Dennis Kucinich

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. I rise in support of this amendment. I think the American consumers have a right to know where the food they are consuming comes from and where it is made. I mean, think about this. Any of us here could look at the labels on our own clothes and know where the country of origin is. Why should we not be able to have that right when it comes to the food we consume? This is not only a matter of right to know. It is a matter of assuring that American agriculture will be able to have the full impact and benefit from the American market because American consumers prefer American agriculture. We have got to make sure that American agriculture has the support that it needs. Indeed, we are talking here about an agriculture bill. This idea of right-to-know and protection of the market are only some of the reasons why so many consumer groups and so many farmer groups across this country promote this country of origin labeling amendment. I want to cite the following in the time that I have remaining as groups that are supportive of this legislation so there can be no mistake about it, notwithstanding the remarks that have been made here that there is plenty of support for country of origin labeling across the country: The Alabama Farmers Federation, the American Agriculture Movement, Incorporated, the American Agriculture Movement of Arkansas, the American Agriculture Movement of Oklahoma, the American Corn Growers Association, the American Corn Growers Association of Nebraska, the American Meat Goat Association, the Arkansas Farmers Union, the Baker County Livestock Association, the Beartooth Stock Association, the Bitter Root Stockgrowers Association, the Bull Mountain Land Alliance, the Burleigh County Farm Bureau, the Calaveras County Cattlemen's Association, the California Farmers Union, the California National Farmers Organization, the Campaign to Reclaim Rural America, the Carbon County Stockgrowers Association all support country of origin labeling. The C.A.S.A. del Llano, the Catfish Farmers of America, the Center for Rural Affairs, the Cochise-Graham Cattle Growers Association, the Consumer Federation of America all support country of origin labeling. Crazy Mountain Stockgrowers Association, Dakota Resource Council, Dakota Rural Action, Dawson Resource Council, Dunlap Livestock Auction, Eagle County Cattlemen's Association, Eastern Montana Angus Association, Fall River and Big Valley Cattlemen's Association, Fillmore County Cattlemen's Association, Florida Farm Bureau Federation, Florida Farmers, Incorporated, Florida Fruit and Vegetables Association, Florida Tomato Exchange, Georgia Peanut Commission, Georgia Poultry Justice, Glacial Ridge Cattlemen's Association all support country of origin labeling. The Grant County Cattlemen's Association, Grant County Stockgrowers Association, Holy Cross Cattlemen's Association, Houston Company Cattlemen's Association, the Idaho Farmers Union, the Illinois Farmers Union all support country of origin labeling. The Independent Cattlemen's Association of Texas, the Indiana Farmers Union, the Indiana National Farmers Organization, the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, the Iowa Farmers Union all support country of origin labeling. Just Food, Kansas Cattlemen's Association, Kansas Farmers Union, Kansas Hereford Association, Kemper County Farm Bureau, Kern County Cattlemen's Association, Kit Carson County Cattlemen's Association, Land Stewardship Project, the Lincoln County Stockmans Association all support country of origin labeling. The Livestock Marketing Association, the Madera County Cattlemen's Association, the Malheur County Cattlemen's Association, the McCone Agricultural Protection Organization, the Merced-Mariposa Cattlemen's Association, the Michigan Farmers Union, the Minnesota Farmers Union, the Missouri Farmers Union all support country of origin labeling. The Missouri National Farmers Organization, the Missouri Rural Crisis Center, the Missouri Stockgrowers Association, the Modoc County Cattlemen's Association, the Montana Agri-Women, the Montana Cattlemen's Association, the Montana Farmers Union all support country of origin labeling. The Montana National Farmers Organization, the Montana Stockgrowers' Association, the National Association of Farmer Elected Committees, the National Catholic Rural Life Conference, the National Consumers League all support country of origin labeling, and there is dozens and dozens more. Support this amendment.

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment. I think it is important for the House to understand that what we are talking about here is trying to assist minority farmers to be able to get experts in the field to help them obtain the best technology and environmental improvements in farming, to be able to be more competitive. We know that, historically, whenever family farmers are having difficulties, it is always the minority farmers who find it most troubling to be able to survive. This bill, when the work was being done, discovered a disturbing discrepancy for funding our Nation's land grant colleges of agriculture between funding for those land grant institutions established in 1890, all of which are historically black colleges and universities, and those established in 1962, which are predominantly non-minority. I think the sponsors of this are trying to do the right thing in making sure that the inequities that have been long-standing and historic are addressed and that efforts are made in these difficult times to be able to establish fairness. Because this really is a question of fairness, whether or not we are going to be able to have an agricultural program that is going to make sure that minorities who have worked very hard to try to establish a place in agriculture will have available to them the kind of expertise that is available to many farmers generally. So I rise in support of this amendment, and I urge Members to do likewise.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of Esperanza, Inc. of Cleveland, as they celebrate 20 years of educational assistance and support within the Hispanic community of Cleveland. I also stand to recognize Esperanza's celebration of their 13th Annual Fiesta of Hope. Esperanza, Inc. is the only nonprofit organization in Ohio dedicated to the promotion and advancement of Hispanic education. This organization attracts hundreds of volunteers who tutor, mentor, and provide scholarship assistance to students of all ages. Since its formation in 1983, Esperanza, Inc. has celebrated its diversity through a yearly ``fiesta.'' Every year, the leaders and members of Esperanza, Inc. awards dozens of scholarships that provide critically needed financial assistance to students. Esperanza, Inc. focuses their resources, time and talents in promoting the most vital component of a productive and healthy individual and a productive and healthy society--educational opportunities for all. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition of Esperanza, Inc. of Cleveland. For the past 20 years, this significant agency has uplifted the lives of thousands of youth within the Hispanic community, and continues its mission through its dedicated staff, volunteers, and equally dedicated students. Esperanza, Inc. provides financial support, technical resources and career guidance focused on students in the primary grades through college. Moreover, Esperanza, Inc. offers hope and opportunity, and underscores the notion that despite hardships and obstacles--support, encouragement and faith in a child will raise that child far above mediocrity to new heights of personal achievement--to a place where their dreams are realized.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of Anthony J Celebrezze, Jr., devoted family man, accomplished public leader, and admired friend and mentor. Mr. Celebrezze's integrity, expertise and deep dedication to the people of Cleveland and the State of Ohio has left an indelible and positive mark within our community and throughout our state. Mr. Celebrezze was born and raised in Cleveland and chose to remain in Cleveland to raise his family throughout his years in office. In recent years, he relocated to the Columbus area where he pursued his passion of competitive racing. The life of Mr. Celebrezze reflects great accomplishment, focus and achievement--academic and professional. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering at the U.S. Naval Academy, a Master's degree from George Washington University, and a Law degree from Cleveland-Marshall Law School. Instilled with the values of public service from his father, Anthony J. Celebrezze, Sr., who served as a popular Mayor of Cleveland, Mr. Celebrezze sought a life in service to others. He was elected to the State Senate in 1976. In 1980, Mr. Celebrezze was elected to serve as Ohio's Secretary of State. Mr. Celebrezze was elected as Ohio's Attorney General two years later. Throughout his years dedicated to uplifting the lives of Ohio residents, Mr. Celebrezze made significant improvements regarding a wide range of environmental and consumer protection issues. Because of Mr. Celebrezze's commitment to Ohio consumers, auto buyers in Ohio are protected by the ``lemon law.'' A staunch protector and advocate of Ohio's natural environment, Mr. Celebrezze worked tirelessly for strict control of waste shipment into Ohio, and clamped down on industrial pollution. Anthony J. Celebrezze, Jr.'s steadfast integrity, kindness and humble nature reflected his character and defined his tenure as public servant. His humble nature belied his deep intellect, vision and keen political savvy. Though immensely successful, title and accolades did not hold significance for him--care for his family and service to community did. Anthony J. Celebrezze was a true leader in every sense-- a genuine individual whose modesty and strong sense of self cast a rare and steady beacon of light across the shadowy game of politics. He consistently disregarded political pressures and kept focused on improving the lives of his constituents, working tirelessly on behalf of his constituents. Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor, gratitude and remembrance of Mr. Anthony J. Celebrezze, Jr., an exceptional man and caring leader whose life profoundly impacted the lives of thousands. His passing marks a deep loss for countless who called him friend-- including me. Mr. Celebrezze's commitment to others is clearly evidenced within our consumer protection laws and cleaner environment, and will remain so for all time. His radiant legacy of consumer advocacy and environmental protection will be remembered always by the people of Ohio. Moreover, it was the power of his kindness, grace, tenacity and heart that uplifted and enlightened every facet of our community. I extend my deepest condolences to Mr. Celebrezze's beloved wife, Louisa; his beloved children, Anthony J. III, Charles, David, Catherine and Maria. Anthony J. Celebrezze, Jr.'s exceptional life will serve as a timeless example of leadership, and service to others--and although he will be deeply missed--his indelible legacy--fueled by the power of kindness, grace and heart, will forever resound throughout our community and throughout the State of Ohio.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the German Central Foundation and the German Central Farm of Parma, as they become one of ten statewide recipients to receive a Historical Marker from the State of Ohio Bicentennial Commission and Multicultural and Ethnic Community Advisory Counsel. This significant marker stands as a monument to the German Central Farm--a place transformed over eight decades as a haven and vital resource for German immigrants. The marker at German Central Farm also represents the dedication, heart and soul of the German Central Foundation, reflecting the commitment of members and leaders--past and present--to preserve, protect and promote the many colorful facets of German heritage, culture and history. The German Central Organization embodies the spirit of America--the pioneer spirit, the immigrant spirit and the spirit of diversity of all peoples from all cultures that is the foundation of our community, our state and our nation. The German Central Organization--like thousands of cultural organizations with ancestral ties that span the globe-- reflects a journey toward freedom, a struggle from oppression and the blazing of a new trail in America. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in tribute and recognition of the German Central Foundation, as the German Central Farm is honored by the State of Ohio with a Historical Marker. This gathering place along York Road in Parma has been a source of heritage, comfort, resource and pride for several generations of German Americans. The cultivation and preservation of our varied places of origin is the earth of America--it is the origin of our nation. And as America has flourished, our roots remain viable--uniting us all.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the leaders and residents--past and present--of the City of Rocky River, as they celebrate one hundred years as an established community--from farming hamlet, to village, to the City of Rocky River. With foresight, vision and planning, the City of Rocky River has remained focused on the welfare of its residents. Community leaders have continuously displayed a sincere dedication to providing the highest level of services for people of all ages in Rocky River--from children, to senior citizens, to civic organizations. Native Americans inhabited the land that follows the Rocky River north to Lake Erie for centuries before the arrival of permanent settlers in 1810. Their history is documented within the displays and exhibits found within the Metroparks Systems. This vital park system winds its way through the City of Rocky River--preserving not only the history of the land--but the land itself, as acres of nature's woodlands, teeming with native flora and fauna, abound within the City of the Rocky River. Amid its thriving parklands, Rocky River offers an array of recreational and civic amenities for all ages and groups-- without compromising the natural beauty of the land. Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition of the residents and leaders of the City of Rocky River, as they celebrate one hundred years as a viable community. We especially note the contributions of all elected officials--past and present--who have contributed to the development and preservation of this beautiful land that follows the waters of the Rocky River. Most notably, current Mayor William F. Knoble, and the late Mayor Don Umerley. The City of Rocky River serves as a significant example and importance of the successful balance between progress and preservation.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Fairview Auxiliary Board to Fairview General Hospital, whose selfless efforts exemplify a model of benevolence and altruism. Over fifty years ago this organization was founded under the auspices of providing essential resources to the hospital for equipment, building funds, and scholarships. Today, this organization has blossomed to staff over 140 volunteers dedicated to this proposition. Their hours of volunteered time have resulted in astounding success. Volunteers have contributed over 30,000 hours and raised more than $600,000 in the past ten years alone. Mr. Speaker, please join me today in commending the members of the Fairview Auxiliary Board. We must encourage organizations such as theirs to continue to volunteer their time and effort in the interest of the betterment of the world.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, the Bush Administration led this Nation into war against Iraq based on false intelligence about the threat Iraq posed our Nation. The attached petition, from the American intercollegiate debate community, details the strategy of deception that the Bush Administration adopted to gain support for the war against Iraq. Petition Drive Targets Bush Advisor Karl Rove debaters oppose administration strategy for public debate on war The American intercollegiate debate community has been dedicated to the pursuit of open deliberation on timely policy issues for centuries. The basis of debate practice is openness in argumentation--a willingness to allow the best argument to win, rather than relying on force or power to overwhelm opponents. Some members of the debate community have articulated disappointment with the Bush administration's strategy for convincing American and world publics of the need for a preventive military first-strike on Iraq, and are joining in a petition drive to highlight the inadequacy of the Bush administration's approach to gaining consent for war. Karl Rove, senior political advisor to George W. Bush, was an avid high school debater in Salt Lake City, Utah. Rove's tactics as a debater appear to have influenced his strategy as a political advisor. James Moore and Wayne Slater have detailed the roots of Rove's political strategy in their book Bush's Brain: How Karl Rove Made George W. Bush Presidential (Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons, 2003): ``Debaters kept their arguments on 3 X 5 cards, which they carried about in shoeboxes or metal containers. Rove had the most impressive collection of debate cards at Olympus High. If his teammates had a shoebox filled with the cards, Rove carried two, which he plunked down on the table in an ominous display of force. By his senior year, the arsenal had swelled to 5 or 10 boxes. Rove figured that if two or three boxes unnerved an opposing team, why not something truly overwhelming? Why not a table full of cards? Why not buy them by the thousands and wheel them in on hand-carts? Why not throw the fear of God into the enemy before the debate even began? The thing was, the thing nobody knew was, that the cards were mostly fake. `We went out and bought thousands, if not tens of thousands, of debate cards,' says debate partner Emil Langeland, now a lawyer in Salt Lake City. `` `Everybody was using 3 X 5 cards. And we decided we'd better have 4 X 6--a little bigger than the next guy. And we had shoeboxes, a table full. We would come in and set up those boxes with file cards in them, color-coded, with tabs sticking up, and there were literally thousands and thousands of them. And you know what? There wasn't a thing on 99 percent of them. If they gave us a 4 X 4 table, we'd make it a 4 X 8 table and we'd stack this information--what appeared to be information--on the table. We'd lay out all these papers. The reality was that the core of our attack or strategy was on 20 or 30 cards. We never used much more than that. But we'd just hand truck them in, then go back out into the hall and hand truck another set in and set them up on the table almost to the point where you couldn't see us. It was all psychological, to psych out your opponent.' Rove didn't just want to win, he wanted his opponents destroyed. His worldview was clear even then: There was his team and the other team, and he would make the other team pay. He would defeat them, slaughter them, and humiliate them. He would win by any means, but he would win (118-119).'' Rove's strategy of totally destroying the opposition in debate competition is mirrored in the American ``win at all costs'' approach to public diplomacy. The Bush administration has tried to overload public spheres of deliberation with evidence that links Iraq to weapons of mass destruction and terrorism, yet key evidence has turned out to be fabricated, plagiarized, or exaggerated in this rhetorical campaign. Niger forgery. Evidence used by the Bush administration to demonstrate Iraq's noncompliance with the nuclear materials section of UN Security Council Resolution 1441 turned out to be based on forged documents. Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) has asked the FBI to investigate who forged the letters and why U.S. intelligence officials did not authenticate them before claiming them as proof of Iraqi noncompliance. In a letter to FBI Director Robert Mueller, Rockefeller wrote, ``there is a possibility that the fabrication of these documents may be part of a larger deception campaign aimed at manipulating public opinion and foreign policy regarding Iraq.'' Plagiarized British dossier. In his February 5 speech to the UN Security Council, Secretary of State Colin Powell lauded a British government report as ``a fine paper.'' Yet this paper turned out to be a mosaic of old open source material previously published. The British dossier, entitled ``Iraq: Its Infrastructure of Concealment, Deception and Intimidation,'' plagiarized long stretches of a paper by Ibrahim al-Marashi, a postgraduate student at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in California. The British report drew heavily from al-Marashi's account of Mukhabarat, the Iraqi directorate of general intelligence. However, where al-Marashi listed among the Mukhabarat's duties ``aiding opposition groups in hostile regimes,'' the British authors substituted the more incriminating phrase ``supporting terrorist organizations'' in hostile regimes. Baseless aluminum tubes charges. UN weapons inspector Hans Blix and former IAEA expert adviser David Albright both reject the Bush administration's claim that Iraq's attempt to acquire aluminum tubes was driven by a desire to build uranium enrichment centrifuges for its nuclear program, yet administration officials continued to rely on such discredited evidence. In addition to these evidentiary inadequacies, the administration's broader strategy to coalesce a ``coalition of the willing'' utilizes manipulative foreign policy tools that rely on coercion rather than democratic processes of deliberation. Utilizing financial leverage to induce cooperation circumvents the will of citizens abroad. The United States' manipulation of loans and grants to potential collaborators as a way to ``buy off' other countries'' dissent by leveraging power in international finance frustrates democratic participation. Reliance on a business-marketing model for public diplomacy rigs communicative exchanges in a way that forecloses freewheeling argumentative give-and-take. Demonizing countries that resist the push for war polarizes conflict and lessens the possibility of a united post-war effort for reconstruction. High-ranking European Union officials have indicated that generating support for funding the reconstruction of Iraq will face difficulty because of the perception that the United States has used heavy-handed tactics to gain assent for preventive military intervention. Spying activity against United Nations delegates, documented in the so-called ``Koza memo'' generates suspicion about U.S. tactics to persuade Security Council members to go along with resolutions advancing the cause of war. Surveillance techniques could be utilized to gain unfairly acquired weight in negotiations. These techniques are at odds with the fundamental tenets of democratic deliberation that rely on transparency, honesty, and public argumentation to gain assent from allies. Deception in wartime has long been accepted as a legitimate military strategy. However, expanded deception programs designed to manipulate domestic and allied public opinion raise a different set of strategic dilemmas. While deception strategies may be effective as military levers deployed to complicate enemy planning, they are less useful as weapons of mass communications--propaganda tools designed to influence public opinion in public spheres. To be truly effective, any strategy to defuse terrorism in this way requires that the political legitimacy of U.S. policies be established in international public spheres. This process is best accomplished through fair and open public debate, rather than deceptive and manipulative methods exercised by the Bush Administration. The national championships represented a culmination of the season's competitive debating activity that has focused on the topic of multilateralism as a foreign policy approach. In pursuit of these principles, debaters organized a petition campaign at the two national championship debate tournaments this spring, attended by over 250 teams from across the country: PHOENIX, Arizona, Cross Examination Debate Association national championship tournament, Arizona State University, March 20-25, 2003 ATLANTA, Georgia, National Debate Tournament national championship tournament, Emory University, April 3-7, 2003 petition text We object to the Bush Administration's manipulation of public deliberation in the implementation of its preventive military intervention policy. Worldwide political legitimacy for that policy can be forged only through a process of fair and honest public argument. Uncritical use of forged documents purporting to link Iraq to Niger's nuclear industry, reliance on a deceptive British report that plagiarized and misrepresented the work of a California graduate student and intimidation tactics at the UN Security Council are each part of the Bush administration's `win at all costs' approach to public diplomacy. These argumentative strategies must be reconsidered immediately, because the alienation and mistrust sown worldwide by their implementation bankrupts the political legitimacy of U.S. foreign policy and polarizes diplomatic conflict. This exposes U.S. soldiers to harm by dividing allies, worsens the terrorist threat by stimulating recruitment and undermines cooperative security ventures ranging from allied intelligence sharing to international peacekeeping and post war reconstruction. Petition signers and debate affiliations Abbott, Blake, Mercer University, GA; Ashe, Allison, University of Georgia, GA; Bannigan, Virginia, Wake Forest University, NC; Baron, Chris, Towson University, MD; Barsness, Paul, University of Georgia, GA; Bates, Benjamin, University of Georgia, GA; Beerman, Ruth, Mercer University, GA; Bellon, Joe, Georgia State University, GA; Berger, Alex, Dartmouth College, NH; Blair, LoriBeth, Georgia State University, GA; Boggs, Joshua, West Virginia University, WV; Branelt, Caroline, Riverwood H.S., AZ; Breshears, David, University of Texas, TX; Brigham, Matt, Baylor University, TX; Brock, Kimberly, West Virginia University, WV; Bruschke, Jon, California State University-Fullerton, CA; Bsumek, Pete, James Madison University, VA. Campbell, Peter O., Univ. of Puget Sound, WA; Carr, Adrienne, University of Georgia, GA; Cashman, Bryan, State University New York-Binghamton, NY; Chalus, Peg, University of Pittsburgh, PA; Clark, Josh, California State University-Fullerton, CA; Cole, Hayley, San Diego State University, CA; Colston, Nicole, University of Miami, FL; Congdon, Kelly, University of Pittsburgh, PA; Crachiolo, Sarah, Georgia State University, GA; Crittenden, Eli, Emporia State University, KS; Czapla, Anna, University of Rochester, NY; D'Amico, Steve, University of Rochester, NY; Davies, Alexis, San Diego State University, CA; Davis, Alysia, University of Georgia, GA; Davis, Dan, West Georgia University, GA; DeButts, Jessica, Fresno City College, CA; Dillard, Tiffany, University of Louisville, KY; Douglas, Lara, Cornell University, NY; Drake, Brian, Mercer University, GA; Dunn, Izak, Idaho State University, ID; Dybvig, Kristin, Arizona State University, AZ; Eberle, R.J., Georgia State University, GA; Ellis, Andy, Marist College, NY; Ellis, Steven Andrew, Marist University,

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, it's been a very tough year for the American worker. Astonishingly, it appears the Administration is attempting to make things even tougher. Already, the Administration is presiding over the highest unemployment rate since April, 1994. Already the median unemployment duration of 12.3 weeks is the greatest length it has been since July of 1967. And already, 3.1 million private sector jobs have vanished since the recession began in March 2001. The Administration's three pronged response to this jobs crisis has been to allow millions of working Americans to remain in poverty by refusing to raise the minimum wage, to deny unemployment benefits to millions of Americans who have exhausted their benefits because of the severity of this recession, and to provide hundreds of billions of dollars in tax giveaways for the richest Americans. As if all of this was not enough, the Administration now seems intent on literally picking the pockets of workers. First we saw an attempt to give workers a pay cut by giving them comp time instead of overtime. The real meaning of comp time, of course, is unpaid time off--at the employer's discretion. Now through administrative action and without the input of elected representatives, the Administration seeks to enact the most significant change to overtime rules since the Fair Labor Standards Act was passed in 1938. The result of these changes is that least 8 million workers will no longer be eligible for overtime. Among the unlucky 8 million are paramedics, firefighters, air traffic controllers, social workers, and architects. In 2000 overtime pay accounted for about 25 percent of the income for these workers. Their families will not have much less money to pay the bills, while their employers will have a great incentive to make them work longer hours. The Obey-Miller amendment will stop the rollback of overtime pay. Obey-Miller will protect the wages of America's working people. Stop the legalized pick-pocketing of America's workers by the Administration's attack on overtime pay for overtime work. Vote for the Obey-Miller amendment. Amendment Offered by Mr. Toomey

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, why did the U.S. go to war against Iraq? The day after 9/11, according to this book, Secretary Rumsfeld raised the possibility that the administration could take advantage of the opportunity offered by the terrorist attacks to go after Saddam immediately. This, even though there was no evidence connecting Iraq to 9/11. Why did the U.S. go to war against Iraq? On September 18, 2002, Mr. Rumsfeld told Congress, ``Hussein has at this moment stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons and is pursuing nuclear weapons.'' There was no evidence of that either. Why did the U.S. go to war against Iraq? Yesterday Mr. Rumsfeld told Congress it was not because we had discovered dramatic new evidence of Iraq's pursuit of weapons of mass destruction. ``We acted because we saw the evidence in a dramatic new light through the prism of our experience on 9/11.'' Why did the U.S. go to war against Iraq? 9/11 was an excuse, no imminent threat, no weapons of mass destruction. Now, the administration keeps changing its story, but they cannot change the facts. They led this Nation into war against a Nation that had not attacked us, that had no intention or capability of attacking us. Congress must hold public hearings because the truth and our democracy is at stake.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of the Reverend John C. Dalton, pastor of Holy Name Parish, on the occasion of his retirement from active ministry. Father Dalton began serving the Northeast Ohio community in May, 1948, when he was ordained into the priesthood. He ministered to families and individuals in Akron, Lorain, Cleveland and Tallmadge before joining Holy Name Parish in 1972. Father Dalton became pastor of Holy Name in 1973, and has served the parishioners at Holy Name for the past thirty years. Father Dalton's legacy to the Holy Name community will forever be embedded within each new generation of parishioners at Holy Name Parish. During his ministry at Holy Name church, Father Dalton was instrumental in maintaining the structural beauty of Holy Name church-- one of the most stunning edifices in the Greater Cleveland area. Moreover, Father Dalton leaves a legacy of sincere compassion and commitment to each member of his congregation. His kind words, deeds and spiritual assistance to those in need will be forever remembered, and he will be greatly missed by the entire Holy Name community. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition of Father John C. Dalton, on the occasion of his retirement from the active ministry. Father Dalton--spiritual leader, compassionate counselor, wise administrator, and friend to all--will remain in the hearts and souls of all who know him. The parishioners Father Dalton has served, especially those within the Holy Name community, will always remember his integrity, kindness, compassion and dedication, and his legacy and example will live on for generations to come.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, H.R. 2211 is a good bill. As its name suggests, the Ready to Teach Act works to ensure that our children, our future, are taught by well-prepared and qualified teachers. It also supports our schools so that they are able to recruit and retain the teachers who give so much of themselves for the children of others. We will pass this bill today; and in doing so, we all agree that the country needs the Federal Government to spend $300 million on teacher preparation and retention; but in fact, we will not spend that much on teacher preparation and retention. The President has asked that we spend only $90 million or 30 percent of what we today all agree is necessary. Why? Yesterday we passed the defense spending bill that spends $8.9 billion on a missile system which does not work; and today we will pass an education bill that, if fully funded, would work, but we will not fully fund it. There is money for education. We could reallocate the $8.9 billion for missile defense and put it into education. We would have money to hire and train thousands more qualified teachers. We would have money to buy 9 million more computers for our children and schools. We would have money to fully fund and expand the Head Start program, IDEA, and the No Child Left Behind Act. Instead, we are spending too much, $8.9 billion, for a missile program that will not work, and we are underfunding the education account. Mr. Chairman, as we walk in each day to vote, we walk under the canopy of the House, and there is a pediment that is supported by the pillars, and the pediment is called the ``Apotheosis of Democracy,'' and in the middle of it right at the apex there is a woman whose arm is outextended, and her arm is protecting a child who is sitting blissfully atop a pile of books. That sculpture, which is right at the center of our experience as we come in to vote every day, is entitled ``Peace Protecting Genius.'' And the child genius is protected not with nuclear arms, but with the arms of eternal love and sitting atop a pile of books which represents knowledge. We have to realize that our protection in this country and our security depends on education, and that it is peace which protects genius, and that it is peace which will lead us on a path towards sparing the tremendous amount of monies that are to be wasted by the Pentagon, and freeing it up so that we can put that money back into education to truly protect the future of this Nation and to enable the children of this Nation to be able to have lives that are rich, that are endowed with great education, and that lead to a world of peace.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, much media attention has been directed toward the President's State of the Union Address on January 28, 2003, wherein he alleged an Iraqi nuclear threat which the Vice President's office knew was false almost a year earlier. More attention needs to be paid to false and misleading statements which preceded the vote on the Iraqi resolution in this House. Two days before the vote on October 8, 2002, speaking in Cincinnati, the President spoke of his determination to attack Iraq: ``Facing clear evidence of peril, we cannot wait for the final proof, the smoking gun, that could come in the form of a mushroom cloud.'' This chilling apocalyptic statement was not based on clear evidence of peril but was, in fact, based on falsehoods hidden from public view by the office of the Vice President. Did the Vice President's office knowingly conceal information its own representative obtained that Iraq was, in fact, not attempting to purchase nuclear materials from Niger? Was the White House in possession of the same information prior to the President giving his shocking declaration in Cincinnati? There is no question that the President's statements, which we now know were false and misleading, influenced the debate in this House and the decision to go to war. It is imperative we have open public hearings to wash this stain from our national reputation.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of United States Army Private Brandon Ulysses Sloan, who bravely and selflessly answered the call to duty and made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our country. Private Sloan's young life was defined by family, faith, friends and community. A gentle and kind soul, Private Sloan lived his life with great joy and energy. He easily forged lasting friendships and was quick with a smile, kind word, or helping hand. Private Sloan was also an exceptional athlete, and he developed a love for baseball and football. Private Sloan's family and friends were central to his life. He gained personal strength and faith from those who knew him best and loved him most--his father, Reverend Tandy U. Sloan; his mother, Kimberly T. Sloan; and his sister, Brittney Sloan. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and remembrance of Private Brandon Ulysses Sloan, whose honor, commitment and bravery will be remembered always. I offer my deepest condolences to the family of Private Sloan--his beloved parents, Reverend Tandy U. and Kimberly T. Sloan; his beloved sister, Brittney Sloan; his adoring grandmothers, Dr. Rementa Pippen and Luberta Sloan; and his extended family and many friends. The significant sacrifice, service, and bravery that characterized the life of Private Brandon Ulysses Sloan will forever be honored and remembered by the Cleveland community, and the entire nation. And within the hearts of his family and friends, the bonds of love and memories created in life by Private Sloan will never be broken, and will live on for all time.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of the air traffic controllers of Cleveland Center in Oberlin, Ohio, whose bravery, skill, and quick thinking ensured the safety of other air passengers on one of the darkest days in American history, September 11. Immediately following that tragic day, the men and women of the Cleveland Center have demonstrated their compassion and concern for the families of the victims of United Flight 93 by contributing over $10,000 to the Todd M. Beamer Foundation, a foundation established to assist families of every passenger and crew member of Flight 93. Today, I also stand in honor and remembrance of forty-four passengers and crew members aboard United Flight 93. Their valiant spirit and courageous actions prevented even greater loss of life. The people aboard United Flight 93 will remain in our minds and hearts forever, and will forever be recognized as true American heroes. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honor and tribute of the men and women of the Cleveland Center, and the men and women aboard United Flight 93--their spirited, heroic, and selfless actions--under the most terrifying of circumstances--restores our faith in humanity and reflects all that is good in America, and they will never be forgotten.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of United States Army First Sergeant Robert J. Dowdy, who courageously and selflessly rose to the call to duty and made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our country. Sergeant Dowdy was an exceptional United States soldier and was an equally exceptional human being. Sergeant Dowdy's life was characterized by his unwavering sense of duty and commitment to our nation, and above all, his life reflected a deep dedication to, and steadfast focus on his family. He worked diligently to effectively balance his military career with his main priority--his wife and daughter. Sergeant Dowdy grew up in the North Broadway neighborhood and graduated from South High School in 1982. He enlisted in the U.S. Army soon thereafter. Throughout his journey in the military, Sergeant Dowdy carried with him a strong foundation of faith, family and community. He quickly ascended through the ranks, and held the title and command of Master Sergeant. Most recently, Sergeant Dowdy was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant. His strong intellect and solid sense of integrity evenly matched his outstanding athleticism. Moreover, Sergeant Dowdy's life reflected his generous heart and sincere concern for the welfare of others. He often and easily offered his assistance to anyone in need, without regard to his own sacrifice.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of St. John Nepomucene Parish of Cleveland, as they celebrate 100 years of service to our community. In 1898, 200 Catholic Americans of Czech heritage met at the East 52nd Street home of Frank Stepanik. The gathering, organized by John Jira and Charles Vana, sparked the beginnings of a new parish. In 1902, St. John Nepomucene Parish was established. Parish members were also focused on the welfare of their children. To preserve the culture, history and language of their Eastern European motherland for their children, members organized again to establish a school. In 1903, St. John Nepomucene School was established, with an enrollment of 300 students. As immigrants navigated their way through the difficult transition of assimilation in America, St. John Nepomucene served as a haven of security, faith, support and assistance. As immigrants embraced the freedoms and ideals of their new nation, St. John Nepomucene served as a bridge between two worlds--connecting Fleet Avenue to their homeland across the ocean. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor, recognition and celebration of the generations of spiritual leaders and parishioners who founded, supported and sustained St. John Nepomucene Church for 100 years. The leaders and members of St. John Nepomucene Parish, past and present, continue their tradition of providing faith and hope to individuals and families in and around Fleet Avenue--reflecting light and hope throughout our Slavic Village neighborhood, and enriching our entire community.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of Lieutenant Walter J. Thomas, Officer in Charge of the Fourth District Vice and Strike Force, upon the occasion of his retirement from the Cleveland Police Department after twenty-two years of service to the Cleveland community. Lieutenant Thomas' strong work ethic, personal dedication and concern for others has been clearly present throughout his career. His work reflected the highest level of intelligence and wisdom, and his ever- present wry sense of humor was a saving grace during the most stressful situations. Lieutenant Thomas rose steadily up the ranks of the Cleveland Police Department. In 1989, Officer Thomas was promoted to Detective of the Narcotics Unit. Several years later, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in the Second District. And last year, Officer Thomas was promoted to the well-deserved position and title of Lieutenant, working in Cleveland's Fourth District. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor, gratitude and recognition of Lieutenant Walter J. Thomas, upon his retirement from the Cleveland Police Department. Lieutenant Thomas carried out his duties with honesty, loyalty, quiet confidence and dignity, and his exceptional and courageous service on behalf of the citizens of Cleveland, has served to lift the spirits and the lives of countless individuals, families--and the entire Cleveland community.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of the 135th Anniversary of the North Presbyterian Church of Cleveland. This historic structure has a rich legacy of dedication to the community, and has focused on the needs of the poor and the homeless of our society. In the early years of the church, members united to form the Christian Endeavor Society, Mother's Clubs, and Children's daytime groups and Scouts. During the Great Depression, the church worked with Case School to provide a daily lunch for undernourished children. As in the past, there is still a need for services and assistance within our community, and the North Presbyterian Church continues to be a strong force in reaching out to others. The doors of the church are always open to help anyone in need. Active members of the North Presbyterian Church provide hot meals twice a week for the homeless, and for those residing in homeless shelters. Church leaders and members also provide grocery distributions, emergency food and clothing supplies. Additionally, church members have nurtured strong bonds with other civic and spiritual groups, and hold regular community meetings, including Alcoholics Anonymous--a group that has been meeting weekly at the church for the past fifty years. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor, celebration and recognition of the leaders and members of the North Presbyterian Church, past and present, as they celebrate 135 years of caring, commitment and ministry to the people of Cleveland. Because of their selfless efforts in helping the less fortunate of our society, they have built not only a place of worship--they have built a haven and refuge, open to us all.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month--a celebration of Americans of Hispanic heritage and their significant contributions to our community and to our nation, and hosted this year by the Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Centers in Brecksville and Wade Park. This year's theme is ``Hispanic Americans: Strength in Unity, Faith and Diversity''. This expression is reflective of the five hundred-year history of Hispanic culture and contribution to America. Americans of Hispanic heritage have gracefully and significantly assimilated to, and contributed within, every aspect of our society--enhancing the vibrancy and diversity of life in America. Hispanic Americans have contributed immeasurably to all areas of our culture--from medicine, law, and business, to education, music and the fine arts. Hispanic Americans in our community and in communities across the country are life-saving doctors and nurses, inspiring professors, dedicated teachers, committed elected officials, fair- minded judges, and hardworking factory employees. Americans of Hispanic heritage bring energy, innovation, and a real sense of social justice to America, while retaining the cultural traditions of their homeland-- for all citizens to enjoy. Moreover, United States Veterans of Hispanic heritage have answered the call to action when our nation needed them most. Thousands of these veterans made the ultimate sacrifice to defend the rights and freedoms for all citizens. Because of the conviction, bravery and selfless action of American Veterans of Hispanic heritage--action seen in every American military conflict, and within every branch of the United States Armed Forces--American democracy and American freedom has been preserved. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, and join me in expressing my gratitude to the outstanding contributions made by Hispanic Americans, especially American Veterans of Hispanic heritage, for their sacrifices and triumphs, on behalf of our entire society. Their journey to America, fraught with significant obstacles and strife, paved the way for a better life for their children and future generations, and signifies what it means to be an American. Within our diversity we find strength. Within our traditions we find unity. And because of their journey--and the journey of people from all points of the world--we are stronger as a community, more unified as a nation, and better as people.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of the 100th Anniversary of St. Paul Croatian Church of Cleveland. Since 1902, St. Paul Church has been serving the spiritual and cultural needs of Croatian Americans in our community. Members and leaders of the Church have been a source of strength and unity for generations of Croatian immigrants, who bravely left behind their beloved homeland to follow the hopeful path to America, seeking a life of justice and freedom. As Croatian immigrants embraced American freedoms and ideals, St. Paul Church stood like a rock of security, faith and support amid the rough waters of their transition into American society. Today, as in the past, St. Paul Croatian church continues to be a beacon of light and hope for our Croatian community in Cleveland. This cherished haven has protected and preserved the culture, history and traditions for generations of Croatian Americans--a bond not hindered by time or distance--a bridge connecting the Old World to the New World. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition of the spiritual leaders and generations of parishioners who founded, supported and sustained St. Paul Croatian Church in Cleveland for one hundred years. As an American of Croatian heritage, I am grateful to have this opportunity to honor an institution that continues to serve as a haven of faith and assistance for generations of Croatian Americans--enhancing the lives of countless individuals and families, and enriching our entire community.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of the students, educators and administrators of Benedictine High School of Cleveland, Ohio, as they celebrate seventy-five years of spiritual service and education for the young men of our community. Benedictine High School, a Catholic, college preparatory school, was founded in 1922 by the Benedictine Order. This historic order of Benedictine monks was borne into existence more than one thousand years ago in 480 A.D. Despite the centuries of time gone by, the rich and significant traditions of the Benedictine Monks of the Middle Ages have been carried through time, and remain living monuments in the form of Saint Andrew Abbey and Benedictine High School. The clear and ageless vision of leaders at Benedictine are founded upon the ancient principals of scholarly achievement tempered with spiritual discipline and social awareness. In complement to the school's strong academic foundation, Benedictine's offers its 387 young men opportunities to excel in athletic endeavors and other extracurricular activities. Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition of the students, spiritual guides and administrators of Benedictine High School, as they celebrate seventy five years of exceptional scholastic achievement and significant spiritual guidance within the classrooms and on the surrounding grounds of Benedictine High School. The commitment, kindness, instruction and guidance provided by the Benedictine monks and lay staff have served to lift the spirits and minds of countless young men--thereby uplifting our entire community.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to this bill. In one quick hour of debate, Congress will spend $368 billion on the military. Amazingly, this massive sum does not fund our troops in Iraq or Afghanistan. If we want to use our Armed Forces, the taxpayers will have to use extra. We all know that the President will be back asking for more billions of more taxpayer dollars for these operations. This bill funds the wrong defense priorities that will do little to provide for a more secure America. It will fund weapons systems that we all know will not work and will be subject to spiraling upward costs; and yet we cannot fully fund education needs at home. The only needs this Congress will take care of today are the profit-gouging defense contractors. Perhaps we should rename this bill the Lockheed-Martin, Northrop Grumman, United Defense, Raytheon, Boeing and General Dynamics Welfare Act of 2003. Unlike the Republican majority, I do not believe we should heavily deficit spend to further enrich defense contractors. We can heavily invest in education and reduce the deficit by cutting national missile defense, the F22 fighter plane, the V22 Osprey, space-based weapons and other unnecessary and wasteful programs. I believe we should cancel the national missile defense, a savings of $8.9 billion, because it reduces our security here at home, it steals money for more effective security options, and because it will not work as promised, it leaves us more vulnerable. National missile defense does not work. It has failed three tests that were much simpler than real-life scenarios. It will not be subject to a real-life test before deployment in 2004. The only conclusion I can draw is that proponents do not care. They do not care if this weapons system works and it harms rather than protects Americans. Any country that decides to attack the United States with nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons is more likely to use a less expensive and more covert delivery method than long-range missiles, such as smuggling it on a ship or a truck. National missile defense would offer no protection against such an attack, and because we waste so much money on this system, we leave our homeland security system underfunded and unable to protect from real threats. We can also significantly reduce our ship-building programs funded at $11.5 billion. Our Navy is not threatened by any other navy; yet it offers little protection from today's real threats. We would do far more for our Nation's security by shifting some of these funds to the Coast Guard. It would immediately save lives to cancel the V-22 aircraft program, a savings of $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2004. This aircraft has killed 30 Marines because it has an unsafe design that cannot be relied upon. I cannot support funds for such a program. The F-22 fighter plane is a relic of the Cold War that suits no purpose in a modern Air Force. Our current airfighters are more than capable and far less expensive. The F-22 continues to be subject to massive cost overruns and continued development problems, making it an unaffordable plane. The $3.6 billion saved in fiscal year 2004 would raise a lot of teachers' salaries, providing our children with better education. I believe we should roll back our spending in research and development of unnecessary expensive weapons systems such as Army's Comanche helicopter, a savings of $1.1 billion; the Joint Strike Fighter, a savings of $4.2 billion; the Space-Based Infra-Red System, a savings of $617 million; and the Space-Based Radar, a savings of $174 million. Do we want to start a new war in space, or do we want to finish the struggle against deteriorating public schools? I believe we can do more for America by our repairing our school infrastructure. The savings proposed here amount to a significant investment in education. I have highlighted $30 billion in unnecessary defense spending, and this money can be immediately invested in education for our children. A thorough review of the Pentagon budget would likely reveal another $30 billion in defense waste and unnecessary programs. Today only 12 percent of the 17 million low-income children eligible for child care subsidies receives assistance. Only 23 percent of all families with children younger than 6 have one parent working and one parent staying at home. And today the average cost of child care for a 4-year old in an urban-area center is more than the average cost of public college tuition in all but one State. I ask who will care for our children? And I say that we can. With $60 billion we could have universal prekindergarten and child care in this Nation. I have a bill before this Congress, the Universal Prekindergarten Act, that would establish and expand prekindergarten programs to ensure that all children ages 3 to 5 have access to high- quality, full-day, full-calendar-year prekindergarten education. It is time to set our priorities straight. We are arming ourselves to the teeth, and we are missing a chance to make sure our children have decent education. Amendment Offered by Mr. De Fazio

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of Police Officer Charles J. Bronston Jr., on the occasion of his retirement from the Bay Village Police Division that spans thirty-five years of dedication to the Force and honor to the Badge--Badge No 1. On April 8, 1968, Officer Bronston pledged his life to protecting the safety of others and was sworn in as Patrol Officer. Growing up on the North Coast solidified Officer Bronston's love for the great outdoors and crystallized his deep commitment to his community on the Bay. His outstanding work and personal dedication to helping others was clearly reflected throughout his tenure of service. Officer Bronston's great enthusiasm for life, his kind and friendly nature, and his immediate willingness to help others elevated him to the highest level and best example of what a police officer should be. Officer Bronston is so highly regarded within the Bay Village Police Division that its leaders informally judge all recruits against the stellar performance of Officer Bronston. Officer Bronston consistently went above and beyond the call of duty to protect and assist those who live and work in Bay Village. A true mentor, guide and friend, Officer Bronston's professionalism, expertise, sense of fairness, superior sense of humor, integrity and genuine concern for others have served to assist and improve numerous life situations for many people. In addition, his interest in protecting his community extends beyond Bay Village into neighboring suburbs, as is reflected in his ongoing membership of the first SWAT Team for the Westshore Enforcement Bureau. Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor, gratitude and recognition of Officer Charles J. Bronston upon his retirement as full- time Police Officer with the Bay Village Police Division. His exceptional and courageous service on behalf of the citizens of Bay Village and beyond have served to lift the spirits and the lives of countless individuals, families within Bay Village and all along our western shores. We wish Officer Bronston, his wife Martha, children Charles III and Michael Scott and grandchildren Felicia and Cory many blessings of peace, health and happiness throughout his retirement. We also wish him many clear summer days of great fishing along the rolling waves, bays and shores of Lake Erie.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of United States Air Force Commander Michael Joseph Akos, who bravely and selflessly answered the call to duty and made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our country. Commander Akos' young life was characterized by his dream of one day flying above the clouds, a dream that would be fulfilled in the form of service to his country. Michael's gregarious and mischievous spirit made him a pleasure to be around, a quality that followed him into adulthood. Devoted and diligent, Commander Akos had the strength and discipline to do anything he set his mind to, and an intense devotion to those he loved. Commander Akos loved his family, and lived his life with passion. He served as a model husband, son, brother, and friend, always happy to be around his loved ones, and poignantly aware of the gift of family. Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and remembrance of Commander Michael J. Akos, whose courage and commitment will forever be remembered as a testament to our great Nation. I offer my deepest condolences to the family of Commander Akos--his beloved parents, Dennis Joseph Akos and Nona Ann Akos; his devoted wife Karlynne Akos; his beloved brothers, Dennis Matthew Akos and Patrick Thomas Akos; and his extended family and many friends. The significant sacrifice, service, and bravery that characterized the life of Commander Michael Joseph Akos will forever be honored and remembered by the Cleveland community, and the entire Nation. And within the hearts of his family and friends--the bonds of love and memories created in life by Commander Akos will never be broken, the joy he brought to this world will never be forgotten, and his sacrifice will serve as a living symbol of the human spirit.