. Did anyone know that when the government fell, al Qaeda's flag was flying over Benghazi? Did anyone know about al Qaeda's presence in Libya that came after the war? That would have been a constant factor to be mindful of with respect to protecting those who serve. Why wasn't more care given to protect U.S. personnel? The other thing is, there were warnings in diplomatic circles, specifically with respect to Libya, because of the ferment that has been going on in the broader Muslim world. These are concerns that should be discussed by the Congress. It doesn't take away anything from the sacrifice that was given, but we have to ask some questions here. We also have to be aware that U.S. policy in Libya is murky at best and a huge mistake at worst. We had debates on this floor about Libya, and we know that Congress was not consulted. The current issue of Vanity Fair is worth the attention of every Member of Congress because it made it abundantly clear on what is a prime constitutional responsibility of Congress. Article I, section 8, the power to declare war, was essentially usurped by the administration. This is not a small matter. Would we have been in Libya if Congress had had an upfront vote immediately? Two days ago, we celebrated Constitution Day. Are we celebrating the Constitution every day or just one day? There are consequences for not following the Constitution; there are consequences for our citizens here at home and citizens abroad. This needs to be brought up in the context of this debate. We cannot pretend that United States policy--which often lacks congressional involvement--with drones flying over Yemen and Somalia and Pakistan and Afghanistan and innocents killed, that there's not going to be blow-back or a backlash. It is wrong for any of our people to have their lives on the line where they lose their lives. It's awful. I stand here today in support of this resolution only because I want to be on record as joining my colleagues on this matter of making sure that we pay tribute to those whose lives were put on the line for this country. But let me tell you, we cannot ignore the deeper questions here: Why wasn't that consulate well defended? We cannot ignore the question: Why wasn't Congress consulted on the decision to go to war against Libya? There are consequences for these things. The whole country should mourn Ambassador Stevens' death and the deaths of all of those who proudly serve this country who were taken in this fit of outrage that swept across Libya, but we need to remember a few other things too about how we got there and why those people who put their lives on the line to serve, why their lives were put in jeopardy.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. I condemn all the violence that has been talked about here, and I also had the opportunity years ago to visit the synagogue in Buenos Aires that was the subject of that attack, and I paid my respects. I want to say that as I've heard this debate, there are two things that occur to me: number one, Congress has a right to ask for reports. It's our constitutional obligation to find out what the administration is doing. I support Congress' right to get information. But at the same time, when the debate takes us in a direction to where suddenly we're at odds with Latin America, it is an argument for Congress to take a strong stand for diplomacy. I hope that as we get these reports, that we're going to underscore the importance of diplomacy not only with respect to Latin America, but also with respect to Iran. The American people do not want another war, and we need diplomacy to take us in a direction that makes war not likely.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Mayor Frank G. Jackson, the 56th Mayor of Cleveland, for being named the 2012 Black Professional of the Year by the Black Professionals Association Charitable Foundation (BPACF). Born and raised in Cleveland's Central neighborhood, Mayor Jackson attended Cleveland Public Schools. Upon graduating from Max S. Hayes High School, he served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Mayor Jackson later earned an associate's degree from Cuyahoga Community College and a bachelor's degree in History and Urban Studies from Cleveland State University (CSU). He also would earn a master's and law degree from CSU. Prior to taking on his role as Mayor of Cleveland, Jackson held a number of roles in public service. He began his career in the Cleveland Municipal Court Clerk's Office as an Assistant City Prosecutor. Mayor Jackson was first elected to public office in 1989 as a Cleveland City Councilman. He served the residents of Cleveland's 5th Ward in his capacity as a councilman until 2005. He also served as the Cleveland City Council President from 2002 to 2005 before being elected as the Mayor of Cleveland. He took office in January 2006, dedicating the past several years of his life to the residents of the City of Cleveland. As Mayor of Cleveland, Jackson has made strong contributions to the advancement of equality and has worked tirelessly to increase opportunities for the economically and socially disadvantaged. Mayor Jackson has supported subsidized affordable housing in Cleveland to ensure everyone has a roof over their heads. Moreover he has labored to include low income Clevelanders in the decision-making process, rather than alienating them. Additionally he is focused on improving the education experience of students in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District; safety conditions for residents by improving the relationship between local law enforcement and the community; and tirelessly working on the continued economic development of the City of Cleveland. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in congratulating Mayor Frank Jackson on being named the 2012 Black Professional of the Year.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 100th anniversary of Cleveland Catholic Charities. Cleveland Catholic Charities was first established by Cleveland Diocese's Bishop John Farrelly in 1912 as a response to the failing institutions that were designed to assist those in need and Cleveland's orphans. Throughout the past century, Cleveland Catholic Charities has expanded their services to encompass children, adolescents, families, seniors, people with disabilities and the impoverished and homeless. Meal delivery, transportation services, adult day activities, substance abuse support groups, parenting classes, job placement training, and mental health counseling are among a sampling of the programs provided. Today, the nearly 2,000 employees of Cleveland Catholic Charities work to build a just and compassionate society that respects the dignity of every person. Though Cleveland Catholic Charities' impact on Northeast Ohioans is immeasurable, in the last year alone 330,000 people were served, 100,000 emergency services were provided and more than three million meals were served. The centennial celebration of Cleveland Catholic Charities will be held on Saturday, September 15, 2012 and will feature the Inaugural Class of the Hall of Hope which includes Bishop John P. Farrelly (Bishop of Cleveland 1909-1921); Bishop Charles H. LeBlond (First Director of Charity in the Diocese of Cleveland, 1912-1933); Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine; Rev. Walter H. Jenne (Secretary for Social Concerns in the Diocese of Cleveland, 1980-1994); and J. Thomas Mullen (Secretary of Catholic Charities Health and Human Services, 1994-2010). Additionally, the event will include a special tribute to the Most Reverend Anthony M. Pilla, Bishop Emeritus, as the ``Man of the Century'' in recognition of his unwavering support of Catholic Charities. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognizing the 100th anniversary of Cleveland Catholic Charities.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF). Established in 1981 by a group of Holocaust survivors, FIDF is committed to providing for the wellbeing of those who serve in the Israel Defense Forces. It initiates and helps support educational, social, cultural and recreational programs and facilities for the young men and women soldiers of Israel, as well as the families of fallen soldiers. FIDF's headquarters is located in New York City, but also has 14 regional offices in the United States and one office in Panama. The Ohio Chapter of FIDF was established in 1995 and is led by co- chairs, Richard Sodof and Elie Weiss. On September 11, 2012, the Ohio Chapter of FIDF honored Mr. Robert Goldberg at its Gala Dinner. Mr. Goldberg is currently the Chairman of the Cleveland American Israel Public Affairs Committee. He is an active member of his Israeli and Cleveland communities. Due to his dedication to the Jewish community, Mr. Goldberg has been the recipient of several awards including the Tree of Life Award, Jewish Community Federation Leadership Award, Eisenmann Award and Young Leadership Award. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognizing Mr. Robert Goldberg and the Ohio Chapter of the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of David Greenspan, a member of the Cuyahoga County Council serving the First District. Greenspan is a native of Atlanta, Georgia and has lived in Cuyahoga County for the past three years. While living in the Atlanta suburb of Sandy Springs, David served on a committee that organized the incorporation of the new city. In Atlanta, David worked for Atlanta Olympic Broadcasting, Turner Media Consultants, and the PGA TOUR Radio Network. David currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer for LeanStream Media, Inc. and is also the Managing Partner of Green Elk Consulting Services, LLC. His bachelor's degree in Accounting and Business Administration from Troy University, in addition to his work experience in business and finance, has made him an asset to the Cuyahoga County Council. David is also a member of the Government Relations Committee for the Beck Center for the Performing Arts and Glen's Homeowners Association, and has recently held positions on the City of Westlake's Board of Zoning Appeals. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring David Greenspan, a member of the Cuyahoga County Council serving the First District.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Councilman Terrell Pruitt, who is currently serving as the representative for Ward 1 on the Cleveland City Council. Councilman Pruitt has been representing Ward 1, which includes the Lee-Harvard and Miles neighborhoods on the southeast side of Cleveland, since 2008. Since coming to office, the Councilman has focused on the continued development of his community. He has worked tirelessly to maintain a safe community in which Clevelanders can thrive while making constituent services a top priority. Councilman Pruitt has been a strong advocate of education and understands the impact that it can have on a community. He has maintained a close relationship with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and supports policies that will increase the quality of education in the District. He has volunteered his time and service to the Governor's Close the Gap Campaign which helps supports students at the local high school to ensure their educational success. Along with his support of education, Councilman Pruitt continues to work towards ensuring a positive job outlook for his constituents by providing job training and continuing education opportunities. Outside of his position as Councilman, Pruitt served tours in Afghanistan, led hurricane relief missions in Louisiana and serves as the Captain in the Ohio Army National Guard. Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honoring Cleveland City Councilman Terrell Pruitt.