Dennis Kucinich

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this time and giving me an opportunity to work with her on this. The amendment which is proposed by myself and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters) states that none of the funds appropriated in this act under the heading of the Office of the United States Trade Representative Salaries and Expenses may be used to initiate a proceeding in the World Trade Organization pursuant to any provision of the agreement on trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights. It is really important for us to establish the context of why we are here. People are dying from AIDS all over the world; and we know that there are drugs, anti-retroviral drugs, which can be used to treat the people that can help save them. All over America, the people of America support the idea of helping others in need. The very thought that we can have these drugs in existence and have suffering people and them not being able to connect with suffering people has to cause everyone to be ashamed. Yet our own country has used the World Trade Organization as a vehicle to defeat the work of a nation that is trying to treat its own AIDS patients, saying it interferes with the intellectual property rights of pharmaceutical companies. Since when do intellectual property rights become more important than human life? Since when? We need to get this in perspective. And the perspective is that we have a moral obligation to help those people who are suffering; that we have a moral obligation to challenge the WTO and not to ask the WTO to impress on the backs of the sick people of the world a yoke of intellectual dishonesty in the name of protecting intellectual agreements.

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, the assertion that the amendment will lead to slowing new discoveries and discourage more pharmaceutical innovation has to be answered. The argument is basically, I believe, a defense of high profits. Developing countries are so poor, however, that no pharmaceutical company can logically depend on profits earned in Africa to fund research. It has been also mentioned that the WTO agreement on trade aspects of intellectual property already contains a humanitarian exception for health and other emergencies, so therefore, this amendment would not be needed. However, the United States brought a WTO case against Brazil, nonetheless. The TRIPS agreement was agreed to by the U.S. in 1995, while the U.S. case against Brazil was launched in June, 2000. Clearly, the exception is not enough, and congressional action is needed. I know the gentleman from Virginia is a caring person, and we are all caring people here. We just hope that through bringing this debate forward today, we can have an opportunity to heighten the concern of this Congress about this issue, because it really is repugnant to morality to have people dying all over the world because of some trade squabble when the truth is that all trade agreements should exist to facilitate the human condition, and not to erode it through trying to engage in arguments about intellectual property when the fact of the matter is that people are suffering and they need help. I know that the gentleman from Virginia is one of the champions on making sure that the concerns of people who are suffering and who need help are heard. So I want to appeal to all Members of Congress that soon we must come to grips with this issue to help the suffering people of the world and those who are dealing with AIDS, and the United States should be the last country in the world to object to a nation's trying to find a way to deal with their own AIDS problems. We should be in support of Brazil, not trying to undermine Brazil's efforts to treat the people of their country who have AIDS. I want to express my appreciation to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters) for giving me the opportunity to present this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters).

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, since 1998, every AIDS patient in Brazil for whom it is medically indicated gets for free the AIDS triple cocktail drug treatment. This is extraordinary because, according to U.N.-AID, in developing countries less than 10 percent of people with HIV/AIDS have access to the anti-retroviral therapy. The high price of many AIDS drugs, especially anti-retroviral drugs, is one of the main barriers to their availability in developing countries. Brazil can afford to treat AIDS because it does not pay market prices for anti-retroviral drugs. In 1998, the Brazilian government began making copies of brand name drugs, and the price of those medicines has fallen by an average of 79 percent. The U.N. and the World Bank have praised Brazil's AIDS drug program, but what did the U.S. do? The U.S. lodged a complaint with the WTO alleging that Brazil's program violated the agreement on intellectual property. Mr. Chairman, the people of America know that our country is a country with a big heart, but where is the heart here? USTR was wrong and offensive when it brought a WTO challenge against Brazil. There are those who say that pharmaceutical companies can voluntarily and effectively take care of the shortage of HIV/AIDS drugs. In only one developing country, Brazil, do 100 percent of the people with HIV/ AIDS get anti-retroviral drugs. No other developing country could say the same thing, even though a couple have concluded charity agreements with pharmaceutical companies. In other words, this is the most effective way to address the AIDS epidemic in developing countries, the way Brazil did it. Yet the U.S. brought a WTO case against Brazil. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KUCINICH. Yes, I rise as the designee of the gentlewoman from California, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment. THE CHAIRMAN pro tempore (Mr. LaTourette). Does the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich) offer the amendment as the designee of the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters)?

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Rangel-Maloney amendment. I think, as someone who represents a community which has a substantial Hispanic population, I can say that I understand the concerns that have been expressed here by my colleagues. It is a matter of record that in both 1990 and 2000 those who marked that category ``other'' were asked to write in a particular group; and in 1990, after ``other,'' the questionnaire listed, print one group, for example, Argentinian, Colombian, Dominican, Nicaraguan, El Salvadoran, Spaniard and so on. In 2000, those who marked ``other'' were only given the instruction: ``print group.'' So, as a result, there were far fewer people who marked that category ``other'' and, as a result, there were groups that were understated in the 2000 Census. I think it is really important that we remember that, in addition to the enumerative aspects of this census, there is a matter of pride which is involved. Any time any of us have ever gone to a citizenship ceremony, we see people so proud to be Americans, but at the same time they reserve something deep in terms of an expression of where they came from. We are all Americans. We take pride in that. But we have a right to be able to keep those deeper connections, those cultural connections which also express who we are. So when the census is designed in such a way that it stops that expression from happening, it really is an offense to so many of the groups that are now part of this wonderful cultural mosaic which is the United States of America. So I think that we need to ask the census to have greater sensitivity in making sure that we have an opportunity to correct this miscounting of Hispanic Americans in the 2000 Census. So I wanted to express my support for this, but also I think we need to reflect on the underlying cause which animates the concern of all of us expressing our positions here on this amendment. That is, people are celebrating that they are part of this great country, but they deserve to be identified as to the various lands that they have come from.

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

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for his support of the Maloney-Kucinich amendment and to point out that all across the Nation we have had homeless advocates who have stated concern about this issue that we have raised. A Columbus city councilwoman stated, ``By not having the numbers, we are missing out on dollars that would come back for homeless programs, child care, funding for education, emergency food services, transportation and many more. These are living, breathing citizens in our community.'' That was reported on the Columbus Dispatch.com. Mr. Chairman, D'Anne Mount, spokeswoman for the Seattle Strategic Planning Office, said, ``Here in Seattle, we worked hard to get people to cooperate with the census, and we would support releasing more information.'' In Baltimore, from the Associated Press, Leslie Leitch, director of Baltimore's Office of Homeless Services, said that she thought that the census was going to release more detailed figures. Now she says her city may have to go out and do their own survey of people in soup kitchens and living on the street. Mr. Chairman, there is a need for this, and I appreciate the assistance of the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay).

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

Mr. KUCINICH. Reclaiming my time, the gentlewoman is correct. I have a letter here from the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless which supports the release and the number of people counted during the census as stated in the Maloney-Kucinich amendment to H.R. 2500.

Mr. KUCINICH. I yield to the gentlewoman from New York.

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. I rise in strong support of the Maloney-Kucinich amendment to ensure that the Census Bureau has sufficient funds to produce a special report on the data collected for the 2000 Census from the service because of the enumeration and targeted nonshelter outdoor location programs. As the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney) explained, for the 2000 census local governments and homeless advocacy groups across the country in a unique partnership with the Census Bureau invested resources in counting Americans sleeping in shelters, eating at soup kitchens and living on the street. The Census Bureau has decided not to show the count of people living in shelters and people living on the streets separately. People counted on the street will be lumped in with people living in other noninstitutional group quarters, which are dormitories or other places that people live that are not operated by the government. Local governments and community groups expected to learn the results of this collection. However, the data currently provided by the Census Bureau is not in a format useful to local governments. It is encouraging to learn that the Census Bureau would be releasing a special report this fall showing some data collected through the serviced-based enumeration. Our amendment will provide adequate funding for the production of the report. I strongly urge the Census Bureau to include in the report all tracked level data collected by the Census Bureau through the targeted nonshelter outdoor locations and other service-based enumeration programs. Only data provided at the local geographic level will enable communities to determine what services are needed by residents of their community. I would like to clarify that the data gathered on people staying in shelters and living on streets is not intended to be interpreted as an official government count of the homeless. I can understand the concern of some of the national groups who would believe that it would be interpreted as an official count of the homeless. But due to the great difficulty in locating people living on the street, under bridges and in cars, we understand that these figures will not be an accurate count of the homeless. But I think it is important to get some sense of what the Census Bureau was able to find in their surveys. We owe it to local government and community groups which spent days assisting census takers in this effort to make the information public. I have been contacted by local homeless advocacy groups in my congressional district in Cleveland, Ohio, urging the release of this data. One group, the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless, assisted the Census Bureau by holding a service fair to increase the number of homeless people counted. As a publisher of a street newspaper, they support the release of the information collected by the government. They also believe that the staff hours that went into this count would be an utter waste of time and resources if the results were not published in a forum useful to local communities. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and provide your local governments access to the information collected on people living in shelters and on the street. Homelessness is a serious problem in this country. All of us know that it has many manifestations: people living on the street, people living in cars, people living under bridges, people assigned to homeless shelters, people living in government-sponsored shelter. But for all of the work that the Census Bureau did in its last enumeration, I think it is important and essential that this Congress and the people of the United States have the ability to have the exact data that was gathered by the Census Bureau, to have that information made public. We actually paid for it. There ought to be freedom of information for the public. Then it is up to us to determine how to interpret that information. But to withhold the information or to say it might be misinterpreted really is to lose an opportunity to get a broader assessment of the picture of homelessness in this country. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the opportunity to work with the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney) on this.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, the news from the administration yesterday is that there is an intention to weaponize space, to deploy space-based missile defenses, which would be a clear violation of the 1972 ABM Treaty. In 1972, the Russians and the United States signed an agreement which provided for the cessation of the nuclear arms race and to take effective measures towards reductions in strategic arms, nuclear disarmament, and generally and complete disarmament. On May 26, 1972, the two great powers agreed we would get rid of nuclear weapons; yet in the last week we have had the administration have its first test of its missile shield, and now they are talking about the weaponization of space. We began our session today with a prayer, and the prayer should continue to be, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. And I do not think it is the will of the divine to end this world in a nuclear conflagration. We should work towards the elimination of all nuclear weapons, and we should work for an end to policies which cause this country to move towards the weaponization of space.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleague Mr. LaTourette, in recognition of the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Village of Walton Hills, Ohio. In March 1951, people of the prospective village voted in a special election to determine whether the area would detach from Bedford Township and become the Village of Walton Hills. The voting took place in the Quonset hut owned by L.S. Conelly, S.E. corner Alexander and Walton Rd. The glorifying outcome was the approval of the establishment of the new village. Later on in May 1951, the voters went again to the polls and elected officers for the Village, who were then sworn in at Black Beauty Riding Academy Hall on Dunham Road in June 1951. The top officials were Mayor Virgil D. Allen Jr, Clerk Betty Walton, Treasurer Charles Clark, and six councilmen. The Walton Village is proud of its many civic clubs. The Women's Club in August 1951 held their organizational meeting at Lillian Kral's Golden Glens pavilion. The Men's Club was founded in September 1951 with the acceptance of the Articles of Organization. Some men organized Little League in 1955 while others organized Walton Hills Lake recreational activities starting in 1949. The Walton Hills Citizens League was founded in October 1963 to promote citizen involvement in local government. Please join me in recognizing a strong community, The Village of Walton Hills on this distinguished 50th anniversary.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the great work of the Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center in spreading awareness of hearing loss issues and in providing services to those who are affected by hearing loss. Founded by President Garfield's daughter-in-law, Helen Newell Garfield, in 1921 the CHSC is the oldest hearing and speech center in the United States and the only nonprofit organization in Northeast Ohio dedicated soley to meeting the hearing, speech, and deafness needs of the community. To observe its 80th year anniversary this year CHSC will partner with 14 Cleveland attractions for the first annual Communication Celebration. American Sign Language interpreters will be placed at each of the following attractions: The Children's Museum of Cleveland, Cleveland Botanical Garden, The Cleveland Center for Contemporary Art, Cleveland Metroparks Nature Centers, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, The Cleveland Museum of Art, The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Great Lakes Science Center, The Health Museum of Cleveland, Lake View Cemetery, The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Museum, Steamship William G. Mather Museum, and Western Reserve Historical Society. The event will serve as the culmination of National Deaf Awareness Week. This is an issue that affects many people. More than 28 million Americans have a hearing loss and approximately 2 million of them are profoundly deaf. One of every 22 infants has hearing problems and one of every 1000 infants is born deaf. But, unfortunately, only an estimated 20 percent of people who could benefit from hearing aids have them. Nonetheless communications skills are the number one predictor of academic success for children and the number one predictor of success at the workplace for adults. Mr. Speaker, please join me in applauding the efforts of this great organization in spreading awareness and for the hard work it has contributed to this cause.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize perhaps the most well-liked and respected man on the California political scene, Mr. William J. Rosendahl, on a lifetime of distinguished achievements and dedicated public service. Mr. Rosendahl, since 1987, has produced over 2,000 shows that focus on political and social commentary. Now serving as Regional Vice President of Operations for Adelphia Communications, Mr. Rosendahl has served in many other capacities throughout his distinguished career. His civic achievements and public involvement have led him to countless posts during the past few years, including Chairman of the California Cable Television Association, member of the boards of the California Channel, Cable Positive, and the League of Women Voters. In his current professional capacity, Mr. Rosendahl oversees day-to-day operations for 1.2 million customers and more than 3,000 employees. He produces and occasionally hosts public affairs programming that discuss political and social issues of the day. As moderator of several talk-show programs, Mr. Rosendahl has had the opportunity to host hundreds of political leaders and activists, including Vice President Al Gore, Ralph Nader, James Carville, and Charles Keating Jr. His sincere and heartfelt questions have gained him the respect and admiration from people at both ends of the political spectrum. Mr. Rosendahl's deep commitment and passionate activism to social justice and equality is clear evidence to his strong integrity, He tries to give everyone, regardless of one's creed, age, race, gender, or sexual orientation, a strong world voice. He has spent many hours tackling global issues and volunteering on senatorial and gubernatorial campaigns. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring not only a fine and distinguished producer, but a respected American, Mr. William J. Rosendahl. His contributions to society have touched countless people.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. Speaker, I sent a letter to Secretary Rumsfeld today which cites reports that certain modifications were made to the test vehicle and warhead to greatly increase the likelihood of success. In the letter, I state that Congress must know which modifications were made, how they contributed to the success, and the likelihood that such modifications could be used in a real engagement of the missile defense system. I asked if the kill vehicle or dummy warhead employed a GPS, global positioning system, and if so, at what stages was the GPS system used. I asked, did the kill vehicle or dummy warhead employ a C-band radar system, and if so, at what stages was the C-band radar system used. I asked, did either the GPS system or C-band radar system communicate with or reveal any information to the Target Object Map. I asked if the software modifications to the tracking computer or infrared tracking system provided information to the kill vehicle not normally available in a real-life scenario. I think before Congress acts on such a resolution, it would be nice to get an answer to some of these questions. Otherwise, what we have is a situation here where we are into a dark fantasyland, where the threat of a nuclear strike against the United States is being exaggerated or it is nonexistent. Our task as Nation and as a world should be to get rid of existing nuclear arms, to stop nuclear proliferation to new countries, to deal with arms control and arms elimination. We have people who are actually predicting nuclear war in the future. We are back to the days of the Cold War. We have a responsibility to work for peace, not through nuclear proliferation, not through nuclear rearmament, not through building bigger and better missile systems or systems which defeat the ABM treaty or the nonproliferation treaty, but through the painstaking work, the daily work of diplomacy, of human relations, of seeking cooperation between nations. It is fascinating that we have technology to restart the arms race, that we have technology which violates the nonproliferation treaty, that we have technology which violates the ABM treaty. But it would be even more fascinating if we used this opportunity to start a new dawn of peace where we get rid of nuclear weapons once and for all.

Mr. KUCINICH. I think we can all appreciate the work of all Federal employees who work in defense-related matters, but that is not really what this resolution's subtext is about. This is an attempt to approve a process which violates the ABM treaty and which, in its essence, will restart the arms race. There is no reason for the United States and Russia and China to be engaged in a showdown over nuclear arms. We need to get rid of nuclear weapons, we need to enforce our arms treaties, and we need not to move forward with this Star Wars program which wastes taxpayer dollars and which diverts us from the necessary work of building a new peace in our world.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of William J. Girgash, a loving father and grandfather, who served his community in various ways throughout his lifetime. He was dearly loved, not only by his family, but by countless members of the Cleveland Community. Mr. Girgash served as Board President of the Broadway School of Music and the Arts in 1996 and 1997 after many years as a board member. He also served as editor and chief writer for the school's ``Ensemble'' quarterly newsletter. Those who knew him could always find him attending one of the many music recitals of the students, whom he cared about most dearly. Mr. Girgash retired as Vice President of APCOA and served our country in the Navy during the Second World War. Friends, I'm sure that you will agree that there are few honors greater than service to our country and the education of children. My colleagues, please join me today in celebrating the life of this remarkable man. He was a gentleman of honorable intentions and thankless acts of service to the community.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize a fine organization that has shaped and molded young men since 1926, the Olmsted Falls Boy Scout Troop 201, on their 75th Anniversary. Boy Scout Troop 201 has a long and distinguished history of molding young men in Olmsted Falls into productive individuals in our society. The troop chartered in 1926 and consisted of 12 scouts that met regularly and attended summer camps together. Over the years the troop grew and flourished, gaining respect both in the International Scouting Association and the local Cleveland community. As years turned into decades, Troop 201 began graduating Eagle Scouts, scouting's highest honor. Less than 2 percent of all Scouters attain this highest honor. Not only are scouts required to fulfill a minimum leadership requirement to attain the coveted Eagle Scout, but every young man must plan, develop, and implement an extensive community service project. Over the years Troop 201 has dedicated a great deal of time and energy to serving in the community, and scouters have selflessly given of their time and effort. The rank of Eagle is an achievement that requires years of dedication to self-improvement, hard work, and the community. Since 1926, Troops 201 has seen over 70 Eagle Scouts. Olmsted Falls Troop 201 has always stood tall for the causes of righteousness and equity in our society. The original purpose of the Boy Scouts of America, chartered by Congress in 1916, is to provide an educational program for boys and young adults, to build character, to train in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and to develop personal fitness. 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 the 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 honoring and celebrating Boy Scout Troop 201 on their 75th Anniversary. This special Diamond Anniversary marks a milestone in this troop's distinguished career and celebrates the countless young men affected by this organization. Troop 201 has continually strived to develop young leaders in the Olmsted Falls community, and has earned the respect and admiration of the entire Olmsted Falls community.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Donald R. Frejosky. During the more than 60 years that Mr. Frejosky resided in Garfield Heights, he was an exemplar of altruism, kindness, and service--not only to his own dear family, but also to the larger family of Garfield Heights as well. Mr. Frejosky was a proud and loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother. Not only did Mr. Frejosky embody the principle of selflessness to his own family, but his example also sets a beautiful precedent for us all to achieve. Mr. Frejosky served his Cleveland community in numerous ways: he was employed as a service and parts manager for White Motor, Richfield Truck, and G&M Towing Co., and as a musical instrument repair artist for more than 35 years, at the diligent service of the Cleveland area. Not only did Mr. Frejosky bestow upon us his service in these simple and selfless ways, but he also served as a Councilman to Ward 5 in Garfield Heights, and until his last days was serving on the Civil Service Board of the city. Mr. Frejosky worked tirelessly, even up until his last breath, to improve the quality of life for others. It is because of his beneficence, integrity, and diligence that Mr. Frejosky can never be effaced from Garfield Heights' memory, and it is also why we are honoring him today. Garfield Heights' loss of Mr. Frejosky is not only a loss of a husband, father, and brother, but is also a loss of one of its shining examples of sincerity and service. Today, we honor Mr. Frejosky's past, and honor his indelible imprint on our present and future.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the 35th anniversary of the Case Western Reserve University Upward Bound Program, which has been graciously serving the East Cleveland and Cleveland Public High School Districts from 1966-2001. Throughout its 35 years, The Upward Bound pre-college program has worked assiduously to prepare and realize the full potential of low- income and first-generation college-bound high school students towards post-secondary studies geared towards professional health careers. The Upward Bound Program serves the low-income population, a sector which is all too often ignored. The Program nurtures and makes manifest the talents and capabilities of Cleveland's underprivileged youth. The year-round program imbues in our precious youngsters the skills to prepare them for successful professional health careers by readying them with a well-rounded curriculum in the humanities and sciences during their summer recesses. In addition to this, Upward Bound offers a Saturday Enrichment Program, weekly tutorials, and discussion sessions, which are all geared towards encouraging the amazing personal and spiritual qualities of our youth. The Upward Bound Program has set an unsurpassed precedent in providing much needed, personal and individual care for our grossly underestimated low-income youth. For the past 35 years, the Program has carried the torch for unveiling and realizing the vast potential and gifts of today's low-income youth. I ask my colleagues to join me in commemorating the 35th Anniversary of The Case Western University Upward Bound Program.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the deceased Reverend Henry Jezeski, a man who will forever remain in our memories as an exemplar of virtue, integrity, and altruism. Rev. Jezeski's death at the age of 75 marks the end of a life characterized by compassion and selflessness. Bom and raised in the Cleveland area, Rev. Jezeski set a compelling example for us, his neighbors, and moreover for all of humanity. Ordained to priesthood in 1951, Rev. Jezeski tirelessly and unrelentingly offered his services as a pastor up until his death. His dedication to people is reflected in his numerous assignments as assistant pastor to a litany of churches in the Cleveland area. In 1982, Rev. Jezeski was transferred to Our Lady of Czestochowa in Southeast Cleveland, where he served for 14 years until his retirement. It was at Our Lady of Czestochowa where Rev. Jezeski's imprints on his community are most palpable. The attendees of Our Lady of Czestochowa can most attest to this fine human being's tireless sacrifice of his time and energy in order to ameliorate the lives of others. Rev. Jezeski was also a prominent leader of the Polish community, exemplified by his position as Chaplain of the Alliance of Poles, where he worked diligently to promote understanding and rapport between the Polish and larger Cleveland communities. Rev. Henry Jezeski led a life to make Cleveland proud and honored to have such a precious human being as its leader and counsel. Rev. Jezeski will be sorely missed by us all.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of an exceptional film maker, Stanley Kramer. During his lifetime, Stanley Kramer produced dozens of films. They included such classics as Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, Judgment at Nuremberg and Inherit the Wind. Stanley Earl Kramer was born and raised in New York City's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood, where he later attended New York University. Before he left for the military service in World War II, he established himself in the movie industry as a researcher, editor and writer. His first film, So This is New York, was released in 1948. Working in the 1950s and 60s, Kramer stood for things in which he believed and intertwined them into his works. For example, he highlighted issues such as race in Guess Who's Coming to Dinner and The Defiant Ones, Nazi war crimes in Judgment at Nuremberg, fundamentalism vs. modern science in Inherit the Wind and nuclear holocaust in On the Beach. He also depicted his courageous demeanor in his films, not even realizing it, by creating characters who fought against fear while others stayed behind. Even though Kramer was known as a ``message director'', his friends and beloved ones knew him as much more. Steven Spielberg once said that Kramer was one of the greatest film makers due to the impact he made on the ethical world, and not solely based on the art and passion he conveyed on screen. Eighty of his films were nominated for Oscars, 16 of them which won and six were nominated for Best Picture. Three of his finest films made the American Film Institute's list of 100 Best Movies of All Time. Kramer himself was nominated as Best Director three times, and in 1962, he was presented the prestigious Irving B. Thalberg Memorial Award for Outstanding Work. He also received the Producers Guild of America's David O. Selznick Life Achievement Award. My fellow colleagues, please join me in honoring the memory of Stanley Kramer for all of his achievements in the movie industry. His love and dedication in portraying significant films has touched the hearts of all.