Kendrick Meek

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. They will not even see the inside because they will take those individuals out of line. Like I said, if anyone were to show up with this, just as an American, freedom of speech, and the Supreme Court is right across the street, ``Hands off of my Social Security,'' they are a goner. They are out of there. They are taking them, ``Excuse me, sir, ma'am, we need to take you over here.''

Mr. MEEK of Florida. So that is the reason why some of the Members even on the majority side are saying no can do: I am not going to disrupt my constituents and their way of life and add on to the party numbers of my district, because it is not right. And if it is not right, I do not care if you fly around for 160 days. It is not going to change as long as you are talking about gambling with the Social Security and the security of folks' retirement. So I can tell my colleague right now, I look forward to the day that Americans say, enough is enough, and that we do not have to speak from the position of saying, well, we are informing you; we will be actually doing it if we were in control of this House, and that is what the debate is about. It is about not only sharing with the Members that if they get into this whole issue of believing the hype on the privatization of Social Security and folks start losing benefits, they are making a career decision. They do not want to be in Congress, because I can tell my colleague right now, when folks say, listen, I do not know what I have been doing; maybe I have been voting politics over principle. Maybe I need to get back to voting principle over politics. Well, they say that the guy that was running against the other guy or the young lady, that they are tax and spend. Well, you know, the evidence does not necessarily add up to be that way. So I love to talk about the Democratic and the bipartisan proposal that went down in this Chamber in 1986 and even before then. That was bipartisanship. Even though a supermajority, all Democrats voted for it, some Republicans voted for it when Ronald Reagan was in the White House, and we made it happen. It is just that simple.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the gentlewoman is right. We say this to make sure that the Members and also the American people understand 110 percent what we are dealing with here. We could have both been halfway home by now; but we have taken the opportunity because this is a pivotal time in history as we start looking at Social Security the way it is now and the way that it could be in the future. I read those medicare prescription drug estimates that were given to us officially in this House to serve as an example of the misinformation that takes place under this dome and the misinformation that is given to Americans. I talk a lot about the Potomac two-step, but when it comes down to Social Security and you have one out of six Americans that depends on this thing as it relates to the 48 million that is out there, you cannot help but think that if you are serving in a body where the discussion is taking place, not only in the halls, but in the newspapers, you cannot help but say in the future, when folks look back and they say, well, what happened in the 109th Congress and what role did you play to stop it? I am proud to say, boldly and with a chestful of air, the fact that the Democratic leadership and Members that sit on this side of the Chamber are sleeping with their fists balled up ready to use any tool verbally possible and power-wise to be able to educate and to be able to have town hall meetings with some 300, well now 400-plus town hall meetings that have taken place on this side of the aisle. And I can tell you that if someone showed up and said that they support privatization, they can come in the town hall meeting. They are not saying, okay, you need to go over here and you need to wait outside, because you are going to ask a question that we do not want to answer right now. We are saying, bring it on. We want to answer those questions because we have the prima facie evidence to show that what the President is talking about is not necessarily going to benefit Social Security as we see it today. So we fight for those individuals that have sent us up here to deal with that. Last point, and Congresswoman, we have about 3 minutes left. I want to close. I want you to make your closing comments, then we will yield back our time. But, it is important that we keep up the fight. And I want to commend some of my Members on the Republican side of this aisle that are saying, no, I am not going to vote to privatize Social Security. I want to let them know that as a Member of this House, I commend them for that, but the American people have a role to play too. They have to hold us accountable. If they do not hold us accountable, then the question will be asked of them, what were you doing when all of this was happening? Did you call your Congressman or -woman? Were you involved? Did you write? Did you do op-eds to the editor? What did you do?

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Of course. I was looking for my little note here, because I wanted to remind Members but also the American people. Please add to this. There is just so much, we do not know what to share. We have so many other plans as Democrats.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the thing about it is that Democrats, Republicans, Independents, white, black, Asian, name it, are part of the 48 million Americans that are receiving benefits right now. And this issue is not only in districts on the Democratic side of the aisle, but on the Republican side of the aisle. And I will tell the Members this will not hold. Now, it is not all doom and gloom because, guess what. Thank God the Democratic leadership is saying we do not want to increase the debt to go on a scheme of a $500 trillion over the next 20 years cost for individuals to have to pay more on the debt and also for individuals to lose some of their benefits. And the bad thing about what the President and some Members on the majority side, the Republican side, are proposing is the fact that they are saying that, yes, it will go up and down but over time private accounts will win. Guess what. If one is in a private account or they opt to be in a private account from the Social Security philosophy, and I must add if I said ``plan,'' I want to take that back, philosophy that the majority side has and that the President is talking about, they are going to lose, too. They are going to lose some of their benefits, too, and I think it is important that people understand that. Also, let us just put it this way: Some people may say what is the Democratic plan? I will say what is the Republican plan? Where is it? What Web site can I go to? Is someone coming to my office with some sort of bound copy? Maybe I need to come to my office to find out if something came since I have been here on the floor. Where is the bill? Well, there is a hearing that is going to take place on Capitol Hill. Guess what? There are over 200 hearings that take place in every Congress. They do not all result in legislation. I am hoping that in that hearing, if someone wants to do something, or the majority side wants to work with the minority side, because I do know that the gentlewoman from California (Leader Pelosi), I know that the gentleman from Maryland (Whip Hoyer), and our caucus chairman and vice chairman and others in leadership would love to sit down. The gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel) is always saying, my door is open, I am ready to go. Let us talk about this thing. But let me just say this, because I think it is important. The Democratic plan is already in 48 million wallets of Americans that have Social Security benefits. That is the Democratic plan. Hello? That is the Democratic plan. So the Democratic plan is to make sure that we do not add more to the $26,000 that every American already owes the Federal Government, the highest deficit in the history of the Republic. The Democratic plan is to fight to bring that number down and to go into surplus where we were before this administration got in. That is the Democratic plan.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, the real issue is that the President would like to put the perception out there of roaring crowds, saying, ``We love you. We appreciate what you are doing. Thank God you are saving Social Security by privatizing accounts even though my benefit level is going to go down.'' And anyone that objects to that, they are going to see the parking lot.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I see the gentleman from California (Chairman Dreier) wants us to yield for a minute here, so I yield to the chairman.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. I yield to the gentleman from Ohio, my good friend.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. In my opinion, Mr. Speaker, that is very wrong. But it goes to show us the desperation that some majority leaders on the majority side have to try to do this because they can. But I can tell the gentleman the reason why we do not have a bill on this floor yet is not because we have staff or Members here that are lazy and do not want to write a bill. The reason why it is not here is that Americans are not with the administration and some Members of the majority side on messing with Social Security, especially as it comes down to private accounts on a risky scheme, because if not the number one, it is one of the main reasons why so many Americans appreciate this Federal Government, that we will keep our word, that we will stand by what we said we will do. So when we start looking at these issues, the American people are not necessarily with the administration and some Members on the majority side as it relates to trying to change Social Security on a scheme of private accounts. That is why there is not a bill here. That is the reason why we hear some posturing here and there and an article saying we are going to start marking some up pretty soon. I am going to tell the gentleman right now that discussion has been going on since 1978, and the reason why that discussion has been going on as it relates to private accounts since 1978 is the fact that the American people are not marching up and down the street saying, ``We want a reduction in our benefits; we want to gamble on our retirement.'' They are not saying that. What they are saying is that ``I have a Social Security card and guess what. When I reach the age I should be able to receive Social Security, I look forward to it. I want you to stand next to your word.'' So earlier I commended not only all of my Democratic colleagues but even some of the Members on the majority side that have the courage to stand up and say, I am here on behalf of my constituents, I am not here on behalf of myself, on being accepted by those who are trying to persuade them to do otherwise. So when we start looking at it in a nutshell, Mr. Speaker, I am starting to believe more and more it is one of these things, look over here and think Social Security is Social Security. Meanwhile, we have the highest deficit in the history of the Republic. In Florida, that is a real issue; and I guarantee the reason why there are a number of Members of the Florida delegation that are not necessarily with the administration and the majority side and even some of those Members on the majority side are not with the majority side on the issue of privatization of Social Security, because eventually many of the gentleman from Ohio's constituents will be my constituents in the end in Florida.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. A joint hearing, I must add, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. I just want to make sure that we are factual, sir.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, I think it is important that we realize the urgency of so many issues that are before us. And the issue as it relates to Social Security, as the majority side or as the administration would like for us Americans to see it, is that it is not rocket science. It is not a Federal emergency. Forty-eight million Americans celebrate Social Security right now. Thirty-three million of those Americans would be living in poverty if it was not for it. We have a number of young people that are going to school solely on survivor benefits because their family members have moved on. And I can tell the Members what is even further appalling is the President saying to the African American that I am pushing private accounts because African American males do not live as long as Anglos.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, I think it is important for the Members to understand and also for many Americans to understand that we did not just draw that number up in the back, that we were back there drinking a bottle of water, saying can we come up with a number that is a big number? I know some of the Members are in their offices, and I think it is important that they know that national debt number as of today, and Americans and Members can go to the official Website of the U.S. Treasury. They have to go a couple of clicks, but I am going to share with the Members how they can get directly to that number and that ticker. Because if I am in the Treasury Department, I am going to have people go into two or three different clicks once they go to my home page and maybe, just maybe, they will get to the ticker because it is nothing that we can be proud of. Also, as it relates, we need to talk a little bit about those countries that have bought our debt and we are beholding to foreign countries. The gentleman does that better than me. But the Web site is www.ustreas.gov. That is the Department of Treasury Web site. Www.ustreas.gov. Or you can go directly to when you go on the page, because we are trying to share with the Members and educate the Members and make sure the American people understand exactly what is happening here, because it is not a badge of honor to be a Member of the 109th Congress and for history to reflect that we made the decisions to have the highest deficit in the history of the Republic. That is just not something that one can be proud of. But you can go if you want directly to www.house.gov/budget_democrats. That is www.house.gov/ budget_democrats. It is important, because our Democratic budget committee has really worked hard in making sure that we can pull this information out, that not only it should be useful to the Members on both sides of the aisle, but also to the American people.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, before the gentleman leaves for his meeting, that I am pretty sure is very, very important, the gentleman is going to have to not only give the information on the Web site, because we want to hear from Members, we want to hear from Americans, to make sure that we get the information from them on how they feel, especially as it relates to Social Security, the Federal deficit and other issues, because it is important that we share this, not only with young people. We have the 30-something Working Group. But in our age range, I say to the gentleman, there are a number of young parents that are out there, and so many times here in Washington, people say, well, we are doing this for the future generation. Well, the future generation has $26,000 in debt right now and climbing. So I do not know. I do not feel good about my daughter and my son having to worry about college and all these other things, and then worry about the Federal debt at the same time.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is once again a pleasure to address the House of Representatives and also to talk about a very important issue to all Americans, which is Social Security. I would also like to thank the Democratic leader for allowing the 30-something Working Group to come to the floor once again to talk about issues that are facing not only young Americans but Americans in general. Through her leadership and through others that are in the Democratic Caucus, the Democratic whip, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer); the chairman, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez); and also the vice chairman, the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn), we have been able to come to the floor to share facts, not fiction, to bring accuracy to the Social Security debate as it stands now. First of all, Mr. Speaker, I would like to just share a few things as relates to Social Security. We encourage the Members to continue to keep an open mind. First of all, I want to commend Members on the Democratic side of the aisle for having so many town hall meetings, a number of town hall meetings, hundreds of town hall meetings in their own districts and that have traveled outside of their districts to share with Americans the truth about Social Security and how we protect Social Security and how we continue to have the benefit structure that so many, 48 million Americans, are celebrating now today. I must also add that I would like to commend some of my Republican colleagues that have the courage to stand up to the forces of leadership, to say that they are willing to make sure that their constituents are able to celebrate and to be able to survive in a program that they have been promised that will be there for them in their time of retirement. I would also like to thank those Members on both sides of the aisle who see the benefit of protecting Social Security, not coming up with a privatization scheme, not because someone said it is a way that we can be innovative, not subscribing to saying that there is some sort of Federal emergency as it relates to the protection of Social Security, not the fact that the President is flying around the country some 60 days burning Federal jet fuel at taxpayers' expense, higher than at any other time in the history of this country since Presidents have been flying, to persuade Americans that there is some Federal emergency. We will try to address that a little later. We are going to celebrate not only within the moment but within the future. I want to just share a few things, Mr. Speaker, as it relates to how many Americans that are not only beneficiaries of Social Security but also Americans who look forward to benefiting from Social Security. Social Security is the foundation of all retirement for the American worker. Like I mentioned earlier, 48 million Americans celebrate and take part in the benefits that Social Security has to provide. Retirees receiving Social Security benefits are 33 million. That is a great number of Americans that have served our country well. Seniors who live within the poverty line, 48 percent of those individuals, of the 48 million, receive those benefits. The average monthly benefit is $955. That is making ends meet for so many Americans, some 48 million Americans. The size of the average benefit, like I mentioned, is $955; but the real issue is the fact that the benefits will be there for almost 50 years. Some may say 48, some may say 49, but for almost 50 years, the present benefit structure as we see it now for Social Security recipients, including those individuals that are receiving survivor benefits that I must add, Mr. Speaker, those survivor benefits is the legacy of the commitment that their parents made that have passed on, that have gone on to glory. The only thing that they were able to leave for their child are survivor benefits. And the benefits will be here until 2052; 2052, Mr. Speaker. That is not tomorrow. That is not next week. That is not even 2 years. 2052. And so many of the individuals that are running around here saying that we need to call the fire department because Social Security is on fire are not really telling the truth. One may say that the administration has a plan or the majority side leadership has a plan for Social Security. That is also not true. One may say that the President, like I said, the administration, has a plan. That is not true. Is there posturing on the majority side about the fact that they are going to come up with a plan? Yes, there is some conversation going on, but Washington is known for conversation. There is nothing wrong with conversation as long as it is bipartisan. And that is not happening. Leadership is about a bipartisan dialogue to improve Social Security. So if it is going to be addressed in this Congress, for us to move in a productive way, we are going to have to work together. And there is no leadership from the majority side for us to work together. Some may say, well, where is the Democratic plan? Well, I think the Democratic plan is celebrated by 48 million Americans today, not fiction, not something that may happen in the future; and in the 1980s it was a Democratic Congress that came together with Speaker Tip O'Neill and Ronald Reagan and saved Social Security. A supermajority of Democrats voted for it, and even the creation of it. So when one starts to argue about, well, where is the Democratic plan, the Democratic plan is in the wallets of 48 million Americans. And those Americans that are walking around working now with a Social Security card can say, wow, I am glad we have Social Security in the way we have it. And for those retirees that take their card out with those digits on them, they can thank the leadership of the Democratic Congress when it was created and also the Democratic Congress that saved Social Security to make sure that every American can have the maximum amount of benefits possible to them to help that 48 percent of the 48 million Americans that without Social Security would be living in poverty, to help 33 million of those retirees that are now, this is fact, not fiction, able to receive Social Security because, let us say, for instance, in that 33 million Americans, I am sure, Mr. Speaker, a number of their companies have gone back on their commitment on retirement. But Social Security is there for them. For those individuals that have passed on and gone on to glory, they were able to leave legacy benefits for their children. Let us talk a little bit about the private accounts, because I think it is important that we talk about the privatization scheme that some people in this town have in store or would like to put forth to the American people. Before I get into that, I would also like to add, since we are talking about the positive points of Social Security, that Social Security is important to stabilize the American way of life. If we start having benefits cut back, especially in this era of no health care, I must add, one may want to talk about health care accounts or special savings accounts and all of those things that are talked about from time to time. Forty-seven million Americans are working without health care. These are not individuals that are sitting at home cracking their toes, saying the job situation looks sad. These are individuals that go to work every day. So if we start getting along with our friends in Wall Street and saying we are going to have private accounts and we are going to shore up some more money for Wall Street, then that is a gamble that I am not willing to take. On the majority side, they are talking about, we need to privatize these accounts. Let me tell you, it is going to make it harder for everyone to achieve financial security, and I do mean everyone. Not just Democrats, not just Republicans, not just independents, not just people of color, not just Asian Americans. Every American will suffer under it. The size of the benefit cuts proposed in the philosophy that the majority side has is 46 percent. The average reduction of benefits a retiree would see over their lifetime would be $152,000. The amount that Wall Street would profit from the private accounts would be $940 billion. That is the only real bright spot here for some. The issue as it relates to our risk as it relates to this risky plan for private accounts, $2 trillion. The amount of government tax on private accounts would be 80 percent. If the Republican proposal to cut Social Security benefits were in place today, the average senior monthly benefit would be $516. This is very real, ladies and gentlemen. Remember, I said right now, as in the present, today. If we look at the clock right now, if we look at today's date right now, the average benefit is $955. Under the proposed philosophy that the majority side has, it would be $516. That is not something to be proud of. There are a lot of other things that were mentioned recently in the media, and we will talk a little bit about that. But as we start, as we continue to talk about the issue as it relates to the price tag of privatization, it is staggering. It is a lose-lose proposition, as presently presented, the philosophy that the President has. More than a 40 percent cut in benefits, adds nearly $5 trillion in additional debt over a 20-year period; 70 percent privatization tax, which on average takes back 70 cents on every dollar in private accounts. Some argue 80 percent. I mentioned this a minute a ago: $152,000 in benefit cuts for young people is based on the price index. So I think it is important that we look at this, especially as Americans are forced to start thinking about this, something that is 50 years away of being a problem. And I must say, after 50 years, Mr. Speaker, 80 percent of the benefits that are now offered in Social Security will still be intact. In 2052, 2053, people will still be able to receive 80 percent of the benefits. So I am wondering, where is the fire? I can tell the Members what is the fire right now, if we can use that as a metaphor, or the emergency. The emergency now is the fact that we have Americans working without health care. Emergency is the fact that we are not able to provide benefits to our veterans that are now paying more for health care that they were promised that would be free. Emergency is the fact that we have a Department of Homeland Security, that we are rated as an F as it relates to protecting our information technology. Those are true emergencies. Emergency is the fact that we cannot protect our borders. Those are true emergencies. Emergency is the fact that we have local districts, local cities, counties and State governments that are suffering through the acts of this Congress in what we call devolution of taxation. We will cut taxes, but we are going to make them raise them on the local level. Those are emergencies. Those are right now pocketbook, wallet issues that are facing Americans right now. I am glad the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ryan) joined me. I am starting to think that some people in this town may want us to say that something is an emergency, and it is actually not, while we are not looking at the ever-growing federal debt, the highest in the history of the republic; the fact that we are not looking at the fact that Americans do not have health care; the fact that we really do not have anything going on as it relates to making the dollar stronger; the fact that we do not want to address gas prices. Maybe this is the reason why we are spending all of this Federal jet fuel that the President is using flying around the country to try to persuade people to believe in a philosophy of privatization of Social Security when he himself has said privatization of Social Security alone will not save Social Security.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman. I want to thank the gentleman for co-chairing this 30-something Working Group that consists of 16 or 18 Members on the Democratic side of Members of the House. We, like I said earlier, try to come together and share this information, not only with Members of the Congress on what is important to the American people, but also what is important to young people that are trying to raise their families and have a good future for their children. I think that it is important once again to know that on the Democratic side when we start talking about Social Security or we start talking about Social Security reform, I think it is important that the American people understand that we want to strengthen Social Security without slashing the benefits that Americans have earned. I think that is important. I think that when you start talking about what Americans have earned, I believe that is paramount in this debate. And I think when they earn something, I think we need to make sure that we stand by our promise. Now, when we have a forecast for the present benefit structure that will for almost 50 years be in place, and then beyond those 50 years 80 percent of those benefits will be provided, I think that is standing next to our promise. I think there are some things that we need to do to make sure that the Social Security trust fund is solvent for years to come. One is to stop deficit spending in such a large amount of money every Congress; every budget that is passed, deficit spending. The whole philosophy of pay-as-you-go is no longer a philosophy as it relates to the majority. It is putting it on the credit cards. It is saying it is okay for foreign countries to buy our debt. It is saying that we will forestall it off to future generations. I do not believe that that is something that we should subscribe to. I think we should work hard in bringing the debt down and paying back into the Social Security trust fund. That will have us continue to provide the kind of benefits that we look forward to, that many Americans look forward to. When the President starts off in saying it is going to be $5 trillion to put forth his philosophy, I think that is problematic at the beginning, saying we are going to save you money, but we are going to borrow money to help you save money. It sounds like the Potomac Two- Step once again. And so it is important that we realize the gravity of this situation, knowing that there are issues that are greater than an emerging problem in 50-some-odd years. So it is important that we do as we always do as Americans, come together to save great programs and to be able to help our elderly and frail, to be able to help those individuals that have worked all their lives, the 48 million Americans I speak of that are already receiving Social Security benefits and that are counting on them. So, Mr. Speaker, I look on the bright end of things as I start heading towards a close here. The 48 million Americans that are celebrating Social Security right now, that are receiving on average $550 a month right now, which we know as of today if the majority side and the President's philosophy was in force, because there is no plan, that those benefits would be $516. That is easy math. That makes a world of difference to someone that is on a fixed income. We know that 33 million of those 48 million are retirees. So when the 30-something Working Group starts to look at priorities, we want to watch out for our parents, we want to watch out for our future and for our children's future. So when we were here in the state of the union and the President started talking about, well, people over 55 do not worry about it, my proposal will not affect your benefits, are we promoting two Americas, or are we promoting unity? I am glad my mom did not call me up and say, Kendrick, guess what? I am okay. You are not. Good luck. That is not what Social Security is about. It is not the ``Kendrick Meek Report.'' This is what took place here in this Chamber, in the state of the union, with both Houses coming together at that time. So it is important that we realize what is being said and what is being done. Forty-eight percent of those individuals, of the 48 million, would be living in poverty if it was not for Social Security. That is important to the 30-something Working Group, especially for those young professionals that the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ryan) talked about when they leave their higher educational experience on average $20,000 in debt. For those individuals, I mean, I thank God for the ability to have had the opportunity to go to school on a football scholarship and I left college without being in debt. But, guess what? Everyone is not an athlete. Every student going to college did not go on a scholarship. Some people had to get a student loan. And even for those that went on scholarships that had parents that could not afford it, Mr. Speaker, the money that it takes to buy books and other things that scholarships do not provide, they leave college or a post-graduate degree $20,000 in debt. So if we start messing around with the benefit structure under the privatization scheme, guess what? We are going to have to take care of our parents and our grandparents. We are going to have to subsidize their income. We do now, but it will be greater. So that is the reason why this is important, that the facts are put forth. Forty-seven years of solvency, the way Social Security is right now will continue. So, Mr. Speaker, I look forward, as long as there are those that are in this Chamber and outside of this Chamber that are sharing with the Americans inaccurate information and saying that privatization is good and it is going to be a really nice thing for all Americans and we all should do it, the 30-something Working Group will continue to work not only with the Democratic leader, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), who is our whip, and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez), who is our chairman of the Democratic Caucus, and the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn), who is our vice chair of the Democratic Caucus, and sharing accurate information with the American people and staying in the fight of informing them on the truth about what is happening right now; not what might happen, what is happening right now and what is going to happen for years to come. Because, remember, I say to my colleagues, Social Security in the 1980s was saved by a Democratic House, working along with Ronald Reagan in the White House, doing what we had to do on behalf of individuals that were carrying Social Security cards to keep our promise to them. We did the right thing, and we will continue to do the right thing. But the right thing is not increasing the Federal debt, and it is not taking a gamble on private accounts. So we will continue to share this information. I want to thank the Democratic leader for allowing the 30-something Working Group to have this hour. We look forward to being back next week, sharing good and accurate information, and the topic will be Social Security, with the Members of the House.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. And those are as-of-today numbers.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the life of Congressman Bill Lehman, the subject of my Special Order this evening.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, a few weeks ago, a great man who served in this House for 20 years went on to glory. On March 16, 2005, former U.S. Congressman Bill Lehman passed away peacefully in the presence of his family and a few close friends in Miami, Florida. He was ninety-one years old, and for 20 of those years he served in this great institution, the U.S. House of Representatives. We are here this evening to pay tribute to Congressman Bill Lehman who served with great dignity and integrity, who the Miami Herald described as a ``legendary figure in south Florida politics considered a visionary on racial issues and public transit.'' Only three people have ever served in the 17th Congressional District of Florida, former Congressman Bill Lehman, former Congresswoman Carrie Meek and myself, Mr. Speaker. For this reason, it is a great honor for me to honor him today. By any measure, Mr. Lehman was an extraordinary man. He was a successful businessman who went back to college, got his teaching degree and taught in the Miami Dade County schools. He also was a school board member and a chairman of the school board, and he led his school system through a very difficult time, the end of segregation in schools. Congressman Lehman was a Member of Congress universally known for fairness, kindness and compassion. He had strong relationships on both sides of the aisle and guided national transportation policy through the 1980's. Congressman Lehman started out as a used car dealer in Miami, and his nickname was ``Alabama Bill'' because Congressman Lehman was born in Selma, Alabama, and I think that it was very appropriate at that time for him to be in leadership, but he was a special kind of businessman even then. He developed a reputation as a used car dealer that you could trust, and that is something that is very uncommon these days, Mr. Speaker. My constituents still tell stories about ``Alabama Bill.'' One person said that he bought a car from Mr. Lehman but the battery died a few days later after he drove it home, and for Mr. Lehman, the solution was very easy, give him a new battery, something very common. Another person told the story of how she wanted to go to the prom with her boyfriend, but because they did not have a car, Mr. Lehman thought that it was fit for him to lend them a car for the evening. This was a very common man, but a man who walked softly and was a giant in this Nation. Mr. Lehman's customers were loyal and he never forgot them. Once at a town hall meeting as a Congressman, a constituent showed up and said that he bought a car from Mr. Lehman 35 years ago. He asked Mr. Lehman, ``Do you remember me?'' Silence fell over the crowd as the two men looked at each other, and Mr. Lehman said, ``Your name is Willie,'' and the man said, ``No, that was my brother.'' Mr. Lehman remembered them both, and he had a great memory and that is something we do not see common in public service. Mr. Lehman had a restless mind and could not be confined to business. His IQ was high enough to qualify him for membership in Mensa, a society formed in 1946 to promote intelligent exchange between very bright people. Mr. Lehman said later that he went to a few meetings of Mensa but soon stopped because he found the people there very boring. So, after he got his business started, he went back to college and earned his teaching certificate and became an English literature teacher in the Miami Dade public schools. He would often quote Shakespeare and other English writers in his talks. His foray into education led him into an interest in school politics. He ran for the school board and won, the first of an unbroken string of electoral victories at all levels of government. Later, he would become the school board chairman, just as the Federal courts ordered busing to end racial segregation in the Miami Dade County schools. Mr. Lehman described attending meetings of parents so angry that he had to have police guards escort him in and out, but his personal courage and his uncanny skill at easing tensions helped him win the day and the schools were integrated. In 1972, the rapid growth in south Florida led to a new congressional district which was Congressional District 17. Mr. Lehman ran for it. Seven Democrats ran for that seat, and nobody ever gave Mr. Lehman much of a chance because he insisted on supporting busing to end racial discrimination in schools. But he came in a surprising second in that election against a well-known front runner and came in a surprising first in the run-off election that followed. Bill Lehman started out as a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, but his work in Congress is most closely associated with his service on the House Appropriations Committee, his chairmanship of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee and his membership on the Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee. As a member of the Foreign Operations Appropriations Committee, Mr. Lehman used his position to help improve the lives and relieve human suffering throughout the world. An example is his work in 1980, when the flood of hundreds of thousands of Cuban refugees, known as the Mariel Boat Lift threatened to overwhelm all of south Florida. Financially, Mr. Lehman managed to get $100 million in Cuban refugee resettlement aid included in a foreign aid bill, only to see it later stripped from the legislation. Mr. Lehman did not give up then. He tried for the refugee money again and again until finally it got included in another bill. Today, a whole generation of Cuban Americans who came to seek freedom in this country owe Bill Lehman for looking out for their needs when they first arrived in this country. In 1988, Mr. Lehman used his congressional contacts to work with the Castro regime in Cuba to obtain the release of three Cuban political prisoners who had spent more than 20 years in jail for opposing the Cuban government. Lehman bargained behind the scenes through informal diplomatic back channels. He eventually traveled to Cuba and met secretly with Castro himself to win their freedom. It was a victory that only a person like Bill Lehman could achieve. Bill Lehman only tried to use the power of government to help people who had no other recourse and often no hope. Just a few examples, Mr. Speaker: In 1991, Lehman engineered the release of a 16-year-old girl who was arrested and imprisoned by the repressive government of Argentina at the time. Lehman's personal diplomacy, along with a promise to the Argentine government that he would not publicize the case in a way that would embarrass the regime, led to her release which she is grateful for today and attended his funeral. When a constituent who was a single woman wanted to adopt a foreign- born baby but found that the Federal Government prohibited her from doing so, Mr. Lehman introduced legislation to change it. The legislation became law, and now such adoptions are common. On a visit to a Federal agency in 1986, Mr. Lehman was told about two employees, a husband and a wife, who both worked in the same agency. The wife had inoperable cancer and a few months to live. They had young children, and she had only a couple of months to live. They had used all of their sick and vacation time on the treatments and care. Their fellow employees wanted to donate their unused time to the couple but found that the Federal law prohibited that from happening. Mr. Lehman introduced legislation to make it legal and started what is known as leave sharing, which is today an established Federal policy. When he learned in 1987 that the Communist government in East Germany would not allow Jews in East Berlin to have a permanent rabbi, Mr. Lehman made contacts with the U.S. ambassador to East Germany and the East German government and won approval for the first resident rabbi since World War II. Congressman Lehman learned through hearings about ``golden Hour'' for accident victims. If an injured person gets proper care within an hour of an accident, he has a much better chance of living or of recovery. That is called trauma care. Mr. Lehman was one of the major champions here in this institution for that and could be given credit for trauma care throughout the Nation and definitely in south Florida. He enlisted the help of then-Transportation Secretary Elizabeth Dole, now Senator Dole, and pushed through the establishment of the Miami Dade trauma center, which is known as the Ryder Center that is working today. The Bill Lehman Trauma Research Center in Miami is a testimonial to his work. These are just a few stories of the kind of man that Bill Lehman was and how he tried to use the power of government not for personal or political advantage but to help the lives of others. Perhaps one of the reasons Congressman Lehman was so effective is that he knew what others were going through through his own tragedy and trials in his own life. His beloved daughter Kathy died of a brain tumor. He was diagnosed with cancer and underwent surgery and rehabilitation therapy. Because of the surgery that cut some of the nerves that can allow him to speak, he had to take speech lessons to learn how to talk again. He used to joke he was the only politician that could only talk out of one side of his mouth. He also suffered a stroke that effectively ended his active lifestyle, which included tennis and various other activities that he maintained well into his seventies. Yet through it all, he was an example of grace, endurance and perseverance. His mind remained as sharp and as quick as ever, and he always had a sense of humor. The many lives that Congressman Lehman touched, he touched deeply. Our hearts go out to his wife of 66 years, Joan Lehman; his sons, Bill Lehman, Junior, and Tom; and their families and grandchildren and his grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, I just would like to say that Congressman Lehman, they only walk this way once or twice in our lifetime, someone that was willing to lead at the appropriate time in the history of this country and definitely within the 17th District of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the entire Florida delegation sends their heartfelt thoughts not only to the family but also to his friends who had a great appreciation for his existence. We are forever grateful as a humble country of having his family share his life with us. I personally feel the key to public service is helping those who cannot help themselves, and Mr. Lehman was an example of that. Mr. Speaker, there are many Members of the Florida delegation and Members of this Congress that will be adding their comments and memories. Finally, I want to end this Special Order with this quote from a book of poetry that Congressman Lehman wrote in his spare time. He was a well-read, well-written man. This book of poetry was called ``Hear Today,'' and the poem is called ``Recognition.'' ``We all have our problems, But my acquiring wealth Was not the cure. Though I knew, sure as hell, I didn't want to be poor. Recognition was the thing I knew I needed, And before it's all over, I may have succeeded.'' Mr. Speaker, I speak for my colleagues in the House of Representatives and for the people of South Florida and around the world whose lives were touched in recognizing Congressman Lehman this evening. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following articles for the Record at this time: [From the Miami Herald, Mar. 17, 2005] William Lehman, 1913-2005 (By Amy Driscoll) Former U.S. Rep. William Lehman, a legendary figure of South Florida politics considered a visionary on racial issues and public transit, died Wednesday at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach. He was 91. He died of heart failure, his family said. A used-car salesman, teacher, school board chairman and powerful congressman who exercised broad authority over transportation spending in the United States, Lehman was remembered by friends and former staffers as a compassionate soul and a progressive voice who helped shape South Florida. He was an Alabama-born Jew who opened a business in a black neighborhood in Miami and once traveled to Cuba to rescue political prisoners. Known at home as the father of the Metrorail and Metromover systems, he was part of a renowned generation of Democratic politicians, including U.S. Reps. Dante Fascell and Claude Pepper, who delivered uncommon clout to Florida. ``A person like this can only come along in a community once in a century, twice in a century if you're lucky,'' said John Schelble, once Lehman's press spokesman and now chief of staff to Miami Democratic U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek. ``He was truly colorblind.'' At the news of his passing, condolences poured forth, from Miami to Washington. a real `folk hero' Former U.S. Rep. Carrie Meek called him a ``real humanitarian and folk hero'' in Miami's poor communities. She recalled his car dealership, set in the heart of black Miami, and his fight as a school board member in support of mandatory busing to integrate schools. ``He felt very strongly about the people in the black community, and that wasn't just pious platitudes. He showed it in all the things he did. He showed it when he built his dealership. He showed it when he was on the school board,'' she said. Mike Abrams, lobbyist and former state representative who had known Lehman since the 1970s, said the former congressman was guided by an unshakable sense of right and wrong. ``He was the most moral man I ever knew in politics--and I've known a lot of men in politics. He was clearly guided by his personal principles,'' Abrams said. ``But that didn't mean he didn't know how to use his knuckles in the process. If he didn't think you had character, forget it. He was a character man all the way.'' Lehman's ability to reach people wasn't ruled by politics. U.S. Reps. Clay Shaw and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, both Republicans, counted Lehman as a friend. ``He was a Democrat through and through, and I'm a Republican, but that never interfered with our friendship,'' Shaw said. Ros-Lehtinen characterized him as ``a gentleman to his last breath.'' Lehman was born Oct. 5, 1913, in Selma, Ala., the son of candy factory owners. He graduated from the University of Alabama, and married the former Joan Feibelman in 1939. They became the parents of three children--two sons and a daughter, Kathryn, who died of a brain tumor in 1979. She had been a high school English teacher like her father. `alabama bill' He spent 30 years as a used car dealer, calling himself ``Alabama Bill'' in advertisements, before he got into politics. Lehman was elected to the Dade County School Board in 1966 and became chairman in 1971. His first election to Congress to represent a Northeast Dade district came in 1972. The Biscayne Park Democrat was known for his low-key manner, for the Southern drawl he never lost--and for his political power. ``The fact that he was so demonstrably Southern probably gave him an ability to play a conciliatory and constructive role in some of Florida's toughest times,'' said former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham. In the years when the Democrats held sway in Congress, he rose to a position of great influence, a member of the so- called ``college of cardinals'' in the House. With an unpolished speaking style and quiet strength, he controlled billions of dollars for transportation as chairman for 10 years of the House Appropriations Committee's subcommittee overseeing highways, seaports and mass-transit systems. millions for transit He brought a significant portion of that money home to South Florida, with some $800 million going to the construction of the Metrorail transit system. Millions secured by Lehman also went to build bridges and improve the region's seaports and airports. ``Anyone who rides a bus or takes a train in this area, they owe it to Mr. Lehman,'' Carrie Meek said. ``That's the way poor people get around and he chose to make that his priority.'' Other favorite causes included support for Israel and the resettlement of Soviet Jews. Sergio Bendixen, a Miami-based pollster who worked in Lehman's Washington office as press secretary and executive assistant from 1979 to 1982, said the congressman didn't need the trappings of success to boost his ego. small office ``He chose the smallest office--a cubbyhole, really,'' Bendixen recalled. ``He was a congressman. He knew he was powerful. He didn't need all the plaques on the wall and the symbols that seemed to make other members of Congress happy. He was secure.'' Lehman was an unabashed liberal who voted against a constitutional amendment banning flag-burning, against military aid to the rebels fighting to topple Nicaragua's leftist Sandinista government and against sending troops to the Persian Gulf during the first Gulf War. prisoner release But he won respect among conservative Cuban exiles in 1988 when he went to Cuba and negotiated the release of three political prisoners. It wasn't his first effort for victims of political repression: In 1981, he won release of a political prisoner in Argentina, and in 1984, he smuggled a synthetic heart valve to a young patient in a hospital in the Soviet Union. He was also a strong advocate for Haitian refugees. ``I'm a congressman,'' he told an aide inquiring about the danger of venturing into the Soviet Union. ``If they catch me, what are they going to do?'' down-to-earth Despite his power, Lehman retained his down-to-earth sensibilities. He was a breakfast regular for years at Jimmy's restaurant on Northeast 125th Street in North Miami. His two sons remembered him Wednesday as someone who never raised his voice but taught them the value of working for others. ``He'd get involved in things and he wouldn't skim the surface--he'd get down to the very bottom,'' said Bill Lehman Jr. ``He just took great pleasure in being a friend to anyone.'' Their father always listened to his internal compass, financing cars for black customers in the '40s and '50s, when few other white car dealers would, they said. ``He would look at a man's arms and if they had salt on them, from sweating, he would know that was a working man,'' said Thomas Lehman. ``That was his credit check.'' Surgery for jaw cancer in 1983 left Lehman's speech slurred. But he stayed in Congress for another decade, until his surprise decision in 1992 not to seek reelection when his influence was at its height. Friends say that even as he struggled with his speech and other health problems, Lehman maintained a sense of humor. ``I'm the only politician who can only speak out of one side of his mouth,'' he once joked, referring to treatment that left part of his mouth paralyzed. But Lehman said he made up his mind to retire in 1992 for health reasons: He said he had ``a sudden realization'' that a 1991 stroke had made him a less effective legislator. end of era His passing marks the end of a political era, said lobbyist Ron Book. ``They don't make 'em like that anymore--him, Claude Pepper and Dante Fascell--they're all gone now.'' Lehman is survived by his wife of 66 years, Joan; sons Bill Jr. and Thomas, and six grandchildren. The funeral will be at Temple Israel at 1 p.m. Sunday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the William Lehman Injury Research Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, P.O. Box 016960 (D-55), Miami, FL 33101.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Members of the House and also the Democratic leader for allowing me to have this time tonight. General Leave

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to one of the most dedicated public servants I have had the pleasure of working with, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Dr. Barbara Carey-Shuler. Dr. Carey-Shuler has served in many capacities--as a teacher, counselor, administrator, university professor, assistant superintendent for Dade County Public Schools, and most importantly, ``a leader of community leaders.'' In October 2002, Dr. Carey-Shuler made history when she was selected by her peers as the first African- American woman to serve as Chairperson of Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners--a position in which she served with distinction. Throughout her elected service, which dates back to her appointment to the County Commission in 1979, Dr. Carey-Shuler has truly been a groundbreaking elected official. She introduced and led the effort to pass the set-aside law and affirmative action policy in Miami-Dade County, the latter of which was argued all the way to the Supreme Court. Both policies were enormously successful in producing more jobs and more business opportunities for minorities and women. Among her many triumphs, Commissioner Carey-Shuler created the infill housing ordinance to provide clean-title lots to non-profits for the construction of low-income housing; initiated the ``No More Stray Bullets'' campaign to educate New Year's Eve revelers of the dangers of shooting weapons as part of the celebration; and established the Youth Crime Task Force which provides funding for new prevention and intervention programs to benefit at-risk youth. During her 30-year career of service to this community, Dr. Barbara Carey-Shuler has been recognized for her outstanding service. She has received major appointments to boards, committees and task forces by U.S. presidents and state governors. She has also received hundreds of honors and recognition for her service and contributions. Most recently she has been honored by the International Committee of Artists for Peace, a coalition supporting the United Nations International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World, and by the Dean of the Martin Luther King, Jr. International Chapel at Morehouse College in Atlanta for her work in promoting peace and non-violence. Her district includes much of the City of Miami, including the communities of Liberty City, Little Haiti, Overtown, the Upper East Side, Allapattah and Wynwood, as well as Miami Shores. Dr. Carey-Shuler has made and continues to make significant contributions to the growth and dynamism of South Florida, and I take great pride in acknowledging and thanking her for all that she has meant to our community.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise to pay tribute to Bishop Billy Baskin, one of the preeminent religious leaders of our community. On Sunday, April 10, 2005 beginning at 7 p.m., he will be honored at Miami's New Birth Baptist Church Cathedral of Faith International during a special appreciation service defined by the theme: ``Adding Years to Your Life--Adding Life to Your Years.'' Bishop Victor T. Curry, the Pastor of New Birth Church Cathedral, will lead other members of Miami's clergy and countless admirers throughout Miami-Dade County, in lauding this honoree portrayed as The Man, The Mandate and the Ministry. Having founded Miami's New Way Fellowship Praise & Worship Center in 1975, Bishop Baskin truly evokes the genuine leadership of a Good Shepherd who attends to his flock in many ways, and the whole week long. As pastor and teacher, he exudes the knowledge and caring of a religious visionary who goes about empowering his congregation with his sermons. He has been a source of inspiration and a mentor to a host of other religious leaders who are now leading other congregations throughout South Florida and beyond. Throughout the longevity of his pastorate, he has truly persevered in showing us the Way, the Truth and the Life that only his knowledge and experience could expound. As he continues to be involved with our faith-community, Bishop Baskin is never oblivious of the needs and concerns of others, particularly the less fortunate among us. It is his tireless consecration to his ministry that defines the measure of his consummate commitment to serve ``. . . the least of these.'' His timely and resilient leadership at the New Way Fellowship Praise & Worship Center for some thirty years is genuinely commendable. As a respected community leader, he has indeed earned our deepest respects and utmost admiration. This is the legacy of Bishop Billy Baskin. I am truly privileged in thanking him for his many years of service. My honor in sharing his friendship is only exceeded by my gratitude for everything that has sacrificed on our community's behalf as he continues to teach us to live by the noble ethic of serving the community.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. I want to close and touch a little on CDBG, which is the Community Development Block Grants. The Republican budget cuts funding for Community Development Block Grants by $8 billion over the next 5 years. These cuts will likely fall on Community Development Block Grants which the Republicans have proposed to eliminate, I must add eliminate. These cuts will have a significant negative impact on the ability of State and local governments to be able to provide housing and community development needs. Last year, 1.6 billion of CDBG dollars were used for housing, and the result of that was 120,000 homeowners received assistance for rehabbing or working on their homes; and 11,000 families became first-time home buyers, and 19,000 rental units were being rehabbed. The proposed CDBG cuts will have a particularly severe impact on the resources provided by housing and job training, domestic violence prevention, child care assistance, homeless assistance, small business development, and other services. The Democratic budget provides $2 billion more than the Republican budget for 2006 and $9 billion for over the next 5 years. Community and regional development will be eliminated and the downward spiral of these block grants will be detrimental to so many communities. I want to say to the city and county mayors, you need to call your Congressman and your Congresswoman and the Members of the other body and the administration and say the cutting of what we need will hurt our communities.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise to pay tribute to Florida Memorial College, which will become Florida Memorial University during campus ceremonies to be held on Friday, March 18, 2005. Founded in 1879 as the Florida Baptist Institute in Live Oak, Florida under the aegis of the Baptist Church and the leadership of the Rev. Matthew Gilbert, Florida Memorial is one of the oldest academic centers in Florida. It was later transferred to Jacksonville in 1892 as the Florida Baptist Academy. It was on this campus that faculty member J. Rosamond Johnson and his brother James Weldon Johnson co-wrote ``Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing,'' which is now known as the Negro National Anthem. In 1968 the College moved to Miami, Florida where it has grown to include a student body of 1,378 students from all over Florida, the Nation and the Caribbean. President Dr. Albert E. Smith has provided inspired leadership of the institution and its 66-member faculty. Dr. Smith has been very effective in attracting talented professors and students, and in shaping one of Florida's most beautiful college campuses. Florida Memorial offers thirty-eight degree programs through its seven academic divisions. It is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and is recognized by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSB) and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Throughout its glorious history, Florida Memorial has graduated thousands of professionals who have made history and are making productive, innovative contributions to this Nation and the world. It is for this reason that this transformation from Florida Memorial College to Florida Memorial University is genuinely deserved, for it manifests in no small measure the excellence of its programs and its significance in our community. My best wishes to President Smith, his staff, faculty, student body and alumni on this great achievement. It is thrilling to imagine what this great institution will achieve in the next 124 years.