Dennis Kucinich

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the vote to override the President's veto of SCHIP. I do so because the President's objections to government health insurance for low income children are outrageous. That said, I still believe, the bill's failure to provide coverage for legal immigrants is reprehensible. All children deserve health care coverage. Health care is a right, not a privilege. The denial of a lifesaving service based on an arbitrary length of citizenship is simply wrong. It is the responsibility of Congress to address the main difficulties that prevent legal immigrant children from gaining access to health care. This bill does exactly the opposite. Thus I felt compelled to vote against the bill after the Senate negotiators refused to provide health benefits to legal immigrant children. Negotiating away health care for 400,000-600,000 children as a political compromise is not acceptable. The President has vetoed the bill because he calls it a step toward socialized medicine. This perennial straw-man is trotted out when meritorious arguments are lacking. In fact, SCHIP uses private doctors and private health care plans. More importantly, however, the President is fond of ignoring the volumes of literature showing that government- run health insurance programs that use private hospitals and doctors like Medicare and Medicaid, deliver higher quality care at lower costs with higher rates of satisfaction than private insurance plans. According to a 2007 article in the journal, Health Affairs, administrative costs of private plans were about twice as much as those for Medicaid. Medicare's overhead costs are approximately 3 percent while those of the private sector are closer to 31 percent. That is one of the main reasons that H.R. 676, the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act, is the best cure for our health care ills. It captures the enormous savings to be had if Americans had health care provided through Medicare and uses them to cover everyone for all medically necessary services with no copayments, no deductibles and now premiums. That is how wasteful private insurance is. Providing cheaper coverage through the private sector simply leaves Americans with dangerously weak coverage. About 50 percent of all bankruptcies in the U.S. are related to medical bills. Of those with medically related bankruptcies, about 75 percent had insurance before they got sick. Their so-called ``coverage'' did not cover them. They were, in fact, underinsured. The President chose to ignore this crisis by vetoing a bill that would have not only covered uninsured children but provided better coverage for many who are one illness away from losing their money and their home. The provisions in the bill would make substantial and crucial progress in providing health care for all American children. It would provide coverage for 3.8 million more children than are covered now and preserve coverage for 6.6 million more. It would help ensure Ohio can expand its program to include an additional 20,000 children. It targets the lowest-income uninsured children for outreach and enrollment, ensures dental coverage and mental health parity. The President was fundamentally wrong to veto the SCHIP bill. He needs to understand the economic and moral realities behind SCHIP. I cast my vote to express that.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Greater Cleveland (RSVP) on the occasion of their 35th anniversary of service to community non-profits and countless people in the Cleveland area. RSVP is part of the Corporation for National and Community Service, one of the largest volunteer efforts in the country. The Greater Cleveland chapter of RSVP opened its doors in 1972, back when I was a Cleveland city councilman, and it is one of the biggest--and perhaps the best--in the country today. Based on principles of giving back to a society which has given, the over 3,200 volunteers contribute over 400,000 hours of service to the community each year to more than 200 nonprofit agencies. Many of these organizations simply could not exist without the help of the RSVP volunteers, and none could provide the level of quality service the volunteers offer without them. The list of organizations utilizing generous commitment of RSVP volunteers is broad and ranges from hospitals, to museums, to hunger centers, and to schools. Meals are prepared and delivered to homebound residents that might otherwise not have access to this service. School children are helped with their literacy skills and provided with quality adult role models. New citizens are welcomed to the country. The bereaved and ill are counseled. Educational tours are provided to students and the general public at NASA, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and the Great Lakes Science Center, among many educational and entertaining outlets. And the list goes on. One of the great successes of Cleveland's RSVP program is the management of a tutoring program for children in the Cleveland municipal schools called Experience Corps. During this school year alone, 220 tutors mentored 1,400 students in 14 elementary schools, and the hope is to someday be able to provide quality tutors to all children that need help. Cleveland's Experience Corps program, part of a national effort, has been so successful that it was selected as one of four throughout the country to serve as a model for expansion of the program nationally. Community projects, such as festivals, fairs, walkathons and other civic functions, depend largely on volunteers for short-term or one- time assignments, and RSVP comes through with a group called Team RSVP. This year, Team RSVP volunteers have already participated in more than 100 community events, with many more scheduled through the end of 2007. A group of volunteers called the RSVP Players creates and presents educational and entertaining performances for audiences of older adults throughout Northeast Ohio. The troupe has also assisted with informational programs about Medicare information, prescription misuse, predatory lending, re-entering the job market and other issues relevant to seniors. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring RSVP of Greater Cleveland, an organization with an extraordinary commitment to service in the Cleveland area, and its humble volunteers that fill numerous needs in Ohio's 10th Congressional District and beyond. Their footprint is large and deep, and their accomplishments will be felt for generations to come.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Bernadette Pavlish, a devoted wife and loving mother, and I celebrate her dedication to her family and the community. By all accounts, Bernadette simply lit up an entire room with her presence. Her smile became an instant source of comfort and joy for anyone who was lucky enough to cross paths with her. Bernadette was extremely generous with her time and talents; she never passed up an opportunity to help someone. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in remembering Bernadette Pavlish, who is survived by her husband James, and her children Ursula, Vincent and Lavinia. Although she has passed, her spirit will continue to shine brightly and her memory will live on in all those blessed to have known her.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution. One must put this debate in perspective. The administration certainly helped to create the war. Iraq didn't have weapons of mass destruction, but Iraq did have one thing that is very valuable, and that is oil. The administration helped create the war. They created the Coalition Provisional Authority, and they helped to create the Maliki government. Now they are withholding information and classifying previously unclassified information. Again, no WMDs in Iraq, but oil. I maintain that has all been about oil. The administration looks the other way on corruption, putting great pressure on the Maliki government at this very moment to privatize 20 to $30 trillion worth of Iraqi oil assets. Now, they can classify all they want over at the White House. But this is still about oil. It can't classify nearly 3,800 deaths of our soldiers. They can't classify 1 million deaths of innocent Iraqis. They can't classify that the war will cost up to $2 trillion. They can't classify that they are borrowing money from China to fight a war against Iraq. This war has been based on lies. We agree we should all abide by the rules of the House. We should also abide by the United States Constitution. That is why I support this bill. It is also why I support accountability, and I support impeachment.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of the 55th year of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church in North Royalton, Ohio. In the time Holy Trinity has been in existence, it has served the Ukrainian community of greater Cleveland well. It has brought a community together in a spirit of caring and love for others. Holy Trinity has served as the site for hundreds of christenings, marriages, funerals and holidays in its 55 years. In addition, it has hosted many concerts, festivals, picnics, fundraisers, and other Ukrainian-oriented functions. As people have immigrated to the United States from Ukraine, Holy Trinity has served as a vital link between the Ukraine and the United States for the Ukrainian community in Cleveland. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognizing Holy Trinity Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church for its 55 years as a cornerstone of Cleveland's Ukrainian community and a shining example of spiritual guidance.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize David Shipler, a former national and international reporter, former diplomatic correspondent, and author, as he speaks at Case Western Reserve University, my alma mater, on his latest book, ``The Working Poor: Invisible in America.'' In his writing, Mr. Shipler brings the issue of poverty in America front-and-center. He spent years interviewing and building lasting relationships with people falling between the cracks, despite their steady work, many of whom live in the Cleveland area. The people he describes make incredible sacrifices and still are unable, in many cases, to provide for their basic needs and those of their family, such as food, health care, child care, transportation, sick days, and adequate time with their families. He identifies acts of kindness of friends and employers who assist those not able to meet these needs through work as their saving grace, but he also discusses these interactions as the exception. There are many, many more working people in constant struggle without the help they need from their employers or their Government. In all of his works, Mr. Shipler describes and explains real social and personal conflicts while emphasizing the need for principles of peace and understanding as the way forward. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring David Shipler for his distinguished and passionate career of spreading public awareness of crucial issues of inhumanity and injustice. His work has undoubtedly led many towards a greater awareness and push for social change.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Bring Back the 70's Street Club (BB70), a community improvement organization, located in Cleveland, Ohio. The story of BB70's inception is an inspiring one. Concerned Cleveland residents, on March 10, 2004, decided to gather and discuss their vision for a safer, more secure, and more beautiful Cleveland. Since its first event, the ``Spring Clean Up,'' the social entrepreneurs who founded BB70 have demonstrated an admirable commitment to northeast Ohio. BB70 accomplishments include instituting a community gardening project, creating a drug-free zone, posting security cameras and surveillance equipment, demolishing burned buildings, hosting an out of school bash, and starting a mural youth project. A multitude of organizations and residents, through BB70, continue to work towards developing the Cleveland community and improving civic engagement. Local merchants, banks, companies, schools, law enforcement officers, and other organizations have welcomed and aided the BB70 cause as their success is dependent on BB70's mission. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognizing the great accomplishments of the Bring Back the 70's Street Club in its mission to improve their communities for current and future Cleveland residents.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month--a celebration of Americans of Hispanic heritage and their collective and individual contributions to our community and to our Nation. Hispanic Heritage Month is a celebration of the five hundred year history of Hispanic culture in and its contribution to America. Hispanic Americans have contributed immeasurably to all areas of our culture--from medicine, law, and business to education, music, and the fine arts. Hispanic Americans in our community and in communities across the country are life-saving doctors and nurses, veterans, inspiring professors, dedicated teachers, committed elected officials, fair-minded judges, and hardworking factory employees. Americans of Hispanic heritage continue to bring energy, innovation and a real sense of social justice to America, while retaining the cultural traditions of their homeland for all citizens to enjoy. I honor in a special way Hispanic American servicemen and women. Hispanic Americans have a long and honorable history of service to our country in the Armed Forces. They have served valiantly at all levels and in every capacity, and I salute them for their service to our country. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, and join me in expressing my gratitude for the outstanding contributions made by Hispanic Americans. Their journey to America, fraught with significant obstacles and strife, paved the way for a better life for their children and future generations, and signifies what it means to be an American. Within our diversity we find strength, and within our traditions we find unity. Because of their journey, and the journey of people from all points of the world, we are stronger as a community, more unified as a nation, and better as people.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of the 50th year of the Original Harvest Missionary Baptist Church of Cleveland, Ohio. For the past five decades, the leadership and membership of the Church has served to lift our Cleveland community through worship, faith and song. The Church came to life in 1957, when the Reverend Marcellus Chatman, guided by his faith and a mission to serve, founded the Original Harvest Missionary Baptist Church. His wife, Mrs. Anna Lee Young Chatman, not only named the Church but also organized, directed and performed in the Church choir. Their daughters, Marcella and Ruby, have also been faithful members and leaders of the Church since its inception: Marcella as pianist and Ruby as administrator of Harvest Day Care, which was founded by their mother in 1969. The loyalty, support and commitment that the Chatman family continues to infuse throughout our neighborhoods are also reflected within the Church congregation. Reverend Fred Caffie, Jr. began his service in 1979, and served for 25 years. The Church Patriarch and Musical Director, David Smith, has faithfully served the Church for over 30 years. The Reverend Michael W. Turner, who was installed as Pastor in early 2005, continues the Church legacy of hope, joy and inspiration. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognizing the Chatman family, and all the leaders and members of the Original Harvest Missionary Baptist Church, past and present, as they celebrate 50 years of faith, love and spirituality that continue to strengthen our community.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize St. Herman's House of Hospitality, on the occasion of their 30th anniversary, and to celebrate their dedication to serving Cleveland's most vulnerable citizens. Since its founding on September 27, 2007, St. Herman's has been an oasis for the homeless of Cleveland, providing warm meals, clothing, shelter, and a welcoming and compassionate environment. As the homeless among us get pushed to shadows of our society, St. Herman's has reached out to them, heeding the Gospel imperative to clothe the naked and feed the hungry. St. Herman's, a monastery of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, provides shelter for hundreds of men a year and feeds thousands of people. When they cannot provide the services that their guests need, they direct them to people who can meet their needs. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in celebrating St. Herman's House of Hospitality. For 30 years St. Herman's has reaffirmed the basic dignity of all human beings in their service to the homeless. May we all follow St. Herman's example in our treatment of the most vulnerable citizens in our midst.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Burt Saltzman, CEO of Dave's Supermarkets, whose entire career has focused on serving the community. His kind and charitable demeanor has made him a well-known and widely embraced individual amongst the citizens of Cleveland, the supermarket employees, vendors, and community organizations alike. Dave's Supermarket is named after Mr. Saltzman's father and employs over 1,500 associates. This year, the store celebrates 75 years of providing the people of the neighborhood with quality groceries at affordable prices, as well as an unmatched kind of customer service. Mr. Saltzman is one of few CEOs who will work alongside employees and help customers one-on-one. Not only does he take time to show he cares for Dave's associates, Mr. Saltzman is also very active in the community. He supplies food to soup kitchens, hunger centers, shelters, a day care, and supports the Cleveland Food Bank as well as Mental Health Services, Inc. Mr. Saltzman's charitable efforts have not gone unrecognized; he is in the Grocer's Hall of Fame and has received an ``Others'' award from the Salvation Army. The ``Others'' award is given in recognition of those who benefit the Salvation Army and/or the community as a whole. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in thanking and honoring Mr. Burt Saltzman for his enduring commitment to Northeast Ohio. His devotion and care are the epitome of civic engagement and community pride.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Josephine B. Grendell, whose selflessness and tireless devotion to her family made her a role model for other mothers. Josephine was the wife of the late Edward J. Grendell and the mother of Dr. James H. Grendell, as well as Ohio State Representative Timothy J. Grendell. She was the grandmother of Kate, Mary Jeannette, Patricia, Michael and James and the great-grandmother of Patrick Joseph. Also known as ``Mrs. G'' or ``Aunt Jo,'' Josephine truly was a special lady. She embraced everyone she encountered with love and joy. She was always energetic and smiling. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in remembering Josephine Grendell, a woman whose warmth and kindness were an inspiration to all who knew her.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express deep concern about the administration's involvement in an oil deal announced on September 9, 2007, between the U.S. company Hunt Oil and the Kurdistan Regional Government. This oil deal appears to benefit a large Republican donor and ally of President Bush and Vice President Cheney. The recent oil deal between the U.S.-based Hunt Oil Company and the Kurdistan Regional Government raises numerous questions. Hunt Oil, a privately held oil company based in Texas, and its founder, Ray Hunt, have close ties to Vice President Cheney and are large donors to President Bush. The deal appears to undercut the goal of oil revenue sharing but is predictably consistent with the administration's attempt to privatize Iraqi oil assets. This war is about oil. The Bush administration desires private control of Iraqi oil, but we have no right to force Iraq to give up their oil. We have no right to set preconditions for Iraq which lead Iraq to giving up control of their oil. The constitution of Iraq designates that the oil of Iraq is the property of all Iraqi people. The Administration has misled Congress and the media into thinking that pending Iraqi oil legislation before Iraq's Parliament was about the fair distribution of oil revenue. But the Hunt Oil deal with Kurdistan exposes the real intent of that legislation, promotion of a privatization scheme. The Hunt Oil deal with Kurdistan suggests the war has made foreign access to Iraqi oil a reality. Because the connections between Hunt Oil Company and the Bush administration are numerous, I have asked the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to investigate Hunt Oil's ties to the Bush Administration and Halliburton. The contract between Hunt Oil and Kurdistan would be the first of its kind in the Middle East where oil has been nationalized for decades and foreign oil companies have had no presence. The lack of consensus on how to manage the Iraqi oil resources suggests that the Hunt Oil Company deal could lead to greater instability within Iraq. I have sent a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urging an immediate investigation into the implications of the Hunt Oil Company's recent production sharing agreement for petroleum exploration with Kurdistan on U.S. and Iraqi national security. Congress should put a stop to the outrageous exploitation of a nation already in shambles due to U.S. intervention. I will soon introduce legislation to prevent all U.S. companies from gaining financial interests in Iraq's oil resources. I hope my colleagues will join me to ensure that the people of Iraq are not made to endure greater suffering and injustice that has already occurred because of this illegal and unjust war. Congress of the United States, House of representatives, September 18, 2007. Hon. Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State, Department of State, Washington, DC. Dear Secretary Rice: To assure the national security of the U.S. and Iraq I urge an immediate investigation into Hunt Oil Company's recent production sharing agreement for petroleum exploration with Kurdistan. The Iraq Central Government reportedly considers this agreement illegitimate. As such, a thorough investigation assessing the threat posed by the agreement to U.S. and Iraqi national security interests should be conducted promptly. The Constitution of Iraq designates that the oil of Iraq is the property of all Iraqi people. Thus, it is unsurprising that the Iraqi Central Government believes that the oil production sharing agreement between Hunt Oil Company and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is illegal. The agreement is reportedly based on oil law passed by the KRG and is the subject of much legal debate. The lack of consensus on how to manage the Iraqi oil resources suggest that the Hunt Oil Company deal could lead to greater instability within Iraq. As you are undoubtedly aware, the contract between Hunt Oil and the KRG would be the first of its kind in the Middle East where oil has been nationalized for decades. Foreign oil companies have had no presence in the Middle East for decades. The legality of this matter is of obvious importance to the people of Iraq who have a constitutional right to the oil resources of Iraq. Furthermore, close ties between Hunt Oil Company and the Administration's top officials coupled with this precedent setting agreement appears morally debased. The following will assist in clarifying this connection: Ray Hunt, CEO of Hunt Oil Company, was twice appointed to a seat on the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board (PFIAB). Mr. Hunt raised campaign funds for President George H.W. and George W. Bush. He also personally donated $20,000 to the Republican National Committee's Victory Fund for the current President Bush. Ray Hunt gave $100,000 toward the 2001 Bush inaugural festivities and one of his corporations, Hunt Consolidated, gave another $250,000 toward the Bush 2005 presidential inaugural gala. In addition, Ray Hunt donated $35 million toward the Bush library/think tank to secure additional property for the project. This unmatched deal struck by the Hunt Oil Company coupled with the company's ties to the administration could be viewed as hostile to the interests of Iraq amidst growing knowledge of Iraqi opposition to privatization and sale of Iraq's national oil reserves. Your investigation should address how the agreement will affect Iraqi public sentiment toward the Iraqi and U.S. governments, insurgent efforts, the stability of Iraq and the stated goals of U.S. policy to bring peace and stability to the region. I look forward to your timely response and the conclusions of your investigation. Sincerely, Dennis J. Kucinich, Member of Congress.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of one of our former colleagues, Congressman Charlie Vanik. For 26 years, he was an admirable spokesman not only for the people of his district, but for the Nation. During his time in office, Congressman Vanik was one of Congress's most vocal advocates for human rights. In 1974, he co-authored an amendment to a trade law that required the United States to assess the human rights records of foreign countries before granting them special privileges. This law put pressure on the Soviet Union to allow freer emigration, and as a result, more than 2 million people were able to leave the Soviet Union in search of a better life. While he was a Member of Congress, he never forgot where he came from or the people he represented. During his time in office he helped to pass several Federal programs, including the Federal school lunch program, that would help the people in his district and throughout the country improve their livelihoods. In addition, he is remembered by his former colleagues as a savvy, gifted speaker who had the ability to make every person in a room smile. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in remembering the life of Congressman Charlie Vanik. May he rest in peace, and may his service to his country and to this body always be remembered honorably. He is survived by his wife, Betty; his son, Jon; his daughter, Phyllis; and two grandchildren.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. The recent oil deal between the U.S.-based Hunt Oil Company and the Kurdistan Regional Government raises questions since Hunt Oil, a privately held oil company based in Texas and its founder, Ray Hunt, have close ties to Vice-President Cheney and are large donors to President Bush. The deal also appears to undercut the goal of oil revenue sharing but is predictably consistent with the administration's attempt to privatize Iraqi oil assets. Both Hunt Oil Company and Kurdistan are strong allies with the Bush administration. As I have said for 5 years, this war is about oil. The Bush administration desires private control of Iraqi oil, but we have no right to force Iraq to give up control of their oil. We have no right to set preconditions for Iraq which lead Iraq to giving up control of their oil. The Constitution of Iraq designates that the oil of Iraq is the property of all Iraqi people. I am calling for a congressional investigation to determine the role the administration may have played in the Hunt-Kurdistan deal, the effect the deal could have on the oil revenue sharing plan and the attempt by the administration to privatize Iraqi oil.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of the 40th year of the Western Campus of Cuyahoga Community College. In the time this institution has been in existence, it has served hundreds of thousands of people in the community as an institution of higher learning. It is a shining example of the quality education such an institution can provide to a local community. The campus currently serves between 11,000 and 12,000 credit students each term, as well as many more non-credit students. It is considered one of the top community colleges not only in the state of Ohio, but in the United States. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognizing Cuyahoga Community College for its 40 years of dedication to affordable, quality education. May they continue to be stewards of minds of all ages, and may their commitment to northeast Ohio grow even stronger.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Martin Savidge for his 27 years of service to the American public, through his role as a news anchor and national correspondent for many prominent news networks. Martin, who is currently a correspondent with NBC News, does regular reporting for NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, the Today Show, and MSNBC. Prior to NBC, Martin was a news anchor and a national correspondent for CNN, based at the network's world headquarters in Atlanta. Martin graduated from Rocky River High School and earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from Ohio University. He began his broadcast career as an anchor and reporter for WCIA-TV in Champaign, IL in 1980. He then moved on to work as the prime-time anchor for WMBD-TV in Peoria, IL Martin also worked as a reporter for the Associated Press, as well as a special projects reporter and anchor for WJW-TV in Cleveland. Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Martin reported from New York City's Ground Zero on the search and rescue mission and the ongoing recovery efforts. In 2003, Martin delivered on-the-ground coverage of the crises in Iraq as one of CNN's embedded journalists. Martin most recently served as NBC's primary correspondent in New Orleans, covering Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath along the Gulf Coast. Martin has been honored with some of broadcast journalism's most prestigious awards, including two Headliner Awards, two Edward R. Murrow Awards, a Peabody Award, a DuPont Award and an Emmy. In October 2002, the National Journalism Education Association named Martin its Media Person of the Year for his support of scholastic journalism. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring Martin Savidge for his dedication to informing the public about important national and world issues, and his commitment to educating future journalists.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Mary V. Kaser, who served the residents of West Park for thirty-eight years as a school crossing guard. Over the years, Mary developed many wonderful relationships with the families of her community. The people of West Park will always have a place in their hearts for this quick-witted woman, who was always willing to lend a helping hand. Mary embodied what community is all about. In addition to protecting hundreds of children, she took on the role of Democratic Ward Club president and helped found the Bellaire-Puritas Development Corporation. Community members recount that Mary was a spirited woman with a heart of gold. Always in the thick of the action, this vibrant woman left a mark on Ohio that will never fade away. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in remembering the life of Mary V. Kaser, whose memory will be cherished by all who had the fortune of knowing her.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to reflect on the life of a courageous and passionate man, Joseph Stephen Zoretic, who dedicated his life to fighting for sensible drug policy and to free others from suffering. Along with his devoted wife, Dee Dee, he was a founding member of the Ohio Patient Network and its lobbying component, the Ohio Patient Action Network. Joe started his life-long residency in the Cleveland area on December 25th, 1968. He became an active figure in the medical marijuana movement in the 1990s, when his wife was diagnosed with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy and needed cannabis to relieve the pain other medications could not. Since then, Joe provided policy ideas and inspiration to the state marijuana legalization activist community, from speaking at mainstream political events to testifying for better drug policy. Even if it meant going to jail, Joe stood up for what he knew: that love and bravery can overcome injustice. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring and remembering an extraordinary husband, father, citizen, and activist, Joseph Stephen Zoretic, who demonstrated the power we all possess to make change in this world.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the Muslim holiday of Ramadan, and to celebrate the Community Iftar held by the Council on American-Islamic Relations of Ohio. In the Muslim tradition, the month of Ramadan is one of contemplation and spirituality. Muslims throughout Northeast Ohio and the world endeavor to deepen their individual faith and grow as a community. Muslims do this through conscious efforts to refrain from thoughts and actions that would stunt their spiritual growth. They also read the entire Qur'an. Muslims also bring themselves closer to this spiritual ideal through their observance of the Sawm, or fast. The Sawm is a cleansing and invigorating practice that renews the spirit. To break the fast and make a renewed commitment to their family and community, Muslims gather for the Iftar dinner. Keeping with the intention of the holiday, the Iftar is an opportunity for spiritual growth in the continued pursuit of peace and understanding. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in celebrating Ramadan. As Muslims throughout Northeast Ohio gather for CAIR's Community Iftar, I wish them all peace and happiness on their spiritual journey.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of President Lech Walesa of Poland, and to celebrate his 64th birthday. As I, along with millions of celebrating Poles, recognize one of the great leaders of our time, we should look back at the contributions this man has made to his native Poland and to the world. As the first elected leader of a democratic Poland, President Walesa laid the foundation for a Poland that remain both strong and free to this day. He worked with leaders from all around the world to promote the welfare of the poor and downtrodden. As the leader of the opposition movement, he helped his country gain independence through nonviolent means. As a champion of labor, he led several worker strikes, risking both his livelihood and his life in the process. He fought for the rights of workers and his struggle gained worldwide recognition. His efforts won him, among other accolades, the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983. Even today, he remains a shining example of freedom and democracy in action. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring President Lech Walesa for his service to his country and to the world. Thanks to his efforts, Poland has thrived and has become a strong voice in the international community. May future democracies be inspired by his actions and his spirit.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the notable career of one of the Three Tenors, Luciano Pavarotti, who passed away September 6. Pavarotti was able to bring diverse audiences together like no one else could. His voice was captivating. Pavarotti's renowned career, which spanned four decades, touched more than 1.5 billion people and his charming performances came to represent what the opera is all about. But Pavarotti wasn't just a remarkable tenor. He was also well-known for his dedication and extraordinary efforts spent raising money for refugees and the Red Cross. He used his astounding voice to raise funds for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent movement. In 2005, Pavarotti received the Freedom of the City of London and a Red Cross Award for Services to Humanity. Pavarotti's humanitarian efforts didn't end there. He joined forces with Diana, Princess of Wales, to raise money for the elimination of land mines and performed benefit concerts to raise money for victims of tragedies. In 1998, Pavarotti was appointed the United Nation's Messenger of Peace. He used his prominence to raise awareness of the Millennium Development Goals, HIV/AIDS, child rights, urban slums and poverty. Madam Speaker and colleagues, Pavarotti's strong and harmonious voice will be greatly missed but the charitable work he did will be remembered always.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H. Res. 643, the September 11 resolution. I honor the memory of those who died on September 11 and extend sympathies to their family members and to those who lost their lives trying to save lives. And I support the troops. I believe the best way to honor the memory of those who died on September 11 is to tell the truth of what the Administration did in the wake of September 11. The Bush Administration launched a war against Iraq, conflating the true tragedy of September 11 with lies about weapons of mass destruction. On this, the sixth anniversary of September 11, it is important that Congress wake up to the truth and exercise its obligation under the Constitution to save our nation from being destroyed from the lies that took us into Iraq, the lies that keep us there, the lies that are being used to set the stage for war against Iran and the lies that have undermined our basic civil liberties here at home. The September 11 resolution that Congress considers today should have made reference to those matters. It does not, so I cannot support it. This Administration long ago politicized the September 11 attacks, distorted it, and dishonored it. If Congress really wanted to honor the memory of those who died on September 11, we would cause the full truth to be told to the American people. If Congress really supported our troops we would bring them home and not provide more funding for the war.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember Vivian Cantrell, and to celebrate her tireless devotion to her community, her faith, and to justice. Vivian passed away after a battle with cancer, but her spirit will live on in the people and organizations fortunate enough to have known her. Vivian never passed up an opportunity to challenge the status quo. She was an outspoken civil rights advocate, and frequently could be found advocating for equal treatment for all school children or lending her voice to community organizations. Vivian was an engaged citizen; not only was she active in political campaigns, but she demanded accountability from those candidates to ensure that the community got the attention it deserved. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in remembering Vivian Cantrell, for a life spent in service to the community. May Vivian's humor, strength, and zeal for justice live on in all those who knew her.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Reverend John J. Bryk, on the occasion of his retirement as pastor of St. Hedwig's Parish in Lakewood, Ohio. Father John has devoted his entire life to the work of the church, and Cleveland has been blessed with Father John's commitment to living the gospel imperative of service to and love of others. Since his ordination in 1953, Father John has been a faithful servant to the Cleveland community. As a parish priest, Father John has been responsible for the spiritual well-being of a whole community, a responsibility he took very seriously and fulfilled with enthusiasm and total commitment to his congregation. As an educator, Father John imparted to Cleveland's youth the wisdom to be well-rounded, upstanding adults committed to serving all humans. As a former student of Father John at Saint John Cantius in Cleveland, I have firsthand experience of Father John's ability to affect the lives of those around him. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring Reverend John J. Bryk's 54 years of ministry to the city of Cleveland. I am grateful for his dedication to the spiritual and communal needs of Cleveland. May his simple and abundant love of his congregation and Cleveland serve as an example for us all.