Dennis Kucinich

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Robin Jay, an award-winning speaker, author, and coach who has inspired and motivated countless entrepreneurs to establish their visions and achieve success in their field. Robin Jay, originally from Cleveland, Ohio, started her own successful writing and public speaking career after eighteen years as an advertising account manager. She recognized the power of a positive mental attitude and that the key to success lay in leadership, management, focused attention, and self motivation. Her personable demeanor and inspiring message has enabled her to connect with audiences of entrepreneurs across the nation and quickly put her in demand as a keynote speaker and coach. As a professional key note speaker, author and corporate trainer, Ms. Jay works with her clients to accomplish the same thing she did--establish their vision and achieve it. As one of the leading business relationship experts, she teaches her clients how to build profitable business relationships in a way that motivates and inspires them. Her first book, ``The Art of the Business Lunch'', a book on business relationships, is a best seller and is now sold in ten languages worldwide. She is also the author of ``The Power of Mentorship'' series which includes ``The Millionaire Within'', ``For the Woman Entrepreneur'', and ``Chicken Soup for the Wine Lover's Soul''. Several of her articles have been featured in What's On Magazine and she was a featured mentor in the movie ``The Power of Mentorship--Unlock Your Journey to Success''. Ms. Jay sits on various organizational boards and has been recognized several times for her groundbreaking and inspirational work for business entrepreneurs. She was awarded the Women in Communication Media Award for the Radio Account Executive of the Year and served as past President of the Las Vegas Women in Communications organization. Currently, she is on the board of directors of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and The Advertising Community Talent Show. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition of Robin Jay for her outstanding leadership skills and for her extensive and diverse service to many individuals as they strive to achieve their dreams.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 2008 Annual Ohio Business Women's Conference and Expo, and in honor of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for Ohio and the Hispanic Business Association for their work in the state of Ohio. The Annual Ohio Business Women's Conference is the largest event of its kind for women in business and provides business owners with the information and tools necessary to expand their market. The theme for this year's conference is ``Bridging Success'' and will feature over five hundred women business owners, entrepreneurs and corporate exhibitors. The mission, put forth by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for Ohio and the Hispanic Business Association is to promote women business enterprises through all stages of development. This unique and important event provides women business owners with the forum to display their products and services to America's leading corporations and government agencies, who join the conference from across the nation as sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees. This year's event will provide women business owners and entrepreneurs with networking activities, workshops, panel discussions, and matchmaking procurement sessions. I also stand in recognition of the Hispanic Business Association (HBA) for their contributions and leadership in promoting and supporting women business owners in the Greater Cleveland Area. The Hispanic Business Association grew out of the vision of local Hispanic business owners in 1981 who were startled by the low participation of the Hispanic community in the private and public sector. Since its official incorporation as a nonprofit in 1983, the HBA has worked to fulfill its mission of promoting Hispanic business interest and its economic development and expansion through strategic partnerships, technical assistance and advocacy. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognition of this year's Annual Ohio Business Women's Conference and Expo as well as in recognition of the Hispanic Business Association for their diverse and extensive service to business owners and entrepreneurs in the Greater Cleveland Area.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I regretfully oppose this rule, not because I lack appreciation for the work of my colleagues in trying to craft a bill that would get consensus, but because we are right back to where we were in January of 2007. We made a commitment that we would take control of this Congress and would end the war. Now, with this bill, we are saying we will set a goal of 18 months from now. So what happens 18 months from now? We have to end this war by stopping the funding. In this bill we are telling the Iraqis they are going to have to pay for the reconstruction. We are telling the Iraqis they are going to have to give a discount price for oil, so they are going to subsidize the war against their own country. We are losing a lot in this war, not only hundreds of billions of dollars, not only the lives of our troops, not only the injuries, but we are also losing our sense of humanity and compassion. There have been over 1 million innocent Iraqis killed as a result of this war. Vote against this rule.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, since late January 2008, the 1.5 million people in Gaza have been enduring an Israeli-imposed blockade. The blockade effectively restricts the entry of food, clean water, fuel, and medical supplies. The lack of basic goods has severely deteriorated Gaza's health, social fabric, and economy. The World Bank reports that since Hamas ousted Fatah from Gaza last June, 90 percent of businesses have shut down, costing workers more than 100,000 jobs. Due to the closure of Gaza's borders and its inability to import raw materials, farmers and businesses are unable to produce and export their goods leaving nearly half a million people without an income. I encourage the Bush Administration to do everything it possibly can to improve the economic livelihood of Gaza's population so that they do not become the tragic victims of Israel's national security policies. In particular, the Bush Administration should consider: Expanding the list of food items permissible for import into Gaza. Presently only twelve basic food items are allowed entry into Gaza and this does not include salt or cattle; Allowing entry of seed, seedlings, fertilizers, and chemicals necessary for farmers to continue growing basic goods for humanitarian needs and consumption; Permitting the entry of raw materials intended for use by private sector Gaza-based factories. More than 800 factories have been shut down in Gaza since the blockade, exacerbating its unemployment conditions; Extending, on an urgent basis, the reach of recently launched West Bank initiatives of the small loans and mortgage funding in order to provide micro-lending to small businesses and to stimulate peaceful economic activities; Encouraging, and allowing entry of, European and other foreign technical staff to enter Gaza and engage in assisting the private sector as well as non-governmental organizations in Gaza; and Permitting entry of construction materials into Gaza necessary for the completion of $300 million dollars worth of projects which have been suspended due to material shortages. These projects fall under the umbrella of international organizations including the United Nations Relief Works Agency, the United Nations Development Program, and the World Bank. The necessary materials can be earmarked for specific projects and their implementation can be supervised by these international organizations thereby avoiding improper usage. I urge the U.S. Administration to help end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and ensure the health, safety, and security for Palestinians and Israelis.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I sent the following letter to the President on May 13, 2008: President George W. Bush, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC. Dear President Bush: I strongly urge you to reconsider Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's trip to the Czech Republic in early June to sign the European Ground-Based Mid- Course Defense, GMD, agreement. You have urged that the United States Ballistic Missile Defense System must include a European theatre to defend the country against an Iranian deployment of Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles, ICBM. I remain unconvinced that the arguments for the European GMD are valid. The claim that the GMD will prevent a missile attack on the United States stands in contravention of the facts. Iran would have to overcome the many technical difficulties associated with development and deployment of long-range ballistic missiles. The longest range missile that Iran has tested is 1,600 kilometers. The straight line distance from Tehran to Washington, D.C. is 10,186 kilometers. The United States has never deployed a missile with this range. Our longest range missile, the MX or Peacekeeper, has a range of approximately 8,000 kilometers. Only five countries have deployed any long-range ballistic missiles to date. In fact, it is conceivable that the U.S. will have its own technical difficulties to overcome before such a system can be proven viable. Two stage interceptors, proposed to be used in the European GMD, have never before been flight tested and therefore have no proven track record of viability. The Test and Evaluation department of the Pentagon cautions that many more tests under realistic conditions would be needed before conceding our capability to shoot down an offensive missile. The citizens of the Czech Republic and Poland clearly reject the proposed agreement. Public opinion polls in the Czech Republic reflect strong opposition to the placement of the radar in their country. A poll conducted in the summer of 2007 shows that three-quarters of the population is calling for a public referendum on the proposed agreement. Opinion polls show that a consistent majority of the Polish public is opposed to the agreement and argues that they feel no particular threat from Iran. However, they indicated that the installment of interceptors would strain diplomatic relations with Russia. Similar concerns have been voiced about the prospect of Czech participation in the installment of the radar. The GMD proposal has by some accounts exacerbated U.S.- Russia relations. The U.S. has shared information but not meaningfully cooperated with Russia in these negotiations. Because the Czech Republic and Poland fall within the boundaries of former Russian influence, U.S. actions with regard to the GMD have been perceived by Russia as an intrusion. There can be no doubt that U.S. efforts to impose the GMD are perceived as an obstruction to the diplomatic ties between our nations. Assertions made by the Administration that the U.S. ICBM system could be used to protect the European Union reflect a flawed policy. If the Administration is concerned about the threat of ICBM attack on Europe it should cooperate with the international community to address these concerns instead of pursuing even more unilateral international policing. NATO is a better forum in which to address these concerns. The timing of Secretary Rice's trip to sign the agreement is also questionable. The Conference Report for the FY 2008 Department of Defense, DOD, authorization requires an independent assessment of the two stage interceptors as well as an independent analysis to assess alternatives to the European GMD. The assessment will not be released until after Secretary Rice's trip. If the assessment finds the GMD and the interceptors to be as unnecessary, unviable, and counterproductive to diplomacy as I have outlined in this letter, it will make it difficult to turn back. Additionally, the December 2007 National Intelligence Estimate on Iran states that Tehran halted its nuclear program in 2003 and as such, reaffirms the lack of an impending nuclear threat to the United States from Iran. This further confirms that there is no urgent need to sign a formal agreement with the Czech Republic in June. The viability, necessity and prudence of the fulfillment of a formal agreement with both the Czech Republic and Poland on the European GMD are called into question. Furthermore, this $4 billion project will be solely funded by U.S. taxpayers. I urge you to cancel the upcoming trip by Secretary Rice to the Czech Republic and instead focus on the more pressing diplomatic efforts that are needed to protect U.S. security through our relationships with the international community. Sincerely, Dennis J. Kucinich, Member of Congress.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life long achievements of musician Danny Federici, long-time organ and accordion player for the E Street Band, a band that has become a staple of modern day American culture. Over his four-decade long career, Mr. Federici's signature style of playing has affected and inspired the lives of innumerable musicians and fans around the world. Born in Flemington, New Jersey, Danny Federici began teaching himself how to play the accordion at the age of seven. His talents quickly earned him many local radio gigs, where he performed classical and polka music. A truly natural musician, it was he and original E Street Band drummer Vini Lopez, who invited Bruce Springsteen to join their band as they began conquering the music scene on the colorful boardwalk of Asbury Park, New Jersey. Often introduced by Springsteen as ``Phantom Dan'', he spent forty years lending his spontaneous and soulful playing to the countless performances of the E Street Band. Mr. Federici was one of the pillars of their signature sound and his playing evoked the boardwalk at Asbury Park, where he and his fellow band mates spent their childhood together. His accordion playing is most memorable in E Street Band hits such as ``Fourth of July'' and ``Asbury Park''. During the time he spent away from the E Street Band, he recorded two solo albums, both jazz instrumentals. He had an unbreakable dedication to his music and his band mates but even more so to his wife Maya, and his three children, Jason, Harley and Madison. During his battle with Melanoma, he set up the Danny Federici Melanoma Fund, in the hopes that he could help others who were facing the same challenges that he was. His talents will forever be remembered by his family, friends, fans and band mates. In the words of Bruce Springsteen, ``Those you are with, in the presence of miracles, you never forget. Life does not does separate you. Death does not separate you. Those you are with who create miracles for you, like Danny did for me every night.'' Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the life of Danny Federici, whose inspiration and musical genius will continue to touch the lives of generations to come.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Richard M. Herman, and to honor a life spent in service to his community and family. Richard Herman earned his degree in engineering and was an innovative and dedicated worker. He spent eighteen years at General Electric Company as a mechanical engineer and later founded his own company, Valley Automation, Inc, in 1987. Valley Automation, Inc. is a custom equipment design company and he served as President until his passing. Mr. Herman had a love of the outdoors and in 1998, he semi-retired to pursue his passions and hobbies. He especially enjoyed fly-fishing, hiking and kayaking. Mr. Herman is survived by his high school sweetheart, Sally, to whom he was married for forty-four years and his three children; Richard Herman, Ronald Herman, and Donna Riviera. He will be fondly remembered by his four beautiful grandchildren, Nathaniel and Isabel Herman and Ryan and Christopher Riviera. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in celebrating the life of Richard M. Herman, and to honor his commitment to his passions, work and family. May his exemplary life serve as an example for us all to follow.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Donald ``Ace'' Hanna, and to honor a life spent in service to his country, his community, and his family. Donald Hanna, son of Elmer and Margaret Hanna was a U.S. army veteran and dedicated community member. He is survived by his wife, Trish and was a loving husband, brother, father, uncle, and friend to many in the community, with whom he shared his love, stories, guidance and care. Mr. Hanna enjoyed a close and unique bond with each of his eleven siblings, Francis, Ken, Gil, Marge, Diane, Jerry, Marilyn, Ralph, Karen, Ray and Elmer. He was a dedicated family man and spent much of his time with his wife and only daughter, Christine Zeh-Coyne, whom he will be affectionately remembered by. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in remembering and honoring the life of Donald ``Ace'' Hanna, for his dedication to his country, family and friends.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of George and Ann Marie Lazar, as they celebrate fifty years of devotion to each other, to their family and many close friends. Their unbreakable union represents a deep and enduring love, not only for each other, but also for their children, grandchildren and for their community. George Lazar and Ann Marie Seaman wed on May 10, 1958 at St. Bonafice Church in Cleveland, Ohio. Shortly after their wedding, they moved to Parma, where they have grown together, raised a family and become an integral part of the community. They have lived on the same street in Parma since their move from Cleveland; raising, guiding and nurturing their three children: Georgeanne, George, and Suzanne. They are the proud grandparents of seven talented and beautiful grandchildren; Sean, Christopher, Alex, Emily, Vincent, Derek, and Valerie, to whom they provide much comfort and love. Throughout their lives together, both George and Ann Marie have dedicated their time and talents within the community that they have been a part of for so long. George, a veteran of the Korean War, is a long-standing member of the Honor Guard with American Legion Post 703. Ann Marie is also an active member of the same Post and served as a precinct committee member for the Democratic Party in Parma. Their dedication to helping others is evidenced at Holy Family Church where George sings in the choir and where Anne Marie volunteers in several different capacities. Anne Marie also volunteers for Meals on Wheels in Parma. Their legacy will be one of dedication to their family, to their church, and to their community. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and celebration of George and Ann Marie Lazar, as they celebrate this momentous occasion--their 50th wedding anniversary. May their commitment to each other, their family and their community continue to inspire us to follow our dreams, to give back to our community, and to hold family closest in our hearts.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, with this House on the threshold of granting the President $183 billion to continue the war in Iraq long past his term, it's an appropriate time to ask why are we still in Iraq, especially since the Democratic leadership promised the American people, 2 years ago, that if they voted Democrat, we'd move to end the war. Why are we still in Iraq? Why are we still in Iraq? Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11, with al Qaeda's role in 9/11. Iraq didn't have weapons of mass destruction. Why have we lost 4,000 of our finest troops? Why have we seen tens of thousands of Americans injured? Why have we seen over a million innocent Iraqis killed? The war is based on lies. The Bible says, you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free. We need to start telling the truth here on this floor about the war in Iraq. And we need to end the war, end the occupation, close the bases, bring our troops home. Why are we still in Iraq? This is a wake-up call for the American people. This is a wake-up call for the Congress. This is a wake-up call to stand for the truth.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Judge Blanche Krupansky, a pioneer for women in the judicial system, and to honor a life spent in service to her country and her community. Judge Krupansky, a lifelong resident of the Cleveland area, has a multifaceted and rich history of public service. Her story serves as an inspiration for women everywhere and she paved the way for women to succeed in becoming lawyers and judges. Honorable Krupansky was born in Cleveland, Ohio, where she attended West High School and Flora Stone College of Western Reserve University. A testament to her pioneering spirit, when she began law school at Case Western Reserve University in 1946, she was the only woman in her class. After earning her law degree, she remained in Ohio where she served as assistant attorney general as well as an assistant chief counsel for the Ohio Bureau of Worker's Compensation. In 1961, Judge Krupansky was elected to the Cleveland Municipal Court. She later moved to the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court in 1969, where she would serve for almost 10 years. Honorable Krupansky made history twice during her long career of public service as a judge in Ohio. She became the first woman to serve on the 8th Ohio District Court of Appeals in 1977, where she would serve for over 30 years. In 1981, she became the second woman appointed to serve on the Ohio Supreme Court in its long 185-year history. Throughout her career, she encouraged women to pursue careers as lawyers and judges, as well as to run for political office. In 1994, she told a reporter at the Cleveland Plain Dealer, ``If I can do it, you can do it,'' in the hopes that she could inspire young women. In 1980, she was recognized for her ground-breaking career when she was inducted into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame. She also received the Women of Achievement award from the Women's City Club of Cleveland, the Distinguished Service Award from Woman Space, the Nettie Cronise Lutes Award for an Outstanding Woman Lawyer, the distinguished Alumna Award from Case Western Reserve University, and she once served as chair of the Society of Benchers of Case. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in celebrating the life of Judge Blanche Krupansky, whose career in public service is a shining example for women everywhere. May her pioneering character and exemplary life serve as an example for all of us to follow.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of JoAnne McKenna, who dedicated her life to serving as a community organizer on behalf of peace and inter-cultural understanding. JoAnne McKenna was born and raised in Cleveland, where she would stay and dedicate her life to advocating for peace and inter-cultural understanding. Her family had deep roots in the city and owned the Hanna grocery stores in downtown Cleveland. She studied English Literature at Flora Stone Mather College and always had great interest in the Middle East. Mrs. McKenna, of Slovak and Lebanese heritage, served as a leader and social justice organizer in the Greater Cleveland community for decades. The region's history, politics and culture fascinated her, but the Arab-Israeli War and its aftermath propelled her to assert her Arab-American identity and emerge as a leader within the Arab-American community. Following the political unrest of the Arab-Israeli War, Mrs. McKenna began giving presentations at libraries, schools and churches around the Greater Cleveland Community in a quest to cultivate peace and inter-cultural dialogue. Through her work and continued dedication, she emerged as a leader in the Arab-American community and helped found numerous local and national organizations, focusing on Arab-American political activism and peace. She helped found the Greater Cleveland Association of Arab-Americans, where she served on the board for twelve years and six terms as President, the National Association of Arab- Americans, the Ohio chapter of the Association of Arab-American University Graduates, and the Northeast Ohio Committee on Middle East Understanding. Mrs. McKenna wrote a book titled ``Great Women of the Middle East'' and traveled throughout the United States and the Arab region meeting with various community and state leaders. On two occasions, her activism took her to the White House, where she met with President Ford and President Carter. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in remembering and honoring the life of JoAnne McKenna, for her outstanding leadership and advocacy for Arab-American causes, as well as for her extensive and diverse service to many individuals and communities who call the Cleveland area home.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, and colleagues, I rise today in recognition of the grand opening of the Azerbaijani Cultural Garden on May 12, 2008. The Azerbaijani Garden is part of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens along Doan Brook in Cleveland's Rockefeller Park. I strongly support the addition of the Azerbaijani Garden as part of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation and all the international communities represented through its gardens. The Cleveland Cultural Gardens date back to 1916 when the Shakespeare Garden was built. By 1926, the concept of a series of gardens, recognizing various nationalities, was established. The formal group was completed in 1939 with funding to a large degree provided by the federal government. At that time, a series of 18 gardens was dedicated to the City of Cleveland, symbolizing the fusion of distinct nationalities into one American culture. More importantly, these gardens stood for the brotherhood among all the people of all nations and to this day remain a unique embodiment of that purpose. On July 30, 1939, soil from 28 nations was deposited by ambassadors of those nations into a marble crypt into the Garden of Nations. Soil from historic shrines of the United States was also deposited into the adjacent Garden of the United States. In both ceremonies, the intermingling of the soils symbolized a united effort by people of all nationalities toward mutual understanding, harmony, peace, and brotherhood throughout the world. The Gardens are an important part of the city's history and reflects the diverse ethnicities and cultures that have been instrumental in the city's development. The symbolic meaning of the gardens is that people of diverse backgrounds, traditions, and religions can exist side by side in peace and harmony with the freedom to exercise their beliefs and cultures. With the addition of the Azerbaijani Garden, the Cleveland Cultural Gardens now consists of 27 individual gardens, with new gardens having been recently designated and even more under proposal. Recently, I proudly noted the dedication of the Indian and Latvian gardens. In addition to these and the Azerbaijani Garden, various stages of planning are underway for African-American, Native American, Serbian, Hispanic, Syrian, Croatian, Scottish, Nordic, Philippine, and Vietnamese gardens. I welcome not only the symbolism of so many great nations represented in these gardens, but the actual joining of the people of these nations in Cleveland. The Cleveland Cultural Gardens is frequently visited diplomatic, educational, or trade delegations when they are visiting Cleveland. I am proud that the people of Azerbaijan now have a place in Cleveland to celebrate their culture. Madam Speaker and distinguished colleagues, it is my hope that Azerbaijan's participation will help to fulfill our vision of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens as an international park for the people of all nations to come together in cooperation and peace. Please join me in celebrating the dedication of the Azerbaijani Cultural Garden and to welcome the Azerbaijani people to the family of nations represented at the Cleveland Cultural Gardens.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, $183.7 billion war-funding request in light of more than 4,000 U.S. troops who have died, tens of thousands injured, a million dead or more innocent Iraqis, a cost of $2 to $3 trillion. We're borrowing money from China to fight this war. We're ruining our economy. We're ruining our moral standing in the world. We're ruining our children's future and making the world more dangerous for a war based on lies. Why do we keep funding it? Support the troops by bringing them home. End the war. End the occupation. Close the bases. Bring the troops hope. Set in motion an international security and peace-keeping process that can create the circumstances for our troops to come home. Have a program of reconciliation and reconstruction in Iraq. Return all oil assets to Iraqi control. End the war. Stop funding it. Vote ``no'' on the war appropriations.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The primary beneficiaries of H.R. 5818 are the neighborhoods and neighbors of high concentrations of houses made vacant by the foreclosure and predatory lending crises. Helping those neighborhoods should be a nonpartisan and noncontroversial act. Such neighborhoods are the totally innocent bystanders of the predatory lending and foreclosure crises. Neighbors and neighborhoods are victims of the meltdown of subprime loans that preceded this wave of foreclosures, and there's no moral hazard in helping the neighbors. The Kucinich amendment ensures that the funds authorized by H.R. 5818 are targeted to help the most needy neighborhoods. When a foreclosure leads to a vacant and abandoned property, this is what happens to the neighborhood: Crime goes up, as the vacant property can become home to criminal activity, drug places, and fire hazards; local government costs for police, fire and building inspections go up; vacancies go up, abandoned properties initiate a chain of events that begets more abandoned properties; neighbors lose equity in their homes, because vacant properties have a strong negative effect on the value of neighboring properties. My amendment clarifies that the purpose of this legislation is to help State and local governments ``preserve the equity and ensure the safety of neighbors of homes made vacant'' by the foreclosure and predatory lending crises. My amendment also ensures that the neediest neighborhoods receive priority in the plans developed by States, metropolitan cities and urban counties. The neediest neighborhoods are defined with ``high concentrations of vacancies,'' ``large increases in the rate of vacancy'' in the last 2 years, and ``significant levels of loans determined to be at risk of foreclosure.'' These vacant property statistics have been gathered by the United States Postal Service and analyzed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and their use will better target the funds authorized by H.R. 5818. My amendment is the product of a collaborative effort between my subcommittee, the Domestic Policy Subcommittee, and the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity and the Financial Services Committee. The amendment draws upon the academic research and input from practitioners in this area. My amendment is supported by community development professionals and advocates, such as Local Initiatives Support Corporation, the National Vacant Properties Campaign, and Smart Growth America. I will place their letters of support in the Record at this point. May 6, 2008. Hon. Dennis Kucinich, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Congressman Kucinich: We are writing to support your amendment to the Neighborhood Stabilization Act of 2008 that recognizes the important role vacant and abandoned properties play in the foreclosure crisis and the threat they can pose to communities across the country. By including the rate of vacancy in the fund distribution formula, this proposal helps to ensure that neighborhoods struggling with high rates of vacant and abandoned homes will receive priority in the plans developed by states, metropolitan areas, and urban counties. High rates of vacant properties put communities at a greater risk for crime, arson, destabilized housing prices, and other neighborhood problems. For many communities, dealing with the foreclosure crisis will mean taking steps to recover and secure growing numbers of vacant homes, as well as figuring out the best ways to prevent these properties from having negative community impacts. Thank you for your leadership on this issue and we look forward to working with you on this important legislation. Sincerely, Geoff Anderson, President & CEO, Smart Growth America. Jennifer Leonard, Director, National Vacant Properties Campaign.

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Chairman, I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee) for a unanimous consent request.

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Eleanor Gelfand as she and her family celebrate her 90th birthday. Eleanor Gelfand, the daughter of immigrants from Hungary, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 2, 1918. She grew up along with her two siblings in the Glenville neighborhood of Cleveland during the great depression. Her parents, Zigmund and Mary Adler, worked as a union baker and a homemaker and were active in the Glenville community. Their activism and ability to work with fellow community members on social issues during a time of economic strife instilled a strong sense of social consciousness in their young children. Mrs. Gelfand attended Glenville High School and later went on to earn her degree in cosmetology, becoming a licensed beautician. She continued to work in local salons until World War II. Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, she married Ernest Gelfand who was drafted into the Navy after U.S. involvement in the war. Mrs. Gelfand left her career as a beautician and began working at the Fisher Body plant in Cleveland making airplanes for the war. Shortly after her husband returned from serving his country in the war, they started a family and she stayed home to raise their 3 children. In 1969, she returned to her first career in cosmetology, where she would continue to work until her retirement in 1980. She and her husband were active together in the Jewish War Veterans Post 44. She continues to work closely with them by raising money to help other veterans in the community. Just as her parents instilled strong values of social activism in her, she too continues to serve as an example to her 3 children, 6 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor of Eleanor Gelfand as she celebrates her 90th birthday party. May her story and continued activism in the Greater Cleveland community serve as an example for all of us to follow.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to work with Mr. Conyers on this important bill. Years ago, when we were having those meetings where the legislation was being crafted, we both knew what an important moment it would be for the people of the United States to be able to have a health care system they could call their own. So I want to take this opportunity, as I begin my remarks, to salute the work of you, Chairman Conyers, and all that you have done and your dedication in working to make sure that the American people have a national health care system, a not-for-profit system. That's been your dedication. It has been an honor to work alongside of you in this endeavor. As we speak today about covering the uninsured, we speak to the American people who are worried about whether loved ones are going to be able to get the care that they need. There is nothing that is more troubling to a family than to have a family member who is ill and yet cannot get the medical care that would be necessary to bring them back to health. There are 50 million Americans who are uninsured. This means that when they see others able to get the care they need, they recognize in their own families that they cannot sustain the health of loved ones or themselves. Why is it that people are uninsured? Well, there are many reasons, but the principal reason is they simply cannot afford health insurance. You know and I know, Mr. Chairman, that there are so many families that are called upon to spend $1,000 or more a month for health insurance. The price of gasoline going up to more than $4 a gallon, the cost of bread going up, milk, eggs, meat, all basic staples of an American diet, costs going up, up, up. People are finding that the costs of health insurance is becoming prohibitive. And so they simply can't afford it. So they remain uninsured, thereby leaving their entire family health open to a challenge. How many of us would be able to survive financially being uninsured? Very few, because what happens is that if you're uninsured and you have health care bills, you're going to have to pay those bills. And you know that the greatest cause of bankruptcy in the United States relates to people not being able to pay their hospital or their doctor bills. That's a fact of life. There is no other issue which touches the American family and touches all of us so uniquely as this issue of health insurance. People can't afford it. This is a tragic problem, and it's getting worse. About 22,000 people die every year because they're not insured; this, according to the updated Institute of Medicine Statistic. But we cannot talk about the uninsured without talking about the underinsured as well. There are another 50 million Americans who are underinsured. Now think about it. 50 million uninsured, 50 million underinsured. 100 million Americans. One out of every three Americans is touched by this dilemma, and that means virtually every American family is either uninsured or underinsured. If you're underinsured, premiums are expensive, you may not be able to pay the premium to get the coverage you need, Co-pays and deductibles go higher and higher and higher. The American family is owned by the health insurance companies. What kind of a country are we becoming where the people of this country can't get the care they need because almost $1 out of every $3 is taken off the top by the for-profit insurance companies for advertising, marketing, the cost of paperwork, corporate profits, stock options, executive salaries, all of those necessary things that Mr. Conyers has talked about in the past. $700 billion a year goes for expenses that are totally unrelated to the cost of health care. $700 billion a year. Meanwhile, you have 50 million uninsured and another 50 million underinsured. The insurance companies own us. We don't own our own health care system. And the insurance industry is the reason for the underinsurance problem and all that goes with it. Half of all bankruptcies are tied to medical bills. And of those medical bankruptcies, listen to this, three-quarters of those had insurance before they got sick. So even with insurance, people are going bankrupt because they can't handle the co-pays and the deductibles. Of all of the medical bankruptcies in the United States, three of every four people had some kind of insurance before they got sick. They fell victim to insurance companies whose only way to make money is to deny care. How do these insurance companies make so much money? They make money by not providing health care. They make money telling people, We're not going to pay that claim. You're not going to be covered. The more people they can exclude, the more money they will make. It is a racket. Health care is a racket. Health insurance, rather, is a racket. It is time we took America in a new direction, which is what the Conyers' bill, that I am proud to be a co-author of, is all about. H.R. 676 is to provide for a universal, single payer, not-for-profit health care system. It finally puts health care back in the hands of the doctors and the patients. It eliminates the insurance companies as middle persons, middlemen, who are able to skim almost $1 out of $3 off the top while 50 million Americans are uninsured and another 50 are underinsured. We need to make a clear distinction between ``health care'' and ``health insurance.'' The two are very different. Doctors and nurses are not the same as health insurance CEOs. Doctors and nurses provide care. Insurance companies' CEOs, they deny it. There's a difference between health care and health insurance. If you have insurance, it doesn't mean you have health care. There are increasingly creative and complex ways to deny health care: co-pays, deductibles, premiums, limits on daily coverage, caps on annual amount spent, failing to cover certain medical conditions, failing to cover certain accidents, failing to cover certain drugs, failing to cover certain total spending amounts, like the privatized Medicare Part D donut hole, failing to cover hospital stays, or minimizing the coverage. What has this hunt for profitability in health insurance cost us? Well, it's cost us a lot of money. It's driving up health care costs beyond the reach of most Americans. Listen to this statistic: between 1970 and 1998, the number of doctors and other clinical personnel increased by 2.5-fold. During the same time, the number of health administrators increased more than 24-fold. There's an explosion of the number of people in the health care system who do not provide care. They instead are told to deny care. It boils down to this: The insurance industry is the problem. It is not the solution. The only way to truly cover everyone is to guarantee access, not to force working men and women to subsidize the insurance industry whose very presence forces people to pay out of pocket to keep the industry alive. We need health care run by doctors and their patients, not insurance companies. Health care is a basic human right. So Mr. Conyers, I just want to express to you my appreciation for the work that you have done to bring this issue before the American people. To have had the opportunity over many of the last few Congresses to work with you on this has really been an honor. And when we remember when we go back home, you to Detroit and me to Cleveland, and we see people who need care, our hearts break when we realize that they can't get it because insurance has just ended up being a big business and they don't care about people anymore. It's all about making money. All about profit. So Mr. Conyers and I know that H.R. 676 stands alone in an increasingly crowded field of ideas that are going to provide health care for people. And this proposal addresses the accessibility problem. Employer-based insurance requires people to continue to work in order to keep their insurance even if it worsens their health. Now, I know Mr. Conyers worked with the UAW for years and years before coming into Congress. What happens if you lose your job? People end up, after their COBRA benefits are gone, they lose their health insurance. Our proposal says if you lose your job, you're still insured. If you don't have money, you're still insured. If you have a pre-existing condition, you're still insured. This covers dental care, vision care, mental health, long-term care, prescription drugs. It's all covered. Mr. Conyers, thank you. Thank you for your dedication to the American people. Thank you for your willingness to lead the way, and I'm just so grateful that I have the opportunity to work with you.

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman will yield, you mentioned, Mr. Conyers, that many doctors support this. When I first ran for Congress in 1972, doctors generally opposed this idea. But there is a new survey that just came out published in the Annals of Internal Medicine that states that of the physicians that were contacted in this survey, thousands of them, 59 percent of the physicians now support a national health care plan, which is why I believe when you have the physicians supporting it, the patients support it, all we need is to keep adding to the numbers in the House of Representatives; and with Mr. Conyers' leadership, we're on our way to creating a national health care system. Once again, I want to thank the gentleman for the opportunity to share some time with you here. And again, the people of the United States owe you a debt of gratitude for your relentlessness and your dedication on this, and I intend to keep working at your side as we move forward to create a universal, single-payer, not-for-profit health care system. H.R. 676, the Conyers bill, is the way to go. Thank you.

Mr. KUCINICH. As the Chairman is always able to do, you bring up another point that I think would be helpful to amplify, and that is that people will say, Well, how are you going to pay for this? Well, guess what? We're already paying for a universal standard of care; we're just not getting it. $2.3 trillion a year goes for health care in the United States. $2.3 trillion. And when you consider the fact that the for-profit insurance companies take almost $1 out of every $3 or almost $700 billion a year, you take that $700 billion--am I right, Mr. Chairman--you put that money into care and you suddenly have enough money to cover all Americans, the underinsured and the uninsured are covered. So how we pay for it is using the money that's already in the system, and that's how much profit is in health care insurance or health insurance these days. Mr. Speaker, once again, thank you for bringing out that point about the fact that it is able to be covered without any current change in our system, although we have a funding formula that you've helped to develop that will guarantee that all Americans will be covered far into the future. So again, Mr. Chairman, I'm grateful the people of Detroit are fortunate to have you representing them in the United States Congress.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Chairman, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 5819, the Small Business Innovation Research & Technology Transfer Reauthorization Act. This legislation squanders a unique opportunity to provide stimulus to our country's small business community. Congress created the Small Business Innovation Research program after acknowledging that small businesses could not compete with their larger, better-funded corporate competitors in the federal grantmaking arena. With the enactment of the SBIR program, Congress made the clear statement that the innovation and ingenuity of the entrepreneurial spirit of small businesses must be encouraged. Title II of H.R. 5819 would relax the venture capital investment standards for SBIR grant eligibility, allowing venture capital firms and venture capital subsidiaries of large businesses to increase their ownership in and financial stake of small businesses applying for these grants. This would cause the research priorities of these small businesses to be driven by the short-term profit motives of the venture capital firms. Moreover, these changes would effectively kill the spirit of the SBIR and STTR grant programs, granting access to corporations and other entities whose disproportionate competitive advantages these programs were designed to mitigate. The small business community in this country deserves better. For decades, small business has been the spark that lights our economy and the energy that fuels it. Let us not undermine their contributions to our economy by weakening the very programs that drive their success.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of the Polish American Congress, Ohio Division, as they celebrate Polish Constitution Day--a day where the Polish Community shares their rich culture with the Greater Cleveland Community. The first written European constitution, the Governmental Statute of Poland, was instated on May 3, 1971. Poland's Constitution was the result of nearly five centuries of struggle and perseverance by the people of Poland to diminish the power of the King and to create facets and institutions of government vital to the foundation of a constitutional government. Formed in 1949, the Polish American Congress is a national umbrella organization representing over ten million Americans of Polish descent and origin, and serves as a unifying force for both Polish Americans and Polish citizens living in America. Cleveland's Polish American community is deeply rooted and prides itself on their commitment to the values of family, faith, democracy, hard work and fulfillment of the American dream. The Polish American Congress strives to make Americans of Polish heritage more successful and involved U.S. citizens by encouraging them to assume the responsibilities of leadership. Since its foundation over sixty years ago, the group has created programs to successfully integrate people of Polish decent in the U.S. and enrich Cleveland's social fabric. These programs include the Displaced Persons Program, which allowed almost 150,000 Polish immigrants to enter the U.S. after World War Two. The group also won American veterans benefits for Polish Veterans of both World War One and World War Two. The Polish American Congress has played a crucial role in the Polish Community, and in its many years of support and service has been an invaluable contribution to the City of Cleveland and this nation. This year, the Greater Cleveland Community can celebrate Poland's rich history and culture by joining Cleveland's Polish community in attending events such as the Polonia Ball, the Grand Parade and the Photographic Exhibition. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and celebration of the leaders and members of the Polish American Congress, as they celebrate Polish Constitution Day and as they continue to promote and share their heritage, history and culture with the Greater Cleveland community.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, my colleagues, yes, we're looking at an anniversary of Iraq here. But let's talk about things that the American people can relate to immediately. Cost of eggs going up 35 percent in the last year, cost of milk going up about 23 percent, bread going up about 16 percent. Now we know that Americans going to the gas pump are paying near $4 a gallon in many areas. What does this all have to do with Iraq? Well, we're in Iraq for oil. The oil companies are running our domestic energy policy. It's having an impact on the price of food. It's causing a great transfer of wealth upwards away from the working people and the middle class of this country into the hands of a few wealthy oil company owners. We need to get out of Iraq. We need to end the occupation, close the bases, bring the troops home. We need to set in motion an international security and peacekeeping force that can stabilize Iraq as our troops leave. We need to start taking care of things here at home. Americans are losing their homes, they're losing their jobs, they're losing their health care, they're losing their retirement security. It's time we started to take care of things here at home and get out of Iraq.