Bob Menendez

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, today, I join my friends and colleagues around the world in commemorating the horrors inflicted during the Holocaust. Today, we bear witness to the millions of Jews and countless other innocent people who were brutally murdered in Nazi concentration camps. We bear witness to the horrors of genocide that shocked the world, and ask ourselves if we have truly upheld the promise of ``never again,'' when we hear the echoes of the Holocaust in the rising threat of anti-Semitism today. We bear witness to the millions of people who were persecuted and enslaved for their political or religious beliefs, or their mental handicaps in the name of social cleansing. But we also remember amazing acts of courage and kindness, when those with everything to lose risked their lives and freedom to help those most in need, and the bravery of those who would not go willingly to a certain death. There is a reason why we call this day not an anniversary, but a remembrance. Every day, but especially today, we must remember not only the horrible acts committed by the Nazis but also the actions, and the lack of action, that led to those horrors. In remembering, we honor those who suffered--but our memories must also serve as a constant reminder of the vigilance required from each of us to prevent it from happening again, or to take action if we see it happening. Never again should the innocent be left to languish. For those who perished, for those who survived, for those who fought and for those who liberated, we must not falter and we must not fail. We must learn from history so that we are not doomed to repeat it. We must bear witness.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Concerned Citizens of Bayonne (CCB) for its remarkable work in the community and its endless service to local residents. This year, the organization is celebrating its 35th anniversary and will be receiving special honors from the mayor. The CCB is a civic group that offers assistance to non-profit organizations in the area and provides a wide range of services to local residents. The city of Bayonne greatly benefits from endeavors sponsored by the CCB, such as the Marine Corps League's Toys for Tots drive, an after-school literacy program, and an annual scholarship award for high school seniors. Additionally, the CCB sponsors many local sports teams and assists veterans in hospitals throughout the state. With the help of dedicated CCB members, the organization has been successful in raising money for many worthy causes, among them the Police Athletic League (PAL), Bayonne's First Federated Church, and the battleship New Jersey. To celebrate the CCB's outstanding work, Bayonne Mayor Joseph V. Doria, Jr., declared that April 23, 2005, was Concerned Citizens of Bayonne Day. Special recognition was also given to Frank and Jean Perrucci, who have diligently offered their time and energy to the CCB since its founding in 1970. As an additional sign of gratitude, the mayor renamed the corner of 29th Street and Avenue A ``Concerned Citizens Way'' on April 30, 2005. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Concerned Citizens of Bayonne for its extensive involvement in developing and sponsoring programs that benefit local residents. I applaud the CCB's dedication to serving its community over the past 35 years and have no doubt it will continue its admirable work in the city of Bayonne.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the UJA Federation of Bayonne for its outstanding service to the Jewish community. The UJA Federation hosted its Holocaust memorial program on May 3, 2005, in New Jersey. As an umbrella organization for Jewish residents, the UJA Federation strives to support and sustain the local Jewish community. Apart from development, it focuses on issues related to the Holocaust and the remembrance of that tragic event. The UJA Federation of Bayonne will soon be hosting its Holocaust Remembrance Day Observance. The keynote speaker will be Edward Mosberg, a survivor of the Krakow Ghetto and the Plaszow and Mauthausen concentration camps, who will share his experience of living in Poland during World War II. The observance will also include readings by children from local Jewish schools and a candle lighting ceremony by local Holocaust survivors. The day will serve as an opportunity to reflect on this dark hour of world history, in the hope that we may gain wisdom for the future by remembering the past. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the UJA Federation of Bayonne for its support and outreach to the residents of New Jersey and its worthwhile efforts to honor the memory of those who perished in the Holocaust.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Brett Harwood for his outstanding accomplishments in the business world, his commitment to serving the community, and his generous philanthropy. Mr. Harwood will be honored for his impressive and visionary work by Liberty Health at its annual gala on May 5, 2005, in New Jersey. A successful businessman, Mr. Harwood helps run his family's company, Harwood Properties, LLC, which is based out of Jersey City, New Jersey. Founded in 1920, the business has been passed down through the generations and continues to flourish. Mr. Harwood has achieved great success in the parking services industry. Apart from his work in New Jersey, he currently serves as director of the National Parking Association in Washington, DC. Throughout the years, Mr. Harwood has combined his strong leadership skills with his desire to support and develop multiple community and charitable organizations. As the former vice-chairman of the Liberty Health Board of Trustees, he gave his time and energy to ensure the completion of the Jersey City Medical Center-Wilzig Hospital. Additionally, he made the first donation to the Capitol Campaign, which has raised 16 million dollars to support the new medical center. Mr. Harwood has also generously donated to the Jewish Home and Rehabilitation Center and to Franklin and Marshall College. Actively involved in the community, Mr. Harwood is a member of Temple Sharey Telfilo Israel in South Orange, the Ben Franklin society, and the Franklin and Marshall Leadership Council. Mr. Harwood was born in Orange, New Jersey and holds a bachelor's degree in government. He graduated with his J.D. from Temple University Law School and was admitted to the New Jersey Bar that same year. Before joining Harwood Properties, LLC, he worked at various law firms, concentrating on creditor's rights. He and his wife, Margie, are the proud parents of two children and are celebrating their 35th wedding anniversary this year. When Mr. Harwood is not busy with his business and community affairs, he spends his free time sailing, traveling, and relaxing on the beach. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Brett Harwood for his dedication to serving others, his admirable work in the community, and his great efforts to improve the quality of life for people of New Jersey.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, the Nation's $2.6 trillion budget was filed just over 3 hours ago, and we have not even had a chance to review it. But from press reports this budget adds more than $4 trillion to the deficit in the next 10 years without even including the enormous costs that have been left out of the budget such as funding for continued military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. So let us be clear that when Members come to the floor representing their constituencies, they should understand that a vote for this budget resolution is a vote to increase the debt ceiling of the United States to $8.6 trillion. This will ensure that our tax dollars do not go to Social Security and Medicare or to investing in our people, but to simply paying interest on this debt that Republicans continue to raise without any concern about future generations. By not restoring the budget enforcement rules, the rules that say we have to pay for the expenditures of the Nation as we go, they continue to spend wildly, making tax cuts for the wealthy permanent, and driving us and the deficit into deeper debt, a debt that will not educate one child, provide lifesaving health care to someone who needs it, or treat and care for those veterans that are returning from war. This budget only guarantees that the middle class will be further squeezed. It does nothing to help these families provide quality affordable health care for them and their children nor make a college education more affordable nor ensure a secure retirement nor lower the prices of gasoline that have reached an all-time high. These are not the values we share. Republican priorities are making the wealthy tax cuts permanent regardless of the damage that will be caused not only to the citizens and families of this country but to the Nation's economic well-being. I urge my colleagues to vote against this conference report. It may be the last opportunity to preserve America's future and the intergenerational responsibility this Republican majority cares nothing about.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 2nd Battalion, 113th infantry on their return from Guantanamo Bay. On Thursday, April 21, 2005, family members, commanding officers, local officials, friends and neighbors came together to honor their return with a Welcome Home Ceremony at the Jersey City Armory in Jersey City, New Jersey. The 2nd Battalion, 113th Infantry has a distinguished record dating back to the Revolutionary War. Their nine month long deployment, from June 2004 to April 2005, was part of Operation Enduring Freedom in support of the ongoing global war against terrorism. The battalion was an integral element of Joint Task Force Guantanamo (JTF-GTMO). I had the honor of visiting with many of these soldiers in December during a trip to Guantanamo, and I can personally attest to their dedication and commitment to protecting the freedoms we all hold dear as Americans. I would also like to provide a special mention of the Expert Infantry Badge Recipients: Capt. Jurandir Araujo, Jr; 1st Lt. Curtis R. Boyd; 2nd Lt. Peter B. Hegsethl Staff Sgt. Nicholas L. Forrestal; Staff Sgt. Michael J. Klock; Sgt. John Casiano; Sgt. Julio C. Garcia, Jr.; Sgt. Daniel M. Kim; Sgt. Benjamin G. Ouckama; Sgt. Winston G. Ouckama, Jr.; Sgt. Roque L. Rodriguez, Jr.; Sgt. Daniel E. Torres; Sgt. Carl M.l. Cabanas; Spc. Damian P. Caceres; Sgt. Damien N. Joseph; Spc. Jorge M. Oliveira; Spc. Ernesto D. Rances; and Spc. Anthony Scally. Brave members of the National Guard, I believe they can no longer be viewed as simply `weekend warriors,' but as full-time soldiers making sacrifices to defend our freedom. I believe they all deserve to be treated as such. Today I ask my colleagues to join me in appreciation of their service, and in fighting to provide health care for these brave men and women and their families, to reduce the retirement age for guardsmen, and to provide readjustment assistance such as counseling, job training, and family assistance.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, ``those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.'' That saying is as true today as it was almost a hundred years ago when the philosopher George Santayana first wrote it. So, today we are here to remember. We are here to remember that the Ottoman Empire brutally tortured and murdered 1.5 million Armenians 90 years ago and that half a million Armenians were forced to flee their country. Let us also remember and honor those who survived the genocide. Although few survivors of the Armenian Genocide are still living today, those who endured the horrors of 1915 are heroes for all time. We are here to honor those who died and to call for recognition of the Genocide carried about by the Ottoman Turkish government. We are here to remember so we don't repeat the same mistake, anywhere, in any country of the world. In my view, all Americans must recognize that the atrocities committed from 1915 to 1923 constitute genocide. We do not use that word lightly. But the word, itself, makes a powerful statement about the horrors suffered by the Armenian people. As Samantha Powers, the leading expert on genocide said in a letter to the editor of the New York Times, ``The extermination of Armenians is recognized as genocide by the consensus of scholars of genocide and Holocaust worldwide. The failure to acknowledge this trivializes a human rights crime of enormous magnitude.'' Today, the people of Armenia and her diaspora are proudly seeking to rebuild their country. From the ashes of despair born of the genocide, and from the ravages of seven decades of communist rule, Armenians the world over are striving to secure a safe and prosperous future for Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh. As Armenian-Americans join with Armenians from throughout the world to help to rebuild their homeland, and as they seek to secure an economically prosperous state founded on firm democratic principles, I will stand by them. As a Member of the House leadership and the House International Relations Committee, I promise to do all I can on behalf of Armenia and to ensure that the Armenian genocide is recognized. In closing, I remind you that Adolf Hitler once stated: ``Who today remembers the Armenians?'' I am here to say that we remember the Armenians. The children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren of the survivors and of those who perished, remember the Armenians. The friends and neighbors of Armenia, remember the Armenians. And here in the United States, we remember the Armenians.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker. A todos mis hermanos y hermanas quienes sufren en las carceles de Castro bajo su regimen, a sus familias y amistades aqui en los Estados Unidos y en Cuba, les digo que el pueblo americano esta con ustedes. Y, aqui en el Congreso de los Estados Unidos, vamos a defender su libertad y ganar la lucha contra la brutalidad y la opresion. Por eso, junto con mis otras colegas en el Congreso, escribi esta resolucion que condena la ola represiva contra los disidentes que hizo la regimen Castro hace dos anos y que declara que la gente cubana debe tener los derechos humanos y la libertad--la libertad de expresion y de asociacion--y el derecho de tener elecciones libres. To all my friends here today who don't speak Spanish, don't worry, I won't spend the rest of my time speaking in Spanish. But I did want to take a moment to speak directly to the Cuban people to let them know that we stand with them in their fight for freedom and human rights. We are debating this resolution today under the shadow of the 2nd anniversary of the crackdown on dissidents in Cuba. We often think of an anniversary as a moment to celebrate--but clearly we have nothing to celebrate today. Instead, we use this anniversary to mark a tragedy in the lives of the Cuban people and to the lives of all those who support democracy and human rights in the hemisphere. The whole world was horrified as more than 75 journalists, human rights activists, and opposition political figures were arrested, given summary trials, and then sentenced to prison terms of up to 28 years. Many of the prisoners, along with other prisoners of conscience, spent over a year in solitary confinement. Some have been deprived of adequate medical treatment and reports from Cuba detail beatings and harassment. I am not fooled by the recent release of a number of dissidents, by this attempt to trick the international community. I am not fooled because I know that when they released those dissidents, who should never have been in jail in the first place, they also arrested new dissidents. I am not fooled because I know that they only released these dissidents on ``parole,'' meaning that they could be arrested again at any time. Hundreds of political prisoners remain in Castro's jails today. Clearly, the Castro regime has no respect for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states in Article 4 that, ``No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.'' And the world has recognized these injustices. The State Department calls this wave, ``the most despicable act of political repression in the Americas in a decade.'' Castro's human rights record has been condemned by Amnesty International, Freedom House, and other human rights groups. In a statement, Amnesty International said that these ``prisoners of conscience'' should be immediately released and called on the Cuban regime to, ``comply with the principles laid out in international rights standards for the treatment of prisoners.'' Freedom House included Cuba in its report entitled, ``The Worst of the Worst, The World's Most Repressive Societies, 2004.'' And the House of Representatives has condemned Castro's human rights record as well, in multiple resolutions. This year, on the two-year anniversary, we are here to pass a resolution that condemns Castro's brutal crackdown and demands that the Cuban regime immediately release all political prisoners, legalize all political parties, labor unions, and the press, and hold free and fair elections. Today is a time for all of us to come together, from both sides of the aisle, to stand together for a universal cause: human rights. Today, in voting for this resolution, we will celebrate the strength and perseverance of the Cuban people. Today, we will vote for the universal values which we all share. So I call on all of the Members of the House of Representatives to join me in the fight for human rights and democracy for the Cuban people. Now is the time for us to stand together against brutality, torture and dictatorship. Now is the time for us to stand together for freedom, for the right to free speech and free association, and for human rights in general. Now is the time for us to stand together as we call on the Cuban regime to immediately release these prisoners of conscience, who were jailed for standing up for democracy and human rights against a brutal dictatorship. To my brothers and sisters who suffer in Castro's jails, to their families and friends both here in the United States and Cuba, and to the Cuban people, I say that Castro will not succeed in his vain attempt to suppress the spirit of the Cuban people. I look forward to the day, which is coming soon, when we will all celebrate a free and democratic Cuba. It is the spirit of the Cuban people and their courage that will ultimately be Castro's downfall. So, I ask each of you to join me in voting yes for this resolution.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 227, which would honor the contributions of Indian Americans in the field of information technology. Like so many other groups, Indian Americans lend creativity, technical expertise, and innovation to their chosen fields. Every day, they show their dedication not only to improving the economy and competitiveness of this country, but to advancing a positive relationship between the United States and India. This resolution presents us with an opportunity to thank those who have such an important impact on our society. Indian Americans have created thousands of jobs in the U.S. and hold senior positions at Fortune 500 companies, national labs, universities, and venture capital firms. And through their work as economists, researchers, educators, and social and political leaders, they have ensured that their extraordinary commitment will benefit not only this generation, but the next, as well. That is why I support this resolution. The cornerstone of our society was built on the contributions of many groups who brought intelligence and originality to their work in this country. And that is why I urge my colleagues to join me today in thanking Indian Americans by recognizing their contributions to information technology.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Linda Smith for her years of dedicated service and outstanding commitment to the labor movement. Mrs. Smith received the Labor Person of the Year Award, sponsored by the AFL-CIO, at the annual Labor Awards Breakfast on Sunday, April 17, 2005. For 25 years, Mrs. Smith has been a member of the Communication Workers of America (CWA) Local Union 1082. During that time, she has demonstrated strong leadership skills as president of the Local 1082 for the past eight years and as an elected member of the executive board for ten years. Mrs. Smith is known by her fellow Local 1082 members for her willingness to volunteer her time and help in whatever capacity necessary to support the union, and her perseverance and self- sacrifice cannot be measured. When she is not involved with the Local 1082, she is serving as vice- president of the Middlesex County AFL-CIO Labor Council and as a labor representative to the Middlesex County Workforce Investment Board. Additionally, she is a committee person for the Franklin Township Democratic Organization. Apart from her involvement with labor and community groups, Mrs. Smith has worked for 25 years at the Middlesex County Board of Social Services. A graduate of Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School, she has also studied at the George Meany Center for Labor Studies and Rutgers University. She is the mother of three sons and lives in Somerset. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Linda Smith for her active participation in the CWA and her exemplary service to her fellow union members throughout the years.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I was absent from votes in the House on Tuesday, April 19, due to a previous and unavoidable commitment. Therefore, I was unable to vote on H.R. 683 (rollcall No. 109), H.J. Res. 19 (rollcall No. 110), and H.J. Res. 20 (rollcall No. 111). Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on all three measures considered before the House.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Assemblywoman Linda R. Greenstein for her exceptional efforts and unwavering commitment to worker issues. Assemblywoman Greenstein received the Hubert H. Humphrey Friend of Labor Award, sponsored by the AFL-CIO, at the annual Labor Awards Breakfast on Sunday, April 17, 2005. As a third-term Assemblywoman for the 14th legislative district, Assemblywoman Greenstein has proven herself to be an outstanding political leader. She currently serves as the Chair of the Judiciary Committee, the Assistant Majority Leader of the Assembly, the Vice- Chair of the Assembly Federal Relations Committee, and as a member of the Budget Committee. In the Assembly, she has strived to achieve positive policy changes, particularly in the areas of labor and the protection of personal freedoms and workers' rights. Assemblywoman Greenstein is the main sponsor of the Call Center Disclosure Bill and the author of New Jersey's anti-telemarketing law. She sponsored the bill-turned-law that added two union members to the State Health Benefits Commission. Throughout the years, she has consistently supported bills that would enact workers compensation reform and ensure the rights and well-being of New Jersey citizens. Her past leadership endeavors include serving as Vice-President of the Mercer County School Boards Association and being elected to the Plainsboro Township Committee for six years. Currently, she is a board member of multiple community organizations, such as the New Jersey Council for the Humanities and the Boy Scouts of America. Besides her political career, Assemblywoman Greenstein has had an extensive law career working as an Assistant District Attorney in Philadelphia, a Clinical Associate Professor at Seton Hall Law School, and a Deputy Attorney General in the Division of Criminal Justice in Trenton. Assemblywoman Greenstein attended Vassar College, John Hopkins University, and the Georgetown University Law Center. She and her husband have one son and live in Plainsboro. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Assemblywoman Linda R. Greenstein for her dedicated commitment to serving her community, her extensive involvement in political affairs, and her tireless efforts to serve the people of New Jersey.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the city of Hoboken, New Jersey, on its sesquicentennial celebration. The people of Hoboken will be commemorating this event with a series of activities throughout the spring and summer. Last weekend, the community held its 150th Anniversary Parade on April 16, 2005. Located on the shore of the Hudson River, Hoboken is known for its lively atmosphere and rich history. The area was developed almost single-handedly by Colonel John Stevens, who bought the land for $90,000 in 1784. On March 28, 1855, it was incorporated as a city. The late nineteenth century brought a sharp increase in immigration due to Hoboken's proximity to Ellis Island and, by 1890, over 40 percent of the population was foreign-born. Hoboken developed and grew as a manufacturing hub with shipbuilding as the primary industry. The 20th century also brought the development of public transportation and the railroads, ferries, and Port Authority Trans-Hudson, PATH, Tube that transformed Hoboken into a bustling transportation center. The city piers soon became a focal point for trans-Atlantic commerce. More than three million Americans passed through Hoboken on their way to or from World War I. In the past few decades the shipyards have closed as Hoboken has transformed from an industrial area into an affluent neighborhood full of young professionals and known for its variety of restaurants and vibrant nightlife. The birthplace of Frank Sinatra, Hoboken also claims such famous citizens as photographer Dorothea Lange and painter Willem de Kooning. Additionally, it boasts many notable firsts, including the first ice cream cone, the first steamboat, the first locomotive, and the first brewery. Many also believe that the first organized baseball game was played on Hoboken's Elysian Fields in 1846. In order to commemorate its momentous sesquicentennial birthday, Hoboken has planned a wide variety of celebrations that will serve to honor the progress and development of the past 150 years. Some of these activities include the creation of a time capsule, the painting of a historical mural, an anniversary gala and fundraiser, an evening concert series, and a spaghetti dinner block party. Hoboken will also host a vintage baseball festival and an arts and music festival. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the city of Hoboken on its 150th anniversary. This momentous occasion allows us to reflect on the city's colorful past and look towards its promising future with hope and enthusiasm. I am proud to be a resident of this community, and I congratulate the people of Hoboken on making this city a wonderful place to call home.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Boehlert- Markey amendment. Despite the bill's claims to meet our Nation's energy needs and provide for our Nation's future, H.R. 6 ignores a pivotal approach that will reduce our foreign dependence on oil and alleviate our high oil consumption, increasing fuel economy standards. Let us look at what we know. We know that fuel economy standards have helped to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. We know that raising the standard to 33 miles a gallon over the next 10 years, which this amendment would do, would save 10 percent of the gas we will consume, and we know that we have the potential in this country to make cars and light trucks much more efficiently. Mr. Chairman, we need to unlock that potential. We have the technology; we have the innovation. Despite all of this, the bill before us makes no effort to increase those standards. We have a choice: Do we want an energy future that is stagnant and dependent on traditional sources, or do we want a future that will break new boundaries in innovation and technology, reduce our dependency on foreign oil, increase conservation and efficiency and ensure the security of our Nation? Let us prove that we are serious about our Nation's energy future. Increasing fuel economy standards should be part of the solution and part of our National energy policy. And I urge my colleagues to vote for the Boehlert-Markey amendment.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chuck Wepner for his outstanding boxing career. A Bayonne native, Mr. Wepner received no formal training, practicing at the gym part-time while working as a salesman during the day. In his prime, he was ranked in the top ten among some of greatest names in boxing, including George Foreman, Joe Frazier, and Muhamad Ali. Mr. Wepner boasts a feat that few have matched: 30 years ago he boxed with Muhamad Ali and was able to knock him to the mat. Though 36 years old and ranked seventh at the time, he went a full 15 rounds with ``the Greatest.'' While Ali eventually won the March 24, 1975 fight, Mr. Wepner is one of only three men to have ever knocked him down. Adding to his achievement is the fact that Sylvester Stallone used Mr. Wepner's personal story of an underdog taking on a prize fighter as the basis for his ``Rocky'' movies. Mr. Stallone acknowledges he used many aspects of Mr. Wepner's life in the boxing films. Though retired from the ring, Mr. Wepner remains in contact with legends such as Joe Frazier, Mike Tyson, and even Sylvester Stallone. Thirty years after his formidable fight, he is busy working as a motivational speaker at schools and various organizations across the country. Additionally, he is developing a movie project and considering writing a book. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Chuck Wepner for his career achievements as a boxer. He has proven to be a strong, inspirational force both in and out of the ring, and I wish him the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, today I am proud to be introducing a revised version of the Preserving Access to Affordable Drugs (PAAD) Act. Unfortunately, the misguided Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 threatens to reduce or eliminate the prescription drug benefits that millions of seniors across the country already have. And if the law isn't bad enough as is, the Administration has ignored the recommendations of the President's State Pharmaceutical Assistance Transition Commission and denied New Jersey's request to automatically enroll those Medicare beneficiaries currently enrolled in New Jersey's PAAD and Medicaid programs into a preferred Medicare prescription drug plan. This ruling effectively blocks New Jersey's efforts to preserve the generous prescription drug coverage the state currently provides to the 190,000 seniors enrolled in New Jersey's PAAD program and the 140,000 seniors and disabled enrolled in the state's Medicaid program when the new Medicare prescription drug benefit goes into effect on January 1, 2006. In an effort to right this wrong, the bill I'm introducing today will ensure that our seniors have a seamless transition to the new Medicare Part D drug benefit, without a reduction or disruption in their coverage. The PAAD Act will allow states to automatically enroll PAAD and dually eligible Medicaid beneficiaries in one or more preferred prescription drug plans to ensure that these beneficiaries are enrolled in a Medicare drug plan that maximizes both their federal and state prescription drug coverage. This will ensure that New Jersey seniors who currently receive prescription drug benefits under PAAD or through the state's Medicaid program are not made worse off by the new Medicare law. In addition, the PAAD Act will allow New Jersey to provide supplemental Medicaid prescription drug benefits to low-income seniors and disabled who currently receive generous prescription drug benefits under the Medicaid program and who will now receive their prescription drug benefits through Medicare. With approximately six million seniors nationwide, including 140,000 in New Jersey, who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, it is absolutely critical that they do not lose access to their Medicaid prescription drug benefits, which are more generous than the new Medicare benefit will be. Not to mention, hundreds of thousands of seniors across the country, and 200,000 seniors in New Jersey, currently are enrolled in state pharmacy assistance programs, and will be forced into a private Medicare drug plan. We need to make sure the new Medicare Modernization Act transition happens with the least amount of confusion and loss of coverage possible. With this bill, we will solve these outstanding problems.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join my colleagues here in the United States Congress in celebration of the 184th anniversary of Greece's Independence Day. We would not be standing in this very building were it not for the influences of ancient Greek architecture and ancient Greek notions of freedom, democracy, and independence. On the anniversary of Greek independence, we honor the achievements and contributions of the Greek people and the Greek state, and salute a proud nation that has accomplished so much in history, science, philosophy, mathematics, literature, and art. But by far the most notable of all their achievements is the notion of democracy. Our own founding fathers incorporated the ancient Greek's political experience and philosophy when they formed our representative democracy. In 1821, the Greeks continued this tradition by revolting against nearly 400 years of repressive rule by the Ottoman Empire and began their journey toward independence. Greek concepts of government and freedom have had an immense and inestimable influence on the world. The world witnessed this as Greece, home of the first Olympics, hosted the Games once again in 2004. So March 25th marked a historic day for the world, not just for Greece alone. It is yet another day for all to celebrate the principles of democracy, freedom and self-governance. Over the years, the United States and Greece have shown their commitment to and admiration for democratic ideals. Greece is one of only a handful of countries that stood by the United States in every major international conflict in the 20th century: World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Desert Storm, and the Balkans. The Greek government responded to the September 11th terrorist attacks with strong political support, as well. The United States and Greece have formed a special bound based upon their shared commitment to democracy and freedom. Today, the world needs to come together and stand on the basis of Greek principles to protect the human and religious rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. While this is an issue that concerns the Greek community, it is one that is vital to all communities. We must protect the rights of Ecumenical Patriarchate as Turkey has: refused to recognize the Ecumenical Patriarchate's international status and its significance of Orthodox Christians around the world; prevented the Orthodox Christian church from selecting bishops from anywhere in the world to become the Ecumenical Patriarch by requiring Turkish citizenship; confiscated Ecumenical properties since 2002; and levied a retroactive tax on the Balukli Hospital, a philanthropic institution run by the Ecumenical Patriarchate which treats thousands of patients a year. We also call on Turkey to grant appropriate international recognition and ecclesiastic succession to the Ecumenical Patriarch, along with the right to train clergy of all nationalities. Finally, the resolution calls on Turkey to respect the property rights and religious rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. From the history of democracy to the religious freedom and human rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, we share a common vision with Greece and all of her people. On this day, the United States of America and Greece stand side-by-side in our commitment to the principles of democracy, freedom, and independence. And I would like to thank the Greek people for leading the way and giving us the inspiration and strength to pursue these ideals.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Hispanic Organization of Students in Technology (HOST), the New Jersey Institute of Technology's student chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). HOST/SHPE was honored for its outstanding achievements at the Region IV Student Leadership Conference (RSLC) Gala Banquet on March 19, 2005. The Hispanic Organization of Students in Technology/Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers represents a group of extremely talented and dedicated students who, at a young age, have already shown amazing promise and success. The HOST/SHPE RSLC offers new members the opportunity to share valuable knowledge and learn from other SHPE leaders. The goal of RSLC is to provide students with the leadership skills necessary for success in the business world, as well as the organizational, managerial, and technical skills essential for developing and enhancing the infrastructure of their respective SHPE student chapters and pre-college programs. In addition, students learn how to interact and network with SHPE corporate officials, which can lead to long-lasting, professional relationships. Under the strong leadership of Daniel Lozano, the conference has been organized to assemble more than 200 students from across the eastern United States, including Puerto Rico. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the achievements of the students in HOST/SHPE, as well as the strong commitment on the part of the RSLC Committee and Daniel Loranzo to organize this worthwhile event. I applaud the students' dedication and their success, and wish them the best as they head towards an already bright future.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Jack Smith for his outstanding courage and important service abroad as a physician in Afghanistan. After being called to duty in October 2004, Dr. Smith was sent to serve in the 325th medical combat unit of the United States Army. While in Afghanistan, he spent much of his time in platoon hospitals, often near dangerous combat operations. The situation required that Dr. Smith utilize his strong skills both as a physician and as a soldier. Dr. Smith recently returned to the United States to resume his private practice and has been welcomed with enthusiasm and admiration by family, friends, and coworkers. Born and raised in Bayonne, Dr. Smith works at the Bayonne Medical Center. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Dr. Jack Smith for his brave work in Afghanistan. We are grateful for his courage in the face of danger and his service to our country in the name of freedom.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, today I am proud to introduce a resolution urging Turkey to respect the human rights and religious freedoms of the Ecumenical Patriarch, which are being violated by the Turkish government. The Ecumenical Patriarch is the spiritual leader of 300 million Orthodox Christians around the world, including millions of Americans. The Turkish government continuously violates the Ecumenical Patriarch's religious rights and freedoms by refusing to recognize its international status. Training for the clergy has also been effectively banned because the Turkish government refuses to reopen the Greek Orthodox Halki seminary. Furthermore, the Turkish government requires all candidates for the Patriarchate be Turkish nationals, thus severely limiting the field. Additionally, the Turkish government has confiscated 75 percent of Ecumenical Patriarchal properties since 2002 and has levied a 42 percent retroactive tax on the Balukli Hospital, a philanthropic institution run by the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Meanwhile, Turkey is scheduled to begin accession negotiations with the European Union in October 2005. Mr. Speaker, the legislation I am introducing today is very simple. This resolution calls on Turkey to meet the criteria on eliminating all forms of discrimination set forth by the European Union, particularly those based on race or religion. This bill urges the Turkish government to grant the Ecumenical Patriarch appropriate international recognition and ecclesiastic succession, the right to train clergy of all nationalities, and demands that Turkey respect the property rights and human rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. These are simple demands, Mr. Speaker. The path of democracy must be laid with the bricks of freedom and tolerance--without them, democracy becomes a hollow word devoid of promise and hope. We must take a stand for religious rights and freedoms. We must call on Turkey to fulfill its obligations to the European Union and stop violating the human and religious rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I was absent from votes in the House on Monday, March 14th, due to a previous and unavoidable commitment. Therefore, I was unable to vote on H. Res. 135 (Rollcall No. 66), H. Res. 101 (Rollcall No. 67), and S. 384 (Rollcall No. 68). Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on all three measures considered before the House.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Father Taras Chubenko on his 25th anniversary as pastor of St. Demetrius Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral. Father Chubenko celebrated the event at the Dinner and Dance on March 12, 2005, in Carteret, New Jersey. During his time with the Cathedral, Father Chubenko has worked diligently to help improve St. Demetrius and its services. Under his strong leadership, St. Demetrius has successfully completed various restructuring and renovation projects. Additionally, Father Chubenko is a member of the Diocese's Metropolitan Council and has served as Dean of the New Jersey Deanery. In the past, he held the positions of Consistory Business Administrator and Treasurer of the Diocese for more than seven years. Father Chubenko is active in many organizations and plays an integral role in the community. For 25 years, he has been the Chaplain to various groups in Carteret, including the Office of Emergency Management, the volunteer fire department, and the police department. At one time the president of the Carteret School Board of Education, he spent a total of nine years as a member of the board. In the past, Father Taras served as the chairperson of the mayor's Children's Relief Fund and 9/11 World Trade Center Scholarship Fund Committee. He has also lent his wisdom and time as the mentor of two mayors of Carteret. Born in Germany, Father Chubenko and his family immigrated to the United States when he was a child. He studied at St. Sophia's Seminary and became an ordained priest in 1980. That same year, he began his service at St. Demetrius, where he has remained ever since. For his outstanding service, Father Chubenko was promoted to the rank of Proto- Priest in 1982 and later achieved the highest rank of Protopresbyter in 1990. He and his wife are the proud parents of four sons. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Father Taras Chubenko for his many years of dedicated service to St. Demetrius Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral and the people of Carteret. His strong leadership and active involvement in the community has helped revitalize the Cathedral and improve the lives of many.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Democratic Caucus, I offer a privileged resolution (H. Res. 161) and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt) for yielding me this time and for his work in developing a budget for all Americans. Every year the administration and Congress are taxed with developing a budget that reflects our Nation's priorities in spending, priorities that reflect our country's values. Unfortunately, the budget resolution we have before us, and the values it represents insults the true values of the American people, given the extensive cuts to first responders, community policing, veterans benefits, health care, and education funding. Under the Republican leadership the entire budget process has become a complete fraud on the American people. This budget adds more than $4 trillion to the deficit in the next 10 years, without even including the enormous costs that have been left out of the budget. It is past time for this House to be honest and restore fiscal responsibility to this process and to the Nation, the same fiscal responsibility that each of our constituents face when they try to balance their household and business budgets. Unfortunately, this budget shows that the Republican Congress does not share the values of the American people. What type of values would cut funding to the Fire Act Grant Program which helps meet the basic needs of firefighters by 30 percent? Firefighters on the front lines of the war on terror in New Jersey stand to lose $4 million under this resolution, which means they will have less protective clothing, fewer portable radios than they need to protect our citizens. What type of values would slash funding to the COP program by 95 percent, a program that has put over 4,800 police officers on the street in New Jersey? In doing so, this budget dismantles a critical instrument in New Jersey's fight against crime. What type of values would raise health costs for many of the over 620,000 veterans in New Jersey, increasing drug copayments and imposing new enrollment fees that will cost veterans more than $2 billion over 5 years and drive more than 200,000 veterans out of the system entirely? What type of values would cut discretionary health programs by 6 percent and slash Medicaid by billions of dollars? New Jersey would lose more than $100 million per year in Federal Medicaid funding, enough funding to provide health coverage to 6,400 seniors or 34,000 children. And what type of values would underfund education and, specifically, the No Child Left Behind Act by over $12 billion, creating a 4-year deficit between what was promised and what was actually delivered of $39 billion? If this budget passes, over 53,000 children in New Jersey will go without promised help in reading and math and 34,000 will no longer be able to enroll in the afterschool programs that not only keep kids safe but also boost academic achievement. That is why the Democratic substitute will restore fiscal responsibility to secure our homeland, provide for America's seniors and veterans, fund education initiatives to guarantee our children's future success in an ever increasingly competitive world and lay the foundation for a society that truly reflects our values and our commitment to a better more prosperous and stronger America. I urge my colleagues to support the Democratic substitute and vote down the woefully inadequate Republican budget.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to have my name removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 21.