Frank Pallone

Mr. PALLONE

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

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, President Bush says the transition cost for his Social Security plan will cost about $700 billion in the first year, but can Members believe him? Let us look at the President's record on estimating costs for his programs. Two years ago he promised his Medicare prescription drug bill would cost from 300 to 400 billion over 10 years. This week the President was forced to admit that it now will cost more than $1.2 trillion. That is four times what he said when he was lobbying my colleagues to vote for the Medicare prescription drug bill a couple of years ago. Now the President wants the American people to believe his Social Security privatization plan will only cost $700 billion in the first year, but other estimates have it at nearly $2 trillion in the first year to transition to his privatization plan. The President, Mr. Speaker, in my opinion, has proven time and time again that he simply cannot estimate the cost of his programs; and we simply cannot afford to buy into his risky Social Security privatization bill. It is going to cost a lot more. It is going to cut benefits, and it is a risky privatization plan.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise this afternoon to once again call upon the British Government to get the Northern Ireland peace process back on track and implement the recommendations of the Patten Commission in reforming the police service. The recent statement by the Irish Republican Army that they are taking their proposals to fully and finally decommission their weapons off the table is a direct result of the culture of hypocrisy and humiliation that plagues the Unionist parties and the British Government. It troubles me that we have arrived at this point after the significant strides that had been made by Sinn Fein and the republican movement in the north in persuading the IRA to pursue a peaceful end to their struggle for a free and united Ireland. Mr. Speaker, the fact that the Chief Constable of the PSNI, Hugh Orde, along with Prime Minister Tony Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahearn, have publicly accused the IRA of masterminding the recent bank robbery in Belfast without showing one piece of evidence is anathema to the core principle of due process that we hold so dear here in the United States. These statements made to the press by the Chief Constable, and repeated by the Prime Minister and Taoiseach, are politically motivated and have no place in the criminal justice system. Sinn Fein and the IRA have said they will not tolerate criminality within the republican movement, and this policy of criminalization by the British Government brings us back to the days of Margaret Thatcher and the hunger strikes. The public humiliation that the Reverend Ian Paisley and his Democratic Unionist Party so desperately seek of the Catholic community of Northern Ireland and the IRA should not be carried out by the likes of Mr. Blair and Mr. Ahearn while they maintain that they are committed to fulfilling the spirit and promise of the Good Friday Accords. Central to the peace process in the north is the reform of a police service that for far too long has served as a tool of the Unionist majority and has sought time and again to punish, discriminate, and publicly humiliate the Catholic minority. The Catholics in Northern Ireland will never see the PSNI as their own police service if it is continually being used as a tool of unionism to disenfranchise their community. Mr. Speaker, I call upon Prime Minister Tony Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahearn to stop their public posturing and press ahead with a return to the Good Friday Agreement and, most importantly, the implementation of Patten. Sinn Fein has stated unequivocally that they are committed to the peace process and are opposed to any return to violence. It is essential that we get back to devolved authority for the people of Northern Ireland, both Catholic and Protestant alike.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. First of all I want to thank my friend from New York (Mrs. Maloney) for organizing this Special Order this evening. She has been a strong advocate for women in the U.S. House for many years, and she is also a strong advocate for protecting and strengthening Social Security. As we know, the gentlewoman from New York was so concerned by the comments that Ways and Means Chairman Bill Thomas made last month supporting the exploration of Social Security formulas based on race and gender that she drafted a letter to President Bush that was signed by several dozen of my Democratic colleagues, including myself. In that letter, Democrats categorically stated that we would not accept a Social Security formula based on race or gender. I just wanted to comment on Social Security and women. I know many of my colleagues have done so this night in this Special Order; but as we know, more than 24 million women receive Social Security; and without it, over half of all senior women would live in poverty, without those benefits. Cutting benefits by almost 50 percent, as Republicans have proposed, would make it impossible for millions of women and children to achieve financial security. Cutting benefits just for women, as Ways and Means Chairman Thomas suggested should at least be explored, he said, would be even more unfair and that is because Social Security is a good deal for women. Because women only make 77 cents for every dollar a man makes and have less time in the workforce, they would receive less than men from their private accounts. The largest group of losers from privatizing Social Security would be women. This is true for women in all birth years, all kinds of marital status and all income levels. This was the most critical finding in a recent comprehensive analysis of privatization proposals. I just wanted to say again, I think that what the Bush administration and the Republicans are really trying to do here, let us be honest, is destroy Social Security. Republicans do not want to reform Social Security. They want to destroy it. For years, Republicans have been saying that the only way to reform Social Security programs is to privatize it. President Bush said exactly that back in 1978 when he was running for the U.S. House. Then House candidate George W. Bush said, and I am quoting, I think it, meaning Social Security, will be a bust in 10 years unless there are some changes. The ideal solution would be for Social Security to be made sound and people given the chance to invest the money the way they feel. That is what he is trying to do. This is 30 years ago. They are trying to destroy Social Security. History has proven that President Bush was wrong. He was advocating privatization as a way to save Social Security back in 1978. President Reagan and congressional Democrats had a different opinion. In 1983 in a bipartisan manner, President Reagan and House Speaker Tip O'Neill came together and reformed Social Security without privatization. It could be done then. It can certainly be done today. We do not have a crisis. This is something that can be easily fixed if we sit down. We do not have to destroy Social Security. We certainly should not deal with this on a gender or racial basis. I really appreciate the fact tonight that so many of our colleagues joined the gentlewoman from New York because I think it is really crucial that we make this point.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, it seems every day another conservative columnist or pundit is being forced to admit they were being paid by the Bush Administration to make its policies look better to the public. First, it was talk show host Armstrong Williams, who was paid $240,000 by the Education Department to promote the No Child Left Behind Act. Then conservative columnist Maggie Gallagher admitted that she was paid $21,500 by HHS to promote pro-marriage initiatives. Then, last Thursday, we learned conservative columnist Michael McManus was paid $10,000 to also promote the President's marriage initiative. Mr. Speaker, last year alone the Bush administration funneled over $88 million in taxpayer money to public relation firms, and if this is not a waste of the taxpayers' money, I do not know what is. Republicans should join us in a call for a congressional investigation into the administration's blatant use of taxpayer dollars for nothing more than propaganda.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, this week we had another reality check on how fiscally devastating Republican fiscal policies are on our Nation. Yesterday the Bush administration announced that the budget deficit is set to hit another record this year, a whopping $429 billion. The President also had to admit that thanks to these new projections, he is already behind in his campaign pledge to cut the deficit in half over the next 5 years. Yet the President has no plans to alter his misguided policies that took us from record surpluses when he arrived in Washington to record deficits now. But the President is still not finished. He has a plan that would use an additional $2 trillion in Federal funds to privatize Social Security. Enough is enough. Congressional Republicans need to stop blindly following this President before it is too late, and it is time that they abandon this risky Social Security privatization scheme.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, today we learn the Bush administration plans to ask Congress for another $80 billion in emergency funds for the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. This $80 billion comes on top of an additional $200 billion that we have spent in Iraq since the beginning of the war 2 years ago. Mr. Speaker, the Bush administration never leveled with the American people about the kind of sacrifices they would have to make in order to fight this war. You will remember that before the war, President Bush and his war cabinet said the sacrifices would be minimal. They falsely claimed the majority of the war costs could be paid for by the royalties Iraq received on the sale of its oil. Nearly 2 years have passed since the beginning of the war, and we have yet to see one cent from the sale of Iraqi oil. You would think my Republican colleagues, particularly the ones who repeatedly come to the well of the floor to rail against the waste, fraud, and abuse in our Federal Government, would be demanding some accountability from the administration about the cost of the war. You would think they would be calling for congressional hearings demanding to hear from Defense Secretary Rumsfeld on exactly where the Pentagon spent the $200 billion Congress already appropriated for the war. Unfortunately, Republicans have abdicated their oversight responsibility and are giving the Bush administration a free ride on the enormous miscalculations we have all witnessed in the Iraq war. Mr. Speaker, during World War II, then Senator Harry Truman created a war investigating committee charged with exposing any fraud or mismanagement in our Nation's war efforts in both the Pacific and the Atlantic. Truman was, of course, a Democratic Senator serving in a Democratic Senate majority, overseeing the Democratic administration of President Franklin Roosevelt. Truman never worried about the fact he was investigating a President of his own party. He refused to allow politics to get in the way of good government; and as a result, his investigations saved the American taxpayer more than $15 billion. Now, that was a lot of money back in the 1940s, and it is still a lot of money today. But I wonder just how much more money we could save the American taxpayer if congressional Republicans took their oversight responsibility seriously. Where is the Republican Party's Harry Truman? Why are congressional Republicans so worried about asking the Bush administration for specifics on where it is spending the $200 billion Congress has already appropriated? Could it be that congressional Republicans are afraid of what they would uncover if they looked too closely into the administration's handling of the war? The Bush administration has awarded Vice President Cheney's old company, Halliburton, billions of dollars of no-bid contracts since the beginning of the war. Despite the lack of congressional oversight, we discovered that Halliburton was charging for meals it never served our troops. Obviously, that is a waste of America's taxpayers' money. How many other examples of fraud and abuse are out there? Mr. Speaker, I opposed giving President Bush the authority to begin this war. I also opposed the $87 billion emergency supplemental because I believed the administration had to explain to those of us in Congress exactly how it planned to spend the money. The days of handing a blank check to the Bush administration should be over. It is time for Republicans to realize that our Founding Fathers gave Congress oversight responsibilities for a reason. We are not here to be lap dogs to any administration. As we prepare to debate another Iraq supplemental, I would hope congressional Republicans would keep that in mind.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding, and I rise in support of the challenge to Ohio's electors. After the 2000 Presidential Election we knew we had to make changes in our elections system so American voters were confidant that their vote had been registered and counted. The 2000 election taught us that many of our election machines were outdated, and unfortunately, some of our election officials served their political party over the voter who should have the right to vote on Election Day. Three years ago, Congress approved landmark election reform legislation, the Help America Vote Act, that was supposed to fix many of the election problems we encountered in Florida and other States in 2000. We've spent more than $3 billion over the last 3 years to correct the voting problems of the past, but despite all this funding we still heard horror stories of Americans in lower income and minority areas having to wait more than 4 hours to cast their votes because of the lack of enough ballot machines. We have to do more to ensure that every American has an equal chance to vote--meaning we need to make sure working election machines are available at all polling places. The nationwide use of provisional ballots is a direct result of that legislation. The problem is that while Congress can require that States allow voters to use provisional ballots, it has little control over how election officials count those provisional ballots.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, let me also thank the chairman and the ranking member for putting forth House Resolution 12, of which I am a cosponsor, which I do think is very significant in light of what we have witnessed in the aftermath of the tsunami over the last 10 days. I want to say, first of all, that this resolution as we know talks about a number of things that we need to do and that to some extent we have already done. One is to provide humanitarian assistance. I know the President has pledged $350 million, which may seem like a lot, but I frankly think that we probably will end up needing significantly more in terms of humanitarian assistance. In addition to that, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) mentioned long-term reconstruction, development assistance because we must remember that many of the people no longer have a means of livelihood, fishermen who no longer have their fishing boats, farmers whose land may be salted and have no longer the ability to farm. We have to think in terms of long-term reconstruction and development aid. And finally what I call the early warning system. There has been a lot of discussion and I think there is a need to expand the tsunami early warning system that exists in the Pacific not only to the Indian Ocean but also possibly to the Atlantic Ocean and throughout the world. We know that this can be done fairly inexpensively. We are talking about maybe 5 to $10 million for the Atlantic, maybe $20 million at the most for the Indian Ocean. I think this has to be part of our effort to make sure that this event never occurs again. I just also wanted to say I was, of course, disappointed with the early stages of the President's response, but when he said that he wanted now to provide all appropriate assistance, I certainly take him at his word and I appreciate the fact that now we are moving forward. He has not only provided a public element with the $350 million but sent his brother and Secretary of State Powell overseas and now we have the private element with the two former Presidents that are involved. We should be very happy with the fact that more private American assistance has been pledged than even the $350 million in government assistance that the President has promised. I know that at some point we may have to do an appropriations bill, perhaps an emergency appropriations bill to replenish the assistance that has already been out there, and I certainly know that over the next few weeks that the chairman and the ranking member and the members of the Appropriations Committee will be looking at that. I think it is very important. The last thing that I did want to mention is the fact that in my district, as many of my colleagues have mentioned, we have a large number of Indian Americans, Sri Lankan Americans, South Asians from many of the countries that have been impacted. It is amazing to see the outpouring from these communities and from the public in general in terms of providing money, providing clothing, providing medical supplies. The outpouring that we have seen I think is really a symbol and a reality of what Americans are all about from all walks of life. Again I want to thank my colleagues for putting this resolution together and the other commitments that I expect will be forthcoming over the next few weeks.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today in recognition of the endless accomplishments of Fire Fighter Robert Baumann who has served the Middletown Township Fire Department for 47 years. Fire Fighter Robert Baumann joined our community in 1957 as a member of the Belford Engine Fire Co. #1 and has continued to volunteer his time, intelligence, and experience to the public ever since. I am honored to acknowledge someone of Mr. Baumann's courage and strength. During his tenure in our community, Mr. Baumann has been reliable and energetic in all his services. Mr. Baumann is a man who realizes the value of life and would give up his own to save another. Fire Fighter Robert Baumann is a true hero. The Middletown Community is grateful to have had a man of such character with us for all these years. At the age of 75 Mr. Baumann continues to volunteer his time to the Fire Police Unit by responding to calls from all hours of the night and day, on holidays and weekends. Mr. Baumann has always been there with the unit at fires, assisting the police department when power lines are down, or during any other type of emergency. Mr. Speaker, I feel privileged to recognize a man of Fire Fighter Robert Baumann's experience who has served our community with such dedication. Once again, I ask that you join me in congratulating Fire Fighter Robert Baumann on a life of public service, and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in praise of the talented and accomplished radio personality, Ms. Wendy Williams. Wendy stands as a testament to all that can be accomplished through hard work, dedication and the ability to relate well to others. Born in Ocean Township, New Jersey, Wendy earned her Bachelor's Degree in Communications with a minor in Journalism from Northeastern University in Boston. Throughout college she interned at Boston's Kiss 108 radio station, while working various shifts at her college radio station. Two weeks after graduating college, Wendy started working at WVIS, St. Croix, USVI. After successful stints at various radio stations across the mid-Atlantic region, including 3 years at POWER 99- where she took the morning show from number 15 to number one, Wendy settled back in New York City and has been the hugely successful and popular host of The Wendy Williams Experience. Her afternoon talk show, which airs on WBLS, attracts a large audience as well as countless celebrity guests. Her candid and straightforward interviewing style is often cited as a major contributing factor to her success. Recently, Wendy has expanded to other media industries, including television and books, which include, Wendy's Got the Heat and The Wendy Williams Experience. In addition, Wendy covered the 2003 Grammys for the entertainment show, Extra, and has also appeared on Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, E!, BET, MTV and Celebrity Justice. With her radio show expanding through syndication, we can be certain that Wendy's charismatic personality and unmistakable style will reach millions of others. Once again, I praise Ms. Wendy Williams, not only for her accomplishments and the talent that she has shared with us, but for being a role model to so many women, particularly African-American women. Wendy's work and career offer us a mere glimpse of the extraordinary abilities of minority women that many times, go unrecognized. Today, I applaud Wendy for all that she brought to the field of entertainment and I thank her for being a trailblazer for the many women that will inevitably follow in her footsteps.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call the attention of my colleagues to LeRoy Herbert, a distinguished gentleman from my district, who is being honored by the Monmouth Medical Center Foundation, as they celebrate their Thirty-Third Annual Crystal Ball. LeRoy traces his roots to Long Branch where he was born, raised and educated. He graduated from the University of Maryland in 1950 and joined the accounting firm Ernst & Ernst in New York City. He was admitted into the partnership in 1963 and subsequently transferred to Europe. In Europe, Herbert lived in London and Paris where his interest and enthusiasm for hospitals and philanthropy was sparked when he became involved with the American Hospital of Paris after learning that Americans were admitted to the facility regardless of their economic status. LeRoy's ties to the Monmouth Medical Center began in the early 1970s, when his mother, Edna, was a patient of surgeon Charles Zukaukas, M.D., and internist John Stockfish, M.D. Herbert made his first charitable gift to the Medical Center in honor of the two physicians to express his gratitude for the excellent care she received. Soon after, LeRoy made an additional gift to name the hospital's Surgical Intensive Care Unit in honor of his mother. Mr. Speaker, it is my sincere hope that my colleagues will join me in honoring and recognizing, LeRoy Herbert, as the Monmouth Medical Center Foundation honors him for his dedication and commitment to the Medical Center.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding achievements of the Ruth Hyman Jewish Community Center of Greater Monmouth County, located in my Congressional district in Deal, New Jersey. I would like to congratulate the center and its supporters on 65 years of exemplary service to the Jewish community of Monmouth County. Since its founding in 1939 in Long Branch, my hometown, the Jewish Community Center of Greater Monmouth County has served as a crucial hub for the surrounding Jewish community. In 1960, the Center purchased a plot of land in Deal and over the next 11 years, the Center and its leadership worked to raise funds and construct a new facility. The Ruth Hyman Center is commemorating its 65th anniversary at a celebration this weekend. The Center is taking this opportunity to recognize the great contributions of their leaders, past and present, for their dedication to strengthening the community and expanding the Center. I would like to specifically acknowledge the contributions of Dr. Larry Karasic, Judge Ira Kreizman, Leon Katz, Patti Blume, Dr. Fred Ezon, Donald Epstein, and past Chairman of the Board Emanuel Mullen that are being honored at this weekend's event. This weekend, the Center will also dedicate the Stanley Benn Swimming Pool and the Lillian and Ken Cayre Youth Center. I commend the Center and all the capital campaign donors on these important additions. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the vast achievements and continued service of the Center. Once again, I congratulate the Ruth Hyman Jewish Community Center of Greater Monmouth County on its 65th anniversary and I wish them the best of luck in all your future endeavors.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge Congregation Etz Ahaim, the oldest Sephardic Jewish congregation in New Jersey, as it celebrates the 350th anniversary of the founding of the Jewish community in the United States. Etz Ahaim has been serving the Sephardic community of New Jersey for more than seventy-five years. It was founded by Jewish immigrants who named the congregation Etz Ahaim, ``Tree of Life,'' after the oldest synagogue in Salonica, Greece. Founded at the start of the Great Depression, the synagogue struggled to stay afloat. Unable to afford a rabbi, they relied on the uncompensated services of Rabbi Benjamin Naar of Salonica, and on unordained lay leaders Eliyahu Nahama and Elie Saporta until 1955. Since then, Etz Ahaim has been lead by Rabbis Ishmael Cohen, Murray Greenfield, Rafael Wizman, David Glicksman, Yamin Levy, and, from 1991 until today, Rabbi David Bassous. It has grown since its incorporation in April of 1927 from a circle of 25 worshipping in private residences, to a small community of 75 families in a building on Richmond Street, New Brunswick, to a vibrant congregation of 155 families in Highland Park. What was once a small group, barely able to afford the mortgage on their building during the Great Depression is now a thriving community and religious center of New Jersey. Today, Etz Ahaim is deeply involved in the Middlesex County community. They sponsor community outreach, philosophy classes, dance lessons, educational opportunities. Etz Ahaim also has an active Sisterhood as old as the congregation itself, and which just came out with a Sephardic cookbook, ``Come, es Bueno.'' On Sunday, November 7, they will be celebrating the 350th anniversary of the start of the Jewish community in the United States. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the profound cultural achievements of Congregation Etz Ahaim, both for the Sephardic community, and for Highland Park in general. I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring them, and their many years of service to Jewish life in the United States.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to praise an extraordinary woman, Ms. Carole Walter. Ms. Walter's talent and love for culinary arts have translated into several best selling and highly regarded books, as well as accolades. Her background goes beyond cooking. Over the years, she has established herself as a respected and highly-regarded cookbook author, baker, baking instructor, chocolatier and consultant. Ms. Walter's most recent published cookbook, Great Cookies, won the IACP award in the category of Best Baking. In addition, her book, Great Pies and Tarts, was a finalist in the Julia Child Cookbook Awards, and Great Cakes earned Ms. Walter a James Beard Foundation Award. Throughout her 20-year career, Ms. Walter has exhibited incredible commitment to the culinary arts. Currently, she serves as a trustee of the New York Association of Culinary Professionals and a Certified Culinary Professional in the International Association of Culinary Professionals. In addition, she has chosen to share her enthusiasm for baking by establishing the Scholarship Fund for the NYACP. Mr. Frank Garofolo, President of NYACP has said of Carole, ``(She) is a dedicated culinary professional who works tirelessly to promote the culinary arts. Her dedication to helping provide opportunities for young people to enter the profession is boundless.'' It comes as no surprise that Sickles Market has named Ms. Walter as the first Honoree for their 2004 Wine and Cheese Fundraiser and Apple Baking Contest. Once again, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Ms. Walter on an accomplished career and for the instrumental role she has played in the culinary arts. She is truly deserving of the acknowledgment from Sickles Market.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to bring to our attention Azerbaijan's recent introduction of an ill-advised United Nations General Assembly resolution regarding what Azerbaijan erroneously refers to as ``the situation in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.'' This intentionally disruptive resolution directly and significantly threatens efforts towards a peaceful settlement over the Nagorno- Karabagh conflict. Furthermore, it jeopardizes the principles and procedures of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and specifically the Minsk Group mediation effort, co-chaired by the United States, France and Russia, to resolve the Karabagh conflict. Azerbaijan's proposal represents a hostile declaration against the entire peace process, aimed only at fostering increased divisiveness. Its consideration can only set back the cause of peace. Mr. Speaker, it is disturbing to note that this resolution was recently approved to be included on the U.N. General Assembly's agenda. Even more alarming is the fact that the United States has thus far failed to compellingly address the resolution, choosing to instead abstain from every vote in which they had an opportunity to halt the advancement of this destructive measure. This failure by the administration now has the potential to undermine U.S. interests and American values in the strategically important Caucasus region. Mr. Speaker, the vital role the United States plays as an honest broker in the Nagorno-Karabagh peace process is gravely threatened by the administration's continued lack of decisive action. Given our commitment to keeping the parties talking and moving forward, it is necessary for the U.S. to act forcefully against destabilizing steps that will unravel the peace process. Our interests are best served by the continuation of dialogue on the outstanding issues related to Nagorno-Karabagh within the OSCE framework and not by the fragmentation of this orderly process. Since the beginning of the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict, Armenia has been committed to finding a peaceful solution. Moreover, I cannot stress enough the crucial role that the U.S. plays in the negotiations over Nagorno-Karabagh to help the people of this region find a lasting and equitable peace. These actions by Azerbaijan subvert these efforts and seriously complicate our diplomacy in the Caucasus region. A failure on our part to forcefully and publicly confront the Azerbaijani government over these destabilizing maneuvers would send extremely dangerous signals to Azerbaijan. Mr. Speaker, the U.S. must take action to condemn Azerbaijan's desperate acts of destructive venue shopping, and we here in this Chamber must do everything that we can to ensure that all parties involved in this conflict make a genuine commitment towards peace and stability. Action on the part of the U.S. must go further than the OSCE joint statement that was released in which the members of the Minsk Group expressed their concern and opposition towards the Azeri resolution. Beyond merely releasing a statement, the U.S. must demonstrate its views by taking a stance and voting against this measure. I urge the U.S. to forcefully renounce this proposal, secure its retraction and impress upon the Azerbaijani government that it should drop such counterproductive tactics in favor of serious and lasting commitment to the OSCE Minsk Group process. The OSCE Minsk Group process cannot survive Azerbaijan's destabilizing tactics. Continued tampering with this process will inevitably produce a chain reaction resulting in its demise. We cannot afford to allow Azerbaijan to continue to disrupt the work of the OSCE, which, as my colleagues know, has been recognized by the U.N. itself as the lead arbiter in this conflict. Finally, it is time for the U.S. to be more forceful with Azerbaijan and to make clear that their tactics are not helpful to a peaceful and just resolution of the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict. Once again, it is imperative, Mr. Speaker, for the U.S. to vote against this U.N. resolution, thereby clearly demonstrating that there are serious consequences to actions that disturb the regional Caucasus peace, security and prosperity.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time of the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown).

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to express my deep concern about the proposed Pentagon arms sale to Pakistan. Reports indicate that the Pentagon has proposed sales of the following weapons to Pakistan: eight P-3C Orion surveillance aircraft valued at up to $970 million and 2,000 TOW-2A missiles and 14 TOW-2A Fly-to-Buy missiles valued at $82 million. It is undoubted that Pakistan has been an ally in the war on terror; however, it is necessary to urge President Bush to block these proposed arms sales for several reasons. A number of my colleagues and I were extremely disappointed to learn of the Major Non-NATO Alliance status that was bestowed upon Pakistan earlier this year because it allowed Pakistan to purchase military equipment that is not normally sanctioned to a country that is not under democratic rule. Pakistan unfortunately continues to remain under military rule and is not taking meaningful steps to return to a democracy; and therefore I support democracy sanctions that will prohibit military assistance to Pakistan entirely. Moreover, I feel that it is unprecedented for the Pentagon to be engaging in weapon sales with Pakistan due to its political instability. Mr. Speaker, the Bush administration's policies with respect to military assistance and now military sales to Pakistan are contributing to increased security concerns throughout South Asia and particularly to India. Although Pakistan has been an ally in the global war on terror, Pakistan has not taken steps to end terrorism in its own backyard, and foreign military assistance to Pakistan has oftentimes been used against India. I sent a letter today, Mr. Speaker, to President Bush urging him to reexamine the interests and priorities of the United States and to take a strong position against selling arms to Pakistan both now and in the future. The Pentagon is still in the proposed phase of selling these weapons to Pakistan. I urge my colleagues to block this inappropriate and unnecessary arms sales to Pakistan. Mr. Speaker, the Bush administration and this Congress should be promoting peace in South Asia, not a war between Pakistan and India.

Mr. PALLONE

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

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, earlier today during the one minutes I got up and admonished the House Republican Conference because we heard at the time that there was a possibility that they would adopt a rule change that would overturn a previous and current GOP rule that requires House leaders to automatically relinquish their post if they are indicted on charges that could carry a sentence of 2 or more years in prison. Now, according to Congress Daily and several other sources, in fact the Republican conference today did agree by voice vote to overturn this GOP rule, which would mean that it is no longer the case that House leaders, whether it be the Speaker, the majority leader, whatever, would automatically relinquish their post if they face such an indictment. I said before and I will say again, now that we know the House Republican Conference has indeed adopted this rule change, that it really is inappropriate and that they should be admonished, because for many years they had touted this rule as an example of how they were always going to do the right thing and basically show that they were beyond reproach. Now I wanted to read, if I could, some sections or quote from some sections of the Washington Post today that explain essentially why this rule change is taking place. It says, ``GOP Pushes Rule Change to Protect DeLay's Post. House Republicans proposed changing their rules last night,'' and it in fact has changed, ``to allow members indicted by State grand juries to remain in a leadership post. ``The proposed rule change, which several leaders predicted would win approval at a closed meeting today,'' and it did, ``comes as House Republicans return to Washington feeling indebted to'' majority leader DeLay for the slightly enhanced majority they won in this month's elections. DeLay led an aggressive redistricting effort in Texas last year that resulted in five Democratic House Members retiring or losing reelection. ``House Republicans adopted the indictment rule in 1993 when they were trying to end four decades of Democratic control of the House . . . They said at the time that they held themselves to higher standards than prominent Democrats.'' Well, obviously, Mr. Speaker, their holding themselves to higher standards is no longer the case, because now when they see it might impact one of their leaders, they simply change the rule. The Washington Post goes on to say in this front-page article that, ``The GOP rule drew little notice until this fall, when DeLay's associates were indicted and Republican lawmakers began to worry that their majority leader might be forced to step aside.'' ``House Republicans recognize that DeLay fought fiercely to widen their majority, and they are eager to protect him from an Austin-based investigation they view as baseless and partisan,'' said one of the Republican Congressmen. He is quoted as saying, ``That's why this (proposed rule change) is going to pass . . . because there is a tremendous recognition that Tom DeLay led on the issue to produce five more seats for the Republicans.'' After emerging from a meeting of the Republican Conference, it was assumed that in fact the rule would pass. It did, in fact, pass. I think that it is absolutely disgraceful that it did. And I was very pleased also to see in Congress Daily today that the Democrats, who have a similar rule that requires a ranking member to step down in the event of an indictment, are now working to change the caucus rules to include a provision similar to the one that the GOP just overturned. So what we will have now is the Republicans saying that they never wanted to do this and that if any of their leadership ever was indicted that they would certainly ask them to step down. Now that they face the possibility, they have decided to change their minds. It does not say much about ethical lapses, and it certainly, I think, will get a lot of scrutiny from the American people who will not want to see this change take place.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, this morning, House Republicans are meeting here on Capitol Hill to vote on a change to their conference rules. A new rule would allow an indicted leader to continue in his position as leader if the indictment comes from a State grand jury. Can my colleagues imagine that? If House Republicans make this rule change, they are condoning unethical behavior at the State level by their own leaders here in the House. The American people should be outraged by this arrogant behavior. Back in 1993, Republicans made the change in their rules to demonstrate to the American people that they were not above the law, that if they ran this House, the American people would not have to worry about ethical problems, that Republicans would hold themselves to a higher standard. Now, however, it appears that higher standard is gone. House Republicans are saying they are willing to stand behind one of their leaders after he is indicted by a State grand jury. It does not matter the charge. The Republicans simply do not care. But I am betting that the American people will care, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment today and laud the accomplishments of Dr. Herbert Poch and congratulate him for being honored by the Dr. Stanley Nichols Pediatric Auxiliary at Monmouth Medical Center. Having served as the Associate Program Director of the Pediatric Residency Program at Monmouth Medical Center for 8 years, Dr. Poch has exhibited true dedication towards his work as well as improving the lives of his young patients. A native of Elizabeth, NJ, Dr. Poch received his medical degree from Columbia University and upon completing his residency, he returned to Elizabeth and maintained a successful private practice for 36 years. While chairing the Department of Pediatrics at Elizabeth General, he led the department to merge with Newark Beth Israel Hospital's Pediatric Department to develop a joint residency program in pediatrics, which led to notable improvements of pediatric care in the area. Prior to joining Monmouth Medical Center as a full time faculty member in 1992, Dr. Poch served as an assistant clinical professor of Pediatrics at Columbia. Having always been a devoted teacher, Dr. Poch continues to teach on a part-time basis at Monmouth Medical, even after his retirement in 1999. In addition, he retains his academic position of clinical associate professor of Pediatrics at Drexel University College of Medicine, in Philadelphia. His love for teaching comes second only to his love for family, including his wife of 52 years, Leila, and their 3 children, Bruce, Andi and Lesley. This gifted and devoted family man, doctor and teacher is also the recipient of three Dean's Special Awards for Excellence in Clinical Teaching, as well as the recipient of the Drexel University College of Medicine Oksana Korzenlowski, M.D. patient award for setting an outstanding standard of skill and commitment in the clinical care of patients. Once again, I congratulate Dr. Poch on all that he has accomplished, and all that he has contributed to his community and the field of medicine. He is truly deserving of the honor that has been bestowed upon him.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend an exemplary individual who has made a tremendous impact on his community and continues to work tirelessly towards various worthy causes. George A. Hussey, Jr., a native of Long Branch, New Jersey, began his career at Monmouth Medical Center and was eventually hired by the City of Long Branch. While employed at the Department of Public Works, George worked as the Anti-Litter Officer, and grant coordinator for the Clean Communities Program. His efforts and commitment earned him special recognition by the Department of Environmental Protection for having the best program in the state of New Jersey. Shortly after this distinction, Mr. Hussey's responsibilities were expanded to include Municipal Recycling Coordinator. In addition to his work towards cleaner communities, Mr. Hussey routinely serves as a volunteer, lending his time putting up holiday lighting and coordinating beach clean-ups. For several years now, Mr. Hussey has been working in the Fire Prevention and Code Enforcement Department for the City of Long Branch, and at the age of 39, he became a volunteer firefighter, receiving the Raul Award for being Rookie of the Year. In 2003, he was the proud recipient of the Firefighter of the Year Award from the VFW Post 2140 in Long Branch. Joining the Long Branch Elks Lodge, No. 742, at the suggestion of co- worker and friend Jack Filter, who happened to be the Past Exalted Ruler for the chapter, Mr. Hussey carried on a family tradition, by becoming a 3rd generation Elk--following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. As an officer in the Elks, Inner Guard, Mr. Hussey became active in the Handicapped Children's Committee--just as his father had been. In this capacity, he successfully raised money for Camp Moore, a camp for handicapped children. Over the years, Mr. Hussey has selflessly volunteered his time and talent to the community and the city of Long Branch. I congratulate him on assuming the highest office in the lodge, Exalted Ruler for the fraternal year 2003-2004. I have full confidence that he will excel in this capacity, and contribute significantly to all the wonderful efforts of the Lodge.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, it is official. President Bush will be the first President since Herbert Hoover to face reelection with fewer people working than when he started. Yesterday, the Labor Department issued its last update on job creation before the elections. The stock market dropped sharply, reacting to the job report that raised significant doubts about the economy's strength under President Bush. Most economists agree that Bush's tax cuts failed to stimulate the economy because they overwhelmingly favored very wealthy households. Mr. Speaker, 1.6 million private sector jobs have been lost since President Bush entered office. Economists estimate that the Nation needs to add roughly 150,000 jobs a month to keep pace with the growth in the workforce, and we need to add many more than that to make up for the ground that has been lost under President Bush. Since July, the economy has added only, on the average, 103,000 jobs a month. Mr. Speaker, clearly, there is a need for a change in economic policy here in Washington, which can only occur with a new President, John Kerry.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, it is now clear that the Republican leadership in the House of Representatives condones the direct linkage of political donations to legislation. It is clear the Republican leadership will not hesitate to use political donations to influence Members of their own caucus who plan to vote against them on legislation. This weekend, former Republican Congressman Tom Coburn admitted on national television that Republican leaders had essentially offered him a bribe. Coburn said, ``I don't believe that is the kind of government we want. That is what we are seeing in Congress now with some of the ethical problems that are there.'' Mr. Coburn, I could not agree with you more. Unfortunately, even the Speaker excused such actions yesterday when he said he was ``profoundly disappointed'' by those who do not think bribes, threats and payoffs are acceptable behavior. An ethical cloud is indeed hanging over this House, and it will not be removed until a Democratic House is installed this November.