Dennis Kucinich

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Mark Wells, of Olmsted Township, OH, whose life was tragically ended a year ago on October 28, 1996. Mr. Wells, 41, had been a mail carrier in North Olmsted and Lorain, OH, since 1987. He was well-liked and respected by his coworkers. Last year, Mr. Wells was on duty, standing behind his mail truck on a quiet Lorain Street, when a man with a history of driving under the influence drove his pickup around the corner and struck him. Mr. Wells died a short time later from multiple injuries. The unfortunate accident stunned his family and coworkers at the post office. The pickup driver's sentence of 1 month's jail time, a suspended license and a small fine was a second blow. A memorial service will be held in honor of Mr. Wells on the anniversary of his untimely death.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to support the amendment by Mr. LaTourette and Mr. Traficant, my colleagues from northern Ohio, and to honor the men and women who have built and operate the Amtrak railway system. More than 100 years ago, it was the railroads that formed the basic infrastructure of our country--the infrastructure that enabled our economy to expand and prosper. Hundreds of thousands of dedicated workers--many of them immigrants working for low wages--gave their lives to build America's railroads. Today, railroads employees use their skills to keep the railroads safe--to move freight and passengers quickly and efficiently. When Amtrak was founded in 1971, the Federal Government made a compact with its workers. We made a pact to treat Amtrak workers fairly, to protect the incomes of Amtrak workers who gave up jobs in higher-paying freight railroad companies. The Government promised to compensate Amtrak employees who are displaced because of the process of restructuring. This Amtrak Reform Act abandons those commitments. It eliminates essential worker protections and places arbitrary time limits on the collective bargaining process. It would lead to greater labor strife in the Amtrak system because workers would have their contract rights canceled. It would demoralize Amtrak workers, forcing them to sacrifice so the system can obtain the Federal financing that was set aside in the Balanced Budget Act. This is blatantly unfair to the people who keep Amtrak running. And it violates the public interest of our Nation. The amendment by Mr. LaTourette and Mr. Traficant is a fair and reasonable compromise. It balances the financial needs of Amtrak with the respect that we owe to Amtrak's dedicated employees. I commend my Ohio colleagues for proposing this measure and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to comment on the VA-HUD appropriations bill, H.R. 2158 that has emerged from a conference committee between the House and the Senate.This legislation provides resources for a wide variety of programs, two of the most notable concern section 8 housing subsidies and the service coordinators that are supported through the Department of Housing and Urban Development [HUD]. In the State of Ohio, there are more than 50,000 apartment units in which citizens receive rent subsidies from the HUD section 8 program. My congressional district on the west side of Cleveland has a substantial concentration of section 8 projects and eligible persons, many of whom are elderly and disabled. Our Nation has made a compact with these residents to help them maintain a decent place to live. As we know, many of the section 8 contracts will be expiring in the next few years. Fortunately, this appropriations bill provides a total of $9.4 billion in fiscal year 1998 for the renewal of section 8 rental housing contracts. This is more than twice the amount that was provided last year for similar activities. This money will be available for HUD to work with apartment owners at section 8 properties to ensure that rent subsidies will continue for elderly, disabled, low income and other persons who depend on rent subsidies. Although this amount is less than what was originally requested by the President for section 8 renewals, I am confident that HUD can meet the challenge of using this money in a cost-effective and sensitive manner. The other good news concerns service coordinators. These staff persons work in section 8 projects to assess the daily living activities of residents and tailor a package of services that gives residents access to community services. Every day service coordinators help to save the lives of elderly and disabled persons who need help. When I learned that the money for this program had expired, and that service coordinators at the Westerly Apartments in Cleveland and other locations would soon be dismissed, I wrote to members of the Appropriations Committee asking that money be made available to keep this important program operating. I was very pleased to see that this appropriations bill states that ``at least $7,000,000 shall be used for grants for service coordinator and congregate services for the elderly and disabled.'' This money will allow HUD to renew all of the service coordinator grants that are expiring in the near future. The bill states that it is the intention of the U.S. Congress that the service coordinator program extend into the future. I commend the House and Senate conference committee for their willingness to maintain this vital assistance to elderly and disabled citizens. During an era in which all government agencies are called upon to make hard decisions about how our tax dollars are used, this appropriations bill makes a number of wise choices. I therefore urge my colleagues to support this measure.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember Casimir Pulaski, a Polish patriot and a military hero. The Polonia Foundation, the Polish Legion of American Veterans, U.S.A., and many other organizations in the Cleveland area are holding a memorial ceremony in honor of Casimir Pulaski, Saturday, October 11, 1997. Pulaski originally made his name fighting the Russian domination of Poland. When he met Benjamin Franklin in Paris in 177, he was already one of the most renowned cavalrymen in Europe. Sympathetic to the American cause, he sailed to America and was made head of the newly formed American cavalry during the Revolutionary War. Pulaski was involved in many significant battles during the Revolution. His last took pace at Savannah, GA in October 1779 where he led a valiant charge against British artillery. He was shot and died a few days later. Pulaski was one of the more dashing European volunteers to join the Americans in the Revolution. He reportedly wore a plumed hat, flashing saber, and an elaborate uniform and spent his own money to feed and equip his troops. He fought valiantly for the ideals of the American Revolution and made important contributions to American history. Because of his courage and bravery, Casimir Pulaski is an American hero and an significant figure in the role Polish immigrants have played in American history.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the memory of William Augustine of Cleveland, OH, a dedicated father of seven children. William Augustine was born in Cleveland. He was one of eight children. He served in the Merchant Marine during World War II, then joined the Air Force. He was a self-made man. Mr. Augustine and his ex-wife, Ruth, raised seven children on a small farm in Seville, OH. He worked as a convention decorator for a large firm in Cleveland all day, then returned home for dinner with his family before working on the farm. Mr. Augustine dedicated his life to showing his children that having an education would make their lives easier. When his eldest son attempted to drop out of school, Mr. Augustine encouraged him to return. His son is now a lawyer in San Antonio, TX. His other six children have also prospered. My fellow colleagues, please join me in honoring William Augustine, a man who recognized the value of a good education. He wanted nothing more than for his children to enjoy an easier, more prosperous life than his own, and he instilled in them the significance of education. His efforts are reflected in the prosperity of his children who will, no doubt, pass this legacy on to Mr. Augustine's eight grandchildren.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life long work of Mayor John M. Coyne of Brooklyn, OH. Mayor Coyne is currently completing his 50th consecutive year as mayor of Brooklyn. Mayor Coyne was first elected in 1948 and holds the record for being the longest serving mayor of a city in the United States. On October 22, 1997, Cleveland State University will honor Mayor Coyne for his lifetime achievement of 58 years in public office. The celebration will benefit the John M. Coyne Endowed Public Service Scholarship at the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University. Mayor Coyne has had a long and distinguished career in public service. Prior to being elected mayor of Brooklyn, he served 2 years as treasurer and 6 years as clerk-auditor for the city. In 1966, Mayor Coyne pioneered legislation for the first mandatory seat belt law in the country. Brooklyn was the first city in the country to implement a mandatory seat belt law. Mayor Coyne also recommended and implemented a mandatory curbside recycling program as part of the city's solid waste management plan. As a result of his efforts Brooklyn was the first city in Cuyahoga County and the second in the State of Ohio to enact a mandatory recycling program. Mayor Coyne has also served on various political and civic committees during his career and has been recognized for his commitment to the community. He served five consecutive terms as Chair of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party from 1982-93. He also served as a member of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections from March of 1990 to August of 1991 and as a suburban representative on the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority from March of 1981 to August of 1982. He was the first recipient of the Ernest J. Bohn Award for outstanding execution of public business. In addition, Mayor Coyne was recognized by the Waterford Society as their 1993 Man of the Year and received the Irish Good Fellowship Club Award in 1984. Mayor John M. Coyne is a proven public servant. He has dedicated his life to improving his community and I applaud his efforts. I am proud to honor Mayor Coyne and wish him continued success in the future.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I first want to congratulate the gentleman from California [Mr. Lewis] for the work which he has done on this important appropriations bill. I also thank the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Stokes], my friend, for sharing his knowledge and understanding of the process with me to enable me to more effectively participate as a freshman. Mr. Speaker I rise in support of the conference agreement on the fiscal year 1998 VA-HUD appropriations bill. This bill provides $13.6 billion for the programs in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, which fully funds the President's request, including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's aeronautics program, and also provides for the work associated with Lewis Research Center, which I am proud to say is served by the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Stokes], the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. LaTourette], the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Brown], and myself and the entire Ohio delegation. I am pleased that the conference agreement provides increased funding for the International Space Station. This action by the Congress will help to keep the Space Station on schedule. The bill also provides essential support for Mission to Planet Earth, the NASA program which will enable a system of Earth observing satellites to study global climate change. In this Congress, we have seen important debates about the future of NASA and the International Space Station. This fiscal year 1998 appropriation will enable the agency to continue its progress on exploring the last frontier, the frontier of space, while bringing back to Earth the technological benefits of that exploration. Mr. Speaker, for this I commend this bill to my colleagues and urge its support. And I want to express my continued appreciation to the men and women of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for their vision, for their attention to detail, and for their commitment to our country.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dr. Aloysius Hepp, recipient of NASA's Exceptional Achievement Medal. Dr. Hepp, a senior materials scientist at Cleveland's NASA Lewis Research Center, received the Exceptional Achievement Medal for his significant support of the socioeconomic business programs in the small business, technical, and procurement arenas. Dr. Hepp graduated from Carnegie Mellon University as the top chemistry major in his class. After earning a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dr. Hepp spent a year with NASA Lewis before moving onto stints with the Center for Naval Analyses and the Polaraid Corp. Dr. Hepp returned to NASA Lewis in 1987 to continue his accomplished career. In fact, 5 out of the last 7 years, NASA Lewis honored Dr. Hepp by awarding him the Research Achievement Award. In addition to his position with NASA Lewis, Dr. Hepp serves as an adjunct professor at the State University of New York-Albany and Cleveland State University. Dr. Hepp also spent a year as a visiting scholar at Harvard University. Dr. Hepp has played an active role in promoting diversity at NASA Lewis and increasing opportunity for minorities in education and business. For example, Dr. Hepp works with a NASA Lewis program to provide high school and college minority students with summer internships. Over the years, these internships have provided a valuable experience to many of Cleveland's youth. In many cases, these students have collaborated with scientists to produce presentations and publications. The work done by Dr. Hepp is yet another example of the excellent work done by the scientist, engineers, and administrative personnel at the NASA Lewis Research Center. My fellow colleagues, please join me in recognizing the contributions made by Dr. Aloysius Hepp to the scientific community and the community of Cleveland in general.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the memory of Rev. Ferris Kleem, a Catholic and Maronite priest, a scholar, and a philanthropist. Father Kleem was born in Wilkes-Barre, PA. After high school, he served in Italy in the infantry and medical corps of the U.S. Army. He earned a bachelor's degree in biology and chemistry from King's College and went on to study medicine at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon. His international experiences did not end there. He earned a degree in sacred theology at Catholic University in Angers, France and was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest in the Holy Cross order in LeMans, France. His passion for learning led him to pursue further studies at Catholic University of America, Johns Hopkins, McGill and Cleveland State Universities, and the University of the Holy Spirit in Lebanon. He received a doctorate in higher education from Wayne State University. As an assistant at St. Brendan Church in North Olmsted and at SS. Cyril & Methodius Church in Lakewood, Father Kleem shared his spirituality, international experiences, and knowledge with many Catholics in northeast Ohio. During this time, he also counseled divorced and separated Catholics in Cleveland. He led pilgrimages to Lourdes, Fatima, the Holy Land, and other religious sites. In 1991, he founded a philanthropic group, Our Lady of the Cedars Society. My fellow colleagues, please join me in honoring a man whose countless contributions and achievements will never be forgotten.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Stearns] and I are in agreement on the need to lower the cost of pharmaceuticals for veterans. To me, there is no question that this Congress ought to be doing more for our veterans. Where we are in disagreement is that we should accept a provision in this bill which stops public hospitals from taking advantage of the lowest possible prices that might be available to them. When I say that it means a tax increase if this bill passes, here is what I mean, so we can understand this. If public hospitals are able to get the lowest possible price for goods that they buy and for services, since they run on tax dollars, the longer they can carry that tax dollar, the more they can stretch it, the more value that is given for the tax dollar. But if the goods cost more, that means people have to pay more taxes to support it. So that would qualify the statement that I made. But I can see, it is difficult to be able to at once stand very firmly for veterans, as my colleague has done, for which I congratulate him, and at the same time take a stand which says, well, we cannot regard the interest of public hospitals. So, Madam Speaker, I am very concerned that we need to let people know the effect this could have on public hospitals.

Mr. KUCINICH. I want to congratulate, first of all, Madam Speaker, the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Evans] and his counterpart on the other side of the aisle, the gentleman from Arizona [Mr. Stump], for the concern which they have shown for homeless veterans and for veterans of all kinds across this country. My father fought in World War II. I had a brother who fought in Vietnam, and he is in a veterans home today as a result of that service. I am familiar firsthand with the effect that service to a government can have on a family, and I appreciate very much the work that all the men and women have done in this country in serving America. That is why to stand here at this moment is very difficult. I want to point out a provision in H.R. 2206, the Veterans Health Programs Improvement Act of 1997, which was put in there, and for some reason this provision, which really has nothing to do with veterans at all, this provision would punish rural and urban public hospitals and health clinics in districts across the country and be tantamount to a local tax increase. It makes a bill, which everyone should agree on, quite controversial. Section 10 of this bill would prohibit State, county, and municipal health givers from getting lower prices for lifesaving pharmaceuticals which their patients need. Nursing homes and public hospitals would suffer, since they must purchase equipment, medical devices and lifesaving drugs for elderly citizens and the ill, especially people with AIDS. Local public health institutions will not be allowed to operate more efficiently and less expensively, since they will be forbidden by law from purchasing many products and services at discounted prices, which would otherwise enable the taxpayers to save billions of dollars at a State and local level. At the request of the National Performance Review and Vice President Gore, the 104th Congress intended to bring efficient practices to local and State government without onerous regulations or government mandates. The bottom line savings would be realized by local taxpayers who pay the bill of local government. Although saving money for local taxpayers is a good idea, there are those who oppose it, and certain industry groups which benefit from Government inefficiency, would like nothing more than to have Congress pass this particular provision which is in H.R. 2206. These industry groups are trying to, in effect, interject their interest into a bill which should be, first and foremost, to support the interests of veterans but, instead, the bill has a provision which attacks public hospitals. The pharmaceutical industry wants to see H.R. 2206 pass because they do not want public hospitals and AIDS clinics to benefit from significant savings or significant discounts on lifesaving drugs. Why sell AIDS drugs at a lifesaving discount when they can be sold at full price? Therefore, this provision makes H.R. 2206 a tax increase on local taxpayers because it would deny State, county, and municipal hospitals and clinics from purchasing pharmaceuticals and medical equipment at the discounted prices the Federal Government negotiates. The provision in this bill is objectionable, unfair, and controversial, and I would suggest that this provision is emblematic of what is wrong with Government. Here we all agree that our veterans need access to low cost drugs for their health, particularly those who are least able to care for themselves. And all of us could agree, I would hope, that our public hospitals and clinics need access to the lowest possible cost for pharmaceuticals. But this bill puts us in a conflict where it makes us have to separate those interests, which ought to be interests we agree on. So we are asked to choose between those interests. I say that is a false choice; that we in the Congress should be supporting veterans and we should be supporting public hospitals in our districts. And for that reason, until we can clean up this particular provision, I am urging a ``no'' vote on this particular bill, and I do so only with the greatest reluctance because of the terrific respect that I have for my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who are dedicated to veterans, and I know they really care about veterans' concerns.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Zumberak Lodge No. 859, of the Croatian Fraternal Union of America on its 60th anniversary. Zumberak Lodge began in 1937 with nine members. In the last 60 years, the organization has flourished to a membership of over 600, the largest lodge in the Greater Cleveland area. The lodge boasts members who represent various professions including: the clergy, doctors, lawyers, merchants, Congressmen, Governors, State representatives, judges, teachers, and executives. Since its inception, Zumberak Lodge has been active in organizing events, community fundraisers, and sporting tournaments on a local and national level. The lodge often organizes picnics, dances, boat rides, and hay rides for its members. For 52 consecutive years, it has sponsored a concert by the Duquesne University Tamburitzans. Some of Zumberak's members have even been selected to perform with the Tamburitzans. The lodge was instrumental in establishing the Cleveland chapter of the Croatian Fraternal Union Scholarship Foundation. Members continue to support and benefit from this beneficial foundation. In 1942, the lodge sponsored its first national event, the Croatian Fraternal Union Basketball Tournament. The Zumberak team has won several national tournaments, not to mention two trophies for being the best dressed team. Goldie Malone, Zumberak secretary-treasurer and the one and only basketball queen, organized the first women's basketball team in the Croatian Fraternal Union in 1952. A national bowling tournament was first organized in 1962, and since then Zumberak's sponsorship and participation has been second to none. My fellow colleagues, please join me in recognizing Zumberak Lodge No. 859 for 60 years of activities, comradeship, and living by their creed: ``be a friend to the friendless, make the warring classes obsolete, here and in the land of our parents. Patience, peace and prosperity are what we will be promulgating.''

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. Speaker, as a former local official, I know every dollar counts, and that local taxpayers are being asked to shoulder the ever- increasing burden of services the Federal Government no longer provides. That is why I support a money-saving program for local and State governments, and why I now oppose the Treasury-Postal appropriation. The cooperative purchasing program, which Congress passed into law in 1994, at section 1555 of the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act, was designed to allow local and State governments, school districts and public hospitals, to purchase goods and services at a super discount off the Federal rate, saving local taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars per year. Unfortunately, some have moved to take this particular program out of the conference report. Here is how the cooperative purchasing program is supposed to work. A school district has to purchase computers, chalkboards, and basic furniture. Thanks to the cooperative purchasing program, the school district could buy the supplies and services it needed directly from vendors at the discounted prices the GSA negotiated. The GSA, as we know, is a procurement agency for the government. These GSA-negotiated prices are often the lowest anywhere, allowing local taxpayers an opportunity to save money. Unfortunately, certain industry groups that benefit from government inefficiency would like nothing more than to have the law repealed. So the pharmaceutical industry wants to see the program repealed, because cooperative purchasing would entitle public hospitals and AIDS clinics to significant discounts on life-saving drugs. The medical equipment industry is also mobilizing against the discounts. Mr. Speaker, we have a way to reduce the cost of government. It is called the cooperative purchasing program. Today the House will keep this idea and the program alive by rejecting the conference committee report. Let us tell our constituents we want to keep local taxes low and we reject the repeal of the cooperative purchasing program.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacy of Howard Metzenbaum, former Senator from the State of Ohio. Howard Metzenbaum was a giant who strode across the political landscape of Ohio for five decades. Some called him a rabble-rouster with a fierce independent streak. The Washington Post called him ``an uncompromising, indefatigable and often irascible champion of liberal causes.'' I always found him to be an inspiration, a breath of fresh air who was willing to do whatever necessary to defend the interests of working people. Howard Metzenbaum had a remarkably varied career. After graduating from law school in 1941, he became a labor lawyer in Cleveland and then the very successful owner of a string of parking lots. He started one of the Nation's first car rental companies, now known as Avis. In 1949, as a member of the Ohio Senate, he won passage of legislation regulating consumer credit. After several attempts, he won a seat in the U.S. Senate in 1976, starting an 18-year career that placed him at the forefront of some of the most important issues of our time. It was Senator Howard Metzenbaum who championed plant closing legislation and got the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification [WARN] Act passed over the President's veto. He was a vocal opponent of corporate welfare before such opposition became fashionable. When he retired in 1994, Democrats and Republicans alike hailed him as the conscience of the U.S. Senate. It is a fitting tribute to Senator Howard Metzenbaum that the Federal Courthouse at Public Square and Superior in Cleveland bear his name. The courthouse is a symbol of justice, and Howard Metzenbaum built his career on fighting for justice, fairness, and dignity for all citizens. I commend this bill to my fellow Members of Congress and urge its passage.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Claire Morgenstern, who will receive an award this week for outstanding contributions to the Greater Cleveland community from International Services Center [ISC] in Cleveland, OH. International Services Center is an agency that assists refugees, immigrants, and other newcomers to the United States to overcome social and economic barriers and adjust to a new culture and way of life. The organization is honoring four individuals this year for their exceptional work on intercultural and interracial issues. These individuals have been chosen because of their commitment to the community and their lifelong achievements which reflect the spirit and the mission of ISC. Claire Morgenstern is a past president and lifetime trustee of ISC and has spent many years as an active proponent of various charitable and community causes. It is the dedication of people like Ms. Morgenstern that makes the difference in the life of neighborhoods and communities. Ms. Morgenstern graduated from the University of Wisconsin and has pursued graduate studies at Case Western Reserve University. She is a dedicated community leader and for many years has demonstrated tremendously effective work in numerous organizations including United Way Services, the Cleveland International Program, the Epilepsy Foundation, Call for Action, the Temple Tifereth Israel, and Piano International. She served as president of ISC from 1988-90, leading the organization through a critical time of transition. Ms. Morgenstern has encouraged and supported innovation and growth. She was one of the founders and the first chairwoman of the annual International Holiday Folk Festival in Cleveland. She continues to be one of the festival's greatest supporters as it has grown in stature and popularity. The festival not only provides a needed source of revenue for ISC, it is a major cultural event in the Greater Cleveland area fostering intercultural and interracial harmony. My fellow colleagues, please join me in congratulating Claire Morgenstern, devoted grandmother, mother, wife, and dedicated community leader, on a lifetime of wonderful work for the multicultural community in the Greater Cleveland area.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, we need a national economic policy which protects our nation. We need a national economic policy which respects and reestablishes America as a sovereign Nation. We need a national economic policy which places the interests of the American people first among all international trade agreements. But the World Trade Organization ruled against U.S. regulations on clean air, U.S. consumer protections. They ruled violated WTO rules. The WTO ruled against regulations on hormone-treated beef. Now is the time to take a stand on behalf of our rights as a people to self- determination. The WTO does not care about the rights of the American people. The WTO does not care about the rights of our workers, about our environment. It is the American Congress which must stand up for the people. Outside of America, the international community does not care. We, the Congress, must protect we, the people.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Cleveland- Marshall College of Law on the celebration of its centennial this weekend. This anniversary also marks the dedication of a new law library on the campus. The Cleveland Law School was founded in 1897 and was the first law school in Ohio to admit women and one of the first to admit minorities. Some of the more prestigious Cleveland Law School graduates are the first woman appointed to a Federal judgeship, the first woman elected as a municipal court judge, the first African-American woman lawyer, and a string of judges, mayors, Congressmen, State legislators, and countless other community leaders. The college of law is Ohio's largest law school, and the only public law school in the city of Cleveland. The faculty is nationally recognized for its research and scholarship. The college provides students with a curriculum of traditional courses as well as opportunities to participate in four legal clinics, moot court teams, and two student-edited law journals. Now, the school also offers the new Cleveland-Marshall Law Library, housing the second largest academic law collection in Ohio. The library boasts extensive collections on many different aspects of State and Federal law, a large computer lab, and extensive electronic research capabilities. My fellow colleagues, please join me in commemorating the centennial of this superior institution, the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and its new law library.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor William Miller, who will receive an award this week for outstanding contributions to the Greater Cleveland community from International Services Center [ISC] in Cleveland, OH. International Services Center is an agency that assists refugees, immigrants, and other newcomers to the United States to overcome social and economic barriers and adjust to a new culture and way of life. The organization is honoring four individuals this year for their exceptional work on intercultural and interracial issues. These individuals have been chosen because of their commitment to the community and their lifelong achievements which reflect the spirit and the mission of ISC. Mr. Miller has been a columnist and reporter at Cleveland's Plain Dealer for 36 years. He covers nationality stories, general news, and international news as it impacts Cleveland. He writes an ethnic cultural column for the Friday! Magazine and his column ``New Worlds'' appears each Saturday. He covered the fall of the Berlin Wall and witnessed the reunification of Germany. This experience proved helpful as he traveled to Central and Eastern Europe in 1990 to write a series of article called Life After the Wall. The series won the 1991 National Writing Award of the First Catholic Slovak Union of the United States and Canada and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. Mr. Miller also won the Distinguished Service Award from the National Journalistic Society's Cleveland chapter. Mr. Miller's writing was instrumental in saving the three Playhouse Square Theaters from being demolished to make room for a parking lot. His name appears with six others on a plaque commemorating his efforts to save the complex. The beautifully renovated buildings now comprise the third largest theater complex in America. Many other community organizations have also recognized Mr. Miller for his involvement. He has been honored by the Asian/Pacific Federation, the Federation of Italian Societies of Northeast Ohio, Keep America Beautiful, Inc., the United Labor Agency, and the Salvation Army. My fellow colleagues, please join me in congratulating William Miller on a lifetime of wonderful work for the multicultural community in the Greater Cleveland area.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Alex Mark, who will receive an award this week for outstanding contributions to the Greater Cleveland community from International Services Center [ISC] in Cleveland, OH. International Services Center is an agency that assists refugees, immigrants, and other newcomers to the United States to overcome social and economic barriers and adjust to a new culture and way of life. The organization is honoring four individuals this year for their exceptional work on intercultural and interracial issues. These individuals have been chosen because of their commitment to the community and their lifelong achievements which reflect the spirit and the mission of ISC. Dr. Mark was brought up in Canada. He earned his bachelors degree from the University of Toronto and later, a doctorate from Purdue University. In 1978, he moved to Cleveland where he has held executive positions in several multinational companies such as Rockwell International Corp. and Massey-Ferguson Co. He retired from Eaton Corp. in 1990. Mr. Mark has always been involved in community related nonprofit organizations. He was the cofounder of the national Organization of Chinese Americans [OCA] and served as its national president from 1977 to 1979. During this time, he was active in a program to pass a bill through Congress to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Week. The bill passed and was signed by President Carter. Mr. Mark served as president of the Chinese Association of Greater Cleveland from 1982 to 1986. In 1991, he founded the Cleveland Chinese Senior Citizens Association and now, although he is officially retired, is the acting president of the nonprofit Asian Evergreen Housing Corp. Mr. Mark has also been active outside of the Chinese American Community. He was president of the International Services Center of Greater Cleveland and a board member of the Cleveland Council of World Affairs and an Hispanic organization, El Barrio. In addition, he served on the Import-Export Committee of the Cleveland World Trade Council and on the Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee of the Cuyahoga Community College. My fellow colleagues, please join me in congratulating Dr. Mark on a lifetime of wonderful work for the multicultural community in the Greater Cleveland area.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of a business owner, a community mentor, and a loving husband, father and grandfather, Joe Fox. As a young man, Joe fought for his country in World War II as a marine, earning a Purple Heart for his bravery. Later, he published a community newspaper and was the proprietor of Linka's Restaurant. Linka's was regarded as a popular neighborhood gathering place, where people would meet not only for the creative family-style meals, but also for conversation and advice from Joe Fox. Joe Fox loved to cook and experiment with all different kinds of cuisine. He also loved to help people in any way he could. Joe was a very special and unique man whose generosity and vision earned him a place in the hearts of everyone in the community. He is survived by his wife, Olga, a daughter, a son, and three grandchildren, all of whom he adored. Their loss is shared by everyone fortunate enough to have known Joe.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Irene Morrow, who will receive an award this week for outstanding contributions to the Greater Cleveland community from International Services Center [ISC] in Cleveland, OH. International Services Center is an agency that assists refugees, immigrants, and other newcomers to the United States to overcome social and economic barriers and adjust to a new culture and way of life. The organization is honoring four individuals this year for their exceptional work on intercultural and interracial issues. These individuals have been chosen because of their commitment to the community and their lifelong achievements which reflect the spirit and the mission of ISC. Ms. Morrow worked in public service from 1964 through her retirement in 1989. She served as deputy auditor in charge of Cuyahoga County payrolls for 8 years. She spent the next 17 years serving as personnel administrator and secretary of the Civil Service Commission for the city of Cleveland. Upon her retirement from civil service, she embarked on another career in food management and service. Ms. Morrow has been involved in numerous community organizations and associations. She was elected as executive secretary of the Association of Polish Women in 1975. She has served as executive secretary and treasurer of the American Nationalities Movement ever since 1978. Ms. Morrow had the distinction of being elected the first woman president of the Republican Ripon Club. In addition, she serves on the boards of several other community organizations, including International Services Center. Ms. Morrow has been well recognized for her work in the community. Her list of awards and honors includes: 1 of the 40 outstanding Ohio Women Achievers, presented by Barbara Bush; Polish Person of the Year, presented by the Polonia Foundation; Member of the Year, offered by the American Nationalities Movement; and Appreciation Award from the United Hungarian Societies. Both Mayor Ralph Perk and Mayor George Voinovich have presented Ms. Morrow with Keys to the City Awards. My fellow colleagues, please join me in congratulating Irene Morrow on a lifetime of wonderful work for the multicultural community in the Greater Cleveland area.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Three years ago, President Clinton vowed to place 100,000 more police officers on the streets of American cities in a nationwide effort to reduce crime starting at the community level. To fulfill this goal by the end of the year 2000, the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services [COPS] was established. Halfway through the 6-year program, 65,000 officers have been added to police forces across the Nation, and reports of dramatic drops in crime are coming in from cities throughout the country. Cleveland, OH, is one of these COPS success stories. Juvenile crime had been on the rise in Cleveland. Arrests for weapons violations rose 67 percent from 1989 to 1994. A 35-percent increase in juvenile felony arrests was seen between 1992 and 1993 alone. In spite of this rise in crime, the number of police officers had declined. The Cleveland Police Department has received over $8 million in grants from the COPS Office. Among many COPS funded programs, one especially innovative and successful program stands out, the Residential Area Policing Program [RAPP]. In an effort to create more of a community policing presence, the Cleveland Police Department identified abandoned, nuisance properties in various neighborhoods, restored the properties, and stationed specially trained community policing officers there 24 hours a day. These officers established themselves in the neighborhood, made regular patrols, and conducted door-to-door surveys of the residents' problems. They also hosted training seminars and provided a safe house to the youths of the area. In short, the community police formed partnerships with the residents of the neighborhoods and, together, they improved the appearance of the neighborhood, identified community problems, and developed substantial solutions. In each of the four sites selected for the yearlong program, the community officers became integral members of the community and left lasting, positive effects. Drug traffic has decreased, gunfire has diminished, and the number of civil disputes is down. Equally as important, the number of calls for service rose 100 percent, showing that the residents felt comfortable turning to the police for help. RAPP is but one of many endeavors on the part of the Cleveland Police Department to get more involved in community policing. Over $11 million have been awarded to communities in the 10th Congressional District of Ohio resulting in the hiring of over 170 new officers. Residents profess that the programs have helped reduce crime, and the statistics prove it. Community policing works, and I support its continued funding so other cities may see the rewards of communities and police departments working together to combat crime.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Traficant] for yielding me the time. It is an honor to be on this floor and actually between the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Traficant] on my right and the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Stokes] on my left to read this tribute today in honor of Ambassador Carl B. Stokes, the former mayor of the city of Cleveland. Carl Stokes grew up in the depths of the Great Depression and scaled the heights of public service. He was a visionary and a great leader who inspired those who worked around him. The world will remember him as the first African-American mayor of a major American city. I will always remember him as a special friend, as a confidant, and as a mentor who helped me navigate the rough waters of Cleveland politics and the even rougher circumstances of being mayor of Cleveland, an office which Carl and I have both held. Carl B. Stokes was the son of a laundry worker who died when he was 2 years old. His mother worked as a domestic. He and his brother, the honorable gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Stokes], worked in neighborhood stores and delivered newspapers to help out their family. Over the years, Carl Stokes excelled in many aspects of life: as a soldier during World War II, as a middle-weight boxing champion in 1948, as someone who could shoot a pretty good game of pool I might add, as an attorney and investigator for the Ohio Department of Liquor Control. In his 1973 autobiography ``Promises of Power,'' we see a classic work of Cleveland political literature. The story of Carl Stokes and his career is a story of accomplishments. In 1962, he became the first black Democrat elected to the Ohio General Assembly. In 1967, he became the first African-American to be elected mayor of a major American city. He appeared on the cover of Time Magazine after that victory. As mayor, before environmental issues attracted wild public attention, he developed a program to clean up the Cuyahoga River and started the first clean water task force in the city's history. In 1970, he was elected president of the National League of Cities, the first African-American to hold that post. After 4 years as mayor, he moved on to a journalist career in New York City, becoming the first African-American to serve as the daily anchorman for a television news program. I am sure those who are familiar with American politics at that time know that in 1968, he was actually being considered as a possible running mate to Hubert Humphrey. So we may have had the first African-American Vice President of the United States in Carl Stokes. He was later elected as judge of the Cleveland Municipal Court. In 1994, President Clinton appointed Carl Stokes as Ambassador to the Seychelles. The legacy of Carl Stokes is with us today. As the Reverend Jesse Jackson said about Carl Stokes, ``All that exists now in the political spectrum for African-Americans are seeds from trees that Carl Stokes planted.'' It is a fitting tribute to the legacy of Carl Stokes that we name the new Federal courthouse in Cleveland as the ``Carl B. Stokes United States Courthouse.'' I join with the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. LaTourette] and other Members of the Ohio delegation in asking my colleagues to support this tribute.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Congregation of St. Joseph [CSJ] in Cleveland, OH as they celebrate their 125th anniversary of serving the Cleveland community through their faith, service, and vision. For the Sisters of St. Joseph, this anniversary year has been one of reflection on their faith and a renewal of their spirituality. The sisters recently spent a weekend exploring the core principles and values of their faith and endeavored to find God and love in everyday life. This year has also been a time to contemplate the areas of service in which CSJ is involved. Throughout their history, the sisters have reached out to others in the Cleveland community. The Sisters of St. Joseph have been involved in educating the youth of the community's parishes and in helping many other service organizations such as the West Side Catholic Center and Women's Shelter, Providence House--(a crisis nursery for children), transitional housing for women and families, day care, and hospital visits. As part of the anniversary celebration, the Sisters of St. Joseph awarded a grant to fund a new service project in the community, ``Seeds of Literacy.'' This project, coordinated with three other parishes in the Cleveland area, will reach out to needy adults to increase their literacy skills and sense of self worth, hopefully resulting in new job opportunities for them so they will be able to support themselves and their children. The congregation has also spent this anniversary year focusing on the vision that has carried them through the past 125 years, and which will inspire them in the future. Just as many bridges span the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, connecting the east side of the city to the west, CSJ is always looking for ways to build new bridges connecting themselves to their traditional spirituality, connecting their accomplishments of the past to their vision of the future, and connecting the Congregation of St. Joseph to the Cleveland community. My fellow colleagues, please join me in honoring the devoted Sisters of the Congregation of St. Joseph.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to announce the 75th anniversary of St. Luke Church in Lakewood, OH. In 1922, Bishop Joseph Schrembs established the parish of St. Luke, the Evangelist. Lacking suitable facilities in which to hold mass, a large tent was erected on the grounds of a nearby convent where Sunday masses were held. The parishioners continued to have services under the tent for 2\1/2\ months. Even though they had numerous weather problems, especially during the bitter cold winter, the determination of Fr. Nolan, the parishioners, and a group of Charity nuns was all that was needed to build the tent back up whenever it fell. On August 24, 1922, a contract was signed to build a frame church. Fr. Nolan's prayers for a permanent church structure were answered. In 1928, it became not only a place for worship but also a place for education when a school was built around the church. By 1950, it was apparent that larger facilities were needed to accommodate the growing St. Luke community. A new church was constructed in 13 months with much of the materials coming from Ireland, Germany, France, and Italy. The church was again remodeled in 1984. An addition was constructed on one side of the church enlarging the priests' sacristy. Improvements were made in the school as well, where a library and media center were added. The Church of St. Luke, the Evangelist has come a long way from its humble beginnings in a tent in a field. St. Luke has grown to be a place for education, worship, and community involvement over the past 75 years, and I wish the congregation continued success in the future.