Bill Pascrell

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention the deeds of a remarkable person from my district, Father Hilary Conti of Clifton, New Jersey, who celebrated on Saturday, October 28, 2000 fifty years of service and leadership in Clifton and round the country. It is only fitting that he be honored, for he has a long history of caring, generosity and commitment to others. Father Hilary Conti was recognized for his many years of leadership in Clifton, which I have been honored to represent in Congress since 1997, and so it is appropriate that these words are immortalized in the annals of this greatest of all freely elected bodies. Paul Karieakatt chronicled the history of Father Conti's service. As he noted, this year marks the 50th anniversary of Father Hilary Conti's priestly ordination. For fifty years he has engaged himself in the vineyard of the Lord, as a monk and as a priest. This is a truly special achievement. Father Hilary was born in Fabriano, Italy on May 12, 1925 to Natale and Carmela Conti as their sixth child. Although it was filled with hard work, Father Conti enjoyed a beautiful childhood. On one occasion during WWII, all he had to eat was a discarded carrot. he worked as farmer, and fondly recalls those early days. In his own words he said, ``My father went to look not for the lost sheep, but for the lost shepherd. It did not take him too long to find me.'' Father Conti joined the monastery as an aspirant on September 29, 1938, made his novitiate in 1943 and his simple profession on October 1, 1944. On October 28, 1950, he was ordained a priest at St. Scholastica in Detroit, Michigan. As a student he helped to found Inter Fratres magazine. Father Hilary taught for a short time at Mercy High School in Detroit. He has always been an active and involved leader. The time spent working in Michigan instilled in Father Conti the attributes necessary for him to become a stellar force in the community. It was the small steps in the beginning of his career that taught him the fundamentals that would make him a role model to the people that he now serves. Later he took upon an even greater challenge and pioneered the establishment of a small monastery in Clifton. It is known as the Holy Face Monastery. It nourishes spiritual needs of the soul, gladdens the heart and inspires all those who visit. Of the works of art at the Holy Face Monastery the Shrine of Our Lady of Tears is Father Hilary's favorite. His late close friend, Mr. Canepa, created this masterpiece. To describe in his own words his accomplished life, Father Conti wrote, ``I planted many oak trees and saw them growing big and tall; now I am 70 years old, so I am preoccupied about the future of the monastery.'' This shows his enduring love and relentless commitment. Many people come to the monastery to search for the meaning of life, healing, peace and consolation. Father Hilary has traveled around the country conducting seminars and talks explaining the Holy Shroud of Turin and its spirituality. He has also worked in Rome with many scientists, doctors and theologians on the shroud. He recently produced a video that explains the spirituality of the shroud. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, Father Hilary's fellow monks, supporters, the Holy Face Monastery, the City of Clifton and me in recognizing the outstanding and invaluable service to the community of Father Hilary Conti.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today and bring attention to a report that was recently released by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education. The report, entitled ``Measuring Up 2000,'' found New Jersey is among the country's best places to live for families that have college-bound students in their household. One reason is that New Jersey's elementary and secondary education rates are among the top in the Nation which is what prepares our college-bound students. In fact, New Jersey students have a 92 percent high school graduation rate and high SAT and advance placement scores. Fifty-four percent of high school freshmen enrolled in college after completion of high school and 39 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds enrolled in college. New Jersey's institutions of higher learning also achieved high scores in categories such as preparation, participation, benefits, and affordability. As a former teacher and Congressman for the Eighth Congressional District, I am very proud of this report. I ask all the Members to read it. I think it would be very worthwhile.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I wish today to thank Congressman Bob Franks and Congressman Bob Menendez for including critical flood control research funding in the 2000 Water Resources Development Act for the State of New Jersey. This issue is a matter of great importance to each of our districts and all of our constituents. Our home state is confronted with an array of complex challenges related to the environment and economic development. However, one issue in particular, the over development of land, is of special concern because of its impact on our watersheds and floodplains, and economic activity throughout the state. As many of my colleagues already know, this past August vast parts of northern New Jersey were devastated by flooding caused by severe rainfall. The resulting natural disaster threatened countless homes, bridges and roads, not to mention the health, safety and welfare of area residents. The total figure for damages in Sussex and Morris Counties has been estimated at over $50 million, and area residents are still fighting to restore some degree of normalcy to their lives. While the threat of future floods continues to plague the region, one New Jersey institution is taking concrete steps to prevent another catastrophe. The New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) has been studying the challenges posed by flooding and stormwater flows for some time, and is interested in forming a multi-agency federal partnership to continue this important research. NJIT is one of our state's premier research institutions and is uniquely equipped to carry out this critical stormwater research. The university has a long and distinguished tradition of responding to difficult public-policy challenges such as environmental emissions standards, aircraft noise, traffic congestion and alternative energy. More broadly, NJIT has demonstrated an institutional ability to direct its intellectual resources to the examination of problems beyond academia, and its commitment to research allows it to serve as a resource for unbiased technological information and analysis. An excellent opportunity for NJIT to partner with the federal government and solve the difficult problem of flood control has presented itself in the 2000 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). At the request of Congressman Bob Franks and Congressman Bob Menendez, the final version of this important legislation includes a provision directing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to develop and implement a stormwater flood control project in New Jersey and report back to Congress within three years on its progress. While the Corps of Engineers is familiar with this problem at the national level, it does not have the firsthand knowledge and experience in New Jersey that NJIT has accrued in its 119 years of service. I know that Congressman Franks and Menendez have already submitted statements requesting NJIT participate in this important research, and I urge the Army Corps to agree to their proposal. Including NJIT's expertise and experience in this research effort is a logical step and would greatly benefit the Army Corps, as well as significantly improve the project's chances of success. I urge the New York District of Corps of Engineers to work closely with my colleagues and me to ensure NJIT's full participation in this study. By working together, we can create a nexus between the considerable flood control expertise of the Army Corps and NJIT, and finally solve this difficult problem for the people of New Jersey. I hope my colleagues will support efforts towards this end.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for yielding me the time. Mr. Speaker, this is unprecedented legislation in an unprecedented session. I want to congratulate the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Chairman Shuster). I want to congratulate the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert), and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Borski) on a great job well done. They have set the pace in this session. I rise in strong support of the Water Resources Development Act, this conference report. As a member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I was pleased to work with my colleagues on a bipartisan basis to construct legislation to amend the Clean Water Act to establish a nationally consistent wet weather control standard for combined sewer and overflows. This bill was drafted by the committee and is a combination of two bills that were introduced in the 106th Congress. I am pleased that language from a bill that the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) and I introduced, the Combined Sewer Overflow Control and Partnership Act of 1999, is included. I say to the chairman, the ranking member, those involved, this legislation is not the sexy material which we in the legislature like to talk about many times, but there are not too many communities throughout the land that have the wherewithal or the resources to deal with the problem of combined sewer overflows. They just do not have the dollars and yet they are supposed to comply with EPA regulations and standards. Some of those communities have already been fined. This is going to go a long way in cleaning up our water system in the United States. The language that the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) and I wrote authorizes $1.5 billion for grant to municipalities and States for these projects. It authorizes $45 million in grants for demonstration projects on the use of watershed management for wet weather control in urban areas and to determine the most effective management practices for wet weather flows. This is a tremendous victory for towns all over America. The grant programs established in this legislation will finally give these towns, large and small, resources they need to clean up their sewer systems and to comply with the Clean Water Act. Urban wet weather pollution affects every community in this Nation. Discharges from urban areas and sewer systems during wet weather occur in either one or a combination of forms, including combined sewer overflows and sanitary sewer overflows. These discharges constitute the most pervasive, most costly municipal challenge to achieving the goals of the Clean Water Act. In other words, without this legislation, this is not going to get done. The problems are extremely evasive, very broadly due to the intermittent and temporary nature of storm events that caused it. The bill that the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) and I introduced strengthens the Clean Water Act to address the highest priority municipal water quality issues by including targeted reforms that redirect the Environmental Protection Agency's wet weather program in hopes of yielding greater success. I encourage all my colleagues to support this conference report. I again thank the chairman and thank the ranking member.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, today, the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly for H. Con. Res. 426, a resolution Concerning the Violence in the Middle East. I voted in favor of its passage, however, I wish to register my continued concerns about the state of affairs in the Middle East. We must be clear: there is bloodshed in both Palestinian and Israeli neighborhoods; mothers of both Palestinians and Israelis mourn over their dead and dying; there is distrust and cultural pride in both Palestinian and Israeli hearts. This situation is not exclusive to one side: it is a mutual tragedy. I am proud that the United States has played the role of an honest broker during these recent weeks. Moreover, I support the efforts made by our Nation and our President to broker peace between these warring parties in the Middle East. I believe that the United States needs to continue dedicating our resources towards the effort of lasting and sincere peace. I voted in favor of passage of the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill, which provides funding and resources for both Palestinians and Israelis. However, I am profoundly disappointed in what seems to be the inability of PLO Chairman Yassar Arafat to effectively communicate order and calm within his ranks. I see, more often than not, Palestinian rebels throwing rocks and stones in mob rule fashion. It is incumbent upon Chairman Arafat to restore order and, until that occurs, the United States will find it difficult to maintain its honest broker status. I want to reiterate my unflagging commitment to the peace process in the Middle East. Now is not the time for the United States to pick a side. Rather, it is time for us to be prepared to play an integral and historic role in helping restore peace in that region. Without the help of both Palestinians and Israelis, this accomplishment will be impossible.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be withdrawn as a cosponsor of H. Res. 398.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the rule, H. Res. 616, which will allow the House to consider H.R. 4205, the Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for 2001. I am pleased that the Committee on Rules crafted a rule that will waive all points of order against the conference report. A blanket waiver is efficient and would be consistent with the actions of this committee in the 106th Congress. I also want to commend the members of the House and Senate Committee on Armed Services and applaud the conferees for their deliberation and consideration of important measures included in the legislation. I am pleased that the conferees retained language from the Senate bill that establishes new and important resources for our Nation's firefighters. The provisions in my legislation, H.R. 1168, the FIRE Act, are included in the DOD authorization bill. The level of authorization may not be what we wanted it to be, but this is a beginning for our firefighters. We have dedicated our efforts, Mr. Speaker, to the six heroes who died in Worchester, Massachusetts, the firefighters. The $100 million that is authorized for this year and the $300 million that is authorized for 2002 are significant attempts to help the 32,000 fire departments and the million firefighters throughout America. Paid, combination, volunteer departments and emergency medical technicians will be eligible to apply for these grants. When appropriated, fire departments can hire personnel, purchase new and modernized equipment, provide fire prevention education programs and wellness programs for our firefighters to modify outdated fire stations. It sends the dollars directly to the departments to the communities in need through competitive grants without going through the State red tape. I want to thank all 284 cosponsors in this House, Mr. Speaker, for this important legislation and for their support and interest. I especially would like to thank the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer). This is a victory for our firefighters. I am honored to have been part of it. And again, I want to thank the committee, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I was unfortunately absent for the rollcall vote on passage of H.R. 3244, the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act Conference Report. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown) for yielding me the time. Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by acknowledging my colleague, the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Meek), for her hard work, determination, and advocacy on behalf of those with lupus. This is an issue that the congresswoman has been working on for a very long time. And I am pleased to see that the leadership is working in a bipartisan way to bring this legislation to the floor. Mr. Speaker, this should be the way we should handle all matters in these final, final days. We need to do here for those least able to help themselves. I think that should be the barometer. It will help us through these tough days. This is a serious, complex, inflammatory, autoimmune disease that affects women nine times more often than men. Oftentimes those suffering from lupus are not diagnosed in a timely manner. I have seen that happen to close friends. They remain in pain and the sickness progresses. It has been estimated that between 1.4 and 2 million Americans have been diagnosed with this disease and that many more have undiagnosed cases. The victims of the disease suffer debilitating pain and fatigue, making it difficult to maintain employment and to lead normal lives. This critical legislation will correct the oversight that was made in the past by providing increased funding for NIH scientific and clinical research and for improved patient access and care measures. It will ensure that every person who suffers from this disease will receive the highest quality of care possible. The funding will also improve the quality, availability, and the organization of health care and support services for individuals with lupus and support services for their families. I wholeheartedly support the passage of this legislation and encourage all my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, this is an insult to our intelligence. Let us put our cards on the table; let us say it the way it is. This legislation that we have just received from the Senate requires no periodic inspections. It requires zilch. Number two, the people who do the inspections do not even have to be trained. Now, who are we kidding? Who are we really kidding on this legislation? This is a disgrace. There are 2.2 million miles of pipeline in this country. And if my colleagues think this is going to help us, other than helping the pipeline companies, they are dead wrong and others are dead in the past 10 years. My colleagues have heard the statistics. This is an insult that my colleagues would think that this is pipeline safety. Who are my colleagues doing their bidding for? I have always stood up here with congeniality, but if my colleagues think this is going to help pipeline safety when these pipelines go into people's houses and through dormitories, do my colleagues know what we are now leading to? We are leading to a moratorium on pipelines until we get our own act together, and I do not care who supports it. We should vote this down.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this conference report and commend the Committee for its hard work. I am especially pleased and delighted because this Conference Report includes funding for the New Jersey Community Development Center's ``Transportation Opportunity Center,'' which is located in Paterson, New Jersey. The Transportation Opportunity Center will demonstrate the vital role that transportation and the transportation industry plays in extending economic opportunity to low income individuals--particularly those moving from welfare to work. The Center is in the heart of Paterson's historic district and will be used to educate low-income citizens about using existing public transportation to access suburban-based jobs. It is through innovative programs like the Transportation Opportunity Center that we can continue to increase access to transportation for low-income citizens who are striving to participate in this prosperous economy. These changes are good for our environment, good for our economy, and good for our quality of life. I have said so many times--and I think you would all agree--that we do not invest in our transportation system merely to improve roads and bridges. Transportation is not merely about getting from point A to point B. We invest in transportation to improve the very quality of life for our citizens. That is what this project will do. Again, I thank the Committee for its hard work, and I urge my colleagues to support this Conference Report.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention the deeds of a remarkable organization, the Self Reliance (NJ) Federal Credit Union of Passaic, New Jersey. This outstanding money lending organization celebrates its 40th Anniversary on Sunday, October 29, 2000. It is a company with a long history of caring, generosity and commitment to others. Its years of service and leadership deserve to be honored. The Self Reliance (NJ) Federal Credit Union was recognized for its many years of leadership in Passaic, which I have been honored to represent in Congress since 1997, and so it is only fitting that these words are immortalized in the annals of this greatest of all freely elected bodies. The Self Reliance (Passaic, NJ) Federal Credit Union opened its doors in January of 1960 with seven members in a small office. The office was located in the Ukrainian National Home on Hope Avenue in Passaic. Members include members of the Self-reliance'' Association of Ukrainian Americans, employees of the Union and relatives of employees. Founded on the principle of ``People Helping People,'' the credit union provides financial services that help its members enhance their quality of life. On February 28, 1960, 51 members elected the credit union's first Board of Directors and Supervisory Committee. A loan policy was established. In January of 1961, the first annual meeting of members took place. Over the first year the credit union's membership increased to 191 and total loans were $23,000. The following year there were 241 members and total loans increased to $44,000. From 1966 through 1970, the credit union gained approximately 40 members per year to a total of 582, with $424,000 in loans. In 1989, the Board of Directors purchased a building on Allwood Road in Clifton, New Jersey. The site was completely renovated. In August 1991, the credit union relocated its main office to Clifton, and expanded the hours of operation at the branch office in Passaic. In April 1993, the organization changed its name to Self Reliance (NJ) Federal Credit Union. In November 1995, the union established an additional facility in Whippany, New Jersey. The same year the union introduced VISA Credit Cards, Home Equity Loans, international electronic fund transfers and IRS Certificates of Deposit to its list of services. During 1996, VISA Check (Debit) Cards were introduced giving members ATM machine access. In July 1997, the group merged with Self Reliance (Elizabeth, NJ) Federal Credit Union increasing the number of branch offices to four. By 1998, with financial growth of 15%, the credit union became the largest Ukrainian financial institution in the State of New Jersey. Today the union boasts nearly $60 million in assets and over 4,300 members. To mark the occasion of its 40th anniversary in the year 2000 a disco was held on October 27, a Zebava (cultural) dance was held on October 28, and a banquet was held on October 29. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, the members and supporters of this special credit union and me in recognizing the outstanding and invaluable service to the community of the Self Reliance (NJ) Federal Credit Union.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention the deeds of a person I am proud to call my friend, Albert Mardirossian, Jr. of Clifton, New Jersey, who will be recognized on Friday, October 6, 2000 as the Passaic Lions Club Man of the Year. He was feted because of his many years of service and leadership. The 80-year-old organization chooses one man each year that has, ``given themselves to both the city and its residents.'' It is only appropriate that he be honored, for he has a long history of caring, generosity and commitment to others. Albert was recognized for his many years of leadership in New Jersey, which I have been honored to represent in Congress since 1997, and so it is only fitting that these words are immortalized in the annals of this greatest of all freely elected bodies. Born in Passaic, New Jersey, Albert Mardirossian, Jr. graduated from Clifton High School in 1956. He received his BS from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1960. As an undergraduate, he served as Class President, Student Council President and Captain of the Fencing Team. Later, he was the school's fundraising chair in 1965 and its Alumni President in 1966. Albert has always been an active and involved leader. The time at Fairleigh Dickinson instilled in Albert the attributes necessary for him to become a stellar force in the community. It was the small steps in the beginning of his career that taught him the fundamentals that would make him a role model to the people that he now serves. Known for a questioning mind and an ability to get things done, Albert has received numerous community awards. These include two previous ``Man of the Year'' designations. The Passaic Optimists named him in 1985, and the Passaic Old Timers AA tapped him in 1986. He also received ``Appreciation Awards'' from the Hispanic Information Center of Passaic in 1985 and from the Passaic County Freeholders in 1993. In addition, he is a winner of the Councilman Jim Shoop Community Service Award and the Deacon Magnus Ellen Community Service Award. Currently, Al builds homes and develops properties in South Jersey, mostly in Little Egg Harbor Township in Ocean County. This native of Passaic and Clifton resident is active in both communities. He has long donated time and money to school athletics. This was evidenced in 1999 with the naming of the Passaic High School ``Albert Mardirossian, Jr. Weight & Training Room.'' Sports are a passion for Al since he used to own two sporting goods stores. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, Albert's family and friends and me in recognizing the outstanding and invaluable service to the community of Albert Mardirossian, Jr., a true humanitarian.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, the House passed the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act on September 26. The funding for that act expired on September 30. When is the Senate going to act? The vote here was 415 to 3. The House took great strides in reauthorizing the funding programs in the VAWA that will improve the quality of life for millions of women and children across the country. It reauthorizes programs that make a real difference in our communities: the STOP grants, the National Domestic Violence Hotline, battered women's shelters, rape crisis centers. I visited one of those centers just recently. They are doing the job. That is why we reauthorized it. Where is the Senate? We must be sensitive to the needs of every woman who is a victim of these tragic circumstances. I would like to thank the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers) for their leadership on this critical legislation.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown) for yielding me the time and also recognize and commend the work of the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Bass) for his leadership on this issue. Mr. Speaker, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in America excluding skin cancers and claims the lives of approximately 40,000 women in the United States each year. My friend, the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Coburn), has brought this to our attention time and time again on health matters. An estimated three million women in the United States are living with breast cancer. Another two million have been diagnosed. And an estimated one million do not yet know they have the disease. One out of every eight women in the United States will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, a risk that was one out of 14 in 1960. So we are making progress. But it is not good enough. This year a new case will be diagnosed every 3 minutes, and a woman will die from breast cancer every 12 minutes. Of all women diagnosed with breast cancer, 48 percent will die from it within 20 years. This resolution recognizes the importance of education, early detection and treatment of breast cancer, which is critical to millions of women and men and their families across this country. This resolution is especially timely because October is the month we recognize this horrible disease. All across America people are walking, spreading education materials, sponsoring free mammograms, and hosting charity walks to commemorate loved ones that are still fighting the battle against breast cancer. As Members of Congress, we have a responsibility to follow the tenet laid out in this resolution. We must raise the profile of the significance, the importance of regular checkups, breast self- examinations, and early mammograms. I encourage my colleagues to do the same and to promote and participate in Breast Cancer Awareness Month activities across this country. I commend those who brought it to this floor, and I am proud to be a cosponsor of this legislation. I salute Members on both sides of the aisle.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today in support of H.R. 534. This legislation is designed to specifically help automobile dealers, but it is also legislation that will help consumers and our communities at large. There are 700 new automobile retail businesses throughout New Jersey. Dealerships are located on every highway, and in almost every downtown area throughout the state. I know driving down Route 46, and Route 23, and on other roads, I see dozens of these businesses that are contributing to the betterment of Northern New Jersey. These small businesses serve as important parts of the community. You can see their names on the backs of youth sports league jerseys and they always provide funds to civic events and fundraising drives. It is time we in Congress give back on behalf of our communities, and do something to resolve an inequity and promote fairness in the automobile industry. H.R. 534 merely makes binding arbitration in dealer/manufacturer disputes a voluntary option. This is needed legislation to help a segment of the small business community that needs our help. We must pass this legislation for not only business owners, but for their employees as well. Automotive retailing in New Jersey accounts for the direct employment of almost 45 thousand workers. There are also 24 thousand workers who indirectly owe their jobs to these businesses in the Garden State. That is 67 thousand workers who will see the benefits this legislation provides. This legislation is also of great benefit to the consumer, who as we all know, is always looking to get the best possible deal on a car. H.R. 534 promotes competition in an already very competitive industry, yielding the best prices for dealers, and these deals can be passed onto the consumer. As a member of the House Small Business Committee, I am always looking to help small businesses succeed and grow. Small business is the engine that has brought our economy to where it is today. This legislation will help one group of small businesses in their pursuit of economic success. I am pleased to be a cosponsor of this bill and support it on the floor.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support of House Resolution 547 and I commend my colleague, Congressman Neal, for bringing this important measure to the floor today. Mr. Speaker, the last 4 years have brought great change to Northern Ireland and we are all hopeful that these changes will eventually yield peace. Unfortunately, the devil is in the details. One of the most glaring of these details is the matter of policing. If there is going to be lasting peace in Northern Ireland, then there must be reform of the Royal Ulster Constabulary [RUC]--Northern Ireland's police force. The RUC is comprised of 92 percent Protestant officers and human rights organizations have historically accused this police force of brutality against Catholics in the region. Without addressing this contentious and complex problem, it will be impossible for peace to reign in Northern Ireland. I might add that the United States is no stranger to incidents of police brutality. In fact, we have bills pending in Congress which call for reforms of police enforcement practices. We know in the United States that if a community does not have trust in the law enforcement charged with policing them, then chaos and unrest will rule. We must be consistent in our country and when we call for peace in other countries, like Northern Ireland. That is why I urge all of my colleagues to vote in favor of House Resolution 547. This resolution encourages the British Parliament to follow the recommendations of the Patten Report: To give the police force a new name, new badges and symbols free of the British or Irish states; to no longer fly the Union flag at police stations; and, to substantially increase the proportion of Catholic officers to 30 percent of the total force in 10 years. If the parties involved in the peace agreement can accept these recommendations and implement them in a timely fashion, then I believe that they can achieve lasting peace in Northern Ireland. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support House Resolution 547.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I am thrilled that the Children's Health Act of 2000 is on the floor today. I would like to thank the Chair of the Subcommittee on Health and the Environment, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), and the ranking member, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown), for their leadership and determination to see the bill through. But I want to take special time to salute the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Greenwood) for his work on behalf of children in America. The gentleman from Pennsylvania has worked tirelessly on behalf of millions of Americans suffering from traumatic brain injury. He has also assisted in my efforts to create the first national traumatic brain injury registry, which is critical. I first became involved with this issue several years ago when a constituent of mine, Dennis Benigno, approached me to tell me about his son, who was struck by a car, hospitalized for months, leaving him with severe cognitive and physical damage. As a result of his son's accident, Mr. Benigno has been on the front lines researching the disease, informing others, reaching out to the medical research and scientific community, and lobbying elected officials like myself. I am proud of the efforts and the progress my good friend has made on behalf of traumatic brain injury, and I am pleased that the national registry will be included in the Children's Health Act. These brain injury registries will also charge hospitals and local and State departments of health with the task of collecting data for up to a year following the injury. A national registry will help all of us to better understand the injury, what types of treatment people have received, what services they use, and how we can best link people with services. I also hope that we fight each day, like Dennis does, to raise awareness of this disease and to fight for the injured, like his son. I urge all my colleagues to, when the bill comes up after we debate the rule, vote for the passage of this bill.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, we find ourselves facing impending cold weather and a looming energy crisis. Oil prices and high energy costs must be an issue on the Nation's agenda. The rising cost of home heating oil will have a devastating economic impact on 36 percent of the households in the Northeast. We in Congress cannot ignore this. Currently, home heating oil inventories are down. In fact, stocks of crude oil, gasoline and heating oil in the United States have not been at levels this low since the middle 1970s, when our economy was thrown into turmoil. The demand for fuel is predicted to increase significantly this winter. We need to do a few things. A home heating oil reserve in the Northeast with an effective trigger is critical to the stability and well-being of all of our constituents. I am pleased that the President has heeded the bipartisan call of many in Congress to use the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to help lower the price of oil and satisfy some of the demand. Only a small percentage of the released oil will be used for home heating oil, but the message the President has given is clear: the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and its funding and weatherization assistance is also essential for low-income families. We must continue to take steps to ensure that low-income families and seniors do not have to make the choice between staying warm or buying food.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Michigan for yielding me this time. I would also like to thank him for his leadership and the leadership of the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella) for their advocacy on behalf of women who are victims of domestic abuse and violence. I praise their efforts. They are absolutely laudatory in my comments. This bill reauthorizes a number of important programs that will improve the quality of life for millions of women and children. It reauthorizes programs that make a real difference in our communities, like the STOP grants, the national domestic violence outline, battered women's shelters, and rape crisis centers. Just a little while ago, I visited the Passaic County Women's Center in my district. I saw firsthand how the original Violence Against Women Act has provided assistance to women in my district. Violence committed against 500,000 women each year does not discriminate. Women who are victims of violence are rich and poor, young and old, disabled and physically healthy, speak little or no English or the Queen's English. I urge the passage of this legislation.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, earlier this month I visited members of the AARP in Clifton, New Jersey, to talk about issues that affect senior citizens. The first thing they asked me is, ``Are we ever going to get prescription drug coverage?'' And I said to them the best answer I could come up with, ``I hope so.'' Obviously, these seniors are not alone in questioning whether or not Congress will actually do something or if this is yet another example of political posturing during an election year. The only certainty I could leave these seniors is the fact that I support prescription drug coverage through the Medicare program and that I was committed to working in a bipartisan fashion to guarantee that it gets done this Congress. The need for a comprehensive prescription drug plan is clear, and the time for Congress to act is now. Seniors understand better than anyone else the high cost of prescription drugs. The lack of comprehensive coverage for seniors forces them to make decisions that threaten the quality of their lives and indeed their well-being. The number of seniors without drug coverage is increasing day after day. Right now, approximately three out of every five Medicare beneficiaries lack decent, dependable drug coverage. Thirteen million beneficiaries have no prescription coverage, and millions more are at risk of losing coverage. Most seniors without prescription drug coverage are middle-class folks. Many of those seniors have retiree plans without comprehensive coverage, and even those with coverage are on the verge of losing it. Why? Because the number of firms offering retiree health insurance coverage dropped 30 percent between 1993 and 1999. Another reason is that, in many States, insurers that participate in the Medicare+Choice program are also dropping out because of low Medicare reimbursements. We have this all across America. This is not a partisan issue. This cuts across party lines. Other Medicare HMOs, like in the State of New Jersey, are cutting their prescription plans when their profit margin decreases. We must understand that. In fact, I spoke to an HMO official in New Jersey the other day who informed me that, unless Medicare reimburses for prescription drugs, HMOs would continue to drop the coverage, compounding the situation's severity. This leaves seniors stranded. The high cost of prescription drugs for seniors without coverage is of grave concern. Senior citizens tend to live on fixed incomes. These incomes are adjusted to keep up with the rate of inflation. With this in mind, Families USA recently reported that 50 of the most commonly used prescription drugs by seniors increased in cost at nearly twice the rate of inflation in 1999. That cannot be acceptable by anybody on this floor. Seniors that use drugs to combat chronic illnesses are hit even harder. Many times they are forced to spend over 10 percent of their income on prescription drugs. If a senior has diabetes, if a senior has hypertension, high cholesterol, they need to maintain their health every day with prescription medication. For example, a widow living with one of these illnesses and an income within 150 percent of poverty level without comprehensive coverage will spend 18.3 percent of her annual income on prescription medications. This example is one of many reasons why we cannot delay passing a voluntary prescription drug plan through Medicare. Congress has the responsibility to pass a prescription drug benefit that is affordable and accessible to every senior citizen in America. We must guarantee that market vulnerability and poor Medicare reimbursements no longer keep seniors from getting prescription drug coverage.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this legislation offered by my colleagues, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer). I salute them both. The findings contained in this legislation are historic and astonishing. Last year, many of us in this House went to Macedonia and Albania and saw the refugee camps. I carry with me in my pocket at all times, along with my copy of the Constitution, I might add, a picture of a young boy, Valdrin Ferizaj, 8 years old, who tugged at my pants in a refugee camp where there were 35,000 refugees, which was only supposed to hold 10,000. He spoke to me in a language I could not understand. And someone translated, ``He is asking you, Mr. Congressman, where is his mother and father.'' I have tried to find them since coming back, and I will continue. It is a landmark day in Yugoslavia. Early results from that election are showing that opposition candidate Vojislav Kostunica will win the first round elections against Slobodan Milosevic. Not surprisingly, Mr. Milosevic's camp is disputing the claims. But we have been through this, have we not? The Milosevic camp is disputing these preliminary results and are calling for a second round. But we who are witnesses to the death, to the destruction, to the displacement, and to the deception caused by this man, which is documented and well-known, can only hope that this murderous leader is indeed defeated. As was earlier stated by both leaders, and soon to be the other sponsor of the bill, because of America's involvement in the Balkans, we will have a vested interest in helping democratic change, in all of Yugoslav. And in the parts of Yugoslav, this region in southeastern Europe, is in critical need of security and stability. There is a ray of hope here today, Mr. Speaker, and I stand in hope that we will really understand healthy results this evening and tomorrow morning.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my deep disappointment that the Senate has approved permanent normal trade relations with China, which the President will soon sign. Contrary to the cheers heard from private industry, this is not a moment of celebration for millions of hard-working American men and women. In fact, American workers in specific industries are watching their jobs disappear. We have sacrificed their livelihood on the alter of trade with China. These are working people who will soon see their jobs exported overseas. In New Jersey, we will lose 22,000 jobs over the next 10 years. Upon enactment of PNTR, the United States is caving in to pressure from private industry and turning a blind eye to the Chinese Government's flagrant shortcomings. I did not vote for PNTR when it was considered in the House because an affirmative vote was one that would legitimize the actions of a government known for terrorizing its citizens, disallowing free speech and religion, and for breaking every trade agreement they have made with the United States. Increased trade with China will not force the reform and democracy in their deeply flawed government. We have given them a pink slip, our workers, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my deep concern and disappointment that the Senate has approved Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China, which the President will soon sign into law. Contrary to the cheers heard from private industry, this is not a moment of celebration for millions of hard working American men and women who will get the short end of the stick. PNTR is a bad deal for the United States and its people. I am ashamed to tell the men and women in my district, the Eighth Congressional District of New Jersey, that this bill passed Congress. These are working people, who will soon see their jobs exported overseas. New Jersey will lose over 22 thousand jobs over the next ten years upon enactment of this bill. Furthermore, upon enactment of PNTR, the United States is caving in to pressure from private industry and turning a blind eye to the Chinese government's flagrant shortcomings. I did not vote for China PNTR when it was considered in the House because an affirmative vote was one that would legitimize the actions of a government known for terrorizing its citizens, disallowing free speech and religion, and for breaking every trade agreement with the United States. Increased trade with China will not foster reform and democracy in their deeply flawed government. Instead, it will lead America into trade deficits, as has been proven in normal trade relations agreements in the past. Most importantly, I am disappointed that the American worker was not well represented in this Congress. Instead of ensuring that hard working American families are secure in their jobs so that they can put food on their table, clothes on their backs, and pay their mortgage, the Congress has just handed them a pink slip. I applaud the attempts of some of my colleagues in the Senate who tried to offer remedies to this flawed bill, but were rebuffed with each and every attempt. I was disappointed that constructive amendments--amendments dealing with labor standards, human rights, weapons technology and policy toward Taiwan--were rejected. I try to remain optimistic about the prospects for our future. But I am continually discouraged from optimism when I watch the textile industry in my district vanish before my very eyes. How can the workers in my District be optimistic when they are looking for work in trades that will no longer be based in the United States? Right before the House took the vote on China PNTR, workers in my district held a rally against passage. The site? A textile company that had closed down because jobs have been exported overseas slowly, but surely. Workers, businessmen, students and veterans were all in attendance at the rally, united against this trade policy that will be enacted soon after I speak here today. The opposition I stood with that day was a broad coalition of patriots. They would like us to export our values before our jobs. This trade agreement is nothing more than corporate welfare. We are paving the way for multinational corporations to exploit low-wage workers without fear of human rights violations for working conditions. After all, workers in China are not protected by their government. There are no unions, no freedoms, no whistle-blowing, no legal recourse for inhumane conditions, no freedom of speech . . . the list goes on and on. I will never surrender my moral compass, and that the only thing I want to be permanent between the United States and China is a commitment to freedom. I vehemently oppose the passage of China PNTR, and will continue to fight on behalf of American laborers in the future. God bless America.