Gwen Moore

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, Monday, June 19, on account of district business I was absent for votes on rollcall numbers 289, 290, and 291. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on each of these votes.

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 867, a resolution honoring the great late Dr. James Cameron, the only known survivor of a lynching and founder of America's only black holocaust museum located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my 92 cosponsors, including the entire delegation from Wisconsin, in remembrance and to honor one of our Nation's true civil rights pioneers, a man who experienced the most horrific acts of violence in this country's history and who used that experience to promote social justice and racial healing. This resolution honors a man who at the tender age of 16 witnessed the lynching of his two friends. And although the lynch mob had looped a rope around his neck, his life was miraculously spared. This resolution honors a man who spent most of his life after that point dedicated to the eradication of racism, the preservation of African American history, and the advancement of civil rights for all of us. Dr. James Cameron embraced the call of civil rights and social justice work despite several death threats, Mr. Speaker. He went on to found three NAACP chapters in Indiana and played a role in protests to end segregated housing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1988, Mr. Cameron founded the Black Holocaust Museum after an inspirational journey to Israel in order to preserve the history of lynching in the United States and to use this knowledge to promote understanding and combat racism, fear, and violence. Dr. James Cameron left us and passed away on Sunday, June 11 at the age of 92. This was almost one year to the day that the United States Senate honored Cameron as the only lynching survivor and passed its historic resolution formally apologizing for not passing anti-lynching legislation throughout much of the 20th century. Just yesterday we laid Dr. Cameron to rest on the symbolic day, Juneteenth Day, in commemoration for the ending of slavery in this country; also Juneteenth Day commemorating the 18th anniversary of the founding of America's Black Holocaust Museum. Mr. Speaker, this is a significant week in civil rights and in black history. In addition to yesterday being Juneteenth, the House plans to consider the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act this week. Dr. Cameron's life exemplifies the imperative of the civil rights struggle, the call to listen to our humanity over and above our fear. Dr. Cameron taught us to be better, not bitter. Years ago, Dr. Cameron placed me on his board of directors of America's Black Holocaust Museum, a relationship that I sought for personal resurrection, restoration, reconciliation, renewal, and regeneration as an heir of the shameful experience of slavery. However, Mr. Speaker, all, all of whom encountered Dr. Cameron throughout the world, including the family of the young victim on that August night, all who experienced Dr. Cameron experienced reconciliation, the reconciling and redemptive power of forgiveness. I strongly urge my colleagues to continue to add to the historic significance of this week by supporting this resolution honoring the life and accomplishments of a man who had a life worth living, Dr. James Cameron.

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of the 100th anniversary celebration of the City of West Allis. I am proud to serve this community, a portion of which lies within the Fourth Congressional District. Happy 100th Birthday to this remarkable community! The City of West Allis was incorporated in 1906, but this vibrant community's roots go back much further. In the 1820s and 1830s, prominent visitors to the Honey Creek area, now the heart of West Allis, were impressed with its dense woods and abundance of fresh water springs. Settlement proceeded and by 1860, Honey Creek boasted a school, blacksmith shop, post office and chapel that served Baptist and Episcopalian worshippers. In 1891, the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society purchased the land that is now home to the State Fairgrounds, and by 1894, the Milwaukee Street Car Company had extended transportation routes to this destination. The Allis Company moved from the heart of Milwaukee to West Allis in 1900, fueling the engines of economic growth and development. Throughout its history, West Allis has been known for its strong community, numerous recreational amenities, and the work ethic that underlies its industrial economy. With the decline of the regional manufacturing economy, West Allis has undergone fundamental changes. It is a testament to the strength of this community and its visionary leadership that urban redevelopment initiatives have brought new economic benefits without compromising the community spirit that characterizes West Allis. The award-winning redevelopment of the Allis-Chalmers campus, for example, has preserved the structures of West Allis' industrial history while creating an exciting and unique office park that has rapidly attracted new tenants to the area. The bike path, currently under construction, serves as a reminder that early settlers were attracted by the beautiful natural landscape. The farmers' market, due to open this year, promises to further strengthen residents' ties to the community. I am proud to represent the community of West Allis, congratulate it on 100 remarkable years, and look forward to continuing to work with its leaders and residents as its revitalization continues.

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, with the number of U.S. military deaths in Iraq reaching 2,500, it's disappointing that the best the GOP leadership can do is demand more of the same. That's exactly what this resolution does by calling for a vague open-ended military commitment in Iraq. This resolution reaffirms a policy that simply isn't working. Instead of acknowledging the difficulties our troops face by offering clear alternatives to the President's ``business as usual'' approach, this resolution tries to cloud the debate by focusing on the ``war on terror.'' Indeed, Iraq isn't even mentioned until the eighth paragraph. The real issue at hand is whether this particular U.S. military-led effort that we've been following under Secretary Rumsfeld will achieve lasting peace and democracy in Iraq. I can understand why the GOP would want to divert attention from this critical question--it is precisely because of the Administration's policy that Iraq has become a terrorist haven where none existed before. Since President Bush landed on an aircraft carrier and declared ``mission accomplished'', the estimated number of insurgents in Iraq has quadrupled from 5,000 to 20,000. As a result, the average number of daily attacks by insurgents has climbed from 53 to 75, from May 2004 to May 2006. This war is an expensive quagmire that's weakening the federal government's ability to meet our domestic needs. We have spent over $300 billion so far on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, which is costing us about $8 billion a month on average, according to the Department of Defense. It's no wonder that this Congress was recently asked to vote on a budget that cuts education, freezes funding for health care research, and shortchanges medical care for our nation's veterans. The massive deployment of National Guard and Reserve units overseas has undermined our capacity to confront terrorist attacks or natural disasters here at home. We know that state officials in Louisiana and Mississippi struggled to overcome the absence of National Guard members from their states in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Despite these grim realities, politicians on the other side of the aisle are stubbornly restating that--no matter what--we must ``stay the course.'' I strongly disagree. The President and his allies in Congress should heed the words of military and diplomatic leaders who have warned that a continuing presence in Iraq will neither calm the violence nor lead to stability. Mr. Speaker, it is incumbent on this body to offer and debate real strategies for the redeployment of American forces. Instead, this resolution allows only a phony debate on the ``war on terror'' which will not allow amendments that would offer alternatives to the Bush administration's policy in Iraq.

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize one of our Nation's true civil rights pioneers, a constituent of mine who has graced Milwaukee with his work for justice and equality for over 50 years. Sadly, that man, Dr. James Cameron, died June 11, 2006. When Dr. Cameron was only 16 years old, he was subject to a horrific, and horrifically common, episode of racial violence when a crowd lynched him and two friends. Though his friends perished in the ordeal, Dr. Cameron was miraculously released--an outcome that he attributed to divine intervention--making him the only known survivor of a lynching. Out of that experience, he built a life and a legacy dedicated to the eradication of racism, the preservation of African American history, and the advancement of civil rights for all. Following his deliverance, Dr. Cameron focused his life on advancing the cause of equality and civil rights. He founded three chapters of the NAACP in Indiana in the 1940s, and served as first president in the Anderson, IN, chapter. He served as Indiana State Director of Civil Liberties until 1950, in which capacity he investigated and reported to the Governor of Indiana on violations of equal accommodation law. Despite receiving many threats and facing numerous acts of violence, he continued to work toward racial equality. He marched twice with Dr. Cameron and with many others then and later. Inspired by efforts of members of the Jewish community to document their history of persecution, Dr. Cameron opened America's Black Holocaust Museum in 1988. The museum continues to document the devastating effects of slavery, lynching and racial violence. As a result of his life-long efforts, Dr. Cameron received a public apology from the U.S. Senate for its failure to take decisive action to end the epidemic of lynchings in the south. Dr. Cameron acted as a courageous visionary. He endeavored to use the lessons of an ugly violent past to build a foundation for real unity. He worked to realize a world in which racism and violence are relegated to history. Dr. Cameron exemplifies the imperative of the civil rights struggle--the call to listen to our humanity over and above our fear. Despite his experiences, Dr. Cameron did not seek safety by trying to carry on a quiet, private life. He embraced the call to work publicly, despite the risks to his own safety, to secure full equality for all. He taught us to be better, not bitter--even though it would have been very easy for him to succumb to a life of anger after surviving such a violent and hateful experience. I am honored to have this opportunity to pay tribute to his singular courage, visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to our community.

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Chairman, I do, briefly.

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Chairman, I understand that I will have to concede to the point of order, but I can tell you that I did not perceive that I had to provide an offset for this funding because it was deemed as the highest, the highest, priority.

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Chairman, earlier this year, the VA made a priority request for $32.5 million for urgent and necessary upgrades for the spinal cord injury unit at the Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee. However, the subcommittee mark made a point of zeroing out this project. My amendment would restore the funding for this requested priority. Mr. Chairman, I can tell you that I am new to this body, so I was very curious as to why they would do this. Clearly the Zablocki spinal cord injury unit is not a ``bridge to nowhere.'' It is one of only 23 spinal cord injury units in the country, serving more than 500 veterans as in-patients and over 10,000 patients on an outpatient basis each year. Nationally, there are over 44,000 veterans suffering from spinal cord injuries that are now paraplegic and quadriplegic. At such a critical time when we are at war and the number of injured soldiers continues to increase, I had to ask myself, Mr. Chairman, what are they doing and why are we doing this? So what I did as a new Member is I went to something called the committee record, I believe, and what they said here is that they did this because this was of ``relatively low priority.'' Well, I was really confused then, Mr. Chairman, because I then checked with the budget documentation submitted by the Department of Veterans Affairs and discovered that they had listed this as their number one priority for fiscal year 2007. Further, they went on to describe the spinal cord injury unit at Zablocki as having by far received the highest score under their project scoring session. Mr. Chairman, I don't stand under this E. Pluribus Unum boring Members on and on often. I am here because I truly am trying to understand how other projects with lower priority scores were, indeed, funded. As a matter of fact, Mr. Chairman, I will submit for the Record this corroborating evidence that this indeed is a highest priority of the fiscal year 2007 projects. The Committee recommends an appropriation of $283,670,000 for Construction, Major Projects for fiscal year 2007. This is a decrease of $690,930,000 below the fiscal year 2006 enacted level and a decrease of $115,330,000 below the budget request. When adjusted for supplemental funding, the recommendation is $323,430,000 below the fiscal year 2006 enacted level. The Committee recommendation does not include funding for refurbishment of operating rooms at the Columbia, Missouri VAMC, and refurbishment of the Spinal Cord Injury Center at the Milwaukee, Wisconsin VAMC, both of which are relatively low priority projects. The estimate submitted in the budget for the Capital Region Data Center project includes a contingency reserve of over 25 percent, well in excess of needs for such a project. The funding for this project is therefore reduced by $5,000,000, leaving 12.5 percent for a contingency reserve. The Committee recommendation includes no funding for the replacement hospital in Denver, Colorado. The Committee notes that less than two years ago, when original planning funds were appropriated for the Denver facility, the estimated total cost of the project was $328,000,000. The current estimate for the project is in the range of $621,000,000, almost double the previous estimate. This is not the only instance of large cost growth for construction projects of the Department, but this is a project at a stage where work can be halted before significant and irreversible financial damage is done. The Committee is concerned with the rapid escalation in the cost of building new facilities and cautions the Department that few, if any, projects will be approved in the future if such costs are not brought under control. The Committee recommendation also includes a general provision which places restrictions on the use of funds previously appropriated for a new facility in Biloxi, Mississippi. It is the Committee's direction that no funds can be expended on a new facility unless it is a joint-use facility shared with Kessler Air Force Base. The specific amounts recommended by the Committee are as follows: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Committee Location and description 2007 request recommendation ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Veterans Health Administration [VHA]: American Lake, WA Seismic $38,220 $38,220 Correction, NHCU & Dietetics. Columbia, MO, OR Replacement.. 25,830 0 Denver, CO Replacement Medical 52,000 0 Center Facility.............. Long Beach, CA Seismic 97,545 97,545 Correction, Bldg. 7 & 126.... Milwaukee, WI Spinal Cord 32,500 0 Injury (SCI) Center.......... St. Louis (JB), MO Medical 7,000 7,000 Facil Improv & Cem Exp....... Advance planning fund: Various 39,255 39,255 locations.................... Asbestos abatement: Various 5,000 5,000 locations.................... Claims Analyses: Various 2,000 2,000 locations.................... Judgment Fund: Various 2,000 2,000 locations.................... Hazardous Waste: Various 2,000 2,000 locations.................... Facility Security Fund: 4,000 4,000 Various locations............

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to stand with the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) and the 3 million women living with breast cancer in the country today, and urge my colleagues to push for passage of the Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act (H.R. 2231) by the end of this year. Too many mothers, daughters, wives, and sisters are dying from breast cancer and we will not end this disease until we find out what causes it. H.R. 2231 would go a long way towards finding out what causes breast cancer and how to prevent it. It is generally believed that the environment plays some role in the development of breast cancer, but the extent of that role is not fully understood. More research needs to be done in this area since it has been understudied in the past. H.R. 2231 would authorize $30 million per year for 5 years for the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to award grants to study the relationship between environmental factors and breast cancer. The targeted research holds the promise for a better understanding of the causes of breast cancer, breakthroughs in prevention and treatment, and ultimately perhaps a cure. Furthermore, this bill would create a new mechanism for environmental health research, and provide a unique process by which up to eight centers would be developed to study environmental factors and their impact on breast cancer. Modeled after the highly successful Breast Cancer Research Program, it would include consumer advocates in the peer review and programmatic review process. There have been isolated studies looking at suspected environmental links to breast cancer. But overall, the issue of what causes breast cancer, and the association between the environment and breast cancer requires a collaborative, comprehensive, national strategy to study these issues. This bill makes that mission possible. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and enact it this year so that we can get closer to a day when no woman need worry about breast cancer again.

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and accomplishments of an extraordinary Wisconsin woman, Mrs. Ruth Bachhuber Doyle. Mrs. Doyle died May 6, 2006, after a long life dedicated to public service. Born in Milwaukee and raised in Wausau, Ruth Bachhuber met Jim Doyle Sr. when both were students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the 1930s. They married in 1940, and had three children together, including the current governor of Wisconsin, The Honorable Jim Doyle. Though three generations of her family preceded her in political life, Mrs. Doyle was one of the first women elected to the state Legislature. As a result of her election, the Bachhuber family became the only one in Wisconsin history to see four generations serve in the state Legislature. Mrs. Doyle is also known for helping to revitalize Wisconsin's Democratic Party. She reenergized the party by engaging women as leaders and activists. She later served on the Dane County Board, and as the first woman president of the Madison School Board. In addition to her exemplary political career, Mrs. Doyle and her husband--who served at one point as U.S. district attorney--raised four children. She was a true public servant in every meaning of the term, with a keen interest in education, and a strong commitment to acting always with integrity and maintaining and honoring the integrity of the democratic process. Mrs. Doyle pioneered a new public role for women. I consider myself very fortunate to be one of those who has benefited from the trail she blazed. Women, men, and families throughout our state have been blessed by her quiet wisdom and sincerity and her constant efforts to safeguard the interests and needs of Wisconsin citizens. I am honored to have this opportunity to recognize her life and achievements, and send my condolences to her family.

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra, MYSO. MYSO was started in 1956, with assistance from the Junior League Children's Arts Program, the Milwaukee Art Center and later the Rotary Club. It has since grown into a valued community institution and the largest youth orchestra program in the Nation. MYSO provides valuable education and character development for all of its young participants. Through participation in MYSO programs, young musicians develop discipline and creative problem-solving skills, and learn to work as part of a team. MYSO provides young artists with exposure to professional musicians and master teachers. Since its inception, the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra has become one of the most respected youth orchestras in the United States, serving almost 800 young musicians in a range of programs that include several large orchestras in additional to smaller and more specialized ensemble groups. MYSO alumni have gone on to distinguished careers as professional musicians, and have become accomplished and dedicated supporters of arts in the community. MYSO has also made a significant commitment to bringing arts into the community. As budget cuts trim funding for arts and music education in the Milwaukee Public Schools, MYSO has created new programs that ensure everyone has the opportunity to learn about and appreciate music. Programs like Progressions and MYSO Jazz Studies bring instrumental instruction and ensemble performance to students who might otherwise never have the opportunity to play an instrument or learn to read music. Together with several other youth arts organizations, MYSO collaborated to develop the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, creating a dedicated space for youth arts that fosters excellence and honors the creative talents of Milwaukee-area youth. This project has contributed to the revitalization of a key central city neighborhood. For all of these good works, I am honored to commend the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra. I thank them for 50 years of exemplary leadership and teaching, and look forward to their continued efforts to provide Milwaukee's youth with outstanding arts education.

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the National Association of Letter Carriers as they prepare to stage their fourteenth annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive this Saturday. Letter carriers in over 10,000 cities and towns will participate in this effort, the largest one-day food drive in the United States. In the Fourth Congressional District, the National Association of Letter Carriers Pioneer Branch 2 partners with the Hunger Task Force to ensure that all food collected gets distributed quickly, fairly and safely. Last year's effort netted over 1.29 million pounds of food, and solicited the participation of 800 volunteers. Thousands of families contributed food, and letter carriers throughout the Milwaukee area worked tirelessly to make the event a success. As a result, this annual food drive is a true community effort that enables all of us to serve our neighbors. I have no doubt this year's event will meet or exceed last year's impressive achievements, and thousands of Milwaukeeans will have access to food throughout the summer as a result. It is simply unconscionable that so many Americans have insufficient food to meet their needs. Stamp Out Hunger is a true testament to the strength of our community and our commitment to ensuring the security of our most vulnerable residents. I am honored to express my gratitude to the Hunger Task Force, NALC Pioneer Branch 2, and the constituents of the Fourth Congressional District who give to this year's Stamp Out Hunger food drive.

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 139. I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a beloved member of the Milwaukee community, Ms. Rose-Marie Coggs. The daughter of Calvin Jr. and Erma L. Coggs, Rose-Marie was born in Milwaukee on May 26, 1953. As a child, she was a student at Fifth Street Grade School, Robert Fulton Junior High School, and graduated from Rufus King High School. In addition, she graduated from Milwaukee Area Technical College in its metallurgist program. Rose-Marie displayed her significant artistic talents in drawing and painting and exhibited her works in Milwaukee art showings. In addition she was known as an accomplished jewelry designer with a particular gift for watches and rings, of which she produced beautiful collections. An award-winning artist, she often featured in showings at the Inner City Arts Council and African World Festival and in fact, her work was a regular feature in art festivals throughout Southeastern Wisconsin. Rose-Marie Coggs was a woman of many creative talents and interests, from modeling for the African World Center with the Bashir Family to antiquing as a licensed antique dealer and appraiser who traveled throughout Wisconsin and Illinois participating in shows and fairs. She worked in the hospitality arena at various locations, was employed at OIC-GM as a receptionist, and worked as a Community Organizer for Project Respect. Rose-Marie prided herself in being a mother to her only child, son Ayinde J. Coggs. She was also blessed in having thirteen grandchildren: Ayinde Starling, Raymond Quesada, Ayana Coggs, Nielah Coggs, Ayinde Sprewell, Deonte Sprewell, Amber Coggs, Adanna Coggs, Brittney Harris, Angel Johnson, Lyric Elvord, Amani Carter and Naomi Noble. She was an extremely giving person who loved celebrating family events and faithfully remembered others' birthdays. Mr. Speaker, so many of us in the Milwaukee community are saddened at losing her suddenly and much too soon. My thoughts and prayers are with her friends and loving family at this time, and I ask my colleagues in the House to join me today in remembering her life and many contributions to our community.

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, April 25 and Wednesday, April 26, I was absent for votes on rollcall numbers 100 through 108. Had I been present, I would have voted ``Yes'' on rollcall number 100, ``Yes'' on rollcall number 101, ``No'' on rollcall number 102, ``No'' on rollcall number 103, ``Yes'' on rollcall number 104, ``Yes'' on rollcall number 105, ``No'' on rollcall number 106, ``Yes'' on rollcall number 107, and ``No'' on rollcall number 108.

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a noted Milwaukee community leader, Mr. Art Heitzer, as his colleagues, friends, and family gather to celebrate his 40 years of activism. Throughout his life, Art has maintained an unwavering commitment to improving the quality of life for everyone in Milwaukee, while never losing sight of Milwaukee's connections to the wider world. Art emerged as a compelling student leader while studying at Marquette University in the 1960s. As President of the Marquette Student Government, he helped organize student demonstrations that led to the creation of the Equal Opportunities Program, which provides low- income students and students of color with the academic support, tutoring and mentoring they need to succeed. A whole generation of community leaders who have since been educated at Marquette--myself included--are indebted to Art for leading this charge. Art Heitzer is nationally known for his pathbreaking work in employment law, and has attained leadership positions in state and national professional associations as a result of his success. An active citizen, he has been a noted member of the Midtown Neighborhood Association, and a committed leader of Peace Action Wisconsin. He serves on the boards of the Fourth Street Forum and Ko Thi Dance Company, and is a member of Central United Methodist church. A true citizen of the world, Art has been a longtime advocate for changes to U.S. foreign policy toward Cuba. A strong opponent of the travel ban, he has organized religious and civic delegations to visit Cuba, and has been instrumental in developing a sister city relationship between Milwaukee and Nuevitas. He has acted out of his passionate belief that increasing connections between U.S. and Cuban citizens can only improve the state of democracy and human rights in Cuba and at home. Mr. Speaker, it is truly a privilege to pay tribute today to Art, his wife Sandra Edhlund and son Franz, and to thank all of them for their commitment to improving Milwaukee and our world.

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a compassionate leader and true visionary from the Fourth Congressional District, Lorraine Carter. For over 35 years, Mrs. Carter has operated the VE Carter Child Development Center, and has served as forceful advocate for low-income children and their families. Mrs. Carter came to Milwaukee from Nebraska in 1958, and worked as a special-education teacher before starting the VE Carter Child Development Center. Inspired by her own upbringing, she strove to provide a loving, stable and supportive environment for the young children she encountered in Milwaukee. VE Carter Child Development Center, one of the first childcare centers owned and operated by an African-American woman in Milwaukee, has grown into a city institution, with five centers that serve almost 500 children and employ over 150 workers. Mrs. Carter advocated for quality childcare for low-income children long before its connection to lifelong success was widely acknowledged. Her work with children has taken her deeply into the lives of the families she serves. She has a passion for working with single mothers, helping them develop stable home lives for their children and assisting them in identifying and overcoming obstacles to their own success. In addition to VE Carter Child Development Center, she also operates a social service agency that serves nonviolent offenders--many of them parents--assisting them with finding employment and supporting their families and communities. Mrs. Carter's leadership extends throughout the State, not only as an accomplished and articulate childcare advocate, but also as an advocate of education more generally. She has served on the board of the Wisconsin Technical College System, working to ensure that education and skills development continue to be accessible to low-income parents, helping them move out of poverty and create a better life for their children. Mr. Speaker, for all these reasons and many more, I am honored to have this opportunity to pay tribute to Mrs. Carter's numerous and profound contributions to the Fourth Congressional District. I thank her for her love of children, her commitment to their families, and her visionary leadership in Milwaukee.

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Interfaith Older Adult Programs as they celebrate their 30th anniversary. Over the past three decades, Interfaith Older Adult Programs has contributed greatly to enriching the lives of older adults and their caregivers in Wisconsin's Fourth Congressional District, advocating for the needs of senior citizens while also providing them with concrete ways to participate in and enhance their communities. Interfaith Older Adult Programs grew out of an effort by several faith congregations to reach out to isolated older adults on Milwaukee's east side. From that humble beginning in 1973, Interfaith Older Adult Programs has grown to a comprehensive countywide program. With the mission of linking older adults to a caring community, Interfaith Older Adult Programs has worked to find innovative and concrete ways to engage local residents in the work of caring for older adults, while ensuring that they have meaningful opportunities to continue contributing to their communities. Interfaith Older Adult Programs provide the crucial support needed to enable older adults to continue living in their homes, while building a safety network that assists them with specific challenges. The Neighborhood Outreach Program, for example, provides transportation to medical appointments and grocery shopping as well as companionship to frail and isolated elders. Other programs match seniors with neighborhood volunteers who provide help with snow removal and other outside chores or provide a daily telephone check-in. Interfaith has also been a primary conduit for enabling senior citizens to serve their communities. Key programs link seniors to volunteer opportunities with local nonprofit organizations throughout Milwaukee County, and connect them with foster children who need tutoring, mentoring, nurturing and counseling. Participating in these programs ensures the wisdom and expertise of our older adults is not lost, providing support for the community while also energizing older volunteers. I am delighted to recognize Interfaith Older Adult Programs for their efforts on behalf of the older adults in the Fourth Congressional District. I thank them for their compassion, their vision, and their commitment to serving our elders, and I wish them another 30 years of success.

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, It is an honor to rise today in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the City of Cudahy, a community that I am proud to serve as part of the Fourth Congressional District. Happy 100th Birthday, Cudahy! Cudahy occupies a beautiful stretch of land that lies along the south shore of Lake Michigan. Settled on former Potawatomi tribal grounds, the City of Cudahy was incorporated in 1906, having emerged in the wake of Patrick Cudahy's decision to establish the Cudahy Brothers meatpacking plant there. Throughout the 20th century, the City of Cudahy contributed significantly to the development of the area's strong manufacturing economy, serving as home to a number of prominent local companies. Cudahy's hallmark is its strong sense of community, a testament to the values and work ethic of the immigrant families who served as its backbone. Cudahy's slogan, Generations of Pride, conveys the sense of connection people feel to their hometown, and it is easy to see why. Early city planners ensured that generations of residents would have access to beautiful public parks, and preserved the shoreline for public use. From its earliest days, Cudahy fostered a spirit of volunteerism and public involvement that is very much alive and well today. Modern-day community efforts--including the expansion of the local library, strong support for Cudahy Interfaith and Project Concern, and participation in a wide range of civic organizations--pay tribute to the actions of city founders who dedicated themselves to public service. With the decline of manufacturing, Cudahy is now focused on redevelopment and identifying new engines for growth. Local leaders have proposed exciting projects and the community is engaging in vigorous debate. I am confident that city residents will continue to draw on their laudable history, carrying on the legacy of the generations that built this community. I am delighted to recognize the City of Cudahy on this occasion, to congratulate its founders and residents on their many accomplishments, and to offer my best wishes for the future.

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a prominent active citizen, businessman, and well-known philanthropist whose good works have had an impact on every corner of Wisconsin's Fourth Congressional District. Mr. Marty Stein passed away on March 2, 2006. Raised in a modest immigrant Milwaukee household, Mr. Stein's business success vaulted him from humble origins to a major philanthropic career. Having lived out his own version of the American dream, he embraced every opportunity to afford others the same experience. A true citizen of the world, Mr. Stein contributed to almost every major fundraising effort in the Milwaukee area. He not only took a special interest in issues of poverty and hunger, but he contributed widely and often. Well known are his associations as a patron of the Boys and Girls Clubs, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Hunger Task Force and the United Way. His support was central to the development of the St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care. America's Black Holocaust Museum and the Betty Brinn Children's Museum were among his passions. These are but a few of his priority projects; in fact, his generous contributions are too numerous to list. Mr. Stein also gave of himself, making a tremendous personal commitment of time and energy. He contributed to Big Brothers Big Sisters, but he also participated as a Big Brother, mentoring young children and helping them imagine and live out a better future. He helped refugee and immigrant services organizations stay afloat, but he also met those immigrants at the airport and personally welcomed them to Milwaukee. Mr. Stein was a passionate civic leader with global vision who understood that Milwaukee's fate was inextricably tied to an international community. He assisted with the airlift of Ethiopian Jews to Israel and funded entrepreneurial initiatives for youth in the then Soviet Union. His Jewish identity was the cornerstone of his drive to lead and his commitment to serve, and he traveled to Israel dozens of times as he deepened the spiritual dimensions of his leadership. Mr. Speaker, in Marty Stein's death, we in the Milwaukee community have experienced a profound loss. Today I gratefully thank him and his family for their immeasurable achievements, I mourn his loss, and I salute his legacy.

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary contributions of a community and labor leader in the 4th Congressional District. Ms. Mary Jo Avery, long-time member and officer of Local 4603 of the Communications Workers of America, has dedicated her life to public service. I salute her for her achievements as she retires from SBC-Ameritech after 32 years of service. Within the labor movement, Ms. Avery worked tirelessly to advance women's leadership and to advocate for solutions to the unique difficulties women workers often face. An award-winning union leader, she also played a pivotal role in developing the Wisconsin Women's Network into a vibrant and powerful organization. She helped mentor, develop, support and advance women leaders, not only within the labor movement but in the broader community. Herself a devoted parent--mother of four, grandmother of 9, and great-grandmother of 5--she argued for establishing policies and practices that would facilitate workers' efforts to maintain a work/family balance. CWA's leadership on this issue no doubt drew many lessons from Ms. Avery's own personal experience. Also a noted civil rights activist, Ms. Avery connected the labor movement to local and national civil rights struggles. She received the National A. Philip Randolph Rosina Tucker Award for civil rights leadership and the Black Women's Network's Outstanding Achievement Award. Since 1995, she has served as President of the Milwaukee Chapter of the A. Philip Randolph Institute, and was previously appointed to the City of Milwaukee's Civil Rights Commission. I have known Ms. Avery for over 20 years. She has been an important ally in the struggle to realize ideals we both share, and has been a personal source of inspiration and support. In all she does, Mary Jo works to ensure that the promise of America is extended to those often left out--women, people of color, and other vulnerable communities. I commend her for these accomplishments, thank her for her groundbreaking leadership, and wish her a long and enjoyable retirement.

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary accomplishments and contributions of a leader in the Fourth Congressional District. Mr. Jesus Salas retired in December 2005, concluding an 18-year teaching career at Milwaukee Area Technical College, MATC. Though his teaching career has ended, he will no doubt continue his life's work advancing the cause of civil rights and justice. A noted pioneer in the fight for civil rights, Mr. Salas participated in a series of landmark actions in the 1960s. Together with Father Groppi, Mr. Salas helped organize the Welfare Rights March in downtown Milwaukee, and was a leader in the landmark march from Milwaukee to the State capitol in Madison. He was part of a multi-racial group of civil rights leaders who together protested segregated housing, pushed for greater worker protections and demanded greater access to education for people of color. Mr. Salas has exhibited a profound commitment to the rights of migrant workers. He pushed for enforcement of laws that would protect migrant workers from exploitative conditions, including low wages, unhealthy working conditions and poor housing. As the founder of Obreros Unidos, Mr. Salas led the first sustained effort at unionizing migrant workers in the Great Lakes region, and he served as the first Hispanic executive director of United Migrant Opportunity Services, Inc. Furthermore, Mr. Salas is a staunch advocate for education. He fought to improve access to college education for Hispanic youth, while also demanding that educational institutions provide curricula that reflect the history and accomplishments of the Hispanic community. As a result of his efforts, the University of Wisconsin-Madison created a Chicano studies program, the Milwaukee Area Technical College instituted a bilingual education program, and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee created the Spanish Speaking Outreach Institute--now the Roberto Hernandez Center--to recruit, advise and support Hispanic students. Generations of Hispanic leaders to come will be able to thank Mr. Salas for working to ensure the increased educational opportunities they will enjoy. I know Mr. Salas will continue to identify and advocate for educational innovations in his role as a member of the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents. Along with members of the Fourth Congressional District's Hispanic community, I extend to him my heartfelt congratulations and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the resolution. I congratulate the Iraqis for their successful election, and I ask for an open, honest debate on the prosecution of this war.

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 571 completely dishonors our troops by politicizing an issue that deserves careful deliberation. The GOP leadership of this body has brought this counterfeit legislation to the floor not to benefit our brave men and women in uniform, but to score cheap political points. I fully support legitimate initiatives which present a thoughtful strategy for withdrawing our troops from Iraq in a manner that secures their safety and Iraq's future. I am a cosponsor of two resolutions which would support this urgent objective. Yet this phony bill chooses politics over policy at the expense of real debate on a critical national issue. Over 2,000 troops have been killed and over 15,500 have been seriously wounded. Reports indicate that at least 30,000 Iraqi civilians have lost their lives due to this conflict. It is a sad day for this country when, in response to this crucial issue, the best the GOP leadership can do is resort to backhanded political stunts.