Nita Lowey

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Roemer). (Mr. ROEMER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I join the Chair in congratulating the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald) on her excellent amendment, and we look forward to working with her on these very important issues.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I rise in strong support of the fiscal year 2002 Foreign Operations Appropriations Act. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, which is the product of close cooperation between the majority and the minority. I have always said that the United States draws its strength as a global leader from the consistent bipartisanship of our foreign policy. The bill we have before us today represents the very best that bipartisanship and compromise can achieve, and I am very proud to support it. The bill provides the entire amount requested by the President for Foreign Operations, which is nearly $2 billion above the level we had achieved at this point in the process last year. I have stood here during the debate over this measure in past years disappointed that we did not have the resources to adequately address our foreign policy priorities. Unfortunately, I still believe that this is true. We have done a good job of prioritizing resources within our $15.2 billion allocation, but we can do better, and I am hopeful we will eventually achieve a level closer to the Senate's $15.5 billion allocation for fiscal year 2002, and I hope that we will have more resources to disburse in future years. I am pleased that the bill provides a total $474 million for HIV/ AIDS. Of this amount, our bilateral HIV/AIDS funding totals $414 million, nearly $100 million above last year's level; and we fully fund the President's request for a $100 million down payment to a global HIV/AIDS trust fund. The other $100 million of this initial commitment was requested from the Labor-HHS bill, and I look forward to working on that subcommittee to make sure we provide these funds as well. HIV/AIDS is an international crisis, as we know; and the United States has a responsibility to lead the way on everything from treatment to prevention, to caring for AIDS orphans, to crafting a coordinated global strategy. I am proud that this bill has significantly ramped up its support for these initiatives in recent years, and I hope that we can continue this trend. The gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Kolbe) and I also worked together to achieve an overall level of $150 million for basic education. Development initiatives like education are the keystones to achieving stable, healthy societies around the world. Education is one of the most cost-effective of all of our foreign assistance investments; and the collateral effects of educating children, and especially girls, are profound. I am pleased that we could provide increases over the President's request for education and for other development assistance priorities. The bill significantly increases the President's request for the Export-Import Bank, which I know is a top priority for our chairman and for many of our colleagues. We were able to increase United States funding for UNICEF by $10 million and the United Nations Development Program by $10 million. Both of these organizations do excellent work, complementing United States bilateral programs in the developing world and maximizing the impact of our foreign assistance dollars. It is significant that the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Kolbe) and I took our first trip together as chairman and ranking member to the Middle East, and I am pleased that we worked together to make some strong statements in this bill in support of the United States-Israel relationship and the quest for peace and stability in that region. We fully fund Israel's aid package, reinforcing our commitment to maintaining strong ties between our two countries and ensuring that Israel, our closest ally in the region, will maintain its qualitative military edge. We continue assisting in the resettlement in Israel of refugees from the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia. We send an unequivocal signal to Chairman Arafat that we expect him to take concrete steps to end the violence and terrorism that has gripped the region, and we signal to the International Committee of the Red Cross that we expect the pattern of prejudice against Magen David Adom to end. Mr. Speaker, despite our successes, I do not believe that this bill will adequately fund all of our foreign assistance priorities; and there are some key areas where it needs substantial improvement. The bill includes $425 million for bilateral international family planning assistance and $25 million for the UNFPA. I had hoped we could increase our contribution to the lifesaving work of the UNFPA and that we could return to the 1995 level of $541.6 million for bilateral family planning assistance. The need for these programs far outpaces the supply, and I believe we should be providing more resources to help women plan their pregnancies and give birth to healthy children. I remain deeply disappointed that the President chose to reimpose the global gag rule restrictions on our bilateral family planning assistance and that this bill is silent on this important issue. As long as the global gag rule remains in place, we limit the impact of the assistance we provide in almost every part of this bill; and I can assure my colleagues that I will work hard during conference both to boost our family planning assistance and to repeal the global gag rule. There is not enough money in this bill to address the scourge of infectious diseases such as TB and malaria, which cause complications and deaths among the HIV positive population; and I strongly believe that funding for HIV/AIDS and funding for other priorities must go hand in hand. Any realistic development strategy must take into account that there are a host of activities in which we must engage, and we must carefully balance our resources among various priorities, because progress in each area bolsters the others. Our success in combating the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa and around the world will depend upon our continued commitment to eradicating other infectious diseases, increasing support for maternal health, educating boys and girls, supporting micro credit and other financial services, giving women the tools to become leaders in promoting democracy. Fulfilling our potential to contribute to so many of these initiatives will take a far larger investment than we provide today. I also remain disappointed that the bill before us does not adequately address the devastation that El Salvador has endured from two major earthquakes. We have invested billions of dollars in encouraging stability in that country, and I fear our past successes will be reversed if we do not act quickly and decisively. Given this body's past commitments to helping Latin America recover from horrible disasters, given the importance of that region to our country, our paltry commitment is troubling; and I sincerely hope we can address this issue in conference. I also share the concern of many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle about the Andean Regional Initiative, the successor program to Plan Colombia. When Congress supported $1.3 billion and mostly military assistance to Colombia and other countries in the region last year, we believed that our funds would be supplemented by a substantial investment of economic assistance on the part of our European friends. Well, not only did the European contribution not come to fruition, but our own economic assistance has moved extremely slowly. We have begun a campaign of fumigation without giving farmers ample opportunity to voluntarily eradicate coca crops. We have realized no benefits from our programs in terms of increased stability and prosperity in Colombia, and I think we need to take a careful look at this program before we allow it to continue. Mr. Chairman, I look forward to having a thorough debate on this topic as this bill proceeds. It is truly an honor and a privilege, Mr. Chairman, for me to serve as ranking member of this subcommittee; and I am resolute in my belief that our foreign assistance is both a moral imperative and a national security necessity. As a fortunate Nation, we cannot turn our backs on the terrible heartbreak and suffering in the world; and we must live up to our responsibility to help those who have been left behind. As a global leader, we must recognize that the United States will reap the benefits from the stability nurtured by our aid. I must say, in conclusion, that it is a true honor for me to serve with the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Kolbe), the chairman of the subcommittee who, I believe, shares my commitment to a robust foreign assistance program. Since we both assumed our new positions in the 107th Congress, we have addressed the extraordinary challenges and opportunities of this bill together. I sincerely appreciate our close cooperation. I look forward to continuing to doing good work together. It is a real honor, I say to the gentleman, to serve with him and to work on these important issues. I also want to thank the members of the subcommittee and the staff who have been so instrumental in putting this bill together. I particularly appreciate the hard work of Mark Murray, Charlie Flickner, John Shank, Alice Grant, Lori Maes, Sean Mulvaney, Beth Tritter, and all of the associate staffers for the majority and minority members. In conclusion, it is truly a privilege for me to serve in this capacity, working with the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Kolbe). Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Lampson).

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley). (Mr. CROWLEY asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I just want to congratulate the gentlewoman for bringing this awful issue to our attention. I think that the more we shed a spotlight on this, the more the world will respond. I am particularly pleased with the allocations in this bill for development assistance, for education in particular, which we increased dramatically. If we can educate the population of countries where these kinds of horrors exist, perhaps we will begin to address it more seriously and eradicate this so these children can have a chance to grow in a healthy environment. We know that the work we have to do here to raise awareness is enormous, and I appreciate the gentlewoman bringing this issue to our colleagues' attention. I look forward to working with the chairman in crafting some language and some action that would increase attention to this issue. I thank the gentlewoman very much.

Mrs. LOWEY. I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, how much time is remaining?

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from California Ms. Pelosi), an outstanding member of the committee, the former ranking member of the committee.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I believe we can commit to addressing the issue and working with the gentlewoman to see if we can appropriately find some language in the conference that could make a difference. I want to thank the gentlewoman very much.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, will the gentlewoman yield?

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I share the concerns enunciated by my colleague, and I hope the Congress continues to monitor the human rights situation in Ethiopia closely.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney).

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this rule, but I would like to express my concern about one aspect of it. I am specifically concerned about the self-enactment of two amendments. Both of these amendments are legislative in nature. There were several other requests for legislative amendments which were turned down by the Committee on Rules. I do not understand the rationale used to single out these two. The first of these, an Olver-Gilchrest amendment to strike the language prohibiting funds for Kyoto implementation, has been accepted on the other bills and would have been accepted on this bill. A self- enacting rule only serves to foreclose debate on the issue. The second self-enacting amendment inserts the requirement that $25 million be made available for debt-for-nature swaps from within existing funds provided for debt relief. My concern is not with the program itself, which I strongly favor. My concern is that the bill had contained permissive language providing up to $25 million for the program. Passage of the rule will mandate that $25 million be donated to Debt for Nature swaps from amounts provided for debt relief either in this bill or from previously appropriated funds. The Treasury Department has sufficient funds on hand now to pay the anticipated bilateral costs for debt relief through the end of fiscal year 2002. Six countries were anticipated to become eligible for debt relief in 2002. However, it now appears that two additional countries (Ghana and Angola) may become eligible in the coming year. If only six countries become eligible in 2002, Treasury estimates that $22 million will remain in the bilateral account. If more than six countries become eligible, a significant portion of the $22 million on hand would be required to pay those costs. The bottom line is that passage of the rule could jeopardize Treasury's ability to pay the costs of both bilateral and multilateral debt relief. These concerns were not an issue when we put the bill together, because the authority for the Debt for Nature program was permissive. We were not consulted on the inclusion of this amendment, and I insist that we not leave Treasury short of necessary funding for debt relief next year. I would indicate to the chairman and to the House at this point that I intend to work with the chairman to correct this problem in conference.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the DeLauro Amendment, which would increase funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). My colleagues, LIHEAP is the safety net that protects our most vulnerable from making a choice between food and heat or air conditioning. Many LIHEAP families receive a small amount of support, but it's a difference that helps them maintain their dignity. Nearly 80 percent of LIHEAP participants receiving heating assistance earn less than the federal poverty level. Unfortunately, nearly half of the states have exhausted or nearly exhausted available funding. In New York--where energy prices increased by more than 20 percent over the last year, and this summer they are expected to be higher than ever--our LIHEAP funding balance is only $23 million. Last year at this time the balance was $35 million. Unless we provide added funds to the LIHEAP program, an increase in energy prices will force millions of families to chose between food and utilities. We cannot stand by and watch people have to make that choice. Many have predicted that this summer will be one of the warmest in recent memory. And if this week is any indication, we're in for a long hot summer. I strongly believe that government should have a role in ensuring the safety and health of the elderly by keeping them cool. Today, we have an opportunity to provide millions of dollars more for our neediest families. Let's pass this amendment--it deserves our support--to help our states be better prepared for extreme weather and have the resources available for those who need it most.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Slaughter- Dicks-Horn-Johnson Amendment, to make important increases to the NEA, NEH, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. We know that the arts are crucial to the development of our culture and our economy, and beneficial to all our citizens. As a recent member of the National Council on the Arts, I have seen first-hand the grant selection process, and I applaud the NEA for successfully increasing all Americans' access to the arts, through programs such as ``Challenge America.'' I was very proud last year, when for the first time since 1992, we increased funding year after year, and had repeatedly battled threats to the very existence of this important program. We must recognize, however, that last year's funding increase was not the conclusion of a struggle, but rather, a first step toward funding the arts and humanities at levels appropriate for the importance we place on them in our society. A $10 million increase to the NEA budget would not only support extraordinary artistic work, but would also generate federal revenue and foster local economic activity. Let's use this opportunity to continue providing a level of resources to the NEA and the NEH of which we can all be proud. My colleagues, I urge you to support the Slaughter-Dicks-Horn-Johnson amendment.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Gloria Feldt on five years of remarkable service as the president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the world's largest and most trusted voluntary family planning organization. Like me, most of my colleagues know Gloria very well. She is a knowledgeable and thoughtful leader who works closely with Members, and has repeatedly testified before Congress in the fight to ensure and protect the health of all women and their families. That is why People magazine called her ``the voice of experience'' and Vanity Fair named her one of ``America's 200 Legends, Leaders, and Trailblazers.'' Gloria's work deserves our honor and applause. Since becoming president in 1996, she has led Planned Parenthood Federation through a dramatic revitalization. Under Gloria's direction, the organization kicked off the Responsible Choices Action Agenda, a comprehensive advocacy and service campaign to prevent unintended pregnancy, improve the quality of reproductive health care, and ensure access to safe, legal abortion. In addition, she has been the driving force behind dynamic public awareness campaigns, which have helped put the issue of insurance coverage for contraception on the map, and brought widespread attention to the need for responsible, medically accurate sexuality education in America's schools. Gloria is a dedicated leader, an inexhaustible activist, and an inspiring role model for all women. We wish her many more successful years as she continues to advocate for women's health and women's rights.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tribute to David H. Tantleff, who will be honored on Wednesday, June 6, by the Westchester Jewish Conference. Mr. Tantleff has demonstrated a tremendous commitment to his local community, and especially to his synagogue, Congregation Anshe Sholom in New Rochelle, NY. Since receiving his B.A. from Brooklyn College in history and political science, and M.A. degrees in Secondary Education and Political Science from Long Island University and the New School for Social Research, Mr. Tantleff has taught in New York City's public school system. On top of his over 30-year commitment to his teaching career. Mr. Tantleff has performed extraordinary service for the Jewish Community, sitting on the boards of directors of two synagogues, organizing services and holiday celebrations, sounding the shofar on the high holidays, serving as cantor every week, and planning educational and religious workshops. Just recently, Mr. Tantleff arranged for Rabbi Ely J. Rosenzveig of Congregation Anshe Sholom to deliver the opening prayer here on the floor of the House of Representatives, accompanied by an enthusiastic group from his congregation. Mr. Tantleff's commitment to his community is rivaled only by his love and dedication to his two children, Adam and Debra. We all look forward to their futures, as they will surely follow in their father's footsteps and prove to be outstanding citizens. It is my privilege to congratulate David Tantleff on this special occasion.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tribute to Dr. Glen Applebaum. Congregation Anshe Sholom of New Rochelle has chosen him as the honoree of their annual Testimonial Dinner, to be held on June 10, and they have chosen wisely. Dr. Applebaum has attained an impressive balance between family, community, and career, making a lifelong habit of high achievement. Dr. Applebaum received a Regents Scholarship upon his graduation from Eastchester Senior High School in New York and was awarded multiple prizes for his research in college before concluding his education at the New York University College of Dentistry and the New Rochelle Hospital Medical Center. In May of 1983, Dr. Applebaum opened a private practice in New Rochelle, which continues to serve the community today. He also shares his expertise with others, through frequent lectures and the wide publication of his work. Despite having achieved such success in his career, Dr. Applebaum considers family to be the most important part of his life. He and his wonderful wife, Dr. Cynthia Cohen, are valuable members of the Westchester community, and Dr. Applebaum serves with distinction as a member of the Board of Directors at Congregation Anshe Sholom. I am proud to congratulate Dr. Applebaum on his noteworthy achievements and his contributions to the community as a dentist, as a family man, and as a member of Congregation Anshe Sholom.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, this bill makes some pretty big promises. It has the potential to dramatically change the public education system in this country. It authorizes significant levels of funding. It says to parents that Congress thinks education is a priority, and that we will make good on our goal--that every child in America should get a quality education. But, Mr. Chairman, I sit on the Appropriations Subcommittee that funds education, and my experience tells me that we are a long way from being able to keep these promises. The budget we passed two weeks ago does not provide the funds to do everything we promise in this bill. At the end of the year, when push comes to shove, we will do what we've done for the past few years--we will short education. Tonight and tomorrow we will talk about how we are going to provide more funding than ever for our most disadvantaged students through Title I, about how we will give states flexibility to determine their fiscal needs in the areas of teacher recruitment, teacher development and school renovation, and about how we will demand results for our efforts. These are all worthy goals, and I support them. But without funding, this new flexibility becomes a gilded prison. States will have to decide whether to spend their money on facilities, teachers or testing. The bill does not provide any additional funds for school construction, and does not provide enough to help states develop the new mandated tests or recruit more teachers to reduce class sizes. In fact, the rule will not even allow these issues to be discussed on the floor. Unless we work to ensure that sufficient money is included for education in the appropriations process, then all we are doing today is making empty promises. When the annual appropriations melee begins toward the end of the year, I hope the American people will remind every member who votes for this bill that they have a promise to keep. Every member who holds a press conference to tout their commitment to education after their vote for this bill should be prepared to follow through. Mr. Chairman, we have an opportunity to do great things for education. But this legislation is only a down payment. I hope we remember to pay the rest of the bill.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, the desperate need to repair America's schools is not a new issue for any of us here today. Five years ago, I conducted a survey of New York City schools and discovered that one in every four schools holds classes in areas such as hallways, gyms, bathrooms, and janitors' closets. Two-thirds of these schools had substandard critical building features, such as roofs, walls, and floors. This is an outrage and a disgrace. In response to that shocking study, I worked with the Administration to author the very first school modernization bill in 1996. Five years later, with school enrollment skyrocketing, the need to renovate and repair our schools is even more pressing. Yet this problem is simply too big for local and state officials to handle alone. States are doing the best they can but they need federal dollars to fill in the holes. In fact, the National Education Association estimates that the unmet school modernization need in America's schools totals over $300 billion--and that's on top of what school districts and states are already spending! Simply stated, the need for school modernization is a national problem that demands a national response. And that's why I am so disappointed that the amendment to provide school construction funds was not made in order. Frankly, my colleagues, I think this is an issue where we will pay now, or pay later. We know that students cannot learn when the walls are literally crumbling around them. If we do not provide the resources--even this targeted emergency assistance--we will continue to undermine our students and teachers as they struggle to meet standards and achieve academically. We can spend this money now, targeted at the most urgent repairs first, providing funding to high-need school districts for critical repairs such as sealing leaky roofs and removing asbestos, or we will pay later--in lower student achievement, ever-more burdened teachers, and potentially even accident or injury in crumbling schoolrooms. America's children need us to make the right choice now--to use the opportunity we have in this time of unprecedented prosperity to rebuild their schools and lift up the quality of their education. And, if we fail as a Congress--once again--to take action to meet our school modernization needs--we will pay later. I urge my colleagues to join me to acknowledge the shameful physical condition of our schools and to do something about it. We cannot give our students a 21st century education in 19th century schools.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I say I have great respect for my colleagues who feel so strongly about the Hyde amendment, but I would like to repeat once again exactly why I am asking my colleagues to vote no on the Hyde amendment. Number one, the Hyde amendment reduces abortion funding from zero to zero. There is no abortion funding in any family planning legislation which we are proposing. The Hyde amendment will not reduce the number of abortions, it can only make them less safe. The Hyde amendment, in fact, may well increase the number of abortions, because we are denying poor women around the world the opportunity to get counseling and spacing their children to get family planning. The Hyde amendment violates medical ethics. It interferes in the doctor-patient relationship. The Hyde amendment punishes free speech and democracy. The Hyde amendment will strip language that respects United States law and laws in foreign countries. Mr. Chairman, I say to my colleagues, please read this carefully. Vote no on the Hyde amendment. Vote for free speech and democracy and the rights of the United States citizen. Let us not, let us not impose on others what we would not impose on our own.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment. As a beacon of democracy and freedom for the entire world, the United States has a responsibility to do what is right and what is fair. The provision which the Hyde amendment seeks to strip from this bill embodies the principles on which our country was founded. The language this amendment seeks to strike says simply that we should not treat others the way we ourselves would not want to be treated; that we should not apply different, more onerous standards to overseas groups, damage which would be unconstitutional if we tried to apply them in our own country simply because we have the authority to do so. Mr. Chairman, to be honest, I cannot understand why some of my colleagues take issue with this. Proponents of this amendment are armed with the statistics that most overseas groups have accepted the gag rule when it has been imposed in the past. They have continued to receive U.S. funds and have not had to shut off all of their programs. But this misses the point. The statistics do not show the agonizing decisions organizations have to make in order to comply with the policy. They do not show the effects of denying medical advice to poor women. They cannot prove that the gag rule makes abortion more rare. And this returns us to the question of imposing the global gag rules because it is right, because it accomplishes the goal of making abortion more rare, or simply because we can.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to welcome Rabbi Ely Rosenzveig to the United States House of Representatives. A spiritual and moral leader of the New Rochelle community, Rabbi Rosenzveig brings honor to this body, just as he does to his own congregation. Rabbi Rosenzveig joins us from Congregation Anshe Sholom with his family, his four out of five children, with his in-laws, his parents and 40 members of the synagogue. The synagogue celebrates its 105th birthday next week. Anshe Sholom has doubled in size during the past 5 years, ensuring that it continues to be one of the anchor congregations of Westchester County. Rabbi Rosenzveig is a remarkable man, the son of Rabbi Charles and Helen Rosenzveig, both Holocaust survivors. His father, who is here with us today, came straight from a hospital bed; is a leader of the Holocaust Remembrance Movement. Like his son, the elder Rabbi Rosenzveig demonstrates that spiritual greatness is heightened by worldly activism. A master of economics and student of Talmud, an accomplished lawyer and dedicated Rabbi, a community leader and devoted father, Rabbi Rosenzveig has excelled in all facets of life. More important than his accomplishments, however, is the love he has for his five wonderful children, for his wife, and the model he sets not only for his congregation, but for the entire community around him. A leader with warmth and respect for all people, Rabbi Rosenzveig teaches by example and lives by the ideal that our actions mean more than words. His presence here today and the large following that has come to hear him speak bear witness to that belief. It is my distinct pleasure to welcome Rabbi Ely Rosenzveig to the Congress of the United States.