Bill Pascrell

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. I voted for the substitute, so it is not a clear record.

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, now I have really heard it all, that there is an intricate relationship between marriage repeal and keeping marriage permanent. You are darn right. There is a question of values. You are darn right. Last week I got up here and urged my colleagues to vote against the ill-thought-out repeal of the sunset on the estate tax. Here we are again. Besides being a colossal waste of time, these piecemeal votes to reveal bits and pieces of tax cuts that you have proposed reveal the deceit behind the administration's initial cost estimate. According to the official estimate from the Joint Committee on Taxation, certainly no left-leaning group, no agency from the far left, no Democratic agency, today's bill would cost about $25 billion in 2012. If that does sound ridiculous, it really is. It really is ridiculous, that we even put a budget together 10 years is ridiculous, and the American people know it is ridiculous. We cannot even project what is going to happen 10 months from now, let alone 10 years from now. Nearly two-thirds of the result of the provision of this bill, an expansion of the 15 percent rate bracket, that only benefits higher income couples. In the 10-year period, this is going to cost $330 billion. If the cost of increased interest payments is added, it is going to rise to $460 billion. That is why I support the substitute. I think it is a critical substitute. I think it is an important substitute. What it does is it triggers, it triggers, if we cannot protect Social Security when it will not go into effect. You have made this card again a credit card for the Federal Government. And I say you are wrong in doing it and you need to put everything on the table. You cannot look at this in bits and pieces. This is wrong-sided legislation; and you are taking away the very foundation of our society, Social Security.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to the health care crisis posed by Hepatitis C infection, and to highlight promising news about awareness of the need for testing and the development of new treatment options. As the attached article from The New York Times demonstrates. Hepatitis C, estimated to affect more than 4 million Americans, is a growing public health threat that rivals that of AIDS. Although new infections are decreasing, the incidence of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is increasing as individuals who were infected years ago are just now learning of their infection. Even as recently as last week, a Boston Globe article discusses significant increases in Hepatitis C cases, noting that public awareness campaigns encouraging people to get tested are having an impact. Hepatitis C is a blood-borne disease that can lead to liver scarring, liver failure or cancer. It is the leading diagnosis leading to liver transplantation. Hepatitis C affects people from all walks of life, although veterans, individuals who received blood transfusions prior to 1992, intravenous drug users, health care and emergency workers and hemophiliacs are at greatest risk of infection. Because of the long period of time between HCV infection and the onset of symptoms, health experts believe that the incidence of known Hepatitis C infection will continue to increase substantially in the coming years. The costs associated with Hepatitis C, estimated at $5.6 billion in 1997, can also be expected to rise. The good news is, as more people become tested and learn of their HCV infection, medical science has made important treatment advances. In the early 1990's treatment for Hepatitis C was only moderately successful at eliminating the virus from the bloodstream. Advances in the past decade have made marked improvements. The Hepatitis Foundation International estimates that currently 50 to 60 percent of patients respond to treatment initially and that lasting clearance of the virus occurs in about 10 to 40 percent of patients. Additionally, some patients who are not cured find that treatment can delay the need for a liver transplant, an important consideration given the critical shortage of organs available for transplant. Despite these advances, new treatment regimens are desperately needed in this area. Other options are in various stages of research and development for these patients and I have sent a letter with several of my colleagues to the Secretary of Health and Human Services to encourage him to expedite review of such products as determined appropriate by the Food and Drug Administration. In addition, I have also sent a letter to the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee requesting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) to include language that will recognize and address the intensity of Hepatitis C and language that encourages research for better treatment options for those in high-risk populations. In the meantime, a growing number of Americans, like the patient described in The Times article, will discover their infection in the coming decade. I am hopeful that medical science, together with sound public policy, will do everything possible to help these Americans fight their disease and continue to lead productive lives. [From the New York Times, May 14, 2002] More Are Finding Permanent Cures for Hepatitis C (By Julie Bain) Five years ago, R. Scott Bromley, then 57, was returning from a trip to Sicily with friends when he felt a nagging pain in his right side. he was scheduled for an annual checkup the next day, and he learned from a blood test that his liver enzymes were elevated. Not a big drinker, Mr. Bromley, a New York architect, told the doctor that while in Italy, ``You have a little wine before dinner on the piazza, a little wine during dinner, a little wine after dinner,'' and suggested maybe that was the cause of the unusual numbers. Two weeks later he was tested again, with the same result. He was referred to a specialist in liver disease and, after further tests, hepatitis C was diagnosed. The doctor told him he could have been harboring the virus for 30 years or more with no symptoms. What's more, the disease could be life threatening. Mr. Bromley was devastated. More than four million people have hepatitis C in the United States, five times as many as are infected with H.I.V. ``It's the bulk of my practice,'' said Dr. Hillel Tobias, the medical director of the Liver Transplant Service at New York University Medical Center. The reason is not that new cases are being contracted. New cases have declined 80 percent in the last decade, mainly because blood transfusions have not been risk factors in that period, thanks to testing for the virus. But because the disease takes so long to progress, more patients are learning that they have hepatitis C while in their 40's and 50's and that they contracted the virus many years ago. The annual death toll, about 10,000 a year in the United States, is expected to increase for another decade to as many as 30,000 before declining, according to the American Liver Foundation. Unlike hepatitis A and B, there is no vaccine for hepatitis C, and the virus can lead to serious liver disease, like cirrhosis or liver cancer. Hepatitis C patients make up the largest percentage of people requiring liver transplants. But with new treatments, more are now finding permanent cures. Some misconceptions exist about the way the hepatitis C virus is spread, said Dr. Eugene R. Schiff, a professor of medicine and the director of the Center for Liver Disease at the University of Miami School of Medicine. ``The unequivocally major mode of transmission is blood to blood,'' he said. An estimated 300,000 Americans now infected got the disease from a transfusion before 1990. ``Sexual transmission has been way overplayed,'' he said. ``So has transmission from mother to baby. It's uncommon, probably less than 3 percent for either of those, quite the opposite from hepatitis B.'' Drugs injected by needle also pose blood-to-blood risks. ``The classic hepatitis C patient today is a very upstanding 50-year-old lawyer who once tried a needle when he was in college,'' Dr. Tobias said. ``In the 70's, a lot of kids in college tried needles once.'' Tattoo needles can also spread the disease. Because of the lack of symptoms, many cases go undetected until the disease is advanced, although a test can detect antibodies to the virus before it affects the liver. Starting in 1992, the treatment of choice was alpha interferon, injected three times a week for a year. This antiviral protein can kill the virus, as well as boost the immune system. The rate of permanent viral clearance was 8 to 10 percent, Dr. Tobias said. About five years ago, this treatment was combined with ribavirin, another antiviral agent. With both drugs taken together, a permanent cure rate of about 25 percent was achieved. One reason the rate was not higher was that the interferon was cleared out of the blood so quickly. Current treatment is pegylated interferon, a long-acting form of the treatment that maintains a sustained blood level for a week. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2001, it brought the cure rate up to about 50 percent. ``And if you add ribavirin to it,'' Dr. Tobias said, ``you get to over 60 percent.'' Five years ago Mr. Bromley began treatment with alpha interferon, and within two and a half months he was down to a level of zero virus. But the side effects were devastating. ``I didn't sleep well, my sex life was all screwed up, I lost 40 pounds and the interferon changed my whole personality,'' he said. Then, just a year after he was off the drug, the virus rebounded, even higher than it was before. There is no clear correlation between the viral count and what's going on in the liver, the real danger zone. ``I have patients with advanced liver disease whose viral counts are fairly low,'' Dr. Tobias said, ``and I have patients with very little liver disease whose viral counts are very high. Similarly, there are people who have normal enzymes and still have significant hepatitis C.'' That's why a liver biopsy is usually required to help determine treatment. For Mr. Bromley, whose tests showed little damage to his liver, it was a tough decision whether to undergo a second treatment. But a year and a half later, he began 48 weeks of interferon and ribavirin, and this time the side effects were even worse. ``I couldn't sleep,'' he said. ``I began forgetting things. I would fall down in the middle of the street. I became very depressed.'' But the treatment worked, and Mr. Bromley has been free of the virus for more than three years. Other patients refuse a second treatment, saying the side effects, including flulike symptoms and depression, aren't worth it. ``But,'' said Dr. Tobias, ``they should be retreated with the pegylated interferon because a significant number of them will respond to it.'' Those who previously did not respond with interferon have about a 20 percent chance of being cured if they are retreated with the pegylated interferon. Those who have relapsed after successful treatment have a chance of receiving a permanent cure of greater than 50 percent. Evidence also suggests that even if a patient doesn't lose the virus, the anti-inflammatory activity of the pegylated interferon slows the progression of the disease. Some patients who have advanced liver disease go on lifetime reduced-dose interferon, which can delay the need for a liver transplant. New treatments in development may replace interferon an ribavirin, or be added to them in a drug cocktail, similar to AIDS and H.I.V. treatments. Vertex and Eli Lilly recently announced that they were developing a protease inhibitor that could prevent the virus from making infectious copies of itself. Even more promising, say doctors, is a polymerase inhibitor, which may also stop the virus from replicating. Another possibility is a ribozyme, which may cut the hepatitis C virus ``like a scissors,'' said Dr. Schiff. None of these treatments, however, will be available for several years. A vaccine remains a challenge because hepatitis C has eight different molecular configurations that are constantly changing and mutating. A vaccine would require developing an immune response to a part of the virus that is relatively stable across all the variations.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, first I want to commend my good friend, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Fossella). How refreshing it is to talk about an Italian American out of the Hollywood spotlight and an Italian American not recognized. If only we took the time in this society to deal with all ethnics, people of all racial persuasions in fairness, and that is what this resolution is all about: Fairness, honesty, breaking the stereotypes that many of us have learned; in fact, probably, taught without our even knowing. We recognize today the life and achievements of Antonio Meucci. He was a pauper. He had nothing. He came here with nothing. He could not even put $10 up for a patent application. And yet his life is one of brilliance in science, particularly. He is only a footnote in our history books. We all know those great publishers that steer the education process of America. He earns, if he is lucky, a footnote. Indeed, many local libraries, if you search for his name in a card catalog, you may come up empty. Yet, substantial evidence exists that he indeed developed the first telephone. It is Alexander Graham Bell who is most commonly given credit. After all, it was he, and not Meucci, who was awarded one of the most valuable patents in American history. But the fact remains that Meucci's scientific discoveries concerning human voice transmission as well as his tangible teletrofono preceded those of Bell. In fact, when you examine, Mr. Speaker, how this all happened in a place where Meucci heard an exclamation of a friend who was in another room over a piece of copper wire running between them, he realized immediately that he had something that was more important than any discovery he had ever made. But that realization also came with the understanding that to succeed as an inventor, he would need an environment that truly fostered his inquisitive mind and his vibrant spirit. I believe that it is proper to honor the far-reaching contributions that Antonio Meucci made to our society, and I am not the only one. The Government of the United States and the Supreme Court agree with me. In this Supreme Court document, Mr. Speaker, it is very clear in the many pages laid out across the record that this is no ordinary young man in his struggle. In 1887 the Government moved to annul the patent issued to Bell on the grounds of misrepresentation, an indication that the Supreme Court found viable and remanded for retrial. This is only one of many published documents during the time, the late 1800s that outlined the case being made for Meucci, indeed, the case we are making today on both sides of the aisle. In 1860 a description of his first telephone model was published, as the gentleman from New York (Mr. Fossella) pointed out, in an Italian language newspaper in New York City, 16 years before Bell's patent. Indeed, Meucci's extraordinary career flourished upon immigrating to New York in 1850. His poor finances, his limited English, his grasp of the language was not very good. It plagued him throughout his life. Yet, he worked tirelessly to bring long distance communication to a practical stage. When his wife fell paralyzed in 1855, Meucci set up a telephone system which joined several rooms of his house with his workshop in another building. This was the first such installation anywhere; anywhere. Unfortunately, Meucci was unable to raise those funds to pay his way through the arduous patent application process. Instead, he had to settle for a caveat, which is a one-year renewable notice of an impending patent. He first filed this on December 28, 1871. Three years later his finances were absolutely zero. Living with the aid of public assistance and unable to get a 7-A loan, which today we have available through small business, Meucci was forced to allow the caveat to lapse at the end of that year. Two years after the expiration of his caveat, Alexander Graham Bell performed experiments in the same laboratory that Meucci worked, and he took out a patent for his own voice-transmitting device. The same laboratory. It is possible that sometimes several inventors have the same idea at roughly the same time. In this case, what has mattered is not who had the idea for the telephone first, but who first turned the idea into a viable commercial enterprise. Let us not forget that if Antonio Meucci could have paid the $10 fee to maintain his caveat, the Bell patent could not have been granted. Ten dollars. Let us not forget that the Supreme Court of the United States found that Meucci's case was viable and warranted a trial at a circuit court. It is unfortunate that Meucci died before his case could even be continued and before a resolution could be reached as to who truly invented the telephone; but most importantly, let us not forget that Antonio Meucci's great contributions to science have had a profound impact on our modern society. Mr. Speaker, many people from many different nations have contributed to this greatest of all democracies. Antonio Meucci was one such person. He is a reflection of our brothers and sisters from all over the world who came to this country with nothing and worked hard to make this a better place for mankind. Some heralded, some not even a footnote in the library. It is fitting that his efforts are recognized here today, and I thank the gentleman from New York for allowing me to work with him on this important resolution.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the substitute being offered by the gentleman from North Dakota (Mr. Pomeroy) on behalf of the Democrats. This is not about a death tax; this is about pure greed. The ranking member mentioned Mr. Ken Lay of Enron because his estimated estate tax savings will be $59 million. The second in command, Jeffrey Skilling, he will get $55 million. This is about greed; that is what it is about. We are not backing off. This substitute raises the personal exemption for estate taxes to $3 million per person, $6 million per couple. The gentleman from North Dakota (Mr. Pomeroy) just mentioned this will assist 99.7 percent of those who pay estate taxes. Who are those three-tenths of a percent that we left out? In other words, it will help small businesses and farmers without exploiting their circumstances to provide yet another perk for the very, very wealthiest of Americans. There is a reason we have to be responsible here. There is a reason we cannot simply usher through drastic tax cuts for the wealthy, and that reason is our national debt. In the 2 minutes that I will speak here, the national debt interest, the interest on that debt will rise $2 million, just the interest on the debt. These are wasted dollars paying interest on debt rather than paying down the debt. Who has become the party of austerity, I would like to know. These are wasted dollars, paying interest on debt rather than paying down the debt. Today the national debt is well over $6 trillion. Today's estate tax proposal would cut revenues by $55.8 billion in 2012. The estimated impact of making the repeal permanent would total $109 billion. Mr. Speaker, this is pure greed. We cannot accept it. We must accept the Pomeroy substitute.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to take this opportunity to recognize the work of an outstanding individual, Dr. Franz B. Humer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Roche Holdings, Ltd, one of the world's leading healthcare companies whose United States headquarters is located in my district, in Nutley, New Jersey. On Wednesday, May 22, Dr. Humer was honored along with Leah Tutu, the wife of Bishop Desmond Tutu, at the Phelophepa Health Care Train Gala dinner in New York City. My obligations here in Washington caused me to miss the event, which I am told was a tremendous success. It is only fitting that Dr. Humer be honored, in this, the permanent record of the greatest freely elected body on earth, for his steadfast leadership in providing long term support he and Hoffmann-La Roche have given to South Africa's neediest citizens. The Phelophepa Health Care Train, a South African charity, provides remote primary health care to rural South Africa via locomotive train. Now in its 9th year of operation, the Phelophepa Train continues reaching out and striving to better the lives of thousands of rural people by bringing basic health services, outreach programs, AIDS education, and training and health information to areas where such services are not available. Under the exceptional leadership of Dr. Humer, Hoffmann-La Roche's generous assistance has enabled the Phelophepa Train to achieve unprecedented success in its efforts to provide essential health care to the people of South Africa. Dr. Humer and Hoffmann-La Roche deserve recognition for their efforts to better the lives of desperately needy persons halfway across the globe. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, Hoffman-La Rouche, the people of South Africa, and me in recognizing the outstanding humanitarian efforts of Dr. Franz Humer, and congratulating him on this great honor.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, you know you are in dangerous, dangerous waters when you mess with questioning anybody's patriotism or dedication to our troops. You are in dangerous waters. So I speak today as a veteran. I speak today as a loyal American. We support our Commander in Chief in the execution of the war. May no one think otherwise. But under the cover of war, do not politically pursue your goals. That is dangerous. American people are smarter than we give them credit for. Mr. Chairman, this is my Social Security card. I do not need the poster here. This is my Social Security card. And I am not going to show you the number because it is nobody's business, by the way, which is another thing we will debate at another time. This card, this Social Security card, has become a national credit card. Borrowing off my Social Security card will put us deeper in debt. The excruciating rates of credit companies, credit card companies in this country, will pale in comparison, in comparison to the interest rates every day growing and growing and growing on the Nation's debt. In fact, in the first minute I have spoken, a million dollars. You may choose to ignore this. I do not. This is the most recent in a series of fiscally irresponsible acts by the majority that you have taken in the last 18 months. First, you push through an offensive tax cut that benefits primarily the very wealthy in this Nation. It is back-loaded so as to hide the effects this will have on our budget. But the worst is yet to come in 2003, in 2004, in 2005 when those other rate cuts plug in. Just last month you tried to make this permanent, ad infinitum. It was not bad enough to have a 10-year budget. You cannot predict the budget for 10 months. Now they want to raise the debt ceiling by $750 billion. Mr. Chairman, no one on our side of the aisle has questioned our authenticity. Let us get the record straight. We know what you are dealing with. You know what we are all dealing with. That is not the issue. Prior to this Republican tax cut, according to the Congressional Budget Office, all the Treasury debt held by the public could have been paid off by the year 2008. That is gone. That is serious business. You know that and I know that. As a result of that tax cut pushed through, the Republicans by 2008, the baby boomers thought to retire, the government will owe $3.49 trillion more than it owes at this very moment. Now, you may dismiss it under the cover of war again; but, again, you cannot borrow off my Social Security card. I do not want you to. The American people do not want you to either. Remember, that is not just the debt we have to worry about. There is also an interest on that debt. Fifteen cents out of every tax dollar we send to Washington automatically goes to paying the interest on the debt before we even sit down and try to respond to the basic needs of American people. That is unconscionable. According to the President's own numbers, this year alone we will pay $178 billion in interest on our debt; and the payment amounts go up every year. The effect on America's national debt is an additional $396 billion. This is a direct result of what we did last spring in 2001. We will pay off almost $400 billion in additional debt as a direct result of the majority's efforts to make this tax cut permanent. The majority is always talking about responsibility. You are darn right. There is a values question. This is a values question. I value this card. And so do the American people.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention the work of an outstanding organization, the Rotary Club of Belleville, New Jersey. It is only fitting we recognize this organization, in this, the permanent record of the greatest freely elected body on earth, for it has a long history of caring, leadership, and commitment to its community. Since receiving its charter from the Rotary International on April 22, 1922, the Rotary Club of Belleville has been an effective coalition of civic leaders, business professionals, and regular citizens dedicated to their neighbors. The Club has personified its time honored mottos, ``Service Above Self'' and ``He Profits Most Who Serves Best,'' by sponsoring projects to aid children, the elderly, and the poor, and by sponsoring literacy programs. An example of their work can be seen in the ``Gift of Life Program.'' This initiative helps children around the world by providing doctor and hospital services to less fortunate kids in need of heart operations. A major supporter of the Rotary International's PolioPlus program, the Rotary Club of Belleville has also helped to eradicate polio in developing countries worldwide. Put simply, the Belleville Rotary Club has made its mission the advocacy for those in need. Its members have made a difference in countless lives, with their work serving as a beacon of caring and compassion for eight decades. On Wednesday, May 22, 2002, the Club celebrated its 80th anniversary with a wonderful concert at the Belleville Public Library and Information Center. Club members, guests, and dignitaries from the Rotary, the Township of Belleville and the State of New Jersey joined in the celebration. The job of a United States Congressman involves so much that is rewarding, yet nothing compares to working with and recognizing the efforts of organizations like the Rotary Club of Belleville. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, the Township of Belleville, the members of the Rotary, and me in recognizing the eighty years of outstanding and invaluable service of the Rotary Club of Belleville, New Jersey.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention the work of an outstanding individual, Mr. George J. Homcy, President of the North Jersey Regional Chamber of Commerce. On Wednesday, May 7, 2002 he was honored at a dinner commemorating his career of service. It is only fitting that he be honored, in this, the permanent record of the greatest freely elected body on earth, for his steadfast leadership in fostering economic growth in our region. George Homcy's distinguished professional career began as a reporter with the Paterson Evening News in the late 1940s. He later moved to the American Forces Network as a journalist and broadcaster, covering American troop actions from the ground in Frankfurt, Munich, and Bremerhaven, Germany. Upon his return home, George began twenty years as a reporter and eventually editor with the Herald News, located in Passaic, New Jersey. In 1974, George Homcy began his work promoting the interests of the New Jersey business community. From 1974 to 1979, George serve as Executive Vice President of the Clifton Chamber of Commerce. In 1980, through the foresight of George and others, the Clifton Chamber merged with the Passaic Area Chamber. As President of this newly formed organization, George continued the Chamber's growth by engineering another merger with the Passaic Valley Chambers of Commerce, forming the North Jersey Regional Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Speaker, everyone in the chamber knows that small businesses have been the backbone of our nation's economy for over 200 years. George's stewardship of the North Jersey Chamber of Commerce has had an enduring impact on numerous New Jersey small businesses. George J. Homcy's commitment to improving the lives of those in his community extends far beyond his work with the Chamber of Commerce. A board member with the United Way of Passaic Valley, the Boys' and Girls' Club of Clifton, and Saint Mary's Hospital in Passaic, George has touched countless lives. I am far from the first person to admire George's talent, as the New Jersey Supreme Court appointed him to the Passaic County District XI Ethics Committee. While his retirement as President of the North Jersey Chamber will cause great sadness, it also is a time for celebration, as all those touched by George will honor him. I can say without hesitation that I am proud to represent George Homcy in Congress, but more importantly, I am honored to call him my friend. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, the North Jersey Regional Chamber of Commerce, George's family and friends, and me in recognizing the outstanding and invaluable efforts of George J. Homcy.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, Thomas Jefferson said, ``I place the economy among the first and most important virtues, and public debt as the greatest of dangers. To preserve our independence, we must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt.'' I hear the words of the Founding Fathers on the floor evoked week after week. I never hear these words from Thomas Jefferson. That is because the public debt is something we do not like to talk about. We no longer have a choice in the matter. In the minute that I will stand before Members this morning, we will accrue almost $1 million in interest to our public debt. These are wasted dollars paying interest on debt, rather than paying down the debt. Today the national debt is $6 trillion. Since January of last year, the CBO baseline's projected net interest payments over the 2002 to 2011 period have gone up by $1 trillion, from $620 billion to $1.6 trillion, roughly $10,000 per American household and $1,000 per household per year. If we make the tax cut permanent, like some have suggested, this number rises to almost $4,000 per household per year. This is insanity. Mr. Speaker, I ask that we remember the words of Thomas Jefferson.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention the history and legacy of a groundbreaking institution, the Belleville Public Library and Information Center, in Belleville, New Jersey. On Wednesday, April 24, 2002, friends, patrons, employees, and all those who have made the Belleville Public Library a cornerstone of its community gathered to celebrate its 100th anniversary. It is thus only fitting that we honor the library's long history, in this, the permanent record of the greatest freely elected body on earth, for it has been a beacon of learning and information for generations. The Belleville Public Library was founded on January 4, 1902 by the Tuesday Afternoon Reading Club. It was initially located in a small store on William Street with a collection of only 432 books. After a temporary move in 1904, the library was given its permanent home in 1909. With the help of philanthropist Andrew Carnegie and so many dedicated citizens, the building was erected at 221 Washington Avenue. President John Fitzgerald Kennedy once said, ``The goal of education is the advancement of knowledge and the dissemination of truth.'' The Belleville Public Library embodies this ideal, having made an impact on so many lives throughout its history. One of the first libraries in the state to offer internet access, it today has sixteen computers. Citizens are provided free use of the internet and word processing programs. Well renowned for its cultural programming, the library also hosts monthly concerts, art lectures, poetry classes, video viewing, and book discussion groups. The library's defining mark in the community, however, may be its work in serving the children of Belleville. With store hours for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, as well as a major summer reading club and a myriad of activities throughout the year, the library's commitment to foster the growth of children is unwavering. From its humble beginnings on William Street, the Belleville Public Library has grown into a public information center that had over 100,000 people pass through its doors in the year 2001. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, the Township of Belleville, and me in recognizing the Belleville Public Library and Information Center.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention the work of an outstanding individual, Mr. William M. Vacca, of Totowa, New Jersey, who was recognized on Wednesday, April 17, 2002 for his lifelong dedication to Don Bosco Technical High School in Paterson, New Jersey. Bill Vacca joined the Athletic Department at Don Bosco as a volunteer in 1970, and has been there ever since. A full time employee in Passaic County's historic textile industry, Bill has dedicated an immeasurable amount to those who make up the Don Bosco Tech family. It is thus only fitting that he be honored, in this, the permanent record of the greatest freely elected body on earth. This is a man who has lived the phrase ``give something back.'' Born in Paterson on September 29, 1953, to William and Catherine Vacca, Bill attended local public grammar school before moving on to Don Bosco Tech. Upon his graduation in 1970, he immediately began to invest his energies back into the institution he loved. After eleven years as Assistant Athletic Director, Bill Vacca was named Athletic Director in 1981. Sadly, Don Bosco Tech will be permanently closing its doors later this year. This does not obscure the fact that Bill Vacca, along with so many other caring colleagues, made Don Bosco Tech a special place. Mr. Speaker, I sent all three of my sons to Don Bosco. I can say without reservation that the work of individuals like Bill Vacca will live on in the faces of those who attended that wonderful school. While the closing of Don Bosco Technical High School will cause great sadness in the greater Paterson area, it also be a time for celebration. All those touched by Bill Vacca and the Don Bosco community will treasure the memories and honor the successes they achieved. The job of a United States Congressman involves so much that is rewarding, yet nothing compares to recognizing the efforts of individuals like Bill Vacca. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, the City of Paterson, Bill's family and friends, the Don Bosco Technical High School family, and me in recognizing the outstanding and invaluable service of William M. Vacca.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, Woody Allen said, ``This is a tragedy of a disaster.'' Look at the State of New Jersey. A member of my colleagues' own administration, very good friend of mine, left the State and said I had a billion dollar surplus. What happened to it? Now we have an $8 billion deficit, the worst in the Nation. We cannot fill these cards unless we know the numbers. We do not know the numbers 10 weeks from now. How can my colleagues tell us what the numbers are going to be 15 years from now? $400 billion more in deficit, $400 billion more and my colleagues need to address the American people on American values who believe we should pay for what we are getting and not go into debt even further. By 2008 we will have paid the government's debt, the Nation's debt. Now what has happened? We are into deficit, Mr. Speaker, and Woody Allen's words ring so true, so true.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I have heard it all today. I really have. When my friend from Arizona says that what we need is a balanced approach, at this time of the game? You tell that to Wayne and Kathy Stevens, who in their 401(k) had $720,000 in savings wiped away. You tell them what they need is a balanced approach. We are beyond a balanced approach. Besides someone going to jail, those people need relief; and they are not getting it in this legislation. My colleagues may think that is theatrics. You tell that to them, that couple out in Washington State. This legislation includes no bona fide structural changes that will create protection. It does not require equal representation of employers and employees on the 401(k) plan management boards. It does not create equity between the claims of workers and the executives if the company files for bankruptcy. It does not mandate that independent, unbiased investment advice be provided to rank-and-file employees. In other words, this bill is at worst, a placebo; at best, a Band-Aid on a deep wound. For these reasons and for what the bill does not do, I urge my colleagues to vote against the Republican bill and for the Democratic substitute. We know who brought you to the dance; but you do not have to keep on saying yes, yes, yes. Our substitute levels the playing field. It gives rank-and-file employees the same pension protection as the executives. For us to ask anything less, we will not do a service to all Americans, just a few. The way I see it is certain assets of the company that I have invested in, if I am part of the pension plan, are the property of the employees. In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I think our substitute does a better job in trying to address the problem.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, we know that the new digital economy is leading the way, is a necessity for economic success of American businesses and particularly small businesses. We are concerned deeply that many small businesses lack the adequate resources to participate fully in the digital revolution. I see many minority-owned small businesses in my district, the Eighth District of New Jersey, that have particular concerns. In order to keep up, they cannot afford to fall back and to play catch up. Today, there is almost 2.1 billion different and publicly accessed Web sites on the Internet, a larger percentage of them being commercial, business-operated sites. Current figures show that Americans have already spent $3.5 billion online, which averages out to 13.5 million households, spending $263 per person. It is clear that if small businesses are not part of the new digital economy, they will soon be out of business. The private sector will need to fill, as my colleagues have already heard, 900,000 new information technology jobs. Right now, we can only fill half of those jobs. We need to be especially concerned about the impact of this data on the business sector that accounts for 75 percent of the net new jobs; and if we can make the change in the legislation that will benefit small businesses, we should; and that is the very purpose of the Velazquez-Manzullo amendment, that 20 percent of the Federal high-tech workers must be placed with small businesses under this amendment, which fully 99 percent of all employers are small businesses. Mr. Chairman, I ask for the adoption of this amendment.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, let us face the facts: Without last year's tax cut, we could have paid our entire Federal debt by 2008. That occurred before September 11. That is the fact. Even with already dipping into Social Security, this budget proposes new tax cuts. In fact, the gentleman from Illinois (Speaker Hastert) said he wants to make the Bush tax cuts permanent. Both of these actions would divert money that could have been used to strengthen Social Security and pay down the national debt. In the post-tax cut budget world we now live in, the national debt will still exist far into the future. Prior to the tax cut, it was projected that from 2002 to 2011, the government would owe $709 billion in interest. We pay over $1 billion of interest on the debt every day. That is scandalous. Members can shake their heads all they want. That is a fact of life. They should look at their own budget. Without a surplus, I do not know how we can protect the long-term solvency of Social Security or Medicare.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention the work of an outstanding public servant, Fire Captain Glen Vetrano of the Paterson Fire Department, who was recognized on Thursday, October 18, 2001 for his lifelong commitment to helping others. Fire Captain Vetrano was chosen as the Boys and Girls Club of Paterson's 2001 Man of the Year. The enduring relationship between Glen and the Boys and Girls Club began long ago, when he was only 12 years old. While enrolled in the old Hawthorne Boys and Girls Club, young Glen demonstrated his altruism and leadership by partnering with community leaders and parents in building a new, vastly improved facility. Even at such a young age, Glen's dedication and ability to lead was recognized, as he was named Youth of the Year for his efforts in the construction of the new building. Glen Vetrano's desire to serve others certainly continued into his adult life as he chose a career in public safety. After being appointed to the Paterson Fire Department on June 2, 1986, he quickly rose into leadership positions, chosen by his peers as president of the Firefighters Association from 1992-1996 and as the current president of the Fire Officers IAFF Local 3860. Mr. Speaker, as a lifelong resident and former Mayor of Paterson, I can definitively say that fire Captain Vetrano's capacity for giving is second to none. As a member of the Board of the Boys and Girls Club of Paterson, Glen has been instrumental in the Club's successful growth initiative. Chairing the Marketing Committee and hosting the Club's Annual Winter Beefsteak, Glen Vetrano's devotion and steadfast leadership have produced countless successes for the Boys and Girls Club of Paterson. He has touched countless lives. No time of year better illustrates the character of my friend Glen Vetrano than the Christmas season. He takes a very special interest in aiding those who might otherwise be overlooked during the joyous holiday season. Glen has founded the Holiday Dinner for the Clergy. He pioneered this dinner to honor those who have devoted themselves to the needs of our residents all year long. Of course, Glen is a staple at the Boys and Girls Club Holiday Party, assisting Santa and helping young people enjoy the Christmas season. I consider my friendship with Glen Vetrano a blessing, and believe honoring him in this, the permanent record of the greatest democracy ever known, is absolutely necessary. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, the Boys and Girls Club of Paterson, the City of Paterson, Glen's family and friends, all those who have been touched by his altruism, and me in recognizing the invaluable service of Fire Captain Glen Vetrano.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to take this opportunity to salute the Women's Auxiliary of the Riverside Veterans, Inc., from my hometown of Paterson, NJ. On Sunday, October 21, 2001 the post celebrated a proud moment, its 50th Anniversary. Having spent my formative years in the Riverside section of Paterson, exercising my ability to honor this group in the permanent record of the greatest democracy ever known, is all the more special. After our Nation's triumph in the Second World War, our heroes from the Riverside section of Paterson returned home and decided to form, under the guiding hand of founder Tony Tirri, the Riverside Veterans Inc., in 1946. Many of these brave men lived and fought together in the same combat units, forging unbreakable bonds that served as the base of this organization. Mr. Speaker, everyone in this chamber knows it was the collective effort and resolve of our entire country that carried us to decisive victory in 1945. The Riverside Veterans were more than cognizant of this fact, as they took the initiative in rewarding the women who served their country on the homefront. In 1951, the decision was made to form a women's auxiliary. Under the leadership of the first year officers--President Mary DeNova, Vice President Addie Pacilio, Secretary Dorothy Tirri, Treasurer Dorothy Malizia, Chaplain Pearl Plavan, Service Officer Rosa Palotta, Mistress-At-Arms Connie Barone, and Executive Board members Angie Tateo, Betty Natoli, Julie Cosgrove, and Delma Cuccinello--the highest standards of charity, family values, and community awareness were set for the Women's Auxiliary's of the Riverside Veterans, Inc. As a lifelong resident and former Mayor of Paterson, I cannot think of another organization that better embodies its motto, ``The Post That Cares,'' than the Riverside Veterans Auxiliary. My revered predecessor in Congress, the Hon. Robert A. Roe, succinctly said it best stating. ``It would be difficult indeed to find a more dedicated or hard working group of women than the auxiliary of the Riverside Veterans.'' I would like to recognize the exceptional current leadership of this venerable institution: President Delma Cuccinello, whose husband Louis is the Commander of Riverside Veterans Inc., Vice President Janet Rigamonti, Secretary Catherine Spina, Treasurer Ruth Gallo, Chaplain Jean Carini, Service Officer Irma Cantilla, Mistress-At-Arms Ann Cirasuolo and Executive Board members Clover Glloriande, Bette Natoli, Dolly Gorga, Ida Ponte, and Holly Hintzen. These current leaders have carried on the noble precedents set by the founding members. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, the City of Paterson, veterans across the nation, and me in recognizing the outstanding and invaluable service of the Women's Auxiliary of the Riverside Veterans Inc.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, A few years ago, I learned first-hand about the importance of preventative care for cardiovascular disease. My wife, Elsie, had a heart attack. It was a very difficult time period for her, and for our family. I am pleased to report that she is in good health today. And I can still celebrate this holiday with her. Unfortunately, not many women are as lucky as my wife. Heart disease is the number one killer of American women. In fact, cardiovascular diseases kill more females each year than the next 9 causes of death combined. The seriousness of this disease doesn't stop there. Heart disease is our nation's number one killer and leading cause of long-term disability. We need to raise awareness to fight this disease. Preventive health care is the key to lowering the number of victims of heart disease. Risk factors of heart disease are high cholesterol, high blood pressure, tobacco, lack of activity, and obesity. The majority of these risks can be prevented. And we can only accomplish this through education to raise awareness. February is American Heart month. I ask my colleagues to take advantage of this to spread awareness about heart disease and encourage healthy life styles.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Chairman, America, America, the witching hour is upon campaign finance reform. Please pay close attention to how we Members of Congress vote. Everyone claims to be doing the right thing. Everyone seems to be saying they support reform. But make no mistake about it, there is only one bill here that creates real reform for our Nation's campaign finance laws while passing the Senate, and that is Shays-Meehan. Our political system has gone bad mad. In the 2000 election, candidates spent more than $4 billion, a 50 percent increase since 1996. That is obscene. Who is giving all of this money to the parties? Is it the little guy? No. Not even the medium guy. Instead, there are big donations from big corporations. Obviously Enron, which has given almost $6 million to Federal candidates, $3.5 million of that $6 million was soft money. Did they know what they were doing? This is not misinformation. If Members want to talk about a Web site, go on their Web site and see their numbers.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, tonight we begin our debate on campaign finance reform. How fitting that this argument is occurring amidst the investigation into the power wielded by the leaders of Enron Corporation. What a perfect example of the corruption of money in politics. Last week I reached out to Pat Wood, III, the current Chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. I urged him to resign. In light of the influence that Kenneth Lay, the former CEO of Enron Corporation, had over both his appointment to FERC and his subsequent chairmanship of the Commission, it is apparent that Pat Wood's ability to fairly and neutrally oversee the country's energy policies has been irrevocably compromised. These are just some of the facts surrounding Pat Wood's appointment to FERC. One, Ken Lay interviewed all potential nominees to FERC and presented the President's personnel director with a list of top choices; two, on that list were two of the present Commissioners, Pat Wood, III, and Ms. Nora Brownell; three, a ``litmus test'' was presented to potential Commissioners during these interviews wherein the nominees were made aware that they must either promote Enron's interests or not receive the appointment, and this is outrageous; and, four, Pat Wood, III, was Kenneth Lay's choice to replace Curtis Hebert. This is just the beginning and one of the reasons why we need campaign finance reform. These are the facts, not fiction.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention the work of an outstanding public servant, Mr. Sydney Charles Lockwood of the Passaic Public Schools, who was recognized on Friday, October 26, 2001 for his lifelong dedication to education. As a former Passaic County educator, I take particular pride in exercising my ability to honor Mr. Lockwood in this, the permanent record of the greatest freely elected body on earth. He is more than deserving as he has a long history of caring, generosity, and commitment to his noble profession. From the beginning of his 40-year career in education, which began as an undergraduate at Montclair State University, Sydney Lockwood has been a leader. A member of Montclair State's chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, the National Honor Society for Education, Sydney was named to Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. After receiving his Master's Degree from Montclair State in 1965, Sydney moved on to Columbia University's prestigious Teacher's College to pursue his post-graduate education. Immediately playing integral roles in Columbia's pivotal research projects, Sydney Lockwood participated in the Columbia University Curriculum Life Skills Project and served as a member of Columbia University's Task Force that evaluated the failing Washington, DC school system. The City of Passaic first saw Sydney's dedication to education and capacity for leadership while he served as an English and Social Studies teacher at Lincoln Middle School. He quickly was promoted to Head Teacher at Pulaski School No. 8 and then to Principal of Roosevelt School No. 10 from 1974 to 1995. Sydney's final post with the Passaic Public Schools was as Principal of School No. 2 from 1995 until June of 2001. By devoting over forty years of his life, the last twenty-seven as a principal, to the children of the City of Passaic, Sydney Lockwood has done so much for so many. While his retirement has caused great sadness in the Passaic Public Schools, it also has been a time for celebration, as all those touched by Sydney have honored his career of public service. 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 Sydney Lockwood. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, the Passaic Public Schools, the City of Passaic, Sydney's family and friends, all the students who have been touched by Sydney over his career both inside and outside of the classroom, and me in recognizing the outstanding and invaluable service of Mr. Sydney Charles Lockwood.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention the work of a woman I am proud to represent in Congress and even more honored to call my friend, Ms. Claire Salviano. Claire was recognized on Thursday, January 31, 2002 for her 25 years of dedicated service at the Department of Transportation for the Paterson Board of Education. It is only fitting that she be honored, in this, the permanent record of the greatest freely elected body on earth, for she has a long history of caring, leadership, and commitment to the children of her hometown. Claire Salviano was born in Paterson, New Jersey to Herbert and Clara Huntington. After graduating from a local high school, Claire married Virgil Salviano and raised five children. Once her children were grown, Claire decided to continue her education at Rutgers University and William Paterson University. Her intense involvement in the Paterson community began while her children were in elementary school. Claire served on the School #9 PTA as a member, organizer and a 10-year officer. As Claire's interest in serving the needs of children grew, she became deeply engaged in the Paterson Boys Club. She founded the New Jersey Auxiliaries of Boys Clubs and was the first woman to serve on the Board of Directors for the Boys Club. During her tenure as a board member, Claire led the fight to admit school-aged girls as full members of the club. She was successful in her crusade, thus beginning a new era, the Paterson Boys and Girls Club. Claire Salviano's service to the City of Paterson continued to grow as she founded and organized the South Paterson Neighborhood Association and the citywide neighborhood Crime Watch Program. In 1977, Claire was appointed to serve as a Commissioner on the Paterson Board of Education. As a member and later President, she brought honor and distinction to the Board. Her efforts there did not go unnoticed as the Federation of Italian Societies recognized Claire as the Outstanding Woman of the Year. Claire initially served as the Supervisor and eventually became the Director of the Department of Transportation for the Board of Education. In this new position, she was responsible for overseeing the transportation of 7,500 students. She joined the School Transportation Supervisors Association and was President from 1995-1997. As President she chaired the annual state conference and was elected to represent the Eastern Division of the State Directors Association. The job of a United States Congressman involves so much that is rewarding, yet nothing compares to recognizing the accomplishments of individuals like Claire Salviano. Her concern for the safety and well being of children is unparalleled and we are grateful for her years of dedication and hard work on behalf of the Children of Paterson. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, the City of Paterson. Claire's family and friends, all those who have been touched by Claire and me in recognizing the outstanding and invaluable service of Ms. Claire Salviano.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to call to your attention the life of an American hero, Officer John Skala of the Port Authority Police Department. Officer Skala of Clifton, New Jersey, was killed in the Line of Duty while heroically responding to the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. As the tragic events of that fateful morning unfolded, Officer Skala was assigned to the Lincoln Tunnel Command. He immediately responded to help evacuate the towers after the first plane struck World Trade Center Tower One. September 11, 2001 has emblazoned so many unforgettable images in our minds. Perhaps none is more vivid, however, than that of courageous men and women in uniform working so valiantly to save the lives of others. It is therefore only fitting that Officer Skala be honored, in this, the permanent record of the greatest freely elected body on earth. John Skala was born in Passaic, New Jersey and attended high school at nearby Clifton High. At the age of twenty-two, he received an appointment to the Port Authority Police Department. His distinguished career in law enforcement showed him to be a man with the courage of a lion, yet also someone who had a kind and gentle heart, willing to help anyone in need. A recipient of two Meritorious Service Awards, Officer Skala exhibited the high standards of excellence associated with the traditions of the PAPD. From assisting in the arrest of armed suspects to the performance of first aid during extreme conditions, John Skala was a public servant in every sense of the word. Officer Skala's dedication to serving the community at large extended far beyond his work at the PAPD. He dedicated his free time to serving as a paramedic with the Passaic-Clifton Mobile Intensive Care Unit, as a member of the Ukrainian American Youth Association, and as a volunteer with the New Jersey Special Olympics and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. John Skala was a hero, both on the front lines and behind the scenes. He has touched countless lives for the better, and we are all better for having him as part of our American family. On Tuesday, September 11, our American family was attacked in a way we had only seen in our very worst nightmares. The actions carried out on the people of this nation were unspeakable acts of war, targeting the very foundation of what makes us Americans. That day we all witnessed the very worst of mankind. What the perpetrators of these acts did not realize was the unwavering commitment to liberty and humankind felt by Officer Skala and his fellow heroes. The bravery and love he exhibited in the face of terror make him an example for us all. We will honor Officer John Skala by trying to live our lives as he lived his. We will honor John by loving his family as he did, and continuing his work to make our community a better place. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, the City of Clifton, John's family and friends, myself, and a truly grateful nation in honoring the life of a great American, Port Authority Police Officer John Skala.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to call to your attention the life of an American hero, Officer Paul Laszczynski of the Port Authority Police Department. Officer Laszczynski of Paramus, New Jersey, was killed in the Line of Duty while heroically responding to the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. September 11, 2001 has emblazoned so many unforgettable images in our minds. Perhaps none is more vivid, however, then that of courageous men and women in uniform working so valiantly to save the lives of others. It is therefore only fitting that Officer Laszczynski be honored, in this, the permanent record of the greatest freely elected body on earth. A sixteen-year veteran of the Port Authority Police Department and member of the Port Authority's Emergency Services Unit, Officer Laszczynski was no stranger to emergency response. Having repelled down elevator shafts, climbed the top cables of the George Washington Bridge, and rescued people from burning buildings throughout his distinguished career, Paul Laszczynski once again placed the lives of others ahead of his own on September 11th. Trained in hazardous materials response, Officer Laszczynski was a member of the PAPD's Chemical Identification Response Team. Always one to take on additional tasks, Officer Laszczynski also served as the PATH Command's Fitness Coordinator, a Police Academy Pistol Range Instructor, and as a member of the Honor Guard. During the bombing of the World Trade Center on February 26, 1993, Officer Laszczynski helped rescue a handicapped man by carrying him to safety from the 72nd floor. His efforts that day earned him two distinguished citations: The Meritorious Citation for Exemplary Police Actions and the Individual Valor Award. Paul Laszczynski's dedication to serving others and the community at large did not stop with his service at the PAPD. He was a proud member of a motorcycle club made up of fellow officers that organizes charity rides for sick children and meets other community needs. He has touched countless lives for the better, and we are all better for having him as part of our American family. On Tuesday, September 11th that family was attacked in a way we had only seen in our very worst nightmares. The actions carried out on the people of this nation were unspeakable acts of war, targeting the very foundation of what makes us Americans. That day we all witnessed the very worst of mankind. What the perpetrators of these acts did was not realize the unwavering commitment to liberty and humankind felt by Paul Laszczynski and his fellow heroes. The bravery and love he exhibited in the face of terror make him an example for us all. We will honor Officer Paul Laszczynski by trying to live our lives as he lived his. We will honor Paul by loving his family as he did, and continuing his work to make our community a better place. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, Paul's family and friends, myself, and a truly grateful nation in honoring the life of a great American, Port Authority Police Officer Paul Laszczynski.