Bob Menendez

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the design of the Puerto Rican flag, a symbol which represents the enormous contribution the citizens of the island have made to our Nation. The flag's anniversary will be honored by the city of Hoboken and the Puerto Rican Week Committee at City Hall in Hoboken on July 13, 1996. The flag was completed in New York City at Chimney Corner Hall in Manhattan on December 22, 1895. The flag of Puerto Rico has a rich history. Dr. Julio J. Henna, led a group of 59 Puerto Ricans who organized the Puerto Rican section of the Cuban Revolutionary Party. As part of their activities, a flag was created to rally support for independence from Spain. The Puerto Rican flag was designed by inverting the colors of the single starred flag of its neighbor in the Caribbean, Cuba. The first known incarnation of the symbol was made by Manuela ``Mima'' Besosa, the Puerto Rican Betsy Ross. The motion to adopt the flag was approved unanimously by the Puerto Rican revolutionaries. For 100 years, the Puerto Rican flag has symbolized a proud people. It has served as a symbol of Puerto Rico's cultural tradition and heritage. Puerto Ricans are proud of their many contributions to the United States and they are proud of the unique identity their flag represents. Puerto Rico has been referred to as the ``Shining Star of the Caribbean.'' Her citizens residing in Hoboken are shining stars in their community. It is an honor to recognize the banner of a group of constituents I am proud to represent. I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring the 100th anniversary of the creation of Puerto Rican flag.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my outrage with yesterday's Washington Post editorial entitled ``Cuba--The Poisonous title III'' that refers to United States citizens as the ``Miami Cubans.'' I have never seen the Post refer to New York Jews or the Boston Irish or the Chicago Polish community. No, this second class citizenship status by the Washington Post is preserved just for the Miami Cubans. As an American of Cuban descent, not from Miami, I think it is despicable. Finally, title III of the Helms-Burton legislation is that part of the bill that stands up for U.S. citizens. Let us review the facts. The property of American citizens and businesses were illegally confiscated between 1959 and 1960. Those businesses were never compensated by the Cuban regime for their losses. Title III does not prohibit investment by any nation in Cuba unless they do it in the stolen property of American citizens and companies. So there we have it. If you do not knowingly and intentionally invest in stolen property, you have no reason to be concerned about this bill. I hope the Post gets its facts straight. It owes an apology to the Americans of Cuban descent.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. (Mr. MENENDEZ asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the amendment of the gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Oberstar]. It promotes safety. It does so by shifting only about 2.5 percent of the IG's budget to a side of the budget that clearly, both in the ValuJet hearings and at other times, have been raised as a real concern, which is the training of safety inspectors and what that means to the traveling public. Mr. Chairman, I think that he is right on point in that regard, and I associate myself with his remarks and those of the gentleman from Illinois, [Mr. Lipinski] the ranking member of the subcommittee on aviation. But I think having heard some of the comments, it is often a good trial tactic to raise questions about chilling effects, and anybody's budget who is cut or somehow altered can claim that they are going to have a chilling effect. It was interesting to me to hear the IG come before the committee and in her comments say, ``Well, I hear that I am here because Members want to get a piece of my hide,'' and in doing that, it is sort of like chilling the members of the committee not to raise certain questions or, in this case, chilling the members of this body not to consider a serious and well-though-out amendment. During the hearings on safety issues raised by the ValuJet accident, and I am sure that the body is aware of the allegations made by the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation, this individual stated that the Everglades crash was preventable and that the DOT IG office had made six reports which pointed out the problems. The testimony to me sounded heroic and prophetic. But under scrutiny it was merely the verbal tricks of a false profit. Under questioning from me and others, I asked the IG if she had ever raised these questions with Secretary Pena or Administrator Hinson. The answer was no. No. Would any Member of this body in possession of information that would have prevented an airplane crash hesitate to raise this issue and call for a meeting? There were no meetings because there were no unheeded predictions. The notoriety of the IG is based on vague generalizations that could have applied to any accident. It is an old trick to boldly assert the vague and then take credit for special insight when anything remotely related occurs. If that was not bad enough, the DOT IG then relied on the tactics of the witch hunter by making vague references of criminal investigations and by innuendo casting a false light on Secretary Pena and the FAA. This IG then demonstrated, I think, the most blatant attempt for Congress by refusing to elaborate because of the pendency of an alleged criminal investigation. Well, let us talk about the facts. The fact is that Inspector Generals are not empowered to make criminal investigations. They have no independent criminal prosecutorial authority. They can make recommendations when the have evidence of waste, fraud or abuse, just like any other citizen can, but they have no special privilege to refuse to answer congressional inquiries. Fact. Subsequently, the Assistant IG for Investigations of the DOT issued a clarification that ``The Secretary is not and has not been a subject of the investigation.'' I think that the carnival atmosphere that we saw in the committee and this whole way the person who we believe should be the voice of investigating has created around the ValuJet has a downside. Given the pendency of litigation related to the grounding, I think the injudicious remarks of the DOT IG may have totally compromised and prejudiced the case, hardly the result a true investigator or a guardian of the public's safety and want. I believe the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure should compel the IG's testimony that she refused to give us. She has made a lot of broad statements. I think we should see the specifics. But until such time as the committee acts to get answers, I believe the Oberstar amendment is totally appropriate by providing the resources to airline safety inspector training that clearly was identified as one of the major issues, whether it be ValuJet or a problem of the FAA in general. And that is the essence of his amendment and, in fact, we should proceed forward with it.

Mr. MENENDEZ. I yield to the gentleman from Georgia.

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, it certainly appeared, although the National Transportation Safety Board has not given a final answer, it certainly appeared from the testimony that was elicited this was not a question per se, on this specific incident, of the question of the safety issues but rather a question of the canisters put on board. Mr. Chairman, I think we should be supporting the Oberstar amendment.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, this debate is not just about human rights in China, it is also about jobs in America and the conditions under which the United States does business with the undemocratic nations of the world. After a decade of engagement with China, what do we have to show for it?--forced abortions, human rights violations, flouting of our intellectual property rights, violation of nuclear nonproliferation accords * * * the list goes on and on. MFN is about trade and jobs. Whose jobs? Over one-third of China's exports are sold in the United States, but only 2 percent of United States exports are sold in China. Our trade deficit is now at $34 billion. Why? Because China does not reciprocate the trade benefits we grant to them with MFN. It continues to issue high tariffs and nontariff barriers, and insists on production and technology transfer-- all of which hurt American jobs. There are only four tools of peaceful diplomacy available to us: providing U.S. aid, opening U.S. trade, international opinion, and denying U.S. aid and trade. We have tried the first three, and yet, China is resilient to change. The time has come to do the right thing. The only thing this regime understands is power. We have great power-- the power of the American purse. I urge my colleagues to disapprove MFN for China. Let's send a clear and unmistakable message to the Chinese leadership--the United States will not stand for discriminatory and predatory trading practices. We will not stand for violations of international agreements. Most important, we will not stand idly by while people are exploited. We will stand up for human rights, freedom, and democracy.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Walter Mercado, an icon of the Nation's Latino community. For 26 years, Mr. Mercado has worked tirelessly and selflessly to bring his message of peace, hope, and love to millions of his followers throughout the world and to the Latino community, in particular. I am pleased to note that he will visit my hometown, Union City, on June 21, 1996. Walter Mercado was born in Puerto Rico. During his youth, he had a great yearning for knowledge. He immersed himself in the arts, studying Spanish dance, ballet, painting, voice, recitation, oratory, music, and acting. Later he came to New York to study under the legendary acting teacher Sanford Meisner. He went on to become one of Puerto Rico's most celebrated and distinguished actors. After pursuing his studies, Mr. Mercado decided to devote himself to helping others. He made extensive trips throughout the world. Through his top-rated television show on Univision, numerous books and public appearances, Mr. Mercado has raised the quality of millions of lives with entertaining, helpful advice on matters of health, family, love, and finance. In addition, he has been involved in numerous charities because of his concern for the well-being of the community and the world. Mr. Mercado has given special attention to the betterment of children's lives everywhere. Mr. Mercado combines a flamboyant, outgoing nature with a genuine concern for people. He is not afraid to be outlandish, but he is also sensitive enough to care about his audience. Perhaps, he is so popular, because his audience knows that behind the showmanship is an entertainer with a heart of gold. It is an honor to have such an outstanding and considerate individual visit my district. Walter Mercado demonstrates the positive influence one person can have on the lives of many. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognition of Walter Mercado, a remarkable man.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker I rise today to honor the Cathedral-Second Baptist Church and its work in rebuilding the historic New Jersey city of Perth Amboy. The cathedral's latest contribution to Perth Amboy is the opening of the Donald Hilliard, Jr., Community Affairs Complex. It will open on June 22, 1996. The Cathedral-Second Baptist Church has a long, proud history of service. Founded in Perth Amboy in 1892, it has provided the residents of the city with a place to congregate and celebrate for over 100 years. Its membership has increased from 125 to over 4,000, and it now offers spiritual, moral, and emotional support in 9 different neighborhoods. The Cathedral-Second Baptist Church provides a number of services, including education through its Cathedral Preparatory Academy, aid to the homeless through its many soup kitchens, and opportunities for community growth through its multimillion dollar Cathedral Community Development Corp. The cathedral and its members continuously display a rich faith, a strong sense of community, and remarkable altruism. The Rev. Doctor Donald Hilliard, Jr. exemplifies the cathedral's commitment toward building a better community. An esteemed scholar and lecturer, he serves as the senior pastor of the Cathedral-Second Baptist Church. Under his leadership, the church has increased its budget from $73,000 to $3 million and has become one of the fastest growing churches in New Jersey. His Vision 2000 plan provides a food pantry, soup kitchen, and clothing distribution center for the underprivileged in Perth Amboy. The latest contribution of the Cathedral-Second Baptist Church to the community is the Donald Hilliard, Jr., Community Affairs Complex. The facility includes a senior citizens hall, library, computer center, conference rooms, administrative and executive offices, and three retail stores. It promises to be a wonderful addition to the area. This new 38,000 sq. ft. edifice is a testament to the ongoing goodwill of the Cathedral-Second Baptist Church and the deep faith and charity of its members. I am proud to have such a devoted organization in my district and ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing its achievements.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a group of New Jersey students for their participation in the 47th International Science and Engineering Fair [ISEF], held recently in Tucson, AZ. I want to particularly note the accomplishments of two Jersey City students, Archna and Vandna Prasad, both juniors at Academic High School in Jersey City. The twin Prasad sisters were honored at the fair for their scientific research projects. Archna's research project focused on crustacean and mollusk shell purification systems, which are a natural solution to heavy metal contamination in water. For her efforts, she won a 4-year scholarship to the University of Arizona and three third-place awards. Vandna's research project was centered on the removal of trichlorethylene. For her efforts, Vandna took third-place in the engineering category and a $1,000 award. I am proud to have such brilliant, dedicated, and hard working students in my district. As a Nation we must be prepared to compete scientifically in the 21st century. With students like Archna and Vandna, I know our country is in good hands for the future. These accomplishments are even more noteworthy because these students were among more than 1,071 participants who presented 989 projects. The participants came from all over the United States and from 40 countries around the world. I also want to commend the Jersey Journal for enthusiastically sponsoring the Hudson County Science Fair. The fair has become an important showcase for our young scientific achievers. Sponsoring a local event, and sending champions to the national competition demonstrates the Journal's strong ties to the Hudson County community, and I want to thank them for their commitment. Archna and Vandna have spent many hours working on these projects, and they are a credit to New Jersey and our Nation. I salute them today and wish them much luck in their future endeavors.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Academic High School. Academic has consistently been ranked one of the best public schools in the State, and has been ranked one of New Jersey's top 21 best high schools by New Jersey Monthly. At a time when some question the mission of our public school system, Academic High School is an example of what can be done with dedication and commitment to an ideal. Public schools can excel and anyone who doubts this need only take a tour of Academic High School. Academic High School was established in 1976 as a college preparatory school for highly motivated students. Academic serves an ethnically and racially diverse population. Prospective students must undergo a highly selective screening process. This process is based on the student's elementary school performance, standardized tests, recommendations, attendance, and participation in extracurricular activities. With a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1, every student's individual academic needs can be addressed. The faculty shows a great deal of dedication to their work. This is exemplified by the fact that 51.9 percent of the teachers hold master's degrees--well above the State average. The students of Academic High School have consistently distinguished themselves at the Hudson County Science Fair. Academic students have won trips to the International Science Fair on a regular basis. Academic students have distinguished themselves by qualifying as National Merit semifinalists, as well as attending the Governor's Schools and the St. Peter's College Summer Scholars Program. Students also have received the New York Times' Young Citizen Award and placed first in the Kiwanis-Key Club essay contest. With achievements such as these, it is not surprising that 96.9 percent of the graduates go on to attend 4-year colleges, including the most competitive colleges, such as Harvard, Yale, MIT, and Cornell. Despite the challenges inherent in providing quality, urban public education, Academic High School demonstrates that it can be done. Providing a quality public education takes dedicated teachers, parents, and students working together to build a community school. I want to particularly note the work of School Principal Robert J. Roggenstein, who has worked many long hours to fulfill the school's mission. I am proud to have a school in my district that serves as a model for other urban schools. I ask that my colleagues rise and join me in honoring this outstanding school.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Manuel and Maria Marin, a classic American success story. Mr. and Mrs. Marin will be honored at a reception this Saturday at the Sheraton Meadowlands in East Rutherford, NJ. America is a land of immigrants, and this family exemplifies the immigrant success story. Manuel and Maria arrived in the United States with only the clothes on their backs and a few personal possessions in May 1980. They were searching for a better way of life and an escape from the Communist dictatorship of Cuba. Despite their bad fortune, the Marins dedicated themselves to creating a new life in their adopted homeland. Through their sweat and determination, they were able to scrape up enough funds to open up a grocery store in West New York, NJ, in 1986. In 10 short years, the Marins' one grocery store has blossomed into a chain of supermarkets throughout New Jersey and Florida. Their success has made them role models for the Hispanic community and the community at large. Manuel's and Maria's fine character is not only evident in their business success, but also in their devotion to their family and community. In addition to raising two children, Yanina and Yaddiel, the Marins have worked to reunite their family by bringing members over from Cuba. Manuel is very active in the Latin American Kiwanis Club and participates in their many charitable activities. He also provides financial support to other businessmen through Banco Uno, which he founded. I am very grateful for the Marin family's contributions to the Hispanic community, New Jersey, and our Nation. Their success is proof that, indeed, we are a land of great opportunity for all those willing to seize it. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring this great family.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the City of Hoboken, the birthplace of our national pastime. On June 19, 1996, the City of Hoboken as well as the entire Nation will celebrate the 150th anniversary of baseball. On this day of joyous celebration, the city will conduct a variety of activities, including a parade and awards dinner to commemorate the origins of baseball. The game of baseball was born on June 19, 1846, on the Elysian Fields in Hoboken. On that day, the Knickerbockers squared off against the New York Nine and the Knickerbockers lost the game 23 to 1. The first newspaper account of a baseball game was actually written the previous year when other participants gathered in Hoboken on the same field to play an intramural variation of the game. The official birthday of the sport is considered to be in 1846, however, baseball was played in different forms in Hoboken prior to that date. Alexander Joy Cartwright, Jr. of Hoboken, has been recognized by many as one of the initial inventors of the rules of baseball. Thus, the tradition of baseball was established on the banks of the Hudson River in Hoboken, NJ. Organized baseball has been played in Hoboken ever since that very first game. Citizens of Hoboken have long contributed to the rich tradition of the sport of baseball by lending their support to the game in a variety of fashions. The youth of Hoboken have enjoyed the opportunities that the public parks and fields have provided for their recreational uses. From the success of Hoboken's Little League program to the well-documented achievements of its high school teams, baseball has since been an essential part of the city's culture. Moreover, many of our modern day heroes all share a piece of the tradition that was established on the Elysian Fields in Hoboken. It is with great pleasure and admiration that I honor the City of Hoboken and its great people.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, for the purposes of the Chair as well as the staff here, I do not intend to take the hour. That is the good news. It should take only about 15 minutes, but they are important minutes. Mr. Speaker, I rise not to speak about the weighty matters of state that we often get up here and speak about but a little bit about history. Tomorrow, Mr. Speaker, in Hoboken, NJ, which is in my congressional district, the city of Hoboken and its mayor, Anthony Russo, will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first officially recorded game of baseball. Yes, I am talking about baseball, the national pastime. On June 19, 1846, the first officially recorded baseball game was played on the Elysian Fields in Hoboken, NJ. Yes, Cooperstown, NY, has the National Baseball Hall of Fame, but history clearly makes Hoboken the birthplace of modern baseball. Through the courtesy of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and Frank Borsky of the Hoboken Development Agency, who compiled much of this information in 1976, I would like to highlight this memorable occasion by reading from various accounts of this immortal game. The game pitted the New York Nine against the Knickerbockers. The Knickerbockers were the most renowned club of that time. The crowded urban conditions in Manhattan forced the clubs to take the ferry across the Hudson to play in Hoboken, then a well-to-do resort. The scene was described by Seymour Church. He said: ``A walk of about a mile and a half from the ferry up the Jersey shore of the Hudson River, along a road that skirted the river bank on one side and was hugged by trees and thickets on the other, brought one suddenly to an opening in the `forest primeval.' This open spot was a level grass covered plain, some 200 yards across, and as deep--surrounded on three sides by the typical eastern undergrowth and woods, and on the east by the Hudson. It was a perfect greensward for almost the year around.'' The umpire was an American civil engineer named Alexander Cartwright, who many historians say invented baseball contrary to the proponents of Abner Doubleday and for good reason. Under Cartwright's direction, the baseball diamond was laid out. Cartwright's ordering of the game has not appreciably changed in the past 150 years. Prior to this game, there was a casual placement of bases, but not on the Cartwright's plans. Players were stationed at each base with only three outfielders, instead of the random hordes which had previously manned the baselines and the outfield. There were 9 men instead of 11 on a side. Cartwright recognized that most hits were between second and third base, so he placed the player in a new position called a shortstop. Teams batted in regular order with three outs in order to exchange sides batting. This is in contrast with cricket in which a side continues at bat until the entire team was out. Finally outs were made by throwing to bases instead of trying to hit the player with the ball. Here are some of the rules that governed the first game in Hoboken: In section 1 of these rules that were written out, it said the bases shall go from home to second 42 paces, from first to third, 42 paces equidistant. The ball must be pitched, underhand, and not thrown, freehand, for the bat. A ball knocked outside the range of first or third is foul. Three balls being struck at and missed and the last one caught in a hand is out; and if not caught, is considered fair. And the striker is bound to run. A player running the bases shall be out if the ball is in the hands of an adversary and the runner touched by it before he makes his base, it being understood, however, that in no instance, is the ball to be thrown at him. These are just some of the rules, but what is interesting is that Cartwright laid out the game as we know it today, and he did so in Hoboken, NJ. The pitcher stood 45 feet from the batter. The catcher stood back far enough to take the ball on a bounce. The umpire stood between the plate and the catcher but to the right and out of the way of the ball. The ball itself was 10 inches in circumference, weighing 6 ounces and had a rubber center. In September 1845, a group of Cartwright's social acquaintances established a club called the Knickerbockers, the first organized baseball club. The challenge was issued to the New York Nine. At stake was a banquet at McCarty's Hotel near the Elysian Fields of Hoboken. Overconfident, the Knickerbockers did not practice and the team's best player, Cartwright himself, volunteered to umpire. As a matter of fact, baseball's first fine for ``cussing'' was levied by Cartwright for 6 cents against a New York Nine player named Davis. Despite crafting the rules, the Knickerbockers could not match the Nine pitcher with cricket experience who whipped pitches past the Knick batters. Although it was a perfect day, the Knickerbockers took a drubbing. While beating the New York Nine in their fashion with their uniforms of blue pantaloons and white flannel shirts, mohair caps, and patent leather belts, the Knickerbockers failed to win the game, losing by a score of 23 to 1. The final result of that game came in the box score, which was subsequently published and is in the New York Public Library. One hundred years later, the city of Hoboken celebrated the centennial with a bronze marker erected by the New Jersey Commission on Historic Sites. It reads: On June 19, 1846, the first match game of baseball was played here on the Elysian Fields between the Knickerbockers and the New Yorks. It is generally conceded that until this time the game was not seriously regarded. That is the quote on the marker. That game is seriously regarded today. The people of Hoboken are still proud that America's national pastime was played there, and the people of Hoboken still love the game and will cherish this anniversary, the 150th anniversary, by parades and award dinners that will be held tomorrow evening. Now, Mr. Speaker, why do I come to the floor of the House to talk about an issue like this? This is more than just hometown pride. This is about a stake in history and about a game that is as American as apple pie, a game that brings families together whether at the stadium, around the TV set, or on the Little League field. It is about dreams, realized; some, broken. It is about a sense of community as cities from coast to coast cheer on their hometown boys. It is about tradition, a great American tradition, for no matter where in the world baseball is played, we know that it was made here in the United States. I am proud to proclaim Hoboken, NJ, a city with a great tradition. A great city in the 13th Congressional District is the birthplace of baseball.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to Sgt. Charles Kohrherr, a courageous individual who has served the Nation in time of war and whose bravery has helped protect Union City from crime for many years. His selfless dedication to public service has made him a model of excellence in law enforcement and an ambassador of goodwill throughout the community. In 1967, Sgt. Kohrherr began his career enlisting in the U.S. Army. From 1968 to 1969, he was assigned to the 1st Aviation Brigade, 61st Helicopter Company, while serving in Vietnam. Before being honorably discharged from the Army in 1970, he amassed an outstanding service record, including 11 air medal awards, the Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, a Unit Citation and the Air Crewman Badge of Courage. Following his military service, he joined the Union City Police Department in 1971. By 1972, he was made a detective and assigned to the Narcotics Unit. Then in 1974, while serving as a narcotics officer, he was shot and his partner was killed while apprehending an escapee from a Florida chain gang. Despite this enormous tragedy, Sgt. Kohrherr found the courage to continue his law enforcement career and to serve with the Narcotics Unit until 1976. After serving several more years in various departmental units such as the Motorcycle Division and Uniform Patrol, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant where he completed his law enforcement career. Sgt. Kohrherr's career exemplifies the true meaning of valor and achievement. For his service as a law enforcement officer, he was awarded the New Jersey State Medal of Honor, the State P.B.A. Valor Award, four meritorious service awards, and the Knights of Columbus Policeman of the Year Award. Aside from being a highly decorated and respected officer, Sgt. Kohrherr has for many years put his life on the line for the protection and safety of others. It is therefore fitting to say that Sgt. Charles Kohrherr is truly one of New Jersey's finest. I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Sgt. Charles Kohrherr, a special individual who has devoted himself to serving his country and community with honor and dignity. I applaud the dedication of such a remarkable man and an exceptional law enforcement official.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to New Jersey's Luso-Americans, who are in the midst of celebrating 2 weeks of festivities honoring their heritage and history. The 2-week celebration in Newark's ``Ironbound'' is one of the largest Portuguese celebrations in the world. This extraordinary event will culminate with the Grande Parade to be held on June 9, 1996. Over 1.5 million Luso-Americans have settled throughout the United States, with an estimated 200,000 Luso-Americans in the Garden State alone. In New Jersey, the largest concentration of Luso-Americans live in the ``Ironbound'' section of Newark. Through the years, they have turned an old neighborhood into a thriving and prosperous commercial and residential center. Their hard work and perseverance can be seen on the streets of Newark, especially Ferry Street, the heart of ``Ironbound.'' Ferry Street is lined with many restaurants offering the delicate cuisine of Portugal. Luso-Americans have turned Ferry Street into a Portuguese city in miniature. The annual Portugal Day festival is a time for Americans of different nationalities to savor and enjoy the rich traditions of Portugal. Visitors from all over the country come to take part in the festivities, some of which are broadcast throughout the globe via satellite through Portugal's national TV, RTPI. Seventeen years ago, Bernardino Coutinho founded the festival and has strived every year to make it a wonderful event. The Bernardino Coutinho Foundation was established on May 22, 1992, to assume responsibility for organizing this 2-week festival. The festival is a part of the foundation's commitment to enhancing the cultural and social development of the community. I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Luso-Americans throughout New Jersey as they celebrate their rich heritage. It is an honor to be representing such a remarkable group of people.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I want to rise in strong opposition to the amendment offered by my good friend, the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Burton]. I know the hour is late and this has been debated, but we are talking about the largest democracy in the world and our relationship with that democracy, and a new government that is being elected there, and what in fact we do has meaning to that new government, and I think the debate is important. Mr. Chairman, every year in the foreign operations authorization bill, Members are presented with the same amendment to punish India, a secular democracy. It is wrong to vote for this amendment this year in particular. India has just completed its 11th general elections. Mr. Chairman, these were fair and free elections in which over 350 million Indian citizens voted and elected a new government. Speakers for this amendment will cite examples of human rights abuses, cold war, dollars to many of previously cold war countries. Well, let me take this opportunity to cite examples of Indian voters who rejected the agenda of separatists at the ballot box in Punjab. In this state, where violence was common in the 1980s and early 1990s, 70 percent of the eligible voters chose to support moderate parties over separatist ones. In Jammu and Kashmir, approximately 40 percent of the eligible voters defied the death threats of armed militants to cast their ballots. In many cases these militants do not even come from Jammu and Kashmir. According to the State Department's ``Global Report on Terrorism for 1995,'' Pakistan was the base for many terrorist groups operating in Kashmir, and Indian authorities have detained Mujahedin from Sudan, Afghanistan and Pakistan. These are the same types of militants who are still holding 4 Western hostages captive, including Donald Hutchings of Spokane, Washington. The same militants who beheaded a Norwegian hostage last August. Why is this amendment to cap assistance to the world's largest democracy being offered? The Government of India has taken positive steps to address concerns raised by the United States in regards to human rights. In October 1993, India established a National Human Rights Commission. According to the 1995 State Department Human Rights Report ``the National Human Rights Commission continues to play a useful role in addressing patterns of abuse, as well as specific abuses, and is consolidating an attitudinal shift toward acknowledgement of human rights problems.'' The Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, special security legislation under which people had been held without charges, was allowed to lapse in May 1995. This amendment tries to inflict punishment on a country that has made significant progress in resolving its human rights problems. Let me remind Members of the violence that exists in parts of India. Separatist militant groups and terrorists caused hundreds of deaths in 1995. These were all politically motivated killings that targeted civilians and community leaders who dared to call for an end to the violence. In Kashmir, terrorist threats have disrupted the judicial system, including the assassination of judges and witnesses. Many of these armed militants support secession from India and try to scuttle any progress towards a political process and dialog. By supporting this amendment, we would only be hurting ties between the United States and India, the world's two largest democracies. The punitive nature of this amendment would only serve to isolate India, diminish the prospects for constructive dialog and add to the misery of the poorest and most desperate people in India. Isolation of India would eradicate the potential for even greater economic and political changes and ties between the United States and India. So let us promote democracy in India, let us continue the progress that we have said as a country it is making in human rights. Let us vote against the Burton amendment.

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Chairman, this amendment will ensure that the 1.5 million victims of the Armenian genocide will not be forgotten. By telling their history and evoking their names we protect them and indeed ourselves from those who would willfully erase from history their lives and the tragic events which occurred between 1915 and 1923. As with the Nazi Holocaust, we have a responsibility to society to recount the history of the Armenian genocide so that we do not forget its victims and so that we remember man's capacity to destroy others who differ in their opinions, race, religion or ethnicity. Genocide is the most egregious crime. It is not a crime of passion or revenge, but rather of hate--its innocent victims are guilty only of being born to a different mother. Since 1923 Turkey has virtually denied the Armenian genocide. There has been no justice and there were no Nuremberg trials for the victims and the families of the Armenian genocide. This amendment is not about cutting aid to Turkey, it is about justice for Turkey's Armenian victims. Ralph Waldo Emerson tells us: The history of persecution is a history of endeavors to cheat nature, to make water run up hill, to twist a rope of sand. The martyr cannot be dishonored. Every lash inflicted is a tongue of fame, every prison a more illustrious abode; every burned book or house enlightens the world; every suppressed or expunged word reverberates through the earth from side to side. Hours of sanity and consideration are always arriving to communities, as to individuals when truth is seen and martyrs are justified. This amendment gives us an opportunity to make the words of Mr. Emerson true. Support the victims and the families of the Armenian genocide and support this amendment.

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. I rise in strong support of the Visclosky amendment. Few of us would disagree with the fact that Turkey is an important ally of the United States. Many of us have said it on both sides of the question. But as a member of the Committee on International Relations, I ask let us look at that in context. Should that fact entitle Turkey to deny the transits of United States aid to the Armenian people? Does it permit Turkey to deny basic human rights to Christians and Kurds within Turkey? And should our relationship allow Turkey to threaten the stability of the region and to delay the long overdue unification of Cyprus, which it invaded and now occupies? I was there this past summer, Mr. Chairman, in Cyprus, and I say this by way of context, that when we say that Turkey is an ally, we have to look at how our allies act in the rest of the world and what are our interests in its totality. And in that respect, here is a country that was invaded and occupied, that is divided. When I crossed the green line which divides the northern part, controlled by the Turkish Government, with the southern part of the rest of the island, it was a very difficult process. And, in fact, we found that Turkish Cypriots, original Turkish Cypriots, do get along with Greek Cypriots, but the Turkish officials who are there and the troops that are there interfere with that reunification. So when we look at all these things, and when we say that Turkey is an ally, we have to look at it in context. Now, opponents of this amendment will emphasize what a great friend Turkey has been to the United States and suggest that any action that we might take might jeopardize that relationship, but I think we have to keep in mind as well, in addition to the total context that United States-Turkish relationship is a mutually beneficial one, and that means that it is strategically important for both countries. And a relationship which rises to the term of ally has to be open to honest and open debate as to what we, in fact, are willing to support when we support an ally. Now, foreign assistance is one of the few tools of peaceful diplomacy that we have. It is not unreasonable for us to demand that Turkey allow the transit of United States aids to Armenia if it wants to continue to receive United States economic support funds. That is the purpose in part of aid; it is, in fact, to produce an inducement as part of your overall foreign policy. Now, we should note that the longer Turkey blockades the passage of aid to Armenia, the longer the people of Armenia will need to depend on United States assistance. And in this era of budget cutting and increasing pressure to limit the foreign assistance budget, we cannot afford not to enact this amendment. The Visclosky amendment carefully curbs aid to Turkey by removing economic support funds from the President's waiver authority for the Humanitarian Corridor Act, but military support funds remain intact. And when we look at the question of where Turkey is moving, we have to look at recently the question of Aliza Marcus, a New Jersey resident who works for Reuters, who was almost jailed simple because she wrote an article they did not care for. Are we willing to support an ally under any conditions? We did that in the past in our history and we paid dearly for it. Day after day and year after year Turkey has continued to actively block the transit of assistance to the people of Armenia at a time when they are struggling to rebuild their economy and establish a democracy. And by forcing Turkey to make a decision about how important that $25 million in economic support funds is to the people of its country, we can send the message that the United States will not stand by and allow Turkey to bully its neighbors, Armenian, Greek, Cypriot, Kurdish or Christian, and continue to receive the blessings of the United States assistance. I urge all of my colleagues, because it is the right policy for the United States, to support the Visclosky amendment.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, it is with a sense of urgency that I introduce the Oil Spill Prevention and Response Improvement Act. On May 10, 1996, a tanker moored in Delaware Bay spilled 10,000 gallons of light grade crude oil. Strong winds pushed the slick toward the beaches of Cape May, NJ, posing a threat to wildlife and migrating waterfowl. The tanker had been anchored 17 miles off the Cape May Shore in an area known as the Big Stone Anchorage. It was involved in a process known as lightering. A tanker lighters by pumping some of its cargo into a smaller barge. This is usually done because there is insufficient depth of water to allow the tanker to safely make passage to secure oil terminals. Transferring oil over open water between two or more vessels is a risky process which greatly increases the possibility of spills or more serious accidents. While the Cape May incident was a relatively minor accident and the environmental impacts were quickly contained, I am greatly troubled about the prospect of an accident in the New York Harbor. Thirty billion gallons of oil of every type are shipped through the Port of New York and New Jersey each year. One billion gallons is lightered from deep water anchorages beyond the Verrazano Narrows. That is 100 times the amount of oil spilled by the Exxon Valdez off the Alaskan coast. These barges are often single hulled and sometimes have no crew or anchor. The situation in the New York Harbor is doubly dangerous because of an institutional failure to dredge. The lightering process is used to reduce the weight of oil tankers and thereby lessen draft to enable these great ships to negotiate the shoaled-in channels and berths of the upper bay and the connecting channels in the Kill Van Kull and the Arthur Kill. It is only the exceptional skill and dedication of the pilots serving the Port of New York and New Jersey that have prevented a catastrophe, but there have been a number of near collisions. To reduce this threat, this legislation requires the Coast Guard to develop requirements for lightering and towing operations. It provides incentives for converting to the use of double hull vessels. The bill will also reduce the economic hardship on the victims of oil-spills, particularly in fishing communities. This bill is a good starting point at improving the Oil Pollution Act and improving the safety of barges that move a commodity that is essential for our economy safely and without harm to the environment.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I have been a supporter of small business but I rise in opposition to H.R. 3448, the Small Business Job Protection Act. While I support the small business provisions of the bill, I strongly object to the Ways and Means Committee not holding hearings on this bill. I was an original cosponsor of the targeted jobs credit extension bill, which has been included in H.R. 3448, but I was disappointed when the Republican leadership chose to not accept a majority of the Ways and Means Committee's vote to strike from the bill a requirement that employer-paid education benefits be limited to undergraduate schooling. H.R. 127, a bill I sponsored, would have extended employer-provided educational assistance for graduate as well as undergraduate tuition. These provisions of the bill will hurt businesses and workers. Thousands of workers will not be able to benefit from employer-provided educational assistance since the Republican leadership chose not to extend tax-free-employer-provided tuition assistance for graduate level education. Most of the tax cuts in this bill result from the elimination of section 936 of the Internal Revenue Code. The procedure leading to the elimination of this section is highly suspect. This is a major change in the Tax Code that will have an overwhelming effect on Puerto Rico. The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico has not been consulted regarding the elimination of section 936. Members have not been given an opportunity to hear about the consequences of this on the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. It is unfair to place the burden of the tax cuts this bill provides on the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, which has no vote in Congress, and to eliminate section 936 without holding hearings on its impact. I do not agree with the precedent that has been set. Members may not realize the adverse consequences of eliminating section 936 without providing a substitute program to stimulate job creation. Eliminating section 936 without any effective substitute will lead to job loss first in Puerto Rico, then in the United States and will finally hurt businesses in America. Without section 936, unemployment and poverty would increase dramatically in Puerto Rico. Where will workers in Puerto Rico look for jobs? Job loss in Puerto Rico means that residents of Puerto Rico may migrate to areas like my congressional district, where the unemployment rate is already above the national average. People of Hispanic descent have strong family ties and in times of adversity their families will reach out to help them. With unemployment rates in my district over 10 percent, a major influx of unemployed workers will exacerbate a problem which is already intolerable. So you can see the unintended consequences of this legislation not only on Puerto Rico but also in New Jersey, New York, and other areas where Puerto Ricans have settled in the United States. Many Puerto Ricans living in the States are economically disadvantaged but their generous nature compels them to try to help those who are at even greater economic peril. This doubly disadvantages the disadvantaged. Finally, it is just bad policy for the Republican leadership to not provide an opportunity to learn about the impact of eliminating section 936 without providing any alternatives. This further disenfranchises the people of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico while imposing an unfair financial burden on them. Whether intentional or not it is invidious that this legislation singles out an individual ethnic group.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to Jose Jose, a remarkable individual who has distinguished himself by his enormous contribution to Latino music and the Hispanic community. He will be honored during a performance at Radio City Music Hall on May 24, 1996. Born in Mexico as Jose Romulo Sosa Ortiz, Jose Jose was destined to become a renowned international celebrity. The son of a tenor for the Mexican National Opera Company, Jose Esquival, and a concert pianist, Margarita Ortiz, Jose Jose's talent and interest in music were influenced by the success of his parents. During the 1950's, Jose Jose's talent began to emerge. He joined the school choir and began performing at local festivals, and important social and sporting events. Upon learning to play the guitar in the early 1960's, he formed a trio along with his cousin and a close friend. Jose Jose's first record received little recognition but he persevered on in his musical career. He began performing at prominent nightclubs like the Tropicana, EL Farolito and Peria Negra, and was soon offered a record deal with RCA Records. Soon after, in 1969, Jose Jose struck it big throughout the Hispanic community with his first hit song, ``La Nave Del Olvido.'' Following the overwhelming success of this single, his career reached heights beyond his dreams. The sudden success catapulted the singer to international stardom. Throughout the 70's and 80's, he toured major cities in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Brazil and Argentina, and made numerous television appearances performing such renowned hits as ``La Nave Del Olvido,'' ``Secretos,'' ``Lagrimas,'' ``40 y 20,'' ``Gavilan O Paloma,'' and ``El Triste.'' Today Jose Jose serves as an example of self-determination and hard work. His voice has touched the lives of so many and will continue to echo throughout the international community for many years to come. It is an honor to have such an outstanding entertainer visit the 13th District and to perform at Radio City Music Hall. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Jose Jose, an entertainer for the ages.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Abercrombie Guild of Christ Hospital for 120 years of service to the residents of Jersey City. A special ceremony to celebrate the guild's accomplishments will be held at the Liberty Science Center on May 23, 1996. Formerly called the ladies' Hospital Guild, the organization we honor today was formed in 1874 by a group of 20 women. They began by making clothing for the sick children in the hospital. As the needs of the hospital changed, so did the guild. In 1887, the daisy ward, a pediatrics ward, was established in the hospital. Since then, the guild has devoted much of its time and efforts to creating a comfortable environment for the children in this ward. Through the years, the guild has strived to make the lives of the patients and the hospital community a little better. The guild was incorporated and named after one of the founders and presidents of Christ Hospital, Rev. Richard Mason Abercrombie. As a corporation, the guild is devoted to securing money and supplies for the hospital with special care given to the children's ward, of which Christ Hospital is particularly proud. The funds donated and bequeathed to the guild greatly benefit these children. The moneys are used to provide the children with the medical attention needed. The Guild also provides a number of other valuable services, including a monthly news letter known as the Daisy and a burial fund that is administered by the burial committee. The burial fund provides a final resting place for impoverished patients who have died in the hospital. In addition, the chapel committee, which provides Holy Communion and other religious services, and the sewing committee, which provides made and mended clothing, are the most commonly known features of the guild. I ask my colleagues to rise and join me in honoring the Abercrombie Guild. The services and help the guild has provided the children and patients of Christ Hospital are truly extraordinary.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a much anticipated rite of spring for the residents of my district, the annual Elizabeth Waterfront Festival. This 3-day cultural celebration will take place May 25 to 27, 1996, along the newly renovated Veterans Memorial Waterfront Park in the city of Elizabeth. This weekend's festivities acknowledge the tremendous contributions of the Hispanic community to the fabric of the lives of the people of Elizabeth. The Elizabeth Waterfront Festival is a showcase for the rich cultural traditions that Hispanics have brought to the city and the Nation. There will be exhibitions including art work, music, and dance to represent the cultural mosaic of Elizabeth. The festival will also include a wide range of Hispanic foods. While the Elizabeth Waterfront Festival celebrates the diversity that exists within the Hispanic community, it also recognizes the role business can play in helping a proud people achieve their true potential. The success of the festival itself is a testament to the impact public-private partnerships can have on a community. In cooperation with the city of Elizabeth, sponsors of the festival include such nationally known companies as Anheuser-Busch, AT&T, Bustelo Coffee, Chivas Regal, and Pepsi Cola. Local sponsors of the festival include the Elizabeth Center at 13A, Twin City Supermarkets, radio stations Mega 97.9 FM and Suave 93.1 FM, Telemundo 47, TKR Cable of Elizabeth, and Noticias del Mundo. This important event is being produced by Melly Mell Productions. The Elizabeth Waterfront Festival is not only an observance of the cultural and economic role played by the Hispanic community in Elizabeth, but also a showcase for all the city has to offer. As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources, I am gratified to know the festival will take place on the waterfront, an underutilized resource. The city of Elizabeth's strategic location on New Jersey's coastline makes it a preferred destination for ships carrying goods from all over the world. It is an honor to have such an exceptional event as the Elizabeth Waterfront Festival take place in my district. I take pride in the fact the Elizabeth Waterfront Festival brings together all segments of our community and at the same time reflects positively on the city of Elizabeth and New Jersey. I am certain my colleagues will rise with me and recognize this remarkable celebration of life.