Dennis Kucinich

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, Wednesday, April 16, 2008, was the anniversary of the tragic events on the campus of Virginia Tech that took the lives of 32 people and wounded many more. Sunday, April 20, 2008 marked the 9th anniversary of the Columbine High School massacre. These events rank second and third among the deadliest school shootings in the history of the United States. At the same time, from the wreckage has emerged a strong desire to prevent violence of this magnitude in the future. I am proud to be the sponsor of H.R. 808, to establish a Department of Peace and Nonviolence, because this bill seeks to make nonviolence an organizing principle in our society. This cabinet-level department would address the myriad forms of violence that affect our Nation and the global community. As the disasters at Columbine and Virginia Tech have shown, violence has deep and lasting consequences that must be addressed by looking at root causes and endeavoring to find preventative solutions that are both dynamic and comprehensive. The Department of Peace and Nonviolence would provide a systematic tool to accomplish this admirable goal. We can all agree that violence in our schools, among youth and adults alike, is an ongoing problem that must be addressed. H.R. 808 is a way to address not only violence in our schools but the violence that exists in our homes, workplaces and institutions throughout our communities both nationally and internationally.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I ask that you join me in remembering the Honorable Timothy Cotner who passed away on April 13, 2008. Judge Timothy Cotner was a lawyer and judge who believed strongly in public service and whose commitment to service was developed from an early age. His parents, George and Mercedes, served as great examples for him in their commitment to public service. Mercedes Cotner was a Cleveland City Councilwoman and Clerk of Council when I served as Councilman and Mayor in Cleveland. She was a mentor and an inspiration to me as I know she was to Timothy and his late brother Gerald Cotner. Judge Cotner was a graduate of St. Ignatius High School and John Carroll University before starting his career with International Harvester and later the Cleveland Fire Department. While with the Fire Department, he attended Cleveland Marshall Law School and graduated with his law degree in 1968. He worked for the Cleveland Law Department upon his graduation and later served as Assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor and as Northeast Ohio Supervisor for the Ohio Attorney General. In 1982 he went into private practice but soon returned to public service upon his election as Juvenile Court Judge for the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas. He retired from the bench in 1992. Judge Cotner was active in civic life in the Greater Cleveland community. He was a past president of the Lakewood Democratic Club, was an usher at St. Patrick's Church, and was active in the Knights of Columbus and the Holy Name Society. Judge Cotner was active in his local bar associations and served his country in the Naval Reserve. Judge Cotner is survived by his sons James and Thomas and daughters Joan and Caroline, all of whom live in or near their father's city of residence, Westlake, Ohio. He is also survived by eight grandchildren. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in remembering the life and career of the Honorable Timothy Cotner, lawyer, judge, and community leader, who will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of the Earth Day Coalition of Cleveland, as they celebrate EarthFest 2008 on April 20, 2008--a date that also commemorates the 19th annual celebration of EarthFest in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland's Earth Day Coalition was formed in 1990 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Earth Day in Ohio. EarthFest is now Ohio's largest environmental educational event and one of the most successful Earth Day events in the country. I stand in recognition of the staff and volunteers of the Earth Day Coalition for all their effort and dedication in creating such an innovative, exciting and educational event for the Great Cleveland community to enjoy. This year, EarthFest 2008 will be entirely wind powered, signifying the ability of the Earth Day Coalition in effectively demonstrating the need and possibilities of alternative forms of energy. The event features over 160 environmental exhibits and displays, all focused on educating the community about sustainability efforts and solutions to climate change. EarthFest is just one of Earth Day Coalition's many nationally- recognized programs and promises once again to be a significant aspect of the world celebration of Earth Day. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and recognitions of the staff, volunteer and members of the Earth Day Coalition as we celebrate EarthFest 2008 on April 20, 2008. EarthFest 2008 promises to educate, inspire and motivate all of us to join together as a community and work toward maintaining a more healthy earth for future generations.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, today I join my colleagues in Congress in celebrating Israel's accomplishments over the past 60 years. I am happy to be co-sponsor of this congratulatory resolution. However, like many Israelis and Palestinians, I have concerns about Israel's future, its stability, its security and the prospect for peaceful coexistence for both Palestinians and Israelis. One of those concerns relates to the ongoing lack of resolution on the dispossession of Palestinian property and the dislocation of Palestinians after Independence. It must be remembered that about 700,000 Palestinians became exiled. Much Arab property was appropriated. And about 500 Arab villages were destroyed. On December 11, 1948, the United Nations passed Resolution 194, affording Palestinian refugees the right to return to their homes in Israel, or to compensation for their property should they choose not to return. To this day, the mandate of U.N. Resolution 194 has not been fulfilled. Unfortunately, this failure remains as one of the most significant barriers to the realization of a two-state negotiated solution. I am also concerned for those Palestinians who did not flee and who became Israeli citizens after Independence. According to the Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, today there exist 20 Israeli laws which explicitly discriminate against the Palestinian minority in Israel, who constitute 20 percent of its population. In its 2005 Annual Report, the U.S. State Department said that ``[There is] institutionalized legal and societal discrimination against Israel's [Arab] Christian, Muslim and Druze citizens. The government does not provide Israeli Arabs with the same quality of education, housing, employment and social services as Jews.'' Finally, Israel has a right to security and a right to defend itself. Accordingly, I am concerned that the 40 year military occupation of the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem has been and continues to be brutal and unjust and undermines the security of Israel. It is a fact that the government of Israel continues to support the construction of settlements on Palestinian land, perpetuating the consequences of dispossession and exile. Additionally, I am concerned that the government of Israel has increased the number of checkpoints which destroy a viable Palestinian economy and a vibrant civil society. I am concerned that the Israeli government has erected a wall, often on Palestinian land, that divides Palestinians from Palestinians, rather than divide Israel from the West Bank. As stated by Judge Elaraby of the International Court of Justice in his 2004 Advisory Opinion on the legality of Israel's separation barrier, ``The fact that occupation is met by armed resistance cannot be used as a pretext to disregard fundamental human rights in the occupied territory.'' This conundrum of a dialectic of conflict further separates Israelis and Palestinians alike from hopes for peace. H. Con. Res. 322 eloquently states the many reasons why I celebrate Israel's accomplishments and I sincerely wish it a bright future. I only wish to add that, in my opinion, and in the opinion of many Israelis and Palestinians as well, Israel's future will be bright only if it includes an open dialogue with Palestinians, a respect for human rights and international law, and a society built on coexistence and tolerance. Israelis and Palestinians deserve to live in peace with justice and I encourage the United States government to help Israel achieve that so the joy of future anniversaries will be unalloyed. I support the resolution in the spirit of reconciliation to which we must all inevitably turn, to achieve peace and justice with our brothers and sisters from whom we may be estranged.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. I'd like to follow up on the comments of my good friend from Illinois. The high cost of gasoline is troubling all Americans. $3.50 a gallon, approaching $120 a barrel. Now I just would respectfully suggest that the administration has a lot to do with this. This administration, which has a great familiarity with the oil industry, has pursued policies, including the war in Iraq, that has led to the price of oil being driven up. Even the threats on attacking Iran have at one time or another helped to increase the cost of the price of a barrel of oil. There is one thing that this Congress can do immediately to start to gain the American public some relief, and that is to bring a windfall profits tax forward. Enforce some discipline in the marketplace. Bring these oil companies to heel by using the power of Congress to tax the excess profits and take that money and put it into a fund that would enable Americans to get tax breaks for the purchase of energy efficient vehicles. This is the approach we ought to be taking.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Leonard M. Calabrese, who through his service to the Catholic Church of Cleveland has dedicated his life to serving as a community organizer on behalf of the poor, the vulnerable and the voiceless. For over 20 years, Mr. Calabrese has served as executive director of the Commission on Catholic Community Action (CCCA), the Social Action Office for Catholic Charities Services, for the Diocese of Cleveland. Prior to his appointment as executive director, Len served as a volunteer board member for nine years. Founded in 1969, the CCCA works to protect and promote human dignity through empowering the poor and the often voiceless minority groups by promoting and ensuring their full participation in society. Through his leadership at the Commission, he is able to work with many other local organizations to educate, mobilize and raise the consciousness of the community, especially among Catholics. Len Calabrese has a multifaceted background and a very impressive record in serving our community. He was an associate professor for several higher learning institutions such as John Carroll University, University of Akron, Northwestern University and St. Mary Seminary. He was also a consultant for several mayors and the Ohio Senate, and board member for several institutions such as Cuyahoga County Public Library, Immigrant Minority Business Alliance, The City Club of Cleveland and the greater Cleveland Round Table of Civic Leaders, Greater Cleveland Inter-Religious Task Force on Central America just to name a few. I have had the opportunity and privilege to work closely with Len Calabrese in a number of capacities. In the aftermath of the tragedy of September 11, 2001, Len worked with the community at large to allay fears expressed against immigrants. He has helped many newcomers from abroad with his welcoming touch and his help with the necessary networking to succeed in business. He represented the CCCA in the Sustainable Communities Symposium and other collaborations with the inner city and suburbs of Cleveland. Len's talent to mobilize the community and to advocate for the social welfare of others is manifested through his new position as president of Caritas Connection, a nonprofit organization that works to connect Catholic charities, health care, nursing homes and colleges. He will also serve as director of Ministering Together, a national umbrella of Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Health Care, the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, National Catholic Education Association and various organizations of the laity. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognition of Leonard M. Calabrese, who has dedicated his life to serving his church and the greater Cleveland community. Let his advocacy on behalf of the welfare of others serve as inspiration for all those in pursuit of social change.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Charles J. Mitchum, for 30 years of outstanding public service at the Social Security Administration. On March 26, 2008, Mr. Mitchum achieved the milestone of 30 years of exceptional service for the Social Security Administration (SSA). His leadership, care, and hard work over the past 30 years has been responsible for the great service residents of the northeastern Ohio community have come to expect from their local SSA offices. Mr. Mitchum began his career at the SSA offices in Ohio as a Contact Representative in the TeleService Center, connecting with constituents via telephone. He diligently worked his way up, holding positions as a Claims Representative, Operations Supervisor, Supplemental Security Income Program Specialist, Executive Assistant to the Regional Commissioner, Team Leader, Assistant District Manager and District Manager prior to being appointed as Area Director in 2004. As Area Director for 29 northeastern Ohio Social Security Administration field offices, Mr. Mitchum ensures that the residents of northeast Ohio receive timely and courteous service. He also works closely with congressional offices to improve service to SSA beneficiaries. Mr. Mitchum's unwavering commitment to public service and ability to connect with SSA beneficiaries has been recognized in many Commissioner and Regional Commissioner Citations. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognizing Charles J. Mitchum for 30 years of exceptional public service and for continually striving to make a positive difference in the lives of SSA beneficiaries.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in order to recognize the achievements of Cleveland's Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Chapter on the occasion of their sixth annual banquet. For the past 6 years, CAIR has played an instrumental role in bridging the divides between Greater Cleveland's diverse communities. The Council on American-Islamic Relations is a nation wide nonprofit organization whose mission is to ``enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding''. The CAIR staff of Ohio has worked tirelessly to ensure that this vision becomes a reality and I thank every member of the organization for their commitment to improving the lives of the citizens of the Cleveland area. Together with the organizers of CAIR's sixth annual banquet, titled ``Let the Conversation Begin,'' I also stand in recognition of the distinguished speakers; Dr. Christopher Pyle of Mt. Holyoke College and Imam Johari Abdul Malik of the Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center. Dr. Christopher Pyle is currently a Professor of Politics at Mt. Holyoke College and an award winning investigative journalist, scholar, teacher and historian. Imam Johari Abdul Malik is the head of Muslim Chaplains in Higher Education, Government Relations Chair for the Muslim Alliance in North America and President of the Muslim Society of Washington, Inc. I commend their efforts and work in speaking out on important issues and promoting social justice. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognizing the Council on American-Islamic Relations for their truly outstanding achievements. The work of CAIR is vital in an ever changing, diversifying and growing community. May their efforts to promote dialogue and create a more inclusive world endure for years to come.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Daniel Witkowski, of Garfield Heights, Ohio, for 51 years of dedication and hard work for the Department of Public Utilities in Cleveland. Mr. Witkowski began working at the age of nineteen in June of 1956 as a water serviceman aid. Mr. Witkowski diligently worked his way through the company rank. During his time at the Department of Public Utilities, he played an instrumental part in completing the Futuristic Trunk Main Study. This study measured flow rates and crating maps for the division trunk main system which is still in use today. In 2003, he was promoted to assistant superintendent of distribution in the engineering section. He was recently honored by Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson as one of 70 employees that has worked at least 25 years in the department. Mr. Witkowski, now 70 years old, oversees seven crews and remains active by doing daily operations for the division. For over 40 years, his knowledge and expertise has been vital to the services of the Department of Public Utilities. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognizing Daniel Witkowski for 51 years of public service to the city of Cleveland.

Mr. KUCINICH

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

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Chairman, my amendment will allow the public to know if a State or local government receiving funds from this act has been successful in its efforts to identify the source of the pathogenic pollution. The problems created by contaminated surface waters are real. The health risks of swimming in water contaminated with biological pathogens are now well studied. Several studies on surfers, for example, show that the closer the swimming spot is to a sewer or storm water outfall, the higher the risk for walking away with gastroenteritis, respiratory infection, ear infection, salmonellosis, dysentery, skin rashes and pink eye. The risks are economic as well. Many coastal communities rely heavily on tourism for their local economies. Swimming, boating and fishing all generate significant revenues. Great Lakes boaters spend more than $2 billion per year. Fishing brought in $4.5 billion in 2002. Lake Erie alone generates $2.5 billion annually in tourism revenue. With the discharges that cause elevated pathogen levels come more than just pathogens. Raw sewage also contains a host of other chemicals, like lead and unmetabolized prescription drugs. When sewage makes its way into our waterways, it can affect us directly. Lake Erie provides drinking water for approximately 11 million people. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, the samples taken at Cuyahoga County beaches on Lake Erie in 2006 exceeded standards between 7 percent and 50 percent of the time. When the Government Accountability Office examined the implementation of the Beach Act of 2000 last year, they identified an important weakness. They found that the causes for the contamination are usually unidentified. The GAO said, ``Local officials at 67 percent of Great Lakes beaches reported that when results of water quality testing indicated contamination, they did not know the source of the contamination. Only 14 percent reported that they had taken actions to address the source of contamination.'' Worse, they also found that State and local governments, as BEACH Act grantees, were not able to use their funds to get to the source of the problem. They weren't able to allow the funds to track down the source of the pathogenic contamination. The Beach Protection Act under consideration today corrects that omission but stops when the pollution source is found. My amendment would spur action by letting the public know when a State or local government is able to identify the polluter. Since grantees are already required to notify the public when contamination is detected, the relevant infrastructure is already in place. Communities deserve to know about the health risks that exist in their own backyard. With this information they not only avoid exposure to the hazard, but they can also bring pressure to bear to prevent the pollution from occurring. Citizens should know where and when the contamination occurs so they can avoid it. They should also know where it is coming from so they can work to prevent it. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the Kucinich amendment.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, elections are the bedrock of our republic. Our capacity to function as a tripartite government of co-equal branches rests in the public's assurance that those of us entrusted to administer and legislate assumed our offices through free, fair and open elections. I laud Congressman Rush Holt and his efforts to ensure the integrity and accuracy of our voting system. However, today I must rise in opposition to H.R. 5036, the Emergency Assistance for Secure Elections Act of 2008. H.R. 5036 acknowledges that problems exist in our system of voting, and that without action now these problems will grow. For this reason the legislation has merit. While H.R. 5036 includes a provision to reimburse jurisdictions that convert their paperless voting system to one that includes a paper trail, it may also include optical scan technology. I have serious concerns with optical scan technology and its susceptibility to hacks and security breaches. Recent tests and research have demonstrated the ease with which a person can manipulate the configuration files to change votes. What's more, most of the equipment necessary to accomplish this can be purchased off-the-shelf at most technology stores. Indeed, our voting system needs improvement, but replacing one flawed technology with another will do little to garner public faith in the electoral process. Let us make comprehensive electoral system reform a priority, and let us enact a policy that ensures system integrity, system security, and that each and every vote is counted.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to declare my support for the employees of the Department of Homeland Security and to thank them for their important service to our country. I opposed the formation of the Department of Homeland Security in 2002. There was good reason to believe that a reorganization that would take at least 10 years and possibly more, would cause delay in implementation of real measures that could make the country safer. I pointed out that the proposed reorganization of 22 different agencies into one large entity would not constitute efficient and effective government, nor would it help the thousands of Americans who die of violent crimes each year in this country. When Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast on August 29, 2005, it soon became apparent that my concerns about establishing the Department of Homeland Security were valid. Katrina and the subsequent flooding took at least 1,835 lives and sent a powerful reminder to the people of the United States that the homeland is not secure. I certainly do not expect that the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or any other government agency can prevent a natural disaster. But FEMA's own mandate was to coordinate disaster relief through preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation. The federal response should have been to make things happen and to make them happen quickly; to anticipate and respond to the needs of local and state officials. Instead Hurricane Katrina will long be held in our Nation's collective conscience. We will remember the terrified and helpless faces of the victims that this disaster claimed, displaced and horrified. We will remember the faces of our fellow citizens pleading for help, for days as they endured horrible conditions at the convention center and Superdome. The unbearably inadequate response to these disasters exacerbates the shame, heartache and insecurity that has resulted. The images haunt us. What was the response from the former FEMA Director Michael Brown in testimony before the House? He said, ``[a]nd while my heart goes out to people on fixed incomes, it is primarily a state and local responsibility. And in my opinion, it's the responsibility of faith- based organizations, of churches and charities and others to help those people.'' Michael Chertoff, Secretary of DHS said, ``I remember on Tuesday morning picking up newspapers, and I saw headlines, `New Orleans Dodged the Bullet.' '' Is this the way we make the homeland safer? By attempting to fabricate leadership instead of demonstrating it? Furthermore, in 2003 the Administration terminated the collective bargaining rights of TSA screeners just as TSA workers were ready to vote on joining the union of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE). DHS does not allow a unionized TSA workforce. Transportation security workers deserve collective bargaining rights. It is an insult to these dedicated men and women within DHS, including FEMA, the Army Corp of Engineers and Border Patrol that their rights to organize have been denied. I unequivocally appreciate the dedicated service of DHS employees. Their hard work and commitment to public service is outstanding and valuable. However, I cannot celebrate the creation of DHS.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1092 and urge my colleagues to vote for this resolution. The Administration would like to force this Congress to take up the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, FTA, before August. This resolution will allow Congress, not the Administration, to decide if and when this body should take legislative action on the U.S.-Colombia FTA. I strongly oppose the U.S.-Colombia FTA. This is yet another flawed, NAFTA-style, trade deal that harms workers in the United States and in Colombia. Our workers and our communities have been devastated by our flawed trade policies. Since 2001, over three million valuable manufacturing jobs have been lost due to the NAFTA model of trade, now being perpetuated in the U.S.-Colombia FTA. In Ohio, where we have lost more than 236,000 high-paying manufacturing jobs, we know the realities of these failed trade policies all too well. The actual number is much higher because we have not included job loss in the service sector and supply chain that we cannot account for. Excluded are local businesses, such as restaurants, just down the road from closed manufacturing facilities that are forced to close their doors. The ripple effect includes a loss of health care and college educations. Trade agreements should be responsible. The U.S.-Colombia FTA continues the destructive trade policies that spur the exodus of well paying jobs and undermine the ability of working people to protect their living standards. That is not a responsible trade deal. Trade agreements that fail to enforce worker rights are irresponsible. Approximately 2,300 labor organizers, labor leaders and union members have been murdered in Colombia since 1991. Today, Colombia is still the most dangerous country in the world for union members. In February, an AFL-CIO delegation met with leaders of the major Colombian labor federations. According to the AFL-CIO ``[l]eaders of the major Colombian Labor federations told the delegation they oppose any free trade deal between the United States and Colombia until the government takes strong action to stop the violence against trade union members and ends assaults on union rights.'' The U.S. must not continue to expand a failed trade policy based on the NAFTA model. It outsources valuable American jobs and accelerates the transfer of capital out of the U.S. It is a model that harms workers, erodes environmental protections and limits access to healthcare for the poor in the countries we trade with. Congress must take a much needed step back and bring all parties to the table to examine how we can fix our broken trade system. Common sense suggests that our trade policies should promote workers' rights, human rights, strong protections for our natural resources and the environment, and expansion of Buy American practices that support American competitiveness. What America needs is Fair Trade, not Free Trade.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1077, and I thank Speaker Pelosi for bringing this important piece of legislation to the floor. I am deeply troubled by the violence that has erupted in Lhasa and the rest of the Tibetan Autonomous Region. The enduring human rights consequences have the potential to devastate Tibet and completely abolish any chance of peaceful reconciliation. According to news reports, Beijing has sent thousands of soldiers to the region to quell the violence, and Beijing's long-term plans for the region include ramped up ideological education for youth, restrictions on worship, and even harsh retribution for Tibetans who do not demonstrate fidelity to the official party line. This is not a matter of politics; this is not even a matter of international relations; this is a matter of basic human dignity. Tibetans, as we do here in America, ought to have the right to worship freely and live in peace, without fear of punishment. I add my voice to the rising chorus of international leaders encouraging the Chinese Government to engage His Holiness the Dalai Lama in substantive dialogue. His Holiness has committed his life to social justice and nonviolent conflict resolution. If a lasting peace is to be achieved in Tibet, the Chinese Government must also commit themselves to these ideals.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of American Legion Post 738, on its sixtieth anniversary; and in honor of its members' outstanding service to their country and community. American Legion Post 738 is comprised of over one hundred people, each of whom has served our country during a time of war. Recognized by Mayor Eileen Patton of Fairview Park as a ``dedicated group of true Americans that are proud to serve our country'', the members of American Legion Post 738 have played a significant role in the community for sixty years. Every year, Post 738 organizes Fairview Park's spectacular Memorial Day Parade. Located on Lorain Road, Post 738 has served as a beacon of hospitality. After every Memorial Day Parade, they welcome all members of the community back to their post and host them for a bountiful cookout. Members of the Post also host bi-monthly dinners there. Every year before Christmas, Post and auxiliary members of Post 738 put together care packages for fellow veterans at the Louis Stokes Veterans Administration Medical Center in Brecksville, Ohio and nurturing local children whose parents are veterans at their annual Christmas party. Always willing to participate in City events, six times a year, Post and ladies auxiliary members deliver refreshments and play bingo with veterans at the VA medical center. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognizing the members of American Legion Post 738 for their outstanding and tireless efforts on behalf of veterans of this country, as well as for their extensive and diverse service to many individuals and families who call the Greater Cleveland area home. [From the WestLife Newspaper, Apr. 2, 2008] American Legion Post 738 Marking 60th Anniversary (By Kevin Kelley) The ladies auxiliary of American Legion Post 738 is putting on a dinner marking the organization's 60th anniversary April 12. Despite the celebratory nature of the event, Joanne Hulec, president of the ladies auxiliary, has a sense of trepidation. ``I hope this is not the last birthday dinner we have,'' she said. Property taxes and utility costs have combined with declining membership to put American Legion Post 738 in a financial pinch in recent months. Three months ago, some leaders associated with the post put out a public appeal to help with the organization's cash flow problems. Ron Hulec, Joanne's husband and a former post commander and member of its executive board, said while the organization is currently solvent, its finances are still tight. Hulec said that when he joined about 14 years ago, the post had about 240 members. Today it has around 140. There has been some discussion in recent months among post leaders, Hulec said, of selling its property, located at 19311 Lorain Road. In the event of such a sale, the post would seek to share facilities with another area post, possibly American Legion Clifton Post 421, headquartered at 22001 Brookpark Road. However, members have held off on making any decision to sell the post's hall, said Hulec, who served in the Army in the 1950s. ``We're doing everything we can to keep functioning the way we have been,'' he said. The post's current commander, Jim Babitsky, noted that most community organizations have been having financial problems lately. ``We're hoping to stabilize the finances and keep the post alive and keep it going,'' said Babitsky, a Marine veteran who was stationed in Vietnam in 1968-69. ``The economic times are just rough on everybody.'' Meanwhile, the post's members, who already served their country during wartime, continue to serve the community and their fellow veterans in various ways. The post raises the American flag at Fairview High School home football games and provides color guards at local civil events. ``If City Hall needs the colors posted, we usually do that,'' Babitsky said. Mayor Eileen Patton said she appreciated their service. ``Legion Post 738 has always played an important role in our community,'' Patton told WestLife. ``They participate in our Summerfest every year as well as every We Do Care ceremony each November at the high school. They also organize our Memorial Day parade and invite the community back to the post for a ceremony and a great cookout at no cost. ``I also have the honor of attending all the Legion ceremonies installing their new boards and the women's auxiliary boards as well. They are a wonderful dedicated group of true Americans that are so proud of serving our country. They are always willing to participate in our city events, and I am so glad that I have gotten to know each and every one of them.'' Post and ladies auxiliary members travel about six times a year to the U.S. Veterans Administration Medical Center in Brecksville to visit, deliver refreshments, and play bingo with the veterans. ``They seem to appreciate that a lot,'' said Sue Carson, treasurer of the ladies auxiliary. Before Christmas each year, post and auxiliary members put together care packages containing toiletries, cards and books for the veterans at the Brecksville hospital, she added. The post also hosts an annual Christmas party for local children whose fathers and grandfathers are veterans, said Carson, whose husband, Don, is a Korean Conflict-era Army veteran. About two dinners are held each month at the post's hall, Carson said. In recent weeks, the ladies auxiliary has been focusing on the anniversary dinner. ``We have a birthday dinner every year,'' Carson said, ``but this year we're trying to make it more special because of the 60th anniversary.'' Joanne Hulec said it's shaping up to be one of the post's highlights of the year. ``I like to think of it as one of our `white table cloth' dinners,'' she joked. Because the dinner will be catered, the ladies will be relieved of kitchen duty, except for those making the hor'dourves, she said. Several certificates of appreciation will be awarded to a number of post and auxiliary members, Carson said. Just who will be recognized is a secret; however, Carson said recognition will be given to ``people who have put forth a concerted effort to be active in the post.'' The post's 60th anniversary dinner April 12 is open to the public. Cocktails and appetizers will be served from 5:45 until 6:45 p.m., with dinner following at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 per person. To make reservations, call Sue Carson at (440) 331-2730 by April 7. PRO OF THE YEAR: For nearly five decades, Post 738 hosted its ``Pro Of the Year'' dinner honoring a member of the Cleveland Browns. This year, quarterback Derek Anderson will be honored at the April 22 event, which Hulec said is the organization's biggest annual fund-raiser.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, the President's representative from the military is on Capitol Hill urging us to continue to stay in Iraq, telling us to wait, don't leave. What are we waiting for, until the cost of the war reaches $6 trillion, so that our American economy goes totally bust, so that we don't have any more money for education or health care or housing? What are we waiting for, for the casualties to get to 10,000 or 20,000 deaths of our service men and women? What are we waiting for, for America to stand alone against the world? It is time that we take a new direction. It is time that Congress regain its rightful role as a coequal branch of government. It is not appropriate for leaders in Congress to say, well, it is the administration's fault that the war continues, when in fact we have the authority to cut off funds. Congress must take a strong stand and say no more funding; end the war, stop the occupation, close the bases, bring the troops home, set in motion an international peacekeeping and security force that comes in as our troops leave, work for a program of reconciliation between the Shiites, the Sunnis, and the Kurds, work for a program of repatriations, and stop trying to control the oil of Iraq.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of the men and women who served as attorneys and judges in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County who passed away in 2007. They will be remembered for their individual and collective dedication as public servants, all focused on the public good, on the occasion of the Annual Greater Cleveland Bench- Bar Memorial Program being held on April 7, 2008, in Cleveland. I stand with Chief Judge James G. Carr of the U.S. Federal District Court, Northern District of Ohio, and all the judges and magistrates of the Northern District, and the Bench-Bar Program organizing committee to remember and commemorate the lives and accomplishments of the lawyers and judges in our community who have recently passed. Through their work as lawyers and judges, these individuals have contributed their talent, trade and expertise within an array of roles to guide and support the citizens of the greater Cleveland community. We remember Thomas F. Allen, Robert F. Belovich, Sr., William E. Blackie, Jr., Edward J. Corrigan, Norman A. Fuerst, Michael R. Gallagher, Victor Greenslade, Jr., John Gustin, James E. Kuth, Anne M. Landefeld, Howard A. Levy, Joseph J. LoPresti, Jr., Charles S. Lynch, Stuart O.H. Merz, Ivan L. Miller, Robert Nelson, Robert S. Passov, Robert B. Preston, Jr., Ralph Rudd, Constantino M. Scudiere, Dennis H. Sherman, Richard B. Steuer, Kent N. Stone, Mark Edward Sullivan, Robert E. Sweeney, William Cronin Trier, Jr., Owen F. Walker, and Herbert R. Whiting. Their dedication to the legal profession and to the community will forever be respected and remembered. It is noteworthy that the program on April 7, 2008 is being held at the recently restored Howard M. Metzenbaum U.S. Courthouse at Cleveland's Public Square. Senator Metzenbaum himself was a public citizen, lawyer and legislator whose service to the people of Ohio and the Nation is legendary. He was a consummate consumer advocate, labor rights advocate, accomplished legislator and an important figure in Ohio's political history whose passing last month we also mourn. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in remembrance of the members of the legal profession who dedicated their professional lives to the law and to working among the people in the Greater Cleveland community to uphold and improve our justice system. Let their accomplishments and commitment to their profession serve as an example to be followed by all who follow in their footsteps.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker. I rise today in honor and remembrance of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Today is the eve of the 40th anniversary of Dr. King's assassination in 1968. Dr. King is without question one of the greatest voices and most successful activists of our time. He spoke out against racial injustice, social inequality and economic prejudice on the domestic front. He promoted non-violence as the means with which to overcome the intolerance of society both at home and abroad. His was a voice that radiated humility in the face of great adversity and true danger. Dr. King believed silence to be a supreme betrayal and lead his life accordingly. It is not surprising that a man so great would then have a message so powerful that it still rings true today. His speeches and writings have held a timeless message over the forty years since his passing. They help to guide us as the complexities and struggles of modern society still infringe upon our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness the world over. Madam Speaker, I would like to offer the following quote of Dr. King's as an example: ``We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history there is such a thing as being too late. Procrastination is still the thief of time. Life often leaves us standing bare, naked and dejected with a lost opportunity. The `tide in the affairs of men' does not remain at the flood; it ebbs. We may cry out desperately for time to pause in her passage, but time is deaf to every plea and rushes on. Over the bleached bones and jumbled residue of numerous civilizations are written the pathetic words: `Too late'. There is an invisible book of life that faithfully records our vigilance or our neglect. `The moving finger writes, and having writ moves on . . .' We still have a choice today; nonviolent coexistence or violent co-annihilation.'' Dr. King acknowledged the interconnectedness of peace, equality and justice. Dr. King understood the personal responsibility that each of us must live up to so that we overcome, once and for all, the ills that plague and seek to separate us. The Reverend understood the urgency of time as we work to overcome our struggles. Dr. King left us his teachings so that all around the world we may one day engage in what he termed the ``beloved community.'' I urge my colleagues to join me as we walk these halls of Congress as protectors of the American dream, to think about Dr. King's words as they apply to the business of today. Let us work for peace, let us put an end to racism, let us stop all social injustice and let us realize that today is the day, for tomorrow may he too late.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I fully support Representative Baca's legislation to encourage the establishment of a national holiday in honor of Cesar Chavez and wish to thank him for introducing this important bill. During the Great Depression, Cesar's family lost their own farm. As such, Cesar and his family joined the migrant farming community. Cesar was only 10 years old when he began to work in the fields and vineyards of the southwest. He learned first hand about the injustices and indignities experienced by migrant farm workers. Founder of the National Farm Workers Association and its successor the United Farm Workers of America, Cesar led the Nation's first triumphant farm workers union. Cesar E. Chavez was a champion of workers' rights. He showed incredible dedication to social justice through his efforts on behalf of farm workers to garner improved wages, medical coverage, pension benefits, safer working conditions, humane living conditions and an end to child labor in the fields. His remarkable achievements were realized through non-violent protest, through fasts, strikes and boycotts. This makes his accomplishments all the more meaningful and sets an example that is to be held in the highest regard. Cesar was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize three times by the American Friends Service Committee. He received the distinguished Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace Prize and was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Because Cesar Chavez embodies so completely both the spirit and values of our Nation I believe it is only right to establish a national holiday in his honor. ``Si se puede.'' Again. I wish to thank Congressman Baca for introducing this important legislation and calling attention to one of our Nation's greatest heroes.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Harrison Hightower's victory at the Ohio High School Athletic Association's 2008 Division II Wrestling Championships. Harrison Hightower is a star senior at Hunting Valley University School in Strongsville, Ohio, and bested his 130 lb. weight class with a 7-2 decision. Hunting Valley University School has a strong wrestling program and a history of cultivating champions. Hightower, loved by his friends and family for his sense of humor, is now a local hero and an example of what perseverance and dedication to your sport, school and teamwork can do. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognizing the accomplishments of Harrison Hightower, an outstanding team member and now a State wrestling champion.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Robert E. Doggett, and to honor a life spent in service to his country, his community, and his family. As a young man, Mr. Doggett served our country bravely during World War II, earning a Purple Heart of Honor for his service in the first African-American army combat unit in the South Pacific Theatre. After returning stateside from his service, he followed his parents to Cleveland to put down roots in Northeast Ohio in the late 1940's. An artist at heart and by trade, he first utilized his artistic talents by designing calendars for local businesses. He later began work with the City planning commission as a draftsman in 1951, work which would mark the beginning of a career-long commitment to the City of Cleveland and the residents of Northeast Ohio. During his twenty years at the City planning commission, he became the city's first African-American senior planner. His integrity and work ethic carried him up the ranks quickly when in 1972, Mayor Ralph Perk appointed Mr. Doggett as the Cleveland director of the federal community redevelopment Model Cities Initiative, a program dedicated to rebuild Cleveland's East Side. To top off his career of civic service, Robert is responsible for the architectural designs of more than thirty churches, office buildings and restaurants. Recognized for his talents as a great abstract and landscape artist by his friends and family, he was also a known jazz aficionado and has met Jazz greats Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton who both performed regularly in the Cleveland area. Mr. Doggett is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Georgia; his children Lisa, Enid and Steven; and one granddaughter. He will be affectionately remembered by his family and friends for his compassion, humor, intelligence and artistic talents. Madam speaker and colleagues, please join me in remembering Robert E. Doggett, and to honor his commitment to his country, community, 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 recognition of the Honorable Thomas P. Perciak, the Mayor of the City of Strongsville, Ohio. A profoundly respected and influential member of Cleveland's Polish community and a leader of greater Cleveland's civic culture, Mayor Perciak is the recipient of the Forty-Fifth annual ``Good Joe'' Polish Heritage Award. Mayor Perciak, a lifelong resident of the Cleveland area, carries with him a rich history of public service and advocacy for northeast Ohio, especially in the Polish community. A graduate of the David M. Myers University, he has served and continues to serve in many leadership roles. Prior to becoming Mayor of Strongsville, he held various senior positions within Fifth Third Bank, including Executive Vice President of the Northeastern Ohio region. In addition, Mayor Perciak leads the charitable gift and fundraising arm of Southwest General Hospital as Chairman of the Southwest General Community Health Foundation, a position he has held since 1996. From his time as a student at St. Andrews Abbey--founded Benedictine High School--located in Cleveland--to his volunteer service on their Board of Trustees, Mayor Perciak has represented the Benedictine Order of Cleveland with pride and distinction. His religious faith also compels him to dedicate his time and talent toward serving on the Board of Financial Advisors for the Diocese of Cleveland, as well as on the Finance Committee of St. John Neumann Catholic Church. Mayor Perciak has been the recipient of many honors and awards, including induction into the Benedictine High School Hall of Honors and Companions on the Journey Awards of outstanding service and generosity. In addition, in the summer of 2007, the Southwest General Residential Hospice was renamed the Thomas P. Perciak Family Residential Hospice. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognizing Mayor Thomas Perciak for his outstanding and tireless efforts as a supporter and advocate for Polish causes, as well as for his extensive and diverse service to many individuals and families who call the Cleveland area home.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Chinese Spectacular Show, a world-class troupe that showcases Chinese Classical performance to audiences worldwide and serves as a bridge between cultures. In 2006, the Chinese Spectacular was ranked number seven on Billboard Magazine's top shows and has played in the finest theaters around the country. This year, as men and women of Asian descent celebrate the Year of the Rat together with their friends, family and neighbors in Cleveland, the Oriental Cultural Association, OCA, is bringing this great show to the State Theatre. In keeping with its mission as an organization that promotes a cultural exchange and understanding, the OCA is proud to bring this spectacular show to Cleveland. The show is a unique opportunity to showcase and bring together Cleveland's rich multicultural society and appreciation of the various rich cultures that constitute the greater Cleveland community. The Chinese Spectacular show is the largest overseas Chinese cultural production and exemplifies the very best of classical Chinese music and dance through its lavish costumes and choreography. They have toured over 65 cities around the world just this year and are able to show a side of Chinese culture that is often not seen in the United States. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognizing this year's Chinese Spectacular show and celebrating Cleveland's rich multicultural community.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 185. I commend this body for recognizing the rights of Jewish refugees displaced from Arab countries. I agree that a resolution that addresses the legitimate rights of all refugees is inherent to establishing enduring peace in the Middle East. The resolution draws its strength by including all refugees in the Middle East, including Jews, Christians, minority communities, Iraqis, and Palestinians. A lasting peace in the Middle East must abate feelings of hostility throughout all refugee populations. As the resolution suggests, this includes recognition of Jewish, Palestinian, and Christian refugee populations but must also encompass all Middle East refugee populations ``numbering in the hundreds of thousands and comprised of peoples from many ethnic, religious, and national backgrounds.'' As such, I urge this body to continue to be mindful of and work toward peaceful, enduring solutions for all refugee populations in the Middle East. Currently the two largest refugee populations in the world are Iraqi and Palestinian refugees. The United Nations has estimated that there are approximately 2,000,000 Iraqi refugees currently displaced from their homes (and another 2,200,000 internally displaced). These Iraqi refugees endure deprivation of food, shelter, and medical care. The United States must be mindful of the role of our foreign policy in the creation of this refugee population and our continuing role in addressing this humanitarian crisis. United Nations-recognized Palestinian refugees currently constitute an approximate 3,700,000-person population. According to the United Nations Relief and Work Agency, UNRWA, of these refugees, approximately 1,300,000 Palestinian refugees continue to live in 58 recognized refugee camps in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. Moreover, ongoing Israeli policies like settlement expansion, which contravene the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention as well as the basis of Palestinian-Israeli peace agreements, create new refugee populations today. I support H. Res. 185 for recognizing the displacement, human rights, suffering and loss of all refugees. I encourage this body to do so in a way that brings us closer to establishing a just and long-lasting Arab- Israeli peace. To make this dream a reality we must truly rise to become the ``honest broker'' of peace in the Middle East.