Dennis Kucinich

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the joyous occasion of the Peruvian Festival, `Independence of Peru'. Peru is located in the southwestern section of South America and was a colony of Spain with other surrounding territories until 1821. After many ferocious battles against the Spanish army, Peru defeated Spain and gained their independence by becoming a democratic Republic on July 28, 1821. Peruvians in Cleveland have joined together year after year on this festive occasion to celebrate this day and honor their heroes, martyrs and intellectuals who shed their blood for freedom of their country from the Spanish Crown. This year to celebrate the 180th anniversary of the Independence of Peru, an outdoor celebration is being held portraying a civic ceremony and a childrens' soccer tournament. A traveling team of eighteen Peruvian boys under the age of twelve are flying in from Lima, Peru and will play against Cleveland and Columbus teams. There will also be a group of students from Pittsburgh, LACU who will present dance and music performances. My fellow colleagues, please join me in commemorating this festive affair to show our support of this Peruvian celebration.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. As co-chair of the Congressional Aerospace Caucus, I strongly support maintaining America's leadership in space exploration, research, and technology. That is why I rise in support of increased funding for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Let me speak of two challenges being met by NASA in aircraft noise and engine emissions. The ultraefficient engine technology program at the NASA Glenn research center is improving local air quality around airports and reducing aviation's impact on global warming. The program is developing revolutionary propulsion technologies for increased performance and efficiency of aircraft engines. The goal of NASA's quiet aircraft technology program is to develop technologies which will contain aircraft noise within airport boundaries. The Federal Government is investing millions of dollars every year to insulate homes. Such sound insulation is the only feasible approach today. However, breakthrough technologies developed by NASA through the UEET program and the quiet aircraft technology program will properly address the problem by achieving significant reductions in aircraft noise and emissions. I urge increased support for NASA. Not only will this funding enable the U.S. to remain at the forefront of space technology, but it will serve to give much-needed relief to our constituents who live near airports.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Jason J. Sanuk, who will be honored for his attainment of Eagle Scout on August 8, 2001. The attainment of Eagle Scout is a high and rare honor requiring years of dedication to self-improvement, hard work and the community. Each Eagle Scout must earn 21 merit badges that focus on self- improvement, social skills, and outdoor living. In addition to acquiring and proving proficiency in those and other skills, an Eagle Scout must hold leadership positions within the troop where he learns to earn the respect and hear the criticism of those he leads. Most importantly, the Eagle Scout must live by the Scouting Law, which holds that he must be: trustworthy, loyal, brave, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, clean, and reverent. The International Scouting Association strives to instill values to develop leadership in young men, and teach them the benefits of a strong character. Scouts are taught to follow and uphold these 12 pillars of the Scout Law in their daily life and treat all people with respect and dignity. At the start of every meeting, scouts hold high their right hand and recite the scout oath, a pledge to remain physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. These three guiding principles instill strong values in young leaders and teach them of respect, dignity, and equality for all. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Mr. Jason J. Sanuk, an exceptional young man, on his dedication to improving the lives of others and his attainment of Eagle Scout.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of a great woman who has led a distinguished life of humanitarian activism, Ms. Vera Hall. Ms. Hall is the daughter of Russian Immigrants who migrated to Ashtabula County where she grew up on a farm. Ms. Hall attended Ohio State University and later transferred to Radio School during World War II and began a career communicating and recording vital information to airline pilots. During the next 40 years Vera worked for the commercial airlines Pennsylvania Central which eventually became United Airlines. Throughout the four decades she was active in the labor movement first as ACEC and then CWA. Her hobbies include gardening and the environment along with issues concerning peace. Ms. Hall is an expert organic gardener whose colorful perennial flower gardens are breathtaking. She is a dedicated environmentalist in her daily lifestyle as well as in her political beliefs. She is serious, committed, informed, and articulate on the issues of her concerns. She has served as the treasurer for both Womens International League for Peace and Freedom and for the Racial and Economic Equality. Ms. Hall has protested war, nuclear armament, racism, apartheid, and sexism. Ms. Hall also enjoys spending her time enjoying the arts. She supports the theater, museums, music venues and other cultural institutions. Mr. Speaker, please rise today and join me in applauding an individual who has made numerous contributions to the Cleveland area, Ms. Vera Hall.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, I have made my point.

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, senior citizens in my district have worked hard their entire lives and, with the help of Social Security, have been able to enjoy their golden years. A favorite pastime of seniors is attending card parties. Seniors enjoy the card playing. It can be fun and challenging as a test of skill and luck. Sometimes people will go from one card party to the other, they enjoy it so much. I see that as I visit my district. Something people do not like, though, is when they know that cards are being played with a stacked deck, a game that is rigged. That is really repugnant to the American sense of fairness. Well, in its efforts to turn Social Security over to Wall Street, the administration has stacked the deck against senior citizens on Social Security, because the administration's Commission on Social Security is stacked with the kings of finance who want to privatize Social Security so they can get money for Wall Street interests. One member of the administration's Commission on Social Security is a former World Bank economist; another member, president of the business-financed Economic Security 2000, favors a fully privatized system; another member, an investment company executive with Fidelity; another member, AOL Time Warner former chief operating officer, who, at the same time, is involved with a Labor Department matter where the Labor Department has filed suit against Time Warner for denying its own workers health and pension benefits. The deck is being stacked against our seniors. And while Wall Street's backing for the commission is being made known, Wall Street Journal reports on June 12 of the year 2001, a range of financial service firms are pooling their efforts and millions of dollars for advertising to assist in privatization. But the ad dollars, the Wall Street Journal goes on to say, are a pittance compared to the billions of dollars at stake for Wall Street should Mr. Bush achieve his goal of carving private accounts from Social Security. To help build its own war chest, the coalition will hold a luncheon at New York's Windows on the World atop the World Trade Center. The deck is stacked against the people of this country. Social Security is headed to the stock market to benefit the kings of finance. That is all this is about. Well, we have other things to do in this Congress. We know that the administration has a doublethink on the size of the Social Security financial problem. The administration's tax cut would reduce revenue by about the same amount of the shortfall between Social Security obligations and revenues. The administration considers the tax cut ``quite modest.'' Says Paul Krugman of The New York Times, in today's New York Times in an article on the op-ed page, ``If it's a modest tax cut, then the sums Social Security will need to cover its cash shortfall are also modest. We're supposed to believe that $170 billion a year is a modest sum if it's a tax cut for the affluent, but that it's an insupportable burden on the budget if it's an obligation to retirees.'' He talks about the commission wanting it both ways, what George Orwell called doublethink. That is what the commission report is all about, Paul Krugman says. It is biased, internally inconsistent, and intellectually dishonest. I will be offering an amendment, Mr. Chairman, and that amendment would establish a commission that would oppose the privatization of Social Security. This commission would have the ability to protect Social Security and stop the diversion of Social Security revenues to the stock market and a reduction of Social Security benefits. This commission would be the answer to this administration's stacked deck, which wants to privatize Social Security to take money from the seniors and to give it to Wall Street. The truth is that Social Security is solvent through the year 2034 without any changes whatsoever, and we have to defend the right of our senior citizens to have a secure retirement free from the greedy hands of Wall Street trying to glom on to that Social Security Trust Fund. We need to defend Social Security and everything it stands for.

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

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, that is correct.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. Chairman, some of my colleagues have talked about one putting one's head in the sand. I would agree that we must be careful not to keep our head in the sand while the President has appointed a commission which is fully in favor of privatizing Social Security. I agree, it is time to stop the scare tactics. We do not need to scare the American people, or try to stampede them into believing that Social Security must be privatized, because the fact of the matter is the money is there. Social Security is solvent through the year 2038 without any changes whatsoever. It has $5 trillion in assets by the year 2015. There is no reason to scare the people and stampede them into agreeing with the privatization of Social Security. It has been said that there is a cash flow problem. Mr. Chairman, next year the Department of Defense has a cash flow problem. In the year 2003, the Department of Defense, absent our action, will be lacking $330 billion they need for operation. But somehow this Congress in its wisdom finds a reason and a means to finance the operations of the Department of Defense. I think it is important that we look at this Commission, because the amendment of the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) focuses on causing this Commission to lose its funding. Then Congress can regroup and fund a commission that would increase some kind of a debate here, because it is a one-sided story. The deck is stacked. It is no secret, the Wall Street Journal said 2 months ago, that President Bush stacked his bipartisan Social Security Commission with members who agree with his goal of creating private accounts. That was the Wall Street Journal, May 10, 2001. There are two Commission members, Ms. Weaver and Mr. Vargas, and they have ``supported the most ambitious privatization plan, to carve 5 percentage points of the payroll tax for individual accounts. Recognizing the huge transition costs, [they] proposed a 1.52 percentage point boost in the payroll tax, $1.9 trillion in government borrowing and a higher retirement age.'' Now, think about that: Privatization equals increased taxes, increased government borrowing, higher retirement age. If this Commission is a cure for Social Security, then the plague is a cure for the common cold. Estelle James is a Democratic member of the Commission who ``as a former World Bank economist was that body's main voice for privatizing government retirement programs worldwide.'' That is hardly the person American consumers and seniors, the baby boomers, can count on to give a fair picture of the state of Social Security. Sam Beard, ``Founder and president of the business-financed Economic Security 2000, which favors a fully privatized system,'' is hardly the person to give us an unbiased view. Tom Saving, another Commission member, has written, ``Strange as it sounds, we must destroy the social security system, as we know it, to save it.'' Robert Pozen, an investment company executive with Fidelity, said, ``Even partial privatization is not a panacea.'' The Wall Street Journal went on to say, ``He served on a panel that recommended partial privatization but also a higher retirement age and reduced benefits, including spousal benefits.'' End the stacked deck.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the citizens of Puerto Rico on Constitution Day, July 25, 2001. The people of Puerto Rico established the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for the very same reasons our forefathers wrote the Constitution of the United States of America, to establish themselves as a democracy. The Puerto Rican Constitution ensures basic welfare and human rights for the people, ensconces the idea of a government which reflects the will of the people, and pays tribute and loyalty to the Constitution of the United States of America. The Puerto Rican culture is a distinctly unique culture. By pledging allegiance to the Constitution of the United States of America, the people of Puerto Rico celebrate shared beliefs and the co-existence of both cultures. By ratifying their own Constitution, the people of Puerto Rico retain and honor their original heritage while expressing the desire to pursue democracy and happiness for themselves. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the following individuals for their contributions to the Greater Cleveland community: Ana Iris Rosario, Roberto Ocasio, Hector Vega, Maria Senquis, Dolly Guerrero Velez, Pastor Jose Jimenez, Victor Matos, Henry Guzman, Esther Monclova Johnson, Abelino ``Al'' Lopez, Yolanda Figueroa, Betty Villanueva, and Juan Alberto Gonzalez. I hope that my fellow colleagues will join me in honoring these individuals and praising the Puerto Rican people as they celebrate Constitution Day.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, given the gentleman's gracious willingness to assist in this, I yield back the balance of my time, and I ask unanimous consent to withdraw the amendment.

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The Export-Import Bank does have the authority to fund clean, efficient, renewable energy technology in order to make such projects affordable to developing countries. The amendment, I would like to point out, does not reduce funding to the Export-Import Bank, nor does it prohibit certain companies from asking for the Bank's support. The purpose of this amendment is merely to ensure that if the United States is going to underwrite energy projects, we are not aggravating the global warming problem. Now, I would like to ask, for the purposes of a colloquy, the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) to kindly engage here a moment. I think what we have been able to do on our side is to try to identify what is, unfortunately, a contribution of global climate change, not that that is the intention of the Export-Import Bank. I would agree with the gentleman that the Export-Import Bank does try to make contributions to these developing countries that would improve the quality of life. But is there anything that we can do that the gentleman would suggest as we move towards another year of relationship with the Export-Import Bank in the House of Representatives, would the gentleman suggest anything that we might be able to do that might serve to implement in a more finer way the guidelines which the Export-Import Bank does have which could encourage it to fund clean, efficient, and renewable energy technology?

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentleman from Michigan for calling this to the attention of the House and to agree with him in saying that aerial fumigation is not going to solve Latin America's poverty problem, it sure is not going to deal with the drug addiction problems here at home; but what it is accomplishing is it is ruining farmers' land, it is damaging the health of farming families, and it is damaging their livestock. Surely the work that is being suggested by many leaders, which is basically a manual inspection of crops, is preferable to an aerial fumigation that wreaks havoc on land and human health. So I want to thank the gentleman for his attention to this and indicate my support for those efforts.

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

Mr. KUCINICH. I yield to the gentleman from Nebraska.

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, throughout the world, people are celebrating the leadership of many nations in coming to an understanding yesterday that global climate change is something that indeed must be dealt with and that the protocols which were worked out years ago in Kyoto are something that many nations want to move ahead with in order to meet the challenge of global warming. And, like many of my colleagues, I believe that the United States should take a leading role in fighting global warming. Our country, with only 4 percent of the world's population, contributes one-quarter of the world's carbon dioxide emissions. The administration has acknowledged that global warming is indeed occurring and that carbon dioxide emissions are a culprit. However, the administration refuses to support the Kyoto Treaty. It reasons that since the protocol does not apply to developing countries, then it should not apply to the U.S. I do not agree with that logic. It is not logical, because the administration is financing fossil fuel projects in developing countries that actually contribute to complicating and worsening global warming. Not only does the administration oppose the global warming agreement because it does not require that developing countries make the same reductions as industrialized nations, but the administration is funding global warming and pollution projects in those same developing countries. Through the Export-Import Bank, the United States provides subsidies to U.S. companies to create coal-fired power plants, oil refineries, oil pipelines, diesel generators, and a host of other projects that pour millions of tons of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. In the last few years, these projects were created in developing countries like Angola, Algeria, India, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, China, Venezuela, and Chad. Some of these projects include an $88 million oil project in Angola by Halliburton Energy; a $134 million oil pipeline in Algeria; an $81 million coal-fired power plant in India; and several diesel generator sets for $19 million in Bahrain. Last year, the Export-Import Bank spent $2 billion on fossil fuel projects. This amount represents 28 percent of the bank's entire budget. This is not an appropriate use for a significant chunk of the budget and, historically, the Export-Import Bank has not devoted such sizable resources to fossil fuel projects. The bank's spending on global warming projects skyrocketed last year from only 3 percent in 1999. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Inslee).

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I thank the gentleman, and I would appreciate the gentleman's assistance in making this kind of an inquiry, because I think it would be helpful in terms of a policy direction that would, in fact, go towards sustainability and clean and renewable energy, and, in some ways, be of help to the United States in our dilemma to be able to meet the requirements of Kyoto.

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

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey and the gentleman from California for their concern about this very important human rights issue. Years ago when the United States began its trading relationship with China, we were told that this would be a way to help democratize China, to bring China into a tradition for human rights and worker rights and environmental consciousness. We have found that there is a time lag in China, a slow understanding of the principles which we have tried to communicate to them through our trading relationship. The incident at Fanglin Elementary School is a graphic example and a very sad example of how we have really failed to follow through on the spirit of our trade relationship with China because the spirit of our trade relationship with China says that as a precondition of trade, we want to transmit democratic values that show that China appreciates the democracy that we have; not that we appreciate their type of government. We have been trying to bring China over towards a more democratic expression, and what do we see. We see an example where 37 children die in a fireworks factory that was otherwise known as a school. They called it a school, but it was actually a fireworks factory. The very type of child labor that is being discussed here is abhorrent to the American people. We do everything we can, parents rich or poor, to try to make the childhood experience one where children are given an opportunity to be nurtured, children are given an opportunity to have their status protected. But no, that is not what is happening in China. Children making fireworks. How dangerous an occupation that is any way, but to have children making them in their schools, that is why this resolution is important. Mr. Speaker, this resolution lets China know that it is not good enough to have a manufacturing base that includes child labor and slave labor. It is not good enough to offer cheap goods to this country and other countries around the world when those cheap goods are made under dangerous conditions by children who have no means of recourse. This is an important step towards our continuing effort to insist that China as our trading partner live by higher standards. I salute the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) for their work in this regard. I thank the gentleman for the opportunity to address this.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Bishop Martin John Amos. He was made a Bishop in the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist in Cleveland, Ohio on June 7, 2001. His tremendous faith and giving nature have brought hope and joy to many lives. Son of William and Mary Amos, Bishop Amos's life began on December 8, 1941 in Cleveland. After graduating from James Ford Rhodes High School, he attended Borromeo Seminary in Wickliffe and St. Mary Seminary in Cleveland. Following this period of spiritual growth and learning, Bishop Amos was ordained on May 25, 1968 in St. John Bosco Parish of Parma Heights, Ohio. Thirty-three years later, Bishop Amos was ordained as Auxiliary Bishop of Cleveland and Titular Bishop of Meta on June 7, 2001 in the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist. In the interim, he served many distinguished roles in the Catholic Church in the Cleveland area. He was Assistant or Associate Pastor at various churches and served as an instructor and Assistant Principal at Borromeo Seminary High School. Friends, I am sure that you will agree that there are few honors greater than that of teaching. Bishop Amos has most recently held the position of Pastor at St. Dominic Parish in Shaker Heights for the past sixteen years. My distinguished colleagues, please join me in honoring this outstanding citizen of Ohio. His spiritual leadership throughout his life will serve him well as a Bishop.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the mark of the 10th anniversary of Latvias' adoption of the constitutional law ``On the Statehood of the Republic of Latvia''. On August 21, 1991, the Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia took advantage of the political situation in the country and passed the law ``On the Statehood of the Republic of Latvia'' providing for the full restoration of Latvia's independence. This revoked the transition period set on May 4, 1990 for the de facto rejuvenation of the state power of the Republic of Latvia. In order to commemorate the anniversary of this very significant event, the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia will host a ceremonial meeting of the Parliament on August 21, 2001. There, they will lay flowers at the Freedom monument and organize a festive concert and garden party in Jurmala. The Republic of Latvia has always been a strong pillar of cultural heritage and exchange. Tradition and true faith drove this State to independence, and now, 10 years later, we are celebrating this important and distinguished anniversary. Please Join me in celebrating the 10th anniversary of such a joyous occasion. The Republic of Latvia is a true stronghold for political freedom and independence.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Food Not Bombs Cleveland for the significant contribution that organization is making in Ohio's 10th Congressional District and the Greater Cleveland area. Like other Congressional Districts around the country, my district has severe and significantly problems with hunger. This problem is prevalent among those who have places to live and those who do not. Food Not Bombs Cleveland operates on the principle that society and government should value human life over material wealth. Many of the problems in the world stem from this simple crisis in values. By giving away free food to people in need in public spaces, such as Cleveland's Public Square every Sunday afternoon since January 1996, Food Not Bombs Cleveland directly dramatizes the level of hunger in this country and the surplus of food being wasted. Food Not Bombs Cleveland also calls attention to the failure of our society to support those within it while amply funding the forces of war and violence. Food Not Bombs Cleveland is part of an informal network, Food Not Bombs, which was formed in Boston in 1980 as an outgrowth of the anti- nuclear movement in New England. Food Not Bombs Cleveland is committed to the use of non-violent direct action to change society. It is by working today to create sustainable institutions that prefigure the kind of society we want to live in, that Food Not Bombs Cleveland works to bring a vital and caring movement for progressive social change. Food Not Bombs serves food as a practical act of sustaining people and organizations, not as symbolism. Thousands of meals are served each week by Food Not Bombs groups in North America and Europe. The meals served by Food Not Bombs Cleveland each week are vegetarian, donated by Cleveland-area grocers such as the Food Coop, the Web of Life, Panera Bakery, and vendors at Cleveland's West Side Market, prepared by volunteers, and are shared with anyone who wants to participate. It is at these weekly gatherings that information is shared by participants on all issues of significance, from available resources for survival on and off the streets to how to make positive non-violent change in our society. Since many of the participants in Food Not Bombs Cleveland are living on either side of the edge of homelessness, there is much information gathered and shared that is useful to the participants. For instance, it is at these gatherings that the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless distributes its ``Street Card,'' detailing all social services available to both the homeless, the formerly homeless, and those at risk of becoming homeless. Participants share information about their own experience with social services resources, both as users and providers of such services. Thus, Food Not Bombs Cleveland operates as an important networking tool for those in need of social services that help those in need. I am proud of the work that Food Not Bombs Cleveland accomplishes through its free public meals, by drawing attention to the hunger and homelessness crisis in America, and by using direct, non-violent means toward helping resolve these crises. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognition of Food Not Bombs Cleveland the national Food Not Bombs network.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of a great an, Jeffrey LeBarron. Mr. LeBarron has had a distinguished career working in both public and private sectors for Cleveland's economic development. During his career he has held a wide variety of positions ranging from executive assistant to former Cleveland Mayor Voinovich, director of retail real estate for the Richard E. Jacobs Group, to executive vice president of the Downtown Cleveland Partnership. Mr. LeBarron graduated from Chagrin Falls High School in 1973. In 1977 he graduated from Boston University. He then continued his education earning a law degree in 1981 and then a master's degree in 1982 in business administration from Case Western Reserve University. During his time in the Voinovich mayoral administration, he held the positions of assistant safety director and chief assistant law director, between 1981 and 1990. Mr. LeBarron then took a job with what was then Jacobs, Visconsi, & Jacobs Co. During his time with this development firm, he worked on the development of mayor real estate projects such as South Park Center and Chagrin Highlands. After he left Jacobs, Visconsi, & Jacobs Co., he joined with the Downtown Cleveland Partnership, a non-profit organization focused on downtown real estate development plans. All of the hard work and dedication that Mr. LeBarron has displayed during his career is exemplatory. He was an extraordinarily bright and an incredibly genuine person. Mr. Speaker, please rise today and join me in applauding an individual who has made numerous contributions to the Cleveland area, Mr. Jeffrey LeBarron.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the anniversary of the construction of the St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral. This architectural wonder has housed this faithful congregation for ninety years. In addition to celebrating their anniversary, the Cathedral community has been engaged in a comprehensive restoration and improvement project. The beautiful Neo-Byzantine murals are being cleaned and restored. In addition, new gold leaf gilding, marble floor, and carpet are being installed and an entry-way will be constructed that will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Over 500 individuals call St. Theodosius their spiritual home. The church community traces it history back to its founding in 1896 as the first Orthodox Community in Cleveland. Since then, this historic church has served the Tremont neighborhood and the rest of the Cleveland community in countless ways. Recently, it has been active in helping the needy by providing a Food Pantry every month along with hot lunches and holiday meals. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring this congregation and their architectural marvel. May they serve their community faithfully for another ninety years and beyond.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, in Midway City, California, a communications director for a 700-bed shelter for the homeless said it could help in getting funding for the programs. She stated, ``I would rather have the numbers now. It has been a year since we have done it.''