Barbara Lee

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would like to thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran) for his kind remarks and also for his acknowledgment and recognition of the competence and the tenacity and the commitment of women to economic development and job creation.

Ms. LEE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran).

Ms. LEE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Kilpatrick). (Ms. KILPATRICK asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. LEE. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I rise in support of H.R. 1143. Mr. Chairman, this legislation is a product of many years of hard work on behalf of microenterprise. I want to thank the ranking member, the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson) and the gentleman from New York (Chairman Gilman) for several years of hard work on this issue. I would also like to recognize two great leaders who have done so much to advance the cause of microcredit lending to the poor and to empower women in developing countries. First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and AID administrator Brian Atwood have worked tirelessly to make sure that the United States takes a leadership role to expand access to credit for self-employment to 100 million of the world's poorest families. One-fifth of the world's population exists on less than $1 a day, and 32,000 children die each day from preventable malnutrition. I had the opportunity to visit Ghana and South Africa last week, and I met with many women entrepreneurs who were the primary income earners for their families. Access to just a small amount of capital, I was told, would help them raise the standard of living for their entire families. Many of the poor who do not have access to microenterprise programs are forced to pay interest rates of 10 percent per day to money lenders. In contrast, interest rates on microcredit loans average between 2 percent and 5 percent per week. The return rate on these loans is between 95 percent and 99 percent. Let me briefly explain what this bill does. It permanently establishes two new sections in statutory law to govern microenterprise grants and loans. Under the grants section, it authorizes grants to support microlending programs. These grants are generally used to start new microlending programs. It authorizes $152 million for fiscal year 2000, and $167 million for fiscal year 2001 for microenterprise programs. It mandates 50 percent of all microenterprise resources to be used for poverty lending, defined as institutions that provide credit and other financial services to the poorest with loans of $300 or less in 1995 dollars. Currently, 68 percent of loans are $300 or less, and about 47 percent of total resources support poverty lending. This bill creates a loan facility inside of AID. The facility will provide concessional loans to United States-sponsored microfinance institutions to prevent bankruptcy caused by natural disasters, national wars, civil conflict, or national financial crises. The facility would be supervised by representatives of the Department of the Treasury, AID, and two representatives from the NGO community. It requires the President to prepare a report to Congress on the most cost-effective methods for increasing the access of poor people to credit, other financial services, and related training. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 110 which congratulates the government and the people of El Salvador on the successful completion of its second free and democratic election since the signing of the 1992 peace accords. I strongly commend the gentleman from New York (Mr. Ackerman), the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Gallegly) for bringing it forward. It is appropriate to call attention to the democratic process in El Salvador. Just a decade ago, the situation in El Salvador and all throughout Central America was much different than what we see today. Groups on all sides have dropped arms, formed political parties and given the people a fair and just voice. We are right to pause today and commend El Salvador for the stunning transition in the past decade and their successful completion of transparent free and fair elections in which everyone can participate. Now, this is not to say that all of the problems that led to the violence of the 1980s are resolved. There is still much need for improvement in El Salvador. Turnout was much lower at this election than in the last several in the country, less than 50 percent, because people had a difficult time getting to the polls or actually voting once they arrived at the polls due to disorganization. Many low-income and poor Salvadorans are also questioning whether democracy works for them because inequality and poverty still dominate. It is the role, then, of President-Elect Flores to lead the way in generating more opportunity for Salvadorans so that the benefits of democracy and the motivation to go to the polls is felt by all citizens. We, the United States, need to maintain our commitment to the people of El Salvador. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Moakley). (Mr. MOAKLEY asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 80, I was unavoidably delayed in the district and was absent from the vote on H. Con. Res. 68. Had I been present, I would have voted ``Yea.'' personal explanation

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 78, I was unavoidably delayed in the district and was absent from the vote on House Resolution 135. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 79, I was unavoidably delayed in the district and was absent from the vote on H.R. 911. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Chairman. I rise to oppose the priorities as expressed in this Budget. I strongly oppose this Republican budget because its priorities are wrong. A substantial number of us, five and a half million, are ill- housed. 42 million of us are without health care coverage. Our schools need more teaches and better-trained teachers; our school buildings need to be rehabilitated. If we maintain the caps on discretionary spending, as proposed in this Republican budget, as well as increase the military budget, and give about $780 billion in tax cuts, the result will be to squeeze out essential programs that effect the daily well-being of a significant sector of our society. The Republican Budget does not adequately protect our elderly. One of our most important programs Social Security, has kept one of every two elderly Americans from falling into poverty. Social Security must be extended and protected. Likewise, Medicare is widely recognized and appreciated as an essential program by all of us because of its benefit to the elderly and the families of the elderly. Medicare must be extended and protected. The Republican budget allocates, over a ten-year period, just $1.77 trillion to extend Social Security, half of the Democrats' proposal, which calls for $3.4 trillion. The Democrats' much greater investment in Social Security is essential to ensure its security. The difference in budgetary priorities is even greater with Medicare. The Republican budget, over a ten-year period, sets $14 billion for Part A, compared with the Democrats' proposal to invest $397 billion in Medicare, an investment 28 times, greater than the Republicans' inadequate propositions. This Republican budget does not protect and invest in our children. It ignores the needs of our children. The retention of the budget cap, coupled with the $18.1 billion increase in defense spending, means that Republicans cut Head Start by $501 million; Republicans cut by $425 million, they cut Job Corps by $142 million; they cut child care funding by $120 million; they cut low-income heating assistance by $109 million; they cut summer youth employment by $95 million; they cut homeless youth programs by $4.7 million; they cut abandoned infants assistance by $1.3 million. These are the programs that will suffer deep cuts if this Republican budget is approved. Of course, there is no money in this Republican bill for more and better-trained teachers in America's classroom. This budget is not a responsible, adult budget because it fails to take care of the basic needs of the nation's families. I urge my colleagues to vote against it.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the subject of my special order this evening.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Virginia. Tribute to Dr. Yvonne Bond Miller

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, first I want to thank my colleagues who have spoken so eloquently tonight about the importance of Women's History Month or who have submitted statements for the Record. I want to especially thank my Republican colleague the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella) for being here this evening and also for submitting her statement on the Record for the contribution of African American women in America's history. We are, in the month of March, proudly celebrating the achievements of all women in this Nation. I come this evening to take a few minutes to briefly talk about the history of Women's History Month and to celebrate the contributions of women, especially African American women, the contributions which they have made to this country and the world. Back in 1978, the first Women's History Week celebration was initiated in Sonoma County, CA, which is now represented by a great woman, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey), who serves here with us in this Congress. It began in Sonoma County as a means of introducing students and teachers to the many contributions that women of all cultures have made to the building of this Nation. Three years later, the idea of celebrating Women's History Week began to spread across this Nation and the National Women's History Project was created to provide technical assistance to educators and community organizers and to produce and distribute women's history materials. In 1981, then Representative, now Senator Barbara Mikulski, and Senator Orrin Hatch cosponsored a joint congressional resolution proclaiming the week of March 8 National Women's History Week. The success of National Women's History Week and the availability of information on women's history necessitated expanding the celebration to a full month. In 1987, the National Women's History Project petitioned Congress to expand the celebration to the entire month of March. The resolution was approved with bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate. Today schools, communities, and workplaces celebrate the month with special curriculum and events. The popularity of women's history celebrations has sparked a new interest in uncovering women's forgotten heritage. It has allowed all Americans to learn more about women who have made a tremendous impact on our Nation's history. Women's history is really a new way of looking at events and individuals that have made this country what it is today. History as it has been traditionally taught has virtually excluded women and people of color. One would think that someone would have noticed that half of the United States population is missing from our history. Textbooks, curricula and academic research has been silent about the impact that women and people of color have made. The silences have made women's accomplishments and contributions to American life invisible. Mr. Speaker, the history of African-American women's participation in American politics must recognize our involvement in traditional political acts such as registering, voting and holding office, but also those nontraditional activities in which we engaged long before we had access to the ballot. Because African-American women are simultaneously members of the two groups that have suffered the Nation's most blatant exclusions from politics, African American and women, our political behavior has been largely really overlooked. African-American women organized slave revolts, established underground networks and even sued for the right to vote. Public records reveal that many African-American women were involved in the abolition movement and were active participants in the early women's rights movement. African-American women's political activities have largely been directed towards altering our disadvantaged status as African Americans and women and making sure that this country lives up to its responsibilities for equality and justice for all people. Today, we look at African-American women holding political office as a very recent experience. African-American women who have previously served in this Congress include my mentor, our first African-American woman who served here, Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, as well as Barbara Jordan, Yvonne Braithwaite Burke, Cardiss Collins, Katie Hall and Barbara Rose Collins. I stand here as the 171st woman, the 100th African American and the 19th African-American woman ever to have the privilege of serving in this body. I stand here because of those who came before us. I stand here as a result of the work of many of those individuals, and in the words of the Honorable Shirley Chisholm, ``We all came here to serve as a catalyst for change.'' Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Illinois.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H. Con. Res. 99. As one who historically has been an advocate for human rights and justice worldwide, I have serious concerns about H. Res. 99. I am fearful that this resolution, with its extreme and provocative language, will only introduce further tension into US-Cuba relations at this particularly unstable time. The resolution will do nothing to improve the lives of the Cuban people and it will do nothing to improve relations between our two countries. It is more of the ``tit for tat'' policy that has been the map of failure in the past and represents more of the same for the future. No one can justify or condone human rights violations anywhere in the world. Certainly, Cuba's recent crack down on its independent journalists and dissidents provokes serious concerns and criticism here and within the international community. However, like other nations, we need to take a rational approach to the current situation in Cuba, rather than support the extremist language in this resolution. Since this resolution addresses the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva, Switzerland, it is also important to recognize that last year, for the seventh year in a row, the UN General Assembly condemned the US economic embargo on Cuba by a vote of 157-2 and called on Washington to end its sanctions. Instead of discussing more legislation which increases the hostility between the US and Cuba and further isolates us from the United Nations and the rest of the world, we should be discussing legislation which addresses human rights for Cubans in total. This would include addressing one of the most egregious human rights offenses: the US's denial of food and medicine to the Cuban people. If we are truly serious about assisting the Cuban people, we need to cultivate a sphere of influence on the island and a diplomatic relationship with the Government of Cuba. The unreasonable language in this resolution will only exacerbate hostility and further anti- American sentiment in Cuba, which will get us nowhere. We should listen to Elizardo Sanchez, Cuba's leading human rights activist as he states: ``The more the US pressures and threatens the Cuban government, the more defensive and recalcitrant it becomes. This is not the way to encourage an atmosphere that favors change.''

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding me the time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 4. Simply stated, this bill is wrong. It does nothing to advance our technological capability to protect America. And even worse, it could reverse ongoing efforts to dismantle Russia's nuclear arsenal. Today's vote would wager America's national security. Our Nation would be dependent on a nonexistent system that has failed 14 out of 18 recent tests. If this bill actually becomes law, it will lock us into automatic deployment of a national missile defense system without regard to cost to our taxpayers or the system's effectiveness or its impact on relations with our allies. This bill is a blank check to defense contractors and a hollow promise to Americans who are rightly concerned about our national security. However, instead of spending billions of dollars committing to deploy a system that is unlikely to work undermining our national security, we should focus on defense initiatives we know will make American families safer, conducting tougher arms control and verification measures, continuing the dismantling of Russia's nuclear weapons, engaging in a coordinated effort against terrorism, and making sure our troops have the training, equipment, and quality-of-life programs that they need and deserve. Finally, this vote really sends the wrong message at the wrong time. Why, Mr. Speaker, are we pushing this vote just days before the Russian Prime Minister is set to arrive in Washington in the midst of U.S. efforts to negotiate modifications to the ABM Treaty and just as the Russian Duma has asked President Yeltsin to start the ratification process for START II? We must be vigilant in our attempt to keep efforts on track to reduce nuclear weaponry. We must not allow this bill to turn back the clock on these efforts. For these reasons, I urge the House to reject H.R. 4, reject the automatic deployment of weapons derived of latter-day Star Wars mentality, and, if necessary, call on the President to veto this bill.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, will the gentlewoman yield?

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I just want to thank my colleagues, the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro) and the gentlewoman from District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) for making sure that women are put front and center in this debate on Social Security. So often women have been really an afterthought in the public policy debates of this United States Congress. In his State of the Union address, President Clinton vowed to use a major portion of the Federal budget surplus to strengthen Social Security. The President has given us a plan which will secure Social Security to the year 2055. Now, I wholeheartedly endorse the President's guiding principles in reforming Social Security. He said when we judge any plan to save Social Security, we need to ask whether it cuts the poverty rate among single elderly women and other groups in our society that are at risk. Social Security has been instrumental in reducing poverty in the United States. It often has been the only source of income which has kept the elderly women and people of color out of poverty. As was pointed out earlier, 60 percent of older Social Security recipients are women who earn less than men and are more likely to depend on Social Security for most, if not all, of their retirement income. Thirty-one percent of elderly African Americans and 28 percent of Latinos have been lifted out of poverty because they received Social Security benefits. Privatizing Social Security should not be an option. We have witnessed the stock market go up and down. It makes no sense, in fact it is wrong, to put any portion of a person's Social Security subject to the whims and the uncertainty of the stock market. We also must not forget that Social Security is an insurance program, not simply a source of retirement. The system provides life and disability insurance, which guarantees protection for families and workers. Without this protection, many American workers, especially women and people of color, would be doomed to live under poverty conditions. Social Security is the essence of America's social insurance program. This Congress must pass a plan to preserve Social Security for women, for people of color, for all Americans. Our mothers, our grandmothers, our great grandmothers, our aunts, our sisters, our nieces and, yes, our daughters are relying on us to secure their future.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of the honor bestowed upon Amelia Ashley-Ward by the San Francisco NAACP for her outstanding career in the field of journalism. Ms. Ashley-Ward is the publisher of the Sun-Reporter Publishing Company and was recently named ``Publisher of the Year'' by the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA). The Sun Reporter Publishing Company publishes nine weekly newspapers throughout Northern California, including the Sun-Reporter, the California Voice and the Oakland Metro Reporter. Through these various publications the African-American community is kept informed of issues affecting African-Americans politically, economically, and culturally. Ms. Ashley-Ward assumed control of the Sun-Reporter following the death of Dr. Carlton Goodlett, its longtime leader. Since then, she has revitalized the company and continued Dr. Goodlett's crusade for social justice. Ms. Ashley-Ward's achievements in journalism as a reporter, photo- journalist, Editor of the California Voice, Managing Editor and now Publisher of the Sun-Reporter are significant. These awards include the 1997 Woman of the Year designated by the San Francisco Black Chamber of Commerce; the Leslie Urquhart Community Service Award; and the leaders in Action Award in journalism. Ms. Ashley-Ward is an executive board member of the NAACP, serving as 2nd Vice President. Ms. Ashley-Ward is also the Founding President of the Young Adult Christian Movement, which is an outreach organization that discusses faith and how to make one's life better spiritually. I want to join with the NAACP and with community leaders throughout the Bay Area and the nation to pay tribute to the work and legacy of Ms. Amelia Ashley-Ward.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Dunsmuir House and Gardens in Oakland, CA. This milestone will be commemorated with a year-long series of special events including lectures, concerts, and exhibits, beginning on Thursday, March 11, 1999, to celebrate the Dunsmuir estate and the history of the City of Oakland. The Dunsmuir House and Gardens is a 50-acre early 20th century summer estate located in the hills of northeast Oakland. The estate features a 37-room, 16,224 square foot neoclassical revival mansion, carriage house, and barn, as well as additional farm buildings and a beautifically manicured landscape. The estate was built by Alexander Dunsmuir as a wedding gift for his bride Josephine Wallace. In 1906, the estate was purchased by L.W. Hellman and later sold to the City of Oakland in the early 1960s. In 1971, the Dunsmuir House & Gardens, Inc. (DHGI), was formed to provide public access to the estate and grounds. The Dunsmuir House & Gardens, Inc., is a non-profit organization with over 200 volunteers responsible for the restoration, preservation, and management of the Dunsmuir Estate. Throughout the year, DHGI presents several multi-cultural events, tours, and educational programs that provide opportunities for the public to enjoy the estate. The mission of DHGI is to preserve and restore the buildings and grounds while maintaining their historic character; to interpret the valuable historical, cultural, architectural, and horticultural resources for the estate during the period of 1900 to 1910; to operate and maintain the estate for the enjoyment and education of the public; and to encourage the community's use of the property while maintaining a balance between site use and preservation. The Dunsmuir House has been designated as a National Historic Site by the United States Department of the Interior and has been placed on the California Historic Register by the California Office of Historic Preservation. The Dunsmuir House is also designated as a Historic Landmark by the City of Oakland. Throughout this centennial celebration, the Dunsmuir Estate will be alive with new construction and preservation projects. A new Garden Pavilion will be constructed in 1999, featuring a ballroom and meeting space which will accommodate up to 299 guests. During the construction of the new Garden Pavilion, a Garden Tent will also be installed on the estate. In order to preserve, protect, and restore the Dunsmuir estate, DHGI relies on memberships and financial donations as well as donations and loans of furniture, art, collectibles, books and clothing from the turn-of-the-century. The Dunsmuir House is truly a source of civic pride and a valuable resource for the community, and I am excited to join in the celebration of the 100th anniversary of its establishment.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I was traveling with the Chairman, Subcommittee on Africa and was unavoidably absent from debate on the rule on H.R. 669. Had I been present, I would have voted in favor of agreeing to the rule.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 28, I was traveling with the Chairman, Subcommittee on Africa and was unavoidably absent for the vote on H.R. 514. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Madam Speaker, I would like to take a moment to thank my colleagues, the gentleman from South Carolina, Mr. Clyburn, chair of the Black Caucus, and the gentlewoman from Ohio, Ms. Tubbs Jones, for organizing this Black History month special order. Today I join my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus, and our colleagues on both sides of the aisle as we acknowledge the contributions of African American women and men to the building and shaping of this nation. What began as Negro History week in 1926, expanded to Black History month in 1976. Let me say that one month cannot capture in full the history of a people. It is important that we make efforts to incorporate the contributions and achievements of African Americans to this nation, year round. As we mark the 1999 observance of Black History month, I do so keeping in mind this year's theme, ``The Legacy of African American Leadership for the present and the future,'' The theme this year gives us an opportunity to draw strength and inspiration from the many African Americans who have gone before us. I would like to use this time to highlight the legacy of African American women's political involvement and participation. The history of African American women's participation in American politics must recognize our involvement in traditional political acts, such as registering, voting, and holding office, but also those nontraditional activities in which we engaged long before we had access to the ballot. Because African American women are simultaneously members of the two groups that have suffered the nation's most blatant exclusions from politics, African American and women, our political behavior has been largely overlooked. African American women organized slave revolts, established underground networks, and even sued for the right to be free. Public records reveal that many African American women were involved in the abolition movement and were active participants in the early women's rights movement. African American women's political activity has largely been directed towards altering our disadvantaged status as African Americans and women. Because African American women have only recently been granted access to the political arena as voters and officeholders in significant numbers, there is a lack of information about them, and even less information about those actions that predated these roles. Today, we look to African American women holding political office as a recent experience. The First African American women elected to state legislature took office in 1938, the first to sit on a federal bench in 1966, and the first elected to Congress in 1968. This is the legacy that I follow. I am thrilled to stand here on the House floor as an American, as an African American, and as a woman member of Congress. I stand here as the 171st Woman, the 99th African American, and the 19th African American woman ever to have the privilege of serving in this body. I stand here today because of the legacy of those who have gone before me. I stand here today because of those African American women who had the courage to be involved in electoral politics, and I stand here today to fulfill my role as an African American leader. Again, Madam Speaker, I thank so much the gentlewoman from Ohio, and the gentleman from South Carolina for the opportunity to say these words.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from West Virginia for yielding this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise to proudly support H.R. 396, a bill to designate the Federal building in Oakland, California, as the ``Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building.'' I want to also thank my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Miller), for reintroducing this bill which passed the House last session. The building for which we seek support was completed in 1993. Congressman Dellums worked closely with many of my colleagues to get this building authorized and appropriated. He sought our support because he strongly believed that this building would provide an anchor in the revitalized city center in Oakland, California; and, of course, he was right. His work to gain support for this building and his faith in the development potential of downtown Oakland have been amply rewarded. In the 6 years since the occupation of this building, the surrounding blocks have flowered with new plazas, new businesses and new buildings. Congressman Dellums, in his usual humble manner, would undoubtedly be embarrassed by these words today and by our efforts to name this building after him. However, I strongly believe and I hope my colleagues will all join me in recognizing the work that my distinguished colleague accomplished during his years of service in the House of Representatives representing what started out as the 7th Congressional District and evolved into the present 9th Congressional District. He is a native son of Oakland, California. Ron was born on November 24, 1935, actually in our county hospital, in Highland Hospital. His family has proud roots in the union movement of the 1940s. He attended and graduated from public schools in the district and went on to earn an Associate of Arts degree from Oakland City College in 1958, a B.A. from San Francisco State University in 1960, and a Master's in social welfare from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1962. My colleagues can see from the family tree that a mighty seed was sown. Congressman Dellums' roots were planted firmly in his interest in social justice for all of society. The high esteem in which he was held by constituents, friends, family and colleagues never wavered over the years. Ron Dellums was first elected to the Berkeley City Council on which he served from 1967 to 1970. He was elected on a platform of civil rights, civil liberties and economic and social justice. His service to the council was so spectacular that he was drafted to run as a civil rights and anti-war candidate, a peace candidate, for a seat that was held by a pro-Vietnam war incumbent in the House. Ron served 2 years in the Marine Corps, leaving with an honorable discharge to continue his academic education. His training and service in the Marine Corps stood him in good stead as he sought an appointment and then served as a member of the Committee on Armed Services. Ron's constituents were civil rights and anti-war activists, and one of the first commitments he made was to find a peaceful resolution to the war in Southeast Asia. He became one of the strongest voices and advocates for arms reduction and developing alternatives to military excursions and war. He served for 25 years on the Committee on Armed Services, now known as the Committee on National Security, and became the chair of that committee in 1992. So it is not an exaggeration to say that many in his district love him for his work and for the humanity and the humility with which he conducted himself. His record is one to which we all can aspire. The Federal building in Oakland, California, stands tall with dignity and it commands respect. It is very fitting that it be named the ``Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building.''

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special appreciation to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the civil rights movement. Through the recent publication of his book entitled, ``Twenty Families of Color'', Rev. Franklin A. Dorman continues to ensure that the legacy of all of those African-Americans who generously gave of their time, energy and spirit by serving in the Civil War is acknowledged and preserved in perpetuity. During his 22-year ministry with the United Church of Christ, the Rev. Franklin A. Dorman, now retired, was greatly concerned with the struggle for civil rights. He participated in hundreds of marches, vigils and non-violent demonstrations, some of which led to his imprisonment. Dorman has had a longtime interest in history and genealogy. In 1994, after retiring, he published a two-volume book about his family's history. Among other things, he discovered that 36 members of his family fought in the Civil War. After seeing the movie, ``Glory'', starring Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman, about a regiment of black soldiers who also fought in the Civil War, ``Something clicked in me,'' Dorman recalled. ``I said, `Who are these guys?' They didn't just come from nowhere--they had parents and grandparents, wives, children and grandchildren.'' That interest, according to the September 1998 issue of ``United Church News'', led Dorman to write Twenty Families of Color in Massachusetts, published in 1998 by the New England Historic Genealogical Society in Cambridge, MA. Dorman hopes the book will help establish for the record the important roles African-Americans have played in American society during the last 250 years. Twenty Families of Color traces the ancestors and more than 1,000 descendants of a group of African-American Civil War soldiers and sailors who fought in the Massachusetts 54th and 55th Colored Infantries, the 5th Cavalry, and the Union Navy. The descendants live throughout the United States. Several live in the Oakland, CA area and will attend an event in Oakland on Saturday, February 13, 1999 during which Dorman will speak about his work and his experiences. The engagement, ``Finding Your Roots: African American Family History Research'', will take place from 3-5 p.m., at the Interfaith Center of the Oakland Mormon Temple on Temple Hill in Oakland. Dorman will explain how he did the research for his book and how others can research and write their own family histories. Temple Hill houses a Family History Center, which provides access to the largest genealogical records library in the world. During the program, C. Malcolm Warner, president of the Oakland Mormon Mission, will invite residents of the Oakland area, including African-American residents, to become acquainted with the Center in order to research their family histories. Warner traced his own roots back to Canada, where during the 18th Century, his family provided a stop on the ``Underground Railroad'' for African Americans who escaped from slavery and made their way to safety across the international border. ``Rarely do compiled genealogies make interesting reading,'' wrote Henry B. Hoff in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register. Twenty Families of Color, however, ``is an exception. . . . Many descendants [of the black Civil War soldiers and sailors] have taken an active role in bettering their communities.'' As we enter the 21st Century, African-Americans are still struggling to gain equal opportunity in American life. Yet the individuals portrayed in his book ``are not movie stars, presidents or generals. They are the kind of people who made history in a most concrete sense-- they built this country, farmed it, gave [it] birth. I call them ``real people.'' I am proud that many of the subjects of this history live in and around the City of Oakland and the 9th Congressional District of California. On behalf of the citizens of Oakland and my district, I welcome Reverend Dorman to the district and commend him for the significant work he has done.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 86th birthday of Rosa Parks, a pivotal force in the struggle for civil rights in America. Ms. Parks touched millions of lives when she refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama city bus. Rosa's courageous action served as a catalyst for the legendary bus boycott in Alabama and was one of the critical turning points in the Africa-American civil rights movement. With the support of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights activists, Rosa Parks' action and the subsequent boycott demonstrated the power of individuals and communities to tear down injustice and bring about social change. Her spark ignited a fire that helped to eradicate legal segregation in the South, raise the consciousness of people around the country, and challenge our democracy to guarantee and secure liberty and justice for all. Rosa Park's 86th birthday and her legacy are especially important today as we celebrate the fourth day of Black History Month, a history which Rosa Parks helped to create. Because of her labor of love and her continued work in the civil rights movement, our children have opportunities which, for many of our parents, were merely dreams and fantasies. On this day, the anniversary of her birth, I am pleased to join Congresswoman Julia Carson and others in a bipartisan effort to honor Rosa Parks by introducing legislation to present her with a long- overdue Congressional Gold Medal. I hope that Members of Congress and people across our nation will join me in supporting this important legislation. The American people and I wish you a joyous 86th birthday, and we thank you, Rosa Parks, for your life's work and for your invaluable legacy.