Carolyn Maloney

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, my question is, when was it used? When in the history of this Congress did a chairman go out and unilaterally issue subpoenas? Never in the history of this Congress has it happened. The numbers speak for themselves. Zero to 156. Furthermore, 156 of those subpoenas had been issued for Democrats, 9 are targeting Republicans. The numbers speak for themselves. We should not be wasting $12 million to $15 million on a partisan investigation.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, if my majority colleagues have their way this morning, we will empower the chair of the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight as never before, and I have just one question to ask my colleagues: Can anyone tell me when in the history of this Congress has this kind of authority been exercised unilaterally?

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, I did not ask about rules, I asked when was this power used unilaterally?

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. I yield to the gentleman from California.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in opposition to the Stearns amendment to H.R. 1757; the Foreign Relations Authorization Act. This amendment urges the United Nations to act as a part-time body with a revolving headquarters. It is bad policy and it is a bad idea. The United Nations has been instrumental in the promotion of peace and security, economic and social development and human rights around the world. It is not a part-time job. I'm proud to represent the United Nations and the U.N. community on the upper east side of Manhattan. I am also proud that the United States has had such a tremendous impact on the United Nations. With the new Secretary General in place at the United Nations, we have an outstanding opportunity to continue the United States' influence at the United Nations. Mr. Speaker, clearly there is room for meaningful reform within the United Nations. But I believe that the only way for the United States to play a major role in this reform effort is to first develop a real package to fulfill our financial obligation to the United Nations. Currently, the United States owes $1.3 billion in back dues. The prompt payment of the United States arrears owed to the United Nations must remain our priority. I recently learned that failure to pay our dues has forced the United Nations to borrow from its peacekeeping budget to pay its operating expenses. This is outrageous and we must not allow it to continue. The United Nations has already carried out many critical reforms. It has reduced the number of employees at its headquarters by more than 10 percent, and has maintained a no-growth operating budget for the last 2 years. That amounts to serious reform in a relatively short period of time. And I expect that these and other reforms will continue. I was pleased to send a letter to the chairman of the Appropriations Committees asking that the United States fulfill its financial obligation to the United Nations. I have also cosponsored a bill to authorize appropriations for the payment of past arrearage and assessed contributions for peacekeeping operations in the future. I am proud to call the U.N. community my constituents, and I will continue to support any measures aimed at ensuring full U.S. payment of its dues and arrears to the United Nations.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Chairman, only under a Republican Congress can a woman sign up to serve her country and have her rights denied in return. Last time I looked it was still legal for a woman to have the right to choose in this country, but only if she remains in this country. If she decides to serve her country overseas, then she loses that constitutional right. If a male member of the armed services needs medical attention overseas, he receives the best. If a female member of the armed services needs a specific medical procedure overseas, then she has to come back to the United States to get that procedure or go to a foreign hospital that may be unsanitary. This bill will not cost taxpayers one cent. The women will pick up the tab. All they want is the right to do it, and women have waited long enough to receive equal treatment in the military. I hope my colleagues will support the Harman amendment and give these most deserving soldiers back that which is rightfully theirs.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding, and I rise in opposition to a provision in the Spence amendment that threatens one of the basic tenets of our economy, full and open competition. And I hope that this particular provision is revised and improved as the legislation moves through the system. Section 1505 of the amendment of the gentleman from South Carolina [Mr. Spence] would allow the Government to limit competition when it buys noncommercial goods and services. Those are things that are specific to government needs, like aircraft engine spare parts, and government computer programs. Current law allows simplified procurement procedures for commercial goods and services. That is because prices of these items can be compared in the commercial marketplace. We all know how much to pay for a car, office supplies or furniture, and we can buy it off the shelf. It is anyone's guess how much that spare engine part is worth. Full and open competition guarantees lower prices, competitive bidding, provides an even playing field for businesses, and helps weed out fraud, favoritism, and abuse. It guarantees the Government the best price and value, while at the same time ensuring the integrity of the system and protecting taxpayers' dollars. The Government spends $200 billion a year on goods and services. That is $800 for every American taxpayer in the procurement system. The way that money is spent is extremely important. This particular provision, which removes full and open competition for noncommercial items, I believe is bad policy. I hope that this is changed. Otherwise, I support the amendment.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay a respectful tribute to Sally A. Delson, executive director of the State of Israel Bonds' Organizations Divisions. Ms. Delson, who is being honored this weekend at a State of Israel Bonds tribute luncheon, has played an integral role in the divisions' growth over the past 30 years. For the past 30 years, the Israel Bonds' Organizations Division has grown tremendously under Sally's guidance. Originally comprised of Landsmanshaften groups, the division later grew to incorporate a variety of Jewish and Zionist organizations. The organizations division's success can be seen in the high volume of sales--more than $200 million in bonds--sold in New York since 1952. Sally's first foray into her work for a Zionist cause was prompted by her grandfather's prediction when she was just 9 years old. Her grandfather, a renowned Rabbi, told her that one day after the birth of a Jewish state, she would work for that state. After a visit to the Tomb of Rachel while in Israel following the Six-Day War, Sally remembered her grandfather's prophecy and renewed her commitment to work for the advancement and security of the State of Israel. Over the 30 years that Sally has been with Israel Bonds, she has proven to be an invaluable crusader working to fulfill its mission of maintaining Israel's economic security. Her colleagues and supporters see her as a source of inspiration and credit her with the organizations division's success. On Sunday, the State of Israel Bonds will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the First Zionist Congress and the eve of Israel's 50th anniversary of independence. They will also celebrate Sally Delson-- wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and devoted daughter of the Zionist movement. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues rise with me in this tribute to Sally Delson. The Division of Organizations of State of Israel Bonds and the Jewish community as a whole are fortunate to have a woman such as Sally working for their cause. I am thrilled to have Ms. Delson in my district.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, this Congress is looking at the biggest peacetime military scandal in recent history. Too often women enter the military to serve their country, yet end up having to defend themselves. We have seen cases of rape, sexual assault and harassment at every level. Military standards of courage, honor, and valor have given way to sexism, favoritism and power. And this Congress is willing to only make minimal efforts toward reform. More than 2 months ago, I introduced a bill asking for a commission to review the entire military justice system. My efforts toward adding the commission to the DOD bill were rejected. I congratulate the Committee on National Security for at least including part of my proposal in their bill, but it falls far too short of what is needed. We have seen enough scandals, the military does not need another soap opera, and crisis management is not going to solve the problem. I urge a no vote on the rule.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of my colleagues the valuable contributions the Western Queens Gazette has made to the city of New York. Today, the Gazette celebrates its 15th anniversary of serving as an essential voice for the community. The Gazette was inaugurated in 1982 by a group of enthusiastic community activists, few of whom had any previous journalism experience. This group, which included the paper's original publishers--George Stamatiades, Roger LaGhezza, and Judy Jackson-- developed the first newspaper in a makeshift office erected in one of their basements. Just 19 days after they had the initial idea to publish a newspaper in the Queens community, the first issue of the paper went to press. Since that time, the Gazette has been published regularly. At a time when the print media has been consolidating, the Western Queens Gazette has found a home in a community that is hungry for news. In 1983, John Toscano and Buster Celestino purchased the paper; they continued to publish it until 1990 when Tony Barsamian, the Gazette's current publisher, took over. Under Mr. Barsamian's leadership, the Gazette has increasingly become the leading source of local news and information for the community. For 15 years, the Western Queens Gazette has served as an outstanding journalistic vehicle through which the Queens community can express itself. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in paying tribute to the Western Queens Gazette on the occasion of its 15th anniversary.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay a respectful tribute to Ida Inez Berrocal Torres, who is being honored this evening by the Queens Women's Political Caucus. Ms. Torres has been in the forefront of workers' rights, particularly the rights of women and Hispanic workers. The most accurate portrait of Ms. Torres comes from Ms. Torres herself, as she describes herself as a ``worker for workers.'' Ms. Torres' involvement in the labor movement covers all facets: she has been an organizer, teacher, leader, and elected union official. Her advocacy work in the labor movement began with her position as a telephone operator in the union. In 1965, after a strike at Bloomingdale's, the workers petitioned that Ida become their union organizer for local 3 of United Storeworkers. In 1977, she was elected vice president of local 3, RWDSU, and continues in that capacity today. Ida's work also has influence on the national level. She currently represents RWDSU on the national executive board of the Coalition of Labor Union Women, serves on the executive board of the New York City Labor Council, and is president of the Hispanic Labor Committee and Advisory Committee to the New York City Central Labor Council. Ida's role as a teacher has been equally important in the labor movement. She has served as an instructor in labor studies at Cornell University, New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations, and the Harry Van Arsdale Center for Labor Studies, State University of New York. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues rise with me in this tribute to Ida Inez Berrocal Torres. I am honored to have such a great woman and leader in my district.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I would request the opportunity to place in the Record an earnest letter from my colleague, the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Gingrich], urging the Secretary of Commerce to adjust the population numbers to support sampling to reflect the fact that 300,000 people were missed in Georgia. The letter is dated April 30, 1991. How times have changed. I feel it is very wrong to legislate on the CR and certainly to change the census law banning sampling on the CR. The letter referred to follows: Congress of the United States, House of Representatives, Washington, DC, April 30, 1991, Hon. Robert A. Mosbacher, Secretary of Commerce, Department of Commerce, Washington,

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ellsworth G. Stanton III. Tonight, the James N. Jarvie Commonweal Service will be celebrating his ministry in New York City. Mr. Stanton, an Illinois native who is currently living in New York, has dedicated his life to serving others. As a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church, he is the executive director of the James N. Jarvie Commonweal Service, an endowment administered by the church to provide services and financial assistance to elderly people in the New York area. Before joining the Commonweal Service, Mr. Stanton served the National Council of Churches of Christ, UNICEF and CARE, Inc. Mr. Stanton's contributions to the community touch a wide variety of people. Among his many affiliations, he is a trustee of the New York Theological Seminary, the director of the New York City Mission Society, president of the John Milton Society for the Blind, president of the Brookwood Child Care Agency, president of the Third Street Music School Settlement and a delegate to the White House Conference on Aging. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me in saluting Ellsworth G. Stanton III. He has made innumerable contribuitions to many people in need in the New York metropolitan area. It is with gratitude that we honor him.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tribute to the Ms. Foundation for 25 years of championing the rights and needs of women and girls. The Ms. Foundation celebrated this milestone on Thursday, May 29, 1997, with a gala dinner and awards ceremony in New York City. The Ms. Foundation for Women is a national, multi-issue, public fund. It was founded in 1972 and supports the efforts of women and girls to govern their own lives and to influence the world around them. The mission of the foundation is to fund and assist women's self-help organizing efforts, and pursue changes in public consciousness, law, philanthropy, and social policy. In the 1996 fiscal year, the Ms. Foundation awarded a total of $1,665,700 in grants and technical assistance to programs in the areas of economic security, leadership for young women and girls, and health and safety. I am pleased to add that the Ms. Foundation is the creator of the Take Our Daughters to Work Day campaign. This year the Ms. Foundation honored nine 1997 Women of Vision Awardees. Those honored for organizing work were Justine Andronici, Nohelia Canales, and Dee Martin for a project of the Feminist Majority Foundation; Ellen Bravo of the National Association of Working Women, Frances Kissling from Catholics for a Free Choice; Rinku Sen of the Center for Third World Organizing. For philanthropy, Ann R. Roberts, the Ford Foundation and the American Express Company were each honored. It is my great pleasure to acknowledge the 25-year anniversary of the Ms. Foundation. With the very capable stewardship of Marie Wilson, executive director and the dedicated board of trustees, the Ms. Foundation will continue to provide an essential resource for those who strive to improve the lives of women. I ask my colleagues in this Chamber to rise with me in honor of the extraordinary contribution the Ms. Foundation has made.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to speak out against the Smith amendment which seeks to reinstate the so-called Mexico City restrictions on international family planning and to cut funding for the U.N. Fund for Population Activities [UNFPA]. This is really nothing more than a global gag rule. First of all, no U.S. foreign aid funds are used to either promote, or perform abortions. So this amendment is really unnecessary and antifamily planning. The amendment also seeks to ban aid to UNFPA based on its past involvement in China. But UNFPA is in no way linked to reported family planning abuses in China. UNFPA does not support abortion and has never funded an abortion. The UNFPA does work in 140 countries where people are desperately seeking assistance in preventing unintended pregnancies. Holding these funds hostage hurts women, children, and families around the world. UNFPA programs have achieved better nutrition, better health, longer life expectancy and a reduced toll of infectious disease for people all around the world. Their programs have increased the use of family planning from about 15 to 60 percent of couples. And they ensure that young women, whether in Bangladesh or Botswana, have access to reproductive and other basic health care services. A basic principle that has governed UNFPA's work for many years is that abortion should never be promoted as a method of family planning. Families which lack access to adequate public health services deserve our understanding and our help. Vote ``no'' on the Smith amendment. Vote ``yes'' on Campbell-Greenwood.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay a respectful tribute to Elinor and Randolph Guggenheimer on the occasion of their 65th wedding anniversary. The Guggenheimers are graciously sharing their milestone this evening at a reception hosted by the Council of Senior Centers and Services of New York City, Inc. [CSCS]. Elly and Randolph have both devoted their lives to helping others and making New York City a better place to live. Elly has spent most of her life volunteering her services to people of all ages and walks of life. She has played a significant role in improving many teenage girl's educations through her work with the Educational Alliance. Women have benefited from the organizations Elly has founded, including the National Women's Political Caucus, the New York Women's Forum, the National Women's Forum, the International Forum, and the New York Women's Agenda. Families have been afforded more options because of the Day Care Council of New York, the Day Care and Child Development Council of America, and the Child Care Action Campaign, all of which Elly founded. Elly has also been a vocal advocate for the Jewish and elderly communities through her trustee position at the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies, her founding of the Jewish Association for Services for the Aged and through CSCS, as founder and former executive director. Among her many other achievements, Elly has been commissioner of consumer affairs of New York City, a television anchor, and a member of the City Planning Commission. Randolph's contributions are equally impressive. He was almost solely responsible for the creation of the North General Hospital. Later, as chairman of the hospital's board, Randolph fought to save the troubled hospital from financial ruin. He has remained chairman of the board of the hospital, helping it survive and provide essential health care to the Harlem community. His leadership at the hospital also enabled the construction of a much-needed new medical facility at North General. Randolph has dedicated his time to a variety of other philanthropic organizations and led a distinguished legal and military career. He is also the former chairman of the board of Mills College of Education and the Westchester Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues rise and join me in paying tribute to Elinor and Randolph Guggenheimer on their 65th wedding anniversary. The Guggenheimers are a couple whose dedication to each other and to the organizations they have founded and supported over the years should serve as a model of commitment to us all.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from California [Mr. Stark] for yielding me the time. Mr. Chairman, when President Clinton took office, the deficit was out of control and the economy was reeling. In 1993, we took bold steps to restore fiscal responsibility by cutting the deficit from $290 billion to less than $100 billion today, and from close to 5 percent of the GDP to just 1\1/2\ percent. As a result, unemployment is at a 24-year low and inflation has stayed below 3 percent a year. Economic growth has been expanding. Today, the Federal Reserve appears to have voted in support of this budget by not raising interest rates. This is a good beginning based on a strong economy. As we fill in the details, we must make sure that this budget invests in education according to the President's plan, expands child health care, protects Medicare and Medicaid, and provides tax relief for all working Americans. I am especially pleased that this budget includes my bipartisan bill to allow for annual mammograms for women over 65 in Medicare. Who would have thought in 1992 that today we would be on a trend toward a balanced budget in 2002? This is about raising living standards for American workers. This is a victory for President Clinton, a victory for bipartisanship, and, most importantly, a victory for the American people.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. Speaker, I rise against this rule. Mr. Speaker, last night the Republican leadership ruled the bipartisan amendment I offered with the gentleman from Connecticut [Mr. Shays], the gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. Meehan], and the gentlewoman from New Jersey [Mrs. Roukema] to restore the Federal Election Commission funding and to unfence this money so it could be used for investigations out of order because the chairman said it was not an emergency. But what is more an emergency than restoring the faith of the American people in the election process? How can we restore credibility in our elections process when this same body, under Republican leadership, votes $12 to $15 million, including a slush fund, to the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight for a partisan investigation, and then, on the other hand, turns around and denies the funding to the only nonpartisan, independent agency that is actually empowered to investigate election abuses, find election abuses. The Federal Elections Commission has come forward and said that they need this money to get the job done for the abuses before them. This money has been denied, yet this body has voted to give $12 to $15 million to a partisan investigation. Mr. Speaker, I just would like to appeal to both sides of the aisle to vote against this rule until we do the right thing, which is fund the independent agency that is empowered to investigate. They are only asking $1.7 million. They are saying they cannot get the job done unless they get the $1.7 million. Yet the leadership is denying them the money to get the job done and, on the other hand, voting for a slush fund and $12 to $15 million for the Burton partisan investigation. It is wrong. I would caution anyone not to vote for this rule until the funding for the Federal Election Commission is in the bill, and that the money is unfenced so that proper investigations can take place.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Chairman, my amendment restores the $1.7 million which the Federal Election Commission says it needs to investigate the high number of pending cases from the 1996 election cycle. Last night the Republican leadership ruled the bipartisan amendment I offered with the gentleman from Connecticut [Mr. Shays], the gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. Meehan] and the gentlewoman from New Jersey [Mrs. Roukema] to restore this funding out of order because the chairman of the Committee on Rules said it was, quote, not an emergency. But let us look at some of the things that are in the bill that are recognized as emergencies. There is $10 million to the National Park Service to implement the Yosemite Valley transportation plan. There is $37.1 million for road and trail maintenance for the National Forest Service that the committee report does not say is associated with Western flooding or disaster relief, yet this bill recognizes it as an emergency. Then there is $2.5 million to pay for digital mapping in the San Joaquin Valley. I think that the American people believe investigating charges of corruption and abuse in our elections are just as important, much more important and much more of an emergency than some of the things that are in this bill. The Federal Election Commission has asked for $1.7 million to conduct investigations into 1996 pending election abuses. The Committee on Appropriations granted the money but said that the Federal Election Commission could only use it for computers. In other words, they fenced it in so that they could not use it for investigators but only for computers. Then the Committee on Rules totally stripped the funding out altogether. First they gave it, then they limited it, and now they are taking it away. Meanwhile, the Federal Election Commission's caseload has increased by one third but there is no more funding for them. With 285 cases pending, some of them the most complex cases the commission has ever seen, the Federal Election Commission will not be able to pursue all of these violations. Yet this is the same Congress that is spending $12 to $15 million for just one committee's investigations, the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, while the only agency that can do a nonpartisan probe of the controversial problems that have been charged in election abuses, they are being shortchanged and not being given any money to conduct these investigations. I feel that we should fund the committee. The money was in the budget, the Committee on Appropriations appropriated it, and then the Committee on Rules removed it.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. I yield to the gentleman from Maryland.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. The Committee on Appropriations appropriated the money, and the Committee on Rules removed it, and I disagree with the gentleman's point of order.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Maryland, and I appreciate the point that he made. The Federal Elections Commission is the only agency, it is nonpartisan, it is an independent agency, and it is charged to conduct investigations. They have a large surplus, a backload of charges of investigations that need to be looked into, and yet the money has not been allocated, yet this same party, the Republican leadership, allocated $12 to $15 million for a partisan probe in the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight. Mr. Chairman, I believe this is an important amendment, and I hope that my colleagues will support it. point of order

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

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in order to bring attention to the cases of Mr. McErlean, Mr. Megahey, Mr. Morrison, Mr. Crossan, Mr. Caulfield, and Mr. Pearson--Irish men who live in fear of being deported. They are all here legally, some have been here for over 20 years. They are married to American women or legal citizens and have American children and grandchildren. They are not criminals, nor wanted for any crime in Ireland, Britain, or America. However, these men are being targeted by the INS because they were imprisoned in Britain as political prisoners. If the INS proceeds with their deportation, American families will suffer either the specter of having their family torn apart or having to move back to the North of Ireland where the persecution will resume. There is no good reason to pursue these deportations. I think our justice system is the fairest in the world, but I think if we allow these men to be pulled away from their productive lives in America, justice will not be served and may endanger the lives of these American families. I stand by my friends in the Committee for Irish Affairs who are making only a small plea for basic human rights for people who are our neighbors.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise against this rule. The Republican National Committee ought to be sending roses this morning to the Republican leadership of the House. The $1.7 million in emergency funding requested by the Federal Election Commission to conduct investigations has somehow disappeared. The only nonpartisan group that should be looking into these alleged abuses has just lost the funding it needs to get the job done. On the other hand, the Republican-controlled Committee on Government Reform and Oversight just received $6 million to carry out its partisan probe. Now they have tied the hands of the only nonpartisan agency empowered to conduct an investigation and to find abusers. This is not their first stunt. Just last week the Committee on Appropriations actually granted the money, but tied it up by specifying it could only be used to buy computers, like the computers would just do the work themselves. Now the funding has just disappeared. First they give, then they limit, and now they take it away. I say to the Republican leadership, why are they doing this? Why are they taking the funding away from the one nonpartisan group empowered to conduct investigations? I urge a ``no'' vote on this rule.