Bill Pascrell

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call your attention to the life of a wonderful man, who sadly passed recently, Mr. Sol Stetin. It is fitting that he be honored, in this, the permanent record of the greatest freely elected body on earth, for his lifelong dedication to the labor movement. Sol was born in Poland on April 2, 1910 to Hymen and Fanny Stetin. Shortly after his birth, the Stetin family decided to migrate to America and subsequently settled in Paterson, NJ. The Stetin family had to work hard during the turbulent years of the Great Depression which led Sol to take a job with a local dye shop in the ``Silk City.'' It was not long after Sol began working, that he became witness to the atrocities being committed by warehouse managers and business owners. Appalled by inhumane working conditions and lack of worker rights, Sol decided to lead strikes and arrange union campaigns. The Federation of Dyers, Finishers, Printers, and Bleachers of America was the first organization Sol helped form and the first forum for him to express his concerns for the American laborer. Later, he went on to work with the CIO's Textile Workers Organizing Committee (TWOC), he worked to build the TWOC into a permanent union under CIO standard. His work-ethic was unparalleled and his stellar reputation earned him the office of secretary-treasurer of the Textile Workers Union of America. In just 4 years, Sol climbed to the rank of President and immediately began managing the workers' rights campaign in the South. Sol Stetin then decided to lead a merger with the Amalgamated Clothing Workers and Textile Workers Union, now known as UNITE/HERE. He served on the Executive Council of the AFL/CIO and as Executive Vice- President of the Amalgamated, until his retirement. True to Sol's nature, retirement could not slow him down. Instead of relaxing, Sol used his free time to found the American Labor Museum/Botto House National Landmark in Haledon, NJ. For Sol, the museum was the ultimate tribute he could offer to union members and it solidified his personal dedication to labor education. In addition to Sol's many professional achievements, his personal accomplishments should not and cannot be overlooked. He was the devoted husband of Frieda and the proud father of two daughters, Sondra and Myra. He leaves behind five exquisite grandchildren and five beautiful great-grandchildren. I have had the privilege to know and work alongside Sol Stetin. We shared many of the same concerns and opinions on workers rights, not to mention the same passion for our hometown, Paterson, NJ. I can say without reservation that the work of individuals like Sol will live on in the hearts of those whose lives were enriched by his work. Mr. Speaker, the job of a United States Congressman involves so much that is rewarding, yet nothing compares to recognizing the efforts of devoted activists like Sol Stetin. I ask that you join our colleagues, Sol's family and friends, and most importantly, the countless American workers Sol has touched throughout his years of work within the labor community in recognizing the outstanding service of Sol Stetin.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for bringing us together tonight. This is a deed worth repeating. And we honor a man who honored everyone regardless of what they looked like, how they cooked their food, or what ethnicity, what religion they professed. He could be considered a rare person, but, a person for our time, a person who we can look to throughout this great institution because he believed in this institution, Peter Rodino. So to his wife, Joy, to all America, in this time of reality TV, it is time for us to deal with reality. Peter Rodino understood that we are all born equal. And that governments exist to protect and defend that equality. Governments do not give us our rights, governments do not give us our freedoms. They basically guarantee those rights and those freedoms. If we understand that, Alexander Hamilton said, we will understand the very basis of this great, great Nation. William Livingston, David Brearly, William Paterson, and Jonathan Dayton were the ratifiers of the Constitution from the State of New Jersey in 1787, September 17. They were the original ratifiers from the State of New Jersey of the Constitution. I would add to that list, and there are many people we would probably add to the list down through the years of those who ratified and reratified the greatest document that the world has ever known with regard to governments. So in many ways, Peter Rodino was a ratifier of the Constitution. I come here tonight not to speak of impeachments, Peter Rodino was more than a figure in a snapshot of history during a period of time when we impeached the President. No, he was bigger than that before he was on the Judiciary Committee, and before those articles of impeachmnet were examined. He believed in the equality of everybody in this House. He respected people for who they were, their character, as Martin Luther King said, their character, we are already joined together by the character in each individual. This common ground, we feel and we sense with each other. And when I hear what goes on on the floor of this House since I have been here, January of 1997, I said God, do we need a Peter Rodino. Do we need somebody from Newark, New Jersey or Patterson, New Jersey, or Los Angeles, California? Do we need someone to bring sensibility, to bring us together even when we disagree. The integrity of this institution was a goal while he served in this House. Congressman Rodino was the son of an Italian immigrant, and I often remember the words of the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis), our good friend telling us when, as he grew up in Alabama, and he fed the chickens, he remembered when he was 3 and 4 years old feeding the chickens, if someone were to stop him at that moment and say some day you will be in the United States Congress, he would have turned and said, you are crazy, or when he was beaten on the bridge, if we froze it in time, do you know some day you are going to be the Congressman from the State of Georgia, he would have thought he was crazy. This is the reality of America. And Peter Rodino is a reflection of that and all of us should remember not that we say words tonight to soothe the hearts of those who knew him closest, but that we remember that in this House, this House that can become so cantankerous, this House that can become so treacherous, that we remember a person who rose above it all, who was a guidepost, who was a beacon, a lighthouse for finite men and women. He was a beacon. He never questioned anyone's patriotism. He was not a man who while religious, was religiously self righteous. He never played ethnic politics on this floor or any floor. His voice is needed now more than ever. Many have gone back to what he wrote and what he said. Many go back to his words, which are so soothing, sweet words of charity from a person of immigrants who came to the floor of this House. So beyond any NAIF, beyond the Italian American Members in the Congress of the United States, he is a man who we should continue to honor, not by speaking his words or his name necessarily, by reflecting his character and upholding the integrity of this institution. He believed in the common man, and he believed in the integrity of each person. And he believed in parity. He believed in the person who was downtrodden. He provides a message for our own party. He does, Mr. Speaker. He should be a model for own own party. We should be here to do the work of the downtrodden, of the least of these, of the voices. Then, then the meaning of Peter Rodino will be known throughout the United States of America. What a hero. Joy, we join you in saying farewell, farewell to our station master, to our leader, God bless you all for coming here tonight.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my congratulations on the 100th Anniversary of Roche, one of the leading healthcare innovators in the world. Roche is a specialty care company that employs over 10,000 people in America and 60,000 globally. I am proud to represent the 3,000 people employed by Roche North America at its headquarters in Nutley, New Jersey, in my Congressional District. We are fortunate that these folks chose to lend their tremendous talents individually and collectively to improving the quality of healthcare for us. For a century now, Roche has invested in advanced research and manufacturing techniques that have yielded breakthroughs in healthcare. Founded in Switzerland in 1896, Roche's roots in America are deep and strong, dating back to the opening of its New York office in 1905. From its start in Manhattan in 1905, Roche has extended its reach to nine sites across the United States, with facilities in New Jersey, South Carolina, Colorado, Indiana, and California. There are many examples of how Roche's commitment to deepening our understanding of human health and developing revolutionary treatments and tools has reaped benefits for Americans. Roche's discoveries have led to an immunosuppressant to help people fight off organ transplant rejection, the creation of a new class of drugs that is used to combat HIV/AIDS where other medications have failed, and the production of the most widely used treatment for Hepatitis C, one of the foremost threats to public health today. As an industry leader in the field of diagnostics, Roche's products help patients manage their diabetes, give physicians and hospitals the ability to identify illnesses more quickly and more accurately, and tailor treatments in a way that best suit an individual's personal medical condition. These life-saving and life-enhancing products make a tremendous difference for hundreds of thousands of people around the world each and every day, and are part of why Americans enjoy the highest quality healthcare. As Roche employees in New Jersey, and around the world, reflect on all these accomplishments on this 100th Anniversary, I believe they can take great pride in the successes they have enjoyed as a result of their dedication and industriousness. I am confident that the century ahead holds great things in store for the Roche community.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call your attention to the life and work of an exceptional individual, Mr. Thomas Infusino. Thomas was honored at the Wakefern Food Corporation's annual meeting on Thursday, May 19, 2005. Over the past thirty-four years, Thomas Infusino has worked tirelessly on behalf of his investors, employees, and clients. His commitment to his business, the food distribution industry, and the community at large has left an indelible mark on the lives of many, demonstrating the difference one dedicated person can make. It is only fitting that we honor Thomas Infusino, in this, the permanent record of the greatest freely elected body on Earth. Thomas served in the United States military during World War II, primarily stationed in Italy and Africa. Upon his return he quickly became a part of the Northern New Jersey community and has raised a family in our wonderful state. Thomas has truly made a name for himself as an innovative entrepreneur with a propensity for giving back to the community. Tom has been chairman and CEO of Wakefern Food Corporation, a retailer-owned cooperative of the wholesale merchandising and distribution arm for ShopRite supermarkets, since 1971. He is also the owner and president of the Nutley Park ShopRite located in Nutley, NJ. Mr. Infusino's philanthropic spirit has been recognized by an array of organizations. Tom was honored by the Cooley's Anemia Foundation and subsequently given the Lifeline Award fur his efforts. Additionally, Tom continues to work closely with the Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, which sponsors the annual Thomas Infusino Prize. He also serves on the Board of Governors for the National Conference for Community and Justice as well as retaining a seat on the Board of Directors of the New Jersey Food Council. The job of a United States Congressman involves so much that is rewarding, yet nothing compares to learning about and recognizing the efforts of individuals like Thomas Infusino. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, the members of the Infusino family, and myself in recognizing Thomas Infusino for his outstanding service.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Chairman, our communities are on the front lines in their attempts to meet the requirements of the Clean Water Act. Hundreds of billions of dollars are needed to meet real and pressing needs, and the federal government is not paying its fair share. As a former Mayor and lifelong resident of Paterson, NJ, I can personally attest that our cities are struggling to make ends meet. The money to make any wastewater upgrades must come from somewhere, and the Congress needs to step up to plate. The funding levels in this bill reflect almost a half billion dollars in cuts to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund over the past two years. My state of New Jersey will have lost $20 million alone. EPA's state and tribal assistance grant program is also slashed by almost half a billion dollars. Enacting these cuts and ignoring these needs undermines our ability to treat sewage, particularly during wet weather events. It is important that we have uniform clean water regulations across our nation. I do believe that our communities need a thoughtful blending policy. However, the November 2003 policy the EPA has proposed is not the right one at this time. If the Stupak Amendment comes to a vote, I will support it. The EPA can do better, and the Congress should demand better. But all sides need to be pragmatic. It is imperative that common ground can be found to develop a solution we can all live with. A limiting amendment which stops work on the blending issue will not benefit our environment and it will not benefit the public health. It will certainly not benefit communities and public water utilities trying to do the best they can with the limited resources they have available. I would like to thank my friend from Michigan for bringing this amendment to the House floor. He is truly a champion in our quest for clean water and should be commended for his work protecting the Great Lakes. I would also like to thank my Chairman of the Water Resources Subcommittee, Mr. Duncan. He is also a champion for clean water, and a leader in our quest to provide assistance to local communities for their treatment systems.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 182, had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Chairman, James Carafano, who is a homeland security researcher, said recently that technology is not a substitute for strategy. And we know, as has been earlier reported this month by Eric Lipton, and he wrote the following, ``After spending more than $4.5 billion on screening devices to monitor the Nation's ports and borders and airports and mail and air, the Federal Government is moving to replace or alter much of the antiterrorism equipment, concluding that it is ineffective, unreliable, or too expensive to operate.'' He went on to say: ``Each of those areas where we have missed the mark.'' That is why I think this substitute should be given great consideration by all of us, not only those that serve on the Homeland Security Committee. We have a unity of effort here. Do not translate, do not interpret this substitute as breaking that commitment that we have made to that unity of purpose. And I want to commend my good friend, the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson), who stood shoulder to shoulder with the gentleman from California (Chairman Cox) through all of these hearings that we have been having. But, the ranking member, the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson), your steady leadership on our committee is going to go a long way beyond our vote today. I applaud you for offering a substitute. The Department of Homeland Security was formed because of the catastrophic terrorist attack on September 11. Our joint mission now is to help prevent and respond to any potential future assault. Nothing that we do here in Washington is more important. Nothing. The critical duty with which we are charged warrants legislative proposals that are as comprehensive and judicious as possible. The substitute succeeds in this regard. It makes America safer. For example, the substitute requires a comprehensive border protection plan. We all agree on that. It puts technology in place to monitor the entire border all the time, not some of the time. Secures the chemical plants. We have even had an amendment to that effect. Makes vital port and transit security improvements and creates necessary structural changes at the Department of Homeland Security. We all agree on that. We know that the State and local governments need as much help as possible to meet their urgent security needs. We note that first responders require an array of assistance to help them achieve even a baseline level of readiness. The substitute addresses this. For example, we authorize $500 million in grants for interoperability communications equipment to our men and women on the frontlines. As the 9/11 report states, again, we go back to what we consider to be the dictionary for us to look at: ``Compatible and adequate communications among public safety organizations at the local, State and Federal levels remains an important problem.'' Our legislation should reflect what is in the 9/11 report and nothing less and nothing more. Yet the Congress has done nothing to address this. Indeed, many provisions signed into law by last year's 9/11 Act, a bipartisan measure as you recall, have gone unfunded and forgotten by this administration. We voted on it. Where is the power of both bodies involved in our unity of purpose? What is the use if we vote, both sides of the aisle, and the administration does not follow through? This substitute attempts to remedy this situation. We authorize additional border agents. We mandate risk assessment for chemical and nuclear plants, and we assure that port and rail are adequately secured. We all agree on these things. We know that there can be no more wasted time. We must do what it takes now to make our country safe, stronger, and more secure. This substitute does that, Mr. Chairman. I implore my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote ``aye.''

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Chairman, there are approximately 70,000 different chemicals that have been defined. Fifteen to 20 of them could be lethal, are lethal, toxic, and in this two-mile stretch that the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez) has brought to our attention, these are the most dangerous two miles in America. The chemical plants, the oil storage tanks, the refineries, and critical infrastructure systems are targets. In fact, if there is a terrorist attack in this area, it could pose a terribly lethal threat to 12 million people. That is within a 14-mile radius. This is serious business, and we on the Committee on Homeland Security look at this seriously on both sides of the aisle. So through the ranking member and the chairman, we have their commitment that we will work this out, because I know that my colleagues understand the seriousness of this area. And since we are in the business of risk, the problem of risk and taking that into regard with our formula, then I think that this certainly reaches the top of the priority.

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Chairman, today represents a very important step to ensure that Congress truly begins to exercise a robust, judicious, and intense oversight of the Department of Homeland Security. Our committee has been called on to defend our ports, our infrastructure, our neighborhoods, indeed our families. We have risen to the challenge. Indeed, this first-ever authorization bill, H.R. 1817, will begin an annual ritual to critically examine the Department of Homeland Security and its effectiveness in securing our Nation. Oversight is germane to our mission. It is an austere and sober undertaking, to be sure; and it should be. This Department was formed because of the disastrous terrorist attacks of September 11, and its mission is to help prevent and respond to any potential future assault. I commend the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox) and the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson) for their leadership in undertaking this process. I understand the pressures that were faced in trying to complete this inaugural authorization, and our chairman has had to navigate a difficult course. Make no mistake, there are provisions within this bill that will make very good public policy. The creation of an Assistant Secretary for cybersecurity within the Department is a wise measure to help combat a very real vulnerability. Likewise, allowing the Department of Homeland Security Secretary to provide additional incentives to recruit highly sought after intelligence analysts is a great step to combat one of our biggest national security problems. However, while I applaud the work and the spirit that went into this legislation, I would have preferred to see a more comprehensive bill that addressed a greater assortment of security gaps that we have uncovered. I will proudly support the substitute that the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson), ranking member, will offer later today. The gentleman from Mississippi will improve this authorization by better funding our border security in aviation research. His substitute will provide the tools necessary to secure our chemical plants and ports, just to name but a few. This is indeed a big day for homeland security and the Committee on Homeland Security and for Congress as a whole. I thank the chairman and the ranking member for all of their hard work.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, first I would like to commend the gentleman from Kentucky (Chairman Rogers) and the ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Sabo), for all of the hard work that they have done in bringing this bill to the floor. Homeland security is a new discipline for this body, and in a relatively short amount of time the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers) and the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Sabo) have provided expertise in the field. I want to publicly acknowledge the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) for the leadership they have displayed, that leadership in enhancing our Nation's security. Mr. Chairman, this amendment is another example of their work to increase our emergency preparedness and response capabilities, and I ask all Members to support it. The challenges of our changed world require us to ask more and more of America's firefighters. Yet, we all know that many of their needs remain unmet. How can we expect our men and women on the front lines to be a real force in the war on terror if we do not deal with their most basic needs? Like the fact that over 10,000 fire engines are at least 30 years old, or that 27,000 fire stations in the country have no backup power, or that two-fifths of all departments lack Internet access, or the fact that the majority of portable radios firefighters use are not water resistant; the list could go on. But probably the biggest issue facing the fire service is a lack of manpower. Currently two-thirds of all fire departments, Mr. Chairman, two-thirds throughout America operate with inadequate staffing. And in communities of at least 50,000 people, 38 percent of the firefighters are regularly part of a response that is not sufficient to safely respond to a structure fire because of a lack of staffing. This is unconscionable. This amendment helps to tackle those problems. It does provide the dollars, as has been pointed out on this floor. It goes without saying that both of these programs, the Fire Grant program, and the SAFER program are of critical importance to our Nation's safety. Fire grants provide funding directly to local fire departments. In fact, we debated within committee whether or not the Homeland Security Act should provide direct aid to municipalities rather than going through the States, and I think we ought to revisit that subject again and again because of the success of the Fire Act. And the SAFER Act, which we were able to fund for the first time last year, provides annual grants for the purpose of hiring, recruiting and retaining career and volunteer firefighters. Congress has made great strides, but still we need more. We need more. There is more to do. Across this great country firefighters and fire departments desperately require more folks on the front lines, more personnel, functioning communications, radios and protective gear. There is a reason for the Fire Grant program, that it had 20,300 applications containing close to $3 billion in requested assistance from departments across the country just in this one year. These are basic needs we are talking about, and at the time the local jurisdictions are facing tough budget decisions in departments, you know, what are the state of our municipalities? All across this country they are laying off firefighters. This amendment could not come at a better time. So I implore, we listen to the chairman and the ranking member, and we do as we think we should do and pass this amendment. I want to thank both of them for bringing to it the floor.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Chairman, first of all, to the gentleman from New York (Mr. King), chairman of the subcommittee, it is an honor to work with him. He understands the depth of concern of the American people. He understands the depth of concern of our first responders, police and firefighters, EMS. And understanding their day-to-day situation in the face of terror, he fashioned legislation; and I am glad he made me part of it. These are difficult times. The last chapter of the 9/11 Commission report, Mr. Chairman, is not just by coincidence. The subtitles of the sections in that final chapter, chapter 13, ``Unity of Effort.'' Across the foreign/domestic divide, unity of effort, as far as the intelligence community is concerned, the sharing of information. The unity of effort in the Congress, section 13.4. It was not just a coincidence that the 9/11 report finished with that unity. If there is anything that has brought us together, it is this tragedy. We need to remember that as we battle on the floor the different issues and we forget that we are here to do the people's business. So I applaud the gentleman from California (Chairman Cox) and I applaud the ranking member, the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson), my very good friend, for their tireless work in navigating H.R. 1544 through the political maze that is Capitol Hill. Our men and women on the front lines applaud you. I want to commend my good friend the gentleman from New York (Mr. King), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Science, and Technology for his diligent work. As the ranking member on this panel, I have seen firsthand the expertise and the passion the gentleman brings to matters affecting our Nation's first responders. We know that homeland defense cannot be marred with reckless partisan squabbling. We know that our Nation's security cannot be sidetracked by the parochial concerns of the few. That is why every single member of the Committee on Homeland Security supports this legislation. Indeed, when was the last time we all supported anything? Different Members representing widely varying regions and constituencies have all come together in a bipartisan manner to bring H.R. 1544 to the floor today. It is the culmination of a lot of work. A lot of staff members helped in bringing this before the Congress. As we all know, our first responders, whether they are firefighters, law enforcement or EMS providers, are the first ones to arrive on the scene of any major incident and the last ones to leave. So it is crucial that we ensure that Federal money designed to better equip and train all of those first responders actually reaches down to where it is needed most. Unfortunately, the system of distributing grant funding to the local level is fundamentally broken. We have a system where grant funding is distributed to a large extent on minimum funding allocations rather than risk. It is wrong, and it is counterproductive to national security, we have found out. But you do not have to take my word for it. A wide array of sources have warned us of the dangers of dispensing terrorism preparedness money on arbitrary political formulas. On page 396 of the 9/11 Commission report, and I will conclude on this remark, states, ``Homeland security assistance should be based strictly on an assessment of risks and vulnerabilities. Federal homeland security assistance should not remain a program for general revenue sharing. It should supplement State and local resources based on the risks or vulnerabilities that merit additional support. Congress should not use this money as a pork barrel.'' Our current distribution of funding leaves a lot to be desired. This bill changes that. I just want to conclude with this, Mr. Chairman: Too often we here in Washington are enveloped with a partisan rancor and acrimony that stunts our ability to achieve fundamental and necessary reform. Many times we have seen good policy fall victim to short-term political calculations. This cannot happen today. It will not happen today. Passing the Faster and Smarter Funding for First Responders Act will show that we take this job seriously.

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Chairman, I support the Berry amendment. The gentleman from Arkansas has a tendency and a knack to present amendments on this floor that are reasonable, precise and relevant. This is a very relevant amendment, as our chairman just pointed out. We need greater coordination between the Department of Homeland Security with State, local and tribal officers. I believe that this is wise public policy. Secondly, State and local officials know better than anyone, they certainly know better than anybody in Washington, the risks and the vulnerabilities that they face. Washington must work outside of the Beltway for the greatest effectiveness. We know in examining not only the 9/11 Commission report but every other report since the tragedy of 9/11 that the lack of coordination between the various levels of government is a very, very dangerous situation. This bill, in its totality, strikes at that very vulnerability, and this amendment, I think, precisely talks to the very important factor of coordination of those agencies. I want to commend the sponsor of the amendment.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to the travesty of preventable vision loss in our nation's children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported that millions of children do not receive the vision evaluations recommended by top medical organizations, placing them at greater risk for permanent vision loss, as well as physical and emotional difficulties. Undiagnosed vision problems can lead to permanent vision loss and learning difficulties. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends a vision evaluation in the preschool years. Yet, the study finds that only 1 in 3 children received one before entering kindergarten. It is a national disgrace that only a small number of children are actually receiving the preventative care, recommended by our own medical guideline, they need to ensure healthy vision. One eye doctor who read the report called it, ``a wake-up call to both primary care providers and eye care professionals.'' It is clear that we must do better. Mr. Speaker, in many cases, vision loss can be avoided with early diagnosis and treatment. For the sake of our nation's young people, we need to make sure that children receive the necessary preventative vision care. Amblyopia is a serious vision problem that affects nearly one-half million preschoolers and is the leading cause of vision loss in young Americans. I recently met with seven-year-old Kennedy Biederman. She is a prime example of what can happen when a child doesn't get proper visual evaluations. Throughout her childhood, no one noticed that Kennedy couldn't see well. Despite multiple visits, her pediatrician did not notice, her teachers did not notice and neither did the nurses that screened her vision at school. Like many others, she simply slipped through the cracks. At age 5\1/2\, Kennedy happened to visit an eye doctor because of a small injury. The doctor performed an eye exam and diagnosed amblyopia. He also found that Kennedy was legally blind in her left eye and that her ``good'' eye had only 20/80 vision. ``I don't know how she was even functioning at school,'' her father said. Mr. Speaker, we have the best medical system in the world. We must do better so that more children don't wind up in the same position as Kennedy. The best way to do that is by making sure that children receive an eye exam from an eye doctor. An eye exam measures a number of visual skills that are critical to a child's healthy vision, such as using both eyes as a team, the ability for the eyes to focus properly when reading a book or viewing a computer, and the ability for the eyes to move properly when reading across a page of print. As the National Amblyopia Youth Spokesperson, Kennedy, and her parents Jason and Jill Biederman, will have a great opportunity to share their story. I commend them for their efforts to raise public awareness and believe that with their help, we can make a difference in the lives of children nationwide. The CDC states that approximately 1.8 million children under the age of 18 (2.5%) are blind or have some form of visual impairment. Many cases of visual impairment could be eliminated simply through more timely diagnosis and treatment. In order to address this egregious situation, in the last Congress I introduced legislation to provide states with resources they need to increase the number of children that receive an eye exam. More than 100 of my colleagues cosponsored the legislation, as did more than 60 organizations nationwide. Yesterday, I proudly reintroduced, the Children's Vision Improvement and Learning Act, H.R. 2238. This bill would work to address these issues by offering grants to all states to provide eye exams and necessary follow-up care; developing and distributing educational materials on state children's vision programs; and ensuring that these new initiatives complement, not supplant, services provided under Medicaid and SCHIP. As Congress works to improve the educational opportunities available to children in this country, the need to remove outside impediments to learning must be addressed to achieve long-term success.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention the work of an outstanding individual, Michael Breslin, Jr. who was recognized on May 10, 2005 for his lifelong dedication to litigation and the legal community. It is only fitting that Michael Breslin, Jr. be honored, in this, the permanent record of the greatest freely elected body on Earth, for he has a long history of caring, leadership, creativity, and commitment to his noble profession. A premier legal mind, ``Jerry'' as he is affectionately called, has let a few fundamental principles guide his career. He consistently makes a concerted effort to reach out into the community to make his services available. Mentoring and serving as a role model to the youth of Northern New Jersey has been his top priority. Lastly, he has never taken for granted his success or exploited his position for personal gain. Rather his humility seems to heighten with each passing year. Michael Breslin has shared his invaluable knowledge and experiences as a Civil Trial Attorney by frequently lecturing at the Institute of Continuing Legal Education in the area of Civil Trial Practice techniques. As the borough attorney for Northvale, Dumont, Bogota, and Closter, Borough Prosecutor of both Palisades Park and Elmwood Park, and the former president of The Bergen County Bar Association, Michael Breslin's commitment to his community is unparalleled. Michael Breslin exudes professionalism and dedication. Over the years Michael has been confronted by a wide array of obstacles and in each instance he has proven his resiliency. As a member of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, he truly displayed his innovative flare while supervising the constructing of the Meadowlands Arena. The job of a United States Congressman involves so much that is rewarding, yet nothing compares to learning about and recognizing the efforts of individuals like Michael Breslin. As a fellow alumnus of Fordham University, I am proud to bestow this honor onto Michael Breslin. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, Michael's family and friends, all those who have been influenced by Michael, and me in recognizing the outstanding and invaluable service of Michael Breslin, Jr.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to take this opportunity to direct your attention to the life of a remarkable individual, Mayor Joseph Chiusolo of Cedar Grove, New Jersey, who was recognized on Friday, May 6, 2005 as Man of the Year by UNICO National. Joseph Chiusolo was the son of a fire captain and spent his formative years living in Jersey City. He attended catholic elementary school before moving on to the Hudson County Vocational School in North Bergen. Mayor Chiusolo has accredited much of his success and accomplishments to his adolescent experiences in Jersey City which inspired him to dedicate his life to enhancing the lives of others. At the age of 14, Joseph began volunteering his time at the Secaucus Ambulance Corp. and the American Red Cross. Upon reaching his eighteenth birthday, he became an Emergency Medical Technician at the Jersey City Medical Center. Joseph continued to work hard and eventually his sacrifices and efforts were rewarded. In 1978 he became Assistant Director for the American Red Cross Disaster Services. He was primarily responsible for the coordination of emergency disaster responses in Jersey City and Hoboken. While serving at this post, in 1979, Joseph arrived at the scene of a burning building before the Fire Department and subsequently rescued the occupants. After this experience, he vowed to do all he could to educate people about Fire Safety. It was at this time, that Joseph started a T-shirt screen printing business in the basement of his parents' home which became known as ``Turn Out Fire and Safety.'' He became a major supplier of Police, Fire, and EMS uniforms as well as protective clothing throughout the tri-state area. Joseph Chiusolo moved to Cedar Grove, New Jersey in 1989 and immediately volunteered his time to the Zoning Board of Adjustment. He quickly became a fixture within the town and was elected by the residents to serve on the town council in 1997. Since that time, Joseph has served two terms as Deputy Mayor and two terms as Mayor. As a former mayor and the Congressman for the Eighth Congressional District of NJ, I cannot think of another individual who has given more to Cedar Grove. Thus it is only fitting that he be honored, in this, the permanent record of the greatest freely elected body on Earth. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, the Township of Cedar Grove, Joseph's family, friends, and me in recognizing the outstanding service of Mayor Joseph Chiusoloa.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, May 7, I lost a friend, a constituent, and an inspiration. Many of you in this Chamber knew and worked with Peter Rodino, a former Congressman from Newark, New Jersey. For those who did not know him, you undoubtedly recall his service or have read about his life and illustrious career in public service. Congressman Rodino is most well-known for the role he played in the impeachment hearings of President Richard Nixon. He demonstrated a dignified image of Congress at a time when cynicism characterized the public's view of our government. He upheld the integrity of this institution. He was himself a person of character. Despite the important role that he played in the glamorous hearings, Congressman Rodino's real legacy is in the work that he did to further civil rights for all Americans. As the son of an Italian immigrant who grew up on the ethnically diverse streets of Newark, Congressman Rodino understood the importance of building bridges to unite ethnic communities. He was determined to see women and Americans of all races and religions receive equal civil rights. In his role on the House Committee on the Judiciary, Congressman Rodino was instrumental in managing the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on the House floor, where it passed and was eventually signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson. Congressman Rodino authored the Fair Employment Practices Amendment within the historic civil rights bill. He strived to advance the rights of women, immigrants, and disenfranchised ethnicities. He never forgot his own roots. In 1971, Congressman Rodino passed legislation making Columbus Day a national holiday, providing millions of Italian Americans with a day to celebrate our proud heritage. To establish an Italian American presence in Washington, Congressman Rodino worked to found the National Italian American Foundation, NIAF, and the Italian American Congressional Delegation. It is my honor to now cochair this delegation with the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica). As an Italian American who also grew up in an ethnically diverse New Jersey city, I have admired Congressman Rodino's record as one who united people he represented. His career as a bridge builder has inspired a model on which I have based my actions as a representative of an ethnically diverse constituency. This is the second time in 3 years, Mr. Speaker, that I have stood before the House of Representatives to express my condolences for the passing of a civil rights leader. In 2003, the Eighth Congressional District was unfortunate to lose the legendary Larry Doby. I am honored to have represented these men who have molded the social milieu that America enjoys today. It is my hope that the passing of Congressman Peter Rodino will remind us of the legacy that he left behind and inspire us to apply his legacy to the legislation that we craft in this Chamber. Mr. Speaker, next Monday we will have a mass and burial. Our condolences go to his family. He was a great, great American.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, you would not even exempt our brothers and sisters coming back from war, and you want me to believe that this is reasonable legislation? Rising debt levels in turn reflect a shift in our economy away from a time when families could afford to save and into a time when their wages are stagnant. The costs of their health premiums increased 163 percent since 1988. Their tuitions have increased 170 percent. Their mortgages, their child care. This is not a stable economy. They are not crooks. They are not evil people. The American Bankruptcy Institute says that 96.3 percent of the people filing Chapter 7 just do not have the money. Now we are not saying forget about all of this, but we are saying let us be reasonable. Who should we help? Who should be first on the list of congressional priorities? The families who are in financial straits or the credit card companies who made a record $30 billion in profits last year and whose profits have soared almost triple in the last decade? This legislation does nothing to put caps on interest rates or late fees or the overtime limits and other penalties, even those among reasonable people.

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I want to make sure that everybody quite understands that I will no longer support this legislation. I am changing my vote this year to a no vote. This is terrible legislation, and we have only made it worse.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career and accomplishments of Rabbi Jehiel Orenstein. Rabbi Orenstein is a beloved figure not only among the 575 families at Congregation Beth EI, but throughout the community at-large. In 1961, Jehiel Orenstein received his master's degree in Judaica and was ordained as a Rabbi at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. While he was a student there, he received the Lawrence Prager Award for outstanding scholarship in medieval Hebrew Literature. In 1986, Rabbi Orenstein received his PhD from New York University in linguistics. In that same year, he was awarded the degree of Doctor of Divinity from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. Rabbi Orenstein served as Chaplain of the United States Air Force on Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. After three years on Lackland Air Force Base, Rabbi Orenstein moved to Lynbrook, New York, where he was Rabbi of Congregation Beth David. After his stay at Temple Beth David he became Rabbi at Temple Israel in Great Neck, New York. For the past 35 years, Rabbi Orenstein has served as the spiritual leader of Congregation Beth El in South Orange, New Jersey. During his distinguished tenure at Beth EI, Rabbi Orenstein has overseen a vibrant and growing Conservative Jewish congregation. He has written several publications, including a book about Hebrew Literature. Some of his other works include articles published in Conservative Judaism, the New York Times, and Bai'nanu, a working publication for American Conservative Rabbis. Rabbi Orenstein is the past president of the Maplewood-South Orange Clergy Association, Chaplain of the State Police of New Jersey, and Chaplain of the Maplewood Police and Fire Departments. He is also the past president of the Rabbinical Assembly of New Jersey. I know that he is particularly proud of founding the South Orange-Maplewood Interfaith Holocaust Service, a 27-year tradition. Rabbi Orenstein is married to Sylvia Mowshowitz Orenstein, a very accomplished attorney in her own right. They are the parents of three very successful children, and are the proud grandparents of five. Mr. Speaker, I would like to wish Rabbi Jehiel Orenstein a hearty ``Mazel Tov!'' on giving the opening prayer today on the Senate floor. Rabbi Orenstein built a strong synagogue during his 35 years at Beth EI, and has been a pillar for the South Orange-Maplewood region. I would also like to thank him for his years of service dedicated not only to his congregants, but our community and the State of New Jersey. May he enjoy a very well-deserved retirement

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) for yielding me this time. We are overwhelmed. This is a great piece of legislation that has been introduced by the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson). We are all supportive of it. The gentleman from Pennsylvania and I are always overwhelmed day in and day out by the work of all of our first responders, and today we recognize our firefighters. Just recently, Madam Speaker, we had tremendous floods in north Jersey. Who were the first there? The first there were our firefighters, and the best action we could take was to recognize their service and to do something about it here. I want to commend the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson), my good friend, the ranking member of the Select Committee on Homeland Security, for this resolution and for his leadership of some of the most important issues of our time. This resolution, H. Res. 188, pays needed tribute to the over 1.1 million firefighters in the United States, who take 24 million calls a year. Think about that. Day in and day out. It gives us a chance to say thank you to the men and women who contributed to and sacrificed so much for this country. Every 19 seconds a fire department responds to a fire somewhere in America. Over 1.5 million fires are handled by public fire departments. These are staggering figures when we know many places have manpower shortages; many places do not have the resources within the municipalities to do what has to be done. Firefighters risk their lives at an alarming rate, and we know their heroism is absolutely critical. Where we would be without them, Madam Speaker? What would we do without them? The work of firefighters is as noble as it is vital, and we will remain forever grateful. They are truly heroes, truly heroes in our midst. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues, I plead with my colleagues, the chairman, the ranking member, that we not forget these words today when we have to reinforce the Fire Act, when we have to appropriate for the SAFER Act so that we put our actions where our words are. God bless these men and women that put their lives on the line every day, and I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention the work of an outstanding public servant, Mr. Brian Smith, newly appointed Chief of the Waterfront Police Commission of New York & New Jersey, who was sworn into office on Friday, March 25, 2005. It is only fitting that he be honored in this, the permanent record of the greatest freely elected body on Earth, for he has a long history of leadership, creativity, and commitment to his noble profession. After attending Saint Francis College, located in Brooklyn, New York, Brian joined the National Park Service as a U.S. Park Ranger. He eventually ascended to the rank of Supervisory U.S. Park Ranger within the Law Enforcement Division. During his tenure with the National Park Service Brian's talents and stellar reputation earned him a membership with the elite U.S. Park Ranger Special Events Team. Brian also attained a multitude of special licensures ranging from a certified K-9 handler to a RED Card Wild Fire Fighter. In 1980, Mr. Smith decided to become an officer with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Brian was assigned to oversee operations at the various Port Authority facilities such as, the Holland Tunnel and Newark International Airport. After three years of service, Brian felt compelled to make a career change and opted to leave his position with the esteemed Port Authority. Brian decided to pursue a career with the U.S. Customs Service in the Tactical Enforcement Division; this would prove to be an eighteen year venture. Initially, Brian entered the bureau as a Special Agent with the Office of Investigations and Internal Affairs and quickly flourished. He received a promotion soon after he began with the agency and subsequently served a term at the U.S. Customs Service Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Over the years, Brian had countless praiseworthy assignments that he fulfilled but two of his most notable duties include: Supervisor of the Dignitary Protection JUMP TEAM and Internal Affairs Desk Officer for the West and Southwest Regions, respectively. Brian was then appointed to his current position, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Investigations for Region II in 1999. As Special Agent in Charge, he is responsible for enforcing a myriad of Federal Laws and managing the Dignitary Protection efforts throughout the States of New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (Region II). Mr. Smith's spirit of service to our great nation and his unwavering commitment to his fellow man is obvious to all those who know him. His military service has spanned two branches of the Armed Services, including a six year tour of duty in the U. S. Coast Guard Reserve. Additionally, Brian currently serves as a Major with the New York Guard, Civil Affairs Unit. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, the members of the Smith family, and myself in recognizing Chief Brian J. Smith for his outstanding service to the residents of New York and New Jersey.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Chairman, while the majority cynically tells America that they will cut the deficit in half by 2009, here we go begin. A simple review shows that the budget will add $127 billion 5 years from now and make the situation even worse. This is the legacy we are giving to our kids. We are telling them, ``We've got a deal for you. We're going to privatize part of Social Security.'' They are going to need the money to pay the interest on the debt. They better save their money. My friend from Ohio has presented probably the best defense of deficit spending that I have ever heard. Along with the false claims and the budgetary sleights of hand, remember, these are the same folks who since 2001 have converted a $5.6 trillion surplus into a deficit of $4 trillion, a $9 trillion turnaround. Defend that. It really takes a special talent to underfund education, to underfund veterans' programs, to cut Medicaid, to fail to protect Social Security and still raise the deficit. Over and over again it is clear, Mr. Chairman, the leadership in Washington has no credibility when it comes to handling the people's money. We are good at giving tax cuts to Sammy Sosa and we forgot the very people who are fighting on the front lines. It is not just doing the congressional budget process where this is apparent. A lack of credibility with America's money seems to be the order of the day throughout government. Just this morning, we completed another $81 billion supplemental for a war the administration told us would cost $100 billion in its entirety. We were told that the war would be paid for by oil revenue. Just this week, we found out that Halliburton has overcharged the Pentagon more than $108 million in excess billing, a sum that would pay for 592 up-armored Humvees which we disgracefully did not provide for our troops at the beginning of this war, or 2,250 explosive device jammers for our troops in the field. We are going to hear these conversions of costs over and over and over again. Mr. Chairman, get used to it.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to offer a personal explanation. Earlier today, I was unavoidably detained on rollcall votes 66, 67, and 68 due to prior obligation. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote 66 (H. Res. 135), ``yea'' on rollcall vote 67 (H. Res. 101), and ``yea'' on rollcall vote 68 (S. 384).

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.