Dennis Kucinich

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, if the gentleman will yield, I thank the gentleman from Georgia. I want to assure the gentleman that 97 percent of the research that you support is protected, that this amendment seeks to utilize percent for environmental risk assessment. I want to, since my good friend from Michigan (Mr. Smith) and I have debated a lot of the issues that the gentleman refers to, from our respective positions, I think there is a point here where we can have some bipartisan agreement. I want to let the gentleman from Georgia know that I am sympathetic to his concerns, and I would appreciate his consideration of this position.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Chester J. Nowak, United States Army Sergeant, on his years of dedicated military service to our great nation. Mr. Nowak was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio and is currently residing in Rocky River. He served selflessly for our country in the Korean War, and was in battle in Northern France, Rhineland, Central Europe, and Ardennes, known as the Bulge. He served in Company L, the 194th Glider Infantry Regiment with the 17th Airborne Division. His love and true devotion to America is an inspiration to all. He received the Combat Infantry Badge and also the Glider Badge. He was awarded a Purple Heart after he was wounded in Belgium and was awarded a Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement in ground operations against the enemy. Originally, the Republic of Korea offered medals to those veterans that served in Korea between June 25, 1950, the outbreak of hostilities in Korea, to July 27, 1953, the date the armistice was signed. In addition, veterans are eligible if they served on the soil of Korea, in waters adjacent, or in the air above Korea. These medals are a symbol of American freedom, patriotism, democracy, and sacrifice. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring a man that has sacrificed for his nation and has served our country in many capacities, Sergeant Chester J. Nowak. Mr. Nowak is an inspiration to all, and our great country is thankful for his services.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of a great citizen, C. Donald Brady. Born in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, Mr. Brady was a truly selfless individual. In his spare time he enjoyed canoeing and fly-fishing, but it was his time that he dedicated to others that stands out. Mr. Brady passed away recently but left in his path a long established pattern of giving. After graduating from high school he gave to his country by joining the Navy and serving four years. Next he gave to his community, serving as a teacher after attending California (Pa.) State Teachers College and West Virginia University. Even after earning a bachelor's degree in education and a masters in education from these universities respectively, he continued to increase his knowledge by studying bacteriology at Indiana (Pa.) State Teachers College. He taught for six years at Firelands High School and then joined the faculty at North Olmsted High School in 1965. Upon retiring as a biology teacher in 1987 he continued his model of giving by rediscovering his youthful joy of playing the clarinet and becoming active in Dixieland music associations. Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring the memory of C. Donald Brady.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 25th Anniversary of the Cleveland Polka Association, a long-standing organization in the Cleveland community that has brought happiness and fine music to thousands in the Northeastern Ohio area. As long-time polka all-star Frankie Yanovic put it, Cleveland is a polka town! Originating in 1976, the Cleveland Polka Association has long been dedicated to preserving the polka heritage, and promoting interest in polka events. The CSA has been working diligently to establish close friendships among all those who have a great interest in polka music and dance. The Cleveland-style polka has its roots in Slovenian folk music, but American musicians have given the polka a style that people of all backgrounds can enjoy. The Cleveland Polka Association devotes their time and energy to upholding great polka lessons, such as ``If you can't do the Polka, don't Marry my Daughter'', and ``In Heaven there is no Beer.'' They will never really answer the question ``Who stole the Kishka?'' Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring and recognizing the Cleveland Polka Association on their distinguished 25th Anniversary celebration. The polka music will be heard long and far as the CSA celebrates to the melodious tunes into the night.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize OhioDance, Ohio's statewide service organization for dance and movement arts, on their 25th anniversary. OhioDance has long been dedicated to supporting the diverse and vibrant field of dance in Ohio by providing communication, information, education, cooperation building, and organizational services to the entire state. OhioDance serves a variety of audiences from professional companies and dancers to amateur dancers. They benefit college and university dance departments, dance studios, school and community programs, and dance supporters. OhioDance also provides a quarterly newsletter, dance calender, and directory/recourse guide. The Ohio Dance Festival is to be held this year on October 19-20 and will prove to be an amazing time for all those in attendance. In conjunction with this year's festival, OhioDance will produce statewide showcases and master classes. Over the past few years, OhioDance has partnered with countless organizations to promote their goal and affect more Ohio citizens. Recently, they have collaborated with the Ohio Department of Education, the Ohio Arts Council, and K-12 teachers in the development of dance education curriculum. Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebration on this very special 25th Anniversary of OhioDance. Their admirable mission to spread the art of dance to all Ohio citizens should be commended by all.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time and for the opportunity to work with him on this. I also want to thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon), because in the time I have been in Congress, there are not many people as patriotic and concerned about defending America as the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon). I have had the chance to go to Russia with him and travel with him on many opportunities. We may not agree on this issue, but I do not doubt for a second the gentleman's commitment to this country. And I would ask that our commitment to our country not be doubted when we say that it is really time to look at missile defense with great skepticism. When we look at the events of the last 2 weeks, we have seen our President put together a coalition of countries from around the world, a world coalition that is going to challenge terrorism. I think that now, more than ever, we have an opportunity to build from this world cooperation; to get rid of nuclear weapons once and for all, which was the promise of the non-proliferation treaty, it was the promise of the ABM treaty, and the United States has a new opportunity here. I think the gentleman from Massachusetts is right when he raises questions that go to the heart of national missile defense, because the truth of the matter is if we pursue national missile defense, we inevitably deconstruct the ABM treaty, which is a basis for bringing nations together. And that ought to be our effort now as we are in the 21st century, at a time when democratic institutions are under attack. I rise in support of the amendment, because I think the amendment reflects the new priorities of our Nation in the wake of the terrorist attacks. And I appreciate the ranking member's work and the chairman of the committee for their work in crafting the amendment. The events of September 11, I would submit, have demonstrated that missile defense is ineffective in the threats facing the Nation today. Who can argue that a missile shield would have protected against the events of 2 weeks ago? We know that that attack on our country was so devastating, precisely because it was perpetrated anonymously and amorphously, disarming and instilling fear in our Nation. Aggressors employing this type of battle, what Pentagon experts have long known as fourth generational warfare, shun the conventional. Rather than intercontinental ballistic missiles, they employ car bombs; rather than armies, they target civilians and institutions. That is why this transfer of funds, from the development of an unproven, ineffective weapons system, to programs that will immediately help protect Americans citizens from attack, is so crucial. Madam Chairman, let me say there is no illusion here. This amendment is not nearly enough. The defense bill authorizes the expenditure of $343 billion. We must ask ourselves, will the expenditure of this money protect our Nation from the type of attack we faced 2 weeks ago? Madam Chairman, I believe we need a new set of principles to guide our national defense. We need a lighter, more mobile force, capable of adapting to changing circumstances, including the emergence of terrorists and other fourth generational threats. We need to recognize that people, not machines, are our most effective asset. It is not excusable that our armed service members go wanting for housing and proper equipment, while we sink money into an unworkable weapons system. We need to demand financial accountability from the Pentagon, which has not once passed the test of an independent audit. Similarly, we need a new comprehensive threat and risk assessment; and we need to combine these efforts to a comprehensive program to prevent attacks like we had 2 weeks ago.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Mr. Chester A. Oblock, owner of the infamous Pyramid Cafe and beloved friend, for a lifetime of dedicated service to his community. Mr. Oblock, a Cleveland native, has been a lifelong resident of the city's South Side. He is perhaps best known for the delicious meals he has been serving in the Pyramid Cafe since 1964. Three years later he began sponsoring the Pyramid Cafe slow-pitch softball team. The team grew and with practice became the first Cleveland team to win the Amateur Softball Association's National Men's Open Slow Pitch Tournament in 1975. In 1987, he was inducted into the Greater Cleveland Slow-Pitch Hall of Fame. Mr. Oblock was known by his friends for his great love and generosity to all his players, friends, and family. When the team traveled out of Cleveland, he took money out of his own pocket to pay for the families of the softball players to stay in hotel rooms. More important than any of his prized softball games was his family. Before sponsoring his prize-winning softball team, Mr. Oblock served his nation selflessly in military service. During World War II, he served in Europe with the Army's 104th Infantry Division, the ``Timberwolves.'' Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring the memory of Mr. Chester A. Oblock, a truly great man. Mr. Oblock is a man who truly will be missed in the Cleveland community. His love for not only the game of softball, but for all his community is an inspiration to many. His warm smile and gentle spirit will be remembered by many.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the Weldon amendment to H.R. 2944, the District of Columbia appropriations bill for FY2002. This amendment would prohibit local funds from being used to implement the District of Columbia domestic partnership act. I would like to point out that the heroes of the tragic attacks on New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania include: Mark Bingham, a passenger on American Airlines 77 who helped resist the hijackers and prevented the plane from crashing into a national monument in Washington, D.C. David Charlesbois, American Airlines flight 77 co-pilot and resident of Washington, D.C.; Father Mychal Judge, Fire Department Chaplain and Franciscan priest who died while delivering last rites to victims of the attack on the World Trade Center. These three courageous Americans are all heroes and are all gay. Many more gay Americans continue to assist in efforts in the aftermath of the tragedies--rescue workers, healthcare professionals and volunteers from around the country. How can we deny these heroes domestic partnership benefits? I strongly encourage my colleagues to vote against the Weldon amendment and support local funding for domestic partnership benefits. I would also like to submit into the record a commentary from the National Public Radio show ``Weekend Edition Saturday.'' Commentary: Inappropriate Comments Made by the Reverends Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson Regarding the World Trade Center Bombing (September 22, 2001) Scott Simon (host). I really don't want to be critical of anyone during a national crisis, especially people who are sources of spiritual guidance to millions of Americans. But sometimes the Reverends Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson say something so staggering, they renew your capacity to be shocked, amen, even in a shocking time. Last week when America was wounded and confused, the Reverend Falwell was a guest on Pat Robertson's television show, ``The 700 Club.'' He said that God Almighty, angered by America's abortion rights, gay rights and secularism in schools, had permitted terrorists to slay the World Trade Center and smite the Pentagon.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Air Force Colonel John Boyd, perhaps our Nation's greatest military strategist, once said, ``Machines don't fight wars, people do, and they use their minds.'' Last week, a group of terrorists shattered all of our established notions of warfare, commandeering four of this country's own commercial airlines and utilizing them as weapons that wrought catastrophic damages on two of our major cities. Yet today, we gather to debate a defense bill oriented towards the type of war fought in past generations. The tactics the perpetrators employed, fourth-generation warfare, are vastly different from traditional modes of battles. They are unorthodox and irregular, as likely to be carried out by non-state actors as nation states. They seek to create chaos by attacking people, cultures, and institutions rather than militaries. They have been in development for years, and on September 11th they became impossible to ignore. The bill we debate here today allocates $343 billion for the defense of our Nation. Will the expenditure of this money protect our Nation from the type of attack we faced last Tuesday? That is a key question. Will the 13 F-22s we will buy next year for $4 billion have been able to prevent the hijacking of these four airliners? What of the role of the 55-ton Howitzer the Army is requesting $500 million for? What of the role of the Land Attack Missile Destroyer? What about the ballistic missile defense system, the development of which to date has consumed over $60 billion of taxpayer money? Will any of this equipment help prevent or counter the next attack against our Nation? Will this equipment, for instance, be of any use against a suitcase bomb, which uses conventional explosives to distribute nuclear waste products? Our military establishment seeks $33 billion more than last year, the largest defense increase since the Cold War, for a total budget as large as the next 15 defense budgets combined, in order to leap ahead into the future. But this leap-ahead technology is rooted deeply in the past. Our current force is more than adequate at dealing with conventional battlefield threats. What we lack is the ability to deal with this new sort of warfare. We need, then, a new set of principles to form the backbone of an efficient and effective national defense. First, we need a force that is capable to adapt to changing circumstances, a force that is comfortable and capable countering a terrorist infiltration as an invading army. To accomplish this we need accurate and comprehensive information upon which to base our decisions. This includes information about ourselves, our systems, our current capabilities, our expenditures, as well as our potential enemies. Finally, borrowing from Colonel Boyd, we need to acknowledge that our people, not our machines, are our most important assets. The Pentagon, for example, in this context has never passed an independent audit, cannot properly document trillions of dollars in accounting entries, cannot account for all of its equipment, overpays its contractors and uses unrealistic assumptions in all aspects of planning, according to audit agencies. We have the opportunity to construct an efficient and versatile force oriented towards the diverse threats facing our Nation, one that exploits the ability of a talented officer and enlisted corps and utilizes machines as their tools. But our Nation has much work to do before we complete that task, and we are in a position to accomplish it. Madam Chairman, I want to thank the ranking member and also the Chair for this opportunity. I know they are trying to do what is best for this country. We have a lot more work to do.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, whatever form of action we choose must reflect our democratic principles and distinguish us from the mentality of terrorists and destructive violence. Our actions must pursue a path towards reducing violence, not escalating violence. Launching weapons of mass destruction or collateral attacks against innocent civilians would be no different than the terror we already have had brought upon us. An eye-for-an-eye mentality is unacceptable. We are a Nation of civil and moral values, and we must show the world that. These terrorist attacks were clearly a crime against humanity. What does a democracy do to punish criminals? We put them on trial. If found guilty, we imprison them. The U.S. military action should be centered on arresting the responsible parties and the Government placing the suspects on trial. That is how we win this. This is how we should show the world that we are a humane and democratic Nation. That is what gives us the moral high ground. That is what we need to do to help prevent future attacks. Future attacks will not be prevented because terrorists fear our military. To kill them does not scare them. It is an honor for them to be killed. But for our democracy, it is important to rise above their violent attacks and punish them with unquestionable moral superiority. That will vindicate our highest principles. Violence is reciprocal in nature. Peace is also reciprocal. The direction we take will speak volumes about our democracy. We must and will defend our country, and we must and will pursue and arrest these criminals. We must do so in a manner that upholds democratic principles.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Michigan, and I want to say what an honor it has been to work with the gentleman through my time in Congress on so many concerns relating to this issue which is before us. The gentleman and I share many common beliefs, values, and constituencies. I am privileged to have one of the largest constituencies of Arab- Americans and Muslims and Arab-Christians and Asian-Indian constituencies in the United States; and I know, as has been recited tonight, that we are talking about Americans, our brothers and sisters, individuals whose sons and daughters serve this country; individuals who have built many of our communities; individuals who provide jobs for many of our families; individuals who own and operate many of our small businesses; individuals who are stalwart citizens in the community; individuals who believe in our Constitution; individuals who believe in our way of life; individuals who help describe what is good about America. So it is appropriate that we are here past 1 o'clock in the morning to make a statement about what America represents, about what America stands for, about the principles which bring us to this House. Now, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Bonior) has been in this House much longer than I have, but I will say, as someone who has had the privilege of serving in this House for almost 5 years now, every day that I come into this Chamber and I walk along this counter, I see carved in the counter certain principles expressed in single words. Starting from my left, you see the word ``peace,'' and then next to it carved in the wood is the word ``liberty,'' and right here in the center is the word ``tolerance.'' Behind me carved in wood, the word ``justice,'' and right around the corner, the word ``union.'' These principles literally physically frame our debate every minute that we are here on the floor of the House of Representatives. You cannot miss them. They look out at us every moment; and by reference, they look out at America. Arab-Americans are our brothers and our sisters, and we have the responsibility to stand up for them, just as in the last few hours we took a stand on behalf of those poor souls who perished by claiming the right to pursue justice on their behalf, because we do not need any more victims in this country. America does not need to incur any more losses on our soil, and we do not need to incur it at the hands of American citizens turning against U.S. citizens, turning against our own people. So tonight we plead for tolerance. Now, tonight all across America people stood outside their homes and held candles in the darkness. Those candles were held to send out the light of hope in the darkness of despair. The previous night thousands of people surrounded the Reflecting Pool between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, and a ring of light framed the water, reflecting the stars above. We know that light always shines in the darkness. That is the promise of so many of our holy scriptures. We know the light of tolerance shines in the darkness of hate. We know the light of justice shines through the darkness of prejudice. We know the light of liberty shines through the dark hold of emotional, spiritual, and physical chains. We know the light of peace shines through the darkness of terrorism. We know the light of union shines through the darkness of division. My country tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing; long may our land be bright, with freedom's holy light, protect us by thy might, great God, our king.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, America grieves for the victims of these terrorist attacks, and for their families and friends. Our prayers are with them and our hearts go out to those who have endured unbearable loss. Our most hopeful thoughts are with those who have risked their lives in heroic rescue efforts. In this grim moment, we must be resolute in protecting the fabric of our democracy and the individual freedoms that make America a great nation. As we grieve, we cannot let terrorists win by turning the United States into a police state. America must remain calm because such calm is essential to preserving our liberties. America must bring to justice those responsible for these cowardly deeds. We must be cautious about rolling back freedoms at home or placing blame in the wrong place. America must continue to be a beacon of democracy for the world. Let this sad moment cause all governments and all people of good will around the world to unite and to move together to challenge and uproot those who have destructive goals which seek to create death and drive the world toward chaos. Now, more than ever, America must continue to be a force for peace in the world. We must not let the terrorists win.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great man, Father John Zdinak, for his life of dedicated service to St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral of Cleveland on this very special day of reconsecration. Father John Zdinak has served Theodosius Cathedral in Cleveland, Ohio in many capacities and has touched the lives of his congregation. Father Zdinak was assigned Rector of St. Theodosius in 1999, and has since then served the cathedral in many positions. Perhaps his most well-known act within the cathedral happened within his first year of installation. Father John completed a $400,000 Cemetery Expansion project that developed much of the parish cemetery. Father Zdinak's genuine vision for the Cathedral community was to establish a much greater presence in the Cleveland community, and more specifically the Tremont area. He worked to reclaim the former Rectory located behind the Cathedral and developed the Parish Ministries Center. His love, vision, and hope for the cathedral community has benefited the congregation in incredible ways. Although Father Zdinak worked extensively to expand the Cathedral community, he also spent quite some time improving the physical structure of the Cathedral. Over the years, soot and dust have accumulated on the exterior of the beautiful Cathedral, much due to the nearby steel and coal mills. Father Zdinak spent months cleaning the exterior with his fellow colleagues, friends, and countless members of the congregation. Inside the Cathedral, Father Zdinak removed and replaced copper roofing on domes, upgraded the electrical system, removed worn carpet, and much more. Father John Zdinak has brought countless improvements to St. Theodosius Cathedral, and for that we are grateful. His love and dedication to Christian belief is an inspiration to all. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing and celebrating a man who has touched the lives of hundreds, Father John Zdinak, on this very special day.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of a man who inspired the American people with beautiful song, Mr. Joe Darion, lyricist of ``Man of La Mancha.'' Born in New York City in 1911, Mr. Darion worked throughout his life in every genre of music from popular songs to opera. Mr. Darion attended City College before serving his nation in World War II. In the early 1950's he had three Top-10 hits; the Patti Page ballad ``Changing Partners'', the Teresa Brewer novelty ``Ricochet'', and Red Buttons' comedy hit ``The Ho Ho Song''. Mr. Joe Darion is most known for his beautiful lyrics of ``The Impossible Dream,'' which quickly became one of the most beloved pop anthems of our time. ``Man of La Mancha'' opened in New York in 1956 and ran for an incredible 2,328 performances. In recognition of his heart-warming lyrics, Mr. Darion was rewarded a Tony Award for best score. ``The Impossible Dream'' has affected thousands of people, young and old. His lyrics have inspired and touched countless Americans. His words dive deep into the human soul and character. His words, ``To dream the impossible dream, To fight the unbeatable foe, to bear with unbearable sorrow, To run where the brave dare not go. To right the unrightable wrong, To love pure and chaste from afar, To try when your arms are too weary, To reach the unreachable star. This is my quest, To follow that star---- No matter how hopeless, no matter how far. To fight for the right Without question or pause, To be willing to march into hell For a heavenly cause. And I know if I'll only be true To this glorious quest That my heart will be peaceful and calm When I'm laid to my rest. And the world will be better for this, That one man scorned and covered with scars still strove with his last ounce of courage. To reach the unreachable stars.'' Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring the memory of a man who touched millions of Americans with his inspiring lyrics and, enabled countless people everywhere to ``Dream the Impossible Dream'', Mr. Joe Darion.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to remove my name from H.R. 2107.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and recognize the Honorable Senator John Glenn and his wife Mrs. Annie Glenn, on their achievement of the Greater Communicator Award. Senator and Mrs. Glenn have an incredibly dedicated history of public service, and have remained committed to serving their community for years. Mrs. Annie Glenn has suffered and overcome a severe stuttering problem, and after completing an intensive therapy program she now speaks confidently and has given countless speeches. Senator Glenn was the first American to orbit the earth in 1962 and returned to space in 1998. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1974 and retired in 1998. His distinguished career as a public servant earned him the respect and admiration of his colleagues and constituents alike. Senator and Mrs. Glenn have dedicated their entire lives to the betterment of their local and international community. This Great Communicator Award is being presented to Senator John and Annie Glenn in recognition of their tireless efforts in public service and a lifetime of service. The Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center is presenting this prestigious award during their 80th anniversary celebration. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognition for two outstanding individuals, Senator John Glenn and his wife Annie, for their lifetime of outstanding achievement. Their love, dedication, and commitment to bettering their community has touched thousands of Americans.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, although our effort in the House of Representatives today to extend the Defense Production Act is commendable, the House has missed a prime opportunity to make this Act more effective in ensuring our national security and helping American workers. The Defense Production Act, first enacted in 1950, ensures that products, materials, and services essential to our national security are available to defense related agencies at all times--but especially in times of conflict. One material that is especially critical to our defense needs is steel. Our armed forces would not be able to respond to a national emergency without an adequate supply of domestically produced steel. But at this very moment, the American steel industry is in dire straits. In recent months a number of steel companies have been driven into bankruptcy, and others are on the brink. Thousands of jobs are at risk, as another wave of low-cost steel imports has battered the domestic industry. In my home district, LTV Steel, which employs thousands of Cleveland residents, is undergoing bankruptcy proceedings and has had to idle one of its plants. A bill I introduced, the Steel and National Security Act, would have amended the Defense Production Act to enable the President to step in and aid critical defense industries such as steel. In its findings, the Steel and National Security Act identifies domestic steel capacity as an essential part of what a key executive order has called the ``foundation for national defense preparedness'': our domestic industrial and technological base. To revive and secure the health of the American steel industry and thereby ensure adequate domestic capacity, the Steel and National Security Act would reauthorize the Defense Production Act's Title III, with a specific allocation of $1 billion in each of the fiscal years 2002, 2003, and 2004 for Department of Defense loans, grants and purchase commitments. Fifty percent of each year's allocated funds would be reserved for purchase commitments, to ensure that ailing industries are given a sharp boost. The bill would also establish a National Defense Preparedness Domestic Industrial Base Board. The Board would be responsible, through one time en masse purchases and other means, for ensuring uninterrupted availability of defense-related materials. Together, these provisions would ensure enough demand so that domestic industries critical to our national security--like steel--can survive tough times. But that is not all my bill would accomplish. The Steel and National Security Act would also reauthorize Defense Production Act's Title VII, with a specific directive ordering the Department of Defense to request a 45-day period of further investigation for all mergers, acquisitions, and takeovers involving a foreign steel company. This would ensure that domestic capacity to produce materials and goods essential to our national security always exists. Mr. Speaker, though the House has acted correctly in extending the Defense Production Act to 2004, it has not acted decisively to aid those industries most vital to our national security.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a truly wonderful humanitarian, Mr. Tony Vento, on his retirement from the InterReligious Task Force on Central America. Mr. Tony Vento, Coordinator of the InterReligious Task Force on Central America, was born and raised in Ft. Lauderdale but soon left for Philadelphia to study Urban Studies with a focus in Community Development Planning and Architectural History. After his undergraduate work, Mr. Vento decided to accept a position as campus minister of the University of Pennsylvania and centered his work on peace, justice, and community service. Mr. Vento's theological career led him down many winding paths, including trips to Italy, Peru, and the University of Toronto's St. Michael's College. His dedication to the furthering of democracy eventually brought him to the InterReligious Task Force on Central America, where he was hired as the Director in the fall of 1992. The task force uses education human rights work, and advocacy of peaceful policies to build bridges of hope and solidarity with the most consistently martyred region in our hemisphere. Mr. Vento has been a true jewel for the InterReligious Task Force on Central America, and he will be greatly missed. His dedication and love for the people of Central America is extremely evident in the fine work he does. He will be soon joining Pax Christi USA to be their National Program Director. Mr. Speaker, please join me in humbled recognition and celebration of Mr. Tony Vento. He has, and will continue to, inspire many not only in his local community, but across the globe.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Proclamation of Independence of Ukraine. Ukraine has a long and very turbulent history. For almost three centuries, 1709-1917, Central Ukraine was under the Tsarist domination, followed by Soviet Russian rule from 1921-1991. On August 24, 1991, the Parliament of Ukraine, under the leadership of Leonid Kravchuk, declared Independence of Ukraine, and banned the Communist Party. The Proclamation of Independence was soon ratified by over 90 percent of the voters in December 1991. The Constitution of Ukraine now guarantees all citizens equal protection under the law regardless of race, creed, religion, or national origin. Ukraine is now recognized by over 150 nations, has signed numerous treaties of friendship, voluntarily gave up all nuclear weapons by signing the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and is a strong strategic partner of the United States in NATO's ``Partnership for Peace.'' Ukraine has made great strides in equality and peace and has even remained free from armed conflicts on its territory throughout its ten years of independence. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring the tenth anniversary of the Proclamation of Independence of Ukraine. Ukrainians are working hard to establish a better life for themselves and their country, and have made remarkable strides in democracy.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Mr. Gilman, Mr. Baldacci, Mrs. Morella, Mr. Allen, Mr. Smith of New Jersey, Mr. Berman, Mr. Knollenberg, Mr. Lewis of Georgia, Mr. Dingell, Mr. Lantos, Mr. Rahall, Ms. Lowey, Mr. Filner, Ms. Kilpatrick, Mr. Rothman, Mr. Sanders and Mr. Nadler, I rise to honor John Wallach, journalist and international peacemaker. Mr. Wallach has nurtured a belief that peace can be achieved when opponents humanize each other, get to know each other, and grow to respect and understand each other, and learn to live together. Mr. Wallach created a place where that humanizing and coexistence could take place. It is a camp called Seeds of Peace. Starting in 1993, Seeds of Peace has brought together Arab and Israeli teenagers, aged 13 to 15, to learn how to stop the cycle of violence and to learn conflict resolution skills. Since then, teenagers from opposing sides in the Balkans, Cyprus and India/Pakistan international conflicts have begun to participate. They participate in person-to-person peacemaking. They create the substance of peace--daily coexistence. They confront the most difficult issues facing their nations--refugees, water, borders, holy sites--issues that in many cases their leaders have avoided. No subject is left unaddressed and their hatred is raw, the pain is fierce and real. Unlike their national leaders, Seeds of Peace participants must live every waking moment together--sleeping, eating, playing, conversing, and understanding. Seeds of Peace is a supplement to international diplomacy. While governments sign agreements, it is up to ordinary people to fulfill the meaning of those documents, and they do it through daily coexistence. The Seeds of Peace Camp is set in Maine, a safe, neutral and beautiful environment. It is a physical location that reminds participants of what the world can be. Seeds of Peace fosters friendships among young people in order to facilitate an enduring peace in the future. An indicator of the program's success was the first Middle East Youth Summit (organized by Seeds of Peace) at Villars, Switzerland in May, 1998. The Summit brought together Seeds of Peace graduates from Egypt, Israel, Jordan, the Palestinian National Authority and the United States to collaborate in figuring out how to end the stalemate of the peace process. The young delegates were presented with the areas in conflict, and they subsequently framed a Declaration of Principles, upholding conflict resolution methods and concepts. The final result of the Summit was the ``Charter of Villars,'' which was proposed as a starting point for Israeli and Palestinian leaders in going about resolving conflicting issues. The Charter serves as a paradigm for future attempts at peaceful conflict resolution. The short-term impact of the program is obvious, and its long term success will be measured by the continuing connections among graduates. Two-thirds of the teens, it is estimated, remain actively involved with each other and with the program. A total of twenty-one delegations participated in Seeds of Peace in the summer of 2000: eight delegations from the Middle East (Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, Palestinian Authority, Qatar, Tunisia, and Yemen), two from Cyprus (Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot), Greece, Turkey, the Balkan nations, and the United States. For fostering peace through the Seeds of Peace program, Mr. Wallach has been recognized for playing a significant role in the Middle East peace process. He received the UNESCO Peace Prize in 2000, and received the Legion of Honor of the Hashemite Kingdom from King Hussein in 1997. Mr. Wallach also founded the Chautauqua Conference on U.S.-Soviet Relations, for which he received the 1991 Medal of Friendship from then President Mikhail Gorbachev. President Clinton saluted Mr. Wallach by writing, ``Your commitment to spreading the message of tolerance, justice and human right has helped so many people . . . and planted the seeds for peace in the generation that will one day be leading our world.'' Before embarking on a second career as an ambassador of peace and mutual understanding, Mr. Wallach had a distinguished career in journalism and as an author. From 1968 to 1994, he served as diplomatic correspondent, White House correspondent, and foreign editor for the Hearst Newspapers. He was named BBC's first visiting correspondent in 1980, and contributed regularly to CBC, NPR, and BBC. He was also the founding editor of WE/Mbl, the first independent weekly newspaper in Russia. His articles earned many prizes, including two Overseas Press Club awards, the Edward Weintal Prize and the Edwin Hood Award, the highest honor presented by the National Press Club. In 1979, President Carter presented Mr. Wallach with the Congressional Committee of Correspondents Award for his coverage of the Egyptian-Israeli Camp David summit. As an author, he co-authored with his wife Janet Wallach, three books, Arafat: In The Eyes of the Beholder, Still Small Voices, and The New Palestinians. Mr. Wallach has also written The Enemy has a Face. When Mr. Wallach founded Seeds of Peace, many people told him it was a futile undertaking. They told him he would be risking his reputation. Despite the critics, Mr. Wallach persisted. Thankfully, he did, and through his example, he has demonstrated the power of hopeful vision, dogged determination, inspiring optimism, and faith in humankind. Let us join Mr. Wallach in the hope that one day, there will be a pathbreaking international summit, where the representatives of many nations have in common the experience of peacemaking at Seeds of Peace. That will be a great day indeed.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor two wonderful people, Walter and Lottie Kaczmarek, on their 70th anniversary. It is truly a joyous occasion to celebrate the anniversary of a marriage. A marriage joins two people in true love, unity, respect, and trust. Walter and Lottie have a special bond together that has brought joy and happiness into the lives of all they have touched, and love for each other that transcends all material barriers. Their relationship has cultivated and grown over the past 70 years, and their love for each other has only become stronger. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring this very special 70th anniversary of Walter and Lottie Kaczmarek. Their love and devotion for each other bonds them together in a very special relationship, and I wish them many more happy and healthy years together.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Detective John Gibson and Officer Jacob Chestnut, both members of the Capitol Security Force, who were killed in the line of fire on July 24, 1998. Three years ago, both Gibson and Chestnut fell victim to one of the most horrific crimes in the Capitol building in recent years. Crazed gunman Russell Weston entered through what used to be known as the Document Door, now fittingly renamed the Memorial Door, and terrorized tourists, staffers, and eventually shot Gibson and Chestnut. Detective Gibson and Officer Chestnut were identified as two 18-year veterans of the force. Both were married and had children. This outbreak of violence caught everyone off guard and security measures quickly heightened. The latest add-ons to this new effort for increased security are completion of a new Capitol Police training facility and a pilot program that would allow Congressional Staffers to enter buildings with electronic I.Ds. Increased security has now become a high priority in the Capitol and has increased the safety of not only Capitol employees, but the thousands of tourists that visit this glorious structure year after year. The Capitol Security Officers put their lives on the line day after day for the safety of not only the elected officials that work within the Capitol, but for the thousands of tourists that visit this glorious building year after year. Their dedications, hard-work, and courage have kept hundreds of thousands of people safe throughout the years. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring the memory of two dedicated men, Detective John Gibson and Officer Jacob Chestnut, for their dedicated service to the Capitol and our country.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great man and public servant, Mr. Jack Krise, for his years of dedication to the City of Parma, Ohio, on his retirement from the Municipal Treasurer's Association. Mr. Jack Krise has served his local community for many years. In 1985, Mr. Krise was elected to his first term as Treasurer of the City of Parma, defeating the incumbent. After just a few months into office, he quickly reorganized the Income Tax Division of the Treasurer's Office. He directed much needed personnel into tasks and reduced personal costs by $35,000. He immediately began an aggressive approach to collect overdue Municipal Income Taxes owed to the City of Parma. In 1987, Mr. Krise initiated a lock box collection system through a Cleveland bank that increased not only efficiency, but also reduced employee costs by $25,000. Mr. Krise continued to implement programs that improved efficiency in the City of Parma and quickly earned the respect and admiration of his co-workers and constituency. In 1989, Krise was re-elected Treasurer without opposition and found himself in the Parma Schools ``Hall of Fame'' of graduates. In 1987, after re-election in the City of Parma, Mr. Krise was elected Treasurer of the Municipal Treasurer's Association of the United States and Canada, an esteemed honor. His kind smile and gentle demeanor earned him the respect and admiration of residents from the City of Parma. He has worked his entire life toward bettering his community through public service, and has touched countless people through his tenure as City Treasurer. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring a man that has dedicated his life to public service, Mr. Jack Krise. His dedication, hard-work, and generosity has improved the City of Parma in countless ways.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. Speaker, Congress, I hope, will soon ban the drilling for oil in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge. In the very same week, are we really ready to license industry so it can proceed with the manufacture of cloned human embryos? Do human embryos count less than the pristine wilderness of Alaska, or do they at least have a common claim to protection under law from exploitation and destruction? We ban the hunting of bald eagles. Communities ban open-air burning. We have banned chlorofluorocarbons. We ban PCBs. Congress voted to ban drilling in the Great Lakes. A ban on human cloning is a transcendent issue which requires no less vigilance. The question remains, are we ready to stand up to the corporations, which have their eye on human embryos as the next natural resource to exploit? I believe that we are up to this challenge. I know my colleagues believe that government has to draw a line; that the unfettered marketplace has neither morals nor responsibility nor accountability when it comes to cloning of human embryos; and that at this moment, we have an opportunity for the future of this country and for the destiny of our society to take a strong stand to protect human dignity and human uniqueness by banning embryonic human cloning. I say support the Weldon amendment, the Weldon bill.

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin for yielding time to me. Mr. Speaker, the pro-life pro-choice debate has centered on a disagreement about the rights of the mother and whether her fetus has legally recognized rights. But in this debate on human cloning, there is no woman. The reproduction and gestation of the human embryo takes place in the factory or laboratory; it does not take place in a woman's uterus. Therefore, the concern for the protection of a woman's right does not arise in this debate on human cloning. There is no woman in this debate. There is no mother. There is no father. But there is a corporation functioning as creator, investor, manufacturer, and marketer of cloned human embryos. To the corporation, it is just another product with commercial value. This reduces the embryo to just another input. What we are discussing today in the Greenwood bill is the right of a corporation to create human embryos for the marketplace, and perhaps they will be used for research, perhaps they will be just for profit, all taking place in a private lab. But is this purely a private matter, this business of enucleating an egg and inserting DNA material from a donor cell, creating human embryos for research, for experimentation, for destruction, or perhaps, though not intended, for implantation? Is this just a matter between the clone and the corporation, or does society have a stake in this debate? We are not talking about replicating skin cells for grafting purposes. We are not talking about replicating liver cells for transplants. We are talking about cloning whole embryos. The industry recognizes there is commercial value to the human life potential of an embryo, but does a human embryo have only commercial value? That is the philosophical and legal question we are deciding here today. The Greenwood bill, which grants a superior cloning status to corporations, would have us believe that human embryos are products, the inputs of mechanization, like milling timber to create paper, or melting iron to create steel, or drilling oil to create gasoline. Are we ready to concede that human embryos are commercial products? Are we ready to license industry so it can proceed with the manufacturer of human embryos? If this debate is about banning human cloning, we should not consider bills which do the opposite. The Greenwood substitute to ban cloning is really a bill to begin to license corporations to begin cloning. Though the substitute claims to be a ban on reproductive cloning, it makes this nearly possible by creating a system for the manufacturer of cloned embryos. It does not have a system for Federal oversight of what is produced and does not allow for public oversight. The substitute allows companies to proceed with controversial cloning with nearly complete confidentiality. Cloning is not an issue for the profit-motivated biotech industry to charge ahead with; cloning is an issue for Congress to consider carefully, openly, and thoughtfully. That is why I support the Weldon bill. I urge that all others support it as well.