Dennis Kucinich

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of Rose Nader, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, community activist, author and dear friend and mentor to many. Her passing marks a great loss for her family and friends, and also for the people of Winsted, CT, whom she consistently inspired and served with the highest level of dedication and honor. The great care and love that Mrs. Nader showered on her family extended throughout her community, where she carried the torch of advocacy on behalf of many social justice issues. She became deeply involved in many local, national and global issues, including active memberships in Peace Action, Co-Op America and the Women's International Relations Committee. Following a devastating flood in Winsted in the 1950's, Mrs. Nader organized a public gathering and refused to relent until U.S. Senator Prescott Bush promised to build a dry dam. The dam was built and the city of Winsted has been dry for half a century. Born and raised in Lebanon, Mrs. Nader worked as a teacher of French and Arabic before emigrating to America with her husband, Nathra Nader. Together they raised four children, with family the central focus of her life. She instilled values of integrity, hard work and active citizenship within the hearts and minds of her children, gently guiding and always teaching. Mrs. Nader offered them gifts of experience and wisdom through song, proverbs and culinary traditions of her beloved homeland, infusing her wisdom and joy around the kitchen table, connecting the old world to the new. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and remembrance of Rose Nader, whose unbridled joy for life served as a source of love, inspiration and guidance for her family and friends and for the people of Winsted, CT. I extend my deepest condolences to her children, Claire, Laura, Ralph, and the memory of Shafeek; to her three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and also to her extended family and many friends. Mrs. Nader's infinite heart and unwavering focus on giving back to the community will forever live within the hearts of family and friends, and will forever illuminate the soul of Winsted, CT, and miles beyond.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I want to say to my good friend and my respected chair and the Member who just spoke that one of the things you have to keep in mind is the information that they are saying hasn't been brought forward to the public wouldn't be brought forward to the public under what has been essentially a secret manner of investigation. I rise in strong opposition to this legislation because it offers only superficial reform that would have little, if any, impact on safeguarding our civil liberties. Furthermore, it has become crystal clear that this administration is currently and will continue to abuse, attack, and outright deny the civil liberties of the people of this country in defiance of our Constitution. This administration is illegally wiretapping American citizens, illegally collecting information on peace groups, and illegally signing statements to ignore the torture ban recently enacted by this Congress. Some of my colleagues will stand up here today and argue the PATRIOT Act had nothing to do with these nefarious activities, but my colleagues are not looking at the big picture. The administration is violating the laws Congress has passed and trampling on the Constitution of the United States. I will not give this administration any additional police powers. Congress has failed to do its job as a coequal branch of government. The administration's attack on our democracy has to be reined in. This Congress must not walk away from its role in providing a check and balance to the administration's exercise of executive power. This Congress was not zealous in oversight prior to 2001; but since that time, this Congress has ignored its constitutional duty, and 200 years of American democracy have suffered. The complacency of this Congress is clearly viewed by the administration as a license to ignore the laws it disagrees with, and then it demands Congress pass expanded police powers. In the name of the Constitution of the United States of America, I reject this complacency. I will not vote to give a single new police power to this administration. I voted against the PATRIOT Act when it first passed, and I remain even more opposed to this legislation today. The bill before us today enables the FBI to investigate any American for any reason without the checks and balances of the judicial system. History tells us that unchecked police powers with little or no oversight will be abused and the citizens will be harmed. The administration's record in this area is concrete proof that history repeats itself. I am for police function that protects citizens of this great Nation, not a police function that is used to terrorize them. I urge my colleagues to vote against the PATRIOT Act reauthorization, to stand up for our Constitution, to stand up for our Bill of Rights, to remember the long struggle that was instrumental in establishing those liberties.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I want to call the attention of the House to the juxtaposition of two news stories: one that says, relating to 9/ 11, Federal officials were repeatedly warned in the months before the September 11, 2001, terror attacks that Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda were planning aircraft hijacking and suicide attacks according to a new report that the Bush administration has been suppressing. And this, from the front page of today's Washington Post: a newly leaked video recording the high-level government deliberation the day before Hurricane Katrina hit shows disaster officials emphatically warning President Bush that the storm posed a catastrophic threat to New Orleans and the gulf coast, and a grim-faced Bush personally assuring State leaders that his administration was fully prepared, quote-unquote, to help. Do we see a pattern here? 9/11, Katrina? They knew something was going to happen and they did not act. They knew that if they went into Iraq that we were looking at a disaster, that there was no way we were going to be able to run that country. They know that global climate change poses a threat to the entire planet. Nothing is being done. There is a pattern of recklessness, indifference, callousness. The implications are deadly for the people of the United States.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, as I listen to the debate here, one of the things that I keep hearing in this House is a question of what the role of government is. One of the gentlemen who spoke earlier would insist that all this is about is throwing money, good money, after bad. I think there are people in this Congress who actually believe that government does not have a benign role in the lives of the people, except as an engine to redistribute the wealth of the Nation upwards. This legislation proves otherwise. It proves that government does have a responsibility to step up when people have a problem. It also confirms the role of the Congress of the United States. We see in today's news that the administration was warned on Katrina. It didn't respond quickly enough. Well, the Congress of the United States has an obligation to respond here. That is what we are doing with this legislation today. That is why I support it. We know that so much of the Federal response to the economic security of the Katrina victims has been lacking. According to the Economic Policy Institute, unemployment is a serious problem for hurricane victims. But the evacuees who are still not back in their homes, and they number 500,000 people, to them unemployment is epidemic, one-quarter of Whites, one-half of African American evacuees are still out of work. The cause, Mr. Speaker, is not a lack of jobs. At the current time there is a labor shortage in New Orleans. The cause is a lack of housing near the job sites. The Economic Policy Institute found that simply returning home from the Katrina Diaspora makes a dramatic difference in those staggering unemployment figures. Unemployment rates fall among Whites to 10.7 percent, among Blacks to 11.6 percent if people have a home to go to. But the unfortunately indifferent Bush administration, through the now infamous FEMA, is compounding the unemployment problems of the hurricane victims. The Federal emergency housing effort located the largest temporary housing facility for New Orleans evacuees in Baker, Louisiana, 91 miles away from New Orleans. That is not a commute for anyone, especially low- income workers. On September 8, the President urged a proclamation to lower the wages of all workers on a Federal contract to rebuild the hurricane-affected region. He suspended Davis-Bacon, a 74-year-old law which requires that companies receiving Federal contracts pay the average wage to employees who are hired to perform those Federal contracts. He also suspended the requirement of having affirmative action plans. Fortunately, some Members of Congress became involved in that and offered a counterbalance. That is what we are trying to do here today. We are trying to offer a counterbalance to an administration that was not there when the American people needed some guidance. But today this bill will show that Congress has a role, and we have to keep remembering it. Congress has a role in meeting the needs of the American people and government has a role in the life of the American people, has a positive, a powerful, a constructive role; and we have to confirm that role over and over again with our work on the floor of the House of Representatives. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this bipartisan initiative to give the people of the Katrina disaster area some additional relief. I think we need to keep focusing on what is the appropriate role of government. Let's help people in this country with the resources we have.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, what this bill does, I say to the gentlewoman from California, is to create circumstances where it undermines all these food safety laws all over the States. Under the guise of promoting uniformity in food safety and labeling laws, this bill requires all State food safety laws to be identical to the requirements of the Federal Food and Drug Administration. And since the States regulate many food safety issues not covered by the FDA, many food safety laws will be voided and replaced actually with no law at all. The uniformity to be achieved by this bill is, in many instances, the uniform absence of food safety regulation, which is desired by the food industry. So this bill is uniformly bad. For example, the bill would preempt Alaska's newly passed law to label genetically engineered fish. The Alaskan State legislature passed this law to ensure the State's principal industries are protected. The State of Alaska has an interest to ensure that its products and reputation are not harmed. Today, we are telling the people of Alaska that the natural Alaska king salmon cannot be distinguished from the genetically engineered version bound to enter the market one day. Another great example of the State laws this bill is designed to undermine is California's Prop. 65. Prop. 65 provides for the labeling of products that contain compounds that cause cancer or reproductive problems. California voters approved it by a 2-1 margin in the 1980s. Since enacted, it has sped the elimination of toxic compounds from the products we use or eat every day. It led one company to remove a carcinogenic chemical from a waterproofing spray. It led to the removal of lead foil from wine bottles. It led to the removal of lead solder in cans used for food. It took lead out of calcium supplements, brass kitchen faucets, and hair dyes. In fact, when many companies reformulated their product to avoid having it labeled as a carcinogen, they did it without telling anyone because they didn't want to draw attention to the fact that their product included dangerous chemicals in the first place. So there are countless other examples of Prop. 65 protecting public health and the environment that we don't even know about. It is exactly this triumph of public heath over large food corporations that has driven the food industry to push for the so-called National Food Uniformity Act. But it is bad policy. In fact, even President Reagan rejected attempts to undermine it. This so-called uniformity bill will cost the taxpayers dearly. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the Federal Government will have to pay $100 million to consider States' appeals; and at the local and State level, food and safety officials would be obstructed. They perform some 80 percent of the work to ensure the safety of our food. In 2001, States acted in 45,000 separate instances to keep unsafe food from entering our food supply. This bill simply says that the United States Congress believes uniformity is more important than food safety or the consumers' right to know. This bill ought to be defeated. We need to listen to what the people in the States are saying about their desire to have food that is safe to eat, and this bill absolutely vitiates any effort that States make to protect their own people. This is a bad bill. Large corporations are pushing for it, just like years ago they pushed to try to stop this Congress from investigating cigarettes that caused cancer. We need to defeat this bill. It is a rotten idea.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, the taxpayers of the United States of America have a right to know whether or not their tax dollars were or are being used to manipulate the news, falsify intelligence, or mislead the public. Very serious questions have been raised about a number of contracts that have been given to public relations firms, firms that then went ahead and devised a whole plan to try to sell the war in Iraq to the American people. I have introduced a resolution of inquiry in the House of Representatives that demands all documents pertaining to contracts that the United States Government has signed with the intent to sell the war in Iraq. This resolution directs the President, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of Defense to provide the House with certain documents relating to any entity which the United States has contracted with for public relations purposes concerning Iraq. The people of this country have a right to know if there was an effort to deliberately mislead them, and the taxpayers have a right to know how their tax dollars are being spent. Support the resolution of inquiry. Reclaim the power of Congress.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. I want to thank my friend and indicate that I rise in opposition. This rhetoric that we are hearing on the House floor from people who I have to say I do respect greatly is eerily reminiscent of the debate in this House prior to the United States authorizing an attack on Iraq. I think we can look back today and say that the U.S. rushed into war against Iraq, only to find that there were no weapons of mass destruction. Madam Speaker, I will include for the Record an article from the Washington Post dated August 2, 2005, which says, ``A major U.S. intelligence review has projected that Iran is about a decade away from manufacturing the key ingredients for nuclear weapons, roughly doubling the previous estimate of 5 years.'' It goes on to say that ``this carefully hedged assessment, which represents consensus among U.S. intelligence agencies, contrasts with forceful public statements by the White House. Administration officials have asserted but have not offered proof that Tehran is moving determinedly toward a nuclear arsenal.'' I also include for the record the remarks of Angela Merkel, who is the leader of Germany, who says that we have not used all of our available windows of opportunity. She saw an opportunity for a negotiated settlement. As a matter of fact, in this news dispatch out of Berlin from yesterday, the German chancellor says there are real chances for a diplomatic deal to defuse the ongoing crisis over Iran's nuclear program. Madam Speaker, I include for the record a news report out of Moscow and Tehran of yesterday which says that Iran and Russia will hold talks on Monday on a Russian offer to conduct uranium enrichment for Iran in the Russian territory. This would avert what is a building crisis. Madam Speaker, I include for the record an analysis that was done of the joint resolution on Iraq, this was done by myself, that pointed out the flaws in a resolution that was presented to this House. This is an analysis from October 2, 2002, that relates to analyzing the Iraq resolution. I think this would be very valuable when you compare it side by side with the resolution that we have now. Madam Speaker, I want to call to the Members' attention the same article that Mr. Paul called to Members' attention, section 3 of the enactment clause, which calls on members of the United Nations Security Council, particularly the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China, to expeditiously consider and take action in response to the report of Iran's noncompliance. This is in response to a report of Iran's noncompliance and fulfillment of the mandate of the Security Council to respond and deal with situations bearing on the maintenance of international peace and security. The importance of this point and this amendment is that this point undermines and sets aside the only possibility for a peaceful resolution of this crisis, namely the offer by Russia to enrich uranium for Iran to use in its nuclear power plants. Iran would not operate any enrichment processing facilities of its own, so we have an opportunity to put aside this crisis if we see what is developing now. This resolution, unfortunately, would scuttle the Russian-led negotiated settlement. I ask Members to consider that this resolution would put us on the threshold of war. Now, I stand with Mr. Lantos in defense of the right of Israel to survive. I voted for legislation yesterday that challenges any nation that would call for the destruction of Israel, and we should do that. But we don't have to go to war against Iran or to set the stage for a war against Iran when we have diplomatic means of resolving this. We should continue to pursue diplomacy. Madam Speaker, I include the articles referred to earlier for the Record. [From washingtonpost.com, Aug. 2, 2005] Iran Is Judged 10 Years From Nuclear Bomb (By Dafna Linzer) A major U.S. intelligence review has projected that Iran is about a decade away from manufacturing the key ingredient for a nuclear weapon, roughly doubling the previous estimate of five years, according to government sources with firsthand knowledge of the new analysis. The carefully hedged assessments, which represent consensus among US. intelligence agencies, contrast with forceful public statements by the White House. Administration officials have asserted, but have not offered proof, that Tehran is moving determinedly toward a nuclear arsenal. The new estimate could provide more time for diplomacy with Iran over its nuclear ambitions. President Bush has said that he wants the crisis resolved diplomatically but that ``all options are on the table.'' The new National Intelligence Estimate includes what the intelligence community views as credible indicators that Iran's military is conducting clandestine work. But the sources said there is no information linking those projects directly to a nuclear weapons program. What is clear is that Iran, mostly through its energy program, is acquiring and mastering technologies that could be diverted to bombmaking. The estimate expresses uncertainty about whether Iran's ruling clerics have made a decision to build a nuclear arsenal, three U.S. sources said. Still, a senior intelligence official familiar with the findings said that ``it is the judgment of the intelligence community that, left to its own devices, Iran is determined to build nuclear weapons.'' At no time in the past three years has the White House attributed its assertions about Iran to U.S. intelligence, as it did about Iraq in the run-up to the March 2003 invasion. Instead, it has pointed to years of Iranian concealment and questioned why a country with as much oil as Iran would require a large-scale nuclear energy program. The NIE addresses those assertions and offers alternative views supporting and challenging the assumptions they are based on. Those familiar with the new judgments, which have not been previously detailed, would discuss only limited elements of the estimate and only on the condition of anonymity, because the report is classified, as is some of the evidence on which it is based. Top policymakers are scrutinizing the review, several administration officials said, as the White House formulates the next steps of an Iran policy long riven by infighting and competing strategies. For three years, the administration has tried, with limited success, to increase pressure on Iran by focusing attention on its nuclear program. Those efforts have been driven as much by international diplomacy as by the intelligence. The NIE, ordered by the National Intelligence Council in January, is the first major review since 2001 of what is known and what is unknown about Iran. Additional assessments produced during Bush's first term were narrow in scope, and some were rejected by advocates of policies that were inconsistent with the intelligence judgments. One such paper was a 2002 review that former and current officials said was commissioned by national security adviser Stephen J. Hadley, who was then deputy adviser, to assess the possibility for ``regime change'' in Iran. Those findings described the Islamic republic on a slow march toward democracy and cautioned against U.S. interference in that process, said the officials, who would describe the paper's classified findings only on the condition of anonymity. The new estimate takes a broader approach to the question of Iran's political future. But it is unable to answer whether the country's ruling clerics will still be in control by the time the country is capable of producing fissile material. The administration keeps ``hoping the mullahs will leave before Iran gets a nuclear weapons capability,'' said an official familiar with policy discussions. Intelligence estimates are designed to alert the president of national security developments and help guide policy. The new Iran findings were described as well documented and well written, covering such topics as military capabilities, expected population growth and the oil industry. The assessments of Iran's nuclear program appear in a separate annex to the NIE known as a memorandum to holders. ``It's a full look at what we know, what we don't know and what assumptions we have,'' a U.S. source said. Until recently, Iran was judged, according to February testimony by Vice Adm. Lowell E. Jacoby, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, to be within five years of the capability to make a nuclear weapon. Since 1995, U.S. officials have continually estimated Iran to be ``within five years'' from reaching that same capability. So far, it has not. The new estimate extends the timeline, judging that Iran will be unlikely to produce a sufficient quantity of highly enriched uranium, the key ingredient for an atomic weapon, before ``early to mid-next decade,'' according to four sources familiar with that finding. The sources said the shift, based on a better understanding of Iran's technical limitations, puts the timeline closer to 2015 and in line with recently revised British and Israeli figures. The estimate is for acquisition of fissile material, but there is no firm view expressed on whether Iran would be ready by then with an implosion device, sources said. The time line is portrayed as a minimum designed to reflect a program moving full speed ahead without major technical obstacles. It does not take into account that Iran has suspended much of its uranium-enrichment work as part of a tenuous deal with Britain, France and Germany. Iran announced yesterday that it intends to resume some of that work if the European talks fall short of expectations. Sources said the new timeline also reflects a fading of suspicions that Iran's military has been running its own separate and covert enrichment effort. But there is evidence of clandestine military work on missiles and centrifuge research and development that could be linked to a nuclear program, four sources said. Last month, U.S. officials shared some data on the missile program with U.N. nuclear inspectors, based on drawings obtained last November. The documents include design modifications for Iran's Shahab-3 missile to make the room required for a nuclear warhead, U.S. and foreign officials said. ``If someone has a good idea for a missile program, and he has really good connections, he'll get that program through,'' said Gordon Oehler, who ran the CIA's nonproliferation center and served as deputy director of the presidential commission on weapons of mass destruction. ``But that doesn't mean there is a master plan for a nuclear weapon.'' The commission found earlier this year that U.S. intelligence knows ``disturbingly little'' about Iran, and about North Korea. Much of what is known about Tehran has been learned through analyzing communication intercepts, satellite imagery and the work of U.N. inspectors who have been investigating Iran for more than two years. Inspectors uncovered facilities for uranium conversion and enrichment, results of plutonium tests, and equipment bought illicitly from Pakistan--all of which raised serious concerns but could be explained by an energy program. Inspectors have found no proof that Iran possesses a nuclear warhead design or is conducting a nuclear weapons program. The NIE comes more than two years after the intelligence community assessed, wrongly, in an October 2002 estimate that then-Iraqi President Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction and was reconstituting his nuclear program. The judgments were declassified and made public by the Bush administration as it sought to build support for invading Iraq five months later. At a congressional hearing last Thursday, Gen. Michael V. Hayden, deputy director of national intelligence, said that new rules recently were imposed for crafting NIBs and that there would be ``a higher tolerance for ambiguity,'' even if it meant producing estimates with less definitive conclusions. The Iran NIE, sources said, includes creative analysis and alternative theories that could explain some of the suspicious activities discovered in Iran in the past three years. Iran has said its nuclear infrastructure was built for energy production, not weapons. Assessed as plausible, but unverifiable, is Iran's public explanation that it built the program in secret, over 18 years, because it feared attack by the United States or Israel if the work was exposed. In January, before the review, Vice President Cheney suggested Iranian nuclear advances were so pressing that Israel may be forced to attack facilities, as it had done 23 years earlier in Iraq. In an April 2004 speech, John R. Bolton--then the administration's point man on weapons of mass destruction and now Bush's temporarily appointed U.N. ambassador--said: ``If we permit Iran's deception to go on much longer, it will be too late. Iran will have nuclear weapons.'' But the level of certainty, influenced by diplomacy and intelligence, appears to have shifted. Asked in June, after the NIE was done, whether Iran had a nuclear effort underway, Bolton's successor, Robert G. Joseph, undersecretary of state for arms control, said: ``I don't know quite how to answer that because we don't have perfect information or perfect understanding. But the Iranian records what the Iranian leaders have said . . . lead us to conclude that we have to be highly skeptical.''

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to claim time in opposition.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of my friend, Dick Goddard, for his life-long activism and advocacy in promoting and protecting the welfare of animals, especially humankind's best friends, our dogs and cats. Mr. Goddard has served as WJW TV8's, FOX8 News, Chief Meteorologist for 40 years. His interesting intellectual insights and quick wit reflect in every forecast and have endeared him to thousands of daily, faithful viewers. For decades, Mr. Goddard has channeled his celebrity profile, both, on and off camera, to promote and support programs that benefit the animal companions of our community. From neuter and spay programs, to featuring dog and cat adoptions twice weekly during the 6 o'clock news broadcast, Mr. Goddard's unwavering and compassionate focus has provided safe and secure homes for hundreds of unwanted pets. Mr. Goddard has built strong connections with area animal shelters and volunteers his time and talents in raising tens of thousands of dollars for more than 60 animal welfare organizations throughout Ohio. He regularly attends and promotes animal welfare events and is the point person in our community regarding animal-related concerns. Mr. Goddard's commitment and compassion is equaled and supported by many volunteers, including Patti Fisher and Mary Pennington, who've worked behind-the-scenes with Mr. Goddard for nearly 20 years. Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition of Mr. Dick Goddard, whose personal and professional integrity, affable nature, and deep concern for our community lends a voice of protection, rescue, warmth and shelter for stray and abandoned dogs and cats throughout our region. I also wish my friend a very happy birthday and a lifelong forecast of peace, health and happiness, under blue and sunny skies.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I gave the attached statement, in support of the banning of methyl bromide on February 15, 2006. Statement of Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich, Subcommittee on Energy and Resources, House Committee on Government Reform: Hearing on ``Methyl Bromide: Are U.S. Interests Being Served by the Critical Use Exemption Process?'' I was dismayed when I learned that today we would be discussing efforts to perpetuate--and possibly increase--the use of methyl bromide. Continuing to allow it to be manufactured and used is bad for the environment, bad for human health, bad for international relations, bad economics, and is simply unnecessary. Methyl bromide has been responsible for a significant amount of the degradation of our protective ozone layer. In 2005, the size of the resulting hole in that layer over the Antarctic reached 9.4 million square miles, an area almost as big as the combined areas of the U.S. and Canada, according to NASA. Current estimates say that it will take another 50 years for the hole to repair itself. Too much UV-B, which is filtered by the ozone layer, causes cataracts and suppresses our immune systems, making us more vulnerable to viruses and bacteria. It also contributes to skin cancer. It was this threat to human health that was a major reason that the international community agreed to ban it. It was a display of unprecedented cooperation in the face of an environmental threat. Methyl bromide puts our own workers and consumers at risk too. When it is injected into the soil, it kills almost every living thing in the soil. It is no wonder that it also causes chronic health problems for the workers who apply it and the nearby communities who are also exposed to it. Exposure has effects on the neurological system including functional impairment, lethargy, twitching, tremors, and paralysis in extreme cases. It has also been linked to prostate cancer and birth defects in some studies. Continuing the manufacture of methyl bromide is bad economics. Since the international community agreed to phase out methyl bromide, companies who play by the rules have been planning for its phaseout. They have incurred real financial costs by investing in alternatives, anticipating the phase- out required by the Montreal Protocol. Failing to adhere to the U.S. promise to phase out methyl bromide puts these companies who were playing by the rules at an unfair competitive disadvantage. Those who do the right thing and obey the law should be rewarded for their good faith efforts, not punished. Consider the international relations implications as well. An attempt to let the U.S. allow methyl bromide to be used without going through the specified channels--like other countries are required to do--would further harm our standing in the international community. It sends a signal to other countries that we will only honor our agreements until we change our mind. It harms negotiations on future agreements. It furthers the stereotype of the U.S. as the bull in the proverbial global china shop. The EPA is currently trying to address the methyl bromide issue by substituting chemicals, like methyl iodide, that aren't as harmful to the ozone layer but are still highly toxic. Instead, we need to look to alternatives for pest control that not only preserve the ozone layer but also protect worker health, community health, consumer health, and ecological health. In fact, that's exactly what Americans want. One of the biggest growth industries right now is organic food. According to the Congressional Research Service, ``The annual rate of market growth since 1990 has remained steady at about 20%.'' When given a choice between food grown with toxic chemicals or food grown organically, people choose the latter, especially when the price is comparable, which is increasingly the case as economies of scale become more prevalent. One of methyl bromide's biggest uses is for strawberry crops. Jake Lewin, director of marketing for California Certified Organic Farmers says ``. . . strawberries can be grown without pesticide. We've got 60 growers who don't use (methyl bromide) . . . The bottom line is small and large growers have successfully produced strawberries without pesticides.'' So we are talking about yielding to the management of chemical producers and agribusiness--who by the way rarely have to apply the toxic pesticide themselves or live in the adjacent communities--at a drastic cost to our health and that of the earth. It speaks to a systematic deference to corporations at the expense of the biological systems on which we intimately depend for life. It is unwise and unnecessary. I call for the immediate and permanent phase-out of methyl bromide.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, we are always glad to have the President of the United States in Ohio, but his health care policies miss an important fact, and that is that $1 out of every $4 for health care in the United States goes to the for-profit sector. $1.6 trillion is spent every year on health care in the United States, but over $400 billion goes for corporate profits, advertising, marketing, the cost of paperwork, up to 30 percent for the cost of paperwork. We have over 46 million Americans who lack health insurance, who lack access to quality health care. H.R. 676, the Conyers-Kucinich-Kaptur bill, presents Americans with an alternative, universal, single-payer, not-for-profit health care, Medicare for all. There is no reason why anyone in this country should be lacking health care when America has the resources right now. It would not cost much more than what we are paying right now. As a matter of fact, Americans are paying for a universal standard of care. They are just not getting it because it is all about corporations making a profit. It is not about people. Support Medicare for all.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of Carl T. Brancatelli, United States Veteran, loving husband to the late Mary Brancatelli; dear father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to many as well as a successful entrepreneur. Mr, Brancatelli was born and raised in Cleveland, the son of Italian immigrants. His parents instilled within him a strong sense of family, faith, and community. He gave these gifts from his parents to his own children--giving them a clear example of the significance of hard work, integrity, kindness, and giving to others. Mr. Brancatelli served our nation as a United States Marine and was stationed in Korea during the 1950's. For many years, Mr. Brancatelli worked as a bus driver with the former Cleveland Transit System. His expertise in the mechanical trades led him to a long career as a Master Mechanic. Equipped with a keen business sense, Mr. Brancatelli also operated several successful small business ventures throughout his life, even after retirement. As owner of the Shanty Inn Tavern on Harvard Avenue, Mr. Brancatelli regularly sponsored community baseball teams. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honor and remembrance of Carl T. Brancatelli, whose kindness, energy and compassion for others will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him well, especially his family and friends. I extend my deepest condolences to his children, Robert, Wanda, James, Tina, Carl, and Tony; to his grandchildren, great- grandchildren, and also to his extended family and friends. Mr. Brancatelli lived his life with great joy, energy and with a loving focus on his family and friends, and he will live on within their hearts and memories forever.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honor and recognition of the 2006 Ohio Business Women's Conference and Expo, held this year at Cleveland's Cleveland Renaissance Hotel & Conference Center. The Conference & Expo is a collaborative effort, presented by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for Ohio, the Small Business Administration, the Urban League, the Northeast Ohio Minority Business Council (NOMBC), the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) and a coalition of Chambers of Commerce throughout Ohio. The event promises to attract hundreds of women business owners and numerous exhibitors. The organizers of the Conference & Expo are focused on promoting women's business ventures and fostering vital connections of support where women entrepreneurs can find resources to expand and improve their business goals. Additionally, the Conference and Expo will provide a forum where women business owners can display their services and products to Americas leading corporations and public agencies dedicated to doing business with women-owned businesses. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honor and recognition of the 2006 Ohio Business Women's Conference and Expo, a collaborative venture that promises to bolster the success of women business owners throughout our region. The event, while reflecting the continued struggle of women and minorities to attain economic equality and opportunity, also highlights the reality that through continued support and collaboration, the road to economic security and the attainment of professional dreams will be open to all women, clearing a path on which the next generation of women entrepreneurs will follow.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of Christopher Penn, cherished son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle and friend. Mr. Penn's insightful cinematic performances reflected the human condition with subtle power, in a style that ranged from comedic and sublime to rage and despair. His brilliant character portrayals resonated with moviegoers worldwide, connecting us all in our shared humanity. Although not often cast as the leading man, Mr. Penn's beautifully understated performances consistently lent grace and authenticity to every role he played. From his endearing performance as an insecure teenager in Footloose, to his colorful and unforgettable performances in Reservoir Dogs, True Romance, The Funeral, Pale Rider and Mulholland Falls, Mr. Penn's personal integrity and depth of character clearly radiated onscreen. Mr. Penn began his film career as a child actor in the 1970's. His performances in more than forty films captured the hearts of moviegoers and earned the respect and admiration of both colleagues and critics. In 1996, Mr. Penn won a Venice Film Festival Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the ``The Funeral.'' He also was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award and a Genie Award. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honor and remembrance of Christopher Penn, whose young life was framed by family, friends and his exceptional artistic dedication. I offer my deepest condolences to his mother and father, Leo and Eileen; to his brothers, Michael and Sean; to his sisters-in-law, Aimee and Robin; and to his many extended family members and friends. Mr. Penn's gentle spirit and kind heart will live on forever within the hearts of his family and friends, and he will be remembered always by his adoring audience.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of Martin E. (Marty) Vittardi, devoted family man, public servant, community leader and dedicated volunteer. The leaders and members of the Parma Area Chamber of Commerce recently named him as the recipient of the 2005 Individual Pride Award for his committed and compassionate volunteerism in raising funds and raising community awareness on behalf of the American Cancer Society. Marty's journey of public service began nearly thirty years ago, while a student at John Carroll University, where he served as a Congressional Assistant to then United States Congressman Ronald Mottl. After graduating at the top of his class with a bachelor's degree in political science, he accepted the position of Deputy Clerk with the Cuyahoga County Court. He then served for eight years as a Legislative Representative for the Seafarers Union, where he garnered vital insight into the political processes that took him from our local community to Capitol Hill. Marty has been entrusted with the faith and confidence of Parma residents and with members of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party since the early eighties, as voters have consistently supported him in various City and County elected roles. In 1982, Marty was elected as the Cuyahoga County Democratic Executive Committeeman. That same year, he was elected to represent residents of Ward 3 in the City of Parma and was elected to the position of Ward 5 Democratic Leader. In 1991, Marty was elected for a six-year term as the Clerk of Court for the City of Parma Municipal Court. He was re-elected to a second term in 2003. In addition to his professional endeavors, Marty has been a tireless volunteer and champion of numerous volunteer causes, and has been an active volunteer in many roles, including chairing school levy campaigns; raising funds for the Byers Field Foundation and Veterans Memorial; co-chairing fundraising drives for the American Cancer Society; and active leadership roles in several civic organizations, including the Parma Elks and the Parma Area Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, Marty is the founder and current chairman of the Community Leadership Group, comprised of elected officials, business owners and community activists whose mission is to foster positive change within all levels of the Parma community through the power of a unified commitment, shared vision and collective focus. Marty's leadership, achievement, and most vital of all, his integrity and genuine concern for others, is a united legacy that co-exists with, and is strengthened by, the integrity, dedication, professional and personal excellence and shared vision of his partner in life--his wife, Lynn M. Vittardi. With family as the cornerstone of their lives, Marty and Lynn have instilled a deep sense of giving back to the community and service to others within the hearts of their own children, now grown. Marty and Lynn's united focus on their parents, siblings, and above all, their children, Allison, Jessica and Mark, has never wavered and continues to be the center of their lives. Their children have followed a path of professional excellence and service to others, from the examples set by Marty and Lynn. Allison, her husband Nick and Jessica and her husband, Dominick, are education professionals. Their son Mark is in college, majoring in political science. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition of Martin E. Vittardi, for his unwavering dedication, integrity and outstanding public service, especially his annual volunteer efforts with the American Cancer Society. Marty's energy, warmth and significant service continues to offer a light of hope and the promise for a better tomorrow within the City of Parma and throughout our entire community.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of Barbara Byrd Bennett, upon the occasion of her retirement that follows seven years of steadfast service and commitment as Chief Executive Officer of the Cleveland Municipal School District. Ms. Bennett was born and raised in Harlem and was educated in the public school system. She graduated high school early at age 16 and earned a Bachelor's of Arts degree in English from Long Island University at age 19. She earned two Masters degrees, was a Penn Fellow at Columbia University during her doctoral studies and holds several honorary doctoral degrees. Ms. Bennett was an adjunct professor at several New York City universities and is currently an adjunct faculty member at Cleveland State University. Her life long professional focus on improving the state of struggling urban school districts is evidenced throughout her profession. Her career in education began in her hometown of New York City, where she taught at the elementary and high school levels. She later served as a school principal and District Administrator and served twice as Superintendent of two of the lowest performing school districts in New York City, Chancellor's District and Crown Heights District in Brooklyn. Her leadership is credited with dramatically improving academic achievement in both of those districts. Ms. Bennett's tenure in Cleveland parallels that of her work in New York. Chosen as Superintendent of the Cleveland Municipal School District in 1998, she began the monumental task of lifting the Cleveland School District out of its decades-old state of failure and despair. During her tenure, Ms. Bennett implemented policies and programs that served to raise the grade throughout the system, including academic performance, financial stability and the restoration of school classrooms and buildings. Additionally, Ms. Bennett forged vital partnerships with parents, teachers and local and state leaders, thereby fostering an atmosphere of achievement and renewal through a unified effort. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honor and recognition of Superintendent Barbara Byrd Bennett, whose leadership, dedication and service on behalf of every child of the Cleveland Municipal School District has become a source of hope and foundation for academic achievement today, and for the future of public education in Cleveland. I wish Ms. Bennett and her family an abundance of health, peace and happiness as she journeys onward from here.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of my dear friend, Gemma Szabo of North Olmsted, Ohio--loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, dedicated community volunteer and activist, and dear friend and mentor to many. Family, faith and community were central to her life. A united team, Mrs. Szabo and her beloved late husband, Charles J. Sr., raised their five children: Charles Jr., Gary, Johanna, Tim and Peter, and were a consistent source of strength for them, for their grandchildren and for their great-grandchildren. For many years, Mrs. Szabo worked as a school crossing guard. Aside from her family and work, Mrs. Szabo's energy, generous heart and willingness to make a difference led her to volunteer her time and talents throughout her community. Spiritual and devout, Mrs. Szabo was a long-time member and leader within her parish, St. Richard Catholic Church, where she was an active member of the Ladies Guild. Mrs. Szabo's endless energy, sharp mind and quick wit easily drew others to her. A staunch Democrat, Mrs. Szabo was a life-long member of the North Olmsted Democratic Club and was a Ward Leader for several years. She had the unique ability to inspire and motivate others, recruiting numerous friends and neighbors to become involved in the election process. Mrs. Szabo forged indelible bonds with civic and political leaders that extended from North Olmsted City Hall to Cleveland City Hall. Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and remembrance of Gemma Szabo. Her unwavering commitment to her family, friends and to her community framed her life and served to make a difference within the lives of countless individuals, including my own life, and Gemma Szabo will be remembered always.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of Dr. Carmelita Thomas, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. Dr. Thomas leaves behind a remarkable legacy of leadership, accomplishment and activism on behalf of higher education and throughout our Cleveland community. Dr. Thomas was born and raised in northern Italy. Her family emigrated to Cleveland when she was a high school senior, yet she quickly overcame the challenges of a new culture and language and graduated with her class from Warrensville Heights High School. With a steady focus on academic achievement, Dr. Thomas earned several bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees from the University of California at Los Angeles. After many years in leadership roles at the Los Angeles Community College District, Dr. Thomas brought her passion, knowledge, expertise and energy to Cleveland, where she served as the President of Cuyahoga Community College, Western Campus, where 12,000 students enroll each semester. Dr. Thomas was respected and admired by colleagues and leaders in both the public and private sectors. Her unwavering focus on improving the College is reflected throughout the Campus. Because of her direction, Tri-C's Western Campus is now a training center for digital technology for visual communication and also includes cutting-edge medical technology used to train health care professionals, such as electroneuro technology and diagnostic sonography. Dr. Thomas' commitment to others extended beyond the campus of Tri-C. Her boundless energy and commitment to making a positive difference is evidenced within her activism and volunteer service on many local boards and organizations, including her service as a member of the Board of Trustees at St. John Westshore Hospital; the Parma Area Chamber of Commerce; the American Council on Education; and the American Council for International and Intercultural Educational Organizations. Dr. Thomas' personal interests mirrored the passion and energy she committed to her profession, and ranged in scope from travel, to cooking, to the classical arts. Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and remembrance of Dr. Carmelita A. Thomas. I offer my deepest condolences to her husband of 45 years, James E. Thomas; to her daughters, Sondra and Sonia; to her sons-in-law, Timothy and Jim; to her grandsons, Jeremy and Bradley; to her brothers and sisters; and to her extended family members and many friends. Her numerous accomplishments, marked by personal and professional integrity, served to make a positive difference in all areas of higher education throughout the Western Campus of Tri-C and throughout our entire community, and she will be remembered always.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of Coretta Scott King, devoted wife, mother, grandmother and civil rights leader, whose courageous mission has left an indelible light of peace and justice visible across our country and around the world. Mrs. King gracefully raised aloft the dreams and legacy of the most prominent visionary for social change in our nation's history, her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Their unified mission of peacefully dismantling the racist foundation of America would change the course of our Nation forever. Mrs. King's entire life was framed by dignity, courage and an unwavering commitment to social justice and humanitarian causes. She grew up working in the cotton fields of Alabama, where she experienced the harsh reality of racism. Taught by her parents that only a solid education could open the door to freedom and opportunity, Mrs. King focused on her studies and graduated with honors from Antioch College in southern Ohio, one of the first integrated colleges in the country. While a student, she joined the NAACP and became deeply involved in the civil rights movement, foregoing a career in music to carry out the work of peace and justice. The assassination of Dr. King did not diminish her resolve. She courageously forged ahead on the road to justice, despite the danger inherent in her noble cause. As a young widow with four young children to raise, Mrs. King remained steadfast in her commitment to her children and also unwavering in her determination to continue on the path set by Dr. King. She took up the torch of her late husband, holding it high and dignified, exposing a broken society degraded by racism and injustice and illuminating the reality of peaceful change. Refined, articulate and reflecting a quiet grace, Mrs. King did not retreat from the movement sparked by Dr. King. She deliberately stepped out into the sharp glare of the public and bravely marched on, leading civil protests where her husband had marched before. She led an unrelenting effort to establish Martin Luther King Jr. Day, an endeavor that took her fifteen years and over six million petitions. Determined to keep Dr. King's legacy alive, Mrs. King founded the King Center in 1968, serving as its president for 26 years. Armed with a sharp mind, a warm smile and a passion for social change, Mrs. King journeyed around the world, speaking to college and church audiences and meeting with world leaders. Mrs. King championed the rights of the poor and advocated for social and economic justice for women and for the protection and rights of gay men and lesbian women. She marched in protest against racial discrimination across the South and was arrested for protesting apartheid in South Africa. Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor, recognition and memory of Coretta Scott King, whose life mission on behalf of human rights has served to raise the collective conscience of the entire world into the promise of universal freedom from oppression. Mrs. King's brilliant legacy, framed in peace, determination and dignity, will forever resound with the voice of her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.--along our urban streets, across the South and around the world--echoing the ongoing struggle for freedom in a chorus of hope that will someday rise with their words on the dawning of a new day of peace and justice for all.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and memory of Daniel D. Drake, beloved husband, father, grandfather, outstanding educator and administrator, and friend and mentor to countless individuals, in and out of the classroom. Equipped with a sharp mind, integrity, a kind heart and a strong work ethic, Mr. Drake forged a personal journey lined with educational and professional accomplishments that sprung from humble beginnings. His devotion to public education and community service is framed by his legacy of unwavering commitment and outreach to African-American youth of our community, a commitment that continues to guide our young women and men toward the light of academic and professional achievement. The accomplishments of Daniel D. Drake are numerous and significant. He was a football and track star at East High School in Cleveland, where he graduated in 1951. He was awarded college scholarships in football and track and excelled in both sports at Miami University, where he graduated with a degree in education in 1955. He taught at Thomas Edison School in Cleveland and then became an administrator at Collinwood High School. Mr. Drake continued his education, earning a master's degree and a doctorate degree in educational administration from the University of Akron. He served as principal of East High School, the Cleveland School of Science and also at John F. Kennedy High School. He also served as a community superintendent with the Milwaukee Public Schools before returning to Cleveland and accepting a faculty position at Cleveland State University. Mr. Drake also founded and served as the first president of the Metropolitan Cleveland Alliance of Black School Educators, whose mission of addressing the needs of African-American students remains unwavering. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and remembrance of Daniel D. Drake, whose devotion to his family and to the youth of Cleveland remains a beacon of hope and possibility throughout our community. I offer my heartfelt condolences to his wife of 44 years, Adrienne; to his daughter, Adriana; to his sons, Darian and Daniel; to his three grandchildren, and to his extended family and many friends. Mr. Drake's inspiring vision and steadfast service continues to pave the way for educational and professional opportunities for the people of our community, young and old, and he will be remembered always.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of Mary Lehmann, whose joyous life was framed by family, community and giving to others. Her passing marks a great loss for her family and friends, yet her good works, generous spirit and energy for life will never be forgotten. Born to Italian and German immigrants, Ms. Lehmann's parents instilled within her the significance of family, faith and community. The well being of her family and service to others framed her entire life. She taught her children by example, reflecting the vital gifts of family unity, reaching out to those in need, hard work and an endless joy for learning and living. Ms. Lehmann's intellectual level was reflected in her numerous and varied life interests. After her children were grown, she enrolled in college, earning a perfect 4.0 grade point average and an associate's degree. Her compassionate heart directed her onto pathways where she gave freely of her time and talent. Ms. Lehmann volunteered at Hillcrest Hospital, worked with special needs children at Millridge Elementary School, read to visually impaired children and volunteered in the gift shop at Cleveland Play House. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and remembrance of Mary Lehmann. Her limitless spirit of giving and endless joy for life has had a profound impact upon the lives of her family, friends and the children and adults whom she so graciously served. I extend my deepest condolences to her children, David, Joan, John and Carol; to her daughters and sons-in-law, Kim, Roger, Melissa and Gil; to her grandchildren, Michael, Jennifer, Eric, Reid, Brittany, Ashley, Jonathon, Gilbert, Elena, Eva, Andrea, Lily and the memory of David; to her companion, Dr. Oscar Stadtler; and to her many extended family members and friends. The kindness, energy, joy and love that defined Mary Lehmann's life will live forever in the hearts of her family and within every soul she touched during her journey here--and she will never be forgotten.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, the bill before us today cuts approximately $12 billion from the federal student programs. Under this bill, the tax cuts for the super-rich are placed on the backs of students and their families. Under this bill, student borrowers-- already saddled with $17,500 in debt--will be forced to pay even more for his or her college loans. The bill raises student loan interest rate caps and raises student loan taxes and fees. It places billions of dollars in student aid at risk by cutting $2.2 billion in critical funds used to carry out and administer the student aid programs. Some of the excessive subsidies to large lending institutions are finally cut but no protections are put in place to ensure that students will not have those costs passed on to to them as well. Rather than reinvesting those dollars into low-interest loans and additional grants, this bill uses the money for alleged deficit reduction. This bill is a travesty. It masquerades as a budget reconciliation, but is truly a tax cut for the wealthy paid for by students. The Higher Education Act was intended to help provide all Americans, regardless of their income-level, with greater educational opportunities. The Act recognizes the shared benefits, by both society and the individual, of a higher education. But instead of working to further those goals, the changes to student loan programs that we are faced with today undermine the goal of HEA. We must make it clear that we place students above tax cuts for the wealthy and defeat this bill. I urge my colleagues to stand with me and oppose H. Res. 653.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of Dr. Mahmoud ``Michael'' Orra--beloved husband, father, brother and friend to many, whose innovation in medicine and focus on healthcare for the poor will forever resound throughout our community. Dr. Orra was born in Baka Valley, Lebanon. His dedication to his family and to our most vulnerable citizens remained unwavering throughout his life. Dr. Orra's vision and innovation led him to the practice of specialized medical treatments including holistic methods. He was the CEO of four clinics that infused holistic and traditional medical care. His medical expertise was surpassed only by his compassion for others. Dr. Orra's kind demeanor and quick smile easily drew others to him, and most significantly, he was a light of hope and well being for families, children and senior citizens who struggled daily against a tide of poverty and homelessness on Cleveland's West side. Dr. Orra regularly provided free medical services to low-income individuals and families, free of charge. He offered respect and dedicated attention to every patient, regardless of the person's station in life. Dr. Orra's generosity and vision extended throughout Cleveland's Arab community. Throughout his volunteer tenure with AACCESS-Ohio Arab American Community Center for Economic and Social Services, Dr. Orra was instrumental in helping the organization expand its services, which now include programs assisting immigrant and low- income families. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and remembrance of Dr. Mahmoud ``Michael'' Orra, whose energetic spirit, boundless vision and expansive heart has served to uplift the lives of countless families and individuals throughout our community. I extend my deepest condolences to Dr. Orra's wife, Amne Youssef; to his children, Muna, Leana and Michael; and to his brother, Dr. Abdul Orra. Dr. Orra's legacy of faith, family and community will forever reflect within the hearts of his family and friends, and will continue on as a source of personal hope, healing and strength, where none existed before.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of my good friend Bishop Anthony M. Pilla, as we celebrate his twenty- fifth year as a spiritual teacher, leading nearly 800,000 Roman Catholic individuals within the Cleveland Catholic Diocese. Bishop Pilla grew up in Cleveland, the son of Italian immigrants. His parents instilled within him a strong sense of family, faith and service to others. His spiritual vocation began in 1959, when he was ordained to the priesthood. Bishop Pilla served as pastor for a short time before accepting a teaching position at Borromeo Seminary High School in Wickliffe, where he was named President in 1972. Seven years later, he was named Auxiliary Bishop and on January 6, 1981, he was appointed as Diocesan Bishop of Cleveland. Bishop Pilla's service and presence has been a focused instrument of faith and hope along the streets of Cleveland. Bishop Pilla's dedication to the well being of Cleveland's urban residents is evidenced within the historic churches throughout the city that remain open and viable sources of hope and faith for worshipers of all ages. Additionally, Bishop Pilla's outreach efforts and vision of cultural and interfaith unity has created unbreakable, vital partnerships among members and leaders of all faiths--partnerships that promote understanding and respect for differing views and bonds that celebrate our diversity. Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition of my dear friend, Bishop Anthony M. Pilla, whose spiritual leadership, guidance and devotion to the people of Cleveland reflects throughout the Cleveland Catholic Dioceses. It has been such a pleasure to work with Bishop Pilla over the years and I am grateful for our years of friendship. Bishop Pilla has been a great strength of hope and courage for me through the years. His guidance, passion, leadership and unwavering commitment has illuminated hope and faith for countless families and individuals of every faith, throughout our Cleveland community, and far beyond.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this legislation, because it should become crystal clear that the administration is currently and will continue to abuse, attack and outright deny the civil liberties of American citizens in defiance of our Constitution. This administration is illegally wiretapping American citizens, illegally collecting information on peace groups and illegally using signing statements to ignore the torture ban recently enacted by the Congress. The administration is violating the laws Congress has passed, and they are violating the U.S. Constitution. I will not vote to give this administration any police powers until I am assured that their attack on our democracy is reined in. This Congress is walking away from the checks and balances of our democracy. I do not believe that this Congress was zealous in oversight investigation prior to 2001. I am not a partisan. I have joined my colleagues in an oversight role prior to 2001. However, since that time we have ignored our constitutional duty, and 200 years of American democracy has suffered. The complacency of Congress is clearly viewed by the administration as a license to ignore the laws it disagrees with and demand Congress pass extended police powers. I reject this complacency in defense of the United States Constitution. I will not vote to give a single new police power to this administration. The bill before us today enables the FBI to investigate any American for any reason, without the checks and balances of a judicial system. History tells us that unchecked police powers with little or no oversight will be abused, and citizens will be harmed. The administration's record in this area is concrete proof that history repeats itself. I am for a strong police function that protects citizens of this great Nation, not a police function which nullifies our constitutional rights.