Carolyn Maloney

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of this legislation. The Holocaust Memorial Museum is a powerful tool to educate about the horrors of the Holocaust, to preserve the memory of the millions who suffered, and to teach its visitors how hate and intolerance can lead to tragedy. Over the last 7 years, almost 15 million people have visited the Museum and witnessed first-hand the truth about what happened during the Holocaust. Thousands more have toured the traveling exhibits the Museum coordinates and conferences around the country. In Washington, DC alone, a record 1.5-million visitors have toured the museum this year. It is critical that a sensitivity to the Holocaust be instilled in our society. Even today there are establishments that are teaching that the Holocaust never happened or avoid it altogether. I recently heard from a woman that was taught in her high school history class to appreciate the leadership Hitler brought to Germany. In fact, her only assignment on World War II was to write a paper praising Hitler's regime. Unfortunately, it wasn't twenty years ago that this happened. In fact, there are organizations out there today with the sole purpose of denying that the Holocaust ever happened. This makes the role of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum that much more necessary. Educating about past wrongs and teaching tolerance instead of hate is the only means we have to help prevent future tragedies. I urge my colleagues to continue to support the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and in doing so, honor the memory of all those who suffered at the hands of hate.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, after nearly 5 years in Peruvian prisons, my constituent, Lori Berenson, could finally be coming home. Last week, the military tribunal that gave Lori a life sentence announced that her conviction is being overturned and her case is being transferred to a civilian court. Lori was convicted by a hooded military tribunal in a trial that lacked any semblance of due process. She never had a chance to present her side, to call witnesses and present evidence in her defense. For nearly 5 years, I have been asking my colleagues to join me in protesting her conviction. I have circulated three letters to the President over the years, and each letter has been signed by more and more Members of Congress in support of Lori. In August, 221 Members of Congress, in a bipartisan way, signed a letter calling for Lori's release. I will be circulating a new letter asking for mercy for Lori, asking for Peru to act with compassion and send Lori home on humanitarian grounds. Since her conviction, Lori's health has deteriorated. She was originally sent to Yanomayo Prison, located high in the Andes, over 12,000 feet above sea level. The altitude destroyed her health. People like Lori who have not grown up in the Andes cannot acclimate to the high altitude of Yanomayo. I visited with Lori in October of 1997. When I saw her, her fingers were swollen and she had circulatory problems as a result of the high altitude. Very little natural light comes into the prison, and prisoners are allowed only 1 hour a day to exercise outside. As a result, Lori's eye sight was failing. Yanomayo was not heated, and the temperature rarely rises above 40 degrees. The cold gave Lori perpetual laryngitis. Eventually, the Peruvian officials responded to pleas to move Lori. But in some ways, she faced an even harder challenge to her health. The new prison was more than 5,000 feet above sea level, better than the former prison, but still hard for a New Yorker. The altitude, while less dangerous to her health, continued to affect her circulatory system. The toughest part was that she was forced to spend months completely alone. For more than 100 days, Lori was kept in solitary confinement. The isolation had an extremely negative effect on her psychological well-being. Despite the difficult circumstances, Lori has always been quiet, polite, and well behaved, a model prisoner. I am hopeful that Peru will take these circumstances into account and act with mercy and compassion. I returned to Peru in April of 1998 and, together with the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), met with President Fujimori. He was very open during our meeting and agreed to take another look at Lori's case if new evidence was presented. Apparently, Peru has uncovered new evidence, and Lori is getting a new trial in a civilian court. Since Lori was arrested, her parents, Mark and Rhoda Berenson, have worked every day tirelessly for her release. They know Lori as a young idealist who traveled to Peru as a journalist. University professors who live in my district, the Berensons have given up their careers to devote themselves to trying to free their daughter and bring her home. They welcome the news that Lori's conviction has been overturned, but they worry that political pressures will ensure that she will receive a long sentence in a civilian trial. In Peru, it is a crime to express sympathy for the MRTA, the crime is apologia. In the United States, it would be protected as free speech. There it can carry a long prison sentence. I hope that Peru can be persuaded to act with mercy. There is nothing to be gained by keeping Lori in prison any longer. Peru has already admitted that Lori was not the terrorist leader she was originally convicted of being. I wrote to President Fujimori yesterday to let him know how pleased I am that Lori will have a civilian trial. President Fujimori has taken a brave step that has subjected him to enormous criticism at home. I am pleased that he recognized that the evidence showed that Lori did not belong in Peru's military courts. Now it is time for Peru to take the next step and release Lori. Lori will not be getting off lightly if she is released now. She has spent nearly 5 years in prison in conditions that have seriously undermined her health. I hope that whatever the outcome of her trial, Lori's ordeal will soon be over. For humanitarian reasons, for the sake of compassion, and for her health, I hope Lori will be allowed to come home. Mr. Speaker, I include my letter to President Fujimori for the Record as follows: House of Representatives, Washington, DC, September 5, 2000. President Alberto Fujimori, Palacio de Gobierno, Plaza de Armass S/N, Lima 1 Peru. Dear President Fujimori: I am pleased to learn that Lori Berenson's conviction has been overturned by Peru's military tribunal. As you know from our conversation when we met in April 1998, Lori Berenson is a constituent of mine and I am deeply concerned about her. I appreciated your willingness and that of members of your government to discuss her case with me during those visits. The tribunal's decision is a tremendous step forward for human rights in Peru. I applaud the members of the tribunal for looking at new evidence in this case and concluding that the new evidence did not support the original verdict. In October 1997, I visited Lori in prison and I found her spirits to be good despite her deteriorating health. Like many people who are unaccustomed to high altitudes, Lori could not acclimate to living at Yanomayo prison. The high altitude played havoc with her health. When I saw her, her fingers were swollen, her eyesight was failing, and she was having circulatory problems and perpetual laryngitis. After she was moved to a prison at a lower altitude, she spent more than 100 days in solitary confinement. Despite the severe privation, she has always been quiet, polite and well- behaved--a model prisoner. I am grateful that she will have a civilian trial. However, after nearly five years in prison, Lori has already undergone severe punishment and I hope, whatever the outcome of her trial, her ordeal will soon be over. For humanitarian reasons, for the sake of compassion and for her health, I hope Lori will soon be allowed to come home. Sincerely, Carolyn B. Maloney, Member of Congress.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the first anniversary of the complete restoration of the Kenmore Hotel. The hotel's story is a remarkable tale of cooperation between many different levels of government, NPOs, and private industry in the name of helping those citizens who most desperately need our assistance. In 1927, the Kenmore Hotel was built by the family of Nathaniel West as an apartment hotel for working single New Yorkers. Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s the Kenmore became known as a hotel for the ``down and out'' and the community witnessed its decent from modest respectability to complete squalor. By the middle 1980s, the Kenmore's elderly and mentally ill tenants were preyed upon by drug dealers, loan sharks, and others engaged in criminal activities. By that time, the Kenmore had more than 500 building code violations, it had been the scene of multiple tenant murders, and it was, in short, uninhabitable. After repeated failed attempts to convince the owner to clean up the hotel, I asked the Justice Department to step in. Under the direction of Attorney General Janet Reno, the Kenmore was seized in June of 1994, becoming the largest asset forfeiture in the history of the federal government. The United States Marshal Service, working together with the NYPD, carried out the seizure of the Kenmore and became the landlord to some 300 tenants. I worked with the Marshal Service and tenants to monitor the situation and made sure that the Kenmore returned to habitability as quickly as possible. Two years later, on July 3, 1996, with $30 Million in hand from private investors, public (NYC and NYS) loans, a commercial loan, as well as a rent guarantee from NYC and Section 8 Vouchers from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Housing and Services, Inc. (HSI) commenced a complete renovation of the premises. It was only this cooperation that enabled construction to begin. The 641 single units were converted to 326 studio apartments each with a private bath, kitchen, and air conditioning. The tenants are now served by a 35 person staff that includes front desk personnel, maintenance and repair staff, social workers, and a full time on site manager. In addition, HSI brokered agreements with local health providers so that there are nurses, psychiatrists, and a myriad of other service providers offering on-site assistance to tenants in need. On May 4, 1999, I joined HSI, tenants, elected officials and community leaders at a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the renovations. In honor of the event the building was renamed Kenmore Hall. This spring HSI and the Kenmore partnered with the 23rd Street Association, the GPBA (Gramercy Park Block Association), and the ACE Community Partnership to create a community improvement project that employs Kenmore tenants and other homeless persons. The project seeks to reduce homelessness by providing community improvement work and job readiness training for low income men and women. The program prepares once homeless men and women to reenter the workforce through community enhancement projects in the 23rd Street area, including environmentally focused neighborhood cleanup projects. The Kenmore Story is one where all parties involved share in its success. This project demonstrates the remarkable results that are possible when everyone works together to fix a problem that has plagued an entire community. Nonprofit organizations, community groups, government officials and agencies, and the private sector all worked together to clean up the Kenmore and provide decent housing to a previously underserved group of tenants. Kenmore Hall has become a valuable community asset and a national model of supportive, affordable housing. I am proud to report that in my district, multilevel cooperation became a reality.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to The Gramercy Park Block Association and to its founders, Arlene Harrison and Timothy Cohen. The Gramercy Park Block Association is an invaluable organization that works tirelessly to improve the safety, security, and quality of life of those New Yorkers who live in and around Gramercy Park. In the fall of 1993, Mr. Cohen, who was only fifteen years old at the time, was savagely beaten in an unprovoked attack by a neighborhood gang. After his recovery, Mr. Cohen and his mother, Ms. Arlene Harrison, began a campaign to improve the quality of life in the area in which they live. Ms. Harrison and Mr. Cohen have pioneered the development of innovative, community based techniques to combat crime and improve the day-to-day quality of life for fellow Gramercy Park residents. Ms. Harrison and Mr. Cohen created and implemented Operation Interlock, an emergency police radio network and have successfully campaigned to improve community ties with their local police precincts. The Block Association's partnership with the Police Department's 13th Precinct has received national media attention as a model of how a police-community partnership can work to reduce crime in a neighborhood. Other police forces from around the nation are currently exploring the possibility of implementing Operation Interlock in their own respective jurisdictions. In addition, the Association has successfully lobbied to increase both the wattage and the number of street lights around Gramercy Park and the Consolidated Edison energy plan. They have thereby made the neighborhood an increasingly safe place to walk at night. Mr. Cohen and Ms. Harrison have also pioneered the development and implementation of many other local programs that promote community service and safety, for example, Operation ID, Block Watcher Training Sessions, Senior Citizen Escort, and Project Kidcare. Each of these programs serves a vital purpose in bringing the community together for a safer neighborhood. In particular, Ms. Harrison and Mr. Cohen mobilized the community in support of the Kenmore Rehabilitation Plan to clean up the notoriously drug and crime-ridden Kenmore Hotel. They worked tirelessly with local organizations to rehabilitate the facility, providing a safer community and a more positive environment for a previously underserved group of tenants. Ms. Harrison now serves as the chair of the Kenmore Hall Advisory Board. Mr. Speaker, I salute the work of the Gramercy Park Block Association and its founders, Mr. Timothy Cohen and Ms. Arlene Harrison, and I ask my fellow Members of Congress to join me in recognizing their contributions to the New York community and to our country. I take pride in the fact that I have such model citizens living in my district.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in support of doubling the NIH budget for fiscal year 2001. I thank my colleague George Gekas for organizing this special order. This is one budget that affects every single American. Whether it is diabetes, Alzheimer's, cancer, or safe childbirth, the NIH is there as a shining star to protect our Nation and help us understand and treat dreaded diseases. One of the diseases that NIH researchers feel could be cured in a matter of years is Parkinson's disease. I am proud to be the founder and co-chair of the Congressional Group on Parkinson's Disease with my friend and colleague Fred Upton. We are so close to a cure for this disease. Leading scientists describe Parkinson's as the most curable neurological disorder. Breakthrough therapy or--perhaps a cure--is expected within a decade. When have researchers ever said that they think they can cure a disease in 10 years? I would like to focus my remarks tonight on the importance of giving NIH the largest increase possible. Specifically, I have been advocating for $71.4 million to implement NIH's Parkinson's Disease Research Agenda. During last year's appropriations debate, we were successful in including language to support the development of this research agenda for Parkinson's disease. It truly is a roadmap for what needs to be done in the next 5 years to beg to a cure. I have spearheaded a letter to the conferees asking for the $71.4 million needed in the first year to enact this research agenda. I am very hopeful that we will get this money in the budget this year. But if we don't, I will introduce legislation requiring this plan be funded in its entirety. Finally, I just want to mention that I am anxiously awaiting the release of the final guidelines on stem cell research. We worked hard in Congress this year to not let stem cell research get politicized. We stood firm that Parkinson's disease--along with diabetes, ALS, and a host of other diseases--must not be held hostage to extremists in Congress. I will continue to work for prompt implementation of this critical research when the guidelines are finalized. I thank my colleagues again for organizing this special order.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings).

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler) for yielding me this time. Mr. Chairman, I strongly and firmly support his amendment, as does the mayor and the governor, and really in a bipartisan spirit, the delegation of New York State. Along with the gentleman from California (Mr. Horn), we held a series of hearings on Governor's Island in New York, and basically this bill is a reality check. In no way is this island worth $500 million; and if this price tag is attached to it, then we will not be able to develop it for the public service purpose that the governor and the mayor and all of the citizens of New York State and indeed everyone who visits New York could benefit from the development of this island. This island was given to the country for defense 200 years ago, and now we are celebrating really the anniversary of that time; and it is time for the Federal Government to return the island to New York with the same generosity that New Yorkers showed by returning it to us at no cost so that we can follow through with the governor's and mayor's plan for development of it in a cost-effective, balanced way with educational, cultural, and as a tourist attraction. It has many historic forts that would benefit really the country. It is an important opportunity for this Congress to really respond in a reasonable way and support the gentleman's amendment, and it is certainly in the best interests of New York State and, I would say, the country.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Chairman, last year when my chief of staff was expecting a baby I inquired what the Federal leave policy was, and I was surprised to learn that there is no paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child. There have been many news articles talking about the difficulty of maintaining a talented staff for the Federal Government. In response, along with my colleagues, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Davis), the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), and the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella), we introduced the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act, H.R. 4567. This amendment will help us understand and quantify why this bill is so important. We are asking OPM to conduct a study to understand the impact of providing paid parental leave to Federal employees. We often hear that we need to run government more like a business. This study will lay the foundation for the Federal government to do just that. Mr. Chairman, we are here today in support of families. Everyone talks about supporting families, but when you look at the policies, they are not as supportive as they should be. In a Federal Government that says it is family friendly, public employees should not lose pay for becoming parents. Last year, when my District staff director was having a baby, I reviewed our office policy. I also wanted to consult the federal leave policy. I was shocked to learn that the Federal Government does not provide its employees with any paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child! In the Federal Government, unless you have stowed away all your vacation and sick days, there is no way to take off even one day without taking a cut in your paycheck. Then, in May the Washington Post informed us that the Federal Government is suffering from a talent drain because it is not providing competitive pay or benefits as compared to private sector companies. In response to these problems, I, along with Mr. Davis of Virginia, Mr. Hoyer of Maryland, and Mr. Gilman of New York, and Mrs. Morella of Maryland introduced H.R. 4567, the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act. This bipartisan bill would give Federal employees 6 weeks of paid parental leave for the birth or adoption of a child. Since we introduced the bill in May, I have heard from men and women across the country who have relayed their stories to me about the great impact this legislation would have on their families. Mary Bassett wrote to tell me her story. When Mary was pregnant with her son in 1993, she was placed on bedrest for the last six weeks of her pregnancy. She was forced to exhaust all of her sick and annual leave. When her son was born, he was critically ill and was in Intensive Care for two weeks. Since Mary had used up all of her sick leave and accrued vacation time, she was forced to return to work when her son was 7 weeks old. Her family could not survive without her paycheck so May was forced to make a choice: Stay home with her sick newborn, or put food on the table for her family. I also heard from Dee Kerr. Dee works for NASA. When her daughter was born, she had accrued a lot of leave and was able to take time off with pay. Now, at 40, Dee would like to have another child but doesn't have any paid leave saved up. She is now wondering if she and her husband can have a second child because they cannot afford to take time off without pay. Dee has to make a choice: Have a second child or put food on the table for her family. Today, I join with Representative Hoyer and Representative Gilman in introducing an important bipartisan amendment. This amendment will help us understand and quantify why H.R. 4567 is so important. We are asking OPM to conduct a study to understand the impact of providing paid parental leave to Federal employees. This study will likely reveal that the Federal Government will become more competitive with the private sector by offering paid parental leave. This study will likely show that the government's recruitment efforts will be boosted and that the costs related to turnover and replacement will be greatly reduced. Finally, this study will conclude that the Federal workforce can win back dedicated and qualified workers to the Government if we offer a benefit that is already being offered by the majority of private sector companies. Everyone always says that the Federal Government should be run more like a business. This study will lay the foundation for the Federal Government to do just that. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), co-author of this amendment. (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey), the chair of the Democratic Children's Caucus. (Ms. WOOLSEY asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 1 minute. (Mrs. MALONEY of New York asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Gilman-Maloney-Morella amendment to provide criminal background checks for all Federal child care employees. I am very happy to join my colleagues, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) and the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella), who have been consistent leaders on child care. I am very pleased that last year a provision offered by the gentlewoman from Maryland has been extended that allows Federal agencies the option of assisting employees with child care expenses. I am very pleased to be a lead cosponsor of several bills introduced by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) to expand affordable and available day care. In 1990, Congress passed the Crime Control Act, which mandates that Federal employees undergo background checks. But because of a funding loophole, this provision does not apply to those who take care of our children in Federal day care facilities. Each day, millions of families around the country go to work and leave children in day care. Everyone assumes that our children are safe. Everyone assumes that the child care workers have certain kinds of training and children will be protected. Everyone hopes for the best. But because of a current loophole in the law, the people who we trust with our children could be criminals. Child care workers in Federal facilities are contracted through Federal agencies, and therefore, not hired directly by a Federal agency. This is a dangerous loophole, and we need to correct it. We should not have to worry about who is taking care of our children simply because agencies do not view their child care employees as government agents. Certainly those who care for our children should not be exempt from this law. This bipartisan amendment makes it clear, criminals will be unable to work in Federal child care agencies. Programs involving children deserve to be 100 percent safe and secure. We must take precautions so that our children, the world's future, are being cared for by people we trust. I urge my colleagues to support the Gilman-Maloney-Morella amendment. We need to know who is watching our children. It is important. I urge a yes vote.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella).

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Chairman, I join my colleague, the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro), and congratulate her for her leadership and support of a woman's right to choose and rise in strong support of her amendment. This is the 151 vote on choice since the beginning of the 104th Congress; and once again, this Congress is attempting to deny women access to legal health services. Mr. Chairman, it was only 5 years ago that I and millions of other women employed in Federal service received a notice in the mail that our health insurance coverage by law would no longer cover abortion. It was one small notice in the mail but one giant step backward for a woman's right to choose. This amendment would simply give health care providers of Federal employees the option of providing a full range of reproductive health services, including abortion. This restriction is another attempt by anti-choice forces on the other side of the aisle to make abortion less accessible to women. Not only does it discriminate against women in public service, but it endangers their health. It is wrong and unfair, and that notice took us backward. We need to correct it with this amendment and take women forward once again.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Democratic substitute, which would more fairly distribute the benefits to lower-income people, but also for the underlying comprehensive reform legislation. Mr. Speaker, we all know that our population is graying. Fifty years from now, more than 80 million people will be over the age of 65. In order to help retirees in the near term and many decades from now, it is critical that we provide them the maximum flexibility to supplement social security. While President Clinton's plans to dedicate surplus money to social security and Medicare are an important step in preserving these programs for the long-term, individuals should have a range of options for their retirement savings. This is especially true and important for women. Sixty percent of social security beneficiaries are women. Women are heavily reliant on social security benefits because women earn less than men and because they spend less time in the work force. Women live, on average, 7 years longer. Less than one-third of all women retirees over age 55 receive pension benefits, yet the typical American woman who retires can expect to live approximately 19 years longer. Women often choose to take time out of their working careers to attend to their families. This bill will allow them to catch up on their pension contributions and increase the yearly amount they can contribute to IRAs and 401(k) plans to make up for lost time, up to an additional $5,000 per year. I strongly support the fair Rangel substitute and urge my colleagues to support it, and the underlying bill.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the conference report for H.R. 4576, the Defense Appropriations Act for FY 2001. In addition to supporting defense projects, this bill provides critical funding for important health research programs. I am pleased that the conference has included $15 million for the Neurotoxin Exposure Treatment Research Project in the search for answers to the mystery of Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's Disease is a chronic, progressive disorder affecting one million Americans. In its final stages, the disease robs individuals of the ability to speak or move. Of the many things we know about Parkinson's, we know that there appears to be a disproportionate number of veterans who are afflicted with Parkinson's disease. This breakthrough research will study the links between Parkinson's and environmental stress exposure factors encountered in military operations. The data will advance preventive measures and treatment interventions against the effects of military threats and operation hazards. I am also pleased that the bill contains $12 million for ovarian cancer research, $100 million for basic and clinical prostate cancer research, and $175 million for the Peer-Reviewed Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP). Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women; and one out of every eight women will be afflicted with the disease in her lifetime. Our best hope today is early detection and more research. In just six years, the Breast Cancer Research Program has matured from an isolated research program to a well-respected resource in the cancer community. It is overseen by a group of distinguished scientists and activists, as recommended by the Institute of Medicine. 90% of the funds go directly to research grants, and consumer advocates are included at every level. I thank the conferees for recognizing the importance of this program.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, once again, as I have every year that I have been a Member of Congress, it is my distinct honor and privilege to commemorate the 26th anniversary of the 1974 illegal Turkish invasion of Cyprus. Over 77 members of the Hellenic Caucus join me in the spirit of remembering this important illegal date. The continued presence of Turkish troops represents a gross violation of human rights and international law. Although the President has only a little more than 6 months remaining in office, he has a golden opportunity to once and for all help resolve the problem of reuniting Cyprus. Since their invasion of Cyprus in July of 1974, Turkish troops have continued to occupy 37 percent of Cyprus. This is in direct defiance of numerous nations' resolutions and has been a major source of instability in the eastern Mediterranean, but recent events have created an atmosphere where there is now no valid excuse for not resolving this long-standing, thorny problem. However, this cannot happen without the committed and sustained U.S. leadership. More than 20 years ago, in 1977 and 1979, the leaders of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities agreed to work together to establish a bicommunal, bizonal federation to replace the unitary government created under the 1960 constitution. Even though this agreement was codified in U.N. Security Council resolution 939 of July 14, 1994, there has been no action on the Turkish side to fill in the details and once and for all have a final agreement. Instead, for the last 26 years, there has been a Turkish Cypriot leader presiding over a regime recognized only by Turkey. It has also meant the financial decline of the once rich northern part of Cyprus to just one quarter of its former earnings. As my colleagues know, this conflict reached a low point after the European Union summit of December 1997 when Cyprus was invited to participate in accession negotiations while Turkey was deemed not yet ready. But since then, we have seen several positive steps towards peace. First in December, the European Union formally invited Turkey to become a candidate. Then President Clinton made it clear, and he made a clear statement to Turkish President Ecevit that a resolution of the Cyprus problem could not involve a return to pre-1974 conditions. Most recently, we saw a thawing in Greek-Turkish relations resulting from the earthquake diplomacy in which each country gave assistance to the other during the tragic earthquakes last August and September. With these developments, there is now no valid reason for the Turkish side to resist direct and serious negotiations on all issues during the continuation of meetings in Geneva. The U.S., the EU, Greece and Cyprus have all acted to accommodate Turkish concerns but it remains to be seen whether Turkey will put pressure on Denktash to bargain in good faith. And make no mistake about it, if Turkey wants the Cyprus problem resolved, it will not let Denktash stand in the way. We cannot let one person dictate Turkish Cypriot policy.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to the men and women of the first southern district of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. This all-volunteer Auxiliary played a major role in the recent July 4th festivities in the New York Harbor, which was celebrated during the International Naval Review and Military Salute Week. These selfless civilian volunteers, many of whom live in my district, provided a safe boating atmosphere for the more than 30,000 boats that occupied New York Harbor for the festivities. Out of the 193 Coast Guard vessels in New York Harbor, 65 are from the First Southern District of the Auxiliary. These volunteers, well over 500 strong, worked hard to maintain security zones and to provide direct assistance and support to the Coast Guard. Because of the dedication of these individuals and active Coast Guard members, no problems or catastrophes occurred during this incredibly busy time in New York Harbor. In fact, the dedication of the members of the First Southern freed active Coast Guard personnel to perform necessary life-saving search- and-rescues during Military Salute Week. These volunteers were a critical part of an Independence Day celebration that I am sure will always be remembered by New Yorkers. I salute my constituents and all of the men and women of the First Southern District and the active Coast Guard for a job well done.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I am really here to join two previous speakers, the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee), who were with me today at the United Nations Security Council in New York where the United Nation's Security Council for the first time in history voted for a united effort and attack on the AIDS crisis in the world and saw it as a security problem, not just a health challenge before us. It recognized a that HIV/AIDS is more than a health problem but actually a global crisis. It set a very important target to work towards the reduction of AIDS by 25 percent by the year 2010 in the age group of 15 to 24. It was a very significant and ground-breaking action, but it is by no means an end. It is a beginning of many more steps that we have to take. Earlier in January, I was there when Vice President Gore announced his support for this effort, and I applaud the leadership, not only of the Vice President, but of Ambassador Holbrooke who have worked with the Security Council to bring it to the vote today on this important resolution. It will look at AIDS as a long-term and domestic policy. It will set up a tracking system around the world. It will focus on training and education around the world, but also on the peacekeepers, testing voluntarily the peacekeepers, and making them aware of the crisis and the harm that it can be to their own health and to many others. I might add that this body has also acted to combat the AIDS crisis. The Department of Defense legislation contained $10 million to really work, in a joint effort, with military organizations around the world to educate and combat AIDS. Just last week, in the Foreign Operations bill, there was a vote of $244 million for USAID to combat AIDS. I also applaud the hard work of the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) on her ``Marshal Plan'' against AIDS, which was reported out of the Committee on Banking and Financial Services with strong bipartisan support with $100 million authorization for 1 year and $500 million over 5 years. That legislation is currently before the Senate. We hope it will likewise receive strong bipartisan support. I wanted to join my colleagues in really applauding the first-ever action by the Security Council in recognizing AIDS as a health problem, a security problem in our new world of interdependence and globalization, in a very positive step that they took today in passing out this resolution which I will place in the Record as follows: Draft Security Council Resolution on HIV/AIDS The Security Council, Recalling its meeting of 10 January 2000 chaired by the Vice President of the United States, at which it was briefed the President of the World Bank, the Administrator of the United Nations Development Program, and the Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on the connection between the spread of HIV/AIDS and peace and security in Africa, Deeply concerned by the extent of the HIV/AIDS pandemic worldwide and by the severity of the crisis in Africa in particular, Bearing in mind that it has the primary responsibility under the Charter of the United Nations for international peace and security, Recalling in this context, the Statement of its President on the role of the Security Council in the prevention of armed conflicts (S/PRST/1999/34), Reaffirming the importance of a coordinated international response to the economic, health, social, cultural and humanitarian problems which are often the root causes of armed conflict, Recognizing that the adverse effects of the spread of HIV/ AIDS on all sectors of society, including individuals, families, workers, political leadership, and the military, have weakened the capacity of affected countries to maintain domestic and regional peace and security, Further Recognizing that the spread and impact of the HIV/ AIDS pandemic is greatly exacerbated by poverty and lack of development, Further Recognizing that the HIV/AIDS pandemic not only poses a threat to stability and security, but is also exacerbated by conditions of violence and instability, Recognizing that HIV/AIDS poses a truly global risk to all continents and peoples both civilian and military, Expressing Concern at the damaging impact of HIV/AIDS on international peacekeeping operations. Welcoming the March report of the UN Special Committee on Peacekeeping which affirmed the need to incorporate HIV/AIDS prevention training in aspects of the UNDPKO training for peacekeepers, Welcoming the Report of the Secretary-General for the Millennium Assembly of the United Nations, and in particular, those sections where he notes that the spread of HIV/AIDS is a truly global crisis, that unless action is taken HIV/AIDS will be even more damaging in the future, and his call for coordinated and intensified international action to reduce the rate of new HIV infections by 25% by the year 2010, Commending the efforts by UNAIDS to coordinate and intensify the work of the world's states and the UN organizations against the HIV/AIDS pandemic, Commending the efforts of the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations to address this issue, including providing HIV/AIDS prevention awareness information to peacekeepers through its train-the-trainers courses and materials: 1. Requests the Secretary-General ensure the provision of mission-specific training of all peacekeepers on issues related to the prevention of the spread of HIV/AIDS, and ensure the further development of pre-deployment and on-going training of all peacekeepers on issues related to the prevention of the spread of HIV/AIDS, 2. Urges all states to acknowledge the problem of HIV/AIDS directly, including in uniformed national military forces, and develop, in consultation with the international community and UNAIDS, effective civilians and military personnel on the prevention of the spread of HIV/AIDS, 3. Urges all member states to institute voluntary and confidential counseling and testing for HIV/AIDS for civilians and members of uniformed national military forces, especially for troops to be deployed to international peacekeeping missions, because of the proven effects of testing to reduce high-risk behaviors, 4. Further urges countries to increase international cooperation among national military organizations to assist with the creation and execution of HIV/AIDS prevention, testing and treatment policies within the militaries, 5. Requests the Secretary General ensure that UNAIDS cooperate with member states, including those states that contribute peacekeeping troops, to establish voluntary consultations and a database to track these countries' HIV/ AIDS prevention education, testing, deployment, counseling and treatment policies, 6. Calls upon the leadership of all UN organizations to address the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the context of their organization's respective mandates and to adjust their organization's activities accordingly to ensure they are assisting wherever possible in the global efforts against the HIV/AIDS pandemic Decides to remain seized of the matter and to continue to seek information and guidance on this issue from all appropriate sources.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Chairman, I join with my colleagues from Vermont, New Jersey, and New York in support of women and children around the world and rise in strong support of the Sanders/Smith/ Slaughter/Maloney amendment. This amendment increases USAID's Development Assistance Account by $2.5 million dollars to assist non-governmental organizations in providing shelter and reintegration assistance to the millions of women and children who are victims of international trafficking. The exploitation of our world's women and children in trafficking is a tragic human rights offense. Many of these women and children are kidnaped, sold, or tricked into captivity. Instead of dreams of better jobs, better lives, they are trapped into a monstrous ordeal of coercion, violence, and disease. It is important that we protect and assist the victims of trafficking once they are rescued from their nightmare. Shelters are needed so that victims have a temporary and safe place to stay, and where they can obtain medical services. This amendment provides the much needed funds for buildings, resources and personnel that will temporarily care for victims, but it also provides resources to provide for the long term assistance that is required for complete reintegration of the victims. The victims of trafficking, especially the victims of sex trafficking are often stigmatized and rejected by their families and communities. Without the long term assistance, counseling, and follow up, many of these women and children are often left alone and remain at high risk and some of them are even re-trafficked. Of course, there is more that needs to be done to stop the many human rights abuses inflicted on women and children around the world. For many months, I have been exploring ways to stop the sex tourism industry, especially targeting U.S.-based businesses. When I learned that a sex tourism business was operating in my hometown of New York City, I held a press conference urging the Queens DA to take action against this business. In addition, I have contacted the Attorney General, Janet Reno, about strengthening current federal laws which already address sex tourism. We must prevent trafficking and punish the predators that profit from the exploitation of women and children. This amendment takes a significant step toward making a difference in the lives of women and children around the world. Once again I commend my colleagues for introducing this amendment and providing assistance to victims of trafficking and urge a Yes vote on the Sanders/Smith/Slaughter/Maloney amendment.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Chairman, I rise, as I have many times, in opposition to the Burton amendment, and for our continued support for the world's largest democracy. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to express my strong opposition to this ill-conceived amendment. This legislation has many problems, but one of the bright spots is a continued commitment to our Indian allies. Unfortunately, this amendment will unfairly cut the critically-needed economic assistance funding for India included in this legislation. As an important ally and a nation committed to strong democratic government, India has worked hard to ensure that the human rights of all its citizens are protected. The Indian government has aggressively responded to assaults against religious minorities and has repeatedly expressed its commitment to ensuring tolerance. Recently, in response to attacks on Christians, Prime Minister Vajpayee reiterated his nation's desire to be inclusive of all faiths and to ensure equal justice under law for all Indians. We should support these efforts. India is also one of our key trading partners and the Indian government has worked hard to create a friendly environment for U.S. firms. As a result, U.S. investment in India has skyrocketed in the last ten years. Direct U.S. investment in India has increased from $500 million in 1991 to more than $15 billion today. Indin has demonstrated a commitment to continue this growth and I strongly believe that we must support their efforts. As a key ally and a fellow democracy, India deserves our support. However, Congressman Burton's amendment, rather than rewarding India, seeks to punish the people of India by withholding crucial humanitarian assistance. India is a strong and vibrant democracy. It is the world's largest democracy. And, the U.S. is India's largest trading partner and largest investor. The momentum gained in U.S.-India relations in recent years needs to be sustained and strengthened. A vote for the Burton amendment would send the wrong signal to the people of India from the U.S. Congress at this very critical time. I urge a ``no'' vote on the Burton amendment and yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey), the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Greenwood), the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey), the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), and many others for their leadership on this issue. First and foremost, family planning helps prevent abortion. No U.S. dollars are used for abortions around the world. This amendment is about saving women's lives. It is about women dying to the tune of over 600,000 a year. Mr. Chairman, while we are debating this motion to strike, over 65 women will die around the world from pregnancy-related causes. This safe delivery kit costs $1.25; yet it can mean the difference between life and death. Its contents are simple, a plastic sheet, a bar of soap, some gauze, a razor; yet in rural areas and emergency situations, this saves women's lives. The language we are striking restricts the use of a foreign NGOs own funds. In America, this language is unconstitutional. Around the world, it is unconscionable. The gag rule is enough to make us gag. It cripples foreign NGOs ability to practice democracy in their own countries. The United States has always been very proud of exporting what is best about our country, our ideals, democracy; but this bill exports one of the worst, if not the worst of our country, our own internal politics. We cannot afford to stifle the international debate on family planning by tying the hands of NGOs with this antiwoman gag rule. It forces NGOs to choose between their own democratic rights, to organize and to determine what is best in their own countries and desperately needed resources of U.S. family-planning dollars. This is not a choice we should be forcing on the women of the world, and many of the poorest countries that are often struggling democracies. I urge a yes vote on this important motion to strike. First and foremost, this is not about abortion. It's about women dying, to the tune of 600,000 a year. And its about saving women lives. No U.S. federal funds have been are used or around the world for abortions. During the time we are debating this amendment, 65 women will die from pregnancy related complications. This kit, a safe delivery kit, is used around the world where women lack access to adequate health care facilities. It's contents are simple--a sterile sheet of plastic, on which the baby is delivered, a bar of soap, a sterile surgical blade, two rolls of umbilical tape, and cotton gauze bandages. There few items are enough, to enable women in rural or emergency situations to deliver their babies in safe and sterile conditions. These kits cost just $1.25, but their value is priceless. In some cases, these simple tools mean the difference between life and death. The language in this bill says that a non-governmental organization that receives US AID family planning funds cannot use it own funds to provide legal abortion services or to lobby for or against abortions. This language restricts the use of a foreign NGO's own funds. In America, this language is unconstitutional. Around the world, it's unconscionable. The Gag Rule is enough to make you gag. It cripples foreign NGO's ability to practice democracy in their own countries. It cripples NGO's in countries like El Salvador, where abortion is illegal even if a woman will die as a result of the pregnancy. The Gag Rule bars NGO's from even writing a letter to legislators supporting changes in laws to save women's lives. Many opponents of international family planning like to refer to China's one child policy as a reason not to support programs in China. But with the Gag Rule, not only will women and families not get the contraception and resources they need to plan their families, but NGO's will be silenced from lobbying their own government to change abortion laws. International family planning is about the rights of women and men to decide freely the size of their families whether it be in India, Ecuador or China. The United States has always been dedicated to exporting the very best of our country, from our ideas of freedom and democracy to products that help make life better. Unfortunately, this bill exports one of the worst, if not the worst, of our country--our internal politics. There is a terrible irony in all this. In the name of preventing abortion, this policy actually works to increases abortions. Last year alone, with the Gag Rule in place, thousands of young women lacking information to prevent or postpone pregnancy underwent dangerous and often fatal abortions. However, with US family planning funds at the President request, 2.2 million abortions can be prevented. We can't afford to stifle the international debate on family planning by tying the hands of NGO's with an anti-women Gag Rule. It forces NGO's to choose between their democratic rights to organize and determine what is best in their own countries and desperately needed resources of US family planning dollars. This is not a choice we should be forcing on the poorest of nations who are often the ones with struggling democracies. Let's support this women of the world and provide the resources for them to make informed decisions, instead of exporting unconstitutional policies. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' and strike the onerous, anti- democratic Gag Rule.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, the gag rule has created a policy that increases the number of abortions and it also threatens the lives of many young women. Last year, this body added in law an international family planning gag rule for other countries that is unconstitutional in America. What happened? Thousands of young women were denied the information they needed to plan or postpone their pregnancies, so thousands of 13-year- old girls, 14-year-old girls and 15-year-old girls got unsafe and often fatal abortions. These abortions could have been prevented. No U.S. funds are used for abortions. International family planning saves women's lives so we should all support on both sides of the aisle an effort to strike the gag rule.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi) for yielding me the time and for her leadership on this bill and on some of the issues before this Congress. This bill vastly underfunds the AIDS prevention program and debt relief for the world's poorest countries and undermines our commitment to international family planning. The President pledged a multiyear U.S. commitment for debt relief, which this bill guts. It also drastically underfunds international family planning 30 percent below the President's request. Every day we in government face problems for which there is no solution, like global warming, the AIDS crisis, Parkinson's disease, but family planning presents a different challenge, we know what to do. Mr. Chairman, we know what the answer is, all we need is the funds and the political will to get the job done. Increasing international family planning to the President's request by 30 percent more would allow 11.7 million more couples to have access to family planning. It would also mean 2.2 million fewer abortions, and it would save the lives of more than 15,000 women and 92,000 infants. Earlier this year, many of us introduced a bill called Saving Women's Lives Through International Family Planning, we had over 122 cosponsors. We asked this Congress to go ``Back to the Future,'' back to 1995 funding levels for family planning and meet the budget requests of the President. We asked for this money without restrictions. Gag rules are enough to make us gag in our own country. The gag rule would be unconstitutional around the world. It is unconscionable. This budget before us is far short of going back to the future. This bill also exports one of the worst policies, the gag rule language that is unconstitutional in our own country. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to join in a bipartisan effort to strike this terrible antidemocratic, antiwoman, antifairness language, the gag rule out of the bill, it hurts some of the poorest women and countries in the world.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this bill to designate a post office in Reno, Nevada as the ``Barbara F. Vucanovich Post Office Building''. Barbara was the very first woman elected to Congress from the great State of Nevada, and she blazed a trail for women during her seven terms of Congress. She once lived in the congressional district that I have the honor of representing when she attended Manhattan College of Sacred Heart in New York City from 1938 through 1939, long before many women were routinely attending college. I have very fond memories of working with Barbara Vucanovich on many bills before this Congress. In fact, one of the first bills when I came to Congress was one that we worked on together which would provide for annual mammograms in Medicare. We circulated a letter together and got, I think, probably every Member of this body to sign onto it. At that time, when a woman was 65, mammograms were covered only every other year, which put many women at risk. It is early detection that is now saving women's lives, and it was an honor to work with her. She cared very deeply about this issue for many reasons, one of which she was herself a breast cancer survivor. She often spoke about her experiences and really was instrumental in supporting research for breast cancer. The bill that we worked on later became part of the balanced budget amendment and is now law. So I always think about Barbara when I read about this bill and when I think about all the breakthroughs that we are having now in breast cancer research, because she truly was a great leader in many areas. But on the Women's Caucus, I would say she was the leader on breast cancer research. Really, every woman in this country owes a great deal of gratitude for her service, for her leadership, and for her example. So I thank very deeply the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons) for introducing this bill, and I certainly urge a yes vote. It is long overdue.