Dennis Kucinich

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor William F. Miller upon his reception of the German Service Cross of the Order of Merit. The Donauschwaben's German-American Cultural Center and Consul General Michael Engelhard of the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany are honoring Mr. Miller for his 39 years of reporting German-American affairs for the Plain Dealer. In this period he has served as a columnist, reporter and assistant editor. In 1990 Miller covered the lives of Germans, among other central and eastern Europeans, in the wake of the fall of communism. From this experience he wrote a series of articles entitled ``Life After the Wall.'' This series won the 1991 National Writing Award of the First Catholic Slovak Union of the United States and Canada. Additionally the series was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. Miller was named German-American Journalist of the Year in January 1996 by the Federation of German-American Societies of Greater Cleveland. Miller also received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Journalistic Society's Cleveland Chapter in May of 1991. Miller has also been recognized by numerous other ethnic groups. The Asian/Pacific Federation in Cleveland presented him with their Community Service award for his writings in 1989. In 1994, Miller became the first non-Greek to be awarded the Hellenic Award from the Greek Orthodox Church of North America and Canada. In addition Miller has received awards for his coverage of the Greater Cleveland German, Irish, Filipino, Italian, Vietnamese, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Ukrainian, Latvian and Czech communities. I ask you to join me in honoring William F. Miller upon his reception of this distinguished award.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Forest Farley, who has been highly committed to our nation's veterans and has just been appointed Medical Center Director of the Lexington, Kentucky V.A. Medical Center. Mr. Farley came to Cleveland, Ohio in 1996 as the Associate Medical Center Director for the Cleveland V.A. Medical Center. In his present role, Mr. Farley is the Chief Operations Officer (COO) for the Louis Stokes Cleveland V.A. Medical Center where he is responsible for directing and coordinating all operations for the Wade Park and Brecksville Divisions. His dedicated service to Cleveland veterans since 1996 has been greatly appreciated. Forest Farley earned his Bachelor's Degree in mass communications from the University, of South Florida in Tampa, Florida, in 1984. He continued his education by completing graduate studies at the University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois and earned graduate certificates from the Harvard School of Public Health of Harvard University, Wharton of the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Illinois in Chicago. His great dedication to V.A. medical centers stems from being a Vietnam Veteran himself. During his military career with the United States Marine Corps, Mr. Farley was awarded three Purple Hearts. Mr. Forest Farley began a career in Veteran Affairs in 1981 at the St. Petersburg, Florida, Vietnam Veteran's Outreach center. His honorable career has also included assignments as Deputy Regional Manager of the Central Regional Adjustment Counseling Service at the Hines V.A. Medical Center, Acting Regional Manager, Acting Director, Acting Associate Director and Associate Director-Trainee at the Chicago West Side V.A. Medical Center. Additionally, Mr. Farley has served the Vietnam Veteran's Outreach Center in both Tampa and St. Petersburg, Florida. We in Ohio will greatly miss Mr. Farley's devoted service to our veterans, but wish him the best in his future career in Lexington, Kentucky. Mr. Farley is respected by many including his wife and five children. My fellow colleagues, please join me in congratulating the noble achievements of Mr. Forest Farley and his recent appointment as Medical Director of the Lexington, Kentucky V.A. Medical Center.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of American Machinist magazine's 125th Anniversary, the oldest metalworking publication in existence. Since 1877, American Machinist has been dedicated to informing readers about advances in manufacturing technology. This publication has evolved with the industry. American Machinist has documented the manufacturing industry's path from the worker to the machine, and now to computers and robotics. This vital publication to the industry includes methods and practices of metalworking, cutting, forming, tooling, robotics, quality control, plant operation, and finishing. Its technical depth and cutting edge graphics to illustrate and support each concept separate American Machinist from all other metalworking publications. American Machinist is written to provide management amd engineers in the field of metalworking with the most up to date technological information and insight into the future of the industry . . . the intent of every issue is to help readers to increase production, cut costs and to stay competitive in the global market. My fellow colleagues, American Machinist magazine deserves the highest respects for its role and dedication to advancing the manufacturing industry. Management within the industry rely on this magazine to find the most up-to-date information on their industry. I commend this long standing publication for its 125 years of work in the manufacturing industry.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a truly remarkable woman, one who genuinely exemplifies what it means to be a respected civil servant and community activist. Janet Saringer has dedicated her life to public service and to the North Olmsted community. She has actively participated in public service since 1971 when she was elected to city Council Ward 2. She has served as ward Councilwoman, council member-at-large, and president of council pr-tem. For the past 8 years she has served as President of the Council chairing and serving on seven committees of Council. She will be truly missed as she begins her retirement after 25 years of devoted service as Department Head of the Cuyahoga County Recorders Office. Janet has volunteered her time in the community and touched the lives of many people in the area. As a graduate of St. Augustine Academy, she has served as the alumnae association president. She also acted as president of the Greater Cleveland Suburban Council and the Stoneybrook Women's Club. She has been active on the North Olmsted Community Council as well as the North Olmsted Democratic Club and the Cuyahoga County Democratic Executive Committee. Her involvement has also benefited the Irish American community as a member of the West Side IA Club, IPAC and the IACREOT. Janet continues to live a fulfilling and active life. Janet has been a committed wife who was recently widowed after 35 years of marriage to Robert N. Saringer, a Cleveland Police Officer. She has also been a wonderful mother of five children, Jack, Debbie, Janet, Bob and Bill. She is a grandmother to 12 children and a great grandmother to three children with one on the way. Janet is loved by her family and the many lives in her community that she has touched. My fellow colleagues, please join me in honoring Janet Saringer, an extraordinary woman and devoted civil servant.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Cleveland teachers for today's event: Salute to Teachers--Celebrating Cleveland's Educators. Today's event celebrating the efforts of Cleveland teachers originated from the work of Fox 8 photojournalist Herb Thomas and Assistant News Director Sonja Thompson who, while working on special assignment on the issue 14 campaign, became familiar with the work and efforts of Cleveland educators. Their discovery compelled them to hold this event to inform the public and recognize the many good works of Cleveland area teachers. Teachers are often a source of inspiration and success to many of us. Indeed, Cleveland teachers have a most important responsibility of giving our children the educational tools needed to equip them to face any challenge in their future lives. Being in contact with their students almost daily, a teacher's influence goes beyond just textbook reading, writing and arithmetic. Teachers are, by virtue of their position, often charged with the responsibility of caring and nurturing each student's personal, social and emotional development. They come to develop strong interpersonal relationships with their students which often last well beyond the elementary and secondary school years. Cleveland educators deserve high recognition for their efforts in enriching the minds and hearts of many of our community's children. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Cleveland educators who are touching the lives of thousands of students. They have given their time and dedication to the local community and have earned the respect of students, faculty, and the entire Cleveland community.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Horace Smith from my home State of Ohio who in many ways exemplifies the qualities of our great citizens. Horace Smith was a man greatly committed to our community and its people. Mr. Smith, born August 12, 1917 in Knoxville, Tennessee, moved to the area 45 years ago. Among his honorable achievements, Mr. Smith received numerous awards as a Staff Sergeant serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. He received the medal for Good Conduct, the American Theater Medal, and Four Bronze Stars. Horace Smith was dedicated to his job at Virden Lighting For 20 years before retiring in 1978. In addition to his strong dedication to his job, he committed his time to numerous organizations in Cleveland. Mr. Smith was a devoted member of the Morning Star Baptist church where he served as both a Trustee and Leader of Boy Scout Troupe No. 436. Furthermore, he was a member of the 32nd Degree Mason, the Shriners King Solomon Lodge No. 18, and Bezaleel Consistory No. 15. While serving the people of Cleveland as their mayor, I was honored to have Mr. Smith as a member of the Cleveland Planning Commission. He served Cleveland in countless ways including over 30 years as Precinct Committeeman 8-B, a member of the Cuyahoga County), Democratic Party Executive Committee, and a member of the board of Directors of Glenville Y.M.C.A. Mr. Smith also volunteered his time with other local officials during political campaigns including former Congressman Louis Stokes, former Mayor Carl Stokes, and former Mayor Michael White. It has been a great honor for all of us to work with Horace Smith. My fellow colleagues, please join me in celebrating the life of Staff Sergeant Horace Smith, a highly honored man devoted to our community for over 45 years. His achievements and service to the community, have earned him great respect by his family and all of us in the community.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, on December 12th, hundreds of Americans came to the Capitol to implore their elected representatives to help them. They are steelworkers, living in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota and Pennsylvania. They work for LTV Steel Company, which is in bankruptcy after enduring years of unfair competition from foreign imports. The steelworkers testified before a hearing of the Congressional Steel Caucus. They spoke poignantly and eloquently. They expressed the key principles upon which our Republic was founded: liberty and justice for all. They have made the reasonable demand that we, their elected representatives, uphold those principles in a global economy. I am entering into the Record the testimony from that hearing, so that all of my colleagues may hear their appeal. Statement of Tony Panza, LTV Steelworker, United Steelworkers of America, Local 1157, Cleveland, Ohio Hello. My name is Tony Panza. I'm 36 years old and have been employed by LTV Steel Company in Cleveland, Ohio since 1988. During my first ten years, I worked in the power house of the mill. I later joined the apprenticeship program and became a millwright in 1998. I had a good job and expected to work in this job until I retired some day. I am a third generation steelworker. I am married and my wife and I have two daughters, Isabel, age four, and Rosalie, age 10. In late 2000 when LTV first declared bankruptcy after suffering from the surge of foreign dumped steel, I joined the SOS (Save Our Steel) Committee to try to get Congress to stop illegally-dumped foreign steel before it destroyed any more American steel companies. Unfortunately, we have been unsuccessful up to this point. Some 29 American steel companies, including LTV, have been forced into bankruptcy. Several of those companies have been forced to shut down completely. One of the reasons is the snail's pace of the process in getting a loan from the Emergency Steel Loan Guarantee Board. It is my understanding that this program was established for circumstances just like what we face at LTV. The system seems to be working against us. By the time we can get help, it may be too late. I urge the Steel Caucus to do whatever you can in order to see that this program fulfills its duties under the law. Also, I'd like to stress to everyone here the devastating effect a permanent shutdown of LTV Steel would have not only upon our steelworkers, but also all of our retirees. It seems the only growth industry in this country is health care. Prices for health care, including prescription drugs, far exceed any increase in wages or benefits. If LTV permanently shuts down, not only will our retirees get reduced pensions from the PBGC and become a burden on the government, they will also be forced to bear this great additional cost on their fixed incomes. Growing up in this country, I was always taught to respect and care for my elders. It would seem that some in our government have forgotten this basic lesson. To allow those that invested so much of their blood, sweat, and tears in an industry and a company to make this country strong to be thrown to the wolves would make them victims to the policies of their own government. With the current economic situation in this country, the devastating effects a permanent shutdown of LTV would have would only make it harder on America to pull out of the current recession. It will only create a bigger burden on city, state, and Federal governments. Worse than that is the loss of self-respect of the people who helped to make this a great nation. My brothers and sisters and I are not asking for riches. We are not sports stars or movie stars. We are only asking to have the right to earn decent wages and benefits through the sweat of our labor so that we can buy a house, educate our children, and some day retire in dignity. The people here in Congress and in this administration have the ability to make that happen. Do not let the American dream die from neglect. I urge you in the strongest possible terms to get the Emergency Steel Loan Board to approve the $250 million loan guarantee to LTV Steel. Thank you.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, this bill could have been a lifeline for working families suffering as a result of the economic decline. This bill could have increased weekly payments to unemployed individuals and extended benefits to 52 weeks. This bill could have subsidized COBRA health insurance for those left uninsured as a result of layoff. This bill could have boosted its spending on critical security and infrastructure programs in order to jump-start the economy. This bill could have been a stimulus package. Instead, it is an expensive giveaway to those who need it least: a payback to Fortune 500 companies, who will guarantee further jobs will be cut. Our plan supplemented weekly benefits by no less than $65. Our plan guaranteed a full year of benefits to any individual eligible for unemployment benefits under State law. Our plan expanded eligibility to include part-time and other low-wage workers. This is critical, as currently less than 40 percent of unemployed Americans receive benefits. Dickens' ``Christmas Carol'' had Scrooge lighten up, give Cratchet a raise, and bring his son Tiny Tim some cheer. This bill before us would have Scrooge firing Cratchet, canceling his pension, and beating Tiny Tim with his own crutch.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, on December 4 and December 5, I was testifying in Federal bankruptcy court on behalf of the steelworkers and retirees of the LTV Steel Company, and was unable to cast votes here. If present, I would have voted ``yes'' on all of the following: Rollcall No. 466, H.R. 3323; rollcall No. 467, H.R. 3391; rollcall No. 468, S. 494; rollcall No. 469, H. Con. Res. 242; rollcall No. 470, H.R. 3348; rollcall No. 471, H. Con. Res. 102; and rollcall No. 472, H. Res. 298.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, today steelworkers from across the United States have come to Washington to ask our House to recognize their plight and the plight of U.S. Steel. Today the United States steel industry is faltering and in danger of collapse. Tens of thousands of men and women who have helped to secure the defense of this country through their work in creating and making this product called steel are in danger of losing their jobs and having their whole way of life be destroyed. Mr. Speaker, it is time for this country to ask itself whether or not it is in our national interest and in the interest of our national defense to maintain our steel industry; or shall we become dependent on foreign steel, the same way we are dependent on foreign oil. This House will have an opportunity before we complete our business to address the issues, to give the steelworkers some relief, to make it possible for steel loan guarantees to be more widely applicable, to give an opportunity for net operating loss to put cash into steel companies so they can keep going. This Congress has an obligation to carry forth for the future of this country our ability to make steel.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I stand today in memory of a woman known by many of us here today, Mrs. Lola Revis. Mrs. Revis was co-owner of Sherrill's Bakery and Restaurant on Capitol Hill for over fifty years. Lola and Samuel Revis purchased the diner from William Sherrill in 1941 and ran the business together. After Samuel suffered a stroke in 1969, Lola continued to operate the diner, and in the 1970s her two daughters, Kathyleen and Dorothy, joined her in the business. Lola ran the diner with her two daughters until she was 94 years old. Lola Revis was the heart and soul of Sherrill's. In 1989, she and her restaurant were featured in an Academy Award-nominated documentary, ``Fine Food, Fine Pastries, Open 6 to 9.'' The documentary made the antique decor, the simple cuisine, and the remarkable owner the subject of national attention. It was front-page news in Washington when Sherrill's Bakery and Restaurant closed its doors in July 2000. I still miss my daily breakfast of two slices of plain wheat toast, a bowl of oatmeal and a cup of hot water with a slice of lemon on the side, which cost less than three dollars. I no longer have trouble getting a seat, as four of the booths from Sherrill's currently reside in my office. Lola was a wonderful, hard-working woman with a truly individual spirit. My fellow colleagues, please join me in honoring Mrs. Lola Revis. She will be greatly missed. [From the Washington Post, Dec. 6, 2001] Sherrill's Restaurant Owner Lola Revis Dies (By Adam Bernstein) Lola M. Revis, 97, who co-owned Sherrill's Bakery and Restaurant on Capitol Hill and was a key personality in an Academy Award-nominated documentary about the legendary eatery that brought it national attention, died Dec. 5 at the Sunrise assisted living facility in Fairfax County. She had dementia and a lung ailment. Sherrill's, which opened in 1922 and closed in July 2000, was a relished neighborhood institution that brought together an enormously diverse clientele. Diners at 233 Pennsylvania Ave. SE might be politicians, congressional staffers, employees of the nearby Library of Congress, construction workers or mothers with their children. Sunday was a notoriously hard day to get a seat, when the place was brimming with young professionals taking their time devouring the newspaper as well as their bacon and eggs. Prices were low, and two could eat a huge and hearty breakfast for less than $10. Known for such comfort foods as creamed beef, eggs, meatloaf chock full of onions, fried fish sticks and T-bone steaks, Sherrill's never garnered rave reviews for its nuts- and-bolts cooking. The exceptions were mainly on the dessert side. Its eclairs were ``excellent,'' according to one Washington Post food writer. Others considered the gingerbread cookies sublime. Part of Sherrill's allure was the legendarily abrupt waitstaff. At least one waitress was known to tell a patron to ``sit down and shut up'' or to eat his dinner before it got cold. Over the years, some visitors interpreted such brusqueness favorably. There were those who even welcomed it as a sign of humanity compared with the robotic, humorless approach in more fleet or fancy chains. Sherrill's was far from fancy. Its furniture was emblematic of another era, with its high-back wooden booths and banquettes upholstered with gold-glitter plastic. The linoleum floor dated back more than 50 years. At the center of it all was a petite woman with black-cat eyeglasses and a beehive hair-do--Mrs. Revis. ``When things break down, we don't call a repairman, we call an antique dealer,'' she told the Maturity News Service in 1990. Many customers described her as the heart and soul of the place, a woman who believed everyone deserved a home-cooked meal, even on most holidays. She kept the place running 364 days a year, taking a break on Christmas Day. For much of its existence, hours were 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., with Mrs. Revis taking four buses from her Silver Spring home to arrive at dawn to open the store. David Petersen, a local lad, walked in one day and discovered a whole new world--more accurately, quite an old world--that resulted in his 1989 documentary about the venerable restaurant. The 28-minute film, ``Fine Food, Fine Pastries, Open 6 to 9,'' was mostly funded by the D.C. Community Humanities Council. ``It's a place that contains time,'' Petersen once told The Post, ``There was a different perspective on the way in which people gathered and ate together that was a complete anachronism.'' He added: ``I recognized a whole change in the rhythm of the speech people had among themselves. The conversation. The movement. The way the light comes in--the architecture of the light. All the advertisements, the clocks, the appliances, the rib-trimming around the pastry cases, the booths.'' Lola Mamakos, a Pittsburgh native, grew up in Washington and was a graduate of the old Central High School. Her parents were Greek immigrants, and her father owned a candy store that over time became Louie's Bar and Grill, about a block away from Sherrill's. In 1927, she married restaurateur Samuel A. Revis, who became manager of Louie's. They purchased William Sherrill's diner in 1941 and kept the name. The Revises ran the business together until Samuel Revis suffered a stroke in 1969; he died in 1975. By the 1970s, their two daughters also were involved, and all three ran it until Mrs. Revis retired at age 94 after falling and injuring her back. The daughters, Kathyleen Belfield Milton of Fairfax and Dorothy Polito of Wheaton, sold the business in July 2000. They wished to retire, and Sherrill's had become too expensive to run in an increasingly gentrified neighborhood. The end of Sherrill's became the subject of much mourning in the era of the low-fat latte, including a front-page Post article and television coverage. The family sold Sherrill's to a developer, and a Ritz Camera now occupies the space. A Starbucks is on the same block. Mrs. Revis once said of the business; ``If I stay at home, I have to think too much, I'd rather get out and meet the public. It keeps me young.'' She moved from Silver Spring to Sunrise in 1998. She was a member of St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Washington. Besides her daughters, survivors include five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and two great-great- grandchildren.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. I rise to oppose this rule and to oppose Fast Track. I come from Cleveland, a steel-producing community which is fighting valiantly to save 3,200 steelworkers' jobs and to protect the benefits of tens of thousands of retirees. But Fast Track is a barrier. Fast Track brought us NAFTA. It prohibits amending trade agreements. We could not amend NAFTA chapter 11, which grants corporate investors in all-NAFTA countries the right to challenge any local, State, or Federal regulations which those corporations say hurt their profits; and then they are able to get penalty money from the taxpayers of this country. The sovereign authority of all governments is at stake. Taxpayer dollars are at stake, even when we stand up for our own rights. A NAFTA case brought by a foreign-owned steel fabricator company is trying to overturn. Get this, they are trying to overturn ``Buy America'' laws that require using American steel in highway projects. NAFTA allows foreign-owned companies to challenge our Constitution, our Congress, our right to enact American laws. This would have a catastrophic impact on steel workers, causing loss of U.S. jobs. American taxpayers are financing the fight for democracy all over the world, while our trade laws undermine our democracy here at home. Vote against this rule and vote against Fast Track. Protect democracy. Protect American jobs.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Parma Heights Christian Academy, which has been named a 2000-2001 Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education. Parma Heights Christian Academy is the only private Christian school in the nation to receive the Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Award this year. In all, only 264 schools in the country earned this prestigious award this year. Blue Ribbon Schools are considered to be models of both excellence and equity where educational excellence for all students is a high priority. Parma Heights Christian Academy had to demonstrate its effectiveness in meeting local, state and national educational goals and had to successfully complete a rigorous application process. Blue Ribbon Schools must offer instructional programs that meet the highest academic standards, have supportive and learning-centered school environments, and demonstrate student outcome results that are significantly above average. Parma Heights Christian Academy is an outstanding school that is well deserving of this national recognition. Its academic programs and environment will serve as a model for schools across the country. My fellow colleagues, please Join me In congratulating the students, teachers and administration of Parma Heights Christian Academy for their commitment to excellence.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the designation of November 2001 as National American Indian Heritage Month. It is critical that we recognize the history of Native Americans and to learn more about their culture. I thank President Bush for his promise to protect and honor tribal society and help to stimulate economic development in reservation communities. I join him in acknowledging the contributions made by Native Americans in both World Wars and the conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf. Almost half of all Native American tribal leaders have served in the United States Armed Forces. Only in recent decades have we made progress in dismantling the shameful stereotypes that were invented by white Americans in the early centuries of European immigration to this land. We owe it to the Native American people to learn about their actual history and culture, and to teach our children. My fellow colleagues, it is of the utmost importance that we all take the time to remember American Indian heritage. We must do what we can to keep this beautiful culture alive, this culture of a people wronged by the greed and ignorance of our forefathers. I ask you to join me in making the following promise: Never again will our country attempt to decimate an entire culture.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, the legacy cost issue that has been raised by the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky) is one of the important elements in addressing the financial stability of America's steel industry. Mr. Chairman, at this very time, 3,200 steelworkers in Cleveland are wondering whether or not they are going to have jobs tomorrow; and yet, despite the fact that the union and the creditors have worked together to make concessions, the management of LTV wants to liquidate the company. We are anticipating that new management will come in, and new management will need something done about legacy costs, as will management of steel companies throughout this country. It is urgent that we address the issue that is raised by this amendment. Because of the accumulation by steel companies of massive legacy costs, the cost of pension and health benefits for thousands of employees who went into retirement has to be assured. The Visclosky amendment, supported by both the steel industry and the steelworkers, provides a solution. Much like title II of H.R. 808, the amendment would create a fund to address legacy costs. Steel companies would be able to draw on the fund to aid with the payment of health and pension benefits. One might ask, what does this have to do with defense? That has been raised. The existence of a healthy steel industry is crucial to our national security. It is inexplicable that at the time when we are in a national emergency, at a time when our men and women are traveling overseas to defend the interests of this country, that we should simultaneously be here begging for the survival of the American steel industry, which has defended this country through matters, thick and thin, over the last century. It is essential that Congress begin to take action to save this steel industry and to save the jobs. Right now there are thousands of American families, tens of thousands, who are watching this Congress, wondering if we are going to hear their pleas. We bailed out the airline industry. The insurance industry is going to be walking down this aisle in the next few hours. And yet what about American steel? What about protecting our national security? What about legacy costs?

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, the Kucinich-Lee counterterrorism amendment to H.R. 3338, Department of Defense appropriations, increases money for counterterrorism, significantly increases funding for anthrax and smallpox vaccine production, $82 million, and provides for a mass destruction civil support team in every State. It significantly boosts the Nunn-Lugar counterproliferation program to help secure tons of biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons material in the former Soviet Union, and the offset is $78 million out of the $8 billion for ballistic missile defense, less than a 10 percent cut. It cuts funding for construction for Fort Greely, where initial deployment threatens the ABM treaty. This transfer is the most allowed under budget scoring rules. Mr. Chairman, I think it is very important that at this time we take a stand to recognize the importance of the ABM treaty. The deployment of this program would threaten that treaty. I think it is important that we take a stand to put more funds into counterterrorism. That is the spirit of this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman.

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, I recognize the chairman's point of order; and at the appropriate time, I will make a unanimous consent request. Parliamentary Inquiry

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, respecting the point of order that the Chair has raised, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw the amendment.

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my concern about the military order of the President issued on November 13, 2001 and titled ``Detention, Treatment, and Trial of Certain Non-Citizens in the War Against Terrorism.'' Under this military order the President declared an ``extraordinary emergency'' that enables him to order military tribunals for suspected international terrorists and their collaborators, bypassing the American criminal justice system, its rules of evidence and its constitutional guarantees. The creation of military tribunals would permit secret arrests, secret charges using secret evidence, secret prosecutions, secret witnesses, secret trials, secret convictions, secret sentencing, and even secret executions. The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution establishes that ``No person shall * * * be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.'' It is therefore a matter of protecting our Constitutional rights that defendants in terrorism cases receive full due process under the law. Furthermore, failure to subject suspected terrorists to the Constitutionally-based American system of justice will cause America to lose moral standing in the world. For years the State Department has strongly opposed the use of secret courts in countries such as Russia, China, Egypt, Peru--and Columbia. Just this summer China held secret trials of several US based scholars on espionage charges. One of the scholars was a U.S. citizen and another two were U.S. permanent residents. We demand full due process for Americans charged with a crime in a foreign country and we should not set a different standard for our non-citizens. Just days ago Spain announced that it will not extradite eight men charged with complicity in the Sept. 11th attacks unless the United States agrees to try the suspects by a civilian court and not by a military tribunal. According to an article in the New York Times on Nov. 24, 2001, ``A senior European Union official * * * said he doubted that any of the 15 nations--all of which have renounced the death penalty and signed the European Convention on Human Rights--would agree to extradition that involved the possibility of a military trial. Noted conservative columnist, William Safire, put to rest the erroneous argument that the establishment of military tribunals was consistent with military justice. According to Safire, ``Military attorneys are silently seething * * * The Uniform Code of Military Justice demands a public trial, proof beyond reasonable doubt, an accused's voice in the selection of juries and the right to choose counsel, unanimity in death sentencing and above all appellate review by civilians confirmed by the Senate. Not one of these fundamental rights can be found in (the Administration's) military order setting up kangaroo courts for people he designates before ``trial'' to be terrorists.'' We can not, and should not, let the actions of terrorists cause us to degrade our American system of justice.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, we all agree that terrorists should be brought to justice. But what kind of justice? The American jurisprudence system is the envy of the free world with its emphasis on due process. Yet the recent executive order substitutes our American justice system for military tribunals, where officers sit as judge and jury with secret evidence, secret witnesses, secret verdicts, and even secretly handed-down death sentences. This order is not reflective of the workings of the great solons of the law whose likenesses ring this Chamber. This is not reflective of Jeffersonian democracy. This is Kafka's trial writ large. We cannot, we should not let the actions of terrorists cause us to reject our American system of justice. The ultimate terror in a democracy is the destruction of constitutional principles. Let us defend against terrorism, and may we always remain one Nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, this Congress will push through any legislation to deal with the difficult times we face, except a bill to help the 100,000 laid-off airline industry workers. Congress passed a $15 billion airline bailout bill, and we gave the 100,000 laid-off airline employees absolutely nothing. Today, the House of Representatives will pass an airline security bill, and laid-off airline workers will again receive absolutely nothing. This is wrong, and our priorities are backwards. We are ignoring airline workers who are responsible for making our trips safe. This motion to recommit will simply give preference for the newly created airline security jobs to qualified airline workers who have been recently laid off. A ``yes'' vote on this motion to recommit means Members believe that people, individual men and women, deserve the attention of Congress, not just the airline companies. The 100,000 laid-off airline workers deserve a chance, and they deserve our vote.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the House passed a bill that is labeled an economic stimulus package; but the fact of the matter is with $8 trillion taken out of the economy through declines in the stock market, and the decline in buying power anywhere from three to $400 billion, the amount passed in no way will stimulate the economy. Despite the fact that the Fed will soon meet for the tenth interest rate cut, we are going to continue to see the American economy lag because Congress yesterday did not do its job. Instead, what Congress did was to give permanent tax cuts to those least likely to spend it: large corporations and those who are at the highest income. Congress gave a retroactive tax cut, immediate rebates to large corporations, and nothing was in that bill for people who really need help, people who are expected to be unemployed, those employees who are at places like Kodak and others where thousands are being laid off. Mr. Speaker, we are going to have to readdress and come back and look at this issue of economic stimulus to take care of those who are truly needy in this country and resist the urge to feed the greedy.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, the Progressive Caucus supports the Democratic substitute, which includes a significant increase in unemployment benefits. The $30 billion in increased unemployment benefits included in the Democratic alternative is 20 times the amount the majority bill allocates for working men and women who have been laid off. The majority would give a retroactive tax cut to big companies who are not hiring but they are laying off thousands, tens of thousands of Americans. There is a clear difference between the two parties on this issue. The Democratic alternative includes a Federal supplement to State unemployment benefits of $65 a week, or 25 percent, whichever is greater. Extended benefits of up to 26 weeks for unemployed individuals for a total of 52 weeks worth of coverage, expanded eligibility to include part-time and other low-wage workers. Under the administration plan, an unemployed individual will not receive $1 more in benefits than he or she already receives from the State of residence. In my own State of Ohio, an unemployed individual would receive nothing under the administration plan but $65 extra per week under the Democratic plan. A Texas worker, nothing under the administration plan, $65 extra under ours. A worker in California, nothing under their plan, $65 under ours. Their plan would give nothing extra to an Illinois worker, while the Democratic plan would give at least $65. Iowa, New Hampshire, the great State of Florida, $65 under our plan, not a dime extra under their bill. The administration plan provides for extended benefits but only in those States that see unemployment increase 30 percent in the next 18 months. Most Americans will not see a penny of extended benefits. By contrast, our plan guarantees a full year of benefits to any individual eligible for unemployment benefits under State law, and our plan expands eligibility to include part-time and other low-wage workers. But the administration does not do that. This is a defining moment. Whose side are we on, the hundreds of thousands of workers suffering under the declining economy, or the large corporations who want retroactive tax cuts off the backs of the American people?