Bob Menendez

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Councilman Hector Corchado who was honored on February 7th at the Hispanic American Good Scout Award Dinner at the Robert Treat Hotel in Newark, New Jersey. A longtime resident of Newark, Councilman Corchado has proven himself to be an effective and dedicated member of his community. Elected to the City Council in 2002, Mr. Corchado began his career in the Newark Police Department over 14 years ago, where he served as a detective and sergeant in the Community Affairs Division. A natural leader in the Police Department, he went on to become deputy mayor of Newark before serving on the City Council. Committed to improving the lives of Newark citizens, Mr. Corchado has been extensively involved with community organizations throughout Newark: he has organized neighborhood clean-up projects, coordinated Block Associations to work with other community groups, and assisted small businesses and churches with smart-growth development. While with the Newark Police, he developed a system now used to track and identify gang activity. He also helped draft legislation to ensure fair participation of local contractors and businesses in Newark. Councilman Corchado has participated in the Leadership Newark Program and served as a member to the Essex County Commission on Unity. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Hictor Corchado for his dedicated service to his community and for his unwavering commitment to improving the lives of his fellow citizens.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the outstanding accomplishments of Mrs. Dina Matos McGreevey, who was honored on February 7th at the Hispanic American Good Scout Award Dinner at the Robert Treat Hotel in Newark, New Jersey. The First Lady of New Jersey, Mrs. Matos McGreevey has been an exceptional member of her community and a true leader for New Jersey. Currently the executive director of the Columbus Hospital Foundation in Newark, Mrs. Matos McGreevey has worked to create programs such as the Senior Health Improvement Program, which provides free educational programs and screening for New Jersey seniors. As a member of the Portuguese American Congress of New Jersey and former president of the Portuguese American Congress--Continuing Political Committee, she organized voter registration drives and assisted thousands to become American citizens and registered voters. Dina Matos McGreevey continues to demonstrate her compassion for improving New Jersey's communities. She is currently a trustee of the Ironbound Association, the Salvation Army Ironbound Boys' and Girls' Clubs and Senior Center Advisory Board, and the Women's Auxiliary of Columbus Hospital. Mrs. Matos McGreevey is also a participant in United Way's Celebrity Reading Program and is an honorary chair of the Special Olympics Complex Committee, the Drumthwacket Foundation, the Bernard W. Gimble Multiple Sclerosis Comprehensive Care Center Annual Fundraiser, and D.A.R.E. Mrs. Matos McGreevey has served as commissioner of the Planning Board of the City of Elizabeth and treasurer of the Portuguese American Scholarship Foundation and the Northern New Jersey Maternal/Child Health Consortium's Planning Committee, and has been a member of the New Jersey Health Care Public Relations and Marketing Association. She is a fellow of the United Way of Essex and West Hudson Project Leadership Class of 1999. Dina Matos McGreevey and Governor James E. McGreevey are the proud parents of Jacqueline Matos McGreevey. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mrs. Dina Matos McGreevey for her exemplary service and dedication to the people and state of New Jersey.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Assemblywoman Nellie Pou of New Jersey who was honored on February 7th at the Hispanic American Good Scout Award Dinner at the Robert Treat Hotel in Newark, New Jersey. Currently deputy speaker of the New Jersey Legislature, Ms. Pou has led an impressive career and has quickly emerged as a leader in the New Jersey Assembly. She is the first woman and first Hispanic to represent the 35th Assembly District of New Jersey, and was named assistant minority leader after only three years in office. An active member of the legislature, Ms. Pou has authored a number of successful bills that reflect her commitment to health advocacy, child safety, and disabled and senior citizens. She has focused her efforts to improve education by reducing class-size and has secured funding to ensure the continuation of critical school programs across the state. Assemblywoman Pou played a leading role in ensuring the 2000 Census was accurately reported and that New Jersey would not be underrepresented in the amount of federal aid it received. She was also a strong advocate for redrawing the legislative districts to fairly represent census results. Ms. Pou holds an impressive record of service in government and working for the state of New Jersey. Before serving in the Assembly, Ms. Pou worked for more than 22 years in county and municipal government, and served as director of the Paterson Department of Human Services for 12 years. Since being elected to the Assembly in 1997, she has served on two critical committees, the Assembly Budget Committee and the Assembly Appropriations Committee, which together oversee the development of the annual state budget. Ms. Pou has also served on the Assembly Housing Committee and the Task Force on School Facilities Construction Oversight. She is a member of the Women's Democratic Caucus, the Assembly Advisory Council on Women, and the New Jersey Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect. Currently serving her third term in office, Assemblywoman Pou is vice chair of the Assembly Appropriations Committee and a member of the Assembly Health and Human Services Committee, in addition to her appointment as deputy speaker. Assemblywoman Pou is the mother of two children, Edwin and Taina. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Nellie Pou for her outstanding leadership and service to her district and the state of New Jersey.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished ranking member for yielding me this time. As our country grieves for the tragic loss of the Columbia crew, we want their families to know that we are truly grateful for their sons and daughters, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers. America is not alone in mourning the loss of the Columbia heroes. We are joined by the entire global community. No country understands our loss more than Israel and India for whom that loss is particularly acute, having first rejoiced as two of their own realized the dream of participating in the American space program only to have this joy turned into sorrow. This great Nation was founded by those rare men and women who are willing to risk their lives in the name of exploration. The Columbia astronauts and their colleagues in the space program are our true explorers. So as our Nation mourns the loss of these seven heroes, we are united in our grief and sorrow and united in our determination to move forward in our exploration of space, and our experiments in space that will, undoubtedly, continue to improve our lives with new technologies and new medicines. The lives of these selfless pioneers were not lost in vain, and so we must reenergize our space program and make sure that Congress and the President fund NASA at levels that guarantee safety and progress. When America ventures into space, we send more than just a shuttle; it is more than just a mission. We send our hopes and our dreams. The men and women who served on Columbia represented those hopes and dreams for all of us; and their bravery, their courage, their imagination has not died, and will never die. It lives on.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the many accomplishments of Tony Barberi, who was recognized Friday, January, 24th, at Ireland's 32 annual dinner dance held at the Hi-Hat Club in Bayonne, New Jersey. In 1973, Tony Barberi immigrated to America, making Bayonne, New Jersey, his new home. After working for a year in construction for a local contractor in Bayonne, Tony, along with his father and brothers, founded the Barberi Brothers Construction Company and Graziella Tile Imports. What was once a family dream rapidly became a great and wonderful reality. His family-run construction business grew, and over the years has continuously provided top quality community development to Bayonne and its residents. The Bayonne Housing Authority received national acclaim for the outstanding Roverson Homes project completed by none other than the exceptional Barberi Brothers Construction Company. Tony is currently the President of Barnac Builders and Developers. A soccer enthusiast, Tony, for the past 12 years, has been a coach and sponsor of the Bayonne Youth Soccer Association. He is a state- licensed soccer coach, and since 1996, has been the head varsity soccer coach at Holy Family Academy. Tony is a member of the following organizations: the New Jersey State Contractors Association; the Sicilian Citizens Club; the Nick Capodice Association; National Soccer Coaches Association of America; and New Jersey Girl's Soccer Coaches Association. Tony dedicates his time to the Spinal Bifida Foundation, the Simpson Barber Foundation for the Autistic, and Holy Family, St. Andrew's, and Our Lady of Assumption Parishes. The son of Pietro and the late Grazia Barberi, Tony has two brothers, Nunzio and Mario. He is married to Fina, and has three children, Pietro, Graziella, and Rosalia. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Tony Barberi for living the American dream: nurturing a family; establishing a business; investing in the community; and selflessly giving his time to making Bayonne a better place for all.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Bayonne High School Fighting Bees for winning the New Jersey North 1, Group IV state championship for the first time in the school's history. Their hard work, dedication, and talent led them to victory, and to the ultimate of high school football prizes, winning the state championship. Coach Rich Rodriguez's philosophy, that every play of every game was of the utmost importance, proved true in the 25-23 win over Hackensack High. There was no room for the players to let up on their intensity. Bryan Smith took this philosophy to heart. Running hard, he rushed for 233 yards on 23 carries, and his determination was an example of the entire team's tireless efforts to reach their goal. As they move on in life, the team can remember the lessons that earned them the honor of being able to call themselves champions--that with great effort, teamwork, and dedication to a cause, one can accomplish goals and win not only on the football field but also in life. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Bayonne High School Fighting Bees for their accomplishments on the football field. Congratulations, you make our community proud.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the many accomplishments of Carol Cruden, who was recognized Friday, January 24th, at Ireland's 32 annual dinner dance held at the Hi-Hat Club in Bayonne, New Jersey. A Bayonne native, Carol Cruden has dedicated her life to creating a healthier and more educated community. She is currently the president of the Hudson County School Nurses Association, a member of the New Jersey Association of Health Educators, and the Family Life Education Council. She has been the director of Bayonne Public School Nurses for 25 years, supervisor of Employee Health Services for the Board of Education since 1991, and is a part-time nursing supervisor at Bayonne Medical Center. For her work towards the prevention of child abuse, Carol was nominated by the New Jersey School Nurses Association as the 2001 honoree of the New Jersey Child Assault Prevention Project. She is a member of the Gold Star Wives of America, Mayor's Council on AIDS Awareness, Nursing Advisory Committee for Bayonne Medical Center School of Nursing, Bayonne's Community Health Steering Council Secretary for the Advocates of Bayonne Children, and Ireland's 32. An accomplished student, Carol graduated from Bayonne High School and Holy Name Hospital School of Nursing. She earned her B.A. and M.A. from Jersey City State College, receiving the academic distinctions of Magna Cum Laude and membership to the Kappa Delta Phi National Honor Society. Carol is a certified school nurse and a teacher of licensed practical nursing. Carol, the only child of Sarah and Hugh Finney, married the late Marine Staff Sergeant Donald Cruden, and has three children, Daniel, Michael, and Sally. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Carol Cruden for her positive influence and hard work on behalf of the nursing community and all of Bayonne's residents. Thanks to Carol, Bayonne is a healthier and happier community.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor John L. McGoldrick for his outstanding contributions to our world community. He will be recognized at the American Jewish Committee Institute of Human Relations Award Dinner on Thursday, January 30, 2003, at the Hyatt Regency in Princeton, New Jersey. Mr. McGoldrick is Executive Vice President of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Vice Chairman of the Company's Executive Committee, and responsible for global corporate policy. He is general counsel and director of the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation, and previously, served as a senior partner of the law firm of McCarter & English, LLP, where he sat on the Executive Committee. A man with a global vision, Mr. McGoldrick played an integral part in Bristol-Myers Squibb's HIV/AIDS initiatives in Africa, including the ``Secure the Future'' program in Southern and Francophone Africa, and the ACCESS program making antiretroviral therapy more accessible in developing countries. A man with both a national and local vision, Mr. McGoldrick has served as a director of the United States third largest passenger rail and bus company, the New Jersey Transit Corporation, since its founding in 1979. In addition, he has served as Vice Chairman, and is currently the senior ranking member of the board. He is director of Zimmer Holdings, Inc., the NYSE-listed manufacturer of artificial hips and knees, and a member of the Board of Directors of AdvaMed, the medical devices trade association. He has served on government reform commissions in New Jersey, leading Bristol-Meyers Squibb's efforts to support the State of New Jersey Commission on Holocaust education. He is a member of the following organizations: the Aspen Institute on the World Economy; the Council on Foreign Relations; the World Economic Forum (Davos); the Association of General Counsel, the Council of Chief Legal Officers; the Executive Committee of the CPR Institute for Dispute Resolution; and the American Law Institute. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial lawyers, the American Bar Association, and of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers. Mr. McGoldrick graduated from Harvard College and earned his law degree from Harvard Law School. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring John L. McGoldrick for exemplifying the American Jewish Committee's vision; he has made a global impact, and his exceptional leadership and many accomplishments in the fields of healthcare, education, and justice have truly made this world a better place.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the many accomplishments of William Dwyer, who was recognized Friday, January 24 , at Ireland's 32nd annual dinner dance held at the Hi-Hat Club in Bayonne, New Jersey. A life-long Bayonne resident, William Dwyer has spent his career dedicated to the medical community. He has worked at Passaic General Hospital and Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, and was a past president of the New Jersey Healthcare Human Resources Administrators. For almost 11 years, Mr. Dwyer has been the vice president of Human Resources, Risk Management, and Corporate Compliance, at Children's Specialized Hospital in Mountainside, New Jersey, the largest pediatric rehabilitation hospital in the United States. William Dwyer, an active member of the community, is currently the president of the Kiwanis Club of Mountainside, New Jersey, and head of the St. Andrew's Cub Scouts. He is a member of the following organizations: the Board of Directors of the Healthcare Employees Federal Credit Union; the Executive Committee of St. Peter's Prep parents organization; and the parent teacher organization of School 14. He is a past President of the St. Andrew's Parish Council, and past Vice President of the Bayonne Rangers; a New Jersey-based youth ice hockey organization. In addition, he has volunteered at the Bayonne Little League CYO and City Basketball Leagues. William and his brother, Jim, founded the Irish singing group, The Bantry Boys, and recently celebrated their 20th anniversary of performing together. The band enjoys playing their Irish folk music for all, especially for the students of Bayonne elementary schools and the children at the Children's Specialized Hospital. Bill attended Marist High School, and received his B.A. from St. Peter's College, and M.A. in Education from Seton Hall University. William Dwyer, the youngest of four children born to Mary and John Dwyer, is married to the former Mary Reilly, and they have two children, Bill and Megan. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring William Dwyer for his selfless dedication to Bayonne's residents and for brightening our days with music.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Varda Wendroff, who was recognized on Saturday, January 18, 2002, by the Richard A. Rutkowski Association at a gala dinner-dance at the Hi-Hat Caterers. An innovative and passionate teacher for over twenty years, Varda Wendroff is currently the director of World Languages, ESL, and Bilingual Education for the Bayonne public school system. Varda Wendroff has given her heart and soul to the community of Bayonne. The loss of her daughter, Lauren, and her family's first-hand experience in the Holocaust influenced and greatly impacted her life, making her an admired healer, educator, and role model for the community. She has truly given back to Bayonne, by investing in the families and the young people of our community. A two-year president of the Jewish Community Center and member of the Bayonne United Jewish Federation, Varda Wendroff teaches Holocaust studies for the United Jewish Appeal, and assists with the Lauren Wendroff Early Enrichment Program and the organization's camp. As a member, and current co-leader of the Compassionate Friends, a national and international organization helping parents to cope with the loss of a child, she has been helped and continues to help parents cope with their grief. Some of Mrs. Wendroff's honors include finalist for Teacher of the Year; recipient of the Governor's Teachers of Excellence award; and, listed in the ``Who's Who Among America's Teachers,'' awarded by her students for her selfless dedication to teaching and her lasting influence on their lives. Varda Wendroff earned her B.A. degree from Montclair State University, and M.A. from New Jersey City University. Varda Wendroff and her husband, Arnie, have a son, Jason, and daughter-in-law, Tracy. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Varda Wendroff for being a guiding light in the lives of our youth and an inspiration to all of us.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and acknowledge Dr. Ross J. Simpson. Dr. Simpson who was honored on Saturday, January 18, 2003, by the Richard A. Rutkowski Association at a gala dinner-dance at the Hi-Hat Caterers. A captain in the U.S. Army, Dr. Simpson served our country as the chief of chest surgery at the Osaka Army hospital in Japan during the Korean War, and was honored with the United Nations and Korean Service medals for his service. Upon his return from the war, in 1952, he started his surgical practice in Bayonne. His medical career was extensive, and Dr. Simpson worked as a chief of surgery at Bayonne Hospital and the Pollack Hospital, and as an attending surgeon at St. Francis Hospital, St. Mary's Hospital, Morristown General, and the French Hospital in New York City. Dr. Simpson has held leadership positions ever since his service in the Army. At Bayonne Hospital, he served as president of the medical staff, president of the Board of Trustees, and chairman of the Board of Trustees. He has not only been a surgeon, but also a professor of surgery at the New Jersey College of Medicine and Dentistry. He is published in the Annals of Surgery and in the AMA journal for his nationally renowned work on foreign bodies of the chest and heart. Dr. Simpson is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the International College of Surgeons, and a diplomat of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. A founding member of the Simpson Barber Foundation for the Autistic, Dr. Simpson will serve as the Chairman of the 1st Annual Regatta of the Foundation. He is a communicant of St. Henry's Church, and in 1995, he received the Brotherhood Award from the Bayonne Chapter of Christians and Jews. Dr. Simpson is married to Marguerite O'Reilly, the proud father of five, Ross Jr., Thomas, Christopher, Mary Anne, and Marguerite, and proud grandfather of fifteen. Dr. Simpson earned his B.A. from St. Peter's College, and his medical degree from NYU Medical School. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Dr. Ross J. Simpson for his outstanding contributions to the medical community, for treating the injured and the sick, and for saving countless lives in times of war and peace.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the 100th anniversary of Our Lady of the Assumption Church. The church celebrated its anniversary on Saturday, November 2, 2002, which Bayonne Mayor Joseph V. Doria, Jr., proclaimed as Our Lady of the Assumption Centennial Day. In the early 1900s, a group of Italian-speaking immigrants decided that the Bayonne community needed a national parish that would truly serve the needs of the people. They petitioned the Bishop of Newark to establish a parish that would use the Italian language at mass and other services, allowing for both native and non-native English speakers to benefit from the service. The parish was officially established in June of 1902, and Monsignor Michael Mercolino delivered the first mass in a small store on 21st Street on June 3, 1902. Monsignor Mercolino's participation with the Church did not end there; he dedicated and devoted his time to the parish until 1945. Our Lady of the Assumption has grown over the past century from that first group of Italian immigrants to a multicultural congregation that celebrates mass and other services in three languages: English, Spanish, and Italian. Three church buildings have also been established: the first in 1902, the second in 1911, and the third in 1976. The City of Bayonne is a better place thanks to the inclusive and generous ways of the ever-growing Our Lady of Assumption Church. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Our Lady of the Assumption Church Centennial Day, a profound and monumental day in the history of the City of Bayonne.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman for not only yielding time, but offering this most important motion that I believe that all of us who say we want to defend the homeland should be on this floor supporting when the time comes. Tonight the President of the United States will come before the Congress and the Nation. He will talk about the state of the Union. He will say that our economy is headed in the right direction. We believe it is headed in the wrong direction, but more importantly, in some respect, he will talk about the challenges we face abroad. But we have two wars, Mr. President. One is the one that you seek to have us engaged in Iraq. There you are sending the greatest talent that America has to offer. You are sending an incredible amount of equipment. You are sending billions of dollars. Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, the other war is here at home, and in that war, America has been left virtually defenseless, virtually defenseless. Instead of putting the best resources, the greatest opportunity to those people who I witnessed from my congressional district which sits on the west bank of the Hudson for which the World Trade Center was, in fact, a part of the normal landscape, those who responded on that fateful day of September 11 was not the Federal Government, was not the Defense Department, was not the Federal emergency management. No, it was police officers and firefighters and emergency management and hospitals and public health systems, and to them, we have taken many pictures, but we have done absolutely nothing about providing one red cent so that they can be prepared, God forbid, for the next attack. Who did the CIA say was America's greatest threat? It was al Qaeda and bin Laden, the greatest threat to terrorism on domestic soil, and yet all of our focus is elsewhere, and yet the President takes picture with individuals, with our police officers, with our firefighters, and no wonder, when they have not received one red cent, they say, Mr. President, you have merely been using firefighters and their families for one big photo opportunity. The Virginia Professional Firefighters Association and others, the president of the International Association of Firefighters says, Mr. President, you are either with us or against us. You cannot have it both ways. Do not lionize our fallen brothers in one breath and then eliminate funding for our members to fight terrorism and stay safe. There is a war here at home, and we have not prepared nor have we funded for it. I know that as I have traveled the country when I chaired the task force for House Democrats on homeland security, I can tell my colleagues that what I heard from first responders is that the plans we have on the shelf have nothing to do with chemical or biological weaponry, has nothing to do with the potential nuclear activity. We are not planning for it. We have not prepared for it, and we do not even have the equipment to deal with it. It is time for us not to listen to the counsel of patience and delay and wait for the next attack to be prepared. It is time for us to act now. Vote for the gentleman's motion to recommit so that we can give the first responders in this country the possibility of responding to the Nation's security and the next possible attack. God forbid, we do not do this now. We have waited already too long.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Democratic Caucus, I call up a privileged resolution (H. Res. 35) electing Members, Delegates, and Resident Commissioners to standing committees of the House of Representatives, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Democratic Caucus, I call up a privileged resolution (H. Res. 36) electing a named Member to standing committees of the House of Representatives, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment to the resolution; but before offering the amendment, I request that there be a division of the question on the resolution so that we may have a separate vote on the chaplain.

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I offer an amendment to the remainder of the resolution offered by the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Pryce).

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the Democratic Caucus, I have been directed to report to the House that the Democratic Members have elected as minority whip the gentleman from Maryland, Mr. Hoyer.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Clerk, as chairman of the Democratic Caucus, I am directed by the unanimous vote of that caucus to present for election to the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 108th Congress an incredibly talented Member of the Democratic Caucus and, for the first time in history, the name of a woman, the name of the Honorable Nancy Pelosi, a representative-elect from the State of California.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the Democratic Caucus, I have been directed to report to the House that Democratic Members have selected as minority leader the gentlewoman from California, the Honorable Nancy Pelosi.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers as it hosted the 15th Annual Eastern Technical and Career Conference (ETCC), which was held November 1-3, 2002, at the Sheraton Meadowlands Hotel in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Despite the many advancements made by Hispanics in the fields of engineering and science, we must continue to ensure equality in the work force for all Americans. The ETCC has made this its focus and, since 1987, has been promoting academic excellence, professional growth, technical opportunities, and the development of ties and connections among Hispanic professionals. These valuable networking opportunities for students and professionals are necessary to promote and provide for a more just work environment. The second largest Hispanic student engineering conference in the nation, the ETCC attracts over 50 universities along the East Coast. This year, the ETCC is expecting 1,200 Latino college students majoring in math, science, and engineering, and 300 professionals and corporate representatives from Fortune 500 companies to attend. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 15th Annual Eastern Technical and Career Conference hosted by the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. New Jersey is fortunate to have organizations that provide opportunities for students and professionals to explore what being Hispanic and being a professional can mean. My best wishes for a successful conference.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Urban League of Hudson County for its efforts to revive communities throughout Hudson County, and to congratulate it upon the completion of its new headquarters on Martin Luther King Drive in Jersey City, NJ. To commemorate this event, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held on October 18, 2002, at the site of the new headquarters. The Urban League of Hudson County is an organization that has stood for human advancement and achievement, and has worked tirelessly to develop and revitalize our urban areas. Its work has given hope and fortune to so many who call the inner city their home. Project Reclaim is an Urban League initiative created for the redevelopment of the twenty-six block radius of Martin Luther King Drive in the Ward F community of Jersey City. The new headquarters building is a cornerstone of the Urban League's plan to initiate an economic and social renaissance in this community. And with the community's participation, this renaissance will be a lasting and inspiring model for the country. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Urban League of Hudson County for providing hope to countless families, and for believing in America by investing and revitalizing our urban areas, when others turned their backs on our cities. The Urban League's accomplishments have paved the way for prosperous and healthy communities throughout New Jersey.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Reverend Ralph E. Brower for 47 years of outstanding service to our community as a leader and senior pastor at Saint Michael's Methodist Church. Rev. Brower was honored at a banquet at the Casino in the Park in Jersey City, New Jersey, on November 10, 2002. For the past 47 years, Reverend Ralph E. Brower has been a tireless advocate on behalf of his community and congregation, ensuring that no one in the community is left behind. A true leader, Rev. Brower has served for the past 27 years as president of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, and the past 25 years as chaplain for Hudson County. He has served in several city administrations, and is currently the president of the United Black interdenominational Clergy (VBIC) of New Jersey, the state's largest African-American clergy organization. His selfless actions have not gone unnoticed, and he has been honored by New Jersey's Urban League, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People of New Jersey, and the New Jersey State Federation of Colored Women's Clubs. The fourth of six children, Rev. Brower was born and raised in North Carolina, but decided to make New Jersey his home. He is a graduate of the Laurinburg Institute and Kettle College of North Carolina, attended Florida State Christian College in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Jersey City State College, and his Doctorate of Sacred Theology from the Baltimore Bible College. Rev. Brown is married to Alberta Hazel-Brower, and they are the proud parents of three children: two sons, Ralph, Jr. and Ronald, and one daughter, Denise. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Reverend Ralph E. Brower for close to 50 years of service as a leader and senior pastor to the Jersey City community. Let us all join together and take this opportunity to honor an exceptional man, setting an outstanding example for our community. Thank you Rev. Brower for all that you do.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember Catherine E. Todd, who passed away on June 26, 2002. On Wednesday, November 6, 2002, the Jersey City Housing Authority held a dedication ceremony in her memory at the Montgomery Gardens Community Center in Jersey City, New Jersey. Born on October 10, 1938, Catherine led a life of selfless dedication to those in need. She devoted 48 years of her life to the residents of Montgomery Gardens Housing Complex, contributing both time and energy in assisting residents in every possible way. Her tireless efforts on behalf of the residents of the Jersey City Housing Authority facilitated a sense of community and fostered a sense of home for all. In 1954, Catherine began her battle on behalf of the residents of Montgomery Gardens. During the 1960s, she rose to positions such as building captain, community organizer, Montgomery Garden's site improvement committee member, and Montgomery Garden's liaison committee member. In 1978, Catherine became the Chairperson of the Montgomery Gardens tenant management corporation board, and regularly met with residents to ensure that their needs were being fulfilled and that they were aware of all programs available to them. In 1996, she was also elected to the office of chairperson of the Jersey City tenant affairs board. Catherine is survived by her two children, Henry and Jo Ann, and three grandchildren, Hanifah, Sharifah, and Hasan. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering Catherine E. Todd for her great concern for the residents of the Jersey City Housing Authority. She extended her heart and her hand to help improve the quality of life for each person she encountered and she will be missed not only by her Jersey City Housing Authority family, but by the entire Jersey City community.