Bob Menendez

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the renaming of Bayonne Hospital to Bayonne Medical Center. The renaming will take place at a reception on Wednesday, February 13, 2002, in the Main Lobby of the Bayonne Medical Center. Bayonne Medical Center's new name is a reflection of the facility's outstanding healthcare services that are provided to the community of Bayonne. What makes the Bayonne Medical Center so outstanding is its staffs commitment to the well-being of its patients, the citizens of Bayonne, as well as its wide array of cutting edge health care technology. The topnotch medical staff, nursing professionals, administrative staff, and volunteers offer patient-focused care, professional diagnostic and treatment options, and a wide range of clinical services. For more than one hundred years, Bayonne Hospital has played an essential role in providing clinically advanced healthcare services for an ever growing and changing community. Over the past century, the medical professionals at Bayonne Hospital have not only shown their skill in adapting to great life-saving advancements in medical technology and health care services, but they have also demonstrated their commitment to our community by adapting their services to meet the needs of all of our community, regardless of race, ethnicity, culture, or income. I have no doubt that Bayonne Medical Center will continue to meet the additional challenges and advancements of the coming century, just as Bayonne Hospital has done for the past 100 years. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Bayonne Medical Center for providing excellent care to the citizens of Bayonne, New Jersey. Thanks for a past, present, and future of quality health care for our community.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Chairman, it is obvious that xenophobia is alive and well in some quarters of this Chamber. This is not about foreign influence. Legal permanent residents are the sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers of United States citizens who obeyed the rules, followed the laws, and now are in this country and live a lawful life. They fight for the country, they die for the country, they contribute to the Nation's economy, and they pay taxes. Today there are 20,000 legal permanent residents enlisted in the Armed Forces of the United States. They are protecting our airports, our seaports, our borders. They risk their lives daily in Afghanistan and other places around the world to protect us here at home. And they have the right to make contributions to causes and to candidates they support now under the law, a right that should not be taken away from them. If they can die for this country, sir, they certainly have the right to choose who is going to send them there by the political process. But they can participate by giving contributions, and that should never, ever, be taken away.

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Chairman, our system of campaign finance is out of control, drowning in money, including the money of corporate polluters and scam artists like the Enron crowd, and in the process drowning out the voices of working Americans and their families. I ask why do we not have a patients' bill of rights and why do we have a fiasco like Enron? The unlimited, unregulated special interest soft money has got to go. It has got to go now, today, once and for all. Mr. Chairman, democracy is about the people. It is about every single person who can hear my voice. This is their House, their Congress, their government, and they want it back. But the Republican leadership has done everything it can to kill this bill. In fact, the only way we got this bill to the floor was by getting Members to sign a discharge petition to force the leadership to give this bill a chance. Well, today they may try to defeat campaign finance reform with procedural tactics and poison bill amendments, and we have to defeat those efforts. Millions of special interest soft money should not undermine the millions of Americans who want their vote to be the powerful tool in this democracy. For the sake of our democracy, we have to defeat these tactics, level the playing fields, get the special interest soft money out of politics once and for all, and return this government to the American people. Vote for Shays-Meehan. Vote against all of the poison pills, and let us have a new day dawn in our democracy, one that is a democracy in which the individual citizens' right to their vote and the power of their vote will ultimately determine the fate of policy in this country, not hundreds of millions of dollars of special interest monies.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a true hero. On the tragic day of September 11, 2001, David P. Lemagne of New Jersey, working along side the Port Authority Police of New York and New Jersey, sacrificed his own life for the lives and well being of others. Today, I would like us to join together in a moment of silence to recognize the life of a truly outstanding man. Since childhood, David Lemagne has helped those in need. In 1985, he worked as an Explorer in Post 525 with the Union City Volunteer Ambulance Corp. This was just the beginning of a career dedicated to assisting others. In 1990, he received his EMT Certification from the Bergen County EMS Training Academy and started working with the Union City Volunteer Ambulance Corp. Upon completion of high school, he was hired as an EMT with the Jersey City Medical Center, and worked as an EMT for the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey through 1993. David studied hard and worked his way through the ranks, earning him respect, seniority, and greater responsibilities, including: a position as a Paramedic with the Jersey City Medical Center; as Ride Master of UMDNJ EMS Bike Team in 1995, where he served through 1999; as Tour Chief of the New Jersey Medical Center in charge of Emergency Services; and as a Team Paramedic of the NJSEA Meadowlands Arena. David saved countless lives throughout his selfless service to the community. David Lemagne graduated from Hudson Catholic High School in 1992; received an Associates Degree in ParaMedicine from UMDNJ in 1994; and began studying Sports Medicine at Kean University. David is survived by his parents, Ruth Myriam and Prudencio, his sister, Magaly, his brother-in-law, Salvatore Alfano, and his grandmother Lupe, and grandfather Guillermo. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring and celebrating the life of David P. Lemagne, forever a hero in the eyes of all Americans.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the many accomplishments of Joanne Carine, who will be recognized Friday, January 25, at Ireland's 32d annual dinner dance to be held at the Hi- Hat Club in Bayonne, NJ. A Bayonne native, Joanne Carine has been employed with the Board of Education since 1978, and is currently a secretary for the Superintendent of Schools. She serves on the Executive Board of the St. Dominic Academy Mother's Club; the Holy Family Academy Mother's Club; and is a Trustee and Secretary for the Simpson Barber Foundation for the Autistic, an organization that educates about autism and provides social and educational opportunities for children with autism. In addition, she is a trustee of the Bayonne Environmental Commission. Mrs. Carine was a member of the 1998 Bayonne Municipal Inaugural Committee; a member of the Bayonne Youth Soccer Association, Travel Parent's Board; and a Corresponding Secretary for the Friends of Nicholas Capodice Association, serving as Chairperson for the organization's 2000 annual brunch. In 1977, Joanne was selected the first recipient of the Miss Bayonne Columbus Award. Mrs. Joanne Carine is married to Frank Carine, Jr., and has two daughters, Jenna and Jerilyn. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mrs. Joanne Carine for her positive influence and hard work on behalf of New Jersey's education system.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Francisco and Hortensia Canonico, who were honored by the North Hudson Board of Realtors Friday, January 18th, for their exceptional contributions to New Jersey's real estate industry. Mr. Canonico entered the real estate industry in 1967, and became a licensed real estate broker in 1972. That same year, he opened his own business, Canonico Real Estate, on 1010 Summit Avenue in Union City, New Jersey. As an innovative real estate broker, he became the President of the Hudson County Multiple Listing Service in 1979. He was President of the Hudson County Board of Realtors in 1984, when he was recognized as Realtor of the Year. In 1984, Mr. Canonico also served on the Committee to Make America Better, and was recognized again as Realtor of the Year in 1996. In 1977, Mrs. Canonico became the first Latina licensed real estate broker in Hudson County. She was recognized in the Million Dollars Sales Club from 1996 through 2000. Both Francisco and Hortensia Canonico have been avid fund-raisers for the American Cancer Society and Lung Association. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating husband and wife, Francisco and Hortensia Canonico, for their positive contributions to Hudson County as successful real estate brokers and innovative entrepreneurs.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and acknowledge the many accomplishments of my good friend, Brian C. Doherty, whose life was commemorated and celebrated on Thursday, January 24, at the Boys and Girls Club of Hudson County's annual dinner at the Liberty House Restaurant in Jersey City, New Jersey. It was fitting and appropriate that the Boys and Girls Club's gymnasium was named in recognition of Mr. Doherty's commitment to the youth of Jersey City. Mr. Doherty was the sole sponsor of the Boys and Girls Club's Competitive Basketball Program from its inception in 1987 until 1998. He also strongly supported St. Anthony's High School Basketball program in Jersey City; the Jersey City Recreation Basketball Tournaments; and his own Men's League basketball team in the Jersey Shore Basketball League in Belmar, New Jersey. Thanks to the guidance of Mr. Doherty, many of the participants of these programs went on to play professional basketball. A veteran of the National Guard, he was Executive Secretary to Mayor Paul T. Jordan of Jersey City from 1975 until 1977. In 1995, he became partner of the law firm of Schumann, Hanlon, Doherty, McCrossin, and Paolino. Mr. Doherty, an active member of the American Bar Association and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, graduated from the New School for Social Research in Manhattan, New York, and earned his law degree from Seton Hall University Law School in 1977. Mr. Doherty was a dedicated husband to Rosemary T. McFadden and cherished son of Bernice and Eugene Doherty. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Brian C. Doherty for his generosity, kind spirit, and work on behalf of the community. I am very proud to have called Brian my friend. He was a true gentleman, who touched many lives, and will be greatly missed by all those who knew him, including myself.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and acknowledge the many accomplishments of Dennis P. Collins, who will be recognized Friday, January 25th, at Ireland's 32nd annual dinner dance to be held at the Hi-Hat Club in Bayonne, New Jersey. Before becoming an elected official, Mr. Collins served in the United States Army; worked for the Tidewater Oil Company; the Edward F. Clarke Real Estate and Insurance Agency; and the Bayonne Water-Sewer Utility. He is a former Assistant Secretary Director of the New Jersey Real Estate Commission. In 1962, Mr. Collins was elected to his first of three terms on the Municipal Council, two of which he served as Council President. He succeeded the late Mayor Francis G. Fitzpatrick in 1974 and served four terms as Mayor. He is the first individual to serve seven four-year consecutive terms in elective office and four consecutive four-year terms as Mayor in the history of Bayonne's municipal government. Former Mayor Collins served as an aide to former Governor Tom Kean, United States Representative Dominic Daniels, Frank Guarini, and also served on my staff as a friend and trusted advisor. Since 1988, he served as an aide to Mayor Joseph V. Doria Jr. He has remained a part of Bayonne's public life for more than forty years. Dennis Collins and the former Mary Bray celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on October 19, 2001; they have three lovely children as well as three wonderful grandchildren. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Dennis P. Collins for his friendship, dedication, and enormous contributions on behalf of the residents of New Jersey.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and acknowledge the many accomplishments of Agnes M. Gillespie, who was recognized by the Richard A. Rutkowski Association on Saturday, January 19, 2002. The gala event took place at Hi-Hat Caterers in Bayonne, NJ. In 1973, Agnes M. Gillespie began her career as an elementary school teacher in the Horace Mann and Walter F. Robinson Schools. In September 1987, she assumed the position of grant writer for the Bayonne Public School System. As a grant writer, she secured awards for Safe Haven, Project Fare, Project Rite, and Project Self-Sufficient. Not only did she write and promote the applications for grant programs, but Gillespie also served as the director and coordinator in the administration and implementation of many of these programs. Currently, Gillespie is the Director of Safe Haven, the New Jersey school- based Youth Services Program, and the Teen Center. Gillespie has actively participated in various community service- related activities; including: President of the Bayonne Child Abuse Council; member of the Bayonne Mayor's Council on Drugs and Alcohol; Bayonne Planning Board; Bayonne Municipal Alliance; Bayonne Hospital Foundation-Management Services Organization; Parish Council; City of Bayonne WTC Memorial Committee; Ireland's 32 Board of Trustees; Bayonne Municipal Election Candidate in 1994; and Chairperson-Holy Family Academy ``Phon-a-thon'' in 1992. She attended Caldwell College, Kean College, New Jersey City University, and Harvard Graduate School of Education. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Agnes M. Gillespie for 30 years of dedicated service on behalf of children and young adults in Bayonne, NJ.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and acknowledge the many accomplishments of Bishop Donald Hilliard, Jr., Senior Pastor of the Historic Second Baptist Church in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. He will be honored for his 25 years in the ministry on Friday, January 25, 2002, at the Hyatt Hotel in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Under his innovative leadership, Second Baptist Church's congregation blossomed from 125 to over 4,500 members. This fast-growing ministry has expanded to three locations of worship: the Cathedral Second Baptist Church, Perth Amboy, New Jersey; the Cathedral Assembly by the Shore in Asbury Park, New Jersey; and the Cathedral in the Fields in Plainfield, New Jersey. Over fifty churches are currently ministering to the unique needs of these communities, as well as to the congregants who travel from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York to attend services. Dr. Hilliard is the founder and CEO of the Cathedral Community Development Corporation (CCDC). This organization services the community through it's Joy in the City Child Development Center and The Timothy House, a resource for men recovering from situations of homelessness and/or addiction. The Corporation functions out of the Cathedral Community Cornerstone Complex, which, through its new Kaleidoscope Economic Empowerment and Human Development Complex, offers economic empowerment opportunities, a rehabilitation room to serve prostitutes and HIV positive individuals, and will house an outreach center for the homeless. Bishop Hilliard holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Eastern College, St. Davids, Pennsylvania, a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Doctorate of Ministry degree from the United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio, as a Dr. Samuel D. Proctor Fellow. Dr. Hilliard is married to Minister Phyllis Thompson Hilliard, and is the proud father of three daughters, Leah Joy Alease, Charisma Joy Denise and Destiny Joy Thema. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Bishop Donald Hilliard, Jr., on his 25th anniversary in the ministry and for his many contributions on behalf of the residents of New Jersey.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and acknowledge the many accomplishments of Ken ``Ray'' Smith, who was recognized by the Richard A. Rutkowski Association at a gala on Saturday, January 19, 2002. The event took place at Hi-Hat Caterers in Bayonne, New Jersey. After spending three years as a Guided Missile Technician in the United States Army, Mr. Smith was in charge of negotiations, administration and investment of funds as union Secretary-Treasurer for Dorchester, Inc. For the past eleven years, he has worked for the Bayonne Board of Education and the Bayonne Department of Parks and Recreation. He was also president of the School Employee's Local 2251 for four years. As the founder and leader of Bayonne Friends of the Handicapped, Smith worked on behalf of disabled people and was honored with the prestigious Al Slootsky Award. He made meaningful contributions through a variety of organizations known for their services to the community, including the Bayonne Elks Club; Ireland's 32; The Bayonne Writer's Club; and the Richard A. Rutkowski Association. A Bayonne native, Ken ``Ray'' Smith graduated from Horace Man High School, and attended New Jersey City University. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Ken ``Ray'' Smith for his countless contributions on behalf of our community and disabled individuals throughout our country.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Deputy Chief of Police Patrick M. Minutillo on his retirement from the Harrison Police Department after 29 years of serving and protecting the public. He will be recognized Friday, January 25, at a celebration at Ravello's Restaurant in East Hanover, New Jersey. After serving four year with the United States Navy, Deputy Chief Patrick Minutillo began his law enforcement career. He climbed quickly through the ranks become Deputy Chief of the Harrison Police Department in 1997. Currently, Deputy Chief Minutillo volunteers as an instructor in the West Point Command and Leadership Program, and serves as an Adjunct Professor at the Public Administration Institute of Fairleigh Dickinson University. An Administrative Hearing Officer, he also serves on both county and municipal levels in the State of New Jersey. Deputy Chief Minutillo is active in numerous organizations, including the International Association of Chiefs' of Police; the Deputy Chiefs' of Police Association of New Jersey, where he served as President in 2000 and 2001; the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association; the Italian American Police Society of New Jersey, where he serves as Executive Secretary; the International Police Association, where he holds the position of Vice-President; the American Society of Industrial Security, where he serves on the Law Enforcement Awards Committees; and the Harrison Police Association, Local 22. Deputy Chief Minutillo holds a certificate in Public Management, Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, and a Masters Degree in Administrative Science. He is a graduate of numerous executive level law enforcement programs, including the West Point Command and Leadership Program and the F.B.I. Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar. In addition to his studies, he has completed over 2000 hours of advanced management and operational training. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Deputy Chief of Police Patrick M. Minutillo for 29 years of outstanding and dedicated service to the citizens of Harrison, New Jersey.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Bayonne Fire Director Patrick Boyle, who will be recognized by Ireland's 32 Club at the 2002 annual dinner dance held on Friday, January 25th, at the Hi- Hat Club in Bayonne, NJ. Fire Director Patrick Boyle served our country for six years as a United States Navy nuclear reactor operator on the USS Nathaniel Greene, a nuclear ballistic submarine. In 1978, Mr. Boyle was appointed to the Bayonne Fire Department. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1989, Captain in 1996, and Battalion Chief in 1999. Mayor Joseph V. Doria, Jr., appointed him Fire Director in 1998, and Emergency Management Coordinator in 1999. Mr. Boyle has served as President and Vice- President of the Firemen's Mutual Benevolent Association (FMBA) Local 211, as well as Vice-President of FMBA Local 11. He is an Adjunct Professor in Business Law and Fire Science at New Jersey City University. Mr. Boyle is a former Little League coach and manager; served two terms as President of the Bayonne Youth Hockey Association; served as a member of the Bayonne St. Patrick's Day parade committee; and is a member of Ireland's 32. Fire Director Patrick Boyle, a native of Bayonne, graduated from New Jersey City University and Seton Hall Law School. Mr. Boyle is happily married to the former Marie Mazzucola and is a proud father of two sons, Sean, a firefighter with the Bayonne Fire Department, and Ryan, a college student. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mr. Patrick Boyle for over 20 years of dedicated service on behalf of the residents of Bayonne, NJ.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. I am happy to yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin.

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his answers, and I simply hope that on the stimulus package we can certainly respond to the growing unemployment needs of working men and women who have suffered as a result of September 11. As we seek to finalize that work, hopefully we can also give them hope as we approach the holiday season.

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I take this time to inquire about next week's schedule. I am pleased to yield to the distinguished majority leader.

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman. I have two further questions. The broadband Tauzin-Dingell bill is not on the schedule. Does that mean it is not going to happen in this year?

Mr. MENENDEZ. March of next year. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I see that the gentleman is saying that we hope to end on Thursday. Can Members expect to be done for the year on Thursday?

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, am I to understand from the gentleman's statement that Members should expect the stimulus bill on the floor Tuesday after the votes at 6:30?

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I offer a motion to recommit.

Mr. MENENDEZ. I am, Mr. Speaker, in its present form.

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, there is one principle alone that should be guiding our debate on this election reform, and that is every American has a full and equal opportunity to vote. It is a simple but extraordinarily important proposition, because it forms the justification of and expression for our democracy. Any undermining of that principle, even the perception of undermining, can do great damage to us. One person, one vote. We all know the questions about our system that the last Federal election left with our citizens. We must never allow a repeat of that. The Ney-Hoyer bill is a good step in that direction. Most importantly, their bill commits the resources we need to replace outdated voting systems. However, the bill turns a standard we passed in the Motor Voter Act on its head. The Motor Voter Act says that before someone is removed from the voting rolls, they must be given written notice, and then have two elections to correct the removal at the ballot place before the removal is finalized. The Motor Voter Act stands for the principle that before you take away someone's right to vote, you give them a chance to prove they are still legally voting in the correct place. The bill as written, however, says if you fail to vote in two elections, you can be purged from the rolls. In other words, if you do not vote, you can lose the right to vote. Our motion simply states that the rules of the Motor Voter Law should continue to govern. Given the number of false purges we saw in the last election, it is critical that the right to provisional voting is guaranteed. There should be no need for alternatives. If an improperly purged voter is turned away on election day, that error is irreversible. For disabled voters, the bill requires that States provide a ``practical and effective'' means to vote. Keeping in mind the guiding principle of equal and full access, we believe ``separate but equal'' is not good enough for disabled voters. With our technology and ingenuity, there is no reason why we cannot create uniform systems that can accommodate almost all of our disabled and non-disabled voters, and our amendment allows 4 years to make the necessary changes. The bottom line is that currently 14 million disabled voters cannot cast a secret ballot, and there is no excuse for this. The bill does not guarantee that this will change. Our motion does. For voters with different native languages, the Ney-Hoyer bill relies on current law. We simply give that standard to any other group of Americans so situated. These are Federal elections, and we have a responsibility to ensure that a voting procedure in Florida is subject to the same minimum standards as a voting procedure in New Jersey. That is why our amendment gives the Attorney General the direct responsibility for certifying that States are in compliance with the minimum standards in this bill, without an intermediary. It is that important. How many of us would be satisfied with the counsel of patience and delay if it were our right to vote that was being compromised? Very few of us, I think. When it comes to the right to vote, there is no margin for error. Every vote must be ensured, counted and protected equally. But in all of these ways, our motion eliminates the margin for error and makes it better. So I certainly urge my colleagues to support the motion. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the distinguished gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), the Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of the time to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro).

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the rule because of my belief in one of our core principles, which is ``one person, one vote.'' And it is that simple, but grand, principle we are here to protect. And to limit the debate on election reform which is the foundation of the democracy for which we risk the lives of our young men and women abroad with a closed rule is outrageous. That is why the debate here today goes to the very heart of this institution, the very heart of our democracy, the very heart of our Nation, because we have a solemn responsibility to ensure that every American is given a full and equal access to vote. The bill before us takes a good step in that direction; but I believe it should go further, and that is why I introduced an amendment at the Committee on Rules with the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) and others to clarify and expand the bill's provisions on full access for disabled voters, civil rights protections, multilingual ballots and materials, Federal enforcement of standards, guarantees for provisional voting and preservation of the Motor Voter Act. Mr. Speaker, 14 million disabled voters cannot vote in secret. At the beginning of the 21st century, that is an outrage. The bill does not guarantee that that will change; my amendment would.