Steven LaTourette

Mr. LaTOURETTE

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, today I offer my deepest sympathies to the family of Walter A. Olson of Jefferson, Ohio. On Saturday, March 25 at about 6:30 a.m., Walter A. Olson was gunned down just 20 feet from his own front door in a random act of violence that has shocked this small, tight-knit community to its core. Mr. Olson, a husband, father of six, and grandfather of three, was innocently going about his morning routine on Saturday--a walk to a nearby cemetery where his mother and brother were buried. It was during this peaceful walk that Walter Olson crossed paths with a troubled, 22- year-old neighbor toting a 12-gauge, pump-action shotgun. The black trenchcoat the young man wore was bursting with ammunition and concealed a second gun. The gunman, apparently hellbent on killing anyone in his path, spotted Walter Olson and shot him dead. He then continued walking down Center Street, reloading his shotgun as if nothing had happened. This tragic, senseless act could have led to much greater carnage had it not been for the Jefferson Police and Ashtabula County Sheriff's Department, which were quick to respond to neighbors' 9-1-1 calls. A gun battle ensued, and the gunman apparently refused to lay down his arms even after he'd been felled by officers' shots. A police dog, Cero--credited with saving the lives of other officers--dies in the line of duty after being shot by the gunman. Police struggle to find a motive for this unprovoked rage. Mr. Speaker, all too often we hear stories of disturbed, armed people walking into schools, daycare centers, restaurants and other public settings and opening fire indiscriminately on innocent people who have the misfortune of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. We watch the wrenching reports on the evening news with horror, and our hearts and prayers go out to the families. We hug our own children a little harder, and reassure ourselves that horrors like this will never befall our own community. All that changed on Saturday in the small town of Jefferson, Ohio. Mr. Speaker, Jefferson, Ohio, is reeling in grief from the death of Walter Olson and the death of innocence of their community. The family and friends of Walter Olson have always known of his kindness, and strangers who never met him have been moved by the exemplary, humble life this religious, family man led. Walter Olson was an Ashtabula County native, a former auxiliary police officer in Jefferson, and a member of the Jefferson Exchange Club and the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce. He'd worked for many years as a petroleum manager for Country Mark, Inc., and was working as a U.S. Census recruiter and field surveyor for Research Triangle Institute in Winston-Salem, NC, at the time of his death. He was a member of St. Joseph Calasanctius Church in Jefferson, where a memorial service was held this morning. He leaves behind his wife, Mary, the manager of the local Hardee's; his children Cindy, Isaac, Randy, Angel, Robin, and Timothy; and his grandchildren Alyssa, Lillian and Warren. Walter Olson was just 51 years old. Remarkably, Mary Olson holds no animosity toward the neighbor who shot and killed her husband, saying she ``hates that there's a child out there who needed help; that he was so sad that he felt he had to do something like this.'' Her words speak volumes about the power of forgiveness and the goodness of the human heart. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 19th District of Ohio, I extend prayers and condolences to the Olson family and the community of Jefferson. I have requested that a United States flag be flown over the Capitol in Walter Olson's memory. Walter Olson's time on Earth was not nearly long enough, but we can all take comfort knowing that he lived his life fully, that he loved and was dearly loved, and that he showered others with kindness. I urge the wonderful people of Jefferson to continue to reach out to each other in this time of grief and sorrow, and to realize that it will take time for this family and this community to heal. May God bless the family of Walter Olson, the community of Jefferson, Ohio, and the United States of America.

Mr. LaTOURETTE

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate our colleague, the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson), for bringing this important legislation to the floor of the House. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this bill, H.R. 1279, as amended, designates the Federal Building and United States Courthouse located in Clarksdale, Mississippi, as the Aaron E. Henry Federal Building and United States Courthouse. Dr. Henry was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, in 1921, and attended local schools. He served in the United States Army, after which he returned to school and earned a degree in pharmacy from the Xavier University in 1950. In 1953, Dr. Henry organized the local branch of the NAACP, and served as the State NAACP president from 1960 until 1993. He was instrumental in creating an integrated political system in Mississippi. He also participated in the Freedom Rider Movement, which led to the passage of the public accommodations sections of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In 1979, Dr. Henry was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives, and held this office for 2 additional terms. The naming of this Federal complex is a fitting tribute to a distinguished African-American. I support the bill. I urge the passage of this bill, and I urge my colleagues to support the bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1279) to designate the Federal building and the United States post office located at 223 Sharkey Street in Clarksdale, Mississippi, as the ``Aaron E. Henry Federal Building and United States Post Office,'' as amended.

Mr. LaTOURETTE

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2412) to designate the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 1300 South Harrison Street in Fort Wayne, Indiana, as the ``E. Ross Adair Federal Building and United States Courthouse''.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2412 designates the Federal building and United States courthouse in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the ``E. Ross Adair Federal Building and United States Courthouse.'' Edwin Ross Adair was born in 1907, attended public schools and graduated from Hillsdale College and the George Washington University Law School. Adair volunteered as a lieutenant in World War II and was awarded battle stars for the Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhine and Central European campaigns. Congressman Adair was first elected to the 82nd Congress and served for 20 years in the United States House of Representatives. He became the ranking member on the Committee on Foreign Affairs and was active on the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and on the Committee on Committees. After his service in the United States House of Representatives, President Nixon appointed Adair ambassador to Ethiopia, and he served as ambassador until 1974. This is a fitting honor for this dedicated public servant. I fully support this bill, and I urge all of my colleagues to support it as well. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder), the prime sponsor of the legislation. (Mr. SOUDER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. LaTOURETTE

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on H.R. 2412 and H.R. 1279, as amended, the measures just considered.

Mr. LaTOURETTE

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a Cleveland legend who is leaving our fair city and heading south. Don Webster will no longer give Clevelanders the lowdown on lake effect snow, water spouts and other area weather abnormalities from his familiar home at Channel 5, WEWS. Instead, in retirement he'll spend his days in beautiful Hilton Head, South Carolina, where I have no doubt he'll nurse his golf game and his famed tan. As any Clevelander knows, when it comes to tanning, Don Webster gives George Hamilton a run for his money. My guess is he'll also delight the locals and tourists with his meteorological prowess whenever hurricane watches and warnings are announced, and wax poetic about approaching fronts and the effects of El Nino and La Nina. Don Webster and I first met more than a decade ago when I was the Lake County prosecutor and he was the grand marshal of the Fairport Harbor Mardi Gras Parade, and our paths have crossed many times since, especially at charity events. Don Webster probably won't enjoy this observation, but I feel like I've known him since I was about 10 years old. I used to watch Don Webster every Sunday on a small, black-and-white TV in the living room of my childhood home in Cleveland Heights as he emceed Academic Challenge. My hope in mentioning this is that Don will at least feel a little bit old since he looks roughly the same today as he did three and a half decades ago. It hardly seems fair that Don Webster remains the epitome of vigor and perpetual youth while those of us who grew up watching him are losing our hair. Don Webster is known to an entire generation of Americans as the host of nationally syndicated, rock 'n' roll dance show Upbeat. Don Webster hosted the show--the second-longest running show of its kind in history--for seven years. He got to meet just about every rock 'n' roll legend along the way. In fact, Upbeat photos of Webster with Jerry Lee Lewis and the Outsiders were included in the ``My Town'' exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland. In his 35 years with Channel 5, Don Webster did a little bit of everything--from hosting It's Academic and The Ohio Lottery Show to working in management as station manager. But most people know his true love was delivering weather forecasts, which he's done for more than two decades. We will miss Don Webster and his familiar presence in our lives, but wish the best for him and his lovely wife, Candace, in their new life in Hilton Head.

Mr. LaTOURETTE

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for the kind words, and I rise in strong support of H.R. 170, the Honesty in Sweepstakes Act of 1999. I want to thank and congratulate my friend, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. LoBiondo) and also congratulate the chairman of the subcommittee, the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh), and the ranking member, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah), for their diligence in ensuring that Americans, and the elderly in particular, are protected from unscrupulous and deceptive mailings. The need for this legislation, Mr. Speaker, was illustrated to me rather clearly this year when we conducted a survey in our district called ``Operation Senior Sweep.'' The project proved to me that seniors are ruthlessly targeted by these companies, and the more they respond the more mailings they received. The highly personalized mailings often lead folks to believe they have won something when they have not. And there is also strong evidence that people believe their chances of winning increase if they purchase something. Often the disclaimers are buried in very fine print. We found, for instance, one Reader's Digest sweepstakes that carried a 2 million prize. The odds of winning, buried in very tiny type, were one in 199 million. Mr. Speaker, the odds of having quintuplets in this country are one in 85 million. My grandmother, at 89, is more likely to have quintuplets than she is to win the Reader's Digest sweepstakes. It is obviously the legislation authored by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. LoBiondo) is needed, and it is also clear that some companies know the jig is up when it comes to their deceptive mailings. I will submit for the Record a letter dated September 17, 1999. This letter was received by the elderly sister of a woman who lives in my district. It is from the Time Customer Service and, in effect, the company says it cannot process the woman's order for Time because she has already ordered too many magazines and books through a sweepstakes. This is a staggering admission of wrongdoing on Time's part, I believe. But, unfortunately, this corporate good Samaritan act is way too late to help this elderly woman. One less magazine subscription is not going to help her. She has already lost everything she has owned and saved on sweepstakes. I also noticed on the plan yesterday a news story about the company that holds the American Family Publishers sweepstakes contests. It announced Friday that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after being sued so many times over deceptive and misleading mailings. This is a sweepstakes, Mr. Speaker, that is pitched by celebrity spokesmen Ed McMahon and Dick Clark. Mr. Speaker, I do not know what Ed McMahon has planned for New Year's Eve, but I do hope that Dick Clark welcomes the new year and the millennium by dropping the ball on American Family Publishers. Mr. Clark should save his good reputation, stick to American Bandstand and ditch American Scamstand.

Mr. LaTOURETTE

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I announce the renaming of Health Hill Hospital for Children to the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation. Since 1998, Health Hill Hospital for Children has been part of the Cleveland Clinic Health System. Devoted entirely to pediatric development, Health Hill has one of the largest teams of pediatric therapists in the nation. In addition to being one of the world's preeminent medical research and educational facilities, the Cleveland Clinic Health System is northeast Ohio's foremost provider of comprehensive medical and rehabilitative services to children requiring long-term treatment. In 1983, the Cleveland Clinic Foundation became the first medical center in the United States to be designated as a National Referral Center by the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFTA), Department of Health and Human Services. More specifically, Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Pediatric Rehabilitation-- Health Hill--is a national health resource for pediatric rehabilitation. The primary goal for Health Hill is to create a more independent lifestyle for these children and their families. Not only does the hospital's pediatric staff provide excellent care to critically ill and disabled children, but they do so in a comforting and caring environment that eases the children's fears and worries. For example, by providing unique programs, like the Day Hospital Program, children can receive daily intensive therapy without having to be hospitalized. Day Hospital patients receive therapy, nursing and medical care, yet are able to return home to their families each evening and weekend. Providing patients with the opportunity to maintain their routines and home lives is so important in making a sick child feel as ``normal'' as possible. The hospital serves children with a variety of illnesses, ranging from spinal cord and head injuries, respiratory problems, feeding disorders, and burns to chronic or congenital medical conditions. Mr. Speaker, Health Hill Hospital has proven to be more than just a ``hospital.'' Their commitment to providing the highest standards of medical services for special needs children is why they continue to be a shining example of one of the best children's specialty hospitals. Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation is affiliated with the renowned Cleveland Clinic Foundation, ranked among the ten best hospitals in the nation by U.S. News and World Report's annual guide to ``America's Best Hospitals.'' It is exciting to see the resources of this prestigious hospital devoted to the care of children. Again, I am honored to announce the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation's new designation, and commend the Foundation's outstanding achievements throughout the past 78 years.

Mr. LaTOURETTE

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Chairman, I thank the distinguished chairman, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh), for yielding. I also appreciate very much his remarks; and as I indicated during my 5 minutes, the majority whip has also indicated his support, and I am sure that everybody on our side and the other side recognizes the difficulty that the chairman was placed under, and we accept the pledge that we are going to figure our way out of this in conference. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw the amendment.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Chairman, I am offering this amendment with my good friend, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich) from the west side of Cleveland, and also I think we will hear from the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Jones of Ohio) of Cleveland. I want to commend the gentleman from New York (Chairman Walsh) the VA-HUD subcommittee chairman, also the work of two great Ohioans on that committee, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Hobson) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula) for their hard work on this bill. I understand and support the fiscally responsible attitude underlying the committee's recommendation, but I believe that the specific cuts disregard the public enthusiasm for NASA funding. Much like the amendments offered yesterday by my colleague the gentleman from California (Mr. Rogan), the purpose of this amendment is to restore funding to the NASA administration relating to science, aeronautics, and space administration. This amendment, however, differs from the one that we voted on yesterday in that it recognizes the difficult tasks that our appropriators face working within current budget restraints and constraints and honors the overall funding level that they have provided NASA in the bill. Our amendment's increase and offset are both provided for within NASA's funding, reflecting the importance of fully funding the aeronautics administration without affecting the money appropriators have directed to other agencies, including Veterans. The work that is done, specifically in Northeastern Ohio at NASA Glenn Research Center, is important not only to the people of Northeastern Ohio but to the entire country as the world leader in the highly competitive aviation market. NASA Glenn has been and is an international leader in avionics and jet engine research since 1941. The Glenn Research Center also has expertise in advanced space propulsion and space power systems including the electrical power solar rays for the International Space Station, combustion research, aircraft engine noise and emissions reduction, chemical and electric rocket propulsion, and advanced turbojet aircraft engines. The Glenn Research Center has received 74 R&D 100 Awards, more than all other NASA centers combined. This proposed increase of $67,986,000 will help maintain core competency programs in aeronautics. Many NASA research programs have impacted and will impact the lives of all individual citizens. For example, innovations in the ultra efficient engine technology seek to develop quieter airplanes in anticipation of increased airport congestion in many of our major cities in the United States. A critical mass of talented people, Mr. Chairman, and scientific resources will be irrevocably damaged in Ohio and elsewhere if the downward swing for funding levels in aerospace programs continues. The partnerships which emerged between industry and NASA have enabled American products to dominate leading-edge technologies. But funding for aeronautical research has received sharp decreases by almost 50 percent in the last decade. Continued slashing of funding jeopardizes the development of vital technologies to thrust America forward in the world aviation market. Mr. Chairman, at the conclusion of my remarks, and I think I will be joined on the floor by my colleagues from Ohio, I see the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich) will be here in a minute to take time on this his own behalf, I will be asking unanimous consent, if the subcommittee chairman is kind enough to yield me time, to withdraw this amendment and not have a vote on it. I do want to emphasize, however, that the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay), the majority whip, in published remarks has indicated that he intends when this matter moves forward to conference with the other body to fight hard to make sure that the funding levels of NASA are restored. I want to thank the gentleman from New York (Chairman Walsh) for his patience. I know he has a lot to do on this bill. I fully appreciate the challenge that he and other members of the Committee on Appropriations are faced with as they try to do their work while honoring our commitment to fiscal responsibility. I daresay that he and his colleagues on the committee have jobs quite unlike those of appropriators of years past. But I believe strongly in the need to fully fund NASA's Science, Aeronautics and Space Administration, as I know the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich) does. As the amendments offered yesterday indicate, if my colleagues look at the amendment offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Rogan), 185 Members of this House joined the gentleman from California (Mr. Rogan) with the need to increase funding for this level of program. His offsets came from the EPA environmental programs. Again, we do not move money from account to account, but we would like this amendment to serve as a bookmark; and I urge the subcommittee chair, which I know he knows the importance of this funding to not only Northeastern Ohio but to the entire area.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. LaTOURETTE

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I announce the renaming of Health Hill Hospital for Children to the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation. Since 1998, Health Hill Hospital for Children has been part of the Cleveland Clinic Health System. Devoted entirely to pediatric development, Health Hill has one of the largest teams of pediatric therapists in the nation. In addition to being one of the world's preeminent medical research and educational facilities, the Cleveland Clinic Health System is northeast Ohio's foremost provider of comprehensive medical and rehabilitative services to children requiring long-term treatment. Not only does the hospital's pediatric staff provide excellent care to critically ill and disabled children, but they do so in a comforting and caring environment that eases the children's fears and worries. The primary goal for Health Hill is to create a more independent lifestyle for these children and their families. For example, by providing unique programs, like the Day Hospital Program, children can receive daily intensive therapy without having to be hospitalized. Day Hospital patients receive therapy, nursing and medical care, yet are able to return home to their families each evening and weekend. Providing patients with the opportunity to maintain their routines and home lives is so important in making a sick child feel as ``normal'' as possible. The hospital serves children with a variety of illnesses, ranging from spinal cord and head injuries, respiratory problems, feeding disorders, and burns to chronic or congenital medical conditions. Mr. Speaker, Health Hill Hospital has proven to be more than just a ``hospital.'' Their commitment to providing the highest standards of medical services for special needs children is why they continue to be a shining example of one of the best children's specialty hospitals. Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation is affiliated with the renowned Cleveland Clinic Foundation, ranked among the ten best hospitals in the nation by U.S. News and World Report's annual guide to ``America's Best Hospitals.'' It is exciting to see the resources of this prestigious hospital devoted to the care of children. Again, I am honored to announce the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation's new designation, and commend the Foundation's outstanding achievements throughout the past 78 years.

Mr. LaTOURETTE

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, as Americans, we have a right to expect that justice will be served whenever an American citizen is murdered, either on our soil or on foreign land. David Berger, the son of Dr. and Mrs. Benjamin Berger of Shaker Heights, Ohio, was murdered nearly 20 years ago, but unlike too many others whose lives are senselessly lost, his death was not relegated to the police blotter section of the local paper. Instead, the killing of David Berger was broadcast around the world and splashed across the front page of virtually every newspaper in the world. Still, for his family there has been no justice and no closure. David Berger, a dual American-Israeli citizen, was one of 11 Israeli athletes killed by Palestinian terrorists in 1972 at the Olympic Games in Munich. David Berger, a championship weightlifter, had emigrated to Israel so he could compete in the Olympics as a member of the Israeli team. Many of us remember the 1972 Olympic games perhaps from Mark Spitz and the 7 gold medals that he won in swimming. Others recall with delight the pint-sized Olga Korbut, who captured our hearts and also captured gold, but for the Berger family the 1972 Olympic games are scarred with painful images that are permanently etched in their minds and hearts, a machine gun toting terrorist with a black ski mask in the window of the dormitory where their son and his teammates were staying, the white pine coffin that held his remains when he was returned to the United States for his funeral. Mr. Speaker, David Berger was the only American to die in this horrific act of terrorism that changed our world, that caused the Olympics to lose its innocence and forced the world to take the reality of terrorism far more seriously. If it could happen at the Olympics, it could happen anywhere. Mr. Speaker, I share the story of David Berger now because at this very moment in history the United States has an unprecedented opportunity to deliver justice to the Berger family. The Palestinian guerilla long suspected as the mastermind of the terrorist acts at the Munich games not only has admitted his part in this plot, but has written a book and plans to profit from it. Abu Daoud has written his autobiography, and it was recently published in France, called ``Palestine: From Jerusalem to Munich.'' In his book he admits to being the mastermind of the hostage taking at the Munich games. Based on those admissions the German government last week issued an Interpol arrest warrant for Abu Daoud and plans to try him as an accessory for murder for planning the attack. Now this terrorist is in Jordan. The Israeli government last week denied him access to Israel, making it impossible for him to return to his home on the West Bank. Mr. Speaker, regrettably it appears that Abu Daoud cannot be held accountable for his crimes in the United States or in Israel. Therefore, it is imperative that the Jordanian government honor the Interpol arrest warrant and return him to Germany. I have called today, Mr. Speaker, upon President Clinton to immediately demand the Jordanian King Abdullah that he turn over Abu Daoud to Germany for prosecution. It would be reprehensible if the United States would now turn its back and refuse to do all within its power to see that an assassin of an American citizen is brought to justice. Mr. Speaker, Abu Daoud's book is not yet available in the United States. However, any American citizen can log on to the Internet, call up Amazon.com and read a breezy synopsis which says, ``Twenty-five years ago after he masterminded the tragedy of the 1972 Munich Olympic games, one of the legendary figures of Palestinian terrorism comes out of hiding to tell his story.'' Daoud has chosen this time in history to reveal to the world his role in this senseless execution of 11 Olympic athletes. While it sickens me to the core, Mr. Speaker, to think that anyone could profit from this type of terrorism, it would sicken me even more if our country were to fail to intervene and assist the Berger family of Shaker Heights, Ohio. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Benjamin Berger is now 81 years old. He still practices medicine and is on the board of trustees at Fairmount Temple, where his eldest son was eulogized more than a quarter of century ago. He and his wife Dorothy have two grown children. The Bergers were left with many wonderful reminders of their son's life: A memorial at the Jewish Community Center, a gym at his high school, and a 19-year-old grandson named after the wonderful son they lost. As we can imagine, it is painful for David Berger's mother Dorothy to relive the horror that befell her family nearly 27 years ago. Mr. Speaker, Dorothy Berger cannot fathom why Abu Daoud has chosen to admit his criminal acts in a book. Maybe he is proud of it. He has gotten away with it all these years. Mr. Speaker, an American citizen was killed nearly 27 years ago in one of the most heinous, well-known terrorist acts of this century. We must not allow Abu Daoud to get away with it one day longer. Mr. Speaker, may justice prevail. May God bless the Berger family and the United States of America.

Mr. LaTOURETTE

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of Air 21. I rise to engage with the gentleman from Tennessee (Chairman Duncan), the chairman of the subcommittee, in a colloquy. I say to the gentleman from Tennessee, I appreciate very much the subcommittee's inclusion in the manager's amendment that allows the sale of Blue Ash Airport in the city of Cincinnati 3 years in advance of the expiration of its current grant assurance with the FAA. I understand that final acceptance of this language, however, may be subject to some conditions and concerns that the subcommittee may have. Would the gentleman care to express those concerns?

Mr. LaTOURETTE. I thank the chairman for his kind words, and I pledge the help of the Ohio delegation in securing this important work.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. I yield to the gentleman from Tennessee.

Mr. LaTOURETTE

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, if I were present, I would have voted ``yea'' on final passage of H.R. 833, the Bankruptcy Reform Act. Stated against:

Mr. LaTOURETTE

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, tonight Cleveland, Ohio, is much poorer than it was yesterday because of the passing of Mayor Ralph J. Perk. If we were to ask residents of the city of Cleveland about et cetera city's recent history, they might point us to the bridge at State Route 21 over the Cuyahoga River as the point where 25 years ago the Cuyahoga River caught on fire, or they might direct us to the factory where Mayor Perk, while attempting to show some blue collar voters that he was proficient in the use of a blow torch, accidentally set his hair on fire. But Clevelanders love to tell the story about when Mayor Perk, a Republican, was invited to a State dinner by then President Richard Nixon, and it conflicted with his wife Lucy's bowling night, so he was not able to be in attendance on that particular evening. Mr. Speaker, Ralph Perk was vintage Cleveland, and he will be greatly missed. He is best known as Cleveland's mayor, but he had a distinguished career as a public servant. He began his political career in 1940 as a Republican precinct committeeman, and was appointed to the staff of the Ohio Attorney General's Office in 1950. He then went on to represent the Broadway East 55th Street area of Cleveland as a councilman from 1953 to 1962. He was then elected to county-wide office, and served as the county auditor for 9 years. When he was elected mayor, Mayor Perk had the distinction of being the first Republican mayor of Cleveland since the 1930s. In fact, only two Republicans have served as the mayor of Cleveland in my lifetime, Ralph Perk and also our new Senator from Ohio, George Voinovich. God love Ralph Perk, Mr. Speaker. He was a Republican in the days when being a Republican was not very cool. His political base was found in Cleveland's heavily Democratic ethnic communities, which supported him regardless of party label. He won folks over with his heart and his ability to be just like everyone else, to connect with his fellow man without pretense. If another mayor had turned down a State dinner at the White House because of his wife's bowling engagement, it would have been a serious breach of etiquette. To Ralph Perk and the city of Cleveland, it is a badge of honor. Mayor Perk served as mayor from 1972 to 1977, at a time when the city was developing some financial difficulties, but Ralph Perk was able to work with the Federal Government and the Nixon White House to secure funding to alleviate a number of those difficulties. He is credited with establishing a regional sewer district, and he is also credited with paying off the bonds, using city funds to pay off the bonds of the financially strapped Cleveland Transit Authority to create what is now the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. Mr. Speaker, although it has been more than 20 years since Ralph Perk served as the mayor of our fair city, he has never been nor will he ever be forgotten. He was a true Cleveland original, a man who loved his hometown with all of his heart and served it with great spirit and dedication. He will be sorely missed. Mayor Perk was reelected as mayor in both 1973 and 1975. In 1977, there was a nonpartisan primary and he was defeated by two other individuals. One was a Member who served in this House, Ed Feighan, and the other is my very distinguished greater Clevelander, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Dennis Kucinich), who then went on to serve as mayor of Cleveland, and now serves with us in the House. I yield to my friend, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich) for his thoughts and remembrances of Mayor Perk.