Carolyn Maloney

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, this week I was privileged to attend the United Nations' Fourth World Conference on Women as a congressional observer. Consequently, I missed several votes. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows: Roll Call No.: Vote 636................................................................No 637...............................................................Yes 638................................................................No 639...............................................................Yes 640...............................................................Yes 641...............................................................Yes 642................................................................No 643...............................................................Yes 644...............................................................Yes 645...............................................................Yes 646................................................................No 647................................................................No 648...............................................................Yes

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the previous question on the rule for the legislative branch appropriations conference report. First, let me commend my colleagues, Vic Fazio, Marty Meehan, and John Bryant for bringing this important issue to the floor. My friends, let's not pass the bill which funds our daily business until we reform the political business-as-usual in this city. It has been 87 days since our Speaker shoot hands with the President in New Hampshire, pledging to act on campaign finance and political reform. I praised the Speaker for that handshake. In fact, I asked the Speaker to consider a bill I introduced with Marty Meehan, Tim Johnson and others that would establish the kind of independent commission that the Speaker shook hands on. But since then, the Speaker argued against a rush to judgment. Eighty-seven days later, it's safe to say the Republican leadership of the House is in no rush to clean up our political system. And that's a shame. We're the only House in this city that is dragging its feet on reform. At the White House, the President has twice laid out his detailed plan to the Speaker. He's even named possible commissioners. The other body--not known for its zest for reform--held 2 days of debate and passed solid lobbying and gift ban reform bills. During the first 100 days of this Congress, we passed numerous items of the Contract With America which will do great harm to our cities, our families, and our environment. During the second 100 days, we passed appropriations bills that slash so many of the programs which benefit ordinary Americans, while at the same time leaving policies that help rich and powerful corporations untouched. So before another 100 days go by since the historic handshake in New Hampshire, let's at least take one small step to try to convince the American people that this institutions is not for sale to the highest bidder. Defeat the previous question. Adopt these critical gift and lobbying reforms. Don't wait another day. Pass reform now.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Matthew Adams, Jr., who is celebrating 26 years in the ministry and 11 years of service as pastor of Grace United Methodist Church. Dr. Adams began his service with the ministry in 1969, when he joined the Metropolitan Community Methodist Church. During his tenure there, he served as community developer and was also the youth minister. In 1977, Dr. Adams became pastor of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in New Rochelle, NY. His impact on the community was tremendous, as he wasted no time in starting a children's choir, a gospel choir, an inspirational choir, and a prison ministry. Under his inspirational leadership the church building was also beautifully renovated and restored. It was in 1984 that Dr. Adams became pastor of Grace United Methodist Church in New York. When he first arrived at Grace UMC he was entering a despondent community that had just lost their church building to a tragic fire. Dr. Adams helped rebuild not only a new church, but also strengthened the ministry's faith and spirit. After sharing space with Trinity Lutheran Church, Dr. Adams and the congregation proudly entered their new church on December 22, 1991. During the last 11 years, Dr. Adams' brand of urban ministry has helped Grace UMC reach further out into the surrounding community. Under his outreach programs, the ministry has organized a children's choir, a Christian Academy, and a program called, God's People With A Purpose, which provides assistance and food for the homeless and needy. In recognition for his outstanding service to the community, Dr. Adams has received several awards, including the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award. He has also received the Ted Weiss Community Service Award in recognition of his distinguished leadership of Grace United Methodist Church for his contributions to the Upper West Side Community. In addition to being a gifted minister and community activist, Dr. Adams is also a devoted family man. The support and love of his wife Anzetta King Adams and two wonderful children, Martin Luther and Tammi Marie give Dr. Adams the inspiration he needs to bring joy and happiness to his congregation day in and day out. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Dr. Matthew Adams on his 26 years of faithful service in the ministry. In addition, I hope my colleagues will join me in wishing him continued success as pastor of Grace United Methodist Church.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of my colleagues the important work that is taking place at the Sarcoidosis Clinic at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Sarcoidosis is a very common disease of unknown cause. Though the disease can involve every part of the body, most patients with sarcoidosis have no complaints, or only minor ones. Symptoms include shortness of breath, pain in the joints, swollen lymph nodes, skin rash, fatigue, or fever. And while many patients require no treatment and the disease goes away after 6 months to 2 years, about 20 percent of those with the disease require substantial treatment. Approximately 10,000 patients with sarcoidosis have been treated at Mount Sinai Hospital Sarcoidosis Clinic since its founding in 1948. Dr. Louis E. Siltzbach, one of the world's most renowned experts on sarcoidosis, originally founded the Mount Sinai Sarcoidosis Clinc, and in the 48 years since its inception, the clinic has made tremendous advancements in the battle against this perplexing disease. Recently, Mount Sinai has gone beyond treatment with the formation of the Sarcoidosis Support Group. This patient-run group helps remove the mystery of the disease, provides general information, and hopes to generate enough interest to spurn research that will lead to more effective treatment and, ultimately, a cure. As part of this effort, the Sarcoidosis Support Group will be celebrating Sarcoidosis Awareness Month on August 11. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have this opportunity to honor the excellent work being done at Mount Sinai to provide treatment for support for those living with sarcoidosis. I would also ask my colleagues to join me in helping to make all of our constituents aware of this mysterious disease in the hopes that some day we might find a cure.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I inadvertently missed rollcall vote 627. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the rule and to the underlying bill. I would like to respond to my good friend and colleague, the gentleman from New York, and agree with him on one point: that this bill is about priorities. Mr. Speaker, as was pointed out by my colleagues earlier, this body voted for $8 billion, roughly $8 billion in additional spending to the defense budget that the President did not want, the Vice President did not want, the Joint Chiefs of Staff did not want, and the Pentagon said it did not need. However, in this budget we are slashing programs that are important to this Nation's children, seniors, and workers. We are slashing, really, programs that assist and help this Nation's cities. Education cuts make up half of the cuts in the bill. Title I, which provides the extra support that millions of disadvantaged children need to get off to a good start, is slashed to ribbons. I represent portions of Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn. These counties will lose $48 million in title I funding alone. These are not just numbers, these cuts have real consequences. This bill will force thousands of New York City children, and children across this Nation who receive the extra push in reading and math that they need this year, to go it alone next year. That is not fair. Neither is the 60-percent cut in the Safe and Drug-Free Schools Act, nor are the cuts that will eliminate thousands of Head Start slots across the Nation; the healthy start program; the job training and seniors programs. And the bill eliminates the summer jobs program. We are blocking young children from the path to learning, and young adults from the path to opportunity. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I cannot abide the outrageous assaults on a woman's constitutional right to reproductive freedom that are contained in this bill. The Istook amendment, which would prevent States from using Medicaid funds to provide abortions in the case of rape and incest, represents the rankest attack on or most vulnerable citizens. This provision renders the right to choose meaningless since it denies women the means to choose. It must be stricken from the bill. I also oppose the assault on title X funds. It is hard to understand why the new majority wants to cut a program that saves the Government $5 for every dollar invested and that prevents half a million abortions each year. Finally, the egregious language on accreditation standards for graduate medical education is an unwarranted back door attempt to advance the anti-choice agenda. There is no place in this funding bill for wanton Government interference in residency requirements for obstetrics and gynecology. The bill undermines the constitutional rights of women. The bill will make it harder for women to stay healthy. The bill decimates the programs that have proven most successful in educating our children. I ask for a ``no'' vote on the rule and a ``no'' vote on the bill.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding to me. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Greenwood-Lowey amendment. Many referred to 1992 as the year of the woman. Today, Mr. Chairman, we face a Congress far more hostile to women's rights and health than any I remember. It is hard to understand why anyone would want to cut the Nation's principal family planning program, one that through preventive medicine saves $5 for every dollar spent. If family planning is cut, 4 million women, most of whom are young and low-income, will lose their only health care. How can anyone oppose such an essential program? Whose better interests are being served? Certainly not those of American women. Once again, the radical right's agenda is put ahead of a good government. Protect American women. Vote to keep funding for title X. Save the Nation's family planning program.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, Congress has lost one of its most precious resources. On Monday, July 24, Elmer Cerin passed away. I join with many of my colleagues, our staff, and others whose lives intersect with our's on Capital Hill to mourn Elmer's death and to take a moment to celebrate his life. Unlike many of Elmer's admirers, I only knew him for a short time. When I arrived in Washington in January 1993, I began, of course, to meet the Hill's personalities. I met the Speaker. I met powerful Senators. I met important Ambassadors. And I met Elmer. Bounding into my office 1 day with a huge smile on his face and a stack of Dear Colleagues under his arm, I first laid eyes on this incredible man, on this Capitol Hill institution. One of my staff members, who had known Elmer for several years, filled me in. Elmer was a volunteer lobbyist for a number of important causes, including health care, religious freedom, and pro-Israel issues. Although he had reached the age of 80, he had the energy of the interns a quarter his age with whom he constantly bantered. He was kind and funny, I was told, but also incredibly persistent and persuasive. With the force of his personality and his shoeleather, Elmer won many more legislative battles than he lost. Elmer had a long and distinguished career before he ever began his lobbying crusades. He served in the administrations of Presidents Roosevelt and Truman, and also worked for the Postal Service for over 20 years. Subsequently, Elmer was a successful attorney in private practice. When Elmer's beloved wife, Sylvia, was diagnosed with ALS--Lou Gehrig's disease--in 1977, he began the phase of his life that put him in contact with so many on the Hill. Elmer began a personal effort to lobby for more research funds for ALS. Over the years, he took on additional health issues including breast cancer, smoking, and NIH funding. For many years, he worked out of the office of our colleague Henry Waxman, who spoke eloquently last week at Elmer's funeral. Elmer also had a desk in Steve Solarz's office where he worked with Steve on human rights and Jewish issues. I'm told that he helped Representative Solarz pass the famous yarmulke bill--which allowed Jewish servicemen to wear religious head coverings while on duty--by recounting to Members and staff the fact that Elmer himself wore his yarmulke while parachuting behind enemy lines in World War II. Together with his second wife, Shoshana Riemer, herself an activist, Elmer was very involved in a host of civic and community affairs. He was legendary for his continuous vigil in front of the Soviet Embassy during the dark days of oppression of Soviet Jews. He and Shoshana were charter sponsors of the Holocaust Museum. In a New York Times profile about Elmer written in 1986, Elmer said, ``During my lifetime, if I can reduce suffering in this world a little bit, I will be more than rewarded for all my efforts.'' Sadly, Elmer's life has come to an end. But he did indeed succeed in helping many, many people. And he enriched and inspired those he left behind. The poet Thomas Campbell wrote, ``To live in the hearts we leave is not to die.'' By this measure, Elmer will live on in all who knew and loved him.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the resolution. It pains me to vote against my President on a foreign policy issue, but I support the lifting of the arms embargo of Bosnia. Mr. Chairman, we cannot wait even one more day before the United States changes its policy on the Balkans and takes active steps to stop the bloodshed and to halt the slaughter of innocents. What the world has witnessed in Bosnia is quasi-genocide, mass rape, and the denial of the Bosnian people to defend themselves against aggressive assaults. The U.N. policy has been a dismal failure. Safe areas are not safe. Weapon-free zones are filled with weapons. No-fly zones are filled with planes. And whatever humanitarian aid reaches the Bosnians does so at the sufferance of the Serbs. Lifting the arms embargo will not lead to wider U.S. involvement. Allowing the Bosnians to defend themselves is the only credible way to bring the fighting to an end. Without the lift, Serb atrocities will continue and the war will go on. And if we do not act now, we risk a much broader war involving the entire Balkans region. This tragic outcome would enhance the prospects of wider U.S. involvement. Therefore, we have both a strategic and a moral obligation to lift the embargo, and to do it right away. Mr. Chairman, I will never forget what Elie Wiesel said at the dedication of the Holocaust Memorial Museum, just 1 mile from this Chamber. He turned to the President and said, ``Something--anything--must be done to stop the bloodshed. It will not stop unless we stop it.'' Stop the slaughter. Support the amendment. Lift the embargo.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise to articulate my objections to the Transportation appropriations bill. In my view, H.R. 2002, next year's funding bill, takes our Nation in the wrong direction on transportation policy. This is particularly true for New York City, because the bill imposes devastating cuts on the mass transit budget. The bill passed by the House increases funding for our highway system by over $800 million while at the same time decreasing funding for mass transit by $500 million--a 20 percent reduction over last year's budget. The impact of these cuts on New York City will be dramatic. Currently, the city receives $87.5 million in mass transit operating assistance funding. This will be slashed by over $38 million--an incredible 44 percent cut. The city estimates that it will lose another $40.7 million in Federal capital assistance funding. In addition to these general budget cuts, I'm particularly displeased that the appropriators removed $40 million in funding to renovate Penn Station that was in the President's budget. Without this funding, we will be unable to continue with our efforts to replace the aging central train station in New York with the refurbished station that our city and the millions of passengers so desperately need. In addition, over $30 million in cuts to Amtrak will reduce the ability of our citizens to travel up and down the heavily used east coast routes between Washington, New York, and Boston. For those of us who represent urban and suburban communities, it is clear that mass transit must be a priority, and that we should be investing in services and technologies which will make our buses and trains run more efficiently and more safely. Mass transit moves millions of Americans to and from their jobs each day. It is also the only transportation alternative available to seniors on fixed incomes and students getting to school. Under the bill, subway and bus fares would most likely increase dramatically, effectively putting travel out of the reach of those who most need it. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I want to express my support for the objectives of my colleagues from the Philadelphia area, Mr. Foglietta and Mr. Fox, who sought to offer amendments to restore mass transit operating subsidies. In the end, however, I could not vote for their amendment because, rather than shifting money from the highway fund, it took money from the Federal aviation authority. With New York's airports in dire need of assistance, I could not in good conscience vote to help one important element of our infrastructure by harming another. As this bill moves on to the Senate and then to the President's desk, I will fight hard to restore as much funding for mass transit as possible.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, in defending their indefensible cuts to Medicare, my Republican colleagues say we are increasing spending on Medicare. Only in Washington, DC can a cut be called an increase. This argument ignores the real-world implications of their so-called increases. I challenge my colleagues to talk to real seniors who are struggling financially. They, not us, are the real experts on Medicare. Ask them whether paying $1,000 more a year for health care is, A, an increase, or, B, a cut. Ask them if being forced into HMO's, which will limit their choice of doctors, is, A, an increase, or, B, a cut. They will answer that they are having to pay more for less. They may have to compromise food and shelter to pay more for health care. We must hold firm on Medicare. We must strengthen it, not gut it. Medicare is the real contract with the people of America.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. William N. Hubbard, founder of the Center for Housing Partnerships. For 25 years, the Center for Housing Partnerships has been revitalizing decayed neighborhoods through a combination of government assistance, conventional financing, and private investment. The organization's objective is to renew dilapidated neighborhoods by restoring abandoned apartment buildings and turn of the century brownstones. Many of these buildings are then leased to low-income families under the section 8 program of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Since 1971, the center has developed and managed over 20 projects, consisting of more than 3,000 apartment units, with a total value of over $200 million. The Center for Housing Partnerships was founded by my close friend, William N. Hubbard. Bill is president of Center for Housing Partnerships and is responsible for new business development as well as dealing with financial institutions and government agencies. He is a director of the Citizens Housing and Planning Council and was associated with the New York Urban Coalition's Housing Rehabilitation Task Force. Bill served as general counsel to New York State Senator Thomas Bartosiewicz, is a member of the State Democratic Senate Advisory Committee, and is finance chairman for Assemblyman Pete Grannis, chairman of the New York State Assembly Insurance Committee. I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to Bill Hubbard and the Center for Housing Partnerships for their continuing efforts in revitalizing our city's communities. They are instilling renewed hope to communities who only saw the decay and despair of their crumbling neighborhoods. Thanks to the Center of Housing and Partnership, we can look forward to another 25 years of economic renewal and other important social benefits.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of my colleagues new findings on a problem that affects millions of middle-aged and older Americans: impaired vision. Recently, The Lighthouse, Inc.--a vision rehabilitation organization--commissioned a poll on vision loss which was conducted by Louis Harris and Associates. As part of this comprehensive study, over 1,200 Americans 45 or older were interviewed to determine the prevalence and severity of impaired vision. The results of the survey are stunning. Approximately one in six Americans 45 years of age or older report that he or she experiences moderately or severely impaired vision. Many suffer even while wearing corrective glasses or contact lenses. For adults 75 years or older, the number is even more startling: one in four have vision difficulties. When applied to the entire Nation, the survey shows that 13.5 million Americans aged 45 or older suffer some degree of vision impairment. One of the most disturbing aspects of this problem is the lack of public awareness about treatment options and facilities. Thirty-five percent of Americans surveyed were found to be unaware of local services for people with impaired vision. Also, while 89 percent of those surveyed think health insurance for vision impairment is somewhat or very important, only 75 percent are covered for severe vision impairment. While many people suffering from vision impairment realize there are a variety of options to help correct vision loss--optical devices, adaptive aids, and rehabilitation--the Lighthouse survey shows that all of these options are under-utilized. Clearly, in combating vision impairment, one of our first targets must be to wipe out widespread ignorance about a problem that afflicts one in six Americans. Mr. Speaker, as the Lighthouse study shows, we must take steps to guarantee that Americans can see with clarity. Such steps will improve the health, productivity and quality of life for millions of Americans. I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting the efforts of the Lighthouse, Inc. and to urge further action on this important topic.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, the HUD appropriations bill that is coming before the House takes a giant step backward. The cuts will have a devastating impact on many regions of the country, including New York City, which I represent. New York has a chronic problem in providing affordable housing. Section 8 public housing and other programs make the difference for many poor families. The New York City Housing Authority stopped accepting applications for section 8 in 1944. We have over 200,000 families on the waiting list. If this bill passes, we will have no housing for them in the foreseeable future. New York's housing crisis and the crisis across the country will only grow worse. This bill will eliminate all new section 8 assistance. It will reduce funding for the elderly, the disabled, and AIDS by 45 percent. It will reduce funding for the homeless by 50 percent. This is about ensuring that all Americans have access to one of the most basic necessities of life: shelter. In this country where we should be the beacon of progress for the rights of all, bills like this one show that we have become part of the darker side of the politics in the world. We cannot let this happen. We can reverse it.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, on August 26, 1920, 75 years ago, American women finally won their century-long struggle for their constitutional right to vote. That new birth of freedom empowered women to bring into Congress and into public discourse their legislative and political demands to end pervasive discrimination against women and girls, a struggle marked by notable victories and continuing challenges. As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of women's suffrage, we also celebrate today, July 24, the 75th birthday of one of our Nation's most outstanding woman leaders, Bella S. Abzug. In her all-too-brief 6 years in Congress (1971-1977) as a Democratic Representative from a Manhattan district in New York City, she emerged as a dynamic leader, creative legislator, and a pioneer in broadening legal, economic, social, and political rights for women. When Bella first ran for office in 1970, there were only nine women among the 435 members of the House of Representatives, including Martha Griffiths, Edith Green, Patsy Mink, and Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman elected to Congress. There was only one woman Senator, Margaret Chase Smith of Maine. Bella was the first woman to run and be elected on a women's rights and peace platform. Today, some 20 years later, the numbers have increased significntly--47 women in the House, eight in the Senate--but as Bella would be the first to remind us, American women, who are more than 51 percent of the population, deserve more than an average of 10.3 percent representation in our Congress. Bella was elected to the House while United States military intervention in Vietnam, now admitted by Robert McNamara to have been a frightful and costly mistake, was at its height and was drawing mass protests around our country and in Washington. After being officially sworn in as a Member on the House floor on January 21, 1971, Bella took another oath on the Capitol steps, administered by Congresswoman Chisholm before a thousand supporters, in which she pledged ``to work for new priorities to heal the domestic wounds of war and to use our country's wealth for life, not death.'' Then as her first official act in Congress she dropped a resolution into the hopper calling on President Nixon to withdraw all American Armed Forces from Indochina by July 1, 1971. Bella's concern for the human victims of war made her an adored champion of returning Vietnam veterans, who camped out in her office during the protests they held in the Capital. Her staff included a fulltime aide who dealt exclusively with veterans health and readjustment problems and she played a leading role in strengthening education benefits for veterans in VA legislation. Bella also impressed her colleagues as a thoughtful and creative legislator with a firm knowledge of parliamentary rules and precedents, negotiating skills and an awesome capacity for dawn-to-midnight hard work. In her last term in Congress, she served as a member of the whip system operated by House Speaker ``Tip'' O'Neill, a friend and admirer, and was chosen by her congressional peers in a U.S. News and World Report survey as the ``third, most influential'' Member of the House. She was described in a 1977 Gallup Poll as 1 of the 20 most influential women in the world. One of the earliest votes Bella cast was to approve the Equal Rights Amendment. She also introduced a resolution proclaiming August 26 Women's Equality Day, in honor of the suffrage victory. The resolution was approved and signed into law by President Nixon. Nationally and internationally, Bella became known as a champion of women's rights and reproductive freedom and initiated what later became the Congressional Caucus on Women's Issues. She wrote the first law banning discrimination against women in obtaining credit, loans, and mortgages, and introduced precedent-setting bills on comprehensive child care, Social Security for homemakers, abortion rights, and gay rights. Chairing the House Committee on Public Works and Transportation, she authored legislation bringing more than $6 billion to New York State in public works, economic development, sewage treatment, mass transit-- including sidewalk ramps for the disabled and buses for the elderly-- and antirecision assistance. She created the Interstate Transfer Law, which allowed New York City to trade-in highway funds for mass transit improvements. Bella's remarkable accomplishments as a legislator came as no surprise to those who knew her personal history. Born on July 24, 1920, to Esther and Emanuel Savitsky, Russian Jewish immigrants in the Bronx, Bella has put her prodigious energy, brains, organizing skills, and idealism to work for a better world, especially for women and victims of racism, prejudice, greeds and militarism. Along the way, she has never accepted the tired view of ``that's the way it is, so that's the way it has to be.'' As a child growing up in the Bronx, she started breaking rules--playing ``immies'' in the street with the boys--and usually winning--collecting pennies and making speeches in the subways for the Jewish homeland, which later became established as the State of Israel. She attended both public and Hebrew religious schools. Early on, Bella was recognized as a natural leader: she was elected class president at Walton High School and president of Hunter College's Student Council. One of her fondest memories is of speaking at an assembly addressed by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.--They both wore hats. At Hunter, her last year at law school, she married Martin Abzug, a businessman, World War II veteran and budding novelist who proved his love by typing her schoolwork. Their mutual admiration marriage ended with his death in 1986. They had two daughters, Eve and Liz. Eve is an artist, has worked in city government and holds a master's degree in social work. Liz, active in the women's movement, is an attorney specializing in economic development and women's concerns. In the early years of her career, Bella worked as a lawyer, specializing in civil liberties and labor law. She has been a lifelong advocate of civil rights and a ``nut'' about the first amendment. In the early 1950's, she defended several Hollywood actors caught up in the McCarthy witch hunt, and also took on the controversial case of Willie McGee, a black Mississippian sentenced to death on a framed-up charge of raping a white woman, with whom he had a long relationship. Although she could not save him from execution, Bella's courage in going to the South to defend him despite threats to her safety was a harbinger of courage displayed by thousands of civil rights activists in the Sixties. During the McGee trial, Bella wasn't even able to get a hotel room and had to sleep in the local bus station, and she was pregnant. In 1961, Bella helped organize Women Strike for Peace to campaign for a nuclear test ban, going on to lead thousands of women in lobbying expeditions to Congress and the White House. During the Sixties, she came into her own as a rousing public speaker, anti-Vietnam war leader and political strategist, working in the reform Democratic and peace movements and election campaigns. At age 50, she decided it was time to run for office herself, and run she did, in 1970, with her slogan: ``This woman's place is in the House--the House of Representatives.'' She conducted an unorthodox, attention-getting congressional campaign, mostly in the streets of Greenwich Village, Little Italy, the Lower East Side, and Chelsea, backed up by hundreds of enthusiastic volunteers. She scored an upset primary victory over a longtime Democratic incumbent and went on to win the general election. While in Congress, throughout the Seventies, Bella was also organizing women. The first planning sessions for the National Women's Political Caucus were held in her office and in 1971 she became its first co-chair. She was chief political strategist for Democratic women in a successful campaign for equal representation--equal division--for women in all elective and appointive posts, including representation at Presidential nominating conventions. She now serves as a New York State representative on the Democratic Party National Committee. She was an active policy adviser and organizer of women voters in the Democratic Party's 1972, 1976, 1980, 1984, 1988 and 1992 Presidential campaigns. After trying for the U.S. Senate in 1976 and losing a four-way primary race by less than 1 percent, Bella was named by President Carter to head the National Commission on the Observance of International Women's Year, presiding in November 1977 over the landmark federally-funded National Women's Conference in Houston. While still in the House during the Ford administration, Bella and other Congresswomen succeeded in getting a $5 million appropriation for the conference, which included several thousand women delegates elected at public meetings in every State of the Union as well as First Ladies, past and present. The delegates adopted a 25-plank National Plan of Action, making specific recommendations on a broad range of issues affecting the status of women. Bella played a major role in the U.N. Decade of Women international conference in Mexico City and as an NGO observer and speaker at the 1980 Copenhagen and 1985 Nairobi U.N. women's conferences. At the parallel NGO Forum in Nairobi, she organized a panel, titled ``What If Women Ruled the World?'', attended by more than a thousand women, including conference delegates and parliamentarians. In 1978, President Carter appointed Bella co-chair of his National Advisory Committee for Women, on which she served for 2 years. After the advisory committee publicly protested funding cuts in women's programs, Bella was dismissed by President Carter as co-chair and a majority of the committee members resigned in protest. Nevertheless, Bella supported Jimmy Carter in his unsuccessful 1980 Presidential reelection bid. In the 1980's Bella Abzug worked on women voters education programs and also served as a strategist for the growing pro-choice reproductive rights women's movement. She also became involved in efforts to organize women to help save the planet from worsening environmental threats, pollution and poverty, resulting from unregulated technologies, the social irresponsibility of multinationals, governments, international financial institutions, war machines and other factors. From this concern, shared by women worldwide, came the formation of the Women's Environment & Development Organization [WEDO], co-founded with Mim Kelber, a longtime associate, and women U.N. activists. As co-chair of WEDO, Bella presided over the World Women's Congress for a Healthy Planet, held in Miami, FL Nov. 8-12, 1991. The widely acclaimed Congress, which drew 1,500 women participants from 83 countries, produced and approved the Women's Action Agenda 21--a blueprint for incorporating women's perspectives, demands and equal participation into local, national and international environment and development decision-making. The women's agenda became the focus of activities organized by Bella and WEDO leaders from every region of the world in connection with preparations for the U.N. Conference on Environment & Development and at the Earth Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992. She also served as senior adviser to UNCED Secretary-General Maurice Strong and was the women's sector representative on the non-governmental organizations (NGO) facilitating committee for the Rio summit. Based on the model she developed for the Earth Summit, Bella and the WEDO network have continued to work at the UN, organizing women's caucus meetings at subsequent major international conferences of particular concern to women. The work of the caucuses has been recognized as crucial to including women's perspectives, demands and participation in policymaking in U.N. platforms for action and programs. Bella also served as a private sector representative on the U.S delegation to the International Conference on Population & Development [ICPD] in Cairo, Egypt last September and played a key role in winning recognition of the centrality of women's concerns and roles in population and development policies. She will also be an active participant in the Fourth U.N. World Conference on Women and its parallel NGO forum which will meet in China this September. She will co-chair a WEDO-initiated Women's Linkage Caucus at the official conference and will also preside over the Second World Women's Congress for a Healthy Planet at the NGO Forum. Bella believes that the United States should act speedily to ratify the U.N. Convention to Eliminate Discrimination Against Women [CEDAW] before the 75th anniversary of women's suffrage--The United States is the only major power that has not ratified CEDAW. Bella's work at the United Nations has led her to other areas of participation, including serving as a moderator at the conference on financing of the United Nations held by the Society for International Development. She also serves as part of the U.N. Development Program's Eminent Advisory Panel for the 1995 Human Development Report. While volunteering most of her time to the U.N., Bella Abzug continues to devote her energies to a wide range of women's issues. Breast cancer became a focus of her attention in March 1993, when WEDO, together with the New York City Commission on the Status of Women, which she chaired on breast cancer and the environment. Testimony was presented by physicians, scientists, women's health specialists, activists and women with breast cancer on the links between the breast cancer epidemic and environmental pollutants. Three months later, Bella discovered that she too had breast cancer. This only strengthened her commitment to focus more research and government and public resources on cancer prevention, emphasizing the identification and prevention of environmental causes of the disease. Under Bella's leadership, WEDO has launched a campaign in partnership with Greenpeace USA and grassroots women's cancer groups, entitled ``Women, Health and the Environment: Action for Prevention.'' The campaign is sponsoring public hearings and action conferences in cities throughout the United States. In whatever spare time she has, Bella supports her pro bono activities by working as a lawyer. She also lectures at colleges, women's meetings, legal and other professional groups, synagogues and churches. She was a news commentator on Cable News Network for 3 years, has appeared on hundreds of TV and radio programs, is the author of several books and writes a column for Earth Times, a newspaper that covers the United Nations. Over the years, Bella Abzug has received numerous honorary degrees, awards and other honors. On August 6 in Chicago, she will receive from the American Bar Association Commission on Women in the Profession its highest honor, the Special Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award. In September 1994, she was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame. There in Seneca Falls, NY, where the first women's rights meeting was held in 1848, she joined other influential women and leaders of the women's rights movement as one of the most admired women in American history. On behalf of women Members of Congress, I salute the 75th birthday of this remarkable woman, my close friend whose dedication and courage helped pave the way for our presence here.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of my colleague's amendment. The gentleman from New York and I represent several neighborhoods in Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn that bear the brunt of the curren0,t wrong-headed toll policy on the Verrazano Bridge. First, our colleagues from around the country should ask themselves-- why Congress is meddling in a local traffic dispute. That's a good question--especially when you consider that year after year, the mandate of the one-way toll from Brooklyn to Staten Island was put in place over the objections of our city and State governments, and all but one of our city's congressional representatives. Here's why the one-way toll continues to be a terrible idea: First, it wastes money. Because of toll evaders, New York is losing $7 million in revenues. Revenues which are desperately needed elsewhere. Second, it's an environmental disaster. The diverted traffic into my district has caused air pollution hot spots. Third, the quality of life in these neighborhoods continues to deteriorate. Heavy trucks are rattling through residential neighborhoods on roads not designed for this traffic. The damage caused by the one-way toll over the Verrazano Bridge could be ended with passage of the Nadler amendment.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 70th birthday of the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes. Over its 70 year existence, the Rockettes have contributed greatly to the richness of culture in New York City, the country at large, and throughout the world. When formed in 1925, the Rockettes were first known as the Missouri Rockets, Russell Markert's Girls, or the Roxyettes. Since 1934, the now-famous dance troop changed its name to Radio City Music Hall Rockettes and has called New York its home ever since. Through the Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression, two world wars, and through the social, economic, and political upheavals of the past four decades, the Rockettes have endured. For many people, the Rockettes have come to symbolize a part of the American dream. Generations of young dancers from small towns to the largest cities have wanted to become a part of the Rockettes. Moreover, the Rockettes have evolved into an American icon recognized throughout the world. At the invitation of the French Government, they represented the United States in the 1937 Paris Exposition Grand Prix and won. Since then, the Rockettes have entertained millions of people performing not only at Radio City, but also entertaining our military troops, visiting international dignitaries, and heads of state and U.S. Presidents. In addition, they have also performed for several benefit groups, including the Heart Association, International Human Rights, and the Peter Allen AIDS Foundation. The Rockette Alumnae Association is a not-for-profit organization whose membership of over 400 former Rockettes represents the seven continuous decades of working American women who have shared in the history of this uniquely American institution. A special anniversary celebration sponsored by the alumnae is scheduled for August 5, 1995, at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. Funds raised in this event will be donated to the Julliard School of Music, where the school's first dance scholarship was established and endowed by the Rockette Alumnae in the name of its founder, Russell E. Markert. Mr. Speaker, the Rockettes' contribution to the cultural history of America is as broad as the many women who have been with the dance troop, and the millions of people who have attended its shows. I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes on their 70th birthday, and wish them success as they continue enriching our lives into the 21st century.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Chairman, the new regime in Congress seized power last year, claiming that the Democrats were out of touch. These Americans wanted Government out of their lives. But, Mr. Chairman, what the new leadership is doing to a woman's right to choose is proof of just how out of touch the new regime is. The Supreme Court will not allow Congress to outlaw abortions directly, so we are faced with a proposal to prevent Federal employees from purchasing health insurance that covers abortion services. We hear over and over again that Americans want Government off their backs. Yet today we are faced with this incredibly intrusive vision of Government. Denying abortion services to Federal employees is another knife attack on a woman's right to choose in America. Mr. Chairman, an overwhelming majority of Americans support the right to choose. The erosion of that right in the 104th Congress defies the national will. It proves that the far right's championing of individual liberty rings hollow. I warn my Republican colleagues, make good on your own rhetoric. Support individual liberty. Protect a woman's right to choose.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I want to first thank the gentleman from Florida for once again organizing this special order. Mr. Bilirakis is a true champion of human rights and justice and has been an inspiration to many of us as we attempt to solve the problems of the beautiful island of Cyprus. The past few years have seen great advances in peace and human rights throughout the world. The end of the cold war, the triumph of democracy in South Africa, and the movement toward peace in the Middle East and Northern Ireland have been beacons of hope for us all. In light of these advances, the situation on Cyprus is all the more tragic. This island remains divided by the continuing shackles of occupation and oppression. This week, we commemorate the 21st anniversary of the 1974 illegal Turkish invasion of Cyprus and its occupation of 37 percent of the island. The continued presence of 35,000 Turkish troops represents a gross violation of human rights and international law. During the invasion, almost 200,000 Greek Cypriots were expelled from their homes. They were removed from [[Page H 7165]] the land that had been theirs' for generations. Their property was confiscated. Worst of all, 1,614 Greek Cypriots and 5 Americans were seized by Turkish troops and remain unaccounted for to this day. I've shared the pain of some of my own constituents in Astoria, Queens whose beloved family members are still missing. On this issue, there can be no compromise. We will never give up hope that people like Chrisaci Loizoi, Andrew Kassapis, and George Anastasiou will be accounted for. I'm pleased that last year Congress passed, and the President signed into law, a bill which directs the Department of State to conduct an investigation into the whereabouts of the five Americans that are still missing. But we must do more. Human decency demands that we use all means at our disposal to account for all of the 1,619 who are missing. For this reason, I was particularly pleased to play an active role in the passage of an amendment to the Foreign Operations bill offered by my friend and colleague Mr. Porter that would cut $25 million in United States economic aid to Turkey. By a decisive vote of 247 to 155, this House spoke out loud and clear that Turkey must be forced to pay a price for its continuing human rights violations and its refusal to act in good faith on the Cyprus issue. The House did the right thing when it passed the Porter amendment. I am also pleased that the Clinton administration is taking concrete actions on a variety of issues of importance to the Hellenic community. The President's appointment of a special emissary to Cyprus, Mr. Richard Beattie, was an important development. Mr. Beattie, and the special emissary to FYROM, Matt Nimitz, have both visited my district and spoken at heavily attended town hall meetings. The actions of the President and the Congress to help secure the release of the ``Omonia Four'' represent another example of progress in Greek-American relations. Many of us in this Chamber tonight worked very hard to gain the freedom of these ethnic Greeks who were unfairly imprisoned in Albania. Just this afternoon, several of us met at length with Ambassador Richard Holbrooke and other top State department officials and urged them to continue to press Turkey to come to a solution on Cyprus. And there are additional revenues for the supporters of Greece and Cyprus to take to keep Turkey's feet to the fire on these important matters. I strongly support the March 6 accord which will set a firm timetable for Cyprus' accession to the European Union. Conversely, the United States should condition the admission of Turkey into the European Customs Union on an improvement on Turkish human rights and progress on the Cyprus issue. We must likewise carefully monitor recent Turkish actions and bellicose statements with respect to the Law of the Sea Treaty. This important treaty has been signed by nearly 200 nations, including the United States and Greece, but Turkey has not only refused to sign, but has threatened war if Greece asserts its legitimate rights. We must continue to support the $15 million earmark for economic and peace-enhancing assistance for Cyprus, and I'm pleased that this aid was included in the recently-passed Foreign Operations bill. Finally, the United States must be mindful of a variety of Turkish abuses, even the ones that do not receive headlines. For example, the gentleman from Florida and I have introduced a House resolution to protect the Eastern Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarchate. In recent years, there have been terrible terrorist attacks on the Ecumenical Patriarchate premises in Turkey. In addition, religious schools have been shut down and freedom of religion threatened. Mr. Speaker, I want to conclude by thanking my colleagues, for once again joining in this special order. We must continue to rise each and every July to commemorate these terrible events and to fulfill our obligation to the missing in Cyprus, and all the Cypriot people that we will never forget their plight.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise to emphasize how important I think it is for the greatest country in the world to support the arts. I believe very strongly that there should be a Federal role in arts funding. Civilizations are remembered for their great battles and their cultural contributions. The United States spends more on defense than any other country in the world--and next year we're giving the Pentagon $8 billion more than they have requested. Yet, this Congress wants to slash the Arts and Humanities Endowments with funding set to end entirely in 2 years. What does this say about our Nation's priorities? We invest in that which destroys and destroy that which creates. All developed countries in the world support their visual artists, musicians, performing artists, and cultural institutions. The amount the United States gives to the three Federal arts agencies, the NEA, the NEH and the IMS, is minuscule compared to what Britain, Canada, The Netherlands, France, Germany and Sweden allocate to the arts. This year in Germany, Berlin alone will devote 1.1 billion marks, or 730 million dollars, to art and culture. This amounts to $225 per citizen of Berlin. In comparison, our National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities will each spend less than a quarter of that amount for the entire United States, or a mere 64 cents per U.S. citizen, the cost of 2 postage stamps. We should be celebrating the contributions of the arts endowments to our country today, rather than trying to destroy them. Let me remind my friends on the other side that the agencies on the chopping block today were created by President Richard Nixon and defended by President Ronald Reagan. These Republicans believed in the importance of a vibrant American culture that could be passed on to future generations. Yes we need to reduce the size of the Federal Government. Yes we must cut the budget and reduce the deficit. But we must also keep our priorities straight. The leading countries of the world support the arts, often ten times as much as we do. Why should the wealthiest nation in the world choose to slash and destroy its arts and humanities endowments rather than nurture and encourage them? Assuring a rich American heritage should be one of the primary responsibilities of this and every Congress. Public arts and humanities funding, along with public education, is an obligation a government has to its people and to history.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and mourn the sad passing of William Sicklick, a long-time community activist, an auxiliary police officer, and a great New Yorker. Like all great Americans, Bill Sicklick often answered his community's call to action. He courageously served as a captain of the Auxiliary Police Force, Seventh Precinct. At Governor's Hospital, he served on the advisory board. He was a member of Community Board #3, and always sought to improve the lives of the disadvantaged. With the passing of Mr. Sicklick, we mourn not only a proud and capable community leader, but also a loving family man. Mr. Sicklick is survived by his wife, Norma, and his two children, Jeffrey and Leslie. Mr. Speaker, I would ask that my colleagues join me in saluting the life of Bill Sicklick and extending sympathy to his wife, children, and family. His life demonstrates truly American values. His tireless dedication to public service and family are an example to us all.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, exactly 1 month ago today, I publicly congratulated Speaker Gingrich for his historic New Hampshire handshake with President Clinton. The Speaker agreed to establish a nonpartisan commission that would write campaign and political reform legislation. I urged the Speaker to use the independent commission bill I introduced in March with Marty Meehan, Tim Johnson, and others as a starting point. I sincerely hope that as Washington's summer weather has heated up, the Speaker's passion for reform has not cooled down. Because, while the Speaker extended his hand to the President, the Republican National Committee is using both hands to grab huge chunks of special interest campaign cash. It is incredible that the Republican majority deleted new meat inspection rules at the behest of large companies. Republicans are catering to special interests at the expense of the public interest.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall vote No. 390, I inadvertently missed the vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the foreign operations funding bill. I do so with the view that this is not a perfect bill. In many respects, it represents a step backward in U.S. commitment to promoting development and democracy around the world. I am concerned about the 34-percent cut in African aid. This is bad public policy on humanitarian grounds. These cuts also make no fiscal sense. Investing a small amount in African development today will save many more tax dollars in emergency intervention in the future. I am also concerned that the bill contains language allowing for continued United States aid to Azerbaijan, despite that nation's unconscionable blockade of Armenia. Allowing our allies to block U.S. humanitarian assistance represents a complete undermining of our foreign policy objectives. Despite these problems, the bill contains many important provisions, and I want to thank Chairman Callahan and my good friend Dave Obey for their work. I strongly support the inclusion of $3 billion in economic and military assistance for Israel. As our only democratic ally in the Middle East continues to travel down the historic--and often dangerous--road toward peace, it is imperative that our country ensure Israel's economic viability and military advantage in the region. I am pleased that the bill maintains $15 million for Cyprus. It has been two decades since the brutal Turkish invasion of this beautiful island nation. This relatively small amount of money goes a long way toward helping the Cypriot people with critical economic development and peace-enhancing activities. I also want to convey my strong support for the funding for the International Fund for Ireland. President Clinton and the Congress have much to be proud of with respect to the profound and peaceful changes in Ireland. We therefore must renew our commitment to the heroic Irish people. I ask my colleagues to support this bill. It is not perfection, but it is very important nevertheless.