Jim Langevin

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in unwavering support of House Resolution 392 to reaffirm strong relations between the United States and Israel. The U.S. has a unique relationship with Israel--the only democratic nation in the Middle East. We must continue to support nations with similar ideological goals and that share the same commitment to democratic principles. Our history of friendship spans many decades, and the U.S. has been one of the strongest advocates for efforts to craft a long-term peace settlement in the region. We cannot waiver from our commitment to stability in the area, and the U.S. should serve as a facilitator for peace negotiations. Recently Israel's people have suffered from unspeakable acts of cruelty. The United States, still healing from the attacks of September 11, must stand by Israel in these difficult times. I strongly condemn the acts of radical Palestinian groups that use violence against civilians, a tactic that we cannot tolerate. In February, I called on the President to add the al-Aqsa Matryrs' Brigade, the Tanzim, and Force 17 to the international list of terrorist groups. These organizations are responsible for countless attacks on the Israeli people, and the United States must take action against them. I also call upon Chairman Arafat to curb these attacks, to denounce such acts of terror, and to reiterate his support for peace. Until the violence abates, I support Israel's right to take reasonable action to defend itself and its citizens from further harm. We must continue our efforts in Congress to promote peace in the Middle East and maintain a strong United States-Israel relationship. I urge all of my colleagues to vote for the resolution before us today.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3231 and encourage my colleagues to vote for this important bipartisan measure to reform our Nation's immigration system. The Immigration and Naturalization Service, created in 1933 to consolidate immigration, border control, and naturalization functions in various departments, has been plagued for years by bureaucratic inefficiency, wasteful practices, and an unclear mission. At first, Congress responded to the problem by increasing funding for the agency, quadrupling its budget from $1.4 billion to $5.6 billion between fiscal years 1992 and 2002. Despite the infusion of resources, the INS reported an increase in its backlog of visa and immigration-related applications. Though a commission chaired by former Congresswoman Barbara Jordan recommended in 1997 that the INS be dismantled, Congress still did not take the drastic action necessary to fix the problems of an agency that had become for many Americans the stereotype of Federal bureaucracy. However, when the INS sent student visa confirmations for two of the September 11 terrorists--six months after their attacks on America--the subsequent public outrage expedited much-needed reform. I commend Chairman Sensenbrenner and Ranking Member Conyers for their cooperation in crafting a common-sense bipartisan measure that will address many of the INS's existing problems. The separation of the INS into the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Bureau of Immigration Enforcement will prevent the type of mission conflict that plagues the current agency. I also approve of the creation of an Associate Attorney General to oversee the functions of these two bureaus and to emphasize the importance of immigration matters within the Justice Department. However, I would be remiss if I did not express the concerns of some of my constituents, who fear that splitting a bureaucracy into two only creates two bureaucracies. I have to laugh as I am reminded of the perils of Hercules as he tried to slay Hydra, the nine-headed snake, which grew two heads for every one that was chopped off. Instead, we must strike at the heart of our current problem, and I believe that H.R. 3231 will effectively accomplish this goal. I will be carefully monitoring the implementation of INS reform to see that the new bureaus are efficient, responsive and focused in their mission.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 87th anniversary of the Armenian genocide and to commend my colleagues, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Knollenberg), for organizing this Special Order and to remember this solemn occasion. Over an 8-year period, beginning in 1915, the Ottoman Turkish Empire systematically tortured and murdered 1.5 million Armenians and exiled another half million more. In the years since, Armenian descendents have thrived in the United States and in many other countries, bringing extraordinary vitality and achievement to communities across this Nation and throughout the world. Tragically, the Turkish Government has refused to acknowledge the Armenian genocide and has made repeated attempts to exonerate itself of any wrongdoing through a shameful propaganda campaign. The victims of the genocide deserve our remembrance and their rightful place in history. It is in the best interests of our Nation and the entire global community to remember the past and learn from these unfortunate events to ensure that they are never repeated. Earlier this year, the European Union adopted a resolution affirming the Armenian genocide, making it one of the many official bodies, including the Governments of Canada, Argentina, France, Italy, Sweden and Belgium, to do so. Now more than ever, the genocide underscores our responsibility to help convey our cherished tradition of respect for fundamental human rights and opposition to such heinous atrocities. Only through such recognition can the Armenian people hope to feel some measure of compensation for the ultimate injustice perpetrated against their Nation. As a proud member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues and an ardent supporter of Rhode Island's Armenian American community, I will continue to encourage my colleagues to hold the Turkish Government accountable for its actions and to honor the memory of those Armenians who suffered and perished nearly a century ago.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, my vote was recorded incorrectly on the motion to recommit on H.R. 476. My vote would be a ``no'' on the motion to recommit.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce 13 bills to suspend the duty on the importation of products used by a manufacturer in my home state of Rhode Island. Several of these products are organic colorants used in manufacturing processes requiring unique characteristics beyond the mere addition of color. For example, some of the products are used in the manufacture of plastics; they combine the characteristics of stability in high heat as well as maintaining the color of the plastic for long periods of time. Others are used for automotive coatings, and they replace older colorants based on metals such as lead, chromium, molybdenum, cadmium and mercury. Also among the products for which I am seeking temporary duty relief are colorants that can maintain their exact shade even when used in manufacturing processes exceeding 200 degrees centigrade. Other products are intermediate chemicals used in the manufacture of pigments. The temporary suspension of duty on products imported into the United States is sound public policy so long as there is no domestic producer of the same products or directly competitive products. I have been assured there are no domestic producers of the 13 products for which I am seeking duty relief. Eliminating the duty on these products will allow the Rhode Island manufacturer to maintain its competitiveness in the international market. The products for which I am seeking duty suspension are manufactured overseas by the sister companies of the Rhode Island manufacturer. In addition, I was pleased to learn that the Rhode Island company invested several million dollars to expand domestic manufacturing capacity in Rhode Island for a product that formerly received a suspension of duty.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 23rd anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, which was signed into law on April 10, 1979, by President Jimmy Carter. For more than two decades, the Taiwan Relations Act has served to provide the Republic of China on Taiwan the necessary security to grow ever stronger. Economically, Taiwan is now a member of the World Trade Organization and one of the strongest economic entities in the world. Politically, it is a strong and growing democracy whose people enjoy all the liberties and freedoms inherent in such a system. It is my hope that the Taiwan Relations Act will continue to serve as the basis of our relations with democratic Taiwan. That means we must continue to assist Taiwan in meeting its legitimate security needs and continue our contact with representatives of the Taiwan government. They are democratically elected leaders of one of our largest trading partners and our continuing dialogue with them is fundamental to a mutually beneficial relationship. In closing I would like to commend the good work that Ambassador C. J. Chen and his able staff have been performing here in Washington. Through their efforts, I am certain that the relationship between the United States and Taiwan, anchored in the Taiwan Relations Act, will enjoy continued strength in the years ahead.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the leadership and achievements of Dr. Beverly Walters in the field of neurosurgery. Dr. Walters is an Associate Professor of Clinical Neurosciences at Brown University, and Chief of Neurosurgery at Landmark Medical Center. Dr. Walters recently co-chaired a committee that examined a number of studies and established guidelines for the treatment of acute cervical spine and spinal cord injuries. The guidelines were published in the March issue of Neurosurgery. The committee evaluated the best scientific evidence developed over the last 25 years to inform their conclusions. The standardization and refinement of surgical techniques in treating spinal cord injuries is a substantial accomplishment in neurosurgery, and a testament to Dr. Walters' experience in research and surgical practice. I am proud to represent Dr. Walters, and applaud her commitment to this field. Mr. Speaker, I hope you and our colleagues will join me in recognizing Dr. Beverly Walters and her outstanding work. Due in part to her dedication, numerous lives are improved daily through increased understanding of spinal cord, injuries.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in proud recognition of the 182nd anniversary of Greek Independence. This is a great day, for it commemorates the return of democracy to the cradle of Western Civilization after nearly four hundred years of foreign rule. Greece has always been proud and independent by nature. Its people were a powerful force both culturally and militarily, as evidenced by the works of Homer and the multitude of Greek philosophers. The pinnacle of Greek influence was Alexander the Great and his unification of the eastern Mediterranean and ancient Middle East. Greek culture was spread throughout the new empire and for the first time, people were communicating with a common language, sharing ideas in a way never before possible. This Hellenization transformed every place is touched. Nearly two thousand years later, another important concept from ancient Greece came to the forefront of modern thought. The concept of ``rule by the people'' gained prominence in the young United States. This was the desire of the framers of our Constitution, and they found their inspiration in the principles of the polis of Athens. In 1821, thirty years after the birth of our nation, the people of Greece acted upon a desire to be free. The Ottoman Turks had conquered the region in 1453, bringing an end to over a thousand years of rule by the Orthodox-Christian Byzantine Empire and its resurgence of Greek culture. After a bloody eleven-year war, Greece was finally free once again. In the modern era, one of the most important reminders of Greek heritage is the Olympic Games, which are finally returning to their origins in Athens in 2004 for the 25th Summer Olympic Games. For more than a century, the Olympics have symbolized peace and excellence for people the world over, reassuring us that even the smallest nation can compete on an equal ground with the largest. With their intertwined histories, Greece and the United States stand as natural allies with a fine record of cooperation at the global level. The roots of this strong relationship are fixed in the two nations' shared views on independence, freedom, and democracy. These principles still flourish millennia after their creation, and the United States and Greece continue to uphold the promise of democratic ideals. Mr. Speaker, it is this feeling that I believe is the greatest contribution Greece has given to our world: We are all equal, whether it is in our democratic government or in friendly competition, and we can come together in friendship even during the most difficult of times. With that, I would like to thank my colleagues for holding this special order and once again congratulate Greece on the anniversary of its independence and all of the gifts it has given us.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong opposition to this budget resolution, which undermines our long-term fiscal health and spends a huge portion of the Social Security and Medicare surpluses. I stand united with the President and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in our commitment to defeat terrorism and to do what is necessary to preserve national security both at home and abroad. However, despite the many new security and economic challenges confronting us, our homeland protection efforts and fiscal policies should not shortchange Social Security and other national priorities. We can win the war against terrorism without raiding the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds and without increasing the national debt. Earlier this year, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) confirmed that in less than a year the 10-year projected surplus declined by $4 trillion. While portions of this decline are a result of the war and the economic downturn, the depletion of the surplus to date was largely caused by last year's massive and fiscally irresponsible tax cut package. The additional billions in tax cuts proposed in this year's budget would only worsen our current situation and lead us further down the path of mounting deficits and escalating public debt. To pay for the additional tax cuts, this budget would raid more than $1.5 trillion from the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds over the next ten years to cover deficits in the rest of the federal budget. We need a wartime freeze on tax cuts to avoid deficit spending. When I was elected to Congress, I promised my constituents that I would protect the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds. And I was not alone. Over one hundred of my colleagues have co-sponsored legislation to prevent Congress from spending the Social Security and Medicare surpluses, and the House of Representatives has voted four times in the past three years to establish lockboxes for these funds. The Administration and the Republican Leadership made the very same pledge to not touch these vital trust funds. This budget breaks that promise. It is time to honor our commitments by acknowledging our current situation and working together to craft budget that is fair and fiscally responsible. Moreover, this resolution uses overly optimistic Administration budget estimates rather than the usual non-partisan estimates from the Congressional Budget Office. Furthermore, it assumes unacceptable cuts in key domestic priorities such as education, housing, health care, job training and environmental protection, even though Congress will likely restore the needed funding. While this resolution provides $350 billion in additional Medicare spending, it would place a Medicare prescription drug benefit in competition with Medicare ``modernization,'' as well as provider givebacks that the Republican Leadership has estimated will costs as much as $174 billion. The projections also leave out an assessment of the lost revenue from extending expiring tax credits and modifying the individual minimum tax that will impact 39 million middle-income taxpayers over the next 10 years. And these five-year projections fail to disclose the cost of making last year's tax cuts permanent, as the Administration's budget proposes. Over the customary ten-year budgetary window, extending the tax cuts cost $400 billion. A more realistic set of assumptions would show that the 10-year budget surplus has already vanished. The disappearance of the 10-year surplus compels us to consider not just a one-year but also a long-term budget plan. The American people have the right to know how the Congress proposes to restore fiscal discipline while enacting additional tax cuts, boosting spending for the military and meeting commitments to a growing number of retirees. The Administration and Congress should devise budgetary rules that make tax cuts and spending contingent on the realization of specified targets for the budget surplus and the federal debt. Unfortunately, this budget fails on all those counts. I am also deeply concerned about the draconian cuts to the Small Business Administration. The budget proposes cutting funding for the 7(a) loan program in half. Last year, this loan program provided over $94 million in assistance to Rhode Island's small business community. Additionally, the Administration proposed cutting funding for employment and training programs by $685 million. With more than 1.4 million workers laid off over the last year, we need this funding now more than ever. The budget would also slash the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) by #$300 million. This program is crucial for all New England states and particularly for our seniors, who might otherwise be forced to choose food over heat. Finally, the budget would cut $417 million from Public Housing Capital Fund, which helps provide 1.2 million families nationwide--40 percent of whom are elderly or disabled--with affordable housing. Housing needs are especially acute in Rhode Island, where 38 percent of renter households pay more than 30 percent of their income for rent. I urge my colleagues to reject this misguided budget and to develop one that will ensure security at home and abroad, without dramatically increasing our debt, borrowing against Social Security and Medicare, or abandoning our commitments to children, workers, senior citizens and all Americans.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I come before you to recognize the accomplishments of a great person in Rhode Island history, Elizabeth Buffum Chace. A controversial figure in the 19th century because of her progressive views on slavery and women's suffrage, Chace has since earned immense respect in Rhode Island for her determination and willingness to fight for just causes. Today, in celebration of her great deeds, the state honors Elizabeth Buffum Chace by placing a statue of her on permanent display in the State House. The dedication of the Elizabeth Buffum Chace statute comes as the result of an extensive search conducted by the Rhode Island Commission to Memorialize the Contributions of All Rhode Island Women, which was established in may 2001 to address the notable lack of female figures in the State House statuary. After reviewing thousands of nominations, the Commission selected Chace for her many contribution to Rhode Island, and I wish to recognize some of her notable achievements. Born in 1806 in Smithfield, Elizabeth Buffum was raised as a Quaker. Her life was strongly molded by the values of independence and simplicity instilled in her by her family. Her passion for justice first became evident in the 1830s when she campaigned against slavery. Founder of the Fall River Anti-Slavery Society, she mounted a door-to- door campaign to further the abolitionist cause, and she and her husband, Samuel Chace, often hid fugitive slaves in their home. So passionate was Chace about abolitionism that she ultimately severed ties with her beloved Quaker roots because the religion would not strengthen its position against slavery. Upon returning to Rhode Island, Chace continued her anti-slavery efforts and also spoke out in favor of women's suffrage and temperance--two of her greatest passions. As one of the founders of the Rhode Island Women's Suffrage Association, she objected to the political and social subjugation of women and advocated the admission of women to Brown University. Additionally, she tackled the unpopular issues of homelessness and prison reform, simultaneously making enemies and progress. Throughout these campaigns, she never neglected her family and was a caring and dedicated mother to her ten children. She maintained her strong spirit until her death in 1899 at the age of 93, having written an article just one year earlier for the Women's Journal, a suffrage newspaper. Chace is certainly an apt choice as the first Rhode Island woman honored by a State House statue, though I am confident that today merely marks the beginning of a greater trend in recognizing remarkable women in the halls of the Rhode Island Capitol. I wish to thank my good friend, Secretary of State Edward Inman, for his vision and leadership in trumpeting the accomplishments of women in our great state, and I look forward to working with him on other important initiatives to enhance the civic pride of all Rhode Islanders.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in favor of legislation I have waited months to be able to support. At long last, the Republican Leadership has brought to the Floor an unemployment benefits extension package that can attract broad, bipartisan backing and finally demonstrate the commitment of this Congress to helping displaced workers weather the current economic climate. As we all know, the repercussions from the September 11th terrorist attacks compounded the impacts of an already weakened labor market. By the end of January, 1.3 million displaced workers had exhausted their unemployment benefits, and workers continue to use up their benefits at the staggering rate of 80,000 per week nationwide. In my state of Rhode Island, almost 4,000 workers exhausted benefits between November 2001 and January 2002, a 33% increase over the same period last year. For months, my constituents have been pleading for assistance to help them make ends meet while they search for new employment. For months, I have promised to fight for them in Washington. Yet I have been forced again and again to vote against extended unemployment benefits that the Republican Leadership insisted upon politicizing by combining them with controversial tax cuts. I am pleased to at last have the opportunity to extend a helping hand to struggling families in my district and move beyond the partisan stalemate that has thwarted our past efforts on this issue. To be sure, this legislation, which includes a thirteen-week extension of unemployment benefits and a modest package of responsible, pro-growth tax proposals, is only a first step. We must still ensure that laid-off workers have access to affordable health insurance for themselves and their families. That is why I am pleased to join many of my Democratic colleagues in supporting a federal subsidy of 75% of COBRA premium costs for a period of 12 months for laid-off workers. We would also give states the option to add a new eligibility category to Medicaid to cover laid-off workers who are not COBRA-eligible for up to 12 months. America's workers desperately need our continued help, and I hope we can work together to address this issue expeditiously.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. I thank my colleague for yielding. I would like to begin by thanking my colleagues and friends, the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Carson) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald), for joining me in focusing attention on this critically important issue. Together with a number of our esteemed colleagues, we are declaring that we will not accept a budget that jeopardizes Social Security or Medicare, programs that are essential to my constituents in Rhode Island and to Americans everywhere. As we consider this year's budget, we have a choice, to preserve Social Security and protect our Nation's elderly from poverty, or divert funds for this program to less critical priorities. To meet the needs of our country's rapidly growing senior population, I choose to prioritize Social Security and Medicare and will fight for a budget that reflects that choice. The administration's budget, on the other hand, raids $1.5 trillion of the Social Security Trust Fund surplus, the very fund Congress voted five times to place in a lockbox to ensure its solvency. This choice is unacceptable to me, and it is unacceptable to the two-thirds of recipients who rely on Social Security for the majority of their income and the almost 20 percent who rely on it for their entire income. Last year, the Congressional Budget Office projected a 10-year non- Social Security surplus of $3.1 trillion. Just 1 year later, the projection has plunged to a deficit of $742 billion. The administration uses a series of gimmicks and unrealistic assumptions to disguise the fact that the government will run a much larger deficit than its budget predicts, virtually guaranteeing that the Social Security surplus will disappear over the next decade, leaving 200 million Americans who currently rely on Social Security, or will in the future, with no financial security in their most vulnerable years. A raid on the Social Security Trust Fund today is a promise to cut Social Security tomorrow. In Rhode Island, Social Security provides a vital lifeline for a significant percentage of the population. Rhode Island ranks fifth in the Nation for the percentage of residents over 75 and sixth in the Nation for those over 65. In my district alone, 110,000 people rely on Social Security for their livelihood. These Rhode Islanders worry about whether Social Security will continue to be there when they need it, and they are tired of hearing promises from politicians that are not backed up with action. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand with my Democratic colleagues to fight to preserve Social Security's core structure and ensure that we do not revert to an era of overwhelming poverty among the elderly. We have a choice. I choose America's seniors. I choose a responsible, honest budget that does not sacrifice the most vulnerable among us. I know those Members who join me today have made that same choice. I urge the rest of my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, today marks the end of Black History Month, a time when we are reminded of the great contributions of African-Americans to our Nation. Rhode Island has a proud history of African-American accomplishments ranging from the heroic deeds of the Black Regiment, which fought under General Nathaniel Greene during the American Revolution, to Ruth Simmons who, as president of Brown University, is the first African-American to head an Ivy League institution. Last month, I met with civil rights leaders from Rhode Island to discuss the work of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., and how we are still working to keep alive his vision for America. While we have made great strides since Dr. King's death, we have much more to accomplish. Throughout my service as a public official, I have met far too often with people with no access to affordable health care, housing, or even quality education for their children, and who fear for the safety of their loved ones because of gun violence. Congress must have the courage to address these problems immediately and promote efforts to improve the lives of all Americans. We cannot tolerate violence and crimes that target a victim's race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. We must demand affordable health care and housing. We must support equal pay for equal work. And we must defend affirmative action in order to provide greater opportunities to minority students, workers, and business owners. When accepting his Nobel Peace Prize Reverend King said, ``I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits.'' I challenge all of us to share Dr. King's audacity and to continue fighting for an America that offers equality for all.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, President George W. Bush will be making his first state visit to the People's Republic of China later this month. This is a very important trip for both countries, and I hope President Bush will receive assurances from China for its full cooperation in our fight against worldwide terrorism. In the meantime, I am hopeful that the President will work to protect the interests of the Republic of China on Taiwan. It is likely that the Chinese leaders will ask President Bush to make certain concessions on the issue of Taiwan, and we must strongly urge President Bush to stand firm on the United States' existing policy toward Taiwan, including our commitment to sell defensive arms to Taiwan. As we all know, Taiwan is a small country, yet it faces a formidable adversary in the People's Republic of China. Despite all odds, and with U.S. assistance, Taiwan has been able to enjoy great economic success, significant political reforms, freedom and democracy. As a new member of the World Trade Organization and the world's 17th largest economy, Taiwan has a major economic presence in the world. Its 23 million people enjoy a high standard of living and will continue to do so as long as there is peace in the Taiwan Strait. Peace in the Strait depends in large part on American support. I hope President Bush will give a message to Chinese leaders that peace in the Taiwan Strait will lead to greater prosperity for both Taiwan and the Chinese mainland, and that Taiwan and the PRC should begin serious discussions about economic cooperation and other issues of mutual interest. I wish the President a safe and productive trip.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to declare my strong support for H.R. 1343, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, and to urge its swift passage in the House of Representatives. In the last five years, approximately 50,000 hate crimes were reported to authorities, with the brutal murders of Matthew Shepard and James Byrd graphically demonstrating to the nation the horrors of violence motivated by hate and bigotry. In 2000 alone, law enforcement agencies in 48 states and the District of Columbia reported 8,063 bias- motivated criminal incidents. Unfortunately, five states have no laws against hate crimes, and the statutes in another eighteen states fall short of full protection. Even in a state such as Rhode Island, where we have strong laws against hate crimes, law enforcement officials recorded 50 cases of bias-motivated offenses in 2000. Because the current federal hate crimes law only covers crimes motivated by racial, religious or ethnic prejudice, Congress must enact legislation to establish a strong national standard for prosecuting all hate crimes. To ensure that no American is targeted for violence based on prejudice, I am an original cosponsor of the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which would provide federal assistance to state and local authorities in prosecuting hate crimes. Additionally, the legislation would expand the federal definition of hate crimes to include violent acts motivated by prejudice against the victim's sexual orientation, gender or disability. I urge my colleagues to cosponsor this important piece of legislation and to demand its immediate consideration in the House. I also wish to express my gratitude to the bill's author, Congressman John Conyers, as well as to Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, for their leadership on this important issue. I am confident that we will be able to work in a bipartisan fashion to pass H.R. 1343 and bring an end to hate-based crimes in the United States.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the historic Shays-Meehan Campaign Finance Reform Act today. For too long, our Nation's elections have been tainted by the effects of soft money, and the Shays-Meehan bill is the only measure that will put an end to this corrupting influence. Public participation is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy. As secretary of state of Rhode Island, I worked to make government more accessible to our citizens. However, despite these advances, my constituents still feel disheartened by our Nation's election system because large sums of money drown out the voice of the average voter. Reform is never easy. We often forget the immense courage exhibited by our Founding Fathers in challenging the status quo. We must remember this lesson and vote for true campaign finance reform that will take the reins of democracy out of the hands of corporations and interest groups and restore the voice of our citizens. Vote against the Armey substitute and for Shays-Meehan.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about a very important issue to my district and communities across the country-- increasing access to professional development for our teachers and to introduce the No Substitute for Quality Teaching Act, legislation I have drafted to address this issue. We all understand the importance of training opportunities for our teachers. When we passed H.R. 1 by an overwhelming margin, we included significant new investments for teacher quality programs and new measures to hold teachers accountable for the education they provide. We even required school to devote 10 percent of their Title I funds to professional development activities. Unfortunately, these resources and requirements will be meaningless if teachers do not have time to take advantage of the training opportunities. Throughout the fall I conducted a survey of teachers and principals in all the schools in my congressional district. I found that teachers and administrators alike want to pursue more professional development, to improve their skills and use the most innovative and effective teaching strategies available, but they simply do not have the time. Many teachers are already overburdened with the daily duties of teaching, coaching or leading other after-school activities, and preparing future lesson plans. When they need a substitute to fill in while they attend a training class, there often isn't one available. In fact, the substitute teacher shortage in Rhode Island--and in many states across the country--is so acute that many teachers are being forced to give up their planning periods to cover for sick colleagues. Some states have even placed moratoriums on leaves of absence for professional development. To alleviate the shortage, districts have been forced to dramatically lower their hiring standards for substitute teachers. Twenty-eight states allow principals to hire anyone with a high school diploma or GED who is 18 or older, and over half of all states do not check references or even conduct face-to-face interviews with potential substitutes. Yet, our students spend an inordinate amount of time with them--an average of 365 days over the course of their elementary and secondary education. Alarmingly, minimal qualification requirements for substitutes have been linked to lower educational achievement among students. So, today, along with 14 of my colleagues, I am introducing the ``No Substitute for Quality Teaching Act.'' This bill will create a demonstration grant program for school districts to experiment with creative ways to address the substitute teacher shortage. The funds will go directly to local education agencies, which may tackle the problem alone or in conjunction with neighboring districts. States across the country are already dealing with this issue in a myriad of ways. Wisconsin, Florida, California, New Mexico, Washington, Pennslyvania and Minnesota, to name a few, have created permanent substitute teacher pools, implemented training programs to equip substitutes with the skills they need to be effective at their jobs, conducted recruitment campaigns, and raised substitute compensation. Let's provide the necessary resources to disseminate the lessons these states have already learned, and to find new ways to solve this problem by passing the No Substitute for Quality Teaching Act.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the House's attention a valuable report on the state of the union for Americans with Disabilities. As a quadriplegic since the age of 16, I believe that the Americans with Disabilities Act has not only helped me and others with disabilities, but has also enabled society to benefit from the skills and talents of the 54 million individuals with disabilities. The landmark legislation has also provided people with disabilities the chance to lead more productive and satisfying lives that include integration into America's social infrastructure. However, there is still much to be done so I am pleased to highlight the efforts of the National Organization on Disability, which celebrates the progress of the nation and works to increase access, opportunity, and inclusion for people with disabilities. I would like to submit for the Record a copy of the National Organization on Disability's State of the Union 2002 for Americans with Disabilities which provides benchmarks for the current state of disability life in America, and calls for action on improvements that have still to be made:

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, tonight we will hear from our President on the State of the Union. I look forward to hearing his remarks, especially because he is committed to spending $190 billion over the next decade to overhaul Medicare and provide prescription drug benefits to our elderly. This is an important first step but, Madam Speaker, we need more and we need it now. The average Medicare beneficiary fills 18 different prescriptions in 1 year alone, yet at least one in three people in the Medicare population have no drug coverage in the course of a year and spend on average 83 percent more for their medicines than those with drug coverage. In my own State of Rhode Island, seniors are choosing between food or health care on a daily basis. In July of last year, I commissioned a study to assess what my constituents are paying for prescription drugs. This study found that uninsured elderly pay on average 78 percent more for most prescription drugs than do seniors in foreign countries. What is most disturbing about these numbers is that almost half of all Medicare beneficiaries with no prescription drug coverage have incomes less than 175 percent of poverty, which was $15,000 in 2001. The lack of prescription drug coverage for our seniors is a national crisis. Medicare+Choice, Medigap coverage, discount card programs and other accounts to chip away at this problem are not the answer. We must provide comprehensive drug coverage under Medicare and we must do it now. Madam Speaker, I urge the President and my colleagues in both Chambers of Congress to work together to ensure that we pass this legislation this year.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to announce a very important achievement by the Quonset Air Museum in North Kingston, Rhode Island. Thanks to the coordinated effort of the Hasbro Corporation, the Rhode Island Air National Guard, the Rhode Island delegation and the Quonset Air Museum, an all-volunteer organization, the museum has been selected as the new home for the US Navy F-14 Tomcat, tail number A162591. The mission to bring an F-14 to the museum began over 3 years ago. Thanks to countless letters and phone calls over the years and the diligence of many dedicated civilians and members of the services, today we are rewarded with the acquisition of a military treasure. This aircraft will join 30 other military and civilian aircraft and 5,000 smaller artifacts that are on display in the Quonset Air Museum. This plane was recently given a noble warrior's retirement from Fallon Naval Air Station in Nevada, the new home of the Navy's Top Gun competition. And it was even featured in the movie, Top Gun. But perhaps, most important of all, the F-14 has served the military for over 25 years. It was used in the Persian Gulf War and is now leading our effort in Afghanistan. Today Rhode Island celebrates these accomplishments at an appropriate time in our nation's history. This aircraft has trained and prepared some of the Navy's top fighter pilots. It exemplifies the strength and vigilance of our country's armed forces and it demonstrates the honor attached to the service to one's country. This occasion reminds me of the importance of patriotism and of my love of this country. I am proud to be an American, and I am proud to be a Rhode Islander. I hope that current and future generations visiting the Quonset Air Museum share my appreciation for the hard work of the museum in bringing this living legend to our community and for the tremendous debt owed to the F-14s and their pilots who have fought over the years to ensure America's freedom.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend my colleagues Mr. Miller and Mr. Boehner for their hard work in crafting a bi-partisan education bill that provides real reform and real investments to make that reform a reality. I am pleased that in the midst of fighting the war of terrorism, we were able to remain focused on our most pressing domestic priority--the education of our children. This bill tackles the persistent achievement gap between poor and more affluent school districts. Now more than ever education funding will be targeted at the students who need it most. For students in Providence and Cranston, Rhode Island, the revised Title I funding formula will translate into desperately needed books and supplies, bilingual education, more high-quality afterschool programs, and expanded access to technology. In addition, H.R. 1 authorizes critical funding for school construction and modernization. With three-quarters of our schools in disrepair, this need is overwhelming and cannot wait. H.R. 1 also expands access to teacher quality programs to give teachers better support, mentoring, and salary incentives. The more support we provide to our teachers the more effective they will be in the classroom and--most importantly--the more students will learn. While I was disappointed that the conferees were not able to work out a compromise on funding for students with disabilities, I am looking forward to working with my colleagues next year to ensure that IDEA receives the investment it deserves. Schools across the country are bleeding from the cost of educating students with special needs. The federal government made a promise to help ease the financial burden of educating these students, and we owe it to our schools and our children to honor that promise. But despite its lack of full funding for IDEA, H.R. 1 is a strong bill, and I am proud to support it.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Rachel Walshe, who hails from my hometown of Warwick, Rhode Island, and is the first woman from a New England public university to receive a Rhodes Scholarship. Rachel was selected for the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship from among 925 applicants from across the nation for her leadership potential, academic achievement, and personal integrity. Throughout her 23 years, Rachel has consistently demonstrated all of these characteristics. Graduating last year from the University of Rhode Island with highest honors, she focused on the philosophy of religions, a major she crafted to explore her interest in understanding human motivation. While a student at the University of Rhode Island, she fought to affect public policy, founding the URI Chapter of the Campaign to End the Death Penalty, volunteering with America Reads and mentoring children in Head Start. In her spare time she mastered equestrian arts and Tai Kwan Do kickboxing. At Oxford, Rachel will study English and theater history, and when she returns she hopes to direct theatrical performances. Already, Rachel has shared her talent with Perishable Theater in Providence where she works full-time. I know my colleagues understand the high honor that the Rhodes Scholarship bestows. It signals tremendous achievement and even greater promise. On behalf of the entire Second Congressional District of Rhode Island, I want to express our pride in Rachel's success. Her example is inspiring and her future is overflowing with possibility. I just hope she comes home once in awhile to remind all Rhode Islanders that the smallest of states can produce the biggest of successes.5

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize one of my constituents, Mary Daniels of Cranston, as she begins her retirement at the impressive age of eighty-four. On Friday, December 7, Mary completed her final day of work at Leviton, an electrical equipment manufacturer that is one of the largest employers in Rhode Island. For thirty-seven years, Mary served as a dedicated and diligent worker, completing any task that was put before her. She will be remembered by her coworkers for her kindness to her friends and family, her impressive work ethic, and her strong character. After many years of working to support her family, Mary may now take full advantage of her retirement. I am certain that she will enjoy these golden years, as her strong spirit will keep her active. Her four children and eight grandchildren are also certain to benefit now that she has more time to prepare family meals and her famous lemon meringue pie. I encourage Mary to take full advantage of her retirement years, to spend more time with her loved ones, and to pursue all of her dreams. I now ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating this impressive woman on her notable achievement.quit

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this partisan stimulus package, which offers little assistance to those most vulnerable in the current economic climate. Any economic stimulus package must include continued health coverage and unemployment benefits for workers who have lost their jobs. Unfortunately, this measure includes cosmetic changes from previous proposals, and relies on large, permanent multi-year tax cuts for business and higher-income taxpayers, while providing relatively few benefits for the unemployed. More than 2 million Americans have already lost their jobs this year, with over 700,000 layoffs since September 11th. Our national Unemployment Rate for November has jumped to 5.7%, the highest level in 6 years. In Rhode Inland, unemployment has risen to 4.1%. Clearly, America's workers need our help now. For this reason, I support the Democratic substitute that contains substantial unemployment benefits and health coverage for dislocated workers while stimulating the economy with temporary business and individual tax cuts. Unlike the underlying bill, the substitute pays for itself by delaying the top income tax rate cut, which was approved earlier this year and benefits only the nation's wealthiest Americans. I urge my colleagues to support the Democratic substitute and to reject this ineffective economic stimulus package, which fails to provide the relief and stimulus that America's workers desperately need.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 3295, the Help America Vote Act. Fixing the shortcomings in our election system is no easy task, and I commend the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ney) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) for their tireless efforts to craft strong, bipartisan legislation, and for allowing me to assist in its development. As Rhode Island's Secretary of State, I replaced our ancient lever voting machines with state-of-the-art voting equipment and created a system guaranteeing that every vote is counted and every person with a disability has 100 percent voting access; and that is exactly what we must demand in every State. H.R. 3295 will let States like Rhode Island build on their successes. By counting State expenditures for ongoing election improvement programs toward the 25 percent State match requirement, these model States may implement new and innovative accessible voting technologies and serve as even better models for other States to emulate. The Help America Vote Act also sets minimum standards for election administration and voting accessibility. Because 84 percent of the Nation's polling places are inaccessible to the physically disabled, I strongly encourage State election officials to follow Rhode Island's cost-effective model and guarantee to all Americans the fundamental right to vote independently. This bill offers many good improvements, but we must go further. We must ensure full voting access to all people with disabilities. I have advocated for the access board to develop national standards and deadlines for polling place accessibility, and I will continue to push for this mandate. Today's legislation will lay the foundation of a great new era of public participation in the democratic process. While it is not a perfect bill, it is an important first step in addressing the inequities of our Nation's voting systems, and I encourage my colleagues to support it.