Kendrick Meek

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Mr. Isaiah Hill, Jr. This noble man has dedicated and committed his life to serving the people of Miami-Dade County for 38 years in our Department of Parks and Recreation, and he has decided to retire at the end of June. Mr. Hill began his years of distinguished service in 1966 as a Laborer in the county parks system. Few imagined at that time that this first job would lead to a lifelong commitment to becoming a Skilled Laborer, Golf Attendant, and Maintenance Repair Mechanic. His superiors respect his loyalty, dedication, and commitment to fine workmanship. Anyone who has had the privilege of working with Mr. Hill knows that he will take on any task no matter how hard, and he will always get the job done. After many years of tireless work and dedication, he has decided to hang up his hat and retire. His many friends and co-workers at Miami Dade Parks and Recreation will dearly miss him, but so will the thousands of Dade County residents who never met Mr. Hill, but who have enjoyed the parks that he helped maintain for so long. The Parks may never look quite the same without his magical touch. He is leaving behind a legacy in the parks system for his co-workers to continue with a high level of commitment to excellence and dedication to service. Mr. Speaker, Isaiah Hill, Jr. is a good man who does things uncommonly well. Congratulations, Mr. Hill, and enjoy your retirement.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am today introducing a bill that will greatly improve the federal government's ability to communicate with our citizens when there is a terrorist attack or other serious emergency at the national, regional or local levels. My bill will require the Department of Homeland Security to set up an emergency alert system which can contact virtually every telephone subscriber in the United States within minutes, to convey to them vital information about what's happening and what they should do. Up until now, we have been somewhat less targeted in our approach to emergency warning systems, because we have relied on the mass media. Until now, we have used 20th century technology-television, radio, cable TV-to communicate with our people in times of emergency. It works fine if you are near a TV. But if the electricity goes out, most TVs and radios don't work. I don't want to eliminate the existing early warning system; I want to improve it and build on it. What I propose to do is establish a national emergency communications system based on 19th century technology, the telephone, which virtually every American has nearby, both at home and at work, and which usually works even when the lights go out. According to the Federal Communications Commission, roughly 104 million households out of 109 million have landline telephone service-- over 95%. Another roughly 1.2 million have only wireless telephone services. Further, nearly every business in the United States has phone service and almost 141 million of us have cellular phones. There are few options for dissemination of information better than our telephone system, which is widely considered the best in the entire world. The system I am proposing would make it possible for the government to let people know of imminent threats, transmit official warnings, provide accurate information about an attack and also provide instructions to people in the affected areas. The system I propose today has an additional advantage over the present emergency warning system, because it could be activated at the block, neighborhood, city, county, state or national levels, as needed. I would envision perhaps a special ring on the phone, so people would know that an alert call is not an ordinary call. Cell phones could be included in the system. The system would be activated by order of the Secretary of Homeland Security, so there would be accountability in its use. And once a message is approved, it could go out in a very short period of time, by live operators or by taped message. Because the system I propose is based on technology and techniques that have already been perfected by the teleservices industry. I want to harness this technology to improve our homeland security. Emergency information is critical to all of us. When an emergency situation happens, you want to know who is in charge; who can, and will, give you accurate, reliable information; and what you should do, if anything, to protect yourself. Officials from local, county, state, federal and volunteer agencies work together during emergency situations. That means information may be available from a number of sources--different people know about different parts of the response effort. Protecting the health and safety of our fellow Americans is the primary goal of everyone working on the situation. Part of that effort focuses on giving you accurate, coordinated information about the emergency and what you should do to protect yourself. The existing National Emergency Alert System was set up several decades ago to allow for public notification of emergency situations. The system was designed to provide immediate access to the public for the President in times of crisis. The U.S. leadership requires a reliable means for communicating with the American public on short notice during periods of national crisis or major emergency to provide reassurance and direction regarding response and recovery. But the EAS system was developed to provide the ability to address the Nation on AM and FM radio, as well as television and cable television audio. In addition, the President or other official must be able to address the Nation on live television, audio and video, upon arrival at a designated television studio. Today, emergency officials rely on mass media because they have the technology, communications equipment, trained staff, proven ability and commitment to get information to the public in an emergency. Indeed, television reaches 98% of the homes in the United States of America. But, that is part of the problem that this bill hopes to fix. Television reaches 98% of the HOMES in the U.S. If we were all sitting at home, with our televisions on, tuned to a channel with a direct link to the Department of Homeland Security, we could all feel secure that we would know what to do in the event of another horrible tragedy like the 9/11 attacks. This bill seeks to develop and implement an emergency telephone alert system so that, in the event of a terrorist attack, all telephone subscribers within the affected areas or, if need be, within the entire United States, can receive from the Department of Homeland Security immediate official warnings, accurate information, notifications of an attack and instructions on what to do. The technology currently exists that would allow the Department of Homeland Security to notify every telephone subscriber in the United States within a few hours or states, cities or communities within minutes, giving potentially life-saving information to our citizens. The Secretary would collaborate with other government agencies and with the private sector to use existing telephone technology and infrastructure to relay official information to all telephone subscribers within an endangered area within the United States--ideally with a distinct ring so that the receiver of the call will instantly be aware of its nature and importance. The aim of this legislation is to keep our citizens informed in the terrible event that there is a national, regional or local terrorist emergency and present sources of communication are not simply available. Minutes can make a huge difference in an attack or disaster; accurate information pin-pointed to the affected area can make all the difference.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call to the attention of my colleagues the grand opening of a new Social Security office within my Congressional District in Hallandale, FL. The new office will serve a total of 16,400 Social Security beneficiaries and 1,678 Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries in the cities of Hallandale, Hollywood and Dania Beach, FL. These cities, renowned for their thriving senior citizen populations, have shared a Social Security office in Hallandale since 1973. However, because this population has grown significantly over the decades, a new, more modern facility was needed in order to better serve the community. The new office, located at 1000 West Hallandale Beach Boulevard, will include many innovative improvements, such as front-end interviewing and interactive video training by satellite from Social Security national headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland, and other locations. I work closely with the Social Security Administration in answering questions and solving problems brought to my attention by my constituents, and I look forward to working for many years to come with Lee Rojas, the manager of this new facility, his full-time staff of 12 and his four special employees. I applaud the Social Security Administration for its decision to expand its services and improve its proximity to the more than 18,000 retirees who have earned Social Security benefits and rely on Social Security's services.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. Chairman, I think it is important for us to remember that this Committee on Armed Services bill is a needed bill and something that this country and our troops need. But at the same time, as it relates to those individuals that we hold up most, those civilian employees that are in the Department of Defense, some 700,000-plus employees, they are getting ready to be a part and victim of a political patronage situation. We had an opportunity in the committee and we have an opportunity, or hopefully we will have an opportunity on this floor if we can get an amendment up, to put in this bill directing the Secretary of Defense to consult with legal counsel in making sure that we have strong rules against political favors, political pay increases, or whatever the case may be. I will tell the Members of this Congress throughout all of our districts throughout this country, we do not want people at the Supervisor of Elections Office changing their party affiliation based on the administration that is serving. If we appreciate and care about these employees, the politicalization of the Department of Defense is not the place for it to happen. This is a very serious, serious issue; and I want to make sure that the Members of this House are on full alert that it is very important that we do not allow individuals to have to, because they were a part of some campaign, that they are now a part of the Department of Defense. We want the best employees there possible; and I think it is very, very important that Members give strong consideration to this. Please allow the Democrats on this side to be able to put forth amendments that are going to make this bill better. If this career service employment bill was so great, if this reform was so great, why can it not be a stand-alone bill? Why can it not be a stand-alone bill without putting it in the Department of Defense? Please let us not have to put donkeys and elephants on the canteens on our military bases.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time once again, I want to thank both the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne) and my colleague, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Deutsch), for joining in; and we would ask other Members to join us in this resolution. Yesterday, May 18, marking the 200th year of Haitian history, Haitian Americans and the country of Haiti celebrated their Flag Day. They celebrated in the country of Haiti with great fanfare on the grounds of the Haiti's capitol. In the United States Haitian Americans celebrated Flag Day with cultural events, including ceremonies, concerts, and prayer vigils. Haitian Americans in my district celebrated countywide and particularly in an area that is fondly known as ``Little Haiti'' to commemorate their Flag Day. America is founded on basic democratic beliefs and cultural values of people from every country in this world. There are over 1.2 million Haitians living in the United States today, with over 700,000 in Florida. I honor Haitian Americans for continuing to believe in the guiding phrase that is included below the country arms in Haiti's flag, ``In Union There Is Strength.'' That unity has been seen throughout American History since the 1700s. During the American Revolution at Savannah, Haitians and Americans fought side by side prevailing against Britain and creating the independence of the 13 colonies. Haitians Americans are woven into the fabric of American culture, economy, and politics. They are owners of newspapers, and radio stations, and have television programming and varied commercial businesses nationwide. In the month of May, in addition to Flag Day, Haitian Americans also celebrate Labor Day on May 1 and Haiti's Mother's Day is the last Sunday in May. It is my request that my colleagues offer their support for the legislation I introduce today expressing the sense of this body that there should be established a ``Haitian-American Heritage Month.'' I deem it only befitting that the month of May be designated as an official month of ceremonies and celebrations, as it holds such historical significance to Haitian Americans in our great Nation.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, I would now yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne).

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Haitian- Americans. Yesterday, May 18, marked the 200th year of Haitian history, that country's Flag Day celebration. They celebrated in Haiti, and not only in Haiti but also in Miami, Florida, in the place we know as Little Haiti. This was a celebration of a very proud people, a people that have invested so much into our democracy that we have here in the United States, and not only now but in the beginning. America was founded on the basic democratic beliefs of cultures and values, of people from every country in the world. There are over 1.2 million Haitians living in the United States today, with 700,000 of them in Florida. I honor those Americans, those Haitian-Americans who continue to believe in the guiding principles of their country. Flag Day represents unity and strength. That unity has been seen throughout American history since the 1700s during the American Revolution at Savannah. Haitian-Americans fought side by side, prevailing against Britain and creating an independence of 13 colonies. Haitian-Americans are woven within the very history and fabric of this country.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am not alone on this floor this evening in introducing this Sense of Congress to establish a Haitian- American Heritage Month; and so I yield to my colleague, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Deutsch).

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, though it is a sad day for the entire Florida A&M University family, find it a great privilege to pay this posthumous tribute to the late Coach and Professor Robert T. ``Bob'' Mungen. His untimely demise this past Sunday, April 20, 2003, leaves a great void in our historic institution. He is survived by his beloved wife Doretha, his son Robert and daughters Toyka and Sonya Lynn. Coach Mungen's magnificent contributions to the personal and professional growth of countless students and scholar-athletes at FAMU, Edward Waters College and Knoxville College are legendary and now emblaze the halls of academia. To his credit, young men and young women who came under his tutelage found a caring professor and an indomitable coach, who was at the same time highly regarded and loved as a confidant and a doting father-figure. Nowhere has his role of advocating played out so genuinely in the lives of his students than in the indelible mark he left on Barbara Thompson, a former student and colleague of his. Captured recently by the daily paper, The Tallahassee Democrat, she cogently characterized him as ``. . . someone I could go and get real good advice from like a daughter . . . As a student, I confided in him. As a colleague, I confided in him.'' A Jacksonville native, ``Bob'' Mungen played under the legendary Coach A.S. Jake Gaither in three choice positions as quarterback, defensive back and running back on the FAMU football team. His prowess in playing those positions were so remarkable that Coach Gaither superlatively dubbed him as ``. . . the most versatile athlete I ever coached.'' Professor Mungen served as head football coach at Edward Waters College in Jacksonville and later on at Knoxville College in Tennessee before coming back to FAMU in 1961. Assigned to the physical education department, he took over the men's tennis program and served in this capacity until his retirement in 1997. In his role as teacher and coach, he gained the confidence of countless parents who saw in him as the educator par excellence. They entrusted him with the future of their children, fully confident that they too would learn from him the tenets of scholarship and the pursuit of academic excellence under the rigors of a no-nonsense discipline and personal responsibility. In times of crises crowding his students' quest for learning, his forthright guidance was one that verged on faith in God and confidence in one's ability to survive the vicissitudes of life. Indeed, our FAMU family is deeply touched and comforted by the undaunted leadership and personal warmth he exuded to those who came to him through the longevity of his service. This is the genuine legacy he bequeathed to those of us he left behind. In a special way, I am privileged to be a grateful alumnus of a great institution of learning, graced bountifully by his remarkable contributions.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairperson of the Congressional Black Caucus Task Force on Haiti for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I must say that I concur with the gentlewoman's comments. I know that many of us in this Congress feel very strongly about U.S. involvement as it relates to the way of life in Haiti. What I can tell you is what this Bush administration has done is it has created an atmosphere of conflict. What I mean by that is the fact that we are saying we want Haitians to stay in Haiti, but we are not creating an environment for Haitians to be in Haiti with a democracy that is functional because it has the resources to be able to work towards providing the kind of services that Haitians need. I will say this: Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, and it is very disturbing to see this democracy in our hemisphere, the poorest country, and we are standing in front of dollars that were committed years ago to Haiti. I would also say something else that is very disturbing, and that is why I cannot understand the policy. If we want Haitians to stay in Haiti, if we want to be able to have a strong government in Haiti, if we want to be able to provide drinking water and humanitarian efforts in Haiti, then we should not be standing in front of these dollars. On the other hand, we should not have unfair immigration policies when Haitians are trying to seek political asylum due to the fact that Haiti is struggling right now, and we have conflict there, political conflict in Haiti. General Ashcroft, the U.S. Attorney General, put forth a decision just this past week saying that when Haitians are migrating to the United States, that they would be indefinitely detained. This goes against decisions that have been made in the past. Immigration, the INS in Miami, has said we should detain Haitians, even though an immigration judge said they should be paroled while they are waiting for their political asylum case to be heard. But we decide to detain and incarcerate Haitians, thinking that that will stop a mass migration to Florida or to the United States under the auspices of homeland security. I just want to share tonight with my colleagues that being on the Committee on Homeland Security, being on the Committee on Armed Services, I have not yet heard or seen an FBI report or a CIA report to show any level of or any indication of terrorism in Haiti, or any member of its government that condones terrorism in Haiti, or the Haitian people in general. I can say that it is quite confusing, since we have a situation in South Florida that could very well, if we are going to live by that policy and use that policy to detain Haitians unfairly, this may very well set forth a policy as it relates to those that are trying to seek political asylum from the island of Cuba. If the Cuban Readjustment Act was brought onto this floor today I would vote for it, because it is the right thing to do. A dictatorship is in Cuba, and I think it is important that we should allow people who want to migrate towards liberation to be able to have that chance. But Castro sided with Saddam Hussein. Cuba is also a communist country, and every day we have individuals that are migrating to South Florida. We should be very careful as a country when we start using homeland security against individuals who cannot harm this government. I think it is very important for not only the Attorney General's office to hear this, but the Bush administration to hear this, that we cannot do nothing on both ends. We must do something on one of the ends, and provide aid now for Haiti, humanitarian efforts for Haiti. I voted on a voice vote for the supplemental for Iraq. I feel that it is our obligation to go in and do the things we are doing in Iraq right now. But I think it is our obligation to do some of the same things in Haiti. And the Haitian people have had to hold off. Mr. Speaker, I would just say to the gentlewoman from California (Chairman Lee), I just want to say representing the largest concentration of Haitians in the United States, I think it is so very, very important for this government to realize not only its humanitarian effort, but its effort towards fairness and equality. I think it is important that this administration stop standing in front of the dollars that have already been committed. These are not new dollars, the dollars that have already been committed to Haiti. General Ashcroft's decision did more than stop those dollars that should have been going to Haiti years ago. He has also put questions in the minds of the humanitarian community that has been doing work there. They may feel Haiti is a terrorist state, which is not true. It is important that we fight against those forces. So, I want to thank the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) for yielding me time tonight, but I just want to say that our efforts have to continue. I want to commend the gentlewoman's efforts for being a stalwart in standing up on behalf of not only what America stands for, but being able to help those countries and individuals, those countries that are democracies, those countries in need, and Haiti is in need. So the message tonight is to release the dollars to Haiti or the resources to Haiti that have already been committed, and, two, fairness in immigration policies.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a man who is closing one chapter in his illustrious career. Mr. Roosevelt Wilson or ``Prof. Wilson'', as his journalism students call him, is being honored tonight in Tallahassee, Florida. After nearly 18 years of teaching journalism, Mr. Wilson is retiring from the Florida A&M University School of Journalism, Media and Graphic Arts, and is being recognized at a special retirement banquet in his honor from Florida A&M University. Tonight journalism students, family, friends, former athletes and community leaders will gather to honor and pay tribute to this remarkable man who has influenced and touched so many lives. Throughout many crossroads in my personal and professional career, Mr. Wilson has played a critical role. As a high school senior who was eager to play for the world-famous Florida A&M University Rattler football team, Mr. Wilson helped me and countless other athletes secure scholarships. As Sports Information Director and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at Florida A&M University, Mr. Wilson's wisdom and real-world advice were inspirational to thousands of bright- eyed student athletes with dreams of gridiron success. In 1991, Mr. Wilson embarked on a new venture as publisher of a weekly African-American Newspaper, the Capitol Outlook. With the help of family and friends, Mr. Wilson turned a small weekly paper into an award-winning nationally recognized publication. Every week more than 16,000 readers across the state read this weekly paper for its political, community and feature coverage. As publisher of the Capitol Outlook, Mr. Wilson's weekly columns have won national awards and the newspaper has been cited for excellence in editorial writing, public service, creativity and religion coverage. In addition, the Capitol Outlook was cited by the local Chamber of Commerce for business excellence. Words are inadequate to describe Mr. Wilson's contribution to the publishing and broadcasting world. In 2000, Mr. Wilson's coverage of the Executive Order eliminating affirmative action in the state of Florida and the public outcry that ensued was recognized for its objectivity and fairness. Furthermore, his weekly call-in radio show ``Against the Grain'' has become one of the most popular radio shows reaching thousands of listeners across North Florida. Throughout his professional career, Mr. Wilson has been honored for his community work and academic achievements on several occasions. In 1999, he was inducted into the Florida A&M University Sports Hall of Fame. He has also been recognized as Florida Teacher of the Year by Florida A&M University and the NAACP honored him with their Community Service Award. As Florida A&M University honors Mr. Roosevelt Wilson, I praise this man for his boundless energy and his commitment to the University. I congratulate Mr. Wilson on his retirement and praise him for all that he has sacrificed on behalf of his students. Mr. Wilson's legacy as a teacher and educator will live on through the thousands of students who've passed through his classes and the thousands of athletes who've passed through his office door. His legacy as a wordsmith will continue to live on through his columns, pictures, articles, and radio broadcasts. I am honored to call him a friend and a mentor.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a wonderful human being and a magnificent pubic servant symbolized by North Miami Police Detective Kathleen Ruggiero. On Sunday, May 4, 2003, at the Miami Shores Country Club, she will be honored by the Knights of Columbus, Marian Council #3757 of North Miami, Florida, at a festivity dinner dubbed appropriately as ``American Night''. Officer Ruggiero came to the North Miami Police Department in 1984 after working as a trooper with the Florida Highway Patrol for five years. The citation for this gala event defines ``. . . her loyal service to the community of North Miami and the Community she has created by her care and concern of children.'' Above all, however, this officer is more saliently characterized by her deep faith in the God she serves through those unloved and unfortunate children whom Divine Providence has deigned to send to her home. Being a loving mother to her own five children, she has taken upon herself the awesome responsibility of providing the same brand of love and affection to many more children who have been either abandoned or left at her doorsteps. These children have often been victims of domestic violence or have been shortchanged by the absence of basic family care. The children range in age from 1 to 12 years old, including newly-born babies she saved from a trash bin elsewhere. With her husband Walter, Officer Ruggiero truly represents the best and the noblest of our community. She exudes remarkable wisdom and compassion in tirelessly serving her North Miami community and beyond, and still manages to enlighten her fellow citizens on the agenda of conscientious public service and good governance impacting our duties and responsibilities toward the less fortunate. Along with countless others in Miami-Dade County, I am indeed a fortunate beneficiary of the brand of genuine advocacy she demonstrates both by way of word and example, buttressing her unconditional love for and commitment to the children uprooted from a home bereft of love and care. I have learned from her the centrality of God in our daily lives, conscious of the fact that the mandate of our Judaeo-Christian Faith must characterize our actions toward those who could least fend for themselves. As she wakes up before the crack of dawn on each given day, she begins her domestic chores from mopping the floor to doing the laundry to preparing the morning breakfast for her brood, fully cognizant that she will always have a full day ahead of her. It is during these early morning hours of quiet solitude that she is enveloped by the loving presence of God, becoming conscious of her own Christian stewardship that God's work on earth must truly become her own. Lovingly called ``Mother Kathy,'' by her household and her own neighborhood, she simply admits that ``. . . It's not easy. I'm not looking at this like an 18- or 19-year-old would. I should be at the age probably where I don't have any kids and I'm going on cruises. But that wouldn't make me happy. I'm going to change those little lives.'' Indeed, making a little bit of difference in the lives of abandoned children is her genuine way of changing the kind of world to which she was given to serve. The Sun Sentinel aptly describes her as ``. . . a woman of few pretenses (who) goes by the distance . . . By helping these children you do so much more than help an individual. Even though I adopted these kids, my door will always be open . . .'' Indeed, Officer Ruggiero has truly become the consummate public servant and community activist who abides by the dictum that children who have less in life, through no fault of their own, should have more from those of us fortunate enough to have received greater blessings from God. The collective testimony from the parents, community leaders and residents of North Miami represents an unequivocal testimony of the utmost respect and gratitude she enjoys. With the American Night's Gala Tribute to her, our community is deeply touched by her undaunted quiet leadership and perseverance. As a public servant, she preaches and lives by the adage that, under God's Providence, our quest for personal nobility and professional excellence is not beyond the reach of those willing to dare the impossible. As a genuine steward of God, she has indeed earned our deepest respects and remarkable admiration. I am truly privileged to represent her and her family in the Congress, and I am grateful that she continues to teach us to live by the noble ethic of loving God by serving our fellowmen. Above all, her utmost caring and compassion for helpless little children appeal to the noblest character of our humanity. My pride in sharing her friendship is only exceeded by my deep gratitude for all that she has done to uplift our honor and dignity. This is the magnificent legacy with which we will always honor Officer Kathleen Ruggiero.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, March 11, 2003, our country lost a true giant in the profession of teaching our children. Murray Sisselman was a man of great intellect, poise and determination. As President of the United Teachers of Dade for over a quarter century, he was an innovator who played a key role in the operations and policies of the nation's fourth largest school system, helping our schools adapt to a changing workplace, a changing economy, and an influx of immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and dozens of other countries. A native New Yorker, Murray Sisselman came to Miami in December, 1949. He attended the University of Miami for his undergraduate studies, and continued his graduate studies at NOVA University, where he received a Master of Science Degree as an Educational Specialist. Like many great leaders of large organizations, Murray Sisselman started out at the bottom and worked his way to the top. He began his career as a classroom teacher, where he honed his appreciation for the importance of teachers who are well trained and highly motivated. He was a great believer in continuing education so that teachers could improve their skills and keep up with changes in their subjects and methods, and he championed many innovative programs in this area. As President of UTD, Murray Sisselman never lost sight of the principles that guided his leadership: Providing a world-class education to every child, regardless of economic circumstances. Defending and enhancing the rights, opportunities and classroom conditions for each individual member through collective bargaining. Because of Murray Sisselman's lifelong work, the United Teachers of Dade has been able to forge coalitions with parents, businesses and organized labor to the advantage of students and the betterment of public education and our entire community. Mr. Speaker, I know that all my colleagues will join me when I say that our hearts go out to his wife, Ludmila; his children David, Jagger and Helen; and his grandchildren Sarah and Lina. Murray Sisselman was an education pioneer, and we celebrate his life. He set a standard of service and a commitment to education that will endure in our community for decades to come, and we are better off for his efforts.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee), and I want to commend her not only on behalf of Americans but also on behalf of myself and members of the Congressional Black Caucus for the workshop that she had in her district dealing with affirmative action prior to the Supreme Court hearing and commitment of those universities and individuals that she mentioned and those that went yet unmentioned, their contributions. So we thank her. Mr. Speaker, at this time I can say that this is one of these moments that I am glad that God allowed me to live long enough for this moment to be able to have such a soldier on behalf of fair opportunity, equal treatment for all, someone that had marks on his body on behalf of this country, with many other patriots that are here and that have gone on. I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis), Member from the Fifth District, distinguished member of the Committee on the Budget and the Committee on Ways and Means.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman from Georgia for his contributions, not only in the past but in the present. We commend you. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Jefferson).

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman. His comments were very appropriate for the moment and the time.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I just want to, number one, commend the gentleman from Maryland as not only chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, but being a part of this, how should I say, coalition of not only Members of Congress, not only black Members of Congress or women of Congress, but Members of Congress that commend the organizers for bringing forth a march to be in support of affirmative action. Even though it was being argued in the courts, as we know, and as I mentioned that the retired military generals filed a brief in this case, I am looking forward to talking a little more about this tonight and also about the U.S. corporations as it relates to the diversity of what Dr. King talked about so long ago which has made America what it is. But I just want to congratulate the gentleman on behalf of myself, this Member from the 17th Congressional District in Florida, with regard to what the Congressional Black Caucus is doing in relation to sticking with this issue in the halls of Congress and also encouraging those to do what they are doing now.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, every week the Congressional Black Caucus comes together here for an hour on the floor to not only speak of events that took place in the Congress but also in our Nation. And this week we are coming together as a caucus and to be able to share with Americans and those that came to Washington, DC, on April 1 of this month to march in front of the Supreme Court on the march on Washington. We rise today to commend the courage of these college students and young adults that participated in the march, held forums and also held workshops on affirmative action and the positive benefits of it. While the marchers were assembled in front of the Supreme Court, men and women of every color, every nationality stood together in front of the Supreme Court, whether it be in front of the bench as proponents or opponents of affirmative action or behind the bench with the responsibility to uphold the Constitution. Students came from far and wide, from as far as California, as close as here, right here in Washington, DC, to be able to speak on behalf of those who did not have the opportunity to speak for themselves on that day. 250 colleges, universities, high schools, middle schools, and other community organizations mobilized themselves for this national march on Washington with thousands attending. Today we commend them, today we commend them for fighting for our children. I commend them personally for standing for my 5-year-old and 8-year-old son and daughter. These students participated for equal justice. They marched for equal opportunities. They stood for equal protections side by side, men and women alike. So they have come without any reservations. Some stayed out overnight in front of the Supreme Court just to hear, just for a moment or two the arguments that were argued on that day. Some did not get an opportunity to go in. Some traveled all night. Some students missed class and had to go back and make those classes up or exams. Some had to ask their loved ones to take other loved ones to the doctor, to feed their children, to be able to do things that they would ordinarily be doing if they did not have to come to Washington. But that is all part of our democracy that we cherish and that we love. Tonight you will be hearing from members of the Congressional Black Caucus commending these students and other Americans for participating in this democracy, standing on behalf of equal opportunity, standing on behalf of fair play for all that makes America great. We want to make sure that organizers and those individuals that came to march here on Washington know that not only are Members of the Congress but members of the military are supporting them 110 percent for standing for what they believe in. And tonight, Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize some Members to be able to speak before us and share some comments as we go to not only commend but also talk a little bit about the importance of affirmative action. Our chairman, the distinguished Member from Maryland (Mr. Cummings), Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize at this points.

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 and include extraneous material on the subject of the Special Order today.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton), who has appeared before the Supreme Court as a lawyer many times.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am going to yield now to a distinguished gentlewoman who is a member of the Committee on Appropriations, the gentlewoman from the 13th Congressional District of Michigan (Ms. Kilpatrick).

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) for her outstanding comments, and I want to thank those institutions of higher learning in the D.C. area that took just such a vital part in playing host to so many of these marchers. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas, Ms. Sheila Jackson-Lee.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to Members and to our Nation of an important point in television history that took place on Friday, March 28, 2003. The Haitian Television Network of America went on the air in Miami, Florida. The Haitian Television Network is the first Creole and French language 24-hour-a- day station in the Nation. We were very proud, based on the fact that it is in Miami. After years of programming on public access stations on cable, the president of the station, Claude Mancuso, has succeeded in his vision of reaching a broader audience. Mr. Mancuso has also worked within the Haitian community in providing Haitian programming. This is very important to our Haitian-Americans, that their Haitian culture, religion and history is daily programmed throughout south Florida and throughout the Nation. News, sports, movies, sitcoms and documentary programs for children are going to be able to help our Nation grow and understand one another. The Haitian-American population is estimated nationally at over 2 million, with over 700,000 Haitian-Americans residing in the State of Florida, with 500,000 in south Florida. I commend the Haitian Television Network for achieving its goal of being able to be a 24-hour station and look forward to many years of programming.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this resolution. I also thank my South Florida colleagues, Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Mario Diaz-Balart for bringing this resolution to the floor. I stand with them today to condemn the brutal and inhumane attacks by Fidel Castro on innocent human rights activists, trade union leaders, journalists and ordinary citizens in Cuba. Fidel Castro has taken advantage of the power he has in his country and over his citizens for years. Today, he is taking advantage of the world's focus on the war in Iraq to once again suppress Cuban dissidents who are trying to exercise basic rights of freedom of expression, seeking a peaceful evolution towards a democracy he so obviously deplores. Mr. Speaker, here in the United States, protesters are using their First Amendment rights to speak their minds on the war in Iraq. Whether they support the Bush administration or not and whether we agree with them or not, people in this country rally to voice their concerns over the war, and other issues, without the fear of being brutally attacked and imprisoned for the rest of their lives. In Cuba however, the freedom to express your mind is nonexistent. The imprisoned dissidents in Cuba are part of a growing movement who are continuously followed, harassed, phone-tapped and detained. For merely stating their opinions, signing petitions and writing articles advocating the end of the dictatorship in Cuba, these activists are charged as criminals. They are threatened for gathering in each other's private homes to talk about the resurrection of a better life in Cuba for themselves and for future generations to come. Mr. Speaker, these callous and repressive acts by Castro's regime are nothing new. They have been occurring long before my colleagues and I came to Congress. Many of the prisoners will probably face years of imprisonment, joining several hundred political prisoners who have been previously sentenced for similar harmless acts. For decades now, Castro has repeatedly used the repression of his citizens as a means of retaining authority and control over his country and over his people. It is for these reasons I stand in strong support of this resolution and ask my fellow colleagues to join me to condemn the arrests of these individuals and insist the immediate release of all political prisoners in Cuba. Mr. Delay. Mr. Speaker, on March 17th of this year, Fidel Castro initiated his most draconian crack-down on political dissidents in recent years. He has ordered the arrest of more than 80 pro-democracy activists. He has tried them in proceedings the State Department called a ``kangaroo court.'' And he has sentenced them to decades in prison on illegitimate charges. Castro was wrong to think he could tighten his choke-hold on the human rights of his people under the radar of the civilized world. The United States may be engaged in armed conflict on the other side of the world, but no fog of war can conceal Castro's barbarism. And no freedom-loving nation can reward such behavior with trade policies that, however well-intentioned, would enrich a terrorist regime 90 miles off our shores. If Castro cared about the Cuban people, he would stop brutalizing members of the pro-democracy movement. He would release all his political prisoners, and restore individual liberties to his people. He would recognize the human rights of all Cubans, especially those with the courage to speak the truth about his goon squad of a government. This resolution calls on the Cuban dictator to do all of these things, and it puts the House of Representatives once again on the side of our oppressed neighbors and against their oppressor. I urge all Members to support it.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to say that not only all of the Members here, but the Members who could not be here that did place information in the Record, it is such an honor to be here, coming from Florida. So many of you were involved in that effort there to save and work towards a better affirmative action in Florida and this country. Words are inadequate to even describe the kind of work that is going to have to be done for the understanding of this country of how important affirmative action is. I tell every American, if you have a daughter and a mother, and obviously we all do, you are for affirmative action. I commend those individuals that came before us, and the NAACP and other organizations that organized to get them here. I look forward to working with the gentleman and the members of the Congressional Black Caucus as we continue to work with these young people and younger people that have done so well for us.