Nick Lampson

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to tell the story of Donald Youmans, a father whose son was abducted to Germany in 1993. Donald filed a missing persons report with police, and a United States court granted him temporary sole custody and ordered immediate return of his son. A German court issued an ex parte order granting the mother sole custody of the son, stating that the child would suffer severe psychological damage to be taken away from his new environment of 3 months. In 1994, a German lower court denied return of the child, and 4 months later granted sole custody to the mother. In 1996, a court confirmed sole final custody and gave Donald restrictive access rights to be exercised only in Germany. Despite the court order for these restrictive access rights, Donald's ex-wife continues to deny him access to his son. He has not seen his son since 1994. His son was abducted when he was two, and he is now eight. Madam Speaker, these daily 1 minutes are about families and reuniting children with their parents. We must show respect and concern for the most sacred of bonds, the bond between a parent and a child. The House must do all that it can to bring our children home.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the House and talk about an intolerable situation, that is, the abduction of 10,000 American children to foreign countries. I am asking my colleagues to focus on these children and to help pass legislation that will bring them home. Today I will tell the story of an American parent, Kenneth Roche, to illustrate the problem. In 1991, a U.S. court granted Kenneth a divorce from his German wife, and granted both parents joint legal custody, with physical custody going to the mother and generous access rights for Kenneth. The court also ordered that the child must not be removed from Massachusetts unless authorized by the court. In 1993, Kenneth's ex-wife took the child to Germany, and the United States issued an arrest warrant, granted him temporary custody, and ordered the immediate return of the child. Both a lower court and a higher court in Germany has ordered the return of the child, but the mother has refused to comply and the courts refused to enforce their own orders. Kenneth Roche has not seen his child since 1993 and does not know where he is. Mr. Speaker, American parents and children should not be separated like this. The effects on both are painful and devastating. I ask this House to join me and help bring our children home.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to tell the story of Joseph Howard, whose child was abducted across international borders. His child is just one of 10,000 American children who have been abducted to foreign countries. In 1994, Joseph Howard's wife took his child when he was at work and fled to Germany. Joseph notified the police and the FBI. Two months after the abduction, the German lower court issued an ex parte order granting temporary custody to the mother and informed Joseph 1 month later. The German lower court later confirmed custody to the mother and stated that ``the father lives in the United States of America and is therefore no longer in a position to exercise his custody rights.'' Joseph was not given access rights, but received a demand for child support. He appealed to German higher court, but the appeal was rejected. In April of 1998, Joseph was granted access rights to be exercised only in the office of the German Youth Authority and only after he surrendered his passport. Joseph has not seen his child since 1994. Mr. Speaker, this kind of treatment of American parents and their children must stop. Signatories to the Hague Convention should uphold their agreement, and this House should urge them to do so.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to recognize the outstanding service to our Nation of Chief Warrant Officer John W. Scott, Jr., the commanding officer of Coast Guard Station Sabine Pass, Texas, who will be relieved of command on May 5, 2000, as he retires after 31 years in the Coast Guard. Throughout his career, he exemplified the Coast Guard's core values of Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty. He is a highly respected leader who is renowned for his commitment to the Coast Guard men and women serving under his command. Chief Warrant Officer Scott has lived the multi-mission character of the Coast Guard. Very early in his career, he had to face the stark reality that the Coast Guard is an armed force when he was assigned to serve on a patrol boat in Vietnam. His career is also ripe with examples of dedicated services to the mariner. He served many tours ensuring the safety of maritime commerce by maintaining aids to navigation in our critical waterways. Additionally, he operated and commanded boats, cutters and shore stations that rescued people in distress, responded to environmental threats and maritime disasters, and ensured the security of our ports. Moreover, he enforced federal laws that enhanced vessel safety, deterred unlawful activity that threatened our national security, and brought those that had violated our laws to justice. Over the past four years while he has been in command of Coast Guard Station Sabine Pass, I have seen firsthand the remarkable results of his efforts. During this period, Chief Warrant Officer Scott directed over 700 search and rescue cases that resulted in saving the lives of 400 people. He directed numerous maritime law enforcement missions to deter and intercept illegal narcotics and other contraband destined for Southeast Texas shores. He initiated operations that preserved our valuable natural resources and fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico. He achieved these results by instilling his vision of excellence in his crew, and through the seamless integration of active duty and reserve Coast Guard personnel into a cohesive team. At the same time, he also managed a comprehensive shoreside modernization project to rehabilitate several existing station buildings and to construct new waterfront facilities that will ensure the Coast Guard remains a robust part of the Sabine community for the foreseeable future. Mr. Speaker, Chief Warrant Officer Scott dedicated his life to our Coast Guard men and women and our Nation. I am extremely honored that he and his wife, Judy, have decided to remain in Southeast Texas after his retirement. I ask my colleagues to join me in commending Chief Warrant Officer Scott, an individual who has stood Semper Paratus-- Always Ready--for the past 31 years to answer our Nation's call.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, each day in the United States, 2,200 children are reported missing to the FBI's National Crime Information Center. Our colleagues have helped to raise the level of awareness about missing children by featuring their photos on franked mail and newsletters. Hundreds of corporations do their part. President Clinton mandated the posting of missing children's photos in Federal buildings. Today I commend Commissioner Charles Rossotti of the IRS for creating a new partnership between his agency and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. All tax forms and publications this year feature the pictures of missing children where blank space once appeared. The IRS estimates that up to 600 million images of missing children are being featured. The National Center reports that one in six missing children is recovered when someone recognizes their photo, and we are optimistic that many children featured in the new IRS program will make their way home as a direct result. Mr. Speaker, please join me and the Members of the Missing and Exploited Children's Caucus in applauding Commissioner Rossotti for his leadership in bringing the pictures of these children to such a large audience simply by taking advantage of available space. On behalf of all the families of missing children from our respective districts, we thank you.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, today I congratulate the Southerland Head Start program on their 35th Anniversary. For thirty-five years this school has been serving children in need and making sure that they have the resources necessary for a successful educational future. In Beaumont there were originally two Head Start Centers, one at Dunbar and the other at South Park. Mavis Bryant was the director at Dunbar from 1965-1984, and Claire Collier was the director at South Park from 1966-1984. In 1984, the districts merged and the center became known as Southerland Head Start, where Claire Collier served as director until her retirement in 1994. Two principals/directors have followed Claire Collier, Charles Vanderburg served from 1994-1999, and Gloria Harrison is currently serving. Southerland serves the community well, and there are currently 460 students enrolled in the program. Southerland's motto is ``Touching Children . . . Reaching Families,'' and they truly live up to that motto. They reach out to children, improving their self esteem, health, and physical development. Children at Southerland learn and grow in an environment that promotes positive experiences and an understanding of the world around them. I believe that we must provide an opportunity for every child in America to fulfill her or his potential through participation in an enriching and challenging learning environment starting at birth, and programs such as Southerland Head Start help us achieve that goal. I would like to thank Dr. Carrol Thomas, Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Mae E. Jones-Clark, Deputy Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, and Gloria Harrison, Head Start Director/Principal, and all of the other people who are serving the school with unparalleled dedication. Mr. Speaker, Southerland has served the children of Beaumont for thirty-five years, and I congratulate them as they celebrate this milestone of achievement.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the continued problem that is of utmost importance, and that is the abduction of American children to foreign countries. The gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot) and I introduced legislation with 126 original cosponsors, a testament to the importance of this issue. Rebecca Collins, a mother from North Carolina, was granted temporary custody of her son while her divorce was pending. In July of 1991, her ex-husband took her son to Germany during a scheduled visitation and the U.S. police filed charges against him. In August of that year, Rebecca was awarded custody and the immediate return of her son was ordered. Despite the decision, a lower German court transferred custody to the father. Rebecca was granted access rights, but the German court refused to enforce these rights when the father failed to abide by them. Rebecca's son was 7 months old at the time of the abduction. He is now 8 years old, and she has not seen him at all since the abduction. She spoke with him once on the phone in 1997, but her son has been told that his father's new partner is his natural mother. Mr. Speaker, American children and their parents should not be kept apart by court systems that refuse to comply with the law. We must make sure that signatory countries of the Hague Convention of the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction abide by their agreement.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to tell a story of Kenneth and Jodi Carlsen, the father and stepmother of one of the 10,000 American children who have been abducted internationally. The United States court system awarded Mr. Carlsen custody of his daughter and gave visitation rights to the mother. In September of 1993, her mother and her boyfriend picked up Mr. Carlsen's daughter from school and abducted her to Germany. When Mr. Carlsen filed for a court hearing in Germany, he was asked by the German authorities to pay 1,400 to initiate proceedings. Fourteen months later, he got a hearing and the German Youth Authority testified that his daughter was settled in her new environment and objected to being returned to the United States. The Youth Authority never interviewed Mr. Carlsen and the lower court in Germany denied the return of his daughter. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Carlsen's daughter was 8 when she was abducted and now is 15 years old. Since then, she has seen her father only twice and both times were under strict supervision of the German Youth Authority. Mr. Speaker, this House has the responsibility and the duty to help American parents bring their children home. I urge my colleagues to support H.Con.Res. 293, American children need our help.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, today I honor Deyossie Harris, Vice President of the Galveston County AFL-CIO and former Galveston County Democratic Precinct Chairperson. I unfortunately will not be able to be with him when he receives the award this Saturday, but I want to congratulate him as he is recognized by the AFL-CIO for his many year of loyal service. Deyossie is not only a great Galvestonian, but is a great American. He meets the description of a leader, and has been involved with every aspect of the community. Deyossie has contributed so much to the community of Galveston and the people who live here. He believes in Galveston and its residents, and has unfalteringly placed his time and energy into their well being. He is a champion of the American worker, and has truly lived up to the mission of the AFL-CIO: to improve the lives of working families by bringing economic justice to the workplace and social justice to the nation. As an officer with the NAACP, Deyossie has unfalteringly put his energy into creating a better America for all people. A proud veteran, Deyossie served this country during World War II and was part of the forces that invaded Italy. He continued his service as a letter carrier, and upon retirement went to the University of Houston at Clear Lake and received both his bachelors and masters degrees. After graduation he taught history at the College of the Mainland. He is truly an inspiration to all, and is an example that education is something that can touch anybody, at any age. He epitomizes the phrase ``education is for a lifetime.'' Deyossie is a man who has committed his life not to himself, but to the people of Southeast Texas. He is a true believer in the democratic process and the idea that every body has a voice, and fought to make sure the working family's voice was strong. As an officer of the Central Labor Council, he created a tie between the community and local workers. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to speak on behalf of Mr. Deyossie Harris and all of his accomplishments. He is a man that I look to for inspiration as I continue to work for the communities and neighborhoods of Texas. While I can not be with him when he receives his award, I am proud to recognize him now.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to continue in my mission to help bring our children home. Glenn Gebhard and his twin children Glenn and Shannon are just one example of the 10,000 American children who have been abducted to foreign countries. Shortly after he was married, Glenn's ex-wife moved back to Germany and took their children with her. For 2 years, he had contact with his children; but in 1994, she decided she would have no future contact. Glenn has gone through the German court system numerous times and has actually been told by German judges that they do not believe in the laws that provide for unquestionable rights to access. Glenn Gebhard has done nothing wrong. He has played by the rules. He has continued paying child support, yet he has not seen his children in almost 6 years, an eternity to a 7-year-old. Physical and psychological bonds have been severed between two children and their father who loves them. American children who are being held abroad must be returned to their parents. Countries who are not abiding by The Hague convention must be entreated to do so, and I ask my colleagues not to think as Members of Congress but as parents and grandparents and work with me to solve this pervasive problem. American children and their parents are asking for your help. Please listen.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to tell the House about Joseph Cook and his children Daniel and Michelle. Their story is one of the most heartwrenching I have ever heard. In 1992, Joseph's ex-wife took his children to Germany on what was supposed to be a brief visit. Shortly after they left, he was told by Christiane that she was not coming back and that he would not see his children again. Christiane had been suffering from depression, had checked herself into a clinic, and placed Daniel and Michelle into the German foster care system. The German foster care system made no attempt to contact Joseph. In 1993, Christiane returned to the United States but left Danny and Michelle in German foster care. Mr. Cook went to Germany with a full custody order in 1994, but the German courts have refused to return his children and the foster family has been extremely uncooperative. Mr. Speaker, Danny and Michelle are being left to languish in a foster care system when they have a father who loves them and desperately wants to be with them. Joseph Cook served in the United States Army, and I am urging this House to serve him in return. Pass H. Con. Res. 298 and help bring our children home.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to tell the story of Jeff and Ludwig Koons, a father and his son who have been forced apart because of a country's refusal to abide by the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Jeff Koons' son, Ludwig M. Koons, was born in New York and was abducted from the family residence to Rome by his mother. Mr. Koons was awarded custody in the United States, but the Italian courts refused to accept any American jurisdiction. Mr. Koons won custody in Italy, but the ruling was overturned. Two investigations were started internally within Europe and within Italy, but they were abruptly stopped when the Italian Supreme Court awarded his ex-wife custody, therefore covering up the tremendous injustices done to Mr. Koons and his son. Their ruling was based on the amount of time Ludwig had been kept in Italy since his abduction. Jeff has been allowed only strictly supervised visitation in Italy. Mr. Speaker, this 1 minute is not just about Jeff and his son, Ludwig. It is about the 10,000 American children who have been abducted to foreign countries. These children, and the parents they were taken from, are suffering. This House must work together to solve this problem and bring our children home where they belong.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to continue my 1 minute on internationally abducted children. In December 1997, Rosana Wayson, at 3\1/2\, was abducted to Germany by her mother. The German court overturned the U.S. court order guaranteeing Rosana daily visitation with her father, Mark, and made no provisions regarding future contact. Mark Wayson has not had any contact with his daughter since August of 1998. He has traveled to Germany 13 times in the last 2 years attempting to gain access to the legal system. The family court has refused to allow him to testify or to present evidence. In Rosana's case, the German government first refused to accept the Hague Convention application and later dismissed it summarily. Last Thursday I joined my colleague, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot), and introduced a concurrent resolution urging signatories to uphold the Hague Convention on the civil aspects of international child abduction. This resolution was introduced with 126 original cosponsors, a powerful statement on the importance of this issue. Mr. Speaker, we must continue to put pressure on other countries that are Hague signatories that are not abiding by the Hague treaty. I urge my colleagues to join me in getting the message out and help bring our children home.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to tell the story of Robert Marquette and his children, Ben and Rhea. Their story is the ninth in a series of 1-minutes on more than 10,000 children who have been taken, abducted, to foreign countries. In 1997, Robert Marquette's ex-wife, Rose Marie Marquette, abducted Ben and Rhea from Irving, Texas, and took them to Germany. Although Robert's home was named as the primary residence, Robert subsequently filed a Hague Convention petition through the State Department. His petition was heard by a German judge who violated the Hague Convention by refusing to return Ben and Rhea. He has filed numerous appeals, but they have all been denied. On June 15 this year, it will be 3 years since Robert has seen his children or spoken with them. The German authorities refuse to tell him where they are. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to help me reunite parents with their children and to support the resolution that I introduced, along with the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot), which urges signatories to uphold the Hague Convention on the civil aspects of international child abduction. We must bring our children home.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to talk about Lady Catherine Meyer, wife of the British Ambassador to the United States and mother of Constantin and Alexander, and the organization she has formed called PACT, Parents of Abducted Children Together. Constantin and Alexander left for a summer holiday with their father in Germany in 1994, and their father has kept them in Germany ever since. In the last 6 years, Lady Meyer has only seen her sons for a total of about 24 hours. Lady Meyer formed PACT to help American parents gain at least basic access rights to their children. Today I will join my colleague, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot), in introducing a concurrent resolution urging signatories to uphold the Hague Convention on the civil aspects of international child abduction. This resolution was introduced today with over 90 original cosponsors, a powerful statement on the importance of this issue. The gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot) and I may be the legs and the feet to move this legislation through the House, but Lady Meyer is truly its heart and soul. Mr. Speaker, children should be a nonpartisan issue, and I urge the House to pass this resolution and bring our children home.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to tell the story of Mitchell Goldstein and his daughter, Kelly. Her story is the seventh account in my series of 1 minutes on the more than 10,000 children who have been abducted to foreign countries. In 1996, Mr. Goldstein's Swiss ex-wife abducted their then 4-year-old daughter, Kelly Goldstein, of whom Mitchell had custody and took her to Switzerland. Since that time, he has been in the Swiss courts seeking the return of Kelly, via the Hague Convention. After numerous failed appeals filed by his ex-wife, the Supreme Court of Switzerland ordered her return to the United States in a final decision rendered in August of 1997. Mr. Goldstein has been to Switzerland three times to bring his daughter home. On these three occasions, he has been denied the chance to be reunited with his daughter because his ex-wife has fled with Kelly, placed her in foster care, or the court order has not been enforced by local authorities. Mr. Speaker, Mitchell Goldstein is asking for someone to take action and help him bring his daughter home. I urge Congress, my colleagues, to step up to the plate and be that someone.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to tell the story of Jim Rinaman and his daughter Julia. Her story is the sixth account in my series of 1-minutes of more than 10,000 children who have been abducted to foreign countries. In 1996, Mr. Rinaman's ex-wife, Sylvia Breitbach, escorted her mother back to Germany and took Julia with her. Ten days later Jim was notified via fax that she would not be returning and that she was keeping his daughter in Germany. He immediately filed a Hague petition. And at an initial hearing, Sylvia was ordered to return Julia. She appealed the decision and has gone on to delay further court proceedings. Jim has been through the German court process three times and still has not gained custody of nor access to his child. He has no contact or had had no contact with Julia since her abduction. Mr. Speaker, these 1-minutes are about families and reuniting children with their parents. They are just the first steps in what will be an ongoing dialogue with the American people, the foreign countries who have our children, and my colleagues to bring our children home.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great sadness to honor Walter Hall of Dickinson, Texas, who passed away on Sunday at age 92. Walter Hall, known by many as ``Mr. Democrat,'' was a man who not only talked the talk but walked the walk. He was a true visionary, with a vision of a better life for all Americans. He spent his life fighting for equality, justice, and opportunity. He led the charge to abolish the poll tax, supported equal rights for women, and worked for the Civil Rights Act in 1964 and the Voting Rights Act in 1965. He was a community activist who negotiated with the City of Houston to supply clean drinking water for Galveston County and is credited with bringing NASA to the Clear Lake area. He was a man of humble beginnings, who became a man of great fortune and power. He served as a mentor for many young people interested in politics and was a close friend to President Lyndon Johnson and Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn. However, despite all his clout, he remained a man of the people, honest and forthright. He will be sorely missed.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great sadness to honor Walter Hall, who passed away on Sunday afternoon at age 92. Walter Hall, known by many as ``Mr. Democrat'' was a man who not only talked the talk, but walked the walk. He was a true visionary with a vision of a better life for all Americans. He spent his life fighting for equality, justice, and opportunity. Walter was at the forefront of the civil rights movement, he spoke out eloquently about his belief that all men were created equal. He lead the charge to abolish the poll tax, supported equal rights for women, and worked for the Civil Rights Act in 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. He was a community activist who believed in opportunity for all, and was always looking to the future of the Southeast Texas-Gulf Coast area. He negotiated with the city of Houston to supply clean drinking water to Galveston County cities, and helped build the first water and sewer facilities in League City, Hitchcock, La Marque, Dickinson, Alta Loma, Kemah and Friendswood. He is credited with bringing NASA to the Clear Lake area, for the location of the Mainland Medical Center, and for the expansion of the seawalls of Texas City and Galveston. Throughout his long and successful career as a banker he provided opportunity to many through small business loans. He was a man of humble beginnings who became a man of great fortune and power. He served as a mentor for many young people interested in politics, and was a close friend of President Lyndon B. Johnson and Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn. ``Mr. Democrat'' was a liberal Democrat and proud of it. Walter was a tremendous influence on the political community in Texas, and those in the political arena often sought his advice. He was actively involved with Lyndon Johnson, Ralph Yarborough, Jack Brooks, myself, and numerous other national, state, and local public officials. Walter was a family man. He married his high school sweetheart Helen, had three sons, 8 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. In 1999 he donated Helen's Garden to the City of League City, a park in the Historical section of town featuring 100 year old Butler Oaks, to honor his late wife and to protect the oak trees. His hobbies included hunting and fishing, activities he could pursue with his family in tow. Mr. Speaker, despite all his clout, Walter Hall remained a man of the people, honest and forthright. His was of the utmost character, and his attributes of selflessness and commitment to others are rare gifts that the Southeast Texas-Gulf Coast area was lucky to have. His work and his dedication to the people of this great country is unparalleled. Walter will be sorely missed.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to tell the story of Tom Sylvester and his daughter Carina. Her story is the fifth account in my series of one minutes on the more than 10,000 American children who have been abducted to foreign countries. Carina Sylvester was born in 1994 and was abducted by her mother Monika in 1995 and was taken to Austria. An Austrian trial court found Monika Sylvester to have violated The Hague Convention, but she refused to comply with the court order and did not voluntarily return Carina. Carina is now 5 years old and has lived in the home of her maternal grandparents in Graz, Austria; and since 1995, Tom has seen Carina only occasionally and only under strict supervision. Mr. Speaker, this Nation has an enormous problem with children who have been abducted internationally and Congress must be part of the solution. These one minutes are about families and reuniting children and parents. They are just the first steps in our ongoing dialogue with the American people and my colleagues in an effort to bring our children home.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor local citizens from the 9th District of Texas who were chosen during Black History Month for their work. While the dedication of African-American leaders is well-known throughout the United States, local citizens, right here in the Southeast Gulf Coast region, are just as important to ensuring equal rights for all Texans. Last month I asked members of the communities in the 9th District to nominate individuals for my ``Unsung Heroes'' award that gives special recognition to those unsung heroes, willing workers, and individuals who are so much a part of our nation's rich history. Recipients were chosen because they embodied a giving and sharing spirit, and had made a contribution to our nation. These individuals have not only talked the talk, but they have walked the walk. They have worked long and hard for equal rights in their churches, schools, and in their communities. While their efforts may not make the headlines every day, their pioneering struggle for equality and justice is nevertheless vital to our entire region. This region of Southeast Texas is not successful in spite of our diversity; we are successful because of it. Please join me in recognizing and congratulating these community leaders for their support of bringing justice and equality to Southeast Texas. It is leaders like these men and women that continue to be a source of pride not only during Black History Month, but all year long. The winners of this years ``Unsing Heroes'' award are: Ms. Sharon Lewis, Mrs. Eslen Brown Love, Constable Terry Petteway, Mr. Alex Pratt, Miss June Pinckney Ross, Ms. Ann Simmons, Mr. James Steadham, Mrs. Maggie Williams, Mrs. Valencia Huff Arceneaux, Mr. T.D. Armstrong, Mr. Melton Bell, Mr. Craig Bowie, Ms. Linda Brooks, Dr. Lisa Cain, Mrs. Izola Collins, Mr. Paul A. Cox, Pastor Marvin C. Delaney, Mrs. Idella Duncan, Mrs. Gloria Ellisor, Mayor Leon Evans, Ms. Vera Bell Gary, Ms. Wilina Gatson, Mrs. Ann Grant, Mr. Deyossie Harris, Mrs. Edna Jensen, Mr. Cleveland Nisby, Mr. Collis Cannon, Reverend Ransom Howard, Mrs. Hargie Faye Savoy, Judge Theodore Johns, Mr. Eddie Seniguar, Mrs. Marie Hubbard, Judge Paul Brown, Mr. Lewis Hodge, Mrs. Mandy Plummber, Mrs. Fabiola B. Small, Dr. Rosa Smith-Williams, Mr. Tobe Duhon, Rev. Isaiah Washington, Sr., Mrs. Barbara Hannah-Keys, Ms. Nina Gail Stelley, Mr. Herman Hudson, Mrs. Lillian M. LeBlanc, Dr. Carroll Thomas, Dr. William T.B. Lewis, Mr. Raymond Johnson, Mr. Amos Evans, State Rep. Al Price, and Rev. G.W. Daniels. Mr. Speaker, the recipients of the ``Unsung Heroes'' award are dedicated and hardworking individuals who have done so much for their neighbors and for this nation as a whole. Today, I stand to recognize their spirit and to say that I am honored to be their Representative.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Madam Speaker, today I rise to talk about another of the 10,000 American children who have been abducted to foreign countries, Amanda Johnson. Amanda was abducted from her father, Thomas Johnson, who is an attorney with the United States State Department, to Sweden by her mother, Anne Franzen, in 1994. Amanda continues to be wrongfully withheld from her father, the rest of her American family, her home and her familiar environment, and her country, by her mother and the government of Sweden. Between December 1995 and June 1999, Amanda saw her father only on five occasions for a total of about 15 hours. Every element of joint custody has been violated. No school or medical records, no photographs, no information on activities or general welfare have been provided to Mr. Johnson. Mr. Johnson and parents like him need our help. Madam Speaker, we must show respect and concern for the most sacred of bonds, the bond between a parent and a child. When we look at a globe we see boundaries, but when it comes to reuniting families we must know no boundaries. We must bring our children home.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to talk about another of America's 10,000 children who have been abducted to foreign countries: David Richard Uhl. In April of 1998, at age 1, David Uhl was taken from his father, Dr. George Uhl, in his home in Maryland, to Munich, Germany. The United States courts ordered that David's clear best interest was to be in his father's custody and ordered his return. However, the German courts have supported his mother's efforts to keep him from his father and have provided no visitation and have provided no timely ruling on Hague petitions. When George last traveled to Munich in February, a German judge would not order visitation or even tell him where his son was hidden. The lower German court rulings that grant David's mother German custody move through the German appeals court next week, and I am hopeful that George's son will soon be returned to him. Dr. Uhl and parents like him need our help. Mr. Speaker, we must show respect and concern for the most sacred of bonds, the bond of a parent and a child. When we look at a globe and we see boundaries, but when it comes to uniting families, we must know no boundaries. We must bring our children home.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to begin my series of one- minutes that recognize the enormous problem that this Nation has with children who have been abducted internationally. There are over 10,000 American children who have been taken to foreign countries, like Saif Ahmed from my district. My constituent, Melanie Al Mufti, was awarded sole custody of her son in 1998, but he was abducted by his father, Sayed Ahmed, to Cairo, Egypt, that same year. He was ordered to return the child to Texas, but instead, he ignored the order, and since then there is an FBI warrant out for his arrest. Melanie contacted me that year, and I have been working closely with her ever since. She has worked with the Egyptian courts. I have worked with the Egyptian government, even spoken with President Mubarek. Yet Melanie has not had contact with her son since his abduction. Melanie and parents like her need our help. I will be introducing bills that will focus on reuniting parents with their children. Madam Speaker, it is time for Congress, the media, and the American people to stand up for Melanie and Saif and the other American families who are being kept apart. We must bring our children home.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, today I begin a series of 1-minutes that recognize the enormous problem this Nation has with children who have been abducted internationally. Last week I met with six parents from across the country whose children have been taken from them and are being held in foreign countries. I had the opportunity to sit down with them, to look into their eyes and to hear their stories. And the pain that they experience on a daily basis is heart wrenching. There are 10,000 American children who have been taken to foreign countries; and it is time for Congress, the media, and the American people to focus their attention on these children and bring them home to their rightful parents. These stories are about families, about reuniting children and parents. When we look at a globe, we may see boundaries; but when it comes to reuniting families, we must know no boundaries. Tomorrow I will tell the story of Saif Ahmed, a young boy from my hometown who was abducted by his father and is now being illegally held in Egypt. The meetings last week and the 1-minute addresses that will tell the story of these international abductions are just the first steps in what will be an ongoing dialogue with the American people to bring our children home.