Denise Majette

Ms. MAJETTE

Ms. MAJETTE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me time and for her leadership. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the conference report on H.R. 1350, and I also rise to thank my colleagues and the leadership on both sides of the aisle, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner), the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller), the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey) and the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle) for their leadership. I would like to thank the staff of the Committee on Education and the Workforce and for their hard work, as well as my staff, especially Dr. Michael Goodman, Ms. Michaeleen Crowell and Mr. Will Thomas. It has been my honor and privilege to serve on the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and I am very pleased to support this conference report, the result of more than 2 years of hard work and one of the first items that came up on the agenda when I became a Member of this august body. I would also like to thank the hardworking Members of the Georgia delegation from the committee, Mr. Norwood, Mr. Gingrey, Mr. Burns and Mr. Isakson, who I know will continue to serve the interests of the great State of Georgia and children across the country. I know that each and every one of us has been working as hard as we can in this endeavor, and it has been my honor and privilege to serve. I will miss all of my colleagues, and I urge all of them to continue to move towards full funding of IDEA.

Ms. MAJETTE

Ms. MAJETTE. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be in attendance for a number of rollcall votes taken on October 8, 2004. Had I been present I would have cast my votes as follows: ``No'' on rollcall No. 524; ``yes'' on rollcall No. 525; and ``no'' on rollcall No. 526. I was unable to be present for votes taken on October 9, 2004, however, I would have voted: ``Yes'' on final passage of conference report on H.R. 4200--Defense Authorization Act for FY 2005; ``yes'' on final passage of the conference report on H.R. 4837--Military Construction/Emergency Supplemental Appropriations; ``yes'' on the conference report on H.R. 4567--Homeland Security Appropriations; and ``no'' on the Adjournment Resolution, because the 108th Congress should complete its work before it adjourns. The Republican-led Congress has failed to address the needs of middle class families. Republicans have failed to create jobs, end outsourcing, improve national security, lower health care costs, improve education, or protect our environment.

Ms. MAJETTE

Ms. MAJETTE. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be in attendance for a number of rollcall votes. Had I been present I would have cast my votes as follows: ``Yes'' on rollcall 487, ``yes'' on rollcall 488, ``yes'' on rollcall 489, ``no'' on rollcall 490, ``no'' on rollcall 491, ``no'' on rollcall 492, ``yes'' on rollcall 493, ``no'' on rollcall 494, ``yes'' on rollcall 495, ``yes'' on rollcall 496, ``yes'' on rollcall 497, ``no'' on rollcall 498, ``no'' on rollcall 499, ``yes'' on rollcall 502, ``yes'' on rollcall 503, ``yes'' on rollcall 504, ``yes'' on rollcall 505, ``no'' on rollcall 506, ``yes'' on rollcall 507, ``yes'' on rollcall 508, ``yes'' on rollcall 509, ``yes'' on rollcall 510, ``yes'' on rollcall 511, ``yes'' on rollcall 512, ``no'' on rollcall 513, ``no'' on rollcall 514, ``no'' on rollcall 515, ``no'' on rollcall 516, ``yes'' on rollcall 517, ``yes'' on rollcall 518, ``no'' on rollcall 519, ``yes'' on rollcall 520, ``yes'' on rollcall 521, ``yes'' on rollcall 522, and ``yes'' on rollcall 523.

Ms. MAJETTE

Ms. MAJETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize former President Jimmy Carter who celebrated his 80th birthday last week. President Carter continues to show us by his example and by his spirit of service what it means to be an American and a world citizen. President Carter served our country as a naval officer; he then served the people of Georgia both in State government and as Governor. As President, he served this Nation during challenging times. He opened the door of opportunity to women, African Americans and Hispanics by appointing them to many jobs in the Federal Government. He created the Department of Education, worked to improve the environment, and expanded the National Park System protection of the Alaskan wilderness. He worked hard to battle inflation and unemployment during his administration and was able to increase jobs by nearly 8 million and to decrease the budget deficit. During the energy crisis he had a comprehensive energy program. In foreign affairs, his accomplishments include the Panama Canal treaties, the Camp David Accords, the treaty of peace between Egypt and Israel, the SALT II treaty with the Soviet Union, and the establishment of U.S. diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. He championed human rights throughout the world. Since leaving the White House, President Carter has dedicated his life to peace, democracy, human rights, and the elimination of human suffering, touching the lives of millions of people around the world. Through his exceptional work at the Carter Center, he has all but eliminated Guinea worm disease in Africa, and has treated millions who suffer from river blindness and trachoma. President Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2002 ``for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.'' He is a leader in the fight against poverty nationwide, and particularly in Georgia, through his Atlanta Project, which addresses the many social problems that come with poverty. He and Mrs. Carter are also regular volunteers for Habitat for Humanity, a charitable organization dedicated to ending homelessness. President Carter is a man of faith and a man who loves his country. He has succeeded in making this world a better place than he found it. He is an inspiration for those of us who serve our communities and our Nation. I am proud to call him a fellow Georgian and in celebration of his 80th birthday, I extend my thanks and best wishes to President Jimmy Carter and his family.

Ms. MAJETTE

Ms. MAJETTE. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained for a number of rollcall votes. Had I been present I would have cast my votes as follows: ``Yes'' on rollcall No. 457, ``Yes'' on rollcall No. 458, ``No'' on rollcall No. 459, ``Yes'' on rollcall No. 460, and ``No'' on rollcall No. 470.

Ms. MAJETTE

Ms. MAJETTE. Mr. Speaker, it is with profound sadness that I rise today to honor a true patriot for his heroic courage under fire-- Lieutenant Tyler Brown. Lieutenant Brown, who was from Atlanta, Georgia, made the ultimate sacrifice on September 14, 2004, when he gave his life in service to our country while on duty with the United States Army in Iraq. His untimely and unfortunate passing serves as a reminder that freedom comes at a terrible cost, and that we all live in a free land because so many like Tyler have died to protect those cherished freedoms. Although Lieutenant Brown was with us but for an all too brief time on this earth, he will forever remain in the hearts of the family and friends who so dearly loved him. The example he set by his service, by his devotion, and by his loyalty to his country will, like a beacon, shine a ray of light through the darkness to show the way for all those who follow in his footsteps. I'm confident that, by answering his nation's call to service, Lt. Brown understood all too well that he, like so many other brave men and women, could be thrust into harm's way in the pursuit of peace and liberty and the protection of freedom. These are perilous times, and events taking place throughout the world, even within our own borders, have sharpened our focus on the grave dangers around us. Yes, Lt. Brown understood the nature of his service, and stepped forward proudly to represent the best that is within us. With great admiration and respect, we honor him today. In spite of the tears that are flowing, and the sharp pain residing deep within us, may we be comforted by the knowledge that Tyler is now safely in God's hands, that he has been welcomed home with a warm, secure and loving embrace. I offer my condolences to his family and friends. We all share your grief; we all mourn your loss. My prayers are with you.

Ms. MAJETTE

Ms. MAJETTE. Mr. Chairman, I was unavoidably detained during the vote on the Obey amendment to the Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations bill for FY 2005. Had I been present for the vote on the Obey amendment to protect overtime I would have voted ``yes.'' Announcement by the Chairman Pro Tempore

Ms. MAJETTE

Ms. MAJETTE. I yield to the gentlewoman from New York.

Ms. MAJETTE. I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina.

Ms. MAJETTE. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words, and I rise today in support of this bipartisan amendment offered by my colleagues on the Committee on Small Business, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Manzullo), the chairman, and the ranking member, the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez). This amendment would restore funding for the Small Business Administration's signature 7(a) loan program to the fiscal year 2004 levels of $79 million. The underlying bill would eliminate funding for this critical program, potentially crippling many small businesses that rely on the 7(a) program as their only source of capital. The number one problem cited by America's small businesses is gaining access to affordable capital. As you know, the 7(a) loan program provides loans on favorable terms to small businesses and allows funds to be used for operating capital. The SBA offers the program through private lenders and the SBA guarantees 50 to 80 percent of the loan's amount. The 7(a) loan program accounts for 30 percent of all long-term small business lending, and it is a proven catalyst for job creation and economic development. This loan program has proven itself productive and successful. Last year, in Georgia, 1,498 loans were issued for a total of $367 million under the 7(a) program. And in my district, Georgia's Fourth Congressional District, 184 loans were issued, totaling $47 million. Those loans kept and produced jobs in our community. Those loans supported the very businesses that managed to weather a weak economy, and now some wish to take those loans away. Small businesses cite access to capital as their main barrier to growth. By not fully funding the 7(a) program, we will be denying vital funds to small businesses across the country. This means fewer small businesses, less growth in those that survive, and fewer jobs created. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and to restore funding for a program vital to our small businesses, our families and our economy.

Ms. MAJETTE

Ms. MAJETTE. Mr. Speaker, on July 6, 2004 I was not able to be here for two rollcall votes. On rollcall No. 326 regarding H. Con. Res. 326, recognizing the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and recognizing the Marshall Islands as a staunch ally of the United States, committed to principles of democracy and freedom for the Pacific region and throughout the world, I would have voted ``yea.'' On rollcall No. 327 regarding H. Con. Res. 257, expressing the sense of Congress that the President should posthumously award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Harry W. Colmery, I would have voted ``yea.''

Ms. MAJETTE

Ms. MAJETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak out against this administration's deplorable record in combating violence against women. This administration has shown a very disappointing tendency to ignore the plight of mistreated women, both at home and abroad. Through actions taken by the President's cabinet, such as Attorney General Ashcroft's refusal to grant asylum to a battered Guatemalan woman, and the President's widespread cuts to domestic violence programs, this administration has much to answer for in its neglect of battered women. It is, therefore, all the more important for Congress to remain vigilant and to protect our sisters all over the world from those who would mistreat them. The American Medical Association estimates that over 4 million women are victims of severe assaults by boyfriends and husbands each year, and about one out of every 4 women is likely to be abused by a partner in her lifetime. In 85 percent of reported domestic violence cases, the victim is female. Domestic violence against women is clearly an issue that our government must address head-on. It saddens me to think that millions of women continue to be abused each year, while this administration sits idly by, taking no initiative and, in some cases, decreasing resources available to battered women. It would shock the conscience of this Nation to know that this administration has placed individuals hostile to women's interests on expert advisory committees, including those responsible for providing advice on domestic violence and reproductive health. It simply reveals a disregard for the National Advisory Committee on Violence Against Women to appoint members to this body who represent organizations that have outspokenly criticized the Violence Against Women Act. Yet that is exactly what this administration has done. In addition, the President has refused to include protections for battered women in the marriage proposal programs that are integral to his welfare proposal, despite the risk that poor women could be pressured to remain in abusive relationships. Finally, this administration has proposed funding emergency shelters, crisis hotlines, and other domestic violence intervention services at 26 percent below authorized levels. I am upset by all of these disturbing trends, but the last of them hits close to home. In the district that I represent, in DeKalb County, Georgia, there is a very successful domestic violence intervention center, the Women's Resource Center to End Domestic Violence. The Women's Resource Center's development has truly been a community effort. Established in 1986 by DeKalb County, the center was originally run by one part-time advocate who led support groups. Now, this center runs nine successful programs, including community education and advocacy, providing free legal services, and a 32-person occupancy emergency shelter. So what message is this administration sending to the Women's Resource Center when it refuses to fully fund such an organization and others like it around the country? As a former judge, I have seen the damage that domestic violence can cause to women and their children, and that is damage to our community and our future. In Congress, we can and must do more to ensure that local law enforcement can expeditiously deal with domestic violence. This is why I have cosponsored, and I call on my colleagues to support, the Domestic Violence Courts Assistance Act, which would provide the resources necessary for municipal court systems to develop and establish specialized domestic violence courts. I also urge my colleagues to support the Domestic Violence Screening, Treatment, and Prevention Act. This legislation would establish family violence research and education centers to study and disseminate information on family violence. These centers would then act as a critical support for local community domestic violence intervention centers. When we read the frightening statistics that illuminate the severity of this problem, how can we not be appalled? We are here as representatives of the American people, representatives of these very women; and what have we done as a Congress to help them? We have the opportunity to create better laws to aid them, yet precious little legislation has been past. We hold the purse strings of the Federal Government, yet we have not provided an adequate level of funding to supply the resources they need to escape their abusive relationships and lead safe lives. It is past time for this administration and this Congress to make a dedicated effort to relieve their suffering. It is never too late.

Ms. MAJETTE

Ms. MAJETTE. Mr. Speaker, on June 21, 2004 I was not able to be here for three rollcall votes. On rollcall No. 276 regarding H. Res. 591 expressing the gratitude of the House of Representatives for the contributions made by America's community banks to the Nation's economic well-being and prosperity and the sense of the House of Representatives that a month should be designated as ``Community Banking Month,'' I would have voted ``yea.'' On rollcall No. 277 regarding H.R. 4363, to facilitate self-help housing homeownership opportunities, I would have voted ``yea.'' On rollcall No. 278, regarding H. Res. 660, congratulating Randy Johnson of the Arizona Diamondbacks on pitching a perfect game on May 18, 2004, I would have voted ``yea.''

Ms. MAJETTE

Ms. MAJETTE. Mr. Speaker, on June 8th and 9th, 2004 I was not able to be here for three roll call votes. On rollcall number 229 regarding H. Res. 663, expressing the profound regret and sorrow of the House of Representatives on the death of Ronald Wilson Reagan, former President of the United States of America, I would have voted ``yea''. On rollcall number 230, approving the Journal, I would have voted ``yea''. On rollcall number 231, regarding H. Res., honoring the late Honorable Ronald Wilson Reagan, I would have voted ``yea''.

Ms. MAJETTE

Ms. MAJETTE. Mr. Speaker, what does a woman say to those who have paved her way? We, each of us women in the Congress, could not have done it without you, Rosie. It certainly wasn't an easy haul, and we are still fighting, but you picked up a hammer, literally, and tore down the barrier. It took years for them to stop putting it up again, after all your hard work and patriotic dedication, but here we are. Women of today have the Rosies to thank for ground gained in women's empowerment. Often thought of as the first substantial force of working women, you have certainly earned your place in history. Across the Nation, more than 6 million Rosies departed from their everyday routine. And in my home state of Georgia, we have our very own Rosies still living and serving as an example of what it means to blaze a trail, to fight, to sacrifice, and to be an American patriot. As we honor these women who stayed on the home front and supported the war effort by passing House Concurrent Resolution 413, I want to thank Georgia's Rosies: Mary Isobel Keena, Atlanta; Constance Hagen, Hiawassee; Emery Gantz, Lawrenceville; Elizabeth Bolen Minton, Pine Mountain Valley; and Jeannie Mae Euler, whose family lives in Athens, GA, for all they have given to the country and the confidence of America's women. These and all the other Rosies throughout the United States deserve our thanks as we honor each of them today--you taught the women of our country not only that we could do it, but that we can do anything. Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague, especially Representatives Slaughter, Capito Solis and Brown-Waite, the four co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues. I was delighted to join my colleagues recently in meeting many of the ``Rosie'' women at an exhibit at Arlington Cemetery honoring their power and their commitment. I am pleased to be here today to honor the contributions of the women, symbolized by ``Rosie the Riveter'', who served on the homefront during World War II. During World War II, 6,000,000 women stepped forward to work in homefront industries to produce the ships, planes, tanks, trucks, guns, and ammunition that were crucial to achieving an Allied victory; Women transcended gender barriers and worked in homefront industries as welders, riveters, engineers, designers, and managers, and held other positions that had traditionally been held by men. ``There cannot be true democracy unless women's voices are heard. There cannot be true democracy unless women are given the opportunity to take responsibility for their own lives. There cannot be true democracy unless all citizens are able to participate fully in the lives of their country.''--Hillary Rodham Clinton Rosie the Riveter gave women a chance to have their voices heard and time to show their skills. The need for labor in homefront industries during World War II opened new employment opportunities for women from all walks of life and dramatically increased gender and racial integration in the workplace. I have always believed that women are essential to breaking down barriers and creating a more egalitarian society. The Rosie the Riveter era proves just that. World War II marked an unprecedented entry of women into jobs that had traditionally been held by men and created a lasting legacy of the ability of women to succeed in those jobs. The needs of working mothers resulted in the creation of child care programs, leading to the lasting legacy of public acceptance of early child development and care outside the home. Now more than ever we must implement polices to show women that we will continue their work. If we can provide childcare for the ``Rosies,'' we certainly owe it to later generations as well. I want to close with a story of a true Rosie the Riveter; Katie Grant. Katie and Melvin Grant moved from Oklahoma to California in 1943 with their 6-week-old daughter, Laquetta. After working together as fruit packers, Melvin found a job at a fish cannery in Point San Pablo and Katie worked in the Richmond Shipyards. By December, Melvin had joined the Marine Corps and, until his return in August 1945, fought in the Pacific theatre. Katie's testimonial states: ``I worked the graveyard shift 12:00-8:00 a.m., in the shipyard. I took classes on how to weld. I had leather gloves, leather pants, big hood, goggles and a leather jacket. They said you weld like you crochet. ``Well, I did not know how to do that, but I could sew and make a neat stitch. We held the welding rod with one hand and the torch fire in the right hand. Placed the rod in a seam and melted it down in a small bead seam and brushed it off with a steel brush. ``They put me forty feet down in the bottom of the ship to be a tacker. I filled the long seams of the cracks in the ship corners full of hot lead and then brushed them good and you could see how pretty it was. The welders would come along and weld it so it would take the strong waves and deep water and heavy weight. I liked it pretty good. I don't remember how much I got paid for working. Lots of people came to Richmond to work in the shipyards. Lots of women went to work to help with the war. I told Melvin later that I helped to make a ship for him to come home in.'' Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, today we are honoring the work carried out by all of the ``Rosie the Riveters'' during World War II. I would like to thank all those from both sides of the House who have shown strong support for H. Con. Res. 413. I am pleased to state that every woman Representative has already joined together in an unprecedented, bipartisan demonstration of unanimous support by the entire Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues in cosponsoring this historic resolution. This resolution allows us to: Honor the extraordinary contributions of the women who dedicated service on the home front during World War II; Recognize the lasting legacy of equal employment opportunity and support for childcare and health care developed during the ``Rosie the Riveter'' era; and Call on the people of the United States to take the opportunity to study, reflect on, and celebrate the stories and accomplishments of women who served during World War II. In conjunction with the dedication to the World War II Memorial on the National Mall this past Memorial weekend, we would like to take the opportunity today to reflect on the contributions made by women who served the country on the home front during World War II. When 10 million people were abruptly departed from civilian duty, industries servicing the war recruited over 6 million women to fill those positions. From across the country, and from all different backgrounds, women answered the call to service. It was the ``Rosies'' who worked on the home front as welders, riveters, engineers, designers, managers and all kinds of other positions that had been traditionally held by men. Women showed skill and dedication in often dangerous tasks that needed urgency in completion, and did so in record-breaking times. These contributions showed us the admirable passion, drive and desire that the ``Rosies'' had. For example, the women who worked at the Ford assembly plant in Richmond, California, built over 49,000 jeeps and prepared for shipment more than 20 percent of all combat vehicles used by the United States during World War II. More than 25 percent of the Kaiser shipyard workforce in Richmond was made up of women, and produced more ships than any other shipyard in the United States. The accomplishments Rosies achieved are not exclusive to the war alone. Their efforts of 50 years ago have helped strengthen women's position in society today. The Rosies demonstrated: That women are just as able to do the work that only men had been permitted to do; That women are not inferior to men, and that they are just as able to succeed and even surpass men in the workforce; and That it was women who stepped up to keep our country running during the war, and deserve to be appreciated by our entire Nation for their achievements. The Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Park in Richmond, California is one of the steps we have taken to ensure the efforts of women during World War II are not forgotten. This park will help preserve for the benefit of the United States the sites, structures and areas located in Richmond that were instrumental in war time efforts and success. Finally, I would like to make a special note of one of the Rosies whom I had the opportunity to meet 2 weeks ago at a congressional reception that we had in honor of the Rosies. One of my ``former constituents''--had I been serving in Congress at the time--Lois Turner worked as a mechanic at Bell Aircraft in Niagara Falls, NY, from 1943 to 1945. I understand that because she had small hands, she was able to do the safety wiring in areas of the plane that others couldn't reach, often being held upside down for 15 minutes at a time to get to especially tight spots. To Lois, and to all of the Rosies who have honored us with their presence for the celebrations in Washington, DC, over the past few weeks, as well as all Rosies everywhere--I thank you for your courageous service and dedication to our nation. I urge my colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass this resolution unanimously, in a strong demonstration of our thanks to the millions of Rosie the Riveters who so valiantly served our country.

Ms. MAJETTE

Ms. MAJETTE. Mr. Speaker, When I think of Francis Scott Key's The Star-Spangled Banner, the fourth and final stanza of our National Anthem rarely comes to mind. It reads: Oh, thus be it ever when free men shall stand Between their loved homes and war's desolation; Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land Praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation! As we approach Memorial Day, it is in the spirit of these words that we honor the noble spirit of the brave American men and women who have sacrificed their lives for our nation as they served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Their ultimate sacrifice serves as a constant reminder of the high cost of freedom and our hope for a safer and more peaceful world. On this day, I would like to acknowledge and remember the soldiers from Georgia who have fallen while serving our nation during the past year. We Remember: SPC Jamaal Rashard Addison, CPT Tristan Neil Aitken, SPC Marvin Antonio Campo-Siles, SGT Michael Tyron Crockett, SFC Ricky Leon Crockett, SPC Marshall Lane Edgerton, SSG Bobby Charles Franklin, PV2 Benjamin Lee Freeman, SSG Nathaniel Hart, Jr., SPC Christopher James Holland, A1C Antoine Jermaine Holt, SPC Justin Weaver Johnson, SPC Nathaniel Henry Johnson, SPC Kevin John Klinesmith, Jr., CPT Edward Jason Korn, SGT David Terrell Nutt, PFC Diego Fernando Rincon, PFC William Rodriques Strange III, MSG Thomas Ruel Thigpin, Sr., PFC Marquis Antoine Whitaker, and CSM Jerry Lee Wilson. It is you, our brothers, and our sisters who have paid the ultimate sacrifice--and those who still fight today--who stand between our beloved home, our country, and war's desolation. It is you who will be forever etched in our memory, forever in our hearts, and to whom we will be forever thankful.

Ms. MAJETTE

Ms. MAJETTE. Mr. Speaker, as we stand here on the heels of Memorial Day, a time for honoring those who have fought and died to preserve our freedom, I rise to add my voice to the growing chorus of those singing the praises of the Tuskegee Airmen. When the brave men and women of our armed services swear their enlistment oath, they pledge to defend the Constitution against enemies both foreign and domestic. And although the Tuskegee Airmen won many a battle in the skies over North Africa and Europe, it is their triumph over oppression at home that counts as their greatest victory. From their inception at the Tuskegee Army Air Field in the summer of 1941, to their first combat in North Africa in 1943, to President Truman's desegregation order in 1948, the Tuskegee Airmen battled racism and hatred at every turn. They represented their country when we needed them most, and, despite all hardships, they did so with class, professionalism, and excellence, earning distinction among the Army Air Corps' most decorated pilots. The Tuskegee Airmen served with pride and honor, and returned home to find that the freedoms they had fought so hard to preserve were not extended to them. Instead of being welcomed as the heroes they were, they faced intense segregation in the very land many of them gave their lives to protect. Still, they held their heads high and continued to struggle for justice and equality, this time not in a far-of nation, but from their homes in rural Alabama. Mr. Speaker, we are all beneficiaries of the work of these brave men both at home and abroad, and I am privileged to count several of them among my constituents.

Ms. MAJETTE

Ms. MAJETTE. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be in attendance for votes on May 13, 2004 due to a family commitment. 1. Had I been present, on rollcall No. 169, a substitute to H.R. 4275, I would have voted ``aye.'' 2. On rollcall No. 170, H.R. 4275, to extend the 10-percent individual income tax rate bracket, I would have voted ``nay.'' 3. On rollcall No. 171, a motion that the House instruct conferees on S. Con. Res. 95, I would voted ``aye.'' 4. On rollcall No. 172, a substitute to H.R. 4281, the Small Business Health Fairness Act, I would have voted ``aye.'' 5. On rollcall No. 173, a motion to recommit H.R. 4281, I would have voted ``aye.'' 6. On rollcall No. 174, the Small Business Health Fairness Act, I would have voted ``nay.'' 7. On rollcall No. 175, Recognizing the 60th anniversary of the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, I would have voted ``aye.'' 8. Finally, on rollcall No. 176, Expressing the sense of the Congress that, as Congress recognizes the 50th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education decision, all Americans are encouraged to observe this anniversary with a commitment to continuing and building on the legacy of Brown, I would have voted ``aye.''

Ms. MAJETTE

Ms. MAJETTE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased this morning to welcome the Reverend Dr. Cynthia L. Hale, Senior Pastor of the Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, Georgia. Pastor Hale is a 1979 graduate of Duke University's School of Divinity and she was ordained that same year. She has been the Pastor of the Ray of Hope Christian Church for 18 years. The church is known to all of us in my district affectionately as ``The Ray.'' Pastor Hale has been a good steward of the resources that God has entrusted to her. She has helped countless people be able to continue their lives and to grow in faith and strength. She has been a mentor and a friend to me over the years. Mr. Speaker, I am truly blessed, we are all truly blessed, to have her here with us this morning.

Ms. MAJETTE

Ms. MAJETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to condemn torture in all of its forms. Acts of abuse and torture must never be tolerated, and those who commit such acts must be swiftly brought to justice. It is with great sadness and anger that I viewed the pictures of frightened, humiliated, and, in some cases, injured Iraqi prisoners in Baghdad's Abu Ghraib prison. Prisoners should never be forced to endure such atrocious behavior, no matter what the cause for their detention. The acts committed on these prisoners are an injustice to the Iraqis who were victimized, the citizens of Iraq, the hundreds of thousands of U.S. soldiers who have served their country in Iraq so honorably over the past year, and all people who hope and pray for peace the world over. Because of the rage these pictures have generated in Iraq and across the Arab world, I am concerned for the safety of our brave soldiers as they patrol the streets in Iraq, guard police stations and hospitals and work to rebuild the infrastructure of the country. It is important that we recognize the honor with which the vast majority of our armed service members conduct themselves. In the face of tremendous danger and uncertainty, in a theater fighting combatants dressed as civilians using indiscriminate force and even killing their own countrymen, our men and women have risked their lives to protect Iraqi civilians and restore pride and honor to this war-torn country. Moving forward, military justice must be sure and swift for those who committed these acts. It will be a long, difficult process to win back the trust and support of the Iraqi people, but we must be successful if we are to accomplish our mission in Iraq. It is essential that we do so, not just for success in Iraq, but also for the global war on terrorism. We cannot win this war alone. American soldiers' torture of Iraqi detainees is a significant setback for our country and the global war on terror. I expect decisive action from our executive and military leaders to ensure that such abuse will never again occur, and to take the diplomatic steps necessary to salvage America's good name around the world. The American people are justifiably saddened by the waning of our moral authority since the days immediately following September 11, 2001, when the world stood with us in solidarity. If America is to continue to be a force for good in the world, we must convincingly denounce all crimes against humanity, foreign or domestic, and demonstrate to the world that we are sincere when we decry hatred, injustice and terror.

Ms. MAJETTE

Ms. MAJETTE. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to offer my congratulations to the Kennesaw State University Men's Basketball team on winning the 2004 NCAA Division II National Championship. This is a tremendous accomplishment and the players and coaching staff of the Kennesaw State University Men's Basketball team are to be commended. I would like to congratulate Head Coach Tony Ingle. Under his leadership, the Owls of Kennesaw State have achieved new levels of success. Coach Ingle has been named the Division II Bulletin/Moulten Coach of the Year, the National Association of Basketball Coaches Coach of the Year, and the Naismith Awards Georgia Co-Coach of the Year. These accolades are a testament to his knowledge and experience in the sport of basketball as well as his strength as a leader. Coach Ingle has been able to take a promising young program under his wing and guide it to new heights. I would also like to recognize the individual Owl players for their hard work and tremendous dedication. It takes incredible endurance and grueling physical and mental trials to attain a national championship. The players of Kennesaw State have not only endured, but excelled and thereby achieved one of the highest honors in college athletics. Their dedication serves as an example of devotion, and their commitment and perseverance is to be commended here today. As we recognize this achievement, we must not forget that while working toward these goals, these athletes are college students, equally committed to completing their studies and gaining an invaluable education at one of our great institutions of higher learning. I would also like to offer my congratulations to Kennesaw State University. A strong support network is required for athletes to achieve the level of success that these students have attained. Kennesaw State University has provided this network, which includes faculty, members of the administration and the student body, in support of the men's basketball team as they worked toward this national title. Finally, I would like to ensure that the parents of these student athletes receive their very just accolades. The importance of a parent's role in the success of a child cannot be underestimated. Whether waking up early to shuttle children to and from practice or driving great distances to cheer their kids on from the stands, parents sacrifice much so that their kids can achieve more. Through ups, downs, success and defeat, a parent's support is often the bedrock on which a student athlete stands. Again, I would like to congratulate the Kennesaw State University Men's Basketball Team on winning the 2004 Division II National Championship and wish them well in all of their future endeavors.

Ms. MAJETTE

Ms. MAJETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise on this Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israel's Independence Day celebration, to congratulate the people of Israel in their fifty-sixth year. I would like to recount a brief passage from Yitzchak Rabin, a warrior of peace, upon the occasion of his signing a Declaration of Principles for the Oslo Peace Accords in Washington, in what seems like a forever ago, in 1993. Prime Minister Rabin said then: We have come from an anguished and grieving land. We have come from a people, a home, a family that has not known a single year, not a single month, in which mothers have not wept for their sons. We have come to try and put an end to the hostilities so that our children, and our children's children, will no longer experience the painful cost of war, violence and terror. We have come to secure their lives and to ease the sorrow and the painful memories of the past, to hope and pray for peace. On the fifty-sixth birthday of the State of Israel, we are still praying for that peace. Day after day, hour after hour, we see mothers weep for their sons and daughters. But we no longer see those images as distant--because it has happened here, too, in the United States. We know now that terrorism incurs irreparable pain and loss. The State of Israel has known this loss since its modern beginnings in 1948. Our loss in the United States connects us to Israel beyond the often symbolic, annual gesture of alliance--we are dear friends, and our friendship runs deep. It is rooted in the values and ideals we share-- Israel, a vibrant and passionate democracy which includes respect for diversity and religious freedom for all faiths, mirrors the proud character of the United States And so, today, I wish the state of Israel and its citizens a peaceful birthday--last year I had the opportunity to visit Israel for the first time. Upon seeing the sunrise over the old city walls of Jerusalem, I was overwhelmed by the region's history. The leaders and citizens of Israel have yearned to achieve their vision of peace since the modern State of Israel was born. But this vision eludes us still. We cannot let this peaceful image go--we must continually strive to reach it. Upon its establishment, the first official recognition of the State of Israel came from the United States of America. We have continuously demonstrated our support for Israel--and that support will be strengthened as we endure the pain of terrorism, and fight the battle for a lasting and secure peace, together.

Ms. MAJETTE

Ms. MAJETTE. I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to offer this substitute with my colleagues from the Congressional Black Caucus. In crafting this alternative budget, we were faced with the reality that the President's fiscal policies of the last 4 years have squandered the surplus and pushed the debt sky high. We find ourselves with a pressing need to reduce the deficit now. We owe it to our children and grandchildren. Therefore, what this budget alternative does is to allocate our limited national resources to our shared national priorities. This is a budget that every Member of this body can support. Those programs receiving increased funding in this budget are truly shared priorities that address our Nation's biggest challenges. The first challenge that our Nation faces is the lack of an available job for every willing worker, and Chairman Greenspan testified that we are graduating too few skilled workers and that our students are languishing at a low skill level. That is why the largest increase in spending in this budget over the Republican bill is in education. First and foremost, the CBC budget would fully fund No Child Left Behind at the authorized level. In addition, this budget devotes additional resources to Head Start, IDEA, Pell grants, and job training programs. This budget also stimulates our economy by funding vital programs that help small businesses, including the Small Business Administration's 7(a) program, microloans, and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership. It is essential that we assist small businesses in their efforts to create more jobs. The CBC budget offsets this additional funding by repealing the tax cuts for Americans making over $200,000 a year and by closing corporate loopholes. The second priority realized in the CBC budget is need to provide for a strong national defense and to support our troops and veterans. The CBC budget provides money to better armor the Humvees that carry our troops and to buy body armor for every soldier in the field, and it keeps our promises to our veterans. We will continue to care for them, and this budget allocates almost $9 billion in additional funding above what the Republican majority would devote to our veterans. These defense, homeland security, and veterans assistance priorities will be paid for simply by redirecting funds from the failed missile defense system and by recouping money that Halliburton has overcharged the American taxpayers. I urge all of my colleagues to support the passage of the CBC budget as it reduces the deficit today and meets our most pressing needs while protecting us for the future.

Ms. MAJETTE

Ms. MAJETTE. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time and for his strong leadership on this very complex issue. Mr. Chairman, I grew up understanding that it is more blessed to give than to receive and that to whom much is given of whom much is required. But this 2005 Republican budget hurts unemployed people, hurts job creation, and it hurts small business owners. This is deeply troubling. In fact, I find it unacceptable. The Democratic alternative, on the other hand, will restore cuts to the Small Business Administration and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, and it will fund adult training and dislocated worker programs to retrain those who have lost their jobs. And, finally, it will extend Federal unemployment compensation through June. And that is a necessary change for the more than 750,000 workers who have exhausted their regular benefits. The President's policies, despite his promises, simply have not created enough jobs for those workers. In fact, it has not even replenished the over 2\1/2\ million jobs that have been lost. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. They create three out of every four jobs. Many small businesses need loans to begin or to continue their operations. But this Republican budget eliminates funding for business loan programs. And that means no money to open a business, no money to expand a business, and no money to put more people back to work. The Democratic alternative, on the other hand, is $150 million higher than the President's budget, and it includes restoring funding to the SBA's signature 7(a) loan program, with $100 million for SBA loans, $30 million for small business assistance, and for microloan direct loans. Amazingly, the Bush budget did not give the 7(a) program one dime. Instead, the administration would hike fees to pay for the program. This flies in the face of the assertion of no tax increases. A fee hike is the same as a tax hike to a small business owner. So the tax cut is no more than a flim-flam, a sham. This body still refuses to acknowledge the mistake that it made in squandering the surpluses that once existed for tax cuts for the wealthy, and the party that prides itself on fiscal responsibility has produced a budget that manages to increase our deficit, leave our children with a crippling debt and still does not fund a critical need, support for small businesses. This budget does not fund a critical need, support for small businesses. So I urge my colleagues to vote against the budget and to support the Democratic alternative, which really does meet the needs of our small business community and unemployed workers across America.

Ms. MAJETTE

Ms. MAJETTE. Mr. Speaker, today I rise because we have reached the 1- year anniversary of the war in Iraq. One year ago, we invaded Iraq because the President said Saddam Hussein posed an imminent threat to the United States. A ``mortal threat,'' he said. We were told Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction. We were told the international community would be involved, providing troops and financial assistance. We were told the troops would get whatever they needed to get the job done. So on March 19, 2003, we invaded Iraq. And here we are, 1 year later. Let's examine the facts: CIA Director George Tenet said intelligence agencies never told the White House that Iraq posed an imminent threat. No weapons of mass destruction have been found. American taxpayers are paying almost all the bills--$120 billion and still rising. Most importantly, American soldiers are enduring almost all the casualties--more than 560 Americans killed and thousands more wounded. Our troops did not get the equipment they needed to do their jobs safely--the President failed to include enough funds in his budget to pay for the war in Iraq. Moreover, there is no money in the President's own proposed budget for 2005 to pay for the war in Iraq. He apparently chooses to keep Congress and the American people in the dark about how much we will need to spend. Let me tell you what's going on today with this resolution. It is an attempt to rewrite history. And if any of us vote against it, we will be attacked for not ``supporting the troops.'' This resolution is intellectually dishonest. It selects facts that portray the President and his decision to invade Iraq in a positive light, while conveniently ignoring other facts that do not support the President. It tells only of what we already knew--that Saddam Hussein was an evil tyrant. No one disputes that. It tells us of the atrocities he inflicted on his people--no one disputes that. It tells us that the American people applaud the Iraqi people for adopting an interim constitution--and no one denies that. And it affirms our country's unending support for our troops. All of these accomplishments are worthy of our commendation, and I support them. But this resolution ignores other facts--that we went into this war with faulty intelligence and sent our soldiers in without adequate body armor. It ignores that there were no weapons of mass destruction, and that Saddam did not pose an ``imminent threat'' to the U.S. It doesn't tell us that the administration continues to veil the true cost of this war--and it does not say that these costs will be borne by our children because this administration refuses to pay for them today. Instead, this administration gives tax cuts to the people who make over $1 million--and does not provide adequate resources for the veterans and their families. It does not even acknowledge the deaths and injuries suffered by the men and women in uniform. So I cannot in good conscience support such a deceptive resolution. It simply does not tell the whole truth. Make no mistake--I support our troops, and I will do everything I can to help them get what they need. It is not their fault they were sent to Iraq--they are doing their sworn duty for this country. I will do everything I can to fight for their safe return and for an end to this sham of a war. The authors of this resolution might think it will provide them political cover, but I am here to tell you that the American people are wise and will not be fooled. They understand that domestic priorities are being sacrificed to fund a war it turns out we didn't have to fight. They understand that landing on an aircraft carrier and floating a banner declaring ``mission accomplished'' does not make it so. They understand that the Republicans refused to allow anyone to offer amendments to the language of this resolution. After last week's explosion in Madrid, Spain, and today's bombing in Baghdad, I cannot in good conscience state today that the United States and the world has been made safer than it was before we went to war with Iraq.