Dennis Kucinich

Mr. KUCINICH

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

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, I understand the concerns of those who are saying, well, there are just no experts around who could then be able to safely review these vaccines. However, the conflict of interest issue cannot go away that easily. I am concerned as to how we protect the integrity of scientific review and the integrity of the vaccine approval process if we do not make sure that there is an attempt to separate the interests of the vaccine makers from those who are doing the oversight. This is a quandary, but I think that the amendment at least creates the opportunity to debate this issue, to bring it out in the open, and to ask Members of Congress to reflect as to the condition that we have here, which is that there are patent conflicts of interest here. And in that sense, I support this amendment.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tribute to Marc Sylvester, a member of the boys track and field team at St. Ignatius High School in Ohio. Marc has been selected by the Cleveland Plain Dealer as a part of their All-Star Boys Track team as the middle distance runner for the Spring 2000 season. Marc has demonstrated exceptional athletic ability and tremendous commitment to his sporting activities. This past Spring season, Marc Sylvester has become an integral part of St. Ignatius High School's track and field team. He ran the 800 meters, leaving opponents far back, and ran anchor for the 4x800 and 4x400 relays. In the Division I Relays at Amherst Steele, he set the record for the fastest 800 meter race ever run by an Ohio high school athlete. His time was I minute, 49.50 seconds. Such accomplishments are outstanding, and I commend him for his devotion and commitment. Unfortunately, two days after regionals, Marc suffered a partially collapsed lung and was held out of the state meet. But Marc's sterling track career has not ended with this setback. While it was disappointing not running at the state meet, Marc is feeling much better and is now working towards winning the National Outdoor Championships in Raleigh, North Carolina. Marc's strong faith and belief in his abilities has enabled him to become one of the finest athletes in northern Ohio, and perhaps the nation. Recognition by the Cleveland Plain Dealer of Marc's accomplishments is an amazing honor because it acknowledges the hours of sacrifice and patience needed to cultivate stamina and perseverance, as well as excellence in teamwork and cooperation. More importantly, I am inspired by his motivation, poise, and good sportsmanship on and off the playing field. Marc is the quintessential model of grace under pressure. I am impressed by such optimism and devotion. He is truly remarkable. I know that Marc has much to offer. I look forward to offering more congratulations to this promising athlete in the future. My fellow colleagues, Marc Sylvester is an outstanding and inspirational individual. Please join me in honoring his notable accomplishments and achievements in track and field.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tribute to Dave Gresky, co-captain of the baseball team at St. Ignatius High School in Ohio. Dave has been selected by the Cleveland Plain Dealer as a member of their All-Star baseball team for the Spring 2000 season. In addition to this considerable honor, Dave Gresky was chosen as the MVP of the All- Star team as well. As a co-captain of the St. Ignatius Wildcats, Dave Gresky led the team to a 25-6 record, and to their first appearance in a state championship baseball game. Gresky batted .452 during the regular season as a senior right fielder, and he set single season records in three categories for St. Ignatius with 50 hits, 10 home runs, and 51 runs batted in. His notable contributions to the team earned him a baseball scholarship to Northwestern University. In addition, Gresky was selected by the Florida Marlins in the 22nd round of the amateur draft in June. Dave Gresky's athletic accomplishments do not end on the baseball diamond, however. He also led the St. Ignatius Wildcats football team to a record eighth Division I state title when he scored the clinching touchdown in the championship game. Recognition by the Cleveland Plain Dealer of Dave's accomplishments is an amazing honor because it acknowledges the hours of sacrifice and patience needed to cultivate stamina and perseverance, as well as excellence in teamwork and cooperation. More importantly, I am inspired by his motivation, poise, and good sportsmanship on and off the playing field. Clearly, he is the quintessential model of grace under pressure. He is truly remarkable. I know that Dave has much to offer. I look forward to offering more congratulations to this promising athlete in the future. My fellow colleagues, please join me in honoring Dave Gresky, an impressive right fielder and dedicated young athlete, for his outstanding achievements in sports.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tribute to Michelle Sikes, a member of the track and field team at Lakewood High School in Ohio. Michelle has been selected by the Cleveland Plain Dealer to be a part of their All-Star Girls Track Team as the distance runner for the Spring 2000 season. Michelle has demonstrated exceptional athletic ability and tremendous commitment to her sporting activities. This past Spring season, Michelle has become an integral part of Lakewood High School's track and field team. As a first time runner, she won the 3,200 meter race at the state meet with a time of 10 minutes, 45.11 seconds, making it the best time in the event in her area. In addition, she was the area's highest finisher in the 1,600 meters. Her time was 4 minutes, 53.95 seconds. These impressive times mirror Michelle's commitment to responsibility. Her strong faith and belief in her abilities has enabled her to become one of the finest athletes in northern Ohio. Recognition by the Cleveland Plain Dealer of Michelle's accomplishments is an amazing honor because it acknowledges the hours of sacrifice and patience needed to cultivate stamina and perseverance, as well as excellence in teamwork and cooperation. More importantly, I am inspired by her motivation, poise, and good sportsmanship on and off the playing field. She is the quintessential model of grace under pressure. Yet, despite the hard work and competition, Michelle views everything as a new and exciting experience. Although Michelle is only a freshman in high school, I am impressed by such optimism and devotion. She is truly remarkable. I know that Michelle has much to offer. I look forward to offering more congratulations to this promising athlete in the future. My fellow colleagues, Michelle Sikes is an outstanding and inspirational individual. Please join me in honoring her notable accomplishments and achievements in track and field.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the public service of one of the best mayors from northeast Ohio's local communities. This year marks the last and final year of the term of Mayor Tom Jelepis of Bay Village, Ohio, a western suburb of Cleveland. Tom is choosing to pursue other challenges down the road, and this marks his final few months of public service as Bay Village's respected mayor. The entire Bay Village community and the adjoining West Shore communities owe Tom a debt of gratitude. Thanks to Tom's remarkable ability to forge a consensus in resolving one of the most daunting threats to the Bay Village and West Shore quality of life, represented by the agreement reached in June, 1998 to halt the proposed tripling of train traffic following the acquisition of Conrail by CSX and Norfolk Southern railroads. When the announcement was made in August, 1997 that train traffic would likely be more than tripled through the quiet, densely populated communities along Cleveland's West Shore communities, Tom Jelepis was one of the first public officials to begin to forge a large bipartisan coalition to find a reasonable alternative, an alternative which would stop the train traffic increase and would preserve Bay Village's and the West Shore's attractive quality of life. It was Tom's relentless perseverance, his ability to reach out to find common ground and consensus, and his enviable charm and wit that managed to bring people together to find a workable agreement that helped hundreds of thousands of local residents. Without Tom Jelepis' involvement, there would likely not have been a positive outcome, a result which halted the proposed tripling of train traffic and brought forward a plan beneficial to all parties and local communities. I had the pleasure to work side by side with Tom Jelepis throughout this challenging time, and I can say with confidence that he represents the very best in public service. His dedication, his sense of decency, and his sincerity is unmatched in public life. There are very few people in public life--no, in all aspects of life--with Tom Jelepis' unique combination of charm, wit, perseverance, and grace. He is my friend, and I am proud that he is my friend. He is a natural, as a businessman, as a family man, as a community leader, and as a mayor. The entire Bay Village community owes him a genuine ``thank you'' for his many years of service. I hold a deep and sincere respect for Tom Jelepis and I wish him the very best of luck in all his future endeavors.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 100th birthday of Ms. Olive Whitmore. Ms. Whitmore, a native of Cleveland, is the oldest of 3 children. Her birthday, October 14, 2000, marks the 100th year of her active life. She lived in Cleveland for 76 years, which made her well known in her community. She holds the longest term as a member of the West Boulevard Christian Church, which she has belonged to since she was 3 years of age. Prior to her move to South Westerly in 1983, she was a charter member of the Order of Eastern Star and Electa. Her talented voice contributed to the choir under the direction of Charles Dawes of the ``Cleveland Orchestra.'' The choir was well recognized for their performance during the first 4th of July celebration at the Cleveland Municiple Stadium. Her former community fondly remembers her also for the time she was employed helping customers in Halle's Department store between 1957 and 1970. After her retirement she continued her active lifestyle, and became a noted traveler, traveling to Nova Scotia and throughout the United States. Olive Whitmore is a cherished treasure for her family, friends, and community. Her spark, friendly smile, kindness and caring for others has touched countless Clevelanders who have had the honor of knowing her. Olive is a young 100, demonstrating that one's positive attitude and perseverance throughout one's life can carry you a long, long way. Olive Whitmore is loved by many. My fellow colleagues, please join me in honoring Ms. Olive Whitmore on this momentous occasion of her 100th birthday.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tribute to John Baco, pitcher for the baseball team at St. Ignatius High School in Ohio. John has been selected by the Cleveland Plain Dealer as a member of their All-Star baseball team for the Spring 2000 season. John has demonstrated exceptional athletic ability and tremendous commitment to his sporting activities. As pitcher of the St. Ignatius Wildcats, this gritty senior right-hander is the model of composure. In compiling a 9-0 record with posted victories in the sectional finals, district finals, regional semifinals and state semifinals, John was a part of a St. Ignatius team that made history by advancing to the school's first state championship baseball game. In a complete-game, eight-inning effort against perennial power Cincinnati Moeller in the state semifinals, he stuck out 14, four shy of the big-school Final Four record. These impressive records mirror John's commitment to responsibility. His strong faith and belief in her abilities has enabled her to become one of the finest athletes in northern Ohio. Recognition by the Cleveland Plain Dealer of John's accomplishments is an amazing honor because it acknowledges the hours of sacrifice and patience needed to cultivate stamina and perseverance, as well as excellence in teamwork and cooperation. More importantly, I am inspired by his motivation, poise, and good sportsmanship on and off the playing field. Knowing that he tried his best is more important than actually winning. Clearly, he is the quintessential model of grace under pressure. I am impressed by such optimism and devotion. He is truly remarkable. I know that John has much to offer. I look forward to offering more congratulations to this promising athlete in the future. My fellow colleagues, John Baco is an outstanding and inspirational individual. Please join me in honoring his notable accomplishments and achievements in baseball.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the Shaolin Performing Group, a group of young children ages 6-18 from China who will be visiting Cleveland to participate in the Wushu Kungfu Extravaganza Weekend on July 8 and 9, 2000. This weekend event is a special cultural, sporting and educational exchange between the East and the West. The Shaolin Performing Group, along with their coach Grandmaster Zhu, will be visiting the United States for the first time. This impressive group of young athletes train for years under the Shaolin monks in China and demonstrate incredible feats of martial art skills. These children, who attend the Zhengzou Martial Arts Major Institute, represent China in promoting cultural and educational exchange. Their teacher, Grandmaster Tianxi Zhu, is the director of this institute, and is a Chinese Wushu Degree 7. He earned the international outstanding Wushu achievement gold medal and was the first place winner of Shaolin Kungfu in the 7th World Cup Wushu Championships. The children under his tutelage demonstrate amazing speed, discipline, and skill. My fellow colleagues, please join me in paying tribute to this exceptional group of athletes, the Shaolin Performing Group, and welcoming them to the United States for their performing tour.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, today I honor Mr. Anthony Federico (``Coach'') for his tireless dedication to youth and his outstanding service to his community. Coach Federico received his B.S.S degree from John Carroll University, where he later received his masters in counseling and masters in administration. He also received his Ph.D. from the American College of Metaphysical Theology in 1997. Coach Federico most recently has served as the head football coach at Maple Heights High School. Throughout his career, Coach Federico has taken initiative and transformed the coaching profession. His unique approach to coaching inspires and enriches the lives of the young people he comes in contact with. His unyielding devotion to his students is a reflection of his admirable character. Coach Federico has been the assistant football coach and offensive coordinator at Case Western Reserve University. He has also served as the athletic director and head coach at many other schools throughout his career, including Richmond Heights, Chanel High, and Willoughby South. He has been a member of the American Coaches Association for 35 years, and has also received two ``Coach of the Year'' awards. In addition to his tremendous coaching abilities, Coach Federico is the president of Effective Goal-Setting Opportunities, Inc., which owns the pending trademark ``The Zone Coach,'' which represents an educational seminar designed to assist in creating a game plan for successful and optimal performance based on a unique combination, nutrition and fitness. He also created the Goal-Getter, a powerful motivational tool built into a standard 12 month calendar. Coach Federico's efforts have been recognized and have resulted in the creation of a federal grant to help underprivileged youths successfully enter the workplace. In addition, he also teaches continuing education classes for the department of insurance and real estate. Coach Federico has taken his profession to new heights. His coaching philosophy reaches beyond the athletic field and reaches into the workplace and personal lives of those who understand the importance of total body wellness. He is not only a talented coach, but has become a role model for all to follow. His tremendous accomplishments as a coach and an educator are truly commendable. Colleagues, please join me in honoring Mr. Anthony Federico for his generous contributions to youth, both on and off the playing field.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentleman from Michigan and the gentleman from New York for this amendment, and I rise in support of the Meals-on-Wheels amendment to counter skyrocketing gas prices. The gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak) is right, when we look at this chart, at how our senior citizens really are beginning to suffer from the gradual decrease in constant dollars that are spent for this important program. Currently, Meals-on-Wheels reimbursements have been steadily dwindling to the current rate of about 50 cents per meal. Consequently, Meals-on-Wheels is suffering from a severe loss of food purchasing power and funds to cover mileage reimbursements. Our Nation's elderly are lifetime taxpayers, and it is our duty to provide our elderly citizens the basic human services which they are entitled to. However, high gasoline prices are straining the budgets of the Meals-on-Wheels program and destroying the volunteer delivery networks the program depends on. People in the Midwest are very familiar with this, because last week we had gas prices over $2 a gallon and now it is over $1.80 a gallon. We are now in a condition where many people who would deliver the Meals-on-Wheels are finding that they cannot afford to do it. Now, think about what that means. We have this great program, and yet people are finding they cannot participate in it. In light of the recent increases in gas prices, volunteers cannot afford to provide their services and meals cannot be delivered. The Meals-on-Wheels program is in danger of losing both its volunteer and paid labor base. Now, this is not a hypothetical situation. Again, back to the Cleveland area and a city called Westlake, which is in my district. I received a letter from the director for the Department of Senior and Community Services for the City of Westlake. Here is what she has told me in part. ``As you know, many of the volunteers for Meals on Wheels are themselves older adults on fixed incomes. One such couple travels almost 100 miles in a rural area to deliver meals. They are considering resigning because they cannot afford to volunteer.'' Think of what that means. People who want to help their fellow human beings who get a good feeling out of delivering meals to the elderly and suddenly, because of these high costs of fuel, gasoline, they are suddenly in danger of not being able to afford to do it. Now, this amendment offered by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak) would offset, under Title III of the Older Americans Act, monetary donations made to the program to cover increasingly high fuel costs by providing more food purchasing power and mileage reimbursement funds. In increasing the program's reimbursements, the amendment will alleviate the enormous burden faced by many volunteers who are increasingly unavailable to aid in the delivery of meals to millions of senior citizens through the high fuel cost. If funding through the USDA adequately covers the Meals on Wheels program, then their food purchasing power will be strengthened and their labor base will be secured. Mr. Chairman, if the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak) would like to comment in the time that remains, I would be happy to yield to him because I know the work that he is doing on this is so important. I know the elderly in my district are very concerned about what is going to happen to the Meals on Wheels program. Mr. Chairman, I yield to my good friend, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak).

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw the amendment.

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman, and I want to thank the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Skeen) for his indulgence, and I also want to say that this issue of genetically engineered food is an issue all over this world. People in Europe are demanding labeling all throughout the European Union. People in Japan, people in Australia, people in New Zealand, demanding labeling. Why? Because people want to know what is in the food they eat. People have a right to know that. That is why years ago the Food and Drug Administration passed a regime so people could learn the ingredients on the food that they buy. Imagine today if we did not even know the ingredients on the food that we were eating. Suppose someone did not want too much fat content or one was concerned about their protein intake. That is why Americans have become more sophisticated on dietary matters because of that law. Americans are going to have the opportunity in the future, hopefully, to be able to know what is in the food they are eating. If it is genetically engineered, it will have to be labeled.

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Jones), my colleague. The gentlewoman and I both represent the people of the Cleveland area. Mr. Chairman, we have to remember what this amendment is about: it is to get $500,000 for the purpose of drafting guidance for the industry on how to assess genetically engineered food products for allergenicity. We are not voting on a labeling bill here. Some day we hope to bring such a bill to the floor so that the people of America will have a right to know what is in the food they are eating. But with respect to this and the comments of the previous speaker, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Smith), Brazil nuts are a known allergen. What we are speaking about here is testing for unknown allergens. I want everyone here to know that I am pleased to report that the FDA just informed me that they support the concepts within this amendment. I have pledged to work with them to find a compromise that all the parties can support. So I want to let the chairman and the ranking member know that I am going to withdraw this amendment with an understanding that the chairman, the ranking member, the Food and Drug Administration, the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Jones), and other Members of the Congress who are working on this, that we could all work together to include acceptable language in a conference report. Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Skeen) if that would be acceptable if the gentleman, that is, if I withdraw this amendment, could the gentleman give me some help with the FDA in encouraging them to go ahead and work to find a compromise so that the concepts in this amendment could be supported.

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

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, although this specific amendment does not speak to our labeling bill directly, I would like to say that the labeling bill that the gentleman is speaking of serves to give the public the right to know what is in the food they are eating, that is really the basic concept.

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

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, food allergies are a serious health concern, 2.5 to 5 million Americans have food allergies. Common food allergies include milk, eggs, fish, seafood, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, soybeans. The health impacts of a food allergy range from itching to potentially fatal anaphylactic shock. We all know people who have food allergies. People learn about their food allergies by way of the trial and error method. If they eat a food a few times and react to it, each time they know they are allergic to it. Now, with respect to genetically-engineered foods and known allergens, things get much trickier with foods that have been genetically engineered. Scientists at the University of Nebraska inserted a Brazilian nut gene into a soybean. The study showed that people allergic to Brazil nuts, which is a common allergy, are also allergic to soybeans that have been modified by the Brazilian nut gene. The scientists concluded that allergens from one food can pass to another and harm anyone with that allergy who unsuspectingly eats genetically-engineered foods. Genetically-engineered foods have this problem with unknown allergens. The problem is very complicated. Most biotech crops on the market today were inserted with genes from things we have never digested before. Now, here is a picture of bacteria. Most crops engineered today are engineered with genes from bacteria. Are we allergic to this? Scientists do not know. Are we allergic to these new foods? The huge genetic pool of possibilities to engineer in the world have not been tested for allergies. As a matter of fact, it may surprise my colleagues to know that over a 100 million acres of crops last year in the United States were genetically engineered. There are huge challenges with allergy testing. Allergy testing for unknown allergens is difficult if not impossible. Here is a report from the National Academy of Sciences. The National Academy of Sciences states in this report, allergenicity is difficult to test. They go on to say that tests for possible allergenicity either are indirect, do not involve adverse effects, or are otherwise problematic for testing of novel proteins that have not previously been components of the food supply. Researchers from the Clinical Immunology and Allergy Section of Tulane University Medical Center state, and I quote, ``The most difficult issue regarding transgenic food allergenicity is the effect of transfer of proteins of unknown allergenicity.'' In other words, if we are allergic to Brazil nuts, the Brazil nuts gene is in soybeans, we respond to the soybean; and we do not even know that it has a Brazil gene in it. The challenge is to determine whether these proteins are allergenic as there is no generally accepted, established, definitive procedure to define or predict a protein's allergenicity. We all know that old saying, what you do not know cannot hurt you. We have all heard that. What we do not know cannot hurt you. But in this case, what you do not know can, what you do not know can hurt you. The FDA is unfortunately failing to protect Americans. Unfortunately, the Food and Drug Administration admittedly having taken a pro-biotech position have completely dropped the ball on the serious issue of unknown and untestable allergens. In my hand, this is a 700-page transcript of an FDA conference on this very topic from 1994. The document clearly acknowledges that unknown allergens are difficult to test for. My amendment instructs the FDA to continue the scientific research on this topic and draft guidance from the industry on how to assess genetically engineered food products for allergenicity until a predictive testing methodology is developed and report to Congress on the status of this issue.

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

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, today I honor the memory of Cleveland Police Officer Wayne Allan Leon, badge number 1338. Officer Leon was tragically killed in the line of duty on Sunday, June 25. He was just 32 years old. Wayne Allen Leon was appointed to the Cleveland Police Department in the 110th Academy Class, February 1, 1994. He graduated from the police academy on June 9, 1994, and was assigned to the Third District, basic patrol. He soon distinguished himself as a police officer, going well beyond the call of duty to serve the public, in ways that were recognized by his peers and superiors. As an officer of the law, he dedicated his life to serve and protect the citizens of the state of Ohio and of this great nation. Quick with a smile, earnest, honest, sincere and extremely dedicated are but a few of the qualities that distinguished Officer Leon. He held his office with great professionalism, bravery and dignity, earning the respect and love of his colleagues and the community he served. He was awarded the Department's highest award--the Medal of Honor--after he and his former partner broke up a drug buy on November 1, 1998. The community mourns the death of a great role model. As a committed man of faith and family, Officer Leon will be greatly missed by his wife Grace, their children Justin, age 5, Gabrielle, age 4, and Nicholas, age 2. His father, retired Cleveland Police Lieutenant Duane ``Jake'' Leon, brothers Dean, Tony, and Jake, and his parents-in- law Sam and Maryann Scampitilla, also survive him. I take this opportunity to express my deepest condolences to the family. It is a terrible tragedy when a police officer falls in the line of duty protecting the public and serving his or her country. Officer Wayne Leon exemplified the very best police departments have to offer. He will be missed by all. I ask the House to join me in commemorating this model public servant and dedicated family man. The State of Ohio and the Nation owe him a great debt of gratitude. My fellow colleagues, please join me in honoring Officer Wayne Allen Leon.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, to honor a living sports hero of our time. Having entertained millions around the world with his incredible skill and superb sportsmanship, the great Tiger Woods has most certainly earned the title of American Sports Legend. With a record-breaking 15-shot win at the U.S. Open last week, Tiger Woods once again amazed the golf world. This latest victory is now added to the long list of accomplishments that Tiger has achieved in his very impressive career. Tiger Woods showed himself to be an exceptional athlete from very early on. He has had a remarkable beginning since becoming a professional golfer in the summer of 1996. He has won an impressive 22 tournaments, with 16 of those being on the PGA Tour. Most memorable was Tiger's victory in the 1999 PGA Championship and the 1997 Masters Tournament. With the latter, Tiger set yet another record by becoming the youngest Masters Champion in the history of golf; he was 21 years old. This, however, is not the only record Mr. Woods has set. His 21 victories at age 23 exceed the career start of any other professional golfer. He won four consecutive PGA Tour events to end 1999, and started the millennium off with a fifth straight victory. This streak has only been surpassed by two other golfers more than 50 years ago. And possibly even more impressive is the fact that in Tiger Woods' last 21 PGA Tour starts, he has won 12 of them. But how can any of us forget the sight of Tiger Woods this past weekend? As I watched Mr. Woods outshine his already astounding performances, I felt inspired by his motivation, his spirit, and his poise. I must admit, however, that I was most impressed by his drive. His drive not only to perform, but also his drive on the ball. In the words of Tom Watson ``Tiger has raised the bar.`` He has become, in the opinion of many, the best in professional golf. His story illustrates the value of practice, hard work, and positive character. The most astounding idea, however, is that his story is only beginning. America will watch in wonder at how much more Mr. Woods will accomplish in his future matches. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and our colleagues to join me in congratulating Tiger Woods for his outstanding accomplishments. America should be proud to have such a fine athlete and such a fine citizen.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, today I honor the memory of William Senquiz on the tenth anniversary of his death. William Senquiz was the first director of Esperanza, Inc., a non- profit organization which provides educational services to Hispanic students from elementary school through college. This organization, whose name, Esperanza, means ``hope'' in Spanish, has given assistance to Hispanic students in the Greater Cleveland area since 1983. William Senquiz, the first director of the program, was a native of Lorain, Ohio, and a graduate of Bowling Green State University. He died in June, 1990, at the young age of 32. In his honor, Esperanza, Inc., along with several other organizations, established the William Senquiz Endowment Fund in 1990 to realize Willie's dream of establishing a fund that would serve as a continual source of scholarship funds for the Hispanic community. Willie Senquiz was a mentor and teacher whose deep commitment to the Hispanic youth in the Greater Cleveland area is an example to us all. My fellow colleagues, please join with me in honoring William Senquiz's memory on the tenth anniversary of his death.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Ryan- Kucinich amendment. I rise in support of nuclear nonproliferation and concern for U.S. taxpayers. The National Ignition Facility, NIF, is planned to be the most powerful laser in the world, a super laser designed to test U.S. nuclear weapons through laboratory simulations of nuclear explosions. The construction of this facility will promote the expansion of nuclear weapons testing at a time when the United States should be working toward nonproliferation both here and internationally. I strongly support cutting $74.1 million, the construction budget for the National Ignition Facility. This investment in nuclear weapons research capabilities runs counter to achieving a comprehensive test ban treaty and undermines efforts worldwide to reduce the spread of nuclear weapons. The NIH would enhance the capability for design of new nuclear weapons and modification of existing weapons. Laboratory directors might then agree that some of the new nuclear weapons cannot be reliably certified without full scale nuclear testing, providing a rationale for future testing. The creation of new nuclear weapons may serve to ignite a new arms race.

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Ryan) for yielding to me. Mr. Chairman, many experts agree that the National Ignition Facility has no relevance to its goal of maintaining the nuclear arsenal. Edward Teller, better known as the Father of the Atomic Bomb when asked about the NIF's usefulness in maintaining nuclear weapons he replied, none whatsoever. Los Alamos's theoretical weapon physicist Rod Schultz wrote that the NIF supposed importance to the weapons stockpile does not reflect the technical judgment of the nuclear weapons designed community. Eliminating funding for the National Ignition Facility does not cut funding for research and development for any future commercial energy technology. Mr. Chairman, our future energy path is clearly in renewable technologies, such as fuel cells, wind and solar power. As the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Ryan) has said, NIF is a budgetary black hole. The Department of Energy's initial estimate of NIF's cost overruns were about $350 million, but current cost overruns estimates from the DOE stand between $750 million to $1 billion, 100 percent more than originally estimated.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 494. ``With God All Things Are Possible.'' This phrase, the Ohio State motto, represents optimism in the human spirit. The motto suggests that Ohioans should be optimistic and hopeful about the future. Although the motto is a Biblical reference, its meaning extends beyond the scope of religion. In fact this phrase was expressed in many ancient Greek texts such as The Odyssey. Since the founding fathers of this great nation created a ``more perfect Union,'' the concepts of god and country have been deeply intertwined. Observe the Great Seal, which dates back to 1782, on the back of our dollar bill. The ``All Seeing Eye'' above the pyramid suggests the importance of divine guidance in favor of the American cause. A closer look on the back of the dollar reveals America's intimacy with spirituality: The Latin phrase ANNUIT COEPTIS, which is also inscribed in this very chamber, means ``He (God) has favored our undertakings,'' and refers to the many instances of Divine Providence during our Government's formation. Even our own Pledge of Allegience mentions that the United States is ``One Nation Under God,'' which is a prime example of America's relationship with spirituality. My fellow colleagues, it's clear to me that the Ohio State motto is analogous to the beloved phrase ``In God We Trust''--our national motto, displayed prominently above the seat of our own Speaker of the House of Representatives. With God all things are possible, especially the United States of America.