Carolyn Maloney

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute Mr. Sonny Hall, international president of the Transport Workers Union, on the occasion of his retirement. Sonny Hall is a trailblazing leader of the trade union movement who throughout his life has selflessly devoted himself in service to our Nation, his family, and the union members whom he has led so ably for generations. As International President of the Transport Workers Union of America, Sonny Hall has represented more than 100,000 men and women employed in the Nation's transportation and allied industries. Prior to his election to this post at the Union's 19th Constitutional Convention in October 1993, he served as president of Transport Workers Union Local 100, the largest local union of TWU, representing nearly 38,000 members who operate the lifelines of New York City, its extensive network of subway trains and its public and private bus lines. Over the course of his long and distinguished career, Mr. Hall served in virtually every union position, from shop steward all the way up to the very pinnacle of the labor movement. He was named president of Local 100 in May 1985 and subsequently elected to full 3-year terms in December 1985, 1988 and 1991. He first joined the Transport Workers Union in 1950 as a bus cleaner for the old Omnibus Corporation, and became a bus operator in 1957. In between, he served tours of duty in both the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Army. Elected an international vice president at the Transport Workers Union's Seventeenth Constitutional Convention in September 1985, he was appointed executive vice president by the International Executive Council on January 9, 1989, acid was subsequently elected to that post for a 4-year term at the Union's 18th Constitutional Convention in October 1989. Mr. Hall went on to be elected secretary treasurer to the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department in 1995, and was elected to the AFL- CIO's Executive Council at the Federation's convention in October 1995. Throughout his career, he always served both his fellow union members and the transit-riding public with courageous, calm, clear-headed and effective leadership. Sonny Hall studied military and criminal law at the University of New Mexico, and graduated with a bachelor of arts degree from the Cornell University Labor College. He is the son of a retired New York City bus operator who served the riding public for three decades and was an early member of Transport Workers Union Local 100. Sonny Hall and his wife, Maureen, are proud parents of a son, Kevin Hall. In recognition of his outstanding accomplishments, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mr. Sonny Hall on the occasion of his retirement.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, the Constitution of the United States is the single greatest foundation of law in history. It serves as a model for democracies around the world. Therefore, we should approach amending it with great caution and reverence. For 215 years the U.S. Constitution has protected the rights of the American people; the right to assemble, the right to worship, the right to speak freely, and we ought to pass a constitutional amendment that gives equal rights to women. Instead, today we are debating a constitutional amendment that would curtail a right. Our predecessors tried this once in the 20th century. Fourteen years later they had to unamend the Constitution by rolling back prohibition. Our Constitution is silent on marriage, and that is good, because the American people's definition of what is an acceptable marriage has evolved over the years. A marriage once signified that a woman had no legal identity apart from her husband. Within the last 100 years, over a dozen States prohibited marriages between those of a European and Asian decent, and the Supreme Court overruled laws barring interracial marriage less than four decades ago. No constitutional amendment stood in the way of those changes. Laws governing families and marriage have always been determined by State governments. Dozens of States are already dealing with this issue. It is federalism in action. Many of this constitutional amendment's supporters have preached the virtues of federalism on other issues. You cannot be a federalist except when federalism is inconvenient. This is not governing on principle, it is practicing the politics of expedience and divisiveness right before a major election, and we should know better than to play politics with the United States Constitution.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to this legislation. Nearly thirty years ago, handguns were banned in Washington, D.C. by the will of the people. Yet here we are, once again, dictating to the citizens of the District of Columbia the laws that govern them when their own elected delegate will not even have the opportunity to vote on passage of this bill. Like any metropolitan area, Washington, D.C. has crime, much of which is because of guns. Therefore, I do not understand why the Majority thinks the solution to that problem is allowing more guns on the streets of this city. We should be reducing crime by preventing gun violence and by ensuring that there are enough policemen who have the necessary resources to do their jobs. At a time when citizens from across the nation have returned to D.C., despite their security concerns, to enjoy its attractions, we should not be passing legislation that sends the message that the city is unsafe. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this legislation.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Drs. Cecelia Cunningham and Janet E. Lieberman who tonight will receive the prestigious Harold W. McGraw Jr. Prize in Education. Dr. Cunningham founded the Middle College National Consortium at LaGuardia Community College. Dr. Lieberman founded the Middle College High School and co- founded the Early College High School at LaGuardia Community College. Along with Drs. Cunningham and Lieberman, Robert Moses and Geoffrey Canada are being honored during an awards ceremony at the New York Public Library. The four have been chosen to receive the prestigious 17th annual award for dedicating themselves to closing the achievement gap. These individuals have worked tirelessly and creatively to give children with few advantages the opportunity to achieve, both academically and ultimately professionally. Dr. Cunningham has spent her entire career educating children and firmly believes all children should be given the opportunity to succeed. This belief is what brought her more than twenty years ago to Middle College High School, an innovative approach to educating at risk students, where Dr. Cunningham served as principal. Out of her work with Middle College High School, Dr. Cunningham founded the Middle College National Consortium to provide professional development for secondary and postsecondary educators who work with underserved students. Dr. Lieberman believes that you should never underestimate the power of an idea. This belief, combined with the faith that all students can achieve, led her to originate new solutions to old problems, resulting in expanded academic opportunities for minority and underprivileged students. Thirty years ago, Dr. Lieberman designed the first public high school college collaborative model to help underserved students graduate from high school and go to college. Her vision of placing a high school on a college campus with smaller classes, committed teachers, intensive counseling and high expectations would keep students in school and encourage them to go on to college. Dr. Lieberman has proved that students who are placed in a college environment can achieve academically. I salute Drs. Cunningham and Lieberman and the other honorees for their remarkable and untiring contributions to education. America's youth will reap the rewards of their selfless dedication. They are truly gifted educators who have made a tremendous difference in the lives of so many.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my friend, Roy Braunstein, Legislative Director of the American Postal Workers Union (APWU). Roy was hired in June 1973 with the United States Postal Service, and worked as both a Distribution Clerk and CMU Clerk during his postal career. He will retire on November 6, 2004. The APWU has more than 300,000 members in every city, town and hamlet in the United States and is the world's largest postal union. Roy was first elected in 1980 as the APWU Legislative Aide, and was elected Legislative Director in 1992. He was elected nine times by the APWU membership. Before he came to Washington, D.C. in 1960, Roy was active in the New Jersey Shore Area Local where he served as Legislative Director and Shop Steward. He was also the New Jersey State APWU Legislative Director and Editor. He served in community affairs as a member of the Barnegat, New Jersey Board of Education for three years and as a member of the Ocean County New Jersey Mental Health Board. In Washington, Roy served as a lobbyist for the APWU and has worked on a number of issues important to the membership. During his tenure at the APWU, Roy worked to secure passage of the Hatch Act, legislation granting greater political freedom for postal and federal employees. Roy also played a key role in the eight year battle for the Family and Medical Leave Act which President Clinton signed into law in 1993. Over the years, Roy worked diligently to help win passage of the Federal Employees Retirement System Act, the Spouse Equity Act, the Postal Employees Safety Enhancement Act, the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act, and many other legislative initiates to help working families. Roy fought to protect the viability of the Postal Service. He was a leader in the fight against Postal Privatization, and the movement to take the Postal Service off-budget during the 1960s in an effort to stop congressional attacks on the Postal Service. APWU is an affiliate of the AFL-CIO, and Roy worked closely with other labor leaders for the goals of this nation's working men and women. Roy's wife of 36 years, Marilyn, is also an APWU member, and they are the proud parents of two young men, Rick and Daniel. He has an A.A. Degree from Kinsborough Community College in Brooklyn, New York, and a B.A. Degree from Richmond College in Staten Island, New York. Roy will be retiring to the Phoenix, Arizona area where his sons are living. He plans to retain full APWU membership, and to become actively involved with the Phoenix Metro Area Local (Arizona) and the Arizona Postal Workers Union relating to legislative issues. He also will be spending time traveling and relaxing with family and friends.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 472, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 475, of which I am a cosponsor, which expresses the sense of Congress encouraging the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to choose New York City as the site of the 2012 Olympic Games. I would like to thank my friends and colleagues Representatives Rangel and Fossella for introducing this resolution. New York City is the greatest city in the world. As the center of arts, business, culture, tourism, architecture, education, and sports, New York is an ideal candidate to host the world's greatest athletic competition. With its top-notch mass transportation systems, New York already has much of the infrastructure in place to transport athletes and fans to the athletic events. Because New York is a site for many of the world's top sports competitions, including the U.S. Open, and the home of several professional sports teams, our city has the necessary capabilities to handle large numbers of people along with the tremendous security requirements. Aside from allowing New York to showcase its beauty and infinite attractions to a global audience, hosting an Olympic Games would be a tremendous boost to an economy that continues to recover from the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Our local restaurants and businesses would greatly benefit from the potential revenue that the Olympics would bring. Greece just hosted one of the greatest Olympic Games ever to be held, and I commend them on their success. I am confident that New Yorkers would open their arms and welcome the world to our doorstep just as the people of Greece welcomed us to the birthplace of the Olympics. I look forward to working with my friends in the New York congressional delegation and our local officials to bring the 2012 Olympic Games to New York City

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3734, a bill to name a federal building in Roswell, New Mexico as the ``Joe Skeen Federal Building.'' We were all saddened when our dear friend and colleague retired at the end of the 107th Congress and passed away in December 2003. However, we were fortunate to serve with Joe and the people of New Mexico were better off because of his 20 years of service. As Members of Congress, we often work with colleagues from different parts of the country and from across the aisle. It was a great privilege to have worked with Joe Skeen. Since his first election in 1980, he served on the Appropriations Committee, chairing the Subcommittee on Agriculture and then the Subcommittee on the Interior. Joe has always been a true gentleman and always told it like it was. When dealing with Joe, I always knew he would give me a fair hearing on an issue and try to accommodate me when he could and politely say ``no'' when he couldn't. I could also always depend on Joe telling me a good story to underscore the point he was making. On a personal note, I had the pleasure of working with Joe to further the progress of Parkinson's Disease research in America. In 1999, along with my colleagues, Mr. Evans, Mr. Mark Udall, Tom Udall, and Mr. Waxman, Mr. Skeen and I formed the Congressional Working Group on Parkinson's Disease. Joe Skeen was a true leader in the fight against Parkinson's Disease. Over the years, the Working Group has sought to increase awareness among Members of Congress on Parkinson's related issues. Most importantly, the Working Group advocates for accelerated and increased funding for Parkinson's research in the hopes that we soon find the cure for what leading scientists call the most curable neurological disorder. We will carry on the fight to cure Parkinson's, in part, inspired by the legacy of the great Joe Skeen. This bill ensures that the people of New Mexico and those around the country never forget our friend, Joe. I fully support its passage in honor of Joe Skeen--a true national treasure.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Chairman, this bill funds many good projects and will be a welcome relief to many communities. Unfortunately, the current version is woefully deficient because it provides no funding whatsoever for a project that is one of the best in the Nation--the Second Avenue Subway. The Second Avenue Subway is recommended by the Federal Transit Administration and was included in President Bush's FY2005 budget. On day one, the Second Avenue Subway will move more people than any other project currently planned anywhere in the country. It will (i) relieve overcrowding on the most overcrowded subway in the nation, (ii) add capacity to a subway system that has not added capacity in 60 years and (iii) reach areas of New York City that currently are not served by any subway system. A report released by the Regional Plan Association December 2003 shows that Second Avenue Subway can create 156,000 jobs, boost business creation and retention, improve air quality, save travel time and create alternative routes to the city's business centers-- something 9/11 proved is essential to New York's security. There is already a strong market for mass transit in New York. Because 70-75 percent of all the people commuting to jobs along the route of the subway use mass transit to get to work, the highest proportion of mass transit use anywhere in the United States. There are 1.2 million jobs and nearly 650,000 residents along the proposed route of the Second Avenue Subway. This project is moving ahead in a timely fashion. It received a record of decision from the FTA in July and is expected to go into Final Design and Engineering shortly. The Second Avenue Subway, a sure mass transit success, should be among the earmarks included in this appropriation bill. The Second Avenue Subway was funded in the last four appropriations bills and, thanks to the efforts of Senators Schumer and Clinton, is included in the Senate bill. I hope that the conferees will accept the Senate language and that the Second Avenue Subway will receive funding in the final bill. Sequential Votes Postponed In Committee of the Whole

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Gutierrez amendment barring the use of funds to enforce the OCC preemption regulations. This amendment is supported by a bipartisan group of members of the Financial Services Committee who have been frustrated in our efforts to bring legislation on this important issue before the Committee for full debate and action. We are concerned that the recently issued OCC preemption and visitatorial regulations deny our constituents the benefits of State predatory lending and other consumer protection laws. The OCC's assertions that it will provide the same level of consumer protection are simply not realistic. To duplicate the State regulatory apparatus would require a huge increase in the size and budget of the OCC--and more to the point, a huge increase in regional experience and intelligence that the agency simply does not have. Recent crises such as the Riggs Bank fiasco have put in doubt whether the OCC can do the job it has now, let alone taking over the job of the 50 State banking regulators. Legislation has been introduced to address this issue. Ten members of the Financial Services Committee, including myself, signed a letter asking that it be brought up under regular order. But there has been no action to allow members of the Committee to debate and vote on it, and to bring it to the floor. This matter is urgent, and it is not appropriate to simply bury it by inaction. Thus, we are forced to offer this amendment as a way to arrest the regulations so that we can have the appropriate process to debate and vote on this important issue. It is a regrettable, but, unfortunately necessary, step. I ask for your support for the Gutierrez amendment so that this body can all have a chance to examine the OCC preemption regulations before they take effects and damage our State regulatory systems.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Oxley-Frank- Kolbe amendment. This bipartisan amendment from the leadership of the Financial Services Committee corrects the Culbertson provision, a major defect in this appropriations bill that would severely damage the ability of law enforcement to track and target terrorist money. The White House, the Treasury Department, the banking community--both banks and credit unions, the immigration community, and more than 1,000 police departments across the country, are united in their support for this amendment, and in opposition to the Culbertson provision. The Culbertson provision guts the key financial anti-terrorism law under which the Treasury Department and financial institutions across the Nation work together to combat terrorist funding. Under the Culbertson amendment, Treasury could not enforce or even publish its regulations telling financial institutions that they must verify the identity of their customers. This requirement to verify customer's identity was a key piece of the money laundering provisions of the Patriot Act, which were specifically noted by the 9/11 Commission as an important step towards combating terrorism. The 9/11 Commission was clear on how we need to combat terrorist funding: ``Follow the money,'' the Commission said. But the Culbertson provision would drive a significant sector of the economy out of banks and into illicit financial systems, where money is far harder to trace and far more subject to criminal activity. Secretary Snow--the administration's key Cabinet officer in the effort to track terrorist funding--described the Culbertson provision as follows: ``Because this provision could drive large sections of the U.S. population into underground financial services, it would weaken the Government ability to enforce our money laundering and terrorist financing laws.'' This is the position of the administration--including the Department of Justice and the FBI. The Culbertson provision targets a form of identification known as matricula, which are issued to Mexican citizens who register with their consul in the United States. Supporters of the provision argue that matricula are unreliable. But this view is uninformed. The matricula system is internationally recognized and well established. In the aftermath of 9/11, Mexico increased the security features on this card, so that it is now harder to forge or fraudulently obtain than many state drivers' license. Mexico maintains a national database to prevent the issuance of duplicate matricula or the issuance of matricula to criminals on a ``stop list''. The cards are accepted by many U.S. banks as a proper and reliable form of identification for Mexican citizens in the U.S. As many financial associations and institutions have written, eliminating the sue of these cards would undermine the abilities of financial institutions to assist law enforcement in ``following the money'' by verifying customers' identity. Additionally, the Culbertson provision would deprive many workers in this country of access to legitimate financial services--banks or credit unions--and drive them into underground systems where money is much harder to trace. We are far safer if these segments of the population transact their financial affairs in the regulated context of banks and credit unions so that law enforcement can track them and ensure they comply with the law. Moreover, these workers would be deprived of the benefits and consumer protections of our regulated financial system. Lastly, as the banks note, depriving this segment of the population of access to credit and forcing them to a cash-based system will hurt the local economy. The Culbertson provision is dangerous and fundamentally misguided. We must remove it from this bill. I urge your support of this amendment.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment to increase funding for the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), an agency that is critically important to our efforts to combat terrorist financing and money laundering. I am pleased to offer this amendment together with a bipartisan group of my colleagues from the Financial Services Committee. As a co-founder of the 9/11 Commission Caucus, dedicated to implementing the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, I am also a strong supporter of this amendment because it is an important step in that direction. In its Report, the 9/11 Commission made clear recommendation on how best to fight terrorism in the financial arena: ``Follow the Money.'' That is the mission of FinCEN, which is dedicated to collecting, analyzing and disseminating financial data for the purpose of combating crime. The Commission's recommendation puts FinCEN in the limelight, and requires a relatively small Treasury bureau with little funding to assume a key role in fighting terrorism. FinCEN is essential--as never before--to the work of the intelligence, law enforcement, and financial services communities in tracing terrorist money and disrupting potential terrorist action. The 9/11 Commission also advised that we cannot succeed in combating terrorist funding without building global alliances. FinCEN is the United States' voice in that effort. The present appropriation to FinCEN does not adequately provide for the bureau to assume the responsibilities that have been thrust upon it. The additional funding provided by this amendment would allow FinCEN to purchase appropriate technology and hire additional staff--steps that would dramatically improve its ability to track terrorist financing and provide critical information to our government and our global allies. I can think of few investments that are more worth while than this amendment. I ask for your support for additional funding for FinCEN.

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this time and for her leadership on oversight terrorist financing and money laundering; and, in fact, she has spearheaded a leadership role on an Anti-Terrorism Task Force on which I serve. Mr. Chairman, this is a very, very important amendment. FinCEN is currently a small bureau of the Treasury Department, but it has suddenly been put into the position of being at the very center of the government effort to combat terrorist financing. If the 9/11 Commission recommendations were implemented, and I firmly support all 41 of the recommendations and have introduced legislation to implement them, FinCEN would be required by the government to analyze and distribute financial information for all of the United States Government. They have very few members now in their area, and this money is needed for the technology and the infrastructure and the personnel to complete the task that is being thrust upon them. FinCEN was underfunded in the budget request, therefore this amendment is very much needed and very much in order. We know that the terrorists, like any small business, if they are out of money, they are out of business. And if you track the money, you can figure out what is going on. Mr. Chairman, this is a tremendously important amendment. I support this $25 million allocation and I hope that my colleagues will join me in supporting it in a bipartisan way.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, in the immediate aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attacks the Congress created the Victims Compensation Fund (VCF) to provide compensation for victims of 9/11. This fund provided aid to the families of 9/11 victims and to individuals who suffered personal injury. Among other things, aid from the fund pays for medical expenses and lost wages. In return for accepting these funds, recipients relinquished rights to any future litigation. The fund had a deadline for applicants of December 22, 2003. At the deadline, close to 100% of the families who lost a loved one had filed with the fund, but many individuals who were injured as a direct result of 9/11 had not. After the filing, many of the injured were denied benefits, despite a clear need. The main reasons for not filing applications included people who did not know they were eligible as well as others whose injuries were late- onset. There are literally hundred of individuals who are now just developing career-ending injuries--such as pulmonary and respiratory ailments--but are not eligible to receive assistance because they developed their symptoms after the deadline. Largely as a result of the VCF's restrictions on applicants, 1,755 of the 4,430 personal injury claims considered were denied. While there was some leeway, the rules required workers to have arrived at Ground Zero within 96 hours of the attack and would have needed to seek medical treatment within 72 hours. This is reasonable for rescue workers who suffered immediate injuries, but leaves no recourse for individuals with late-onset injuries or who arrived after September 15, 2001 to assist in the recovery effort and are now suffering from injuries. In order to care for the individuals who are now just developing physical injuries and to provide an opportunity for injured individuals who did not know they were eligible, I am introducing the Victims Compensation Fund Extension Act. This bill would: Amend eligibility rules so that responders to the 9/ 11 attacks who arrived later than the first 96 hours could be eligible if they experienced illness or injury from their work at the site. Amend eligibility rules so that those who did not seek immediate medical verification for their illness or injury from the disaster, but who have since obtained medical evidence, would be eligible. Extend the deadline for applications to allow those with either late-onset illness from the disaster or those who were never informed of their eligibility for the Victim Compensation Fund to consider applying.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. On August 19, William Jefferson Clinton, our 42nd President, celebrated his 58th birthday. Today, we honor him not just for serving as our Nation's 42nd President, but for the legacy that President Bush recently described as ``a deep and far-ranging knowledge of public policy, a great compassion for people in need, and the forward-looking spirit Americans like in a President.'' We honor President Clinton for presiding over our Nation's longest ever economic expansion, largest ever budget surplus, and the growth of 22 million jobs during his Presidency. We honor President Clinton for projecting American power on the world stage, to further the cause of international peace and understanding, without antagonizing our historic allies, and we honor him for helping to broker the Good Friday Accords for Northern Ireland, engaging in Middle East peace talks, and bringing an end to ethnic cleansing in the Balkans. We honor President Clinton for encouraging Americans to care for their fellow men and women, creating AmeriCorps, which engages more than 50,000 Americans each year in community service. At this moment, President Clinton is recovering from an unexpected but perhaps life-saving surgery in New York City. We in Congress are thankful for President Clinton's improved health and send forth our thoughts and prayers to him and his family, especially Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and his daughter Chelsea. We wish him a complete and speedy recovery. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Virginia (Chairman Tom Davis) for moving this resolution through his committee in a speedy manner and to the House leadership for bringing it to the floor for this consideration today. Mr. Speaker, from his birth in a town called Hope in the State of Arkansas through his education at Georgetown University, Oxford and Yale Law School, to his service in Arkansas as Attorney General, Governor and Chairman of the National Governors' Association, to his two terms as President of the United States, to now as a private citizen, still engaged and thoughtful on our Nation's public policy, we honor President Clinton. President Clinton, happy birthday, and we hope you get well soon. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis). (Mr. DAVIS of Illinois asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I came to Congress with President Clinton in 1992. It was called the Year of the Woman, where many people voted for women candidates, not as a slogan, but as a force to be reckoned with, and we came to Washington and we worked together, not only for women, children and families, but during this time we doubled the funding for breast cancer research, banned assault weapons, put more police on the streets and more teachers in the classroom. We narrowed the gap between those in poverty and those that are affluent, which is a good trend for this country, an important trend. During his 8 years, we had really I could say the best economy in my lifetime, the first balanced budget. He came to Washington with a $250 billion deficit, and when he left, it was a huge, huge surplus. I remember very much his hard work on his initiative to reinvent government and to make government more accountable to the people that we serve. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Ms. Carson).

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. President Clinton's leadership was instrumental in expanding freedom and democracy around the world and really uniting a divided world. He was a uniter, and he worked to bring people together, and he was very, very loved. People felt very comfortable about Bill Clinton and everybody liked him. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Corrine Brown). (Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I want to express the admiration and support of the New York delegation, many of whom are in New York City now at 9/11 events and will be joining me in this Congress in tributes in writing later. Let me just end by saying that Bill Clinton is loved and admired by millions of Americans and by countless others around the world, and we want him to know that he, as he is recovering, is in the thoughts and prayers of this Congress and the country. We are with him in his courageous battle to heal himself so that he can return to his good works and helping other people. So happy birthday, Mr. President, and get well soon. Mr. Speaker, seeing no other speakers, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in honoring former Council Member Archie Spigner. I had the great honor of serving with him as a member of the Housing and Buildings and Economic Development Committee of the New York City Council, a committee which he chaired for many years with great distinction, with great judgment, honesty, and fairness. In a city that has a terrific need, a deep need for affordable housing, he was one of the truly outstanding leaders in our city in the area of working to build more housing that is affordable, and truly as a leader in our city, serving for many years as the deputy majority leader. He was also active on a national level, with the League of Cities. He dedicated, really, his life to the problems of cities; and he used to say that one of the great challenges of the next century would be who pays for the cities, with their ailing infrastructure and their many, many needs for housing and other areas. He not only was active in the National League of Cities. He was on the Finance Committee and the City Committee on the Budget, and I had the honor of serving with him on the Committee on the Budget where he was a great bridge-builder. He would often negotiate compromises that would enable us to move a budget to the floor for a vote. He is an outstanding person, kind and wonderful. He is very active politically also and played a major role in the election of one of my good friends and colleagues, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks), along with many other important leaders in New York City and State. Even though Archie retired from the City Council in 2001, he has continued to be an important leader and adviser on both the city and local level. He is a terrific person. To know him is to love him. I am delighted to join my colleagues today in naming this important building after him and in really applauding his lifetime of service to the communities in Queens and the City and the State of New York.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Corrine Brown) for yielding me this time and for her leadership on this important committee. Mr. Speaker, as a proud New Yorker and a representative of the people of Queens, New York, I am very pleased and honored to rise in strong support of H.R. 1318, a bill authored by my good friend and colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley). This bill would designate the Federal Veterans Administration outpatient clinic located at 4103 Queens Boulevard in Sunnyside, Queens, as the Lance Corporal Thomas P. Noonan, Jr. Veterans Outpatient Clinic. Thomas P. Noonan, the son of Thomas Patrick Noonan, Sr., and Florence, was a life-long resident of Woodside, Queens, New York. He attended school at St. Theresa's parish and graduated from Hunter College with a bachelor's degree in physical education in 1966. On December 26, 1967, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve; and in July 1968 he was sent to the Republic of Vietnam, where he served as a mortar man with his battalion and later as a rifleman in the 3rd Marine Division. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on New Year's Day 1969. On February 5, 1969, his company was ordered to change the position they had been holding near the Vandergrift Combat Base in A Sahau Valley. This change was made especially difficult by recent heavy rains. Descent down the steep hillside proved treacherous, and four leading men in the company were wounded by North Vietnamese soldiers concealed in the area. The other members of the company were unable to rescue the four wounded Marines in the midst of heavy enemy fire. Noonan left his position of relative safety and descended through the hazardous terrain. Protected by rocky outcropping, Noonan shouted words of encouragement to his fellow friends who were wounded. Bracing himself, Noonan then made a dash towards the injured men and had started to drag the most seriously wounded one to safety when he himself was hit by enemy fire. Noonan picked himself up and continued to drag the other soldier, his friend, away but was mortally wounded himself before he could carry his comrade to safety. His heroic actions in the face of great danger so roused his fellow Marines that they launched an assault on the enemy position that forced the North Vietnamese soldiers to withdraw. Noonan was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Nixon, as well as the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, with two Bronze Stars, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Lance Corporal Noonan's courage, inspiring initiative, and selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country. In 1996, to commemorate his life, his spirit, and his heroic acts, the City of New York dedicated a public park in his honor in Queens. Now this Congress is taking the appropriate step to name the VA outpatient clinic in Sunnyside, Queens, after Lance Corporal Noonan. This tribute enjoys the support of every major veterans service organization in New York State, and many local veterans posts throughout Queens, including but not limited to the Queens County American Legion; Queens County Catholic War Veterans; the Vietnam Veterans of America, Queens Chapter; and the John V. Daniels VFW Post. On behalf of my colleagues in New York and especially my Queens neighbor, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley), I urge support of my colleagues for this fitting tribute to an American hero.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3478. This bill makes several changes to Title 44 of the U.S. Code that will improve the efficiency of the National Archives and Record Administration. My colleague, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Putnam), has done a terrific job of detailing those changes. In addition, this bill reauthorizes the National Historic Publications and Records Commission, NHPRC, for 4 years at the current level of $10 million. I strongly support the reauthorization of the NHPRC. However, I am disappointed that we did not increase the authorization for this program. It is even more tragic that the administration has not fully funded the commission for 2005. The failure to fund this commission will result in the loss of important parts of the history of every State and local government in our country. Much of the good work funded by the commission will have to be put on hold because the administration cut $7 million from the NHPRC budget. My colleague on the other side of the aisle detailed how we need to preserve the documents in Florida even when we have catastrophes and hurricanes, and so forth. Let me describe just a few of the programs that have been supported by NHPRC in New York over the past several years. The New York State archives in Albany was given assistance by the NHPRC to organize and make available materials of the effect of the World Trade Center disaster on the lives of New Yorkers. Channel 13, the local education station, was given funds to preserve shows of particular historical significance from the 1970s onward. The American Foundation For the Blind was provided funds to archive the records of Helen Keller. Hunter College received funds to arrange 15 collections of materials documenting the history and culture of Puerto Ricans. In addition, NHPRC had provided funds to assist in preserving the papers of Alexander Hamilton; Aaron Burr; Samuel Gompers; John Jay; the slave diary of Elizabeth Drinker; Florence Kelley, the letters of this great settlement leader; and the writer and activist Harriet Jacobs, just to name a few. The list goes on and on. NHPRC has also been at the forefront of research on preserving electronic documents. Long before most agencies knew they even had a problem, NHPRC was funding research on this important issue. Electronic records present historical organizations with two quite distinct problems. First, the technological issues of preserving our electronic documents across time are extremely complex. The methods for creating these documents multiply yearly, as does the way in which these documents are stored. However, very little has been done to assure these documents can be read 10 years later. Secondly, electronic records have resulted in increasing both the volume of records created and the volume of records that historians want to keep. Electronic records confront State and local archives and historical societies with the very same challenges as they do the Federal Government. The National Archives has spent millions of dollars on the Electronic Records Initiative, and real progress has been made in developing a system for preserving the electronic records of the Federal Government. NHPRC has been one of the few places these State and local organizations could go to get help confronting this complex technological and historical problem. It should also be noted that NHPRC was one of the first Federal organizations to recognize the need for research on preserving electronic documents. Mr. Speaker, absolutely every day in Washington, D.C., as we go about our business, we are reminded of our Nation's history. Buildings and documents are preserved and displayed for all to see. Every citizen deserves that opportunity, not just when they visit their Nation's Capital, but as they walk about the towns in which they live. NHPRC makes it possible for State and local governments to develop the tools and expertise to maintain their own history. Even if NHPRC was fully funded at $10 million, that would only be about $200,000 per State. That does not go very far. As I have said at the outset, Mr. Speaker, I strongly support the passage of this bill, and I hope that the chairman of the subcommittee will work with me and the gentleman from Florida (Chairman Putnam) to raise awareness of the many valuable programs sponsored by NHPRC so that we can increase the authorization level the next time that it comes around. Mr. Speaker, I would like to conclude by saying that if we do not learn from our past, we may repeat the mistakes of those who went before us. If we do not preserve our past, we cannot learn from it, and each locality has their own unique circumstances and their own unique history. Maintaining our time capsule of government words and deeds is a fundamental responsibility of our government. This legislation is committed to that responsibility, and I urge my colleagues to join me and the chairman in supporting this. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) for yielding me this time and for his leadership on this and so many other issues. I rise in strong support of this resolution. As we remember the third anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, we must not forget the heroes and heroines who selflessly gave of themselves responding to Ground Zero, but who now need our help. Yesterday the Subcommittee on National Security of the Committee on Government Reform held a hearing on the persistent health effects of 9/ 11. We heard about the 380 firefighters who have had to end their careers due to illnesses and injuries, as well as the persistent respiratory problems among many other responders. Mr. Speaker, there is a new medical condition as a result of 9/11 known as the World Trade Center cough. We learned from the GAO that 3 years after 9/11 basic questions still have not been answered. We know that thousands are sick, but we do not know the exact number. There are at least six different monitoring or health tracking programs, but there is no coordination among them, and not a single Federal program provides health care to those who responded and who need it now. There is a clear need for leadership, but we learned that not a single person in the Federal Government is in charge. Quite simply, the heroes of 9/11 deserve better. This was an act of war. Our heroes and responders should be treated like veterans. At the very least, they should be provided with adequate health care as a result of their injuries. This is the reason why I have introduced H.R. 4059, the Remember 9/11 Health Act. This legislation provides for treatment, coordination, research, and long-term monitoring. As we remember 9/11, let us not forget that there are heroes out there that still need our help. Our first responders were there for us. We need to be there for them with the very least in providing adequate health benefits to those who need it.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the achievements of Gertrude ``Gert'' McDonald, a lifelong New Yorker and dedicated public servant. On August 5, 2004, many of Mrs. McDonald's friends and colleagues will gather in her longtime neighborhood of Sunnyside, Queens to celebrate her 88th birthday. I am very pleased to offer my best wishes to Mrs. McDonald for a truly memorable and enjoyable evening. Gertrude McDonald's decades of service to our community are truly worthy of celebration. Born in New York City, Gert moved to Sunnyside when she was seven years old. For more than sixty years, Gert has worked tirelessly to improve the well-being of her fellow New Yorkers. Gert has been a Democratic District Leader and a Downstate Representative of the Steering Committee of the Women's Political Caucus; additionally, she continues to serve as the President of the Queens of Angels Senior Center Club and the Corresponding Secretary of the 108th Precinct Community Council. Mrs. McDonald is a member of Community School Board 24, the United Forties Civic Association, the Borden Avenue Veterans Residence Advisory Board, the Queens Correctional Facility Advisory Board, the Mayor's Volunteer Task Force and, significantly, has been a loyal member of Queens Community Board Two for nearly thirty years. Gert has also been a prominent figure in local politics for decades. At a time when women were usually relegated to a supporting role, Gert took the bold step of tossing her own hat into the ring. Her legacy as the first woman to run as a Democratic candidate for public office in Queens is truly inspirational. Although Gert did not prevail in her 1968 candidacy for the New York State Assembly, this bold act encouraged other women, including me, to run for public office. With a quick wit and undeniable charm, Gert has a reputation for finding clever ways to make her point. When the mayor proposed cutting garbage pickup in Queens to once a week, while leaving Manhattan pickup at three times per week, Gert suggested that Queens residents should take their garbage to work. I continue to be in awe not only of Gert's contributions to the public good, but also of the level of energy and enthusiasm she brings to her many activities. Mrs. McDonald's life and accomplishments are a reflection of the strength and vitality of New York City itself. I would like to join Gert McDonald's friends and family in marking this special occasion; I trust that she will be surrounded by the warmth of happy memories, good cheer and loving friendships. Mr. Speaker, I request that my colleagues join me in paying tribute to Gertrude McDonald, a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and cherished friend of New York City. To Mrs. McDonald and her dedicated colleagues and friends at Queens Community Board Two, I offer my continuing admiration, respect and support.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the achievements of Captain Scott Shields, his golden retriever, Bear and the more than 300 dogs that served our country at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon after the September 11th terrorist attacks. On that fateful morning, Captain Shields and Bear answered the call for assistance at the World Trade Center and were one of the first search and rescue teams to enter the devastated area. Bear and other highly-trained rescue dogs spent the next few days searching in extremely dangerous conditions for those who lost their lives in the attacks. Scott Shields raised Bear in Westport, Connecticut, where there were no leash laws. As a result, Bear quickly learned to be comfortable maneuvering and taking direction ``off leash.'' In addition to his regular search training, Captain Shields also took Bear to parks, beaches and even obstacle courses to continue his instruction. This preparation proved remarkably useful on the morning of September 11. Trained in disaster management, Captain Shields felt compelled to respond to the disaster and he and Bear drove to what the world would soon recognize as Ground Zero. Captain Shields and Bear entered the disaster site shortly after the second Trade Center tower collapsed to search for those who might have been trapped in the wreckage. Later that day, Captain Shields organized harbor activities, directing boats to transport emergency workers to the Trade Center site. Bear and his fellow rescue dogs worked in very harsh conditions without the benefits of protective clothing and gas masks. They climbed through piles of debris and squeezed through tunnels of steel and concrete in their attempts to find any signs of human life. While working in these dangerous conditions, many dogs, including Bear, were injured. Captain Shields and Bear were walking along a steel beam when a piece of twisted metal gouged Bear's back. Although the gash was deep, Bear kept working. Several months later, however, Bear developed a form of skin cancer around the perimeter of the wound. A veterinarian successfully removed the infected tissue, but from then on, Bear's health declined. Bear passed away on September 23, 2002; the following month, hundreds of mourners gathered at his memorial service aboard the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid. In Bear's memory, Captain Shields, along with the New York law firm Proskauer Rose, established the Bear Search and Rescue Foundation to ensure that all dogs who participated in search and rescue operations at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon receive appropriate health care. Additionally, the foundation works diligently to provide equipment and instruction to emergency response teams throughout the country. Mr. Speaker, I request that my colleagues join me in honoring Bear, Scott Shields and the hundreds of search and rescue teams who served our nation so bravely on September 11th. To these heroes, I offer my continuing respect, admiration and support.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.